State Champ Radio latin music week
Trending on Billboard
Every month, Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors spotlight a group of rising artists whose music we love. Think “diamantes en bruto,” or “diamonds in the rough.” These are newcomers who have yet to impact the mainstream — but whose music excites us, and who we believe our readers should make a point to discover.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
Our latest edition of On the Radar Latin includes a wave of emerging artists that we came across at the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Week in Miami, which took place Oct. 20-24 at The Fillmore Miami Beach. See our recommendations this month below:
Name: ATINA
Country: Peru
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: ATINA is a Peruvian urban pop singer-songwriter who delivers honest lyrics, a powerful, brilliant voice and a unique sound. Trained at the New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music (New York) and Berklee College of Music (Boston), she began writing at age 14 as a form of personal therapy, and has since set out to “heal hearts through music,” according to a statement. This year, at 22, she released her debut album Curita Pa’l Cora, with standout singles such as “Qué Tengo Que Hacer,” “Respiro” and “Boca.” In August, she participated in the All Music Fest Perú, sharing the bill with international artists such as Beéle and Luar La L. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Song For Your Playlist: “Respiro”
Name: Belén Sánchez
Country: Ecuador
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Born in Ecuador and residing in New York, Belén is ready to make strong waves in the music industry with her debut single “Lejos de Casa,” released earlier this year. The song starts off as a vibrant bolero, before navigating to the heartfelt rap bars by Vavier Jerainto and ultimately transitioning into a saucy salsa tune backed by La Banda Brava. Beyond its melting pot of rhythms, “Lejos de Casa” is a reflection of Sánchez’s personal experience as an immigrant in The United States.
“I’ve had this song saved since 2018,” she expressed in an Instagram post. “I wanted this song to sound like and represent my city Guayaquil […] It doesn’t just sound like Guajira, there are a lot of genres in the Ecuadorian music scene to explore, among them Guayaco Rap.” In addition to embarking on her own music career path, Sánchez is a Berklee College of Music alum and is manager of emerging Dominican powerhouse La Cassandra. — JESSICA ROIZ
Song for Your Playlist: “Lejos de Casa” (feat. La Banda Brava)
Name: Ephrem J
Country: Curaçao
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: Ephrem J is an independent artist with a solid track record, but he wasn’t on our radar until we discovered him this year at Billboard Latin Music Week. A charismatic bachata and merengue singer, he has been releasing music since 2009, when he debuted with the single “Amor en la Luna.” His studio albums include Bailando (2014), El Mejor Momento (2017), and this year’s Fiesta Tropical, Vol. 1.0. With songs like “No Hay Imposibles,” “Como una Oración,” and “Una Copa,” he has built a growing fanbase on social media, where he has thousands of followers. His latest single, “KARMA,” already has over 200,000 views on YouTube, and he is preparing to release the music video for “Loco Por Ti” next week. — S.R.A.
Song For Your Playlist: “KARMA”
Name: Francia
Country: Venezuela
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: The first time you meet Francia, you will undoubtedly be captivated by his lovely aura and glow that includes warm hugs and uplifting words. I first came across his one-of-a-kind personality when we met for the first time at the 2023 Latin Grammys in Sevilla; however, the first time I heard him sing was this year at the release of his debut album, Infinita—a beautifully curated 11-track album that showcases his magic and unique perspective in life. In addition to forging his music career, the Venezuelan singer-songwriter—who left his career on Wall Street to pursue his dreams—is a lawyer, actor, and TV reporter. In July, he presented his new album with a full live band at the Black Room Sessions in Miami surrounded by family and friends. — INGRID FAJARDO
Song for Your Playlist: “Creatura Divina”
Name: Ina Peralta
Country: Venezuela
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Ina Peralta’s music career kicked off almost 10 years ago with her debut single “Tu Lo Que Quieras” released in 2017. After a nearly five-year hiatus due to a undergoing a severe health condition, the Venezuelan singer-songwriter returned with her 2022 EP Aprendi a Amarme. Since, Peralta has penned her personal life stories into her music, singing about self love, resilience, empowerment, and strength. Her uplifting music is backed by salsa, pop, cumbia, and urban rhythms, best reflected in her debut studio album INA Siendo INA, out earlier this year. — J.R.
Song for Your Playlist: “Que Me Digan Loca”
Name: J Salez
Country: Mexico
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: While walking around the lobby at The Fillmore Miami Beach, I was approached by two gentlemen: J Salez (real name: Juan Chavez) and his manager, Dereck Vinci. Immediately, I was drawn to Salez’s musical concept: a Mexican singer creating bachata music. With a five-year music career, Salez is a first-generation Mexican-American artist, who despite being raised in Southern California by mariachi singers from Jalisco, is chasing his musical path in the Tropical music realm. Tall, dark and handsome, accompanied by dulcet, romantic vocals, Salez released his debut studio album California Love in 2024, and is currently making the rounds with his single “Ya” (2025). — J.R.
