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Dominican rapper and dembow star El Alfa has signed a multi-million deal in the eight figures with music industry finance firm Sound Royalties.
After evaluating El Alfa’s revenue streams, Sound Royalties will advance El Alfa the sum of money ahead of his upcoming tour and album, El Rey Del Dembow — set for release Oct. 19 on his own El Jefe Records. The advance contemplates the full range of El Alfa’s income, including his catalog, his upcoming recordings, his streaming numbers and his tour income.
“I’ve been speaking with Sound Royalties for years, and the time finally made sense for us to work together. The best advice I ever received was from [Sound Royalties CEO/founder] Alex Heiche and his team, telling me to register and organize my royalty streams and that whatever I do – don’t sell,” El Alfa said in a statement. “It was because I didn’t sell that I am now able to leverage my back catalog to invest in my future. This multi-million-dollar funding will be instrumental in continuing to build my legacy and cement my influence in the Latin music space.”
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Founded in 2014, Sound Royalties specializes in royalty financing for music creatives, independent labels, publishers and distributors. The company is a subsidiary of GoDigital Media Group, the company founded by Jason Peterson that also includes indie label and distributor Cinq Music Group and social media rights manager AdShare.
Sound Royalties’ business model isn’t predicated on projections of revenue, but rather, based on what an artist already has generated. The company gives creatives an advance and sets a set fee to be paid back in addition to the original advance. That set fee, says Heiche, does not change.
“There is no penalty and we don’t take copyright or ownership,” he says. “At first it [some thought it] was too good to be true, and now they realize it is true. It is a good model.”
Currently, the company works with music creatives in 16 countries across all genres, and has partnered or worked with artists like Pitbull, Alejandra Guzman and DJ Khaled.
In El Alfa’s case, Sound Royalties is financing what Heiche describes as “existing income streams. It’s not a projection. It’s what he’s already doing. We did an analysis of what his revenue streams are generating and they’re very impressive. His numbers justify the advance we’re giving him.”
“Alfa has carved out a legacy of his own in the Latin music community, pioneering his own style of Dembow music[…] It’s an honor to be the financial partner that he has chosen to fund his continued growth for years to come.”
Wisin’s three decade career was celebrated during Billboard Latin Music Week 2023 for the urban music icon’s lengthy history of creating hits and birthing a business empire.
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On Wednesday, October 4, Wisin & La Base: Eye of the Tiger presented by Smirnoff incited a conversation about reggaeton smashes, alongside hitmakers Luny Tunes, DJ Nelson and mix engineer and producer Hyde El Químico, with moderator Molusco. During the 40-minute discussion, the panelists reflected on their impact in the trajectory of the genre and how the genre has evolved over time. Wisin was also celebrated with a gift from Smirnoff when a specialty designed güiro by Mexican illustrator Totoi Semerena was presented to the superstar.
We’ve selected the standout quotes from the few panels that were captured on video. Below, check out the conversation in full, with some memorable quotes from each panelist:
Wisin on Achieving His Dreams (And More): I believe that work, discipline … I think that is what the urban movement is all about. We are here because we decided to do big things because we did not think we would be here. When we started to see money, for us, it was like “Wow” because we are humble people. We never thought that this movement was going to be where it is, so when we started our movement, we only had dreams in [a] sack. We had no money. We had no tools. We had no technology. So, thanks to God and life and the public, millions of people, who as Nelson says, we go to different cities and still receive us with open arms.
Wisin on How Collabs Impacted His Mainstream Appeal: I think it is very important that people understand that our collaborations made demographics that did not look at our movements, look at it differently and it was due to the affirmation of different superstars who decided to work with us. Reaching the mainstream world was the most important thing. At that time, it was a dream for us to be able to work with Jennifer [Lopez], with Ricky [Martin], with Enrique [Iglesias], with all of them.
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Hyde on The Landscape’s Biggest Change: The desire to always seek the highest quality was always there from the beginning since the genre began in a room, in our homes, in Marquesina. What changed was that now because of technology, we have access to create good music with fewer resources. Before you needed a super expensive studio and much more equipment to achieve a good sound; now a kid from home with a laptop, a good microphone and a good ear can aspire to have a good quality. Now, to reach that maximum level, as an artist’s career grows because of the maturity of the genre, he has more resources to have access to better quality, better studios [and] better equipment. I think that, in all genre scales, what has changed the most is the access to technology and quality.
