Music

3 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

Like fellow countryman and producer ahead on this list Estéfano Salgado (and coincidentally, also hailing from the city of Cali in Colombia), songwriter/producer Santander understands how to inject commercial sensibility into different genres and voices. He helped give Spain’s David Bisbal his greatest hits and was also the man behind Cristian Castro’s “Azul,” which spent nine weeks at No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs in 2021 and is one of Latin pop’s best songs of all time. —LEILA COBO

3 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

Ernesto “Neto” Fernández has been at the forefront of the global rise of regional Mexican music for two decades, fusing his deep roots in banda, norteño and mariachi with modern innovation. A veteran of the ‘90s-era quebradita boom, the El Paso, Texas-born, Los Angeles-raised producer has become a trailblazer in the genre’s international expansion. In 2024, Fernández was named Billboard Latin Music Awards’ producer of the year and topped the year-end Hot Latin Songs Producers chart. As Peso Pluma’s musical director and the co-founder of Prajin Parlay Studioz, Fernández played a pivotal role in the groundbreaking success of Peso’s music in 2024, producing hits for the artist including fan-favorites “La People II” and “La Durango.” The same year, Fernández delivered charting hits for rising talents such as Xavi (“La Diabla,” “La Víctima”) and Junior H (“Y Lloro”). —ISABELA RAYGOZA

3 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

Edgar Barrera has become one of the most sought-after producers and songwriters in Latin music, crafting a career that bridges his Mexican-American heritage and a forward-thinking approach to sound. A Texas-Mexico border native and founder of BorderKid Records, Barrera has helped drive the rise of artists including Grupo Frontera, guiding its breakthrough into música Mexicana stardom. His ability to blend regional Mexican traditions with global pop influences has solidified his reputation as a genre-blurring innovator. The Grammy-winning hitmaker has collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, including Peso Pluma, Shakira, Bad Bunny, Maluma and Karol G. Among Barrera’s most impactful creations is “Botella Tras Botella” by Gera MX and Christian Nodal. In 2023, Barrera dominated Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs Producers year-end chart, cementing his place at the forefront of the industry, and in 2024 became the first producer to grace Billboard Español’s end-of-year cover. —I.R.

4 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

As Maná’s lead guitarist, Sergio Vallín is the melodic powerhouse behind some of the band’s most enduring hits. His guitar artistry and production work are showcased on Hot Latin Songs hits including “Lluvia al Corazón” (No. 1, 2011) and “El Verdadero Amor Perdona,” featuring Prince Royce. Vallín has also made his mark as a solo recording artist, debuting on Hot Latin Songs with “Solo Tú,” featuring Raquel, in 2009. His co-production extends to projects such as Maná’s 2022 reimagined hit “Te Lloré un Río,” featuring Christian Nodal, demonstrating his ability to blend rock traditions with modern regional Mexican influences. —I.R.

4 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

The Grammy-winning songwriter and producer has found success with numerous superstars, including Nelly Furtado, Shakira and Enrique Iglesias. With 13 quarter-century entries on Hot Latin Songs, Méndez is credited on some of Shakira’s biggest hits, including “La Tortura” (featuring Alejandro Sanz), which ruled for 25 weeks. He also appears on this list thanks to Enrique Iglesias’ “Mentiroso,” “Quizás” and “Para Qué La Vida,” also all No. 1s. —GRISELDA FLORES

4 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

Across four decades, Arjona has soundtracked households in Latin America and beyond with romantic ballads that today are considered timeless classics, most of those gems produced or co-produced by the Guatemalan singer-songwriter himself. As a producer, he notched four No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs in 2002-11: “Desnuda,” “Cuando,” “El Problema” (which ruled for a personal-best eight weeks) and “El Amor.” —G.F.

4 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

The Puerto Rican singer-songwriter and producer became a leading force in music in the early 2000s at the peak of Latin pop domination. The hitmaker helmed some of Latin music’s classics, such as Ricky Martin’s “Tal Vez,” which ruled Hot Latin Songs for 11 weeks in 2003, and follow-up “Jaleo,” which led for one week, and “Looking for Paradise,” a collab between Alejandro Sanz and Alicia Keys that dominated for three weeks in 2009. —G.F.

