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Argentinian trap star Duki lit up the 2025 Viña del Mar International Song Festival on Friday (Feb. 28), making his debut at the Quinta Vergara as the headliner of the urban music night that would also feature Puerto Rican hitmaker Eladio Carrión and Chilean artist Kidd Voodoo.
Showcasing his impressive flow, Duki kicked off his set with the pulsating “GIVENCHY,” dressed in jeans, black jacket and T-shirt and silver chains. The face-tattooed singer looked like a rock star accompanied by drums, bass and guitar, while the audience chanted along with him at the top of their lungs. Behind him, fire images were blazing on the huge screens.
“Thank you so much, everyone! How are we doing tonight, Viña? Thanks for the love,” he said amid the screams of the audience after performing hits including “Si Te Sentís Sola,” “Pininfarina,” “Además De Mí” and “Sin Frenos,” his 2021 track with Bizarrap and Carrión. “A slightly more intimate, more sung moment is coming up. I hope you like it,” he announced shortly after, performing “Buscarte Lejos,” but soon he had everyone on their feet jumping to “Harakiri.”
With the energy high in the venue, Viña hosts Karen Doggenweiler and Rafael Araneda presented him with the Gaviota de Plata (Silver Seagull). “This is the first award I’ve received in my entire career,” said Duki, dedicating it to his followers and his parents, and also thanking urban acts from Chile who helped opened the doors for him in the country.
But the show didn’t end there. The Argentine star continued with “Duki: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 50,” which he started a cappella with an impressive flow before the music kicked in. Then came the reggaeton “Te Traje Flores,” as well as the No. 1 hit on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 “Los del Espacio,” originally performed with LIT Killah, Tiago PZK, Emilia, Rusherking, Big One and FMK.
Among others, he sang the rockier “No Me Llores” and his 2019 trap hit “Goteo,” a powerful track that alludes to the image of “dripping” in wealth and style, symbolized by luxury brands like Gucci, Nike, Philippe Patek, Rolex, and Cartier.
In the end, Duki didn’t take home just the first award of his career — he also received the Gaviota de Oro (Gold Seagull), the highest recognition awarded by the Viña del Mar audience. Visibly moved, Duki wiped away tears, kissed his trophy, and with great humility thanked his fans and his parents again, who proudly watched their son triumph from the front row. “Thank you for making my dream come true,” he said.
To close, the 28-year-old rapper once again had the “monster” chanting along with “Malbec,” “She Don’t Give a Fo” and “Nueva Era,” before disappearing from the stage.
Viña del Mar 2025 kicked off Sunday with a riveting set by Marc Anthony and since, artists like Myriam Hernández, Ha*Ash, Carlos Vives, Carín León and Incubus have performed at the Quinta Vergara. Viña will continue Saturday (March 1), as the festival concludes with the Colombian group Morat followed by Sebastián Yatra. Both were originally scheduled for Tuesday (February 25), when the show was canceled due to a massive blackout in Chile.
Esta semana, nuestro resumen y playlist de Nueva Música Latina — curado por los editores de Billboard Latin y Billboard Español — incluye colaboraciones entre Ivy Queen y Nanpa Básico, Fonseca y Rawyana, Zhamira Zambrano y Noreh, así como un nuevo EP de Nicky Jam. El astro del reggaetón lanzó el EP de siete pistas Sunshine, en el que estuvo trabajando desde finales del […]
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.
Nicky Jam, Sunshine (NJ Music/Virgin Music Group)
After releasing Insomnio last year born from one of his “darkest moments,” Nicky Jam makes a radiant comeback with Sunshine. The seven-track EP bursts with confidence and conviction, initiating with the risqué reggaetón number “Dile a Él.” The vibe escalates as Nicky Jam ventures into Jersey club territory with “Roxxxstar,” a collaboration with Geo that promises sheer wildness.
The release features just one more collaboration, bringing in French-born African producer 4Rain on the outro track “Awita” — a sensually engaging tune that channels flirtatious, sunny vibes. Throughout the EP, the reggaetón maestro experiments with a splash of Afrobeats in “No Se” and dives into Brazilian funk with the track “Mine,” showcasing his versatility and enduring influence in the urbano genre. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
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Fonseca & Rawayana, “Venga Lo Que Venga” (Sony Music Latin)
Colombian star Fonseca and Venezuelan band Rawayana come together in a poetic vallenato pop collab that invites us to embrace the present and face life’s challenges with an optimistic attitude. “If the world ends/ May this catches us together/ May the archaeologists of the future/ Don’t know if we were two or one,” says part of the chorus.
