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Bad Bunny, who supports Kamala Harris, a source close to the artist tells Billboard, is getting the Democratic presidential candidate’s latest message for Puerto Rican voters out to his 45 million followers on Instagram.
“There’s so much at stake in this election for Puerto Rican voters and for Puerto Rico. And this election is not just a choice between Donald Trump and me. It is a choice between two very different visions for our nation,” Harris says in a campaign video posted on Sunday (Oct. 27), which Benito shared clips of on Instagram Stories not just once, but four times. “One, his, focused on the past and on himself, and the other ours, that is focused on the future and on you. Puerto Rico is home to some of the most talented, innovative and ambitious people in our nation, and Puerto Ricans deserve a president who sees and invests in that strength.”
In the video, Harris tells voters: “As president, I will bring down the cost of housing, invest in small businesses and entrepreneurs and fight to finally secure equal access to programs that strengthen the healthcare system and support children, seniors and working people. I will create a new Puerto Rico economy task force where the federal government will work with the private sector, with non-profits and community leaders to foster economic growth and create thousands of new, good-paying jobs in Puerto Rico, including for our young people.”
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“I know that Puerto Rico’s economic future depends on urgently rebuilding and modernizing the island’s energy grid. That’s why I will cut red tape, ensure disaster recovery funds are used quickly and effectively, and work with leaders across the island to ensure all Puerto Ricans have access to reliable, affordable electricity. I will never forget what Donald Trump did and what he did not do when Puerto Rico needed a caring and a competent leader. He abandoned the island, tried to block aid after back-to-back, devastating hurricanes, and offered nothing more than paper towels and insults. Puerto Ricans deserve better,” Harris says.
Bad Bunny emphasized Harris’ “I will never forget what Donald Trump did” line in his reposts of the speech.
Harris’ message to Puerto Rican voters on Sunday arrived the same day Trump was set to appear at a rally at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, where Tony Hinchcliffe, a podcast host/roast comedian, spewed racist jokes in an opening slot. He referred to Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean.” Later, he made a remark that Latinos “love making babies” in a lead up to a crude joke. Vice President Harris’ campaign headquarters called it a “vile racist tirade against Latinos” on X (formerly Twitter).
Benito, who was born and raised in Vega Baja, has a history of being vocal about social-political issues affecting the Puerto Rican community.
In September he placed billboards across San Juan in protest of the Partido Nuevo Progresista (New Progressive Party), a major political party that holds the seat of governor and resident commissioner in Puerto Rico, soon after releasing the song “Una Velita.” The billboards displayed messages including “To vote for PNP is to vote for corruption,” “Who votes for PNP doesn’t love Puerto Rico” and “Voting for PNP is voting for LUMA” (the private energy company responsible for power distribution and transmission on the island). In an Instagram post showing the billboards, the star said, “Announcements paid by Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio. A Puerto Rican who does love Puerto Rico.”
“Una Velita,” released on Sept. 19, has Bad Bunny reflecting on Puerto Rico’s response to the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017. “There were five thousand that they let die, and we will never forget that,” he chants on the track that addresses what happened in the wake of the Category 5 hurricane that devastated the island.
In 2022, he released a documentary-style video for Un Verano Sin Ti‘s “El Apagón.” With a runtime of almost 23 minutes, the short film takes aim at local government for its inaction in addressing blackouts, gentrification and other issues affecting Puerto Ricans.
Christian Nodal electrified the stage, evoking a torrent of emotions at New York’s Barclays Center on Saturday night (Oct. 26), leaving no doubt about his unmatched vocal prowess.
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Unlike many of today’s concerts — especially in the música urbana landscape, which often rely heavily on pyrotechnics, costume changes, and choreography — Nodal’s performance, part of his Pa’l Cora tour, spotlighted his commanding voice above all.
