We asked the new Latin Music Recording of the Year category co-chairs, Martín Añón and Ricky Taco to curate a list of songs that capture the sound and spirit of Latin music in Canada. Here’s what they came up with:
As October begins and we celebrate Latin American and Hispanic Heritage Month in Canada, we decided to take on an impossible mission: picking just 10 songs to showcase the incredible spectrum of Latin music in this country.
If you’ve been around the Latin scene here, you already know this is a game we can’t really win – the sounds are too diverse, too deep, too good. But hey, we had to try.
Join us on this journey as we lift the veil on the Latin artists woven into the creative fabric of Canadian music. We might sink trying, but we promise you’ll come away with a few new favourite artists.
It’s impossible to talk about Latin music in Canada without mentioning Alex Cuba. Originally from Artemisa, Cuba, he moved to Smithers, B.C., where he has crafted a unique sound that blends his Caribbean roots with an eclectic range of influences.
A multi-JUNO Award winner and nominee, Alex has also earned four Latin Grammys, one Grammy, and a total of 14 nominations from the Recording Academy.
If that weren’t impressive enough, take a moment to listen to his latest album Voces de Mi Familia or watch his short documentary, where he pays a heartfelt tribute to his family and musical influences.
Alex is not just an artist; he is a cultural ambassador. For more than 20 years, he has been building bridges between Latin America, the Caribbean, and North America through his music. In a world driven by fleeting trends and recycled ideas, Alex chooses to focus on what truly matters to him, carving out his own path and playing by his own rules.
It’s no secret that Montreal is home to some of the most exciting artists in Canada, and Daniela is no exception.
Born and raised in the 514 with Honduran roots, she has been skillfully weaving bilingual English and Spanish lyrics into her music. Her latest single, “cohete”, the first release from her upcoming album Oda (Spanish for “Ode”), carries that tradition forward with style and originality.
You may remember Daniela from her viral YouTube covers in the 2010s or even her collaboration video with Shakira. But make no mistake – her sound and artistry have evolved steadily over the past decade, all while retaining the sensitivity and tone that first drew millions of listeners to her work.
Her music isn’t just sonically captivating; it’s consistently paired with bold, original visuals – from her striking live performances to inventive videos like “Puddles.“
On a personal note (this one’s from Martín), I used to play her album Tamale while working at Rooster Coffee in East Toronto, and without fail, customers would ask about it every single time. That’s the kind of impact Daniela’s music has – it draws people in instantly.
Isabella’s life isn’t a movie; it’s a TELENOVELA.
The Canadian-Honduran singer, songwriter, and producer based in Montreal is known for her playful, experimental approach to Latin pop, fusing reggaetón, hyperpop, dembow, and electronic sounds with a tongue-in-cheek, theatrical edge. In 2022, she burst onto the scene with her debut Amor Hardcore, which Pitchfork described as “playful, maximalist, and flirtatious to the core.”
Her sophomore album, Vanity (via Giant Music / Lovestory Inc), dives into dualities: the horror of beauty, the luxury of trashiness, and the infinite portal hiding inside a handheld mirror. With production from longtime collaborators Chicken and Kamixlo, fresh input from Mechatok, and a feature from Argentine rapper Taichu, Vanity plays like a timeline of Isabella’s musical obsessions, equal parts dreamy and guttural.
The production duo Just Ideas, formed by Latin Canadian producer Jorge Pineda and Josh Polasz (aka Filatino), has been working hard behind the scenes, amassing over 100 million streams to date. Renowned for their artist development skills, they’ve collaborated with a wide range of talent, including 347aidan, Alx Veliz, Anders, BankNRanx, Dom Vallie, Farruko, Fito Blanko, illmind, Lavi$h, Murda Beatz, Nonso Amadi, Pressa, Rêve, Slow Mike, and Yoko Gold.
Colombian-Canadian artist PRIMO just released an entire album called “Prophecy” produced by them, and Salvadoran-Canadian artist BEBEBOY has been making waves on TikTok with his latest single “Pupusa LoKA.”
We love claiming our heroes, and when doing so, it’s mandatory to mention Fito Blanko. Fito championed Latin music and Spanish lyrics in Canadian hip hop before anyone, and he is still going hard in the paint.
You can check out his interview with Alex Narvaez from Grayscale LA for the full story. Born in Panama and raised in Toronto, Fito has always repped both sides proudly, mixing Latin heat with North American pop and hip hop.
His latest album, Champion Sound, showcases an all-Canadian roster of talent. Produced by Ante O’Conor, the project seamlessly blends Caribbean rhythms with the moody, atmospheric tones of Toronto, capturing the essence of the city where it was created.
The 4-track EP delivers a fresh, genre-bending sound featuring all Canadian line-up artists, Nanu, RamRiddlz, and Kofi. There’s an Inter Miami, and you know we always like a good Lionel Messi-related reference.
Led by Cuban-born violinist and vocalist Elizabeth Rodriguez and percussionist and vocalist Magdelys Savigne, both Grammy and Latin Grammy nominees, OKAN is a two-time JUNO-winning duo whose name comes from the word for “heart” in the Afro-Cuban religion of Santería.
