The 24 Best Latin Songs of 2024 So Far: Staff Picks

Latin artists across all genres have been unstoppable this year — some have stayed faithful to their sound, others have gone full experimental, and others are making entirely new waves in 2024. 

Three songs that have dominated the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart this year (so far) are representative of that: With “La Diabla,” Xavi became a household name with his fresh corrido romantico sound; Peso Pluma experimented with dreamy pop music on Kali Uchis’ “Igual Que Un Ángel”; and “Gata Only” put Chilean newcomers FloyyMenor and Cris MJ on the international map. 

The former of the three smashes hit No. 1 on the Jan. 6-dated chart, where it reigned for 14 non-consecutive weeks. The latter is on its 11th consecutive week at No. 1 after peaking on April 20. The Kali and Peso collab also crowned the chart for one week at the end of January.

Also reflected in our list of the best Latin songs from 2024’s first six months are surprising collaborations, such as Camilo and Carin León’s feel-good salsa “Una Vida Pasada,” Belinda & Natanael Cano’s “300 Noches” and Prince Royce & Gabito Ballesteros’ regional-bachata fusion “Cosas de la Peda.”

Meanwhile, Artists such as Karol G and Myke Towers stepped out of the reggaetón realm to explore the merengue world. The Colombian artist dropped “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” and Towers released “La Capi” — both of which scored high on the Billboard charts. 

Música Mexicana, Latin urban, pop and tropical are all having their respective moments this year. See the ranked list below of the 24 songs that have impressed us the most through 2024’s first six months.

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Jason Mraz Begged Friends to Stop Voting For Him on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Because He Missed His Cat

Jason Mraz is a cat fancier. Like, a seriously devoted feline dad. The singer described just how much he loves his kitty during an appearance this week on actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s Dinner’s On Me podcast, when he revealed that he purposely tried to tank his nearly championship run on the 32nd season of Dancing With the Stars so he could get back home to his fur baby.

“Two or three weeks in, I realized I’m probably going to be here the whole time, and I’m terrified, and I have to cancel all my plans for the entire rest of the year, and I’m missing my cat terribly,” he said of his epic run on the show last year, in which he hit the runner-up spot and just missed out on the trophy after landing behind Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness star Xochitl Gomez. “I start telling my friends, ‘Stop voting for me!’”

The only problem, as it turned out, was that the “I’m Yours” singer has considerable hoofing skills, so he and dance partner Daniella Karagch almost made it to the winner’s circle, even after informing producers at one point “I’m good” and telling them he was ready to leave. “Having made it all the way to the very end, made it to the buzzer, I look back and laugh and think, ‘Well, maybe if I’d actually given a s–t!’” he said. “So, I would do it all over again if I could, and I would try really hard.”

Elsewhere in the chat recorded at Mel’s Drive-In in West Hollywood with the former Modern Family star, Mraz, 48, talked about his decision to come out as bisexual later in life due to fear of how the news might be received. “In the ’90s, being gay was like [the] punchline of a joke. And I didn’t want to be the punchline of a joke,” Mraz said of growing up in conservative Mechanicsville, Va, where he said he was bullied as a teen and didn’t have many sexual experiences. “I still took with me the conservative street that I grew up on, and that was very hard to ignore or to break out of. I was very shy and and scared of what my family would say, or what my hometown would think or just whatever.”

So, as a teenager, Mraz said he just tried to keep “my nose down” and searched for a way out of town so he could see the wider world. Mraz first discussed his sexuality in a 2018 Billboard interview, in which the twice-divorced Grammy-winner described having experiences with men even while dating his ex-wife Christina Carano; the pair married in 2015 and divorced in June 2023. And though Mraz said he can’t say he’s finally found love yet, he described “amazing relationships” that have helped him grow and learn a lot about himself and life.

“I love where I am and I feel so much love for myself finally, that can only enhance the next relationship,” he told Ferguson, admitting to still feeling like a “late-bloomer.”

