K MUSIC
Mexican music star Luis R. Conriquez has returned to his roots with Muchacho Alegre, his 12th studio album, leaving behind the corridos bélicos that made him famous in favor of the tumbado sounds.
In this new 16-track production, released Friday (July 10) under K Music, the Sonoran artist pays homage to the young dreamer who, through determination, climbed to the top and became one of the most followed figures of his generation. For this, he invited colleagues like Netón Vega, Peso Pluma, Óscar Maydon, Joel de la P, Tito Double P, Grupo Frontera, Fuerza Regida and Puerto Rican urban star Anuel AA, who adapted very well to the regional genre.
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The LP — filled with the sounds of guitars, trumpets and charchetas — opens with the title track, where Conriquez narrates his journey to success. Among other standout tracks are “Qué Gacho” with Netón Vega, “Rosita” with Gabito Ballesteros, “Bandida” with Peso Pluma, a tribute to successful women titled “Salma Hayek,” alongside Grupo Frontera, and solo songs like “Al Chile Pega,” which tackles heartbreak with special nostalgia.
“It took me a year and a half to complete this album because, for the first time, I focused on personally selecting the songs and being fully involved in the production,” Conriquez tells Billboard Español. “We created lyrics and sounds reminiscent of how we started in regional Mexican music. Plus, the collaborations are with people who are very important to me — we’re very close and always support each other.”
Alongside the release of his new album, the performer of hits like “Si No Quieres No,” “Chula Vente” and “Súper Snake” is preparing for his first European tour. The trek kicks off on Sept. 24 in Madrid and includes stops in Barcelona, Bilbao, Berlin and Paris, before wrapping up on Oct. 4 in Amsterdam. “I’m very happy and excited to bring my music to the other side of the world,” he adds.
Below, Conriquez breaks down five essential tracks from Muchacho Alegre. To listen to the full album, click here.
Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic have announced a special benefit concert to raise funds to help the affected communities by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela.
Dubbed “A Concert for Venezuela,” the event will take place Aug. 23 at the Hollywood Bowl and feature full programing with special guests to be revealed soon.
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“Venezuela will always be my home, and every moment, my thoughts are with the families whose lives have been forever changed by this tragedy,” the renowned Venezuelan-born conductor said in a statement. “The suffering is immense, but so is the strength and resilience of our people. This concert at the Hollywood Bowl is an invitation to stand together and transform our compassion into action.”
The forthcoming concert is in response to the devastating twin earthquakes—magnitude 7.2 and 7.5—that struck the South American country on June 24, causing the collapse of multiple buildings in La Guaira and Caracas, leaving more than 3,000 dead and over 17,000 homeless, at time of publishing, according to Reuters.
Donations raised by “A Concert for Venezuela” — which will also mark Dudamel’s last performance as Music & Artistic Director of the LA Phil — will go to his Earthquake Recovery to Support Venezuelan Communities fund, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) fund.
“Through our partnerships, we can help ensure that urgent humanitarian aid reaches those who need it most, while at the same time working towards long-term recovery efforts,” Dudamel noted. “Every person who joins us and every contribution made is a reminder to the people of Venezuela that they are not alone. Together, through music, generosity, and hope, we will help our country heal and rebuild.”
“In moments of profound need, our responsibility as an institution extends beyond the stage,” Kim Noltemy, President and CEO of the LA Phi added. “We are grateful for the opportunity to provide direct financial support to relief efforts for communities in Venezuela with a $50,000 charitable donation and to stand alongside Gustavo in bringing this concert to life at the Bowl.”
Venezuela is once again in a state of national emergency, and this time not for political reasons. The South American country was struck on Wednesday night (June 24) by twin earthquakes that caused the collapse of multiple buildings, primarily in the coastal region of La Guaira, north of Caracas, as well as in the capital city.
The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes are among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century, and were felt across the region, according to the Associated Press. By noon Saturday (June 26), the news agency reported at least 920 fatal victims and more than 51,000 missing persons.
