So you managed to snag tickets to Bad Bunny’s “No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí” residency in Puerto Rico this month. Congratulations! Announced just a week after the release of his universally acclaimed sixth studio album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, the 30-show residency at San Juan’s Coliseo de Puerto Rico sold out within hours. The first nine shows are ostensibly only for residents of the archipelago, but the other 21 open their doors for any and all willing to make the trip across the pond. That’s where you come in!
As you get ready while playing back DTmF over and over (just like all of us still do), you might be wondering: what other music and artists in Puerto Rico can you discover that will have you feeling just as energized as Benito’s songs did?
If you fell in love with the throwback tropical rhythms of “NUEVAYoL” and “BAILE INoLVIDABLE,” felt inspired by the folk charms of “CAFé CON RON” and “PIToRRO DE COCO,” or just wanna be hip to which reggaetón artists are currently on the rise and making tracks as hot as “VeLDÁ” and “KETU TeCRÉ,” we have you covered. We even threw in two rock bands for free, just to highlight how rich every corner of the music scene is in the Isla del Encanto.
And always remember, as you immerse yourself in the diverse tapestry of Latine and Caribbean cultures, sounds, voices, and traditions found in every corner: the only good ice is the one keeping your drink cool. Enjoy!
If you did a street poll of the hottest artist in Puerto Rico right now — excluding the obvious big names — then Yan Block runs away with the prize. The baby-faced rapper is part of a new Zoomer crop of artists that are starting to make themselves felt in the scene, and Yan’s star has been one of the fastest to rise. Most recently, he was recruited by Rauw Alejandro to feature on “Espresso Martini” off his hit album Cosa Nuestra. He has demonstrated a Swiss Army knife-like talent for moving between edgy trap and melodic reggaetón, which is just the recipe for a promising career.
Alejo - "NENA"
With a perpetual gleam in his eye that gives away his frisky personality, Alejo has quietly become one of Puerto Rico’s hottest new artists. Lauded by fans for his ability to swerve from risqué perreo to more sentimental bars, he has amassed a sizable following among younger newcomers to reggaetón. Alejo has also become an ambassador of sorts for the genre, regularly touring Spain and other countries with sold-out shows. Those who were fans of “VeLDÁ” off DTmF will find the same sort of mischievous energy in his single “NENA” or his album EN ESTA NOS FUIMOS LEJOS.
De La Rose, Omar Courtz - "NUBES"
While De La Rose isn’t a featured artist in DTmF, she’s also not NOT a featured artist. That’s her voice you hear halfway through “KLOuFRENS” belting “Esto no tiene que pasar…” over Benito’s first verse. The young scarlet-haired artist has blown up over the last year, with every new song and video easily surpassing millions of streams in no time. One of her most recent is “NUBES” alongside Omar Courtz, which adequately captures what fans see in her: someone fresh and brash who’s making an impression on both the new and old guard. She’s sugar and spice, and she’s here to stay.
Gyanma - "sensación"
Indie artists in Puerto Rico play an even bigger part in defining future trends in the industry than they get credit for. Some like RaiNao manage to reach escape velocity and break out, bringing their innovative stylings to bigger stages. As for who’s next, look no further than Gyanma. A jack of all trades — singer, songwriter, and producer — Gyanma has been toiling for over five years, creating eclectic music that transcends easy classification. His newest single, “sensación,” is his biggest solo hit yet and sets him up to get a well-earned turn in the spotlight. Along with his equally popular collab project Duo Deleite, he’s an exciting name to keep an eye on.
DJ Kelvin x DJ Motion - "Bad Bunny Sobeteo Mix"
You might think you know perreo, but you haven’t been outside. Not in Puerto Rico, where — as Benito says in “EoO” — people have been raised on reggaetón for decades now. One of the new things you might discover is doble paso, a subgenre of the sound pioneered by DJ Kelvin “El Sacamostro” that’s a staple of just about any and every nightclub you’ll find yourself in. Imagine reggaetón but even rowdier and more frenzied. Kelvin has been churning out mixtapes for years, and they always end up in heavy rotation. There’s few better ways to get hyped for a night of sweaty sandungueo at El Choli.
