Gente de Zona Named Kings of Carnaval Miami 2024 & More Uplifting Moments in Latin Music

From career milestones to 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.

Gente de Zona as Kings of Carnaval Miami

Kiwanis Club of Little Havana unveiled the official event schedule for Carnaval Miami 2024. Joined by Kiwanis board members and sponsors, the organization’s president Pablo Lau announced during a press conference on Wednesday (Jan. 31) that this year’s Kings of Carnaval Miami is Latin Grammy-winning duo, Gente de Zona. The longtime event consists of live music, paintings, crafts, photography and jewelry for a cultural experience. Carnaval Miami 2024 officially kicks off on Feb, 10 and will wrap a month later with the Calle Ocho Music Festival, which will include a special performance by Gente de Zona.

For the entire Carnaval Miami 2024 schedule, visit www.carnavalmiami.com.

In the Summers gets special award at Sundance

The film In the Summers, directed by Alessandra Lacorazza Samudio, with artists Residente (who made his actoral debut) and Leslie Grace as part of the cast, won a special award at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The movie, which follows two sisters who navigate their “loving but volatile father” during summer visits in New Mexico, according to an official film description, was awarded the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize. Exile Content Studio is behind the award-winning film.

Los Bukis are headed for Vegas

Los Bukis announced a headlining residency in Las Vegas, set to kick off Friday, May 3, at the Dolby Live at Park MGM. According to a press release, the 15-date stint will make history as the first-ever full Spanish-language residency on the Las Vegas Strip. Presented in partnership with Live Nation and MGM Resorts International, Los Bukis: The Las Vegas Residency will offer fans a more intimate concert experience in the 5,200-seat entertainment venue. 

Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, Billboard‘s Latin editors are highlighting nine Afro-Colombian artists, both veterans and newcomers you might not know, but should, including Lido Pimienta, Mauro Castillo, and more. Check out the list here.

Latin love songs to get you in the Valentine’s Day spirit

We’ve officially entered the most romantic month of the year, and in honor of the season, Billboard has put together a list of the best Latin love songs, according to editors. Ranging from ballads (“Bésame Mucho”) to regional Mexican songs (“Te Presumo”) and romantic vallenato (“Volví a Nacer”), the list of swoon-worthy tracks features classics (old and new) that have soundtracked multigenerational Latin households for decades.

The list also includes tracks such as Intocable‘s “Sueña,” the norteño song that spent 13 weeks atop Billboard‘s Regional Mexican Airplay chart; as well as Maná’s achingly beautiful “Eres Mi Religión; Karol G‘s emotional “Ocean” and Juanes‘ rock ballad “Es Por Ti,” which earned the Colombian singer-songwriter record of the year and song of the year at the 2003 Latin Grammys.

Here, see the 30 romantic songs that made our list, which you should consider adding to your Valentine’s Day-themed playlist.