Opening the concert at 9 p.m. with “El Mariachi” from the Antonio Banderas-starring Desperado soundtrack, Nodal immediately set the tone for the evening. Dressed sharply in beige snakeskin pants with turquoise accents, a matching vest, and a white long-sleeved shirt unbuttoned to reveal a silver chain with a cross and his tattoos, he embodied his signature cowboy rocker aesthetic. The Sonoran singer’s stage was embellished by a mariachi troupe in elegant deep-red outfits, an accordionist, backup singers, a brass section, and an electric guitarist — perfectly merging mariachi with norteño into his famed “mariacheño” fusion.
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One of the many performance highlights was when Nodal seamlessly delivered a medley of Vicente Fernández classics, including “El Rey,” “Volver Volver,” “Acá Entre Nos” and “Mujeres Divinas.” Again, the tribute showcased his extensive vocal chops and ability to emotively convey pain, sadness, and elation, leaving the audience spellbound.
Further amplifying the night, Christian Nodal brought out surprise guest Ángela Aguilar, his wife, who only the night before made an appearance in Bogotá, Colombia, with her father, the legend Pepe Aguilar. Nodal playfully asked the crowds, “¡¿You all want her to sing?!” Ángela, donning in a sleek black outfit, pranced out and they sang their duet on “Dime Cómo Quieres.” She then exclaimed, “Because you are my husband, Christian!” showing off her ring, during the song, and by the end of it they shared a kiss before her exit, drawing cheers and applause.
Nodal’s affection for his audience was evident as he addressed them between songs, expressing a special anticipation for his New York performance. “Not to be a nice guy, but I’m going to tell you something. On the tour, there were 26 dates around the United States. But among all of them, the one I was dreaming about the most was with you, New York. Something I love about here, about New York, is that it’s a beautiful place for Latinos,” he said.
He further customized his set for the New York crowd, acknowledging the significant Dominican presence and performing a bachata live for the first time with “La Bachatita.” Additionally, unexpected covers like Maná’s “Clavado en un Bar” and Hombres G’s “Devuélveme a Mi Chica” showcased his versatility, while his renditions of “Como la Flor” by Selena further demonstrated his broad appeal.
Nodal concluded his over two-hour performance without a vocal break — a testament to his impressive stamina. His performances of “La Intención” originally with Peso Pluma, and “Por El Resto de Tu Vida” originally with TINI, were climactic points that underscored a night of intimate connection.
The Mexican music hitmaker will continue his Pa’l Cora tour, making stops in Boston, Orlando, Atlanta, Baltimore, and more. See the remainder tour dates here.
When Chino Pacas received a DM on Instagram from none other than Drake, it wasn’t just another social media interaction — it was the catalyst for one of the most groundbreaking tracks on his debut album, Que Sigan Llegando Las Pacas.
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The album was released on his birthday (Oct. 18), with the extended version arriving Oct. 25. The set fuses the raw emotion of corridos tumbados with urban sierreño, revealing a narrative rich in youthful ambition and heritage.
Born Cristian Humberto Ávila Vega, Chino Pacas evolved from a viral TikTok sensation, and a Billboard Hot 100 newcomer to now cementing his status as one of the defining voices of his generation. The Guanajuato musician’s talents are backed by the prowess of Street Mob Records, helmed by Fuerza Regida’s JOP, who has praised him as one of the label’s most talented artists.
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In “Modo Capone,” featuring Drake and JOP of Fuerza Regida, fans experience the Toronto superstar singing solely in Spanish, channeling his “Champaign Papi” persona once again, but this time stepping into corridos territory.
Beyond the star-studded features, each track from Chino Pacas’ debut album tells a story, whether it’s about personal struggles, his ambitions, or the day-to-day life in the barrios of Guanajuato where he grew up. The opener, “Smith,” plunges into a world of excess and indulgence, depicted through sharp visuals of “Dom Pérignon,” “pretty faces” and “el reventón” (or bustling parties).
On the other hand, “Morena Canela,” where Pacas shifts to a more personal narrative, paints vivid pictures of desire and decadence, showcasing his skill in blending informal, conversational language with poetic imagery.
