Farruko, 23
The featured act (and co-writer) on J Balvin’s hit “6 AM,” this Puerto Rican reggaetonero is already in high demand to perform shows here and in Europe as his single “Passion Whine” (featuring Sean Paul) sits at No. 5 on the Latin Rhythm Airplay chart after spending three weeks at No. 1 in August.
Kevin Ortiz, 18
The younger brother of singer-songwriter Gerardo Ortiz, this regional Mexican star sings norteño banda — but he sings directly to the girls, complete with pop choreography. In 2013, the Pasadena, Calif.-born teen’s debut, Con la Misma Sangre (Bad Sin), reached No. 1 on the Regional Mexican Albums chart.
Luis Coronel, 18
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This Arizona-born performer, who sings traditional regional Mexican banda music, debuts at No. 1 on the Oct. 18 Top Latin Albums chart with Quiero Ser Tu Dueno (I Want to Own You) on Del/Sony. Cutesy good looks, coupled with a rabid following among Latin teens (2.7 million Facebook likes), make him a serious star contender. He was also named one of Billboard’s 21 Under 21, our annual ranking of music’s most powerful minors
Leslie Grace, 19
The Florida-raised Dominican singer-songwriter — who makes bilingual bachata with an R&B twist — has already twice topped the Latin Airplay chart, and her 2013 self-titled sophomore album reached No. 2 on Tropical Albums. Despite still being a teenager, the Bronx-born performer is already a spokeswoman for Colgate and Gain.
Rio Roma
This brotherly duo of Jose Luis, 33, and Raul Ortega Castro, 30, has consistently topped charts in its native Mexico, but its smooth, acoustic pop hasn’t yet caught on here. Strategic collaborations like its current top 10 single with regional Mexican stalwart La Original Banda el Limon aim to make the difference.
This article first appeared in the Oct. 18 issue of Billboard.