Rosalia is seen in SoHo on June 16, 2026 in New York City. Credit: TheStewartofNY/GC Images
TheStewartofNY/GC Images
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final halftime show did exactly what FIFA hoped and exactly what soccer purists feared: It turned the most sacred match in the sport into an 11-and-a-half-minute pop fever dream.
Staged Sunday (July 19) at New York New Jersey Stadium (the rebranded MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey) during the Spain-Argentina final, the first-ever halftime spectacle in the championship match moved with the logic of a playlist on shuffle and the pace of a caffeine rush, squeezing Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, a children’s chorus, the Muppets, Coldplay’s Chris Martiin, and a sky full of colorful fireworks into a blink-and-you-missed-it production that still somehow felt gigantic. If the challenge was making every second count, the show’s greatest success was understanding that subtlety had no place here.
Madonna kicked things off in gloriously extra fashion, rolling in with DJ Stuart Price behind her while Brazilian legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho appeared in a jeep with a license plate that read “Maestro,” because of course they did. From there, the show lurched — thrillingly, and at times hilariously — into Gustavo Dudamel leading players from the New York Philharmonic and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela through a dramatic take on The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” complete with flags, strings, color and Muppets in the mix.
BTS followed in matching red, motorcycle-inspired looks for a turbocharged “Dynamite,” before Jason Sudeikis, slipping back into Ted Lasso mode, introduced a notably subdued Justin Bieber for an acoustic “Everything Hallelujah.”
Then came the halftime show’s most natural stadium-pop peak: Shakira and Burna Boy tearing into the Billboard Global 200 chart-topper “Dai Dai,” backed by Ghetto Kids dancing. By the time the PS22 Chorus, Chris Martin, Kermit, Miss Piggy and the rest of the cast closed on a giant “LOVE” tableau with fireworks overhead, the whole thing felt slightly unhinged, deeply overstuffed and undeniably memorable.
Here are the biggest highlights from each performance.
On Friday night (July 17), Grupo Firme delivered the first of two performances at the GNP Seguros Stadium in Mexico City, setting a new record for a regional Mexican artist at the iconic venue (formerly known as Foro Sol). The popular Tijuana-based group, which already held the record with nine concerts, will increase their total on Saturday night (July 18) to 11 performances since their first appearance there on March 24, 2022.
The two shows are part of La Última Peda Tour, a successful trek spanning Mexico, Central America and South America, with stops in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and Costa Rica. In May 2025, Grupo Firme was forced to cancel a performance at La Onda Fest in Napa Valley, California, due to the visas of its members and the promoter’s team being under “administrative process” at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, as they announced at the time.
“Faced with a lack of visas to go to the U.S., we explored other possibilities and the result has been magnificent — sold-out shows wherever we’ve performed,” the band’s manager, Isael Gutiérrez, tells Billboard Español, adding that they still haven’t received an update about their visas.
With 13 No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart — including “El Amor de su Vida” with Grupo Frontera, “El Beneficio de la Duda” and their most recent hit “Cabrón y Medio,” their first recorded with mariachi — Grupo Firme is preparing to expand into Europe, with their first visit to Spain scheduled for September. There they have four dates planned, in Valencia, Málaga, Madrid and Barcelona.
“In Spain, we’ve already sold 80% of the tickets two months before we arrive there. We are thrilled with the love people are showing us,” Gutiérrez adds, excited about the success of what initially started as an alternate strategy due to their inability to return to the United States.
On Friday, at the GNP Seguros Stadium, amidst multicolored lights and a spectacular entrance by lead vocalist Eduin Caz, the concert began with songs from their early years, such as “El Amor No Fue Pa’ Mí” from 2019. With a setlist of around 45 songs, dancers and eye-catching outfits inspired by Aztec royalty to highlight Mexican culture, the night was filled with unforgettable moments.
And special guests were also part of the show. Moy Bobadilla, a young singer being supported by the group, was the first to hit the stage. Later, established stars from the Sinaloan banda scene, such as Luis Alfonso Partida “El Yaki,” Luis Ángel “El Flaco” and Joss Favela, joined the group to perform their collaborations. In an unexpected moment, Los Ángeles de Charly — a band that rose to fame in the early 2000s with their romantic cumbias — took the stage. And Caz, a fan of their music, surprised the audience by performing in this genre.
