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Bad Bunny was recognized Thursday (Oct. 23) as the Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century at the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards, in one of the ceremony’s most emotional moments.
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Rita Moreno, the nonagenarian Puerto Rican Hollywood legend, surprised Bad Bunny on stage by presenting him with the trophy. “Today I see an artist who brings to the entire world that same strength, that same passion that helped me never give up,” Moreno remarked, as Bad Bunny looked on from the audience. “It moves me from the bottom of my heart, Benito, to present you with the Billboard Latin Artist of the 21st Century Award, Bad Bunny!”The prestigious honor is based on his unparalleled achievements on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums and Hot Latin Songs charts throughout the first 25 years of the century. As he went up to accept his award, the two danced briefly together to the rhythm of “Baile Inolvidable,” creating a magical moment.
“I respect you a lot, I admire you a lot, wow,” Bad Bunny told Moreno. “Following your words, every time I hear other artists express themselves that way about me, it gives me the confidence that being myself and doing the things I do from the heart will always be a great decision, because that’s what I’ve done since day one, discovering who I am and what I represent.”
“I accept this award with pride because I know how hard I’ve worked, not only myself, but everyone on my team,” he said. “I’m aware that this award could have been for any of the artists here tonight who have also contributed to Latin music, who have inspired me, who are why I’m here, and those who are dreaming of being here. I will always identify with those artists because I consider myself a young man who continues to dream, with many goals and things to do.”
He added: “What I’m saying now, I’m saying from the heart. I didn’t have any practiced words. I still don’t understand, among so many artists, why me? But I’m grateful. This is yours because you have me here. I don’t know, God wanted me to receive it because it doesn’t feed my ego. I receive it without arrogance, very humbly, and I will remain the same.”
The excitement had begun moments earlier, when, after the presentation video was shown, Los Pleneros de la Cresta appeared singing their hit collaboration “Café con Ron” in the halls of the James L. Knight Center in Miami — from where the show was airing live via Telemundo.
With historic consistency, the multi-platinum Puerto Rican superstar has shattered records in Latin music on the Billboard charts and beyond. His last four albums — Debí Tirar Más Fotos (2025), Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana (2023), Un Verano Sin Ti (2022), and El Último Tour del Mundo (2020) — have all earned unprecedented No. 1s on the all-genre Billboard 200. Beyond the charts, Bad Bunny’s recent concert series at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico marked a milestone by breaking records for its magnitude and economic impact.
He has become a cultural icon, breaking barriers in fashion, film, and music — from co-chairing the Met Gala to collaborating with soccer megastar Lionel Messi on a groundbreaking Adidas partnership — as well as starring in film projects alongside acclaimed directors and actors.
Bad Bunny graces the cover of Billboard‘s October Issue 14. He will also be the first Latin-American male solo artist to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show in February 2026.
Trending on Billboard Mexican star Peso Pluma accepted the first-ever Billboard Vanguard Award at the Billboard Latin Music Awards 2025. There to present him with the special honor was girlfriend Kenia Os, who spoke about Peso Pluma’s achievements. Minutes later, the corridos hitmaker took the stage to not only accept the honor but to share […]
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Laura Pausini was recognized with the Billboard Icon Award at the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards on Thursday (Oct. 23), airing live on Telemundo. The Italian superstar received her trophy from Puerto Rican singer Ozuna.
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“Thank you so much, Billboard, for this important recognition,” explained Pausini, elegant in a long black lace and beaded dress, evidently moved. “The fact that you consider me an icon makes me feel like a rare gem. It fills me with pride that after more than 30 years of career, I have the good fortune to be here, in front of all of you.”
“I’ve always said it: being from Italy and at the same time feeling so Latina is an enormous privilege that you have allowed. You have adopted me since I was a teenager,” she continued, adding that this time she would do something she had never done before: “I’m going to thank this hardworking Laura who hasn’t given up when she’s been told no, which has been many times, by the way.” And she went on to perform a cappella part of her hit “Víveme.”
Finally, she dedicated it to her family and her team, to God, and to the songwriters who’ve always inspired her. Moments before, Pausini performed her take of Gianluca Grignani‘s classic “Mi Historia Entre Tus Dedos” on a simple stage decorated with fog and white orbs of light.
The Billboard Icon Award honors artists whose careers have not only remained relevant over the years, but also those who have established themselves as some of the most distinguished artists in their genres, celebrated globally for achieving both musical and commercial success.
