Aria Vega’s musical trait comes from her mother, who was pregnant with the singer when she once performed in the traditional Garabato Dance during the Carnaval de Barranquilla. That precise DNA is now reflected in Vega’s own dance moves that have made her a viral sensation. 

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But beyond her smooth hip-swaying skills and effortless footwork, the Colombian newcomer has connected with people thanks to her free-spirited energy and refreshing authenticity, powered by her rich and airy, almost raspy, mezzo-soprano voice. 

“I’m a dreamer from Barranquilla,” she tells Billboard. “I’m a woman who takes great pride in who she is, and makes great music.” 

Influenced by artists such as Shakira, Carlos Vives, Joe Arroyo and Totó la Momposina, Vega (whose real name is Mariana Padilla Perez Campo Vega) began uploading her own original music in 2023, where she experimented a lot with Colombian rhythms, such as a pop vallenato, an afrobeats cumbia, and even a trap ballad. 

But it was one precise collaboration in 2025 that changed her entire fate. 

“I needed to prove myself and stop feeling obligated to create music for others,” she notes. “I wanted to create music for myself, music that makes me happy.”

Camilo Lewis

Why Aria Vega Is an Up-and-Coming Latin Artist

Last April, Vega joined forces with Dekko — a former Billboard On the Radar Latin Artist who’s also from her hometown — on “Costeñita,” a breezy and chill song that represented the sounds of the Caribbean Coast. To promote the tune, she created a trend on social media that showed fans the difference between being Colombian and “Costeñita” (a name that describes a girl from the coast).  

“People began to express great pride in being costeño or costeña. It was cool to see them show off our foods and dances,” she elaborates. “We started to feel very happy and good about who we are.”

Immediately, she understood the power of embracing her roots: “I had other plans, but something very special happened with ‘Costeñita,’ and I wanted to bring [my next single] ‘Agua e Panela’ into that identity.”

Since then, the 29-year-old singer-songwriter has released singles that reside in that same Caribbean universe, such as “Abanico Sanyo,” “Ay Mama (mi tiburón),” and “Chévere (joseón_type_beat).” The latter of the three received a “premium remix” by Ryan Castro, which ultimately became Vega’s first No. 1 on the Billboard Colombia Hot 100 in February, and was ranked the No. 1 song on Billboard’s Best Latin Songs of 2026 (So Far) list in July.

“I’m fascinated by what he does with dancehall; I think his backstory is awesome — how he used to sing at dancehall parties in Curaçao — and he really brings a lot of that island vibe into his project,” she gushes. “I learned a lot from Ryan about timing — he recorded the song in a week and wanted to release it right away. He’s always aiming higher, looking to create something solid and groundbreaking.”

“The rest is history,” she adds.

Best Songs to Start With

This February, Aria dropped “Chévere (premium_remix)” alongside Ryan Castro, resulting in her breakout hit, and one of most viral tunes this year (so far). That same month, the song peaked No. 1 on the Billboard Colombia Hot 100 chart, where it spent 15 weeks. The track later peaked at Nos. 16 and 17 on the Hot Latin Rhythm Songs and Latin Rhythm Airplay charts (dated July 18).

Released in April, “CULE POCO (sirena_besarico_costeña)” follows the momentum of “Chévere.” Staying true to the sound that made her a known name, the track is a Latin Afrobeats song that’s upbeat, flirty, and sultry. The track peaked No. 11. on the Billboard Colombia Hot 100 chart.

Although it’s very uptempo and dance club-ready, Aria’s latest single, “TOTOTO” out today (July 23), shows a more vulnerable side to her. Lyrically — and even in its conceptual music video — the singer is seen battling her insecurities, but ready to face them and give it her all.

What’s Next for Aria

Aria Vega is having her first U.S. concert today (July 23) in Miami’s new hot spot ZeyZey. She’s also releasing her new single “TOTOTO,” where she candidly opens up about her insecurities despite having everything — voice, looks, personality, and more — it takes to be the next big Latin music star.

Additionally, she created a social media movement called “Costeñita Core,” and describes her growing community as energetic, relaxed, cheerful and optimistic — people who see the glass as half-full rather than half-empty.

“The message is clear… for me, my legacy was to be a bearer of my culture,” she expresses. “Seeing so many people understand that, embrace that culture, and say that I make them proud to be from Barranquilla, proud to be costeña — that is the coolest message of all.”

Past Billboard 2026 Up-and-Coming Latin Artists