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Luxury and glamour met cutting-edge style at Keys in West Hollywood for Billboard’s No. 1’s Party celebrating the road to the 2024 Billboard Music Awards. The club was an emerald oasis with gold accents and plenty of Tres Generaciones cocktails to level up the vibe of the exclusive soiree. Explore See latest videos, charts and […]

Olivia Rodrigo and John Summit easily had two of the biggest tours in 2024. They will both appear on November 14 at the Billboard Live Music Summit and Awards in partnership with AEG Presents to talk about their experiences on the road and how they’ve grown as touring artists. AEG Presents is a world leader in the music and entertainment industry. From the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival to global tour promotion for superstars like Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and many more, they are a part of every step of creating a live music experience, which will all be covered at the Billboard Live Music Summit and Awards. There will be panels featuring top agents, leaders in sound design, and Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour producer, Louis Messina. 

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Olivia Rodrigo will take part in a superstar Q&A where she will talk about upgrading from theaters to arenas for her GUTS World Tour, selecting opening acts like Gracie Abrams and Chappell Roan, and integrating her Fund 4 Good initiative into her massively successful shows. She will also receive the Touring Artist of the Year award.

John Summit will sit down with his longtime manager Holt Harmon for a conversation moderated by Billboard’s Katie Bain. Inside the Rise of John Summit will explore how he went from playing small bars and clubs to selling out Madison Square Garden. They’ll share insights into his creative process and how he created his chart-topping hits.

Louis Messina will receive the Touring Titan Award and be recognized as the Executive of the Year for his work on Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour. He will also sit down with Billboard’s Melinda Newman for The Power Players Conversation to talk about his past experiences working with artists like Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, and Tim McGraw, and plans for the future, shaping the next generation of touring superstars.

This year’s Billboard Live Music Summit and Awards will also feature the Festival of the Future panel where top executives will discuss how innovations in sound, video, and immersive media are transforming the festival experience. The Agents Power panel will bring together top agents from WME, CAA, UTA, AGI, and Arrival Artists to cover all things related to artist development and representation.

Billboard Live Music Summit 2024 returns on November 14 in Los Angeles. Click here for more information, the programming schedule, and to buy tickets.

For artists like Danny Ocean and María Becerra, who have left their homelands to pursue global music careers, staying connected to their roots is vital. As they navigate the music scene in Miami, both find that food—whether through a favorite restaurant or home-cooked meals—helps bridge the distance between where they are and where they come from. In their stories, DoorDash plays an unexpected role, providing a way to access the comforting flavors of home, even in a new city.

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Danny Ocean’s deep love for Venezuela is woven into his music, even as his career has taken him to Miami. Born in Caracas, Danny’s sound reflects the vibrant culture he grew up with, blending reggaeton, tropical rhythms, and pop. Although Miami offers him exciting new opportunities, his connection to Venezuela remains strong. His music carries the essence of his homeland, serving as a reminder of the warmth and energy of his roots, even as he continues to evolve as an international artist.

In Miami, Danny finds comfort through the familiar tastes that bring him back to Venezuela. Thanks to the variety of options on DoorDash, he often orders from arepa.bar, indulging in arepas and other traditional dishes. For Danny, it’s not just about satisfying his hunger—it’s a way to stay connected to the culture and flavors he grew up with, offering him a sense of home in the midst of a bustling city.

Similarly, María Becerra, one of Argentina’s rising stars, carries her love for her homeland wherever she goes. Hailing from Buenos Aires, her music blends urban pop with Latin rhythms, reflecting the culture and energy of Argentina. Even though she’s made Miami her new home to advance her music career, Argentina remains close to her heart. The colors, flavors, and spirit of her country influence her work, reminding her of the vibrant streets and rich traditions of Buenos Aires.

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In Miami, María often seeks comfort in recreating the dishes she grew up with, keeping a piece of Argentina with her through food. Thanks to DoorDash’s wide variety of vendor options, she orders groceries to cook her favorite meals, like vegetarian guiso, a hearty stew she loves to prepare. Cooking these meals allows her to bring the flavors of home into her kitchen, turning the experience into a way to stay connected to Argentina. Each dish serves as a reminder of her roots, offering her a sense of nostalgia and comfort while navigating the fast-paced world of the music industry.