Wendy Luna - "Alma rota"
Merengue’s heyday was undoubtedly in the 1990s, and to this day, any decent playlist includes groups from that decade with classics that still get people moving. But there are new artists injecting their own modern sazón into the genre, and Wendy Luna is among the top examples. A native of the southwest coast of Puerto Rico, she’s been on an impressive roll over the past year, churning out fresh tropical bops and proving there’s life yet in the genre and young singers more than ready to take over. Her newest track, “Alma rota,” has her wade into salsa, and she proves herself formidable in that sound as well.
Luis Figueroa - "Más Que Un Beso"
Benito’s “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” might have woken up many to the fact that young people can enjoy salsa too, but Luis Figueroa is one of a handful of new artists who figured that out long ago. His modern looks help sell him as a contemporary face for salsa, and while his music hews closer to the salsa romántica sound than the more vintage salsa gorda style, the musicality of his songs is more than enough to get folks on their feet and rumbaing the night away. His newest EP, titled GRIS, is his best collection yet and ideal for lovers of salsa, new and old.
Christian Alicea - "Me Lo Gozo"
Tropical genres like salsa, bachata, cumbia, plena, merengue, and more are prevalent in Puerto Rico, but few are the artists making new music within those sounds. Christian Alicea is one who has been dedicating himself to keeping the traditions alive and kicking, and playful tracks like “Me Lo Gozo” are a prime example. His newest album, Swingkete Vol. 1 – Maratón, includes even more hits that can fill up a dance floor. The contagious, high-spirited energy of his music and personality are a perfect match that will have you doing swings and twirls in rhythm before you know it.
Negro y Los Colores feat. Tanicha López - “Aguacero”
Negro González started his career as a rapper in the Puerto Rican indie hip-hop scene, but now he fronts his project Negro y Los Colores, which features him performing his verses along with a full band. The all-female trio of Quimæra lends their vocals to the song’s chorus, rounding out the ensemble. The tracks are a wholesome mix of rap with live instrumentation and folk-tinged vibes that are inspired by the island’s spirit of joy and resistance. “Aguacero” features Tanicha López, a regular collaborator of the group who is a rising star all of her own and adds an extra punch to an already groovy song.
El Laberinto del Coco - "Todo Se Nubla"
El Laberinto del Coco made their primetime debut last year with their own Tiny Desk episode, bringing their jazzy Afro-Caribbean-inspired stylings to thousands who have tuned in since then. Benito’s album introduced even more people to the sounds of bomba music, and anyone interested in digging further will find everything they need with Laberinto. The collective, founded by percussionist Héctor “Coco” Barez, takes inspiration from the traditional sounds passed down through generations and channels them for a new audience that has earnestly embraced them.
ZTVZ - "24 horas"
Rock comes in many flavors, and ZTVZ is a duo that aims to share a new one with every song they drop. The band, made up of brothers Diego y Carlos Estévez (hence the name), prides itself in fusing genres for the sake of their music — literally picking two at random in popular TikTok videos and then challenging themselves to make it work. And work it has, to the tune of more and more new fans every month, making a name for themselves in the indie scene.
TAPABOKA - "El Rey"
As far as rock bands in Puerto Rico go, there’s none as piping hot right now as TAPABOKA. The all-grrl hardcore punk trio burst onto the scene in 2023 and has been kicking asses ever since with their riotous sound and take-no-prisoners attitude. The group, which just dropped its debut EP this month, has all the makings of a future headliner and with the personality that goes with it. Whether it’s by seeing them live or streaming their songs online, it’s easy to see and hear why they’re capturing the attention of so many with the infectious energy of their music.
