Latin
When Fher Olvera, lead singer of iconic Mexican rock band Maná, was a little kid in Guadalajara, he’d rock to the sounds of bands like The Eagles, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles.
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“At 11 years old, I’d sit in front of those speakers and fly. It was sheer ecstasy,” he told Billboard. “Obviously, I didn’t understand English, but you kind of figured out a way to make sense of what you liked.”
Now, Olvera is in a very different position in front of those speakers, after Maná became the first ever Spanish-language rock band to be nominated for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inclusion.
“It’s a historic moment,” says Olvera. “I truly felt the spirit of the Latin American language. I say it seriously but also with humility. It’s a moment where people open their ears as we did when we were kids and listened to the Rolling Stones and the Eagles. This is an opportunity for people to learn Spanish, and an opportunity for those of us here to extend to the planet our way of feeling the world.”
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Maná , made up of Olvera, drummer Alex González, guitarist Sergio Vallín and bassist Juan Calleros–is objectively the most successful Latin rock band in the world, with eight No. 1s on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart, and the most entries on Hot Latin Songs and Latin Airplay (33 and 36, respectively) for a Latin rock group.
Now, their new historic moment goes beyond language and very much into culture and the vision of rock and roll as a universal language that transcends borders.
Should they be elected by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame membership (elections close April 21), the Mexican band would become only the fourth Latin artist (the other three are Santana, Ritchie Valens and Linda Ronstadt) to be inducted into the Rock Hall since its first edition in 1986. They are also the first Latin band, in any language, to be nominated since Los Lobos nearly 10 years ago.
The importance of the moment isn’t lost on drummer Alex Gonzalez. “Being nominated was a shock and a welcome shock to a Latin American community that sings in Spanish regardless of genres. It means eyes and ears are beginning to look in other directions,” says González.
Since they formed over 30 years ago in Guadalajara, Maná have remained faithful to a rock ‘n roll base with Caribbean influences and beats and highly melodic and narrative material that distinguish them from other bands.
“We’re a pop/rock band and our direction, attitude and the way we feel is rooted in rock ‘n roll,” says Olvera. “We’ve done ballads, songs mixed with Latin American music. In the end, it’s a versatile rock/pop band infused with different ways of understanding music.”
Although Maná is close to many rock icons, they have recorded only in Spanish, a decision that’s more artistic than commercial.
“We feel comfortable with our culture, and it feels more authentic to narrate those stories in Spanish,” says Olvera, noting that in several points in their career, they were offered major advances to record in English. “We have a global company [the group is signed to Warner] and a global manager and we never wanted to do it. It wasn’t about being more famous, but rather, about feeling good about what we were doing and being able to narrate a reality with which we authentically identify.”
Being inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, says González, would not only place them Maná next to the idols it grew up listening to, but will also serve as a nod to Latin music overall.
“All this band has done is work and work and work and make songs and music that connect with people, in Latin America, in Spain and in the U.S. which has such a big Latin community,” he says. “Maná became a band for Latins, not just for Mexicans.”
Maná’s competition to get into the Hall of Fame this year includes many of the acts González and Olvera love.
“Love Soundgarden. White Stripes. I was so surprised to see Chubby Checkers still hasn’t been inducted,” says González. “Oasis, great band. And Cindy Lauper. Who didn’t love Cindy Lauper?”
Being part of that group, he says, is a nod to a nominating committee that was willing to “look in other directions.”
“If we win? I’ll let you know how we’ll celebrate when we get the news,” says Olvera. “But, I could walk on water. It would be one of the most beautiful moments we’ve lived.”
Hundreds of people participated in a heartfelt posthumous tribute to the iconic Mexican singer Paquita la del Barrio on Friday (February 21). Her remains were transferred to her restaurant in the Guerrero neighborhood, in the Historic Center of Mexico City, where a mass was held in her honor and the doors of her establishment were opened to all those who wanted to give her a final farewell.
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The procession carrying her ashes departed from a funeral home in the central Juárez neighborhood, traveled along part of the touristy Paseo de la Reforma Avenue, and reached the iconic Plaza Garibaldi. There, around midday, her fans, mostly women, and groups of mariachis awaited, performing her most famous songs, including “Tres Veces Te Engañé” and “Rata de Dos Patas.”
The route included a stop at a public market, where merchants interrupted their activities to bid farewell to the famous singer, who passed away at the age of 77 on Monday (Feb. 17) from a heart attack while sleeping in her home in her native Veracruz, as confirmed to Billboard Español by her manager, Francisco Torres.
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Paquita la del Barrio rose to fame with her anthems about infidelity and heartbreak.
