Latin
Shakira arrived on Tuesday (Jan. 21) in Mexico City, where she will stay for a few days to conduct general rehearsals for her stadium tour Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, kicking off on Feb. 11 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Local TV station Milenio showed the moment the Colombian superstar arrived this afternoon on a private plane at the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), on the outskirts of the Mexican capital. The publication Excélsior also shared a video on social media. Escorted by her private security and elements of the National Guard, Shakira spent a few minutes greeting dozens of fans who were waiting with items alluding to her, hoping to greet her up close or get her autograph.
Shakira said in front of the cameras that she was in Mexico City because she has seven concerts scheduled in the capital. The hitmaker of “Monotonía” and “Soltera” recently revealed on the Brazilian show Domingão com Huck that she had chosen the North American country to rehearse and finalize the details of her highly anticipated trek.
Trending on Billboard
In brief statements to the Mexican press, Shakira shared how she’s been preparing her new adventure that will take her back to international stages after almost seven years since El Dorado, her previous world tour.
“It has been a very healing process, for me and for many women, and for many people who have accompanied me from the start,” said the singer-songwriter. “I am very happy to be here in Mexico, a country that has supported me, understood me, loved me, and I love you with all my heart,” she added.
In response to a question about what she liked the most about Mexican cuisine, the Colombian star said she was craving to taste some traditional tacos or flautas, a style of tacos filled with chicken or beef and topped with green or red sauce.
According to the promoter Ocesa, the Barranquilla native returns to the country setting a new record by becoming the first artist to give seven consecutive shows at the Estadio GNP Seguros (formerly Foro Sol), gathering about 455,000 people in total. The concerts will take place on March 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, and 30, with tickets sold out, as per Ocesa.
Prior to this, Shakira will arrive in the border city of Monterrey, where she has two shows scheduled at the BBVA Stadium on March 12 and 13. She will also make a stop in Guadalajara, where she will offer two concerts at the Akron Stadium on the 16th and 17th of March.
A request for more details on her stay in Mexico sent by Billboard Español to the promoter and the singer’s record label was not immediately answered.
Shakira announced last October that the U.S. leg of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran world tour would move from arenas to stadiums due to high ticket demand, so the dates for the U.S. were postponed for May, immediately after her tour through Latin America. In December, she added several additional dates for North America.
Eden Muñoz adds a seventh No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart, as “Mi Lugar Favorito” jumps from No. 4 to lead the list dated Jan. 25. It’s the second No. 1 on the chart from Eden, Muñoz’s third studio album as a soloist.
“I’m thrilled and grateful to see that ‘Mi Lugar Favorito’ has hit No. 1 on Billboard,” Muñoz tells Billboard. “This song has a special value to me, both personally and socially. It’s a song I wrote for my children, but it’s also a tribute to my inner child.”
“Mi Lugar Favorito” is the No. 1 song on this week’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart with 7 million audience impressions, accrued in the U.S. during the Jan. 10-16 tracking week, according to Luminate. That’s a solid 27% gain from the week prior, when the song held at its No. 4 high then for a second week.
Trending on Billboard
The single becomes Muñoz’s seventh champ on the chart and first of 2025. Previously, “Traigo Saldo y Ganas de Rogar” ruled Regional Mexican Airplay for two weeks last November. The latter also from parent album Eden, released Aug. 15, 2024, via Sony Music Latin.
Muñoz’s No. 1 collection dates back to less than three years ago, when he made his Regional Mexican Airplay debut as a solo singer with “Chale!,” for three weeks in charge in 2022. Since then, the Mexican singer/songwriter and producer has landed 10 top 10s and seven career No. 1s, four through non-collaborations and three through pair-ups.
Over on the overall Latin Airplay chart, “Favorito” pushes 9-4 with 7.1 million impressions.
“Qué Pasaría” If Rauw Alejandro & Bad Bunny Paired Up a No. 1 Hit? Elsewhere, Rauw Alejandro and Bad Bunny team up for their second No. 1 song on the Latin Rhythm Airplay chart, as “Qué Pasaría” (meaning “what would happen”) lifts 2-1 for its first week command. The song arrives almost two years after “Party,” the pair’s previous champ, spent two weeks at the summit in February 2023.
