Latin music is one of the fastest-growing genres in music and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has the stats to prove it. In 2021, retail revenue from Latin music rose by more than a third to generate $886.1 million in the United States alone. That made up more than five percent of the total recorded music industry.
If you listen to popular radio, then you are already well aware of this phenomenon. In fact, Latin superstars Bad Bunny and Karol G currently account for 11 of the Billboard Top 100. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, let’s take a closer look at these chart-topping artists ahead of November’s Latin Grammys.
Bad Bunny
This Puerto Rican rapper and singer made history in 2020 with the highest-charting all-Spanish album of all time when El Último Tour Del Mundo reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200. It broke his own record set by YHLQMDLG which was released earlier that year cementing Bad Bunny as an icon in the Latin trap and reggaeton genres.
Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, accomplished the feat again in May 2022 with his fifth studio album Un Verano Sin Ti which is already Platinum certified by PROMUSICAE. He’s also been popular on streaming platforms like Spotify where he became the first non-English act to be the most-streamed artist of the year in 2020 and was the most-streamed artist overall in 2022.
You can expect to hear his hits like “Titi Me Pregunto” and “Moscow Mule” as well as popular collaborations on his tour with Alesso and Diplo.
Karol G
Latin Grammy Award winner Karol G is another powerful force in the industry. Born Carolina Giraldo Navarro, Karol G launched her career on a Columbian spinoff of The X Factor. Since releasing her first album in 2017, which included a song with Bad Bunny called “Ahora Me Llama,” she has had a consistent presence on the charts with songs like “Dame Tu Cosita,” “China” and “Provenza.” Among other awards, Karol G earned a Latin Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2018.
Her highest-charting single, a collaboration with Becky G called “Mamiii,” reached No. 1 on the U.S. Latin charts and No. 15 overall. It is certified 11x Platinum by the RIAA. Another one of her hits, “Tusa” with Nicki Minaj, was certified 28x Latin Platinum by the RIAA.
Karol G is currently on her Strip Love Tour with Agudelo 888.
Grupo Firme
Grupo Firme is one of the most successful Latin touring acts and is currently selling out stadiums across the United States. The group is the first banda ensemble to embark on a U.S. stadium tour and perhaps more impressively, the group is doing this all as an independent act.
Eduin Cazarez and Jairo Corrales founded Grupo Firme in 2014 and the group released its first album in 2017. Singles like “Pideme,” “El Roto” and “Juro Por Dios” helped the group gain traction in 2020 Grupo Firme won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Banda Album in 2021 for Nos divertimos logrando lo impossible.
Grupo Firme recently extended its Enfiestados y Amanecidos Tour 2022 which started in May. Prior to that, the group took the main stage at Coachella introducing itself to a diverse, new audience.
Classic Acts Returning To The Stage
While the newer acts mentioned above are infusing a fresh, exciting flavor to the genre, there are several tried-and-true favorites hitting the road right now too. That includes Marc Anthony, Gloria Trevi, Ricky Martin, and the “King of Reggaeton” Daddy Yankee. Los Bukis also reunited after 25 years for the Una Historia Cantada tour, which is hitting stadiums across the US and Mexico.
Buy Latin Concert Tickets
Whether you prefer a traditional sound or a more modern Reggaeton take, you will not want to miss out on these exciting Latin shows as they tour through your city. Buy your Latin concert tickets now and hear today’s top hits on iHeartRadio’s Latin Top 50. TicketSmarter is the official contest sponsor of iHeartRadio.
