puerto rico
From its new headquarters in Milla de Oro in San Juan, Rimas Publishing is redefining what it means to champion music from Puerto Rico for the world. Celebrating one decade of success as an independent publishing house — and with more than 150 authors in its catalog, including major names like Bad Bunny and Eladio Carrión — the company has established itself as one of the most influential indie players in the Latin music industry. This includes ranking at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs Publishers year-end chart for 2021 and 2022.
The story of the publishing house began in 2014, when its founders launched an innovative idea that initially seemed “crazy” at the time, explains Rimas Publishing president Carlos Souffront, who was involved since its inception. “It’s a concept born from two partners who had a vision,” he tells Billboard Español. From the beginning, Rimas Publishing was tied to Rimas Entertainment, but in 2023, it became a completely independent entity. According to Souffront, “The decision was based on a change in equity within the group of companies.” From that moment, they relocated to their new offices in Puerto Rico.
Trending on Billboard
This independence has allowed them to explore new territories and expand their global approach beyond the Caribbean, reaching markets like Chile, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. “It was in 2020 that we signed our first talents in Chile. Today we represent six of the top 10 artists in Chile, which I consider a significant responsibility, even with the Chilean society. This reflects our global commitment,” says the company’s CEO, Emilio Morales.
In addition to its geographic expansion, Rimas Publishing is also diversifying its catalog — signing 12 new authors in the past year — moving beyond its roots in urban music to explore genres like pop, regional Mexican music, and Christian music. “Our commitment is to creators, regardless of genre,” Morales emphasizes. “We were born in urban music, but today we work with writers in various styles who are making a difference in the industry.”
Billboard Español spoke with president Carlos Souffront and CEO Emilio Morales to gain insight into the company’s journey and its vision for the years ahead.
10 years have passed since the beginnings of Rimas Publishing. How has the journey been from its creation in 2014 to now? Could you also share a little about the origins of the company?
Carlos Souffront: I had the pleasure and opportunity to be here in 2014 when this idea was created. It’s a concept born from two partners who came together with an idea that initially seemed crazy to me. But clearly, they both had a vision, and from that vision came the publisher and the record label [Rimas Entertainment], which grew together — up until 2023, when we separated.
The decision was based on a change in equity within the group of companies. This week (week of March 17), we are inaugurating the new offices, completely separating operationally from everything that was previously connected. We were integrated in areas like human resources, accounting, legacy marketing, and now we’re fully separated both physically and operationally.
You’ve worked with renowned artists like Bad Bunny and Eladio Carrión, as well as emerging talent. How has the process of supporting both established artists and new generations been, and what kind of impact has this had on Rimas Publishing’s international expansion?
Emilio Morales: On the creative side, the company’s beginnings were very closely tied to artists shared between Rimas [Entertainment] and Rimas Publishing. Originally, we supported a group of Puerto Rican artists led by Eladio Carrión, Lyanno, Súbelo NEO, and Bad Bunny, who was part of that initial phase. Between 2016 and 2017, the company began expanding beyond those initial artists, reaching talents from Colombia and eventually Chile. If you look at it from the point of view of urban and pop music, when we started, it was that 2016 generation — Bryant Myers, Anonimus, Bad Bunny — that were all the talk.
In 2019-2020, with Carlos’s help, we extended the company’s footprint internationally, focusing especially on Chile and Medellín, Colombia, where we now have an established presence. In 2020, we signed our first Chilean talents, marking an important step in Rimas Publishing’s evolution, which had previously been primarily Caribbean-focused. In the early days, we worked with creatives like Amenazzy and La Manta in the Dominican Republic, but our focus was largely regional.
With Chile’s connection to other international markets, our agenda became much more global. This led us to build an extraordinary professional team, composed of Puerto Rican local talent, collaborators from regions like Mexico, Colombia (especially Medellín), and the Dominican Republic, and support from our CFO based in Miami. We now represent six of the top 10 artists in Chile, which we view as a significant responsibility, not just to the artists but also to Chile’s society.
In Puerto Rico, musical talent has always been abundant, but many artists signed with companies based in places like Miami. For us, it’s been special to witness how this new generation of creatives has fostered an extraordinary scene, with songs like “Gata Only” and “Una Noche en Medellín.”
In Mexico, we’ve also observed a major movement, particularly in regional Mexican music. Michelle Maciel, who writes for artists like Carín León and is part of our roster, exemplifies the way we’ve expanded in the last five years. Beyond entering new territories, our focus has always been on broadening the repertoire and supporting creatives’ dreams.
You’re opening a new office in Puerto Rico. What strategic role does this location play in Rimas Publishing’s global operations now that you have this new headquarters?
