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Maria Becerra has signed a deal with Warner Music Latina in a new joint venture with 300 Entertainment, Billboard can exclusively announce today (May 10).
“I am thrilled to be a part of the Warner Music Latina family,” Becerra said in a statement. “I know that together we will achieve incredible things and that this union will allow me to go even further in my career and solidify my global expansion. I’m honored to be part of their roster and look forward to working with such a skilled and talented team.”
For Alejandro Duque, president of Warner Music Latin America, having the Argentine singer-songwriter on the roster is an honor.
“She’s a standout artist with a strong team behind her, and her past successes are a testament to that. We’re excited to continue the path that was started by 300 Entertainment and Kevin’s team, and are very excited for our future together,” he added.
The news of the signing comes on the heels of Becerra receiving the Visionary Award at the inaugural Billboard Latin Women in Music gala.
Maria Becerra at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Natalia Aguilera
To date, the YouTuber-turned-artist has achieved three entries on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, including her hit “Qué Más Pues?” with J Balvin, as well as two top 10 entries on Latin Airplay (the No. 1 hit “Te Espero” with Prince Royce, and “Éxtasis” with Manuel Turizo at No. 9), and five entries on Latin Rhythm Airplay.
In 2021, Becerra was nominated for best new artist at the Latin Grammys, and her latest album La Nena de Argentina (2022) has garnered more than 300 million plays on Spotify alone, to name a few career highlights. Additionally, she signed with 300 Entertainment in 2020, becoming the first Latin artist to join the label’s roster.
“We are very happy and deeply grateful to 300 Entertainment, Kevin Liles, and his entire team, for the support they have provided Maria since the beginning, because due to their dedication, efforts, and teamwork, Maria has been able to achieve the success she celebrates today, which leads us to this important next step with Warner Music Latina, spearheaded by Alejandro Duque, to continue growing with the next albums,” noted Jose Levy, Becerra’s manager.
Kevin Liles, chairman and CEO of 300 Elektra Entertainment, added: “It’s been amazing to see the growth of Maria as an artist, and I’m so proud of everything that we’ve been able to accomplish together so far. Tapping into the vast, global reach of our Warner Music Group family with the addition of Warner Music Latina to the team behind her, there is absolutely no limit on where she can go.”
Up next, Becerra is working on new music to be released under the Warner/300 venture and is expected to announce a tour.
Maria Becerra signs with Warner Music Latina.
Miguel Valencia/Warner Music Latina
The inaugural Billboard Mujeres Latinas en la Música (Billboard Latin Women in Music) took place over the weekend in Miami and celebrated Latin female artists, executives and creatives who are proactively working for positive change, inclusion and gender parity in the music industry.
A first of its kind for Latin music, the two-hour music special was co-hosted by Ivy Queen and Jacqueline Bracamontes and aired exclusively on Telemundo and Peacock, honoring seven incredible singer/songwriters in the industry.
In her first public appearance since her recent move to Miami from Spain, Colombian superstar Shakira received the Woman of the Year award. Other honorees included Mexican singer-songwriter Ana Gabriel, with the Living Legend Award; Argentine singer Emilia, with the Rising Star Award; Venezuelan singer, actress and director Evaluna, who received the Tradition and Future Award; Colombian singer Goyo, with the Agent of Change Award; Mexican superstar Thalia, with the Global Powerhouse Award; and Argentine Maria Becerra with the Visionary Award.
The honorees were joined by a star-studded wave of presenters such as Elena Rose, Greeicy and Nicole Zignago, to name a few.
Most of the honorees also took center stage for eclectic performances. Among others, Thalia opened the night with a medley of hits, Ana Gabriel put the whole audience on their feet with her heart-wrenching “Simplemente Amigos,” and Emilia debuted her Brazilian dance funk “No_se_ve.mp3” alongside “Ludmilla.”
With the launch of Billboard Mujeres Latinas en la Música, Billboard and Telemundo aim to further elevate Latin music globally and celebrate the women who have made a concrete impact on Latin music through their artistic achievements, or through tangible, noteworthy actions that have brought measurable recognition and opportunity to women, affecting positive change to the industry as a whole.
Here are some fun Polaroids taken backstage of Shakira, Goyo and more. Many even autographed them.
