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Regional Mexican music imprint Kartel Music is rebranding as K Music, it was announced on Monday (May 19).
Founded in 2019 in Riverside, Calif., the label has played a pivotal role in promoting regional Mexican music while helping drive its recent global expansion.
“This rebranding to K Music marks a significant milestone for our team and artists,” said Freddy Becerra, CEO/co-founder of K Music, in a statement. “In just a few years, our artists have topped charts and earned recognition from global tastemakers like Billboard. Our new name reflects an ambition with no borders.”
The decision to renew the brand is part of a strategy that promises to “continue to amplify its impact,” a press release reads, adding: “The new identity reflects the label’s evolution and global ambitions, reaffirming its commitment to growth rather than signaling any detachment from its cultural roots.”
K Music also boasts a refreshed visual identity and updated logo.
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Leonardo Soto, CFO/co-founder, added, “Our name may be new, but our heart remains the same. K Music will continue to uplift the Mexican talent and culture that shaped Kartel Music, even as we expand into new territory.”
K Music represents some of the genre’s hottest stars, such as Luis R Conriquez, who graced the cover of Billboard last September. His 2024 album, Corridos Bélicos, Vol. IV, debuted at No. 5 on Top Latin Albums, No. 3 on Regional Mexican Albums and No. 36 on the Billboard 200. Then there’s Tony Aguirre, who boasts 7.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify and has collaborated with Xavi and Luis R in the early stages of their careers.
The label is also home to acts such as Dinamicos Jrs and Joel de la P, who has written hits for Peso Pluma and Tito Double P and released his breakout track, “Dembow Bélico.” K Music’s rebranding comes six years after its launch amid an ongoing crackdown on narcocorridos in Mexico.
Billboard Latin Music Week, the most prestigious and longest-running week dedicated to the celebration of Latin music, will return to Miami from Monday, Oct. 20 to Friday, Oct. 24, with the Billboard Latin Music Awards set for Thursday, Oct. 23.
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Set once again at the historic Fillmore Miami Beach, Latin Music Week 2025 will bring together top and emerging Latin music artists and executives from around the world for a week of showcases, networking, exclusive conversations, panels, workshops, activations and concerts.
The event — which last year featured conversations and performances by an impressive lineup including Alejandro Sanz, Peso Pluma, J Balvin, JOP, Bad Gyal, Belinda, Chiquis, Danny Ocean, Eden Muñoz, Eslabon Armado, Fat Joe, Feid, Keityn, Maria Becerra, Thalia, Yahritza y Su Esencia, Yeri Mua and many more — is known as the top gathering place for the most influential and impactful artists today, both established and emerging, as well as the ultimate meeting ground for top music executives.
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Marquee panels in 2024 included the now-iconic Women’s Panel and “Making the Hit Live,” which last year featured Grupo Frontera, who wrote a song live, “Ya No,” and later released it on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day.
More than 10,000 people attended Latin Music Week last year, including the live shows by Fuerza Regida with Majo Aguilar; a reggaeton night with Omar Courtz, Dei V, and Saiko; and LMW’s 35th anniversary party with Young Miko, Tito Double P, Belinda, Elvis Crespo and more, among other events. (See the full 2024 schedule here.)
Ticket and lineup information for Billboard Latin Music Week 2025 will be announced in the coming weeks. Pre-register now for the latest information at billboardlatinmusicweek.com.
GTS (Global Talent Services), Universal Music’s Latin talent management and services company, has fully acquired respected music management company RLM (Rosa Lagarrigue Management).
As a result of the acquisition, RLM founder, veteran artist manager and promoter Rosa Lagarrigue, will join GTS as executive vice president global, reporting to Narcís Rebollo, president and CEO of GTS. Likewise, RLM’s team will also be integrated into the company.
Founded in 1980 by Lagarrigue as one of the first management companies owned by a woman, RLM has had a role in developing the careers of artists like Miguel Bosé, Alejandro Sanz and Mecano, among other Spanish icons. The company’s current roster includes Raphael and Rozalén among many others.
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Joining GTS is meant to maximize and improve the services provided to RLM’s artists in addition to bringing Lagarrigue and her team’s expertise to GTS.
