From career milestones and new music releases to major announcements and more, Billboard editors highlight the latest news buzz in Latin music every week. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week:
Ricardo Montaner – Ambassador for Peace
Singer-songwriter and humanitarian Ricardo Montaner will be appointed as an ambassador for peace by PeaceTech Lab (PTL) — established by the United States Institute of Peace — for his commitment to social impact and support of the PTL’s peace-building mission. He will be recognized during the inaugural International Peace Honors set to take place Dec. 6. “All my life I have tried to make use of my music and my work as a tool to deliver messages of unity, peace and love,” Montaner said. “I am humbled by this distinction; I see it as a renewal of my commitment to continue using my platforms and networks to serve this mission of transforming, building and impacting in favor of a safer and more peaceful world for all.”
Other honorees include Black Lives Matter co-founder Opal Tometi, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci and Ricky Martin, among others.
Latin Grammy Premiere
The Latin Recording Academy announced performers and presenters for its Latin Grammys Premiere, where the majority of the Latin Grammys are awarded. Debuting exclusively on Facebook, the event will also feature a new Brazilian edition to honor all Portuguese language categories. Hosted by actress and singer Jackie Cruz, the event will kick off with performances by nominees Gina Chavez, Naike Ponce and Daniel Santacruz. Presenters will include nominees Lupita Infante and Gaby Moreno.
The Latin Grammy Premiere will be live streamed Nov. 19 on Facebook via the Latin Grammys page at 3pm ET.
“Celebremos: Eterna Navidad”
Colombian superstar Juanes and his wife Karen Martínez are set to host a star-studded Christmas special that will stream only on Pantaya. Titled Celebremos: Eterna Navidad, the musical event — produced by streaming service Lionsgate’s Pantaya, Universal Music Group, Elefantec Global and Plataforma — will feature performances by Alejandro Fernández, Danna Paola, Gloria Trevi and Los Tigres del Norte, among many others.
Celebremos: Eterna Navidad premieres Dec. 4 on Pantaya and can be streamed across the U.S., including Puerto Rico.
Bad Bunny on Narcos
Bad Bunny is set to make his acting debut on season three of Netflix’s cartel drama series, Narcos. Bad Bunny will play the role of Arturo “Kitty” Paez, a member of Ramon Arellano Felix’s gang called the “Narco Juniors,” who are described as rich, well connected kids from upper society who fell in with the cartel life for the money, drugs and violence.
Read all about the forthcoming new season here.
Honoring Nurses on Thanksgiving
Gloria Estefan, Maluma, Black Eyed Peas, among others are set to perform during a star-studded benefit virtual concert on Thanksgiving honoring nurses. Nurse Heroes announced that the concert called Nurse Heroes Live will stream on the organization’s YouTube and Facebook along with LiveXLive on Nov. 26 at 7pm ET. The benefit will provide money for a variety of programs including scholarships for nurses and their children.
Other performers include Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Pitbull, The Wailers, Carole King and Andrea Bocelli.