For its coronation, “Qué Pasaría” registered 6 million audience impressions earned in the U.S. in Jan. 10-16 tracking week. The new win adds Rauw his 12th No. 1 on Latin Rhythm Airplay, and Benito his 26th.
“Qué Pasaría” is the fourth singe from Rauw Alejandro’s No. 1 album, Cosa Nuestra, a six-week dominator on Top Latin Albums between November 2024-January 2025.
The new Jan. 25, 2025-dated charts will be posted in full on Billboard‘s website on Jan. 22 (one day later than usual, owed to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday in the U.S. on Jan. 20). For all chart news, follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.
Karol G will host the inaugural Con Cora Land benefit charity gala, which will take place next month in Miami, the Colombian hitmaker announced on Tuesday (Jan. 21). According to a press release, the fundraising event will support Karol’s Con Cora Foundation and its Casa Con Cora initiative to empower “thousands of women” to pursue their dreams. […]
Like any artist about to launch his music to the world, Bad Bunny was nervous on the eve of the release of his new album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, on January 5. But the Puerto Rican superstar had particular reason to feel on edge this time: He was releasing an album that, unlike any of his previous reggaetón and urban sets, prominently featured Puerto Rican rhythms and genres, including salsa — a major departure in sound and attitude.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“The day before the album release, I was super anxious,” Bunny (real name Benito Martínez Ocasio) tells Billboard. “I couldn’t sleep, wondering if people would like it, if I did the right thing by including those kinds of songs, [worried about] the things that I said,”
Bad Bunny’s last three albums — El Último Tour Del Mundo (2020), Un Verano Sin Ti (2022) and Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana (2023) — had all debuted at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart. But DeBÍ was being released on a Sunday, which meant Bunny would miss a full two days of sales tallies, as the chart’s tracking week runs Friday through Thursday.
Trending on Billboard
The gamble met with mixed results initially. DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS debuted at No 2 on the chart, behind Lil Baby’s WHAM. But instead of retreating, Bunny doubled down, co-hosting The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, busking on New York subway stations, hosting morning shows in San Juan and making impromptu appearances at the studios of well-known Puerto Rican podcasters like Chente Ydrach. Bunny, known for being furtive and press averse, was suddenly ubiquitous.
By now, his strategy has clearly paid off. This week, Debí rises to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 dated Jan. 25, besting Taylor Swift’s reissued Lover: Live From Paris, proof that promotion works — but so does sincerity, as Bunny tells Billboard in an interview following his No. 1 achievement. Here’s how he claimed the top spot, for the fourth time — with a Spanish-language album that specifically honors his Puerto Rican roots.
This is your fourth No. 1 with a Spanish language album on the Billboard 200. What’s the importance of achieving this to you?
Man, obviously I’m thankful with the way the world has embraced this album. The thing is, this project… it isn’t mine. It belongs to many people: everyone who worked with me, it belongs to Puerto Rico, my friends, my family. This project belongs to all of us who feel proud of being from Puerto Rico and being Latin. So, having this project go to No. 1, besting all these other great artists and great projects makes it much more special.
To be very honest with you, and I’ve said it to everyone: I didn’t expect this. The day before the album release, I was super anxious, I couldn’t sleep wondering if people would like it, if I did the right thing by including those kinds of songs, [worried about] the things that I said. The vision had always been to enjoy the creative process and do something special for Puerto Rico. I always thought that in Puerto Rico, people would connect with me and enjoy the album. And Puerto Ricans outside the island too. But I never imagined the whole world would. That’s taken me by surprise.
You’ve never been one to do much promo with an album release. In fact, many of your albums are surprise drops. And yet, this time you were everywhere, doing all kinds of media in the U.S. and in Puerto Rico. And you also posted heavily on social media prior to the release. Why?
I’ve always worked as a team. And for a long time, my team had asked me for presaves, countdown, pre-ads for other albums and I never had the opportunity to do it. This time I promised them I would. I let myself by taken along, as we say. And we wanted to begin paving the way in December and begin giving that vibe, connecting musically. That’s why the singles came out in December: “El Club” on December 6, and on December 26, “Pitorro de Coco.” I wanted people to connect with the album’s vibe. And I liked my team’s strategy of giving clues to fans little by little. It was something different from what we always do.
You’ve released albums on odd dates before, but January 5 felt very random. Aside from the fact that you missed two days of tracking, why choose that date?
