Billboard’s Latin Music Week took place this week, celebrating its 30th anniversary as the longest-running and biggest Latin music industry event featuring intimate artist conversations, industry panels, workshops and performances. Some of the highlights of the first-ever virtual conference and showcases included various superstar Q&A’s between Jennifer Lopez and Maluma, Rosalia and Pharrell Williams, and Anuel AA and Jamie Foxx, to name a few. Artists such as Camilo, Guaynaa and Natalia Jimenez sang some of their biggest hits as part of the showcases, and Rebeca Leon was awarded Billboard’s Latin Power Player executive of the year title. For more highlights, click the link below.
Billboard Latin Music Awards
The 2020 Billboard Latin Music Awards aired live on Wednesday (Oct. 21) from the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla., with artists Daddy Yankee and Bad Bunny becoming the big winners of the night with seven awards each. Among big wins and memorable performances, including a heartfelt tribute to Mexican icon Armando Manzanero by Reik, Joy from Jesse & Joy, Luis Fonsi, and Pablo Alboran, Billboard caught all the action behind-the-scenes. On the socially-distanced red carpet, we caught up with a wave of artists such as Sech, Jessie Reyez, Black Eyed Peas, and many more, who opened up about important social issues including the upcoming presidential elections and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Ozuna on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Just four days after dropping his hip-shaking collab with Doja Cat and Sia, Ozuna debuted his single “Del Mar” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! The Puerto Rican artist was joined by Doja and a live band onstage. Similar to the Atlantis-inspired music video released on Oct.16, Doja is seen channeling her inner-mermaid with a tight-fitting outfit decorated with seashells. The set, with blue and white hues, reflects the ocean. This week, Ozuna also performed at the 2020 Billboard Latin Music Awards.
Latin Grammys Performers
Earlier this week, the Latin Recording Academy unveiled the first wave of performers for the 2020 Latin Grammys that includes Bad Bunny, Pedro Capó, Alejandro Fernández, Karol G, Kany García, Los Tigres del Norte, Christian Nodal and Fito Paéz, in addition to 2016 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, Marc Anthony and best new artist nominee Nathy Peluso. The 21st annual ceremony, led by 12-time nominee J Balvin, returns with a “music makes us human” theme, highlighting musical excellence and the power of music in times of despair. The event will also showcase diverse stories of hope, community, sense of purpose and celebration. Hosted by Carlos Rivera and Roselyn Sanchez, the 2020 Latin Grammys will air at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Thursday, Nov. 19, via Univision. The star-studded event will be preceded by the one-hour pre-show “Noche de Estrellas,” held virtually in Miami, where the majority of the categories will be awarded.
J Balvin makes Fortnite history
This week, J Balvin was announced headliner for Fortnite’s annual, game-wide “Fortnitemares” event, which includes new gameplay, challenges, in-game rewards, and more, with an exclusive performance taking place on Halloween. During his set, the Colombian artist will be joined by Sech to perform their new song “La Luz.” Balvin will perform at 9 p.m. ET on Oct. 31 during the “Afterlife Party” inside Party Royale and airing simultaneously on Houseparty. “Grateful to be the first Spanish-language artist to headline this year’s Fortnitemares event at the Afterlife Party alongside @sechmusic to present our new single “La Luz,” he expressed on social media.
