Motherflowers<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/motherflowers-list.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Courtesy of motherflowers\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tThis Venezuelan supertrio \u2014 composed of Veztalone, Irepelusa, and Frank Lucas \u2014 has been making music together since 2019, blending pop, alt-R&B, hip-hop, folk, and all manner of tropical sounds. Their last LP, Mam\u00e1 Flor<\/em>, was named one of Rolling Stone\u2019s Best Spanish-Language Albums of 2023, and they\u2019re ready to release their third full project this year with the singles they\u2019ve dropped so far (including collabs with PJ Sin Suela and L-Gante) being some of their best yet. Along with their prolific lo-fi collective Comida Para Llevar, the three are the face of Venezuela\u2019s long-burgeoning alternative scene. \u2014J.J.A.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\nEl Kalvo<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/themes\/vip\/pmc-rollingstone-2022\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/el-kalvo-by-onerpm.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: onerpm*\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tFresh off a string of theatrical festival performances and the colorful cinema verit\u00e9 of 2024\u2019s Los Tres Golpes<\/em><\/a>, Colombian rap baritone El Kalvo returns to cutting, analytical bars with a new album titled Tecnofeudalismo Criollo<\/em>. Produced by Cale\u00f1o studio whiz Car3sucio, the record tackles widening socio-economic gaps and political uncertainty, refracting his anxieties through the lens of new fatherhood. El Kalvo\u2019s blend of humor and grit consolidated his powerhouse status in Colombia\u2019s fabled rap scene<\/a>, so his dismantling of dystopia will be a wonder to behold. \u2014R.V.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\nFE7O<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/FE7O-list.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Courtesy of FE7O\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tTwo years ago, FE7O was thrust into the spotlight when none other than Bad Bunny\u00a0unexpectedly shared<\/a>\u00a0one of the tracks off the young artist\u2019s debut album,\u00a0OCIO<\/em>, in his Instagram stories. That one was a chill-tastic Latin rap\/jazz fusion that garnered him many fans. Last year, he dropped another LP, the R&B\/indie-pop\u00a0Cervezas y Tabacos<\/em>, which showed off his talent at moodiness, solitude, and swag. Recently he\u2019s come under the wing of Mr Sonic, Amazon Music\u2019s Grammy winning producer-in-residence, and together they\u2019re toiling on FE7O\u2019s next big project. And since it\u2019s important to know: it\u2019s pronounced \u201cFelo,\u201d like \u201cfellow.\u201d \u2014J.J.A.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\nVanita Leo<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Vanita-Leo-by-Cat-Cardenas.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Cat Cardenas*\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tVanita Leo evokes the nostalgia of Bobby Pulido\u2019s \u201cDesvelado,\u201d filtered through a 2026 lens that feels uniquely her own. It\u2019s tejano-electro-cumbia realness with a touch of sweetness as she sings about \u201cmamalonas\u201d on \u201cCaballito\u201d and leans into a sonidito groove on \u201cLa Cumbia Wepa\u201d that\u2019ll get any hips moving. Her debut EP, Cumbiamente<\/em>, produced by Alan Vega, captures her thriving across rom\u00e1nticas and cumbias alike, with polished, forward-thinking production. Together, the artist-producer pairing is one worth keeping an eye on in musics mexicana. \u2014T.M.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\nEmJay<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"Screenshot\"](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/emjay-list.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: youtube\/emjay\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tEMJAY is crazy \u2014 and she wants you to know it. The rising Mexican star embodies an underground energy that thrives on grimy Mexico City dance floors. She\u2019s not bound by genre and proves her versatility on single songs.\u00a0 On \u201cNo Me Veas As\u00ed,\u201d her most recent, she jumps from near-rap verses to a rocky chorus to a pop-princess bridge. The hypnotic single follows her debut album, Me Estoy Volviendo Loc<\/em>a, where she fully leaned into the chaos in genre and technique. All EmJay needs is for you to listen. \u2014T.M.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\nClarent<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/clarent-list.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Yancy Pacheco*\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tWhile maintaining a low profile and an air of mystery, Clarent has become one of Puerto Rico\u2019s top artists. Following collaborations with Rauw Alejandro, Myke Towers, and Mora, the Caparra Terrace native is stepping into the spotlight with his debut EP\u00a0No Vuelve a Suceder<\/em>. While getting further co-signs from Omar Courtz and Morad, Clarent welcomes the world into his rockstar from the streets fantasy. \u2014L.V.