DJ Nelson on Balancing Strategy & Creativity: There were no record companies. It was pure passion. But what is happening is not bad either because we have to change with the times. There are new budgets, new fashions, new equipment [and] new qualities. It is a very different business. Luny. La Razón, Luny Tunes, Flow Music, Noriega, what is happening attracted these big record companies. The business changes, of course.
Luny on Straddling the Producer/Artist Role: They forced us to be artists because, as we started and we had so many projects and the artists couldn’t. Well, they said, “Look, you guys, take care of promoting your music.” When we started, I remember it was VA Music. I said, “We don’t like that idea,” but we managed to go to the places [and] to the shows. We started something that we changed normally what a producer did at that time and I think that was something that helped us. With [DJ] Nelson, we went to Ricky [Martin]’s studio to work. We did a lot of projects [and] many things that were not on the agenda of what I wanted to do as a producer. I always wanted to be in the studio with Tunes.
Molusco at the Wisin Panel, Presented by Smirnoff held at Faena Forum as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 4, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
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Atmospher at the Wisin Panel, Presented by Smirnoff held at Faena Forum as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 4, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
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Wisin at the Wisin Panel, Presented by Smirnoff held at Faena Forum as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 4, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
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Molusco, Wsin, Hyde el Quimico, Dj Nelson, Luny Tunes , Leila Cobo at the Wisin Panel, Presented by Smirnoff held at Faena Forum as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 4, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
David Cabrera for Billboard
Earlier in the week, Wisin brought Billboard En Vivo with La Base and Wisin presented by Smirnoff to the Oasis Wynwood for a three-hour event featuring the aforementioned panelists. The event marked the first La Base party outside of Puerto Rico and included a few special surprises.
Celebrated for more than 30 years, Billboard Latin Music Week is the longest running and biggest Latin music industry gathering in the world, and coincides with the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which was broadcast live on Telemundo on Thursday, Oct. 5, from the Watsco Center in Miami.
For their first annual party outside of Puerto Rico, Wisin and La Base, the record label he launched in 2020, took over Miami’s Oasis Wynwood venue for a hits-packed show, special guests and cheers to the future.
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At the 35,000 square foot outdoor venue, attendees gathered together on Tuesday, October 3, for Billboard En Vivo with La Base and Wisin presented by Smirnoff, a celebratory night of the urban music icon’s staples as a solo artist and as part of Wisin y Yandel. His set started towards midnight and saw the man of the hour in a black-leather outfit accompanied by backup dancers for performances of “Fiel,” “Pam Pam,” “Major Que Yo,” “Cuerpo a Cuerpo” and more. Elsewhere during the La Base concert celebration, the reggaeton titan took time to cheers to the dedicated audience with a can of Smirnoff ICE Neon Lemonade, celebrating not only the success of his three decade long-catalog, but to his future.
Special guests Luny Tunes and DJ Nelson were on-site to serve up the biggest reggaeton hits of yesterday and today. Among the star power in the audience included the likes of J Balvin, Darell, Farina and Goyo of ChocQuibTown. Yet, it was a surprise appearance from El Alfa that brought the show to new heights when he and Wisin delivered performances of “Paleta Pa To El Mundo” and “La Mamá de la Mamá.” Beyond the music, attendees of the event were also treated to a specialty cocktail, samples, güiro giveaways, activations and more from Smirnoff ICE and Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind.
Wisin at Billboard En Vivo Featuring Wisin held at Oasis Wynwood as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 3, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
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El Alfa and Wisin at Billboard En Vivo Featuring Wisin held at Oasis Wynwood as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 3, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
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Atmosphere at Billboard En Vivo Featuring Wisin held at Oasis Wynwood as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 3, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Melody Timothee for Billboard
Atmosphere at Billboard En Vivo Featuring Wisin held at Oasis Wynwood as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 3, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
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Atmosphere at Billboard En Vivo Featuring Wisin held at Oasis Wynwood as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 3, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Melody Timothee for Billboard
Atmosphere at Billboard En Vivo Featuring Wisin held at Oasis Wynwood as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 3, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
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Atmosphere at Billboard En Vivo Featuring Wisin held at Oasis Wynwood as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 3, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Melody Timothee for Billboard
Atmosphere at Billboard En Vivo Featuring Wisin held at Oasis Wynwood as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 3, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
David Cabrera for Billboard
Atmosphere at Billboard En Vivo Featuring Wisin held at Oasis Wynwood as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 3, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
David Cabrera for Billboard
Dj Nelson at Billboard En Vivo Featuring Wisin held at Oasis Wynwood as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 3, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
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Atmosphere at Billboard En Vivo Featuring Wisin held at Oasis Wynwood as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 3, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
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Luny Tunes at Billboard En Vivo Featuring Wisin held at Oasis Wynwood as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 3, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Melody Timothee for Billboard
Later in the week, Wisin was joined by Luny, Tunes, DJ Nelson and Hyde for a panel, where they detailed their expertise on what it meant and means today to identify and create hits. The discussion dubbed Wisin & La Base: Eye of the Tiger was moderated by radio host and podcaster Molusco and also saw Smirnoff gift the reggaeton chart-topper with a specialty designed güiro. The piece featured custom art by Mexican illustrator Totoi Semerena, who dreamed up a visual of dance and celebration in the Latin communities with a range of vibrant colors.