For both Danny Ocean and María Becerra, DoorDash provides more than just convenience—it offers a way to stay connected to the flavors of home. Whether it’s a traditional arepa from or ingredients for a comforting guiso, these meals are a reminder of the places and cultures that continue to shape their lives and music, even from afar. Through food, they find small moments of nostalgia and comfort, all made a little easier to access in their new lives abroad. 

Hip-hop changed the course of Tim Hinshaw’s life in more ways than one as explained in the music executive’s new profile in partnership with Billboard and INFINITI.

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As an honoree of the 2024 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players list and our 2022 Executive of the Year, the Compton native opened up about his family, humble beginnings, and relationship with hip-hop. “One of my best memories as a kid was my first road trip. My dad had the INFINITI Q45. He loved that car. It had gold BBS’s. It was like my first introduction to a luxury vehicle.” Hinshaw admitted in his interview in front of the all-new 2025 INFINITI QX80.“I grew up on the west side of Compton. I could find a CD and what they were saying on the songs was stuff I was going through in my everyday life. It was almost like a therapy session.” Hinshaw, the former Head of Hip-Hop & R&B for Amazon Music, has experienced his share of professional hurdles. In fact, some of his earliest memories of the music industry involved multiple accounts of rejection. “I just don’t accept ‘no’ and I think that’s just about how I came up,” he recalled. “I’ve seen my mom make her way around so many different ‘no’ situations, so you can’t tell me ‘no.’” Fast forward to 2023 and Hinshaw launched his own creative agency, Free Lunch. “I’ve always had a unique way of bridging culture and corporate. That is my superpower,” he admitted.

As a tastemaker in the industry, the exec admitted the car is his ideal setting to press play and turn the volume up. “The car test is the most important test, I think. I can’t really give an opinion until I hear it in the car,” he said.

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While the INFINITI QX80 boasts a range of features perfect for a road trip for eight, Hinshaw has his own relationship with the concept of luxury. “I’m a simple person. Being able to wake up with my kids, take them to school and having premium sound while driving, that’s luxury,” he told us.

Regarding his advice to folks hoping to make a mark on the industry, Hinshaw said it all boils down to redefining yourself. “You gotta tinker with yourself every day from a personal standpoint, from a career development standpoint, from a money management standpoint. You really have to take the time and effort to pick yourself apart and put yourself back together,” he explained.

Click here for the latest announcements on Hinshaw’s Free Lunch agency.

Photo: Rashida Zagon

Photo: Rashida Zagon

Billboard Latin Music Week 2024 celebrated its 35-year anniversary and paid tribute to this year’s Power Players List on Monday, October 14.  The intimate event, which took place at Casadonna Miami, was dedicated to the annual list of honorees across various sectors of Latin music with networking, speeches, awards, alongside custom cocktails like the Johnnie […]

Billboard Latin Music Week reached a milestone with its 35-year benchmark and the stars took to a culminating concert on Friday, October 18, to usher out the week on high note.  Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news At The Fillmore in South Beach, attendees took to the finale […]

This article was created in partnership with Sorin Medical
The loss of several Hip-Hop legends over the past few years has ushered in a somber spirit to the culture. As Hip-Hop turned 50, and with a constant stream of premature health tragedies, a chance encounter on Wall Street between a cardiologist, a health advocate, and a music artist led to The CHECK IN being born.

To help mitigate this ongoing health crisis in the culture, Dr. Joseph A. Puma of Sorin Medical, Health Advocate and Media Personality Kenya Gipson (Coach Kenya), and rapper, Maino decided to tackle some of the disparities in care affecting communities of color “head on” by creating a platform that’s both entertaining and informative. It’s designed to empower individuals everywhere to take the fate of their health into their own hands through a preventative approach. Since most health situations can be treated and avoided if detected early, the program aims to ease some of the anxieties faced daily when it comes to understanding and learning about one’s health to make informed and educated decisions. 