Song for Your Playlist: “Duele”
Name: JimmyBoy
Country: Puerto Rico
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: JimmyBoy has a special charm; from the first second you hear him, he makes you want to move. Sonically, his style is a slow, rhythmic reggaeton, pleasing to the ear, and that’s precisely what stands out, especially when most urban artists these days are presenting harsher sounds. Lyrically, he’s romantic while remaining modern. At just 19 years old, the Puerto Rican singer showcases his versatility by fusing soul, R&B, pop and Afrobeats in most of his tracks, which has allowed him to enter diverse markets such as Panama, Colombia, Chile, Mexico and even Spain. JimmyBoy will release “Playa Escondida” on November 26th, an energetic house track with which he will continue to demonstrate his ability to interpret different rhythms. — TERE AGUILERA
Song for Your Playlist: “Explícame”
Name: Jocsan Duran
Country: Dominican Republic
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Jocsan Duran may have been born in the Dominican Republic and reared in Orlando, but his music is rooted in regional Mexican tradition, specifically the corridos tumbados movement that continues to thrive. It’s not every day you see a Dominican artist making waves in a genre historically associated with Mexico, but Duran is breaking barriers by infusing Dominican flavor into music typically known for its norteño tones. It was at Billboard Latin Music Week that Duran caught our attention, during the Future of Regional Mexican Music panel — featuring Xavi, Oscar Maydon, Codiciado, and more — where he stood up from the audience to ask a question and directed our focus to his music.
His 7-track debut EP, Humilde, released in May, showcases his boundary-pushing style. On tracks like “El Emblema,” he blends Mexican slang with Dominican expressions and even throws in English words, showcasing his bicultural identity. The artist also reveals his poetic side in songs like “Conversación Con la Luna,” where he reflects on the challenges of his journey and the determination it took to make it here. Drawing inspiration from artists like Natanael Cano, Fuerza Regida, and Juan Gabriel (whom he admires deeply for his showmanship), Duran is offering a fresh voice and perspective to a genre in continued evolution. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Song for Your Playlist: “Humilde”
Name: Karol Wilson
Country: Panama
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: In 2018, Karol Wilson introduced her debut single “Sin Más Rodeos,” a feel-good reggae track, before ultimately transitioning to an edgier sound that includes reggaeton, Latin Afrobeats, and even dembow. Born and raised in Panama, the singer-songwriter “writes what she feels and transforms her experience into music,” according to her artist profile on Spotify. Wilson has collaborated with up-and-coming artists such as Any Victoria and Jimmy Boy — the latter was also at the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Week, and both are managed by Latin Grammy-winning producer Pedro Sanjur. Currently, Wilson is promoting her sultry tune “Ya No Más,” which perfectly showcases her sensual and smooth vocals. — J.R.
Song for Your Playlist: “Ya No Más”
Name: Katteyes
Country: Chile
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: This young reggaetón singer is one of Chile’s biggest digital stars and one of the most successful examples of artists who emerged from social media as content creators and made the leap to major Latin stages. Fernanda Villalobos (her real name) began her career as a teenager under the name “Iamferv.” Her unique blend of music, fashion, and style has earned her 45.7 million followers on TikTok, 13.3 million on Instagram, 9.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and nearly 56 million views on each of her YouTube videos, at time of publishing. She is undoubtedly one of the most promising urban music artists from South America, possessing a commanding stage presence at just 21 years old.
This was evident during her performance at the “Opening Night of Billboard Latin Music Week” showcase presented by Boombastic in Miami on October 20th, where she shone as a bold performer, with her fusion of Latin pop, reggaetón and emotional lyrics. Some of her most popular collaborations include songs with La Joaqui, Luck Ra, Kidd Voodoo and Jere Klein. She also makes her outfits a valuable complement to her stage persona, with avant-garde clothing and makeup, weaving together styles ranging from femme fatale to virgins in bejeweled gowns. You can soon see her at Teletón Chile 2025, Coca-Cola Flow Fest in Mexico City on November 22nd, and Lollapalooza Chile 2026. — NATALIA CANO
Song for Your Playlist: “Ponte Lokita” (feat. Kidd Voodoo)
Name: Machaka
Country: Ecuador
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Combining 1980s cumbia and salsa with urban and Andean sounds, lyrics that highlight Ecuadorian slang and identity, and a recognizable deep voice, Machaka stands out for his freshness and authenticity. His approach, which he describes on his Instagram account as “modern cevichería music,” can be heard in songs like “Milagro,” “Crucita,” and “Las +593,” the latter dedicated to the women of his country. Machaka is beginning to make his way internationally, with a tour that took him this year to several cities in the U.S. and Spain and an upcoming performance at the Colombian festival Estéreo Picnic 2026. On Nov. 6th, he will release a new EP, Sabrosura Ecuatoriana, which you can listen to here. — S.R.A.
