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.
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Cain Culto & Xiuhtezcatl Demand Justice With Powerful Protest Anthem
Amid ongoing outrage over immigration policies and ICE raids — including protests this week following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis — Cain Culto and Xiuhtezcatl’s “¡BASTA YA!” has taken on fresh urgency. Originally released in late November, the fiery bilingual track was reposted by Mexican artist Xiuhtezcatl via Instagram on Friday (Jan. 9) with a call to action. “We must resist the politics of death this administration and its henchmen embody,” he wrote. “Another world is possible. Fuerza a los pueblos que resisten (strength to all the communities who resist).”
Set against hyper piano pop beats, the song delivers bluntly powerful verses like “Hasta sin papeles somos de la tierra” (“Even without papers we belong to this Earth”), underscoring themes of resilience, anger, and solidarity.
Last October, superstar Shawn Mendes invited Xiuhtezcatl to share the stage at the Hollywood Bowl to highlight Native American voices and raise awareness for #LANDBACK and Indigenous rights.
Check out the incendiary “¡BASTA YA!” video below.
Rawayana & Biz Execs Reflect on the Future of Venezuela’s Music Industry
In light of Nicolás Maduro’s recent capture in Caracas by U.S. forces, Venezuelan artists and music executives are reflecting on the future of the country’s music industry. Speaking to Billboard Español, Rawayana’s Beto Montenegro declared, “The potential is immense. Venezuela is not just any country; it’s a territory rich in resources. If there were no theft and real investment were made, the return and integration of Venezuela into the world would be fascinating.”
Once a booming music hub, Venezuela’s industry has faced years of economic instability, censorship, and emigration of talent. Still, local players like José Luis Ventura, director of Ventura Espectáculos, remain optimistic: “There is still a market for Venezuelan singers… people are still eager to consume culture.” Read the complete story here.
New Book Highlights Spanish Punk’s Role in Democracy
Spanish Punk: Screaming for Democracy in a Postdictatorial State, written by musician and scholar David Vila Diéguez, is a deep dive into how Spain’s punk movement became a rebellious, cultural response to the nation’s transition from Franco’s dictatorship to democracy. Through fanzines, lyrics, and interviews, Vila Diéguez documents the genre’s role in shaping protest movements and posing critical questions about freedom and identity in a “new” Spain.
With a foreword by Billboard Español associate editor Isabela Raygoza, the book also highlights the lasting political significance of bands like Kortatu and La Polla Records, positioning punk as a force for resistance and change in the country’s unsettled transformation. Spanish Punk is an essential read for history, music, and political culture enthusiasts alike. Get your copy here.
Farruko to Headline 2026 Miami E-Prix
Farruko, the Puerto Rican superstar and two-time Latin Grammy winner, has been announced on Friday (Jan. 9) as the headlining act for the 2026 Miami E-Prix, taking place on Jan. 31. Held at the Miami International Autodrome at Hard Rock Stadium for the first time, the event will combine elite all-electric racing with live music as part of Formula E’s new “Miami Energy Drop” experience. Tickets are now on sale via Ticketmaster.
