billboard latin

19 Nov 2025

Venesti & Mike Bahía Make the ‘Difícile’ Look Easy With a No. 1 on Latin Airplay Chart

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Venesti and Mike Bahía take “Difícile,” their first partnership, to No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart (dated Nov. 22), as the song rallies 13-1 in its 11th week.

“Difícil” soars to No. 1 on the overall Latin radio ranking with 8.24 million audience impressions earned in the United States during the tracking week of Nov. 7-13 (up 55%), according to Luminate. Leading the song’s radio surge are Univision stations KVVF in San José, Calif., KQMR in Phoenix, and KAMA in Houston.

“We are No. 1 on Billboard with Venesti!” Mike Bahía shared with Billboard. “Thank you for the invitation, my friend. I am grateful to Chappell [Warner Chappell Music Latin] for bringing us together, grateful to Luis Salazar, the producer, and Samantha Cámara, one of the composers I love collaborating with. Beyond happy, this is sooo cool, pure fuel.”

“I would like to thank God, first of, because we are No. 1 on Billboard,” Venesti adds. “Grateful to Billboard for their consistent love, my radio crew in the States, my incredible fans, my team, AP Global Music, and Mike Bahía for believing in the song.”

Bahía achieves his first No. 1 on the Latin Airplay chart with “Difícile.” Plus, he becomes the sixth act to earn their inaugural chart-topper in 2025, joining Kapo, benny blanco, The Marías, Gerardo Coronel ‘El Jerry,’ and Morat.

Venesti, meanwhile, banks his third champ, after “Umaye” and “No Es Normal,” with Nacho and Maffio, both one-week rulers in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

Elsewehere, “Difícile” reaches new heights on Latin Pop Airplay, as the song climbs 3-1 for its week atop. This also marks Bahía’s first No. 1 there.

02 May 2025

Fito Páez Reveals His Secret to Success & Shares His Opinion on Narcocorridos | Billboard In Conversation

Fito Páez has spent more than three decades crafting his new album, Novela. He opens up about why it took so long to create, the inspiration behind the album, his plans for an upcoming tour, how politics are impacting concert attendance, his views on narcocorridos and the secret to his longevity and success.

What are your thoughts on Fito Páez’s Novela? Let us know in the comments!

Sigal Ratner-Arias:
Good morning and welcome! We’re here with the legendary Fito Paez to talk about his new album, Novela, and so many more things. What is your favorite Billboard moment? Past, present or future. This moment. It has to be this moment. 

Fito Paez: 
Obviously it’s this one. Clearly, being here with you. You guys have always treated me well. You guys have always loved me, you’ve listened to me, you’ve given me your attention, so that alone is huge. I really appreciate that. I always feel very grateful when people follow you, they join you, they respect you.

You’re a classic, Fito. 

We have a quality bond. 

It’s your longest album. Why did it take you so long to finish?   

I think there are some works, some pieces that are made over time and that are outside the system of anxiety, outside the system of immediate requirements, outside of the industry and outside of productivity. Because someone can make music, but to start out you need to go back to school first. Here, no. One makes music because you want to express yourself because he needs to share or have that want to get it out from inside, or give it life. Or, to start enjoying the language of music, the language of words. So, behind the scenes of that experience, in my case, my whole life, and that’s how it’s going to be until the day I die.  

Keep watching for more!

02 Apr 2025

Peso Pluma Cooks? Watch Mic’d Up With Leila Cobo At Latin Music Week | Billboard Latin

Go behind the scenes with Leila Cobo at Latin Music Week 2024 as she finds out if Peso Pluma cooks, rides with Grupo Frontera to see how they warm up before a show, offers advice to Thalía, takes a shot with Tito Double P’s team, and more!

Peso Pluma:

Anyway, I live here. If he tells me, “I’ll go home tomorrow,” I’ll invite you to eat soup the day that you want. 

Leila Cobo:

Seriously? Are you going to prepare the soup?

