Latin
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The Billboard Latin Women in Music special is scheduled to return for its third edition on April 24 at 9 p.m. ET via Telemundo, Billboard and Telemundo announced Thursday (March 20).
Hosted by the legendary Mexican singer and songwriter Ana Bárbara, who was among the 2024 honorees, the two-hour event will celebrate the groundbreaking women who are shaping the future of Latin music. The show will also be available to stream live on the Telemundo app and Peacock.
“We are thrilled to partner with Billboard once again to commemorate the incredible achievements of Latin women in music,” Francisco “Cisco” Suarez, Telemundo’s evp, primetime unscripted & specials, said in a press release. “At Telemundo, we are committed to empowering and uplifting voices that inspire and resonate with our audience and look forward to an unforgettable night of celebration filled with captivating performances.”
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“Billboard Latin Women in Music is a powerful platform that shines a spotlight on the extraordinary talent, resilience and impact of Latinas in the music industry,” added Leila Cobo, Billboard’s chief content officer for Latin/Español. “We are proud to continue this celebration alongside Telemundo, honoring the women who are breaking barriers, shaping culture and inspiring future generations through their artistry. This year’s show promises unforgettable performances and heartfelt moments that showcase the strength and brilliance of Latin women in music.”
This year’s honorees and performers will be announced at a later date.
Ana Bárbara, a renowned singer, songwriter, producer and actress who received the 2024 Lifetime Achievement honor for her significant contributions to music, returns this year to host the special. Throughout her career, the hitmaker behind anthems such as “Bandido” and “Loca” has been a beacon of empowerment, resilience and advocacy for female representation. She has shattered barriers and paved the way for other women in the industry, becoming an artistic inspiration and a respected figure in the Regional Mexican genre.
On the Billboard charts, she’s had hits including “Me Asusta Pero Me Gusta,” “La Trampa,” “Ya No Te Creo Nada” and “No Lloraré” reaching the top 10 of Hot Latin Songs, while albums such as Ay Amor (1996) and Yo Soy La Mujer (2014) have established her as a mainstay on Regional Mexican Albums.
Besides Ana Bárbara, last year’s honorees included Karol G as Woman of the Year, Gloria Estefan as Legend, La India as Pioneer, Ángela Aguilar with the Musical Dynasty Award, Camila Cabello with the Global Impact award, Kany García as Spirit of Change and Kali Uchis as Rising Star.
Shakira paid an emotional tribute to Mexico with mariachi rhythms and regional Mexican music on Wednesday night (March 19) with first-time performances of “Ciega Sordomuda” and “El Jefe.” The songs were inspired by the country where the Colombian superstar launched her musical career 30 years ago.
With the surprising inclusion of a Mexican section in her repertoire, the artist kicked-off the first of seven scheduled concerts at the GNP Seguros Stadium in Mexico City in front of 65,000 people as part of her current Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, according to figures from promoter Ocesa.
Written more than 20 years ago, “Ciega Sordomuda” was one of Shakira’s first international hits, and it sparked euphoria among attendees. Accompanied by the mariachi group Gama 100, the singer delighted her audience with her famous MTV Unplugged (2000) version of the song, featuring Mexican trumpets and brass arrangements. Meanwhile, with “El Jefe” — a collab with Mexican-American band Fuerza Regida included in the 2024 album that gives its name to the tour, — she completed the Mexican segment of the show during her return to the Latin American country after a seven-year absence.
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“This is the first of seven nights in this city that has given me so much joy. Together, we are breaking a historic record, and that’s thanks to all the love you give me,” Shakira expressed with excitement.
Her run of gigs at GNP Seguros Stadium (March 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, and 30) make the Colombian star the first artist to sell out this iconic venue in Mexico City (formerly known as Foro Sol) seven times, collectively bringing together almost half a million attendees, according to Ocesa.
The 48-year-old artist opened her dazzling show with “La Fuerte,” produced by Argentine DJ Bizarrap, followed by hits such as “Girl Like Me,” “Las de la Intuición,” “Estoy Aquí,” “Inevitable,” “Te Felicito,” “TQG,” “Monotonía,” “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” and “Don’t Bother,” showcasing a much more rock-oriented side of her artistry. The rest of the setlist was almost identical to what the Barranquilla native has presented throughout the Latin American leg of the tour tour, which began in Rio de Janeiro on February 11.