Here are five of the most memorable moments from the night.
From career milestones to new 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.
Shakira Honors World Cup Workers, Venezuela Relief Volunteers, and Colombian Small Businesses in NYC
Shakira is turning her upcoming Brooklyn concert into a celebration of the people who have been showing up for others. Ahead of her Tuesday (July 21) show, the Colombian superstar gifted tickets to three groups of New Yorkers: volunteers at Lulla’s supporting earthquake relief efforts in Venezuela, union workers whose labor helped make the World Cup possible, and Colombian restaurant owners who participated in the city’s $26 World Cup dining special launched by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
“So much of what made this World Cup special is the work that most fans never see: the thousands of hotel rooms kept clean, all of the stadiums that worked so smoothly,” Shakira says in a statement shared exclusively with Billboard. “I wanted to show my gratitude for the people of New York City who made this incredible experience possible. Thank you for all of your hard work; you are the true she-wolves and it will be an honor to have you with me!”
“Union workers, so many of them women, who are making this World Cup possible, volunteers supporting Venezuela relief, and Colombian restaurateurs who opened their doors for the community are the heart of this city,” adds New York World Cup Czar Maya Handa. “For Shakira to give them a night to simply feel joy is a beautiful gesture, and exactly the spirit we want this World Cup to carry.”
Among those honored is NYHTC member Biviana Pereira Leiva, who said being recognized by the Colombian star felt especially meaningful. “I came to NYC from Barranquilla, Colombia, 10 years ago, and today I am a proud union member and room attendant at a Manhattan hotel,” she shares. Queens-based 32BJ member Sandra Leiton also praises Shakira’s resilience, saying immigrant women identify with her strength and the way she represents Colombia while recognizing “hardworking women and fighters like herself.”
Ximena Sariñana to Receive Hispanic Heritage Award for Music
Ximena Sariñana is set to receive the award for music at the 39th annual Hispanic Heritage Awards on Sept. 10 at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. The recognition, announced on Thursday (July 16), honors the Mexican singer-songwriter’s more than two decades of work across music, activism, and film and comes as the awards ceremony moves out of Washington, D.C., for the first time.
“I’m truly honored to receive this recognition from the Hispanic Heritage Foundation,” Sariñana says in a statement. “I accept this honor with immense gratitude and as a reminder of the responsibility we all have to continue creating, uplifting one another, and celebrating the richness of our Hispanic community.” Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, adds, “Ximena is an embodiment of the leadership [that] our community and the world needs.” With a career that spans landmark albums such as Mediocre (2008 and Existencia Kamikaze (2025), the honor marks another major milestone for the Guadalajara star.
Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation Launches Fifth Leading Ladies Mentorship Program
The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation announced on Wednesday (July 15) the launch of its fifth annual Leading Ladies of Entertainment Mentorship Program and Virtual Panel, continuing its mission to expand access and inspire the next generation of women in music and entertainment. Presented in partnership with Open Society Foundations, the initiative offers aspiring women in the industry three months of one-on-one mentorship from past Leading Ladies honorees and other trailblazing professionals, while also opening the conversation up to a broader audience through a new virtual panel hosted by Dayanara Torres.
“Since the launch of the Leading Ladies of Entertainment Mentorship Program in 2021, we have seen a significant increase in the number of young women pursuing careers in the music and entertainment industries who are seeking mentorship and guidance,” says executive director Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza in a statement. This year’s mentors include Lila Downs, Goyo, Leslie Grace, Angie Martínez, Dayanara Torres, Diana Rodríguez, Mónica Vélez and more.
BelicoFest’s Los Angeles Debut Draws 17,500 Fans
BelicoFest made its L.A. debut in a big way this past weekend (July 11), drawing more than 17,500 fans to BMO Stadium for a one-day celebration of música mexicana headlined by Tito Double P. The lineup also featured Gerardo Ortiz, Santa Fe Klan, Régulo Caro, Chuyin, Snow Tha Product, and Clave Especial, with OhGeesy delivering one of the night’s biggest surprises by bringing out Ty Dolla $ign and YG during his set.