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\nMatt Montero<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/matt-montero-by-pablo-gomez-samela.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Pablo G\u00f3mez Samela*\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tOut of Buenos Aires\u2019s prismatic electropop underground, singer and producer Matt Montero strikes the perfect balance of earworm gold and retro whimsy. A MySpace avatar that leapt off the screen and onto the dance floor, Montero favorites like \u201cMusimundo\u201d<\/a> and \u201cExcepcional\u201d evoke the glory days of neon skinny jeans while grounded in timeless pop hooks. If you enjoy the overexposed Tumblr fashions of Kim Petras\u2019s latest era, consider Montero\u2019s forthcoming EP a South American analog serving crunchy electroclash and Fotolog whiplash. \u2014R.V.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\nZTVZ<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZTVZ-list.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Lisa Rivera*\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tThe two brothers who make up ZTVZ (pronounced \u201cEst\u00e9vez\u201d) both studied astrophysics in college before pivoting to music, but one listen of their songs demonstrates they didn\u2019t stray far from the cosmic. The duo has presented their space-y, indie electro rock sound at \u00a0New York Fashion Week and LAMC, and were even included (twice) in Bad Bunny\u2019s Summertime Moods playlist for Apple Music. This year, they\u2019re aiming to make their most ambitious push yet, betting that their project can break through even further and reach new starry heights. \u2014J.J.A.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\nKidd Voodoo<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Kid-voodoo-list.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Clardid*\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tKidd Voodoo has become the anointed dark prince of omnidirectional sounds, constantly diving from upbeat reggaeton to electro-pop to m\u00fasica mexicana. The Chilean upstart, who sold out seven consecutive shows at Chile\u2019s Movistar Arena in 2025, reinforced his star power with the album Satirolog\u00eda Vol. 3, <\/em>which debuted at no. 3 on Spotify\u2019s global chart. So far, this is just the beginning. \u2014J.L.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\nSophie Castillo<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"Sophie](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sophie-Castillo-list.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Gilbert Flores\/Billboard\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tIf fans of The Mar\u00edas and Kali Uchis are looking for a new queen to stan, look no further than Sophie Castillo. The Colombian-Cuban singer is making her mark with an alt-pop sound that weaves in salsa, bachata, and even baile funk, most recently on her new single, \u201cComo Animal.\u201d Born in London, she has made it her mission to represent the Latino diaspora in the UK \u2014 and she\u2019s clearly succeeding. \u2014T.M.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\n2AT<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2at-list-by-Daniela-Tuaty-and-Nicolas-Quintero.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Daniela Tuaty and Nicol\u00e1s Quintero*\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tBogota is one of Latin America\u2019s electronic music capitals, and the Latin-core scene\u2019s irreverent collisions of techno, guaracha, and merengue have launched the globe-trotting careers of CRRDR and Aleroj. Next in line: 2AT, the jittery and prolific alias of Juan Tuaty, who\u2019ll be dropping convulsive new records alongside producers Nixss and Genosidra, leaping from mutant carranga to Andean punk<\/a>. Tuaty is also reforming his beloved post-punk band Babelgam, so keep an ear out for even more mind-bending tunes. \u2014R.V.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\nArmenta<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"MIAMI,](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/armenta-list.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Ivan Apfel\/Getty Images\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tAlready a go-to songwriter and producer for regional Mexican powerhouses Fuerza Regida and Grupo Frontera, Armenta stepped into the spotlight as an artist with his debut album P\u00f3rtate Bien<\/em>, cementing his triple-threat status in a crowded field of m\u00fasica mexicana. But Armenta stands out, and not just because of the arsenal of hits already under his belt as songwriter- producer. His first LP, packed with bold sounds, fusions and vivid storytelling, further elevates corridos and makes him one of the most exciting voices in Mexican music today.\u00a0 \u2014Griselda Flores<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\nRoro<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/roro-by-none.jpg?w=300\")