“‘Venga Lo que Venga’ (Come What May) came about without pretensions, with the idea of having a good time, making music together,” Fonseca says of the collaboration in a statement. “What emerged was a song full of energy, with a call to loyal love, hope and, of course, a touch of environmental awareness. All of this wrapped in resilience and good vibes in the face of anything that faces us with the world daily.” With its romantic, uplifting message, “Venga Lo Que Venga” will be part of Fonseca’s next album. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Ivy Queen & Nanpa Básico, “Coincidimos” (Ivy Queen Musa Sound Corp)
Puerto Rican star Ivy Queen shines in “Coincidimos,” a departure from her signature hard-hitting rap verses and reggaetón hits that have cemented her as one of the leading forces of música urbana. For this collaboration with Colombian lyricist Nanpa Básico, Ivy sings over hypnotizing Afrobeats about an undeniable energy between two people who are just finding their perfect rhythm. Marking a new era for Ivy, this is the first of a series of tracks she’ll release ahead of her upcoming 10th studio album. About the collab, Nanpa Básico shares: “It is a great honor to collaborate with Ivy. She is an artist I admire a lot. It’s a great song that will get everyone dancing.” — GRISELDA FLORES
Zhamira Zambrano & Noreh, “Me Hubiese Gustado” (Dynamic Records)
Venezuelan singer Zhamira Zambrazo joins forces with her talented compatriot Noreh in a moving pop ballad about two people who love each other but know they are not meant to be together. Zambrano’s sweet, melodious voice is beautifully complemented by Noreh’s velvety tones. “You don’t accept the end because you love me or you’re afraid to start over,” she sings, while he responds, “Even if I don’t know how to stay, it’s no lie that I loved you.” It is Zambrano’s first release since becoming a mother last September (excluding the Christmas song “Santa” with her husband Jay Wheeler), and marks the first single from her upcoming debut album, scheduled for release later in the year. — S.R.A
Marcos Witt, “Al Estar Aquí” feat. TAYA (CanZion)
Christian music star Marcos Witt presents a new version of his 1991 hit “Al Estar Aquí,” this time accompanied by TAYA. The instrumentation and harmony of both voices merge with the ’90s feel of this anthem that is refreshed with the powerful but sweet voice of the Australian artist, who sings for the first time in Spanish. The track will be part of Witt’s upcoming duets album, Legado, to be released in May. — TERE AGUILERA
Pedro El Rapero, “Me Gusta” (Miami Sound Agency Corp.)
It’s not the collaboration with J Balvin that many were hoping for after their viral encounter at the 2024 Billboard Music Week, but Pedro El Rapero’s “Me Gusta” is an apt follow-up to his latest singles, the merengue “Hasta El Final” and the rap song “Prime.” In this Jersey club and trap fusion, the 13-year-old tenderly sings about the thrill of an adolescent love. “I know that sooner or later she will notice that I like her/ I like her/ Oohhhh, that idea scares me,” he signs in the chorus of the song, with which Pedro continues demonstrating his innate flow and charisma. The music video for “Me Gusta,” filmed in the streets of New York City, premieres Saturday (March 1). — S.R.A.
Check out more Latin recommendations this week below:
In our Latin Remix of the Week series, we spotlight remixes that the Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors deem exceptional and distinct. We might not publish a review every week. This is our selection today. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news RaiNao celebrated the first anniversary of her album CAPICÚ by unveiling CAPICÚ […]
Argentine rapper and singer Duki will be the headlining act at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival 2025 on Friday night (Feb. 28). He will perform at the Quinta Vergara amphitheater, the festival’s venue in the coastal city of Viña del Mar, Chile. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Duki is […]
Netón Vega seems to be suddenly everywhere nowadays, but he’s hardly an overnight success. Born in La Paz, Baja California, Mexico, the 22-year-old artist is best known for co-writing countless hits, including Peso Pluma’s “Rubicon” and “La People.” After cementing himself as a go-to songwriter, Vega’s journey as a singer is just taking off — most recently, his reggaetón anthem “Loco” earned him his fourth top 10 entry on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart — and that’s exactly how he planned for it to be.
“Writing songs was the best first step because you start making points, and when you get hits from those songs you’re writing — well, that really gets your name out there,” Vega, this month’s Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise, explains. “Other artists start to know that you can write well and then eventually find out you can also sing. That opens doors for you. It’s what happened to me. The songs I wrote really took off. It was hit after hit, and everything after that just happened so fast.”
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Vega fell in love with music at a young age. By age 9, he was singing at school concerts and, five years later, he created his own band in Culiacán — where he grew up — with him as lead singer. What started off as a hobby quickly turned into a money-making business. The band was composed by fellow classmates and a neighbor who they recruited while eating burgers. “We were so busy playing at parties, it was crazy,” Vega remembers. “At the beginning, we actually didn’t know much to charge. We were getting like 500 to 1000 pesos per event, but we worked long hours and like five days a week. I would go to school defeated, but with money in my pocket.”
