���غ���

Colombia's Karol G is a best-selling, chart-topping, award-winning vocalist known for her soulful mix of reggaeton, pop, and dance-oriented R&B. Her many collaborative singles appearances with other urbano stars -- including Nicky Jam, Anuel AA, Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Maluma, and Pitbull -- regularly placed inside the Top 100, while their accompanying videos garnered hundreds of millions of views. Though she issued her first single at 16 in 2007, she struggled for the next decade to establish herself in reggaeton because it was a male-dominated genre. It took ten years, more than a billion YouTube views, and hundreds of millions of music streams before she could release her debut LP, Unstoppable, in 2017. Two years later, her profile rose to the level of a bona fide star thanks to chart-topping singles such as "Tusa" with Nicki Minaj, "China" with Anuel AA, Daddy Yankee, Ozuna, and J Balvin, and "Ocean," the title track from her number 22 sophomore long-player. In 2020 Karol G was a nearly constant presence on the charts with many collaborations -- including "Enjoy Yourself" with Pop Smoke and "Follow" with Anuel AA -- and solo singles such as "Ay, Dios Mío!" and "Bichota." In March 2021, she issued her third long-player, the chart-topping KG0516. Her fourth set, 2023's Mañana Será Bonito, took her to even greater heights, winning multiple Grammys into 2024.

Born Carolina Giraldo Rivera in Medellín, Colombia, in 1991, Karol G was interested in music from a young age, influenced by her father, a working musician. After high school, she studied music at the University of Antioquia. Her first break came in 2010 when she competed on Colombia's version of The X Factor, El Factor X. Two years later, her profile was raised even higher after duetting with Colombian reggaeton singer Reykon on the single "301." In 2013, Karol G released her first solo single, "Amor de Dos," featuring Nicky Jam. Several more well-received singles followed including "Ricos Besos," "Manyana," and "Ya No Te Creo." In 2016, she delivered the Daniel Echavarria-produced single "Casi Nada." The following year, "Ahora Me Llama," a collaborative single with Bad Bunny, became a hit. It was featured on her debut full-length, Unstoppable, which was released in October 2017, and peaked at number two on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart.

She returned in early 2018 with the saucy single "Mi Cama." Another track, "Punto G," followed in 2019 and took home the year's award for Best Song at the Premio ASCAP ceremony and was nominated for three Billboard Latin Music Awards. In April 2020, Karol G and Anuel AA released the collaborative single and video "Follow." Recorded while the pair quarantined in Miami, the video rang up 20 million views in its first four days. Another song, "Ay, Dios Mío!," arrived in July 2020 and reached number five on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, while its video garnered more than 400 million views. She also collaborated with the Jonas Brothers on the track "X," which debuted during the closing credits of the group's documentary film Happiness Continues. Karol G and the Jonas Brothers filmed the music video on their individual iPhones, then combined the footage to offer an innovative approach to music making videos during the pandemic.

Later that year, she joined Pop Smoke to collaborate on his Top 40 hit "Enjoy Yourself." Her single "Ay, Dios Mío!" charted in more than a dozen countries though not in the U.S. Its music video, however, registered more than 400 million views. She collaborated with Ozuna and Myke Towers on the number three "Carmelo," and in December released the anthemic "Bichota." It, too, peaked at number three on the Hot Latin Songs chart, while its video registered nearly 700 million views.

On February 2, 2021, just 16 days before her 30th birthday on Valentine's Day, Karol G released "Location" featuring Anuel AA and J Balvin. Its video rang up more than 130 million views during its first month of release, while it reached number five at Latin Songs. Her third album, the Grammy-nominated KG0516 (titled for the date she signed her first record deal) was released in late March. The 16-track set was co-produced with Ovy on the Drums. While it included her Latin Grammy-nominated "Tusa" with Nicki Minaj, as well as most of the singles from the previous year, much of the record included new music comprised of six solo performances and ten collaborations with artists including Mariah Angeliq ("El Makinon"), Ozuna ("Odisea"), Nathy Peluso ("Gato Malo"), Yandar & Yostin ("Sola Es Mejor"), and Ludacris and Emilee ("Beautiful Boy"). With KG0516, Karol G became the first female Latin artist to deliver a Spanish-language album that simultaneously entered the Global streaming and Top Latin Albums industry charts at number one. The video for "El Makinon" registered 28 million views in three days.

