"I've always been connected and surrounded by music. I basically grew up in a music house," she explains in this episode of Behind the Board. But when a school friend taught her how to play guitar, she found her "superpower" in writing songs.

At 16, her stepfather took her to a songwriting workshop. Though she admits she was "freaking out" at the time, the class and her stepfather's encouragement helped her realize that music was her true passion — and she had no choice but to take it seriously.  

Now, GALE has mastered her songwriting style. "When I'm writing for myself, it usually comes from a very vulnerable or scary place. It's like I'm opening a portal to my feelings," she detailed. It's an approach she also used in her latest single, "La Mitad," a song about understanding a relationship has reached an end.

"The process changes every time, but I try to be honest with myself and not hold back from saying things how I want to say them because it's scary," GALE reveals. "It's like, 'Maybe I shouldn't say that.' When I think about that, it's like, 'Maybe I should say that because I'm thinking I shouldn't say that.'"

For GALE, the key to songwriting is being honest, because a great record is about connecting with listeners and making them feel something — and that's exactly the heart of her new album, Lo Que No Te Dije.

Press play on the video to hear more about GALE's creative process, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Behind the Board.

Positive Vibes Only: Johnny Rez Discovers Contentment Through God In This Performance Of "Preciosa"

While reggaeton and música Mexicana currently dominate the Latin music scene, Latin pop is experiencing a vibrant revival — with female artists leading the charge. Both legacy and newer acts are putting a fresh spin on the genre, and their work is resonating with a new generation of fans.

Latin pop was one of the first Spanish-language genres to go global in the 1980s, thanks to the success of artists like Gloria Estefan and Luis Miguel. Into the next decade, Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Thalia, and Paulina Rubio continued to put a proudly Latin American and Spanish twist on popular musical trends in the U.S. at the time. 

After the Latin pop explosion of the 2000s with Shakira’s global crossover, Christina Aguilera embracing her Ecuadorian roots, and the breakthroughs of co-ed group RBD and Belinda, the genre waned in popularity in the decades that followed as reggaeton and Latin trap became the leading Spanish-language sounds.

As nostalgia for Latin pop reaches a fever pitch, it has experienced a resurgence. Shakira made Latin pop a main event again last year when she explored electronica with trap beats in the kiss-off anthem "BZRP Music Sessions #53." Beloved 2000s co-ed group sold out arenas across the U.S., Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia with its comeback tour. Female-fronted trio Belanova is coming back from a hiatus with the Vida En Rosa Tour after its electro-pop classics went viral on TikTok. 

In honor of Women’s History Month, here are 10 female artists to watch out for in Latin America and Spain who are leading a new Latin pop revolution.

Belinda

The most veteran artist on this list is Spanish-Mexican star Belinda. After making her mark on Latin America with children's telenovelas and in the U.S. in The Cheetah Girls 2 movie, she reshaped the pop-punk sound of the 2000s with her breakthrough album Utopía. At the 2007 Latin GRAMMY Awards, she was the only teen nominated for Song of the Year, for the angst-driven "Bella Traición."

Following a hiatus to work on other projects, she's primed to reclaim her place in Latin pop after signing with Warner Music last year. Belinda blends Mexican corridos tumbados with a twinkle of Latin pop in the fiery single, "Cactus." Like Shakira, she used her song as a therapeutic way to roast an ex (in this case Christian Nodal). Her recent studio sessions with corridos tumbados pioneer Natanael Cano and Peso Pluma's co-writer Tito Doble P hint at further exploration of her pop spin on música Mexicana she's dubbed "corridos coquette."

Danna Paola

Danna Paola is another veteran making her mark in Latin pop. She first secured her star status in Mexico and Latin America appearing in children's telenovelas and through her teenage music career. After starring in the Netflix series Elite from 2018 through 2020, she gained global notoriety. In 2021, she garnered her first Latin GRAMMY Award nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album for her sixth studio album, K.O.

After scoring a few reggaeton-infused hits, Paola broke onto the Latin pop scene in 2022, with the euphoric pop song "XT4S1S." She continued to explore genres with a nod to house music in the kiss-off anthem "1Trago" and synth-pop in the introspective "Tenemos Que Hablar." In the music video for the latter, Paola revealed there was a point in her career where her image and sound were controlled by a past management team. Now that she has reclaimed her career, she has co-produced most of her recent tracks. There's a darkness in the haunting "Aún Te Quiero" as Paola lets go of the past. Her progressive Latin pop album is due out later this year. 

