
Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy
Latin music has hugely shaped the American musical landscape. From the lively rhythms of Celia Cruz and Johnny Pacheco’s joint album Celia & Johnny to Daddy Yankee’s reggaetón breakthrough “Gasolina,” this music represent the diverse and vibrant contributions of Latin artists to the American songbook.
Each year, the Library of Congress selects 25 recordings to the registry to preserve sound recordings that are “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant” to American life.
On Thursday (May 14), the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry immortalized two more Latin songs: José Feliciano‘s holiday favorite “Feliz Navidad” and Pérez Prado and His Orchestra’s festive “Mambo No. 5.” Last year, Vicente Fernández‘s ranchera anthem “El Rey” and Freddy Fender‘s bilingual country ballad “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” were selected. “For musicians of any genre, having a song inducted into the National Recording Registry is a prestigious honor,” Congressman Joaquin Castro previously told Billboard Español, who’s a major driving force for Latin music on the list.
Created under the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000, the Registry has included more than twenty works of Latin music and/or musicians of Latin descent to date. The first Latin music release to be added to the Registry was Dance Mania (1958) by Tito Puente in 2002. Subsequent inductees include Santana’s electrifying Abraxas (1970), which redefined Mexican-American rock; Buena Vista Social Club’s eponymous album (1997), bringing Cuban son to American audiences; Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” (1957), which reinvented a son jarocho song from Veracruz, Mexico by injecting American rock into it.
“In addition to advocating for more Latino inclusion in American media — which, more than any other industry, shapes how Americans see the world around us — I would also push for more recognition of the ways that Latinos have contributed to American excellence,” Castro explained.
“Latinos make up 20 percent of the United States, but less than five percent of the titles on the Registry come from Latino artists,” added the Mexican American politician from San Antonio. “As a result, the Registry became a natural place to direct my work – in part because the Library of Congress has tried in recent years to do a better job of honoring how Latinos and other racial minorities have shaped America’s growth.”
Below, we present the Latin music entries, arranged from the most recent inductions to the earliest.
Reggaetón icon Don Omar will kick off his The Last King World Tour on Sept. 25, Billboard can officially announce.
The tour will hit 21 cities (to date), beginning Sept. 25 at Santander Arena in Reading, Pa. it will then travel to arenas in Boston, Dallas, Miami, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, among others.
The tour, produced by Don Omar (real name William Omar Landrón) and promoted in the U.S. by Cardenas Marketing Network (CMN), comes two decades after the release of Don Omar’s seminal sophomore album, King of Kings. The set was groundbreaking in its day for including collaborations with both Latin and mainstream artists. The album reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart, and spent 11 weeks on the top spot. It also reached No. 7 on the Billboard 200 (for the week dated June 6, 2006), a massive achievement in the pre-streaming era. It would spend a total of 30 weeks on the chart.
Don Omar’s The Last King World Tour follows his 2024 Back to Reggaetón Tour, which was his first outing in over a decade. That tour would eventually sell more than 335,000 tickets in 2024 alone, earning more than $32.9 million over 39 shows and ending 2024 ranked 10th among Billboard’s top Latin tours of the year. Back to Reggaetón was also promoted by CMN.
Presale for The Last King World Tour begins Tuesday, May 19 at 10 a.m. local time for members of the Kingdom fan club and ends May 22. A CMN presale begins May 21. General public tickets go on sale May 22 at 10 a.m. local time.
Here is the full list of dates:
• 9.25.26 – Reading, PA – Santander Arena
• 9.26.26 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
• 9.27.26 – Hartford, CT – PeoplesBank Arena
• 10.1.26 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
• 10.3.26 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center
• 10.4.26 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center
• 10.8.26 – Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena
• 10.10.26 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
• 10.11.26 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
• 10.14.26 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
• 10.15.26 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
• 10.17.26 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
• 10.22.26 – San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center
• 10.23.26 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
• 10.25.26 – El Paso, TX – UTEP Don Haskins Center
• 10.29.26 – Ontario, CA – Toyota Arena
• 10.30.26 – Las Vegas, NV – Michelob Ultra Arena
• 11.1.26 – Salt Lake City, UT – Delta Center
• 11.5.26 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center
• 11.6.26 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum
• 11.8.26 – Phoenix, AZ – Mortgage Matchup Center
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.