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How is The CHECK IN – Hip-Hop’s first health platform – different from other platforms in the space?

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The CHECK IN is Hip-Hop’s first health and wellness platform designed, from inception, to change and save lives. By telling real stories of hip-hop artists and others in the game, The CHECK IN educates and informs in an entertaining way. One particular episode features artist and rapper Lady Luck, who had life-threateningly low blood counts that required four blood transfusions; these low counts were caused by chronic bleeding from uterine fibroids, which affect three in five women of color by age 50. Had she waited to connect with Dr. Puma, she would have run the risk of an extremely dangerous and potentially negative outcome. Hearing first-hand accounts from artists and executives in the hip-hop world in this program will highlight symptoms and diseases viewers have possibly never heard of, so they can seek out testing and treatments that could benefit themselves. For example, many signs of coronary artery disease can be missed using traditional diagnostic and stress tests. The advanced CT scan technology is a three-minute, non-invasive test that captures images of the heart and prostate in men, and fibroids in women. With education and awareness, we can reduce the morbidity and mortality of common illnesses that afflict the community.         

What will people experience from The CHECK IN?

Authenticity. Each story featured on The CHECK IN has a unique background and covers real-life health scenarios with real-time solutions. The audience will immediately be able to understand these and relate to themselves and their family in order to take a positive step towards addressing their health. The goal of each story is to create healthier, more positive outcomes in communities of color.

For example, Steven “DJ Suss One” Sussman, a beloved radio DJ in the game who can be heard spinning across the airwaves and on The Sherri Shepherd Show, lost a loved one to heart disease. Like many of us who have lost a parent, it’s critical to consider the genetic connection to diseases. That’s what led him to The CHECK IN, where he underwent Sorin’s state-of-the-art Heart Scan that provides patients with HeartFlow’s AI software imaging technology so they can see firsthand how their heart is functioning. 

Another story told on The CHECK IN is of music moguls like Dame Dash, founder of The America Nu Network, and his journey with Type 1 diabetes since age 15, and also explores the story of music executive Steve Lobel, who shares his recent encounter with a debilitating and near death health scare from prostate enlargement.

The CHECK IN is Hip-Hop, stories, health, and healing all rolled into one platform. Dr. Puma, Coach Kenya, and Maino are bringing the conversation of Hip-Hop and Health to the mainstream. Hopefully, by highlighting all of the resources available to the community and having some of Hip-Hop’s biggest players share their stories, we can help catch health complications early and prevent heart disease where possible, especially those affecting communities of color. To find out more about The CHECK IN and to see their latest episode, you can click here.

Connect: @sorinmedicalny @mainohustlehard @coachkenya

Few songs withstand time, distinguished by their infectious beats, experimental sounds, poignant lyrics or enduring appeal, rendering them as classics. In partnership with Tres Generaciones Tequila, a brand that champions the journey and not just the destination, we’re on a exploration to roundup the top Get Up Anthems over this next year from these six cities: Houston, Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles. Guided by curated panels, we delve deep into each city’s sonic history, spotlighting tracks that embody resilience, authenticity, and innovation and celebrate the power music has to inspire listeners to get up and chase their passions, in the spirit of perseverance.

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The Top 10 Get Up Anthems from Houston were crafted through a blend of editorial expertise, data-driven analytics, social impact and personal sentiment, to create a ranked list of the songs which inspired, captivated, and energized the Bayou City. In a historical dive from 1973 to present day, the city’s playlist [click HERE to play] features hometown hits that are synonymous with the city’s rich history and culture, hand selected by Houston’s very own, Bun B. and Chase B, Billboard editors, Damien Scott and Cat Johnson, and moderated by Rocsi Diaz.

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Did they get it right? Or were they off the mark?