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On social media, videos shared by hundreds of users showed the magnitude of the tragedy, with people fleeing buildings and shopping centers in terror during the quake and rescue teams later working to extract survivors and victims from the rubble. Others were desperately pleading for help in finding family members.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the first of the two earthquakes, with a magnitude of 7.2, occurred west of Morón, on the Caribbean coast, about 105 miles west of Caracas, at a depth of about 14 miles, AP informed. Just a minute later, the USGS reported a second quake, this one with a magnitude of 7.5, a depth of about 6 miles and an epicenter located 10 miles southwest of Morón.
Several nations have offered to send aid to Venezuela, including the United States, which earlier this year captured former president Nicolás Maduro in a surprise military operation.
Meanwhile, a growing number of organizations, businesses and even musicians are taking steps to raise funds and provide assistance to those affected. Below is a list of ways you can help, in alphabetical order.
From festival announcements and hometown celebrations to career milestones and meaningful personal releases, Billboard editors spotlight the uplifting moments shaping Latin music each week. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
This week’s roundup is packed with moments that highlight Latin music’s reach, community impact and continued cultural momentum. Ruidosa Fest unveiled the lineup for its 2026 New York edition, returning to Lincoln Center for its third consecutive year with a bill led by powerhouse female and gender-diverse voices such as Lila Downs, Pabllo Vittar, Francisca Valenzuela and Elsa y Elmar. In Argentina, Tiago PZK returned to Monte Grande with Timbaland by his side, turning a hometown gathering into a celebration of family, unreleased music and local pride.
Elsewhere, the business side of the industry had its own feel-good milestone as QSJ Songs marked five years of writer-first publishing after a string of major wins, including a recent Billboard Latin Airplay No. 1. Miky Woodz, meanwhile, offered a more personal moment with “Carta a un Hijo,” a heartfelt release that put fatherhood and legacy front and center. Beyond music, Hermosillo native Karim López made history as the first Mexican-born player selected in the first round of the NBA Draft, with fellow Sonoran star Carín León showing up in support at Barclays Center. And in Los Angeles, DANNA brought her Lucid Dreams era to the stage for the first time with a sold-out show at The Roxy, marking a new chapter in her live evolution.
Check out our latest Uplifting Moments roundup below.
This week, Billboard’s New Music Friday Guide: Latin roundup — curated with key recommendations by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — features a number of new songs and albums, including Bizarrap and Myke Towers’ “BZRP Music Session #42/66,” Becky G’s “Patrona” and Kane Rodriguez’s album Loco Soñador.
Released Wednesday, Argentinian producer Bizarrap dropped his latest music session featuring Puerto Rican artist Myke Towers. “BZRP Music Session #42/66” is the producer’s first session of the year. His previous one, “BZRP Music Session #0/66,” dropped in late 2025 and featured another Puerto Rican music icon, Daddy Yankee.
The music session with Towers was released in two different acts. In the first one, Towers’ signature melodic rapping style takes precedence while Bizarrap’s bass-heavy, hip-hop-driven beats deliver the undertone. Through the lyrics, the rapper pays homage to his roots, rapping about his elevated lifestyle while making it clear that Puerto Rico remains on his mind no matter where his career takes him.
In the second part of the collaboration comes “Boobytrap,” a long-awaited track that fans have anticipated ever since an early snippet surfaced years ago. In the trap-leaning rap song, Towers shows off his lyrical tenacity, rapping about his lifestyle and how he now has the respect he didn’t get before from others in the industry. The song title “Boobytrap” refers to a famous strip club in Miami, also named Boobytrap, which the artist claims to visit whenever in South Florida.
Meanwhile, artists such as Hermanos Espinoza, Kane Rodriguez, Fuerza Régida and Mariangela also dropped new music this week.
The most recent New Music Latin poll was topped by Feid’s El Moco Verde with more than 49.53% of the vote. Which release this week do you think is best? Give these new releases a spin and vote for your favorite new Latin music release below.