This is a very special album, and part of its purpose was to bring together generations in a different way; have grandchildren sharing the music with their parents and grandparents and celebrate their culture in a special way. January 5 was a Sunday, which is the perfect day — and it was also the eve of Three Kings Day, a date where, at least in Puerto Rico, the family gets together. That was the purpose.
I want to be clear that I know the business, and I know releasing an album on a Sunday means losing nearly three days of streams, and that it affects my placement on the charts. But at no time was that of concern to me. My purpose wasn’t to compete with anyone. My purpose wasn’t to release an album that would interfere with someone else’s. My purpose was what I said: Bring an album with the essence of Puerto Rico that would unite generations, awaken love for the country and the culture, and that people would enjoy. That was it.
You did very varied promo, especially the past two weeks. What did you particularly love doing?
I really enjoyed talking with media in Puerto Rico, and going on Jimmy Fallon too. But musically, what most fulfilled me, and where I’m super impressed and happy and proud, too, is that the biggest songs in the album are salsa and plena [a traditional Puerto Rican rhythm]. Obviously, I made those songs with all the love in the world. But, knowing the market, one could have thought reggaetón would shine most and that these songs would go unnoticed.
And to see a plena [in “DtMF”] at No. 1 [on the Global 200], I didn’t expect that. I didn’t see that one coming. This past weekend, I saw everybody in the Fiestas de San Sebastian [an annual Puerto Rican festival that takes place in Old San Juan] singing “CAFé CON RON,” and that made me so happy. In fact, I wrote the chorus to that song a year ago during the festival. So, to see everyone singing it this year, as if it were the official anthem of Calles de San Sebastián, was beautiful.
Truly, of all my albums, this is the one that’s surprised us the most. Every album teaches us something, and this one has taught us a lot.
Like what?
More than taught — that album confirmed that doing things from the heart, without ambitions of position or money, always works in a positive way. It also taught me the importance of the feeling with which you record. Everyone who worked in this album […] put their heart into it, and man, it showed. It’s been one of the most beautiful album releases I’ve seen in a long time.
I also learned people want to hear music. Many people go into the studio thinking they’re going to create the next hit, looking for what’s trending, that’s hot. Everyone wants to do a two-minute song. And that’s not it. People want to hear music that’s real and heartfelt. That’s why a six-minute salsa track, and a four-minute plena are [the album’s two] top songs. This reconfirms to me that I don’t need to be any one way to have a hit. I need to be me, genuine, and do things from the heart.
There’s been talk for several years that salsa is going to make a comeback, but it hasn’t quite come to fruition. Do you think the success of this album, plus the success of Rauw Alejandro’s album late last year, can change that?
What I see with this album, and specifically with the song “Baile Inolvidable,” is that not only has salsa gone viral, but people [are] taking salsa lessons. I think the entire world wants to dance salsa. I’ve never been one of those people who says salsa is dead. Music doesn’t die; maybe it’s not done as much or it’s not as popular. But music stays for ever. Songs by Hector Lavoe, Frankie Ruiz, Ismael Rivera, they’re there forever. I’ve seen urban acts flirt with salsa since last year, and there’s a new generation of salsa artists who’ve been doing their thing for a long time.
But I think this song, more than giving salsa a push, will give a push to making more authentic music and will push artists to perhaps be more honest in their songs, make music from the heart and redefine what “modern salsa” means. This song has a classic essence, but at the same time it sounds new.
No one would have thought a six-mintue salsa songs [“Baile Inolvidable’] could be playing so much around the world right now. I think a lot of people would have said, ‘Let’s record a two-minute salsa so it’s a hit.” Papi, no. What’s good is good. For example, this song has a piano solo. A trumpet solo. I hadn’t heard a salsa with a solo in the longest time. It has an essence that resuces the beauty of old salsa. So, it’s aout motivating young musicians and showing that Sí se puede. It motivates people to do music from the heart again, regardless of numbers or going viral. Go into the studio and have fun. Create. Tell a story.
You spoke about salsa lessons, a theme in the “Baile Inolvidable” video. Are you a good salsa dancer?
The worst. But after two drinks I’m the best.
What can you tell us about your upcoming residency in Puerto Rico this summer?
