Carlos Vives to Perform Telemundo’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Anthem at Billboard Latin Music Awards Alongside Emilia, Wisin & Xavi

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Vives is preparing to get in the game earlier than planned…

The 64-year-old Colombian singer, songwriter and actor will join voices with Emilia, Wisin and Xavi to premiere Telemundo’s official song for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the upcoming Billboard Latin Music Awards, which will be presented live on Telemundo on Thursday, Oct. 23.

Titled “Somos Más,” the track’s lyrics will “deliver a powerful message of unity, pride and global connection through fútbol, inviting fans to wear their team colors, raise their voices and celebrate together,” according to a press release.

“Telemundo’s World Cup anthem is more than a song – it’s a celebration,” said Telemundo’s EVP of primetime unscripted & specials Francisco Suarez in a statement. “By bringing together these artists from four vibrant Latin American countries, we’re showcasing the richness and diversity of Latino culture while delivering a powerful message of unity, peace, and joy.”

Telemundo will broadcast all 104 matches of next year’s World Cup live – 92 of them on Telemundo and 12 on Universo. Every match will stream live on Peacock and the Telemundo App.

“This anthem is a tribute to the global spirit of fútbol and the communities we serve,” said Joaquin Duro, EVP of sports at Telemundo. “As the exclusive Spanish-language home of the World Cup, we are committed to delivering the most authentic and relevant coverage of this historic tournament. ‘Somos Más’ is one of many efforts that will elevate the fan experience and bring audiences even closer to the game.”

Vives, Emilia, Wisin and Xavi will also, for the first time, speak about the making of the song and the importance of the World Cup during a conversation at Billboard’s Latin Music Week on October 22.

Natti Natasha to Receive Unstoppable Artist Award at Billboard Latin Women in Music Event

Posted on April 8, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Natti Natasha is about to get her flowers…

The 38-year-old Dominican singer, songwriter, and composer will be honored at the third annual Billboard Latin Women in Music event, Billboard and Telemundo have announced.

Natti Natasha is part of a roster of new honorees that includes Ha*Ash and Belinda.

The artists join Olga Tañón, Chiquis and Anitta, who were previously announced as honorees for this year.

Hosted by Mexican star Ana Bárbara, the two-hour ceremony will air live exclusively on Telemundo on April 24 at 9:00 pm ET and will celebrate “groundbreaking women shaping the future of Latin music,” according to a press statement.

The show will also stream on the Telemundo app, Universo and Peacock.

Natti Natasha will be honored with the Unstoppable Artist Award, a nod to her sustained influence in the music industry. Natti initially burst onto the Billboard charts when she earned her first No. 1 in 2012 as a featured artist on Don Omar’s hit “Dutty Love.” Since then, she has amassed 34 career entries on the overall Latin Airplay ranking, including 17 top 10 hits, 10 of which soared to No. 1.

On the album front, her debut studio project, Iluminatti, reached new heights in 2019, breaking into the top 10 on both the Top Latin Albums and Latin Rhythm Albums charts, with a peak at No. 3. More recently, her LP Natti Natasha en Amargue, produced by Romeo Santos, earned her a top 10 debut on the Tropical Albums chart.

Mexican American sister-duo Ha*Ash, comprised of Hanna and Ashley, will receive the Unbreakable Award, celebrating the collaboration between Latin women artists who have made an indelible impact on the music industry. Honored for their resilience, innovation and empowerment, Ha*Ash made an impressive debut in 2004, scoring their first top 10 hit on Latin Pop Airplay with “Estés Donde Estés,” which peaked at No. 9.

Over the years, they have proven their staying power, accumulating a total of 16 entries on the chart, four of which reached the top 10. The sisters recently made a notable comeback with “El Cielo Te Mandó Para Mí,” a standout track from Haashville, which reached a No. 7 high on Latin Pop Airplay. Currently, the duo is on their Haashville Tour across the U.S. and Canada.

Meanwhile, Belinda is set to be honored with the Evolution Award, a special honor that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional growth, transformation, and innovation throughout their artistic journey, and an enduring impact and commitment to evolving their vision and voice. Belinda’s self-titled debut album catapulted her into the spotlight in 2003, earning her a first top 10 entry on a Billboard chart as the set reached a high of No. 6 on the Latin Pop Albums tally.

