Latin Anthems From Female Artists

Alejandra Guzmán electrified airwaves in the early ’90s with “Eternamente Bella,” a rousing anthem that extols the indomitable spirit and everlasting beauty of women. With its robust rock vibes and her impassioned rasp, the song urges listeners to embrace their allure. Peaking at No. 20 on Hot Latin Songs, “Eternamente Bella” not only cemented Guzmán’s reputation as a powerhouse in Latin rock but also as a staunch champion of female empowerment. Its dynamic melody and inspiring lyrics, amplified by Guzmán’s raw and unbridled vocals, ensure its enduring legacy as a timeless anthem of strength and resilience.

“I don’t plan on maintaining this love,” Villarreal kicks off this timeless ranchera song about a woman who decided to finally leave her good-for-nothing partner. In the track, the Mexican singer chants about being too good of a woman and giving him everything only for him to not appreciate her. “The best thing in your life is escaping your hands,” she sings.

After getting on the international scope with “Malo” — a song dedicated to a toxic man — Spanish singer-songwriter Bebe came stronger than ever with “Ella.” Part of her 2004 set Pafuera Telarañas, the feel-good pop song is about a woman who after crying over a failed relationship has discovered her self-worth and is unstoppable. “Today you will discover that the world is only for you/ That no one can hurt you, no one can hurt you,” chants Bebe in the track that has endured for 20 years.

If you haven’t sung this song at the top of your lungs, you’re missing out. This ultra-liberating song is a beautiful release; out with the old, in with the new. “What goes away, is gone. Don’t make that mistake with me/ Because of how toxic you are, I don’t want to see you again,” Becky and Karol sing.

With its infectious beats and spirited lyrics, Bomba Estéreo’s flute-driven “Soy Yo” serves as a powerful testament to self-acceptance. Featured in their 2015 album Amanecer, “Soy Yo” became an anthem for anyone who has ever felt different or out of place, encouraging them to stand tall and proud. “No te preocupes si no te aprueban, cuando te critiquen tú solo di: ‘Soy yo,’” singer Li Saumet declares (“Don’t worry if they don’t approve of you, when they criticize you just say: ‘I’m me.’”) Charting on Hot Latin Songs at No 31, the song’s impact was immense, capturing hearts worldwide with its vibrant music video that features a young girl confidently navigating the world with her own style and flair.

“DOLCE,” with which Cazzu made her foray into Mexican music, is a corrido tumbado about moving forward after a romantic betrayal. “And I’m going out at night/ put on that Dolce dress that, you know, looks so good on me/ The same one that I wore when you fell in love with me,” the empowered Argentine artist sings. The 2025 song is produced by Argentine hitmaker Nito Cotton and is backed by pleasant requintos.

“Me Lo Merezco” is a nearly three-minute-long manifestation and self-love letter, in which Venezuelan singer and songwriter Elena Rose chants about living in the present and enjoying the little things — but above all, deserving all her blessings. “Real love, I deserve it/ That everything comes out great, I deserve it/ Good things come to me, I will achieve it, the ocean view, I deserve it/ A blue sky, I deserve it/ A cool life, I deserve it,” she sings soulfully. The R&B-, funk- and urban-tinged bop even lifts from Paula Cole’s late-’90s smash “I Don’t Want to Wait” as a friendly reminder to start living your life before it’s too late.

The singer-songwriter Elsa y Elmar celebrates the nature of being a woman with her work “Entre Las Piernas” (“Between The Legs”), co-written with Natalia Lacunza and Claudia Brant. With this honest and unapologetic anthem, the Colombian artist breaks the stigma of talking openly about menstruation, embracing the beauty of femininity with all its complexities. The music video, masterfully animated with pre-Hispanic, pre-Columbian art, and Mesoamerican figures, illustrates the range of emotions that a woman goes through during that time of the month. “In this song, I speak from the Elsa who inhabits her body and her femininity, who honors her blood and consequently, to all those women with whom I share this experience,” Elsa said in a statement.