Peso Pluma:

No, we have the Mexican chef. 

Thalia:

This girl told us to come to the panel, and then she said, “What are you going to do?” What!

Leila Cobo:

Did they tell you the dress code?

Alejandro Sanz:

Yes, of course.

Leila Cobo:

Didn’t they tell you it was a tuxedo and…

Alejandro Sanz:

I had to come like this. You know what I wear. 

Leila Cobo:

You wanted to bring me a purse? You didn’t have to.

J Balvin:

I always do that with women. 

Leila Cobo:

Thank you. 

Ronald Day:

Where should it say Latin Week?

Leila Cobo:

Here, Latin Power Players.  Hey!

Leila Cobo:

I am looking for air.

Leila Cobo:

Isa, can you interview Ronald? Because Ronald is the President of Telemundo. 

Isabela Raygoza:

Really?

Leila Cobo:

So he’s going to do our show. 

Leila Cobo:

He’s the man. Telemundo in the house. 

Emilio Estefan:

Oh, yea.

Leila Cobo:

A kiss in the air so we don’t lose our makeup. 

Emilio Estefan:

I went off air where I was working and now…

Leila Cobo:

I love it! Really?

Emilio Estefan:

For you? Anything for you. 

Keep watching for more!

01 Apr 2025

Shakira Talks Mexican Residency as Part of Her “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” World Tour | Billboard Latin

Shakira has added more dates to her Mexican residency as part of her “Mujeres Ya No Lloran” World Tour and the Colombian singer shares what she loves about her Mexican fans, performing with Grupo Frontera and more!

Have you attended her concert? Let us know in the comments!

Natalia Cano:

Shakira, well, it’s been a series of very exciting concerts in Mexico and I think that together with Gabriel García Márquez, you are the Colombians that Mexico loves the most, that Mexico has adopted. And a very important Mexican section that you have incorporated in this part of your tour, today with Grupo Frontera. If you can tell us a little bit about having this Mexican section and with these guests tonight.

I really wanted to surprise them. The thing is that every day I strive to give them something more because the Mexican public has been so loyal, so affectionate, they have lifted me up every time I have needed it. And I wanted to surprise them with something that would touch their hearts and with Grupo Frontera, I love them, I love them, they have incredible energy, they are extraordinarily talented and I have a great time with them. Every time we did something together, well, we worked on this song or worked together on the music video, it’s always been a very human experience, they’re so genuine and I admire that a lot on the dance floor. So having them on stage today was a real treat. I got really emotional when I saw them, I wanted to hug them all. Payo has a special aura, he’s very handsome. And his voice, he doesn’t miss a note. It’s incredible to sing with him. He plays it safe. So it was an experience, it was very exciting for me, it was one of the highlights of today’s concert.

Keep watching for more!

22 Oct 2024

McDonald’s Sparks Big Mac Conversation During Billboard Latin Music Week with Eslabon Armado

This article was created in partnership with McDonald’s

Just as Latin music fuses deep-rooted traditions and modern beats, the iconic McDonald’s Big Mac is getting a fresh remix with the launch of the highly anticipated Chicken Big Mac — and fans saw it come to life at Billboard Latin Music Week.

In celebration, McDonald’s hosted a “Big Mac Bash” during Billboard Latin Music Week’s En Vivo night, bringing the Big Mac to center stage at Wynwood Marketplace. Fans flocked to the immersive experience where they enjoyed McDonald’s offerings,while deciding for themselves if the Chicken Big Mac is not *not* a Big Mac. . Once their decision was made, they enjoyed an energetic DJ set by DJ Kaos, who clashed Latin classics with new hits that had everyone dancing. 

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Four special guests made a special appearance to cast their vote: the members of Eslabon Armado. Pedro Tovar, Brian Tovar, Ulises González and Damián Pacheco linked up with the McDonaldland characters at the Big Mac Bash, taking photos in front of the Big Mac backdrop to commemorate the occasion. 

