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The Biggest Latin Music Trends of 2024
2024 has been a lively year for Latin music, from top charts to viral hits on social media. Latin music’s growth isn’t just in one style; it’s branching out into diverse genres, blending traditional and modern sounds, and reaching fans across the world. Here’s a look at the biggest Latin music trends this year and where they’re coming from.
1. Regional Mexican Music: Expanding Beyond Borders
Regional Mexican music is riding high, leading Latin streaming numbers and bringing a new wave of fans from the US and beyond. Artists like Peso Pluma, Fuerza Regida, and Junior H have put the genre on the global stage. Their songs blend corridos and hip-hop, connecting with a younger audience that’s embracing these reimagined Mexican sounds.
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What’s exciting is that these artists aren’t just sticking to the traditional forms. They’re experimenting with collaborations that bring in everything from EDM to reggaeton, giving the genre a fresh, modern vibe. It’s not uncommon now to see regional Mexican songs high on streaming charts in cities like Los Angeles and even beyond Latin America.
2. Cumbia: A Revival with Modern Twists
Cumbia, with its deep roots in Colombia, is undergoing a transformation that’s making it popular again, especially in Mexico and Argentina. Groups like Los Ángeles Azules have teamed up with popular Latin pop artists such as Maria Becerra, Emilia Mernes Nicki Nicole, creating hits that mix traditional cumbia rhythms with current pop elements. In Argentina, artists like Flor Álvarez and L-Gante are championing cumbia villera, which brings a uniquely local flair that resonates well on social media.
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In Uruguay, Rombai is bringing back cumbia to younger listeners with a lighter, pop-infused version that feels right at home with today’s dance and party scenes. This rebirth of cumbia reflects a shift towards nostalgia but with enough updates to keep it feeling new.
3. Latin Urban and Trap: Hip-Hop’s Latin Sibling
Latin trap continues to thrive, with heavyweights like Bad Bunny and Karol G not only sticking to reggaeton but also exploring genres like merengue and salsa. Bad Bunny’s latest work combines trap beats with experimental rhythms and even some rock, keeping him at the top of global charts.
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Then there’s the mix of Latin trap with pop, especially in collaborations with artists in the US and Europe. These crossovers blend cultures and languages, bringing even more fans into the Latin music fold. This trend also reflects the huge influence of urban sounds coming from Puerto Rico and Colombia, where Latin trap first exploded.
4. Bachata and Romantic Latin Ballads
Bachata is taking on a more modern, urban look. Traditional bachata, popularized in the Dominican Republic, is now blending with R&B and pop. Prince Royce and Gabito Ballesteros have even brought in electronic touches, proving that bachata can adapt to fit contemporary sounds. This style is finding a lot of love among younger listeners, especially in the U.S. and Europe, where bachata was once more niche.
On the ballad front, songs like Xavi’s “La Diabla” are bringing a fresh feel to the genre. These ballads have hints of trap and urban beats but still focus on love and heartbreak, giving listeners a mix of the old and the new.
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5. Afrobeats Influence: A Dance-Driven Fusion
Afrobeats is becoming one of the biggest influences on Latin music, bringing infectious rhythms and a fresh style to Latin pop. Latin and African artists are teaming up, with collaborations introducing new sounds and danceable beats that fans can’t resist. This Afro-Latin fusion is especially popular in dance scenes in Europe and cities like Miami, where Afro and Latin influences meet.
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Afrobeats collaborations highlight how Latin music keeps branching out, always open to new rhythms that bring fans something unexpected. It’s no surprise that Latin artists are keen to explore this beat-driven genre, especially as Latin music keeps growing outside of Latin America. Take Colombian artist KAPO, and his smash hit “Ohnana,” for example.
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6. Dance Bélico and EDM Fusion
This year, EDM met Mexican regional sounds, creating what’s being called “dance bélico.” Marshmello, Deorro, and others have worked with Mexican artists, adding electronic beats to corridos and other Mexican sounds. Deorro’s remix of “Ella Baila Sola” by Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma is a great example of this EDM-corrido fusion.
The success of “Harley Quinn,” a collab between Marshmello and Fuerza Regida, shows that this mix isn’t just a passing trend. Dance bélico combines the energy of dance music with the storytelling depth of Mexican regional, creating tracks that resonate well on both sides of the electronic and Latin music worlds.
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7. Tejano: A Classic Sound Finding a New Groove
Tejano, once super popular thanks to artists like Selena and La Mafia, is back in a new form, bringing its Tex-Mex roots to a wider group of listeners. Grupo Frontera has led this revival, blending norteño with Tejano sounds and even catching the attention of urban artists like Bad Bunny. This refreshed take on Tejano is tapping into a nostalgic crowd but is also pulling in younger listeners.
Seeing this fusion of traditional and modern with Tejano shows how classic Latin genres are adapting to today’s tastes. It’s exciting to see Tejano music regaining momentum with both established fans and new listeners alike.
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