Los Sobrinos will be playing with me. We’re trying to have as many [of the musicians in the album] as possible. The first shows are only for residents of Puerto Rico, so we want them to take away that experience of what Puerto Rico is, our culture, our music. We want to transmit the feeling, the energy of the album onto the live show. We want it to be magic.
Gusi and Elder Dayán’s “Acabaste Conmigo” has topped the latest new music Latin poll. In a poll published on Friday (Jan. 17) — in support of the weekly New Music Latin roundup and playlist, curated by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — music fans voted for the Colombian artists’ new track as their favorite music release of the week. This song — which masterfully preserves […]
Manuela Ferradas has joined SiriusXM in a senior management role, Billboard can confirm. Based out of the company’s Miami Beach studios, Ferradas will oversee the Latin artist and industry relations team for SiriusXM and Pandora. According to a press release, Ferradas will “secure talent and deliver marketing plans to external partners for various SiriusXM and Pandora opportunities […]
Karol G is in a league of her own as “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” adds a 26th week at No. 1 on Billboard’s overall Latin Airplay chart (dated Jan. 25), breaking the record for the most weeks among all songs since the list launched in 1994.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The merengue tune surpasses the 25-week domination by Shakira’s “La Tortura,” featuring Alejandro Sanz, a record the song held since Nov. 2005, when it outdid the 20-week mark by Son By Four’s “A Puro Dolor.”
“Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” released June 21, 2024, also remains as the top performer on the Tropical Airplay chart, where it has led the list for 28 weeks (of its total 31 weeks on the chart). Karol G might also set a new record on the tropical ranking, as she is one week away from tying Prince Royce‘s record of 29 nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 with “Carita de Inocente” in 2020. (It stepped aside for one week during its run atop the list, when Kyen?Es? sneaked-out one week atop the chart with “El Carnaval de Celia: A Tribute (La Vida Es Un Carnaval/ La Negra Tiene…)” in September 2020.
Trending on Billboard
“Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” commands both Latin Airplay and Tropical Airplay despite a 13% decline in audience impressions, to 10 million, earned during the Jan. 10-16 tracking week in theU.S., according to Luminate. The global hit gave Karol her 18th No. 1 on the overall Latin radio ranking when it landed at the summit last July, the second-most among women, just behind Shakira who continues at the helm with 24 champs.
While “Si Antes” spent its last week on the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart on the Jan. 11-dated list (due to the colossal take over by Bad Bunny’s new album), it also left a mark in 2024, tying with Xavi’s “La Diabla” and FloyyMenor and Cris MJ’s “Gata Only” for the most weeks at No. 1, all with 14 weeks at the summit. Further, in addition to “Qlona,” with Peso Pluma (No. 5), Karol’s “Si Antes” became only the second song by a female artist to close in the top 10 on the year-end Hot Latin Songs chart in 2024, at No. 8.
The new Jan. 25, 2025-dated charts will be posted in full on Billboard‘s website on Jan. 22 (one day later than usual, owed to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday in the U.S. on Jan. 20). For all chart news, follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.
Following its first full week of activity, Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos climbs 2-1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart (dated Jan. 25), scoring the superstar his fourth leader on the list. Bunny’s album was released on an off-cycle Sunday (Jan. 5), and, thus, it arrived on the chart a week ago with only five days of activity (as the chart’s tracking week runs Friday through Thursday).
In the tracking week ending Jan. 16, Debí Tirar Más Fotos earned 203,500 equivalent album units (up 67%) in the U.S., according to Luminate — largely driven by streaming activity. The set was only available as a standard 17-song streaming album, and as a digital download for purchase (widely through all digital retailers, as well as Bunny’s official webstore). Traditional album sales drove just under 8,000 of the album’s activity for the week.
Trending on Billboard
Bunny previously led the Billboard 200 with Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana (in 2023), Un Verano Sin Ti (2022) and El Último Tour del Mundo (2020).
At No. 2 on the Billboard 200, Taylor Swift’s 2023 album Lover: Live From Paris reenters, with 202,500 equivalent album units earned, all from album sales, following its reissue on vinyl (161,000 sold for the week), as well as its first release as a digital download album. The album was exclusively available only to purchase as either a vinyl LP or download in Swift’s webstore. It marks the 18th top 10-charting effort for Swift and the highest-charting live album in over five years. It’s the top-selling album of the week, and also scores the single-largest sales week for a live album on vinyl since Luminate began tracking sales in 1991.