Souffront: Although we are based here, as Emilio mentioned, we continue serving clients worldwide, and that will always be a key part of our approach. Not only are we expanding globally, but we’re also diversifying into other genres, such as Christian music, where we’re investing heavily in the talent we’ve signed and continue looking to sign. Why Puerto Rico? Because the team is Puerto Rican, the company was founded here, and our roots are here. Almost exclusively, with one or two exceptions, everyone on our team is Puerto Rican, and we take great pride in that. In addition, many of the artists we represent are based here. We want them to understand that they don’t need to hold Zoom meetings or travel to Los Angeles; we’re just 15 minutes from their homes, ready to welcome them with our full team. That’s something that sets us apart from many large publishing companies.
Rimas Publishing Office in Puerto Rico
Courtesy of Rimas Publishing
Morales: Being in the Caribbean is strategically a huge advantage. It allows you to travel to Colombia in two hours, which is challenging for large companies based in Los Angeles. For us, it’s much more efficient. We can move quickly to South America, North America, or even Europe directly. Additionally, Puerto Rico has immense talent and individuals who, unfortunately, often end up in industries unrelated to music. Someone had to take on the challenge and create jobs here, especially in something as dignified as music publishing. Today we are proud to serve as a business model for our city and our country. We believe this represents a new economy for Puerto Rico and a new chapter for our company. We chose to invest in families who needed opportunities the most. Many talented people here have been educated in prestigious institutions like Berklee College of Music or Loyola University Museum of Art, and were perfectly prepared. However, they couldn’t find jobs aligned with their true passions. We’re proud to welcome them, provide opportunities, and support Puerto Rican families.
What are some of the most important plans for Rimas Publishing in this new phase as an independent publishing company?
Morales: First, we are undergoing a strategic expansion of our business, as I mentioned, into places like Chile, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, where we’re increasing talent investments. Second, we have a very important project called Faith Sounds. It’s a program in which we support the best composers from our roster and aim to impact the region with faith-based and Christian music. Featured artists in this project include Shammai, Gabriel EMC, Lizzy Parra — a Dominican artist with an impressive career trajectory — and Barajas, with a presence in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and other countries. The goal is to enhance their creations and strengthen our licensing efforts because we see significant opportunities in this space.
Over the past 18 months, we’ve hired key personnel to optimize our synchronization and commercial licensing operations. This includes everything from Christian films and positive music to broader markets aligned with that philosophy. Furthermore, we’re making strategic alliances with important brands like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Films, and others we’ve historically collaborated with.
Souffront: From a broader perspective, our vision rests on three main pillars. First, growing responsibly. We currently have 150 artists under contract, and our goal is to maximize their output — their art. Current technology provides tools that allow us to further amplify their work and optimize their impact. Second, expanding into other genres. While our roots are in reggaeton, and we will never abandon that essence, our aspirations extend far beyond being just a reggaeton publisher. Third, we are actively exploring the acquisition of existing catalogs, which is critical for our future. Our growth plan is clear and systematic.
Rimas Publishing Office in Puerto Rico
Courtesy of Rimas Publishing
Looking ahead to the next five to ten years, what is your vision for the publishing company? What impact do you want to have on Latin and global music?
Morales: Our goal as a company is to become a worldwide leader in service and technology for our clients — a core part of our DNA that we embody daily in our mission and vision. We want to be recognized not only for the success of working with the biggest Latin artists in the world but also for delivering the best technology, service, and attention. We aim to take that to the next level, increasing our cultural impact and creating opportunities to connect with the global movement. We’re investing heavily in developing our authors, taking them to places like Brazil, France, and other destinations to collaborate with companies of all sizes—from major American record labels to companies in China, Africa, and beyond. Our goal is to build a sustainable and successful ecosystem for authors in Latin America and the world. We’re getting closer to achieving the milestone where people say: “They’re not the biggest, but they’re the best.” That’s our true aspiration, and we’re on the right path.
Souffront: Beyond the plans I mentioned earlier, within the next ten years, one of my aspirations is for us as an independent Latino company to provide services to other small independent publishers in Latin America or Spain. We want them to join the family of this publishing house, letting us provide them with services. That will only come when people continue to know and recognize us as the best.
Originally in Spanish, this interview has been edited for length and clarity.
This summer, Bad Bunny is set to transform Puerto Rico’s typically quieter season with a 30-show residency at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot (a.k.a. El Choli). Choosing not to tour globally, the Puerto Rican superstar will instead showcase his latest album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, exclusively on his home turf from July 11 to Sept. 14. The extraordinary demand for tickets — with 400,000 selling within four hours, half to international tourists — confirms the residency’s global appeal and its potential to substantially enhance the island’s local economy during its sweltering summer months.
This residency concept represents a first for Puerto Rico. Although the Coliseo has hosted multiple back-to-back shows in the past, with artists such as Daddy Yankee and Wisin & Yandel performing on consecutive weekends, the scope and magnitude of Bunny’s residency has never been seen before. This series of 30 shows is unprecedented not only for the number of shows but also for the intensity of the preparation and the international anticipation it’s been generating.
