Jay Wheeler has turned one of the defining records of his La Voz Favorita era into a national radio leader.
The Puerto Rican singer’s “De Lejitos” has reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart while simultaneously taking the top position on Latin Rhythm Airplay, extending a run that has already moved from viral anticipation and streaming success into one of Wheeler’s most significant radio moments of 2026.
The achievement carries additional weight because “De Lejitos” did not arrive as a traditional radio-first record. Released in April as the opening statement for Wheeler’s La Voz Favorita chapter, the song initially built momentum through his direct connection with fans, including previews shared through his expanding livestream presence. That digital-first rollout helped establish demand before the album arrived in late May.
Once released, the response was immediate. “De Lejitos” debuted within YouTube’s global Top 3 and generated more than 1.5 million Spotify streams during its first 24 hours. Weeks later, the Recording Industry Association of America certified the single Latin Platinum.
Its progression from digital breakout to Billboard Latin Airplay No. 1 is arguably the more important development.
For Wheeler, the chart performance demonstrates that the audience surrounding La Voz Favorita is extending beyond streaming platforms and social media engagement into another important part of the Latin music ecosystem: radio. “De Lejitos” had previously climbed to No. 2 on Latin Airplay before completing its rise to the summit, suggesting sustained demand rather than a short-lived release-week spike.
That distinction matters at this point in Wheeler’s career.
The singer has spent years establishing himself as one of urbano’s most recognizable melodic voices, often occupying a space between romantic R&B, reggaeton and Latin pop rather than chasing the harder edges of Latin trap. La Voz Favorita expands that identity across 24 tracks, incorporating trap, R&B, reggaeton and even salsa while keeping Wheeler’s emotionally direct songwriting at the center.
“De Lejitos” has become the commercial anchor connecting those ideas.
The original recording and its remix with Omar Courtz have continued generating substantial streaming activity, giving the album a record capable of operating across multiple audiences. More importantly, its success reinforces Wheeler’s ability to compete without abandoning the melodic identity that initially separated him from much of Puerto Rico’s urbano field.
There is also a larger industry story behind the record.
Latin releases increasingly move through multiple discovery channels before radio becomes the final validation point. TikTok, YouTube, Spotify, livestreams and direct artist-to-fan communities can establish a song months before traditional programming reaches its peak. Wheeler’s rollout offers a particularly clear example: the conversation surrounding “De Lejitos” started online, translated into immediate consumption and eventually matured into No. 1 radio airplay.
Rather than reinventing Wheeler, the record appears to be consolidating his position.
That may ultimately be the most meaningful outcome of the La Voz Favorita era. Wheeler no longer needs to prove that he can generate viral moments or major streaming records. The challenge is turning those moments into sustained catalog growth and maintaining relevance as Latin urbano continues cycling through new artists, sounds and platforms at an increasingly fast pace.
A No. 1 Latin Airplay record provides another piece of that foundation.
With “De Lejitos” now leading both Latin Airplay and Latin Rhythm Airplay, attention turns to how Wheeler extends the album cycle. Additional singles, collaborations and live opportunities could determine whether the record represents the peak of La Voz Favorita or the beginning of another stretch of momentum.
For now, “De Lejitos” has accomplished something increasingly valuable: it has connected Wheeler’s digital audience, streaming strength and radio presence around the same record.
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