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Nacho, Danny Ocean, Elena Rose, Mau y Ricky and Lele Pons shared their Venezuelan pride during the Venezuela Rising panel on Wednesday (Oct. 16) at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week.
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Moderated by Sigal Ratner-Arias, deputy editor of Billboard Español, the important and timely conversation captured a moment in time as a number of Venezuelan acts not only take over the charts but have become the voice of a generation that has been using their platform and artistry to echo a sentiment of hope for their country after perhaps one of the most consequential presidential elections that took place in July.
Below, find some of the best quotes from the panelists of Venezuela Rising:
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Nacho: On a new generation of Venezuelan hitmakers: “I am very proud to see how the country shows that it has talent who have also been carrying all this knowledge that previous generations left us, particularly in what is Venezuelan pop music, we come from that formation even if many have not heard their music, all that has been mutating and evolving what is happening today.”
Elena Rose: On Venezuelan artist’s profound lyrics: “We want you to receive this love that we want to give you. Venezuela is such is a rich country in a thousand ways, especially because we share values such as faith and happiness and it is transmitted through any artist that comes from a country like Venezuela, it makes us unique to see life like this. Our generation has been exposed to adversity, the Venezuelan person is still fighting and looking for reasons to get ahead, they have purpose, intention, we want Venezuela to shine. There is nothing that will stop us, we are stronger. The country deserves to be happy and free.”
Ricky: On artists’ responsibilities to speak up and use their platform to call out injustices: “It is important to be responsible with the instinct that one has, mine and my brother’s (Mau), was to make Hotel Caracas and, apart from making an album, what we wanted was to show people why we are fighting, what we are defending. And it may be different from the responsibility that others felt. “
Lele Pons: On her role as social media influencer: “Everyone has a voice and it is very important to use it. As an influencer, I have done many things in my career. I told my mom and dad that this is the most important thing I can do. When Danny told me he wanted to do something, I said how can I not do it if it is our country. People did not know what was going on? Who is going to tell them? The most important thing I have done in my career is to be a voice for someone who needs a voice. And this was very important for me at that time.”
Mau: On returning to Venezuela after 15 years: “That trip changed my life. Leaving as a child and having people in your family who stayed, or even friends, say you are no longer Venezuelan because you left and you don’t deserve to say that you are Venezuelan or give your opinion on certain things, it fractures you. In time you begin to realize you have those wounds, also that begins to generate a domino effect because you begin to think that you really shouldn’t give you opinion about your country. One lives with anxiety thinking that one is not Venezuelan. This trip for us, we healed, and we went because there came a time when we could not keep postponing this. After the pandemic we were left with an identity crisis and we decided, despite the fear, to return because it was more than 15 years of accumulating that fear. The trip healed many things.”
Danny Ocean: On his momentous and deeply personal EP venequia.: “I needed to get those songs out of my system that had been accumulating inspired by Venezuela, it was the right time to say what I was feeling. My life changed since I released ‘Me Rehuso’ and I have always thought that moment was so drastic. venequia. is for the 8 million Venezuelans who are on the outside and what we crave: being able to spend time there.”
2024 Billboard Latin Music Week coincides with the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards set to air at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 20, on Telemundo. It will simultaneously be available on Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app, and in Latin America and the Caribbean through Telemundo Internacional.
10/16/2024
Songwriters Armenta, Calle 24’s Diego Millán, and Cristian Avila García accompanied the SoCal frontman during the panel presented by Sony Music.
10/16/2024
Tuesday night (Oct. 15) was a very Mexican night at Billboard Latin Music Week‘s En Vivo, with stellar performances by Grupo Frontera and special guest Majo Aguilar.
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The outdoor stage at Wynwood Marketplace proved to be the perfect space to enjoy Aguilar, who sang in her very personal style with a mariachi band songs such as “La Negra”, “El Rey” and “Un Puño de Tierra” — one of the many hits penned by her grandfather Antonio Aguilar. She left no doubt of her intention to highlight the family and cultural traditions of a storied Mexican musical dynasty. She also paid a very personal tribute to Selena with “Si Una Vez.”
