“Urban music” is now one of the most important trends on the music scene. It is danced in clubs, while its main artists headline leading festivals, fill stadiums, top the charts, and can break streaming platforms such as Spotify and YouTube.
But what does this “urban music” sound like? And how did it win over so many (mainly young) audiences around the world?
Today, urban music is a mix of textures, rhythms and sounds drawn from traditional genres such as soul, R&B, hip-hop, reggae and dance hall, among others. But, at the same time, it also has touches of more current genres such as dembow, bachata and trap.
The rapid spread of this new trend is mainly down to 2 factors: the variety of rhythms and styles it encompasses, and globalisation, which has ensured it is heard in every corner of the world.
Many big names in the music industry with roots in, shall we say, more “classic” styles, are now moving into urban music, performing either by themselves or alongside other artists as they look to captivate the masses of fans moved by this unstoppable genre. In fact, the genre is so broad that it allows artists to create their own proposals, define and find their own style, and stand out on a scene where almost anything goes.
In its beginnings, around 4 decades ago, this musical genre spoke of rebellion, excesses, and the fight against established norms. Today, it covers topics as wide-ranging as love, power, desire, life on the streets, or artists’ personal experiences.
Urban music stars
What started as a small movement of misunderstood artists against society has become the best way to express to the world the songs of a new generation of artists with a lot to say.
Nationally, Madrid-born C. Tangana stands out, with works such as ‘Mala Mujer’ (Bad Woman) or ‘Tú me dejaste de querer’ (You Stopped Loving Me); Rels B; the multifaceted Lola Indigo; rapper PTAZETA; and the biggest artist of all, Rosalía, with trendsetting albums such as ‘El mal querer’ (The Ill Will) and ‘Motomami’; Recycled J; new boy on the block, Quevedo, who has come in strong with the most streamed track of the year on Spotify, “Bzrp Music sessions, Vol.52”, which has clocked up over 772 million plays in just 4 months; and Bad Gyal, Omar Montes or Morad, who have brought the world music from their ’hood.
Internationally, the list of urban music artists that are making waves is endless, but some of the most notable are Drake, Quavo and Cardi B, all from the US and with a style very close to hip-hop. From Latin America, we have Feid, Eladio Carrión, Karol G, Anuel AA, Ozuna, J Balvin, and Rauw Alejandro, with a more party-like style that is closer to reggaeton. And, of course, global star Bad Bunny, whose album ‘Un verano sin ti’ (A Summer Without You) has been the soundtrack for an endless number of holidays.
Within Latin America, Argentina is another country that is producing ever more artists in this genre, including Duki, Nathy Peluso, Nicki Nicole, and producer Bizarrap, whose tours have crossed the pond and burst onto stages all around Europe.
But we cannot end this section without mentioning Daddy Yankee, who, despite retiring from music this year with the album ‘LEGENDADDY’, left us songs such as ‘Gasolina’ (Gasoline) and ‘Lo que pasó, pasó’ (What Happened, Happened) that people will take with them forever.
On the horizon in 2023... there are a few things to look forward to
If you’ve reached this far, apart from now having a lot of music to listen to, I imagine you’d like to know what’s new in urban music in 2023.
Well, not much has been confirmed yet, because if there is one thing that characterises music releases, it is secrecy. But what is known for sure is the release of Vol.2 of Anuel AA’s mega hit album ‘Las leyendas nunca mueren’ (Legends Never Die). Also releasing albums this coming year are Travis Scott, with Utopia, and Cardi B, with Tiger Woods. The new album ‘La nena de Argentina’ (The Girl from Argentina) by the incomparable María Becerra will also be arriving from Latin America, while the number 1 Spanish artist of the moment, Quevedo, will release his first album, ‘Álbum Mode’, and Lola Índigo will once be heard everywhere with ‘El dragón’ (The Dragon).