Premios Juventud unveiled the first lineup of performers for its 2026 edition, Billboard can exclusively announce Thursday (Aug. 13).  

The first wave of confirmed names are Ana Mena, Christian Nodal, Elvis Crespo, Farruko, Greeicy, Juan Magán, Marc Anthony, Mau y Ricky, Quevedo and DJ Rous. 

Notably, Farruko, Magán and Rous will premiere their new song “Marbella Nights,” the official Premios Juventud anthem in honor of this year’s first gala taking place in Spain. Farruko will also grace the stage with Greeicy to perform their EDM banger “Yapaque,” which hit No. 1 on the Latin Airplay chart in July.  

Quevedo will make his PJ debut with a medley, including “Columbia,” “Al Golpito” and “La Graciosa” alongside Elvis Crespo. Marc Anthony, one of this year’s Agent of Change honorees next to Yandel, will celebrate his special night with a mix of hits, including “Aguanile,” “Valió La Pena,” “Pa’lla Voy” and “Vivir Mi Vida.” 

This year’s top nominees are Carín León, leading the pack with nine nominations, as well as Beéle, Kany García and Rauw Alejandro with seven nods each. Premios Juventud will take place Sept. 3 at the Starlite Auditorium in Marbella, Spain, marking its first time in Europe, following past editions in Miami, Puerto Rico and Panama. 

Under the theme “Conéctate al Vibe” (“Connect to the Vibe”), the awards show — which celebrates the artists and young changemakers making an impact in music, social media and community service — will also coincide with the inaugural PJ Fest, a weeklong event with creator activations and live concerts that will take place in Houston, Miami and Los Angeles, before culminating with the live gala in Spain. 

The 2026 Premios Juventud will broadcast live on Sept. 3 via Univision, UNIMÁS, Galavisión and ViX. Tickets to attend in person can be purchased here.

Puebla York was in the building on Friday night (Aug. 7), braving a heavy thunderstorm to see Fuerza Regida close its first-ever U.S. stadium tour at New York’s Citi Field with a guest lineup that brought corridos bélicos and hip-hop into the same orbit — connecting the West Coast and East Coast with unusual ease.

The San Bernardino troupe’s finale featured Queens, N.Y., icon 50 Cent alongside G-Unit members Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda, as well as East Flatbush, Brooklyn’s Bobby Shmurda. Fenix Flexin, of L.A.’s Shoreline Mafia, also joined the lineup, performing his viral track “Rubberz.” Later, J Balvin joined the band for “La Canción,” with the Fuerza frontman taking Bad Bunny’s verses near the end of the concert.

50 Cent and G-Unit turned the performance into a New York hip-hop moment, running through hits like “What Up Gangsta,” “P.I.M.P.” and “I Get Money.” JOP joined them, rocking a bandana-style shirt, making the connection between the group’s corridos and the city’s rap lineage visible onstage. Just a short drive away in neighboring New Jersey, 50 Cent made another Friday night guest appearance during Chris Brown and Usher’s Raymond & Brown Tour stop at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.

Later in his Citi Field show, Fuerza returned in a glittering white glove and a jacket that nodded to both Michael Jackson’s stagewear and Juan Gabriel’s matador-style glamour.

The guest appearances carried particular weight for Fuerza. “New York’s always been the hardest place for us,” JOP told Billboard days before the show. “It’s so global here,” he said, explaining why packing Citi Field represented a new kind of achievement for the band. After closing stadium dates across Texas, Los Angeles and other major U.S. markets, Fuerza had saved one of its biggest nights for the city it once considered the hardest to conquer.

The show had already established its futuristic frame. The opening featured The Matrix’s binary-code visuals — an early clue to the world of Fuerza’s next era — before JOP appeared in a Spider-Man-inspired reveal. It was a fitting New York entrance, especially following the July 31 release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

The night remained rooted in the five-member band. Samuel Jaimez’s requinto, Khrystian Ramos’ guitar, José “Pelón” García’s tuba and trumpet and Moisés López’s tololoche kept the show connected to the live instrumentation that carried Fuerza from clubs to baseball stadiums. The group moved through its deep catalog, including Billboard-charting hits like “TQM,” “Sabor Fresa,” “Bebe Dame,” “Harley Quinn” and “Marlboro Rojo.”

After nine stadium dates across the U.S., This Is Our Dream ended with Fuerza looking forward without abandoning its foundation — and with New York’s Mexican community showing that Puebla York has a place in the future of música mexicana.