Before her unprecedented residency in Mexico City, Shakira achieved other milestones in the country, such as two sold-out shows at the BBVA Stadium in the border city of Monterrey, where she gathered 100,000 people on March 12 and 13. Additionally, she performed two concerts on Sunday (March 16) and Monday (March 17) at the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, bringing together 90,000 people, according to the promoter.
Mexico City will also host the pop-up event “Shakira Estoy Aquí Experience Ciudad de México,” a free exhibition opening Friday (March 21) and running through March 30. The immersive experience will allow fans to dive into the universe of the Colombian artist through thematic spaces showcasing her evolution, creative process, and pivotal moments in her career.
Mexico also marks her second-to-last stop in the region before Shakira starts the U.S. leg of the tour on May 13 in Charlotte, N.C.
Gloria Estefan is ready to return to her roots with her first Spanish-language album in 18 years. First thing Thursday (March 20) — the start of the spring equinox — the Cuban-American superstar released the first single from the set, written by her producer-husband Emilio Estefan and aptly titled “Raíces” (Roots).
“Always enjoy the moments because you never know what surprises life will bring,” Estefan sings, expressing how love and life are very much like planting seeds. “If you want a good harvest, you need to know how to sow/ With faith and dedication, that tree will grow roots.”
“The song ‘Raíces’ touched my soul the first moment I heard it,” Gloria Estefan tells Billboard Español. “Being a Virgo, my connection with nature is strong, and I see life as a garden, with love as the seed. I believe that what you cultivate with kindness, patience, and faith will one day bloom into joy.”
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She adds: “It is important not to miss the opportunity to express love because every sincere word and gesture plants the roots of a beautiful tomorrow — and that is what this song is all about.”
Recorded at their Crescent Moon Studios in Miami, “Raíces” is a tribute to the rhythms that have defined Estefan’s sound: salsa, tropical beats, classic Latin music. The song will also give its title to her new album — the 30th in a 50-year career — which will be released at the end of May under Sony Music. It will be her first fully Spanish-language album in 18 years, since 90 Millas, which debuted and spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart in October 2007.
“For me, recording in Spanish again was a contribution to our music,” Emilio Estefan tells Billboard Español, noting that they worked with “great musicians, engineers, and industry professionals” and that he personally wrote almost the entire album because “I wanted it to reflect our essence: Gloria’s sound and mine.”
“[When we started], I remember people telling us that our sound would never work and that we should change our last name. But we understood the value of our culture and our roots,” he explains, referring to their beginnings in the mid-1970s with the Miami Sound Machine. “When Gloria reached the top of the charts worldwide [singing in English], we took a big risk and decided to record Mi Tierra, an album that represented one of our greatest victories.”
The iconic first LP by Gloria Estefan in Spanish from 1993, which included hits like “Mi Tierra” and “Con Los Años Que Me Quedan,” spent a whooping 58 weeks at No. 1 on Top Latin Albums. More than three decades later, the renowned Cuban producer and musician along with the singer-songwriter present “a letter of gratitude to the fans, to the press, to those who believed in us, and to the city of Miami, which watched us grow and then allowed us to bring our music to the whole world.”
“It is a moment full of emotions for Gloria and me, a celebration of our culture and our audience,” Emilio Estefan says. “The most beautiful thing about a career is being able to leave a legacy of gratitude.”
Check out the music video for “Raíces” below.
Garbage, the iconic American alternative rockers who rose to fame in the ’90s, are in the midst of their first Latin American tour in a decade. The trek kicked off March 12 in Colombia, followed by stops in Chile and Argentina, before arriving in Brazil this Friday (March 21).
On April 6, after an 11-year absence from the country, Garbage will perform in Monterrey, Mexico, at the Tecate Pa’l Norte festival.
“It’s great to go back to Mexico, you know. And going to Pa’l Norte again is even better,” lead singer Shirley Manson tells Billboard Español about their participation on the festival’s second day, which will also feature stars like Olivia Rodrigo and Kings of Leon. “Each represents different generations, and their own music. We’re not the same side of the coin. Having many options at the same place is fantastic.”