Vallenato star Silvestre Dangond joined Latin Grammy In The Schools” on Thursday (May 14) in Bogota, Colombia, in a program that included the donation of musical instruments to two local schools — Colegio Enrique Olaya Herrera and Fundación Sendero de Acordeones de Riohacha. Students also participated in a meet-and-greet and conversation with Dangond and accordionist José Juan Camilo. Previously, the Latin Grammy-winning singer-songwriter sponsored two Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation research and preservation grants, aimed at supporting the folkloric music genre from Colombia.
“I am so proud to be able to support emerging young talent, especially in a country like Colombia, where music is a fundamental part of our identity,” Dangond said in a press release. “I see myself reflected in these students — in their dreams, in their passion — and I hope this experience reminds them that, with dedication and a love for music, anything is possible.”

Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy
British superstar Ed Sheeran surprised his Puerto Rican fans on Wednesday (May 13) during his concert at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan — part of his Loop Tour — by bringing out a hometown hero: the king of reggaetón, Daddy Yankee.
“The moment caught the thousands of attendees by surprise when Daddy Yankee stepped onto the stage to perform ‘Sonríele’ and his collaboration with Bizarrap, ‘BZRP Music Session Vol. /66,’ while Sheeran accompanied him on guitar,” reported El Vocero de Puerto Rico. “The appearance of the ‘Gasolina’ hitmaker elicited immediate cheers and applause from the crowd, who reacted with raised phones and loud singing throughout the collaboration.”
According to the outlet, the performance marked Daddy Yankee’s return to the Coliseo since his farewell concerts held in December 2023.
Watch the thrilling moment here.

Mark Surridge
Also this week, Danny Ocean made a surprise appearance during the Jonas Brothers’ May 10 concert at the Movistar Arena in Santiago, Chile. The Venezuelan artist joined the famous trio on stage to perform his 2016 hit “Me Rehúso,” driving the crowd wild. During the performance, Joe Jonas was particularly animated, singing and dancing along as Danny performed, as shown in this video shared by VOX FM.
“Thank you sooo so much guys! @jonasbrothers ❤️ Chile, I love you so much! 🇨🇱✨💕 Thanks for all the love!” Ocean wrote in his own post, alongside a photo posing with the three brothers.
The performance came just two days after the Venezuelan star was announced as part of the lineup for the inaugural show of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Mexico on June 11.
Rauw Alejandro got reunited with his childhood soccer coach, Andres Mirabelli, at an event in the Red Bull New York Performance Center. The Puerto Rican superstar, who maintains a global partnership with the brand, visited the pitch accompanied by his mentor and youth talents from Puerto Rico, as well as Iván Rivera Gutiérrez, President of the Puerto Rico Soccer Federation.
According to a press release, Rauw visited the RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center in Morris Township, N.J. ahead of the Red Bull New York match against the Columbus Crew. He was joined by U17 Red Bull New York Academy player Marcus Nazaire — who also represents the Puerto Rico U17 National team — and toured the complex, receiving custom Red Bull New York jerseys and cleats, courtesy of Adidas, with “RA93” personalization.
“The visit celebrated Rauw’s longstanding connection to soccer and brought together sport and Latino culture ahead of the 2026 World Cup celebrations,” says the release.
Check out the special moment below and see more photos here.

Major League Soccer / Red Bull
Piso 21 has entered Spotify’s “Billions Club” for the second time with “Te Vi,” their 2018 collaboration with Micro TDH, which officially surpassed 1 billion streams on the platform this week. Previously, the Colombian pop-urban group had achieved this milestone in May 2025, when they joined the exclusive club with their hit “Déjala Que Vuelva” with Manuel Turizo.