\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tThe heir to the Brat<\/em> throne is 18 years old and hails from Argentina. But while roro is undoubtedly committed to crafting club classics, his 2025 EP, Hot Hits<\/em>, enhanced saturated techno with ballroom, reggaeton, and brazen fashion name-drops. The rising singer and producer also popped up on records from Fiah and Kevin Abstract<\/a>, while recent singles \u201c18\u201d and \u201cCA$h IT OUT\u201d<\/a> tease a Spring\/Summer collection of bangers laced with jerk and jersey club. \u2013R.V.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\nPlanta Industrial<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/planta-industrial-list.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Sacha Lecca for Rolling Stone\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tAfter a breakthrough year complete with a COLORS<\/a> session and a Rauw Alejandro feature, Planta Industrial<\/a>, the Bronx-born post-punk super duo of rappers Saso and aka the darknight can only go down\u2026 into the pits of hell. Their debut EP Punk Wave Sin Barreras Volume 1: Conoci\u00e9ndonos<\/em> dropped in late November, setting up a string of 2026 performances, including a much-anticipated Dominican homecoming at Isle of Light Festival, this March. Here\u2019s hoping for more thrashing thrills on the horizon. \u2014R.V.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\nSaramalacara<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"Argentine](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Saramalacara-list.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: MARCOS BRINDICCI\/AFP\/Getty Images\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tThe Argentine rebel, who started out as a graffiti artist, thrashed together electro-sludge and punk-minded liberation on 2024\u2019s\u00a0Her\u00e1ldica,<\/em>\u00a0a wildly ambitious project that put her labyrinthine way of thinking front and center as she tied together everything from spirituality to rebirth to general internet brainrot. After signing with Interscope, she has a whole new chapter coming that promises to be even weirder and whimsier than what she\u2019s already shown us. \u2014J.L.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\naLex vs aLex<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/alex-vs-alex-by-@luistrejo-min.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Luis Trejo*\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tSofia Insua first turned heads as the singer for Guatemalan shoegaze band Easy Easy, but solo swerves into hyperpop and R&B as aLex vs aLex propelled her to opening shows for Rusowsky and Ralphie Choo. Following her 2025 debut, nyc minute<\/em>, she broke through with the reggaeton and vallenato melange of \u201ccentro aLt,\u201d<\/a> alongside Divino Ni\u00f1o\u2019s lead singer Camilo Medina. Insua just popped up in the credits for Chet Faker\u2019s<\/a> forthcoming A Love For Strangers<\/em> LP, hinting at a year of even greater come-ups. \u2014R.V.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\nMaria Isabel<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/maria-isabel-new.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Ricky A\u0301lvarez*\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tThe Dominican-American singer Mar\u00eda Isabel\u00a0has shaped a steady fanbase with ultra-smooth, unabashedly vulnerable bedroom recordings that fuse pop, R&B, and soul over the last few years. After dropping her breakthrough EP i hope you\u2019re very unhappy without me<\/em>,\u00a0she\u2019s hinted there\u2019s so much more on the horizon, hyping listeners up with releases like the bouncy \u201cBien Bien,\u201d a track that stretches her sound and places her comfortably in a versatile, bilingual space. \u2014J.L.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\nAlleh & Yorghaki<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"Venezuelan](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/alleh-and-yorghaki-list.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: MARTIN BERNETTI\/AFP\/Getty Images\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\t\u201cCapaz\u201d was proof enough of Alleh and Yorghaki\u2019s star power: The beloved merengueton track from 2024 found its way up the charts and became a viral smash. That led flocks of people to discover their deeply heartfelt and insanely catchy LP LA CIUDAD<\/em>, which has only led to more excitement around what the dynamic duo will do next. \u2014J.L.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\nPaloma Morphy<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"LAS](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/paloma-murphy-list.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Omar Vega\/WireImage\/Getty Images\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tEvery year, one of the most delightful highlights happens at the Latin Grammys, when a new star is born. This year, that distinction went to the dreamy singer-songwriter Paloma Morphy, who somehow captures the warmth of early aughts indie-pop with the boldness and carefreeness of the current era. Her album Au, <\/em>released in March of last year, proved to the Latin Recording Academy what she can do \u2014 now the legion of fans who always believed in her are excited for more. \u2014J.L.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\nDe La Rose<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/de-la-rose-list.jpg?w=300\")