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Since the band’s inception in the early ’90s, Garbage has been beloved among Latin American audiences. Tracks like “Stupid Girl,” “Only Happy When it Rains” and “I Think I’m Paranoid” have transcended the years, creating a strong bond with fans in the region.
When asked about the growing globalization of Latin music, Manson shares: “Latin music is developing and expanding so quickly. Now, listening to music in Spanish is something we are used to. That’s so great, it’s wonderful.”
The reunion with their fans has been overwhelmingly positive. At the Festival Rec, recently held in Concepción, southern Chile, the band shared the stage with acts like Los Tres, Suede and Julieta Venegas, along with 40 other talents that brought together an estimated 360,000 attendees, according to Chile’s Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage.
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Obras Stadium was packed with fans who had been waiting for the band since their last performance at the legendary Luna Park in 2014. Shirley Manson has a special connection with Argentina, particularly with its feminist movements; the singer even participated in a colloquium there in 2019.
For their performance at Parque Fundidora in Monterrey, where Tecate Pa’l Norte will take place from April 4–6, daily attendance is expected to reach at least 100,000 people. The eclectic lineup includes Green Day, Massive Attack, Justin Timberlake, Caifanes, Foster the People, Benson Boone, El Tri and Eden Muñoz, among others.
Garbage, comprised of Shirley Manson, Butch Vig, Duke Erikson and Steve Marker, has released several covers over the past two years, including David Bowie’s “Starman,” U2’s “Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses,” Siouxsie and the Banshees’ “Cities in Dust” and Patti Smith’s “Because the Night.” Fans are eagerly awaiting new music from the band, as their eighth studio album, Let All That We Imagine Be the Light, is set to drop on May 30.
MADRID — After a successful First Spanish Music Encounter at the WiZink Center in 2024, Billboard returned to Madrid on Tuesday (March 18) with “Leaders of Music in Spain,” an event that reaffirms its commitment to the country’s music scene. The cocktail event, held at the Hotel VP Plaza España Design, gathered more than a hundred executives, artists, and key industry figures to strengthen ties and boost the global projection of Spaniard music.
Among the attendees were Pino Sagliocco, president of Live Nation Spain; José Luis Sevillano, CEO of AIE; Sandra García-Sanjuán, executive president of Grupo Starlite; Claire Immoucha, head of Amazon Music Spain; Mar García, marketing director of Warner Music Spain; Narcis Rebollo, president/CEO of global talent services at Universal; and José María Barbat, president of Sony Music Iberia. Artists like Rosana, Lela Soto, Natalia Lacunza and Álvaro de Luna also joined the event, sharing their thoughts on the present and future of music in Spain.
On Billboard‘s behalf were Leila Cobo, chief content officer for Latin/Español; Pamela Bustios, senior chart and data analyst for Latin/Español; and Marcia Olival, sales director for US Hispanic, LATAM, and Iberia.
“I’ve always said that Billboard is a bridge between Spanish-language music and the Anglo market. We tell these stories to an audience that doesn’t speak Spanish, but also in Spanish, and with Spain, this idea of a bridge is literal,” Cobo emphasized during the event. “Spain has more streams than ever, ticket sales are extraordinary, and it’s the world’s top music tourism destination. We want to amplify what you do, celebrate you, and be part of your story.”
This expansion of Spaniard music beyond its borders is a reality that resonates within the industry. Alicia Arauzo, general manager of Universal Music, highlighted the importance of these networking spaces to continue building international connections. “Without a doubt, these are great initiatives because, in the end, that’s what it’s all about: Spanish artists are going further and further. It’s something that didn’t happen years ago, and it’s fantastic to be able to cross bridges and have our music reach other territories,” she said.
José María Barbat, president of Sony Music Iberia (left) and Bernardo Miranda, vp A&R at Sony Music Iberia during Billboard’s “Líderes de la Música en España” event on March 18, 2025 in Madrid.
Aldara Zarraoa
Held at the Ginkgo Sky Bar — with panoramic views of the Royal Palace, the Almudena, and Plaza de España — the gathering served as a space for networking and dialogue about the industry’s challenges and opportunities.