Karol G's success continued in 2022, first with the Becky G collaboration "Mamiii," and then with her own track "Provenza," both of which hit number one on multiple charts. Further collaborations with Maldy ("Gatúbela"), Romeo Santos ("X Si Volvemos"), and Ovy on the Drums ("Cairo") preceded her fourth LP, Mañana Será Bonito, which arrived in February 2023. It went on to win Album of the Year at the Latin Grammys, and was followed later in the year by the club-friendly mixtape Mañana Será Bonito: Bichota Season. A year after its release, Mañana Será Bonito took home the Grammy for Best Música Urbana Album. By the end of 2024, Karol G had scored several more Top Ten Latin hits, including her Tiësto collaboration "Contigo" and "Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido," the latter of which hit number one in several countries and topped Billboard's Hot Latin Songs chart. She also hit number four on the Latin chart with "+57," her star-studded track with Feid, DFZM, Ovy on the Drums, J Balvin, Maluma, Ryan Castro, and Blessd. ~ Matt Collar

Colombian reggaetón and cumbia singer/songwriter, rapper, and producer Feid, whose vocal delivery is a smooth, slippery, instantly recognizable tenor, has composed for and recorded with some of reggaetón's biggest stars. His debut solo effort, 2015's Así Como Suena, charted at home. In 2017, his sophomore album Así Como Suena, offered Feid's songs both solo (the hit singles "Lluvia" and "Ahora") and in collaborations. 2019 saw the release of the full-length 19. The digital albums Bahía Ducati and Ferxxo (Vol. 1: M.O.R.) appeared in 2020, with Inter Shibuya: La Mafia arriving in 2021. A string of singles, including the hit "Si Te La Encuentras por Ahí," appeared in 2022, as did the full-length Feliz Cumpleaños Ferxxo Te Pirateamos el Album. In 2023, Feid released the Top Ten-charting album MOR, No Le Temas a La Oscuridad in September. In December, he followed with the Ferxxocalipsis EP, that made its chart debut inside the Top Ten. More collaborations kept him on the charts in 2024, including the Manifesting 20-05 EP with Yandel and LOS 9 DE FERXXO Y SKY ROMPIENDO with Sky Rompiendo.

Born Salomón Villada Hoyos in Medellín in 1992, his artistic name refers to a belief in his talent; the word translates as "sound faith" for the singer, which is faith in God and in himself. His mother, Berta Lucía Hoyos, is a preschool teacher and psychologist, and his father, Jorge Mario Villada, teaches art history at the University of Antioquia. Feid's childhood was saturated in creative activities instilled by his parents. They taught him that art provides necessary tools to approach reality, and the opportunity to be sensitive in approaching the world. Though surrounded by music at home, his first concrete contact with it was at age nine when he attended music extension courses offered by the University of Antioquia in Medellín. There, he learned to read music and play the clarinet. His real love, however, was singing. He was part of the children's choir at the University extension center; with that group he recorded an album of Christmas carols. The experience proved seminal, and Feid decided to focus on music as a vocation. He sang in choirs throughout high school and began singing solo in college, where acceptance by his classmates and other small audiences provided affirmation.

While still in school, he decided to dedicate himself to reggaetón. To that end, he focused his attention on songwriting and recording demos. He wrote compositions for Nicky Jam, Alberto Stylee, Magnate & Valentino, Reykon, and J Balvin.

He recorded his own single debut single, "Morena," in 2015. Surprisingly, it was a smash at radio, video, and in clubs across Latin America; it upped his credibility as a songwriter in addition to presenting him as a recording artist. He followed with the independently released long-player Asi Como Suena and two more charting singles -- "Si Supieras" and "La Repuesta," and later that year co-wrote the J Balvin smash "Ginza." Produced by René Alejandro Ramirez and David Cano, it topped the Hot Latin Songs chart and was certified multi-platinum.