4 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

Guillen found success with norteño band Conjunto Primavera in the early 2000s. He placed 25 entries, all alongside Conjunto, on the Hot Latin Songs chart over 2000-24, including four leaders: “Una Vez Más,” “Hoy Como Ayer,” “Ese” and “Basta Ya.” Conjunto’s signature norteño-sax sound landed the band on Billboard’s editorial ranking of the 75 Best Regional Mexican Acts of All Time. —G.F.

4 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

In the early 2010s, Sky helped define a new era for reggaetón alongside J Balvin. With 16 top 10s on the Hot Latin Songs chart in the quarter-century measurement period, he scored his first No. 1 in 2015 with Balvin’s “Ay Vamos,” which ruled for one week. Months later, “Ginza” would ratify Sky as a bona fide hitmaker with the single ruling Hot Latin Songs for 22 weeks, his longest commanding performance on the chart. —G.F.

5 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

Known simply by his first name, Estéfano, the Colombian hitmaker was first and foremost a songwriter whose phenomenal lyrics and beautiful, soaring melodies made him a go-to for the likes of Marc Anthony, Jennifer López and Paulina Rubio in the heyday of Latin pop. Formerly part of the duo Donato y Estéfano, he pivoted toward songwriting and production, where he found a slew of big, dramatic voices capable of bringing his songs to life. You know the hits: “Ahora quién” performed by Marc Anthony; Chayanne’s “Yo te amo;” Thalia’s “No me enseñaste;” Ricky Martin’s “Y todo queda en nada.” True hits during a golden era of contemporary Latin song. —L.C.

5 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

The Colombian reggaetón hitmaker may be best known as Karol G’s producer of choice, but Ovy on the Drums has become one of the most in-demand producers over the past 10 years, branching out to work with Myke Towers, Anuel AA and Piso 21. Among his early hits is Karol G and Nicki Minaj’s “Tusa,” which ruled the Hot Latin Songs chart for four weeks and went on to become a global anthem. His longest-leading entry, “MAMIII,” by Karol and Becky G, claimed 10 weeks at No. 1. —G.F.

5 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

Since teaming up with Bad Bunny in 2020, Marco “MAG” Borrero has played an instrumental role in the production of all four of the megastar’s Billboard 200 No. 1 albums — making history for Spanish-language music in the process. The Dominican-Puerto Rican beatmaker first rose to prominence under the mentorship of Max Martin, and co-produced hits for Flo Rida, Imagine Dragons, Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez. His partnership with Benito, beginning with El Último Tour del Mundo in 2020, marked a turning point for both: It became the first all-Spanish-language album to top the Billboard 200. MAG continued pushing boundaries with 2022’s Un Verano Sin Ti and 2023’s Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana. Among his standout productions, “Me Porto Bonito,” featuring Chencho Corleone, spent 20 weeks at No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs. Meanwhile, the Latin Grammy-winning “Tití Me Preguntó” ran up 14 weeks on top, another honor for one of música urbana’s most visionary architects. —I.R.

6 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

The Argentine producer, composer and musician is widely regarded as one of the builders of Latin alternative music, a genre he helped elevate from the underground to global recognition. His work with Café Tacvba, Julieta Venegas and Juanes helped redefine the landscape of Latin music in the early 21st century, blending rock, folk, electronic and pan-Latin influences into groundbreaking releases. Gustavo Santaolalla’s production on Café Tacvba’s Re, from 1994, is often hailed as one of the greatest Latin albums of all time, while his continued collaborations with the band — including the Grammy-winning Cuatro Caminos (2003) — furthered their role as torchbearers for the genre. Beyond his contributions to Latin alternative music, Santaolalla co-founded Bajofondo, a collective that fuses tango with electronic music, earning acclaim for modernizing one of Argentina’s most revered genres. As a two-time Academy Award-winning composer (Brokeback Mountain, Babel) and a multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy winner, he has bridged the worlds of film scoring, production and performance. On the Billboard charts, Santaolalla’s production on Juanes’ Mi Sangre spawned the timeless hit “La Camisa Negra,” which topped Hot Latin Songs for eight weeks in 2005. —I.R.

