Grammy-winning Chicano rock band Los Lobos alleges in a pair of recent lawsuits that Sony has underpaid royalties on songs it recorded for the 1987 Ritchie Valens biopic La Bamba and 1995 Antonio Banderas western Desperado.

The legal complaints target different branches of the Japanese media conglomerate; one names Sony Pictures Entertainment and its subsidiary studio Columbia Pictures, while the other goes after Sony Music Entertainment. Together, the two lawsuits seek at least $1.5 million in contractual damages.

The Sony Pictures case, brought in Los Angeles court in November, alleges that there’s a “massive deficiency” in Los Lobos’ royalties from the La Bamba soundtrack. The movie, starring Lou Diamond Phillips as Valens and distributed by Columbia Pictures, featured multiple Los Lobos covers, including a cover of Valens’ “La Bamba,” which spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Plaintiff’s representatives have recently discovered that no royalties for streaming exploitation of the recordings have ever been paid to Los Lobos for any country outside of the United States and Canada,” reads the lawsuit.

Los Lobos alleges that Sony Pictures is to blame for this underpayment because the movie company handles non-U.S. and Canada royalty accounting for the La Bamba soundtrack. The band says it sent a notice of breach in October, but to no avail.

The Sony Music lawsuit, meanwhile, was filed last month but transferred to federal court on Friday (Jan. 9). This case focuses on the 1995 film Desperado, for which Los Lobos recorded the song “Canción del Mariachi” alongside Banderas, the movie’s star.

The band alleges it just learned that it has never been paid any streaming royalties for “Canción del Mariachi,” which was put on digital platforms by the Sony Music imprint Milan Records. This issue is “even more egregious,” says Los Lobos, because the song’s streams skyrocketed after mixed martial artist Ilia “El Matador” Topuria made it his walkout anthem in recent years.

“Despite the specific knowledge that the popularity of the recording was spiking and reaching new audiences, Sony and Milan still paid nothing to Los Lobos for streaming, and continues to pay nothing, for streaming anywhere in the world or for any time period,” reads the lawsuit.

“Canción del Mariachi” charted for the first time this summer, hitting No. 11 on the Billboard Latin Digital Song Sales chart.  

A spokesperson for Sony Music declined to comment on the matter on Friday. Reps for Sony Pictures did not immediately return a request for comment.

After emerging out of Agoura Hills, Calif. in the early 2000s, Hoobastank broke into the big time with their 2003 album The Reason, the title track from which reached No. 2 on the Hot 100 and scored Hoobastank a pair of Grammy nominations.

“I think we were surprised at how massive it became, and still is,” Hoobastank guitarist Dan Estrin told Billboard in 2023. “But we also knew the record company loved the song and was going to do everything they could to get it out there.”

Now, 22 years later, the track continues its cultural endurance via an official remix by Steve Aoki and Dutch duo Sound Rush, who bring big EDM and hardstyle vibes to the alt-rock original. Listen to the edit below.

The project has long been in fruition, with Aoki — who himself came to prominence in Y2K era SoCal — playing edits of “The Reason” during his festival sets over the years. The track comes from the newly released HiROQUEST 3: Paragon Remixed, a remix project of Aoki’s 2025 HiROQUEST 3 album.

“Every single day, we get tagged in videos of people covering it. It’s pretty amazing,” Estrin continued to Billboard in 2023. “All different styles, from funk versions to Steve Aoki doing a remix at Tomorrowland. We’ve seen a country version, a group of dads that sing and harmonize together, punk rock versions, heavy metal versions, people playing it on drums, guitar, bass and piano. Different vocal performances and Latin versions. And so on. It’s insane! My favorite karaoke videos are when it gets to the bridge where the lyrics belt out ‘and the reason is youuuu.’ Watching and hearing the entire bar sing it together is always awesome.”

To that end, turn this one up loud and belt along.

New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.

Xavi & Carin León, “La Morrita” (Socios Music)

“La Morrita” (the young lady) has entered the chat, thanks to Xavi and Carín León’s first collaborative effort. Produced by Edgar Barrera, and co-written by Barrera, Xavi, Carín, alongside Alex Hernández, Fabio Gutiérrez, and Luis Mexia, the track finds the two Mexican forces delivering a vibrant, high-octane huapango that sets the stage for a bold love confession. With a cheeky and playful spirit, Xavi and Carín not only breathe new life into the traditional huapango rhythm, but they also sing about modern-day romanticism: “I sent her flowers and a [Hermès] Kelly bag because she has a boyfriend and I want people to know/ That I like to spoil her, the young lady is really pretty,” goes the lyrics. — INGRID FAJARDO

Clarent, No Vuelve a Suceder (De Baller/Warner Music Latina)

Clarent is staking his claim this 2026, delivering a 10-track EP that feels like a statement of intent — raw, unapologetic, and fiercely self-assured. The rising Puerto Rican trapstar dives headfirst, flexing his versatility over beats that shift from booming trap to eerie reggaeton to touches of EDM. The opener “Bienvenida” wastes no time, clocking in at under two minutes yet packing enough attitude to set the tone for the entire EP, backed by moody, cinematic production courtesy of 27LLebo. Coated in atmospheric EDM by producer Voluptyk, “Esta Vida,” starring Spanish artist Morad blends introspection with slick grooves.

