The Year In Music | 2017

It’s no surprise Latin music slayed streaming plays and video clicks in 2017. Listeners peered through layers of political action, nature’s reactions and community traction all to come out on the other side bouncing to a new sound. The top artists who kept our third eye open and our champagne glasses full in 2017 gave us our generation’s music at the volume we like. Check out your favorite’s favorites including this year’s powerhouses, a recent gem and our 2018 MVP prediction.

Residente | One Ain’t the Loneliest Number

Residente’s first solo project the self-titled Residente set a mark on Rolling Stone’s 50 Best Albums of 2017 and his grass-roots vibes drummed harder than ever. With the power of self, one half of the hermano duo Calle 13 kept the grit in his voice laying down multi-lingual track after track on his most reflective music collection yet. With Grammy noms already on deck, outside the booth no words were left unsaid as Residente advocated for national contribution toward Puerto Rico’s hurricane aid. Don’t believe us? Just check out his performance at the 2017 Latin Grammys below.

Camila Cabello | Cohibas for the Ladies

The former Fifth Harmony member Camila Cabello paid homage to her bloodline with the made for radio smash “Havana”. Cabello soared with sass and style opening for Bruno Mars’ crowded tour stops giving fans a sneak peek of what to expect for her self-titled debut album ready for next year. Being the only harmony never felt better.

Cardi B | Cardi B vs. Everyone

More New York than food cart suspicions, Cardi B arguably had the greatest año ever. The Bronx born, Washington-Heights fed Dominican-Trini flooded our feeds shining on magazine covers, stages and even a shoe campaign. Even before a debut LP, Bodak Yellow proved the road to Billboard’s Top 100 is paved in red and the iTunes chart doesn’t look much different with Cardi creds on no less than four smash hits. The glow up is so real, she was a Halloween costume this year!

Lin-Manuel Miranda | From Harlem to Hamilton and Everywhere in Between!

He’s like your right-brained primo you always knew would make it. This year Puerto Rico’s golden child orchestrated the artist-packed single “Almost Like Praying” and plans to leave the Hamilton ruffled collar at home when laying down a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next year. With a creative outlet for every dollar raised for his home island’s hurricane relief, Miranda has years left of chart topping material and we’ll always be all ears.

Luis Fonsi | Boss of the Crossover

His summer anthem super banger “Despacito” was the most viewed music video on YouTube (a list dominated by Latin artists this year, btw) and Luis Fonsi was happy to finally be seen by over four million folks. Fonsi’s crossover was long overdue with almost two decades worth of awards, tours and music on this Boricua’s resume. His latest track “Échame la Culpa” featuring our ultimate crush Demi Lovato is already on international playlists, rounding out Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs early in its debut.

Miguel | A Gem Among Diamonds

Just in time to bless us before the year is over, his fourth album’s lead single “Skywalker” is the house party anthem for any holiday. Miguel’s War & Leisure balances messages of satin vibes and peace like no other artist can do, sprinkled with his classic R&B sultry. Don’t be surprised to hear the Mexican American sing in Spanish on his latest, and though the album missed award season, it came just in time to set the mood – hint hint: track 9 “Caramelo Duro”.

J. Balvin | The People’s Champ

Colombiano J. Balvin is officially for the people, by the people. Teaming up with track originator Willy William (and then Beyonce on the remix), Balvin dropped “Mi Gente” and the track’s signature siren notes forced our necks to bop. Proceeds from the track went to hurricane relief charities in Mexico and the Caribbean islands and performances on the re-booted TRL and The Ellen Show bought in a new audience of Balvin-lovers.

Gente de Zona | Nuevo Clásico

Dynamic duo Alexander Delgado and Randy Malcom are newcomers to the scene but have already linked up with top Latin artists toward Cuban reggaeton success. If these compadres sound familiar it’s probably from their infectious 2013 track “Bailando” featuring Enrique Iglesias and other singles featuring fellow and former duo Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez and the always worldwide Pitbull. As for the group’s thoughts on the current wave of success, Delgado told Billboard, “I just want to represent the Cuban people, and give the best of me.”

Ozuna | This Year’s Prince, Next Year’s King – 2018 MVP

The reggaeton, trap dread-head has been ahead of his time since crashing on the scene in 2012, and this year his debut album Odisea laid out recognizable hits for the wireless waves like “Dile Que Tu Me Quieres” and “Tu Foto”. At the fresh faced age of 25, this Boricua heads into the new year ready to take on new slew on fans in the States and we’re sure to see him dawn a golden crown.