Every month, Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors spotlight a group of rising artists whose music we love. Think “diamantes en bruto,” or “diamonds in the rough.” These are newcomers who have yet to impact the mainstream — but whose music excites us, and who we believe our readers should make a point to discover. Explore See latest videos, charts and news Our latest edition of On the Radar Latin includes a wave of emerging artists, who we discovered either by networking, or coming across their music at a showcase, or elsewhere. See our recommendations this month below: Name: BENITEZ Country: Venezuela Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Although he only recently made his debut as an EDM artist, BENITEZ, whose real name is Kristhyan Benítez, is an award-winning pianist and composer with an extensive career in classical music. Having released albums including the 2021 Latin Grammy winner Latin American Classics, the 2023 nominee Afro-Cuban Dances, and his latest LP, Latin American Classics, Vol. 2 (all on Steinway and Sons), the virtuoso Venezuelan artist based in Mexico City presents this new project as “an act of artistic honesty.” “After many years of a career in classical music career —which continues in parallel— I felt the need to show another side of my creative universe: one that is freer, more visceral, and linked to the rhythm, the dance floor, my Latin American roots, and the electronic music that has always inspired me,” he tells Billboard Español. This Thursday (Aug. 28) he releases his first official EP as BENITEZ, Telescopio, which he describes as “a cosmic journey where Latin soul, electronic rhythms, and the nostalgia of the dance floor turned into an observatory coexist.” — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS Song For Your Playlist: “rouge naturel” Name: Gonza Silva Country: Venezuela Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Through songs like “Filosofía,” “Lágrimas de Sol” and “Luces de Bengala,” Venezuelan singer-songwriter Gonza Silva brings a new sensibility to Latin pop by fusing it with the honesty of indie folk and deep, reflective lyrics. With a sweet voice driven by acoustic guitars, analog textures and mandolin, Silva’s music is like an embrace for the soul, an invitation to celebrate our imperfections and connect with our inner essence. This year, Silva released his debut album under Warner Music Latina, the 12-track Pronto Estaré Bien, with the potential to resonate with a wider audience. – S.R.A. Song For Your Playlist: “Lágrimas de Sol” Name: Ian Cordova Country: Mexico-U.S. Why They Should Be on Your Radar: With over 6 million Spotify listeners and over 42 million streams across digital platforms, Ian Cordova is one of the strongest emerging voices in Mexican regional urban music — and his recent debut on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart confirms this. The 25-year-old artist just entered the charts with his ode to a lover, “Linda Mujer,” at No. 46, largely driven by streaming activity. Born in the U.S. but raised in Mexico, Cordova — whose lacerating vocals could be reminiscent of Grupo Frontera’s Payo — brings a unique and recognizable style to the booming Mexican music market. His latest single is “Qué Voy Hacer Contigo,” a sentimental, Mexican-tinged reggaetón jam about an old flame who remains on his mind. — S.R.A. Song For Your Playlist: “Linda Mujer” Name: Kane Rodriguez Country: United States Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Rodriguez has burst onto the regional Mexican scene with dizzying speed — thanks to his cover of “Se vuelto locos,” which went viral on TikTok, and has surpassed 81 million streams so far — and now has more than 4 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Unlike most singers of the tumbados movement, the 19-year-old Mexican American newcomer wasn’t born in California or Arizona, but rather in Texas. A singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, he blends cumbia, banda and norteño, while creating a unique identity. “I want to do everything — corridos and romanticas — music is endless, and I’ve been in contact with it at home since I was little. I come from a family of musicians,” he explains to Billboard Español. Last April, Rodriguez released his debut album, La Batuta, under La Empresa Music, the label that discovered him, and Warner Music Mexico. His growing international appeal has turned Rodriguez into one of the most promising personalities in the current música mexicana scene. His list of hits includes “On D Gas,” “Tu Forma de Ser,” “Santal 33,” “Un Pinche Beso,” “GDL,” “La Chula” and “Lo Logre.” — TERE AGUILERA Song For Your Playlist: “Lo Logre” Name: La Muchacha Country: Colombia Why They Should Be on Your Radar: While La Muchacha, born Isabel Ramírez, is hardly a newcomer, she is set to make her Los Angeles debut performing at The Ford’s Bajo La Luna show on Sunday, Aug. 31, along other must-see artists Silvia Pérez Cruz and Y La Madrigal. The gravitas of La Muchacha’s lyrics — often of resistance, reflection and mysticism — tells the somber, yet sometimes hopeful, stories of Latin America, often powered by folkloric rhythms, bold vocals and nostalgic acoustic guitars. Taking inspiration from Mercedes Sosa and Violeta Parra, La Muchacha’s songs are moving, thought-provoking and timely, making her a standout artist of her generation. — GRISELDA FLORES Song For Your Playlist: “Igualada” Name: Mama Estoy Brillando* Country: Cuba Why They Should Be on Your Radar: At a time where the tropical-tinged reparto music is dominating the Cuban urban scene, there’s a slender diamond in the rough called Mama Estoy Brillando*—who’s creating music on his own terms. The rising artist from La Habana, whose real name is Wilfredo Alejandro Sosa Espinosa, officially kicked off his music career during the 2020 Pandemic with debut single “Alter Ego” — an alternative rock song — followed by the eerie trap number “Crew.” Dubbing himself an artist with “multiple personalities,” and inspired by the artistry of Kanye West, Mama Estoy Brillando* (Mom, I’m shining), is currently making the rounds with his EP Las mil y unas noches, which flaunts his versatility, ranging from hip-hop to R&B to rock music, as best heard on “la época
