Latin R&B female artists redefining the genre© Getty Images

Latin R&B female artists redefining the genre

Representing the culture with rhythms other than reggaeton


Senior Writer
JULY 26, 2021 11:37 AM EDT

Latin R&B or Spanish R&B originated in Latin America and the United States, gaining popularity in the late 2010s. This musical subgenre of R&B became popular with Alex Rose’s “Toda,” Dalex’s ”Pa Mi,” and “Cuaderno,” and Sech’s ”Otro Trago.” However, female artists such as Noa Sainz, Kali Uchis, Nathy Peluso, Paloma Mami, and many more, redefine the genre, representing the culture with rhythms other than reggaeton.

According to Monica Herrera Damashek, head of Latin and label partnerships artists at Spotify, Spanish R&B is giving the world more options for music. “What this represents for Latin music, in general, is truly remarkable because this is a bilingual R&B song — nothing like the global hits we‘ve seen before,” Herrera Damashek said as reported by PopSugar. “This is redefining what a Latin music hit can sound like.”

Discover below the Latin R&B female artists redefining the genre

© 1800 Tequila

Kali Uchis

Born Karly-Marina Loaiza, Kali Uchis garnered music industry attention after releasing her 2012 mixtape, Drunken Babble; however, it wasn’t until she released her second studio album and her first Spanish language project, Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) in 2020 that she became a staple in everyone’s playlist. The single “Telepatía” became Uchis’ first solo charting hit on the US Billboard Hot 100.

© GettyImages

Cazzu

Born Julieta Emilia Cazzuchelli in Argentina, Cazzu, gained popularity with her singles “Loca”, “Toda”, “Pa Mi” and “Chapiadora.” The rapper, singer, and composer started her musical career as a cumbia singer and then as a rock singer; however, she gravitated towards Latin R&B, trap, and reggaeton.

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Nathy Peluso

Nathy Peluso is a Barcelona-based Argentine singer, songwriter, and producer known for her singles “La Sandunguera” and “Estoy Triste.” The star collaborated with Karol G on “Gato Malo,” and it is believed there’s a collab with J Balvin on its way.

© GettyImages

Paloma Mami

Paloma Rocío Castillo Astorga, known as Paloma Mami, is a Chilean-American singer-songwriter, known for “Not Steady” and “No Te Enamores. She released her first studio album, Sueños de Dalí, in March 2021 and recently collaborated with Ricky Martin on ”Qué Rico Fuera.”

© GettyImages

Elena Rose

Andrea Elena Mangiamarchi, known by the stage name Elena Rose is a Venezuelan American singer and songwriter best known for writing songs for Becky G, Rauw Alejandro, and CNCO. In 2020 she gave the big step and debuted her solo career with the single “Sandunga.”

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Nana Mendoza

Mendoza grew up studying violin and jazz to become an independent artist later. Her latest album, “Miradas,” received a Latin Grammy nomination for “Best Contemporary Pop Album” and also had a nomination for “Best New Artist.”

© Tatiana Hazel

Tatiana Hazel

Hazel is a Chicago-born singer, songwriter, and fashion designer based in Los Angeles. She is best known for her single “Mi Amor,” and “Tired of Being Myself.”

© Noa Sainz

Noa Sainz

Sainz is a Mexican singer better known for the songs: “Frio,” “Mayday!” and “Despertar (El Dolor).” She started her career at 19.