BBLatin

09/28/2023

See which song on the album takes the No. 1 spot on our ranked list.

09/28/2023

With Billboard Latin Music Week just around the corner, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to the showcases taking place throughout Oct. 2-6 in Miami.

The single largest and most important gathering of the Latin music industry, the annual Latin Music Week is taking place Oct. 2-6 in Miami. The event will feature panels, conversations and workshops at the Faena Forum and exclusive performances and fan experiences throughout the week in Miami. Artists Shakira, Myke Towers, Vico C, Chencho Corleone, Carin León, Sebastián Yatra, Pedro Capó, Grupo Frontera, Peso Pluma, Nicki Nicole, RBD and many more are confirmed to participate.

Besides the panels and workshops, throughout the week, there will also be showcases featuring artists such as DannyLux, Peso Pluma, Mike Bahía and Greeicy, Fonseca, Myke Towers and Wisin. “We’re so very happy to be here again,” Leila Cobo, chief content officer of Billboard Latin and Billboard Español, said during a press conference last week unveiling Latin Music Week’s full schedule. “A lot of people are discovering Latin music for the first time in the past year, but at Billboard, we’ve been part of its growth for over 30 years.”

As has been the case for more than 20 years, the Billboard Latin Music Awards — taking place Thursday, Oct. 5 — coincide with Billboard’s annual Latin Music Week. This year, Peso Pluma leads the list of finalists with 21 nods across 15 categories, including artist of the year, songwriter of the year, Global 200 Latin artist of the year, and Top Latin Album of the year. See the complete list of finalists here.

Below, a complete guide of the showcases you won’t want to miss.

Purchase tickets today for the Billboard Latin Music Week 2023 here.

Monday, Oct. 2

Bad Bunny‘s new song is officially here. In his new reggaetón banger “Un Preview” — which dropped on Monday (Sept. 25) — the Puerto Rican superstar is smitten, singing about a girl that has him head over heels. “Baby, I’m no longer scared of tasting you and falling in love again … we’re crazy at the club, I get closer to you dancing, and I kiss your neck, with you, I’ll deal with fire.”
At the beginning of the music video, which has a cowboy aesthetic, Bunny explains that this song, as its name would suggest, is just a preview of what’s to come. “Ven acá,” he begins. “I’ll give you a preview of what will come after.”

The hitmaker officially confirmed the release date of his new song on Sunday, when he posted a 17-second snippet and wrote in Spanish, “In case you like it and are interested to know, [the song] comes out tomorrow Monday at 8 p.m. Puerto Rico time.”

“Un Preview,” produced by Tainy and La Paciencia, comes on the heels of Bunny’s “Where She Goes,” which he released in May. The Jersey Club-inspired beat (a hybrid of house and hip-hop) reached No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 and Latin Airplay charts.

Earlier this year, Bunny also teamed up with Grupo Frontera on “un x100to,” which marked his first time dipping his toes in the norteño-cumbia realm. The song earned Frontera its highest debut on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, entering at No. 3 on the April 29-dated ranking, and later hitting No. 1 on both the Latin Airplay chart and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart.

Bad Bunny is a 15-time finalist at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which are set to take place Thursday, Oct. 5. He is up for artist of the year, tour of the year, Global 200 Latin artist of the year and Global 200 Latin song of the year for “Titi Me Preguntó.”

Watch “Un Preview” above.

Purchase tickets today for the Billboard Latin Music Week 2023 here.

In 1996, Gloria Estefan became the first-ever artist to receive the Billboard Spirit of Hope Award at the 3rd annual Billboard Latin Music Awards.

The Cuban-American singer, who that year nabbed three awards — including Latin dance single of the year for “Abriendo Puertas” — was also recognized for her philanthropic and humanitarian contributions beyond her musical work.

Since its inception 27 years ago in honor of the late Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla, the Billboard Spirit of Hope Award has been awarded to 22 artists, including two-time honorees Estefan (1996, 2011) and Maná (2000, 2013). No award was given out in 2012, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2021.

This year, the special award will be presented to Colombian superstar Karol G. The “Provenza” singer’s impact extends beyond music. In 2022, Karol G founded the Con Cora Foundation, which aims to support the economic, social, psychological and artistic development of underprivileged women. “I am grateful for this special recognition,” Karol, a 13-time finalist at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, said in a statement. “My commitment with Con Cora Foundation is a fundamental part of my life and I am proud to be able to help the women who need it most.”