Trending on Billboard
On Jan. 5, Bunny released Debí Tirar, which reached No. 1 on multiple all-genre charts, including the Billboard 200 and Top Streaming Albums. Reflecting on this success, Benito told Billboard a few weeks after releasing the album, “Man, obviously I’m thankful with the way the world has embraced this album. The thing is, this project… it isn’t mine. It belongs to many people: everyone who worked with me, it belongs to Puerto Rico, my friends, my family. This project belongs to all of us who feel proud of being from Puerto Rico and being Latin.”
In anticipation of the residency, Alejandro Pabón, the Move Concerts promoter behind the residency, details the extensive preparations necessary to accommodate such an unprecedented influx of fans. “We’re expecting around 200,000 people from abroad visiting the island,” he says. “All the local businesses are going to be impacted. All the hotels are sold out. Today [Feb. 13], a local newspaper put out an article saying that for the residency dates, there’s a 70% surge on AirBnB.” While the volume of business will be overwhelming, Pabón mentions that the event’s organization relies on local labor, creating more job opportunities for Puerto Rican residents. “All the hotel staffing are going to have to level up because they’re expecting 100% capacity for those three months,” he says.
Preparing for the residency presents a complex challenge, introducing a level of scale and coordination previously unseen in Puerto Rico’s entertainment history. But it also promises to bring a raft of economic benefits to the island not typically seen during the summer season.
“Traditionally, July is the slowest month show-wise for the venue since forever. So we went and found the slowest period and booked it, which definitely is helping the economy,” says Pabón.
Travel and concierge expert Rob Dellibovi, who serves as founder/CEO of RDB Hospitality, elaborates on the strategic timing of the residency and its benefits to the local economy. “A time where it’s probably 30-40% occupancy, it’ll be like 90% because of all these shows,” he says. “The fact that they’re doing this in July and August is going to be a huge win for the island because nobody’s there at those times [due to the heat]. They’re not displacing any other kind of revenue; they’re just bringing people during the slow season to Puerto Rico.”
Pabón notes that Puerto Rico is well-equipped for major events, boasting a “state-of-the-art arena,” abundant “natural resources, great restaurants, and a lot of hotels.” Unlike typical residencies in cities like Las Vegas that feature international artists, this local showcase will potentially alter perceptions of the island as a global tourist hotspot.
Building on this framework, Coliseo de Puerto Rico has established itself as a rite of passage to Latin pop superstars and beyond. Situated in the heart of San Juan’s Milla de Oro, the venue has held some of Latin music’s most important events of the 21st century. A sold-out Coliseo performance is an affirmation of star power.
The Coliseo De Puerto Rico
Al Bello/Getty Images
El Coliseo is no stranger to record-breaking events. In 2021, Karol G made history by becoming the first international female artist to set the record for the fastest ticket sales at the venue with two sold-out dates. More than a decade earlier, on March 14, 2010, Metallica became the fastest-selling concert ever at the Coliseo, drawing a crowd of 17,286. However, Bad Bunny has already surpassed Metallica’s record twice: first in March 2019 and again in July 2022. In 2019, Daddy Yankee broke Wisin & Yandel’s record for the most consecutive sold-out shows at the venue with a total of 10 concerts as part of his Con Calma Pa’l Choli tour — a record Benito is now poised to break.
Jorge L. Pérez, the general manager of Coliseo de Puerto Rico, calls Bad Bunny’s upcoming residency a “historic event.” He tells Billboard that in August 2023, Pabón and Noah Assad, Bad Bunny’s manager, unveiled the concept of the residency to him. “I was blown away,” says Pérez, underscoring the complexity of keeping the plans under wraps. “When they started working the room blocks, I got calls from a lot of skeptical hoteliers. They were like, ‘Why are they asking for so many rooms?! What is happening?!’ I was like, ‘I can’t reveal that information, give them all the available inventory that you have. We have a signed contract at Coliseo. This is legit.’”
With the months-long advance notice of 30 sold-out shows, Pérez says the planning becomes much more manageable. Helping matters, he says, is the fact that they are sourcing all concessions products locally, with the venue to feature a special menu highlighting local delicacies such as “alcapurrias and bacalaitos,” embracing Puerto Rican culinary traditions.
“[This residency] will position Puerto Rico as a premier entertainment destination,” says Pérez. “It will open the eyes of visitors who have never come to Puerto Rico. It will create awareness of Puerto Rico as an entertainment and leisure destination.”
Pérez says that growth has been evident in the post-COVID era, as the Coliseo has consistently ranked in the top 20 on Pollstar’s year-end list of highest ticket sales among arenas globally. On Billboard’s 2024 year-end list of Top Venues (15,001+ capacity), Coliseo de Puerto Rico was ranked No. 39, with a gross of $52.5 million and 750,000 tickets sold.