Below, Chino Pacas breaks down five essential songs from his new album, in his own words.
“Smith” with Junior H & Fuerza Regida
“Smith” is with my colleagues, with Jesús Ortiz Paz from Fuerza Regida and Junior H, [the latter] who is originally from the same state [Guanajuato] as me. We put this song at number one because I really like it. I felt it was going there, at number one. Smith is a comrade from Mexico, a character, to whom the song was written. We were the interpreters and the writer is Miguel Armenta [among others].
“Modo Capone” with Drake & Fuerza Regida
Drake texted me on Instagram and told me he wanted a corrido for himself and a corrido with me. From there we started working. We sent him several songs including that one, which was the one that stuck. They were thinking and decided to include someone else from the regional Mexican music scene who was on top, so we included Fuerza Regida.
[When I saw Drake’s message] the truth is that I was like, not like in shock, but I was more surprised than anything. When we were recording the song “Modo Capone” in the studio, he, Jesús Ortiz, and I in Houston, we were guiding him so that he could do the vocals. You can really feel the professionalism and it was a very cool vibe. What I always like in all my songs is that chemistry happens and this one was no exception.
“El Gordo Trae el Mando”
This is one of the most important songs of my career, it was the first one we released and the first one that reached the linking of many people. It went viral. This song meant a lot to me too. Many people became aware of my music and after that song, many things changed. [The last year] has been a lot of learning and a lot of work.
“Pues Podemos” with Turo Pacas
The truth is this song is one of the most badass songs on this album. It is the first song that people see me singing with my brother. What I like about this song is that it was a 50/50 split effort — it is a combination of his tastes and my tastes. In the lyrics too and the composition — what he sings, he wrote and what I sing, I wrote. The song, just like the title says, is about how we can. We can do it and we did it.
“Dijeron Que No La Iba a Lograr”
It’s [the song with] the one I identify with the most. I was writing “El Gordo Trae el Mando” [two years ago] with the same chords, the same tone, and that’s where “Dijeron Que No Lo Iba a Lo Lograr” came from. The song is about that, that I wasn’t going to make it, and we were writing it without having made it.
Check out the full album below:
Chino Pacas
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From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
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Selena’s Legacy Endures
At the top of the week, President Joe Biden presented the 2022 and 2023 National Medals of Honor and National Humanities Medals during a ceremony held Monday (Oct. 21) at the East Room in the White House followed by a reception. The National Medals of Art honorees included the late Queen of Tex-Mex, Selena Quintanilla, in addition to Steven Spielberg, Alex Katz, Jo Carole Lauder, Mark Bradford, Spike Lee, Queen Latifah, and Bruce Cohen.
“We are excited to announce that Selena will be honored with the prestigious National Medal of Arts by President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden at the White House this evening. This remarkable achievement celebrates Selena’s enduring impact on her music and legacy,” read the official announcement on Selena’s Instagram account. Her sister and Los Dinos member, Suzette Quintanilla, accepted the medal on her behalf.
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Erika Ender’s TalenPro Gala
TalenPro 2024’s Grand Finale took place this week, celebrating eight finalists on their artistic performance and social impact through the restoration and equipping of 12 inclusive educational centers across Panama. Erika Ender, creator of TalenPro and president of Fundación Puertas Abiertas, announced at the event that more than 8,000 Panamanians were benefited throughout the TalenPro 2024 process.
This year’s jury included Carlos Ponce, Karina Banda, Johnny Lozada, and Andy Clay, among others. Each of the winners—in categories such as best song, best dance group, and best audiovisual, to name a few—received a full university scholarship, in accordance with IFARHU regulations. Other prizes included a new car to the tutor teacher of the year. Special tributes of the evening went out to Milly Quezada, Debi Nova, and boxer Roberto Dúran.
