In The Community
RaiNao
Photo by rainaopr on Instagram
RaiNao is a very interesting artist and she’s out there blending urban beats, jazz melodies, and pop sounds like no other. Her journey started with a solid foundation in music theory and saxophone training in Puerto Rico, setting the stage for her versatile music style. She was a backup vocalist for Rafa Pabon, but she has struck out on her own. RaiNao is known not just for her technical skills, but also for her production level and knack for bending genres. She has created an identity that’s very unique to her and it’s exciting to see what boundaries she’ll continue to push in 2024.
Joaquina
Photo by joaquina on Instagram
Joaquina is a Venezuelan singer and songwriter whose music resonates deeply because it captures teenage angst perfectly. Her indie pop-rock songs are also authentic and vulnerable, which is something everyone can connect to. Tracks like "Rabia" and "Niñas de Instagram" have struck a chord with young audiences and they’ve impressed industry veterans. Joaquina won the 2023 Latin Grammy for Best New Artist and that was just the beginning. Her latest single is “escapar de mi” and she has an album on the horizon, so it will be fun to see how her music evolves as she grows.
Kenia Os
Kenia Os is a Mexican singer-songwriter who went from YouTube content creator with 5.8M subscribers to pop star. Her breakout track "Malas Deciciones" marked a turning point in her career and, so far, she has collaborated with Latino artists like Thalía and CNCO. She’ll be touring in 2024 and 2025 all over Mexico, so it’s going to be a big year for her. Kenia Os is definitely one of the rising stars in the Mexican music scene and you should check out her YouTube channel if you want to find new favorites.
J Noa
Photo by jnoamusic on Instagram
J Noa is a Dominican rapper who has been rising the ranks in the hip-hop scene. Her sharp and clever lyrics, combined with a breakneck delivery are nothing short of impressive. J Noa’s talent earned her a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Song in 2023 and her Tiny Desk concert also earned her a lot of recognition. It’s clear that J Noa is just getting started and her EP, “Autodidacta,” is only a taste of what’s to come for this Dominican rapper.
Nicki Nicole
Photo by nicki.nicole on Instagram
Hailing from Argentina, Nicki Nicole has amassed 22M followers on Instagram and her rise to fame has been incredible. Her collaborations with artists like Rauw Alejandro and Tiago PZK have catapulted her into the international spotlight, establishing her as one of the top Latin R&B, reggaeton, and Latin hip-hop Latina artists. With hits like "Colocao" and "Mamichula," Nicole’s talent is undeniable and the way she navigates different musical styles is very interesting. She also has a great Tiny Desk concert and has even appeared on The Tonight Show, so check out her YouTube channel to see what she’s got.
Ludmilla
Photo by ludmilla on Instagram
The way Brazilian singer-songwriter Ludmilla combines funk, pop, trap, and R&B is insane! In 2020, she became the first Afro-Latina to reach a million streams on Spotify with her song "Fala Mal de Mim" and that would only be the beginning. Only two years later, she won a Latin Grammy in 2022 for Best Samba/Pagode Album and became the first Afro-Latina artist to get the honor. She’s a dynamic artist and is known for her versatility, which has influenced the Latino music scene. Ludmilla is one of the Latina artists who’s rushing in a new generation and her music transcends language barriers.
Girl Ultra
Photo by girlultra on Instagram
Girl Ultra's journey from dreaming of Coachella to performing on its stage in 2024 is a reminder that dreams can come true with perseverance and talent. This Mexican musician is known for her versatility as an artist, ranging from electronic dance beats to soulful ballads. She has captivated audiences all over the world and she’s one of the most interesting young Latina artists in the scene. Girl Ultra is also known for her dynamic performances, so keep an eye on her socials if you want to catch one of her shows in the U.S.
Ice Spice
Photo by icespice on Instagram
Last but certainly not least, Ice Spice is an American rapper of African-American and Dominican descent with an impressive rise to fame. Her Grammy nominations and chart-topping collaborations with artists like Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift, Rema, and more, speak volumes about her talent and her future in the industry. Ice Spice has had many viral hits, including “Barbie World,” "Boys A Liar Pt. 2,” "In Ha Mood,” and more. Her debut album "Y2K" is on the horizon for 2024, so we suspect she’ll make an even bigger impact in the industry with her blend of Hip hop, drill, Jersey club, and pop rap.