With the Bad Bunny residency and other scheduled events, Pérez says he expects to set a sales record at Coliseo, projecting total ticket sales between 1.3 and 1.4 million for the first time in a single year. He adds that the venue is on track to hold more than 100 events in a single year — another milestone. Because of Bunny’s residency, he says there’s potential for the Coliseo to place among the top five on Billboard’s year-end Top Venues chart. At a minimum, projections show 2025 sales increasing by 73% from last year.
While the venue has hosted residencies before, such as Daddy Yankee with 12 shows in 2019 and Wisin & Yandel with 14 in 2022, this is the first time the Coliseo has accommodated a residency of this magnitude, says Pérez. “The uniqueness about this is a call made by the artist, saying, ‘I released a new album that’s at the top of the charts globally, and I am not going on tour. If you want to see these concerts, you have to come to my island.’ I believe that this call is what makes this residency very special — and the impact it will have on the island’s economy,” he says.
“They’re digging into what the whole Vegas set up is,” says Dellibovi, describing the economic strategy behind such events. “The casinos know that if they have a huge act like Adele, Céline Dion or whoever is doing a residency…people are going to fly in for it — and the casino itself is going to make a ton of money.”
Of the potential ripple effects the Bunny residency might have on the global entertainment scene, Dellibovi hints that it could spawn a new potential trend. “Is Andrea Bocelli going to do an Italian residency? I have no idea,” he says. “I just think it’s super cool that this is going to spark a whole new residency game, in my opinion, where people are going to go to all these places to see the artist in their homeland. Every international artist from any country is going to be like, ‘Oh s—, I’m going to go back to wherever I’m from and have a month of shows and make a lot of money.’ Those cities are going to want it because there are slow seasons. They need it. Everyone’s going to want to support this.”
Echoing this sentiment, Pabón emphasizes the significance of cultural representation and local benefit: “Who wouldn’t want to showcase their hometown or contribute to it in a positive way? It’s not just going to be the Sphere or the MGM [Grand in Las Vegas] doing residences.”
Traveling to Puerto Rico is particularly convenient for Americans, as only a driver’s license is required for entry. Given this ease of access, Puerto Rico is well-positioned to outpace other popular Caribbean destinations such as Mexico and the Dominican Republic in attracting American tourists, Dellibovi points out.
“This is a big trip for people. That’s a party weekend,” he says. “Make sure you’re stocked and make sure your vibe is right. Make sure that you’re ready to deal with a crowd that’s there to have fun. This is not your typical beach crowd. This is going to be people who are in town to party.”
With more than 1.1 million Puerto Ricans residing in the New York metropolitan area, accounting for 6.7% of New York City’s population in 2020, according to the New York Academy of Sciences, the city not only serves as a significant cultural epicenter for the Puerto Rican diaspora but also stands as a primary source of attendees for major events in Puerto Rico. He expects that will be the case here as well.
“New York is the number one [demographic] of people that are going to come visit,” Pabón says. “I’m definitely expecting a lot of second and third-generation Puerto Ricans to come back home. I know that for a lot of them it is going to be the first time that they’ll come visit, because not all of them have had the chance to be here. I know it’s going to be a special [destination] that’s going to let them connect with their island. It was the artist’s idea to create this synergy between them and their island.”
According to the Puerto Rico Report, there are about 5.8 million Puerto Ricans living in the United States, compared with 3.2 million on the Island.
“This is like a pilgrimage, a Hajj for Puerto Ricans,” echoes Dellibovi. “If you’re Puerto Rican, and you love Bad Bunny, who’s not going to want to go to the homeland and see him? It’s the coolest experience ever for actual Puerto Ricans [living abroad].’ He continues, “Bad Bunny is the biggest Latin artist in the world. He is the only Latin artist who can sell out a stadium in any city in the world. He can go to Sweden, Tokyo, Sydney, anywhere. It’s very rare for a Latin artist to be able to do that.”
Pabón emphasizes the deeper motivation behind the residency, reflecting a sentiment shared by his team: “We’re doing this not just for business, that’s secondary. This is done for our country, for our identity, because we really love Puerto Rico. The artist really loves it. Noah really loves it, and all the team. It’s personal. We’re all really excited and happy about this.”
Bad Bunny‘s upcoming “No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí” summer residency at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico has officially sold out, according to a press release issued by the artist’s team on Friday (Jan. 17). Produced by Noah Assad Presents and Move Concerts, the 30-date stint, set to kick off July 11 and wrap Sept. 14, sold 400,000 tickets in just four hours through online and in-person sales across the island.
The announcement further states that while more than 2.5 million people registered for online pre-sale, Bad Bunny’s team “worked diligently” to eliminate 1.8 million scalpers and bots to “ensure Bad Bunny’s loyal fans were eligible for the pre-sale.”
The first nine shows, reserved exclusively for Puerto Rico residents, officially went on sale Wednesday (Jan. 15) at nine different locations throughout Puerto Rico, including Palacio de los Deportes in Mayagüez and Plaza del Mercado Río Piedras in San Juan. (The shows sold out that day.) Subsequently, Bad Bunny unveiled nine additional dates to the residency for a total of 30 dates at El Choli. Those 21 shows, which went on sale this morning, sold out in under four hours.