\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tDe La Rose is already a magnetic force, often stealing the show on major collabs and punching up viral hits. Case in point? She added a dose of smoothness on Omar Courtz\u2019s album, appearing on \u201cNUBES\u201d and the smash \u201cQ U E V A S H A C E R H O Y ?.\u201d Her excellent album FX De La Rose<\/em>, which she dropped in November, was filled with wildly catchy hooks and fresh, unexpected production, giving her even more runway to take over this year. \u2014J.L.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\nAndry Kiddos<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/andry-kiddos-by-ETHAN-LOPEZ.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: ETHAN LOPEZ*\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tAndry Kiddos\u2019 alternative pop is shaped by his experience as a Venezuelan exile. Since leaving his country, the hit-making songwriter has lived in Colombia, Spain, Mexico, and the U.S. His journey comes alive in \u201cAsimilando<\/a>,\u201d a song that blends folk-pop with flamenco and has become an anthem for the displaced and anyone living in the diaspora. Now Kiddos is finding his footing as a star in his own right. His debut album will arrive later this year. \u2014L.V.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\nMacario Mart\u00ednez<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"MONTERREY,](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Macario-Martinez-list.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Medios y Media\/Getty Images\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tThe remarkable success of this Mexican street sweeper-turned-pop star was a highlight of 2025. Mart\u00ednez \u2014 whose heartfelt story captivated everyone and vocal prowess showcased on \u201cSue\u00f1a Lindo, Coraz\u00f3n\u201d turned heads \u2014 could have been written off as a viral sensation but there\u2019s a depth to his lyrics and a nostalgia to his prickly guitar that has us hooked. To keep the momentum going, the folk singer dropped his first album Si Ma\u00f1ana Ya No Estoy<\/em>, performed a riveting NPR Tiny Desk Concert and wrapped the year with his first-ever U.S. tour, setting him up for a promising 2026. \u2014G.F.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\nTaichu<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"Taichu](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Taichu-list.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Christopher Polk\/Billboard\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tTaichu embodies punk baddie energy in everything she touches. The Argentine star effortlessly marries her brash rock aesthetic and hyperpop sensibilities with unexpected genres like bachata and baile funk in ways that feel unmistakably her own. HOTCORE<\/em>, her December album, uses autotune and synths as key instruments and is packed with earworms. With HOTCORE <\/em>as the foundation, 2026 is poised to be her year. \u2014T.M.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\nHamilton<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/hamilton-list-by-Obymz.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Obymz*\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tWith a velvet voice and enough charisma to charm even the toughest listener, the rising singer has vaulted out of Colombia\u2019s Cartagena region, making a name for himself as \u201cthe AfroRockStar\u201d \u2014 also the eponymous title of his debut album from August. Afte massive collabs with Ryan Castro, Mau y Ricky, and De La Ghetto and Farruko, he\u2019s poised to keep his momentum going. Viral hits like \u201cMi Reina\u201d and a standout On the Radar performance prove as much as he keeps things going with new EPs expected this year. \u2014J.L.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\nHumbe<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"MEXICO](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/humbe-list.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Medios y Media\/Getty Images\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tHumbe is proving his star power is bigger than the machine. After parting ways with his label in 2024, the Latin pop it boy soared to new heights with his\u00a0Due\u00f1o Del Cielo<\/em><\/a>\u00a0album, which he released independently last month. Now Humbe fever is spreading north of Mexico with his first US tour this year that\u2019s quickly selling out. \u2014L.V.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
