Big One X Yami Safdie X Lit Killah - Ardor
This single starts out with a familiar Safdie soundscape, the Argentinian’s voice over an acoustic instrumental telling a story of staying humble, “Que pa' qué tanto más necesito?”. Lit Killah brings a sing-rap fusion and bold beats as he boasts “soy Lio en Qatar / Duermo con la copa y ya quiero otro mundial”. So much so, Safdie ends up agreeing “yo tengo un ardor” before admitting “Nací para mucho más”. A crossover the Latin music industry never expected, but it’s turned out to be an absolute banger - that’s Big One’s speciality. Shoutout to the accordion running throughout.
Boy Wonder CF, Ivy Queen and Charlee Way – Cría Y Calle
It would’ve been a dishonour not to include a track from Boy Wonder and Charlee Way’s incredible album, especially the one featuring Queen of Reggaeton Ivy Queen. Titled La Liga Feminina, the LP is full of female collaborators, a concept which Ivy Queen first planned many years prior. Kicking off each chorus with “Y como yo, no les sale” is a loaded statement, but it’s something the Puerto Rican can attest to, paving the way for women in this genre. Ivy’s huge presence is no match for the dembow as she declares “Oye, Boy Wonder, dile que llegó la diva” ¡La reina siempre!
Bad Gyal x De La Rose – Muñeca
Make way for las muñecas as Alba and Ms. Rose have combined femme fatale forces to create a Latin track with mid-tempo drums, phone dial-inspired synths and all-expected sassy lyrics. The chorus contains the confident motto “Seré yo quien te use, tú no me usará'” and an outro so ominous “Le hago creer que me puede domar y, y”. When you get two powerful performers on the same track it would be easy to assume they might cancel each other out, instead they amplify. Expecting “Muñeca de carne y hueso, una Barbie real” to take it easy? Think again.
Luisa Sonza – Telefone
One album clearly wasn’t enough music making for Sonza this year, as she returns with more new music courtesy of the high-action, baile funk-pop blend ‘Telefone’. The artwork for this brand-new release feels like a homage to Madonna’s Sex book with Sonza nude and stretching over a vintage car. The main bulk of the track is the Brazilian star detailing a relationship with very bad phone signal and communication issues. It might only be just over a minute and a half long but, the replay button is there exactly for that reason. A great teaser for Brutal Paraíso.
Anitta – Pinterest
So good she released it twice, ‘Pinterest’ is just as beautiful as the aesthetic app itself. Brazilian act Anitta initially dropped the Portuguese version initially sending social media into a frenzy. She decided to excite the music industry once more with a Spanish counterpart following shortly after, just as idyllic. Anitta’s vocals, a guitar-pluck riff and an eventual muted drum pattern. She even took to the COLORS studio for a live rendition, Anitta fans are getting treated this month. This samba record is a wholesome addition to the star’s repertoire with lyrics like “Quero tudo que for pra gente se dar bem”.
Bonus Track:
Omar Courtz and Myke Towers – What U Need (Sex Playlist 2)
A song with ‘Sex Playlist’ in the title, it’s not a surprise that the opening line of every chorus is “Cuando tú te quiera' venir, yo voy por ti, bebé” and if that doesn’t work, the pair announce “Pa' ti tengo un playlist de sexo”. This is a fully-fledged trap track reinforced with claps, 808s, bed squeaks and even an anime reference “La tiene rosita como Majin Buu”. This duo last linked up for ‘Suelta’, which has slightly-less sexual lyrics than this rap number. This collaboration might not be a single as of yet, but it definitely should be.