In 2016 Feid signed a deal with Universal Music and issued the single "Que Raro," featuring Balvin as a collaborator. It placed at 16 on the Tropical Songs chart. In November of 2017, he re-recorded Asi Como Suena from scratch. It included new versions of songs from his 2015 debut, recorded both solo and with guests including Jory and Nacho.

2018 brought singles like the Greeicy collaboration "Perfecto" and the solo tracks "Nuestra Canción" and "Sígueme." In May 2019 he released his second studio album, 19, which was certified platinum for successful sales and nominated for the Latin Grammy in the Best Urban Album category. Feid issued a dozen singles including "Fresh Kerias" with Maluma and Sky Rompiendo. It went to 18 in Colombia and charted in nine countries. Similarly, the follow-up, "Porfa," with Justin Quiles, peaked at number two in Argentina and placed on the charts in 13 countries. Between his own singles and collaborations, Feid appeared on the charts 15 times that year.

After worldwide touring and a short break, he released two digital outings in 2020. Ferxxo (Vol. 1: M.O.R.) appeared in April, just after the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. It contained his charting 2019 singles as well as "Boraxxa" with Manuel Turizo and "CU U U U UX" with Alvaro Diaz. It peaked at 27 at Top Latin Albums. In September he followed up with the ten-track Bahia Ducati EP. With only one cut ("Nea") performed solo, it proved a showcase for collaborations and remixes. His guest artists included Sech on "Jamaica," Zion & Lennox on "Fotografia," and De la Ghetto on "Break Up." The collection climbed to number 30 on the Top Latin Albums charts.

In 2021, Feid returned to touring. In August he released the long-player Inter Shibuya: La Mafia, a 15-track album recorded almost completely solo. Set producer Sky Rompiendo appeared on the hit single "Chimbita." In December he released Inter Shibuya (Ferxxo Edition). It included nine extra tracks featuring collaborations with Karol G ("Friki"), Ryan Castro ("Monastery"), Sael ("Mionca Al Bloque"), and the Rudeboyz ("Rudeboyz"). Feid kicked off 2022 with the hit singles "Feliz Cumpleaños Ferxxo" and "Si Te La Encuentras por Ahí." The full-length Feliz Cumpleaños Ferxxo Te Pirateamos el Album arrived in September, a week earlier than originally planned. The 15-song set placed well inside the Top Ten on the Top Latin Albums chart and went to number two at streaming. It was certified gold a week after its release. Sixdo, an EP featuring collaborations with Lennox, Jory Boy, and DJ Premier, appeared later that year.

In September 2023, Feid released the full-length Mor, No le Temas a la Oscuridad. Produced primarily by Sky Rompiendo with a slew of associates, the 16-track set included numerous solo tracks as well as collaborations with Nengo Flow, Sean Paul, ICON, Rema, Ryan Castro, Cupido, Young Cister, and Pailita. The album peaked at number four on the Top Latin Albums chart and debuted at number 31 on the general pop Top 200.

Feid wasn't done for the year, however. In December 2024, he issued the ten-song Ferxxocalipsis EP. His collaborators included Manas Ru-Fino ("La Vuelta"), Pirlo ("Cual Es Esa"), ATL Jacob ("Luna"), and Young Miko ("Classy 101"). Feid enlisted an army of producers including Wain, Illy Wonder, and G's on the Beats. It debuted in the Top Ten.

In April 2024, he hit the Top Ten of the Latin charts with the non-album single "Sorry 4 That Much" and cracked the Top 30 with his Yandel collaboration, Manifesting 20-05 EP. That November, he also paired with Sky Rompiendo for their collaborative album LOS 9 DE FERXXO Y SKY ROMPIENDO, featuring the single "PPCP." ~ Thom Jurek

Ovy on the Drums is a Colombian reggaetón producer, songwriter, and performer. He established his name producing and writing songs for artists such as fellow Colombian Karol G and Argentinian rapper/singer Paulo Londra during the late 2010s. His smooth, summery blend of reggaeton and pop quickly caught the attention of musicians and listeners throughout the world, and by 2020, his résumé included work with Nicki Minaj, Ed Sheeran, Anuel AA, and numerous others. Additionally, he released several hits under his own name, including "La Lá" (with Mike Bahía), "Sigo Buscandote" (with Mau y Ricky), and 2022's "Chao Bebe" (with Ozuna). He released an EP with Myke Towers, Cassette 01, in 2024.