\t<\/p>\n
\n\tThis Venezuelan supertrio \u2014 composed of Veztalone, Irepelusa, and Frank Lucas \u2014 has been making music together since 2019, blending pop, alt-R&B, hip-hop, folk, and all manner of tropical sounds. Their last LP, Mam\u00e1 Flor<\/em>, was named one of Rolling Stone\u2019s Best Spanish-Language Albums of 2023, and they\u2019re ready to release their third full project this year with the singles they\u2019ve dropped so far (including collabs with PJ Sin Suela and L-Gante) being some of their best yet. Along with their prolific lo-fi collective Comida Para Llevar, the three are the face of Venezuela\u2019s long-burgeoning alternative scene. \u2014J.J.A.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tFresh off a string of theatrical festival performances and the colorful cinema verit\u00e9 of 2024\u2019s Los Tres Golpes<\/em><\/a>, Colombian rap baritone El Kalvo returns to cutting, analytical bars with a new album titled Tecnofeudalismo Criollo<\/em>. Produced by Cale\u00f1o studio whiz Car3sucio, the record tackles widening socio-economic gaps and political uncertainty, refracting his anxieties through the lens of new fatherhood. El Kalvo\u2019s blend of humor and grit consolidated his powerhouse status in Colombia\u2019s fabled rap scene<\/a>, so his dismantling of dystopia will be a wonder to behold. \u2014R.V.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tTwo years ago, FE7O was thrust into the spotlight when none other than Bad Bunny\u00a0unexpectedly shared<\/a>\u00a0one of the tracks off the young artist\u2019s debut album,\u00a0OCIO<\/em>, in his Instagram stories. That one was a chill-tastic Latin rap\/jazz fusion that garnered him many fans. Last year, he dropped another LP, the R&B\/indie-pop\u00a0Cervezas y Tabacos<\/em>, which showed off his talent at moodiness, solitude, and swag. Recently he\u2019s come under the wing of Mr Sonic, Amazon Music\u2019s Grammy winning producer-in-residence, and together they\u2019re toiling on FE7O\u2019s next big project. And since it\u2019s important to know: it\u2019s pronounced \u201cFelo,\u201d like \u201cfellow.\u201d \u2014J.J.A.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tVanita Leo evokes the nostalgia of Bobby Pulido\u2019s \u201cDesvelado,\u201d filtered through a 2026 lens that feels uniquely her own. It\u2019s tejano-electro-cumbia realness with a touch of sweetness as she sings about \u201cmamalonas\u201d on \u201cCaballito\u201d and leans into a sonidito groove on \u201cLa Cumbia Wepa\u201d that\u2019ll get any hips moving. Her debut EP, Cumbiamente<\/em>, produced by Alan Vega, captures her thriving across rom\u00e1nticas and cumbias alike, with polished, forward-thinking production. Together, the artist-producer pairing is one worth keeping an eye on in musics mexicana. \u2014T.M.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tEMJAY is crazy \u2014 and she wants you to know it. The rising Mexican star embodies an underground energy that thrives on grimy Mexico City dance floors. She\u2019s not bound by genre and proves her versatility on single songs.\u00a0 On \u201cNo Me Veas As\u00ed,\u201d her most recent, she jumps from near-rap verses to a rocky chorus to a pop-princess bridge. The hypnotic single follows her debut album, Me Estoy Volviendo Loc<\/em>a, where she fully leaned into the chaos in genre and technique. All EmJay needs is for you to listen. \u2014T.M.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tWhile maintaining a low profile and an air of mystery, Clarent has become one of Puerto Rico\u2019s top artists. Following collaborations with Rauw Alejandro, Myke Towers, and Mora, the Caparra Terrace native is stepping into the spotlight with his debut EP\u00a0No Vuelve a Suceder<\/em>. While getting further co-signs from Omar Courtz and Morad, Clarent welcomes the world into his rockstar from the streets fantasy. \u2014L.V.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tOut of Buenos Aires\u2019s prismatic electropop underground, singer and producer Matt Montero strikes the perfect balance of earworm gold and retro whimsy. A MySpace avatar that leapt off the screen and onto the dance floor, Montero favorites like \u201cMusimundo\u201d<\/a> and \u201cExcepcional\u201d evoke the glory days of neon skinny jeans while grounded in timeless pop hooks. If you enjoy the overexposed Tumblr fashions of Kim Petras\u2019s latest era, consider Montero\u2019s forthcoming EP a South American analog serving crunchy electroclash and Fotolog whiplash. \u2014R.V.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tThe two brothers who make up ZTVZ (pronounced \u201cEst\u00e9vez\u201d) both studied astrophysics in college before pivoting to music, but one listen of their songs demonstrates they didn\u2019t stray far from the cosmic. The duo has presented their space-y, indie electro rock sound at \u00a0New York Fashion Week and LAMC, and were even included (twice) in Bad Bunny\u2019s Summertime Moods playlist for Apple Music. This year, they\u2019re aiming to make their most ambitious push yet, betting that their project can break through even further and reach new starry heights. \u2014J.J.A.