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The future of radio may be difficult to predict, but one thing is clear: Radio is in a good position and adaptable — it’s what makes it ubiquitous, says Raúl Alarcón, chairman and CEO, Spanish Broadcasting System. During a Q&A titled The Future of Radio and moderated by Billboard‘s Leila Cobo that helped kick off day one of the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week on Oct. 14, Alarcón was candid about the status of radio in the United States and the impact it has on an artist’s career today.
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“It’s been around 100 years, and that’s not a coincidence,” the executive says categorically. “It will always be with us, it’s ubiquitous, it’s free, you don’t need an external way to receive it. Radio is in a good position.”
SBS, a family-owned company around for more than 40 years and has endured the force of the streaming era, is home to radio stations such as Mega 97.9 (New York), 97.9 La Raza (Los Angeles) and La Ley 107.9 (Chicago), to name a few. “We always have to keep adapting, fixing, refining, but radio allows us to do that more than any other medium. Radio is also super local and that’s important.”
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Below, find some of the best quotes from The Future of Radio Q&A with Raúl Alarcón.
Is there a threat to radio?
“There was, there is and there will be, so one must always be evolving. We were the first to put comedy in the morning. I remember when the morning show started, that was innovation. We took a risk, but that’s what it’s about — always evolving and, after a while, adapt again.”
Catching trends
“We can perceive trends because radio stations are hyperlocal. Like corridos tumbados or bélicos, we were able to catch that trend as it was happening, we saw indications of the trend and we were able to adapt quickly because radio is local. People will tell us right away if they like it or not — it’s one of our strengths. We adapt to what our listeners want.”
Artists still want a No. 1 on radio
“Artists have told us, ‘You makes the hits, you sell tickets, run promotions.’ People are now realizing that radio was a discarded … this medium, like it’s been discarded before when TV came, now I have noticed that there’s a resurgence. Radio is important, radio is everything, it’s the connection with the local public, it adapts to trends, it’s entertainment. It’s not just a repeater, few people can create, and creativity is adaptation.”
Does radio inform streaming or vice versa?
“The two are not mutually exclusive — what we’re implementing is just another adaptation. They are both different, but can be conjugated together. But while digital expands, it doesn’t give you that immediate local fanbase.”
A new network
“We’re launching a network over the air and digital, for that new fusion of regional Mexican with urban, because we’ve seen that the music is appealing. And La Privada is not just a station, it’s a whole network. We’re still in preparations, but in the next 90 days, we’ll launch in Chicago, New York and other major cities.”
The 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week coincides with the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards set to air at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 20, on Telemundo. It will simultaneously be available on Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app, and in Latin America and the Caribbean through Telemundo Internacional.
Corina Smith, Bastian, Valentina and David Wild came together at Billboard Latin Music Week 2024 for “The Role of Music Publishers in Cross-Cultural Collaborations” panel presented by Rimas Publishing on Monday (Oct. 14).
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Moderated by Billboard’s Pamela Bustios, the conversation with the A&R, artists and producers focused on how publishers help bridge the cultures and facilitate cross-border hits. Below, read some of the memorable quotes from the panel.
Corina Smith: “There is a great art to performing songs that are not your own, but there is also the side of singing what you wrote. There is an exciting feeling of creating a song from scratch. When you sing it live and the audience sings it with you, it is the most beautiful thing about being an artist.”
David Wild: “It’s not a work where we’re thinking about whether a song is going to be a hit. Whether it’s a hit or not is decided by the audience. As a team, we deliver that production to the public. Sometimes the song you don’t expect is a hit or vice versa. You put a lot of faith in a project and maybe it doesn’t connect with fans. We have to trust in what we do in the studio. We don’t limit art to a hit.”
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Valentina: “I got my first hit in Mexico. I already had a community there. In 2022, I traveled there and started knocking on doors on radio and television. One super random day, my manager told me that a friend of a friend of a friend could help us promote my song on a digital billboard that lasts 24 hours. And in those 24 hours, someone who worked at Universal Music Mexico saw it, wrote to me, connected with my team, and today, I am signed with Universal Music Mexico.”
Bastian: “The best producer has to have a lot of discipline. It’s about taking advantage of the tools you have in your favor to become a good business. The world is changing very quickly and we can’t be left behind. I think it’s important to find a way to combine AI with your work because if not, you’ll be left behind.”
Over the past 35 years, Latin Music Week has become the one, steady foundation of Latin music in this country, becoming the single most important — and biggest — gathering of Latin artists and industry executives in the world. Initially named Latin Music Seminar, sponsored by Billboard, the event traces back to 1990, where it kicked off as a one-day event in Miami featuring a two-artist showcase and awards show.