Founded in 2011, GTS has grown to have presence in Spain, Portugal, the U.S., Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile and Brazil and its roster includes Aitana, David Bisbal, Ela Tauber, Lola Indigo, Pablo Alborán and Vivir Quintana among many others.
“With her extensive experience, knowledge, and track record, Rosa is a key and respected figure in the management world, and this addition to our organization is a further investment in our position as a leading Talent Management and Services Company in Latin Music today,” said Rebollo in a statement. “I am convinced that the integration of our teams will provide each of our artists the best service and strategic support to achieve their goals across all markets.”
Added Lagarrigue: “I have always believed that every artist needs unique and personalized support; one that combines listening, intuition, strategy, and honest work. I’m excited to share this project with Narcís, undoubtedly one of the most brilliant executives in the industry, and with his team. What we started at RLM not only continues, but it is amplified and strengthened alongside them.”
Bad Bunny helped close out Saturday Night Live’s milestone 50th season with a memorable appearance on the show’s May 17 season finale, hosted by actress Scarlett Johansson. The 31-year-old Puerto Rican superstar took the stage twice during the NBC sketch comedy series, performing a pair of tracks from his history-making album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos. […]
Duki’s Ameri World Tour, presented by Live Nation, arrived to Miami on Saturday (May 17) — packed with energy, Argentinean pride, and rock star attitude.
The crowd — mostly made up of children and teens with their parents or young adults in their early 20s — filled the Kaseya Center and chanted “Duko Duko Duko” just minutes before 9 p.m. Shortly after, a three-member band (drums, keyboardist and guitarist) hopped on the red-lit stage and Duki followed singing “Leitmotiv.”
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He continued to perform almost all of the tracks from his latest studio album, Ameri, in order: “Nueva Era,” “Brindis,” “Buscarte Lejos,” “Imperio,” “Hardaway” and “Cine,” to name a few.
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“Thank you for sharing this night with me, Miami. I am Duki!” the Argentine trap star (real name: Mauro Ezequiel Lombardo Quiroga) told his euphoric fans.
Wearing a black muscle tee, baggy jeans, black beanie hat and white Adidas sneakers, Duki — who’s known as one of the pioneers of the Argentine trap movement — did not hold back from channeling his inner rock star.
“Vida de Rock,” “Rockstar,” and “Hablamos Mañana,” his collaboration with Bad Bunny, were some of the songs that fused rock with rap, and had the intense crowd jumping and chanting. He also performed the hits including “Si Te Sentis Sola,” “Goteo,” and his “BZRP Music Sessions #50.”
A notable moment of the night was when he took fans down memory lane and performed his 2017 breakthrough hit “Loca.” The song’s remix with Bunny and Cazzu earned Duki his first entry on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs that same year.
But the evening’s big highlight was when Puerto Rican urban artist Jhayco surprised fans by performing his collaboration with Duki, “Rockstar 2.0.”
“Thank you, my beautiful people! Thank you for bringing me far away from home to an emblematic venue,” Duki thanked his fans. “All of this tour is thanks to you and for you. I thank you with all my soul. Without you, this wouldn’t make sense.”
At 10:30 p.m., Duki closed his set with the ultimate fan-favorite track “Givenchy.”
Last December, he became the first urban artist ever to sell out Argentina’s biggest stadium — the fabled River Stadium in Buenos Aires — not once, but twice, selling 140,000 tickets across both nights. Earlier this year, he became the first urban artist to ever play and sell out Spain’s Bernabéu stadium in Madrid.
The Ameri World Tour wraps Sunday (May 18) in Puerto Rico, following his visits across Latin America and Europe that kicked off in March.
Pitbull surprised Shakira‘s fans on Friday (May 16) by opening the Colombian superstar’s concert at MetLife Stadium with a rocker set of his own that included songs such as “Hotel Room Service,” Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina” and guitar riffs of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army.” The Cuban-American star was announced as a special guest, but […]
From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
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Gushing Over Karol G
Thalia reacted to Karol G’s Netflix documentary, Tomorrow Was Beautiful, with a heartfelt post on social media. “Seeing you shine and hearing that, in some way, I was part of your inspiration touched me to the core,” the Mexican singer and actress expressed. “Thank you for that lovely detail in your documentary. You also inspire me with your strength, your authenticity, and that enormous heart you put into everything you do.”