With over 75 million records sold and 6 billion combined streams throughout her 30-year-plus career, Pausini is the most internationally-recognized Italian voice and a global pop icon. Among other recent achievements, last November she earned her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 with a version of her 1990s hit “Se Fue” featuring Rauw Alejandro. In 2023, she was honored as the Latin Recording Academy’s Person of the Year.
Her latest releases are “Mi Historia Entre Tus Dedos” and Bad Bunny’s “Turista,” both to be included in her upcoming covers album Yo Canto 2, while she recently announced a new world tour for 2026.
Additionally, Pausini participated in Billboard Latin Music Week in a highly anticipated “Icon Q&A” session, where she delighted fans with her charm, sang “Turista” and offered details about her upcoming releases.
Trending on Billboard Elvis Crespo was honored with the special Hall of Fame award at the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards on Thursday night (Oct. 23). “I thank God for allowing me to live this unique and different moment,” Crespo said during his speech. “When I decided to get into music, I never thought I’d […]
Trending on Billboard Another day, another flood of music industry deals. How does one keep track? In an effort to provide an overview of the latest acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures, licensing agreements and more, Billboard publishes a list of all of the latest pacts that have hit our radar every other Thursday. Legacy management and […]
Trending on Billboard Stars like Peso Pluma, Carlos Vives, Xavi, Kapo, Goyo, Santos Bravos and more walked the Billboard Latin Music Awards 2025 red carpet ahead of the ceremony, airing Thursday night (Oct. 23) on Telemundo. Bad Bunny leads the list of finalists with 27 nods in categories including artist of the year, Global 200 […]
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The 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards have begun, with the industry’s biggest stars gathering at the James L. Knight Center in Miami for a night of excitement and big performances.
Bad Bunny leads the list of finalists with 27 entries, a historic record, and already has one trophy secured: the Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century, for his unparalleled achievements on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums and Hot Latin Songs charts between the years 2000 and 2024. The Puerto Rican superstar is followed by Fuerza Regida with 15 mentions, and Rauw Alejandro with 14. Leading the female artists is Karol G with 10 mentions, matching those of rising regional Mexican artist Tito Double P who also has 10, while Peso Pluma is a nine-time finalist.
Other artists who will be honored with special awards this year include Italian superstar Laura Pausini, who will receive the Billboard Icon Award; Mexican star Peso Pluma, with the first Billboard Vanguard Award; and merengue icon Elvis Crespo, with the Billboard Hall of Fame Award.
This year the awards are being presented in 49 categories, spanning leading genres including Latin pop, tropical, Latin rhythm and regional Mexican. Finalists and winners reflect performance of new recordings on Billboard’s albums and songs charts for the period covering rankings dated Sept. 14, 2024 through the Sept. 6, 2025, charts. Determinations are based on key fan interactions with music, including streaming, album and digital song sales, radio airplay and touring, tracked by Billboard and its data partner, Luminate.
Hosted by Goyo and Javier Poza and broadcasted live from Miami’s James L. Knight Center on Telemundo, the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards can also be streamed live on the Telemundo app, Peacock and Telemundo Internacional across Latin America and the Caribbean.
See the complete list of winner below:
OVERALL ARTISTS CATEGORIES
Artist of the Year
Bad Bunny
Fuerza Regida
Peso Pluma
Rauw Alejandro
Tito Double P
Artist of the Year, New
Aleman
Clave Especial
FloyyMenor
Kapo
Netón Vega
Tour of the Year
Aventura
Chayanne
Luis Miguel
Rauw Alejandro
Shakira
Crossover Artist of the Year
Ayra Starr
benny blanco
Bruno Mars
ROSE
Rvssian
Ty Dolla $ign
Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year
Bad Bunny
Fuerza Regida
Karol G
Netón Vega
Tito Double P
SONGS CATEGORIES
Global 200 Latin Song of the Year
Bad Bunny, “Baile Inolvidable”
Bad Bunny, “DTMF”
Bad Bunny, “Nuevayol”
Karol G, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido”
Óscar Maydon & Fuerza Regida, “Tu Boda”
Hot Latin Song of the Year
Bad Bunny, “Baile Inolvidable”
Bad Bunny, “DTMF”
Bad Bunny, “EOO”
Bad Bunny, “Nuevayol”
Óscar Maydon & Fuerza Regida, “Tu Boda”
Hot Latin Song of the Year, Vocal Event:
Fuerza Regida & Grupo Frontera, “Me Jalo”
Óscar Maydon & Fuerza Regida, “Tu Boda”
Rauw Alejandro & Bad Bunny, “Qué Pasaría…”
Rauw Alejandro & Romeo Santos, “Khe?”