The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units, compiled by Luminate. Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album. The new Jan. 25, 2025-dated chart will be posted in full on Billboard‘s website on Jan. 22 (one day later than usual, owed to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday in the U.S. on Jan. 20). For all chart news, follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.
Of Debí Tirar Más Fotos’ 203,500 equivalent album units earned in the week ending Jan. 16, SEA units comprise 195,000 (up 72%, equaling 264.03 million on-demand official streams of the set’s songs; it holds at No. 1 on the Top Streaming Albums chart for a second week), traditional album sales comprise 7,500 (down 3%, falling 6-8 on Top Album Sales) and TEA units comprise 1,000 (up 123%).
The 264.03 million streams of the album’s songs mark the largest streaming week for any album since Kendrick Lamar’s GNX arrived with 379.72 million (Dec. 7, 2024 chart), and the largest for any Latin music album since Bunny’s own Un Verano Sin Ti debuted with 356.55 million (May 21, 2022 chart).
Like in its opening chart week, Debí Tirar Más Fotos was sale priced for $4.99 in the iTunes Store, as well as in Bunny’s webstore.
As Debí Tirar Más Fotos is mostly in the Spanish language, it is the 28th mostly non-English-language album to hit No. 1, and the first of 2025. Four mostly non-English titles topped the list in 2024, and all were Korean-language efforts. Of the 28 mostly non-English-language albums to reach No. 1, 18 are mostly Korean, six mostly (or all) Spanish, one mostly Italian, one entirely French and two mostly a blend of Spanish, Italian and French.
Taylor Swift’s Lover: Live From Paris returns to the Billboard 200, reentering at No. 2 with 202,500 equivalent album units earned (up from nothing the week previous). The eight-song set was recorded in 2019 and had a limited release on vinyl in 2023 (exclusively through Swift’s webstore), and spent one week on the Billboard 200 that March, at No. 58.
Lover: Live From Paris is the highest-charting live album on the Billboard 200 in over five years, since Lionel Richie’s Hello From Las Vegas debuted and peaked at No. 2 on the Aug. 31, 2019-dated chart. Further, as Lover: Live From Paris marks Swift’s 18th top 10-charting set, she ties with Mariah Carey for the third-most top 10s among women in the history of the Billboard 200. Only Madonna (with 23) and Barbra Streisand (34) have more among women. (Meanwhile, all 20 of Swift’s Billboard 200 chart entries, dating to her 2006 debut, have now peaked in the top 20.)
Lover: Live From Paris is Swift’s second top 10-charting live set, following Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions (No. 3 in May 2023).
Of Lover: Live From Paris’ 202,500 units earned in the tracking week ending Jan. 16, album sales comprise the entire number (it reenters at No. 1 on Top Album Sales), with vinyl sales accounting for 161,000 (the largest sales week for a live album on vinyl since Luminate began tracking sales in 1991) and digital download sales accounting for the remaining sales. The set has no SEA or TEA units powering its reentry, since the album was not available on streaming services (thus, customers could not stream songs from the album directly), or through digital retailers such as iTunes, so customers couldn’t purchase songs from the album directly.
The Lover: Live From Paris album commemorates Swift’s The City of Lover live show on Sept. 9, 2019, at the Olympia in Paris. It was the only concert that Swift held to promote the 2019 album Lover, after her planned 2020 Lover Fest trek was cancelled due to COVID-19. Swift didn’t return to live shows until the career-spanning The Eras Tour kicked off in March 2023.
The City of Lover live gig was turned into an ABC-TV special on May 17, 2020 (titled Taylor Swift: City of Lover), and included only the eight songs that are also on the Lover: Live From Paris album. The album was initially released as a double-vinyl set, on heart-shaped color vinyl, in early 2023, exclusively through Swift’s webstore. The limited-pressing sold 13,500 copies in its one and only week of availability, and debuted and then-peaked at No. 58 on the Billboard 200 (March 4, 2023-dated chart).
Earlier in January 2025, Lover: Live From Paris was restocked on Swift’s webstore, for a limited time, on the same double-vinyl set, on heart-shaped color vinyl. At the time, customers were informed that the set would ship on or before Jan. 20.