Throughout the years, it has taken place in Miami, Las Vegas and Puerto Rico, returning to Miami Beach for a fourth consecutive year in 2024, and has welcomed some of the biggest Latin acts including Celia Cruz, Selena, Ricky Martin, Chayanne, Jenni Rivera, Daddy Yankee, Karol G, Bad Bunny, and Romeo Santos. Latin Music Week coincides with the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards set to air at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 20, on Telemundo. It will simultaneously be available on Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app, and in Latin America and the Caribbean through Telemundo Internacional.
Billboard Latin Music Week kicked off Monday (Oct. 14) at the Fillmore Miami Beach with back-to-back business panels, one of which was “The Power of Viña” presented by Viña del Mar.
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Moderated by Alfredo Alonso, director of entertainment, Bizzarro Live/producer of the Viña Del Mar Festival, the 15-minute panel revealed how the Chilean event became a must-stop for all major Latin acts, and how you can score an invitation to perform.
Below, learn more about the festival that is celebrating more than 64 years and has served as an important platform in the earlier years of some of the biggest Latin and international acts, such as Julio Iglesias, Luis Miguel, Shakira and The Police, to name a few.
What Is Viña del Mar?
“In the ’60s, it started as a competition to pick the most important song at the time. As the years went by, it became a big platform for artist exposure, and the competition became more and more relevant,” Alonso said. The format is a six-day live event that lasts five hours each night and includes music, competition and humor. “The stress and excitement that comes with this festival is huge,” he noted.
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How to Be a Part of the Festival
It’s important that you achieve a connection with an audience by having them know your name, know your music, and know your image. Any artist or composer can be part of the festival if they have an unreleased song, and they can submit their song in the folk section and represent their country. For example, Shakira participated in 1994 and represented Colombia. You can also be invited as an emerging artist (either as an opening or closing act), or you can form part of the jury.
The Monster
“El Monstruo” is the name given to the passionate Viña del Mar audience — one of the most demanding and ruthless audiences in entertainment that’s critical and not easily impressed. From comedians to artists, everyone faces the challenge of conquering the monster and few have been able to leave their mark on Vina.
Over the past 35 years, Latin Music Week has become the foundation of Latin music in this country, becoming the single most important — and biggest — gathering of Latin artists and industry executives in the world. Initially named Latin Music Seminar, sponsored by Billboard, the event traces back to 1990, where it kicked off as a one-day event in Miami featuring a two-artist showcase and awards show.
Throughout the years, it has taken place in Miami, Las Vegas and Puerto Rico, returning to Miami Beach for a fourth consecutive year in 2024, and has welcomed some of the biggest Latin acts including Celia Cruz, Selena, Ricky Martin, Chayanne, Jenni Rivera, Daddy Yankee, Karol G, Bad Bunny, and Romeo Santos. Latin Music Week coincides with the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards set to air at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 20, on Telemundo. It will simultaneously be available on Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app, and in Latin America and the Caribbean through Telemundo Internacional.
Billboard Latin Music Week kicked off Monday (Oct. 14) morning at Fillmore Miami Beach with a 15-minute crash course on how artists can collect their royalties. In a panel called “Global Wealth: How to Collect Your Neighboring Rights Around the World,” speaker Fernando Prados, members area manager of AIE, revealed information on the topic.
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“AIE collects the neighboring rights of its members in 59 countries and it helps the reputation and recognition of the musical work,” he said.
“Neighboring rights” is the term used to refer to the public performance rights associated with a sound recording, which generates public performance royalties for artists and the sound recording copyright owner(s).
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Prados explained that the beneficiaries are “artists on the recording of songs that are hits, as well as the main musicians who formed part of the session.” He also emphasized that “the role of producer does not apply to the rights, only if the producer is featured as an artist.” It’s also possible to do a joint venture with the owners of the master, for example Warner Music.
At the end of the panel, he also encouraged all the artists at Latin Music Week to continue making music because “the repertoire doesn’t generate much at first, but it’s important to have it for when you get that hit.”
Over the past 35 years, Latin Music Week has become a steady foundation of Latin music in this country, becoming the single most important — and biggest — gathering of Latin artists and industry executives in the world. Initially named Latin Music Seminar, sponsored by Billboard, the event traces back to 1990, when it kicked off as a one-day event in Miami, featuring a two-artist showcase and awards show.
