Milo J Makes Premios Gardel History With 13 Wins & 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.

Milo J Earns Top Prize at Argentina’s Premios Gardel

At just 19, Milo J made history at the 2026 Premios Gardel on Tuesday (May 26), becoming the most awarded artist ever in a single edition after taking home 13 trophies, including the coveted Gardel de Oro. His wins included album of the year for (La Vida Era Más Corta), song of the year and record of the Year for “Niño,” plus trophies spanning urban, folklore, hip-hop/rap and music video categories.

Accepting the night’s top prize, the artist said, “I want to thank everyone — especially those I don’t always have time to thank for everything they’ve done for me. I want you to know that, in one way or another, you saved my life. And to music, which saved me from not being happy.”

The Argentine star opened the night with a moving performance of “Niño” and “Luciérnagas,” backed by a children’s choir. He also added, “La Vida Era Más Corta was an album that, beyond what it may have generated in people, changed my life; mine and a lot of other people’s. I want to thank everyone, those I don’t always have the time to thank for everything they did for me. I want you to know that you saved my life in one way or another. And to music, which saved me from not being happy.”

J Balvin Receives Special Honor from New York’s Museo del Barrio

J Balvin was honored in New York on Thursday (May 28) with a special recognition from El Museo del Barrio for his “impact as a global artist and for his contribution to promoting and raising the profile of Latin culture worldwide,” says the statement. The tribute took place during a ceremony in the city, where the Colombian star attended with his partner, Valentina Ferrer.

Founded in 1969 in East Harlem, El Museo del Barrio has long served as a key cultural institution for Latin communities in the U.S. Balvin was honored alongside Agustín and Isabel Coppel and Uruguayan art historian Estrellita Brodsky, with the recognition presented after remarks from Vogue México and Latinoamérica editorial director Karla Martínez de Salas.

Shakira and Carlos Vives’ “La Bicicleta” Turns 10

One of the biggest Colombian pop hits of the past decade turned 10 this week. Released in 2016, Carlos Vives and Shakira’s “La Bicicleta” became a major crossover success, reaching No. 1 on Latin Airplay and Latin Pop Airplay, among other chart achievements.

“10 years ago we made this song that we called ‘A desperate vallenato,’ but when Afo Verde had the idea of sending it to Shakira … ‘La Bicicleta’ was born,” Vives captioned on Instagram on Thursday (May 28). “We have sung and danced to it around the world and we have been very happy. And well, what can I tell you, I am still the same messy-haired guy, on a bike that takes me everywhere. I love you Shak!!! Happy birthday to our song and thank you Andres Castro for creating it with us.” 

Watch the 1.8 billion stream video below.

New Podcast on the Birth of Salsa in NYC, Hosted by Rosie Perez

Salsa’s origin story is getting a fresh spotlight with Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York, a new eight-episode podcast hosted by Rosie Perez and produced by Futuro Media. Premiering Tuesday (May 26), the series is described in a press release as “the most comprehensive audio narrative yet made about the birth and wild heights of salsa, a genre that continues to shape global culture today.”

The podcast goes back to 1964, when a Dominican musician and an Italian-American ex-cop founded Fania Records in New York City, ultimately helping spark a global cultural revolution, according to the release. It chronicles the rise of Willie Colón, Héctor Lavoe, Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades and the Fania All Stars, while tracing a legacy that runs through the artists dominating music streaming today, like Bad Bunny, Rauw Alejandro, and Karol G.

Topics across the eight episodes include “the night salsa crystallized as an art form at the Cheetah Club in 1971, the Young Lords and FBI surveillance of Fania artists, Celia Cruz’s ascent to global icon, and the Afro-Caribbean roots of the music, the drugs, betrayal, and lawsuits that ultimately brought the label down,” according to the release.

Nicky Jam Returns to Puerto Rico With Two Sold-Out, Star-Studded Shows

A decade after his last performance on the island, Nicky Jam returned to the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot (a.k.a. El Choli) on Memorial Weekend (May 23 and 24) with two sold-out El Regreso a Casa concerts. The back-to-back shows marked a full-circle moment for the reggaetón star, whose homecoming drew a multigenerational lineup of surprise guests including J Balvin, Jowell & Randy, Tito El Bambino, Zion, Cosculluela, Justin Quiles, Lenny Tavárez, Lunay and Ñejo.

The pair of sold-out shows underscored Nicky’s everlasting bond with his native Puerto Rico and the genre’s roots. Framed as a celebration of reggaetón’s past and present, the event brought together key figures from across eras of Latin urban music on one of Puerto Rico’s most important stages.