A new generation of Puerto Rican artists is bringing renewed attention to pop, with performers such as ROBI, Matt Louis, Melodie and Karina Vélez gaining fans through a wide range of styles. The emerging movement includes everything from bubblegum and dream-pop to alternative R&B, rock and music that blends pop with urbano influences.
Reggaeton and its offshoots have been Puerto Rico’s most prominent musical exports for much of the past three decades. But the island also has a history of pop success, from Menudo and former member Ricky Martin to Chayanne, Kany García, Luis Fonsi and Tommy Torres. The current wave could mark the genre’s broadest resurgence in Puerto Rico in more than a generation.
ROBI, 25, first gained wider notice in 2022 with “Pantysito,” a collaboration with Alejo and Feid. Although he experimented with reggaeton, he says pop and romantic songs have always felt closer to him. His 2024 track “sorry es que soy bipolarrr,” featuring Young Miko, helped establish that direction. He has since released music with artists including Gale, Sebastián Yatra, Wisin and Arón Piper, as well as his debut album, “sorry si soy GRRRIS.”
ROBI says pop and urbano should not be treated as rivals, arguing that collaboration between them can help both sounds develop. He also sees pop’s appeal in its ability to connect listeners of different ages with emotions such as love and heartbreak.
Matt Louis, 29, has taken a different route into the scene, developing atmospheric alternative R&B. His 2025 EP “GAMMA” explored sexuality and race alongside club-oriented tracks, including “ABA,” a collaboration with RaiNao. Louis describes pop less as a fixed sound than as music that reflects what is engaging the culture. He says the genre can respond to social change and contemporary anxieties, while warning that listeners sometimes judge pop by an artist’s image rather than the music and its creative ideas.
The wider scene includes Karina Vélez, Elia, DEL TORO, Giny and LaDí, whose work spans several pop styles. Krystal, Frido Vargas, Drú, FE7O, Bodine and Kova Parker are also releasing catchy tracks. Álvaro Díaz, paopao, RaiNao and Gyanma have helped blur boundaries between pop, R&B, música urbana and electronic music.
The movement’s reach is also visible on tour. Álvaro Díaz recently brought Puerto Rican artists, including Louis, Lockward and Melodie, on his Omakase tour. Lockward has released “No es tu estilo” with ROBI, while Melodie describes herself as an “anti-popstar” and draws inspiration from artists and filmmakers including Björk, Britney Spears, Rosalía and Tim Burton. Other acts, such as ZTVZ, Taidai and Dogos, explore rock, while Pink Pablo combines rap, rock and pop. Producers including William Russell, Aris, Brandon Cores and Rigoazulado have also contributed to the scene’s growth.
ROBI has taken his music abroad, including a performance at Premios Juventud in Spain, while Louis has traveled to Mexico with Díaz. Louis says finding audiences in different markets involves understanding their musical tastes without losing what he brings as an artist. Both he and ROBI emphasize the importance of Puerto Rican identity in their music. ROBI says his accent, phrasing and cadence can convey his roots even when a song does not explicitly name the island.
Sources: Rolling Stone.