A previous partner of Billboard Latin Music Week, McDonald’s is not new to the Latin music scene — they have consistently given back and connected with the Hispanic and Latino communities through initiatives in music, education, and sports. This year’s event was a testament to that dedication, bringing fans together to share their passion for music and food in an unforgettable setting. For more information, visit the McDonald’s website. 

Wish you were there? No worries! The Chicken Big Mac is now available for a limited time at participating McDonald’s restaurants nationwide. Featuring the same familiar toppings as the Big Mac but with two tempura battered chicken patties in place of the two all-beef patties, this unique taste gives fans what they crave and leaves them wanting more. Head to your nearest location to try it and decide for yourself if the Chicken Big Mac is not *not* a Big Mac.

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Scroll to see photos from the celebration!

Fans took photos with the OG Big Mac and the new Chicken Big Mac at the Big Mac Bash

Fans took photos with the McDonaldland characters at the Big Mac Bash

Melody Timothee

DJ Kaos clashed Latin classics with new hits at the Big Mac Bash

DJ Kaos clashed Latin classics with new hits at the Big Mac Bash

Melody Timothee

Eslabon Armado stopped by the Big Mac Bash to take photos and decide if the Chicken Big Mac is really a Big Mac

Eslabon Armado stopped by the Big Mac Bash to take photos and decide if the Chicken Big Mac is really a Big Mac

Ysa Pérez

Fans enjoyed classic McDonald's menu items: McNuggets and World Famous Fries

Fans enjoyed classic McDonald’s menu items: McNuggets and World Famous Fries

Ysa Pérez

McDonald's kicked off Billboard Latin Week's En Vivo night with the Big Mac Bash

McDonald’s kicked off Billboard Latin Week’s En Vivo night with the Big Mac Bash

Ysa Pérez

Fans at En Vivo voted on the big question of the night:

Fans at En Vivo voted on the big question of the night: “Is the Chicken Big Mac a Big Mac?”

Ysa Pérez

16 Oct 2024

Young Miko’s 10 Best Quotes From 2024 Latin Music Week

The Puerto Rican artist spoke about collaborating with Karol G, Bad Bunny, and about the “lesbian renaissance” in Latin music.

Young Miko at Billboard Latin Music Week Panels on Oct. 15, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.

Young Miko at Billboard Latin Music Week Panels on Oct. 15, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.

Gustavo Caballero

Young Miko, our cover star of the month, spoke with Billboard‘s senior writer Griselda Flores during a Superstar Q&A on Tuesday (Oct. 15) during Billboard Latin Music Week 2024. They discussed their perceptions and experiences in the music industry, their artistic vision and the future of Latin music.

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Here are the best ten quotes from the Puerto Rican rapper:

