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:
Nicki Nicole Launched New Swag
Argentine trap singer Nicki Nicole has teamed up with Spanish clothing company Pull&Bear for a limited-edition capsule collection. Including edgy sweatshirts, dresses, crop tops, and many more must-have trends, the collection is part of Sicko19, the remake of a pre-existing Pull&Bear line that’s been reinterpreted and digitized. The capsule collection is already available at select stores and on Pullandbear.com.
Nicki Nicole is confirmed to speak at the 2020 Billboard Latin Music Week as part of its two-part On The Rise panels taking place virtually from Oct. 20-23. For more information and to RSVP, click here.
A Special Recognition for Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin, along with Dr. Anthony Fauci, Opal Tometi, Amazonian Chief Raoni Metukire, and Vint Cerf, will be recognized at the first annual International Peace Honors (IPH) later this year. Created by the renowned non-profit organization PeaceTech Lab, the inaugural IPH will honor some of the most outstanding global leaders and change-agents of our time, who have determinedly championed a fundamental social cause. The International Peace Honors event will be hosted virtually at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, Dec. 6. More information will be announced in the coming weeks.
New Reality Show Alert: Latin Music Queens
Thalia recruited Colombian rapper Farina and Mexican pop star Sofia Reyes for the new reality series Latin Music Queens, available now on Facebook Watch. The premiere episode called “A Queen with a Machete” documents how all three artists connected and were out on a mission of female empowerment in a male-dominated industry. “A few years ago, if you opened the Latin charts, you didn’t see a woman,” Thalia said in the series. “It was just guys, and I thought it was the time to bring together those women that are changing that.”
The next episode, called “I’m Not a Hot Tamale,” will air at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1 on Thalia’s Facebook page. Latin Music Queens is produced by The Mottola Company Inc. with Tommy Mottola serving as executive producer. Thalía, Tara Long, Mark Herwick, Alex Gallardo, Afo Verde, Alex Davies, Melissa Bidwell, eOne, and Sony Music Latin, are also executive producers. Watch the first episode below:
Tiago PZK Inks Management Deal
Earlier this week, Move Management, together with MAD MEDIA, announced the worldwide co-management of up-and-coming Argentinean freestyler Tiago PZK (real name: Tiago Uriel Pacheco). Ranging from trap to sultry ballads, the 19-year-old artist is known for his versatility in composing. In his heartfelt single “Sola,” which has garnered over 12 million views since its release in July, Tiago tells the personal story of his father being abusive to his mother. For addressing these social injustices in his music, the United Nations asked Tiago to form part of a campaign that addresses issues on domestic violence and women’s abuse.
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Pitbull Donates Tablets to U.S. Schools
Pitbull has partnered with Univision, and Academica to provide tablets to students in public and charter schools in predominantly Hispanic communities across the U.S., Billboard has learned this week. One thousand Amazon Fire tablets were distributed to 18 schools nationwide including Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and Miami, to name a few.
“It’s an honor to join forces with Univision, Academica, and SLAM to make sure we are supporting the next generations by investing in their education,” Pitbull, real name Armando Perez, said in an official statement. “We have to keep moving forward despite how tough it gets out there, and a good education is the best way to achieve this. These students are the future of our country, the world, and it’s an honor for me to be a part of this essential initiative.”