The 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards list of finalists is led by Peso Pluma, who has 21 nods across 15 categories, including artist of the year, songwriter of the year, Global 200 Latin artist of the year, and Top Latin Album of the year. See the complete list of finalists here.

As has been the case for more than 20 years, the Billboard Latin Music Awards coincide with Billboard’s annual Latin Music Week, the single largest and most important gathering of the Latin music industry, taking place Oct. 2-6. Purchase tickets to the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Week here.

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month and the upcoming Billboard Latin Music Awards, taking place Thursday, Oct. 5, see all of the Spirt of Hope Award winners in the history of the awards show:

1996

Image Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

This week, our New Music Latin roundup — a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums and videos recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — is powered by new music from Manuel Medrano, Juan Luis Guerra, Ricky Martin and Yandel, to name a few. Singer-songwriter Manuel Medrano is reminiscing on a summer in New York in his new, […]

New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Ricky Martin & Christian Nodal, “Fuego De Noche, Nieve De Día” (Sony Music Latin)

[embedded content]

Ricky Martin delivers a reimagined version of his already iconic and gorgeous ballad “Fuego De Noche, Nieve De Día.” This time, he adds elements of mariachi and recruits Mexican star Christian Nodal to sing the 1995 anthem. The new song starts off with Martin singing softly over a piano, much like he did in the original version. Then, at the minute-mark, melancholic mariachi trumpet notes come in to complement Nodal’s vocals as he joins Martin to sing about a person that’s come to turn their world upside down. Marking the first collaborative effort between Ricky Martin and Nodal, the essence of the song — which will be discovered by a new generation of fans nearly 30 years later — remains untouched. “It’s a dream come true,” Nodal says about the duet in a statement. “This song is so special and so profound that it really tugs at your emotions.” — GRISELDA FLORES

Manuel Medrano, “Verano En NY” (Warner Music México)

[embedded content]

Colombian singer Manuel Medrano pays tribute to a summer in New York with this soulful alt-pop song powered by sincere lyrics inspired by a memorable summer spent with a great love. The song was co-produced by Juan Ariza, Jona Camacho and Manuel Medrano, and features Medrano’s deep vocals chanting lyrics such as, “Remember that summer in New York/ When we walked hand in hand together/ Don’t forget that I’m still alive.” The accompanying music video, directed by Salomon Simhon and filmed in New York, tells a captivating story about a boy who works at a flower shop and falls in love with one of his customers, daydreaming about various romantic scenarios and always bringing her flowers. “Verano En NY” is the first single from his upcoming third studio album and showcases Medrano’s artistic and musical evolution, immersing us in magical realism. — INGRID FAJARDO

Roberto Fonseca, La Gran Diversión (3ème Bureau / Wagram Music)

Virtuoso Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca is back with La Gran Diversión (The Great Fun), a 10-track album that intertwines contemporary genres like R&B, rock and funk with the timeless sound of Cuba’s rhythms. From the opener “Yanim,” to the previously released singles “Mani Mambo” featuring Dutch EMD singer Clarence Bekker and “Sal al Malecón,” the Grammy-nominated artist takes us on a scenic voyage — one with end-of-summer vibes that will carry us through the winter. “[This is] the most personal record of my life,” Fonseca says in a press release. “It is a tribute to my roots and above all to traditional Cuban music due to the great connection and acceptance of the public from the ’30s to the present.”

Co-produced by Fonseca and Daniel Florestano, La Gran Diversión was recorded in Havana, Paris and New York with guests including, besides Bekker, guitarist Jorge Chicoy, violinist Regina Carter, and Buena Vista Social Club vocalist Carlos Calunga. Don’t miss the focus track “Baila Mulata” — it will make your body move. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

Juan Luis Guerra, “Mambo 23” (Rimas Entertainment)

[embedded content]

“Mambo 23” is the first single from Juan Luis Guerra’s upcoming EP RADIO GUIRA, set to release in November. “’Mambo 23′ is the first time we ventured into a mambo merengue — we had never done it and the rhythm caught our attention and we began to work with arrangements of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and classical instruments,” says the Dominican artist in a statement. “We liked the result very much and we believe that we have the piece to launch our new EP Radio Guira.”