Take a look at the Top 10 Get Up Anthems for Houston:

10. “Mind Playing Tricks on Me” – Geto Boys (1991)

Known for its haunting piano loop, gritty production, and raw, introspective lyrics, “Mind Playing Tricks on Me” epitomizes the distinct sound and storytelling prowess of the Geto Boys, off of their 1991 album, We Can’t Be Stopped. The record pushed the album to reach No. 5 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and spent three-weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart, No. 10 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and No. 23 on the Hot 100 and went on to influence Kid Cudi’s No. 3 Hot 100 hit “Day ‘N’ Nite.” The song still pulls an average of 750,000 streams a week since last summer.

Bun B.: “This record not only set the tone for us musically, but also business wise, that you don’t have to run in New York, you don’t have to go to L.A., you don’t need nobody. You can do it right here in Houston. That set the tone for us.”

Chase B.: “I was born in 1990. The song came out in 91, and, literally I was out just running around on Saturday, just going to different brunches and whatever different, DJ sets and everything and I must’ve heard that song 6 or 7 times.”

9. “Savage (Remix)” – Megan the Stallion feat. Beyoncé (2020)

Bringing together two of Houston’s prominent female voices, the remix not only propelled Megan Thee Stallion to greater prominence but also showcased the enduring influence and talent of Houston’s homegrown artists on the global stage. The song’s infectious beats, catchy hooks, and confident delivery epitomize the trademark styles of both artists, creating a synergy that captivates listeners. To no surprise, the song gave Megan her first No. 1 hit on the Hot 100 and Beyoncé’s first in almost three years. It was the No. 1 on Streaming Songs, spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart, No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, No. 1 on Rhythmic Airplay and No. 7 on Pop Airplay. The song still pulls an average of 1.5 – 1.75 million streams a week since last summer.

BB.: “I think it’s also a good look for Houston women in particular. Once again, Beyoncé understands the platform and understands her power and passes that on to the next generation of Houston representatives for the women.”

Cat Johnson: “So it was Megan’s first number one [on the Hot 100] and Beyoncé’s first number one in almost three years, which is a big deal. Like Megan did that for Beyoncé in a sense. The song also pulls an average of 1.5 to 1.75 million streams a week.”

Damien Scott: “t was a massive moment, and Meg was on the rise. And as Bun said, this was Beyoncé passing it forward to the next generation, handing her the baton. And, you know, not just for her being a major, black female musician, but someone from her hometown.”

Rocsi Diaz: “ I think that what Megan did for Beyoncé was bring out more fun out of Beyoncé, I think she gave her the liberty to really go down and drop, although we were already dropping down on our knees.”

8. “Get Throwed” – Bun B feat. Pimp C, Jeezy, JAY-Z and Z-Ro (2005)

Crafted with Bun B’s signature lyrical prowess and accompanied by infectious beats, the 2005 hit record, “Get Throwed” from the legend’s debut album Trill, embodies the chopped and screwed style synonymous with Houston’s rap culture. Featuring collaborations with fellow Houston legends Pimp C, Z-Ro, and Young Jeezy, the song seamlessly blends gritty realism with infectious energy, creating a sonic landscape sure for a crowd favorite. Since its release, it peaked at No. 49 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and No. 24 on Rap Airplay.v

R.D: “ First of all, can I say that’s one of my favorite songs? And that’s not because you’re sitting here that’s just like as a song.”

C.B: “ just when you hear those guitars in the intro, that’s like one of the most important fabrics in Houston culture, just, in general, and it’s been sampled so many times just because of what it means and just the whole aura of it, the atmosphere of the sound and just how slow it comes in. And also just the title of the song, throwed is obviously a huge Houston word, you know, born and bred right here in Houston, Texas.”

7. “25 Lighters” – Fat Pat, DJ DMD & Lil Keke (2001)

The song’s laid-back vibe and infectious groove capture the essence of Houston’s street culture, while its evocative lyrics pay homage to the city’s unique slang and traditions. Released in 1998, although the song didn’t chart nationally, the track became an instant classic within the city’s rap scene, embodying the spirit of Houston’s underground culture.