Song for Your Playlist: “Las +593”
Name: MADIE
Country: Guatemala
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Madie holds degrees in communication and fashion design and has studied aviation. But her first passion is music, taking singing and dancing lessons from the age of 9 in her home country and later in London. In 2024, she debuted with the single “Lights Out,” and this year she released her first EP, Sin Reglas, a selection of five songs that showcase her charisma and versatility, with a fusion of pop, urban, merengue, Afrobeats, R&B, and dancehall rhythms. The set earned her three nominations for the Estela Awards in Guatemala, where this month she gave her first concert as part of the Vibes Party event. Madie is currently creating new music with Honduran producer Jorge Ulloa, best known for his work with Farruko’s label, Carbon Fiber Music. — S.R.A.
Song for Your Playlist: “Llamada en Espera”
Name: RIZA
Country: United States
Why They Should be on your Radar: Thanks to Billboard Latin Music Week’s “Making the Hit, Live!” discussion — this year featuring Pablo Alborán and Julio Reyes Copello — we discovered the wonderful RIZA. The Filipino-Cuban artist, from Hollywood, Florida, captivated the audience with her enchanting harmonies and smooth vocals when she joined Alborán and the hitmaker to create a song in real life. The tune they created during the panel, which had a dreamy, Middle Eastern rhythm and heartfelt lyrics about missing and longing for someone, further showcased RIZA’s superstar power, with sultry, melodious vocals à la Sade, and an effortless mix of R&B, jazz, folk, and pop elements. RIZA, who sings in both English and Spanish, released her six-track EP Miracle in 2023, and has collaborated with the Mexican indie act Humbe. — J.R.
Song For Your Playlist: “la sirena”
Trending on Billboard
Rawayana transformed the M2 Miami club into a massive after-party for the 2025 Latin Music Week Billboard En Vivo on Wednesday night (Oct. 22).
Joined on stage by about 70 people — including friends, music industry figures, models and influencers — the Venezuelan trip-pop band created a celebratory atmosphere with a dazzling production that featured a stimulating display of lights, colorful visuals, confetti and smoke columns, delivering a one-of-a-kind experience.
Both the special guests on stage and the audience vibed to the rhythm of the 14-song setlist, which opened with “Dame Un Break” and continued with hits like “Feriado,” “Hora Loca,” and Rawayana’s latest single, “La Noche Que No Había Uber.” One of the standout moments was the appearance of Puerto Rican singer Rafa Pabön, who joined Rawayana’s vocalist Beto Montenegro to perform their hit collaboration “Miel.”
Have you played Billboard’s Latin Music Week Crossword?Play now!
The Grammy and Latin Grammy-winning band closed the set on a high note with their mega-hit “Veneka,” a burst of adrenaline that had all their fans jumping to the beat.
Rawayana’s performance was preceded by a set from Venezuelan singer Corina Smith, followed by fellow Venezuelan DJ Mr. Pauer. The newly formed boy band Santos Bravos, which was scheduled to perform live for the first time after winning this week Hybe Latin America’s reality show of the same name, was unable to perform due to logistical issues that caused delays to the arrivals of three of its members. The quintet will instead make its red carpet debut at the Billboard Latin Music Awards, which will air live tonight (Oct. 23) on Telemundo.
With over 30 years of history, Billboard Latin Music Week is the largest gathering of Latin artists and music industry executives worldwide. This year’s lineup also included Aitana, Anuel AA, Bebeshito, Carlos Vives, Carín León, Danny Ocean, DJ Khaled, Emilia Mernes, Ivy Queen, Gloria Estefan, Grupo 5, Kapo, Laura Pausini, Luck Ra, Netón Vega, Olga Tañón, Óscar Maydon, Ozuna, Pablo Alborán, Suzette Quintanilla, Tokischa, Xavi, Yailin La Más Viral, and more.
Watch a clip of Rawayana’s Billboard En Vivo performance below.
Billboard’s Live Music Summit will be held in Los Angeles on Nov. 3. For tickets and more information, visit https://www.billboardlivemusicsummit.com/2025/home-launch
Trending on Billboard
Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan headlined an “Icon Q&A” panel on Wednesday (Oct. 22) at Billboard Latin Music Week 2025 in Miami, where they reminisced about their beginnings in the industry, reflected on some of their major achievements and shared their views on topics such as the conservative backlash to Bad Bunny’s selection for the upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show and the strict immigration policies of the Trump administration.
Presented by BMI, the panel was moderated by Jesús González, vice president, creative, Latin, at the music rights organization, who introduced the power couple as the artists who achieved “truly the first Latin crossover” and “the pillars that this industry has been built upon” after revolutionizing pop music in the ’80s with their Miami Sound Machine.
