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The Immigrant Experience in Music: 25 Heartfelt Songs to Reflect on This Fourth of July

By Leila Cobo
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Perhaps never in recent memory has the angst of the immigrant in the United States felt as acute as it does today, in the middle of President Trump’s often brutal immigration crackdown.  

While the vicissitudes of the immigrant experience have always been a constant in history, across time and lands, they are permanently front of mind in the U.S., which since the 1970s has been the main destination for international migrants, according to the World Migrant Report. Today, more than 50 million immigrants live in the country, with the biggest population coming from Mexico, the big neighbor to the South.

No wonder then that music in Spanish has long served as a vehicle for immigrant stories, of every stripe. As we prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July, Independence Day in the U.S., we dove into those immigrant songs that have spoken to us through the years, but particularly now, at a time when we – Billboard’s Latin music crew — are taking stock of our personal immigrant experiences.

We listened to favorites like Los Tigres Del Norte’s “De Paisano a Paisano,” which was released in 2000, but narrates in chilling detail the scorn and rejection suffered by the working immigrant today; and Ricardo Arjona’s “Mojado,” the ode to the everyday undocumented immigrant worker, who “Isn’t from here because his name isn’t registered, nor from there, because he left (no es de aquí porque su nombre no aparece en los archivos,Ni es de allá porque se fue).”

There’s the cheeky, sardonic “Frijolero” by Mexican alt rockers Molotov from 2003 (‘Don’t call me gringo, you f—in’ beaner, Stay on your side of that goddamn river”), and Residente’s angry “This Is Not America,” which, with words, reclaims the land taken.

And then, there’s those songs that yearn for the home and country lost, like Celia Cruz’s “Por Si Acaso No Regreso.”

For years, we have collected songs of patriotism for Fourth of July. This year, our list of songs reflect frustration, anger, angst, resignation, but also, a sliver of hope.

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Kendrick Lamar fans go wild during Grand National performance in Argentina

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By Gabriel Bras Nevares
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Kendrick Lamar continues to be one of the most talked-about figures in hip-hop, often sparking intense debate among fans and critics alike. Still, for those attending his “Grand National” tour, the experience has been nothing short of unforgettable. The rapper performed in Argentina last night (Saturday, October 4) at the Estadio Monumental, and clips shared by NFR Podcast and Complex Music on Instagram captured a packed crowd having the time of their lives.

That said, Kendrick’s South American “Grand National” run hasn’t been completely smooth. This has nothing to do with the online chatter about ticket sales, pricing rumors, or claims from critics and Drake supporters, all of which remain unverified. The real issue stems from the canceled concert in Bogotá, Colombia, which left disappointed fans waiting for hours. While the exact reason hasn’t been fully confirmed, local reports suggest that the cancellation was due to structural problems at the Vive Claro Stadium, security complications on the day of the show, and intervention from city officials to ensure safety. Still, the footage from his Argentina performance shows that despite setbacks, fans were treated to a truly electric night.

Kendrick Lamar Grammys

Elsewhere, Kendrick Lamar is already looking ahead to 2026, having officially submitted his work for Grammy consideration. The Recording Academy is expected to announce nominations in early November, and fans are eager to see which of his entries will make the final cut. Among his submissions are the GNX album for Album of the Year, “luther” featuring SZA for Record and Song of the Year, and several collaborations from 2025 vying for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance. If he takes home four awards this cycle, and Jay-Z doesn’t win any, Kendrick will become the most decorated hip-hop artist in Grammy history.

Meanwhile, some of Kendrick’s earlier projects are still reaching new milestones. His collaboration with Travis Scott, “goosebumps,” has officially become the highest-certified hip-hop track of all time. With achievements like these continuing to stack up, it’s easy to see why fans and critics hold K.Dot to such high expectations when it comes to touring, chart success, and influence. He has one more stop left in Chile before taking his show to Australia later this year.

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