Listen to the full podcast below (discussion about coming out is at the 19-minute mark and the cat tale begins around the 37-minute point).

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Niall Horan Got Stuck in Toronto Traffic, So He Got Out and Booked It On Foot To His Show

Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands, or feet, as the case might be. That was the case last week when Niall Horan got stuck in one of downtown Toronto’s legendary traffic jams on his way to one of his gigs at Scotiabank Arena. Worried he would be late to the stop on his The Show: Live on Tour outing, Horan hopped out of his ride and booked it to the arena on foot.

In a video posted on his Instagram on Monday, Horan says, “traffic too crazy in Toronto, so I’m walking to the venue,” as a seemingly endless row of cars sit bumper-to-bumper under an overpass in the city. The sped-up clip set to Scottish duo the Proclaimers’ signature 1988 hit “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles),” follows the former One Direction singer and solo star as he and a member of his crew casually stroll among fans — who don’t seem to recognize him — to get to the show.

“In all my years of playing shows I don’t think I’ve ever walked into a venue,” Horan said in the clip, letting out a triumphant “we made it!” after walking into a tunnel under the arena. Horan performed at the venue on July 28 and 29. Check out the stroll in the seventh slide of his post.

Last month, during a show in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena, Horan performed a surprise duet with “Stick Season” singer Noah Kahan on the 1D star’s 2016 solo hit “This Town.” After a few days off, Horan is slated to be back on stage on Sunday (July 7) at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN.

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Willie Nelson Returning to Outlaw Music Festival Stage for July 4 Show After Missing Seven Gigs Due to Illness

Willie Nelson will be on stage on the fourth of July on Thursday after skipping the first seven dates of his Outlaw Music Festival due to an unspecified illness. The 91-year-old country icon is slated to perform at the gig in Camden, N.J. after missing Tuesday night’s (July 2) concert in Mansfield, MA at the Xfinity Center.

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“Willie Nelson is looking forward to seeing everyone in Camden on July 4,” read an Instagram post on Tuesday. “He will not be performing in Mansfield today. Bob Dylan, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, and Celisse will perform as scheduled. In addition, Lukas Nelson and Family, along with some special guests, will once again play his own set that will include Willie’s classics and other songs.”

Thursday’s show will mark the first time in 14 years that Nelson’s annual Fourth of July Picnic will be held outside of Texas, with Maren Morris and Mavis Staples joining the rest of the acts for the festival date. According to Rolling Stone, Nelson’s son, Promise of the Real band leader Lukas Nelson, filled in for his dad on all the Outlaw festival dates so far, performing with Willie’s longtime harmonica player Mickey Raphael and the rest of his father’s band on such classics as “Funny How Time Slips Away” and “On the Road Again.”

The Outlaw festival kicked off on June 21 in Alpharetta, Ga., with Nelson announcing that he was sitting out the opener “per doctor’s orders,” saying at the time that he’d been ordered to rest for four days. The outing is slated to wrap up with a Sept. 20 show in Gilford, N.H. Nelson released his 75th studio album, The Border, in May.

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G Flip Thinks Inside the BOX For New Drinks Range

G Flip has something tasty for their next release.

The singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Australia is behind BOX, an alcoholic juice available in two flavors — Apple Guava and Tropical Bang.

“My drink of choice has always been juice and alcohol,” reckons G Flip (real name Georgia Flipo). One because I like the flavor of juice, and two since becoming a singer, I stay away from carbonation – think burping on stage, nobody wants that. So juice and alcohol is what I drink before I perform – it’s my vibe.”
Created at Moon Dog Craft Brewery in G’s hometown, Melbourne, the beverage is “the real deal,” the indie artist adds. “No word of a lie, it tastes amazing.”

BOX will be available across Australia from this month in 330ml cans (4.5% ABV), launching with retail group Endeavour Drinks, and rolling out and liquor chains BWS and Dan Murphy’s.

