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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J Balvin Visits Young Fan Maité in Pereira, Colombia
On a reel posted to Instagram on Tuesday (March 31), J Balvin surprised Maité, a young girl from Pereira whose story went viral on social media, following his sold-out concert at the Hernán Ramírez Villegas Stadium. Maité, who lives with a visible physical condition affecting her hands, captured hearts with her beaming positivity as she gave the superstar a tour of her home, as seen in the clip. “I’ve been wanting to come to this house for a while. I really enjoy discovering, appreciating, and learning,” said the hitmaker in the video. The reggaeton star learned more about her family’s living conditions and announced plans to assist with the complete renovation of their house. In the meantime, Maité and her family will move into a fully furnished apartment.
The moment was facilitated by the Colombian anonymous content creator, Camilo Cifuentes, known for his social work supporting vulnerable communities, such as small street vendors and homeless individuals. Watch the heartwarming moment with J Balvin, the young girl and her family below.
Ela Taubert Shares Her Career Journey in GRAMMY U Session
In collaboration with The Recording Academy, GRAMMY U’s Florida Chapter hosted an “Up Close & Personal” session with Colombian star Ela Taubert on Wednesday (April 1), giving members an chance to engage directly with the Latin Grammy-winning singer-songwriter. During the hour-long panel, moderated by Colombian-American artist Alemor at Studio 26 in Miami, Ela Taubert shared reflections on her artistic journey, and the evolution of her sound, offering advice to young professionals in the music industry. The 2024 Best New Artist winner capped the GRAMMY U session with an intimate acoustic performance of her introspective pop single “La Gente Cambia” released last month, and her hit song “¿Cómo Paso?”
“I started doing three videos a day, and I was studying and working at the same time. I kept doing that for three months, and nothing happened, I was frustrated,” Taubert said during the panel. “One day, I remember seeing this video have 50,000 views. But for me, the message was trust yourself and trust the process, and don’t get frustrated if nothing happens right away. For me, that’s the key to success.”
Guaynaa Joins The Latin Music Explosion Panel at Berklee College of Music
On Monday (March 27), the Latin Management Club and the Career Center at Berklee College of Music hosted a panel titled The Latin Music Explosion, highlighting the global rise of Latin music. Moderated by Professor Marus, the event featured Puerto Rican star Guaynaa, Grammy-winning producer Manuel Lara, and Live Nation executive Jorge Garcia. Guaynaa, best known for his hits such as “Rebota” and “Chicharrón,” shared his music journey and career insights.
“I was working at a shopping center selling phones and phone covers when I had my first hit that went viral. I was identifying the necessities of the music and of the market and I delivered a way to satisfy it,” said Guaynaa during the panel. “I started surrounding myself with people with the same hungry — the same desire of making something happen for the culture. At some point, [I] started realizing that it’s not about the likes or the recognition but more about how you impact the culture.” Watch clips from the panel below in the carousel.