In the documentary, a young Karol G is seen talking about Thalia’s impact and even singing “Piel Morena” during a local TV interview. “How beautiful it is to see how women can push each other forward, rise up, and celebrate every step together. Here I am, always applauding and admiring you, beautiful babe. Keep flying high, this is just the beginning!” Thalia continued.
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@thalia @Karol G… verte brillar y escuchar que, de alguna manera, fui parte de tu inspiración me emocionó hasta el alma. Gracias por ese detalle tan lindo en tu documental. Tú también me inspiras con tu fuerza, tu autenticidad y ese corazón gigante que dejas en todo lo que haces. ❤️ Qué hermoso es ver cómo las mujeres podemos impulsarnos, elevarnos y celebrar juntas cada paso. Aquí estoy, siempre aplaudiéndote y admirándote, bichota hermosa. ¡Sigue volando alto, que esto apenas comienza! #MujeresQuelnspiran #OrgulloLatino #BichotaPower ♬ sonido original – Thalia
Blessing the Block
Fuerza Regida’s frontman Jesus Ortiz Paz (JOP) hit the streets for his birthday that took place on May 13. But, instead of flaunting his gifts on social media, he opted to give back to the community. In a short clip posted on social media, the Mexican-American singer is seen giving one of his neighbors money, to which she reacts with a thank you, wishes him a happy birthday, and gives him a tight hug. “Blessed the block for his birthday,” reads the video’s caption on TikTok.
Also this week, Fuerza Regida’s new studio album, 111XPANTIA, debuted No. 2 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, becoming the highest-charting Regional Mexican album on the chart and highest-charting Spanish-language album ever by a duo or group. Watch the sweet JOP and vecina encounter below:
Taking Over New York City
This week, the Empire State Building in New York City honored Gloria Estefan’s 50-year music career. In celebration, the iconic building lit up in blue, green, and hot pink to not only tribute her five decades in music, but also commemorate all of her No. 1 hits, including “Raíces,” which is currently at the top of the Billboard Latin Airplay, Latin Pop Airplay, and Tropical Airplay charts. “Wow wow!!! Thank you Empire State Buildingfor lighting up theNew York sky in celebration of 5 decades of No.1s. We feel the love!!” the Cuban-American artist expressed, along with a recap video of her, and Emilio Estefan Jr.s, visit to the coveted building.
Gloria Estefan visits the Empire State Building on May 12, 2025 in New York City.
Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Empire State Realty Trust
Celebrating a Queen
Olga Tañón has been named the Queen of the 2025 National Puerto Rican Day Parade set to be celebrated along fifth avenue in New York City on Sunday, June 8. The Puerto Rican merengue star, who was recently honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music Awards, “will lead the parade alongside other notable figures, sharing a day of music, pride, and celebration with her people,” according to an official statement.
“Being part of this tradition that celebrates with such love our roots, culture, and the unbreakable spirit of Puerto Ricans in the diaspora is an immense gift,” the renowned “Mujer de Fuego” (woman of fire) expressed on Instagram. “My heartfelt thanks to the National Puerto Rican Day Parade for this special distinction. Let’s bring all our love, commitment, flavor, and fire! Let’s represent it properly!”
Bad Bunny is set to take over the world with his ‘Debí Tirar Más Fotos’ Tour and is doing a residency in Puerto Rico; Beéle leads the way at this year’s Heat Latin Music Awards alongside heavy-hitters like Bad Bunny, Feid and Karol G; and J Balvin voices a role in the anime series ‘Solo […]
Carín León is the latest Latin star to perform his very own Tiny Desk concert for NPR Music. The Mexican superstar went all out for his set, which included a 16-piece band that helped him bring to life “Ese Vato No Te Queda,” “Lado Frágil,” “El Amor de Mi Herida” and “Por la Suave.” León […]
This week, Billboard’s New Music Latin roundup and playlist — curated by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — features fresh new music, including new albums by DannyLux (Leyenda), Sebastián Yatra (Milagro), and Astronomía Interior (Hélices), to name a few. Cuban duo Gente De Zona also released its new album, Reparto, as a nod to the genre’s growth in popularity. “We’re showing […]
