Rising Stars: Latin

How do you say "next big thing" in Spanish? For a hint, look to today's rising Latin stars. These days, tons of leading Latin artists take their cues from hip-hop, so dive into the Latino-rap world of reggaeton as Tony Dize unleashes an irresistible plea for attention amid the insistent beats of "Permitame." Then there's reggaeton king Voltio, who stirs up a sexy storm with the help of blazing-hot duo Jowell & Randy on "Pónmela," familiar to gamers from Grand Theft Auto IV. But if you're looking for something that merges the Latin sounds of yesterday and today, try Mexican mixmaster Camilo Lara, a.k.a. Mexican Institute of Sound, who, on "Mirando a las Muchachas," throws old-school Mexico into a beat blender for a modern, club-ready feel.

Latin music's cutting edge awaits you in Next Steps.

Ready for another taste of Latin music's latest sonic recipes? Sample the delectable sound of the aptly titled "Sweet," in which sultry Peruvian-Canadian singer Silvana Kane leads the genre-busting trio Pacifika into the slow-burning flame of some sexy R&B. Acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela turn the energy in the opposite direction with their blazing, turbo-Flamenco riffs and percolating rhythms on the devilish "Diablo Rojo." Even amid the temptations of all these different flavors, though, some contemporary artists still reach back to their roots, like Grupo Fantasma, who dig into some straight-up salsa with the swaying, sensual grooves and hip-shimmying horn blasts of "El Sabio Soy Yo."

Experience a Rock en Español explosion in Deep Cuts.

Drop your line just a little deeper into the fast-flowing stream of buzz-worthy Latin artists and you're bound to come up with a healthy haul of Rock en Español. You'll find masters of melodic, Beatlesesque pop-rock like Los Bunkers ("Llueve Sobre la Ciudad" has more hooks than a bait-and-tackle shop) and Chetes (try not to get knocked over by the anthemic, Oasis-tinged power of their "Efecto Dominó"). If you're after the harder stuff, set your sights on the Cuban/Puerto Rican punk/metal/emo hybrid that is Guajiro, as the high-octane guitars of "Dos Principes" roar into view. And if you want to get your '80s on, soak up the Cure/New Order vibe of Mexican Anglophiles Zoe's moody, bass-driven "Via Láctea."

So many Latin artists on the ascent, slamming out hits in so many styles and coming from so many different places . . . How do you get a handle on it all? Relax, we've got you covered. Are you a dance-floor dynamo? Get in step with the hip-hop/funk/electronica mix of DJ Bitman's tech-tuned "My Computer Is Funk," or roll with some reggaeton, courtesy of Puerto Rican roof-raiser Baby Rasta's bounce-and-grind "Toma Nena (Manoplazo)." You can take a ride on the R&B side, Mexican-American style, with Rigo Luna's sultry, soulful "Nunca," or cozy up to the romantic sounds of Argentinean siren Maria Volonte's slinky, syncopated "Candombe Bailador." Whichever way you roll, you're in the right place to catch these Latin up-and-comers on their climb to the top.