From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
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A Bon Jovi & Pitbull Moment
Pitbull is in the midst of his Party After Dark Tour that kicked off Aug. 21 in Virginia. During his pitstop at the Jones Beach Theater in Long Island, New York on Thursday (Sept. 12), the Cuban-American global artist surprised fans with a special appearance by the iconic Bon Jovi. Together, the artists performed the timeless 2000 rock song “It’s My Life.” “Always an honor! To all the fans, get ready for our new collab coming soon,” Pitbull expressed in an Instagram joint post.
Noreh’s Major Career Move
With his infectious melodies and raw lyricism powered by his captivating vocals, Noreh has leaped from an indie artist to landing his first label signing with 5020 Records (launched by Sony Music).
“We were independent for a while but I’m clear that every part of the process (as hard as it was) brought us here,” the Venezuelan artist and former Billboard On the Radar Latin act, expressed in an Instagram post. “I never included the word ‘dreams’ in my vocabulary because I felt that wanting big things was not for people like me and fortunately I was wrong! […] Right now they come together: the support you give me, my team working hard, our tattooed ballads + the new chance and a new team of people willing to add and amplify what we already do and even more important: that these songs reach many more corners. I’m 27 years old and this is just beginning. 5020, you and I will make a great album.”
“We are extremely pleased to welcome Noreh as a new member of the 5020 Records family,” Rafa Arcaute, president of 5020 Records said in a press statement. “His innovative approach to music and his ability to connect with audiences on a deep level make him the perfect addition to our roster of artists. We are excited about the opportunity to support his artistic development and help him achieve even greater success.”
NOREH x 5020
Erick Quituizaca
Our Finalists Are Here!
This week, Billboard and Telemundo unveiled the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards finalists with Karol G leading the pack with 17 nods in categories including artist of the year, tour of the year, and top Latin album of the year for Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season). The Colombian artist is followed by top nominees Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma with 15 nods each, and Feid with 11 nods.
The 31st annual Billboard Latin Music Awards will be broadcast on Telemundo on October 20 at 9pm ET from Miami. It will simultaneously be available on the Spanish entertainment cable network Universo, on Peacock and the Telemundo app, and in Latin America and the Caribbean through Telemundo Internacional. See the complete list of finalists here.
Peso Pluma and Karol G at the Billboard Latin Music Awards 2023 held at Watsco Center on October 5, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida.
Christopher Polk for Billboard
Latinos at the 2024 VMAs
In other awards news, the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards had a strong wave of Latin representation this week. Not only did artists such as Thalia, Danna and Camila Cabello strut the star-studded carpet, but a handful of artists also took center stage during the live telecast. Rauw Alejandro performed a stunning medley of “Touching the Sky,” “Diluvio,” and “Dejame Entrar,” Karol G made Taylor Swift dance merengue with her performance of “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” and Anitta delivered a Brazilian Funk fiesta, where she invited Tiago PZK for “Alegria.” The latter of the three won the silver moon person for best Latin for her single “Mil Veces.”
Anitta accepts the Best Latin award for “Mil Veces” onstage at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards held at UBS Arena on Sept. 11, 2024 in in Elmont, New York.
Christopher Polk