The group will continue that conversation at Billboard Latin Music Week 2026, taking place Oct. 19-22 at Faena Forum Miami Beach, where the group is scheduled to headline a Superstar Q&A.

From career milestones to new 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.

Mon Laferte to Receive Social Justice Award

This week, it was announced that Mon Laferte will receive the Social Justice Award at the 39th annual Hispanic Heritage Awards, taking place Sept. 10 at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. The Chilean singer will be honored for using her art, music and platforms to promote conversations about human rights, gender equality and social justice in Latin America and around the world.

“I feel incredibly honored. I never imagined that a moment would come in my life or career when my work to carry out the projects that truly matter to me would be recognized,” Laferte said in a statement. “I believe one of the greatest strengths of the Latino community is our ability to build connections, welcome and care for one another, wherever we may be. Knowing that my work can contribute to that sense of community, create a meaningful impact and inspire others is deeply rewarding.”

As this year’s honoree, Laferte joins singer-songwriter Ximena Sariñana and the People of the Twin Cities collective, who have also received the recognition.

Marc Anthony and Yandel to Be Honored as Agents of Change at Premios Juventud

Marc Anthony and Yandel have been selected as this year’s Agents of Change, an honor recognizing artists who make a significant impact beyond music through philanthropic, humanitarian and community-focused initiatives. The award, which will be presented during Premios Juventud 2026, highlights both artists’ commitment to using their platforms and resources to support causes that benefit underserved communities and promote positive social change.

Marc Anthony will be honored for his commitment to developing future generations and his philanthropic work through the Maestro Cares Foundation, which since 2012 has launched more than 35 projects across Latin America and the United States to improve the quality of life for children and vulnerable communities. This year, he is also leading “Unidos por Venezuela,” an international benefit concert and telethon supporting the country’s recovery and reconstruction following the twin earthquakes on June 24.

Yandel, meanwhile, will receive the honor for his continued support of community and educational initiatives, his commitment to mental health in the music industry, and his efforts to empower new generations of artists and musicians. “Through charitable projects, educational programs and collaborations with emerging artists, the Puerto Rican singer has used his platform to create opportunities and promote the development of Latino talent,” according to a statement.

The Premios Juventud ceremony, which will take place in Spain for the first time, will air live Sept. 3 on Univision, UniMás, Galavisión and ViX.

Noel Schajris Awards 2026 Prodigy Scholarship From the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation awarded more than $1.7 million in scholarships Wednesday (Aug. 5) to students from underserved backgrounds pursuing music degrees. Among this year’s sponsors, singer-songwriter Noel Schajris is supporting the Prodigy Scholarship, whose recipient is Puerto Rican violinist Razil Rosado. He will receive up to $250,000 to cover four years of study at Berklee College of Music, including tuition, housing and other expenses.

“It is the honor of my life to help Razil expand that divine gift and the indomitable spirit of a 17-year-old with unparalleled passion, simply by providing him with more tools and opportunities to follow that path, with the help of my beloved family at the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation and a wonderful institution like Berklee College of Music,” Schajris said. “My hope is that this stage will further enrich his journey and allow him to build a life filled with music that elevates us all. My wish is that the music flowing from you will always serve the soul, light and love.”

During the foundation’s ceremony, held in Doral, Fla., two Frost School of Music–Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation Scholarships were also awarded, along with the Berklee–Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation Emerging Talent Scholarship, the Celia Cruz Legacy Scholarship, the Kany García Scholarship and the Manolo Díaz Scholarship, as well as several Tuition Assistance Scholarships.

Banda El Recodo Showcases Its History at the Grammy Museum

The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles opened an exhibition Wednesday (Aug. 5) that will remain on view through December, showcasing the musical history of Banda El Recodo, 88 years after its founding in Sinaloa, Mexico. Instruments such as a tambora, clarinet and tuba — essential to the sound of the Sinaloan band — are part of the exhibition, along with costumes and album covers from different points in the career of the group, which pioneered recording the genre and bringing it to audiences across five continents.

“We are incredibly proud to be here on such an important day in the career of Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga. We share this recognition with all our fans and the media, but above all with our founder. Without his vision, we wouldn’t be here today telling such a beautiful story within Mexican music,” bandleader Alfonso “Poncho” Lizárraga told Billboard Español.