Editor’s Note: The results of the weekly New Music Latin poll will be posted if the poll generates more than 1,000 votes. This poll closes at 11 a.m. ET on Monday, June 29.
“The show starts now,” says lead singer Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist in perfect Spanish to energize the crowd at Peru’s National Stadium. The audience responds with cheers and the chorus of the song “Enough Is Enough.” The scene, captured in their documentary The Hives Live in Latin America, showcases the intensity of the Swedish band’s recent tour through the region, as well as their connection with the language.
“I wouldn’t say I know Spanish, but I know enough to say some stuff on stage,” Almqvist tells Billboard Español. He explains that he first learned the language at age 16, taking classes for one year in school, though his real contact with Spanish began two decades ago, mainly during The Hives’ early tours in Latin America.
“Actually, the last tour with My Chemical Romance was my first attempt at not speaking English at all between the songs, and it worked out,” he adds, speaking in English. “I even did Portuguese in Brazil, and that worked out, too. People seem to really like me doing it, so I’m going to keep doing it regardless of my skill level.”
The connection between the quintet from Fagersta, Sweden, and their Latin American fans is nothing new. The rock band has been visiting countries like Mexico, Brazil and Argentina for over 20 years, first arriving with their 2004 album Tyrannosaurus Hives. Since then, they’ve been slowly incorporating Spanish and Portuguese into their shows, as seen in their documentary, which premiered Thursday (June 25) on their YouTube channel.
The Hives Live in Latin America follows the band through Peru, Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico, documenting not only some of their most explosive stadium performances in front of thousands of people but also behind-the-scenes moments and parts of their journey through Latin American cities.
Beyond the language, local culture is also integrated into their live shows. In Mexico, during their performance at Estadio GNP Seguros as the opening act for My Chemical Romance this past February, the group was introduced by luchadores El Hijo del Santo and Santo Jr., both heirs to the iconic masked wrestler El Santo.
“Santo is in the kind of ’90s garage rock that we were really into,” says Almqvist. “There were bands that wrote songs about Santo — a band called Southern Culture On The Skids that had a record maybe, so we were aware of him from garage rock. And we were wrestling fans when we were kids. It’s got the same physical show element, the same physical entertainment value that our shows have.”
Part of the experience of touring Latin America has also allowed the members of The Hives to dive into the region’s vast cuisine. Mexican tacos al pastor have been a special discovery for the band’s frontman, he shares in the interview. “I recently started eating meat a little bit after 20, 30 years as a vegetarian. So I’m into the al pastor, which is kind of new to me,” he reveals.
The Hives Live in Latin America combines live performances with everyday moments of the band in the main capitals of Latin America. “First, more music from Los Hives,” Almqvist shouts in Spanish to the crowd in the opening scene of the film, announcing the emotional journey the viewer will take alongside the band. With more than a quarter of a century of experience, The Hives traveled through Latin America earlier this year, reaffirming a timeless truth night after night: no one leaves unchanged after seeing them live.
“We already miss all of our Mexican and South American fans and we hope we can come back sooner rather than later,” Almqvist says. “I don’t really know in what form or shape, but you know we really like it here. Can’t stress that enough.”
Watch The Hives Live In Latin America in full below.
Eslabón Armado returns with Nocturno, the group’s ninth studio album, where its signature regional Mexican sound stays front and center, now joined by vocal turns from guests including Peso Pluma, Gabito Ballesteros, Clave Especial and Calle 24.
Released Friday (June 26) via Interscope, the 16-track set includes songs like “Ojos de Diabla,” “Corta Venas,” “Siempre, Siempre,” “Nunca He Llorado” and “Que No Se Apague.”
“Most of the lyrics are mine, and the music came from my bandmates Brian and Damián,” singer-songwriter Pedro Tovar tells Billboard Español. “Before, I used to be a little more involved in the studio with them, but this time I gave them full freedom to do whatever they wanted. We really loved how it turned out.”
