Latinas in Music: Trends, Wins, Red Carpets

Plus: A quick poll, please take it!

Welcome new subscribers! Thanks for joining our band of dreamers, rule breakers, and rockstars. Your opinions are valued and your support makes a difference for women in music.

In This Issue

• A good long look in the mirror

• Latin music trends and reggaeton playlist

• Latin GRAMMY winners and Best New Artist video

• Top looks from the Latin GRAMMY’s red carpet

• My first poll! Please take it 🤓

• My favorite emerging Latina act

• Thanksgiving: Gratitude

After my essay on Aesthetic Force By Omission, Part I and Part II, I had to take a good long look in the mirror. I’ve been remiss in featuring Latinas on the podcast and in the newsletter and am owning up to it.

That changes now, with my goal being to book at least two Latina acts for the show in Q1 2024 and including their voices throughout the new year in these newsletters. With the explosive growth in Latin music, it’s imperative that fans understand the contributions that women are making to its success and the obstacles they face in doing so.

The Latin Recording Academy launched in 1997 to recognize the growing influence Latin artists have on the mass market. If this year’s activities are any indication, that foresight was spot on. Here’s the buzz:

Trends

According to Variety, Latin music is on fire. Fun facts include:

• Latin music consumption grew by 15% in the U.S. in the first half of 2023 compared to 2022.

• The RIAA reported a 2023 mid-year high of revenues of $627MM in the U.S.

• Shakira and Karol G are leading the way for women in the 56% sub-genre growth rate, including regional Mexican and reggaeton.

Reggaeton, notoriously misogynistic (lyrically) in the “machismo” tradition, is experiencing a gender evolution, according to LatinAmericanPost.com. Aside from Karol G, other female acts rising to the top include Becky G, Greeicy, Anitta, Lola Indigo, Ms. Nina, K-Narias, and Miss Bolivia.

Not familiar with the reggaeton? Listen to the Women Reggaeton 🌸 playlist on Spotify.

And here is Karol G (ft. Aldo Ranks) with “Watati” from the Barbie soundtrack. The lyrics talk about going to the disco, getting buzzed, and dancing all night (who said Barbie was just for kids?).

Winners

This all leads to the 2023 Latin GRAMMY Winners, the biggest Latin music news from this past weekend. Women dominated at the Seville, Spain awards ceremony. It’s an historic marker in showing the gender inclusive direction of Latin music.

Album of The Year: Karol G

Song of the Year: Shakira

Record of The Year: Natalia Lafourcade

Best New Artist: Joaquina

See the full list of winners here.

I’m totally digging Best New Artist winner Joaquina’s single “quise quererte” with english translation here. Looking forward to hearing what she has in store for 2024.

The Red Carpet

Music and fashion have always gone hand in hand. I’m a total sucker for the red carpet and rank all music awards’ fashion above the Oscars and Emmys. Music makers are simply more adventurous and COOL. The 2023 Latin GRAMMYS were no exception.

Boudoir was a major theme with bedroom textiles, barely there cutouts, and bondage influences abounding. Women’s Wear Daily blessed us with pics of standout ensembles for both the men and women.

Here are Chicas Cosmo’s favorite looks of the night.

POLL

Please tell me who you are so I can provide content that YOU like in upcoming issues of Herizon Music: The Newsletter. This is the first of many polls to come. In January, I’m launching a paid subscription newsletter and your answers will help shape its direction!

Suggestions and testimonials are always welcome in the comments section.

My Favorite Emerging Latina Act

Meet The Tiarras! They headlined the 2022 Herizon Music Blue Christmas Concert and the audience was in awe of these sisters’ stage presence and talent. One of my favorite songs/videos is “Soy Chingona” and not just because it’s about femme power.

This is their live performance of “They Don’t See Us” at SXSW last year.

Follow The Tiarras on Spotify as they have plenty of new releases on the Herizon. I’m banking on them being the first all-female Latina band to win a Best New Artist GRAMMY at the U.S. ceremony.

Thanksgiving Break

My husband and I are hosting Thanksgiving this year, so this is the only newsletter coming out this week. Join me in taking a moment of gratitude for all of the music makers who bring healing, love, and unity to our lives.

I’ll be watching my favorite musical about gratitude and love: Willie Wonka & The Chocolate Factory !