How ‘Musically Rich’ Latin-Afrobeats Crossover Efforts Have Led to Countless Chart Hits

The fusion of Latin music and Afrobeats has hit a new frequency recently, building on a yearslong overlap between the two genres that has now exploded into the mainstream. For Ozuna’s 2023 album, Afro, the artist teamed up with Nigerian musicians Davido and Omah Lay. In early 2024, Feid and Afrobeats sensation Rema joined forces on “Bubalu,” which topped Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart. And later that year, Rauw Alejandro’s “Santa” featured Rvssian and Nigerian singer Ayra Starr.

Since then, more Latin acts experimenting with the genre have entered the Billboard charts: Shakira’s “Soltera” became her 24th No. 1 on Latin Airplay; Boza and Elena Rose’s flirty “orióN” hit No. 2 on Latin Pop Airplay; and Ozuna scored his 33rd Latin Airplay No. 1 this year with “Sirenita.” As Afro Colombian si