“Thank you for your songs that brought so much joy to my heart!” said a visibly moved resident of the Guerrero neighborhood to Foro TV, holding a bouquet of white flowers. “Paquita was a brave woman to sing to men in that way,” commented another woman, who mentioned that the artist was a great influence on the trans community.
Dozens of anecdotes about Paquita la del Barrio were shared by her neighbors with the press, remembering her as a “very humane,” “affectionate”, and “forward-moving woman.”
Some women were crying inconsolably while a private mass was held, and a crowd of people gathered around the artist’s restaurant, Casa Paquita, waiting for the doors to open to enter the place, undeterred by a light rain that covered that part of the city.
While Paquita la del Barrio, whose real name was Francisca Viveros Barradas, was not originally from Mexico City, she made this central area of the country’s capital her “second home,” opening her restaurant-bar in the late 1970s. With over a five decade-spanning career, Paquita la del Barrio was an idol in popular music. In 2011, she received the Billboard Regional Mexican Music Award “La Voz,” and 10 years later, she was awarded the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award for her exceptional career.
The 2025 Premio Lo Nuestro, held live from Miami’s Kaseya Center on Thursday (Feb. 20), was full of glitz and glam, memorable moments, and exciting wins and performances. Shakira was the evening’s top winner with six Premio Lo Nuestro awards, including the coveted Album of the Year for Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran. She also […]
Barranquilla experienced a historic night, with the return of Shakira to her homeland after almost 20 years of absence on local stages. The global star delivered an unforgettable performance at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, where her fans gathered to enjoy a show filled with emotion, culture and a very special tribute to the Barranquilla Carnival.
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From early in the day, thousands of people lined up under the sweltering heat of Barranquilla to secure their entry to this unforgettable event, part of Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran tour. The production of the show was up to her international status, featuring striking visual effects, giant screens and a dance troupe that accompanied each performance.
The artist began her performance with a triumphant entrance, dressed in a dazzling silver outfit, while the attendees enthusiastically chanted her name. Visibly moved, Shakira expressed her joy at returning home: “I am very happy to be here, at home. There is nothing like singing among my own people.”
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Promoted by Live Nation, Shakira’s stadium tour began on Feb. 11 in Río de Janeiro and continued in São Paulo, Brazil (Feb. 13) and Lima, Peru. After a second concert in her native Barranquilla, Colombia on Friday (Feb. 21), she will make stops in Santiago, Chile (March 2-3); Buenos Aires, Argentina (March 7-8), and several cities in Mexico.
Below are the most memorable moments from Thursday’s concert.
Concert setlist and fan club
The show’s setlist included the biggest hits from each stage of her more than three-decade-long career, such as “Estoy Aquí,” which reached No. 2, and “Suerte” and “Te Felicito,” both which topped Billboard‘s Latin Airplay chart. Additionally, the song that earned her the only No. 1 so far on the coveted all-genre Hot 100, “Hips Don’t Lie,” was also included.
Shakira took a journey through the years to reminisce about her beginnings in the ’90s, when her career was just starting to take off, and she concluded her memories with an emotional performance of “Pies Descalzos” which moved everyone in attendance.
One of the most special moments of the night came with the ballad “Antología.” Shakira dedicated the song to her mother, Nydia Ripoll, who was present at the concert along with the artist’s children, Milan and Sasha. At that moment, the stadium stands lit up with the colors of the Colombian flag, an initiative led by Shakira’s fan club in the city as a deep show of affection.
Tribute to the Barranquilla Carnival
Shakira dedicated a portion of the concert to the Carnival of her hometown. The artist surprised the audience by revealing her special guest: Chelito De Castro.
A musician renowned for his work as a pianist for the late Joe Arroyo, the Caribbean icon joined Shakira years ago to perform “Te Olvidé,” which is considered by many as the anthem of the Carnival.
While singing the song, Shakira also played the tambora and wore a vueltiao hat as a sign of pride for her coastal roots. At that moment, she also welcomed onto the stage the current Carnival queen, Tatiana Angulo Fernández, with whom she danced to the rhythm of the traditional garabato dance.
Grand finale
The concert closure was marked by the energy of “Waka Waka,” where thousands of attendees joined in a massive chorus. The song was immediately followed by the hit made with Argentine producer Bizarrap: “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” a song with which many women connected — not only because of the story of heartbreak the artist wanted to tell, but also because of a phrase that could now be considered a national heritage: “Las mujeres ya no lloran, las mujeres facturan” (“Women no longer cry, women invoice”).