The festival’s first L.A. edition underscored just how dominant música mexicana has become in one of its most important U.S. hubs. According to the release, this year’s BelicoFest lineup collectively reaches nearly 38 million monthly listeners on Spotify and has generated more than 10.2 billion streams over the past 12 months. With Los Angeles alone accounting for more than 74 million streams across the lineup, the event marked another major live milestone for a genre that continues to grow globally.
Becky G Helps Communities in Mexico
In a new humanitarian effort, Becky G has partnered with Patrón and Mexican non-profit Isla Urbana for the launch of its Rainwater Project Limited-Edition PATRÓN Silver bottle.
Beyond a collectible bottle designed by the Mexican-American superstar herself, the initiative will fund the installation of 200 rainwater harvesting systems for households in Jalisco — the hometown of Becky’s four grandparents. This system will collect and store rainfall for everyday use, such as washing, bathing, cleaning, and watering plants, creating a more reliable source of water across various communities.
“Clean water isn’t a given for everyone in Jalisco — for many households, it isn’t something that just flows from the tap, but something you carry, store, and ration,” Becky G says in a press statement. “If you have a platform, you use it to lift others up, and I’m proud to do that alongside Patrón and Isla Urbana. I hope it inspires people to not take something as essential as water for granted.” For more information on this initiative, click here. — JESSICA ROIZ
Tainy Reps Latin Music Star Power to The Odyssey Premiere
Tainy represented Latin music at the U.S. premiere of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey in New York at AMC Lincoln Square on Tuesday (July 14). The Puerto Rican GRAMMY-winning producer — widely recognized as one of the key creative forces behind modern reggaetón — shared photos from the event on Instagram, giving fans a glimpse of his red carpet moment at one of the summer’s biggest film premieres.
Rosalía’s balletcore look already had fashion writers clocking the return of tutu-and-slipper dressing in June. Now, new data from JD Sports suggests the aesthetic may also be aligning with fresh attention toward one of the summer’s more talked-about footwear hybrids: the “sneakerina.”
The retailer tells Billboard that Google searches in Spain for Adidas’ Taekwondo Mei — one of the styles most closely associated with the trend — rose 252% over the last month, while demand for the shoe on its website increased 275%. JD also says global Google searches for “balletcore” climbed 154% over the same period, pointing to the wider return of the ballet-inspired aesthetic in 2026.
“The ‘sneakerina’ trend is redefining summer footwear by combining the comfort and practicality of sneakers with the delicate elegance of ballet flats,” Giuseppe Scardaccione, digital trade lead for Southern Europe at JD Sports, tells Billboard. “With the resurgence of the ‘balletcore’ aesthetic, which this summer has once again brought style icons like Rosalía to the forefront of the trend, this hybrid silhouette has quickly become a favorite in the fashion world, offering a natural balance between femininity and functionality. From Mary Jane-inspired sneakers to low-profile silhouettes, ‘sneakerinas’ reflect a broader shift toward footwear that is both versatile and stylish.”
Rosalía has become one of the celebrity figures most closely tied to that resurgence. In June, the Spanish star was spotted in SoHo in a punk-inspired ballet look that paired a pale-pink tutu with a plunging tan bodysuit layered over a black lace bralette, plus a rocker-studded belt and stacked black platform pumps. Styled by Jose Carayol, the outfit channeled the ballet references that have run through her 2026 Lux tour wardrobe onstage and off.
Scardaccione continued: “As the trend continues to evolve through new interpretations and innovative designs, the result is a fashion-forward shoe that effortlessly elevates any outfit, cementing its status as one of this summer’s ultimate it-girl essentials.”
The hybrid style has been building for some time. Marie Claire reported in May 2025 that global searches for “ballet sneakers” rose 1,300% in the past quarter, citing Lyst’s Q1 2025 Index, suggesting the category had already been gaining traction. Since then, brands like Puma’s Speedcat Ballet, Louis Vuitton’s Sneakerina and Vivaia’s Satin Sneakerina have kept the silhouette in rotation with their own takes.
