10 Latin Producers Who Changed the Game in 2023

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2023 has undoubtedly been the year of Latin music in its various genres and variations, from Peso Pluma’s corridos tumbados to Karol G’s reggaeton and perreo. But who is behind these catchy rhythms that have everyone dancing, streaming, and wanting more?

They are the architects, the craftsmen behind those notes that embed themselves in our memory, making us have their songs in our heads all day long, and, of course, they continue to change the game in the music industry. This year, various Latin producers have played a key role in taking the hits performed by our favorite artists to the top. Therefore, we want to highlight their work and review some of those who topped the charts in recent months.

Bizarrap

Bizarrap has brought about a radical change in the music scene in many ways, giving special attention to the producer’s role that we hadn’t seen before. The world stops every time the Argentine announces a new BZRP Music Session; just look at the frenzy of «Bizapop,» which culminated in the EP release with the young talent Milo J, «En Dormir Sin Madrid,» or, of course, Shakira’s BZRP Music Session Vol. 53, breaking all records with over 660 million views on YouTube alone and winning three Latin Grammys this year. Bizarrap continues to make history!

Tainy

Tainy is one of the great minds in reggaeton, with an incredible ability to compose creatively complex hits with explosive results. His highly anticipated debut album «DATA» is a prime example, featuring the android Sena’s story and powerful collaborations like «PASIEMPRE» with Bad Bunny, Arcángel, Myke Towers, and Omar Courtz, or the iconic «MOJABI GHOST.»

The San Juan composer has been leading the reggaeton scene for over a decade, elevating hits to another level with masterpieces like J Balvin and Bad Bunny’s «Oasis» and contributing to other successes like X 100pre (2018), YHLQMDLG (2020), Emmanuel (2020), Motomami (2022), or Un Verano Sin Ti (2022), among others.

Ovy on the Drums

Daniel Oviedo, also known as Ovy on the Drums, has earned a prominent place in the music industry as one of the top Latin producers. He started his journey a decade ago when a friend introduced him to digital editing software, quickly learning to create beats. Since then, his life has changed.

Soon after, he met his creative partner and companion on the road to stardom, none other than Karol G. Both were starting out, and they decided to form a team that, after much work, created true hits like the Colombian’s studio albums: Karol Unstoppable (2017), Ocean (2019), KG0516 (2021), and the historic Mañana Será Bonito (2023), becoming the first entirely Spanish-language studio work by a female artist to top the Billboard chart, also propelling Ovy to the top of the Latin Producers chart.

The Colombian producer has brought us some of the best hits of 2023, such as «TQG» with Karol G and Shakira, «QLONA» with Karol and Peso Pluma, «Ghetto Princess» with Bad Gyal and Ryan Castro, or «Piscina» with María Becerra and Chencho Corleone.

Edgar Barrera

Barrera has become a key figure in understanding the boom of Latin music in the industry, as well as the success of styles that hadn’t seen international prominence until now, such as Regional Mexican. The composer is not only one of the most nominated in awards but has once again won the Producer of the Year and Songwriter of the Year awards at the latest Latin Grammys.

Edgar has worked with the industry’s top figures, bringing us hits this year that have transformed everything, such as «Un x100to» with Grupo Frontera and Bad Bunny, «El Merengue» by Manuel Turizo, «La Fórmula» with Marc Anthony and Maluma, or «El Jefe» with Shakira and Fuerza Regida. Quite impressive!

MAG

Marco «MAG» Borrero is, along with La Paciencia, one of the reference producers for the global Latin urban superstar, Bad Bunny. Born in Brooklyn with Puerto Rican and Dominican roots, he has contributed to creating major productions like «El Último Tour del Mundo» or «Un Verano Sin Ti,» among others. This 2023 has brought us numerous hits in trap, reggaeton, and even some Jersey Club, with stellar releases such as Benito’s «Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana,» Mora’s «Estrella,» or Karol G’s «Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season),» along with standout hits like «MÓNACO» or «Where She Goes» and star-studded collaborations such as Bad Bunny and Arcángel’s «La Jumpa» or «Chulo Pt 2» with Bad Gyal, Tokischa, and Young Miko, among others.