Daniel Echavarria Oviedo was born in Medellín, Colombia. Initially active as a DJ, he began producing during the mid-2010s, and started working with Karol G, a rising star from his hometown, in 2017. He produced nearly every song on her debut full-length Unstoppable, which included guest appearances by Bad Bunny, Ozuna, and Quavo. The album went on to reach number two on Billboard's Top Latin Albums chart. In February of 2018, Oviedo established Big Ligas with Paulo Londra; Venezuelan rapper Micro TDH joined the label later the following August. Throughout the year, Ovy on the Drums produced hits for artists such as Piso 21, Becky G, and 6ix9ine, in addition to launching his own solo career. He executive-produced Londra's 2019 debut full-length Homerun, which topped the Argentinian charts and reached number 12 on Billboard's Top Latin Albums. Oviedo co-wrote Ed Sheeran's 2019 hit "Nothing on You," which featured Londra as well as English rapper Dave. He was also behind much of Karol G's sophomore album Ocean, as well as "Tusa," her worldwide hit collaboration with Nicki Minaj.

Ovy on the Drums became more active as a solo artist during 2020. His singles during the year included "Inolvidable" (with Beéle), "Sigo Buscandote" (with Mau y Ricky), and "Miedito o Qué?" (with Danny Ocean, featuring Karol G). In 2021, he released "Angelito" (with Beéle and Bad Milk) and "Te Extraño" (with Piso 21 and Blessd), and additionally appeared on tracks with Alejandro Santamaria, Kim Loaiza, and others. Ovy was responsible for several heavily streamed tracks in 2022, including "Tendencia Global" (with Blessd and Myke Towers), "Sin Señal" (with Quevedo), and "Cairo" (with Karol G). He also teamed up with Ozuna for the song "Chao Bebe."

Ovy released a hit with Peso Pluma, "El Hechizo," in 2023. Other tracks appearing during the year included "BILLBOARD" (with Blessd) and "GANGSTER (PQFNEDG)" (with Quevedo and Yandel). Cassette 01, Ovy's EP with Myke Towers, appeared in 2024. ~ Paul Simpson

Award-winning Colombian urbano singer J Balvin is a chart-topping recording artist whose polished urban singles ("Yo Te Lo Dije" and "Mi Gente") and multi-platinum-selling albums -- including 2012's La Familia, 2018's Vibras, and 2019's full-length collaboration with Bad Bunny, Oasis -- have made him a top-tier Latin pop crossover act. Along with his albums, Balvin is also known for his dozens of collaborations, chiefly 2011's "Sin Compromiso" (featuring Jowell & Randy), 2015's "Ay Vamos" (with Nicky Jam and French Montana), and 2017's "Sensualidad" (with Prince Royce, DJ Luian, Mambo Kingz, and Bad Bunny), plus his spot on Rosalía's chart-topping "Con Altura" in 2019. In 2020, he scored another Top Ten hit with his album Colores and followed with more tracks including "Location" with Karol G and Anuel AA, and the song "Ma' G." The Grammy-nominated JOSE appeared in 2021, followed by 2024's Rayo. Balvin's success has made him one of the most recognizable members of the second generation of reggaeton artists and a trendsetter for new and high fashion.

Born José Álvaro Osorio Balvin in Medellín, Colombia, he became interested in music at a young age while listening to rap, champeta, bachata, and reggae on the radio. He was also a big fan of music videos; it was from these that he began to develop his dance moves and cultivate his own style. Balvin signed to EMI Colombia in 2009 and released his first single, "Ella Me Cautivó," which charted at 35 on the U.S. tropical chart. This was followed by the release of the full-length Real in 2010. Balvin contributed four tunes to the soundtrack of the Tim Bulot film El Negocio. All of them charted, including "En Lo Oscuro," which hit the top spot in his native country.