As part of the event, the nine-time Latin Grammy-winning band performed a free concert at the venue, marking the first time a regional Mexican band has played at the museum. — TERE AGUILERA

Álvaro Díaz Celebrates the Japanese Culinary Culture That Inspired OMAKASE

Inspired by the Japanese culinary tradition of omakase, in which diners place their trust in the chef to create a personalized experience, Álvaro Díaz has continued expanding the creative universe of his album OMAKASE beyond music. The Puerto Rican artist’s LP blends Japanese and Puerto Rican influences through themes of discovery, identity and cultural exchange, and he is celebrating the project through a series of artistic collaborations and fan experiences that reflect the album’s concept.

As part of the initiative, Díaz partnered with Toyota to collaborate with Japanese and Puerto Rican artists on a series of limited-edition posters inspired by the album’s tracklist and visual aesthetic, which highlight the cultural fusion at the heart of OMAKASE. Rather than focusing solely on music, the initiative seeks to immerse fans in a broader universe through visual art, storytelling and cross-cultural collaboration, celebrating the Japanese traditions that inspired the album and showcasing Díaz’s unique perspective as a Puerto Rican artist.

Karol G has officially dropped her new studio album, No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto, featuring star-studded collaborations including “Still” with Bruno Mars. 

A power ballad inspired by ’80s-fueled synthwave with a nostalgic, neon-soaked soundscape, the all-English track finds the Colombian artist and Mars harmonizing about unconditional love despite not being together anymore. “I still love you even with a broken heart,” they passionately chant. 

Dubbing her 14-track set as “an incredible emotional journey,” Karol specifically opened up about her Bruno number in a video on TikTok. 

“There’s a song on the album that’s entirely in English, and I don’t want people to just see it as, ‘Oh, Karol G’s new English song,’” she expressed in the wee hours of Friday (Aug. 7). “I’ve always been open to making music in other languages—without pressure, as long as it flows and happens organically and naturally—and, well, that song found me. It expressed exactly what I was feeling and how I was feeling it; it was literally perfect for what I was going through, and I listened to it constantly. I tried to overthink it, but it was perfect—I hope it touches many people’s hearts.” 

In the clip, she wrote some additional words for the pop sensation: “Thank you, Bruno Mars, for the magic in this song and for feeling it the way I did. You’re incredible.” 

Moreover, Karol—who’s clearly in her sad Bichota era with this vulnerable and intimate project that follows her 2025 Tropicoqueta—added that she “had the honor of working with artists who are on my personal playlist, which makes this piece even more special.” The album includes Drake on “Ahí”; Judeline and Rusowsky on “Bby WOW”; and Greg Gonzalez of Cigarettes After Sex on “Después de ti,” which debuted No. 6 on Hot Latin Songs chart earlier this year. 

Listen to “Still” below.

This week, Billboard’s New Music Latin poll — curated with key recommendations by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — features new music including Karol G’s No Me Arrepiento De Sentir Tanto, Alejandro Sanz and Eden Muñoz’ “Yo Era Poesía,” Joaquina’s “Verano En La Ciudad” and many more.

Colombian reggaetón stars Feid and Ryan Castro dropped “Mentira,” their third collaboration, on Thursday (Aug. 6). The track arrives after they released “Monastery” in 2021, and “Ritmo de Medallo” in celebration of their hometown, Medellín, Colombia, in 2023. “Mentira” is not only another release for the duo, but also marks a new chapter in Castro’s career, as it is the first single from his upcoming album.

On “Mentira,” a melancholic reggaetón track, the artists explore the mixed signals and lack of trust that can arise in a relationship without clear communication — the uncertainty, dishonesty and games that can ultimately lead couples to split. “Fue el ego que a los dos nos confundió/ Navegando este barco se hundió, ” Feid sings, which in English translates to, “It was our egos that confused us both/ Navigating this ship, it sank.” Castro adds: “Mentira, todo era mentira/ Tú tenías tu guardao’ mientras yo estaba de gira.” (In English: “Lie, it was all a lie/ You had your secrets while I was on tour.”)

Meanwhile, artists such as Ozuna and Omar Courtz, Luis Fonsi, Baby Rasta y Gringo and De la Rose have also dropped new music this week. 

The New Music Latin poll (published on July 31) was topped by Erick Brian, Dale Pututi and Nesty with their song “Efímero,” which earned more than 81% of the vote. Which release this week do you think is the 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, Aug. 10.

