Peso Pluma Speaks at First CUNY-Wide Mexican-American Graduation & 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.

CUNY Celebrates Mexican-American Graduates with Peso Pluma as Guest Speaker

The City University of New York (CUNY) held its first-ever systemwide Mexican-American graduation ceremony on Saturday (May 2) at the Lehman College Center for the Performing Arts in the Bronx, with special guest and class padrino Peso Pluma. Organized by the CUNY Mexican Studies Institute with student input and led by Dr. Lizbeth de la Cruz Santana, assistant professor of Black and Latino Studies, the event celebrated the achievements and cultural identity of nearly 200 graduates from 14 CUNY institutions.

“This graduation marked a historic milestone as the first CUNY-wide commencement dedicated to honoring Mexican-American students and their families,” Dr. De La Cruz Santana tells Billboard Español. “Inviting Peso Pluma reflected a broader effort to celebrate the contributions of Mexican and Mexican-American communities across New York City and the United States.”

Dr. De La Cruz Santana also underscored the event’s grounding in the struggle for educational equity: “For decades, Mexican-American students faced segregation and unequal schooling in states like California, Texas, and Arizona. Landmark moments like Mendez v. Westminster and the East Los Angeles Walkouts demanded access, dignity, and representation.”

The Mexican superstar’s surprise appearance moved students and their families. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw him walk out!,” shared graduate Rachelle Campos-Suarez. “To witness such a historic moment for our community, our culture, and future generations was very emotional and unforgettable.”

“This celebration did not only honor the graduates but our parents and many others that helped and accompanied us along the way,” added alumni and student organizer Michelle Cruz. “It is also serves as a statement for spaces like the higher education systems that says ‘We belong here too.’”

Venezuelan Singer Opens His Own Art Exhibition in Venice

Venezuelan multidisciplinary artist Eduardo Galán — featured as a musician in our On the Radar Latin column in October 2022 — reached a new milestone this week, this time as a visual artist, by inaugurating his own art exhibition in Venice, Italy. Titled The Circle of Love, the show opened its doors on May 6 at the Kokonton Gallery, coinciding with the preview of the 61st Venice Art Biennale.

“This body of work explores the relationship between time, transformation, and that which endures. Through materials such as cement, Japanese paper, and 24k gold, I sought to create works that feel both fragile and eternal at the same time — deeply inspired by the textures, scars, and beauty of Venice,” Galán tells Billboard Español. “For me, this exhibition represents something deeply personal: the moment when music, painting, and life finally began to speak the same language.”

The show will remain open until May 24. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

Puerto Rico’s Coca-Cola Music Hall Goes Phone-Free, Letting Fans Unplug

Coca-Cola Music Hall made history as the first venue in Puerto Rico to implement a phone-free system during comedian Marcello Hernández’s performance last month. The concept allows guests to fully immerse themselves in the live experience by eliminating cell phone usage in the main hall. The system was utilized again on Friday (May 8) for actor and comedian Chris Tucker’s show.

“This type of experience is designed to allow the audience to fully enjoy the show, keeping their attention on the stage and ensuring that the content is exclusively for those who purchased tickets to the event,” said Arleene Pérez, general manager of the Coca-Cola Music Hall, in a press release.

Attendees are required to secure their phones and smart devices in special locked pouches upon entry and can only access them in designated areas. Despite initial concerns, the rollout during Hernández’s show ran smoothly. “The audience quickly adapted to the system, and we had no issues,” added Pérez. “On the first night, the turnaround time for attendees to receive their phones was 16 minutes, and on the second night it was 13 minutes.”