Balvin was a featured vocalist on the Colombian version of Robin Thicke's smash single "Blurred Lines," which was issued in October 2013, just prior to his own second album, La Familia. All four singles from the set charted in Colombia's Top Ten, and "Yo Te Lo Dije" hit number two on the rhythm chart and number nine on the Latin pop chart in the U.S. The B Sides collection appeared in September 2014, featuring two more radio chart-topping singles in "6 AM" and "Ay Vamos." The latter won a Latin Grammy for Best Urban Song.

Balvin's 2015 single "Ginza," the official pre-release for his next album, entered the Hot Latin Songs chart at number one, topped several others, and was certified platinum. His collaborations were as notable as his own work that year. He and Julión Álvarez were featured on Juan Gabriel's single "La Frontera." His "Latino Remix" of Justin Bieber's smash "Sorry" scored big for both artists at Latin pop radio and in digital streaming and downloads.

In 2016, Balvin won the Premios Lo Nuestro Artist of the Year Award and was a featured guest on both Sofia Carson's charting debut single, "Love Is the Name," and on Alejandro Sanz's "Cuando Seas Grande" -- from a performance at La Voz -- along with Gloria Trevi and Los Tigres del Norte. In May he released the single "Bobo"; it topped the Latin songs chart. "Safari," featuring Pharrell Williams, BIA, and Sky, appeared in June, followed by the full-length Energia. The album, produced by Sky and featuring contributions from Bull Nene, Daddy Yankee, Fuego, Yandel, and Juanes, hit the top spot on several Latin album charts. The following year, he scored a hit with a remix of his track "Mi Gente" that featured Beyoncé. The song became his first U.S. Top Ten single.

Balvin kicked off 2018 with a handful of collaborative singles: "Machika" with Jeon and Anitta, "X" with Nicky Jam, and Cardi B's "I Like It" with Bad Bunny. After leading the 2018 Billboard Latin Music Awards finalists' list with nominations in 12 categories, Balvin released his fifth long-player, the 14-track Vibras, that May. Working again with producer Alejandro Ramírez (aka Sky Rompiendo el Bajo), who has been his musical partner since La Familia, the set moved reggaeton in new directions and sounds as it played host to a slew of guests including Carla Morrison, Wisin y Yandel, Zion y Lennox, L.A.-based flamenco singer Rosalía, Brazilian pop star Anitta, and Aruban singer Jeon. Vibras debuted at number 15 in the Top 200 -- the highest-charting debut for any Latin album -- and number one at both the Top Latin Albums and Latin Album Sales the week of release. Sales earned Balvin platinum status in the United States and multi-platinum status in Mexico and Colombia. In addition, the recording placed at either number one or two on various global streaming outlets. Riding the success of the album, Balvin threw himself into touring and working with other artists.

During the first half of 2019, he made several more Hot 100 appearances: He collaborated with Benny Blanco, Tainy, and Selena Gomez on "I Can't Get Enough," and with Ozuna, Daddy Yankee, Farruko, and Anuel AA on the smash "Baila Baila Baila." In early May, Balvin and El Guincho appeared on Rosalía's Top Ten hit "Con Altura"; its video racked up 1.5 billion views. Later that month, he was featured on DJ Khaled's "You Stay," alongside Meek Mill, Lil Baby, and Jeremih. In June, the album Oasis by Balvin and fellow urbano prince Bad Bunny was released without advance notice. Saturated in dembow and trap beats and crafted specifically as a soundtrack for summertime, it entered at number one on the Latin Rhythm charts two weeks after release and debuted at number nine on the Top 200. The album's first single, "Que Pretendes," entered the Hot 100 as well. The set peaked at number one on the Top Latin albums chart and at nine on the Top 200. It was chosen by publications ranging from the New York Times to Rolling Stone and Billboard as one of the top Latin titles of the year. Oasis was certified double platinum (Latin) by the RIAA. In all, between collaborations and his own titles as a leader, Balvin appeared on and/or recorded 22 singles in 2019.