  1. Her artistic growth: Honestly, I can understand that it might feel like it was overnight. In reality, if you think about it, social media growth is so abrupt, fast, and global that it can definitely seem like an overnight thing, social media-wise. But indeed, we have been making music since 2018, 2019, and about three years ago is when Young Miko really started to gain a lot of momentum.
  2. Her beginnings in music: From 2018 to 2019 I started to explore with SoundCloud, and I began releasing music without giving it much thought. I had a lot of fun making Spanish versions, just exploring. Something that really sticks in my mind is that when you start, you imitate a lot. When you want to learn a skateboarding trick, you watch a video over and over and imitate it until you nail the trick.
  3. The before and after moment: I mostly felt it when “Riri” came out. “Riri” began to gain an audience outside of Puerto Rico. I had a very special moment in Puerto Rico, during the concerts of “Un Verano Sin Ti” by [Bad Bunny].
  4. About her team: The team came together little-by-little. Without realizing it, life put them in my path, Mariana and Mauro. I’ve known them since I was 11-years-old.
  5. About her manager: Mariana is my lifelong best friend, she is my sister, she knows me like no one else. She’s someone I admire greatly; she is a very hardworking, dedicated woman. I know no one who has the guts that Mariana has. She was definitely someone I wanted by my side in an industry that can sometimes be very noisy and chaotic.
  6. The lesbian renaissance: [We are in a] lesbian renaissance. We say it jokingly, but in reality, that phrase has a lot of power. It’s the girls’ time, and it seems to me that it’s noticeable and feels wonderful. We are in a much more receptive generation.
  7. About 1K: It is the collective I belong to. We are a group of people I love very much, very passionate and talented people. There’s a saying in Puerto Rico: Keep everything at 100. We try to keep it at a thousand, and that’s 1K.
  8. About her track “Pinot Grigio”: Even though all these emotions pass, whether I doubt or feel good or not, these are the people who will always be around. No matter what happens, you guys are the best thing I have in my life.
  9. About “Fina” and Bad Bunny: I had the opportunity to be in the studio with Benito and that man is incredibly creative. He is very clear about what he wants, both as an artist and as a person. I remember I was wearing a Powerpuff Girls shirt — I felt I could handle anything that day, ready to battle. He showed me the song and he had already written half of my verse.
  10. Collaborating with Karol G: I opened some dates for her in the U.S. I was with her in Medellín too. She is an incredible friend and one of the women I admire the most. Touring with her felt like she took me under her wing. There were many things she didn’t have to do before we were in a show. She showed me: “Look how they set up the stage, how I prepare; I like to stretch like this, I like to eat this.” It’s motivational that such an incredible woman shows you and says, “You can do it too, I trust you.”

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.

15 Oct 2024

Best Quotes From Peso Pluma & Friends at Billboard Latin Music Week 2024: ‘Helping My Friends Fills My Heart’

The Mexican music superstar was accompanied by Fidel of Marca Registrada, Jasiel Núñez & Tito Double P during the Nuevo Mexicano panel.

Peso Pluma at Billboard's Latin Power Players at Casadonna on Oct. 14, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.

Peso Pluma at Billboard’s Latin Power Players at Casadonna on Oct. 14, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.

Christopher Polk

Peso Pluma sat down Tuesday (Oct. 15) on a panel at Billboard Latin Music Week 2024 and for the first time spoke live about his musical origins, his creative process and the importance of having close friends in his life.

In the panel “Nuevo Mexicano: Peso Pluma y Amigos,” the superstar invited some of the most exciting artists in the new Mexican music movement, including Fidel of Marca Registrada, Jasiel Nunez and Tito Double P. The talk took place at the Fillmore Miami Beach, moderated by Billboard Latin/Español’s chief content officer Leila Cobo.

Here are 10 of the best quotes during the Nuevo Mexicano panel:

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Peso Pluma

  1. I am an artist that has helped Mexican music grow by representing the corridos that we are passionate about.
  2. Throughout this year, I have not only grown as an artist but also as a businessman, which is the big difference from a year ago to today.
  3. I am impulsive when it comes to songwriting; it’s the best way to write is through my impulsiveness.
  4. I have never taken formal lessons, not in singing, and I never will.
  5. My voice has been like this since I was born, you hear it and know it’s Hassan.
  6. (Why did he want to do corridos?) Because I am Mexican. I was heavily influenced by other genres and I listen to everything. I have always listened to corridos, Chalino Sánchez, and El Halcón de la Sierra. I felt it in my blood.
  7. I wanted to make a change within regional Mexican music, and to have Mexican music recognized as it deserves.
  8. My friends Natanael Cano and Junior H paved the way and Mexican music deserved this moment.
  9. My friends are my pillars in life. When things get ugly, you realize who your real friends are. As far as friendships go, I try to be the same, to respect those who respect me. Helping my friends fills my heart.
  10. Fidel, a great man, I have a lot of respect for him both as a person and as an artist. Since I was a kid, I listened to his music [with Marca Registrada]. The first tattoo I got was a corrido written by him.