Daymé Arocena

Daymé Arocena emerged as a Latin jazz star in 2014 as part of the Cuban-Canadian collective Maqueque. Her work with the jazz troupe garnered her a GRAMMY nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album in 2018 for her work on Jane Bunnett and Maqueque's Oddara collaboration. 

After growing up in Cuba, Arocena moved to Canada and more recently Puerto Rico. There she worked with Eduardo Cabra, most known for his work in progressive urbano group Calle 13, on her new LP, Al-Kemi, which was released on Feb. 23. 

With her latest work, Arocena is proving she's an all-around Latin pop star. She blends the sounds of the Caribbean with stateside influences of jazz, R&B, blues, and disco. Showing there's no limits to the sounds of Latin pop, the reggaeton-fused R&B of "Suave y Pegao" with Puerto Rican artist Rafa Pabön and the funky "American Boy" also highlight how Arocena's soulful voice can't be bound to one genre. 

Kenia Os

Following in the footsteps of Belinda and Danna Paola is Mexican artist Kenia Os. Like many Gen-Z artists, the 24-year-old singer first started out as an influencer on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, where she has amassed millions of followers. Os parlayed her massive social media audiences into a successful music career.

With her debut album Cambios De Luna in 2022, Os mixed elements of Latin trap and reggaeton into pop songs. After going full Latin pop on her follow-up LP K23, she went global. Os explored nineties house music in the alluring "Flores" and synth-pop in the flirty "Malas Decisiones." The latter became one of the biggest Latin pop hits of 2023 after it went viral on TikTok. The visual project for the K23 album later earned Os her first Latin GRAMMY Award nomination for Best Long Form Music Video. 

As she prepares her third album, Os continues to push the genre to new places, dabbling in drum and bass in her latest single "Bobo" featuring Álvaro Díaz. 

Sofia Reyes

Throughout her career, Sofia Reyes has seamlessly weaved together Latin genres with elements of pop. In 2017, the Mexican star was nominated for Best New Artist at the Latin GRAMMY Awards. A year later, Reyes scored her first global hit with the cumbia-infused reggaeton of "1, 2, 3." Reflecting her boundless Latin pop sound, the song featured Jason Derulo and Puerto Rican singer De La Ghetto. 

Last November, Reyes released Milamores, the most adventurous album of her career yet. She became one of the first mainstream Latin acts to explore hyperpop in the frenetic "tqum" featuring Danna Paola. One of hyperpop's top artists, GRAMMY winner Kim Petras, jumped on the remix with Reyes and Paola. To create a therapeutic pop experience, she incorporated the healing frequencies of sound bowls in a few of the songs. That feel-good energy came through in the tropical "Rosas" and reggae-infused "Gaia" featuring Dēlian. A celestial standout on the album was "Luna" where Reyes sang about wanting to take a trip with her lover to the moon. Reyes' unique vision of Latin pop is out of this world. 

Aitana

Aitana is one of Spain's biggest Latin pop stars who has had success translating the sound of Y2K pop into her own fun and fierce version. The Barcelona-based singer became a household name in her home country after finishing as a runner-up on the reality show singing competition Operación Triunfo in 2017. Though she didn't win, Aitana achieved international recognition. A year later, she leveraged that exposure into her breakthrough hit "Teléfono," which was certified platinum in the U.S. and resulted in a nomination for Best New Artist at the 2019 Latin GRAMMY Awards.

For her third album Alpha, which was released in September 2023, Aitana was fully inspired by music from the nineties and 2000s. The feel-good "Las Babys" recalled the Eurodance of the Vengaboys and she embraced pulsating electro-pop in "Los Ángeles." The dreamy "Formentera" featuring Nicki Nicole sounds like something that could've come from The Cardigans. Aitana also teamed up with Danna Paola for the techno fantasy "AQYNE," reminiscent of the songs from Dance Dance Revolution. 

Emilia

Emilia is leading the Latin pop scene in Argentina. Thanks to the Y2K aesthetic on her latest album .MP3, the Argentine star is going global. Because of her refreshing spin on Latin pop, she was listed as one of GRAMMY.com's 25 Artists To Watch In 2024.

Emilia first broke through the Argentina music scene with her debut album Tú Crees En Mí? in 2022. That LP was loaded with trap and reggaeton-infused bangers like "Cuatro Viente" and "Intoxicao" featuring Nicki Nicole. 