Shakira
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Goyo
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Evaluna
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Greeicy
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Nicole Zignago
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Elena Rose
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Maria Becerra
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Shakira
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Jacky Bracamontes
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Nicole Zignago
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Maria Becerra
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Greeicy
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Goyo
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Evaluna
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Elena Rose
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Photographed on May 6, 2023 at Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL.
Eslabon Armado make history with the No. 1 debut of their full-length album Desvelado on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart (dated May 13). With 44,000 equivalent album units earned in its opening week, the set scores the largest week for a regional Mexican album since the survey started measuring titles by units in February 2017.
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“It means a lot being No. 1 on Top Latin Albums,” Pedro Tovar tells Billboard. “It’s probably our favorite album, but we didn’t expect it to go that high! Mainly because I know that people don’t like something at first, but when four, five, six months or a whole year pass by, there’s always that one song that hits, and then everybody is like, ‘Oh, this is my favorite album!’”
Desvelado was released April 27 via DEL Records. The 16-track effort starts with 44,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. during the April 28-May 4 tracking week, according to Luminate.
As its predecessor (Nostalgia, 2022), nearly all of Desvelado’s first-week total was fueled by streaming-equivalent album units, with 43,000 stemming from the metric. In total, its songs drew 63.51 million official U.S. streams – the most in a week ever for a regional Mexican album.
The set also boasts the fifth biggest streaming opening week among Latin albums, after Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti (365.55 million official streams, May 2022), YHLQMDLG (201.37 million, March 2020) and El Último Tour del Mundo (145.94 million, Dec. 2020), as well as Karol G’s Mañana Sera Bonito (118.73 million streams, March 11-dated list).
On the all-genre Billboard 200, Desvelado opens at No. 6, becoming the highest rank ever for a regional Mexican album, since the ranking started measuring by units in December 2014. It also becomes the second album to hit the top 10, surpassing Eslabon Armado’s No. 9-peaking Nostalgia in May 2022.
“The hardest challenge producing and recording this album was the timing,” Tovar remembers. “We wanted to release it on the 27th and we had such a short time to record everything. Plus, I didn’t really get much time to put in the final touches, so I put it on God’s hands. The result was amazing.”
As Desvelado arrives at the summit on Top Latin Albums, Eslabon Armado maintain their perfect run of six straight top 10s among six chart appearances. Out of those, one other album took the quartet up the penthouse: the one-week ruler VIbras de Noche in August 2020. Plus, Eslabon’s sixth studio effort sends Benito’s Un Verano Sin Ti to No. 2 after its 46-nonconsecutive-week domination. (Karol G’s Mañana Será Bonito crowned for five weeks in between.)
Desvelado was preceded by the No. 1 viral hit “Ella Baila Sola” with Peso Pluma — in its fourth week in charge on the multimetric Hot Latin Songs chart. It concurrently reaches No. 1 on the Streaming Songs chart, with 34.6 million official U.S. streams, up 2%. It’s the first regional Mexican song to lead the list and the first No. 1 on the chart for both acts. Elsewhere, “Ella Baila” rises 20-9 on the all-Latin-genre Latin Airplay tally with 6.7 million in audience impressions earned during the same tracking week, a first top 10 for Peso Pluma there.
Meanwhile, among the new recruits on Hot Latin Songs, “Así Lo Quiso Dios,” with Luis R. Conriquez, bows at No. 24. “Quédate Conmigo,” with Grupo Frontera, follows at No. 25, while “Quiés Es El?” starts at No. 33.
“Honestly, ‘Quédate Conmigo,’ with Grupo Frontera, is the song I relate to with the most,” Tovar muses. “It’s super romantic and it fits me perfectly because now I am in love. In a way, I am kind of dedicating that song to a special someone.”
About Desvelado’s eight collaborations, Tovar concludes: “I think the best one is with Peso Pluma, mainly because it’s the No. 1 song. Everywhere I go I hear it… everywhere! I don’t get tired of singing that song at all.”
Rita Lee, known as the “Queen of Brazilian Rock” for hits like “Ovelha Negra,” “Mania de Você” and “Now Only Missing You,” died on Monday (May 8) at 75, her family confirmed. Lee was notably diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021.
“We communicate the passing of Rita Lee, at her residence in the capital of São Paulo, at the end of the night, surrounded by all the love of her family, as she always wanted,” a statement published on her official Instagram account on Tuesday read, in Portuguese.
