
Karol G. Courtesy of Casa Dragones
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.
Karol G is giving fans another way to step into the world of her Viajando Por El Mundo TropiTour. On Thursday (July 9), the Colombian superstar and 200 Copas by Casa Dragones unveiled the Chellita Sunrise as the official cocktail of the tour, designed as a sensory extension of its tropical, colorful energy. Inspired by the macaw — “a powerful symbol of Latin America’s cultural richness and the vibrant tropical bird featured in the tour’s logo,” says the press release — the drink will be featured in VIP lounges, select afterparties and Casa Dragones activations throughout the run.
The launch also comes with the Chellita Challenge, a social media contest inviting U.S.-based fans of legal drinking age to recreate the cocktail and dedicate a toast to someone special for a chance to win tickets to the tour. Rooted in the same spirit as Karol’s corridos hit “200 Copas,” the initiative extends the TropiTour universe beyond the stage and into something fans can quite literally raise a glass to.

Karol G. Courtesy of Casa Dragones
A new media effort is rallying support for Venezuela. On Saturday (July 11), the “Todos por Venezuela” Mediathon will bring together artists, journalists, TV personalities, athletes, community leaders and volunteers for a 14-hour live broadcast from Mega TV’s studios in Miami, all aimed at raising humanitarian aid for communities affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. The initiative, created by UNO Productions founder Luis Medina, will air on La Música TV on Roku from 10 a.m. to midnight ET, with Mega TV joining from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET, while SBS Radio and AIRE Radio Networks support the campaign throughout the day.
“What started as a simple idea quickly became a reality thanks to the generosity of incredible partners who believed in this mission,” Medina said in a statement. “I want to express my sincere gratitude to Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) for opening the doors of its national media platforms and becoming the exclusive broadcast and promotional partner of this humanitarian initiative.” The televised fundraiser will support All For Venezuela and Help For Venezuela Foundation (HEVENF), helping provide medical supplies, medicines, hospital equipment and other essential aid. The star-studded effort will feature appearances from Daniel Sarcos, Alicia Machado, Luis Enrique, José Luis Rodríguez “El Puma,” Karina, C4 Trío, Rodner Figueroa and more, while also launching “Hands & Hope – Sanaré,” an original UNO Productions song created as a tribute to the resilience of the Venezuelan people.
Shakira continues to break global streaming barriers. According to a press release, the Colombian superstar has surpassed Taylor Swift to become the sixth-most-streamed artist in the world on Spotify, with more than 101.8 million monthly listeners. The milestone comes amid the worldwide success of “Dai Dai,” her FIFA World Cup anthem with Burna Boy, and just ahead of her scheduled performance at the FIFA World Cup Final halftime show on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in Rutherford, New Jersey.

Shakira. Credit: Chris Cornejo
Guatemalan soul-bolero singer, and Billboard‘s On The Radar Latin alum, Fabiola Roudha has become the first non-Asian artist invited to FOR:REST LIVE, the South Korean live-session platform that has previously featured only Korean and K-pop acts such as SUPER JUNIOR’s Ryeowook, 2AM’s Jo Kwon, Younha and Heize. The session premiered Wednesday (July 8) on FOR:REST LIVE and Roudha’s YouTube channels.
The recognition builds on a relationship Roudha has steadily developed in the country in recent years, including appearances at Seoul Music Week and the Taehwariver Jazz Festival in Ulsan. Her FOR:REST LIVE set also offers an exclusive preview of music from her upcoming project, further signaling her international expansion as she also gears up for her first Canadian tour. Watch the performance below.
Andy García is set to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 41st annual Imagen Awards on Aug. 21 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. The celebrated Cuban actor, filmmaker, musician and producer is being honored for a four-decade career defined by iconic performances and a lasting commitment to authentic Latino representation in entertainment.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award from the Imagen Foundation, an organization that has championed Latino talent and authentic representation for more than forty years,” said García in a statement. “This award is especially meaningful because it celebrates not only my career, but also the many artists, mentors, and audiences who have been part of it and who have inspired me. Our shared Hispanic culture is home to many important and inspiring stories that reflect the richness of our identity and our contributions to the world.”

Andy García. Credit: Greg Gorman
Greg Gorman
Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt turns 30 years old this year, and during the first show of his three-day Yankee Stadium residency Friday night (July 10), he wrote a love letter to the debut album that foreshadowed the Brooklyn rapper’s rise to power.
Originally made to impress his hustler friends, the project laid the foundation for a label that would eventually become the blueprint as far as rapper-owned record companies go. It was a slow burn, though. Although it sold only 43,000 copies in its first week, Reasonable Doubt was an instant underground classic for some. When he rapped “I gave you prophecy on my first joint, and ya all lamed out/ Didn’t really appreciate it ’til the second one came out” on “Hard Knock Life” a couple albums later, he made sure to remind the people that slept how they were late to the party.
That’s what’s so special about Jay-Z’s project at Yankee Stadium. It’s for the day ones. It’s for the people that immediately understood what he was trying to do and were savvy enough to pick up the jewels he was dropping. Tracks like “Dead Presidents II,” “D’Evils,” “Can I Live” and “Regrets” are some of the best records in his catalog, not only because they display lyrical wizardry and are just great sounding in general, but because they were able to capture the essence of what it was like to really be living the life of a drug dealer who was knee-deep in the game. That’s why Reasonable Doubt remains at the top of Jay’s catalog.
At his Friday’s Yankee Stadium concert, fans were treated to an incredible night filled with surprise guests (including Beyoncé and Blue Ivy) and the special privilege to see a true master of ceremonies at work.
Check out the best moments from night one of Jay-Z’s Yankee Stadium residency below.
Madonna has done it again: the pop icon has claimed her 13th No. 1 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart with Confessions II.
The sequel to 2005’s Confessions on a Dancefloor storms to the top spot, marking Madonna’s first U.K. No. 1 LP since 2012’s MDNA and extending her reign as one of the most successful artists of all time on the chart.
Madonna joins a prestigious group of artists who have reached the Official U.K. Albums Chart summit 13 or more times, alongside Robbie Williams (16), The Beatles (15), Taylor Swift (14), The Rolling Stones (14) and Elvis Presley (13).
Sienna Spiro‘s The Visitor lands at No. 2 and is the biggest debut album of the year by a British act. “What Sienna has accomplished already is nothing short of remarkable,” said Tom March, Capitol Music Group chairman & CEO. These global achievements are just the beginning and speak not only to Sienna’s undeniable talent, but to her exceptional artistry and the genuine authenticity at the heart of everything she creates — qualities that have resonated deeply with fans around the world.”
Olivia Rodrigo‘s you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love is at No. 3, followed by Michael Jackson‘s The Essential (No. 4) and Olivia Dean‘s The Art of Loving (No. 5).
Pitbull’s Greatest Hits, which comes after a Guinnes World Record-breaking triumph in London, lands at No. 18. Following their respective London shows, BTS‘ ARIRANG lifts 16 spots to No. 21, while My Chemical Romance‘s classic The Black Parade re-enters the top 40 for the first time since 2007, up to No. 27.
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