On her follow-up .MP3, she leaned fully into the Latin pop genre. Living up to the LP's retro name, Emilia embraced music from the nineties and 2000s with tracks like the Kylie Minogue-inspired "GTA.mp3." On "La_Original.mp3." she introduced pulsating house beats, teaming up with fellow Argentine pop star Tini to sing in Spanish about having a "legendary flow" like "Madonna in the nineties." Emilia has since sold-out dates in Argentina, Uruguay, and Spain for her upcoming .MP3 Tour. 

GALE

Before becoming a rising Latin pop star and receiving a Latin GRAMMY nomination for Best New Artist last year, GALE was co-writing hits for other artists. The Puerto Rican singer helped pen songs for Selena Gomez, Christina Aguilera, Anitta, Cardi B, and Shakira. After letting Shakira know that she wanted to become an artist of her own, the Colombian pop icon encouraged GALE to go for it.

For her debut album, Lo Que No Te Dije, which was released in May 2023, GALE seamlessly blended the music of her island with nods to the pop music she grew up with from Britney Spears, Aguilera, and Avril Lavigne. 

GALE channels the angst of Lavigne into the pop-punk of "Inmadura" and the explosive "Problemas." She pushes back against receiving unsolicited explicit photos from men in the defiant "D Pic." Against the dreamy synth-pop of "Nubes," she sings about the joys of female self-pleasure. Her breakup anthem, "Nuestra Canción," features house music colliding with reggaeton. Recently, GALE paid homage to Shakira by covering her classic "Inevitable." 

Mariangela

Another artist bringing an alternative edge to Latin pop is Mariangela. She was born in Monterrey, Mexico and later grew up in San Antonio, Texas. Mariangela's bicultural upbringing is reflected in her music, which blends Latin American genres with elements of pop and alternative music. As a singer/songwriter, she is inspired by artists like Paramore's Hayley Williams, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and Lana Del Rey. 

In 2022, Mariangela pulled inspiration from Depeche Mode’s "Never Let Me Down Again" for her song "Soñarte," which mourned the passing of a friend. The following December, she released her first EP 4+1, in which she explored other genres with her alternative grit. The EP included an entrancing and rock-infused take of the classic "Cama y Mesa" by Roberto Carlos. 

On Feb. 1, Mariangela dropped her debut album Sensible, which included a few of her past singles with newly-recorded songs. In her kiss-off anthem "Acto Final," she goes pop-punk as she bids an ex farewell from her life for good. Mariangela's electrifying spirit is reviving Latin pop like a shock from a defibrillator. 

Nohemy

Nohemy is reshaping music from Puerto Rico with a pop perspective. The rising Puerto Rican star gained attention in 2020 starring in the Natti Natasha-produced series "Bravas." Post-show, Nohemy continued forward with her music career, working with German producer The CRVV. 

On her debut album NOHAUS, released in March 2023, Nohemy's sound blends the pop that she grew up on, Caribbean rhythms, and European influences from The CRVV. Nohemy wrote the songs and co-produced the LP, collaborating closely with The CRVV to blend house, elements of trap, reggaeton, and pop in the fierce club banger "Loca" and the heart-wrenching "Perdón." 

Nohemy received a co-sign from one of her compatriots, Robi, who was featured on a remix of her dreamy love song "Te Vas." She continues to evolve, releasing singles including the atmospheric "¿Y Ahora Que?" and reggaeton-infused romp "On Top." 

How The Latin GRAMMYS Brought Latin Music Excellence To The 2024 GRAMMYs

The Latin Recording Academy has announced the official calendar of events for Latin GRAMMY Week 2023, which culminates at the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs. Taking place across six days of performances and events throughout Sevilla (Seville) in Andalucía (Andalusia), Spain, where the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs are taking place, Latin GRAMMY Week 2023 will honor the music industry professionals and artists dedicated to the internationalization of Latin music and will celebrate the Biggest Night in Latin Music.

Held in Spain for the first time ever, both the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs and the coinciding Latin GRAMMY Week 2023 mark a watershed moment in the global expansion of the annual awards ceremony and the Latin Recording Academy.

Here’s a full breakdown of Latin GRAMMY Week 2023:

Latin GRAMMY In The Schools

Fri. Nov. 10

Conservatorio Profesional de Música Francisco Guerrero

This vital educational component of Latin GRAMMY Week will take place at the Conservatorio Profesional de Música Francisco Guerrero. Presented by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, Latin GRAMMY In The Schools is an educational program that informs and connects music students with professionals in the Latin music industry and supports educational music departments that have financial limitations. More details about this event will be announced soon.