Known for her fusion of psicodelia with pop, MPB, bossa and new wave, the legendary Latin Grammy Award-winning artist — who is one of Brazil’s most successful singer-songwriters — got her start with the group Os Mutantes before launching a fruitful solo career. Last November, she was recognized with the Latin Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award, but she could not attend to receive it at the ceremony in Las Vegas.
“Rita Lee was a visionary artist and one of the best-selling singer/songwriters in the history of Brazil,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of the Latin Recording Academy, in a Tuesday statement in which he expressed his “most sincere condolences to her family, friends and all lovers of her music.”
Born on December 31, 1947 in São Paulo, Lee began her career with the band Os Mutantes and recorded albums with the band Tutti Frutti, including 1975’s Fruto Proibido. In 1979, she released the LP Rita Lee — which included classics such as “Mania De Você”, “Lança Perfume” and “Caso Sério” — in collaboration with her husband, the multi-instrumentalist Roberto de Carvalho, in an artistic partnership that continued into the 1980s with a long list of radio hits and massive concerts.
In later decades she made acoustic recordings such as Aqui, Ali, em Qualquer Lugar, a collection based on songs by The Beatles. In 2015 she celebrated her career with a CD collection, and the following year she published an autobiography in which she described herself as a “rebel” and “hippie communist.”
A public wake will be held at the São Paulo planetarium on Wednesday, May 10, the family said in the statement, adding that according to Lee’s wishes, her body will be cremated.
Lee is survived by her husband and collaborator Roberto do Carvalho and three children.
Becky G is heading out on her first headlining tour.
“Mi gente… I cannot believe I get to finally announce MI CASA, TU CASA, my first ever headlining tour!!!” the Latin pop star wrote on Instagram on Tuesday (May 9). “I’ve been dreaming of this moment my entire career…I can’t wait to sing & dance with you guys, los quiero mucho mucho mucho y nos vemos pronto!”
The 16-date tour will run through the early fall, starting with a show Sept. 14 at Roadrunner in Boston followed by stops in New York City, Atlanta, Orlando and more. At the tail end of the month, Becky will spend consecutive nights across Texas by performing in Sugar Land, Grand Prairie, San Antonio and McAllen before playing El Paso’s Abraham Chavez Theatre. After three dates through Southern California, the tour then caps off Oct. 14 at the Arizona State Fair in Phoenix.
Tickets for Becky’s Mi Casa, Tu Casa Tour go on sale Friday (May 12) at 10 a.m. local time via the Power Rangers actress’ official website.
Becky is currently riding high with “Chanel,” her latest top 10 hit with collaborator Peso Pluma on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. In April, the duo debuted the track live for the first time during her Coachella set, which also included a surprise appearance by Natti Natasha, and later performed the song together at the 2023 Latin AMAs.
Check out Becky’s giddy tour announcement, including a complete list of dates, below.
The first-ever Latin Women in Music, which took place Saturday (May 6) in Miami and broadcast Sunday (May 7) on Telemundo and Peacock, was filled with show-stopping performances, memorable speeches and emotional moments. From Thalia’s epic medley (including “Amor a la Mexicana” and “A Quién Le Importa”) to Shakira’s inspirational acceptance speech as Woman of the Year, Billboard captured the best moments from inside the inaugural event at the Watsco Center.
Hosted by Ivy Queen and Jacqueline Bracamontes, the gala is the first of its kind for Latin music. Mujeres Latinas en la Música celebrates Latin female artists, executives and creatives who are proactively working for positive change, inclusion and gender parity in the music industry.
Shakira received the first-ever Woman of the Year award. Other honorees include Ana Gabriel, who was honored with the Living Legend Award; Emilia, received the Rising Star Award; Maria Becerra was awarded the Visionary Award; Evaluna, was honored with the Tradition and Future Award; Goyo, who received the Agent of Change Award, and Thalia, was honored with the Global Powerhouse Award.
The inaugural Latin Women in Music event was announced earlier this year as an expansion of Billboard’s Women in Music franchise. Billboard and Telemundo aim to further elevate Latin music globally and celebrate the women who have made a concrete impact on Latin music through their artistic achievements, or through tangible, noteworthy actions that have brought measurable recognition and opportunity to women, affecting positive change to the industry as a whole.
Watch Mujeres Latinas En la Música on Sunday, May 7 at 9 p.m. ET exclusively on Telemundo and Peacock.