“We’re so happy with our second song in the Billions Club. It’s a testament from the people motivating us to keep making music,” said Pablo Mejía, lead vocalist of Piso 21, to *Billboard Español.* “The truth is, when you make songs that stand the test of time, that’s what we live for. We make songs for that — not to be a trend but to last forever — and we feel very fortunate to achieve that.”
“We are absolutely thrilled to have a second song in the Billions Club. It’s a vote of confidence from the fans that motivates us to keep making music,” Pablo Mejía, lead vocalist of Piso 21, told Billboard Español. “The truth is, making songs that last forever is what we live for. That is why we create music — so that it isn’t just a passing trend, but something that endures forever — and we feel incredibly fortunate to have achieved that.”
Meanwhile, Venezuelan artist Micro TDH celebrated the news with a heartfelt Instagram post. “I always dreamed of achieving this. Today, 8 years after this song, we’ve finally entered Venezuela’s One Billion Club. Thank you @piso21, I love you so much, my brothers. Thanks for believing. And to everyone who has listened to ‘Te Vi,’ ONE BILLION THANK YOU’S,” he wrote, alongside a photo of himself as a child holding a sign saying, “From Mérida to the World.”
Listen to “Te Vi” below:
This week, Billboard’s New Music Latin poll — curated with key recommendations by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — features a number of new albums, including Maluma’s Loco X Volver, Julieta Venegas’ Norteña, Gera MX’s X Amor Al Arte, Adriel Favela’s COBRA, and many more.
Notably, Sech dropped his sixth studio album called SECHO GANG. In contrast to his 2024 Tranki, Todo Pasa, where he opened up about some personal struggles and challenges, the new set demonstrates a healed man who’s ready to continue eating the world. On the 13-track set, the Panamania artist collaborates with Ryan Castro, Jay Wheeler, and Kris R., to name a few.
“This album is really special to me because it’s for my day one fans, the ones who have been there from the start,” he said in a press statement. “I put a lot of love into every song, and I’m excited for everyone to finally experience it. Secho Gang for life.”
Artists such as Becky G, Mon Laferte, and Lenny Tavárez, also released new music this week.
The most recent New Music Latin poll was topped by Sebastian Yatra and Augusto Alonso’s “Lo Que Me Pasa Con Vos” with more than 98% of the vote. Which release this week do you think is best? Give these new releases a spin and vote for your favorite new Latin music release below.
Editor’s Note: The results of the weekly New Music Latin poll will be posted if the poll generates more than 1,000 votes. This poll closes at 11 a.m. ET on Monday, May 18.
The official FIFA 2026 World Cup song—helmed by Colombian superstar Shakira and Nigerian sensation Burna Boy—has arrived on Thursday (May 14).
Coined “Dai Dai,” the nearly four-minute track seamlessly blends both musical worlds, bringing to life a catchy tune powered by Afrobeats, dance-pop, world beats and reggaetón.
Lyrically, the song keeps true to the spirit of soccer, sending a motivational and uplifting message to athletes and fans alike. “You knew from the day you were born/ That here in this place you belong/ You’ve been this brave all along/ What broke you once, made you strong,” Shak sings at top of the track.
“Go follow your desire/ Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” chants Burna. The pair then shouts out some of the legends of the sport, including Maradona, Maldini, Romário, Cristiano Ronaldo, Beckham, Kaká and Messi, as well as this year’s participating countries like Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, United States and Netherlands.
“Dai Dai” marks the second time Shakira has been tapped for an official FIFA World Cup song following the timeless “Waka, Waka (This Time for Africa)” recorded for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
“Waka Waka” peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs, Latin Airplay and Latin Pop Airplay charts in July 2010. On the Latin Rhythm Airplay, it peaked No. 8 and reached a No. 38 high on the Billboard Hot 100 during the same period. It also spent 42 weeks at No. 1 on Latin Digital Song Sales, Shak’s longest-leading title on that chart.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and will wrap July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which has been renamed the New York New Jersey Stadium for the games. Shakira will co-headline the halftime show at the World Cup final with Madonna and BTS
Listen to “Dai Dai” below.
