THE JANUARY REGGAETON RECAP

It’s the first Reggaeton Recap of the year and the artists certainly know it as they’re pulling out more stops than ever before! There’s a cross-continental collaboration that shows some very promising prospects and a collision of two Latin stars that is the epitome of a tear-jerker. The best things come in threes and there’s a trio of Latin music queens whose link-up reaffirms this with its aptly royal name. Puerto Rico is flying the flag high this month and making sure their nation sets the tone for the year, with some addictive beats and eclectic rhythms to match.
by Thomas Melia
Image
January Reggaeton Recap

Bad Gyal & Trueno – Angelito

Wearing a bright red shirt inscribed with the song’s title while flaunting on a beach, Bad Gyal is “Aquíenlaisla relajada”, while Trueno is feeling protective warning “Nadie toca a mi gyal”. Alba is back on the angel grind; the single translates to little angel and reaches listeners five years after her 2018 ‘Worldwide Angel’ mixtape. Throughout the video Bad Gyal is lighting one up and much like the red joint she’s smoking, her career is flying just as high.The steel drum stints which start halfway through the song are minute but much needed, they contribute to the island vibe felt through the track.

Lola Indigo, Maria Becerra, Villano Antillano – LA REINA (Remix)

There’s never a wrong time for a little bit of merengue and when it’s in the hands of three Reggaeton supernovas, it hits even harder, no wonder the single is titled ‘LA REINA’. The original solo track released back in June last year but who can say no to verses from ‘La nena de Argentina’ and multitalented Puerto Rican Villano Antillano. Much like the original, the outro of the instrumental transforms into an EDM fusion to keep you second guessing, after all, “Que tú no puedes ser rey si no tiene' a la reina”.

ROBI & Sebastian Yatra – Lienzo

Puerto Rico meets Colombia in this pop lullaby which perfectly encompasses the feeling of falling head over heels for someone, que lindo! The soft and gentle guitar plucks, the heartbeat rushing drums and ROBI’s delicate vocals, it’s everything that’s needed to make a wholesome melody such as this. Just like ROBI points out before each chorus, “Las mariposas se sienten aquí”, and it couldn’t be truer. Yatra is no stranger to a ballad, so much so, he take care of his fellow collaborator saying “ROBI, tranquilo, te va a dar un ataque, tranquilo”, to which the young star responds and finishes the song with “'Taba inspirado, sorry”.

Central Cee & Young Miko – Gata

Alright. From San Juan to Shepherd’s Bush it’s a cross continental link-up with two of music’s latest greats. This may be Miko’s first UK collaboration but she’s not afraid of throwing herself into the deep end in prime position opening the record. Singing “Una pa' pasar la vida, la otra el rato” this Puerto Rican certainly knows what she’s talking about, achieving multiple big breaks into the mainstream music scene, including this track. This isn’t Miko’s first English rodeo, she’s collaborated on US R&B sensation Kehlani’s track ‘Sucia’ last year. It’s refreshing to see Miko on a drill masterpiece.

Bad Bunny – NUEVAYoL

Everyone’s been going crazy over Bad Bunny’s latest project, from his decision to incorporate local and native Puerto Rican sounds and giving them a whole new meaning in pop culture or the audacious releases ‘EL CLúB’ and ‘BAILE INoLVIDABLE’, but our chosen track is the album’s introduction ‘NUEVAYoL’. The addictive horns, the audio cuts and Bad Bunny’s usual Reggaeton beats make this a guaranteed smash hit. Benito poses the question “¿Cómo Bad Bunny va a ser rey del pop, ey, con reggaetón y dembow?”, that’s clearly rhetorical because he already is, the world is always waiting for his next “move'-ve'-ve'-ve'”.

Bonus Track:

RaiNao – BSUKEO

Just missing out on a New Year’s release, RaiNao used the final days of 2024 to transport music lovers back in time while keeping them hooked with her familiar bass boosted Reggaeton rhythms and tongue in cheek lyrics, literally – “Mi lengua de party en tu boca”. Her album released at the start of last year and what better way to round up the past twelve months by dropping another powerful single that highlights her infamous bold and sultry nature, it’s just one of the many reasons we fell in love with her in the first place. Here’s to many more fierce singles!

Related Articles

Image
Latin artists you should know about in 2025
LATIN ARTISTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT IN 2025

If last year's celebration of Latin music was anything to go off it’s safe to say our favourite artists will once again be…

Image
THE FEBRUARY REGGAETON RECAP

In the month of love, Anitta professes her love for Romeo Santos while ROA and Hades66 name drop Rosalía. A power duo brag about…

Image
LATINO LIFE'S ULTIMATE REGGAETON RECAP 2024

Reggaeton has had its fair share of the spotlight this year thanks to some of the hottest acts' songs catapulting into the…

Latest Content

Image
Travel
Coming Home to Yourself in La Quebrada

La Quebrada de Humahuaca, a stunning valley located in the northwest Argentine province of Jujuy,…

Image
 Astronaut Lovers 2024
Film & Theatre
Los Amantes Astronautas (The Astronaut Lovers-2024) by Argentine Marco…

Prolific Filmmaker Marco Berger (Absent 2011/ Young Hunter (2019) & Horseplay (2022) has…

Image
The Silence of my Hands ( 2024)
Film & Theatre
‘The Silence of my Hands’ (2024) by Mexican documentary film maker Manuel…

Screening at the 2025 BFI Flare LGBTQAI+ Film Festival, ‘The Silence of my Hands’ follows the…

Logo

Instagram

 

Most Viewed

Image
Top 10 Argentine Footballers

As one of the biggest football teams in South America and the world, the Argentine Football…

Image
Top 10 Mexican Boxers

Globally, Mexico is known as a boxing powerhouse, boasting some of the greatest champions in the…

Image
Ballads and Boleros
LatinoLife's Favourite Mexican Male Singers of all Time

Since the days when Mexico was a serious rival to Hollywood in terms of film production and quality…