Tito Double P & Peso Pluma, “Dos Días”
Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Male
Bad Bunny
Netón Vega
Peso Pluma
Rauw Alejandro
Tito Double P
Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Female
WINNER: Karol G
Selena Gomez
Shakira
Yailin La Más Viral
Young Miko
Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Duo or Group
Clave Especial
Fuerza Regida
Grupo Frontera
Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda
The Marias
Hot Latin Songs Label of the Year
Double P
Interscope Capitol Labels Group
Rimas
Sony Music Latin
Warner Latina
Latin Airplay Song of the Year
Fuerza Regida & Grupo Frontera, “Me Jalo”
Karol G, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido”
Natti Natasha, “Desde Hoy”
Rauw Alejandro & Romeo Santos, “Khe?”
Shakira, “Soltera”
Latin Airplay Label of the Year
Interscope Capitol Labels Group
Rimas
Sony Music Latin
Universal Music Latin Entertainment
Warner Latina
Sales Song of the Year
Bad Bunny, “Baile Inolvidable”
Bad Bunny, “DTMF”
Bad Bunny, “Nuevayol”
Karol G, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido”
Xavi & Manuel Turizo, “En Privado”
Streaming Song of the Year
Bad Bunny, “Baile Inolvidable”
Bad Bunny, “DTMF”
Bad Bunny, “Nuevayol”
Karol G, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido”
Óscar Maydon & Fuerza Regida, “Tu Boda”
ALBUM CATEGORIES
Top Latin Album of the Year
WINNER: Bad Bunny, Debí Tirar Más Fotos
Netón Vega, Mi Vida Mi Muerte
Peso Pluma, Éxodo
Rauw Alejandro, Cosa Nuestra
Tito Double P, Incómodo
Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Male
Bad Bunny
Junior H
Peso Pluma
Rauw Alejandro
Tito Double P
Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Female
Becky G
Cazzu
Kali Uchis
Karol G
Shakira
Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group
Aventura
Clave Especial
Fuerza Regida
Grupo Frontera
Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda
Top Latin Albums Label of the Year
Double P
Interscope Capitol Labels Group
Rimas
Sony Music Latin
Universal Music Latin Entertainment
LATIN POP CATEGORIES
Latin Pop Artist of the Year, Solo
Danny Ocean
Enrique Iglesias
Kali Uchis
Luis Fonsi
Shakira
Latin Pop Artist of the Year, Duo or Group
Ha*Ash
Jesse & Joy
Maná
Morat
Sin Bandera
Latin Pop Song of the Year
Danny Ocean & Kapo, “Imagínate”
Maluma, “Cosas Pendientes”
Rauw Alejandro, “Carita Linda”
Selena Gomez, benny blanco & The Marias, “Ojos Tristes”
Shakira, “Soltera”
Latin Pop Airplay Label of the Year
AP Global
Interscope Capitol Labels Group
Sony Music Latin
Universal Music Latin Entertainment
Warner Latina
Top Latin Pop Album of the Year
Cazzu, Latinaje
Danny Ocean, Babylon Club
Kapo, Por Si Alguien Nos Escucha
Latin Mafia, Todos Los Días Todo El Día
Quevedo, Buenas Noches
Top Latin Pop Albums Label of the Year
Insterscope Capitol Labels Group
Sony Music Latin
Universal Music Enterprises
Universal Music Latin Entertainment
Warner Latina
TROPICAL CATEGORIES
Tropical Artist of the Year, Solo
Elvis Crespo
Jerry Rivera
Marc Anthony
Prince Royce
Romeo Santos
Tropical Artist of the Year, Duo or Group
Aventura
Chino & Nacho
Grupo Niche
La Sonora Dinamita
Monchy & Alexandra
Tropical Song of the Year
Bad Bunny, “Baile Inolvidable”
Grupo Frontera & Romeo Santos, “Ángel”
Karol G, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido”
Rauw Alejandro, “Tú Con Él”
Xavi & Manuel Turizo, “En Privado”
Tropical Airplay Label of the Year
Grupo Frontera
Insterscope Capitol Labels Group
Rimas
Sony Music Latin
Warner Latina
Top Tropical Album of the Year
Grupo Kual? Dinastía Pedraza, Los Reyes De La Cumbia Sonidera: En México
Los Hermanos Rosario, Grandes Éxitos
Natti Natasha, En Amargue
Prince Royce, Eterno
Rubby Pérez, Rubby Pérez ¡Grandes Éxitos!
