Peso Pluma leads a class of Spanish-language breakouts during SXSW 2024 in Austin

The biggest event of the 2024 South by Southwest Music Festival was a free Rolling Stone Future of Music Showcase on Wednesday featuring Peso Pluma. Fans lined up for hours for a chance to sing along to "Ella Baila Sola" and other hits. But the Mexican crossover sensation wasn't the only Latino standout on the lineup. Spanish language music had a moment at the fest this year.

Here are five stars of the class of 2024.

J Noa

The self-proclaimed “hija de rap,” J Noa, appears set for a breakthrough. The 18-year-old Dominican rapper signed to Sony Music and released her debut album "Autodidacta" last year. At SXSW, she featured in several shows, including a night of Rolling Stone’s Future of Music showcase.

The wonder of J Noa’s talent blossoms in her lyricism. She’s capable of the cleverness, bravado and disses that announce presence and ability, with songs like “Autodidacta” and “Spicy.” She’s willing to challenge the standards of the male-dominated worlds of Latin American rap and urbano. As she told the crowd on Wednesday, “I don’t sexualize myself.” Her vision, too, is expansive. The vulnerability, pain and indignance of the Dominican poor inhabit some songs. “Betty” tells of a teenage mom who lives recklessly until the sudden death of her mother. “Qué Fue?” is an attack on the graft and abuse by the Dominican government of its people.

“This stuff may surprise you. But to me it’s nothing,” she told her Wednesday audience several times between songs, referencing the chorus of "Betty."

It's a speedy style of rap that shows technical chops. And attention is coming. She’s performed for NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series. She received a shoutout from Calle 13’s Resident — perhaps the most influential figure in urbano of the past decade and a half — as one of his favorite new artists. Her promise our merits constant anticipation. — E.T.G´

Peso Pluma

YouTube’s most-streamed artist of 2023 was Jalisco’s Peso Pluma. This wouldn’t surprise me if he made reggaeton bangers like Karol G, which he’s recently forayed into. But the lanky dude stomps on stage like Wiz Khalifa, with two euphoniums and a trombone hyping him up, playing half notes. That’s because Peso Pluma makes traditional corrido ballads. The paparazzi headlines and bling are just folklore; this is regional outlaw music complete with a standup bass. — Ramon Ramirez, special to American-Statesman

More:Peso Pluma ignites crowd in rare SXSW 2024 performance in Austin: 'Que vivan los corridos'

Christian Nodal

At Billboard’s Moody Amphitheater showcase, fans of the 25-year-old Mexican singer camped across the way at Dell Hospital just to watch from the parking garage. Every Nodal song’s opening notes were met with fans screaming. Every ballad broke into a singalong. Imagine living in another country, leaving the love of your life behind, and your favorite singer strolls through town to sing some norteño tearjerkers. — R.R.

Kevin Kaarl

The solitude of Mexico’s north most popularly reminds us of the accordion moan and guitar scratch of the norteño and regional genres, but the soulful melodies of Kevin Kaarl, the 23-year-old acoustic bedroom-pop guitarist out of Chihuahua, are equally desert music. Kaarl’s oozing cries over soft melodies harken expanse and loneliness, scarcity of company and scarcity of moment. They call for an embrace and a look out the window. 

Kaarl’s performance at Rolling Stone’s Future of Music on Wednesday showcased the whimsical lullabies that first garnered him attention six years ago. His belted his early hits, like “Abrazando a Ti” and “San Lucas,” and his new singles, like “Me Va a Costar.” Throughout his discography, his lyrics and pace maintain a youthful desire for ennui and impulse. 

Kaarl has the quiet and tender masculinity to endear larger and larger swaths of the internet generation. His voice is rich and deep, but capable of lunging for a high note. It's addicting. — E.T.G´

Young Miko

Puerto Rican rapper Young Miko opened for Peso at ACL Live and was onstage for nearly an hour. Her brash lyrics and club-friendly bangers didn’t need to convince anyone: A whole company of 21-year-olds was behind her for seemingly every song. — R.R.

Ramon Ramirez, special to American-Statesman, contributed to this report.