Aitana brought together nearly 18,000 people on Saturday (May 9) at the Municipal Stadium Antonio Peroles in Almería, Spain, where she kicked off her Cuarto Azul World Tour.
The show began with the singer performing “6 de Febrero” from the intimacy of a bedroom — lying on a white bed atop a two-level structure set up in the center of the stage, with her musicians positioned below. The stage design, built as an open house with stairs, platforms and different rooms, changed colors and atmospheres as the show progressed, accompanied by giant screens and lighting effects.
Dressed in a custom nude look designed by Devol Studio and personalized boots by Hispanitas, Aitana moved between the more intimate moments of her repertoire and more energetic ones. The setlist focused primarily on her most recent album, Cuarto Azul (2025), although she also revisited songs from earlier stages of her career, like “Mon Amour,” “Vas a Quedarte” and “Gran Vía.”
After performing “No Te Has Ido y Ya Te Extraño,” the Spanish star paused for the first time to greet the audience. “Welcome to our little piece of Cuarto Azul,” said the singer before hinting that the show would also include “little reminders” of previous albums and where she comes from.
Songs like “Miamor” and “Las Babys” elicited an immediate response from the audience, who sang practically every word from the front row to the stands. During “Miamor,” the fans sang most of the first verse on their own, while “Con Los Ángeles” ended up being one of the most celebrated moments of the night.
The concert also allowed for more spontaneous moments. Aitana read signs, received gifts from fans and spoke several times about the emotional connection she has with her latest album. Before performing “Desde Que Ya No Hablamos,” she explained that she didn’t want to leave out a song that represents “the darkest part” of the set, even though it’s not one of the fans’ favorites. “Many of the songs were written while I was in Miami and feeling very sad,” she recalled during one of the most intimate moments.
The finale arrived with “Superestrella,” one of her biggest recent hits, which reached No. 8 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Pop Songs chart and No. 2 on Spain Songs.
With the Cuarto Azul World Tour, Aitana will spend the next few months touring Spain before heading to Latin America in October for a series of dates in Colombia, Chile, Argentina and Mexico. In the U.S., she has performances scheduled in November, including in New York and Miami. In early 2027, she’ll continue the trek across Europe. For dates and details, click here.
Check out the full list of songs Aitana performed during the kickoff show of the Cuarto Azul World Tour below:
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.
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.’”

Peso Pluma speaks at City University of New York on Saturday (May 2). Photo credit: Daniela López Amézquita / CUNY MSI
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

Eduardo Galán
Andrea Pattaro
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.”

Coca-Cola Music Hall goes phone-free in Puerto Rico.
Maná, Alejandro Fernández, J Balvin, Los Ángeles Azules and Belinda will be part of the lineup gracing the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Banorte) on June 11, the FIFA announced on Friday (May 8) on its social media channels.
Joining the star-studded lineup are Mexican-American singer-songwriter Lila Downs, Venezuelan star Danny Ocean and South African artist Tyla.
“The FIFA World Cup is a moment the world shares, and that begins with how we open it,” reads the post, which was also shared by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“Mexico will kick-off an unprecedented Opening Ceremony with a celebration full of sound, colour, and meaning,” it adds. “It is the first note in a tournament that will echo across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, united by a shared passion for the game that connects millions worldwide.”
The statement highlights that after the start in Mexico City and continuing in the following days in Toronto and Los Angeles, these ceremonies “will bring together music, culture and football in a way that reflects both the individuality of each nation and the unity that defines this tournament. It is a powerful way to begin a truly global celebration.”
Organizers noted that each opening ceremony will begin 90 minutes before the kickoff of the match, starting in Mexico City on Thursday, June 11, at 11:30 a.m. local time. Gates will open four hours before the opening whistle, offering a full set of experiences including exclusive activations and rewards leading up to the game.
Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026, in a stadium that will go down in history as the first to host three FIFA World Cups. The FIFA World Cup 2026 will feature 104 matches in 16 host cities, starting on June 11 in Mexico City and concluding on July 19 in New York at the MetLife Stadium, which has been rebranded for the event as the New York New Jersey Stadium.