This week, Billboard’s New Music Latin roundup and playlist — curated by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — features fresh new music including a collaboration between Arthur Hanlon and Ángela Aguilar, and new singles from Ana Tijoux, Christian Alicea and Morat. Arthur Hanlon and Ángela Aguilar joined forces for “Bala Perdida,” a soulful huapango that they performed at the 37th annual Premio Lo […]
New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
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Christian Alicea, “Hello, What’s Up” (Therapist Music/Rimas Entertainment)
Christian Alicea kicks off new career chapter with a saucy salsa track called “Hello, What’s Up,” produced by DJ Buddha and Elliot. Marking his debut single under his new signing with Rimas Entertainment, the Puerto Rican artist delivers an infectious tropical tune with percussion, trombones, trumpets, and more, while his flirty vocals sing about a guy who’s trying to impress a girl with his English-speaking skills. “The girl I’m getting to know has me in love/ But she only speaks English and that’s the bad thing/ I became friends with the translator, but he’s tired/ Because every time I talk to her, I both him,” Alicea chants in the bilingual tune that perfectly captures his playful personality. — JESSICA ROIZ
Arthur Hanlon & Ángela Aguilar, “Bala Perdida” (Sony Music Latin)
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Arthur Hanlon and Ángela Aguilar gave us a taste of the magic they create together when they joined forces at the 2024 Billboard Latin Women in Music, where Aguilar sang her father’s “Me Vas a Extrañar” with Hanlon on piano. Now, the two team up once again for “Bala Perdida,” a heart-wrenching huapango full of soul and intensity, further powered by Aguilar’s ethereal vocals and Hanlon’s poignant piano. “From the moment I wrote this song, I could only hear it in Ángela’s voice,” Hanlon said in a statement. “No one else could bring it to life the way she does.” “Bala Perdida” — which Aguilar and Hanlon debuted on television during Premio Lo Nuestro 2025 on Feb. 20 — is the third single from the pianist’s upcoming album, a collection of original collaborations set for release in April. — GRISELDA FLORES
Ana Tijoux, “Serpiente de Madera” (Victoria Producciones SpA)
As the Chinese lunar calendar turned to the Year of the Serpent on Jan. 29, Ana Tijoux’s “Serpiente de Madera” unfolds with zodiacal symbolism intertwined with her origins — bringing to mind her breakout hit “1977,” also the year she was born under. The track — one of two from her new EP of the same name — illustrates her connection to the snake sign through the spoken word-like elegance over subtle panflute melodies and understated synths, by producers Eduardo Herrera and Tony Ramírez. Elegantly orating about universal vastness and human connection, the Chilean/French rapper’s delivery melds poetic prose with grace. She articulates, “Mirando galaxias con ojos pequeños, un telescopio en el cuerpo/ ese abrazo que eleva, ese que tiene magia,” finding potent expression in renewal. It captivates with its lyrical depth and fluidity, resulting in a piece that’s not just heard but felt. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Morat, “Cuarto de Hotel” (Universal Music Spain)
With a piano tune reminiscent of the rock ballads of the ’80s and ’90s, Morat’s “Cuarto de Hotel” is an evocative song about a love that is difficult to forget. “Who put you under my pillow? Who kept you under my skin? You always arrive out of nowhere if I’m alone in a hotel,” the band sings in part of the lyrics. Driven by synthesizers, sweeping guitars and timbales-laden drums, the tempo of the song accelerates after the first chorus to offer the characteristic pop sound of the Colombian group, before returning to the piano that we hear in the beginning in a full-circle moment. “Cuarto de Hotel” is the main single of the Spanish film El Secreto del Orfebre (The Goldsmith’s Secret), an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Elia Barceló directed by Olga Osorio that premieres Feb. 28 in Spain. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
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Ángela Aguilar and pianist Arthur Hanlon closed Premio Lo Nuestro with a heart-rending performance of their huapango-inspired single, “Bala Perdida.” This collaboration brought a fresh twist to traditional Mexican music, creating a deeply emotive finale for the three-hour broadcast.
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Hanlon kicked things off with elegant riffs, masterfully playing the grand piano, with his use of the sustain pedal making the piano sound larger than the arena itself. Ángela, donning an elegant one-shoulder dress, wore her hair longer than usual.
Later, Cuban star Yotuel, dressed in a Japanese-style samurai outfit, and Puerto Rican artist Darell joined the celebrations to perform their track “Repetimos,” which reached No. 9 on Billboard‘s Tropical Airplay chart.
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“It’s a beautiful thing because it’s a different genre,” Ángela Aguilar said earlier during a red carpet interview. “It’s a huapango, which is Mexican music, but done in a modern way.” Their performance highlighted the versatility and dynamic range of both artists, seamlessly blending classical elements with modern influences to captivate the audience.
“We wrote the song and got together with Ángela,” Hanlon told Billboard at the red carpet. “I’m always looking for magic. And I knew that with this song and with Angela, by placing the piano in the desert, we would create a contrast between the music and the natural environment. That’s how this song was born.”
