Welcome to LATINA’s weekly roundup of the best new music. This week’s list includes Kali Uchis’ freaky perreo with El Alfa and JT, the debut album by Grupo Frontera, and Danna Paola’s introspective single.
Also on the list: Lido Pimienta’s anthem for the Colombia women’s national football team, Carla Morrison’s ode to Sister Maria Rosa Leggol, and Ivy Queen’s celebration of reggaeton. Plus, Le Coco’s sexy single and DENNIS’ Brazilian funk banger with Karol G and Maluma.
Kali Uchis, El Alfa, and JT, “ Muñekita”
Kali Uchis shows there’s no limits to her bilingual flow with her new single “Muñekita.” The Colombian-American superstar teamed up with Dominican rapper El Alfa and City Girls’ JT for the genre-bending banger. Uchis blends the sound of classic perreo with dembow in the freaky and fierce collaboration. “I love bringing artists together that you’d least expect,” Uchis said in a statement. “Both of them are known for their summer hits and high energy, so I’m incredibly excited to bring them together for a fun, sexy song like this.” Next month, Uchis will embark on the second leg of her Red Moon In Venus Tour across arenas on the west coast. Tokischa will serve as her opening act.
Grupo Frontera and Grupo Firme, “El Amor De Su Vida”
After helping regional Mexican music go global, Grupo Frontera have released their debut album. The Mexican-American band pushes norteño and cumbia music to new places on the aptly-titled El Comienzo. The LP includes worldwide hits like “Un x100to” with Bad Bunny and “Que Vuelvas” featuring Carin León. Grupo Frontera teams up with Grupo Firme in the heartbreaking collaboration “El Amor De Su Vida.” Another standout is the colorful “Las Flores” with Yahritza y Su Esencia. “Through our music, we hope to ignite a deep connection to our cultural roots while encouraging an appreciation for musical diversity,” the group shared in a statement with LATINA.
Danna Paola, “Tenemos Que Hablar”
Danna Paola is getting personal and more hands-on with her music. The Mexican pop star released her new single “Tenemos Que Hablar.” This is the second track that Paola co-produced from her upcoming album. In the dreamy synth-pop song, she shows off the range of her powerful voice. Paola sings about embracing her tumultuous journey to become the accomplished young woman that she is today. She previously released the smash hit “XT4S1S” and the breakup track “1Trago.” Back in April, Paola told LATINA, “I created a lot of songs that took inspiration from dark moments in my life. These songs saved me.” Her U.S. tour kicks off in San Jose on August 11.
Ivy Queen, Lennox, Brray, Marconi Impara, and Eix, “Toma” (Remix)
Ivy Queen is teaming up a fellow pioneer and the rising stars in reggaeton in her new single. For the remix of “Toma,” the Puerto Rican icon joined forces with Lennox and the new generation of Boricua artists, Brray, Marconi Impara, and Eix. Ivy Queen takes the perreo sound of the 2000s into the future with the explosive remix. “Together with these talented artists, we have created something special that represents what reggaeton means to me and the industry,” she told LATINA. “I’m at the top of my game.” Ivy Queen doesn’t let her crown as the first lady of reggaeton slip in this refreshing celebration of the genre.
Lido Pimienta, “Créetela (Believe it) You Belong”
Lido Pimienta is showing her support for the Colombia women’s national football team. Colombia is currently competing in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Colombian-Canadian singer is empowering women with her new anthem “Créetela (Believe it) You Belong.” Backed by tropical beats with an alternative edge, Pimienta encourages the listener to believe in themselves and dream big in Spanish and English. “For all the girls in all the neighborhoods of Colombia and around the world,” Pimienta wrote about the song on Instagram. “The field is hers too!! Supporting all the players, and today with much love to the women’s soccer team of Colombia. Go!!! We’re so proud of them.”
Carla Morrison, “Everything Was For Love”
Carla Morrison is singing in English for the first time in her new single “Everything Was For Love.” The Mexican artist translated the lyrics of her heartfelt ballad “Todo Fue Por Amor” that were inspired by Sister Maria Rosa Leggol into English. During her time as a nun, Leggol assisted women and children in fleeing from poverty and violence that was happening in Honduras. “I knew that something connected us, and that is the love for serving and being able to help others heal through my work, and that’s how I connected with her,” Morrison told LATINA. The song was recorded for the movie Con Esta Luz (With This Light), which was released in the U.S. on August 4.
Le Coco, “ASDA”
Le Coco brings an alternative edge to her Latin music. The Venezuelan singer-songwriter released her new single “ASDA.” In the reggaeton-infused romp, Le Coco uniquely blends dembow beats with synth-pop. She sings about feeling addicted to a hot-and-heavy romance in the alluring love song. “‘ASDA’ is a feeling,” she told LATINA. “I wrote this song in a time and place where love was the most powerful drug in the world but when you mix it with sex, drugs, and alcohol, everything gets magnified. When combined, this has transformed being in love into one of the most extreme things I have experienced in my life.”
DENNIS, MC Kevin o Chris, Maluma, and Karol G, “Tá OK” (Remix)
Karol G and Maluma get into the funk carioca groove with Brazilian DJ DENNIS. He enlisted the Colombian superstars to feature on the remix of his global hit “Tá OK” featuring MC Kevin o Chris. Karol G and Maluma translate the baile funk vibes into Spanish with their feel-good guest verses. She also sings a bit in Portuguese. “I feel so grateful to have them both with me in the music video,” DENNIS said in a statement. “This release is a great achievement in my career and a victory for me as an artist.” The hypnotic collaboration arrives ahead of Karol G’s upcoming album Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season), which will be released on August 11.
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.