Trending on Billboard
The residency has also incorporated VIP concert and hotel experiences featuring a two-night hotel stay, premium tickets and limited edition VIP gift bags, among other elements. Offered through Vibee, more than 80,000 VIP packages have already been sold, with a limited number of VIP experiences remaining.
Bad Bunny (real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) is no stranger to selling out tours or breaking records at the box office. His World’s Hottest Tour in 2022 grossed $314.1 million and sold 1.9 million tickets, breaking the record for the biggest Latin tour ever. That same year, Bad Bunny became the first Latin act, and first act who doesn’t perform in English, to finish atop Billboard’s year-end Top Tours chart.
Bad Bunny’s residency in Puerto Rico is in honor of his latest album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, which he released Jan. 5. The set debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, securing him his seventh top 10-charting set. Meanwhile, the LP opened at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Streaming Albums chart (dated Jan. 18), marking the largest streaming week for a Latin title in over a year. All 17 songs on the set entered the Billboard Hot 100, upping his career total from 98 to 113 and making him the first Latin artist to tally 100 career Hot 100 hits.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin / Getty
If you want to experience the new Bad Bunny album you will have to take a trip to the Island of Enchantment. He has announced a residency in Puerto Rico, and the first couple of shows are open to only locals.
As spotted on Variety, the promotional roll out for performer’s newest project DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS (transl. I Should Have Taken More Photos, shortened to DTMF) will shine a light on his hometown. This week, he announced a 21-date residency in Puerto Rico. Titled “No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí” (I Don’t Want to Leave Here), a lyric from his hit “El Apagón,” the series will take place at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico. To ensure that residents don’t get priced out, the first nine shows (July 11 to July 27) will be exclusive to those that live on the island.
On Monday (Jan. 13), Bad Bunny released a promotional trailer to his social media accounts announcing the Puerto Rico residency. Here he is seen walking past framed posters of his previous tours and explaining that while he has visited several countries he has yet to visit some on his bucket list and return to some cities he has not returned to in many years. At the end of his walk he says that he is returning home and would like his fans to meet him at his “Casa” (trans. House) and unveils the framed tour posted for the residency.
According to an AI-powered playlist name generator Playlist Name AI, Google searches for the term “Bad Bunny Tour” have surged 809% while “Puerto Rico Flights” have increased by 191% since the announcement.
You can read more about the No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí tour here.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: DREW ANGERER / Getty
The largest newspaper in Puerto Rico endorsed Kamala Harris in the presidential race, blasting Donald Trump in the process.
The fallout from a comedian’s remarks at Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Madison Square Garden over the past weekend continues, as the largest newspaper in Puerto Rico has officially endorsed Kamala Harris in the presidential election. The editor of El Nuevo Dia, María Luisa Ferré Rangel, didn’t mince words in describing the effects of Tony Hinchcliffe’s joke calling Puerto Rico “a floating island of garbage”, shocking many who saw the clip. “Today, the hearts of all of us who love this beautiful Garden of America, and of the world, clench with rage and pain,” Rangel began. She stated that while those three million who live in Puerto Rico cannot vote in the election, the five million of Puerto Rican descent who live in the United States can: “Today we urge all those who love our beautiful island, the land of the sea and the sun, not to lend their vote to Donald Trump. To all Puerto Ricans who can vote in this upcoming United States election and represent those of us who cannot: Vote for Kamala Harris.
“Let’s not forget the paper towels he threw at us while we suffered without electricity for months [after Hurricane Maria] and let’s not forget that the funds did not arrive because Trump – through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development – told them to stop because he considered Puerto Ricans ‘bums who live begging,’” she wrote, also highlighting Hinchcliffe and others’ odious remarks and calling out those Latino supporters of the Republican presidential candidate: “They also insulted Latinos, Blacks, and women. An angry mob shouted prostitute at the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate. They also spat in front of a group of her supporters. Many were Latinos, who applauded, not understanding the consequences. One day it will be your turn.”
Rangel strongly highlighted the clear difference between Vice President Harris and former President Trump, writing: “Trump does not discriminate. He is a convicted candidate who not only has no remorse, but considers women to be an object that can be touched whenever he wants. Many have raised the alarm.” She’d illustrate the promise of a Harris presidency for all, writing: “Her speech has not been one of hate. On the contrary, it is one of inclusion.”
HipHopWired Featured Video
Nicky Jam, a popular Reggaeton artist, was one of many Donald Trump’s celebrity supporters who hit the stump with the presidential hopeful. After a series of tasteless jokes were delivered at a recent rally held by Donald Trump in New York, Nicky Jam is now walking back his endorsement of the former president.
Just last month, Nicky Jam was a proud Donald Trump supporter and appeared onstage with him while sporting a Make America Great Again cap. However, comedian Tony Hinchliffe unleashed jokes at the expense of Puerto Rico, referring to the island as “garbage” along with other racially charged barbs.