In addition to the vinyl release, Lover: Live From Paris saw its debut as a digital download album, exclusively through Swift’s webstore, for a limited time. On Jan. 16, the final day of the latest chart’s tracking week, the set was made available in Swift’s store across four variants for six hours only, each priced at $4.99. One was the standard eight-song album, and the other three each contained the standard eight songs plus one unique live bonus track of a Lover album cut performed during The Eras Tour (“False God,” “I Think He Knows” and “Paper Rings”).
No version of the Lover: Live From Paris album was available during the tracking week on streaming services, nor through any digital retailer outside of Swift’s webstore. The album’s core eight songs were released as stand-alone tracks in May 2020 (the same week as the premiere of Taylor Swift: City of Lover TV special) widely through digital retailers and streamers.
As for the rest of the top 10 on the latest Billboard 200 chart, four former No. 1s are at Nos. 3-6. SZA’s SOS is steady at No. 3 (102,000 equivalent album units earned; down 10%), Kendrick Lamar’s GNX is a non-mover at No. 4 (64,000; down 4%), Lil Baby’s WHAM falls 1-5 in its second week (55,000; down 60%) and Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet slips 5-6 (48,000; down 6%).
Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft is stationary at No. 7 (40,000 equivalent album units earned; down 7%), the Wicked film soundtrack falls 6-8 (39,000; down 15%), Morgan Wallen’s chart-topping One Thing at a Time dips 8-9 (nearly 39,000; down 4%) and Gracie Abrams’ The Secret of Us descends 9-10 (36,000; down 4%).
Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Luminate reviews and authenticates data. In partnership with Billboard, data deemed suspicious or unverifiable is removed, using established criteria, before final chart calculations are made and published.
The euphoric and loving screams of the crowd made Fito Páez blush. The Argentine rocker admitted that the clamor for his free Saturday night (Jan. 18) show in Mexico City’s Zócalo made him feel “modesty.” Visibly moved, he thanked the 80,000 people who attended the Plaza de la Constitución, according to figures from the city government, but also those who followed the concert on social media and public television.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“How beautiful it is to be here!” said Páez, who appeared on the imposing stage dressed in a fluorescent yellow sweater and a red cape that matched the show’s lighting design. “Please save energy because you will need it,” the musician from Rosario added before starting his first concert of 2025 with his iconic song “El Amor Después del Amor.”
The concert at the country’s main public square settled a pending debt with his Mexican fans, after postponing a presentation originally scheduled for September due to a domestic accident that resulted in five fractured ribs and forced him to suspend a series of shows in Mexico and Colombia.
Trending on Billboard
It was also the prelude to three shows that the legendary icon of rock en Español will perform this week in Mexican territory, with two dates at the National Auditorium on Tuesday and Wednesday (Jan. 21-22), and one more at the Auditorio Telmex in Guadalajara on Jan. 26 — all part of his Páez 403 tour, which celebrates 40 years of his first album, Del 63, and the 30th anniversary of Circo Beat.
The concert of the 61-year-old rocker, with which the Government of Mexico City inaugurated its free musical shows of 2025 at the Zócalo, was even mentioned at the presidential conference of last Friday (Jan. 17). “Fito Páez is Fito Páez!” said Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum in response to a reporter’s question about the singer-songwriter’s visit.
On the Plaza de la Constitución, or Zócalo, a huge Argentine flag was waved from the front rows, with many people of the South American country in attendance to see one of their most respected and beloved musicians, but also curious and old fans, and even new followers who met him through Netflix’s bio-series El Amor Después del Amor. “This is bursting, how beautiful!” Páez, who kept his dialogues short but seemed to enjoy the moment, told the audience.
Accompanied by a large band of musicians and his inseparable piano, he pleased the crowd with a repertoire of his most well-known songs, including “Yo Vengo a Ofrecer Mi Corazón,” “Cadáver Exquisito,” “Un Vestido y Un Amor,” “Tumbas de la Gloria” and “Naturaleza Sangre.” He also sang classics such as “Al Lado del Camino,” “Circo Beat,” “Brillante Sobre el Mic,” “Ciudad de Pobres Corazones,” “A Rodar Mi Vida” and “Dar es Dar,” which made the audience vibrate.
Previously, the Argentine group El Juguete Rabioso and the Mexican band Rey Pila served as opening bands.