 

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Mauricio Rengrifo and Andrés Torres

The producer duo has become one of the most sought-after teams in terms of innovating with success. Mauro Rengifo (the Dandee of Cali and the Dandee) and Andrés Torres set the bar high after producing one of the most iconic songs in Latin music: «Despacito,» performed by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee. Responsible for other hits like Carlos Vives and Yatra’s «Robarte un Beso» or Fonsi and Demi Lovato’s «Échame la Culpa,» they have decided to change the industry’s trends in 2023.

This shift is evident in some of the studio albums that have caused a stir, such as Aitana’s «alpha,» where hits like «Los Ángeles,» «miamor,» or «Dararí» can be found. The producers have created a new trend that blends pop rhythms with influences from techno, house, and electropop music, as seen in their participation in Emilia’s «.mp3» with songs like «GTA.mp3.»

Big One

Daniel Ismael Real, the name behind Big One, is one of the key figures in the revolution of urban music in Argentina, creating hits for influential artists like María Becerra, Duki, Tini, Emilia, Tiago PZK, Rusherking, Lit Killah, and FMK, among others. He has produced bangers like Becerra’s «High» or iconic collaborations like «Además de Mí,» «Entre Nosotros,» or «Como si no importara.»

This year, he brought us the anthem of the year in the country and in global urban music with «Los Del Espacio,» bringing together the most dominant national voices in the genre. He has also given us other songs of the year such as «Lágrimas» with Tini and

BM, «En La Intimidad» with Emilia and Callejero Fino, or «Exclusive.mp3,» also performed by the Argentine diva.

Zecca

And speaking of innovation: this list would not be complete without Zecca, the alias of Argentine producer Francisco Zecca, a key figure in the explosion of urban music in the country. A composer and mixing engineer, at just 22 years old, he became the youngest artist to win a Latin Grammy, earning three awards for his involvement in Shakira’s BZRP Music Session Vol. 53.

With a unique ability to create catchy melodies and systematically link hits, we have seen Zecca’s work in other 2023 songs such as the massive hit «No_Se_Ve.mp3» by Emilia and Ludmilla, as well as a significant portion of the album «.mp3» by the Argentine artist, Duki’s «CALL ME MAYBE,» and part of his «Antes de Ameri,» and Tiago PZK’s «Asqueroso,» in addition to his contributions to various BZRP Music Sessions performed by Quevedo, Arcángel, Rauw Alejandro, Duki, or Villano Antillano, among others.

Kuinvi

The truth is that the world of music production is predominantly male. Just look at the list of nominations in various awards in the production categories. However, Kuinvi, the nickname of Valentina López, is a young producer, composer, and vocalist based in Miami who is breaking barriers in this male-dominated field.

Playing a key role in Becky G’s latest album «Esquemas,» which has made her a multi-platinum producer, and being part of the creative team behind Aitana’s «alpha,» the Ecuadorian artist breaks through with a combination of pop and urban styles that have led to successful collaborations with industry giants like Sebastián Yatra, Danna Paola, or Lola Índigo, among others.

Dennis DJ

The Brazilian producer is one of the driving forces behind the funk carioca boom (alongside our diva Anitta, of course). The remix of «Ta Ok» featuring MC Kevin O Cris, Maluma, and Karol G, which triumphed at the 2023 VMAs in New Jersey, has contributed to elevating this style in the charts. Other hits by Dennis DJ include «Malandramente» with MC’s Nandinho and Nego Bam, «Vamos a Beber» with the popular singer MC Livinho (featuring figures like Ronaldinho), «Medley da Gaiola» also with the popular Kevin O Cris, or «Deiza de Onda» with Xamã and Ludmilla, among others.»