Welcome to LATINA’s weekly roundup of the best new music. This week’s list includes the new album from María Becerra and the return of Paloma Mami, while Camila Cabello embraces Afrobeats alongside Oxlade in “Ku Lo Sa.”
Also on the list: Chiquis honors the memory of her mom Jenni Rivera in “Paloma Blanca,” Natti Natasha celebrates her birthday with “To’ Esto Es Tuyo,” and Karol G joins the “Puss in Boots” universe. Plus, Blue Rojo releases a new heartbreak anthem and Alejo forms a dream team with CNCO.
María Becerra, “La Nena De Argentina”
María Becerra is taking center stage with her new album “La Nena De Argentina.” After amassing global hits with collaborations alongside artists like Camila Cabello and J Balvin, the Argentine singer opted to not have any featured artists on her second LP. “It was a necessity for me,” Becerra told LATINA about her decision, continuing “I wanted to achieve those next milestones with music by myself. I needed an album that counted on me alone.” Becerra drives the point home in the empowering song “La Nena De Argentina” that erupts into reggaeton banger like her other hit “Automático.” She also experimented with other genres like cumbia in the kiss-off track “Adios” and bachata in the sultry “Hasta Que La Muerte Nos Separe.” As an openly bisexual artist, Becerra sings to another woman in the vulnerable “Inspiradora.” With this adventurous album, she shines solo.
Oxlade and Camila Cabello, “Ku Lo Sa”
Camila Cabello is the latest Latina to embrace the emerging Afrobeats genre. Back in August, Nigerian singer Rema invited Selena Gomez to appear on the remix of his song “Calm Down,” and it became a global hit. Another one of this year’s biggest Afrobeats songs is “Ku Lo Sa.” Oxlade enlisted Cabello to feature on a remix of his heartfelt love song. In the irresistible Afrobeats track, Oxlade sings about his determination to get closer to the woman that he’s infatuated with. Cabello proves to be his perfect complement in the remix with her playful and sultry touch. She also seamlessly and beautifully translates his loving message into Spanish.
Paloma Mami, Pailita, and Pailita, “Síntomas de Soltera”
Paloma Mami has returned with her first new music release of the year. Earlier this year, the Chilean-American singer featured on the remix of Polimá Westcoast’s global hit “Ultra Sola” with Pailita, Feid, and De La Ghetto. For her new single “Síntomas de Soltera,” she regrouped with Pailita and another Chilean talent El Jordan 23. Backed by booming reggaeton beats, Mami lyrically cuts an ex-lover down to size while living her best life as a single woman. Speaking about her empowering anthem, she told LATINA, “It’s about living the single life, whether you’re single or not, going out with your girls to misbehave a little bit. Coming back after almost a year of not releasing music feels like a new beginning for me.”
Chiquis and Mariachi Divas, “Paloma Blanca”
Chiquis honored the 10th anniversary of her mother Jenni Rivera’s passing on Dec. 9 with the release of “Paloma Blanca.” The Mexican-American singer originally released the song in 2014 as her debut single. The title is a reference to the song “Paloma Negra” that Rivera dedicated to Chiquis before her passing. Chiquis decided to re-record “Paloma Blanca” as a duet with Mariachi Divas. The growth Chiquis has gone through as a singer since she first released the song shows in her heartfelt performance. “More than anything to remember my mother through this song,” Chiquis told LATINA “I’m hoping that people enjoy this mariachi version.”
Alejo and CNCO, “Estrella”
Rising Puerto Rican star Alejo teamed up with Latin boy band CNCO for his new single “Estrella.” The heartthrobs collide in this alluring love song. Backed by reggaeton beats with a tinge of electronica, Alejo and the guys of CNCO take turns serenading a woman and letting her know that she’s beautiful, telling her she doesn’t need to chase the validation of social media. Alejo and CNCO members Richard Camacho, Erick Brian Colón, Zabdiel De Jesús, and Zabdiel De Jesús make the listener feel like a star with their sensual performances. Alejo has the nickname El Favorito De Las Nenas, or “The Women’s Favorite,” for a reason. “To be able to make music that empowers women feels good,” he told LATINA. “It’s necessary. Unfortunately in the times we’re living in today, there’s a lot of machismo.”
Blue Rojo, “La Foto X El WhatsApp”
Fresh off appearing on the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” soundtrack this November, Blue Rojo released his new single “La Foto X El WhatsApp.” The Mexican singer-songwriter had a breakthrough in his career with his song “Inframundo” in “Black Panther,” that he is now following that up with his heartbreaking club anthem. As an openly gay artist, Blue Rojo sings about finding out that his boyfriend has cheated on him with a woman. Backed by reggaeton beats with elements of electronica, he wears his heart on his sleeve in an emotional performance. Towards the end of the track a surprise sample emerges of Belanova’s classic hit “Por Ti.”
Natti Natasha, “To’ Esto Es Tuyo.”
Natti Natasha celebrated her birthday on Dec. 10 with a special gift for her fans, releasing her new single “To’ Esto Es Tuyo.” The song comes on the heels of the Dominican superstar’s previous hits like “Wow BB” featuring El Alfa and Chimbala and “Mayor Que Usted” alongside Daddy Yankee and Wisin y Yandel. This time around, she shines solo in this sexy club banger. The song uniquely blends bachata guitars that are native to her country with booming reggaeton beats. Towards the end, the track explodes into a full-on party with elements of electronica in the mix. This was a fierce move for Natasha to step into the next year of her life.
Karol G, “La Vida Es Una”
Karol G reached new heights in her career this past year with the release of global hits like “Provenza” and “Mamiii” alongside Becky G. Now the Colombian superstar is stepping into the movies by way of her new single “La Vida Es Una.” She co-wrote the song with her longtime producer Ovy On The Drums for the soundtrack to the upcoming movie “Puss In Boots: The Last Wish.” Her reggaeton beats meet the fanciful sounds of the animated cat’s world. Karol G sings about living life to the fullest on the dance floor in this feel-good anthem. “Puss In Boots: The Last Wish” starring Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek Pinault opens in theaters on Dec. 21.
LATINA New Music Picks are published every Monday.