Lifetime Achievement & Trustees Special Awards Presentation

Sunday, Nov. 12

Teatro Lope de Vega

As announced in July, the Latin Recording Academy will honor several Latin music icons during its annual Special Awards Presentation. Carmen Linares, Mijares, Arturo Sandoval, Simone, Soda Stereo, and Ana Torroja will receive this year's Lifetime Achievement Award. As well, Alex Acuña, Gustavo Santaolalla and Wisón Torres will receive the Trustees Award.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to performers who have made works of excellence within the Latin musical sphere. The Trustees Award is presented to those who have made tremendous contributions to Latin music outside of performance. Both distinctions are voted on by the Latin Recording Academy's Board of Trustees.

The honorees will be celebrated during a private event on Sunday, Nov. 12, in the Teatro Lope de Vega in Sevilla, Spain.

Learn More: The Latin Recording Academy Announces Its 2023 Special Merit Award Honorees: Alex Acuña, Arturo Sandoval, Soda Stereo, Simone & More

Leading Ladies Of Entertainment

Monday, Nov. 13

Casa de Pilatos

Taking place at Casa de Pilatos on Monday, Nov. 13, this special event recognizes the work of professional women in the arts and entertainment fields. The 2023 Leading Ladies Of Entertainment event is honoring living legends who have each made significant contributions to their industries and inspired the next generation of female leaders. 

 This year's honorees are:

• Róndine Alcalá: Founder of RondenePR, a music and entertainment public relations firm

• Mon Laferte: Singer/songwriter, multiple Latin GRAMMY winner and GRAMMY  nominee

• Simone Torres: GRAMMY-nominated engineer and vocal producer

• Ana Villacorta López: SVP Marketing and Promotion at Sony Music Entertainment Mexico

Learn More: The Latin Recording Academy Announces 2023 Leading Ladies Of Entertainment Honorees: Mon Laferte, Róndine Alcalá, Simone Torres & Ana Villacorta López

Nominees Reception

Tuesday, Nov. 14

El Real Alcázar

Taking place Tuesday, Nov. 14, at El Real Alcázar, this private event will celebrate all the artists, producers, songwriters, and creators who are currently nominated at the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs. This special gathering will provide an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime setting where current Latin GRAMMY nominees can meet, collaborate and celebrate together. 

Best New Artist Showcase

Tuesday, Nov. 14

Centro Cultural Magallanes

Presented by the Latin Recording Academy, in partnership with Mastercard, the annual Best New Artist Showcase provides exposure for the new generation of music creators during Latin GRAMMY Week. Taking place Tuesday, November 14, at Centro Magallanes in the evening, this private event will feature performances from each of this year’s Best New Artist nominees at the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs: BORJA, Conexión Divina, Ana Del Castillo, Natascha Falcão, Gale, Paola Guanche, Joaquina, León Leiden, Maréh and Timø. Two-time Latin GRAMMY winner David Bisbal will host the event. 

Debuted last November during Latin GRAMMY Week 2022 in Las Vegas, the Best New Artist Showcase initiative has also hosted events in Mexico City and Sao Paulo, Brazil. 

2023 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Gala

Wednesday, Nov. 15

Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones (FIBES)

On Wednesday, Nov. 15, at the Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones (FIBES), the Latin Recording Academy will host the 2023 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Gala in honor of Laura Pausini, a multifaceted, multilingual performer and champion of social justice. One of the most celebrated performers in Latin music today, Laura Pausini has seamlessly translated the emotion behind her songs into global success in six different languages, including in the Spanish-language market, where she launched her first album in 1994.

Pausini has sold more than 70 million albums worldwide and is celebrating 30 years in the music industry in 2023. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she has also used her platform to support philanthropic and humanitarian efforts concerning equality for women and LGBTQIA+ people, hunger, poverty, and climate change; she has also supported entities that fight violence against women.

Learn More: Laura Pausini Named 2023 Latin Recording Academy Person Of The Year

2023 Latin GRAMMYs

Thursday, Nov. 16

Conference and Exhibition Centre (FIBES)

Of course, Latin GRAMMY Week will culminate with the Biggest Night in Latin Music. Taking place at Conference and Exhibition Centre (FIBES) on Thursday, Nov. 16, the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs, officially known as the 24th Latin GRAMMY Awards, will feature a wide array of presenters and exciting performances from today’s leading artist in Latin music, including current nominees Maria Becerra, Bizarrap, Feid, Kany García, Carin León, Christian Nodal, Rauw Alejandro, and Alejandro Sanz. Newly announced performers include current nominees Pablo Alborán, Edgar Barrera, Camilo, Manuel Carrasco, Iza, Juanes, and Ozuna. Current Best New Artist nominees BORJA, Natascha Falcão, GALE, Paola Guanche, Joaquina, and León Leiden will also perform on the Latin GRAMMY stage. Additionally, Eslabón Armado and Peso Pluma will join forces to perform "Ella Baila Sola" for the first time together on television.