The video, directed by his son Jean Gabriel Guerra, shows a lonely night cleaning worker of Radio Guira. Feeling alone and curious, he presses a button unleashing an explosion of music and videos. Driven by the irresistible music of Juan Luis Guerra and his 4.40 band, he indulges in an energetic dance routine. In the end, as often happens in life, he discovers that he was not alone. The artist surprises him, gives him a wink and then leaves: a magical moment that captures the essence of his music. Guerra doesn’t shy away from his message of gospel; “Mambo 23” will make more than one person dance no matter where it plays, as only JLG knows how to do. — LUISA CALLE

Luzmila Carpio, Inti Watana – El Retorno del Sol (ZZK Records)

On Inti Watana – El Retorno del Sol, Luzmila Carpio’s music, sung in her native Quechua, resonates with age-old enchantment. Amid pan flutes and twinkling strings, the Bolivian singer effortlessly traverses a range of themes — from celebrating sacred traditions, in the charango-driven hymn of “Kacharpayita,” to contemplating themes of loss and remorse in “Requiem para un Ego.” She engages in captivating conversations with avian companions in “Ofrenda de los Pájaros” and pays homage to the revered goddess of the Andes in “Pachamama desde el Cosmos,” as with Inti, the Inca sun god. Amidst all this, Carpio’s unwavering voice shines through in nine songs that brim with a mystical essence cultivated over centuries of ceremonial rites and a profound connection with the natural world. — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Yandel & Myke Towers, “Borracho y Loco” (Warner Music Latina/La Leyenda LLC)

[embedded content]

Yandel and Myke Towers find each other in a new collaboration titled “Borracho y Loco,” following their previous 2020 collab “Mayor.” A hard-hitting reggaeton fused with sensual dancehall melodies, at the helm of Puerto Rican hitmaker Nesty La Mente Maestra, “Borracho y Loco” narrates the story of a man who’s drunk and crazy as he’s trying to heal a broken heart. “I think about you when I’m drunk and crazy/ You left me a broken heart/ I only know about you on social media/ I’m not satisfied only with giving your photo a like,” goes the catchy chorus. Directed by Fernando Lugo, the video shows the two men at a wild party, but distracted by the thoughts of their former partner. — JESSICA ROIZ

Purchase tickets to the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Week here.

Listen to the New Music Latin playlists below:

Shakira steps into new territory with “El Jefe,” the Colombian superstar’s collaboration with Fuerza Regida, which dropped Wednesday (Sept. 20).
The chart-topping artist first teased the collab last week when she shared a short clip of an interview with ET, in which she said, “I”m not the boss in this song, but wait and see.” Then, she shared a snippet of “El Jefe (The Boss),” which is about someone who has the mentality of a millionaire but doesn’t actually have money.

Although previous songs of Shakira’s have included elements of regional Mexican music, such as the mariachi trumpet on “Ciega, Sordomuda” and the country-tinged “Te Espero Sentada,” this is her first full-blown Mexican music song.

In the catchy corrido, Shakira and Fuerza’s frontman JOP sing about being tired of their 9-to-5 jobs, especially their arrogant boss, and the desire to quit and become their own bosses. The music video features the global superstar and regional urban act performing the track together.

Shakira Will Speak at Billboard’s 2023 Latin Music Week in Miami

09/20/2023

Shakira’s collab with Fuerza Regida is a reflection of Mexican music’s dominance and influence on Latin music today. With acts like Fuerza at the forefront, the genre is having a record year, growing in popularity in the United States and beyond. In May, Billboard reported that regional Mexican music consumption in the U.S. jumped 42.1% year to date through May 25, outpacing gains in the Latin genre overall, as well as country, dance/electronic, rock and pop, according to Luminate.

Both Shakira and JOP are set to be part of Billboard‘s Latin Music Week, taking place Oct. 2-6 in Miami. The former will participate in an exclusive superstar Q&A moderated by Leila Cobo, Billboard’s Chief Content Officer for Latin/Español, and the latter in a panel on Música Mexicana touring. Purchase tickets to the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Week here.

Stream “El Jefe” or watch the music video below:

[embedded content]