Meanwhile, Clarent swaps boasting for vulnerability on “Otro Momento,” where he digs into a slower, more confessional lane, narrating emotional complexities without losing his edge. “Scat Pack,” a collaboration with Omar Courtz, doesn’t hold back, fusing electric trap beats with an undeniable pop sensibility. And just when you think the EP has hit its peak, Clarent ends with “Comunicado,” a cryptic closer with a minute of unsettling silence. Then, a voicemail message cuts through — a short, mysterious touch that leaves unfinished resonance in listeners’ minds, as though Clarent’s story is just beginning (it is). — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Wow Popy, El Bárbaro del Reparto (Plus Media)

Wow Popy (real name: Yerson Isbel Manzano) became a force in Cuba’s booming reparto movement by giving Latin ballads such as Alejandro Sanz’s “Corazón Partío” and Juan Gabriel’s “Abrazame Muy Fuerte” an upbeat urban/reparto twist. On his new studio album, El Bárbaro del Reparto, however, the Cuban artist steers away from the strategy that ultimately put him on the radar, dropping 10 brand new songs stamped with his street slang and bold repartero sound.

In the opening title track he sings about his rising trajectory in music, while always keeping grounded and faithful to his roots. Meanwhile, “ROA” oozes sensuality while making reference to making love to Puerto Rican artist’s ROA’s music in the background, and the captivating “La Bebida,” a collaboration with Baby Maikol, found viral momentum on social media last year. For the set, Popy reeled in a wave of notable collaborators, from genre pioneers Chocolate MC and Harryson to emerging acts Velito el Bufón and Ozunaje. El Bárbaro del Reparto wraps with “La Varilla no da trastes,” where Popy powerfully chants affirmations about being in his own lane, and being his own boss. — JESSICA ROIZ

Calibre 50, “Me Enamoré Solo” (FONO/Andaluz Records)

In celebration of the group’s 16th anniversary, Calibre 50 released “Me Enamoré Solo,” showcasing the outfit’s northern Mexican banda sound in all its glory. The guitar in the track adds a touch of sadness, while the ever-present accordion provides an extra ingredient of longing, accompanied by the tuba and drums, which add a touch of drama to the story of an unrequited lover — who, as the title suggests, had false hopes and ended up losing in the relationship. “Me Enamoré Solo” (I Fell in Love Alone) is the first single from the Sinaloa-based group’s forthcoming new album, which will be released in the second half of 2026. — TERE AGUILERA

León Larregui, “Bruma” (EMI/Universal Music México)

The lead singer of the Mexican rock band Zoé presents “Bruma,” the second single from his fourth solo album, which will be released on March 26th under the title Manifiesto de un tremendo delirio. In his new single, Larregui offers an atmospheric rock-pop piece with cheerful electronic textures that are complemented by lyrics of beautiful duality. On one hand, they reflect loneliness, melancholy and introspection as he longs for happy moments with a loved one who is no longer there, and on the other, an overflowing joy from someone who embraces love and lives it intensely.

Larregui told Billboard Español that his new LP was originally going to be called “Bruma,” but he ultimately used the title for this song, one of the most beloved and important tracks on the set, which was composed during a breakup. “It speaks of the feeling of fog, of not knowing where to go, of being paralyzed in an uncertain world,” León explained. The song is accompanied by a video filmed in Paris, in a very cinematic style that complements this sensory experience, uniting movement and nostalgia. — NATALIA CANO

Octavio Cuadras & Nathan Galanta, “Igual y Ya No” (FONO/Universal Music México)

Two of the artists representing the new wave of regional Mexican music blend their styles seamlessly in this heartbreak song. Cuadras brings his charming style to the track, despite the story of a broken relationship, and acknowledging his mistakes to try and win his partner back. Galante, with his rugged style, adds power to the song’s disheartened lyrics. Musically, the smooth sound is striking, with guitars that evoke the sierreño genre, subtly accompanied by brass and accordion, creating a melancholic feel reminiscent of traditional regional Mexican music, yet with very contemporary language. “Igual y ya no” is the second track from Cuadras’ upcoming Insania album. — T.A.

Check out more Latin recommendations this week below:

Kim Kardashian gave some major props to her ex-husband Ye (formerly Kanye West) during her recent trip to Aspen, Colo., to kick off the new year.

Kim K. recently posted a TikTok style video recapping her chic, wintery look while going out for a night in the popular ski destination town.

The reality mogul rocked Roberto Cavalli leather pants with a golden corset and a luxe fur coat. She paired her outfit with Yeezy boot heels to complete the look, which perfectly matched her magenta pants.

After paying the Yeezy design a compliment in the video, she said she wasn’t sure if the boots ever hit retail shelves or were a special custom design for just her.

“Then I put it with these Yeezy boots,” Kim said. “I will say, there’s nothing like a Yeezy heel. I don’t know if they ever made these or just made them for me. I love when a shoe is tonal to the pant.”

While Kardashian doesn’t say much about Ye — who has been widely criticized for his antisemitic hate speech in recent years — these days, their relationship is reportedly in a healthier place while co-parenting their four children. According to TMZ, West spent some of the holiday season with Kardashian and their kids in California, and things were reportedly cordial between them.

Kim and the Chicago rapper tied the knot in 2014 in Italy, and Kardashian filed for divorce seven years later. Their divorce was finalized in 2022.

As for West, Ye’s still releasing plenty of Yeezy clothing items on his website. He’s also slated to perform in Mexico City on Jan. 30 and 31 at the Monumental Plaza de Toros La México. The shows may coincide with the arrival of his much-delayed Bully album, which has a tentative release date of Jan. 30.