A joint album was not in the 2026 bingo card for J Balvin and Ryan Castro—but here they are 10 tracks later, further cementing the bromance they often show on social media.
Coined Omerta—after the Italian word that means “code of silence”—the album represents a loyalty between the two Colombian artists that goes beyond just a collaborative effort.
“It’s like sealing our musical and personal brotherhood,” Balvin tells Billboard. “In this career, it allows you to grow without ego, share visions, and forge new paths; it also pushes you out of your comfort zone to create something distinct.”
“J Balvin is a very selective person when it comes to choosing his favorite artists, his friends, and his inner circle,” Castro adds. “I feel that he saw something very special in me—he saw my unique talent. I admire his work deeply and to be able to say that in my career and in my process I have an album with him is a dream come true.”
Home to the previously released “Tonto” and “Pal’ Agua,” Omerta seamlessly blends Castro’s signature dancehall and reggae rhythms as heard in “Una A La Vez” and “Medetown” as well as Balvin’s progressive reggaetón sound, such as “Dalmation” and “Viernes.”
The set also delivers trap, urban-pop fusions, Afrohouse and the alternative-meets-perreo “Melo,” which is Balvin’s personal favorite “because it breaks the mold and has an unexpected energy,” he says. “We brought together things that normally don’t go together, and in the end, it feels very us—evolving without fear.
“We blended the two worlds: the Caribbean, the island, is deeply ingrained in my DNA, while he lives more in the city, in New York,” explains Castro. “Culturally, we share very similar musical tastes, and I think we came up with a lot of ideas that we both really loved. Bringing those two worlds together was truly awesome.”
Though a joint album was technically not planned, its creation happened organically.
“It all started without a plan,” Balvin expresses. “We were in the studio, laughing and making music without any pressure, and the vibe just came together naturally. That’s when we realized there was something special there—and when we looked back, we already had a project without even realizing it.”
Castro elaborates: “Beyond the friendship and respect we share, we are family. We didn’t approach this from a business perspective; rather, we did it for fun and to vibe together.”
Omerta follows a set of singles that both Medellín-born powerhouses have released together including “Nivel de Perreo” in 2022 and “+57” alongside Karol G, Maluma, Feid, Blessd, DFZM and Ovy on the Drums in 2024. Balvin was even a featured actor in Castro’s 2025 “Mi Fortuna” music video.
“Ryan possesses a truly authentic essence—a voice and a flow that connect on a different level,” Balvin gushes. “I bring a different creative vision, one that involves daring to push the boundaries of genre a bit until the song finds its true form. Ultimately, it’s about complementing who each of us is.”
Stream and listen to Omerta below.
The Arre Festival, which brings together major regional Mexican music stars, is returning this year to its original venue in Mexico City after being held in Monterrey in 2025.
Alejandro Fernández and Banda MS headline the lineup for the event organized by Ocesa, now formally called Arre Pepsi Black. The festival will take place Sept. 5 and 6 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the same location where it was held during its first two editions.
This year, the lineup will feature artists from mariachi, banda, norteño, tumbados and tropical music, with notable performances also by Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Calle 24, Clave Especial, Eslabón Armado, Gabito Ballesteros, Grupo Cañaveral, Los Dos Carnales, Los Plebes del Rancho de Ariel Camacho and Víctor Mendivil. These stars, who represent different generations of regional Mexican music, will be joined by other artists to be announced at a later date.
The history of Festival Arre began in 2023, when it attracted more than 70,000 attendees — a feat that has been repeated in subsequent editions, according to organizers, showcasing the growing importance of the genre in recent years.
According to data from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), Mexico entered the top 10 global music markets for the first time in 2024. That milestone was driven by a 15.6% increase in recorded music revenue, as reported in the IFPI’s Global Music Report 2025.
Tickets for Arre Festival will go on sale starting May 13 through Ticketmaster.com.mx.
Check out the full 2026 lineup below.