Like many kids who grow up in the state of Sinaloa, Vega listened to regional Mexican music, especially corridos, and then started writing his own. His parents — who encouraged Vega’s love for music — also consumed música Mexicana, but also the more traditional stuff, including norteña. “My parents were never opposed to me playing at events — sometimes they would go with me,” he says.
Two years ago, Vega met Jesús Josafat Chávez Angulo, who was part of the local music scene in Culiacán, and was the unofficial manager of a few groups in town. “It’s a small community and everyone knows everyone,” says Vega. “I was invited to his house and that’s where I met him. We got along really well and I started working with him.” Today, Chávez Angulo is Vega’s manager, and founder of Josa Records, the indie label home to Vega. “The support I needed then was being able to go record in a studio and be able to make music videos. It’s really what I needed to get my name out there.”
The opportunities started coming quickly through social media. People in Culiacán started discovering him, and one day, a friend and fellow musician told him that Peso Pluma wanted to record one of his songs. “I wrote ‘Rubicon’ and that was a before and after in my career,” he recalls. “I remember that person came up to me and told me that Hassan (Peso’s real name) liked the song, and wanted to record it. I was like, ‘Great, he can record it.’” The track peaked at No. 12 on Hot Latin Songs.
Vega’s big break as a singer came last year through a collaboration with Luis R Conriquez. The corridos bélicos pioneer reached out to Vega via Instagram. “He sent me a video saying he had a corrido, and he wanted to sing it with me. He came to Guadalajara and we recorded the song and video here.” The collaborative effort peaked at No. 2 on Hot Latin Songs in June, followed by “La Patrulla” with Peso, which also peaked at No. 2 on the tally in September.
Vega, who now spends most of his time in Guadalajara wrapped 2024 with the success of “Loco,” a reggaetón smash hit that showcased his versatility, and the rise of Mexican reggaetón. “I’m more comfortable maybe in Mexican music but I feel good in both genres. I don’t ever want to regret not doing a style. Having a song like ‘Loco,’ and for it to explode, it means a lot. People are discovering my music with this song. That’s always a good thing and I want to continue to do that with my music, without ever losing my essence, of course.”
Most recently, Vega released Mi Vida Mi Muerte, his debut album, which has further fueled his momentum. The set is stacked with heavy-hitters in the genre, including Óscar Maydon, Tito Double P and Gabito Ballesteros. In a nod to his growing popularity, Vega will headline the inaugural Michelada Fest in El Paso, Texas on May 3, along with Chino Pacas, marking his first U.S. performance.
Read more about our February Latin Artist on the Rise below.
Name: Luis Ernesto Vega Carvajal
Age: 22
Recommended Song: “I would actually want them to listen to my new album, from beginning to end. You can really get an idea of what type of artist I am and how much I enjoy making all kinds of music.”
Major Accomplishment: “Being nominated for Mexican music new artist and Mexican music collaboration of the year at Premio Lo Nuestro.”
What’s Next? “I really want to start performing in the U.S. I want to see how people will react to my songs.”
While the group waits to find out whether or not it will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Maná announced on Thursday (Feb. 27) a summer tour of festivals in Spain. The iconic Mexican band will visit six cities between June and July, where fans will be able to enjoy their […]
The 37th annual Premio Lo Nuestro ceremony, which aired Feb. 20, logged a record 543 million engagements across television, social, digital and ViX, according to TelevisaUnivision. The three-hour show (from 8-11 p.m. ET) reached 4.2 million total viewers across Univision, UniMás, and Galavisión, and delivered year-over-year audience growth among total viewers (+3% to 2.1 million).
Furthermore, this year’s Premio Lo Nuestro — hosted by Thalia, Laura Pausini and Alejandra Espinoza — was the No. 1 program on broadcast television in primetime with more adult (ages 18-34) viewers than the primetime line-ups on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and The CW. It also finished as the highest-rated program on all of television during the entire day with U.S. Hispanics across all key demographics, according to the Nielsen ratings report.
On social media, Premio Lo Nuestro logged 4.8 million total interactions across Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube combined, making it the No. 1 most social program of the entire day, regardless of language, for the 9th straight year.
With performances by Thalia, Natti Natasha, Xavi, Will Smith, Marc Anthony, among many others, the night also included a special tribute to the late Paquita la del Barrio, who died days before the awards show. La India, Alejandro Fernández and Manuel Alejandro all received special honors throughout the night.
Shakira was the top winner taking home six trophies, including album of the year for Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran and pop female artist of the year. The Colombian star was closely followed by Carín León, who took home five awards, and Karol G and Camilo, each with four. See the complete list of winners here.