Fidel:

  1. We must always be original with what we do and not be afraid of different genres. I started with traditional e-mails. I have also done electrocorridos, I have done reggaeton, I have been encouraged to do everything. A little while ago I recorded a song called corridos felices [“Bling Bling” with Octavio Cuadras, a new genre]. And I said: “Happy corridos? What is that? It reached Maluma’s ears, he liked it, got on board and recorded it.

Tito Double P:

  1. Once things got solid with the Peso Pluma project, I always had a thorn in my side about wanting to release a song. Finally, last year, just a month before releasing my first song, a dembow I did was leaked on TikTok and suddenly it was everywhere, with 100,000 views in a week. Everyone was asking, “Who is that voice?”. It was Tito. It was something very strange, but it seemed like he already had to sing, like it wasn’t something we planned, a song leaks and Tito Double P is born.

Jasiel Núñez:

  1. We met, we really hit it off, we taught each other our songs. I always liked the way he (Peso) composed a lot. It was very different, and I think that brought us together. We were always very criticized, but at the same time our close people were very supportive.

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.

20 Sep 2024

Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century Podcast: Shakira (No. 17) & Jay-Z (No. 16)

On this week’s (Sept. 6) episode of the Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century podcast, we take a look at a pair of enduring all-time greats: the Queen of Latin Music Shakira and the rap GOAT Jay-Z.

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First, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard Español‘s Isabela Raygoza and Sigal Ratner-Arias to trace Shakira’s journey from Colombian rockera to global pop star to elder stateswoman of Latin popular music. We cover what made her such a striking presence in early ’00s pop music, how she was able to meet American pop icons like Beyoncé and Rihanna on even footing in collaborations, and why you kinda have to throw the chart stats out the window when evaluating her overall legacy. Of course, we also discuss her most recent (and most triumphant) comeback, where she fought through personal tumult and emerged with a pair of 2020s smashes bigger than most hitmakers half her age could manage.

Then (at the 38:38 mark), Billboard Hip-Hop’s Angel Diaz and Michael Saponara stop by to quote scripture from the Book of J-Hova. We start with how Jay-Z was already well on his way to all-time great status by the turn of the millennium, but try to capture how his early-’00s run helped bring not just his own career but all of hip-hop to new heights within pop music and pop culture. Then, we discuss his retirement (and his first of many comebacks), his career-defining relationships with Beyoncé and Kanye West, and his sometimes divisive later work — before asking whether or not Jay might still have one more classic left in him.

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Listen to our latest below, catch up on our past episodes here, and be sure to subscribe to Billboard‘s Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century series wherever you get your podcasts! (New episodes will be revealed every Friday, following the publishing of our two new Greatest Pop Star rankings for that week.)

03 Oct 2023

The Power Players, Indie Edition: ‘Independence Is Priceless, It Is the Best Thing That Can Happen to Us’

The independent Latin music industry is having a great moment, with acts like Fuerza Regida, Bizarrap and Peso Pluma dominating the charts and selling out arenas from Mexico and Argentina to the US and beyond. And the heads of three of the most successful independent labels on the market would not conceive of any other way of working today.

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“Independence is priceless, it is the best thing that can happen to us,” says Fede Lauria, CEO of Dale Play Records, which represents Argentine stars such as Bizarrap and Nicki Nicole, highlighting the speed with which they can respond to the needs of its artists by not depending on third parties.

Lauria made this statement on Tuesday (October 3) at Latin Music Week 2023, during “The Power Players: Indie Edition” panel moderated by Billboard‘s Leila Cobo and presented by Lexus. The panel also featured Jimmy Humilde, CEO of Rancho Humilde (label of Mexican regional music superstars like Fuerza Regida and Natanael Cano); and George Prajin, CEO of Prajin Parlay and manager and partner of Peso Pluma. They are, in short, the heads of three of the most successful independent labels on the market today.