Celebrated for more than 30 years, Billboard Latin Music Week is the longest running and biggest Latin music industry gathering in the world, and coincides with the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which were broadcast live on Telemundo on Thursday, Oct. 5, from the Watsco Center in Miami.
Billboard Latin Music Week 2023 went out with a bang, courtesy of Michelob ULTRA, who presented the closing celebration headlined by the extraordinary Fonseca. The venue of choice was Oasis Wynwood, a music hotspot accommodating 2,000, and it was a packed house. This 21+ affair brought music enthusiasts of all ages together, with dancing that lasted well into the night.
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The outdoor scene was a blend of reds and blues, and our presenting sponsor, Michelob ULTRA, added to the magic with the crisp, cool taste of their superior light beer.
David Cabrera for Billboard
Before Fonseca took center stage, Grammy-nominated pop artist Beatriz Luengo set the mood with her lively tunes. Attendees could hit up pop-up stations or the golden indoor bar to grab their refreshing drinks before immortalizing the night with take-home photos from the Michelob ULTRA photo booth, all to remind us that “It’s Only Worth It If You Enjoy It.”
Melody Timothee
Fonseca, joined by his live band, kicked off the night with the soulful ballads “Eres Mi Sueño” and “Vine a Buscarte.” But the fan favorite, “Arroyito,” got the crowd on their feet, dancing and jumping in pure excitement.
Melody Timothee
The outdoor arena was bursting at the seams with joyful party-goers toting Michelob ULTRA cans in hand that kept them refreshed throughout the hour-long set. Fonseca continued to deliver hits like “Si Tú Me Quieres” and “Cartagena,” a heartfelt tribute to his beloved homeland that kept the thrill alive—the evening reached its crescendo with an electrifying rendition of “Te Mando Flores” and “En Vivo y En Directo,” marking the grand finale of this year’s Billboard Latin Music Week.
As they say, all good things must come to an end, and this was the fitting conclusion to an incredible week filled with star-studded panel discussions and exclusive performances. Fonseca thanked the roaring crowd in his final remarks before leaving the stage, everyone beaming with gratitude for the unforgettable night, all thanks to our presenting sponsor, Michelob ULTRA. Cheers to an amazing week!
Check out photos all week long from our presenting sponsor HERE and check out Fonseca’s Latin Music Week panel discussion HERE.
Melody Timothee for Billboard
Interscope has a signed a partnership with Los CT, the record label launched by new regional Mexican music star Natanael Cano, a pioneer of the corrido tumbado movement. The deal will bring in Los CT artists Gabito Ballesteros, Alejandro Buelna, Tyan G, Amillkar Galaviz, Luis Castillo, Nueva Era, Cocho, Herencia LP and Delilah under the […]
Warner Music Latina has named Francisco Granados the label’s new senior vice president of A&R, Billboard has learned. Granados, who previously served as director of A&R at Warner Music México, will be responsible for spearheading Warner Latina’s artistic discovery and nurturing musical talents in the U.S., according to a press release issued Thursday (Oct. 12). […]
Billboard En Vivo Featuring Fonseca and Beatriz Luengo
Image Credit: Melody Timothee for Billboard
Atmosphere at Billboard En Vivo Featuring Fonseca and Beatriz Luengo held at Oasis Wynwood as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 6, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Becky G debuts at No. 3 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums chart (dated Sept. 14) with Esquinas. The Edgar Barrera-produced album is Becky G’s first entry on the Regional Mexican Albums tally, after notching previous entries on Billboard‘s Latin Pop Albums and Latin Rhythm Albums rankings. The new set concurrently debuts at No. 7 on the overall Top Latin Albums chart.