California rock band Incubus will be the headlining act at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival 2025 on Thursday night (Feb. 27). They will perform at the Quinta Vergara amphitheater, the festival’s venue in the coastal city of Viña del Mar, Chile.
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Incubus is scheduled to take the stage at approximately 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by The Cult. The Bradford, England-based band, featuring Ian Astbury, Billy Duffy, John Tempesta, Charlie Jones and Mike Mangan, is scheduled to perform around 11:15 p.m. ET, after Chilean comedian Juan Pablo Lopez.
Both rock bands will perform for the first time at the Chilean festival, which can be seen in the U.S. exclusively on Billboard.com and BillboardEspanol.com.
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Formed in 1991 in Calabasas, California, Incubus is an alternative rock band that combines elements of heavy metal, hip-hop, funk, and grunge. They have managed to place five singles on the Billboard Hot 100, including “Drive” (No. 9), “Megalomaniac” (No. 55), and “Wish You Were Here” (No. 60), as well as 11 albums on the Billboard 200. Among these, Light Grenades reached No. 1 on the chart, while Morning View and A Crow Left of the Murder… both reached No. 2. Comprising Brandon Boyd (vocals), Mike Einziger (guitar, piano, backing vocals), José Pasillas (drums), Chris Kilmore (keyboards), and Nicole Row (bass), the group has sold more than 23 million records worldwide.
On the other hand, The Cult, which formed in 1983, has established itself over four decades as a prominent representative of gothic post-punk. Their hits “Fire Woman” and “Edie (Ciao Baby)” reached No. 46 and No. 93 on the Hot 100, respectively. In 2022, they released their 11th album, Under the Midnight Sun, marking their return after a prolonged period without recording in the studio.
Viña will continue on Friday (February 28) with urban night, featuring Duki as the headliner, Eladio Carrión, and Kid Voodoo. On Saturday (March 1), the festival concludes with the Colombian group Morat followed by Sebastián Yatra. Both were originally scheduled for Tuesday (February 25), when the show was canceled due to a massive blackout in Chile.
All nights will be livestreamed in the United States on Billboard and Billboard Español. Performances can be viewed on the player in this story beginning at 7:15 p.m. ET.
Grupo Firme canceled a performance at a carnival scheduled for this Saturday (March 1) in the Mexican state of Sinaloa, after a message on a banner with alleged death threats attributed to a drug cartel appeared in its hometown of Tijuana. The regional Mexican music band confirmed on Wednesday (Feb. 26) the suspension of its concert in an official statement.
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“We deeply regret informing you that the presentation of Grupo Firme for this March 1st at the Mazatlán Carnival is canceled,” reads the statement shared on the band’s Instagram Stories. “For Music VIP, the well-being of those who have accompanied us on this path — our family, which is you, our fans — is and will always be the most important thing. We hope to be able to meet again soon to sing, celebrate and continue making history together.”
The cancelation of the show — originally announced as part of the Carnaval de Mazatlán, which starts Thursday (Feb. 27) and lasts until March 4 — came after the discovery of an alleged narcomanta and a human head in a box on Tuesday (Feb. 25) in Tijuana. The fact was confirmed to Billboard Español by the Baja California State Prosecutor’s Office, which said that an investigation has already been opened.
Requests for comments sent by Billboard Español to Music VIP and a representative for Grupo Firme on Wednesday night weren’t answered at press time.
On Wednesday morning, the Sinaloa authorities had confirmed that the Mazatlán Carnival would go on without changes, after stating that there were security guarantees for Grupo Frontera and attendees. This announcement was made by the Secretary of the Government of Sinaloa, Feliciano Castro, at a press conference. But hours later, the band led by singer Eduin Caz announced what was imminent: The cancellation of their presentation at the event.
There, Grupo Firme was supposed to kick off the Mexican leg of its successful La Última Peda Tour, which included 14 dates in the country and two festivals in the U.S. The trek is produced by an alliance of promoters Music VIP, Music VIBE, Cohumanity and other companies.
The Mexican state of Sinaloa has seen over 800 homicides in the last five months, according to official figures reported by Spanish news agency EFE, since an internal struggle began last September between two factions of the cartel of the same name after the capture of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, co-founder of that criminal organization that now demands that the U.S. repatriate him to Mexico.
Grupo Firme now joins a series of regional Mexican acts that have received alleged threats from drug trafficking groups, forcing the cancellation of their performances in territories in conflict with criminal organizations. One of the most memorable cases is that of corridos superstar Peso Pluma, who had to cancel six shows, including a performance in Tijuana scheduled for October 2023, when alleged threats were issued against him by criminal groups.