Young Miko and Elena Rose: 20 Latin artists changing music in 2026

After performing at festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Tyler, the Creator's Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival, Latin Mafia have become a beacon of Mexico's alternative music scene. The trio of brothers from Monterrey prioritized expressing their anxieties and frustrations on their 2024 debut album, the cathartic Todos Los Días Todo El Día, rather than being beholden to strict genre conventions. Back in July, Fred again.. collaborated with Latin Mafia on the chaotic mixtape 9 Months & 50 Hours where the rising Mexican musicians cut loose. Now set to return for the next Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival in November, Latin Mafia continues to expand their global reach.

Following collaborations with artists like Bad Bunny, Karol G, and Feid, Young Miko has become one of Latin America’s biggest superstars and helped carve out more space for women and the LGBTQ+ artists in the Latin urban genre. With the deluxe edition of her album Do Not Disturb: Late Checkout, the Puerto Rican rapper continues to push boundaries as an openly lesbian artist, as can be heard on the playful "Aquel Diciembre" featuring Rauw Alejandro and the freaky "BIAF." Young Miko is now taking a victory lap with her Late Checkout Tour.

The worlds of Latin pop and K-pop are colliding with Santos Bravos. The quintet is the first Latin boy band formed by HYBE, the label behind BTS and KATSEYE. Santos Bravos includes Alejandro Aramburú from Peru, Kauê Penna from Brazil, Kenneth Lavíll from Mexico, Gabi Bermúdez from Puerto Rico, and Mexican-American singer Drew Venegas. The group is also providing important LGBTQ+ representation with Venegas, who is openly gay. With the debut EP Dual, Santos Bravos pairs their K-pop discipline and impressive choreography with regional genres, like Latin house on the Diplo-produced cut "Kawasaki," or Brazilian funk on "Velocidade," which is largely sung in Portuguese.

Netón Vega is redefining what a Mexican superstar can be by breaking out of regionalized music confines. Hailing from La Paz in Baja California Sur, he first made his mark in the Mexican corridos space as a songwriter for Peso Pluma and Tito Double P. Last year, Vega shook up Música Mexicana genre as a singer as well with his debut album Mi Vida Mi Muerte. He infused corridos with hip-hop in the title track and branched out into Reggaeton with the global smash "Loco." Vega later tapped hit-maker Benny Blanco for his second album Delirium. Now he is broadening his horizons infusing Latin urban music with Mexican slang in his upcoming LP Aura.

Aria Vega is shining a light on the Caribbean region of Colombia. The rising pop star from Barranquilla has billed her style of music as "Costeñita Core," which is named after the costeño people, of whom she’s a member. Vega rose to prominence earlier this year with the feel-good anthem "Chévere (Premium_Remix)" featuring Ryan Castro. Since then, she has continued to proudly infuse her sun-kissed songs like "Cule Poco (Sirena_Besarico_Costeña)" and "TOTOTO (+4)" with costeño slang and cultural references to life on the Caribbean coast. Vega is currently cooking up her highly-anticipated debut album.

Guitarricadelafuente is proving to be a true multi-hyphenate. The Spanish troubadour from Benicàssim stepped into his power as an openly gay pop star with his sophomore album on last year's Spanish Leather. Guitarricadelafuente bridged Valencian folklore with forward-looking pop on that LP where he declared himself a “Full Time Papi.” Amidst his world tour in February, he caught up with The FADER about collaborating with Troye Sivan and making his acting debut in Los Javis' La Bola Negra. Now Guitarricadelafuente is generating major Oscar buzz for the film, which opens in theaters on October 16, and the song that he wrote for it, "La Nieve."

Read Guitarricadelafuente's interview with The FADER here.

Emjay is Mexico's reigning hyperpop princess. The Guadalajara native first made her mark in the Latin music industry by breaking through as a trap artist with her debut album, 2023's LAS MORRAS TAMBIÉN HACEN TR444P. Emjay then dove headfirst into hyperpop and fully leaned into her femininity for a fierce follow-up, Me Estoy Volviendo Loca. The LP included "flash y pose” and an epic remix of "Boss" with Latin pop icon Belinda. Doja Cat later selected Emjay to open for one of her concerts. Emjay’s next album Pop Pesado will be released on September 24.

Joel Deleōn is proving there's life after being part of one of the most successful Latin boy bands. The Mexican-American singer first rose to prominence as a member of CNCO, which minted hits like 2016’s “Reggaetón Lento (Bailemos)” and 2019’s “De Cero.” Like Zayn Malik before him, Deleōn shockingly exited the group in 2021 to pursue a solo career. It's taken him a few years, but he's transitioned from teen idol into a promising Chicano pop star. Deleōn has blended his roots in Mexico and the US. That can be head on the rollicking pop-rock of "me alegro por ti" that's sung in Spanglish. Ahead of his upcoming debut album, he also revisited his CNCO days with a Qué Tal Cumbión!-assisted cover of "Tan Enamorados."

The next generation of stars in reggaeton are coming from Mexico. The leading lady in the emerging Reggaeton Mexa scene is Yeri Mua. After amassing a large following across all social media platforms, the Veracruz native parlayed her success as an influencer into a fruitful music career. With hits like "Linea Del Perreo" and Standly's "Chaparrita," Mua has become a pioneer for Reggaeton Mexa on a global level while paving the way for more women in the genre. After breaking out with last year’s De Chava album, expect even more unapologetically girly energy from Mua in her upcoming sophomore LP Las Putas Aman También.