She Experienced True Love
Photo by Chris Pérez on Instagram
Selena’s relationship with Chris Pérez is well known at this point and he was her first and only love. But did you know that they had a couple’s song? You know, that one song couples love and has deep meaning in their relationship. Selena and Chris’ song was “More Than Words” by Extreme. In his book, “To Selena, With Love,” Chris reminisces about the song, writing, “As we sat there, Selena put her head on my shoulder and started softly singing one of my favorite songs, ‘More than Words,’ by a phenomenal band called Extreme that I’d introduced to her not long before. Those lyrics seemed to describe our feelings for one another perfectly.”
Selena Said “I Love You” for the First Time in a Pizza Hut
Photo by Chris Pérez on Instagram
In his book, “To Selena, With Love” Chris also shared the story about the first time they told each other “I love you.” It turns out they were at a Pizza Hut, enjoying Selena’s favorite food (pizza with extra pepperoni), when they started talking about what they wanted for their relationship in the future. That’s when Chris let her know how much he cared about he. At the time, they were keeping the relationship a secret from her father and he was agonizing about that. Well, the confession must’ve moved Selena deeply because that’s the moment she said “I love you” for the first time. As if it wasn’t obvious enough, Chris said it right back, sealing the relationship.
Selena Was Quite a Foodie
Photo by Sung Park
If there’s something Selena loved as much as music was food! She loved to eat it, cook it, and she loved talking about it as well. She often experimented with different recipes, but she preferred traditional Mexican dishes. Her absolute favorite restaurant in Corpus Christi, where she lived, was the Hi-Ho Restaurant, and you can still visit it today. The restaurant honors her by keeping photos of her and they even have a mural painting of her. Not to mention the food is amazing, so it’s a go-to spot for authentic Mexican dishes.
Selena Struggled with Shyness
Image Credits: Universal Music Latino
You wouldn’t think it by watching her performances, which are still captivating and electric, but Selena was naturally quite shy. She often felt nervous before going on stage, but she leaned on her family and close friends to get that confidence boost she needed to get out there. Once she was on that stage, the shyness melted away and she had a special way of connecting with the audience. That’s that star power that you just have to be born with!
She Was Actively Involved in Songwriting
Image Credits: Warner Music Latina
Selena was deeply involved in the creative process of her music and she co-wrote many of her songs. Her family was very involved in her music as is well known and she worked closely with her brother, A.B. Quintanilla for her songwriting. He was the principal songwriter and producer for her band, helping Selena’s multi-talent and versatility shine through in her music.
Selena Was a Passionate Learner
Photo by Juan23carlos on Wikimedia Commons
One of the things that characterized Selena was her passion for learning. She finished high school through correspondence while she was touring and then she went to California University, where she started working on her business degree through correspondence as well. She loved visiting schools to help kids understand how important education was and she also created a stay-in-school campaign in 1994 to kick off American Education Week at Cunningham Middle School. For that event, she created an education video called “Mi Musica,” where she told kids, “Your high school diploma is one of the most important things you’ll accomplish in life, so use your heads, my friends, and stay in school.”
Selena Was an Avid Collector
Photo by Ninara on Wikimedia Commons
Another thing you may not know about Selena is that she was quite a collector! She particularly loved collecting Fabergé eggs, which is understandable because they’re gorgeous. Selena started this hobby later in life, but she managed to amass a significant collection by the time of her passing.
She Was a Humble Queen
Photo by Sung Park
One of the things that people love most about Selena is how down-to-earth, humble, and warm she was. For example, Selena loved to shop at regular stores like Walmart even at the height of her fame and she didn’t keep it a secret at all. It’s been reported that one day, a stranger complimented Selena on a dress she was wearing and she told the lady she got it at Kmart. Suzette, Selena’s sister and drummer, was with her at the time and she was a little embarrassed. “Why did you say that?” she reportedly asked Selena, to which the star answered, “What? I did get it from there!” We love a humble and honest queen!
