After a year that saw a new flood of crossover collaborations and renewed visibility for Latino pop stars, it may be hard to follow up the excitement that 2017 yielded for our community in the mainstream music sphere. But the truth is that Latino artists have and will continue to thrive – both above and underground – regardless of whether or not the U.S. music market is paying attention.
In that spirit, we put together a list of some of the releases we’re most excited for this year. Of course, release dates are subject to change; artists might surprise drop new material at any moment or push a release back without warning. Check back here as we update releases in the coming months.
Get the intel on our top 14 picks below, and scroll down for the full list of releases.
1
Alex Anwandter - TBA
Release date: Fall 2018
Label: Nacional Records
The crown prince of Chilean indie pop has remained busy but secretive since the release of 2016’s expansive Amiga LP, but Alex Anwandter is never one to keep us waiting for long. With expectations that Anwandter would double down on his buzzy film career, cryptic social media posts late last year revealed the “Siempre Es Viernes En Mi Corazón” singer was back in the recording studio, a welcome surprise to fans. The record’s yet unspecified fall release via Nacional Records is enough to make our ears tingle with anticipation of all-new protest anthems and dance floor catharsis. –Richard Villegas
2
Spiff TV - The Union
Release date: Spring 2018
Label: Sony Music Latin
It’s safe to say that only few see the vision on a scale as grand as video director-turned-recording artist Spiff TV. While still keeping busy orchestrating visuals, Carlos Suarez can add mastermind of crossover collaborations to his healthy résumé, bringing us tracks like 2016’s Future and Yandel collaboration “Mi Combo.” Taking to his Instagram just days ago to tease the upcoming single “Thinkin’” featuring Bad Bunny, Future, and Anuel AA, with production from Miami duo The Runners, the crossover possibilities we could speculate based off what’s been teased alone are endless, and surely the tracklist for The Union, slated for a spring 2018 release, will satisfy our N.O.R.E.-raised hearts. –Anthony Dominguez
3
Javiera Mena - TBA
Release date: TBA
Label: Sony Music Latin
With last year’s late release of Javiera Mena’s “Dentro De Tí,” her first new single since 2014’s magnificent Otra Era LP, the Chilean indie pop diva predicted that 2018 would see her return in full glam force. “Dentro De Tí” addressed personal questions of success and self-fulfillment, alluding to her own journey as she grapples with global fame and high-stakes deals like her recent signing to Sony Music Latin. If this is any indication of what’s to come, Mena’s new album may lead us down a rabbit hole of self-contemplation we haven’t fully explored since the glory days of Esquemas Juveniles. –Richard Villegas
4
Jesse Baez - TBA
Release date: TBA
Label: Broke Kids
If December 2017’s Frank Ocean slash “esos son reebok o son nike”-referencing go-getter bop “Tema 1 (SWOOSH)” is any indication of what to expect from Guatemalan R&B singer Jesse Baez’s upcoming project, than we can certainly look forward to catching plenty more introspective, hazy vibes from him in 2018. With a new record deal at Broke Kids, Baez is poised to follow up 2016’s B.A.E.Z EP and his 2017 loosies with a project sometime in 2018. The spotlight on Latino R&B is about to get much brighter, but the visual aesthetics will probably get a lil’ hazier. –Anthony Dominguez
5
Bad Gyal - TBA
Release date: Februrary 2018
Label: CANADA
Hailing from a continent far from the genre’s roots, few artists from Spain’s dancehall scene have managed to find traction internationally. That fact has not stopped Catalan singer Bad Gyal, who has successfully swapped out her early trap influences for dancehall notoriety. In 2017 she released two major singles without breaking a sweat; the Dubbel Dutch-produced “Jacaranda” and “Nicest Cocky,” an addictively robotic moment with Paul Marmota. Both producers will return on her upcoming debut EP — a leaked tracklist says that England’s DJ Florentino also wanted in. –Caitlin Donohue
6
Cardi B - TBA
Release date: TBA
Label: Atlantic Records
The Bronx’s own Belcalis Almanzar steady dominated 2017, even in the absence of her much-anticipated debut album. She closed off the year stronger than ever with the “Bodak Yellow” follow-up banger “Bartier Cardi,” radio-ready Bruno Mars remix “Finesse,” and pop-reggaeton Ozuna link-up “La Modelo.” Cardi’s ability to so seamlessly navigate collaborations with a diverse spectrum of artists, all while retaining her signature rambunctious steeze, certifies the rapper’s authenticity isn’t to be curbed by mainstream success anytime soon. With two Grammy nominations for “Bodak Yellow” and a slated performance at this year’s ceremony, Cardi isn’t going anywhere but up, and hopefully we find that accompanied by a full-length album in 2018. –Anthony Dominguez
7
Cuco - TBA
Release date: TBA
Label: TBA
After his meteoric rise last year, which saw the singer go from playing backyard parties to his current tour alongside Helado Negro and Lido Pimienta, Omar Banos isn’t ready to slow down. 2018 should be his biggest year yet, with scheduled appearances at huge festivals like Coachella and a new EP that will bring us more ballads with fresh beats and heartbroken melodies. –Marcos Hassan
