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.
Our latest edition of On the Radar Latin includes a wave of emerging artists, who we discovered by scrolling on social media, networking, or coming across their music at a showcase, for example. See our August 2026 recommendations below.
Artist: Carlos Vallarino
Country: Panamá
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: I met Carlos Vallarino last year during the second edition of CAMM 2025 in Costa Rica; he closed the second night of showcases, leaving the audience completely in love with his way of living and feeling music. That unique aura led him to sign a contract with Sony Music Publishing Colombia after they held a songwriting camp and discovered his great talent as an artist and songwriter. Always accompanied by a guitar, Vallarino has a very natural way of connecting and conveying both his joy and his sadness in every song, adding powerful quotes in each of his lyrics. His raspy but sweet voice connects with every verse and every person. He recently released his second album, Rumba Para La Tristeza, which reflects his purest way of feeling life. In the set, he mixes contemporary modern flamenco rhythms with fusions of boleros, reggae, and merengue with a very special swing and fully shows what a true artist can inspire. — INGRID FAJARDO
Song for Your Playlist: “Se siente cabrón”
Artist: Don Pablo Mures
Country: Panamá
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: I first clocked Panamanian artist Don Pablo Mures through “Deja La Envidia Pelao,” his new link-up with Los Rakas. The track runs on a smooth, unhurried groove, letting the Oakland duo bring their seasoned, party-starting Panamanian swagger while Mures slides in with a nimble delivery rooted in the streetwise sound of his native Panama City. Hailing from Santa Ana and trained as a trumpeter, he has built a catalog that folds urban music’s hard edges into musicianship and local texture — moving through songs like “99” with Aley La Nueve and Yemil, “Plata Llama Plata” with Akim and El Americano 4KT, and “Caldero Panameño” alongside Boza and Andiex. That range is what makes the collaboration land: another sharp connection with Raka Rich and Raka Dun that keeps Mures’ Panama sound in motion. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Song for Your Playlist: “Deja La Envidia Pelao” with Los Rakas
Artist: FABIAN
Country: Peru / United States
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: As the son of renowned singer-songwriter Gian Marco — and brother of singer-songwriter Nic — Fabian Zignago follows in the family’s footsteps, having grown up surrounded by musical instruments and recording studios. Yet, at 23, the Peruvian-American singer-songwriter is forging his own path with a sweet voice and a refreshing style, evident in releases such as “Golpe,” “Pared,” and “Líneas Paralelas” with ROBI Last month, the artist had the opportunity to showcase his talent live at New York’s iconic SOB’s as part of the LAMC’s BMI Acoustic Lounge, and more recently he gave his first performance in Miami during the Creative Monday: Jam Session at Tripping Animals Brewing. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Song for Your Playlist: “Líneas Paralelas” with ROBI
Artist: Infloresencia
Country: El Salvador
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Playing “The Dance of the Flowers,” the band Inflorescencia arrived at CAMM 2026 with a fresh and different performance. Its six members, each dressed in a mix of bright colors and pastel tones, brought their cumbia sound mixed with alternative rock, accompanied by yellow flowers symbolizing growth and transformation — a perfect introduction to their universe, where the sounds of the past meet the present. They seem like old souls who have returned to leave their mark in 2026, as if the ’60s and ’70s had reincarnated in a new generation that found its space in a corner of El Salvador.
What impressed me most about this band, made up of Andrés Villalobos (drums), Naomy Díaz (vocals and minor percussion), Ricardo Bendek (vocals and guitar), Erick Chicas (guitar), Claribel Dimas (vocals), and Diego Chacón (bass), is the way they defend their music and their own style. Just as they integrate powerful sounds of alternative rock and indie pop, they also keep a cumbia that defines Central American culture with its expressions and words. — I.F.
Song for Your Playlist: “Otro Día en la Colonia”
Artist: LucasKG
Country: Mexico
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: A new generation of música mexicana stars are in the making, and LucasKG is hopping on the bandwagon. The Mexican newcomer kicked off his career in 2025, first releasing reggaetón and afrobeats songs, but quickly finding his sound and color in corridos. With his raspy and raw vocals, the young talent sings about his real-life experiences in search of an organic connection with his community. A promising star in the making, I discovered LucasKG at the 2026 Latino Music Conference in Miami, where I was speaker at a Billboard Q&A panel, and he was part of an artist showcase. — JESSICA ROIZ
Song for Your Playlist: “No Que Muy Acá”
Artist: Marco Montero
Country: Costa Rica
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: As a speaker at CAMM Panama in 2026, I had the chance to chat with Marco Montero at the roundtables, where several artists presented their projects. What really caught my attention about him wasn’t just his cheerful way of joining the conversation, but also how he described each of his projects, all built on electric guitars and progressive rock sounds. His compositions not only follow a consistent musical thread but also explore different stages of life, diving into themes ranging from personal growth and transformation to the meaning of the sound of whales. The Costa Rican artist experiences music authentically and accompanies each release with carefully planned visuals for each cover, creating an immersive experience. Each of his musical pieces tells a story that guides the listener throughout the album, making each listen a unique journey. Montero brought me into his musical world and made me see the power of progressive rock. — I.F.
Song for Your Playlist: “Inconsistencias”
Artist: Nathan Galante
Country: Mexico
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Originally from Tijuana, Nathan Galante became the youngest Regional Mexican songwriter to land six No. 1 hits on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart, with songs written for artists such as Grupo Firme, Nodal, Banda MS, and Maluma. His fresh ideas, combined with Horacio Palencia’s experience, created a powerful partnership that modernized songs about heartbreak, including “Ya Supérame,” “Que Vuelvas,” and “Cada Quien.” Now, the 25-year-old singer-songwriter —who boasts a catalog of over two thousand songs — is stepping up to perform his own creations, aiming to establish himself as a vocalist representing the genre’s new generation. His creative, direct lyrics and distinctive performance style serve as powerful assets in his bid to win over the public. — TERE AGUILERA
Song for Your Playlist: “Corrientitis”
Artist: Yele
Country: Puerto Rico
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: For the past two years, since launching her music career, Yele has made a name for herself in the Latin music industry. Daughter of reggaetón act Wisin and signed to his label, La Base Music Group, the young Puerto Rican act is carving her own path in the Christian music realm. With positively charged, faith-based lyrics powered by uplifting rhythms, taken from genres like pop, afrobeats and worship music, Yele is using her art to encourage her generation to have a close relationship with God. This year alone, Yele — who’s a trained singer from Academia Cristiana de Cayey and Fragoso Performing Arts — has earned three entries on the Billboard charts, including “Voy con Jesús” in collaboration with Alex Zurdo, which debuted at No. 21 on Latin Pop Airplay. — J.R.
Song for Your Playlist: “Voy Con Jesús” with Alex Zurdo
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