In conversation with Billboard, Melanie Parejo, head of music for Spotify in Southern and Eastern Europe, emphasized Spain’s importance as a key point within the global ecosystem. “Billboard anchors here, in a country that is the gateway to Europe,” she noted. “Spanish-language music is more interconnected than ever. Gen Z doesn’t care if an artist is from Tenerife or Venezuela, and that’s incredibly powerful.”
For attendees, Billboard‘s presence in Spain represents a validation of the market’s growth and international projection. Rosana, one of the invited artists, expressed her gratitude. “Billboard opened its doors to me 15 days after releasing my first album in the U.S. and Latin America. Now that it has decided to come here, all they makes me want to do is make them feel at home,” she said.
From the business side, Blanca Salcedo, general manager of Sony Music Spain, highlighted the importance of the visibility provided by the platform. “I’d love for this to happen more in Spain,” she said. “The digital world has achieved unity and eliminated barriers.”
Attendees listen to Leila Cobo during Billboard’s “Líderes de la Música en España” event on March 18, 2025 in Madrid.
Aldara Zarraoa
For Álvaro de Luna, being part of this celebration was a personal milestone: “Seven years ago, I wouldn’t have imagined being mentioned in anything related to Billboard. It’s a dream.”
The event was made possible thanks to the support of Hotel VP Plaza España Design, Mahou, AIE, Santander SMusic, and Tequila Patrón, which prepared the evening’s special cocktail, the Paloma Patrón.
With “Leaders of Music in Spain,” Billboard continues to bet on strengthening its presence in the country and amplifying the impact of Spanish music globally. “We have total commitment to Spanish-language music, to Spain, and to its industry,” concluded Cobo.
The Latin Recording Academy has announced several major updates to its eligibility guidelines on Wednesday (March 19) for the 26th annual Latin Grammy Awards.
Among the updates is the addition of a new field for visual media and the introduction of two new categories: best music for visual media and best roots song — singles or tracks only, with the latter falling under the traditional field.
These changes aim to reflect the Latin Academy’s “commitment to evolve with the ever-changing musical landscape, and to best serve its membership body of music creators and professionals,” as noted in the press release. These updates take effect immediately for the awards scheduled for November.
The category of music for visual media will recognize “original music created to accompany and enrich the storyline of movies, television series, video games and other visual media.” To qualify for this category, a project must either incorporate Latin rhythms that are recognized as eligible genres for the annual Latin Grammy Awards, or be composed by an individual of Ibero-American heritage.
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Meanwhile, the best roots song award will be given to the songwriters of “new, unpublished recordings, both vocal and instrumental, that reflect the traditions and roots of various communities, cultures, or social groups, especially those of Hispanic American origin, whether in Spanish, Portuguese or in indigenous languages or dialects,” notes the release. It will highlight works in genres like tango, folk, flamenco, and other traditional subgenres.
Other amendments include category renaming. In the pop field, “best pop vocal album” will now be called “best contemporary pop album”; in the children’s field, “best Latin children’s album” is being renamed to “best children’s album”; and in the urban field, “best urban fusion/performance” will be named “best urban/urban fusion performance.” The later category will now require 60% urban elements for eligibility, rather than 51%. “Remixes are eligible only if the original version of the song was released within the same eligibility year,” states the official announcement regarding the urban field.
Additionally, the songwriter of the year category reduced its minimum song threshold from six to four, while producer of the year will now undergo screening “by a specialized committee in addition to the membership screening and voting process.”
For more information, visit LatinGRAMMY.com.
Shakira will have her own museum in Mexico and sooner than you think. The pop-up “Shakira Estoy Aquí Experience Mexico City” will open its doors this Friday (March 21) in the Mexican capital.
Located in Roma Norte, on Frontera 88 Street, Shakira’s museum — which celebrates her career through different experiences — will remain open for 10 days (until March 30) with free admission. It coincides with the Mexican leg of the Colombian superstar’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran tour, which kicked off on March 12 in Monterrey, Nuevo León and arrives Wednesday (March 19) at the GNP Seguros Stadium for a historic series of seven concerts at the capital’s venue (formerly known as Foro Sol). It is Shakira’s first visit to the country in almost seven years.