That helps explain why the current moment feels bigger than one breakout pair. Balletcore itself is not new, but this latest iteration has returned in a way that feels less costume-like and more wearable, with slimmer footwear silhouettes becoming an easy point of entry. Whether “sneakerina” ends up being the lasting name for the trend or not, the shape has clearly moved into the center of the summer style conversation.
Intocable officially received its own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in the category of recording, on Thursday (July 16).
Honored with the 2,852nd star located at 7083 Hollywood Boulevard, the Texas-based group was honored with a 30-minute ceremony that included the presence of Latin hitmaker Edgar Barrera; Nir Seroussi, president of Interscope Capitol Miami; and longtime journalist Jessica Maldonado as the event’s MC.
“[They are] true icons of Mexican-American identity and pioneers of modern Mexican music, transcending generations and borders,” Maldonado said. “We are a community of immigrants, and your success represents all those Latinos.”
“They didn’t just build a legacy, they showed the world what música Mexicana could be. Today, so many of those artists are standing on the path that Intocable created,” Seroussi expressed.
Meanwhile, Barrera shared a sweet anecdote, recalling the time he became a fan of Intocable in his teen years — now, they are his personal friends. He also talked about how they inspired him to be proud of his “border town” identity. “I want you to know how important you are to the new generations, and how you have guided us and opened doors for us,” he told the group.
Formed in Zapata in the early 1990s by Ricky Muñoz, René Martínez, Sergio Serna, Johnny Lee Rosas, Alex Gulmar and Felix Salinas, Intocable blends Tejano, Norteño, pop, rock and cumbia music. The group has sold an estimated 55 million albums, has 15 No. 1s on Billboard’s Top Regional Mexican Albums chart and 21 No. 1s on Regional Mexican Airplay. They are Grammy, Latin Grammy and Billboard Music Award winners.
Last month the group, in the midst of its Cultura Tour, partnered with Primary Wave Music in a deal covering the band’s catalog as well as its name, image and likeness rights.
“Thank you for this experience and for putting us here,” Muñoz said in the short-and-sweet speech, where he thanked family members, the group’s hard-working team, and its loyal fans. “Oh, and the most important ones…our composers, who give us their songs and their works, because everything begins with a song.”
Watch the complete ceremony below.
Reservoir Media has acquired independent label Nacional Records and the publishing assets of its sister company, Canciones Nacionales, Billboard can exclusively announce Thursday (July 16). The new deal also includes a joint venture to sign and develop recording artists and songwriters.
“Over the last two decades, Nacional has cemented itself as one of the most influential independent music companies in the Latin market, with an incredible catalog and exceptional talent,” Reservoir president and COO Rell Lafargue said in a statement. “We’ve been deliberate about expanding Reservoir’s presence in Latin music, and this partnership is a transformational step in that strategy.”
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Lafargue added, “It strengthens both our recorded music and publishing businesses while positioning us to invest in the next generation of Latin artists and songwriters. We’re proud to welcome Nacional to Reservoir and continue building on its remarkable legacy.”
Tomas Cookman, who founded Nacional in Los Angeles in 2005, stated: “I have long been a fan of what Golnar [Khosrowshahi] and Rell have built at Reservoir. We initially met a few years ago and developed a mutual respect for each other’s work — until it became obvious that we should now build together. I feel we share the same work ethic and, equally as important, a love of music and the industry that supports it. I look forward to what comes next for our current and future artists and writers. We look forward to working together to expand the Reservoir footprint in Latin music and culture.”
Founded by Khosrowshahi, Reservoir is an independent music company based in New York City with offices in Los Angeles, Nashville, Toronto, London, Abu Dhabi and Mumbai. The company, which is publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the ticker RSVR, represents copyrights and master recordings dating back as far as 1900 and has been recognized as one of the leading independent music companies in the business.
