Welcome to LATINA’s weekly roundup of the best new music. This week’s list includes the return of Brazilian superstar Anitta, Nicki Minaj’s “Barbie Girl” remake with Ice Spice, and the new album from Mexican singer Peso Pluma.
Also on the list: The emergence of rising bilingual artist Niko Rubio and Yahritza y Su Esencia’s collaboration with Yuridia and Ángela Aguilar. Plus, Bad Gyal’s stellar remix of “Chulo” with Tokischa and Young Miko and Immasoul’s Latin R&B love song “Sintonía.”
Anitta, “Funk Rave”
After parting ways with Warner Music earlier this year, Anitta is back! The Brazilian superstar released the song “Funk Rave” through her new home Republic Records and partnership with Universal Music Latin. Anitta continues to bring the Brazilian funk genre from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro into the mainstream. She also flexes her global appeal while singing in Portuguese, Spanish, and English in the empowering club banger. “All the music I’ve been making for the past year is music I’m so proud of,” Anitta said in a statement. “It’s both incredibly Brazilian and intentionally international. I made sure it sounds like me in every fiber of the music.”
Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice, “Barbie World”
Another Latina has joined the Barbie movie universe. First, Karol G released the song “Watati” with Aldo Ranks on the soundtrack. Now Nicki Minaj has enlisted Dominican-American star Ice Spice for their remake of Aqua’s classic “Barbie Girl.” In “Barbie World,” they turn the bubbly pop song into a drill-infused anthem. Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice use their fierce swagger to boast about living a luxury life like Barbie while pulling in Ken dolls. Earlier this year, Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj joined forces for the “Princess Diana” remix. The Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling and Barbie The Album will be released on July 21.
Niko Rubio, “Un Millón De Besos”
Niko Rubio is embracing her Latina roots in her new EP Un Millón De Besos. The L.A.-based singer-songwriter is of Mexican and Salvadoran descent. Across the 6-track EP, Rubio masterfully blends her R&B flow in English with elements of Latin music in Spanish. She comes through with hypnotic bilingual songs like “No Te Vayas” and the bossa nova-infused “Un Millón De Besos.” There’s no limits to how Rubio beautifully expresses herself through her music. “It literally translates to ‘A Million Kisses,’” she told LATINA. “It’s the romantic part of the EP. Any Latin woman my age or older listened to Shakira with her mother or grandmother in the car. I definitely did, and I’m paying homage to that.”
Yahritza y Su Esencia, Yuridia, and Ángela Aguilar, “Qué Agonía” Remix
One of the biggest regional Mexican music hits of the year is getting re-imagined by Yahritza y Su Esencia. The Mexican-American group teamed up with Yuridia and Ángela Aguilar for a remix of “Qué Agonía.” Yahritza Martinez makes the song even more heartbreaking through her sierreño-styled update. She delivers an emotional performance alongside Yuridia and Aguilar who seamlessly find their footing in this slow-burn version. Before releasing the remix, Yahritza y Su Esencia often performed their rendition of “Qué Agonía” during concerts. This fall, they will put on concerts in the west coast on the Obsessed Tour. The original version of “Qué Agonía” was released on Yuridia’s album Pa’ Luego Es Tarde.
Immasoul, “Sintonía”
Immasoul continues to push Latin R&B to new places through her music. In her new single “Sintonía,” the Mexican singer-songwriter blends the emerging genre with reggaeton beats. With her soulful vocals, Immasoul sings about a romance that feels otherworldly. “I made this song last summer,” she wrote on Instagram. “This story accompanied me for a whole year, and finally it’s yours too.” The gorgeous love song will be included on Immasoul’s upcoming EP Amores Pasajeros, which will be released on July 28. Earlier this year, she released the trap-infused track “WM (Wifey Material)” and mesmerizing “A Tu Lado.”
Bad Gyal, Young Miko, and Tokischa, “Chulo Pt. 2”
Bad Gyal released a stellar version of one of her smash hits. The Spanish rapper joined forces with Dominican star Tokischa and rising Puerto Rican act Young Miko for “Chulo Pt. 2.” Tokischa and Young Miko are both a part of the LGBTQ+ community, so this queer-positive remix arrives just in time for Pride Month. Tokischa comes through with a hot-and-heavy guest verse while Young Miko sings to a woman that drives her wild. “‘Chulo Pt. 2’ is a very organic collaboration between the three of us,” Bad Gyal told LATINA. “Both Tokischa and Young Miko gave this song a new meaning, and transformed it into a very original and perfect continuation, straying away from the typical remix.”
Peso Pluma, Gabito Ballesteros, and Junior H, “Lady Gaga”
After becoming one of the biggest Latin artists in the world, Peso Pluma has released his new album Génesis. The Mexican superstar continues to revitalize corridos for a new generation across the 14-track LP. He previously previewed the album with the heart-wrenching “Bye” and the fiery “Rosa Pastel” alongside Jasiel Nuñez. Peso Pluma teams up with fellow corridos stars Gabito Ballesteros and Junior H for the bélico love song “Lady Gaga.” “For those who want to cry, to laugh, or to dance, there’s something for everyone,” Peso Pluma told LATINA. “I want people to take away the good energy that I wanted to put out there with ‘Génesis.’”
Rauw Alejandro and Bizarrap, “Hello Baby”
Rauw Alejandro dropped two explosive songs with Argentine producer Bizarrap last week. The Puerto Rican superstar first joined forces with him for “BZRP Music Sessions #56.” In the feel-good song, Alejandro made references to Shakira’s classic “Loba” and “Despechá” by his girlfriend Rosalía. He also teamed up with Bizarrap for his new single “Hello Baby.” Elements of jersey club music collide with electronica in the out-of-this-world collaboration. The sexy track is the first taste of Alejandro’s upcoming album Playa Saturno. “Two songs for you guys to enjoy!!” Alejandro wrote on Instagram. “Happy summer 2023. ‘Playa Saturno’ is coming soon.”
Lucas Villa is a freelance music contributor for LATINA. His work is also featured in Rolling Stone, Billboard, Teen Vogue, MTV News and W Magazine.