Since then, she’s had three additional top 10 albums, including Catarsis, which peaked at No. 2 in 2013. Showcasing versatility, Belinda has most recently dabbled in Regional Mexican music, specifically in corridos bélicos, collaborating with the likes of Natanael Cano, Tito Double P and Netón Vega.

Anitta will receive the Vanguard Award, Chiquis the Impact Award and Olga Tañón will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, with the remaining honors to be announced soon.

Farruko to Perform at This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on September 11, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Farruko is headed to the Billboard Latin Music Awards…

The 32-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and singer has been added to the list of artists who will perform at the awards show, which will take place on Thursday, October 5.

The “Pepas” singer is among a list of new performer additions that includes Banda Carnaval, Eddy Lover, Grupo Frontera, La Factoría, Marc Anthony, Nicki Nicole, Pepe Aguilar, Sky Rompiendo, Sofia Reyes, Ximena Sariñana and Yng Lvcas.

On Monday, Billboard and Telemundo announced the second round of performers who will take the stage at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida. The show will be broadcast live on Telemundo and simultaneously on the Spanish entertainment cable network Universo, on Peacock and on the Telemundo app. Throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, it will be available on Telemundo Internacional.

Among the previously announced performers are Calibre 50, Chiquis, El Alfa, Eladio Carrión, Justin Quiles, Los Ángeles Azules, Manuel Turizo, Marshmello, Myke Towers, Peso Pluma, Tini and Yandel.

This year, Mexican music sensation Peso Pluma leads the list of finalists with 21 nods across 15 categories, including Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year and Top Latin Album of the Year. His collaboration with Eslabon Armado, “Ella Baila Sola,” is up for six awards, including Hot Latin Song of the Year, Global 200 Latin Song of the Year and Sales Song of the Year. And his hit with Yng Lvcas, “La Bebe,” competes in five categories, including Hot Latin Song of the Year and Latin Rhythm Song of the Year.

Following Peso Pluma are Bad Bunny and Grupo Frontera with 15 nods each, including four together for their collab “un X100to,” while Karol G has 13, and Shakira and Fuerza Regida have 12 each.

Eladio Carrión to Perform at This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on September 5, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Eladio Carrión is headed to the Billboard Latin Music Awards.

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton singer will perform at this year’s awards show, set to take place on Thursday, October 5.

Carrión joins a roster of confirmed performers that includes Calibre 50, Chiquis, El Alfa, Justin Quiles, Los Ángeles Azules, Manuel Turizo, Marshmello, Myke Towers, Peso Pluma, Tini and Yandel.

Billboard and Telemundo announced on Tuesday (September 5) the first round of performers who’ll take the stage at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida. The show will be broadcast live on Telemundo and simultaneously on the Spanish entertainment cable network Universo, on Peacock and on the Telemundo app. Throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, it will be available on Telemundo Internacional.

This year, Mexican music sensation Peso Pluma leads the list of finalists with 21 nods across 15 categories, including Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year and Top Latin Album of the Year. His collaboration with Eslabon Armado, “Ella Baila Sola,” is up for six awards, including Hot Latin Song of the Year, Global 200 Latin Song of the Year and Sales Song of the Year. And his hit with Yng Lvcas, “La Bebe,” competes in five categories, including Hot Latin Song of the Year and Latin Rhythm Song of the Year.

Los Ángeles Azules will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Latin Billboard Music Awards 2023, while Ivy Queen will be recognized with the Icon Award.

Ivy Queen to Receive Icon Award at This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on August 31, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ivy Queen will be living up to her Icon status…

The 51-year-old Puerto Rican singer, rapper, songwriter and actress will receive the Icon Award at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, Billboard and Telemundo have announced.

The award recognizes Ivy Queen, a pioneer of reggaeton, as an artist who has carved out a career that has remained relevant through time.

“I am beyond thrilled and honored to receive this award,” Ivy Queen said in a statement. “It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication I have put into my music over the years. I am grateful to my fans for their unwavering support throughout my career, and I hope to continue to inspire and empower women through my music for years to come.”