Cookman built Nacional into a key force in Latin alternative and independent music. Over the years, its roster and catalog have included artists such as Ana Tijoux, Nortec Collective, Bomba Estéreo, Tom Tom Club, El Mató a un Policía Motorizado, Aterciopelados, DJ Bitman, YADAM, La Vida Bohème, Jungle Fire, Cheo, Manu Chao, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Jarabe de Palo and Los Amigos Invisibles.
The label earned its first Latin Grammy for best alternative album in 2007 for Aterciopelados’ Oye; according to the company, it has since amassed more than 100 Grammy and Latin Grammy wins and nominations across its catalog. Its music has also been featured extensively in film, TV, gaming and advertising. Beyond the label and publishing company, Nacional is also tied to the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC), founded by Cookman and considered one of the premier networking and showcase events for Latin music in the U.S. This year’s annual edition is set to take place from July 28 to Aug. 1 in New York.
Karol G’s got a few pranks up her sleeve — and sometimes her friends are the target.
The Grammy winner was part of Elle’s “Phoning It In” series, in which guest celebrities prank-call friends and family while listening to their reactions on speaker.
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Karol G Creates Tropicoqueta-Themed Cocktail for Her TropiTour & More Uplifting Moments in Latin Music
“I’m a huge pranker. I’m always pranking my team. They suffer a lot,” she admitted at the beginning of the episode, during which she called three people: her manager, Raymond Acosta; her friend and guest on the upcoming Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour, Becky G; and her best friend, Daiky Gamboa, to whom she said she was postponing the tour to go “find love” on a TV show.
“I had the most random thing happen to me. Apparently, the team here is moving the whole tour around because something came up that’s supposedly 10 times better — me going on Love Island,” she said to Gamboa, who replied, “What are you talking about?”
Karol went on to explain that “There’s a show called Love Island,” and “it’s supposedly a show to find love.”
Gamboa interrupted by asking, “Wait, are you serious, or are you joking?”
The Colombian artist confirmed, “I’m serious. Noah called me to tell me this was literally the coolest thing ever and that it would take my career to the next level.”
Gamboa then tells her she is too famous for the hit reality show. “No celebrity I know — at your level, anyway — has ever done anything like that. Ever,” he said.
“I’m calling you because you’re the one who always knows that whole celebrity world and everything, and I wanted you to tell me, because I’m really nervous and stressed,” Karol replied.
“That’s a reality show like La Casa de los Famosos,” he replied, at which point Karol can be seen holding back a laugh. “No, no, no, no. I can’t even…I’m honestly in shock that they’re proposing that to you. I swear, I’m in shock.”
“No, but I said yes,” Karol replied in an anguished tone.
“Are you kidding me or what?” Gamboa inquired, making Karol break character and burst out laughing as she admitted it was a joke.
“You got me, stupid,” he said.
Karol is gearing up for the world tour, which is set to kick off July 24 in Chicago. On Tuesday (July 13), Venezuelan singer Elena Rose, Colombian singer Greeicy and Becky G announced that they will be opening guests for the artist on select dates of the U.S. leg of the 63-stadium run.
Tropicoqueta, Karol G’s fifth studio album, hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart and No. 3 on the all-genre Billboard 200 following its release.
Upon the album’s debut, La Bichota shattered the record for a female artist by landing 20 simultaneous songs on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs Chart. Of those 20 concurrent hits, 18 were brand-new debuts from the album.
Elena Rose is currently on the European leg of her Alma tour, but next week she’s back in the States, where she will join Karol G as the opening act of the Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour.
The Venezuelan artist will join Karol on select U.S. dates of the upcoming tour, officially announced today (July 14) by the Colombian superstar, a longtime friend and collaborator of Rose’s.
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“It was super organic. Karol invited us, and for me it was something super beautiful,” Rose tells Billboard. says Rose, who spoke to Billboard exclusively about joining the tour. “I think we already have several years of a valuable friendship where obviously we both have very hectic lives, but we always find a moment to hug each other, to ask each other how we are doing.”
