Photo Credit: DMN TV / Open On Sunday
Emerging Latin voices are redrawing the map when it comes to music fans. Digital Music News and Open On Sunday caught up with three emerging artists—each carving out a distinctive place in today’s vibrant landscape. Each artist has roots in a different corner of the Latin world: Max Luiz from Brazil, Maria Giraldo from Colombia, and Candy Lover from Puerto Rico.
This article was created in collaboration with DMN partner Open On Sunday.
These artists are at the forefront of a cultural shift, translating local influences into multi-genre sound that resonates far beyond their home countries. Whether it’s Max Luiz blending reggaeton with bachata, Mafe Giraldo infusing heartfelt pop with messages of connection, or Candy Lover breaking genre boundaries all together, their stories spotlight the creative potential that’s propelling the massive growth behind Latin Music’s latest wave.
From Brazil, recording artist Max Luiz represents the genre-blending creativity at the heart of today’s Latin movement. Signed to Blackground Records, Luiz recently released his single “Paga’ito” (bachata version), which infuses classic reggaeton sounds into a Latin framework. He described the shifting cultural appetite of his home country when DMN caught up with him at Billboard Latin Week.
“The good thing about Brazil is we have more than 200 million people there, and I know that they are starting to listen to more of the Latin side,” Luiz told DMN TV. “Like five years ago it wasn’t like that, so it’s kind of exciting now. And as soon as they know that I’m Brazilian and I’m from there, they’re going to embrace me because they like the people from here in America. So I think it’s going to be very exciting for sure.”
Meanwhile, Colombian singer-songwriter Maria Fernanda Giraldo brings a romantic sensibility to her pop style, while embracing themes of faith and connection. “Music for me is a universal language and I want to connect to all of the world,” Geraldo shared with DMN.
After taking time off to attend Billboard Latin Music Week, she’s back with her nose to the grindstone on a busy performance schedule this year. “Now I am in Miami but I’m going to travel to Spain—to Valencia—and then I’m going to Las Vegas for the Latin Grammys, so I am super happy with how my musical career is growing.”
Representing Puerto Rico, Angelica—known by her stage name Candy Lover—embodies the spirit of reinvention. One rooted in reggaeton, she’s not exploring an eclectic sound that crosses genres and languages. “Because I started with reggaeton, and now I don’t know, I wanna change everything,” Candy Lover told DMN with a smile and a laugh. “I want to do all the different genres.”
“I feel like I have the potential to do a lot more than just reggaeton, so I’m actually coming out with like country, music, pop, English, Spanish, so a lot of different things are coming.” Her vision aligns with the growing global reach of Latin music, especially as the genre grows globally.
Despite their varied backgrounds, these three artists are united by a shared drive to redefine Latin music and expand its influence. By merging tradition and innovation, Max Luiz, Maria Giraldo, and Candy Lover illustrate just how contemporary Latin voices are leading the genre to new audiences and creative heights. Their work helps place Latin music firmly in the center stage globally, signaling a vibrant future powered by their diversity and cross-cultural ambitions.
