Anitta Becomes First Brazilian to Top a Regional Mexican Chart With Alejandro Fernández Collab ‘La Tóxica’

Alejandro Fernández and Anitta team-up atop Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart as “La Tóxica” climbs 6-1 to rule the ranking dated Sept. 21.

With her first appearance and No. 1 on the 40-deep ranking, Anitta enters a class of her own, becoming the first Brazilian artist to rule any Billboard Regional Mexican chart (Billboard has Regional Mexican Airplay and Regional Mexican Albums charts).

Since appearing on Regional Mexican Airplay in July, “La Tóxica” has been rising on radio airplay. During the Sept. 6-12 tracking week, the corrido norteño racks up 6.3 million in audience impressions in the U.S. That’s a 37% gain from the week prior across monitored regional Mexican radio stations, according to Luminate. Plus, the song achieves the Greatest Gainer honor of the week (awarded weekly to the song with the largest gain in audience).

Fernández’s collaboration with Anitta follows a series of attractive partnerships with female artists who predominantly sing in another language. The hitmaker took Beyoncé to a No. 23 high on Latin Pop Airplay through “Amor Gitano,” in March 2007. Meanwhile, “Hoy Tengo Ganas De Ti,” with Christina Aguilera, reached No. 13 on Latin Pop Airplay in 2013.

In the proceeding years, other fruitful pair-ups arose through Latin artists Morat and Alfredo Oilvas, who earned their highest-charting entries on two different charts. “Sé Que Te Duele” drove pop band Morat to their second and last entry on Latin Pop Airplay (No. 23 high, 2017). Meanwhile, “Cobijas Ajenas” propelled Olivas to his first No. 1 on the overall Latin Airplay chart (one week atop, June 8, 2024).

As “La Tóxica” lands at the summit, Fernández ups his career count to 10 No. 1s, extending his third-most rulers mark among soloists since the chart launched in 1994, where Christian Nodal continues at the helm with 17 No. 1s, while Gerardo Ortiz follows with 13 champs.

Anitta, meanwhile, celebrates her first No. 1 on a Billboard airplay chart in over six years, when “Machika,” with J Balvin and Jeon, ruled both the overall Latin Airplay and Latin Rhythm Airplay rankings for one week in March 2018. Plus, she builds on “La Tóxica’s” success with career-bests numbers.

First Brazilian to Rule a Regional Mexican Chart: As Anitta made an entrance on regional Mexican ground in July, the pop singer became a strong beneficiary. Not only did she become the first Brazilian artist to visit any of Billboard’s regional Mexican charts, but with “La Tóxica’s” coronation, she also becomes the first Brazilian act to score a No. 1 on any regional Mexican ranking.

10th Female Soloist to Hit No. 1: Further, Anitta becomes just the 10th female soloist to land at the summit on Regional Mexican Airplay. She follows the lates Selena and Jenni Rivera, who reigned in 1994-95, and 2006, respectively, plus, Pilar Montenegro, who ruled in 2002, Alicia Villarreal (2004), Graciela Beltran (2007) Ángela Aguilar (2021, 2022, 2024), and Shakira, Becky G, and Emilia, all who scored a No. 1 in 2024.

Fifth Woman Outside of the Genre to Secure a No. 1: Anitta likewise becomes the fifth female solo singer, outside of the regional Mexican genre –or who predominantly records pop songs– to secure a No. 1 on Regional Mexican Airplay. Here’s that list of winners:

Artist, Title, Date, Weeks at No. 1
Pilar Montenegro, “Quítame Ese Hombre,” March 23, 2002, nine
Shakira, with Grupo Frontera, “(Entre Paréntesis),” May 18, one
Becky G, with Leonardo & Ángela Aguilar, “Por El Contrario,” March 9, one
Emilia, with Los Ángeles Azules, “Perdonarte, Para Qué?,” July 20, one
Becky G, with Oscar Maydon, “Mercedes,” Aug. 3, one
Anitta, with Alejandro Fernández, “La Tóxica,” Sept. 21

“La Tóxica” is the fourth single from Fernández’s album, Te Llevo En La Sangre, to crown Regional Mexican Airplay. It trails “No Es Que Me Quiera Ir,” “Difícil Tu Caso”, and “Cobijas Ajenas”, with Olivas, all which ruled for one week between 2023-’24.

The song’s radio coronation builds upon a win streak for Fernández, who just received his 2024 Latin Grammy nomination for best Ranchera/Mariachi album for Te Llevo En La Sangre.

Pamela Bustios

Billboard