Rose will be La Bichota’s first guest on 10 U.S. stadium dates, which will kick off in Chicago with two shows on July 24 & 25. Following the announcement, she shared the news with fans in an Instagram video, expressing her excitement about joining Karol on tour.
In the clip, the singer is sitting backstage at a concert, wearing an LED mask, when Karol calls her. “Hi Mami. How beautiful, what you did at Coachella. You crushed it. Tell me how I can be useful,” Rose says when picking up the call. The artist proceeds to take off her mask while asking what cities she would be joining Karol on. After naming all 10 stops, one by one, she says on the phone, “I’m down, babe; let me grab my wings, and I’ll see you there. Kisses.”
Rose spent years writing some of Latin music’s major hits, including Bad Bunny & Rauw Alejandro’s “Party” and Karol & Becky G’s “MAMIII,” with the latter star also set to join Karol on 10 other tour dates and Colombia singer Greeicy joining for three.
In 2024, Rose released her debut EP En las Nubes — Con Mis Panas (In the Clouds — With My Pals), with the hit “Orión” peaking at No. 2 on the Latin Pop Airplay chart and climbing to No. 15 on the overall Latin Airplay chart. Following her breakout project, she released second EP Bendito Verano in 2025 and third EP No Quiero Que Se Acabe Este Bendito Verano in 2026. The latter made Billboard’s 26 Best Latin Albums of 2026 So Far list.
Rose, who is currently at the home stretch of her Alma tour, which kicked off in the U.S. in late 2025, with stops in nine cities — and a total of 11 stops in Europe — will make her way back to the United States after her final stop of the tour in Paris, on July 21.
She is set to join Karol on the first night of the tour kickoff next Saturday.
“I feel like I’m going on tour with a friend and that I’m going to be able to not only celebrate her a lot — which I was already doing anyway, when they announced her tour, I even wrote to her like, ‘Girl, congratulations’ — but going with her now too,” says Rose. “These are learning experiences; these are giant productions that we have never done in that way. And although every stage for me is always a stadium, and I give all my love, now I am literally going to be there with her in this way.”
Other cities and dates where Rose will be a guest performer are Las Vegas (Aug. 7), Los Angeles (Aug. 14), Boston (Sept. 12), New York (Sept. 17), Atlanta (Sept. 24), Miami (Oct. 2), Tampa (Oct. 9) and Dallas (Oct. 15).
From career milestones to new 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.
Karol G gives TropiTour fans a new way to toast
Karol G is giving fans another way to step into the world of her Viajando Por El Mundo TropiTour. On Thursday (July 9), the Colombian superstar and 200 Copas by Casa Dragones unveiled the Chellita Sunrise as the official cocktail of the tour, designed as a sensory extension of its tropical, colorful energy. Inspired by the macaw — “a powerful symbol of Latin America’s cultural richness and the vibrant tropical bird featured in the tour’s logo,” says the press release — the drink will be featured in VIP lounges, select afterparties and Casa Dragones activations throughout the run.
The launch also comes with the Chellita Challenge, a social media contest inviting U.S.-based fans of legal drinking age to recreate the cocktail and dedicate a toast to someone special for a chance to win tickets to the tour. Rooted in the same spirit as Karol’s corridos hit “200 Copas,” the initiative extends the TropiTour universe beyond the stage and into something fans can quite literally raise a glass to.
Karol G. Courtesy of Casa Dragones
‘Todos por Venezuela’ Mediathon Unites Artists for Earthquake Relief
A new media effort is rallying support for Venezuela. On Saturday (July 11), the “Todos por Venezuela” Mediathon will bring together artists, journalists, TV personalities, athletes, community leaders and volunteers for a 14-hour live broadcast from Mega TV’s studios in Miami, all aimed at raising humanitarian aid for communities affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. The initiative, created by UNO Productions founder Luis Medina, will air on La Música TV on Roku from 10 a.m. to midnight ET, with Mega TV joining from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET, while SBS Radio and AIRE Radio Networks support the campaign throughout the day.