Taking to Instagram and speaking in Spanish, Nicky Jam denounced Hinchliffe’s insults then explained to his fans that he supported Trump due to concerns over the economy and thought as a businessman, he would improve conditions for all economically.
“I believed it was what’s best for the economy in the United States, where a lot of Latinos live [A] lot of immigrants that are suffering over the state of the economy,” Jam said. “With [Trump] being a businessman, I felt it was the right movement.”
Below, we’re sharing the video Nicky Jam posted to his Instagram page. The comments for the clip have been turned off, however, so we’re not certain how his statements were received among his 43.5 million followers.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Jeremychanphotography / Getty
The list of Puerto Rican celebrities supporting Kamala Harris’ presidential run is growing, with Don Omar joining in, delighting fans online.
Superstar artist Don Omar has added his voice to those celebrities with Puerto Rican heritage supporting Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. In a lengthy post issued through social media in Spanish and English, Don Omar wrote: “Puerto Rico is my land and my identity, and today more than ever I raise the flag of my island with pride. It is heartbreaking to hear the contempt and racist words directed towards my country and Latinos. Trump has made it clear, time and time again, what he thinks of us, and the possibility of him and his administration returning to power is really worrying,” adding his support of Harris and ending with the line: “It’s time to turn the page. We are not going back.”
The “King of Reggaeton” is the latest to endorse Vice President Harris in a response to shock comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s remarks while appearing at the campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in Madison Square Garden this past Sunday (October 27) in New York City. Don Omar’s total social media following numbers over 50 million users.
After Hinchcliffe’s joke calling Puerto Rico “a floating island of garbage” went viral, superstar Bad Bunny shared a clip of Harris blasting Trump for his treatment of Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria, saying: “I will never forget what Donald Trump did and what he did not do when Puerto Rico needed a caring and a competent leader. He abandoned the island, tried to block aid after back-to-back devastating hurricanes, and offered nothing more than paper towels and insults.” He’d go on to share an eight-minute video celebrating his hometown while further attacking Donald Trump on Tuesday (October 29).
Other Puerto Rican celebrities who’ve put their star power behind Vice President Harris in response to Hinchcliffe’s remarks include Jennifer Lopez, John Leguizamo, The View’s Sunny Hostin, Daddy Yankee (who has previously supported Republicans in the past), and Marc Anthony, who posted a video on X, formerly Twitter, decrying Trump’s behavior. The combined star power is huge as the presidential election is in its final days, and many online are noting how much Trump’s vitriol against Latinos overall might just hurt his chances with high emotion, as one user remarked on Anthony’s post, “This ad literally brought tears to my eyes!”
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Anna Moneymaker / Getty
Donald Trump saw his dream come true and held a rally in Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday, October 27. True to brand, the rally quickly revealed itself to be littered with racist rhetoric and more quizzical meandering for the former POTUS, who lost in 2020 and is still in denial.
You knew you were in for KKK levels of racism just from the first speaker, Tony Hinchcliffe. During his time on stage, he managed to disparage every Puerto Rican on the planet by calling the country (a US commonwealth, by the way) a “floating island of garbage.”
At Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally, podcast host and comedian Kill Tony referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage,” during his set.
Notably, four percent of Pennsylvanians are Puerto Rican.
Around 500,000 people. pic.twitter.com/txE3UD0QVE
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) October 27, 2024
But that wasn’t all, he managed to disrespect Israelis and Palestinians, too. And we ain’t even going to mention the watermelon “joke.” Actually, F that guy.
Tony Hinchcliffe: “When it comes to Israel and Palestine, we’re all thinking the same thing: Settle your stuff already. Best out of three: rock, paper, scissors.
You know Palestinians will throw rock every time. And also we know Jews have a hard time throwing that paper.” pic.twitter.com/Dyt6dBevsm
— Diana Leygerman (@dinachka82) October 27, 2024
Shortly after Hinchcliffe’s racist diarrhea of the mouth, Puerto Rican superstar told his 40 million plus followers to get in formation. This is where MAGA cult members need to be reminded that Puerto Rican are U.S. citizens, thus have every right to vote.
Bad Bunny has 40+ million followers on Instagram. Moments after someone at the Trump rally attacked Puerto Rico, he shared VP Harris’s plan for Puerto Rican Americans. The Trump campaign is about to go through some things. pic.twitter.com/fvp6sqUzy5
— Victor Shi (@Victorshi2020) October 27, 2024
As for the Trump, his levels of fascism with a side of “Take the mic from grandpa” powers are rising exponentially.