According to a press statement, TalenPro (TALENt with PURPOse) is a Guinness World Records holder for “being the Largest Social/Global Development Project Competition. It is an annual student competition that promotes talent and purpose among the youth of Panama.” See Ender’s heartfelt post here.
Karol G Re-Opens a School
In other uplifting news, Karol G’s foundation, “Con Cora,” reopened the Colegio Arenys de Mar school in Medellin after two years of restoration and beautification efforts. In December 2022, the school suffered severe damage due to heavy rains that caused the collapse of the retention wall next to the Iguaná stream. With the help of the community, the foundation successfully reconstructed the school’s infrastructure that includes a new retention wall, renovated classrooms, remodeled bathrooms, and a new playground.
“I am proud to be part of this project and to contribute to positive change in a community so close to my heart,” expressed Karol G, in a statement. The Colombian artist was in attendance at the inaugural event. “A quality education is key for children to pursue their dreams. I hope each student remains curious, because education not only opens doors but also transforms lives,” she said.
A Heartfelt Tribute to Liam Payne
Five artists from Ecuador have joined forces to pay tribute to the late Liam Payne, just days after his unexpected passing. In a collaboration post on Instagram, Johan Vera, Mar Rendon, Ñusta Picuasi, Ren Kai, and Johnta are beautifully harmonizing to One Direction’s “Story of My Life.” “Rest in Peace, Liam Payne,” notes the caption alongside a heart emoji. Payne died on Oct. 16 at age 31 after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is survived by his 7-year-old son, Bear, whom he shares with ex-partner Cheryl Cole.
Mexican festival Vive Latino will celebrate its 25th anniversary with an eclectic lineup headlined by acts including Caifanes, Raphael, Scorpions, Aterciopelados, Keane, Molotov, Mon Laferte, Eden Muñoz, Los Ángeles Azules, Zoé and Duncan Dhu, who will light up the great Hispanic rock party to be held March 15-16, 2025, at the GNP Seguros Stadium in Mexico City, promoter Ocesa announced Friday (Oct. 25).
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The lineup also includes other Latin and English speaking soloists and bands such as Sepultura, Draco Rosa, Nortec: Bostich + Fussible, Kany García, Meme del Real, Little Jesus, Los Planetas, Rüfüs Du Sol, La Lupita, Vilma Palma e Vampiros, Cuarteto de Nos, Siddhartha, División Minúscula, Arde Bogotá, Él Mató a un Policía Motorizado, and León Benavente.
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According to the organizers, the presale for Citibanamex cardholders will take place next Wednesday (Oct. 30), with the regular sale for the general public opening the next day.
The Vive Latino will be returning to its original home at GNP Seguros Stadium (formerly Foro Sol), after the 2024 edition had to be held at Curve 4 of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the same site where Formula 1 and the Corona Capital and Arre festivals are held annually, due to renovations of the venue.
Since its inception in 1998, the Ibero-American Festival of Musical Culture, better known as Vive Latino, has had a transgressive personality that has challenged stigmas: It was the first to incorporate pop, reggaeton, cumbia, and regional Mexican music artists into its lineup; it had an edition lasting four days; it added English-speaking bands despite being the ultimate celebration of rock es Español, and it is the first in Latin American festival to have its own edition in Spain.
The Vive Latino festival debuted on November 28-29, 1998, at the Foro Sol, on the east side of Mexico City. Since then, it has been held annually, except in 1999, 2002, and 2021, the latter due to the COVID pandemic.
Check out the full official lineup for the 2025 Vive Latino festival below:
Alejandro Sanz has always been personal in his songs. But in his new single “Palmeras en el Jardín” (Palms in the Garden), he took an unexpected step — not only describing emotions and stories, but also providing details such as places and activities. “I swear that when I made it, I wasn’t sure whether to […]
Although Alejandro Fernández has written his own history in Mexican music, he is still the son of perhaps the biggest star of ranchera music: Vicente Fernández. To continue his father’s legacy, both began preparing the album De Rey a Rey before Vicente’s death on December 12, 2021.