“What started as a simple idea quickly became a reality thanks to the generosity of incredible partners who believed in this mission,” Medina said in a statement. “I want to express my sincere gratitude to Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) for opening the doors of its national media platforms and becoming the exclusive broadcast and promotional partner of this humanitarian initiative.” The televised fundraiser will support All For Venezuela and Help For Venezuela Foundation (HEVENF), helping provide medical supplies, medicines, hospital equipment and other essential aid. The star-studded effort will feature appearances from Daniel Sarcos, Alicia Machado, Luis Enrique, José Luis Rodríguez “El Puma,” Karina, C4 Trío, Rodner Figueroa and more, while also launching “Hands & Hope – Sanaré,” an original UNO Productions song created as a tribute to the resilience of the Venezuelan people.
Shakira Surpasses Taylor Swift on Spotify
Shakira continues to break global streaming barriers. According to a press release, the Colombian superstar has surpassed Taylor Swift to become the sixth-most-streamed artist in the world on Spotify, with more than 101.8 million monthly listeners. The milestone comes amid the worldwide success of “Dai Dai,” her FIFA World Cup anthem with Burna Boy, and just ahead of her scheduled performance at the FIFA World Cup Final halftime show on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in Rutherford, New Jersey.
Shakira. Credit: Chris Cornejo
Fabiola Roudha becomes South Korea’s FOR:REST LIVE’s first Latin performer
Guatemalan soul-bolero singer, and Billboard‘s On The Radar Latin alum, Fabiola Roudha has become the first non-Asian artist invited to FOR:REST LIVE, the South Korean live-session platform that has previously featured only Korean and K-pop acts such as SUPER JUNIOR’s Ryeowook, 2AM’s Jo Kwon, Younha and Heize. The session premiered Wednesday (July 8) on FOR:REST LIVE and Roudha’s YouTube channels.
The recognition builds on a relationship Roudha has steadily developed in the country in recent years, including appearances at Seoul Music Week and the Taehwariver Jazz Festival in Ulsan. Her FOR:REST LIVE set also offers an exclusive preview of music from her upcoming project, further signaling her international expansion as she also gears up for her first Canadian tour. Watch the performance below.
Andy García to Receive Imagen Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award
Andy García is set to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 41st annual Imagen Awards on Aug. 21 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. The celebrated Cuban actor, filmmaker, musician and producer is being honored for a four-decade career defined by iconic performances and a lasting commitment to authentic Latino representation in entertainment.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award from the Imagen Foundation, an organization that has championed Latino talent and authentic representation for more than forty years,” said García in a statement. “This award is especially meaningful because it celebrates not only my career, but also the many artists, mentors, and audiences who have been part of it and who have inspired me. Our shared Hispanic culture is home to many important and inspiring stories that reflect the richness of our identity and our contributions to the world.”
Andy García. Credit: Greg Gorman
Greg Gorman
Benny Blanco is giving Spanish-language music a beautiful new meaning with his next project.
The producer, who is set to release his forthcoming album Hermoso (Gorgeous) on Aug. 14, is letting fans take a look at what it’s all about. On Friday (June 11), the artist released “Joven y Salvaje” (young and wild), a song he produced to accompany the vocals of Spanish rapper Bb trickz.
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Its rhythmic foundation relies on a simple, repeating melodic structure, paired with a house-inspired beat. Within the track, Trickz delivers verses that capture the rebelliousness and occasional recklessness of youth. “Young and wild/ I haven’t slept, and it’s a Tuesday/ A stoley is in the garage/ I smoke zaza; I’m on Mars,” the rapper says in Spanish.
The music video of the song was also released on YouTube. Directed by Jake Schreier, the clip shows the artist — who previously appeared on Charli XCX’s Brat remix album — moving through a plain, white, minimalist space before getting dressed in racing gear, including a protective jumpsuit, a face cover, gloves, and a helmet. Once she finishes getting dressed, the room explodes with aggressive bursts of fireworks erupting.
Hermoso will be Blanco’s fourth studio album. In 2018, he released his debut project, Friends Keep Secrets. In 2021, he dropped Friends Keep Secrets 2, which expanded on his first album. In 2025, the producer, along with singer and wife Selena Gomez, released a joint project titled I Said I Love You First, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.