Ángela Aguilar received eight nominations, and won mariachi/ranchera song of the year for “Por El Contrario” with Becky G and Leonardo Aguilar.
Broadcasting live on Thursday (Feb. 20) from the Kaseya Center in Miami, the 2025 Premio Lo Nuestro ceremony is co-hosted by Laura Pausini, Thalia, and Alejandra Espinoza. Becky G and Carín León lead the list of nominations with 10 nods each. This year, the gala’s theme is “Uniendo Generaciones” (Uniting Generations), honoring the artists, songs, and albums that connect the past, present, and future of Latin music.
Check out more highlights from Premio Lo Nuestro 2025 at Billboard.com.
Xavi and Manuel Turizo captured hearts with their bachata collaboration “En Privado” at Premio Lo Nuestro 2025. Celebrated at Miami’s Kaseya Center, the Mexican-American star first kicked off with his No. 1 Billboard hit “La Diabla” before transitioning to their duet. The performance highlighted the duo’s versatility and artistic flair as they embraced the soft, […]
La India, known as “The Princess of Salsa,” was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 37th annual Premio Lo Nuestro, which took place Thursday (Feb. 20).
Salsa singer Luis Figueroa introduced the living legend, saying she was one one of the reasons he fell in love with the sound of salsa. Then, the woman of the hour, dressed in a regal blue suit, showed her prowess singing medley of her greatest hits, including “Ese Hombre,” “Dicen Que Soy” and “Mi Mayor Venganza,” with Sergio George on the piano.
Right after her riveting performance, Victor Manuelle presented La India with the special honor. “Today, I have the honor and privilege of giving an award to one of the most representative voices of our genre, baptized by Celia Cruz as ‘La Princesa de La Salsa,’” he said.
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In tears, La India gave a heartfelt speech: “This is for my fans, thank you for being by my side. I want to thank God, the Almighty, the one who never abandons us. I want to thank the musicians, Sergio George, I want to thank the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz, my godfather Pedro Knight, Tito Puente, Little Louie Vega. La India arrived, and I never looked back and I was loyal and remain loyal to my tropical salsa genre. To the Latinos, we are important in this land. They will never run us out of this land of the Americas. Never.”
Broadcasting live on Thursday (Feb. 20) from the Kaseya Center in Miami, the 2025 Premio Lo Nuestro ceremony is co-hosted by Laura Pausini, Thalia, and Alejandra Espinoza. Becky G & Carin León lead the list of nominations with 10 nods each. They are followed by Shakira and Myke Towers, with nine nods each; and Ángela Aguilar, Emilia, Grupo Frontera and Leonardo Aguilar, with eight nominations each.
La India, Alejandro Fernández and Manuel Alejandro are being honored with special awards. This year, the gala’s theme is “Uniendo Generaciones” (Uniting Generations), honoring the artists, songs, and albums that connect the past, present, and future of Latin music.
Dynamic Mexican duo Belinda and Tito Double P lit up the stage at the 2025 Premio Lo Nuestro with their captivating corrido “La Cuadrada.”
Reinventing herself as “Beli bélica” and embodying the persona of an undercover agent, Belinda teamed up with the rapidly rising star from Culiacán, Sinaloa. Together, they masterfully crafted a complex narrative of love and deception.
She took the stage with authority, initially clad in a black furry jacket. She then dramatically revealed a stunning red lace one-piece and complemented the look with big furry black boots. Tito complemented her presence perfectly, dressed in an all-black ensemble.
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Their performance vividly brought to life the drama and opulence depicted in their music video. Her crystalline vocals harmonized with powerful guitar riffs and vibrant trumpet sequences, while Tito’s growl deepened the song’s intensity.
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Earlier that night, Tito revealed to Billboard during the red carpet, “There’s an EP coming with Hassan, with Peso, in the next few months. The tour Ay Mamá starts in March throughout the United States.”
In addition to their show-stopping performance, Tito received two nominations: Mexican music new artist and Mexican music collaboration of the year for his team-up with Peso Pluma on “Dos Días.” Belinda also received two noms at this year’s awards— pop female artist of the year and best female combination for her collaboration with Kenia Os on the track “Jackpot.”
Broadcasting live on Thursday (Feb. 20) from the Kaseya Center in Miami, the 2025 Premio Lo Nuestro ceremony is co-hosted by Laura Pausini, Thalia, and Alejandra Espinoza. This year, the gala’s theme is “Uniendo Generaciones” (Uniting Generations), honoring the artists, songs, and albums that connect the past, present, and future of Latin music.
To check out more coverage of Premio Lo Nuestro, visit Billboard.com.