Ana Gabriel
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Ana Gabriel performs onstage at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Thalía
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Thalía performs onstage at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Shakira
Image Credit: Natalia Aguilera
Shakira at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Goyo
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Goyo at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Maria Becerra
Image Credit: Natalia Aguilera
Maria Becerra at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Ana Gabriel
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Ana Gabriel performs onstage at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Ivy Queen
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Ivy Queen performs onstage at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Emilia & Ludmilla
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Emilia and Ludmilla perform onstage at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
JP Saxe & Evaluna
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
JP Saxe and Evaluna perform onstage at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Ivy Queen & Jacqueline Bracamontes
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Ivy Queen and Jacqueline Bracamontes speak onstage at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Maria Becerra
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Maria Becerra performs onstage at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Ha*Ash
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Hannah Nicole and Ashley Grace of Ha*Ash speak onstage at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Leila Cobo & Shakira
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Leila Cobo and Shakira at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Ana Gabriel & Goyo
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Ana Gabriel and Goyo at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Ana Gabriel
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Ana Gabriel at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Lele Pons & Guaynaa
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Lele Pons and Guaynaa speak onstage at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Hannah Nicole, Emilia & Ashley Grace
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Hannah Nicole, Emilia and Ashley Grace at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Maluma at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Shakira
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Shakira at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Shakira & Maluma
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Shakira and Maluma onstage at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Leila Cobo & Thalía
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Leila Cobo and Thalía at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Emilia & Ludmilla
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Emilia and Ludmilla at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Thalía & Lele Pons
Image Credit: Gustavo Caballero
Thalía and Lele Pons at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Saba Martinez, Nelfa Martinez & Goyo
Image Credit: Gustavo Caballero
Saba Martinez, Nelfa Martinez and Goyo at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Ludmilla
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Ludmilla and dancers at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Emilia & Elena Rose
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Emilia and Elena Rose at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Maria Becerra
Image Credit: Gustavo Caballero
Maria Becerra at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Shakira
Image Credit: Gustavo Caballero
Shakira speaks onstage at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Nelfa Martinez, Saba Martinez & Goyo
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Nelfa Martinez, Saba Martinez and Goyo at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Greeicy Rendón & Goyo
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Greeicy Rendón and Goyo at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Andrea Meza, Carlos Adyan & Jacqueline Bracamontes
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Andrea Meza, Carlos Adyan and Jacqueline Bracamontes at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Evaluna & JP Saxe
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Evaluna and JP Saxe at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Emilia & Greeicy Rendón
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Emilia and Greeicy Rendón at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Flaunting a ’60s-inspired dress and hairdo, Maria Becerra attended the inaugural Billboard Mujeres Latinas en la Música (Billboard Latin Women in Music), where she received the Visionary Award from newlyweds Lele Pons and Guaynaa.
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“First of all, I want to thank Billboard for this incredible recognition as a visionary. Thank you for joining so many talented women and for thinking of awards that recognize the effort and work all of us dedicate to our job each day,” she said during her speech on Sunday (May 7). “This tribute is not only for me. This award has a lot to do with the capacity to generate ideas, of not staying still for one second but also with a big team that accompanies and empowers everything I propose. Thank for you trusting in my vision and thank you for having a big vision as well, for your ideas, for your work, and for your love, above all. And I want to send a shout-out to all my colleagues and congratulate you for all your incredible work.”
Becerra, who started as a YouTuber as an adolescent and was later nominated for a Latin Grammy for best new artist in 2021, also took center stage to perform her uptempo urban-cumbia track “Adiós” joined by a nine-member band. “Adiós” reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart.
Maria Becerra at Billboard Latin Women In Music held at the Watsco Center on May 6, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. The show airs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 on Telemundo.
Gustavo Caballero
For Becerra, receiving the Visionary Award represents having confidence in her project and being surrounded by a supportive team.
“I am a very active person, a person who shoots ideas, who wants to generate new concepts, who want to make new and different genres,” she previously told Billboard. “I think it goes more on that side, in the sense of not stagnating and always thinking about new things and looking to the future.”
The two-hour music special, hosted by Ivy Queen and Jacqueline Bracamontes, honors Latin women in music. Mujeres Latinas en la Música aired on Sunday, May 7 at 9 p.m. ET exclusively on Telemundo and Peacock.