For Humilde, who began doing flyer parties in California and over the years rose to become one of the most successful Mexican music executives, it’s about doing “what we want… what we feel,” without having to ask permission. It has worked for him, and “coming from very low, it is a very big blessing because we appreciated it more,” he said.

Prajin, meanwhile, compared the current situation with his beginnings in the industry some 40 years ago, when an indie label could not compete with the big ones because there were no streaming services and slots on the radio were limited, as were the resources to promote indie artists. “Today’s artists have direct engagement with the audience through social media and independent companies can compete at all levels. We lead. We don’t follow,” he said.

Each one, in their own style and way, is committed to taking their artists to the top. Humilde, for example, says that he does not sign artists but rather has business agreements with them — as in the case of Legado 7, with which he established Lumbre, the label where Yahritza y Su Esencia began.

Lauria, who helped launch a wave of urban acts from Argentina including DUKI, Nicki Nicole, Rei, WOS, Rels B and others who began in their teens and soon after were filling stadiums and traveling the world, highlighted the importance of accompanying them in their development and ensure their physical and emotional well-being. “Artists also suffer… they are not aliens. This generation Z of artists has to prepare at superhuman speed to meet that pressure,” he declared.

Celebrated for more than 30 years, the 2023 edition of Latin Music Week includes a Superstar Q&A with Shakira; the Legends on Legends chat with Chencho Corleone and Vico C; Making the Hit Live! with Carin León and Pedro Capó; a panel with RBD’s Christian Chávez, Christopher von Uckermann, and Maite Perroni; Superstar Songwriter discussion with Edgar Barrera and Keityn, among many other panels, Q&As and workshops.

See the ultimate Latin Music Week guide here. This year’s Latin Music Week, taking place Oct. 2-6, also includes showcases by Peso Pluma, Mike Bahía and Greeicy, DannyLux and Fonseca, to name a few. Check out the dates and times for the showcases throughout the week here.

Official partners of the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Week include AT&T, Cheetos, CN Bank, Delta Air Lines, Lexus, Netflix, Michelob ULTRA and Smirnoff.

Latin Music Week coincides with the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards ceremony, which will broadcast live from the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Fla., on Thursday (Oct. 5) and will air on Telemundo. It will also broadcast simultaneously on Universo, Peacock, the Telemundo App, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

24 Aug 2023

Myke Towers Captures Third Week Atop Billboard Argentina Hot 100

Myke Towers claims a third week atop the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart as “Lala” crowns the Aug. 26-dated ranking. The song matches his three week-champ “La Jeepeta,” with Nio García, Anuel AA, Brray and Juanka, while “Bandido,” with Juhn, remains his longest-charting title to date, with seven weeks at the summit in 2021.

Maria Becerra’s “Corazón Vacío” trades places with one of her own, as the song rises 3-2 and sends “Los Del Espacio,” with LIT Killah, FMK, Rusherking, Duki, Emilia, Tiago PZK and Big One, to No. 3. Plus, BM’s “Ni Una Ni Dos” advances 5-4, while Quevedo’s “Columbia” dips 4-5.

The Hot Shot Debut of the week goes to La Delio Valdez and Ke Personajes whose collab “Adios Amor” starts at No. 50.

Meanwhile, Karol G adds new career entries as “Mi Ex Tenía Razón” bows at No. 60 and “S91” starts at No. 97. Both songs are part of her latest album, Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season) which debuted at No. 1 on Top Latin Albums and earned the Colombian a second top 10 on the overall Billboard 200.

Elsewhere, Uruguayan singer-songwriter Matías Valdez and Argentinian La K’onga’s “Latidos” scores the week’s Greatest Gainer honor, as the collab climbs from No. 83 to No. 65.

Three other acts debut songs this week, starting with Trueno, who adds a 15th career placement with “Tranky Funky” at No. 76. American singer-songwriter and producer Jere Klein, makes his first chart visit with his Nicki Nicole team-up, “X Eso BB” at No. 83. Lastly, La China and ECKO’s “Pasatiempo” launches at No. 88.