Nocturno moves from requintos to charchetas, through corridos and all the way into urban sounds. Lyrically, while the songs draw from everyday situations and colloquial expressions, the band continues to steer clear of the explicit language that defines much of música tumbada. “That’s what got us to where we are — always singing about love, and of course pain too, for fans going through tough times. But we’ve never disrespected women,” Tovar says. “Never.”
Tovar wrote and produced “Ella Baila Sola,” his global hit with Peso Pluma, which spent 19 weeks at No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs and six weeks atop the Billboard Global 200, and reached No. 4 on the Hot 100. The group’s 2023 album Desvelado, which included “Baila,” topped both Top Latin Albums and Top Regional Mexican Albums, and hit No. 6 on the all-genre Billboard 200.
At the time, many gave Peso most of the credit for the song’s success, even though it was an Eslabón Armado track. Tovar felt sidelined when the Mexican star’s fame exploded — especially when Peso performed it solo on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. “There were some tense moments, but over time everything cooled off. It wasn’t until a year later that I realized just how massive the song was, when I heard it in so many countries during a trip,” he says. “Peso and I have been messaging for a while, and that’s how the new collab happened.”
That new collaboration is “Amigos con Derechos,” a corrido tumbado about a love triangle.
Eslabón Armado is now gearing up for its Amor Nocturno Tour, a 28-date U.S. run promoted by Live Nation that kicks off July 24 in Phoenix and wraps Dec. 5 in San Diego. On Aug. 7, the group will play YouTube Theater in L.A., where Peso Pluma is expected to join as a guest.
The band also has 12 shows lined up across Mexico, including a Sept. 6 performance at Mexico City’s Festival Arre. There, they’ll cross paths with collaborators Gabito Ballesteros, Calle 24 and Clave Especial — and plan to share the stage with them at the event.
Below, Tovar breaks down five essential songs from Nocturno.
On Saturday night (June 20), an emotional moment took place during Gloria Trevi‘s concert at the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City, where the Mexican superstar invited Jacqie Rivera — daughter of the late Jenni Rivera — to join her in performing “Un Abrazo” together.
“I want to introduce you to a young woman who sings beautifully — the daughter of a dear friend who is close to my heart and soul,” Trevi told the audience, visibly moved.
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The song, included in Trevi’s 2025 album El Vuelo, is a heart-wrenching ballad that speaks about the longing to embrace someone who is no longer here, looking to the sky for answers, and learning to live with their absence. Jenni Rivera passed away in a plane crash in 2012 at the age of 43, at the peak of her career.
Accompanied by the full band, the two singers took turns singing different verses of the song, becoming overwhelmed with emotion to the point of tears, while the audience applauded, equally touched. “A hug that erases death/ Or that gives you my life and changes our fates/ A hug that moves the heavens/ And brings about a miracle, and suddenly you return,” their voices met in the chorus.
After finishing, Trevi asked her pianist to play the song again so Jacqie could sing it solo. “Now I want you to hear just her,” Trevi said, as she invited Chiquis and Jenicka Rivera — the other daughters of the late “Diva de la Banda” — onto the stage, in another big surprise of the night. Meanwhile, the screen in the background displayed photographs of Jenni Rivera alongside Trevi, making the moment even more special.
“Thank you so much for allowing me to be on this stage,” Jacqie said after finishing her performance. “I felt my mother’s presence. You really do need her, no matter how old you are. And to the audience, thank you for keeping our mother’s memory alive.”
L to R: Chiquis, Jenicka Rivera, Jacqie Rivera and Gloria Trevi, at Trevi’s concert at the Auditorio Nacional on June 20, 2026 in Mexico City.
Kevin Corona
Moments later, in the dressing room, Jacqie shared with Billboard Español how the collaboration with Trevi came about.
“I sent her a message on Instagram thinking about asking for permission to cover one of her songs or do a collaboration for the album I’m working on, but my team and her team connected and surprised me with the opportunity to sing with her tonight,” explained Jacqie, who is not only a singer but also the CEO of Jenni Rivera Enterprises, the company that manages the musical legacy of her mother, who would have turned 57 on July 2.