Majo Aguilar at Billboard Latin Music Week En Vivo Featuring Grupo Frontera and Majo Aguilar at Wynwood Marketplace on Oct. 15, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Christopher Polk
Aguilar warmed up the audience for Grupo Frontera, who hours previously had participated in the panel Making the Hit LIVE!, where Payo Solís (vocals), Alberto Acosta (bajo quinto), Juan Javier Cantú (accordion), Carlos Guerrero (drums), Julian Peña Jr. (percussion) and Brian Ortega (bass) made magic by creating a new cumbia in front of the audience at the Latin Music Week.
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On the Wynwood Marketplace stage, the band began with “Tulum,” the song they launched with Mexican star Peso Pluma, followed by other collaborations. Since their debut two years ago, they have become one of the hottest acts of regional mexicano and other genres.
“Di Que Sí” (recorded with Marca Registrada), “De Lunes a Lunes” (with Manuel Turizo), “Pienso en Ella” (with Gabito Ballesteros), “Alv,” “Hecha pa’ mí”, “Ojitos rojos” (with Ke Personajes), “Bebe Dame” (with Fuerza Regida), “En Altavoz” (with Junior H), ”No Se Va,” “Por Qué Será”(with Maluma), “Que Vuelvas”(with Carín León) and “El Amor de su Vida” (with Grupo Firme) were all in a setlist gifted to the fans, who sang word for word during the one-hour long show. It ended with “Un x100to” (originally recorded with Bad Bunny), which reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Latin Airplay chart.
Latin Music Week coincides with the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards set to air at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 20, on Telemundo. It will simultaneously be available on Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app, and in Latin America and the Caribbean through Telemundo Internacional.
Four powerful women who have built upon the legacies of their family names — Camila Fernández, Chiquis Rivera, Lupita Infante and Majo Aguilar — sat down together Wednesday (Oct. 16) at Billboard Latin Music Week 2024 and talked about how they rose above and assumed their own path in leadership roles in regional Mexican music.
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Moderated by Luana Pagani, founder of Fairwinds, and presented by Smirnoff Ice, the artists discussed during The Legacies panel how they are taking their illustrious family names and breaking through with their own sounds.
Here are the best quotes from the panel:
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Camila Fernández: “[Our ancestors] inherit us in affection, and [fans tell me], ‘You remind me so much of your grandfather [Vicente Fernández]’. I’ve been working for 10 years for my hands. My grandfather used to say that success comes from work, not luck. It’s a mantra. You always have to have that thought. Exceed the expectations people have of you. Give honor to the family you come from; to keep elevating Mexico.”
“I need to start from zero to know [about being in the spotlight]; to earn it, that it’s not a whim of mine. Yes, I can do it! I make a fresh spin on mariachi for the new generations. Dressed as a charra and singing mariachi. My tour is called La Fernández.”
Chiquis: “From the beginning, I wanted to put a mark on my career. I want to do it with a lot of love. I’m proud to be Jenni Rivera’s daughter. She [did everything] with ovaries. She said, ‘If you don’t open this door for me I’m going out the window, but I’m going in.’ The first time I got on stage was when I was 10 years old in a competition my grandfather [Pedro Rivera] had. ‘I want to do that.’ An album of corridos. It was in 2012 that I said, ‘I want to try that’. And I sang ‘La Chacalosa’ [by Jenni Rivera] and won second place. Let them say what they say … I feel very proud of what we have been able to do, but even more proud of how I feel as a woman in my gender. We are stronger together.”
Lupita Infante: “It’s a great responsibility [the inheritance]. In the end it’s the public that decides if you continue with this career. I will never stop being [Pedro Infante’s] granddaughter. I feel that I grew up far away from the industry, from show business. My dad [Pedro Infante Jr.] passed away in 2009. My grandfather is long gone. And that’s where I got close [to music]. Connecting with Mexico. I’m from Los Angeles.”
“We who do the mariachi genre, it’s something very beautiful, very traditional, and it’s hard to break away, because you want to represent the genre. I am a producer as well. Change certain elements and find and look for that sound that I still have that I am respecting the mariachi.”