A first of its kind for Latin music, the inaugural Latin Women in Music event is an expansion of Billboard’s Women in Music franchise and celebrates Latin female artists, executives and creatives who are proactively working for positive change, inclusion and gender parity in the music industry. Shakira will receive the first-ever Woman of the Year award. Other honorees, in addition to Becerra, include Ana Gabriel, who will receive the Living Legend Award; Emilia, who will receive the Rising Star Award; Evaluna, who will receive the Tradition and Future Award; Goyo, who will receive the Agent of Change Award, and Thalia, who will receive the Global Powerhouse Award.
Billboard and Telemundo aim to further elevate Latin music globally and celebrate the women who have made a concrete impact on Latin music through their artistic achievements, or through tangible, noteworthy actions that have brought measurable recognition and opportunity to women, affecting positive change to the industry as a whole.
Ivy Queen, alongside Jacqueline Bracamontes, co-hosted the first-ever Billboard Mujeres Latinas en la Música (Billboard Latin Women in Music) on Sunday night (May 7). Flaunting a bedazzled boxing robe with a hood covering her face, Ivy (real name: Martha Ivelisse Pesante Rodríguez) also took center stage to exclusively premiere her new single “Toma” (Take It).
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“The queen is here,” she kicked off the track as she removed the robe and showed off her curves in a fitted golden ensemble and knee-high boots. A hard-hitting reggaetón song fused with Middle Eastern melodies that later transition to an old-school perreo (produced by Young Hollywood), “Toma” is a reassurance of her “Queen of Reggaeton” title.
“Toma reggaeton pa’ que sientan la presion,” she sings in the chorus, which loosely translates to “take reggaeton to feel the pressure.” “I’m the essence of PR [Puerto Rico] and New York City” and “they have to respect the ranks” are some of the many empowered lines in the tune, before it finishes off with the voice of virtual assistant Siri reminding everyone that “Ivy Queen became known as the Queen of Reggaeton, a singer with a fierce stage persona.”
Watch Ivy Queen’s full performance here:
In March, the 50-year-old Puerto Rican rapper was honored with the Women In Music Icon Award at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music gala.
A first of its kind for Latin music, Billboard Mujeres Latinas en la Música, an expansion of Billboard’s Women in Music franchise, celebrates Latin female artists, executives and creatives who are proactively working for positive change, inclusion and gender parity in the music industry.
Shakira will receive the first-ever Woman of the Year award. Other honorees include Ana Gabriel, who will receive the Living Legend Award; Emilia, who will receive the Rising Star Award; Maria Becerra, who will receive the Visionary Award; Evaluna, who will receive the Tradition and Future Award; Goyo, who will receive the Agent of Change Award, and Thalia, who will receive the Global Powerhouse Award.
Billboard and Telemundo aim to further elevate Latin music globally and celebrate the women who have made a concrete impact on Latin music through their artistic achievements, or through tangible, noteworthy actions that have brought measurable recognition and opportunity to women, affecting positive change to the industry as a whole.
Shakira, Thalia, Ana Gabriel, Evaluna Montaner, Goyo, Emilia and Maria Becerra reunited in one room — along with many other powerful women in the Latin music industry — where they were honored as the first class of the Billboard Latin Women in Music on Saturday (May 6) in Miami.
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Hosted by Ivy Queen and Jacqueline Bracamontes, the inaugural Mujeres Latinas en la Música, presented by Billboard in partnership with Telemundo, which aired Sunday (May 7), kicked off with a bang thanks to Thalia’s epic medley (including “Amor a la Mexicana” and “A Quién Le Importa”) that showcased her prowess onstage.
The exhilarating performance set up the vibe for the night, one that included not only riveting performances but also speeches that either made you tear up or feel like you could conquer the world. Take Goyo’s mother who stole the night with an emotional speech that really pulled at everyone’s heartstrings.
“Buenas noches, there aren’t words when emotions speak for themselves,” Nelfa Perea said about her daughter, who was awarded with the Agent of Change Award. “It’s an honor to give this award to my daughter, whom with lots of love we call Goyo. Ladies and gentleman, thank you Billboard, God for giving me this daughter and thanks to all of you for supporting [women] day after day.”
