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 June 2026 recommendations—in celebration of Pride Month—below.
Name: Cain Culto
Country: Colombia, Nicaragua
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Cain Culto is building a world all his own. The Kentucky Latin art-pop artist — born to Colombian and Nicaraguan immigrant parents and shaped by religious fundamentalism, bluegrass fiddle and salsa alike — has become one of the most fascinating new queer voices on the fringes of Latin music. His work folds protest, camp, satire and spirituality into a sound that feels unruly yet intentional, whether he’s channeling political urgency on “¡BASTA YA!” with Xiuhtezcatl or pure pop delirium on “BIMBAMBAU,” his May release inspired by Gloria Estefan and Celia Cruz. More recent drops like “Tantra” and “cucuru” continue to expand his shape-shifting aesthetic ahead of what looks to be a breakout new chapter. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Song For Your Playlist: “Bimbambau”
Name: Carlo Lafontine
Country: Mexico
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: In a genre like Regional Mexican music, representing a diverse community is an act of courage. Lafontine exemplifies perseverance and hard work—qualities that have helped him forge his own path and garner support from fans of norteño and banda music who stand against discrimination based on personal preferences. He’s opened for major stars like Yuridia and recently participated in Mexico’s LGBT+ Pride parade. Hailing from the north, it was doubly challenging for him to be his authentic self; yet, despite the obstacles, he has advanced his career with an impeccable image, his cowboy hat worn with pride, and a steadfast commitment to doing what he loves. His 2025 song “Arcoiris”—which reflects on his life and the struggles he faced in becoming a Mexican music artist—is his most defining work today. — TERE AGUILERA
Song For Your Playlist: “Arcoiris”
Name: Heri Iznaga
Country: Cuba
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: As a guest judge on “La Voz Guacalito”—a local singing competition in Miami,—I discovered Heri Iznaga’s undeniable talent at first hand. During the three-month-long contest, the Cuban singer-songwriter not only captivated the audience with his soothing, sugary vocals, but also his stellar showmanship and demanding stage presence. Poised to become a future breakout Latin artist, Heri, who’s been releasing music since 2020, can navigate from emotive, bilingual lyrics to just about any genre, including dance-pop, love ballads, funk, and beyond. Heri ultimately was crowned first-runner up on “La Voz Guacalito,” leaving him with a hefty cash price and many opened doors. Following the competition, Heri will begin working on original Spanish-language music to further embrace his Cuban identity. — JESSICA ROIZ
Song For Your Playlist: “friend”
Name: Martha “Martimbal” Paredes
Country: Venezuela
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: With nearly 150K followers on Instagram, Paredes became a household name, first and foremost as the musician, “Martimbal” (a wordplay of her first name and the timbales instrument). As a professional percussionist, the Venezuelan artist has worked with coveted Latin stars such as Maluma, Chino y Nacho, Alejandro Sanz, Franco de Vita, and Rawayana, to name a few. In the midst of her more than 15-year trajectory, Paredes began to explore her singing abilities, releasing her own, feel-good songs since 2020 that include “Agua de Mar,” “Valora,” “Lo Mejor Está Por Venir,” “Bailemos Las Dos,” and “Mezcla, Brinda, Bebe.” This year, she performed with Maluma on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and at the American Music Awards. — J.R.
Song For Your Playlist: “Agua de Mar”
Name: Robbie Elias
Country: Cuba
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Robbie Elias consistently weaves pop music, queer identity, and Miami culture into his artistry. From songwriting to singing and live performance, he has built a career that balances his own shows with collaborations alongside some of Latin music’s biggest names, including Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, Alejandro Sanz, Marc Anthony, Daddy Yankee, and Natti Natasha, serving in roles ranging from background vocalist to producer and songwriter. He has also been trusted to produce records for internationally recognized drag performers, including RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Morphine Love Dion and Xunami Muse. Signed to Warner Chappell Music, the two-time Grammy winner is also the creator and headliner of Tribute to Pop, a residency at Faena in Miami Beach and Faena New York. He is currently writing and recording a new album, which he describes as bringing together the full scope of his artistry. — CATA BALZANO
Song For Your Playlist: “Can I Be Me”