“Ciao, my loves. What an unforgettable night! Health, money, and love for everyone. Thank you for this great honor, for having received us all the people of the city,” Páez said as a farewell. “Know that we appreciate this from the bottom of our hearts.”
With the energy of the audience still high, the rocker reciprocated the affection performing “Mariposa Technicolor” and “Dale Alegría,” which marked the end of his presentation.
Fito Páez’s show adds to the long list of concerts that national and international artists have offered at the capital’s Zócalo, including Paul McCartney, Roger Waters, Pixies, Caifanes, Rosalía, Interpol, Grupo Firme, Shakira, Juan Gabriel and Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, among many others.
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.
“En Barranquilla Se Baila Así”
Ahead of the launch of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour in February, Shakira’s hometown is honoring her with a special tribute at the annual Carnaval de Barranquilla. This year, the festival — which kicks off March 1 — has adopted the Colombian hitmaker’s iconic line “En Barranquilla se baila así,” from “Hips Don’t Lie,” as its official slogan. On Jan. 11, fans in Barranquilla gathered at the Shakira statue where the official imagery for this year’s Carnaval was unveiled.
“This tribute touches my heart as a Barranquilla native and fills me with pride,” Shakira said in a statement. “It is an honor and a joy to be part of this in such a way. Since the day I was born, I have always felt incredibly proud to be from Barranquilla, and I always will be. Because that’s what we do here— celebrate life. And above all, we celebrate that we know how to celebrate! Let’s spread this energy to the entire world! Long live the Carnival, long live Barranquilla, its culture, and its people. Let’s show once again that this is how we dance in Barranquilla! Love you all!”
Trending on Billboard
Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran Tour will make a stop in Barranquilla. See the dates of her trek here.
Del Records Feeds First Responders
Amid the devastation that followed the blazing and deadly wildfires in L.A., Del Records CEO Angel Del Villar led an initiative on Thursday (Jan. 16) to feed firefighters, first responders, and support personnel stationed at their base camp at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Del Villar recruited Tacos Bombero 408, which traveled from San Jose, Calif., with its fire truck turned taco truck. According to a press release, the Tacos Bombero 408 team served more than 1,000 fresh meals, “bringing hope and gratitude to those on the frontlines of the wildfire battle.” About the initiative, Del Villar said, “It’s the least we can do for those putting their lives on the line for us.”
Merch With a Cause
On Thursday, Karol G unveiled special merch dedicated to the city of Los Angeles, with all proceeds set to go towards wildfire relief efforts. The merch, a $120 hoodie and $40 tote bag, are now available for purchase here.
“LA, you are in my heart,” Karol G wrote in a post shared on her Karol G Merch Instagram page. “At Con Cora Foundation, we have joined forces with I Scream Color to create two pieces that represents solidarity with the people affected by one of the most devastating wildfires in California’s history. 100% of the artists proceeds will be donated to the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles to support the individuals, families and resources impacted. This is an act of love and gratitude for a city that means so much to me and to all of us. Together, we can make a difference. Let’s unite and show Los Angeles that it’s in our hearts.”
More Latin Acts Donate to Wildfire Relief Efforts
In solidarity with the community of Los Angeles, artists such as Alejandro Fernández, Maná, Peso Pluma, Chiquis and Fuerza Regida have all stepped up to help the countless of Angelenos who have been impacted by the ongoing devastation. In the past week, thousands of houses and structures burned and more than 100,000 people evacuated due to the wildfires. More than 20 people have died across the L.A. area.
See how Latin artists have helped those affected by the wildfires here.
For health alerts, evacuation updates and additional shelter information as the wildfire battle continues, go to L.A. County’s emergency website. Musicians and music industry professionals who are affected can get details about assistance here.
Blessd Goes All in for Fútbol
Earlier this week, Blessd became the largest investor in the Legacy Sports Partners fund, which has acquired the Danish football club Vendsyssel FF. “I am beyond thrilled to take on this incredible project with Vendsyssel FF,” the Colombian artist said in a statement. “Football has always been a passion of mine, and being able to connect it with my journey in music is a dream come true. Together, we will create something truly special for both music and football fans, uniting the best of two worlds — America and Europe — enhancing the club’s culture, and reaching new heights in Denmark and beyond.”
The first friendly match after the club’s acquisition will take place in Medellín, Colombia, against Atlético Nacional, as part of the preseason and the Copa Bendita.