“I have worked on three Super Bowl Halftime Shows, three Olympic games and produced for six U.S. presidents with 48 events at the White House,” said the No. 1 Latin music producer, noting that he is neither a Democrat nor a Republican. “But … we need to have opportunities. For example, Bad Bunny, who has incredible success and was already part of the Super Bowl with Shakira and Jennifer [Lopez in 2020], has been the subject of major news coverage. I’m very happy with what he has done for Puerto Rico, for his country [with his recent residency at the Coliseo]. And we must have opportunities in different languages. It’s a normal thing.”
“The most important thing for me is that people see the value of Latinos who came here to contribute, to work, and the gratitude we have for being in the best country in the world,” he added, as a Cuban immigrant who truly achieved the American Dream. “I don’t want a child to think they don’t have opportunities in this great country.”
Meanwhile, Gloria expressed her concern over the current government’s aggressive deportation campaign and the loss of respect for other people’s opinions. “We’re human beings, and we’re kind of split down the middle on probably everything that exists. But one thing that’s always inspired me about this country that I deeply love and respect is the fact that there’s always been respectful discourse, and after every debate, people shook hands. And it scares me to see that changing,” the legendary singer-songwriter said.
Have you played Billboard’s Latin Music Week Crossword?Play now!
“And the freedoms we share must be defended, mi gente. There is no reason to be cruel to people. Yes, we absolutely need our border to have a legal process. But there’s no need to take someone that has put years of work into this country, that has sacrificed … They are not criminals!” she continued, receiving a roaring applause from the audience at The Fillmore Miami Beach. “It scares me to see what we’re seeing. It scares me. And I will always speak up because freedom must be defended.”
This year, Gloria Estefan is celebrating five decades in music and four decades of “Conga,” the megahit by Miami Sound Machine that launched her to stardom. Meanwhile, Emilio Estefan just topped the list of the Top Producers of the 21st century on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart, with 14 No. 1 hits between 2000 and 2024 as a producer for artists including Carlos Vives, Paulina Rubio and, of course, Gloria Estefan.
With over 30 years of history, Latin Music Week is the largest and most important gathering of Latin artists and industry executives worldwide. The event coincides with the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which will air on Thursday (Oct. 23) on Telemundo and Peacock, and where Bad Bunny will be honored as the Latin Artist of the 21st Century.
Trending on Billboard
In a historic panel, Daddy Yankee returned to the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Week for a candid conversation with Billboard’s Leila Cobo for the “Superstar Q&A” panel on Wednesday (Oct. 22).
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
During the one-hour-long conversation, the Puerto Rican artist opened up about his personal and professional rebirth; his latest album, Lamento en Baile; as well as God’s purpose with him.
“I feel reborn, reenergized, and truly joyful with everything I’m experiencing,” he told Cobo. “The personal, spiritual, and faith-based change certainly feels good in my heart. Each person has a different purpose and design. Everyone has a purpose to fulfill in their lives, and mine was this path: to forefront popular culture, announcing the Kingdom — that’s a challenge. My father is so strategic that he’s calling many people.”
The Puerto Rican artist also reacted to his uplifting song “Sonríele” reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Latin Airplay chart this week.
“I never imagined it would have the huge impact it has had because music is different now,” he expressed. “Seeing it reach people’s hearts fills me with joy because that purpose is being seen. This song is medicine… it’s celebrating life. That’s the true No. 1.”
And though he “feels reborn with new energies and very happy” with his personal and spiritual change, he admits that it’s still a learning process for him.
“I’m still under construction,” he said. “I’m far from perfect. I’m vulnerable, I have weaknesses, I’m going to make mistakes, but I know my faith is in the Lord, and that he’s in control of that.”
Spanning 36 years, Latin Music Week is the single largest gathering of Latin artists and industry executives in the world. This year’s event — which also features Carín León, Daddy Yankee, Ivy Queen, Gloria Estefan, Kapo, Laura Pausini, Netón Vega, Ozuna, Pablo Alborán, and Xavi, among others — hosts panels, marquee conversations, roundtables, networking and activations, in addition to its celebrated Billboard En Vivo showcases.
Latin Music Week also coincides with the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards, set to air Thursday, Oct. 23, on Telemundo and Peacock, where Bad Bunny will be honored as Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century.
Trending on Billboard
During the third day of activities at 2025 Billboard Latin Music Week, the new stars of regional Mexican music discussed the changes the genre is experiencing as it captures global attention. During the panel “The Future of Regional Mexican Music,” presented by Walmart and moderated by Isabela Raygoza of Billboard Español, five of the talents revolutionizing the genre came together: Xavi, Netón Vega, Estevie, Oscar Maydón and Codiciado.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
Fusions have been one of the main factors driving the shift in sounds for the new generation. Netón Vega — who gained recognition as a composer of corridos tumbados — has experimented with trap and reggaetón, releasing his album Mi Vida Mi Muerte this year, which is nominated for eight Billboard Latin Music Awards. “The lyrics can be about romantic themes, like in my case, but the sounds of a song with charcheta are very different from those of an urban sound. That’s where creativity comes in, knowing how to use the voice and experiment with the rhythms,” explained the artist, who was born in La Paz, Baja California Sur.
