The 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards are just around the corner, where Bad Bunny takes the lead as a 22-time finalist in 13 categories. He’s followed by Maluma with 11 nominations, J Balvin with nine nods, and Karol G, Anuel AA and Black Eyed Peas with eight each.
This year, five female artists (Kali Uchis, Karol G, Natti Natasha, Rosalia, Selena Gomez) and five male artists (Anuel, Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Jhay Cortez, Maluma) are finalists in the Hot Latin Songs artist of the year categories. The multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart blends airplay, digital sales, and streaming data.
Produced and broadcast live by Telemundo, the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards will take place Thursday, Sept. 23, at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Fla., kicking off at 7 p.m. ET with the one-hour red carpet special “La Alfombra de Premios Billboard,” followed by the three-hour Billboard Latin Music Awards.
The special event will coincide with Billboard Latin Music Week, returning to Miami from Sept. 20 to 25. The weeklong event celebrates Latin music, culture and entertainment with exclusive performances, one-of-a-kind conversations, workshops, showcases, and on-the-ground consumer moments. For more information, visit BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com.
Below, see each finalist’s best charting performance on the Hot Latin Songs chart, whether it’s their longest leading, highest ranking, or first No. 1.
Anuel AA
“China” peaked at No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs chart dated Aug. 17, 2019. The song ruled the list for 12 weeks, the longest leading title for Anuel on the all-metric chart.
Bad Bunny
“Dakiti,” with Jhay Cortez, has ruled Hot Latin Songs for a total of 27 weeks after its debut on chart dated Nov. 14. It’s the fourth-most No. 1 charting title since the chart’s inception in 1986.
J Balvin
Thanks to “Ritmo (Bad Boys For Life),” his collaboration with Black Eyed Peas, J Balvin earned his eighth No. 1 (currently nine) on Hot Latin Songs, the song which commanded the list for 24 weeks.
Jhay Cortez
Thanks to “Dakiti,” with Bad Bunny, Jhay Cortez earned his first No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs. After its debut at No. 1 on the Nov. 14, 2020-dated list, the song ruled for 27 weeks.
Maluma
His featured role on Shakira’s “Chantaje,” earned Maluma his first leader on Hot Latin Songs as the song bowed at No. 1 on the Nov. 19, 2016-dated list and remained atop the list for 11 weeks.
Kali Uchis
The Colombian clocked her first No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs with the ubiquitous “Telepatía” on the May 22-dated survey. Uchis became the first female soloist without an accompanying act to reach No. 1 since 2012.
Karol G
“Tusa,” her team-up with Nicki Minaj, earned Karol G her third No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs as the song arrived at No. 1 on the Nov. 23, 2019-dated ranking and remained atop the list for four weeks.
Natti Natasha
Natti Natasha secured her first entry on Hot Latin Songs in 2012 through her featured role in Don Omar’s “Dutty Love.” The song became her first and only No. 1 on the all-metric tally.
Rosalia
Rosalía has secured a total of 10 entries on Hot Latin Songs, four of which hit the top 10. Her most recent, the No. 2 peak “La Noche de Anoche,” with Bad Bunny, which has remained in the top 10 throughout its 35 chart week run (and counting).
Selena Gomez
Her featured role on DJ Snake’s “Taki Taki,” which also features Ozuna and Cardi B, debuted and peaked at No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs in Oct. 2018 and earned Gomez her first No. 1. The collaborative effort crowned the chart for 13 weeks.
Considered the longest running awards show in Latin music, the Billboard Latin Music Awards is the only awards show to honor the most popular albums, songs and performers in Latin music as determined by the sales, streaming radio airplay and social data that informs Billboard’s weekly charts during a one-year period.
Billboard’s Latin chart manager, Pamela Bustios contributed to this story
