Leading Latin R&B Artists
While reggaeton continues to gain momentum, with artists like Karol G and Bad Bunny filling stadiums worldwide, there is another music genre we should be paying attention to: Latin R&B.
Over the past few years, Latin music has entered the mainstream, and we’re not complaining. Beyond the language barrier, reggaeton has the world listening and dancing to its infectious sound. While the Latin community is proud to see this genre gain recognition, other overlooked genres, such as Latin R&B, are slowly becoming a source of inspiration for emerging musicians in the modern era.
Girl Ultra, aka the queen of Latin R&B, before going on stage to perform one of her first albums in 2018. Photographed by Celina Manuel via Girls At Film.
With its Afro-Cuban roots, Latin R&B blends jazz, Caribbean samba, and American soul sounds. Originating in Cuba, this genre distinguishes itself from contemporary R&B by infusing exotic Cuban influences like tango and samba. In fact, artists across South America frequently incorporate their native folkloric sounds into the rhythm and blues formula, such as Colombian vallenato and Puerto Rican hip-hop.
One common mistake we often make is labeling some Hispanic sounds as reggaeton or trap. For instance, Paloma Mami, a Chilean R&B singer, has expressed how R&B/soul influences her music, yet listeners often categorize it as urban or reggaeton. With that in mind, here are four artists proudly putting Latin R&B on the map with their distinctive diasporic melodies and contemporary sound.
Humbe
In his brief 23 years, Humbe has positioned himself as one of the leading Latin R&B singers of the moment, and his stardom is still rising. While his parents introduced him to rock and Mexican pop during his early musical journey, the Mexican singer developed a distinct sound dominated by hints of jazz and blues. The Grammy-nominated artist fuses contemporary pop with rhythm and soul, creating unique melodies accompanied by heartfelt lyrics. So far, he has released four albums, with tracks like "Amor de Cine," "Te Conocí en Japón," and "El Poeta" continuing to grow in popularity. In his 2023 single "Fantasmas," he experimented with the famous Mexican genre, Mariachi. "...I could be talking about any other genre, it’s a clear example of how exploring makes you open up and expand your mind and imagination," he told Rolling Stone en Español. With that, we can expect Humbe to explore new horizons by experimenting with other music genres while staying true to his R&B roots.
Nathy Peluso
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and raised in Valencia, Spain, Nathy Peluso has made a name for herself within the Latin community with her distinctive sound, extravagant stage presence, and raw lyrics. Influenced by singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Peluso’s love for soul and blues was nurtured throughout her childhood, becoming a significant source of inspiration for the Argentinian artist. While R&B sounds play an essential role in her music, it’s impossible to confine her style to just one music style. She has released three albums demonstrating Peluso’s ability to blend a superb mix of genres, including ballads, rap, jazz, pop, salsa, and bachata. She has collaborated with multiple reggaeton artists, rappers, and salseros. However, some tracks that genuinely showcase the Mafiosa’s Latin R&B skills are "Buenos Aires," "Corleone," and one of her early singles, "Esmeralda."
Girl Ultra
Another Latin R&B advocate from Mexico is Mariana de Miguel, who goes under the alias Girl Ultra. Also referred to as "the queen of R&B," she began her career as a DJ, experimenting with house beats and techno tunes in clubs. It wasn’t until the release of her 2017 EP Boys that she began exploring blues harmonies, combining them with dreamy vocals and catchy melodic hooks. Since then, she has consistently delivered a unique blend of R&B in Spanish through her subsequent albums, Adiós and Nuevos Aires. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, de Miguel has been experimenting with alternative rock and heavier beats by incorporating electric guitars and drums into her signature blues-driven sound.
Micro TDH
Fernando Daniel Morillo Rivas, aka Micro TDH, has been a pivotal contributor to Latin R&B for almost a decade. His Venezuelan roots encouraged him to start rapping on the streets of his hometown, Mérida, at just 12 years old. From the early stages of his career, Morillo has developed a distinctive sound, blending slow-paced R&B beats with classic reggae melodies. Although he has excelled in reggaeton, as evidenced by his collaborations with reggaeton artists like Rels B, Duki, and Mike Towers, hits like "Bésame sin Sentir" perfectly epitomize the 25-year-old's unique musical style.