Majo Aguilar: “Since a long time ago I had it clear that I wanted to go forward, not sideways. Of course it helps [being the granddaughter of Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre]. It is important to say it, otherwise it would be very unfair not to recognize it. That you have that surname that your family has done super important things in the industry. I admire all the girls here very much. Your mom is Jenni Rivera, you are already Chiquis, that you have achieved that with such a great mother, imagine being Jenni Rivera’s daughter, [Chiquis] you have paved so much road for us. My case is very particular, music chose me, and not music. Now I understand why I have this restlessness to sing”.
“I do mariachi with love, not to follow trends. To fuse the mariachi instruments with the tumbado format. Mariachi Tumbado is the name of my album. We have to embrace our genres, now they are in the global charts, and feel very proud”.
Latin Music Week coincides with the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards set to air at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 20, on Telemundo. It will simultaneously be available on Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app, and in Latin America and the Caribbean through Telemundo Internacional.
The 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week is in full swing, and while panels and Q&As take centerstage during the day, showcases are the place to be at night.
On Tuesday (Oct. 15), Rimas Publishing celebrated its 10th anniversary with a special showcase that featured performances by Valentina, Slow Jamz and Anonimus with surprise guests, including Randy (of Jowell & Randy). The showcase, which kicked off at 9 p.m., was held at M2 in Miami.
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Rimas Publishing 10th Anniversary Showcase in Miami.
Lito Vidaurre
Rimas Entertainment is celebrating 10 years in business, and Randy was one of the first artists to be signed to the indie label. Now, the company — also home to global superstar Bad Bunny — has evolved and launched multiple divisions, including Habibi (management company home to Karol G and Grupo Frontera) and Rimas Sports.
Before the showcase took place, Noah Assad (CEO), Junior Carabaño (vp) and Raymond Acosta (general manager, Habibi) took centerstage during Billboard Latin Music Week for a panel during which they reflected on the company’s growth and what they look for in an artist.
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“In terms of management, Raymond tells me, ‘Here is this opportunity.’ And I respond with, ‘What do you think?’ And if he says I love them, then so do I,” Assad said. “Sometimes I don’t see the vision, but someone else on the team will. If that person believes in an artist, we know there’s a reason. We trust that team member who identifies an artist and says, ‘I can do this for this person.”
The 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week coincides with the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards set to air at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 20, on Telemundo. It will simultaneously be available on Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app, and in Latin America and the Caribbean through Telemundo Internacional.
10/16/2024
The Puerto Rican artist spoke about collaborating with Karol G, Bad Bunny, and about the “lesbian renaissance” in Latin music.
10/16/2024
10/15/2024
The Mexican music superstar was accompanied by Fidel of Marca Registrada, Jasiel Núñez & Tito Double P during the Nuevo Mexicano panel.
10/15/2024
Billboard’s Latin Music Week was all about female power on Tuesday (Oct. 15), as six international artists came together for the Women‘s Panel: Global Rise: Bad Gyal, from Spain; Belinda and Danna, from Mexico; Debi Nova, from Costa Rica; Mon Laferte, from Chile; and Zhamira Zambrano, from Venezuela.
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During the conversation, presented by Ulta and moderated by Ingrid Fajardo, social media manager/staff writer for Billboard Latin, the six Latin music stars created an atmosphere of camaraderie at The Fillmore Miami Beach as they spoke about the challenges of being a woman in the industry and the advances they have seen in recent years.
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“I feel that the world is changing positively. Slowly, but it is changing,” said Mon Laferte. “When I started in music there were fewer women, not only on stage but behind the scenes. I see tech women, audio engineers, producers, and that speaks to the fact that there is a change in the world.”
While they highlighted the importance of collaborating and support each other, they noted that in many cases they have encountered men in the industry who have been their accomplices and allies.
Here are their best quotes from this year’s Women’s Panel.
Bad Gyal, on mental health and social media: “One way to handle it with more peace is to accept that insecurity is going to be there and that if one day you feel like not uploading anything, that’s fine. I’m Bad Gyal but I’m also Alba (her real name) and I live a real life. I am connected to my childhood, to my essence, and that also helps.”
Belinda, on her recent foray into Mexican music: “Three or four years ago they told me that that genre was not for women, that I would not be able to record those songs. Natanael Cano inspired me a lot […] Life changes when you do things by feeling them and fighting for what you want. Taking risks is what one has to do, and lose fear little by little.”
