Good music is always a solid way to both wrap up and kick off the year. And in case you haven’t noticed, Spanish is the second most-consumed language for music worldwide.

Before I dive into the best Tiny Desks of 2024 by Latam artists, I want to share some data about Latin American artists that stoodout to me (as reported by Billboard).

One little thing first though. Calling “Latin music” a genre is a misnomer. It’s reductive and wrong for at least two reasons. One: music in Spanish has as many genres as music in English or any other language including rock and pop. Would anyone lump Snoop Dogg and The Rolling Stones into the same category? 

Two: the term should be “Latin American” not just Latin. I know this is debatable for many reasons but using just “Latin” is another misnomer. When I read “Latin,” I think of cultures tied to Romance languages—Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian—not specifically Latin America. Although it’s been used for years as a demonym to lump all Luso and Hispanic identities of countries across the Americas into one.

I’ll never forget in Paris one day when a group of Colombians asked me where to find the “Quartier Latin” because they were hoping to get Colombian food 🤦‍♀️. The Quartier Latin is called that because of its historical association with the Latin language not Latin America. In the Middle Ages, this area was the academic hub of Paris centred around the University of Paris (the Sorbonne). Latin was the language of education and scholarship so the name stuck.

Anyway, I’ll dig into this more another time, but here’s the thing—it’s nearly impossible to write about Latin America without running into reductive concepts at every turn. The main point, though, is the unstoppable growth of music by Latin American artists or from Latin America.

HOT DATA

Thanks for reading my rant, now here is the music data that caught my attention:

• According to Luminate's 2024 Mid-Year Music Report, Latin American music in the US alone, streams jumped by 15.1% from 2023 to 2024, making it the fastest-growing music category in the country. Early in 2024, the same report highlighted that Spanish was the second most-consumed language for music globally, trailing only English.

• Billboard Boxscore’s year-end report shows 15 Latin (American) artists’ tours cracked the top 100 in 2024, marking a 37% increase from 2023. “Latin music” (whatever that means) now ranks as the third-highest revenue generator in touring, behind only pop and rock (in English, I presume?). (Again, there’s pop and rock in Spanish and Portuguese too, sigh).

• At 54, Luis Miguel has broken records with his 2023-24 tour, now the highest-grossing tour by a Latin American artist ever. By 28 August in Caracas, the tour grossed $318.2 million, selling 2.2 million tickets across 146 shows, surpassing Bad Bunny’s “World’s Hottest Tour” ($314.1 million) and Karol G’s Mañana Será Bonito ($313.3 million). How could he not? Luismi is an ICON! I remember seeing him in concert when I was 14!

• Chile’s Turn in the Spotlight. Artists like FloyyMenor and Cris MJ’s reggaetón hit “Gata Only” have put Chile on the map. The viral track topped Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart for 14 weeks, became 2024's Top Hot Latin Song, ranked No. 9 on the Billboard Global 200, and was TikTok’s most popular song of the year.

(Read the full article here on Billboard)

The Best Tiny Desks of 2024 by LATAM Artists

It’s a fact, Latam’s musical growth shows no signs of slowing down. A major indicator was Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso’s Tiny Desk Concert, which racked up 20 million views to date since its premiere on October 4th—outpacing Dua Lipa, Justin Timberlake and Chappell Roan this year.

But while the Argentinian duo dominated headlines —I just wrote about why fashion and luxury brands need to tap them— 2024 also delivered a wave of unforgettable Tiny Desk performances by Latin American artists, proving they excel in just about any genre imaginable.

If you loved CA7 & Paco, make sure you listen to these too!

1. Nathy Peluso 🇦🇷The Argentinian powerhouse refuses to be boxed in a single category. Her genre-blending Tiny Desk performance was a masterclass in versatility, showcasing jazzy, feel-good, and playful tracks. With urban sounds meeting salsa beats, she transformed the acoustic space into a vibrant playground for her unique artistry. In May, she released her studio album Grasa, which has been atop the charts.

2. Danny Ocean 🇻🇪Amid political protests and turmoil in Venezuela, Danny Ocean’s Tiny Desk concert struck a poignant balance between love and resilience. Performing hits like “Me Rehúso” and “Volare,” Danny used plastic bottle caps and saxophones to evoke the feel of a beachside serenade. Addressing his home country with heartfelt words, he dedicated a moving performance of “Por la Pequeña Venecia” before returning to his uplifting melodies.

3. Juanes 🇨🇴Rock legend—yes, rock. Juanes, beloved by all of Latin America, played legendary hits like "Nada Valgo Sin Tu Amor," "Cecilia," "Mala Gente," "La Luz," and "A Dios Le Pido." The performance featured 12 musicians on stage. Juanes is renowned for his versatility and irreplaceable contribution to Latin music in his 25 years of career.

4. Álvaro Díaz 🇵🇷Puerto Rican rapper Álvaro Díaz’s Tiny Desk was a vibrant homage to his roots. From the jazzy piano and breezy riffs of “Todo Bien” to the soulful guitar on “Chicas de la Isla,” the performance celebrated the community that fuels his music. Sharing the stage with a mix of Tiny Desk veterans and newcomers from Puerto Rico, Díaz created an atmosphere that felt like a joyful jam session among friends.

5. Luciana Souza 🇧🇷Brazilian jazz singer Luciana Souza showcased the deep connection between Brazilian music and jazz with her elegant Tiny Desk set. Performing alongside Trio Corrente, she delivered tracks from their Grammy-nominated album Cometa. The intricate harmonies and improvisational flair of her set made it a standout for jazz and world music enthusiasts alike.

6. Ana Tijoux 🇨🇱French-born Chilean rapper Ana Tijoux brought decades of political critique and cultural commentary to the Tiny Desk. Her first album in ten years, Vida, provided a rich backdrop for a performance filled with vitality and purpose. Danceable beats met sharp lyrical delivery, reaffirming her role as a global voice for love, resistance and joy.

7. Yasser Tejeda 🇩🇴Dominican guitarist Yasser Tejeda redefined traditional music by blending it with jazz and rock in his Tiny Desk performance. Songs like “En El Naranjo” and “Amor Congo” celebrated Dominican rhythms, while “La Vereda” added a contemporary twist. His music is a testament to the enduring power of cultural roots meeting modern innovation.

What Tiny’s do you want to see in 2025?

I know for sure I'd love to see Young Miko. I think she's a truly talented rapper and one of the region's most promising artists. Elena Rose's tunes would be incredibly suited for a stripped-down Tiny Desk performance. Although she's Spanish, I'd absolutely love to see Rosalía featured as well and hear how her hits adapt to that setting.

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