Perhaps ahead of its time, this 1980s feminist anthem has stood the test of time thanks to a simple-yet-direct message that we can all get behind: “Don’t control me.” In times when feminist art wasn’t as celebrated or embraced as it can be today, this oldie but goodie is a blow to the patriarchy.

In an almost cynical way — but filled with exhilaration — Gloria Trevi delivers a powerful message of unapologetic individuality and flamboyant defiance with “Todos Me Miran.” The song serves as an anthem for self-assertion, telling the story of a woman who breaks free from the chains of a repressive relationship to embrace her independence and strength — a narrative that echoes Trevi’s own tumultuous journey. Released in 2006 on her album La Trayectoria, this electro-dance banger soared on the Billboard charts, reaching No. 18 on Latin Pop Songs and No. 32 on the Hot Latin Songs. Its gender-bending music video became a visual symbol of the song’s message, celebrating the unbridled joy of being true to oneself.

Thalia and Ha*Ash celebrate those sincere friends capable of telling things to us straight, even in the most painful moments. In “Amiga Date Cuenta” (which loosely translates to “My friend, open your eyes”), the Mexican superstar and the sisters duo join forces to make a heartbroken friend see that she is not alone, and that she deserves better. “If to forget him you need to drink all night/ I am here by your side, far from that jerk/ Friends are for that,” they sing in part of the song, a fresh fusion of Ha*Ash’s characteristic pop-country style with touches of mariachi, written by José Luis Roma. Released in February 2025, the track conveys a powerful message of female camaraderie.

Through this track, Ivy Queen delivers a clear message: women have the right to express themselves freely on the dance floor without owing anything to anyone. Released in 2003 as part of her album Diva, “Quiero Bailar” became a milestone in reggaetón, not only for its infectious rhythm but also for its progressive lyrics that challenge traditionally male-centric views and the societal expectations placed on women. It reached No. 29 on the Hot Latin Songs chart, and became an anthem of empowerment for women everywhere. The Puerto Rican diva also cemented her status as the Queen of Reggaetón, advocating for women’s rights and freedom of expression in a genre often overshadowed by male narratives.

A corrido flawlessly performed by one of the queens of regional Mexican music, in “Ovarios” Jenni Rivera talks about what it means to be in charge and unapologetically alludes to her strength and power, which she attributes to her large ovaries. “Keep giving me more fame/ I look at them from up here,” she sings.

“DPM” — an acronym for “de puta madre” which loosely translates to “best f–king time”—finds Kany García doing just that: having the time of her life. The track, which gained virality on social media, narrates the story of a woman who’s life blossomed after getting out of a relationship. “The mirror tells me ‘beautiful, you’re in your best moment’/ Oh, love yourself, shake it off/ All the bad things are a TBT,” the Puerto Rican artist chants.

Helmed by her longtime producer Ovy on the Drums, Karol G’s hard-hitting reggaetón track not only demonstrated a mature and evolved artist, but also became a timeless female anthem. The Colombian artist and Billboard’s 2024 Woman of the Year previously told Billboard that “Bichota” reflects “a moment of feeling sexy, flirtatious, daring, strong, empowered” and “translates into personal motivation and self-confidence.”

Mexican singer Lupita D’Alessio celebrates female growth and empowerment with her iconic song “Mudanzas.” The song released in 1981 and originally recorded in Portuguese by the singer Vanusa, narrates the journey of self-discovery, search for authenticity and independence of a woman who wants to leave the past behind to become a better version of herself full of strength. The lyrics highlight the duality of feminine nature, recognizing its contrasts: both delicacy and strength. As the verses progress, the song evolves, becoming an anthem of self-love, liberation and enduring personal growth.

“La Mujer” (the woman) is an anthem about rebirth, regaining strength and saying goodbye to cowardice. “You are the man/ The one who arms and disarms/ You can’t even with yourself/Neither with your ego nor with anything,” goes part of the lyric. The song is brought to life by the union of two music divas, Mon and Gloria Trevi, who unite their powers in signature fashion.