Tonight, Trump:
—Once again said Americans who don’t support him are “the enemy within”—Announced that Americans should “get ready” for him to bring back laws from the 1700s—Attacked journalists as “enemies” and fantasized about “decapitating” a reporter—Denigrated America… pic.twitter.com/mBFI9ScwmY
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) October 28, 2024
The good folks on X (formerly Twitter) who are not part of the MAGA cult are going in, pointing out every disgustingly vile moment, particularly the vitriol aimed at Puerto Rico. Because if mainstream media is going to try to sanewash Trump (and even they are calling the rally explicitly racist), social media will have no parts of such foolishness.
See for yourself in the gallery.
MAGAs leave all of their trash on the streets of New York City, and then they will complain about how the city is so dirty. pic.twitter.com/v4b4mjcrWO
— Alex Cole (@acnewsitics) October 27, 2024
3. Melania, and some guy, sighting.
7. Dr. Phil, Oprah coat tail rider.
8. You know it’s bad when MSM calls a spade a spade.
On Sept. 13, 2004, Van Halen was the first major music act to perform at the newly inaugurated Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan. That same year, local and international artists performed at the arena, including Draco Rosa, Daddy Yankee, Juan Luis Guerra, Andrea Bocelli and Korn.
“We wouldn’t have been able to have those shows if we didn’t have El Coliseo,” says ASM Global regional GM Jorge Pérez, who manages the venue. “It was the need we had at that moment in history.”
Mariela Vallines, executive director of the Puerto Rico Convention Center District Authority, which owns the building and contracts with ASM to operate it, notes that over the past 20 years, the coliseum “has become a cultural hub for the island, bringing people together to celebrate music and sports as the host of world-class events and entertainment. The venue has contributed significantly to Puerto Rico’s economy, generating revenue for local businesses and providing employment opportunities on the island.”
Trending on Billboard
What’s more, she adds, “it has helped to position Puerto Rico as a premium entertainment destination attracting both local and international audiences that have surpassed 10 million visitors over the last two decades.”
Prior to El Coliseo’s construction, the Caribbean island hosted sporting and entertainment events primarily at two locations: Coliseum Roberto Clemente Walker and Hiram Bithorn Stadium. Still, a high-end venue was needed “to be competitive in tourism” because “we couldn’t only survive on leisure, travel and regular tourism,” Pérez says.
Since its inception 20 years ago, “El Choli,” as it is popularly called by locals, has become known both locally and internationally and the ultimate “dream arena” to perform at for many artists.
“The first goal of any artist, musician or DJ is to play in an arena that big,” says Puerto Rican artist Jay Wheeler, who made his Choli debut in 2022 with four sold-out shows. “It’s like winning a Grammy. Every artist from Puerto Rico will always have the goal of doing something in the coliseum.”
Ángela Aguilar, who graced the venue’s stage at the 2023 Premios Juventud.
Gladys Vega/Getty Images
A wave of urban acts has not only received a seal of approval at the venue but also achieved milestones. Daddy Yankee, with his 2019 Con Calma Pal’ Choli shows, grossed $7 million, and Wisin y Yandel grossed $6.2 million with their 2018 string of concerts, according to Billboard Boxscore. The latter act holds the record for most sellouts, with 105,000 tickets sold across eight shows.
El Coliseo was No. 24 on Billboard’s 2023 year-end Top Venues global chart (in the 15,001-plus-capacity category), and it ranked fourth in the Latin/Spanish-language market venue after Miami’s Kaseya Center, Madrid’s WiZink Center and Movistar Arena in Santiago, Chile.
Pérez recently spoke with Billboard about the past, present and future of the venue.
What void did El Coliseo fill when it was built 20 years ago?
The government noticed that there was a need to have a world-class arena. The building we had before was Coliseo Roberto Clemente Walker, which opened in 1973 and where concerts and sporting events were held in the 1980s and 1990s. We also have the Hiram Bithorn Stadium built in 1962. With that came the construction of the Convention Center, which was inaugurated one year after El Coliseo. But the vision was that we needed world-class venues to be competitive in tourism.
We couldn’t only survive on leisure, travel and regular tourism. We needed to provoke groups, meetings, conventions that would have economic movement. To complement that, the government really understood that we needed a top destination. So that’s kind of the history behind it.
There was a lot of criticism at the beginning, even when construction started. But when we look back, it was a very smart decision, considering the exposure Puerto Rico has had in the entertainment industry and how it has opened doors for our artists. When we look back, it was a visionary idea with positive results.
Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot is managed by ASM Global’s Jorge Pérez.
Fronthouse Media
What’s the story behind the venue being named after comedian José Miguel Agrelot?
There were a lot of names and ideas out there. In January 2004, José Miguel Agrelot — who was a comedian, radio/TV host, actor, producer and visionary — passed away. So his name came to the top of the list and it was approved.
One of his most famous TV characters was Don Cholito, which he played during the “Encabulla y Vuelve y Tira” segment on El Show del Medio Día (The Midday Show) in the late ’70s and early ’80s. “Encabulla y Vuelve y Tira” referenced the stringing of a wooden spinning top [a yo-yo] — in other words, to do it again and keep trying. That became an analogy of persistence and optimism of the day-to-day challenges that Puerto Ricans had at the time.