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tKidd Voodoo has become the anointed dark prince of omnidirectional sounds, constantly diving from upbeat reggaeton to electro-pop to m\u00fasica mexicana. The Chilean upstart, who sold out seven consecutive shows at Chile\u2019s Movistar Arena in 2025, reinforced his star power with the album Satirolog\u00eda Vol. 3, <\/em>which debuted at no. 3 on Spotify\u2019s global chart. So far, this is just the beginning. \u2014J.L.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tIf fans of The Mar\u00edas and Kali Uchis are looking for a new queen to stan, look no further than Sophie Castillo. The Colombian-Cuban singer is making her mark with an alt-pop sound that weaves in salsa, bachata, and even baile funk, most recently on her new single, \u201cComo Animal.\u201d Born in London, she has made it her mission to represent the Latino diaspora in the UK \u2014 and she\u2019s clearly succeeding. \u2014T.M.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tBogota is one of Latin America\u2019s electronic music capitals, and the Latin-core scene\u2019s irreverent collisions of techno, guaracha, and merengue have launched the globe-trotting careers of CRRDR and Aleroj. Next in line: 2AT, the jittery and prolific alias of Juan Tuaty, who\u2019ll be dropping convulsive new records alongside producers Nixss and Genosidra, leaping from mutant carranga to Andean punk<\/a>. Tuaty is also reforming his beloved post-punk band Babelgam, so keep an ear out for even more mind-bending tunes. \u2014R.V.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tAlready a go-to songwriter and producer for regional Mexican powerhouses Fuerza Regida and Grupo Frontera, Armenta stepped into the spotlight as an artist with his debut album P\u00f3rtate Bien<\/em>, cementing his triple-threat status in a crowded field of m\u00fasica mexicana. But Armenta stands out, and not just because of the arsenal of hits already under his belt as songwriter- producer. His first LP, packed with bold sounds, fusions and vivid storytelling, further elevates corridos and makes him one of the most exciting voices in Mexican music today.\u00a0 \u2014Griselda Flores<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tThe heir to the Brat<\/em> throne is 18 years old and hails from Argentina. But while roro is undoubtedly committed to crafting club classics, his 2025 EP, Hot Hits<\/em>, enhanced saturated techno with ballroom, reggaeton, and brazen fashion name-drops. The rising singer and producer also popped up on records from Fiah and Kevin Abstract<\/a>, while recent singles \u201c18\u201d and \u201cCA$h IT OUT\u201d<\/a> tease a Spring\/Summer collection of bangers laced with jerk and jersey club. \u2013R.V.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tAfter a breakthrough year complete with a COLORS<\/a> session and a Rauw Alejandro feature, Planta Industrial<\/a>, the Bronx-born post-punk super duo of rappers Saso and aka the darknight can only go down\u2026 into the pits of hell. Their debut EP Punk Wave Sin Barreras Volume 1: Conoci\u00e9ndonos<\/em> dropped in late November, setting up a string of 2026 performances, including a much-anticipated Dominican homecoming at Isle of Light Festival, this March. Here\u2019s hoping for more thrashing thrills on the horizon. \u2014R.V.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tThe Argentine rebel, who started out as a graffiti artist, thrashed together electro-sludge and punk-minded liberation on 2024\u2019s\u00a0Her\u00e1ldica,<\/em>\u00a0a wildly ambitious project that put her labyrinthine way of thinking front and center as she tied together everything from spirituality to rebirth to general internet brainrot. After signing with Interscope, she has a whole new chapter coming that promises to be even weirder and whimsier than what she\u2019s already shown us. \u2014J.L.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tSofia Insua first turned heads as the singer for Guatemalan shoegaze band Easy Easy, but solo swerves into hyperpop and R&B as aLex vs aLex propelled her to opening shows for Rusowsky and Ralphie Choo. Following her 2025 debut, nyc minute<\/em>, she broke through with the reggaeton and vallenato melange of \u201ccentro aLt,\u201d<\/a> alongside Divino Ni\u00f1o\u2019s lead singer Camilo Medina. Insua just popped up in the credits for Chet Faker\u2019s<\/a> forthcoming A Love For Strangers<\/em> LP, hinting at a year of even greater come-ups. \u2014R.V.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tThe Dominican-American singer Mar\u00eda Isabel\u00a0has shaped a steady fanbase with ultra-smooth, unabashedly vulnerable bedroom recordings that fuse pop, R&B, and soul over the last few years. After dropping her breakthrough EP i hope you\u2019re very unhappy without me<\/em>,\u00a0she\u2019s hinted there\u2019s so much more on the horizon, hyping listeners up with releases like the bouncy \u201cBien Bien,\u201d a track that stretches her sound and places her comfortably in a versatile, bilingual space. \u2014J.L.