Esquinas was released Sept. 28 via Kemosabe/RCA and launches at No. 3 on Regional Mexican Albums with 11,000 equivalent album units earned in the tracking week ending Oct. 5 in the U.S., according to Luminate. Streaming powers nearly all the album’s first week, with 10,000 of them from the consumption method. That equals to 14.1 million official on-demand streams for the album’s songs.
Esquinas is Becky G’s third full-length album and first appearance on Regional Mexican Albums. The 13-track set’s title, which translates to “corners,” references the intersection between her American style with her Mexican roots. It includes collabs by Peso Pluma, Ivan Cornejo, Gabito Ballesteros, Yahritza y Su Esencia, Chiquis and DannyLux. The album’s cover art was revealed through Becky G’s Instagram account on Sept. 12: “I could not be more excited to share the cover of my new album Esquinas…” she posted, with a baby photo of herself on braids, a sombrero, and a red bandana covering her chest.
Esquinas finds the 26-year-old artist at a crossroads of two cultures, a sketch which shows throughout her Billboard chart career spanning over a decade. The album also gifts Becky G with two top 10 albums after the rhythmic Mala Santa (No. 3 high on Top Latin Albums and Latin Rhythm Albums, 2019) which included team-ups with Bad Bunny, Sech, Natti Natasha, and others, while the pop-filled Esquemas (eight-week champ on Latin Pop Albums, 2022) added partnerships with Karol G, El Alfa and Guaynaa.
As mentioned, Esquinas also bows at No. 7 on Top Latin Albums, after Esquemas debuted and reached No. 5 high in May 2022. Meanwhile, it earns her third chart appearance on the overall Billboard 200, at No. 109.
As Esquinas lands, two songs debut across Latin charts: “2do Chance,” with Ivan Cornejo, one of two pop songs on the album, launches at No. 34 on the multimetric Hot Latin Songs tally, fueled by streaming activity; it logged 2.7 million U.S. clicks during the same tracking week. Meanwhile, “Por El Contrario,” with siblings Leonardo Aguilar and Angela Aguilar, debuts at No. 19 on Latin Digital Songs.
Colombian-American superstar Kali Uchis has unveiled the release date for her upcoming album Orquídeas. This will mark her fourth studio album and her second Spanish-language project. The full-length release is set to drop Jan. 12, 2024.
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In a statement shared with Billboard Español, Uchis highlighted the significance of orchids in Colombian culture. “The orchid is the national flower of Colombia, and we have more species of orchid than anywhere on earth,” she says. “I always felt distinctly intrigued and magnetized by the flower. This album is inspired by the timeless, eerie, mystic, striking, graceful and sensual allure of the orchid. With this vast scope of fresh energy, I wish to re-define the way we look at Latinas in music.”
In August, Uchis kicked off this new era of Spanish-language music with the album’s first single, “Muñekita,” featuring Dominican dembow singer El Alfa and JT from City Girls, who each brought their dynamic energy to kick off the season. “I love bringing artists together that you’d least expect,” the Grammy winner said then in a press release. “El Alfa is a Latino legend and JT is someone I’ve admired forever. Both of them are known for their summer hits and high energy, so I’m incredibly excited to bring them together for a fun, sexy song like this.”
Kali Uchis’ most recent album, Red Moon in Venus, released in March, received critical acclaim and reached No. 4 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart. The album featured the RIAA gold-certified single “Moonlight” and collaborations with Summer Walker, Don Toliver and Omar Apollo.
Her Red Moon in Venus Tour included performances at iconic venues like the Hollywood Bowl, Radio City Music Hall and Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom. Additionally, she made waves at Coachella, performing alongside surprise guests Tyler, the Creator, Omar Apollo and Don Toliver. She also performed at Lollapalooza in Chile, Argentina and Brazil and Estéreo Picnic in Colombia.
Pre-order and pre-save Orquídeas here.
Cheetos left its mark during Billboard Latin Music Week 2023 with the brand’s panel and block party programming, shedding a spotlight on influential tastemakers from various industries, including music, art and fashion.
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On Wednesday, October 4, attendees of the week-long affair were treated to the “Deja tu Huella” presented by Cheetos at the Faena Forum in South Beach. Moderated by Billboard’s Jessica Roiz, the discussion let global hitmaker Myke Towers, Project Runway champ Shantall Lacayo and artist Rob the Original, speak to how they’ve given back to their communities. “The mark I want to leave is rather how to show,” the Puerto Rican rapper said during the 30-minute conversation. “Not only to those who want to be singers. You could be an athlete. You can be what we are, what we are doing. It is someone who pursues his dream. There are people who are a phenomena that can make it overnight but mine was a little different; I had to, instead of entering through the main entrance, I entered through the window. So what I mean by that is that I kept insisting until I got it and that is the mark that I want to leave as it is not easy, but it is not impossible either, and you have to make it look easy.”
