Not since the cringey Latin Explosion of the late ’90s, which was more about crossover appeal than a real reverence for Spanish-language performance, has there been so much Latinx visibility in music. Huge stars like Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma fill stadiums without needing to play English hits or water down their bold sounds to satisfy the conventions of mainstream pop. It should be no surprise that queer Latinx musicians are breaking even more boundaries in the industry while sticking to their creative visions. To showcase the vastness of the contemporary queer Latinx music scene, Them staff writer James Factora and I have curated a playlist featuring artists who redefine Latin music by pushing boundaries while honoring the tapestry of their rich cultural traditions.
Pop and R&B heartthrob Omar Apollo has been serenading queers since 2015, but 2024 has been a real landmark year for the crooner. News of Apollo’s acting debut in Challengers director Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation of the William S. Burroughs’ novel Queer has further elevated his “it boy” status. But the release of his sophomore album God Said No earlier this year proved that the singer-songwriter had another trick up his sleeve, elevating his moody love songs into fully fledged dance-pop bangers. The standout track “Less of You,” which kicks off this playlist, is a Giorgio Moroder-inspired disco number that turns longing into an irresistible groove.
We all have our own opinions on the viridescent maelstrom that was “Brat summer,” but I’d like to introduce you to the lesser-known verano: Villano. Puerto Rican rapper Villano Antillano dropped a horny-as-hell album Miss Misogyny this year with an opening track called “CamGirl” that easily matches Ms. XCX’s freak. The raunchy tongue-in-cheek song uses 8-bit sounds and a hypnotizing rhythm to deliver an empowering message about online sex-work.
This playlist also features two standout artists who find inspiration in traditional Latin American sounds: Reyna Tropical and Chispa. Reyna Tropical is fronted by online queer music zine She Shreds Media founder Fabi Reyna, and their single “Cartagena” is a blissfully beachy listen. And Chispa’s “lo que tú tocas” is an understated and delicately charming ditty that will leave you smiling ear to ear. For these and other queer Latinx tracks check out our full playlist below on Spotify and Apple Music. — Juan Velasquez
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