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These are emblematic songs from Vicente’s repertoire, which will be produced with a more modern touch, in Alejandro’s style.
“I dared to do this because he had already given me his blessing. When he had already retired, we began to choose the songs,” recalls Alejandro, who together with his manager and record label decided that Eden Muñoz would produce the album.
“It was very nice to share with my friend Alejandro songs that fill entire generations with melancholy. It was a challenge for me, but nothing that can’t be achieved with respect and love for a great like Don Vicente,” Muñoz tells Billboard Español.
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The full album De Rey a Rey is slated for a spring 2025 release, but the first single, “No Me Sé Rajar” dropped on Thursday (Oct. 24).
At the same time, Alejandro Fernández kicks off his eponymous tour on Friday (Oct. 25) at La Plaza México, an iconic venue in Mexico City where, with this date and one more on Saturday, he sets a record as the only artist with four sold-out shows.
Alejandro spoke to Billboard Español about the significance of paying tribute to his father, but in his own way.
How was the process of preparing this tribute album to Vicente Fernández?
It is quite an ambitious project. We had been working on it for a long time and I had been talking about it with my dad when he was still alive. I had told him that I wanted to pay tribute to him when he had already retired from music. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to finish it at that time, but we made the setlist together. God’s timing is perfect and I think this came at the right moment.
On a personal note, what does it mean to you to make this album?
It is something very important, a healing project. I didn’t know what I was getting into because there are many details to take care of, but in the end it was worth it. It is not the same to sing the songs at a party or in a palenque as it is to make an album, especially because of the image, the voice, the hits, the person my father was and what he represents. It is a treasure, it is an inheritance that my father left me, and what we want is for new generations to know these songs.
Why did you decide to put your father’s songs in the hands of Eden Muñoz as producer?
We wanted the songs to sound fresh. Eden and I had already worked on several things together, I really like his work, plus he’s a great guy as a person. He is a musical genius and I couldn’t think of anyone else to give the songs a twist. The songs have their own spirit [of Vicente], we were not going to change them, and we had to respect them, but we wanted to give them a modern touch.
How difficult was it to record and now sing Vicente Fernández’s songs?
I will sing them with dignity. In no way do I intend to be arrogant and say that I will sing them better; my father had a very peculiar voice. What I want is to preserve the heritage and somehow make them my own. I am doing my best to make it a worthy project and to represent what my father did as it should be.
Vicente Fernández and Alejandro Fernández
Fernandez Family
What do you think about the moment Mexican music is going through?
At this moment Mexican music is being listened to all over the world, although it has taken a turn with respect to what we have been doing. What is important is that the success that the new exponents have had has splashed and helped us, and that is very good for all of us.
We’ve seen you very interested in this new generation of regional Mexican exponents…
I have a relationship with almost all those morros (kids) who are so strong. I had a collaboration with Natanael Cano, who for me is the pioneer of the corridos tumbados, and from there came a huge escalation of these artists that I know, they know me, I respect them, they respect me and I applaud what they have done.
Much has been said about the rivalry between the Aguilar and Fernández families. What is the reality between these two dynasties?
The public mistakenly thinks that the Aguilar’s and the Fernandez’s don’t get along and on the contrary, my father was a great admirer of Mr. Antonio Aguilar. My father taught me to know Antonio Aguilar’s music. Pepe and I get along very well, we have a beautiful friendship. I was a charro like him and we saw each other a lot. Every time we see each other, we hug because we are very fond of each other. Pepe was at my father’s funeral, I called him to give him my condolences when Don Antonio died, so I think it’s great that now Majo (Aguilar) and Alex (Fernández) are making music and doing the Dos Dinastías, Una Tradición Tour.
With your sold-out concerts on Oct. 25-26, you set a record at La Plaza México. What does such an achievement mean to you at this point in your career?