The biggest recent stars from Colombia have come from Medellín, including J Balvin, Maluma, Karol G, and Feid. On the outskirts of Medellín is the small town of Marinilla, which is the hometown of Colombian heartthrob Juan Duque. He’s putting his city on the map with his Latin pop and reggaeton that features his Colombian slang and style that reflects life in the countryside. Duque scored his first global hits last year with the Afrobeats-inspired songs "Solcito" with Miguel Bueno and "Ojalá" featuring Nanpa Básico. He is keeping the momentum going with his upcoming EP Verraco Vibe, which will include the frisky reggaeton romp "Songo Sorongo."

Elena Rose is a proven hit-maker that's finally getting her shine. The Venezuelan singer-songwriter has penned songs for Selena Gomez, Becky G, Karol G, Christina Aguilera, and Shakira. As an artist, Rose finally got her big break last year with the illuminating album Bendito Verano, which featured empowerment anthems like "Me Lo Merezco." Earlier this year, Rose released her playful EP No Quiero Que Se Acabe Este Bendito Verano. Now, Karol G tapped Rose to open for select dates of her ongoing Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour.

After crafting hits for many Latin pop princesses like Kenia Os, Aitana, and Joaquina, Andry Kiddos is becoming Latin America’s premier alt-pop prince. Since emigrating from Venezuela, the singer, songwriter, and producer has lived in Mexico, Colombia, Spain, and the U.S. That multi-cultural journey has shaped Kiddos's global perspective of pop. In 2026, he is releasing his debut album. From the teases of the LP so far, like the dreamy "Delorean" and the swaggering "Por Como Me Cuidas," Kiddos is finding his groove as a promising star in his own right.

After finding major label success in 2020, Humbe proved that he is bigger than the machine. Last December, the Mexican pop star staged a comeback as an independent artist with his ambitious album El Dueño Del Cielo. He glided through genres like R&B, reggaeton, and even mariachi in his sentimental songs like "Fantasmas," "Vetiver y Amaretto," and "Morfina." Humbe also leaned into his sensuality in the sultry "50mm" and the club-ready "REM II." Before embarking on a world tour, he caught up with The FADER about taking control of his career and not being afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve.

Katteyes (not to be confused with KATSEYE) is a key part of Chile’s emerging reggaeton scene. In a genre that's usually dominated by men, the Santiago native is holding it down. In May, Katteyes expanded her global reach with her debut album Deseo. She gave reggaeton a fierce and femme overhaul in the explosive "Ponte Ponte" and the girl power anthem "Lonely" featuring Maria Becerra and Big One.

The next big star coming from Puerto Rico is Clarent. In a few short years, the Caparra Terrace-based artist has collaborated with heavyweights from his island like Rauw Alejandro, Mora, Myke Towers, and Bryant Myers. Clarent’s EP No Vuelve a Suceder captured a bit of how he's infusing Latin urban music with elements of house and hip-hop. Now he will fully lean into his trap star swagger for his debut album No Pasa Nada Hombre, which will be released on October 1.

Rising Mexican-American star Delilah is fusing Música Mexicana with her bicultural roots, bringing in the alternative and indie-pop music that she grew up on. Following her breakout, Becky G collaborated with Delilah on the song "Todo" and fellow Chicano rocker Ivan Cornejo selected her to open for his US tour. The alt-pop princess is now working on her debut album.

Emyl Rusev is merging his Eastern European heritage with Latin pop. The Medellín native has a mother from Colombia and a father from Bulgaria. This year, Rusev branded himself as a "Euro-paisa" to pay homage to growing up between both countries. His breakout hit "Así de Rico (Va Uno a Ver y Ve Remizzz)" features Slavic-inspired chants. Ed Sheeran later tapped Rusev to open for one of his concerts. Now Rusev is also singing a bit in Bulgarian in his latest track "Ando (Bye, Ya Me Voy…)" while working on his debut album.

Barcelona-based artist Borja first made a splash with his romantic debut album, 2023's Rimas Del Verbo Amar. He caught the attention of Karol G, who selected him to open for her stadium concert in Madrid a year later. Playing to bigger audiences, Borja plugged into his inner popstar for last year's Cuando Coincidimos LP. Now the heartthrob is wearing his heart on his sleeve for the stripped-down EP Atanor where Borja embraces intimacy in "Notre-Dame" and lets loose in "Encima De La Mesa." A second EP is due out later this year.

During a time when Latino communities are being targeted by ICE raids, Nezza used her platform to take a stand. Last year, after she was hired by the Dodgers to perform "The Star-Spangled Banner," the rising Colombian-Dominican star decided to show her support for immigrants by singing the Spanish-language version of the song. After reportedly ruffling the Dodgers' feathers, Nezza continued to be a Latin pop provocateur and push boundaries by infusing American genres with her Latina heritage. In songs like "Gigi," she blends R&B with Latin rhythms while singing in English and Spanish. Nezza's debut album Sweat will be released on September 18.

While reggaeton music has historically excluded queer people, La Cruz brings a gay perspective to the genre. Hailing from La Guaira in Venezuela, he first rose to fame during LGBTQ+ Pride Month. La Cruz went viral on TikTok after inspiring gay men to twerk to his breakthrough hit "Quítate La Ropa." He continues to live out his gay fantasies in his latest EP El Nene, Vol. 2. La Cruz paid tribute to the 10th anniversary of Orlando's Pulse nightclub shooting that largely impacted the queer Latino community with the heartfelt "Te Perdí." He also joined forces with Brazilian drag superstar Gloria Groove in "Sírveme."