Throughout the years, it has taken place in Miami, Las Vegas and Puerto Rico, returning to Miami Beach for a fourth consecutive year in 2024, and has welcomed some of the biggest Latin acts, including Celia Cruz, Selena, Ricky Martin, Chayanne, Jenni Rivera, Daddy Yankee, Karol G, Bad Bunny and Romeo Santos. Latin Music Week coincides with the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards, set to air at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 20, on Telemundo. It will simultaneously be available on Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app, and in Latin America and the Caribbean through Telemundo Internacional.
It’s a stormy night in Miami on Saturday (Oct. 12), but the atmosphere inside Factory Town was sweltering as the Red Bull Batalla USA National Final 2024 touched down. This celebrated annual event has grown to be a cultural phenomenon, bringing together 16 of the illest, most clever improvisational wordsmiths in the country — all hailing from different Latin American backgrounds — to compete for the best lyrical face-off.
Now in its final round to determine this year’s national winner, it was up to Freites, originally from Venezuela, and Venezuelan-Dominican rapper AdonysX to take the trophy. With the crowd growing thicker, and the atmosphere turning electric, each lyricist ratcheted up the intensity, spitting bars that echoed through the charged air. The spectators, gripped by each piercing line and sharp retort, were witnesses to an epic cultural clash that transcended just words.
Ultimately, AdonysX claimed the title of the best Spanish-language freestyler in the nation. The stage also featured prominent competitors including last year’s National Final runner-up, Zazowan, Miami’s Colombian sensation Nico B, seasoned Mexican rapper Jordi, New York City’s regional champion AdonYS (distinct from the national winner AdonysX), and more
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“The atmosphere of a battle can vary; it might be charged with energy or more [subdued], but either way, it remains intense,” says AdonysX, speaking a few weeks after winning the regional event in his native New York. “At every moment, the energy can [fluctuate], but overall, the environment demands a lot from you.”
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The evening was also highlighted by a performance from Akapellah, one of the best Spanish-language rappers of all time, who additionally took a seat at the judges’ table for the event alongside Reverse, Dilema, and Snow QLQ.
“The pioneer that started it all was Red Bull Batalla. It has been a launching pad for many, including myself,” Akapellah tells Billboard Español, who assumed the role of judge this year for the USA National Final. “I believe that 80% of the biggest artists in Latin hip-hop and Spanish-speaking music, we all come from battling, we all grew up watching Red Bull Batallas. It was our influence, it was our bridge to jump into the world of the music industry.”
Originally known as Red Bull Batalla de los Gallos, the stateside competition was established in 2019, though the entire franchise was created in 2005, following the success of the Eminem-starring blockbuster, 8 Mile. It’s now approaching its 17th installment, which will take place in Madrid, Spain on November 30. Every year, the international competition takes place in a different Spanish-speaking country.
“We all grew up watching those battles. For me, it’s incredible that today I am a judge after when I was a kid, the first time I tried to do it compete I was underage. I didn’t have a passport and they let me participate in the regional competition in my city at that time, but just for fun,” says the Venezuelan rap titan, who mentions he won but wasn’t able to advance to the next level due to visa constraints.
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Over the past three years, the Red Bull Batalla U.S. championship trophy has been claimed by residents of the state with notable wins from Oner and last year’s champion Reverse, who, after his victory, became a U.S. double champion — like Puerto Rican MC, Yartzi, who won in 2019 and 2020.
“The first time there was a Red Bull Batalla in the USA, it was something historic. It was the last location to be added to the battle circuit. And the inclusion of the United States, giving the opportunity to all immigrants and all Latinos in the United States, was really significant,” Yartzi tells Billboard Español. “Every year more talents, more personalities, and more MCs are added. Each year the competition becomes more intense in terms of retaining that title.”
Outside of the freestyle scene, Yartzi today leverages his highly touted lyrical skills to compose for some of the biggest names in Latin music. He’s collaborated with producers such as Jorge Miliano, DJ Blass and Major Lazer as well as reggaetón superstars like Anuel AA, Wisin y Yandel, Nicky Jam, Ozuna, Lunay, Tainy and more.
As all national finalists from the Americas and Spain turn their focus to the global stage, Akapellah also offers a reminder: “Freestyle has developed its own siginficant identity and somewhat diverged from traditional hip-hop, which is a delicate topic. There are incredibly talented artists who would benefit immensely from a broader vocabulary to enrich their rhymes,” he offers, citing the ingestion of more literature.
Echoing the broader benefits of participating in Red Bull Batalla, AdonYS emphasizing its role beyond merely providing a stage. “It gives you a lot of connections, countless opportunities and doors that can open to a wider world of music and the industry,” he says. “The idea is to continue helping the guys that are coming up in any way we can. The idea is that we all come up together so freestyle continues to grow.”