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cCapaz\u201d was proof enough of Alleh and Yorghaki\u2019s star power: The beloved merengueton track from 2024 found its way up the charts and became a viral smash. That led flocks of people to discover their deeply heartfelt and insanely catchy LP LA CIUDAD<\/em>, which has only led to more excitement around what the dynamic duo will do next. \u2014J.L.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tEvery year, one of the most delightful highlights happens at the Latin Grammys, when a new star is born. This year, that distinction went to the dreamy singer-songwriter Paloma Morphy, who somehow captures the warmth of early aughts indie-pop with the boldness and carefreeness of the current era. Her album Au, <\/em>released in March of last year, proved to the Latin Recording Academy what she can do \u2014 now the legion of fans who always believed in her are excited for more. \u2014J.L.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tDe La Rose is already a magnetic force, often stealing the show on major collabs and punching up viral hits. Case in point? She added a dose of smoothness on Omar Courtz\u2019s album, appearing on \u201cNUBES\u201d and the smash \u201cQ U E V A S H A C E R H O Y ?.\u201d Her excellent album FX De La Rose<\/em>, which she dropped in November, was filled with wildly catchy hooks and fresh, unexpected production, giving her even more runway to take over this year. \u2014J.L.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tAndry Kiddos\u2019 alternative pop is shaped by his experience as a Venezuelan exile. Since leaving his country, the hit-making songwriter has lived in Colombia, Spain, Mexico, and the U.S. His journey comes alive in \u201cAsimilando<\/a>,\u201d a song that blends folk-pop with flamenco and has become an anthem for the displaced and anyone living in the diaspora. Now Kiddos is finding his footing as a star in his own right. His debut album will arrive later this year. \u2014L.V.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tThe remarkable success of this Mexican street sweeper-turned-pop star was a highlight of 2025. Mart\u00ednez \u2014 whose heartfelt story captivated everyone and vocal prowess showcased on \u201cSue\u00f1a Lindo, Coraz\u00f3n\u201d turned heads \u2014 could have been written off as a viral sensation but there\u2019s a depth to his lyrics and a nostalgia to his prickly guitar that has us hooked. To keep the momentum going, the folk singer dropped his first album Si Ma\u00f1ana Ya No Estoy<\/em>, performed a riveting NPR Tiny Desk Concert and wrapped the year with his first-ever U.S. tour, setting him up for a promising 2026. \u2014G.F.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tTaichu embodies punk baddie energy in everything she touches. The Argentine star effortlessly marries her brash rock aesthetic and hyperpop sensibilities with unexpected genres like bachata and baile funk in ways that feel unmistakably her own. HOTCORE<\/em>, her December album, uses autotune and synths as key instruments and is packed with earworms. With HOTCORE <\/em>as the foundation, 2026 is poised to be her year. \u2014T.M.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tWith a velvet voice and enough charisma to charm even the toughest listener, the rising singer has vaulted out of Colombia\u2019s Cartagena region, making a name for himself as \u201cthe AfroRockStar\u201d \u2014 also the eponymous title of his debut album from August. Afte massive collabs with Ryan Castro, Mau y Ricky, and De La Ghetto and Farruko, he\u2019s poised to keep his momentum going. Viral hits like \u201cMi Reina\u201d and a standout On the Radar performance prove as much as he keeps things going with new EPs expected this year. \u2014J.L.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tHumbe is proving his star power is bigger than the machine. After parting ways with his label in 2024, the Latin pop it boy soared to new heights with his\u00a0Due\u00f1o Del Cielo<\/em><\/a>\u00a0album, which he released independently last month. Now Humbe fever is spreading north of Mexico with his first US tour this year that\u2019s quickly selling out. \u2014L.V.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\nEl Kalvo<\/h2>\n
FE7O<\/h2>\n
Vanita Leo<\/h2>\n
EmJay<\/h2>\n
Clarent<\/h2>\n
Matt Montero<\/h2>\n
ZTVZ<\/h2>\n
Kidd Voodoo<\/h2>\n
Sophie Castillo<\/h2>\n
2AT<\/h2>\n
Armenta<\/h2>\n
Roro<\/h2>\n
\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\nPlanta Industrial<\/h2>\n
Saramalacara<\/h2>\n
aLex vs aLex<\/h2>\n
Maria Isabel<\/h2>\n
Alleh & Yorghaki<\/h2>\n
Paloma Morphy<\/h2>\n
De La Rose<\/h2>\n
\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\nAndry Kiddos<\/h2>\n
Macario Mart\u00ednez<\/h2>\n
Taichu<\/h2>\n
Hamilton<\/h2>\n
Humbe<\/h2>\n