Karol G’s sixth studio album, No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto, arrived on Friday (Aug. 7). 

On the tracklist revealed Wednesday (Aug. 5), the artist surprised fans with star-studded collaborators Drake on “Ahí,” Bruno Mars on “Still” and Judeline and Rusowsky on “Bby Wow.” The 14-track set is also home to the previously released singles “Después de Ti” with Cigarettes After Sex guitarist Greg Gonzalez and “Matadora,” which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart on the tally dated Aug. 8, 2026. 

Karol premiered the former during her first headlining weekend at Coachella in April, and the latter during the kickoff of her Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour on July 24 in Chicago’s Soldier Field.

A follow-up to her 2025 Tropicoqueta album that debuted at No. 1 on Top Latin Albums and No. 3 on the all-genre Billboard 200, No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto (which translates to “I Don’t Regret Feeling So Much”), moves away from the prior vibrant and tropical-leaning album, and demonstrates a more intimate, stripped-down look at the artist born Carolina Giraldo Navarro. 

“In my room, I have a ritual: I put up little lights, I burn candles and incense. I want people to listen to this new album that’s coming, in their own rooms, and see what comes up for them,” she said in an interview with Elle in which she discussed her new album. “I’d rather suffer because I lived too much — because I loved too much, because I had too much fun — than to not have had those experiences, you know? I’m inviting everyone to be a little more dramatic, a little more extra.”

The “Bichota” singer teased a new album was dropping during her concert at Rogers Stadium in Toronto on July 29. “I’ve been working on a project for a couple of months,” she told onlookers. “I’ve been locked in for months making new music. For months, I’ve been preparing a segment that will form part of this tour.”

Stream No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto below:

Ricky Martin is a proud dad, and his kids are all grown up.

The two-time Grammy winner shared a throwback photo on his Instagram Stories of his twins, Matteo and Valentino Martin, who recently turned 18.

“Celebrating the 18th birthday of the loves of my life all week long. I love you, my children,” said the text in the post, which showed the two boys — who were still children when the photo was taken — jumping into a pool together. Martin soundtracked the photo with his 2011 song “Lo Mejor de Mi Vida Eres Tú,” which translates to “you’re the best thing in my life.”

The father of four welcomed Matteo and Valentino in 2008 via surrogacy. 

In a 2014 interview on the Enrique Santos Show, Martin spoke candidly about the conversations he had with his twins regarding how they were conceived. He said they asked if they were “in your belly,” to which he replied, “You were in my heart and you are still in my heart.”

“So I explained further, because I couldn’t just leave it at that: ‘There was a woman that I adore with all my heart that helped me bring you into this world. She lent me her belly so that you could come, and when you were born she put you in my arms.’ And he said ‘ah, ok’ and he kept playing,” he shared.

Between 2018 and 2019, Martin had two more children with his then-partner, Jwan Yosef. Lucía, 7, and Renn, 6, were born just nine months apart.

During his press tour to promote American Crime Story, in which Martin played Antonio D’Amico, Gianni Versace’s lover, he opened up about being an LGBTQ+ parent. “My kids ask me about having two daddies, and I tell them we are a part of a modern family,” Martin told Out magazine. “This is a beautiful sense of freedom.”

Karol G understands that her fans value her honesty and that her success lies in her vulnerability as an artist.

The Grammy winner announced Wednesday (July 29), while onstage, that her forthcoming studio album, No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto (I Don’t Regret Feeling So Much), will arrive Aug. 7.

The album is G’s sixth studio set and has already sparked speculation about whether the artist is planning a full rebrand following her Tropicoqueta era, which was coded with an upbeat, vibrant and celebratory style, accompanied by reds, yellow and orange sunset tones and an obvious display of Latin and Colombian pride. That influence is also visible in the performances on her Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour, which kicked off this month in Chicago.

The album’s baby blue cover features the artist posing with a serious, pouty expression — drawing comparisons to Britney Spears’ 2003 album In the Zone — along with a glittery title that follows the silhouette of her body, clearly indicating that she’s entering a moodier moment in her journey. She spoke about the intentions behind the project with Elle, stating that fans will see her in a more “alternative realm” that she hasn’t fully dipped her feet into before.

“This is an album that opens a door for my fans to a more intimate Carolina — in my room, I have a ritual: I put up little lights, I burn candles and incense. I want people to listen to this new album that’s coming, in their own rooms, and see what comes up for them,” said the artist, who released the album’s first single, “Matadora,” onstage during the opening night of her tour July 24.