“As the saying goes, and not to sound cliché, but it truly gives you wings because it exposes your talent to the world in a way you might not achieve on your own,” says Yartzi, reflecting on the transformative power of the platform. “As an independent artist, it helps to propel you and captures the global spotlight. Participating as a rapper from Puerto Rico also drew attention from reggaeton artists, my compatriots, leading to many relationships formed through this achievement.”
Peso Pluma is calling off his upcoming concerts in Florida amid the devastation of Hurricane Milton. On Friday (Oct. 11), the Mexican superstar announced that he is canceling shows at Tampa’s Amalie Arena (Oct. 16) and Miami’s Kaseya Center (Oct. 17). Fans who purchased tickets through Ticketmaster will automatically be refunded. Both dates were part […]
This article was created in partnership with Walmart.
The 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week is returning from Oct. 14 to 18 at the Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami with a star-studded lineup of more than 70 artists. Over the past 35 years, Latin Music Week has become the one, steady foundation of Latin music in this country, becoming the single most important — and biggest — gathering of Latin artists and industry executives in the world. This year, Walmart is joining the celebration of Hispanic heritage.
Each year, fans of the many genres of Latin music look to Billboard for exclusive interviews and live experiences with their favorite artists, ranging from emerging acts to some of the biggest superstars in the world. Some of these acts will be going backstage with Billboard, engaging in conversations about their art, culture and more in the Backstage Video Lounge. This year, the lounge will be reimagined, featuring pieces from The Nuevolution Project. Get a sneak peek at the pieces that will be featured across Billboard with your favorite stars, created in collaboration with visionary creatives shaping culture.
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Wish Me Luck, a Hispanic-led fashion brand from LA, captures the spirit of Dreamers: those who pursue their aspirations while honoring their heritage. Their clothing combines classic casual styles with bold, eye-catching graphics to create pieces you can wear anywhere — and Billboard’s hosts will be wearing them as they sit down with the stars. Add their Workwear Style Jacket and Dreamer’s Win Graphic Tee Shirt to your everyday rotation to add meaningful flair to your wardrobe.
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Puerto Rican-American artist, ceramicist, social activist, poet, and educator Roberto Lugo’s contributions to The Nuevolution Project range from home decor to clothing. Lugo’s lively, illustrated patterns are an extension of his art, acknowledging the realities faced by marginalized communities while also celebrating their beauty and creativity. His candles are inspired by the ones that are traditional to Hispanic culture – with his own special twist. Mix and match the pieces in your home to bring your culture to life.
Need a pick-me-up? Walmart has you covered. Robert Lugo’s designs bring Hispanic pride to your kitchen, elevating your morning coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Choose between three bold patterns to bring the comfort of culture to your cup.
Stay tuned for more from Billboard Latin Music Week and check out more pieces from The Nuevolution Project, available only at Walmart.
Shakira‘s “Soltera” music video is all about a carefree night out with friends — and for the Colombian superstar, that includes fellow singers like Anitta and Danna. The video, which premiered on Friday (Oct. 11), starts off with Shakira waking up in a room where she’s surrounded by pals passed out asleep alongside her on […]
New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
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Xavi, Next (Interscope Records)
Unlike the typical landscape of Latin music in 2024, Xavi’s debut album, Next, distinguishes itself through his singular vocal prowess and a selective ensemble of guest features that include Tony Aguirre, Los Dareyes de la Sierra, and his brother and co-songwriter, Fabio Capri. With 15 tracks that blend fresh revelations and familiar hits, this album sees the Phoenix, Arizona, native expanding his creative wanderlust and widespread appeal.
Next captivates with songwriting that paints scenes of young love caught in the throes of rebellious fervor and wholesome charm. His vocal delivery, both haunting and resolute, is supported by an eclectic mix of traditional instruments like the requinto and tololoche, enriched further by occasional brass accents. New song “La Luna X Mi” surprises and delights, offering the lustrous tones of a 12-string guitar. “Filosofía” boasts lush melodies and playful reflections on love. Meanwhile, ongoing hits like “Corazón de Piedra,” “La Diabla” and “La Víctima” invigorate the overall momentum, intertwining with the newer tracks to create a robust musical narrative.
