Billboard Latin Music Week 2023 Conference Guide – Billboard

Over the past 12 months, Latin music’s growth has only accelerated. U.S. revenue surpassed the $1 billion mark for the first time ever — driven in large part by regional Mexican music, now the dominant Latin presence on the charts — indicating that the appetite for music in Spanish worldwide is vast and diverse.

The 33rd edition of Billboard Latin Music Week, taking place Oct. 2-6 in Miami and including the Billboard Latin Music Awards, delves into the diversity of sounds and revenue sources fueling the genre, with events including these highlights.

“The Art of the Festival”

Over the past five years, the presence of Latin artists at major, multigenre U.S. festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza has grown — but there has also been a boom in Latin music-focused festivals domestically and abroad. What exactly goes into crafting and sustaining a successful one? Presented by Viña del Mar, this panel will have representatives from Baja Beach Fest, Bésame Mucho and Primavera Sound offering a look behind the scenes of these events.

“The Power Players: The Indie Edition”

As the heads of three of the most successful Latin indies, Rancho Humilde’s Jimmy Humilde (Fuerza Regida, Natanael Cano), Dale Play Records’ Federico Lauría (Duki, Bizarrap) and Prajin Music Group’s George Prajin (Peso Pluma) are a triple threat in the sector. In Billboard’s signature Latin Music Week panel discussion, they’ll offer insights into how their individual strategies have launched some of this generation’s most important Latin stars.

“The New Mexican Revolution”

The globalization of Mexican music has taken over the Billboard charts as a young and fearless new generation of artists scores major hits and goes viral. Moderated by BMI vp of creative and Latin Jesús González, this panel will take a closer look at this recent explosion, as norteño cumbia troupe Grupo Frontera, corridos tumbados pioneer Natanael Cano, genre-spanning star Peso Pluma, Mexican rapper Santa Fe Klan and Mexican reggaetón artist Yng Lvcas convene for a conversation about the genre’s diverse sounds and configurations.

“El Marketing Del Ferxxo”

Feid’s seemingly overnight success belies how the Colombian superstar hustled his way to the top. After becoming an in-demand collaborator and writing for artists such as J Balvin, Thalia and Reykon, the singer-songwriter embraced his roots: “I opened the coolest door that I’ve ever opened, which was finding my identity and introducing El Ferxxo,” the hit-maker told Billboard in March. Along with members of his inner circle — including his manager and creative director — Feid will explain the nuts and bolts behind his success.

Los Ángeles Azules

Since emerging in the mid-1970s, this beloved Mexico City band has been rewriting the Mexican cumbia playbook. Continuously modernizing the storied regional Mexican subgenre for the next generation, the group of siblings has extended its reach drastically by revamping its hits and writing new ones alongside an exhilarating all-star cast of Latin artists from all corners of the map. In recognition of its enduring influence in Latin music, Los Ángeles Azules will receive the lifetime achievement award, as well as perform at Billboard’s Latin Music Awards.

“The Multimarket Pop King”

Sebastián Yatra has both endured and flourished as a core pop artist who invites urban acts into his orbit and also lends his voice to a plethora of projects, from film (Encanto) to TV (Érase Una Vez … Pero Ya No) to music competitions (The Voice). Strategically collaborating outside genres isn’t new, but Yatra’s mastery of the practice (his recent “Vagabundo” with Beéle and Manuel Turizo went to No. 1 on the Latin Airplay chart) and his ability to navigate two languages and cultures set him apart. Yatra will discuss his multitiered approach and what’s next for him.

“The Latin Swing: The Intersection of Music and Sports”

Since launching in January, Rimas Sports, a division of Noah Assad’s Rimas Entertainment, has signed 50 baseball players. The move expands Rimas’ interest in athletics; Assad and Rimas Sports president Jonathan Miranda already own Puerto Rican basketball team Los Cangrejeros de Santurce with Bad Bunny. Rimas Sports clients Francisco Alvarez (of the New York Mets) and Everson Pereira (of the New York Yankees) will participate in this conversation moderated by executive and radio personality Angel “El Guru” Vera. They will be joined by Eladio Carrión and Arcángel, two Rimas artists who actively participate in philanthropy through sports.

Cheetos Block Party Featuring Myke Towers

“The biggest risk I’ve taken in my career musically is on this album,” Myke Towers told Billboard in April about his 2023 album, La Vida Es Una. The Puerto Rican singer-rapper will rock the Wynwood Marketplace stage at the Cheetos Block Party, where he’ll showcase songs from the album. The “LALA” chart-topper will also participate in the “Deja Tu Huella” panel presented by Cheetos, where he’ll share the stage with fellow creatives who have achieved success in conjunction with social responsibility.

For event dates, tickets and more on the conference, go to billboardlatinmusicweek.com.

This story originally appeared in the Sept. 23, 2023, issue of Billboard.