Celebrated globally for achieving both musical and commercial success, Ivy Queen’s career spans nearly 30 years. She earned her first entry on a Billboard chart with “Quiero Bailar,” which peaked at No. 16 on the Tropical Airplay chart in July 2005, and, a few months later, scored her first No. 1 on that tally with “Cuéntale.” She boasts 20 entries on Latin Rhythm Airplay, the third-most among Latina artists; 400 million on-demand official streams in the U.S., according to Luminate; 560,00 albums sold in the U.S.; and 584,000 song downloads.

The special honor will be presented at the awards ceremony — where Ivy Queen is also set to perform — which will be held Thursday, October 5, and will be broadcast live on Telemundo from the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Fla. The show will air simultaneously on the Hispanic entertainment cable channel Universo, Peacock, the Telemundo App, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

This year, Peso Pluma leads the list of finalists with 21 nods across 15 categories, including artist of the year, songwriter of the year, Global 200 Latin artist of the year, and Top Latin Album of the year.

Christina Aguilera to Receive Spirit of Hope Award at Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on September 9, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a spirited time for Christina Aguilera.

The 41-year-old half-Ecuadorian American actress and pop star will receive the Spirit of Hope award at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

The special award — which was established in 1996 in honor of the late Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla — will recognize Aguilera for her philanthropic and humanitarian contributions beyond her musical work.

Aguilera will also perform during the awards show, which will take place on Thursday, September 29, at the Watsco Canter in Miami, and will be broadcast live on Telemundo beginning at 7:00 pm ET.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards — where Bad Bunny leads the list of finalists with a staggering 23 nods across 13 categories — will be simulcast on Telemundo, Universo, Peacock, the Telemundo App, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

In addition to her musical accolades, including more than 75 million records sold worldwide, five No.1 Billboard Hot 100 hits, and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, the artist also known as Xtina has lifted her voice to help end the cycle of domestic abuse, been a longtime supporter and ally to the LGBTQ+ community, raised awareness about HIV/AIDS research, and traveled the globe to help feed children in poverty-stricken areas.

Aguilera joins past Billboard Spirit of Hope recipients including Gloria Estefan, Emmanuel, Willy Chirino, Olga Tañon, Maná, Los Tigres del Norte, Ricky Martin, El General, Soraya, Juan Luis Guerra, Shakira, Ricardo Montaner, Juanes, Daddy Yankee, Marc Anthony, Carlos Vives, Carlos Santana, Luis Fonsi, and Maluma.

Ángela Aguilar to Perform at This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on September 6, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Ángela Aguilar is preparing for her Billboard moment…

The 18-year-old Mexican-American singer-songwriter will perform at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards, set to take place on Thursday, September 29.

Aguilar is part of a roster of recently added performers that includes Alejandra Guzmán, Calibre 50, Elvis Crespo, Farruko, Los Ángeles Azules, Ozuna and Piso 21.

Billboard and Telemundo announced on Tuesday (Sept. 6) the second round of performers who will take the stage at Miami’s Watsco Center.

The new list of acts join an already star-studded lineup that includes Camilo, Carlos Vives, Chayanne, CNCO, Eslabon Armado, Grupo Firme, Maluma, Pablo López, Pepe Aguilar, Raphael and Tini.

Bad Bunny leads the list of finalists for the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards, with 23 nods across 13 categories. He is up for artist of the year, tour of the year, Hot Latin Songs artist of the year, male, and top Latin album of the year for his album Un Verano Sin Ti, which has logged nine nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and was nominated for album of the year at the recent MTV Video Music Awards. Bad Bunny won artist of the year — the first time a Latin artist has been in a marquee category at that show.

Following Bad Bunny is Colombian star Karol G with 15 entries in 11 categories — a record number of nods for a female artist. Karol’s categories include artist of the year and Hot Latin Songs artist of the year, female, as well as Hot Latin Song of the year, vocal event, for her Becky G collab “MAMIII.”

The 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards, the longest-running awards show in Latin music, will begin at 8:00 p.m. ET on September 29, preceded by a one-hour red carpet special.

The awards will broadcast simultaneously on Spanish entertainment cable network Universo, throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional, the Telemundo App and on Peacock.

Raphael to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on September 1, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Raphael is being feted for his extraordinary career…

The 79-year-old Spanish singer and actor will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards, according to Telemundo.

Raphael will be recognized for his “exceptional professional career and his artistic and personal contributions” that have influenced the development of Latin music around the world.