“It’s a largely untouched category and brand new product, unlike anything else on our shelves at the moment,” comments Endeavour Group’s head of spirits Sarah Hall. “It offers trusted and nostalgic flavours. And importantly, it’s ticking all the boxes in terms of what our consumers are looking for right now, particularly Millennials.”

G Flip has every right to enjoy a celebratory drink or three.

Earlier this year, G established a new record by landing a total of seven songs in triple j’s Hottest 100 countdown, including the No. 2 ranked track, “The Worst Person In The World.” That bettered the mark previously held by rock trio Wolfmother, which scored six entries back in 2005.

The year 2023 was a stellar one for G, who landed a first ARIA No. 1 album with Drummer, released in August through via Future Classic/Universal (their debut from 2019, About Us, peaked at No. 6), and bagged two ARIA Awards.

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‘I Am So Sorry’: Pink Cancels Concert On Doctor’s Orders

Pop icon Pink has been forced to cancel her upcoming concert in Bern, Switzerland, due to health concerns.

The “What About Us” singer took to Instagram on Tuesday (July 2) to announce the cancelation, expressing her deep regret and explaining that she had to follow her doctor’s advice.

“I am so sorry that I have had to cancel my show in Bern this Wednesday.”

“I do everything I can to ensure I can perform for you every night, but after consultation with my doctor and exploring all options available, I’ve been advised that I’m unable to continue with the show tomorrow,” Pink wrote in her post.

“I was looking forward to being with you and making memories with you and sharing our show with you and am so disappointed that we have to cancel.”

She added, “Sending love and health to you all, and I really hope to see you again soon.”

The highly anticipated concert was scheduled to take place on July 3 at Stadion Wankdorf in the Swiss capital, as part of her ongoing Summer Carnival tour.

Currently, Pink is in the middle of her Summer Carnival tour, promoting her 2023 album Trustfall.

The tour has seen her perform over 70 shows across Europe and North America, with more than 30 additional dates scheduled through the end of 2024.

Opening acts for the tour include Gayle, KidCutUp, and The Script in Europe, with Sheryl Crow joining The Script and KidCutUp for the North American leg.

This isn’t the first time Pink has had to adjust her tour schedule. Last year, she postponed a concert in Arlington, Texas, due to a sinus infection and rescheduled two shows in Tacoma, Washington, citing “family medical issues.” The new dates for those performances have been set for September and November, respectively.

While the sudden cancellation in Bern is disappointing, fans remain supportive of Pink’s decision to prioritize her health.

“Your health comes first,” one fan commented on her Instagram post. “We’ll be here when you’re ready.”

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Watch 9-Year-Old Belt Out a Tina Turner Classic on ‘America’s Got Talent’

Tuesday’s episode (July 2) of America’s Got Talent introduced viewers to an incredible young talent — 9-year-old Pranysqa Mishra from Tampa, Fla.

Pranysqa’s powerful rendition of Tina Turner’s “River Deep, Mountain High” left the judges and audience wildly impressed, ultimately earning her the coveted Golden Buzzer from judge Heidi Klum.

Before her Season 19 audition, Pranysqa shared her lifelong passion for singing, which dates back as far as she can remember.

“I always just love singing. It makes me feel happy. Even when I was four years old, I would pretend that I have a microphone, and I would sing like I’m singing to the whole world,” she enthused.

Pranysqa credited her grandmother as her main inspiration and the driving force behind her burgeoning career, along with her musical idols Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston.

Despite admitting to some nerves, particularly about performing in front of the notoriously tough Simon Cowell, Pranysqa’s confidence shone through the moment she began singing with a commanding voice that defied her youth.

The judges were visibly stunned, exchanging looks of disbelief as her powerful vocals filled the auditorium.

“Oh my gosh, I did not expect that. We expect a lot of things, but I did not expect that,” Heidi Klum exclaimed.

