From significant career milestones to exciting new music releases, major announcements, and those delightful little moments that matter, Billboard editors shine a light on the uplifting happenings in Latin music. Here’s a roundup of the most notable events that took place in the Latin music scene this week.
Celebrating Friendship: Girls’ Night Out in Miami
This past week in Miami was nothing short of spectacular, as Becky G hosted an unforgettable girls’ night out with a star-studded lineup of friends. In a delightful and unexpected reel featuring Bad Bunny’s catchy track “Nuevayol,” the talented Mexican-American singer is seen enjoying a lavish evening on a yacht alongside 11 of her celebrity friends. Among the stunning ladies were Jessica Alba, Gloria Estefan, Emily Estefan, and Eva Longoria, each showcasing their best dance moves to the infectious dembow-salsa rhythm. This memorable gathering celebrated Longoria’s milestone 50th birthday, with Marc Anthony also in attendance. Sharing her joy on Instagram, the actress expressed, “Grateful to have begun celebrating my birthday (as it will be a month long). I felt so loved! […] Ready for this new decade.” Be sure to check out the lively clip below.
Rekindling Memories: The Bromance Between Nicky Jam and J Balvin
In other birthday celebrations, Nicky Jam marked his 44th birthday on March 17, and his close friend J Balvin took the opportunity to reminisce about their enduring friendship. Through a heartfelt video recap, Balvin compiled some of the most memorable highlights from their bromance, captioning it with “mi real y yo” (my real one and I). The clip presents over a decade of camaraderie between these two reggaetón icons, showcasing everything from hilarious pranks to unforgettable viral moments, including their mano a mano panel at the 2017 Billboard Latin Music Week. Balvin shared a touching birthday message, stating, “Happy birthday, Nicky Jam, for more moments like these.” Together, these Colombian and Puerto Rican artists have produced numerous chart-topping collaborations, such as “X,” “Superhéroe,” “Travesuras (Remix),” and “Poblado (Remix),” solidifying their impact on the music industry.
A Magical Moment: Kunno and Shakira Connect on Stage
In an enchanting display of fan appreciation, Kunno experienced an unforgettable moment with Shakira during one of her electrifying concerts held in Mexico this week. The Mexican influencer expressed his excitement on social media, stating, “Her success has had many roads and Shakira invited me to walk with her at her first concert in Mexico City.” The captivating moment was captured on video, showcasing Kunno dressed in a dazzling metallic jumpsuit as he accompanied the Colombian superstar during a segment of her performance where she interacted with her audience and showcased her “she wolf” pack. He concluded with, “Dreams definitely come true and among wolves we stay in a pack,” expressing his gratitude to Sony Music México and Ocesa for facilitating this incredible opportunity. Don’t miss the chance to watch the amazing journey below.
Spotlighting the Next Generation: The Future of Latin Music
>This week, Rolling Stone unveiled its highly anticipated annual The Future 25 list, which prominently features two rising stars from the Latin music scene: the breakthrough Música Mexicana artist Ivan Cornejo and the Puerto Rican sensation Chuwi. Selected by the esteemed RS staff, these artists represent the next wave of talent that is shaping the sounds of tomorrow across various genres. Notably, Cornejo, who was featured on the cover of Billboard’s Genre Now last January, received his own Future of Music cover and took center stage as the headliner at Rolling Stone’s Future of Music showcase at SXSW earlier this month. He shared his excitement on social media, stating, “Completely honored to be the face of Rolling Stone representing música mexicana.” This recognition is a testament to the vibrant future of Latin music and its rising stars.