The singer will also perform during the awards show, which will take place on Thursday, September 29, at the Watsco Canter in Miami and will be broadcast live on Telemundo beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards — where Bad Bunny leads the list of finalists with a whopping 23 nods across 13 categories — will be simulcast on Telemundo, Universo, Peacock, the Telemundo App, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

With a musical career that spans more than 60 years, Raphael — known for anthemic songs such as “Yo Soy Aquel,” “En Carne Viva” and “Mi Gran Noche” — has garnered worldwide recognition as a pioneer of Spanish-language romantic ballads.

In 1962, he began his professional career, where he soon earned first, second and third prize at Spain’s Festival Internacional de la Canción in Benidorm. He also performed two consecutive times at the Eurovision Festival, starred in various films and hosted a radio show called The Raphael Show.

To date, he’s recorded more than 60 albums and has sold over 70 million records. Raphael is currently on tour in support of his Raphael 6.0 LP.

He’s slated to release a new album at the end of the year.

Past recipients of the Billboard lifetime achievement award include Paquita la del Barrio, Armando Manzanero, Miguel Bosé, Los Temerarios, Intocable, José José, Marco Antonio Solís, Ricardo Arjona and Maná, among others.

Lupita D’Alessio to Receive Legend Award at Latin American Music Awards

Posted on March 9, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Lupita D’Alessio is being feted for her legendary career…

The 68-year-old Mexican songstress and actress will receive the Legend Award during the seventh edition of the Latin American Music Awards.

The special honor is presented to artists who’ve endured the test of time and “who at the very mention of their name conjures a vivid and vibrant image,” according to a statement.

D’Alessio (born Guadalupe Contreras Ramos) has performed for audiences across the world for five decades with anthemic ballads like “Mudanzas,” “Acariciamo” and “Que Ganas de No Verte Nunca Más.”

Throughout her career, she’s landed five songs on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart including “Ni Guerra Ni Paz” and “El Que Juega Con Fuego,” which peaked at No. 5 in 1988.

D’Alessio will be awarded during the ceremony, set to take place on April 21 and broadcast live from the Michelob ULTRA Arena at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas beginning at 7:00 pm ET.

D’Alessio began her professional career in 1971 at the Festival Internacional de la Canción Popular and, in 1978, won at the coveted OTI Festival. Overall, she’s recorded 60 live, studio and compilation albums, participated in 11 soap operas, and has sold over 40 million albums.

Currently, she’s on her Aquí Estoy Yo Tour, which launched in Mexico and with which she’ll soon visit the United States, with more than 12 shows confirmed for this year.

The forthcoming three-hour event will “pay tribute to today’s most influential and iconic Latin artists” in 26 categories, including favorite video and favorite social artist, selected by a committee of industry professionals who consider the quality, content, creativity and fan engagement.

This year’s list of nominees is led by 10-time-nominated Bad Bunny. El Conejo Malo is followed by Jhay Cortez with eight nominations, and Karol G, J Balvin and Rauw Alejandro with seven nods each.

The 2022 Latin AMAs will also stream live on Peacock and broadcast simultaneously on Spanish entertainment cable network, Universo and throughout the Americas on Telemundo Internacional.

Joss Favela to Perform at This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on September 11, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Joss Favela is ready to take the stage…

The 30-year-old Mexican award-winning songwriter and recording artist has been added to the lineup for the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which will take place on Thursday, September 23.

Favela is among the new additions to the performers roster that includes Guadalupe Pineda, Lucy Vives, Mau y Ricky and Yuri.

They join previously announced performers Banda MS, Carlos Vives, Karol G, Marc Anthony, Nicky Jam and Jhay Cortez.

The chart-topping artists will take the stage at the annual awards show that will broadcast live on Telemundo beginning at 7:00 pm ET with the traditional red carpet special followed by the awards show at 8:00 pm ET.

Banda MS, Vives, Karol G, Anthony, Cortez and Mau y Ricky are all finalists vying for awards in categories such as tropical artist of the year, solo, hot Latin song of the year and airplay song of the year. Bad Bunny leads the list with 22 nods. Maluma follows with 11, J Balvin with nine, and Karol, Anuel AA and Black Eyed Peas with eight each.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards will also be simulcast on the Hispanic entertainment cable channel, Universo, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Universo