“Creo En Mí” (“I Believe in Myself”) by Spanish singer-songwriter Natalia Jiménez is a powerful ballad that since its release in 2015 has been sung a thousand times. Co-written by the former vocalist of La Quinta Estación along with Claudia Brant and Jason Dezuzio, the song talks about the inner strength of someone who overcomes adversity and like a Phoenix bird is reborn from the ashes. Like a mantra, the word “I believe” is repeated incessantly throughout the song, instilling strength and strengthening self-confidence.

The Mexican singer-songwriter’s take on Agustín Lara’s “Mujer” is a gorgeous rendition. More than a song, it’s a poem that celebrates womanhood. “The wonder of inspiration, you have in the rhythm of your being, the palpitation of a song/ And you are the reason for my existence, woman,” Lafourcade sings.

In one of the most ultra-personal songs from her catalog, Natti Natasha opens up about going through hell and back only to find the best version of herself at the end of the road. “The best version of me is about to come because I’m recovering all my confidence,” she chants. The powerful ballad was later remixed by Romeo Santos.

In the late ’90s, Olga Tañón steered from merengue to pop ballads with “Basta Ya,” penned by Marco Antonio Solis. The timeless track narrates the story of a woman who’s had enough in her abusive relationship and is ready to spread her wings and fly. “I have to give up loving you/ Before I no longer have a remedy,” she passionately sings.

“I am not that woman,” declares Paulina Rubio in her pop song “Yo No Soy Esa Mujer.” The female empowerment single talks about the loving someone without losing your identity or independence, and peaked at No. 7 on Hot Latin Songs in 2001.

Selena dominated the Latin music scene in the ’90s one regional Mexican song at a time. The heartfelt mariachi “Qué Creías” is testament to that, showcasing an unbothered queen who has discovered her worth and wants nothing to do with an ex who wants to get back together. “What did you believe, what did you believe?/ That you were going to find a love better than mine/ That would make you happier/ You see, it’s now that easy,” she belts.

This song gifted women a motto we can all get behind: “Las mujeres ya no lloran, las mujeres facturan (Women don’t cry anymore, they make money).” The diss track encouraged women to take control over the narrative of their breakup, and spent five weeks atop Hot Latin Songs.

The Mexican singer-songwriter released this poignant song for women in Latin American countries that march on International Women’s Day (March 8), to demand rights and an end to violence against women. The Latin Grammy-winning artist’s track quickly became a protest anthem for its powerful lyrics like: “Que como todas crecí con miedo, y aún así salí solita/ A ver estrellas, amar la vida (Like the others, I grew up in fear and even then, I went out alone to see the stars, to love life).”

Reimagining Alaska y Dinarama’s ’80s darkwave hit, Thalia turns “A Quién Le Importa” into a timeless party anthem, blending the song’s original defiant spirit with a vibrant Mexican swagger. Released in 2002 as a standout track on Thalia’s eponymous album, this cover became an anthem for self-expression against societal norms — and by 2003, it entered the top 10 of Hot Latin Songs, where it remained for 24 weeks. The song’s striking black and white music video further enriches its legacy, featuring appearances by Club Kid luminaries such as Amanda Lepore and DJ Keoki, with Thalia herself embracing a punk aesthetic, encapsulating the song’s essence of rebellion and individuality.

On “Linda,” Tokischa and Rosalía blend their unique styles to create a dembow banger that’s both catchy and empowering. Released in 2021, the song explores themes of friendship, support and a good dose of debauchery, while showcasing the chemistry between the Dominican and Spanish artists. Together, they highlight their mutual respect and the power of women uplifting each other. This track not only amplifies the voices of women in a predominantly male genre, but also celebrates the bonds of sisterhood.

“Excuse me, but today I leave you/ For my mental health,” sings Mexican artist Yuridia in “Por Salud Mental.” It may sound clichéd, but prioritizing your mental health should be a fundamental rule in any personal or professional relationship. This song lists one by one the reasons why we must close that cycle.