Building a connection to a song is a different process for everyone, and for every song. For some, it’s instant, but for others, it takes time develop that attachment. Both are valid. The songs that we’ve selected as our favorite Latin songs of the year (so far), are tracks that have not only topped the Billboard charts or have become viral on TikTok for a quirky dance challenge, but have made us feel some sort of way.
Some of the songs that are on the list thrive on an earworm chorus, the type that you connect with instantly because of its catchiness. Take, for example, Camilo‘s “Pegao,” a fun cumbia that at first listen, gets stuck in your head and afterwards leaves you singing “pegao, pegao, pegao.” Then there are songs that stand out for their ability to capture the zeitgeist of post-pandemic liberation. Karol G‘s calypso-powered “Provenza” is an anthem that sings about wanting to feel a special connection, even if that means igniting an old flame again.
Then there are those that marked a moment in 2022 leaving a proper impression not only on us but on the industry overall. Emerging siblings trio Yahritza y Su Esencia was on everyone’s mind after dropping its first song ever, “Soy El Único.” The heartbreak sierreño track hit No. 20 on the Hot 100, making 15-year-old Yahritza the youngest Latin performer ever to enter the chart.
Below, see our editors’ picks for the best 22 Latin songs of 2022. The wide-ranging list is arranged in alphabetical order by artist.
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Bad Bunny & Chencho Corleone, "Me Porto Bonito"
“You’re not a bebesita, you’re a bebesota” is the famous line that has turned “Me Porto Bonito” into a viral sensation. Its ultra-hype lyrics about feeling confident and beautiful and its modern-day perreo fused with old-school party de marquesina beats, is why this track has become a fan-favorite. Lacing Bunny’s deep vocals with Chencho’s signature high-pitched tones, “Me Porto” is a relatable song about a girl who’s elite and has no limits. On the Billboard charts, the track hit No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs chart-dated May 28, earning Bunny his 11th No. 1 and Corleone’s first champ on the listing. — JESSICA ROIZ
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Bad Bunny & The Marias, "Otro Atardecer"
There’s something magical about hearing María Zardoya’s ethereal and tender vocals intertwined with Bad Bunny’s deeper vocal range on “Otro Atardecer.” The indie-pop, psychedelic soul gem is an unorthodox pairing that puts Bunny’s versatility at the forefront further proving (not that Bunny needed to prove anything) that he can thrive in spaces outside of his core urban sound. We love a Bunny perreo anthem, but we’re really digging this new direction too. — GRISELDA FLORES
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Becky G, "Bailé Con Mi Ex"
“Bailé Con Mi Ex” is a melodically driven pop track that puts Becky G’s sweet, wide-ranging vocals at the forefront. What was supposed to be an English track and written for a man, the Mexican-American artist made her own, recording it in Spanish and from a woman’s POV. We love a hard-hitting reggaetón bop from Becky, but this slower, funkier, R&B-influenced track about a girl dancing with her ex really speaks to the veteran star’s versatility. — G.F.
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Becky G & Karol G, "MAMIII"
When Karol G tweeted “An anthem is coming,” on Feb 3rd, she was not playing around: Becky G and Karol G joined forces to deliver this powerful reggaetón feel-good anthem for their first-ever collaboration — which also became the highest-charting song for both artists on the Hot 100 with its No. 15 debut. The track starts off slow, with melancholy guitar chords that set up what appears to be a spiteful song — transitioning into a bouncy, uptempo hit that perfectly describes the empowerment you feel after letting go of a toxic relationship. Every word counts in their lyrics, especially the Karol outro: “Sometimes they don’t change for something better, and not even for something tastier.” — INGRID FAJARDO
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BZRP & Villano Antillano, "Session #51"
Every Bizarrap session is a home run that does not disappoint. On the contrary, it surpasses our expectations as he comes through with a whole new concept from his other 50 sessions. His latest, featuring the ultra-fierce Villano Antillano, is a a hard-hitting EDM-infused rap session. In it, Antillano is as unapologetic as ever, speaking truth to power: “If I have a flow cabrón, if I’m adding pressure, if you can’t deal with me, my bad … I am the boss and you are the secretary,” she fiercely spits. — G.F.
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Camilo, "Pegao"
The third single of his upcoming new album De Adentro Pa Fuera, Camilo’s new track is a joyful cumbia-pop track, influenced by Argentina’s cumbia villera and infused with intense synthesizer sound effects and keyboards. It’s the first track he dropped since the birth of his daughter, Indigo, and cleverly reflects his desire to forever be literally attached to his newborn. “Like a shirt sticks to a sweaty body … like the rice that sticks on the pan, pegao, pegao, pegao,” he sings in the chorus, which automatically becomes an earworm. — G.F.