6 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

Sergio George’s impressive portfolio showcases his mastery over a Hot Latin Songs chart career that spans 23 years. He produced Eddie Santiago’s Celebración: Epic Duets, which houses a reimagination of Santiago’s ‘80s hit “Que Locura Enamorarme De Ti,” a collab with Huey Dunbar. George celebrated his first top 10 success on Hot Latin Songs when Dunbar’s “Con Cada Beso” climbed into the top five in 2001. His prolific career encompasses 18 top 10 entries, including six No. 1s. Among those, “Vivir Mi Vida” by Marc Anthony, earned the producer his longest stay at the summit, 17 weeks — the longest domination by a tropical soloist in the history of the 39-year-old tally. —PAMELA BUSTIOS

7 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

Enrique Iglesias isn’t just a global Latin pop sensation — he’s also a producer with seven Hot Latin Songs No. 1 hits between 2002 and 2011. From heartfelt, chart-topping ballads “Mentiroso” (2002) and “Quizás” (2003) to the genre-blending pop anthem “Do You Know? (The Ping Pong Song)” (2007), the Spanish pop crooner has shown his versatility both on stage and in the studio. His work behind the scenes on 2008 tracks “Dónde Están Corazón” and “Lloró Por Ti” helped define Latin pop’s sound in the 2000s, burnishing his legacy as a multi-faceted hit savant. —I.R.

7 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

Soon after the start of the 21st century, Juanes earned his first two Hot Latin Songs top 10s and then his first No. 1, “Fotografía.” The Nelly Furtado duet proved a key partnership for Juanes, as the song dominated for five weeks in 2003, becoming his first of eight No. 1s as an artist. With the 2003 release of his second studio album, Un Día Normal, Juanes logged his first of five No. 1s on Top Latin Albums. Latin pop soon found new prominence in the United States, as the pop/rock singer-songwriter added the right touch of Colombian stylings. —P.B.

7 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

A global superstar in her own right, and one of the most consequential artists of all time, Shakira has also co-produced some of her biggest hits. She scored seven Hot Latin Songs No. 1s in the first quarter of the 21st century, including “Suerte,” which she co-produced with Tim Mitchell and which spent seven weeks on top in 2001-02, and her longest-leading smash, “La Tortura,” her runaway hit with Alejandro Sanz, and co-produced by Lester Méndez, that ruled for 25 weeks in 2005. —G.F.

7 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

Widely celebrated as one of Latin music’s most influential producers, Tainy has spent nearly two decades driving reggaetón’s global ascent and redefining the genre. The Puerto Rican beatmaker emerged in the mid-2000s as a protégé of Luny Tunes (recall Tainy Tunes?) and earned recognition for Wisin y Yandel’s hits including 2006’s “Pam Pam” and 2009’s “Abusadora.” His sonic fingerprint is unmistakable, shaping chart-topping smashes such as Bad Bunny’s 2020 global hit “Dákiti,” featuring Jhayco, and Kali Uchis’ “Telepatía.” Dominating the Hot Latin Songs Producers chart over 2019-21, Tainy has collaborated with genre heavyweights and global stars alike, such as Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, Dua Lipa, Karol G, Shawn Mendes and Rosalía. A true visionary, he has forged his legacy with his ability to fuse reggaetón’s raw edge with pop sophistication, setting the tone for música urbana today and surely beyond. —I.R.

9 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

Nicknamed “El Animal” for his explosive drumming style, Alex González isn’t just the heartbeat of Maná but also a key creative force behind the act’s global success. As co-producer, he shaped the band’s signature rock en Español sound, driving hits such as “En el Muelle de San Blas” and “Clavado en un Bar.” His dynamic rhythms and production expertise powered chart-topping albums including Amar es Combatir (2006) and Drama y Luz (2011). Outside of Maná, he’s collaborated with the likes of Juanes, further growing his reputation as a genre-defining innovator. —I.R.