Without hesitation, Klum hit the Golden Buzzer, sending Pranysqa straight to the live shows. “I want you to call your grandmother and say that Heidi Klum pushed the Golden Buzzer for you,” she told the young singer.

When the golden confetti rained down on Pranysqa, she began crying tears of happiness, clearly in shock that she had earned the golden honor. “My dream is coming true. I can’t believe it,” she said, reflecting on her grandmother’s prediction that she would one day perform on a big stage.

Pranysqa’s family joined her on stage for an emotional celebration, with tears of joy and hugs all around. Klum then helped Pranysqa call her grandmother to share the incredible news.

“You are absolutely incredible,” Heidi Klum told the pint-sized powerhouse after her performance.

Watch Pranysqa Mishra perform the Tina Turner classic “River Deep, Mountain High” on America’s Got Talent below.

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‘Full Circle’: Big Sean Reflects On Eminem Collaboration ‘Tobey’

Detroit rapper Big Sean is feeling a sense of déjà vu following the release of his latest collaboration with Eminem, “Tobey.”

This track, which also features fellow Detroit native Babytron, marks the fourth time Sean and Eminem have joined forces. But for Sean, this particular collaboration holds a particularly special meaning.

In a heartfelt post on X, Sean shared his thoughts on this full-circle moment, revealing that Eminem’s The Slim Shady LP was the first CD he ever bought with his own money.

“Not gon hold you, Slim Shady LP was the first CD I bought wit my own money at Costco,” Sean wrote.

“Me n Em bout 4 songs in now (DVE, No Favors, Detroit 2 cypher) but being on The Death Of Slim Shady is full circle. I ain’t know when I bought that, that I’d be one of the next ones out da city…”

“Let alone even know Em,” Sean added in his tweet. “A reminder to myself of how real unrealistic really is.”

The release of “Tobey” comes just ahead of Eminem’s highly anticipated twelfth studio album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce), set to drop on July 12. It follows 2020’s Music to Be Murdered By, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 to give Eminem his historic 10th consecutive leader.

The album, teased with a series of cryptic messages and a horror-themed trailer, is expected to bid farewell to Eminem’s famed alter ego, Slim Shady.

“Houdini” served as the project’s lead single and gave Em his best-charting hit on the Hot 100 this decade when it debuted at No. 2.

In his latest release “Tobey,” Eminem addresses the perennial debate about the greatest rappers of all time, asserting his dominance while responding to those who have questioned his place in hip-hop history.

He even tackles recent criticism from hip-hop pioneer Melle Mel, who had questioned Eminem’s standing in the culture.

With less than two weeks until the album’s release, the excitement continues to build for what’s set to be a monumental moment in Eminem’s storied career.

The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) hits streaming services on July 12. 

You can stream “Tobey” below.

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Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Short N‘ Sweet’ Tour: How to Find Affordable Tickets Online

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Tickets to Sabrina Carpenter‘s tour are in high demand, and if you missed the presale on Monday (July 1), there’s still time to secure tickets at an affordable price.

Before she heads on tour, Carpenter will headline Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco on Aug. 10. Her tour launches on Sept. 23 and runs until Nov. 18.

Keep reading for a short n’ sweet roundup of how to secure tickets and how much you can expect to spend.

Where to Get Tickets to Sabrina Carpenter’s Tour

The first batch of tickets to the Short N’ Sweet Tour sold out after going on sale June 28. Another round of presale tickets went live on Monday.

Fans who were unable to get tickets for either presale have been sharing their frustrations on X.

Interested in resale tickets? You can find them on sites such as Seat Geek, StubHub, Vivid Seats and Ticketmaster.

Sabrina Carpenter Tickets

Buy Now at stubhub

Ticket prices start as low as $103 for select dates. Though certain cities such as Los Angeles and New York City are selling faster than others, most of the tickets that we found are priced between $200-$300 for general admission and upward of $500 for the in-demand dates such as San Francisco, Detroit, New York City, Boston and Philadelphia. VIP packages are also available, although some dates are currently priced above $5,000.