Meanwhile, Lacayo, who came out victorious as the season 19 champ of the Bravo reality show, spoke about her special formula in making an impact. “Throughout my career, together with my team, I think the main thing we have discovered is that the DNA of our brand is our cultural roots, how we can keep alive those indigenous traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation and that, unfortunately, are getting lost in this world of fast fashion,” she explained. “We all want to leave a mark; part of my work seeks to do so through the reinterpretation of the work of artisans.”
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Multi-disciplinary artist Rob the Original, who was previously a barber and tattoo artist, has pushed the boundaries of his work with different mediums to provide a limitless perspective of art and culture. “Thank God, I have been able to share with people what my culture is, right? It is what I do and since I was very young my dad, my parents always taught us that you have to be you and represent what you are, right?” he told the crowd. “And that is what has really helped me a lot and I have also had the opportunity to travel, thank God, the world and get to know other cultures and see how beautiful they are, how beautiful other cultures are and learn from them, too.”
Jessica Roiz, Mike Towers, Shantall Lacayo and Rob The Original speak onstage at Billboard Latin Music Week held at Faena Forum on October 4, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
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Mike Towers and Shantall Lacayo speak onstage at Billboard Latin Music Week held at Faena Forum on October 4, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
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Jessica Roiz, Mike Towers, Shantall Lacayo and Rob The Original speak onstage at Billboard Latin Music Week held at Faena Forum on October 4, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Christopher Polk for Billboard
Mike Towers, Shantall Lacayo and Rob The Original onstage at Billboard Latin Music Week held at Faena Forum on October 4, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Christopher Polk for Billboard
Mike Towers onstage at Billboard Latin Music Week held at Faena Forum on October 4, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Christopher Polk for Billboard
Two days later, Towers brought that dream-turned-reality to Wynwood Marketplace for a block party performance presented by Cheetos. Preceded by performances from Polimá Westcoast and the Miami Heat dancers, the reggaeton chart-topper kept the crowd (and the brand’s Chester Cheetah mascot) dancing to songs, including “Piensan,” “Whiskey y Coco,” “La Jeepeta,” “El Cielo” and his current smash, “LALA.” In front of the jam-packed audience, Towers showed love to the audience by singing directly to fans, taking a selfie with the crowd and even brought a young boy on-stage to sing with him. When the concert-goers weren’t jamming along to Towers, they were treated to plenty of Cheetos samples, a live art display by muralist Bobby Alvarado, Cheetos-inspired lawn games, tunes by DJ Mr. Pauer and more.
Celebrated for more than 30 years, Billboard Latin Music Week is the longest running and biggest Latin music industry gathering in the world, and coincides with the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which will be broadcast live on Telemundo on Thursday, Oct. 5, from the Watsco Center in Miami.
Atmosphere at the Cheetos Daytime Party and Neighborhood Market held at Wynwood Marketplace as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 6, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
David Cabrera for Billboard
Atmosphere at the Cheetos Daytime Party and Neighborhood Market held at Wynwood Marketplace as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 6, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
David Cabrera for Billboard
Dj Pauer at the Cheetos Daytime Party and Neighborhood Market held at Wynwood Marketplace as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 6, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
David Cabrera for Billboard
Atmosphere at the Cheetos Daytime Party and Neighborhood Market held at Wynwood Marketplace as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 6, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
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Bobby Alvarado at the Cheetos Daytime Party and Neighborhood Market held at Wynwood Marketplace as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 6, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
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Atmosphere at the Cheetos Daytime Party and Neighborhood Market held at Wynwood Marketplace as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 6, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
David Cabrera for Billboard
Atmosphere at the Cheetos Daytime Party and Neighborhood Market held at Wynwood Marketplace as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 6, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
David Cabrera for Billboard
Heat Dancers at the Cheetos Daytime Party and Neighborhood Market held at Wynwood Marketplace as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 6, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
David Cabrera for Billboard
Atmosphere at the Cheetos Daytime Party and Neighborhood Market held at Wynwood Marketplace as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 6, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
David Cabrera for Billboard
Myke Towers at the Cheetos Daytime Party and Neighborhood Market held at Wynwood Marketplace as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 6, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
David Cabrera for Billboard