Maydon, who rose to fame through his collaborations with Peso Pluma, Natanael Cano, Junior H, and Fuerza Regida, is also part of the corridos tumbados wave. Like his peers, he has had to adapt his music due to restrictions placed on the genre in some Mexican states. “We, as the new generation, grew up listening to things like trap. Before, with singers like Vicente Fernández, everything was different,” he said. “But now we can collaborate with anyone. In corridos, you have to be a bit more careful about how you say things, whereas in reggaetón and urban music, for example, you can be more open.”
The new faces of Mexican music have also grown up in the U.S., though they carry in their veins the heritage of the country in which their parents were born, inheriting those traditions and musical tastes. That is the case for Estevie, who is making waves with her unique style of performing danceable music. “In 2021, I listened to ‘Ay Papasito’ by Alicia Villreal and realized there wasn’t music like that, but with more modern beats, and that’s when I created my first cumbia called ‘Canela,’” she explained about the path she chose for her career.
For his part, Xavi, born in Phoenix and known for revolutionizing social media with his hit “La Diabla,” shared his formula for writing successful songs: “The most important thing is to reflect what comes from the heart; the message you convey through your music is what makes you connect with people,” said the artist, who has caught the attention of major stars like Grupo Frontera and, more recently, Manuel Turizo, for collaborations.
The most experienced participant on the panel, Codiciado — part of the generation that emerged in Tijuana during the pandemic that predates the corridos tumbados movement — shared valuable advice with his peers. “You must always believe in yourself. If you fall, you get back up,” said the artist, who is about to release his first album in three years. “A career is built by being genuine and working hard every day. The most important thing is to find what you can contribute to music and the industry. We can ride the waves and do well, but there’s nothing like stirring the waters.”
With over 30 years of history, Latin Music Week is the most important and largest gathering of Latin artists and industry executives worldwide. The event also coincides with the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards, set to air on Thursday (Oct. 23) on Telemundo and Peacock, where Bad Bunny will be honored as Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century.
Trending on Billboard
Billboard Latin Music Week 2025 is bringing the biggest Latin music stars to Miami for a weeklong conference, including Ozuna, Tokischa, Yailan, Aitana, Pablo Alborán, Yami Safdie, De La Ghetto, Silvestre Dangond and many more. The artists – who spoke at panels and/or performed at showcases – also posed for Billboard’s photo booth.
Puerto Rican hitmaker Ozuna spoke at the Afrobeats panel alongside Goyo, Kapo, Humby and Venesti who talked about fusing their signature sound with Afrobeat. “I didn’t know much about the rhythm, but I was interested in learning, I was into reggaetón, and this rhythm opened doors for me,” Ozuna said.
Meanwhile, Tokischa sat down with Ivy Queen for a one-on-one conversation about feminism, sexuality and music. Toki also spoke about her upcoming album. “I finished my album mid-year. I worked on a super intimate project, spending seven months in the studio all day,” she said. “[On the album] I’m talking about my story — beyond being Tokischa la perra, la bellaca, I’m raw and honest, in terms of all the traumas I’ve overcome, from my years as an addict. I had an unstable moment because I had to uncover all those traumas and record. In my career, I’ve had to start over from scratch twice.”
Artists including Daddy Yankee, Laura Pausini and Kali Uchis took centerstage for Superstar Q&As. Other returning panels included Making the Hit Live!, this year featuring Pablo Alborán and Julio Reyes Copello, and the Women’s Panel with artists Aitana, Silvana Estrada, Yailin, Ela Taubert and Yami Safdie.
Latin Music Week also coincides with the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards, set to air Thursday, Oct. 23, on Telemundo and Peacock, where Bad Bunny will be honored as Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century.
See some of the best photo booth gems captured backstage throughout Latin Music Week.
Image Credit: Ysa Pérez
Tokischa photographed on October 21, 2025 at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.
Image Credit: Ysa Pérez
Goyo photographed on October 21, 2025 at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.
Image Credit: Ysa Pérez
Jay Dee photographed on October 21, 2025 at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.
Image Credit: Ysa Pérez
Humby photographed on October 21, 2025 at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.
Image Credit: Ysa Pérez
Ela Taubert photographed on October 21, 2025 at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.
Image Credit: Ysa Pérez
Yami Safdie photographed on October 21, 2025 at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.
Image Credit: Ysa Pérez
Kapo photographed on October 21, 2025 at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.
Image Credit: Ysa Pérez
Aitana photographed on October 21, 2025 at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.
Image Credit: Ysa Pérez
Pablo Alborán photographed on October 21, 2025 at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.
