NSQK, Hamilton, & More Emerging Artists

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.

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:

Deny K

Country: Colombia / Italy

Why They Should Be On Your Radar: Born in Colombia, but residing almost his entire life in Italy, Deny K (real name: Jhon Daniel Castro) is an artist and producer whose main mission is to shed more visibility on the global reggaetón scene in Europe. At only 23 years old, Deny K is already signed to Empire Records and has released a number of singles that flaunt his experimental versatility, from reggaetón to corridos to urban fusions with Middle Eastern rhythms.

His charming and boy-next-door personality, backed up by his dulcet vocals, can be heard on his most recent collaboration “WOA,” a flirty dembow with Dominican artist Angel Dior. Deny — who fluently speaks English, Spanish, and Italian — lived in the Dominican Republic during the pandemic, where he was able to secure collaborations with key local acts such as Kiko El Crazy and El Cherry Scom, to name a few. — JESSICA ROIZ

Song For Your Playlist: “WOA,” Deny K & Angel Dior

Doble Sentido

Country: Venezuela

Why They Should Be On Your Radar: The Venezuelen pop group is not entirely new, but it has only recently started to make noise internationally. Doble Sentido started out two decades ago as a family business, playing covers at fairs, weddings and local parties. Over the years, it evolved into an independent band writing its own songs, with a different lineup. Now based in Panama and made up of brothers Ray (voice and keyboard) and JuanMa (voice and guitar) Yepez, Gustavo Calvo (percussion), Erick Reyes (bass) and Fernando Colmenarez (drums), Doble Sentido made its official debut in 2019 with the single “Magia,” produced by Emmanuel Briceño (musical director of Juanes). Since then, they’ve been perfecting their sound in songs like “Mala Vida” and “Para Los Dos.”

“We are influenced by Latin pop, we sing songs of love and heartbreak, combining between ballads, merengue, urban and a little pop rock,” they tell Billboard Español. Their latest single is “No Quiero Perdérmelo” with Argentine rock band Los Rancheros. Released on Aug. 8, it’s an exhilarating breakup anthem about still being in love with the one that got away. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

Song For Your Playlist: “No Quiero Perdérmelo,” Doble Sentido & Los Rancheros

EMMA

Country: Venezuela

Why They Should Be On Your Radar: As a Latin American trans woman, Venezuelan singer Emma has something to say, and she does it in an honest and eloquent way. “Being myself has been a challenge, but I face it with a lot of dignity and a lot of strength,” she tells Billboard Español, and that is evident in her songs. From the smooth reggaeton “Tantito” in 2020 to 2022’s “Me Puse Mami” to the bachata “No Era Yo” released in January, Emma presents herself as she is, addressing her challenges and professing the importance of self-love.

Living in Mexico for seven years — where she began her career as a singer-songwriter, and also her physical transition — Emma is dedicated to music, “wanting to transform people with my message” and collaborate as a writer with other artists. Last week, she released “Como a Una Mujer,” an emotional pop ballad about how she lives (“locked in a room, hidden”) and the illusion of wanting to live it in freedom (“as every person deserves”). Co-written by Emma with her Venezuelan compatriots Sara Schell and Juan Vegas, it is the first single from a five-song EP titled HEMMATOMA that she plans to release in March 2025. — S.R.A.

Song For Your Playlist: “Como a Una Mujer”

Little Homie

Country: Dominican Republic

Why They Should Be On Your Radar: Originating from Santo Domingo, Little Homie is carving out a niche in the realm of Spanish-language rap while helping boost drill in his native island. His breakout hit, “Bailando Drill” with fellow rappers Carlos Trvp, Blacky Drippy, Keyviem and Nelly Nellz, established him as a key player in popularizing the menacing trap subgenre.

Known for integrating gritty textures of old-school samples, his latest track “Tengo Eso” interpolates the merengue classic “Suavemente” by Elvis Crespo, blending traditional rhythms with hard-hitting beats. Tonight, he debuts his next single, “X ENCIMA,” through Roc Nation, featuring a soul-stirring sample of Nancy Sinatra’s “Bang Bang (You Shot Me Down)” entwined with punchy 808 drums and fluttering guitar riffs. A vital member of the young rap collective 4TG, with artists like Lismar and Keyviem, Little Homie is definitely a promising star to keep an eye on.— ISABELA RAYGOZA

Song For Your Playlist: “Tengo Eso”

NSQK

Country: México

Why They Should Be On Your Radar: A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet NSQK in Miami during the listening session of his latest album ATP (acronym for “Aún te Pienso,” which means “I still think of you”). While he passionately explained the album’s creative process, I discovered that the Monterrey-born artist has an avant-garde vision of music. His marketing plan played with nostalgia and created an “imaginary world” that transports his listeners to “Radio ATP.”

With features such as Álvaro Díaz, Paopao, Easykid, El Malilla, and Nina Mínguez, NSQK’s latest set boasts collaborations that boost his project to an international level. The singer-songwriter and producer skillfully navigates through diverse musical genres, including rap, pop, reggaeton, R&B, and even regional Mexican music. These songs serve as melodic vehicles for expressing hope and positive messages through their lyrics. — INGRID FAJARDO

Song For Your Playlist: “Tarde o Temprano”