If that wasn’t enough, Goyo’s adorable daughter also said a few words to honor her mother. “I want to thank my mom for always inspiring me and encouraging me to chase my dreams. I love her, I love you mom and thank you Billboard for giving her this award, I really think she deserves it,” added Saba Perea.
Emilia, Maria Becerra and Evaluna all took the stage to sing and accept their awards. Emilia thanked her mother, Becerra thanked her team and Evaluna her family. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for la madre que me parió (the mother that birthed me),” the “Índigo” singer said.
Ana Gabriel, as the powerhouse that she is, gave one of the best performances of the night. She passionately sang the certified anthem “Simplemente Amigos,” in which she was joined by literally the entire crowd in attendance at the Watsco Center. She, of course, received a standing ovation and then was honored the Living Legend Award, which was given to her by Mexican duo Ha*Ash.
“I don’t mean to give a class but the word legend comes from the Latin ‘legenda,’ which refers to something that is meant to be read or seen,” Ana Gabriel expressed. The secret, she said, is her audience. “Thanks to you I have this career.”
The moment everyone was waiting for came towards the end: Shakira taking the stage. The Colombian singer-songwriter, who was honored as Woman of the Year, didn’t perform but she gave a nearly five-minute poignant speech that really struck a chord. After thanking Maluma for being the person to present her the award, Shakira spoke.
“The most important lessons I learned from other women, and for them I wrote what I wrote and I sang what I sang. Because only a woman can love until she’s ripped apart; can speak with the most brutal honesty; can sing with anger; dance in ecstasy and be brought to tears with emotion. Only a woman can do that.”
Read Shakira’s speech in its entirety here and watch a clip here.
And last but not least, to close the two-hour show, reggaeton icon Ivy Queen took the stage to sing her new single “Toma,” a hard-hitting reggaetón song fused with Middle Eastern melodies that later transition to an old-school perreo (produced by Young Hollywood).
The inaugural Latin Women in Music event was announced earlier this year as an expansion of Billboard’s Women in Music franchise. Billboard and Telemundo aim to further elevate Latin music globally and celebrate the women who have made a concrete impact on Latin music through their artistic achievements, or through tangible, noteworthy actions that have brought measurable recognition and opportunity to women, affecting positive change to the industry as a whole.
At Billboard’s first annual Latin Women in Music, Thalia testified her star power with a medley of hits. Spanning through an energetic set with back-to-back bangers, the Mexican pop star appeared in a sultry leopard one-piece and dazzling gold jewelry, looking like a queen amid neon lights, with her luscious brown hair flowing as usual.
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She delivered her timeless songs “Amor a la Mexicana” and a bachata-driven version of her fierce clapback “A Quién Le Importa.” “Desde Esa Noche” and the tender ballad “Equivocada” were also performed, leading the crowd through a wave of emotions.
Later that evening, the beloved Latin pop star claimed her Global Powerhouse Award, given to her by Billboard’s content chief officer of Latin/Español, Leila Cobo. “She sings, check. She dances, check. She acts, check. She produces, writes, designs her own clothes, her own line of shoes; and then this woman is a super mom, a woman who has inspired generations with her music,” said Cobo. “This is a risk-taking, committed, powerful artist who is also a charming, and frankly, very funny person.”
“The word we’ve heard the most tonight is ‘empowered’ women. Well, for me, the word empowered falls short,” said Thalia. “I believe that we are all born with power. I believe we are strong, and no one is going to empower us. We already have it. It’s something that God gave us when he created each one of us, individually, unique, unrepeatable. To all of you chingonas with ovaries who are here, don’t get distracted, keep going for your goal, for your dreams, don’t let anyone steal them from you. It is yours. You have the strength, the power, no one is going to give you that. ¡Arriba las mujeres!”
The two-hour music special, hosted by Ivy Queen and Jacqueline Bracamontes, honored Latin women in music. A first of its kind for Latin music, Mujeres Latinas en la Música celebrates Latin female artists, executives and creatives who are proactively working for positive change, inclusion and gender parity in the music industry.
The inaugural Latin Women in Music event was announced earlier this year as an expansion of Billboard’s Women in Music franchise. Billboard and Telemundo aim to further elevate Latin music globally and celebrate the women who have made a concrete impact on Latin music through their artistic achievements, or through tangible, noteworthy actions that have brought measurable recognition and opportunity to women, affecting positive change to the industry as a whole.
Watch Thalia’s performance here.