In the interview, the singer confessed that she’s a very sentimental person and hasn’t always liked that sensitive side of herself, but in the end, she prefers to feel deeply than not at all.

“I’d rather suffer because I lived too much — because I loved too much, because I had too much fun — than to not have had those experiences, you know? I’m inviting everyone to be a little more dramatic, a little more extra.”

No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto arrives a little more than one year after the Colombian artist released Tropicoqueta in June 2025. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart and No. 3 on the all-genre Billboard 200.

Reebok unveiled its new seasonal campaign in partnership with global brand ambassador, Karol G. 

Following its “Born Classic. Worn for Life.” campaign, the cultural sports brand now presents its “Born Classic. Worn Together.” installment that celebrates connection, self-expression and community through its Reebok Classics sneaker.  

“What I love most about Born Classic. Worn Together. is that it’s rooted in joy, energy, and community,” the Colombian superstar said in a press statement. “We brought together people of different ages, backgrounds, and perspectives to celebrate what makes each of us unique while showing how we’re all connected. That message is incredibly important to me, and I’m proud to be part of a campaign that reflects Reebok’s commitment to individuality, self-expression, and togetherness.”

The commercial campaign—shot by Alfred Marroquín in Mexico City—draws inspiration from the orange hues that represent Karol’s Tropicoqueta era and spotlights a diverse group of people celebrating fashion and human connection as they dance together to her feel-good mambo tune “Tropicoqueta.” Her album of the same name debuted No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs chart and No. 3 on the all-genre Billboard 200 last year. 

In January, Billboard exclusively announced the “Bichota” singer as Reebok’s new global brand ambassador with a multiyear partnership that marked the return of the Reebok Classics sneaker. 

News of the second installment comes on the heels of Karol announcing her forthcoming studio album No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto and kicking off her extensive Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour that will run through 2027 in the United States, Latin America and Europe.

Between sips of the same mate, Milo J and Trueno made a clear case that Latin music’s global reach doesn’t come from watering down local identity, but from leaning into it. During a panel at LAMC (Latin Alternative Music Conference) on Thursday (July 30), moderated by Billboard‘s co-chief content officer Leila Cobo, the Argentine artists agreed that their connection with audiences at home and abroad has come from making music rooted in their truth, their neighborhoods and their language.

“The best thing we could do was make music with our identity,” Milo J said, sharing that he never built his sound around trying to “blow up” or come off more universal. Trueno pushed the idea even further: “The world listening to us is a consequence.”

That idea ran through much of the conversation, as both artists spoke about how soccer culture, a sense of belonging and neighborhood life shape not just their lyrics, but the way they understand the world. “In my country, soccer isn’t just soccer — it’s life itself,” Milo J said. Trueno, for his part, described soccer as “a feeling of identity,” helping explain why both artists have built such distinctly Argentine worlds without losing international resonance.

Beyond the conversation around identity, the panel also offered several reflections on craft. Both artists said building a lasting career depends less on following formulas than on protecting your own voice. Trueno urged emerging artists to be “as much yourself as possible,” stressing that the audience that stays is the one that connects with something real. Milo J emphasized the importance of building community early on by surrounding yourself with friends, creatives and collaborators who grow alongside you.

There was also room to talk about the less glamorous side of the business. Both Milo and Trueno acknowledged that, over time, they’ve had to learn about contracts, teams and legal protection — the part of the journey that often gets overlooked when a project takes off fast. On that front, both emphasized the importance of having trustworthy people around them, from family members to lawyers and close collaborators.

In one of the panel’s most talked-about moments, the two also struck a cautious tone on the use of artificial intelligence in music. While they acknowledged it can be helpful as a support tool for demos or references, they agreed it can’t replace the weight of human experience. For Trueno, art remains “irreplaceable,” while Milo J defended the value of process: learning, trying, messing up and building a body of work from scratch.

The two artists have previously teamed up on tracks including “Gil” (2025). This week, Trueno shares a Billboard cover story with Bella Kay and Slayyyter. Milo J continues to stand out with his album La Vida Era Más Corta (2025), while Trueno keeps building momentum with his recent LP TURR4ZO (2026).

LAMC runs through Saturday (Aug. 1) with more panels, showcases and concerts, including its SummerStage closing event in Manhattan’s Central Park on Saturday where both artists will perform.