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Who gets songwriting credit on a song and who doesn’t can sometimes lead to an uncomfortable conversation. But at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week, that topic took the spotlight in the riveting (and informative) Why Are There 50 Writers On My Song? panel on Monday (Oct. 14).
Moderated by Pierre Hachar, managing partner at The Hachar Law Group, panelists included regional Mexican singer-songwriter Eden Muñoz, renowned producer-songwriter Sergio George and Colombian hitmaker Keityn. At one point during the conversation, the group reflected on why, today, even managers can get a songwriting credit.
“I think it is clear that the composers deserve the credit,” said Keityn while discussing the subject. “The credits go to the one who deserves it and that is the actual composer.”
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The conversation also touched on how nuanced the concept of songwriting credit can be, particularly when someone is in the studio who doesn’t technically write the song but contributes somehow to the idea or inspiration of the lyrics.
Below, find the best quotes from the panel:
Eden Muñoz: “The credit has to go to whoever participates in the writing process. When you’re in a studio, you know who is a composer and you know who is not. It’s something that you can almost feel. You can’t just be sitting around in the session and expect credit. It’s extremely important to set limits in the studio. It’s how I work today. I separate the songwriters and take them to a different table and they are the only ones in that room.”
Sergio George: “In my opinion, anyone who contributes to the process should have songwriting credit. I remember I was in a songwriting camp, there were like four to five people, and there was one person who gave some ideas of how the song could be. That person actually had nothing to do with my music, but got credit because if it wasn’t for her, the song would not have been made. That’s true of the arranger, because some arrangements are so emblematic and make the song. We should be fair all around.”
Keityn: “The 50 songwriters thing is not even about the artist, songwriter or producer, to be honest. Platforms like Spotify, when they do the breakdown of who gets credit on their platform, it is always based on the actual split, and they label them as songwriters. I don’t understand why everyone who is in the split [gets listed as] as a songwriter.”
Muñoz: “Today, we are in a business where managers [have the] sin of arrogance and want to be everywhere and get songwriting credit. I remember back in the day, the manager would sometimes even hide, but now it seems like they are glued to one another. Sometimes the manager acts more like the artist.”
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.
Feid, one of the biggest artists in the música urbana movement today, participated in the panel From Clubs to Stadiums Featuring Feid. Presented by Live Nation, the conversation — which also featured his manager, Luis Villamizar, and Hans Schafer, SVP of global touring for Live Nation — took place on Monday (Oct. 14) during Billboard Latin Music Week 2024.
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Moderated by Alejandro Marin — a radio DJ, writer, podcaster and music analyst — together they offered perspectives on the Colombian star’s rise to the top. Here are the best quotes:
“For me, the most special thing is to work as if it were the first day, with the same enthusiasm; I don’t like to just wait,” said Feid. “There are many of us who are part of the team. It has been a daily process, dreaming about everything we are achieving. I strive every day to be better than yesterday in every possible aspect. I live intensely in the present, and this helps us stay alert.”
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He mentioned that he started as a composer from his home and how his team gradually grew. “At the beginning, we were one, two, three, four — and now we are 140! We focus on organizing all aspects, improving concerts, music production and emphasizing the importance of the live show,” he said. The musician also talked about a trip to Europe, where he performed in front of only six people in nightclubs, and how he never got discouraged despite difficulties. “There is a very interesting theory that says that, although sometimes something may be tedious, we always celebrate our triumphs,” said Feid.
“When we opened for Karol at the Bichota Tour in Bogotá and Cali, we broke records in Colombia, but when we started on the West Coast, we had to learn how to manage an audience that had no idea who we were,” Feid continued. “In one way or another, that broadened our view of how tours are managed in the United States and Europe, and how to navigate those worlds.”
“There is a secret magic in our team, including the executives and everyone involved in every aspect: recording, lighting, screens and sound,” said manager Villamizar.
Schafer mentioned what he considers Feid’s most important qualities: “Being patient, hardworking, having a lot of empathy, optimism, being a person who accepts failure, not as a bad thing, but as a way to change, to adjust. The setlist was not perfect; it needed to be adjusted. I always believe that money follows success. The things that move you, motivate you, inspire you. Money is not going to solve everything. Like turning this stone into a diamond.”
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.
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.
Latin music has gone global and its revenues have now surpassed the $1 billion mark, which means the business of Latin music has evolved.
The New Latin Music Business panel, which took centerstage on Monday (Oct. 14) at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week, was moderated by Rancho Humilde’s CEO and founder Jimmy Humilde, and featured panelists Atella (producer and songwriter, head of music, Zumba and ZML Records), Cris Falcão (managing director of artist & label strategy and GM Latin, Virgin Music Group) and Txema Rosique (senior VP of A&R, Sony Music U.S. Latin).
Humilde kicked off the conversation acknowledging the globalization of Latin music, adding that labels, whether indie or not, have had to adapt to a new way of doing business with artists who now want to be more involved in that aspect and are looking for different types of deals — from record, distribution or even single-track deals.
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“Our challenge is to make the new artists understand what labels have to offer, from A&R, marketing, business development, they can make use of all those resources, that’s the challenge we have as a label now,” said Rosique. Alternatively, Atella added that “some artists arrive with the idea that the label is going to do everything for them, but the artist has to give 100% — they can’t stay at home and think that the label is going to do everything for them.”
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Falcão explained that at Virgin Music Group, they have focused on deals that are “tailor-made” for each artist. “We’re not just truck with boxes anymore, we offer something different for each partners, all types of services, depending on trends, product management or marketing.” Humilde said he’s following a similar approach. “I sit with the artist and ask what they’re looking for, what deals they feel most comfortable doing. In the near future, the artist will be making their own deals, so really we’re open to take any deal that come our way.”
The panelists also spoke about the importance of both the artist and label or management company being happy with whatever type of deal they land on. “Today, the artist is clear that their patrimony is their music, their masters, every time we see more artists that are clear about what they want to give to the company and what they don’t, and obviously that depends on the commitment from both parts. This is a business where everyone needs to be happy with the deal, all parties involved. You cannot have a depressed artist.”
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.
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.