In February 2020, Balvin delivered the charting single "Morado," followed in March by the release of his fifth album, Colores, a concept offering wherein each of its ten songs corresponds to a different color with accompanying videos directed by Colin Tilley. The album cover featured psychedelic imagery from Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. Produced by Sky Rompiendo, the set was preceded by the Rojo EP that contained two of the record's tracks in "Blanco" and "Morado." The following year, he cracked the Top Ten of the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart with "Location" featuring Karol G and Anuel AA. After a string of singles -- including collaborations with Skrillex, Khalid, and María Becerra -- Balvin issued his sixth album, the Grammy-nominated JOSE. With a looser approach to concept, the 24-track LP provided breezy reggaeton staples, extensive collaborative work, and some refreshing new styles. Balvin stayed busy in 2022 with a flurry of high-profile singles, including "Niño Soñador," "Sigue," and "Forever My Love," the latter two of which saw him team up with Ed Sheeran. He also contributed the solo track "Toretto" to the soundtrack of 2023's Fast X. More standalone tracks arrived in 2023, including "Dientes" (with Usher and DJ Khaled) and the romantic reggaeton number "Amigos." In 2024, he teased his seventh full-length, Rayo, releasing the singles "Polvo de Tu Vida" featuring Chencho Corleone and "Gaga" with Saiko. ~ Thom Jurek

Maluma is the stage name of award-winning Colombian pop singer, songwriter, and rapper Juan Luis Londoño Arias. Possessed of a sweet, grainy tenor voice and streetwise yet romantic delivery, the pop urbano was able to cross over from a reggaeton audience to the mainstream thanks to infectious early singles such as "Obsesión" and "Miss Independent" (whose videos also went viral). His 2012 debut Magia endeared him to radio listeners across Latin America, while 2015's Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy broke through in the U.S., landing on the upper rungs of the Latin Pop, Urban, and Tropical charts. Since that time, Maluma has been charging toward world domination with a steady stream of videos, charting singles, and hit albums like 2019's 11:11 and 2020's Papi Juancho. He was also the subject of the documentary Maluma: Lo Que Era, Lo Que Soy, Lo Que Seré. His success continued in the next decade with the chart-topping 2021 single "Sobrio," his starring role in the 2022 Jennifer Lopez rom-com Marry Me, and the release of The Love & Sex Tape. 2023 brought additional hits like "La Fórmula" (with Marc Anthony) and "Coco Loco," before the August release of his sixth long-player, Don Juan. That album returned him to the Top 20 of the Latin charts and was followed by the 2024 Pirlo team-up "MIONCA."

Maluma's name is a tribute to his family. Before he began singing professionally, his now-famous stage name was a tattoo on his left leg. He made the word up from the initial syllable of his family's names -- his mother Marlli, his father Luis, and his sister Manuela. He adopted the name a few years later when he started singing and gained fame as a teenager. He originally pursued football as a vocation for eight years and was gifted enough to attract the attention of the media in his native Medellín. He initially sang for pleasure at hundreds of birthday parties, weddings, and celebrations. Given the rise of social media, and YouTube in particular, his already intense focus on music turned exclusive.

In 2011, at the age of 16, Maluma cut his first independent single, "Farandulera." Due to its internet popularity and emergent radio airplay in Colombia, the song gained the attention of Sony Music, which signed him. The following year, Maluma released Magia, his debut album. Several of its singles -- "Obsesión," "Loco," and "Miss Independent" -- received consistent airplay and hit the charts in Colombia and Latin America. His next single, "La Temperatura," entered the North American charts and earned him a Latin Grammy nomination in 2013. The following year, he was the featured vocalist on Elvis Crespo's hit "Ole Brazil," recorded for the World Cup.

Maluma returned in early 2015 with PB DB. The Mixtape, a compilation of hits with two new singles, "Me Gustas Tanto" and "Climax." The new tracks charted and set the stage for a brand-new album, Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy, which appeared in the fall. The recording was produced by Walter Kolm. In 2016, Maluma released a collaborative track with fellow Colombian star Shakira, "Chantaje," and the video became massively popular, racking up over one billion views online within five months. The track "Cuatro Babys," which reflected him as a swaggering Lothario with a rotating cast of women in and out of his bedroom, sparked a backlash when offended listeners called out the song's objectification of women. Some circulated a petition to have it removed from digital platforms. (It wasn't, but Maluma apologized.)

