On The Radar Latin: Nino Augustine, Delilah & more artists to discover

Every month, Billboard Latin and Billboard Español Editors highlight a group of up-and-coming 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 we think our readers should do something to discover.

Our latest edition of On the Radar Latin features a wave of emerging artists that we've discovered by scrolling through social media, networking or coming across their music at a showcase, for example. See our recommendations for May 2024 below.

Artist: Alex Ponce

Country: Ecuador

Why they should be on your radar: Hailing from Cuenca, Ecuador, rising artist Alex Ponce has put himself on the radar for his vocal quality and emotional delivery, earning him a spot on the NEON16 artist roster. Among his most popular songs on Spotify are “Plan”, with more than 70 million plays, as well as “Traición”, “Fuiste” and “Cerrando Ciclos”. On his latest EP Ruido, released this month, Ponce delves into contemporary pop, acoustic balladry and local Mexican, showing his vocal versatility and adaptability across genres. “Daría Todo,” a song with local Mexican elements, stands out as one of the EP's highlights. Alex Ponce is poised to become one of the great voices of Latin pop. — LOUISA CALLE

Song for your playlist: “Daria Todo”

Artist: Delilah

Country: Mexican American

Why they should be on your radar: In the chaos of the second day of the Sueños festival on May 26 — which was ultimately canceled due to bad weather — Delilah offered an oasis for disgruntled festival-goers who really wanted to enjoy some good music. After a lineup overhaul, the 16-year-old corridos tumbados singer — who released her first single, “Amor Perdido,” earlier this year — ended up on stage at 4:00 p.m. (instead of its original time of noon) , the moment the doors opened.

Although extremely short, her 10-minute set showcased why she represents the future of local Mexican music. The Mexican-American artist, who is signed to Natanael Cano's Los CT label, combines guitar notes – a signature of the Mexican sub-genre – with soulful lyrics, which she sings with such passion in her delicate yet piercing vocals. At Sueños, it's safe to say that those in attendance got just a preview of Delilah's full abilities, as she is definitely one to watch. — GRISELDA FLORES

Song for your playlist: “Modelo”

Artist: Fabiola Ruda

Country: Guatemala

Why they should be on your radar: I first discovered Fabiola many years ago in Guatemala. I'll never forget this little girl who came on TV to sing with a sweet smile but a grown-up, deep voice during her interview on Telehit's Black and white TV series. He never gave up and has done significant work over the years, performing at festivals, gaining recognition. She was also the first Guatemalan artist to win a reality competition series (El Desafío de Estrellas in 2009). Her voice is a blend of blues, soul-pop and gospel that matches her sweet and humble charisma. Her most recent release is her first collaboration with one of Mexico's idols, Daniela Romo. The harmony of both voices and the depth of the lyrics testify to her unwavering talent. — INGRID FAJARDO

Song for your playlist: “Nada” (with Daniela Romo)

Artist: Lismar

Country: Dominican Republic

Why they should be on your radar: Dominican lyricist and rapper Lismar dropped not one but two Bizarrap sessions last week. Both “BRRP Music Session Vol 60” and “Subió La Temperatura” premiered at the Argentinian producer's New York show on May 23rd. I first heard her previous single, “Delincuente Con Traje,” through her publicist and was blown away by her powerful, rapid-fire, catchy rap lyrics. The swagger in her voice and her storytelling make her unique and help her stand out — even Bizarrap says she's the future of music. Honing her skills as a freestyler during the pandemic lockdown, she developed a unique skill that allowed her to create concise and relatable writing material around personal challenges. – AN

Song for your playlist: “BZRP Music Sessions #60”

Artist: Nino Augustinos

Country: All-American

Why they should be on your radar: Nino Augustine arrived on my radar from the underground Latinx scene that bridges Atlanta and New York and stood out for many reasons. His exciting blend of Afro-Latin rhythms with the soulful vibes of the capital of Georgia, his birthplace, resonates in his musical creations. Influenced by his Panamanian roots, he began releasing a string of singles in 2017, culminating in his debut album Me Toca a Mi in 2019, a project that cemented his distinct sound. With subsequent albums, the singer/rapper continued to evolve, leading to his fourth LP, 100%released this month — a melting pot of Afro-Caribbean rhythms and soul-stirring lyrics in Spanish.

The opening track, “Encendido”, is a powerful display of the singer's prowess, seamlessly transitioning from dancehall to reggaetón and amapiano. Another track, “Nirvana”, immediately captivates, sparkling with the wonderful ground of Afrobeats. “100% it showcases me fully, covering everything I love,” the artist says in a press release. “It's a reflection of my current journey in life, authentically representing who I am and reflecting the sounds I love.” — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Song for your playlist: “Sóltate” feat. Bomby, Landa Freak, Robbie Vida & Buay Press

Artist: Yellow exit

Country: Dominican Republic

Why they should be on your radar: Hailing from the Dominican Republic, the pop-rock duo Yellow Outlet, formed by singer-songwriter María Taveras and producer Cristian Guillen Santillan, offers a perfect combination of talents that captivates from the first listen. The unique color of Taveras' voice and her ethereal performance, combined with Guillen's futuristic pop sound with electronic elements, create an experimental yet well-structured mix that results in a wonderful contrast. His debut album, No Es Muy Tarde (2022), features standout songs like “Sueños Sobre Ti” and “Lluvia Eléctrica”, which serve as a good introduction to their music. They recently released their new album Carousel, which includes songs like “222”, “Donde Empieza” and the album's title track. Yellow Outlet suggests a sound that is urgent to know in order to break the stereotypes of Latin pop and draw a wide panorama of creativity. — LC

Song for your playlist: “Lluvia Eléctrica”