The 2023 Latin GRAMMYs will also include the Official Red Carpet; the Premiere, where the majority of the Latin GRAMMY Awards will be awarded; and the Official Party. 

Stay tuned to GRAMMY.com for more news and updates about the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs. 

Only the events mentioned in this article are part of the official Latin GRAMMY Week calendar and may be called Latin GRAMMY events. No other event held by third parties is organized by or financed by or has any links with the Latin Recording Academy.

2023 Latin GRAMMYs: See The Complete Nominations List

The Latin Recording Academy has announced additional performers for the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs. Current nominees Pablo Alborán, Edgar Barrera, Camilo, Manuel Carrasco, Iza, Juanes, and Ozuna along with Best New Artist nominees BORJA, Natascha Falcão, GALE, Paola Guanche, Joaquina, and León Leiden are confirmed to take the Latin GRAMMY stage. Additionally, Eslabón Armado and Peso Pluma will join forces to perform "Ella Baila Sola" for the first time together on television.

These artists join previously announced 2023 Latin GRAMMYs performers Maria Becerra, Bizarrap, Feid, Kany García, Carin León, Christian Nodal, Rauw Alejandro, and Alejandro Sanz, who are all current nominees, as well as the 2023 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, Laura Pausini 

Latin GRAMMY winner and GRAMMY nominee Sebastián Yatra; Latin GRAMMY nominees and actresses Roselyn Sánchez and Danna Paola; and internationally acclaimed actress Paz Vega will host the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs, officially known as the 24th Latin GRAMMY Awards.

Read More: 2023 Latin GRAMMYs: See The Complete Nominations List

Pablo Alborán has five nominations including Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album. Edgar Barrera is nominated in 13 categories including Producer of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. Camilo is nominated in seven categories this year, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year. Manuel Carrasco is nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, while Iza is nominated for Best Portuguese Language Urban Performance. Juanes is nominated in four categories including Album of the Year and Best Rock Song. 

Read More: Latin GRAMMYs 2023: Meet The Nominees For Best New Artist

Taking place internationally for the first time ever, the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs will be broadcast from the Conference and Exhibition Centre (FIBES) in Sevilla (Seville) in Andalucía (Andalusia), Spain, on Thursday, Nov. 16. The show will air at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT) on Univision, UniMás and Galavisión in the U.S., and at 10:30 p.m. CET on Radiotelevisión Española (RTVE) in Spain. Additional international broadcasting partners and local airings will be available soon. 

The 2023 Latin GRAMMYs will see the debut of several new Latin GRAMMY categories and a new Field, including Best Songwriter Of The Year, as part of the newly created Songwriting Field, Best Singer-Songwriter Song and Best Portuguese-Language Urban Performance. These new additions and amendments will make the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs an exciting, history-making night in Latin music. 

More details about the Latin GRAMMY Premiere, where the majority of the Latin GRAMMY categories will be awarded, will be announced soon.

2023 Latin GRAMMYs Nominations: Carlos Vives, Iza, Kenia Os, Gaby Amarantos & More React To The Big Announcement

The 2023 Latin GRAMMYs are right around the corner — and as such, the Latin GRAMMYs nominations just dropped!

Airing on Thursday, Nov. 16, from Sevilla's Conference and Exhibition Centre (FIBES), the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs will be the first-ever international telecast in the history of the organization and awards. The Latin GRAMMYs celebrate some of the biggest artists, songs and albums in Latin music, and its next wave of talent is honored in the Best New Artist category.

This year, there are 10 nominees for Best New Artist: Borja, Conexión Divina, Ana Del Castillo, Natascha Falcão, Gale, Paola Guanche, Joaquina, León Leiden, Maréh, and Timø.

Below, get to know all of the 2023 Latin GRAMMY nominees for Best New Artist. Then, be sure to tune into the 24th Latin GRAMMY Awards on Univision at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. CT) to see which rising star wins!

