From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
Yandel Returns to the Roots
Yandel has returned to his beginnings by going full barber mode in the streets of Spain. Currently touring the European country with his Yandel 2024 Tour, the Puerto Rican artist surprised fans in the Gran Via (a street in central Madrid) by offering free haircuts. The sweet gesture took Yandel back to his roots, when he was first a barber in Puerto Rico before kicking off his singing career as part of the reggaetón duo Wisin y Yandel. Watch the clip here.
Master Chris Introduces La Nueva Cepa
Last year, the Premios Heat brand unveiled its new franchise called “La Nueva Cepa,” an initiative in partnership with Warner Music Latina and hitmaker Master Chris to help promote newcomers making a name for themselves in their countries. This week, all of those talented and aspiring acts can be heard in La Nueva Cepa debut album produced by Master Chris. The 12-track set includes songs such as “Te Lo Mereces” by Dayanara, “Caducaste” by Andreina Bravo,” and “Dije Que No” by Scarlet Evang—all Premios Heat darlings.
“It’s an idea we’ve been around for a long time and basically celebrates Master Chris’ 25 years as a music producer,” Heat founder Diana Montes previously said to Billboard. “Instead of making a record with artists he has produced like Alexis y Fido, Greeicy, and J Balvin, he wanted to follow the Heat Awards philosophy and discover the talent that exists in Latin America. We are not a record label but on our platform, we have developed many talents. With this initiative, what we are going to do is record them, make videos for them, and put them on HTV.” Stream and listen to the album below:
Latinos at the MLB All-Star Game
This week, the MLB unveiled the first lineup for its 2024 All-Star Celebrity Softball Game. Confirmed for the single-day event taking place July 13 are a wave of music stars such as Eladio Carrion, Myke Towers, Grupo Frontera’s Payo Solis and Julian Peña Jr., and Kane Brown. They will be joining the confirmed actors Gina Rodriguez and Marcello Hernández, among other celebrities. Presented by Corona, this year’s All-Star Celebrity Softball Game will be held July 13 at the Globe Life Field in Texas. Tickets and more information is available at allstargame.com.
Natalia Jiménez Makes a Dream Come True
During her concert in Venezuela, Natalia Jiménez shared a sweet moment on stage with a fan named Maria Gabriela Silva, who’s also an aspiring artist known locally as “The Venezuelan Ranchera Queen.” In a video posted on social media, Jiménez is seen calling Silva on stage to sing together. The two ladies then crooned audience members with a powerful and improvised rendition of Luis Miguel’s “Si Nos Dejan.”
“I dreamt of this moment for 15 years, to sing with the artist that has inspired me for many years…my idol,” Silva expressed on her Instagram account. “The wait was worth it. It was worth the effort and dreaming with faith in my God. Natalia is just as I imagined her, in addition to being a unique artist, she is a wonderful person, with a human quality, simplicity and humility that surpasses . I love and admire you with all my heart Nath. You made me very happy. I will never forget this.” Watch their impromptu performance below: