Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors have curated a new weekly poll to identify the top music release of the week. The selection features a diverse array of talent, including Karol G and the duo Castro, with the voting window closing at 11 a.m. ET on Monday, August 10.
The Melancholic Reggaetón of 'Mentira'
The track "Mentira," released on August 6, serves as a pivotal moment for Castro, as the song is the first single from his forthcoming album. According to the report, "Mentira" is a melancholic reggaetón piece that delves into the breakdown of trust and the "games" that often lead to the end of a relationship.
The lyrics highlight a conflict between ego and honesty. Feid sings about how egos confused the couple, while Castro describes the pain of discovering secrets while he was away on tour. This emotional depth marks a shift in tone for the artists involved,moving away from high-energy dance tracks toward more introspective storytelling.
From 'Monastery' to 'Ritmo de Medallo'
The collaboration on "Mentira" is not an isolated event but part of a long-term creative partnership between Castro and Feid. As reported by the source , the duo previously released "Monastery" in 2021 and "Ritmo de Medallo" in 2023, the latter of which served as a tribute to their shared hometown of Medellín, Colombia.
This trajectory suggests a deepening synergy between the two artists, moving from city-centric anthems to more intimate, personal explorations of heartbreak. The consistency of their collaborations reflects a broader trend in the reggaetón scene where regional hubs like Medellín continue to dominate the global sound and export their specific cultural identity to a worldwide audience.
Karol G and Stray Kids Enter the Billboard Latin Poll
The current poll reflects the expansive nature of the modern Latin music landscape, featuring a mix of established icons and global crossovers. Alongside the duo Castro, the list includes Karol G, Alejandro Sanz, and Eden Muñoz, who collaborated on the track "Yo Era Poesía," as well as Joaquina’s "Verano En La Ciudad."
Interestingly , the poll also includes the song "THIS & THAT" by the K-pop group Stray Kids, illustrating the blurring lines between Latin markets and other global pop phenomena. Other notable entries in this week's cycle include releases from Luis Fonsi, Ozuna, Omar Courtz, and the duo Baby Rasta y Gringo with De la Rose.
The 1 ,000-Vote Hurdle and 'Efímero's' 81% Dominance
The Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors have set a specific engagement threshold for their weekly rankings . The results of the New Music Latin poll are only published if the total number of votes exceeds 1,000, creating a high bar for visibility for smaller artists who may lack a massive digital footprint .
This threshold follows a period of extreme dominance by certain tracks; for instance, the song "Efímero" by Erick Brian, Dale Pututi, and Nesty previously captured more than 81% of the total vote. It remains to be seen if the current mix of artists, from Stray Kids to Karol G, will generate enough fragmented interest to hit the 1,000-vote mark or if one powerhouse will again sweep the majority of the tally.
Comments 0