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Christian Nodal, "Ya No Somos Ni Seremos"
The ever-so romantic singer Christian Nodal released one of his best tracks this year following a very public heartvreak. In “Ya No Somos Ni Seremos,” Nodal is grieving over his heartbreak. In his signature mariacheño style, the track penned by Nodal and his go-to songwriter Edgar Barrera finds the 23-year-old artist narrating the ultimate end of a love story. “I wanted to cover my face with tattoos to cover up the kisses you left behind,” he sings with pathos. “They say time cures it all and I know it’s a lie/ It’s impossible to forget the love of my life.” — G.F.
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Danny Ocean, "Fuera Del Mercado"
The first half of 2022 might not have been particularly bright for everyone, but this anthem has definitely connected with our emotions. It quickly became trendy on Tik Tok with its catchy beats, but most importantly with that positive reminder that putting yourself first and your happiness is always a priority. The sound is so organic, simply accompanied by the notes of a piano, soft thumping electronic beats, and Danny Ocean’s smooth vocals. — I.F.
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Eden Muñoz, "Chale"
Eden Muñoz’s first single as a soloist and his first No.1 on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart, “Chale” is Mexican slang used whenever things don’t go the way we want. It’s not the typical breakup song, but more of a moving forward kind of mood and celebration of the many opportunities life can always give you. The musical production keeps his norteño essence with a fusion of classic regional Mexican sounds. — I.F.
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Fonseca, Greeicy & Cali Y El Dandee, "2005
Fonseca will openly say his 2005 hit “Te Mando Flores” launched his career. In “2005,” he pays homage to the song, not by re-recording it, but by revisiting the story with fellow Colombians Greeicy and Cali y El Dandee as his supporting acts. The result is clever — you’re always guessing where “Te mando” original hooks are going to show up — but not gratuitous. This version of a cover will bring a smile to your face. — LEILA COBO
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Kany García & Alejandro Sanz, "Muero"
Singer/songwriter García is a master at retelling other people’s love stories and anguish in a way that makes them our own. In “Muero,” she and Alejandro Sanz give voice to two people whose unspoken love will doom them to never experiencing it. Its triumph is as much in the lyrics as in the pathos-filled interpretation and beautiful harmonization of these two iconic voices. — L.C.
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Karol G, "Provenza"
Karol G is at that stage of her career where she can do no wrong — and with “Provenza,” she does just about everything right, pivoting masterfully from tried-and-true reggaetón and empowerment themes to deliver a different kind of female anthem. Set over a lilting calypso beat (courtesy of producer Ovy on the Drums, who knows this singer like no one else) “Provenza” feels like an impressionist painting: wistful and sweet, even gentle, but with an undercurrent of strength. The video, which shows women of all shapes and sizes relaxing blissfully by the ocean without a guy in sight, makes us feel like we’ve been invited to a party open to all, but where we all get to feel special. The song’s grip on our collective imagination is so fierce, it allowed Karol G to replace herself at No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs chart, a feat never accomplished before by a female artist. — L.C.
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Maluma feat. Chencho Corleone, "Nos Comemos Vivos"
On the heels of collaborating with Bad Bunny, Anitta and Rauw Alejandro, Chencho Corleone now teams up with Maluma for this certified hit from the Colombian star’s The Love & Sex Tape. The song kicks off with Chencho saying, “Tu sabes que naciste pa’ mi” (from Plan B’s “Es Un Secreto”) and immediately becomes a saucy, midtempo reggaeton track about friends with benefits who are on-and-off, and often contradict each other. “We made a pact with a rupture that has no ending,” Maluma chants. — J.R.
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Manuel Turizo, "La Bachata"
Manuel Turizo is disappointed in love — and what better response than to turn his emotions into a bachata song? In the infectious single, Turizo delivers a captivating bachata track with a touch of urban beats and weeping string melodies a la Aventura in the 2000s. A broken-hearted Turizo sings about an ex who hurt him, and yet he still misses her. It’s a new genre for the Colombian singer, and he doesn’t fail to impress. In the music video, he’s seen listening to his song on a portable CD player while he performs it in a lonely field. At the end, he hints that his next single could possibly be titled “Extasis.” — J.R.
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Mau y Ricky & Carin Leon, "Llorar y Llorar"
Another of those collaborations you didn’t expect, and now you know you needed it. That lyrical mix between Venezuela and Mexico makes this track unique, with Carin’s rich, dramatic raspy voice, and Mau y Ricky’s sweet vocals. A genre-bending ranchera fuses banda instruments with the duo’s edgy alt-pop sound, powered by electric guitars. This emotional track wraps around the story of a relationship and a painful breakup. — I.F.