Top Tropical Albums Label of the Year
Discos Fuentes
Sony Music Latin
The Orchard
Universal Music Enterprises
Universal Music Latin Entertainment
REGIONAL MEXICAN CATEGORIES
Regional Mexican Artist of the Year, Solo
Ivan Cornejo
Junior H
Netón Vega
Peso Pluma
Tito Double P
Regional Mexican Artist of the Year, Duo or Group:
Clave Especial
Fuerza Regida
Grupo Frontera
Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda
Los Tigres del Norte
Regional Mexican Song of the Year
Fuerza Regida & Grupo Frontera, “Me Jalo”
Fuerza Regida, “Por Esos Ojos”
Óscar Maydon & Fuerza Regida, “Tu Boda”
Peso Pluma & Netón Vega, “La Patrulla”
Tito Double P & Peso Pluma, “Dos Días”
Regional Mexican Airplay Label of the Year
Afinarte
Azteca
Socios
Sony Music Latin
Universal Music Latin Entertainment
Top Regional Mexican Album of the Year
Fuerza Regida, 111XPANTÍA
Ivan Cornejo, Mirada
Netón Vega, Mi Vida Mi Muerte
Peso Pluma, Éxodo
Tito Double P, Incómodo
Top Regional Mexican Albums Label of the Year
Double P Records
Interscope Capitol Labels Group
Sony Music Latin
Universal Music Latin Entertainment
Warner Latina
LATIN RHYTHM CATEGORIES
Latin Rhythm Artist of the Year, Solo
Bad Bunny
Feid
Kapo
Karol G
Rauw Alejandro
Latin Rhythm Artist of the Year, Duo or Group
Alexis & Fido
Baby Rasta & Gringo
J-King & Maximan
Jowell & Randy
Mambo Kingz
Latin Rhythm Song of the Year
Bad Bunny, “DTMF”
Bad Bunny, “EOO”
Bad Bunny, “Nuevayol”
Rauw Alejandro & Bad Bunny, “Qué Pasaría…”
Rauw Alejandro & Romeo Santos, “Khe?”
Latin Rhythm Airplay Label of the Year
Interscope Capitol Labels Group
Rimas
Sony Music Latin
Universal Music Latin Entertainment
Warner Latina
Top Latin Rhythm Album of the Year
Bad Bunny, Debí Tirar Más Fotos
FloyyMenor, El Comienzo
Karol G, Tropicoqueta
Omar Courtz, Primera Musa
Rauw Alejandro, Cosa Nuestra
Top Latin Rhythm Albums Label of the Year
Interscope Capitol Labels Group
Rimas
Sony Music Latin
UnitedMasters
Universal Music Latin Entertainment
WRITERS / PRODUCERS / PUBLISHERS CATEGORIES
Songwriter of the Year
Armenta
Bad Bunny
Jorsshh
Netón Vega
Roberto “La Paciencia”
Publisher of the Year
Downtown DMP Songs,BMI
Josa Publishing,BMI
Sony Latin Music Publishing,LLC,BMI
Street Mob Publishing,BMI
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp,BMI
Publishing Corporation of the Year
Downtown Music Publishing
Rimas Publishing
Sony Music Publishing
Universal Music
Warner Chappell Music
Producer of the Year
Ernesto “Neto” Fernández
JOP
MAG
Roberto “La Paciencia”
Tito Double P
Trending on Billboard The voters who determine the 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees have a tough choice ahead of them: narrowing a list of 13 strong candidates in the performing songwriter category down to their top three selections. (They also will be choosing three non-performing songwriters from an equally strong list of 14 contenders.) […]
Trending on Billboard On Wednesday (Oct. 22), around fifteen employees in U.S. and Latin American music roles at TikTok and ByteDance across multiple territories were told their positions were terminated, according to sources close to the matter. Two sources say a number of those impacted will have their accounts on the company’s business management platform, […]
Trending on Billboard TWICE scores its eighth top 10 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart (dated Oct. 25) as TEN: The Story Goes On debuts at No. 2 with 23,000 copies sold in the United States in the tracking week ending Oct. 16, according to Luminate. The group’s last eight chart entries have all debuted […]