Image Credit: Ysa Pérez
Riza photographed on October 21, 2025 at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.
Image Credit: Ysa Pérez
Ozuna photographed on October 21, 2025 at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.
Image Credit: Ysa Pérez
Silvana Estrada photographed on October 21, 2025 at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.
Image Credit: Ysa Pérez
De La Ghetto photographed on October 21, 2025 at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.
Image Credit: Ysa Pérez
Silvestre Dangond photographed on October 21, 2025 at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.
Image Credit: Ysa Pérez
Soledad photographed on October 21, 2025 at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.
Image Credit: Ysa Pérez
Jowell photographed on October 21, 2025 at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.
Image Credit: Ysa Pérez
Tokischa photographed on October 21, 2025 at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.
Image Credit: Ysa Pérez
Venesti photographed on October 21, 2025 at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.
Image Credit: Ysa Pérez
From left: Pablo Alborán, Riza, and Julio Reyes Copello photographed on October 21, 2025 at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.
Image Credit: Ysa Pérez
Yailin photographed on October 21, 2025 at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.
Image Credit: Ysa Pérez
Carlos Arroyo photographed on October 21, 2025 at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.
Image Credit: Ysa Pérez
Julio Reyes Copello photographed on October 21, 2025 at The Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami Beach, FL.
Trending on Billboard
Tropical music stars from different styles and countries came together on Wednesday (Oct. 22) at Billboard Latin Music Week 2025 to discuss the cultural impact their respective genres have had on new generations and how they have embraced it. The panel included iconic Puerto Rican merengue singer Olga Tañón; legendary Peruvian cumbia and merengue band Grupo 5; Puerto Rican singer Guaynaa, who has experimented with urban music, salsa and more; emerging Cuban reparto musician Bebeshito; and Argentine cuarteto star Luck Ra.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
In the panel “The Cumbia and Tropical Music Explosion,” presented by Andrea Ramírez PR and moderated by Jessica Roiz of Billboard, Tañón and the members of Grupo 5 recounted their first experiences in music; Tañón in the 1990s, when she thought an audition she attended was to be a Spanish-language rock singer; and the South American group in the 1970s, when they began with ballads and later adopted cumbia as their sound to liven up local parties.
“I didn’t want to be a merengue singer; I’m a merengue snob,” said the artist nicknamed “Woman of Fire.” “I started out doing ballads, Spanish rock, and you used merengue at home to sing and dance, but when they auditioned me, I thought it was for a Spanish rock band.” She recalled that the band’s leader told her that anyone who sings well can sing anything, so she prepared, auditioned, and was chosen, beginning her love affair with the Dominican genre.
In a fluid dialogue, the artists shared with the audience their opinions on how new Latin stars have reinvented salsa, such as Bad Bunny on his acclaimed album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, a musical genre that had its heyday in the late 1960s, marked by legends like Celia Cruz and Willie Colón.
Below are some of the best quotes from the discussion:
Olga Tañón, on the expiration date of a genre: “The musical DNA of a country, which is the culture of a country, will never die. Never. Not merengue, not salsa, not cumbia.”
Christian Yaipén (Grupo 5), on how to make music transcend fads: “We’re always focused on making music in the best way possible to bring it to the audience’s hearts, not just thinking about trends and passing things. My brother Elmer taught me that songs don’t catch on overnight; songs don’t reach No. 1 the following month.”
Guaynaa, on why new generations are experimenting with tropical music: “The first angle is the record label, systematically; and the second is the angle of the street, of the people [who demand it]. The question at the time of creating is how we can impact culture.”
Bebeshito, on the genre of reparto and its success coming from a country like Cuba without digital platforms: “Reparto is made internationally by Cubans (…) This support doesn’t come digitally from the island, but the support from the heart does.”
Luck Ra, on cumbia and cuarteto as the common thread of his work: “There are new [musical] schools that come with a lot of hunger. It’s something that brings you joy, that makes you dance. Cumbia and cuarteto are something that can be heard anywhere in the world.”
Spanning more than 30 years, Latin Music Week is the single-most important and largest gathering of Latin artists and industry executives in the world. This year’s star-studded lineup includes Aitana, Alofoke, Anuel AA, Bebeshito, Carlos Vives, Carín León, Danny Ocean, DJ Khaled, Daddy Yankee (DY), Emilia Mernes, Ivy Queen, Gloria Estefan, Grupo 5, Kapo, Laura Pausini, Luck Ra, Netón Vega, Olga Tañón, Óscar Maydon, Ozuna, Pablo Alborán, Rawayana, Suzette Quintanilla, Tokischa, Xavi, and Yailin La Más Viral, to name a few.
Latin Music Week also coincides with the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards, set to air Thursday, Oct. 23, on Telemundo and Peacock, where Bad Bunny will be honored as Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century.
Trending on Billboard
Carlos Vives, Emilia, Wisin and Xavi — the artists behind the 2026 Telemundo World Cup anthem — discussed their process during “The Music of the World Cup” panel at the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Week on Wednesday (Oct. 22), moderated by sports anchor and lead premier league host, Carlota Vizmanos.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
“This song is for the family,” Carlos Vives said of the official song for the FIFA World Cup 2026, that will premiere at the Billboard Latin Music Awards on Oct. 23. “In a world where war and hatred are the norm, soccer is the complete opposite. What a great opportunity for this song to speak to that and for Telemundo to be the message that brings it.”
During the discussion, all three of the panelists shared their own personal connections to the sport. “I’m grateful for the opportunity; I’m happy to represent Mexico,” Xavi added. “Honestly, [this opportunity] fell on me like a bucket of water. I’m still processing it. Despite being from different worlds, we all have something in common — and that’s soccer, and that’s why it’s about unity.”
“Soccer unites us,” Vives added. “It’s brotherhood, it’s friendship, it’s love. Even though it’s competition and rivalry, it’s fair play. That’s why it unites us all.”
Have you played Billboard’s Latin Music Week Crossword?Play now!
“It’s truly something I remember on Sundays: getting together with friends and family, having a barbecue, and waiting for the game. It was a ritual,” Emilia noted.
Meanwhile in Puerto Rico, soccer is “growing tremendously,” said Wisin. “It’s a door that opens to work internationally and have another chance to do something great.”
Spanning 36 years, Latin Music Week is the single largest gathering of Latin artists and industry executives in the world. This year’s event — which also features Carín León, Daddy Yankee, Ivy Queen, Gloria Estefan, Kapo, Laura Pausini, Netón Vega, Ozuna, Pablo Alborán, and Xavi, among others — hosts panels, marquee conversations, roundtables, networking and activations, in addition to its celebrated Billboard En Vivo showcases.
Latin Music Week also coincides with the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards, set to air Thursday, Oct. 23, on Telemundo and Peacock, where Bad Bunny will be honored as Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century.
Billboard’s Live Music Summit will be held in Los Angeles on Nov. 3. For tickets and more information, visit the Live Music Summit website.
Trending on Billboard
Selena Y Los Dinos is Netflix’s upcoming documentary on the legacy of the Tejano star, but it’s also the band — fronted by the icon Selena — that revolutionized Latin music and one of the first global acts. At Latin Music Week 2025, fans and conference attendees not only got to see exclusive clips from the film, slated to premiere Nov. 17, but heard directly from Suzette Quintanilla and the documentary’s director Isabel Castro.
Moderated by Billboard‘s Jessica Roiz, the Selena Y Los Dinos panel on Wednesday (Oct. 22) broke down the significance of this new documentary, the band’s legacy and the family values that fueled the global act.
The new Netflix documentary first premiered in the Sundance Film Festival, capturing Selena Y Los Dinos’ rise to stardom. Throughout Selena’s music career, seven of her studio albums hit No. 1 on Top Latin Albums, including Amor Prohibido (1994), which reigned for 20 weeks, and Dreaming of You (released posthumously in 1995), which topped the chart for 44 weeks. The latter set also made history as the first bilingual album to debut at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200. In 1993, Selena won a Grammy for the best Mexican American album for Selena Live!, becoming the first female Tejano artist to win that award.
Below, five takeaways from the Selena Y Los Dinos panel at Latin Music Week:
Approaching Isabel Castro for the Project
Suzette Quintanilla: “Four or five years ago, I wanted to create this documentary to tell our family story, directly from our family to the world, and find somebody that could do this. I did a Zoom with Isabel and I instantly knew she was going to be the person to be able to tell the story for us. She’s an amazing person, she’s Latina and I’m glad she’s leading this for us.”
Why Castro Said Yes to Directing
Isabel Castro: “I’m Mexican, I came to the U.S. and to me, Selena was really the person that taught me to be proud about having a bicultural community. I found solace in her and the family’s music. It made me understand myself. When they reached out I was like, ‘Everyone stop everything, hold the phones.’ It was obvious this was important to me. It’s been an honor of a lifetime.”
Have you played Billboard’s Latin Music Week Crossword?Play now!
The Process
Castro: “The family has a vault and when I opened that door and the light came through. It’s like a medium-sized storage unit, packed from floor to ceiling of bookcases with thousands of VHS tapes, flash drives. The beginning of that process was interesting because we were so honored but it felt like a huge sense of responsibility. We reviewed it all and once we digitized it, then came the editing process and it was important that the archive told the story. All of the footage is valuable, but the material that moved me the most was the material that was shot behind the scenes that was mostly shot by Suzette. What’s in the film is as much as we could include.”
How This Will Be Different From Other Selena Films
Castro: “We had conversations about this, both I and Suzette, and the family wanted this to feel like the most authentic version of [the family’s] story and wanted it to be told by the them. We also wanted it to be told through the archive.”
Quintanilla: “The [1997] movie was sprinkled with Hollywood glitter, but this documentary is the opposite of that. This is our family, Chris, my mom, my father, A.B., myself, bandmates, telling the world our story: We started from that and created this. A lot of people want to separate Selena from our band, but other elements that made her were our band and family.”
What Fans Will Take Away From Selena Y Los Dinos
Quintanilla: “I want them to feel the energy and what we were all about. People have a perception, and they’re entitled to their opinion, and how my father was. We are a normal family that started a band and became global. Selena is not here, but we are celebrating what we did and created so many years ago. And this documentary reflects the power of who we are as Latinos, this is a global launch in 190 countries and 32 plus languages. I’m very proud of that.”
Spanning more than 30 years, Latin Music Week is the single-most important and largest gathering of Latin artists and industry executives in the world. This year’s event once again hosts panels, marquee conversations, roundtables, networking and activations, in addition to its celebrated Billboard En Vivo showcases.
This year’s star-studded lineup includes Aitana, Alofoke, Anuel AA, Bebeshito, Carlos Vives, Carín León, Danny Ocean, DJ Khaled, Daddy Yankee (DY), Emilia Mernes, Ivy Queen, Gloria Estefan, Grupo 5, Kapo, Laura Pausini, Luck Ra, Netón Vega, Olga Tañón, Óscar Maydon, Ozuna, Pablo Alborán, Rawayana, Suzette Quintanilla, Tokischa, Xavi and Yailin La Más Viral, to name a few.
Latin Music Week also coincides with the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards, set to air Thursday, Oct. 23, on Telemundo and Peacock, where Bad Bunny will be honored as Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century.
Trending on Billboard
Danny Ocean sat down with Billboard’s Leila Cobo at Billboard Latin Music Week 2025 for “The Sony Music Publishing Iconic Songwriter Q&A” panel to discuss how he’s crafted his biggest hits, including “Me Rehuso,” and the power of his songs to transform society.
Presented by Sony Music Publishing, the Venezuelan singer-songwriter — whose artistic name is a nod to George Clooney’s character in the Ocean‘s trilogy — spoke candidly about looking inward and trusting his intuition when crafting songs. It’s what was key for “Me Rehuso” (“I Refuse”), Danny’s breakout hit, a love song he wrote for a girlfriend as a Valentine’s Day gift that also captures his migration journey from Venezuela to Miami.
“I had no way of getting something to my girlfriend back in Venezuela, so I wrote her a song — not knowing when I would see her again,” Danny said. “I didn’t overthink things, it was what I was living at the moment. ‘Me Rehuso’ was also a feeling of having to leave Venezuela.”
The track was released while he was working at a pizzeria in Kendall, Fla., but he eventually doubled-down on songwriting, taking inspiration from personal relationships, including the one with his beloved Venezuela.
“Having to migrate had a huge impact on my life and made me question things, such as how we can make Venezuela have that outlet like other countries,” he explained. “I see Venezuela as my partner, [my songs] are a direct, personal conversation with Venezuela. But I also don’t want to romanticize it, it’s my relationship with Venezuela, and everyone has their own relationship with their own country. I don’t see it as a manifesto or something political.”
Have you played Billboard’s Latin Music Week Crossword?Play now!
For “Caracas en el 2000,” Danny collaborated with fellow Venezuelans Elena Rose and Jerry Di. “Putting Venezuela on the radar started out as something very personal between us,” he said. “We’d go out for a beer, talk about how we were feeling, and those conversations would end up in the studio, then in a song. It’s been very natural.”
When asked by an audience member what he’d do when he returns to Venezuela, Danny Ocean said, “Everything I didn’t do when I was there, and hang out with people, find out what they think, what they’re up to. I want to spend some time at home, hang out with my family, connect with the streets. And visit Los Roques, I’ve never been.”
Spanning more than 30 years, Latin Music Week is the single-most important and largest gathering of Latin artists and industry executives in the world. This year’s event once again hosts panels, marquee conversations, roundtables, networking and activations, in addition to its celebrated Billboard En Vivo showcases.
This year’s star-studded lineup includes Aitana, Alofoke, Anuel AA, Bebeshito, Carlos Vives, Carín León, Danny Ocean, DJ Khaled, Daddy Yankee (DY), Emilia Mernes, Ivy Queen, Gloria Estefan, Grupo 5, Kapo, Laura Pausini, Luck Ra, Netón Vega, Olga Tañón, Óscar Maydon, Ozuna, Pablo Alborán, Rawayana, Suzette Quintanilla, Tokischa, Xavi and Yailin La Más Viral, to name a few.
Latin Music Week also coincides with the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards, set to air Thursday, Oct. 23, on Telemundo and Peacock, where Bad Bunny will be honored as Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century.