Exclusively for Billboard Español, Juan Martín Salazar, CEO and creative director of 9F, the company in charge of setting up this experience, tells us in detail what fans will be able to find in each room of the exhibition, from costumes to photographs and instruments, and more.
“There’s something very particular about Shakira,” says Salazar, who was featured this month in our “Stars Behind the Stars” franchise for planning creative campaigns for artists that also include Bad Bunny, Karol G and Beyoncé. “There is a difference or in comparison with other artists. It’s that she is very fond of knowing how to play the instruments, so we wanted to elevate that part.”
Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran world tour — in support of her album of the same name — kicked off on Feb. 11 in Brazil and has passed through Peru, Colombia, Chile and Argentina. Following her engagements in Mexico, the artist will begin the North American leg of the stadium tour on May 13 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and will make stops in Montreal, Toronto, Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and other cities, concluding on June 30 in San Francisco. (To see all dates in the U.S. and Canada, click here.)
Below, Salazar describes the new “Shakira Estoy Aquí Experience Mexico City” museum room-by-room:
First Room
Natti Natasha isn’t taking for granted working alongside Romeo Santos for her latest album, Natti Natasha en Amargue, entirely produced and penned by the Aventura frontman. “It’s a balance of hard work, giving the best of me and good luck,” the Dominican artist tells Billboard‘s Leila Cobo about how the opportunity came about. Released in […]
Bad Bunny is proving once again why he’s one of the hottest stars in the world, both on and off the stage. The global Puerto Rican sensation has teamed up with Calvin Klein for a sizzling new campaign published by both parties on Instagram, Monday (March 17), that’s already turning heads. Explore Explore See latest […]
On Sunday (March 16) the Vive Latino festival closed its 25th anniversary edition with an explosion of sounds, ranging from rock to alternative dance and metal, passing through ’80s pop ballads, regional Mexican music and electronic cumbia — all in a grand eclectic and multigenerational party that brought together 80,000 people on its second day, according to promoter Ocesa.
Zoé, Rüfüs du Sol, Sepultura, Mon Laferte, Keane, Aterciopelados, Edén Muñoz, Astropical, Draco Rosa, Porter, La Lupita and Los K’comxtles, along with a segment titled “Música para mandar a volar” (Music to let go) featuring Belinda and María José singing in tribute to the late Dulce and Paquita la del Barrio, headlined the event’s second day at the GNP Seguros Stadium in Mexico City.
The Mexican band Zoé made a triumphant return to the festival after a five-year absence, marking its only show of the year. Meanwhile, Mon Laferte led the charge for women as one of the star performers of the marathon day, making thousands sing along to hits like “Mi Buen Amor” and “Tu Falta de Querer.” Keane delivered one of the standout and most-anticipated performances of the day, underscoring the British band’s long-standing connection with its Mexican fans.
The Colombian duo Aterciopelados invited Café Tacvba’s lead singer Rubén Albarrán for “Adiós Que Te Vaya Bien” and paid homage to late rock en español icon Gustavo Cerati by performing Soda Stereo’s classic “La Ciudad de la Furia,” which vocalist Andrea Echeverri had previously sung on the band’s MTV Unplugged in 1996.
In an unusual turn of events, Kany García fell victim to a power outage on the Telcel stage, which interrupted her debut at the famous Mexican festival. The Puerto Rican singer-songwriter made the best of the situation by performing without a microphone, accompanied by her guitar and the audience singing along to “Confieso.”
On a day where women took center stage, ASTROPICAL — the new supergroup created by Bomba Estéreo and Rawayana — also stood out with its performance. La Lupita, a pioneer of the musical festival, welcomed back singer Rosa Adame to perform the band’s most iconic songs and pay tribute to guitarist Lino Nava, who passed away in 2024.
For the second year in a row, and thanks to a partnership with Amazon Music, concerts could be streamed for free through the digital platform. The 25th edition of Vive Latino also set a record for the festival, bringing together 160,000 people in total according to Ocesa.
Below are some of our favorite acts from the second day of the Vive Latino festival, as it celebrated its first quarter-century. For our recap of Day 1, click here.
Zoé Comes Out From Hiatus to Shine