Becky G and Ozuna’s long-overdue collaboration is a reggaetón banger that finds the pair longing for a relationship, minus the drama. The playful and infectious beat pairs perfectly with Becky G and Ozuna’s slick bilingual verses. “Why so many fights if you always end up in my bed?” Becky G sings. The ever-so-confident Ozuna responds with “I’m not stressing because I know you’re mine.” The “No Drama” music video is set in an oasis-like environment where the two go back and forth about their relationship. “I love this collab with Ozuna,” said Becky G, who co-wrote the song alongside Ozuna and other songwriters. “I have always liked his music and I knew that together we could record something amazing. Now, perhaps more than ever before in our lives, less drama is something we all need, and this was part of the inspiration for the song.”
Bad Bunny x Jhay Cortez, “Dakiti” (Rimas Entertainment)
El Conejo Malo and Jhay Cortez join forces to deliver “Dákiti,” a genre-bending reggaetón track set to an edgy synth riff. The futuristic single was produced by Bad Bunny, Cortez and Tainy. The music video, directed by Stillz (“Yo Perreo Sola”), that dropped along with the song finds Bunny and Cortez in the middle of the ocean performing inside a floating glass box. They then take the party underwater where they get to pilot their own submarines. You’ll want to watch till the very end for a message we have yet to decipher that reads: “El Último Tour del Mundo (The Last Tour of the World).” Another reference to Bad Bunny’s plans for early retirement?
TINI & Alejandro Sanz, “Un Beso en Madrid” (Hollywood Records / Universal Music Group)
After dropping her tango-trap fusion “Duele,” Tini delivers a heartfelt pop song called “Un Beso en Madrid” (a kiss in Madrid). On this track, the Argentine songstress is joined by Spanish crooner Alejandro Sanz — a dream collaboration come true for Tini. With lyrics such as “Y hoy que tú ya no estás, tú ya no estás / Tú ya no estás aquí / Se quedó en mi boca / Una historia, una canción y un beso en Madrid,” co-written by Tini, Sanz, Andres Torres, and Mauricio Rengifo, “Un Beso en Madrid” tells the story of a long-lost love in Spain. Directed by Nuno Gomes, the music video, which landed on YouTube’s trending page, follows a former couple who reunites in Madrid and has flashbacks of their relationship.
Thalia, Farina & Sofia Reyes, “Tick Tock” (Sony Music Latin)
The collaboration between Thalía, Sofía Reyes and Farina is a well-strategized culmination of their Facebook reality show Latin Music Queens, which also came to an end this week. So titled because the clock is ticking for a guy who gets an ultimatum from his girl, “Tick Tock” is unpretentious, light, catchy bubblegum pop that’s plain fun (down to the video, where the outfit changes are eye candy). Ostensibly, the twist is the fact that the guy is getting said ultimatum, not as a result of philandering or misbehavior, but because he can’t keep up with the girl (“I put everything, you put nothing; you gotta pull your weight to get in the Mercedes”). But the real value lies in putting together three very different female singers into one song where they all get equal play. Thalía has led the way as a veteran act willing to champion younger names and the final result here is of three girls who just wanna have fun. And that’s still an oddity in Latin music.
Danna Paola, Luisa Sonza & Aitana, “Friend de Semana” (Universal Music Mexico)
Danna Paola has recruited two of Latin music’s hottest up-and-coming artists for her new single “Friend de Semana.” In collaboration with Brazil’s Luisa Sonza and Spain’s Aitana, the Mexican singer and actress dropped a playful and catchy reggaeton-meets-cumbia track perfect for any friends with benefits. “Quiero bailar contigo este fin de semana / I just wanna see you pa’ matar la’ gana’ / Ya sabes que te toca entrar por la ventana / Tú no te aguantas, tú no te aguantas,” the powerhouses sing in the flirtatious lyrics. Directed by Charlie Nelson in different parts of a school, the music video gives us major Elite vibes. Watch it below.
Carin León & Grupo Firme, “Amor Borrachito” (Tamarindo Recordz)
Carin León racked up millions of views during the summer with his soulful, acoustic rendition of banda hits. In “Amor Borrachito,” the second of two collaborations with Grup Firme, the young, dynamic group that plays danceable banda music, he veers into a completely different direction. “Amor Borrachito,” an uptempo romp whose video features the guys singing poolside as they drink Tecate Lights, pokes fun at drunken love; at ignoring the ex when sober, then crawling right back to her drunk. It’s a sentiment that will sound familiar to many, treated with good humor, but also macho bravado.
Alvaro Diaz & Yandel, “Lo Que Te Duele” (Universal Music Latino)
Alvaro Diaz, named this week’s Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise, landed his dream collaboration with Yandel in the midst of the global health crisis. For Diaz, the quarantine was a time to create new music, work on his upcoming albums and drop “Lo Que Te Duele.” Co-produced by Full Harmony and Tainy, the collaboration brings to the forefront the progressive-alternative flavor Diaz is bringing to the reggaeton scene. The infectious song is perfect to dedicate to an ex-lover who can’t fathom the fact that your life is better without them. “Yandel’s humility is impressive and he’s an example to follow,” Diaz told Billboard. “I still can’t believe that I have a song with him. This is the biggest achievement of my career until now.” The retro-inspired music video, directed by Fernando Lugo, portrays a Puerto Rican telenovela from the 1960s.
Ximena Sariñana, “10 A.M.” (Universal Music Mexico)
Ximena Sariñana re-imagines “10 A.M.,” one of Zoe’s most iconic songs from their 2012 album Programaton. Sariñana takes the Latin alt-rock, psychedelic anthem and makes it her own, transforming the original track into a groovy, ’70s soul and funk tune. Sariñana’s version will be included in Zoé’s forthcoming tribute album Reversiones, which will bring together a variety of voices including Juanes, Bronco and Alejandro Fernández, among others, to give new life to the Mexican band’s emblematic songs.
Bryant Myers, Bendecido (Millo Gang Music/ eOne)
After his career landing in the wrong hands and a global pandemic that prolonged the release of many projects, Bryant Myers feels blessed to finally present his highly awaited sophomore album, Bendecido. Now on the right track and showcasing his versatility and growth as an artist, the Puerto Rican musician wants everyone to feel inspired by his 17-song set. “I want my fans to know that it does not matter the economic position one is in, the important thing is to be grateful to God and work hard; whatever you set out to do, you can achieve,” he expressed. In Bendecido, Bryant brings his signature Latin trap songs, such as the opening title track, “24/7” and “Gan-Ga,” but he doesn’t shy away from the infectious reggaeton rhythms as heard in “Activa,” “Embriagá” and the focus track “Se Fuerte,” which is an ode to strong women. Some collaborations on this set include Tory Lanez, Farruko, Arcangel, Rauw Alejandro and Zion & Lennox, to name a few. “I have an audience who is very faithful to my music, but I’m also looking to reach other audiences, ” he added. Stream and listen to Bendecido below.