9 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

With nine No. 1 hits on Hot Latin Songs in the quarter-century, Carlos Paucar is best known for his work with Enrique Iglesias, helming production on 2014’s enduring “Bailando,” featuring Gente de Zona and Descemer Bueno, and 2016’s “Duele el Corazón,” featuring Wisin. Paucar’s versatility also shines in 2013’s bachata crossover “Loco,” featuring Romeo Santos. Plus, thanks to soulful ballads “El Perdedor,” featuring Marco Antonio Solís, and “¿Dónde Están Corazón?,” Paucar’s production has helped craft many of Latin pop’s most memorable hits. —I.R.

9 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

Santos launched his solo career in 2011, but his musical journey was already well-established, having garnered acclaim as both a singer and producer during his time with Aventura, the group that modernized bachata and redefined its traditional sound in the early 21st century. The “King of Bachata” boasts a Hot Latin Songs history that includes nine No. 1s that held the top spot for a combined 50 weeks. Among these chart-toppers, his collaborations with global superstars Usher and Drake stand out, delivering his longest-running No. 1 hits as both performer and producer: “Promise” dominated for 10 weeks in 2011 and “Odio” reigned for 13 weeks in 2014. —P.B.

10 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

Widely known as the frontman and producer behind legendary rock en Español band Maná, Fher Olvera played an essential role in driving the group’s global success. Under his production, Maná achieved 10 Hot Latin Songs No. 1s including “Labios Compartidos” and “Bendita Tu Luz,” featuring Juan Luis Guerra. His work elevated Maná to international fame, via such albums as Amar es Combatir in 2006. Pioneering a sound that fused pan-Latin music with rock, Olvera’s contributions to the genre continue to shape its evolution. —I.R.

10 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

Equal parts rocker and pop lover, Krys also found his footing in tropical music, producing some of Carlos Vives’ greatest hits, including “Déjame entrar” (alongside Emilio Estefan) and the inescapable “Carito,” which never made it to the top spot on Hot Latin Songs but underscores Krys’ capacity to blend vast commercial appeal with regional, rock and alternative sounds. Krys was also the producer behind Luis Fonsi’s massive “Aquí estoy yo,” Gloria Estefan’s “Hoy” (produced with Emilio Estefan) and the hits that launched singer-songwriter Obie Bermúdez’s career, including “Antes.” —L.C.

11 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

Known for his work with great vocalists, the Cuban-American songwriter and producer helped define the sound of the early 21st century. Pérez is a crossover master in many senses. He produced Christina Aguilera’s Spanish-language debut album, was the producer behind Los Temerarios’ bridging of grupero and Latin pop and produced Christian singer Jaci Velasquez’s foray into pop. Plus, Pérez has excelled in breaking new acts, and names such as Jennifer Peña, Jen Carlos Canela and even Oscar De La Hoya recorded their greatest hits in his studio. Pérez’s credentials additionally include co-founding the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame —L.C.

14 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs as a producer 2000-24

It would be impossible to talk about the current apex of Latin music worldwide without Emilio Estefan. Long before reggaetón took over the world in the mid-2000s, Estefan was the most significant, influential captain of Latin music’s journey to mainstream recognition and acceptance, putting his imprint on some of the biggest crossover hits in history.

Estefan’s versatility and longevity assure him his spot as the top Latin producer of the 21st century so far, placing a remarkable 50 titles on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart from 2000 through 2024, of which 14 hit No. 1. The variance in genres and rhythms is dizzying. Carlos Vives’ “Déjame Entrar” (co-produced with Sebastian Krys) is a signature pop/rock/vallenta that spent four weeks on top of the chart. Who can forget Paulina Rubio’s pop anthem “Te quise tanto,” which ruled for six weeks? And then, of course, there’s the pathos of queen Gloria Estefan, the muse behind much of Emilio’s music, who traverses from salsa (“No me dejes de querer”) to introspective, acoustic balladry (“Tu fotografía”) to zany novelty (“Hotel Nacional”) under one steady production vision.

Emilio Estefan has not only produced and written hits but also gave first opportunities to the likes of Estéfano, Sebastian Krys and Kike Santander, all of whom worked with him at the beginning of their careers. —L.C.