B.B.: “ It’s so Houston that ZZ Top remade the record. And I don’t mean a play on the record, they literally redid the record just singing instead of rap. And I mean ZZ Top, we’re talking about Texas. We’re talking about Houston. It’s a big deal.”

C.J: “The song didn’t chart, but on a national level though, you’ve heard “25 lighters.”

Damien: “It’s one of those songs that’s just like an indelible part of the fabric of of hip hop. It’s. Everyone knows it. Everyone you know has either recited it or used it or remixed it or sampled it. It’s just one of those songs.”

R.D.: “It was a victim of the timing of when it came out that it just didn’t make it outside of the South. Per se, charting wise, but again, to piggyback on what you said, like, it’s just a classic hip-hop song.”

B.B.: “This was like us getting to hear Pat again after him passing – like new music. That was a big part of this record being as big as it was, like as far as Houston.”

6. “Wanna Be a Baller” – Lil’ Troy feat. Yungsta, Fat Pat, Lil’ Will, Hawk, and Big T (1999)

Serving as an anthem for ambition and perseverance, “Wanna Be a Baller’s” portrayal of the hustle and dreams of making it big resonates deeply with Houstonians, reflecting the city’s entrepreneurial spirit and drive for success. As the fourth track on the album, Sittin’ Fat Down South, it helped propel the album’s success, reaching No. 6 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and No. 20 on the Billboard 200. Lil’ Troy’s melodic delivery and vivid storytelling paint a vivid picture of the city’s street life and aspirations for success, making it an instant favorite among listeners, still pulling an average of 1.25 million streams a week since last summer. The record peaked at No. 5 on Rap Airplay, No. 31 on Hot Rap Songs, No. 70 on the Hot 100 No. 22 on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay.

B.B.: “It’s unmistakably Houston recipe’s big team. One of the best hooks ever to come out of Houston. That independent spirit, right? Lil’ Troy is one of the first people to have an independent label here. The original person to find and sign Scarface and, I mean, “Wanna Be a Baller” was a hit record as soon as anybody heard it.”

C.J.: “Crazy fact. It still pulls an average of 1.25 million streams a week.”

D.S.: “It’s one of those songs that you hear every year. At least once. If you go to, like a basketball game or, you know, a festival or you watch a movie.”

5. “Southside” – Lil’ Keke (1997)

Off of his 1997 debut album, Don’t Mess With Texas, “Southside” by Lil’ Keke stands as a timeless ode to Houston’s hip-hop culture through its authentic lyrics and enduring impact on the city’s social fabric. Both the title of the song AND album quickly suggests to listeners Houstonian pride, remaining a cherished part of the city’’s musical identity. The song reached No. 28 on the Hot Rap Songs chart and No. 55 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

Bun B: “Keke is as Houston a person as you can get. And I’m not talking about music, lyrics or rapping. Any day you sit and talk to Keke and see his personality, his character, he’s Houston, all right.”

D.S.: “I think if this was released later in the time of streaming, it would be a way bigger hit and it would, it would dominate, it would be on every playlist. It would be way, way higher on the hip hop chart, would probably be on the pop charts. It was just a massive song. And you hear it everywhere, it’s one of those songs again that everybody, if you’re a rap fan of a certain age, you just know it. Everyone’s used to it, everyone knows where it’s from. They know Keke. This is a classic record.”

C.B.: “This is the only song from Houston that has a dance attached to it. And to that, I feel like, is an anthem.”

4. “Tops Drop” – Fat Pat (1998)

Fat Pat’s vivid storytelling creates a sonic experience that resonates with listeners, capturing the essence of cruising through Houston’s streets and slab culture. The song’s portrayal of Houston’s car culture and laid-back lifestyle resonates deeply. The record reached No. 5 on Hot Rap Songs and its parent album Ghetto Dreams reached the top 40 of Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, peaking at No. 39.

C.B.: “‘Welcome to the land where just don’t stop is:’ I feel like that just embodies where we are, where we’re from. That’s, you know, MLK on Sundays. That’s this. You really can see the sunshine and old schools and slab lines, you can envision the whole thing when it comes to that song. And, you know.”