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Monsieur Perine, "Nada"
After a painful breakup, Monsieur Perine’s lead singer Catalina Garcia, writes a personal story with “Nada” that resembles a powerful and different way of ending a relationship and moving on. She talks about how sometimes letting go can be just as good for the soul, and could be the best way to find yourself. This is the second single from the Colombian band’s next project and is accompanied by soft sounds and the subtle voice of Garcia. — I.F.
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Nicky Jam, "Ojos Rojos"
Nicky Jam’s forte has always been his beautiful melodic lines, and lyrics that connect on a broad scale. “Ojos Rojos” is reminiscent of tracks like “El Perdón” and “El Amante,” where the girl in the song belongs to someone else. With Nicky Jam’s voice and narration, the story never gets old. We’ve all been there. — L.C.
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Ozuna & Boza, "Apretadito"
This year, Ozuna reeled in Panamanian breakout star Boza for his single “Apretadito.” Produced by Latin hitmakers Chris Jedai and Gaby Music, and co-written by the Puerto Rican artist and Boza, the track is a catchy reggaetón jam with captivating hooks about an independent woman. Most notable is the vibrant music video, directed by Nuno Gomes, which shows the two artists performing the track while they’re surrounded by a group of beautiful plus-size women, sending an important message of inclusivity and empowerment. — J.R.
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Residente, "This Is Not America"
As poignant as ever, Residente released this blistering track that critiques the word “America” and how, historically, it’s been used out of context. In this four-minute track, which features French-Cuban duo Ibeyi, the Puerto Rican rapper takes aim at politicians, the police and U.S. imperialism, detailing years of injustices and violence toward the people of Latin America. Throughout the track, he drives home an important point: America is not simply the U.S. “For a while, since you guys arrived, the prints of our shoes were already here,” he explains. — G.F.
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Rosalía, “Saoko”
Everything about Rosalía’s “Saoko” works. From the earworm hook “Saoko, papi, saoko” — which pays homage to Wisin and Daddy Yankee’s 2004 hit “Saoco” — to its hypnotic bass line and an unexpected jazz piano break, the Spanish artist keeps listeners on the edge of their seats as she energetically raps about constant transformation. The opening song on her most recent album, Motomami, this two-minute reggaetón banger with funk undertones is a quintessential Rosalía track for many reasons, but most notably for its experimental nature. — G.F.
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Sebastian Yatra, "Tacones Rojos"
I will readily admit I’m a sucker for a good pop song, and Yatra goes all in in this irresistible bop inspired by ’90s Spanish pop. “Tacones Rojos” (Red Heels) is fun and sweet more than sexy and sultry (evidenced in lines like “My slice of sunshine, the apple of my eye, the one who dances reggaetón with red heels and makes me fly”), but it’s immediate ear candy with its breezy acoustic groove and catchy, easy to hum melody. The bilingual remix with John Legend just pushes its reach even further. — L.C.
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Tiago PZK, LIT Killah, Nicki Nicole & Maria Becerra, "Entre Nosotros (Remix)"
In 2021, Tiago PZK and Lit Killah entered the Billboard Global 200 chart with “Entre Nosotros.” The song’s success immediately demanded a star-studded remix, where the artists reeled in fellow Argentine stars Nicki Nicole and Maria Becerra. Produced by Big One, the new version released this year keeps its sultry R&B and rap fusion intact, but each artist shines in their own right with their powerhouse vocals. “Entre Nosotros” is about a person who’s struggling to forget an ex-lover. “‘Entre Nosotros’ is easily the most iconic song that I have until now,” Tiago, a former Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise, previously said. “It opened many doors for me.” — J.R.
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Yahritza y Su Esencia, "Soy El Único"
“Soy El Unico” was already a hit on TikTok just months before it was even released, becoming Yahritza y Su Esencia’s first-ever song. The sad sierreño, helmed by 15-year-old Yahritza Martinez on vocals and her siblings Jairo on the bajoloche (4-string acoustic bass), and Mando on 12-string guitar, became a relatable heartbreak anthem thanks largely to its ultra-personal and very relatable line, “Mucho tiempo me gastaste y eso no puedo recuperarlo/ Trato de olvidarte esta noche, como deberia de hacer hace tiempo” (You wasted a lot of my time and I can’t get that back/ I try to forget about you tonight, how I should’ve done a long time ago). Penned by Yahritza at the age of 13 after observing a real-life situation her brother Mando went through, “Soy El Unico” debuted at No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs, and hit No. 20 on the Hot 100, making the teen rising artist the youngest Latin performer ever to enter the chart. — J.R.