Sabrina Carpenter Tickets

Buy Now at vivid seats

When it comes to resale tickets, pricing is dictated by demand. That means you might be able to find affordable tickets anytime between now and when the tour kicks off this fall. If you’re not willing to risk it, it’s best to get tickets as soon as you can. To save on your order, enter code BB2024 and get $20 off $200+ at Vivid Seats.

Carpenter will be hitting the road in support of her new album Short ‘N Sweet out Aug. 23.

See tour dates below.

Short ‘N Sweet Tour Dates

Sept. 23: Columbus, Ohio, Nationwide Arena

Sept. 25: Toronto, Canada, Scotiabank Arena

Sept. 26: Detroit, Little Caesars Arena

Sept. 29: New York City, Madison Square Garden

Sept. 30: Brooklyn, New York, Barclays Center

Oct. 2: Hartford, Conn., XL Center

Oct. 3: Boston, TD Garden

Oct. 5: Baltimore, CFG Bank Arena

Oct. 8: Philadelphia, Wells Fargo Center

Oct. 11: Montreal, Canada, Bell Center

Oct. 13: Chicago, United Center

Oct. 14: Minneapolis, Target Center

Oct. 16: Nashville, Bridgestone Arena

Oct. 17: St. Louis, Chaifetz Arena

Oct. 19: Raleigh, N.C. – PNC Arena

Oct. 20: Charlottesville, Vir. – John Paul Jones Arena

Oct. 22: Atlanta, State Farm Arena

Oct. 24: Orlando, Kia Center

Oct. 25: Tampa, Fla. – Amelia Arena

Oct. 27: Houston – Toyota Center

Oct. 28: Austin, Texas – Moody Center

Oct. 30: Dallas, American Airlines Center

Nov. 2: Denver, Ball Arena

Nov. 4: Vancouver, Canada, Pacifici Coliseum

Nov. 6: Seattle, Climate Pledge Arena

Nov. 6: Portland, Moda Center

Nov. 9: San Francisco, Chase Center

Nov. 10: San Diego, Calif., Pechanga Arena

Nov. 13: Phoenix, Footprint Center

Nov. 15: Los Angeles, Crypto Arena

Nov. 17: Inglewood, Calif., Kia Forum

Nov. 18: Inglewood, Calif. Kia Forum

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All-Star Tom Petty Country Tribute Album Makes Chart-Topping Debut

The all-star tribute album Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty makes a chart-topping debut, as the set enters at No. 1 on Billboard’s Compilation Albums chart (dated July 6). It also scores top 10 bows on Top Album Sales and Top Current Album Sales, and top 20-ranking entries on Top Country Albums, Independent Albums, Indie Store Album Sales and Vinyl Albums.

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The 20-track Petty Country collection boasts country covers of tunes originally performed and written by Petty (who died in 2017), including “Runnin’ Down a Dream” (covered by Luke Combs), “I Should Have Known It” (Chris Stapleton, who was one of the first artists to come on board the project), “Southern Accents” (Dolly Parton), “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” (Lady A), “American Girl” (Dierks Bentley) and “I Won’t Back Down” (Brothers Osborne).

With almost 11,000 copies sold in the U.S. in the week ending June 27, Petty Country earns the biggest-selling week for any compilation album in well over a year, since A Philly Special Christmas shifted slightly more on the Jan. 7, 2023-dated chart. In terms of country music compilations, no compilation has sold as much as Petty Country in a single week in six years, since Now That’s What I Call Country, Volume 11, debuted with 12,000 copies on the June 23, 2018 chart.

Petty Country was issued on across four vinyl variants (all color variations), CD and digital download.

On the overall Billboard 200 albums chart, Petty Country debuts at No. 84, marking the first compilation to enter the tally in 2024.

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