While promoting “The Night of Revenge,” one of the first boxing matches that took place at El Coliseo — where Miguel Cotto won the junior welterweight championship — sports commentator Elliott Castro was the first to say: “Let’s go watch boxing at El Choliseo.” Ever since, everyone knows the building by that nickname, El Choli.
Don Cholito provided optimism, a contagious smile and a vibrant personality — and that character was precisely about persistence and overcoming hard times. Those are some strong characteristics and traits that we have in Puerto Rico. Don Cholito’s spirit lives in every corner of El Coliseo.
Why does the venue play an important role in the career of a Puerto Rican artist?
First, it’s their hometown. We’re considered “The Cathedral of Reggaetón,” and for artists of that genre especially it’s important to play at El Coliseo because it’s like a big test for them. We’ve had the top urbano acts perform here. It’s a key venue, and it [marks] a point in each artist’s career of when they performed here, how well they did and how that impacts their careers moving forward.
Why has it become important for artists from other countries?
You have people [in Puerto Rico] who love and really appreciate live entertainment and can identify a good show. The energy here is amazing. We have an educated and knowledgeable crowd. When the crowd at El Coliseo accepts you as an artist, you know you’re en route to doing good things. That goes back to our culture — how we’re raised, how from a very small age we’re listening to music — we know what a top production is. When an artist gets onstage and feels that energy and acceptance, it fills them with confidence in what they’re doing and producing is special.
Daddy Yankee
Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images
Do Puerto Rican acts get preference in dates?
Not really. We manage our calendar very responsibly, and it’s on a first come, first served basis. I work directly with management or agencies or local promoters to try to find the best fit for dates.
What would you say has been the most logistically complicated concert?
It must be the World’s Hottest Tour. Bad Bunny wanted to break the attendance record, and to do so, they put a very small stage on the south side and put all the production [overhead]. From one point of El Coliseo to the other, all the sound and lighting was on [the ceiling] — that’s not normal. Usually, our stages are large, but they wanted to maximize the audience size. I hear that Bad Bunny’s show now with the Most Wanted Tour is also very complex.
What economic impact does the venue have on the island?
The entertainment and event industry is huge in Puerto Rico and creates 30,000 jobs. It creates $2 billion, and almost $400 million of it goes to the government in the form of sales, tax and other revenue they receive from activities that we host in our buildings. It’s a big chunk of the local economy.
We look at it as an important part of our economic ecosystem. We create a lot of entertainment tourism; people travel from different parts to see a show here. About 15% of tickets purchased at the venue come from a ZIP code not in Puerto Rico. Our vision is to keep promoting Puerto Rico as a premier entertainment and tourism destination. We have a social responsibility to help our community.
In terms of business opportunities that we can bring, the exposure Puerto Rico has gotten through El Coliseo and through the artists that act on our stage has helped put the country on the map. People are realizing that this is a top-notch venue.
Aventura
John Parra/Getty Images
How many people work an event at the venue?
On average at a sold-out event — from events staff to security to housekeeping to operation — we can have close to 400 to 500 staff, not considering the production staff on the artist’s side. We have 26 corporate suites; we have our food concessions. At an end stage, which is the most common setup, we fit 15,000 people, and basically, that’s the average staff that we must [have to] make sure everything moves smoothly.
El Coliseo is now also hosting televised awards shows.
The first one we hosted was the Billboard Latin Music Awards back in 2010, and we resumed in 2020 with Premios Tú Música Urbano. We’ve also hosted Univision’s Premios Juventud in 2022 and 2023. Awards shows are very particular because they take up a lot of time. The setup for one of these shows can be seven to 10 days prior to the show. It’s very complex production, and overall, it takes up a chunk of almost two to three weeks.
After the first awards show we hosted in 2010, looking and finding a three-week period that was not booked became a challenge for us. But when we started again, we realized it was a great showcase for the destination. Premios Juventud, for example, had great ratings and exposed us to an international audience.
What do you envision for El Coliseo 20 years from now?
We are already state of the art, but hopefully, we’ll have a new and larger Coliseo. Even though we maintain the venue in optimal condition, we really focus on keeping this building [able] to comply with all the production riders and high-quality shows that we’ve had.
But the truth is, 20 more years is a long time — and I think that in that time frame, we should be transitioning to a new Coliseo. There has been conversations about building a new stadium in Puerto Rico, too, but I see us transitioning to stay relevant and continue producing results. This was designed as a sports arena, but looking into the future, I’m thinking of a new building with a larger capacity and that’s more entertainment-related.
This story originally appeared in the June 1, 2024, issue of Billboard.
Draco Rosa and his company Phantom Vox have established an alliance with La Buena Fortuna Global, an artist management, booking and event production company with a focus on promoting Puerto Rican talent internationally, Billboard Español can announce. The agreement is aimed at expanding Rosa’s career internationally. “It is with deep emotion that I share a […]