Welcome to LATINA’s weekly roundup of the best new music. This week’s list features Karol G’s fiery collaboration with Shakira, the return of RBD, and Bad Bunny’s duet with the Gorillaz.
Also on the list: Paulina Rubio’s party anthem, a collaboration between Mike Bahía and his fiancée Greeicy, and Veronique Medrano’s hopeful “Running On Empty.” Plus, Ana Bárbara tribute to Vicente Fernández and Pedro Capó’s sultry song with Lali.
Karol G and Shakira, “TQG”
Karol G is back with her new album Mañana Será Bonito. The 17-track LP includes the Colombian superstar’s highly-anticipated collaboration “TQG” with one of her country’s pop icons, Shakira. In the bewitching reggaeton banger, Karol G and Shakira tear their exes down while building each other up. The Colombian girl power is real when Shakira shouts out their hometowns of Barranquilla and Medallo, a.k.a. Medellín. “When I heard that [part of the song] for the first time, I went crazy because I know this is going to be something big for my country,” Karol G told LATINA. On the experience of working with Shakira, she added, “That made my life! That made me so happy. I feel like the people in Colombia will be like, ‘Wow! It’s incredible that we have this moment with this female collaboration in front of the world.'”
RBD, “S.H.E.A.”
RBD has returned with its first new single since reuniting earlier this year. The Mexican pop band re-released its 2020 single “Siempre He Estado Aquí” as “S.H.E.A.” This time around, Dulce María’s voice rejoined those of her bandmates Anahí, Christian Chávez, Christopher von Uckermann, and Maite Perroni. Dulce María sat out RBD’s brief 2020 reunion while she was pregnant. The soaring love song sounds more complete with the five voices of RBD, united once again to thank their fans for support. This summer, RBD will tour the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia with the Soy Rebelde Tour. The title is a nod to the Mexican telenovela Rebelde on which the group formed in 2004.
Paulina Rubio, “No Es Mi Culpa”
Paulina Rubio is living her best life in her new single “No Es Mi Culpa.” In the fierce anthem, the Mexican pop icon sings about getting the party started. Backed by reggaeton beats with a touch of electronica, Rubio sings in Spanish, “[I want to celebrate] to the point where I don’t remember where I left my shoes.” In the colorful music video, she invites everyone to dance with her, including a fierce bearded drag queen, a breakdancer, and a cheerleader.
Mike Bahía and Greeicy, “Mi Pecadito”
Mike Bahía teamed up with his fiancée Greeicy for their new single “Mi Pecadito.” The Colombian power couple embrace bachata music in their devilishly delightful love song. Bahía told LATINA, “Uniting with Greeicy is one of those cardinal points in life where I know that I’m going down the correct path. Our audience likes to see us together, and we wanted to give them this surprise.” The song will be included on Bahía’s upcoming album. He is currently performing across the U.S. on the Amantes Tour: Kai with Greeicy.
Pedro Capó and Lali, “Una Vez Más”
Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Pedro Capó teamed up with Argentine pop star Lali for his new single “Una Vez Más.” The duet was included on his album La Neta, which was released last year. In the sultry love song, Capó and Lali trade verses about lusting for an old flame. Capo told LATINA, “Lali is divine and working with her has been very nice. This song has become one of my favorites on my album.”
Veronique Medrano, “Running On Empty”
Veronique Medrano is embracing country music’s Tejano roots with her new single “Running On Empty.” In the bustling, booming track, the Mexican-American artist sings about hanging in there while hustling to stay afloat. She digs deep to channel her angst into an anthem of hope. The song will be included on her upcoming album MexiAmerica. While citing Freddy Fender, Linda Rondstadt, Selena, and Little Joe as inspirations, Medrano told LATINA, “Mexican-Americans are not just one sound, story or style and I hope that with my music catalog past, present and future, it really shows that limitless capability inherent in our duality and our perspective.”
Ana Bárbara and Vicente Fernández, “La Jugada”
In honor of what would’ve been Vicente Fernández‘s 83rd birthday earlier this month, Ana Bárbara released the song “La Jugada,” a heart-wrenching ranchera duet by the two Mexican icons, which they recorded before Fernández’s passing in 2017. Bárbara complements Fernández well as they deliver emotional performances about missing the ones that got away. On their song finally seeing the light of day, Bárbara told LATINA, “I can’t find the words to express my gratitude to the great excitement of seeing the dream of uniting my voice with that of my great idol Don Vicente Fernández crystallize.”
Gorillaz and Bad Bunny, “La Tormenta.”
Bad Bunny is back in an unexpected way. The Puerto Rican superstar features on the Gorillaz‘s new song “La Tormenta.” In the feel-good track, the British band blended reggaeton beats with their psychedelic edge. Bad Bunny sings in Spanish about enjoying the moment with a loved one despite living in a turbulent world. The trippy duet was included on the Gorillaz’s new album Cracker Island.
LATINA New Music Picks are published every Monday.