8
Monsieur Periné - TBA
Release date: April 2018
Label: Sony Music Entertainment Colombia
The Colombian swing pop band rose to prominence a few years back, thanks to their 2015 album Caja de Música – produced by Calle 13’s Visitante – and a nod from the Latin Grammys, which awarded the band the Best New Artist trophy. Their romantic, colorful, and kinetic music will return this year, and we can hardly wait to get misty-eyed and loose-limbed on the dancefloor with their new songs. –Marcos Hassan
9
Ságan - II
Release date: May 2018
Self-released
With their 2015 debut Cada Célula, Colombian duo Ságan set their career’s course to success, and they’re ready to keep on going with their sophomore album. María Mónica Gutiérrez and Felipe Ortega Blanco spent the past year previewing II, which drops in May, by releasing two of its songs, “Todo” and “Cada Paso.” These tracks show an evolution of their own sweet, heartfelt brand of electronic pop, and if they reflect the overall vibe of the album, we’re definitely in. This, along with their forthcoming participation in Colombia’s colossal Festival Estéreo Picnic, show Ságan’s 2018 is off to a great start. –Cheky
10
Mala Rodríguez - TBA
Release date: TBA
Label: TBA
Spanish rapper Mala Rodríguez has been delivering unapologetic rhymes and setting herself apart as an emcee for decades. Last year, she lent some of her power to Ibeyi on the track “Me Voy,” showing that her skills have only been getting more refined over time — and amping us up for what else she has in store on her latest album. –Julyssa Lopez
11
Álvaro Díaz - Díaz Antes LP
Release date: TBA
Label: Broke Kids
Late last year, Álvaro Díaz took to social media to celebrate his signing to Universal Music Latin Entertainment’s sub-label Broke Kids, a moment that felt like a natural step after years of building a solid DIY career and establishing himself in the Puerto Rican hip-hop world. This year, we’ll hear the results of this transition on his major label debut album, Díaz Antes. Not a single track has been shared yet, but we definitely expect some top-notch collaborations, most likely from the Broke Kids crew (also brand new Universal signees). This new platform is potentially game-changing for Díaz, so this could be a major year for him. –Cheky
12
Maluma - F.A.M.E.
Release date: Spring 2018
Label: Sony Music Latin
The pretty boy/dirty boy has announced that 2018 will be all about “Fé, Alma, Música, Escencia,” the acronym powering his new album and 20 city-plus U.S. tour of the same name. The LP will include Maluma’s beloved yet oddly polemic-stirring anti-monogamy ode “Felices Los 4,” an as-yet unreleased track with Noriel and Bryant Myers, plus “Sigue Ahi,” a song with Almighty produced by Bad Bunny movers Mambo Kingz and DJ Luian. Malumaniatikas will be eager to see how the heartthrob is evolving his urban-pop meld. –Caitlin Donohue
13
Kali Uchis - TBA
Release date: TBA
Label: Virgin EMI
Kali Uchis‘ debut album has been eluding us for months, but the Colombian singer’s project is finally set to drop this year. Her recent collaborations with Jorja Smith and, more surprisingly, Bootsy Collins and Tyler, the Creator, already suggest that we’re going to see a much more mature and unexpected side of the artist previously known for her dreamy, retro sensibilities. –Julyssa Lopez
14
J Balvin - TBA
Release date: Spring 2018
Label: Universal Music Latin Entertainment
How do you follow up a global phenomenon? J Balvin is showing us he has plenty of ideas after the seismic wave that his hit “Mi Gente” became across the world. “Machika,” the first song from his upcoming album, is another explosive earworm that hints at the new fusion of inspirations Balvin is toying with in his music, which he’s said will include bold, animalistic beats that position him to continue achieving international domination. –Julyssa Lopez
15
More Releases
January 2018
Edgar Mondragón/Alba EP
Rubio/I EP/Jungla Music
February 2018
La Ñapa/Caribe/MITEL DICO
Cohoba/Minitape 1/Stereoptico
Jory Boy/Otro Liga 2/Young Boss Entertainment
V.A./La Línea del Sexxx/Rosa Pistola Records
Yung Beef/A.D.R.O.M.I.C.F.M.S. /La Vendición
Adan Jodorowsky/Esencia Solar/Casete and Cósmica Records
Mint Field/Pasar de las Luces
March 2018
Bodega Bamz/P.A.P.I. (Proud and Powerful Individualz)
La Mecánica Popular/Roza Cruz/Names You Can Trust
Sexores/East/West/Buh Records
The Marías/Superclean, Vol. 2/Superclean Records
V.A./Pegamentos Vol. 4/Discos Pegaos
Kelman Duran/TBA/Apocalipsis
Hilandera (formerly Loocila, ex-Jóvenes y Sexys)/Prima Materia EP/Self-released
April 2018
Noriel/Trap Capos 2/Sony Music Latin
Ferraz/TBA
El Shirota/El Shirota
Hinds/I Don’t Run/Mom + Pop
May 2018
Diego Raposo/TBA/ Point Records
Raido/Concrete in the Tropics
TBA
Audri Nix/La Niña de Oro
Balún/Prisma Tropical/Good Child Music
Apache O’Raspi/Bisutería Fina
beGun/TBA
AWWZ/TBA/Nacional Records
Centavrvs/Somos Uno/Casete
Clubz/Destellos/Casete and CANADA
De La Ghetto/TBA/Warner Music Latina
El Último Vecino/TBA/CANADA
Fuete Billete/Papelón City/NAAFI
DEBIT/Animus/NAAFI
Lng/SHT/TBA
Upgrayyed Smurphy/TBA/Ensamble
Méne/TBA EP/NWLA
Amara La Negra/TBA/Fast Life Entertainment Worldwide and BMG
Vicente Garcia/TBA/Sony Music Entertainment Colombia