Danna, on female alliances in music: “They are important and necessary. We talk to each other and the world moves. Being able to turn around and know that we are colleagues and not competition […] We are making a very big change. Women are taking charge of everything. Here we are shaking the world.”
Debi Nova, on the music industry in her native Costa Rica: “Growing up there, I really didn’t have any reference in the country of women who dedicated themselves to music and now I see a whole generation of girls who are taking that leap, that challenge to say that yes it is possible, and I want to say that in part it is this generation of women who come to my country where little girls see them and say ‘if she can, I can.’”
Mon Laferte, on how she deals with haters: “I have learned to enjoy even having hate thrown at me. Sometimes I love that they think I’m the worst […] It’s the character: ‘She’s terrible, she’s bad.’ I laugh at it at home with my daughter. Maybe it’s because I’m older, age also [helps].”
Zhamira Zambrano, on how she maintains her essence despite the pressures of the industry: “I am very attached to God, to having my feet on the ground, to relying on my family, my husband, my daughter. Having that strong foundation at home is what works for me […] If you are happy and content with yourself and you are confident in yourself, you are going to radiate that to the world. We see that much more, woman empowerment, but it is never enough; “We have to continue watering that little plant.”
The 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week coincides with the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards set to air at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 20, on Telemundo. It will simultaneously be available on Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app, and in Latin America and the Caribbean through Telemundo Internacional.
Five figures from the música urbana and música mexicana landscape — including singer-songwriters, producers, and rappers — shared insights into their creative processes and the paths they have navigated within the music industry during Billboard Latin Music Week.
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The panel How I Wrote That Song: The Urban and Música Mexicana Edition, presented by BMI, took place on Tuesday (Oct. 15), and was moderated by Jesús González, vp of creative, Latin at BMI. González was joined by corridos singer-songwriter Armenta, producer Caleb Calloway, Puerto Rican rapper/singer Álvaro Díaz, singer-songwriter Alexis Fierro “Chachito” and producer Albert Hype.
Below, find some of the best quotes from the panel:
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Álvaro Díaz on his creative process: “Sayonara has really been a great blessing. I fell in love with the sound, especially in Puerto Rico. Pursuing projects that have their own identity, sounding like Álvaro Díaz and not like anyone else, is crucial. At the end of the day, the artists who stand out are those who dare. Things are always changing. I always prefer to be alone, I like to enter the studio and flow with what we are feeling. Having the privilege to work with someone like Yandel or someone like Rauw, who started from scratch with us, makes it more challenging to compose by oneself. The trick should always be to continuously learn, never assume you know everything.”
Caleb Calloway on his first album Hayabusa: “It’s exciting. It’s been a process. I’ve always looked up to many people in the industry, and having my own label The New Wave Group, we did it all ourselves. I always had the vision. Be yourself. With the money we have, we need to support these artists. She [Young Miko] is now a superstar (who Calloway produces for since her foundations). Having an identity takes time. Keep pitching, keep searching for your identity; it will take you to another level.”
Chachito on his beginnings to becoming a hitmaker: “At the age of 13 or 14, when I was a soccer player, I realized that I could write songs and decided to learn to play the guitar. It became my passion; day and night, I couldn’t put the guitar down. I work with Oscar Maydon, he gives me ideas and I execute them. What I enjoy the most is starting from scratch with artists and watching them grow. In my work routine, I have a formula: at night, I clear my mind and start writing titles. Out of about 30, I choose two. For me, the important thing is the experiences; for example, the first time I saw a bottle of Dom Pérignon in a club with the words ‘Lady Gaga’ on it inspired me to write ‘Lady Gaga’ [by Peso Pluma].”
Armenta on his creative process: “Since I was 11 years old, I have been immersed in corridos, Mexican music influenced by figures like Juan Gabriel, Joan Sebastian, and Los Tucanes [de Tijuana]. Transitioning to a songwriter meant adapting to global styles. It’s important to decide the space you want to be in; the intention of the melody, whether it’s sad or happy, is crucial, although studying musical theory can be a bit boring. But you need to understand it; major tones make a melody constitute 70% of a song’s impact. Catchy hooks are essential. You have to accept that you won’t always be the best, but life gives you talent and, with dedication and hard work, you can [stand out].”