In 2017, Maluma was named "Artist of the Year" at the Premios Lo Nuestro, a Latin music awards show presented by Spanish-language television network Univision. That same year, he began work on his next album, writing songs in English as well as Spanish. In November 2017, he delivered an initial pre-release single, "Corazón," featuring Brazilian singer Nego do Borel, that peaked at number five at Hot Latin Songs. In May, he released the full-length F.A.M.E., produced mainly by the artist's Medellín camp, including Édgar "Edge" Barrera and "Rude Boyz" Kevin ADG & Chan el Genio, with further duet contributions by Timbaland ("Mi Declaración"), Prince Royce ("Hangover"), and Jason Derulo on the bilingual "La Ex." The album reached the top spot on the Latin Albums chart and number 37 on the Hot 200.

Early 2019 saw Maluma issue a remix of the single "Mala Mía," which featured contributions from Anitta and Becky G. A few months later, he collaborated with Madonna on the song "Medellín" from her album Madame X. The pair's hi-tech performance of the song at the Billboard Music Awards brought the house down with its use of holograms. That May, Maluma released his fourth studio album, 11:11, supported by the singles "HP" and "11 P.M." His collaborators on the record included Ozuna, Madonna, Daddy Yankee, and Ricky Martin. It entered the Top Latin Albums chart at number one in June while F.A.M.E. was still in the Top 20. Also in 2019, YouTube Originals premiered its documentary on the singer, Lo Que Era, Lo Que Soy, Lo Que Seré, directed by Dominican filmmaker Jessy Terrero.

In early 2020, Maluma scored another hit with the single "ADMV," which paved the way for his fifth album, Papi Juancho. Released in August of that year, it featured appearances by Yandel, Yomo, Lenny Tavárez, Justin Quiles, and others, peaking at number two on Billboard's Top Latin Albums chart and reaching number 34 on the Billboard 200. 2021 began with the release of the #7DJ (7 Días en Jamaica) EP, followed by the chart-topping stand-along single "Sobrio." Among Maluma's other singles that year were "Imposible Amor" with Natti Natasha and "Mama Tetema" featuring Rayvanny. In 2022, Maluma starred alongside Jennifer Lopez in the romantic comedy Marry Me, and also sang on the soundtrack. A few months later, he revisited the steamier side of his sound with The Love & Sex Tape which yielded several hits including "Cositas de la USA" and "Nos Comemos Vivos" featuring Chencho Corleone. Subsequent single "Junio" hit number one in Colombia, and Maluma recorded "Tukoh Taka" with Nicki Minaj and Myriam Fares for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

"La Fórmula," a duet with Marc Anthony, became another Colombian chart-topper in 2023. Maluma followed with solo single "La Reina" and "Diablo, Qué Chimba" with Anuel AA. "Coco Loco" followed in June. In August, Sony released the long-player Don Juan. The whopping 25-track album, is, according to the artist, titled after an alter ego. The set includes collaborations with a range of singers and rappers like Carin Leon, Jowell & Randy, Ryan Castro, Don Omar, J Balvin, and Yandel, and boasts ten pre-release singles. It hit number 11 on the Top Latin Albums chart and cracked the Billboard 200. "MIONCA," a collaboration with Pirlo arrived in May 2024. ~ Thom Jurek

Colombian singer and songwriter Ryan Castro is known for his Latin pop, hip-hop, and reggaeton style. He broke through with singles like 2017's "Morena" and 2020's "Medellin." In 2022, he delivered both Reggaetonea and Los Piratas. Castro kept up a prolific barrage of singles and collaborations including the 2023 hit "Quema" with Peso Pluma and SOG. That song anchored his next full-length, 2024's El Cantate del Ghetto.

Born in 1994 in the Pedregal neighborhood of Medellín, Colombia, Castro became interested in singing and hip-hop at a young age. By his teens, he was already performing and eventually moved to Curacao where he found gigs at hotels, clubs, and restaurants. It was there that he released songs online that went viral, bringing him to the attention of singer Kevin Roldan who signed him to his label. In 2017, he released "Morena," which helped build his fan base. More songs followed, including "Miami," "Woman," and "Secreto." He also collaborated with Maycol Riddim on "Nunca Imagine" and released 2019's "Campeón" and "Cositas."