B.B.: “The song is a testament to how much Houston loves its hip hop community, and some of us here, as we talked about earlier, will never have nationally celebrated records. But because we’re a part of certain records, that represent the culture of Houston.”

C.J.: “The song is in a major retailer commercial in 2024. And the fact that, again, people from all across America, maybe even the world are going to be re-introduced to the song via this commercial, it’s amazing – iconic.”

3. “Still Tippin’” – Mike Jones feat Slim Thug and Paul Wall (2005)

Released in 2004, the song propelled Mike Jones to national fame while showcasing Houston’s unique rap style and culture to a broader audience. This would become each artist’s first entry to the Hot 100 charts, peaking at No. 60 and No. 25 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Built on a mesmerizing beat, catchy hooks, and Mike Jones’ distinctive flow, “Still Tippin” captures the essence of Houston’s rap scene in the early 2000s and since last August, the song still pulls in 1 – 1.25 million weekly streams on average.

D.S.: “ It’s just rare that you get to witness a watershed moment in music. Yeah. You know, it’s rare that you get to be present for it and see it. And a lot of people at the time don’t may not understand what’s happening. But I think with this, everyone who was watching and listening thought to themselves, this is the start of something new.”

Roxy: “It stayed on the countdown, that’s for sure. Just stayed on the countdown.”

2. “Mo City Don” – Z-Ro (2005)

The 6-minute freestyle, “Mo City Don” by Z-Ro holds a revered place within Houston’s hip-hop pantheon, embodying the ethos and experiences of Mo City (Missouri City), a suburb of Houston. The composition is marked by its raw authenticity and emotional depth and the song’s production features haunting melodies and a hypnotic beat that serves as the backdrop for Z-Ro’s introspective and impassioned lyrics. Although there wasn’t any noticeable charting activity for the song, the influence of this song is undeniable. As the opening track on Let The Truth Be Told, the localized success of the record contributed to the album reaching No. 5 on Top Rap Albums and No. 14 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

C.B.: “First of all, as a loud and proud Missouri City for my entire life, this song is another testament of how well Houston artists flip samples as songwriters, not even necessarily the beats, but as songwriters and just take it our own thing. Growing up in a house party, that middle school, high school and everything, this was our chance to, like, kind of, like, represent where we were from, and it belonged to us.”

B.B: On a daily basis. On an hourly basis. There is no record in Houston, I think in 2024 that more people will agree represent Houston than ‘Mo City Don”

1. “June 27th” – DJ Screw (1996)

You cannot debate Texas music and fail to mention DJ Screw’s chooped and screwed technique. The 1996, 38-minute freestyle evokes a sense of nostalgia and reflection, characterized by its hypnotic tempo, slowed-down rhythms, and manipulated vocal effects. Through its unconventional structure and immersive atmosphere, “June 27th” captures the essence of DJ Screw’s artistic vision and his deep connection to the city he called home and although it never charted due to its non-commercial release, the 38-minute freestyle is a hometown beloved.

B.B: “You’d be hard pressed to find something that represents Houston culture, to a myriad of people right across the board, that this song doesn’t really speak to.”

C.B: “I just feel like if you’re going to pick a Chopped and Screw song, this is obviously the one to do it. And I feel like Chopped and Screw music definitely should be represented on the list. So I feel like June 27th, this is like its purpose right here.”

Watch the full discussion HERE and recreate the cocktails that powered the conversation at home!

Colombian legacy artist, Fonseca talks about his multi-decade career, finding his balance and joy and continuing to serve fans through his music, presented by Michelob ULTRA Fonseca:   My name is Juan Fernando Fonseca. Since I was born and since I arrived to this world music and singing have always been an essential part of my […]

Presented by Michelob ULTRA At the concluding celebration of Billboard Latin Music Week 2023, the Colombian legacy act, Fonseca, commanded the stage at Oasis Wynwood (21+), delivering an electrifying set filled with chart-toppers and superior light beer, courtesy of Michelob ULTRA Related Images: