State Champ Radio latin music week
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Trending on Billboard Argentina and Colombia meet in a conversation between Silvestre Dangond & Soledad who have been on stage for decades as they discuss embracing their respective folklore as a creative base, a bridge between generations, and a driving force of today’s music presented by Billboard Argentina and Billboard Colombia.
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An explosion of urban and flamenco sounds from artists including Chilean Katteyes and Los Ricos, and an unexpected birthday celebration from Argentine singer Yami Safdie sealed the “Latin Music Week Opening Night Showcase” presented by Boombastic at Miami’s MAD Club Wynwood on Monday night (Oct. 20).
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The showcase that kicked off the week of the prestigious annual music industry gathering also featured Asturian Mateo Eraña with his folk-rock offering, singer and actress Yas Gagliardi with her pop ballads, Puerto Rican GALE with her enchanting electropop and Argentine Luck Ra with an exciting fusion of trap and cumbia. In addition, the show also spotlighted one of the newest urban music stars, Puerto Rican J Álvarez.
GALE performs at the Billboard Latin Music Week 2025 Opening Night Showcase presented by Boombastic at Mad Club Wynwood in Miami on October 20, 2025.
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Yami Safdie was surprised by the event organizers, who brought her a cake for her 28th birthday. The emotional moment also included a duet between Safdie and her colleague and compatriot Soledad, with whom she performed “Alma, corazón y vida” (Soul, Heart, and Life) by the composer of the Creole waltz Adrián Flores.
The event was hosted by Bröther, the Argentine musician, producer, DJ and founder of Bresh, the global phenomenon known as “The Most Beautiful Party in the World,” who livened up part of the evening and the breaks between performances with a lively mix of the best of current Latin music.
Another surprise came with the presence of Puerto Rican urban music star Álvaro Díaz, who was seen among the VIP guests.
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, among many others.
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, click here.
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Rising global stars of Latin music like Aitana (Spain), Silvana Estrada (Mexico), Yami Safdie (Argentina), Ela Taubert (Colombia) and Yailin (Dominican Republic) gathered Tuesday (Oct. 21) to discuss the challenges of achieving gender equity in the music industry during the second day of activities at Billboard Latin Music Week 2025, in Miami Beach, Florida.
During the “Women’s Panel: Global Rise,” moderated by Billboard Español editor Sigal Ratner-Arias, the artists also talked about the biggest challenges they’ve faced as women in the music industry, the role of social media in their lives and careers, how they’ve found their unique sound, and the importance of mental health.
The conversation showcased a wide range of opinions, styles, cultures, creative processes and challenges faced by these female stars in the Latin music industry, who share similarities in age (all in their 20s), a solid career path in music, and clear global growth. Some of them have won Latin Grammy Awards and sold out stadiums in their home countries
“When we come together, we are stronger,” Estrada, who won the Latin Grammy for best new artist in 2022, said as she spoke about the challenge of achieving gender equity in an industry that has historically been predominantly male-led and highly competitive.
Yami Safdie, who started out years ago as a popular content creator in Argentina, stated that the standards for men and women in the music industry are different. From her experience, she said, “Women are constantly being pitted against one another.”
“I didn’t know how to dance, and in this industry, they teach you that pop singers must know how to dance well, but men aren’t expected to dance well,” added Spanish star Aitana. “I thought, I’m not a good pop artist if I can’t put on a show.”
Silvana Estrada shared that many people told her she wouldn’t be able to achieve her dreams, but her strong belief in herself helped her turn her aspirations in music into a reality. She added that she has received great support from colleagues and friends like fellow Mexican singer-songwriter Natalia Lafourcade. “The rivalry [imposed by society on women] is designed to weaken us, to isolate us, when in reality, when we come together, we are stronger,” she expressed.
Colombian artist Ela Taubert admitted that winning the Latin Grammy for best new artist in 2024 left her feeling insecure about what would come next and whether she would be able to meet expectations. “I’m afraid of disappointing people. The pressure is there,” she said. “But then came the advice from my mom… The key is to enjoy the process.”
Yailin, who was a bit more reserved than her peers on the panel, spoke about the importance of mental health and recalled being a victim of online hate due to her high-profile relationships with urban music artists. “I faced hate I didn’t deserve,” she said, “but my way of dealing with it was by delivering joyful music to my audience.”
With over 30 years of history, Latin Music Week is the largest and most important gathering of Latin artists and music industry executives worldwide. The event also coincides with the Billboard Latin Music Awards 2025, which will air on Thursday (Oct. 23) on Telemundo and Peacock, where Bad Bunny will be honored as the Artist of the 21st Century.
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Reggaeton icon Ivy Queen and icon in the making Tokischa joined forces at 2025 Billboard Latin Music Week on Wednesday (Oct. 22) for a candid conversation about feminism, sexuality and music — also marking the first time the Dominican breakout star and Puerto Rican icon met.
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“I’ve seen a lot of perceptions of who you are, how you present yourself. What do you feel when people put a label on you without knowing you?” Ivy Queen asked Tokischa.
“I recently went to the dermatologist who says she’s religious,” Tokischa said. “She started talking to me about God and told me that I had a very big name, Altagracia [her middle name]. I understand what it means. It’s the name of the virgin, a message from God. People don’t expect me to be a person who believes in God, who prays, who gives thanks, who asks for forgiveness. I’m a firm believer in God, and I know what that name entails.”
Amid the conversation — during which they bonded over breaking stereotypes in the music industry, having things in common like being Pisces, and talked about relationships — Tokischa opened up about the ultra-personal album she’s working on.
“I finished my album mid-year. I worked on a super intimate project, spending seven months in the studio all day,” she expressed. “[On the album] I’m talking about my story — beyond being Tokischa la perra, la bellacal, 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.”
“That’s normal. It’s happened to me a lot. If it’s about being reborn, I’m a phoenix,” Ivy Queen said, sharing encouraging advice. “This business takes the best of you. You have to ride the wave while it lasts, and when the sea is rough, know how to balance yourself. I considered myself an ugly duckling in this industry, and I had to blossom. You are blossoming. You’re at a stage where you’re enjoying being human, and I want you to keep rocking it, to continue being you.”
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 Carlos Vives, 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.
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Kali Uchis remembered her humble beginnings in music on Tuesday (Oct. 21) at Billboard Latin Music Week, where she sat for a Superstar Q&A moderated by Billboard Español‘s associated editor Isabela Raygoza at The Fillmore Miami Beach on the second day of the event.
The Colombian-American artist — who just wrapped up her Sincerely, Tour in U.S. arenas and announced the Latin American leg for 2026 — released her first mixtape, Drunken Babble, in 2012, during a time of struggle, while she was living in her car. The mixtape instantly caught the attention of A$AP Rocky, Diplo and Snoop Dogg, who shared her music on his blog, Raygoza said.
“I really started at the bottom,” the bilingual singer-songwriter said, adding that artistry and music have always been first for her. “I never had it in my head ‘I have to be this successful or make these numbers.’ I was very naïve in the industry. I’ve just always been an artist. I love to make things.”
During the conversation, Uchis also revealed that she almost left her biggest hit, “Telepatía,” out of her sophomore album, Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) from 2020. “It had to grow on me. I loved it when I made it and then I was like, ‘hmmm, I don’t know,’” said,
Kali Uchis graced Billboard‘s cover in October, delving into motherhood, touring on a bus and refusing to choose one language over the other to sing in. Read the full story here.
Spanning more than 30 years, Latin Music Week is the 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.
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.
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The former duo Arcángel and De La Ghetto is set to reunite next year in a tour that will take place in the U.S and Latin America. The plans were announced by Puerto Rican hitmaker De La Ghetto during his Music and Sports panel at Latin Music Week 2025 on Tuesday (Oct. 21).
“It’s happening next year,” the Puerto Rican star said, responding to an audience question. “My album is dropping in November, his in December, so I told him at a Bad Bunny concert that it was time [to tour]. We’re working on it as we speak.” Adding that the string of shows will make stops in the U.S. and Latin America, including shows in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The two parted ways in 2007 to pursue solo careers.
De La Ghetto took center stage at Latin Music Week alongside Carlos Arroyo, former NBA, sports executive, and fellow artist Jowell (of Jowell y Randy) for a conversation of the intersection of music and sports.
“I’ve always seen that many athletes want to be in music and many musicians want to be in sports,” Jowell said. “There are many similarities. Discipline and talent go hand in hand in both. And secondly, a lot of us athletes or musicians come from small towns and find an outlet in music or sports to be successful. The kids in these neighborhoods, half of them want to be producers or musicians, and the other half want to be athletes.”
Meanwhile, Arroyo confessed that he imagined himself in a studio or singing on stage, but today, as a basketball icon, he’s focused on inspiring the new generation of dreamers. “We live a privileged life, and because we’re so focused on our career and doing things righ, we forget that there are children out there who are being inspired by music or sports. We can’t forget 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.
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Italian superstar Laura Pausini exclusively revealed the cover art and details for her upcoming albums Yo Canto 2 and Io Canto 2, which honor Hispanic and Italian singer-songwriters, respectively, at Billboard Latin Music Week 2025. The Spanish-language LP will feature covers of hits by Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny and Mexican idol Joan Sebastian, the singer teased Tuesday (October 21) during her Icon Q&A at the prestigious gathering in Miami.
In a lively conversation with Leila Cobo, Billboard‘s director of content for Latin/Spanish, Pausini surprised the audience with a live performance of her cover of “Turista,” recounting how she connected with Bad Bunny’s music and how she was introduced to the world of the late regional Mexican singer Joan Sebastian.
She said she met the former years ago during a tribute to Gloria Estefan. She explained that “Turista,” included on Bad Bunny’s celebrated album Debí Tirar Más Fotos (2025), is a song she personally loves and finds has a similar style to her own. Her version was released on digital platforms last April.
“Benito wrote to me and said he never imagined one day I would sing one of his songs,” Pausini said emotionally. “I love the idea so much, and how important it was for me to do it with my style. Many people think we’re opposites, but not like that.” She praised the way Benito used the word “turista” to refer to the end of a relationship. “Tourists don’t have the time to see the flaws of cities, only the beautiful things, so I found it very intelligent.”
Regarding Joan Sebastian, she said she entered his universe through the algorithm on digital platforms when she listened to music by Juan Gabriel and Marco Antonio Solís.
Have you played Billboard’s Latin Music Week Crossword?Play now!
Pausini said the Spanish version of Yo Canto 2 will include 20 tracks, and the Italian version, Io Canto 2, another 20. The bridge between the two albums, due for release in 2026, is the first single, “Mi Historia Entre Tus Dedos” (“My Story Between Your Fingers”), the 1994 song by singer-songwriter Gianluca Grignani that became a hit in both Italy and Latin America thanks to its versions in both languages.
The covers of her upcoming albums depict Pausini as a warrior in silver clothing on the Italian album, and in a light, veiled dress on the Spanish version. What they have in common is an imposing silver sword made up of three microphones.
The singer, who will be honored with the Billboard Icon Award on Thursday (October 23) during the Billboard Latin Music Awards, announced that the promotional tour for her new LPs will begin in Spain in March 2026 and continue in Latin America until June.
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.
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As Afrobeats gains momentum outside of West Africa, where it originated, Latin artists are fully embracing the rhythm and fusing it with their own signature sounds. Such is the case for Goyo, Humby, Kapo, Ozuna and Venesti, who were part of the Afrobeats panel at Billboard Latin Music Week 2025 on Tuesday (Oct. 21).
Moderated by Billboard‘s Jessica Roiz, the conversation focused on respecting the culture, roots and pioneers that have fueled this genre in Africa, and how Afrobeats has influenced their latest projects, including Goyo’s debut album Pantera.
“This movement is so big and it has brought so many opportunities for Latin artists who sing Afrobeats but are not from Nigeria,” the Colombian star said. “It is important to respect the roots and culture; but restlessness has led to the Afrobeats movement that is being mixed with hip-hop, R&B, and Nigerian music. We have to give importance to Africa through this genre that unites us.”
Meanwhile, hitmaker Ozuna spoke candidly about how experimenting with Afrobeats opened doors for him and got him out of a comfort zone that reggaetón was becoming. “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.”
He added that the key to continue growing the movement is unity and collaboration. “We did it with reggaetón and it worked for us. Afrobeats is a movement that needs unity. It needs artists like me to collaborate with new artists. I was given that opportunity when I began my career, and now it’s our turn to do it with the new artists, and with the newest artists. This is a chain; we’re all on the same boat.”
Have you played Billboard’s Latin Music Week Crossword?Play now!
Both Colombian artists Kapo and Venesti also dabbled in Afrobeats early on in their careers. After recording in other styles, it was Afrobeats that gave both these rising artists their biggest hits, including Kapo’s “Ohnana” and Venesti’s “Umaye.”
“This song marked a turning point,” Venesti explained. “I was going through a moment in the creative process where others would tell me, ‘This is what you have to do.’ But when I signed with AP Global, my label, they told me, ‘Be yourself.’ I recorded ‘Umaye’ with a $50 microphone. It was my first number one hit on Billboard. ‘Umaye’ is a poem turned into a song.”
“We are born with that feeling; it’s something I can’t explain,” Kapo added. “We created ‘Ohnana,’ and it connected with many people. It wasn’t my beginning, but it has contributed a lot. We have role models in the world who do it so well.”
Spanning more than 30 years, Latin Music Week is the 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.
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.
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On Tuesday (October 21), Argentina and Colombia united for Billboard Latin Music Week in a conversation where two superstars of Latin American folk music shared their experiences: Soledad and Silvestre Dangond.
During the panel “Desde La Raíz” (“from the root” in English) moderated by Ezequiel Ruiz of Billboard Argentina, the award-winning Argentine singer-songwriter and the Colombian vallenato star discussed the importance of preserving original sounds.
“It’s important that there are purists. [At first] they told me I was killing vallenato. However, that kept me going and brought me to where I am,” said Dandong proudly. He has brought his own style to the genre across the 18 albums that make up his discography, always including at least two native songs. “That’s how I grew up; I grew up watching the great exponents of vallenato. I lived it and I breathe it.”
For her part, “La Sole,” as many call her, shared how she began to carve out a space for herself in the industry. “I come from a small town, where musical culture is very strong,” said the artist born in Arequito, in the Argentine province of Santa Fe. “When the big names were no longer around, I thought I could have a place, my own place, but continue that legacy,” she recalled, thanking her father for buying the 5,000 records ordered by the first record label that signed her (Sony Music) to continue her contract. “He borrowed money to solve it at the time. My old man always believed in me, and to this day, I write songs dedicated to him.”
Have you played Billboard’s Latin Music Week Crossword?Play now!
Both figures agreed on the reason they represent their countries through their voices: to love what they do, honor it, and enjoy it. However, they have very personal views on the future of folk music.
In Soledad’s case, she admitted that she’s more open to the music being made by young people in Argentina today. “Sometimes there are things I don’t like as much,” she confessed, “although I must admit that some people look to folklore for elements to fuse with their sounds.”
With his characteristic laid-back personality, Dandong stated that he isn’t critical of the music currently being made in Colombia. “I also did what I wanted; age defines what one sings. Let’s let people mature and let’s do less criticism and more accompaniment,” the singer emphatically declared. In recent months, he has released collaborations with Emilia, Banda MS, and Carín León, demonstrating his openness and interest in conquering and experimenting in new markets.
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.
Billboard Latin Music Week, the most prestigious and longest-running week dedicated to the celebration of Latin music, will return to Miami from Monday, Oct. 20 to Friday, Oct. 24, with the Billboard Latin Music Awards set for Thursday, Oct. 23.
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Set once again at the historic Fillmore Miami Beach, Latin Music Week 2025 will bring together top and emerging Latin music artists and executives from around the world for a week of showcases, networking, exclusive conversations, panels, workshops, activations and concerts.
The event — which last year featured conversations and performances by an impressive lineup including Alejandro Sanz, Peso Pluma, J Balvin, JOP, Bad Gyal, Belinda, Chiquis, Danny Ocean, Eden Muñoz, Eslabon Armado, Fat Joe, Feid, Keityn, Maria Becerra, Thalia, Yahritza y Su Esencia, Yeri Mua and many more — is known as the top gathering place for the most influential and impactful artists today, both established and emerging, as well as the ultimate meeting ground for top music executives.
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Marquee panels in 2024 included the now-iconic Women’s Panel and “Making the Hit Live,” which last year featured Grupo Frontera, who wrote a song live, “Ya No,” and later released it on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day.
More than 10,000 people attended Latin Music Week last year, including the live shows by Fuerza Regida with Majo Aguilar; a reggaeton night with Omar Courtz, Dei V, and Saiko; and LMW’s 35th anniversary party with Young Miko, Tito Double P, Belinda, Elvis Crespo and more, among other events. (See the full 2024 schedule here.)
Ticket and lineup information for Billboard Latin Music Week 2025 will be announced in the coming weeks. Pre-register now for the latest information at billboardlatinmusicweek.com.
