Bizarrap Teases New Music Session & More Uplifting Moments in Latin Music

From career milestones and new music 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.

Bizarrap teases new music session 

On Thursday (Sept. 28), Bizarrap delivered a short film filled with drama and suspense leaving fans on the edge of their seats wondering who the collaborator will be for his next music session. Alongside actors Guillermo Francella and Gastón Cocchiarale, Bizarrap ponders having a name change from Bizarrap to Bizapop, which he made in the days before this release on his Instagram. Of course, fans began to speculate about who the collaborator might be and what hidden message is behind the name change. 

The 8-minute video finds Bizarrap reflecting on which music style he should be listening to, which leads to a breakthrough moment. His next music session is set to drop Wednesday, Oct. 4. Watch the short film below: 

Shakira is Spotify’s EQUAL Global Ambassador 

Shakira has been announced as Spotify’s EQUAL Global Ambassador for the month of September, to coincide with the DSP’s celebration of “Shakira Day” on September 29th. It also coincides with the 25th anniversary of her seminal album, Dónde Están Los Ladrones?  

According to Spotify, over the last 12 months, Shakira has seen a 138.5% increase in streams on the platform. Her native country, Colombia, surpasses this global increase with a 213% growth during the same period. Following her performance at the MTV VMAs ealier this month, “Te Aviso, Te Anuncio (Tango)” saw more than a 260% increase in U.S. streams on Spotify. 

Bad Bunny to sing at the Billboard Latin Music Awards 

Bad Bunny is set to perform at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, taking place Thursday, Oct. 5.  

While it wasn’t specified which song Bad Bunny will be performing, what we do know is that it will be a worldwide television premiere. His most recent release is the reggaetón banger “Un Preview,” which came out on Monday (Sept. 25). 

Billboard and Telemundo announced earlier this week that the Puerto Rican superstar will be part of the ceremony 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. 

2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards hosts unveiled 

Telemundo announced that the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards will be hosted by Jacqueline Bracamontes and Danilo Carrera. Additionally, the following artists were announced as presenters for the awards show on Thursday, Oct. 5:  Eslabon Armado, Beéle, Christian Chávez (RBD), De La Ghetto, Danny Lux, La Materialista, Maite Perroni (RBD), Elena Rose, Alex Sensation, Mar Solis and Christopher Von Uckermann (RBD). 

 Latin music revenues hit record high 

U.S. Latin music revenue increased 15% to a record high of $627 million in the first half of 2023, according to the RIAA’s mid-year Latin music report released Wednesday (Sept. 27). The new milestone for the genre follows Latin music revenue hitting an all-time high last year, exceeding the $1 billion mark with 24% growth that outpaced the overall market. 

“U.S. Latin music revenues reached an all-time high in 2022, and the growth has continued mid-year into 2023. This has been driven by both the vitality of classic hits and chart-topping new releases that have influenced broader culture and society,” said RIAA senior vp of public policy & industry relations Rafael Fernandez in a statement. 

Purchase tickets to the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Week here.