Albert Hype on connecting regional and urbano music: “I started making beats in 2015 after playing in a bunch of punk bands. A lot of my style came from playing in rock bands, and now I’m doing the Latin scene, trying to incorporate rock into it. I met Ivan [Cornejo] at a Billboard [event]; he was already on my radar. The Mexican regional genre is massive now, reminiscent of reggaetón in 2019 when there was a massive renaissance. That’s what’s happening with regional; helping push that genre forward. I feel we’re bridging the gaps that used to exist between regional and urbano.”
Latin Music Week coincides with the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards set to air at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 20, on Telemundo. It will simultaneously be available on Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app, and in Latin America and the Caribbean through Telemundo Internacional.
Rimas Entertainment is celebrating 10 years in business and its executives — including Noah Assad (CEO), Junior Carabaño (vp) and Raymond Acosta (general manager, Habibi) — reflected on their successes in the past decade.
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During a panel that took place on Tuesday (Oct. 15) and was moderated by Billboard‘s Leila Cobo, Assad, Carabaño and Acosta gave the first public interview as a team and talked about the evolution of the company, which launched as a label with Jowell & Randy as their first signed artist, and later became a powerhouse company home to global star Bad Bunny, with new divisions including Habibi (management company home to Karol G and Grupo Frontera) and Rimas Sports.
“I do what I like to do,” a soft-spoken Assad said. “I named the company Rimas obviously because of rhythms, but it has another meaning. My brother’s name is Samir and he loves music. Rimas is Samir spelled backwards.”
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Carabaño went on to explain that the company first focused mainly on monetizing music videos on YouTube. “We started to monetize digitally, with YouTube videos, we would monitor and call each other all day. One day we made $100 dollars and another day $1,500, that’s when we said we can make a living from this.”
And the rest is history, with marquee clients Bad Bunny and Karol G going on to become two of the biggest music stars over the past four years.
Below are the best quotes from the Ten Years of Rimas Entertainment panel.
The Role of Facilitators
Noah Assad: “We started as, and still are, facilitators to our clients in all the businesses we do, but we started kind of like a back office, and we were facilitators for complaints from artists who needed help resolving these issues. We do the same thing now but on a larger scale. And back then our only income was doing shows, or from videos on YouTube, it was a new era of people making money. We were learning to go from physical to digital, we were there early on.”
Working With Bad Bunny
Assad: “Benito [Bad Bunny’s real name] was a blessing and opened a lot of doors for us to show the world what we can offer. He helped paved the way and helped us build what we have today.”
Right People, Right Time
Junior Carabaño: “More than sitting down and planning what we wanted to do, we were the right people at the right time. We saw an opportunity where we also got to share our passion with the industry. Today, we see it as 10 years ago, but it doesn’t seem like it for us because every day, we do what we want. We found there was a way to make a living working in what we love.”
The Importance of Accepting to Keep Learning
Raymond Acosta: “Fifteen years ago, I worked as a security guard at the Choliseo. Our individual journeys are important. There will come a time when you will start to criticize the work of others, even when you have not gone through what they have. But once you are willing to learn about every aspect of the business, you can understand a team member, help them and say, ‘Don’t worry because I went through that as well.’ It’s about empowering ourselves.”
Assad: “I’m 34 now but I really started when I was 15 years old. I can say today that I can do any job in the industry. Really, I can. I can help set up lights, DJ, record vocals, I have worked in every area, and that’s important for anyone who wants to work in the industry. Wanting to learn is important and accepting to learn.”
Working With Karol G
Acosta: “We’re proud of what Karol has achieved. She is a woman who works every day, she does not rest, she wants to keep growing in what she does, she opens her heart. She challenged us when she told us she wanted to do a stadium tour. All you can do for an artist like that is clear the way for them to run.”
What They Look for in an Artist
Assad: “In terms of management, Raymond tells me, ‘Here is this opportunity.’ And I respond with, ‘What do you think?’ And if he says I love them, then so do I. Sometimes I don’t see the vision, but someone else on the team will. If that person believes in an artist, we know there’s a reason. We trust that team member who identifies an artist and says, ‘I can do this for this person.”
The 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week coincides with the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards set to air at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 20, on Telemundo. It will simultaneously be available on Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app, and in Latin America and the Caribbean through Telemundo Internacional.