With vocals in Spanish, Yoruba, and Spanglish, the duo fuses Afro-Cuban roots with jazz, folk, and global rhythms in songs about immigration, resistance, and love.
Following their award-winning album Okantomi they have been busy working with several collaborators. Our recommendation? Take a moment to listen to their track with Ramón Chicharron, “Bailando en tu Vibra” and their collaboration with Montreal producer Boogát “+Que 1 Chinx”
Want some more OKAN? Take a moment to watch their NPR Music Tiny Desk performance from last year.
Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, and now based in Toronto, the multi-Grammy-nominated artist and 2016 Polaris Prize winner has never failed to deliver unique sonic landscapes and an unapologetic voice.
Lido Pimienta‘s latest album, La Belleza, is no exception. La Belleza showcases Lido’s unmistakable vocals in a new sound inspired by the soundtrack to Valerie and Her Week of Wonders. It marks yet another bold step forward in the discography of an artist deeply committed to exploring fresh sounds and pushing musical boundaries.
A true trailblazer, she continues to shape and influence the landscape of Latin music in Canada.
Instrumental music is having a moment, no question about it. And if you’re into Glass Beams, Hermanos Gutiérrez, Menahan Street Band, LA LOM, or Khruangbin, look no further for their Latin-Canadian counterpart, one that would make Manu Chao proud.
Sancocho Trifásico is infectious and irresistible, channelling the same adventurous spirit that fueled Empanadas Ilegales’ early days. It’s a bold fusion of obscure cumbia influences and free-flowing improvisation. Like the rich, layered flavours of its namesake soup, the record stirs together experimental synth textures, slinky dub grooves, and propulsive percussion.
This is both a tribute to cumbia’s past and a push toward its future, carrying the pulse of cultural preservation, folklore, and diaspora connections, all while keeping the dancefloor moving.
With Sancocho Trifásico, Empanadas Ilegales make it clear: the Latin wave on the West Coast is a force to be reckoned with.
The “Jogo Bonito” is alive and well in Canada, and we’re here for it. We’re highlighting three projects here, but trust us: this is only the tip of the iceberg!
Take a moment to listen to Lara Klaus, an acclaimed drummer, vocalist, and artist from Recife, Brazil, now based in Montreal. Her recent single “Coco da Cura” brings together the talents of Flavia Nascimento, Bianca Rocha, and Laís de Assis, weaving a powerful sense of collaboration into her music.
While you’re at it, check out JØY Brandt and her latest release, “A Calma Acalma.” A Brazilian-Canadian singer and songwriter, JØY had a breakthrough year in 2025, winning two major Brazilian awards, Prêmio da Música Brasileira and Prêmio Música Pernambuco, and performing at festivals in both Brazil and Canada.
And don’t sleep on Orbital Ensemble, a new collective from Toronto’s thriving fusion scene. Their immersive blend of psychedelic grooves and melodies influenced by MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) makes them one of the most exciting live acts to emerge in recent years.
We couldn’t close this list without mentioning the Latin Americans who have helped shape some of Canada’s most influential bands from within.
If you’ve been following BADBADNOTGOOD, you already know what we mean. In recent years, the band has woven a distinct Latin influence into its sound. Since their 2019 collaboration with Brazilian legend Arthur Verocai, these elements have become a defining part of both their recordings and live shows.
This is no coincidence. Juan has been a pivotal force in BADBADNOTGOOD’s evolution over the last few years. From bringing percussion to the forefront to flooding the band with record recommendations during their tours in Latin America, his influence is undeniable.
“El pibe de Santa Marta”, the kid from Marta, began his journey as a championship-winning Gaita player before moving to Toronto in 2006. He now spends half of his time playing at the most prestigious music festivals in the world and is a key part of one of the most influential instrumental and jazz projects to come out of Canada in the past 15 years.
Not all heroes wear capes; some are just named Juan, and they let their musicianship do the talking.
On top of his work with BADBADNOTGOOD, Juan also leads his own project, AfroLoops.
Esco and Aiona Santana – “QUE DIOS TE CUIDE”
Just a couple of months ago the duo took over the first OnesToWatch dedicated to Latin Music at the Live Nation Lounge in Toronto to a full house. The music video is also directed by a young Panamanian-Canadian talent Franklin Briceño and his team at FIBSION MEDIA.
Yes, that’s right, this is more than 10 songs, and even more than 10 artists. But sometimes you’ve got to take creative liberties and think outside the box to make room for new voices. Most importantly, we hope our promise of helping you discover fresh talent wasn’t in vain.
Will the next big Latin star rise from Canada? It’s hard to say, but one thing is certain: winter is coming and as the days grow shorter, when the clocks change, the months roll on, and the sun slips away at 4 PM in December, take comfort in knowing there’s a little Latin American fire here to help keep us warm.
The Canadiana family is growing.
Featured photo: Global Music Album of the Year winner, Okan, in the exclusive JUNOS x FUZE Reps 2024 portrait studio at the Opening Night Awards – Saturday, March 23, 2024 PHOTO CREDIT REQUIRED: CARAS/FUZE Reps/O’shane Howard