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A particularly compelling collaboration is “Tu Casi Algo,” where Xavi and Fabio Capri exchange verses on the blossoming nuances of romance. With Next, the 20-year-old artist not only continues to cement his status as a breakthrough artist but also challenges the conventions of Latin music, presenting a debut that will surely resonate widely and affect deeply. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Becky G, Encuentros (Kemosabe Records/RCA Records)
Becky G continues to trace her Mexican roots in Encuentros, a gorgeous 16-track set powered by prickly requintos, wailing trombones and equally emotional lyrics that touch on the sadness and grief that come with heartbreak and, ultimately, joy from a healed heart. The 27-year-old Mexican American artist sings with pathos, the way música mexicana greats often do, as she brings to life stories through songs with the help of friends like Tito Double P, Oscar Maydon, Oscar Ortiz and Delilah — who all represent a new generation of regional Mexican hitmakers. Encuentros follows, and is a continuation, of Becky’s ultra-personal Esquinas, which she released last year.
“This album is deeply personal and raw, documenting a healing process that’s far from linear,” Becky said in a statement about Encuentros. “I’ve found peace within myself and embraced every part of who I am. I am grateful to música mexicana for allowing me to express the rawest version of myself.” The new album comes on the heels of her new tour, Casa Gómez: Otro Capítulo, set to kick off today (Oct. 11). — GRISELDA FLORES
Pedro Capó, LiL CaKe & DeMasters, “Si Alguien Me Ve” (ReLo-Co. Music/Globalatino Music Partners)
In a first collaborative effort, Pedro Capó and LiL CaKe deliver “Si Alguien Me Ve” (If Anyone Sees Me). Helmed by Venezuelan producers DeMasters, the bonafide team up kicks off with the pensive Argentine newcomer LiL CaKe backed by a melancholic ballad: “I know I messed up many times […] you deserve someone better than me, who doesn’t make you cry, who doesn’t make you suffer,” he chants. The track smoothly transitions into a rhythmic cumbia villera, where Capó continues with a just as nostalgic chorus: “If anyone sees me in the streets/ I’m looking for you/ I think you moved,” further emphasizing in the lyrics that no one compares to his ex. — JESSICA ROIZ
Jerri Di, “Asilo” (Universal Music Latino)
Venezuelan musician Jerri D releases an ode to Venezuela with “Asilo,” a song that marks the end of a conceptual project titled ASILO COLLECTIONS: VOL V – Aceptación. “Dedicated to the 8 million Venezuelans abroad. And to the 24 million within,” the singer said in a press release, “Asilo” is a love letter that evokes his longing from exile. “How much I miss you/ I want the old days to come back/ This love has me on strike,” Jerry sings urgently over shimmering synths and a haunting bass line. “Asilo” arrives with an emotional music video directed by Reinaldo Díaz and produced by Juan Diasparra, which features striking images of Venezuela and its people captured throughout the country over 33 days. “We wanted to show our land to those who have not known it,” a message reads at the beginning of the clip. “What we found was the reason why millions of us have never lost faith in Venezuela.” — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Listen to more editors’ Latin recommendations in the playlist below:
In an industry constantly evolving with new musical trends, Yandel has opted to stay faithful to the genre that made him a household name, further proving on his new album why he remains one of the most elite artists in the game.
Titled just that — ELYTE (replacing the I with the Y in honor of his artistic name) — the Puerto Rican artist presents his eighth solo studio album. The 19-track production is for the most part an entire album of reggaetón music, fusing the old-school sound with modern elements. Notably, the collaborators on the set include Tego Calderon, J Balvin, Feid, Myke Towers, Farruko and Blessd, to name a few.
“I feel deeply blessed and happy that my music has managed to transcend at different stages of my career,” the artist born Llandel Veguilla Malavé tells Billboard. “I always seek to evolve by staying true to my essence, without losing what defines me, but making sure that my music continues to connect with the public.”
ELYTE follows Yandel’s Resistencia (2023), Quien Contra Mi 2 (2020), The One (2019), #Update (2017), Dangerous (2015), De Líder a Leyenda (2013), and Quien Contra Mi (2003). Both his 2013 and 2015 albums hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart.
The album’s release also comes ahead of Yandel taking center stage at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week, returning to Miami Beach on Oct. 14-18, with other confirmed artists including Feid, Young Miko, Gloria Estefan, Alejandro Sanz, Maria Becerra and Peso Pluma, among many others.
Yandel — who’s also a finalist at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards for Latin Rhythm Artist of the Year, Duo or Group with Wisin y Yandel — will be joined by Dei V and Roberto Andrade (managing director at Warner Music Latina) for a discussion on the beginning and future of the genre. For tickets and more details, visit BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com.
Below, Yandel breaks down five essential tracks from ELYTE.
“Reggaetón Malandro” feat. Tego Calderón