“On her birthday, we’ll remember her privately, but I want to tell the fans that we have many surprises prepared, like a traveling shop with memorabilia in her honor that will visit various cities,” Jacqie revealed.
As for Trevi, the icon continued with her spectacular show, part of her Celebration Tour 2026, showcasing her boundless energy while belting classics from her repertoire such as “Zapatos Viejos,” “La Papa Sin Catsup,” “Con Los Ojos Cerrados,” “Cinco Minutos,” “El Recuento de los Daños,” and the iconic “Dr. Psiquiatra.”
Watch Gloria Trevi and Jacqie Rivera perform “Un Abrazo” below:
From a Michael Jackson-inspired opening to DeLorean-coded visuals, surprise guests and a closing stretch that brought the show full circle, Fuerza Regida launched their first-ever U.S. stadium trek with a performance built on memory, ambition and sheer force.
When Jesús Ortiz Paz (JOP) and crew opened their This Is Our Dream Stadium Tour at San Diego’s Petco Park on Thursday night (June 18), the San Bernardino band unveiled the most fully realized live production of their career on the biggest domestic stage they’ve played to date. Over the last several years, the group has pushed corridos into a more elastic, more commercially dominant and more visually ambitious space. In front of approximately 44,000 fans, that evolution came into focus in a show designed as much to trace their rise as to celebrate it.
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Framed by a Back to the Future-inspired concept, the production moved through the group’s past, present and future with a black pickup-truck take on the DeLorean, archival footage, family skits, fashion-forward flourishes, local symbolism and well-placed guest appearances — transforming a catalog-driven concert into something closer to a live origin story. It also left room for plenty of swagger, mischief and the unapologetic attitude that runs through Fuerza Regida’s music.
That sense of narrative gave the night much of its shape. The set moved from early breakout records like “Radicamos en South Central” and “Sigo Chambeando” through the songs that expanded the band’s reach, including “CH y La Pizza,” “Bebe Dame,” “TQM,” “Harley Quinn” and “Qué Onda,” before arriving at newer material from their No. 2 Billboard 200-charting 111XPANTIA (2025) and a preview of the unreleased “67.”
Even before the first note, Petco Park was already buzzing with hometown and cross-border energy, as fans in Mexican jerseys, black leather, cowboy hats and vaquera-style fringe packed the venue to see the SoCal hometown heroes open their tour after watching Mexico defeat South Korea 1-0 in a World Cup match shown inside the Padres’ ballpark.
By night’s end, JOP, Samuel Jaimez, Khrystian Ramos, José García and Moisés López had delivered a show that felt expansive without losing its grit — a stadium-scale performance rooted in memory, movement and the unruly energy that got them there in the first place.
The eighth edition of the Reggaeton Beach Festival (RBF) was canceled on Thursday (June 18) by the event’s organizers, who attributed the decision to economic and operational difficulties. The measure affects the seven events planned for this summer in Spain, including the one in Barcelona scheduled for June 27-28, which was set to be the first one to take place in 2026.
The lineup included performances from artists such as Myke Towers, Omar Courtz and Anuel AA. In an official statement published on social media, the organizers explained that the decision came after analyzing the global situation of the project and concluding that the company’s operational and financial structure no longer allows them to carry out an event of this magnitude with the necessary guarantees.
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Billboard Español reached out to the organizers for more details but had not received a response at the time of this publication. For now, no information has been provided about the procedure attendees should follow to recover the cost of tickets and passes already purchased.
The statement also noted that the new management had identified “economic, financial and operational circumstances that significantly affect the viability of the project.” As a result, they stated that the managing company “is not in a position to continue with the 2026 tour or to maintain the operational activity required for the development of the scheduled events.”
“We are fully aware of the disappointment, concern and inconvenience that this announcement causes to everyone who has placed their trust in RBF for this edition,” they added. “We know that behind every festival there are tickets, trips, excitement, plans and expectations. For this reason, we deeply regret that the 2026 tour cannot take place.”
The message concludes by thanking everyone who was part of the festival over the years.