Read More: 2023 Latin GRAMMYs: See The Complete Nominations List

BORJA

BORJA started out as a songwriter who blossomed into an artist. The Spanish musician co-wrote hits for artists like Reik, Lasso, Marco Mares, and Nicole Zignago before releasing music of his own. In May, BORJA released his debut album, Rimas Del Verbo Amar, which sees him bring romance back to Latin pop music. In the soaring title track, he sings from the heart about keeping a long-distance relationship alive.

Conexión Divina

All-girl sierreño group Conexión Divina is proudly representing women and the LGBTQ+ community in regional Mexican music. Shortly after releasing their first album, Tres Mundos, in April, the former trio — Liz Trujillo, Sandra Calixto, and Ashlee Valenzuela — performed their heart-wrenching hits like "Odio" and "La Receta" at Coachella. Valenzuela departed the group earlier this month; Trujillo and Calixto will carry on as a duo.

Ana Del Castillo

In her country of Colombia, Ana Del Castillo has become a force in the vallenato music scene. With the release of her debut album, El Favor De Dios, last year, the singer/songwriter has helped globalize the genre. Del Castillo has also put a contemporary twist on the traditional Colombian sound. In her hit singles like "Usted No Quiere A Nadie" and "El Que La Hace La Paga," she blends in elements of Latin urbano and soul music. 

Natascha Falcão

Natascha Falcão hails from Pernambuco, Brazil. With her music, she honors the sounds and folklore of her country's northeastern region. In her breakthrough album, Ave Mulher, Falcão explores traditional genres like coco, maracatu nação, forró, and mangue beat through a contemporary MPB lens. A few of her standout hits include the mesmerizing "Banho de Flor" and the empowering title track.

GALE

GALE is expanding the limits of Latin pop with her music. The Puerto Rican singer/songwriter previously co-wrote songs for Christina Aguilera, Shakira, and Anitta before breaking out with this year's Lo Que No Te Dije album. She explores influences of synth-pop and reggaetón music in her songs like "La Mitad" and "Nuestra Canción." GALE also goes punk in "D Pic," where she speaks up for women against receiving unsolicited nude photos from men.

Paola Guanche

Paola Guanche is following in the footsteps of her GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY-winning aunt Aymee Nuviola. The Cuban-American singer first broke through after winning "La Voz Kids" back in 2013. Since then, Guanche has masterfully blended her bicultural roots in her music, which explores influences of R&B and soul music in Spanish. A decade later, Guanche has made her mark with this year's Reencuentro EP, which features the gospel-infused "Quererte Igual" and the sultry "Prohibido."

Joaquina

Along with Paola Guanche, Joaquina graduated from Julio Reyes Copello's Art House Academy last year. The Venezuelan singer/songwriter was mentored by Reyes Copello, the 2022 Latin GRAMMYs Producer Of The Year winner. Joaquina has since spread her wings with her debut EP, Los Mejores Años. She channels teenage angst into the pop-rock anthem title track and the emotional "Rabia." Joaquina is a Latin alternative music revelation.

León Leiden

León Leiden is a singer/songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. The Mexican musician first made his mark in EDM, but he has since proven that his talent isn't limited to one genre. In 2021, Leiden released his debut album, El Morro Que Hace Música, which featured the Latin pop hits "Gitana" and "Fondo De Bikini." He has since explored genres like hip-hop, regional Mexican music, and rock en español alongside acts like Nanpa Básico, Sebastian Esquivel, Thalia, and Aterciopelados.

Maréh

Maréh has received support from past Latin GRAMMY Best New Artist winners Monsieur Periné and Vicente García. Both acts featured on the Colombian singer/songwriter's debut album, Amuleto, which was released in 2018. Maréh built off that momentum with his breakthrough LP, Tierra De Promesas, which followed last year. He seamlessly blends folkloric sounds of his country with an alternative edge in songs like the tropical "Canto" and the dreamy "Desemboca." Each song is based on a beautiful region of nature.

Timø

Timø is a trio of Colombian musicians, which includes members Andrés Vásquez, Alejandro Ochoa, and Felipe Galat. The guys released their first EP, Algo Diferente, in 2019. Timø has since expanded on its folk-pop sound with towering and chant-worthy choruses in this year's Estemos Donde Estemos album. They shake off a breakup in the kiss-off track "215 Dias" while the alluring "Amigos" explores a blossoming romance. Timø turns the spectrum of emotions into cathartic anthems.

Latin GRAMMYs 2023: Record Of The Year Nominees — Read Them Here