Billboard Spanish Music Forum in Madrid: Best Photos

The first Forum for Hispanic Music in Madrid, presented by the Community of Madrid and supported by Advertising signwas held on Tuesday (March 19) at the WiZink Center.

The one-day, invitation-only event – attended by approximately 500 artists, executives and industry executives – sought to highlight the growing consumption of music in Spanish across all continents and featured four panel discussions, as well as a Q&A and a performance by Argentinian superstar Nicki Nicole.

The forum focused on the new generation of intercontinental, cross-genre Latin Latin acts now dominating the charts and the fact that Madrid is the epicenter of this fluidity.

“Spain is fully embracing its role as part of a new movement in Latin music,” said Jorge 'Pepo' Ferradas, who manages Colombian artist Camilo and Spanish artist Rels B, who have both found success on opposite sides of the Atlantic. He was part of a powerhouse panel that also featured Walter Kolm, founder of WK Entertainment and manager of Maluma and Carlos Vives, among others. Fede Lauria, founder of Dale Play Records and manager of Bizarrap and Nicki Nicole. Alex Gallardo, president of Sony Music US Latin; and Rosa Lagarrigue, founder of RLM Entertainment and director of Rozalen and Raphael.

Spanish Rafael had a one-on-one conversation with Leila Kobo. Artists La Mala Rodríguez, Yotuel, Maikel Delacalle and Paula Cendejas sat down for a discussion about the current state of music. followed by an interview with conductor Luis Cobos, president of the newly formed Spanish Academy of Music.

Below, see photos inside the Forum for Hispanic Music in Madrid.