By 2020, he had scored more hits with Roldan, including "Dime" (featuring DBwoy) and "Pensándote, Jamaica" with Massianello. Also that year, he scored a hit with "Medellín," a collaboration with Roldan and Reykon. More tracks followed, including 2020's "Lejanía," 2021's "Hay Amores," and 2021's "Jordan" (inspired by basketball legend Michael Jordan). "Wasa Wasa" arrived in August 2021, along with "Monastery" with Feid and "Chupable" with El Alfa and Chiky Bom Bom "La Pantera". He rounded out the year touring with Karol G.

In January 2022, he released the seven-track Reggaetonea, which included guest appearances by Farina, Ovi, Blessd, and others. The album spawned the hit "Mujeriego." Also in 2022, he delivered his Los Piratas EP, featuring the single "Marbella." Castro's output over the next year was prodigious and included popular singles like "Ghetto Star" with COQE and the hit "Quema" with Peso Pluma and SOG. He and SOG also released the 2023 joint EP El Pichón. Throughout 2024, Castro built up to his next album with collaborative singles like "Modelito" with Onyl and "Pueblo de Medallo" with Arcángel which, along with his hit Quema," were included on the full-length El Cantate del Ghetto in May. ~ Matt Collar

With an airy, breathy voice and a strong ear for production, Colombia's Blessd emerged as one of his nation's hottest artists in the early 2020s, bringing a subtler, more melodic touch to reggaeton hits like "Medallo" and the "Quien TV" remix. A year after his debut, Blessd followed up with 2022's Siempre Blessd, featuring regular collaborator Ovy on the Drums. A third album, Si Sabe, arrived in early 2024, followed just four months later by another full-length, BlessDeluxury.

Born and raised in Medellín, Colombia, Stiven Mesa Londoño funded his passion for music by selling fruit at a local market, heading to the studio after school to record his early material. Under the name Blessd, the vocalist debuted in 2018 with the acoustic ballad "Contigo," then branched into reggaeton in 2019 ("Infiel"), Latin trap ("No Soy"), and even Dominican-style dembow on "No Va a Ser Tú." That September, he released the breakout single "Una." Landing an immediate domestic hit, Blessd left school to promote the song's release, at one point performing it at over 500 of his country's schools. This caught the eye of Dr. Velasquez, who signed on as the rapper's manager and landed him a deal with JM World Music.

After moving through 2020 with one-offs like the bar-heavy "Condenado al Exito," the melodic "TTI (Tú Te Imaginas)," and the perreo-ready "Viernes Social," Blessd found unprecedented success in 2021, skyrocketing from a rising talent to one of Colombia's most in-demand new hitmakers. Leaning into a softer, more melodic style, he had an immediate pair of successes with "Imposible" and "Dos Problemas." The former caught the attention of Colombian star Maluma, who joined Blessd for the "Imposible (Remix)." The track eclipsed any of the rapper's work thus far, racking up over 50 million streams and exposing Blessd to a global audience for the first time. After the successful single "Hace Tiempo," "Dos Problemas" received the remix treatment, and the streaming hit "2 Problemas (Remix)" featured guests Javiielo, Neutro Shorty, and Big Soto.

With his name established on the global circuit, Blessd issued his debut album, Hecho en Medellín, in October 2021, consolidating his smooth, melodic approach to the genre with ten songs. The record's second track, "Medallo," featuring production from close collaborator Ovy on the Drums, soon became Blessd's biggest hit to date, landing hundreds of millions of streams and topping streaming charts in Colombia and Ecuador. His success continued the following year with the "Quien TV" remix featuring Ryan Castro, which became his second chart-topper. In November 2022, he released his second album, Siempre Blessd, a lively collection of bangers led by the streaming hit "Tendencia Global," featuring Myke Towers and regular foil Ovy on the Drums, as well as the De La Ghetto and Darrell collaboration "Instagram - Remix." A succession of singles throughout 2023 built anticipation for Blessd's third LP, Si Sabe, which appeared at the beginning of 2024 and reached 29 on Billboard's Latin chart. Among its guests were Peso Pluma and Feid. In May, the prolific singer had yet another project ready, and released the 11-track album BlessDeluxury, featuring the Rudeboyz and Nicki Nicole collaboration "Diferente." ~ David Crone