Every month, Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors spotlight a group of rising artists whose music we love. Think “diamantes en bruto,” or “diamonds in the rough.” These are newcomers who have yet to impact the mainstream — but whose music excites us, and who we believe our readers should make a point to discover.
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Our latest edition of On the Radar Latin includes a wave of emerging artists, who we discovered either by networking or coming across their music at a showcase, and beyond. See our recommendations this month below:
Artist: DFZM
Country: Colombia
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: Hailing from Buenaventura (a coastal city in Colombia), DFZM first caught our attention on Mike Bahía’s salsa tune “Cali Buenaventura,” an homage to the hometown of both artists. At only 18 years old, the artist born Dylan Zambrano can easily navigate from a potent freestyle to an enchanting chanteo — all backed by his smooth, deep vocals. In 2023, he signed with Seven Music, Inc. and also forms part of Keityn’s management hub, La Creme. As a singer-songwriter, the newcomer has two verses on “+57,” the recent hit helmed by Karol G, Feid, J Balvin, Maluma, Ryan Castro, and Blessd, and produced by Ovy on the Drums. The song’s virality earned DFZM his first Billboard chart entries across Hot Latin Songs, Billboard Hot 100, Billboard Global 200, and Global Excl. U.S. — JESSICA ROIZ
Song For Your Playlist: “Cali Buenaventura,” Mike Bahía & DFZM
Artist: DREILU
Country: Ecuador
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: “From Guayaquil to the world,” as he describes on his YouTube channel, DREILU (real name: Omar Quiz) is an independent artist based in Miami with an accessible vocal delivery and an interesting combination of genres such as bomba, Afropop and urban rhythms, with lyrics that reflect his personal experiences. This month he presented his debut EP, titled 999, which includes the previously released singles “No Soy de Aquí” and “Barcelona.” Committed to his art, he has new releases scheduled for the coming months. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Song For Your Playlist: “Contando Estrellas”
Artist: Nia Skyfer
Country: Cuba
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: You’ve heard the work of Cuban-American Nia Skyfer (real name Stephanie Concepción) in songs written for the likes of CNCO, Young Miko and Kim Loaiza. And you’ve heard her powerful vocals on the 2022 season of The Voice, when she made part of John Legend’s team. Now, the Miami-based Bresh DJ is steadily releasing her solo fare, a mix of pop and R&B augmented by a pathos-filled voice that can go from ethereal to commanding. Check our her latest single, the mid-tempo rock track “Mejor no contesto,” with more singles planned for steady release in the next year. — LEILA COBO
Song For Your Playlist: “Mejor No Contesto”
Artist: Os Garotin
Country: Brazil
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: When it comes to burgeoning talent in Latin music, Os Garotin is swiftly carving out their niche. I first stumbled upon this dynamic trio at the Latin Grammy’s Best New Artist Showcase 2024 in Miami, and they were nothing short of electrifying. Hailing from São Gonçalo in Rio de Janeiro, Os Garotin — comprised of Anchietx, Cupertino, and Leo Guima — bring a refreshing blend of funk carioca, soul and rap to the stage, coupled with infectious dance moves. In May, they introduced themselves to the world with their debut album, Os Garotin de São Gonçalo, which encapsulates their energetic essence and plenty of passion. This Latin Grammy-nominated group is undoubtedly a must-watch for any music enthusiast looking to infuse their playlist with fresh, spirited tunes. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Song For Your Playlist: “Garota”
Artist: Sofi Saar
Country: Mexico
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: Sofi Saar got on my radar during Latin Grammys Week in Miami, Fla. earlier this month, where she was a two-time nominee. With her sweet-girl aura and stoic attitude, the Monterrey-based artist is turning her personal stories into healing music. Once engaged to get married, Saar — who kicked off her career in the pandemic — used the wedding money to invest in recording studio time when she broke up with her ex-fiancé. The songs born during that era gave life to her debut album, Terca (“Stubborn”), earning her the Latin Grammy nomination for best norteño album. Her popteño fusion and relatable lyrics also made her a best new artist nominee. — J.R.
Song For Your Playlist: “Qué Perro Aguante (Emperrada)”
Artist: Yetsi
Country: Venezuela
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: With releases including “Wow,” “Lofi” and “Cuchi Baby” in the last year alone, Yetsi — a Caracas native currently based in Miami with a sweet, powerful voice — has demonstrated a unique ability to fuse rhythms while showcasing her vocal prowess. Her most recent release is “LPC,” an infectious reinterpretation of Amanda Miguel’s classic “Las Cosas Pequeñas” to the rhythm of drum-n-bass. Yetsi, who has also directed some of her own music videos, is a well-rounded artist with a global sound. — S.R.A.
Song For Your Playlist: “Cuchi Baby”
