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The Top 10 Latin Pop Queens of All Time, Ranked by Billboard
Billboard just dropped a mega list: The 50 Best Latin Pop Female Artists of All Time. And while the full list is packed with stars, such as Jenni Rivera, Ivy Queen, La India, Rosalía, Gloria Trevi and Thalía. But today, we’re focusing on the Top 10. These are the women who shaped Latin pop, broke records, opened doors, and made millions of us dance, cry, scream, and hit replay. Let’s get into it. One by one.
10. Mercedes Sosa
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Mercedes Sosa wasn’t your typical pop star. She wasn’t about flashy looks or catchy hooks. What she brought was power, truth, and feeling. She sang about life. The good, the bad, the ugly. Born in Argentina, Mercedes used her voice to fight for justice and peace. Her 2009 album “Cantora” hit the Billboard Latin Pop Albums Top 10, proof that even serious, deep music can make it big. She’s a symbol. A legend. A reminder that pop isn’t always about the party; sometimes, it’s poetry.
9. Laura Pausini
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Technically, Laura Pausini isn’t Latina. She’s from Italy. But try telling that to her fans from Mexico to Argentina. She sings in Spanish, lives the culture, and even said it herself: “Maybe it’s not in my blood, but it’s in my soul.” Her ballads like “Víveme” and “Como si no nos hubiéramos amado” are basically soundtrack material for every telenovela heartbreak moment ever. Laura has sold 70 million records, snagged a ton of awards (including a Golden Globe), and was even named the Latin Recording Academy’s Person of the Year, the first non-Latina to achieve that.
8. Olga Tañón
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If you could man on the Tropical Airplay chart, 29 to be precise. Hits like “Muchacho Malo” and “Es Mentiroso” were the original clapbacks in Latin music. Plus, she’s got Grammys, Latin Gram bottle up energy, it would be called Olga Tañón. From day one, Olga brought the heat. Her voice? Powerful. Her lyrics? Even more powerful. She’s the queen of calling out liars and celebrating self-love way before it was a trend. She holds the record for the most top-10 hits by a woman and over 20 chart-topping albums. She’s got legend status.
7. Ana Gabriel
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If you’ve ever shouted, “¡¿Quién como tú?!” during a breakup, Ana Gabriel was probably your healing balm. With her raspy, emotional voice and unforgettable hits, Ana became one of the most beloved voices in Mexican music. And she didn’t just stop at singing, she wrote many of her songs, too. She’s a true powerhouse. She’s still filling arenas today, still making new music, and still reminding everyone what real emotion sounds like. Almost 40 years in the industry and still at the top.
6. Rocío Dúrcal
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Spain gave us flamenco. Mexico gave us rancheras. Rocío Dúrcal gave us the best of both worlds. She got her start in Spanish cinema, but when she teamed up with Juan Gabriel and Marco Antonio Solís, her career really took off. Rocío sang rancheras with the soul of someone straight out of Jalisco, even though she hailed from Madrid. Timeless hits like “Amor Eterno” and “Costumbres” hit you right in the feels, and even today, no family party or karaoke night is complete without her voice carrying through the air. Even after her passing in 2006, Rocío’s legacy remains untouchable. And get this: her life’s story is about to hit the big screen. Totally what she deserves!
5. Karol G
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Now we’re talking about new generation power. Karol G has broken records, sold-out arenas, and turned her heartbreak into global hits. Since her breakthrough in 2016, she’s landed 67 songs on the Hot Latin Songs chart, with 9 of them hitting No. 1. That includes hits like “Tusa,” “Provenza,” and “Mi ex tenía razón.” Her album Mañana Será Bonito made history as the first Spanish-language album by a woman to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Then, she embarked on a world tour, raking in over $313 million. And now? She’s got a Netflix documentary on the way. Karol G is just getting started.
4. Celia Cruz
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Celia Cruz IS Latin music. She wasn’t ‘just’ a salsa singer, she was THE salsa singer. With her iconic shout of “¡Azúcar!”, her vibrant wigs, and a voice that could shake the walls, Celia became a global superstar. She recorded over 70 albums and kept hitting the charts even after her passing in 2003. “La negra tiene tumbao” wasn’t just a song; it was a whole movement, mixing rap with salsa long before that was trendy. More than 20 years later, she’s still racking up millions of streams. Celia was, and always will be, the queen.
3. Selena
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There will never be another Selena. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, she pushed Tejano music into the mainstream, turning cumbia and mariachi into pop gold. Her charisma was undeniable, her voice sweet yet powerful, and her outfits? Totally iconic. Albums like Amor Prohibido and Dreaming of You shattered all kinds of records. She was the first Tejano artist to win a Grammy, and her posthumous album topped the Billboard 200, marking the first time a Spanish-English album achieved that. Selena was taken from us too soon. But her spirit, music, and legacy will always be unstoppable.
2. Gloria Estefan
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Before Karol G, there was Gloria. Gloria Estefan broke through in the ’80s with Miami Sound Machine, mixing Latin rhythms with pop like no one had before. “Conga”? Still a hit. “Rhythm is Gonna Get You”? Still gets us every time. She has three No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and 15 No. 1s on the Latin charts. She’s also the first Latina woman to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and just got a Billboard Legend Award in 2024. Gloria didn’t just open the door, she kicked it down.
1. Shakira
No surprise here. Shakira is the Latin pop queen. She’s done it all. From rock anthems like “Dónde Están Los Ladrones?” to English crossover hits like “Hips Don’t Lie,” reggaetón collabs like “TQG,” and her viral breakup anthem with Bizarrap, Shakira continues to reinvent herself. With 29 songs on the Hot 100, over 50 entries on the Latin charts, and seven No. 1 Latin albums, her career spans decades and still feels fresh. Her latest album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, is still topping the charts, and her world tour is about to make history (again). There’s a reason she’s Billboard’s Woman of the Year, a Latin Grammy queen, and one of the biggest pop artists in the world, not just Latin America. Nobody does it like Shakira.
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Billboard considered a whole range of factors: chart success, cultural impact, vocal prowess, legacy, and innovation. But when it comes down to it, these 10 women really touched us. They got us dancing, crying, shouting, falling in love, or just feeling proud of who we are. From legends like Celia and Selena to icons like Shakira and Karol G, these women are the heartbeat of Latin pop.
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