I have nothing but gratitude to the fans because they have taken me by the hand and have not let go. Plaza México is a historic place. My father’s presentation there was monumental (Un Mexicano en La México, September 1984). I know how much work it took for my father, he was very afraid to perform there because of the importance of the place. People have blessed me with their affection. We have already had four sold-out concerts, equivalent to 160,000 tickets sold there. I hope it becomes a tradition to perform in that wonderful place.
Luis Miguel has postponed a series of concerts scheduled across several cities in Mexico, including two performances in the capital, due to health reasons, the Mexico City Arena said in a statement on Thursday night (Oct. 24). Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The Mexican-raised superstar was […]
Billboard Latin Music Week 2024 celebrated its 35-year anniversary and paid tribute to this year’s Power Players List on Monday, October 14. The intimate event, which took place at Casadonna Miami, was dedicated to the annual list of honorees across various sectors of Latin music with networking, speeches, awards, alongside custom cocktails like the Johnnie […]
Cheetos left its mark on Miami as Billboard Latin Music Week’s 35-year anniversary saw panel programming, evening performances and more honor the concept of community and paying it forward.
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For the third year in a row, Cheetos spread its Deja Tu Huella campaign across the annual affair in the 305, with the focus on inspiring and uplifting the Latino community. During the 35-year anniversary week, the brand teamed up with Billboard to nod to the present and look towards the future through music, education and more.
Festivities kicked off on Tuesday, October 15, when rising stars Omar Courtz and Saiko were joined by rising Mexican designer Kiko Baez and celebrity yoga coach Yudy Arias for a conversation dubbed Deja Tu Huella: Inspire Who’s Next moderated by Billboard’s Isabela Raygoza, Associate Editor of Billboard Español. Whether the discussion fell on the folks who have inspired them or appreciation for their influence as of today, the panelists were quick to share gratitude for where they’ve come from and what they’re looking to achieve.
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Following the Tuesday programming was the Next-Gen Reggaeton: An Evening Curated by J Balvin presented by Cheetos event. Featuring Dei V, Omar Courtz, Saiko and a surprise performance from J Balvin, the jam-packed evening at Wynwood Marketplace saw attendees get a dose of reggaeton from different eras, while experiencing the House of Huella activation, a one-of-a-kind experience that fused together the impact of the present and what’s to come in the future as people continue to leave their mark.
The activation also saw fans partake in the Paint the Room Orange activity area, where they were encouraged to leave their mark by writing messages on mirrored tiles to contribute to a massive disco ball that illuminated during Balvin’s set. Elsewhere, the futuristic Cheetosverse with a portrait wall honoring the Deja tu Huella ambassadors and Chester Cheetah found fans walking into an installation filled with all kinds of photo-worthy moments. Oh, and you can’t forget the Cheetos samples with various flavors for the taking!
At the end of Balvin’s set, the star also unveiled Corissa Barrow, a psychologist and mental health advocate, as Cheetos’ newest Deja tu Huella Ambassador. The Houston, Texas native will hit the road with the brand for their community college tour in support of its Uplift Scholarship program. The tour stops feature opportunities like Culinary Creator competitions, workshops, and mentorship sessions where students will be encouraged to leave their mark and invest in their dreams.
If you want to learn how you can leave your mark with Cheetos, head over to Deja Tu Huella’s official website. For more of our Miami festivities, scroll on below to see hot shots from Cheetos and Billboard’s Latin Music Week partnership!
Photo: Melody Timothee
Photo: Melody Timothee
Photo: Ysa Pérez
Photo: Ysa Pérez
Photo: Ysa Pérez
Photo: Ysa Pérez
Photo: Ysa Pérez
Photo: Ysa Pérez
Photo: Ysa Pérez
Photo: Ysa Pérez
Photo: Ysa Pérez
Photo: Ysa Pérez
Photo: Ysa Pérez
Photo: Ysa Pérez
Photo: Gabrielle Deimeke
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Photo: Gabrielle Deimeke