From career milestones and new music releases to major announcements and more, Billboard editors highlight the latest news in Latin music each week. Check out what happened in the world of Latin music this week.
Rita Moreno gets a special birthday serenade
The iconic Rita Moreno got a special serenade on her 92nd birthday. The Oscar-winning actress celebrated in London with a group of friends who sang “Happy Birthday To You” with a live piano as a backdrop. At center stage, Moreno directed her singing friends. Watch the special moment here. “Thank you to everyone who helped make not only last year but every year memorable. Here's the best yet!!” the puerto rico star was posted on Instagram.
Juanes surprises Airbnb guests in Medellin
Two lucky guests stayed at Juanes' home in Medellín, Colombia, in partnership with Airbnb. The couple were also surprised by the Colombian singer-songwriter who turned up with guitar in hand to perform for them. “Delighted to open the doors of my home for an exclusive night with @airbnb to these very special guests,” the “Gris” singer posted on social media. “It was magical to share my Vida Cotidiana with you!!!”
Banda El Recodo's billion streams
The legendary Banda El Recodo have been recognized by Pandora for surpassing one billion streams on the platform, which has led to the band now being part of Pandora's Billionaires' Milestone Program. To celebrate the billion streams, Pandora will be showcasing their decades of hits and new single 'Al Ver Que Te Vas' on the Latin Billionaires MX station.
Maluma Records Special Performances for Vevo
As part of Vevo's ctrl Live Session, Colombian superstar Maluma performed a live cover of “Balance,” featured on his latest album. Don Juan. This live performance was the first in a series of videos released in recent days, including live performances of “Los Polvos” and “Hace Un Mes.” The fourth video, “Humedad,” was released today (December 16). See all videos here.
Sebastián Yatra Latin Grammy Scholarship
The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation has announced that Sebastián Yatra will endow the next four-year Prodigy Scholarship that will fully fund a student's degree in music at the Berklee School of Music beginning in the fall of 2024.
The foundation's scholarship, created nine years ago, has a maximum value of $200,000 in financial aid for music students in need. The scholarship is traditionally awarded to “exceptionally talented music students, with financial need, to support their educational and musical aspirations,” according to the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation.
“Participating with the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation for the annual Prodigy Scholarship is beautiful because I'm a part of something I wish I had as a little kid. One of my big dreams was to study music at Berklee, and although my career took a different path for which I am very grateful, I would have loved to have had that kind of preparation and knowledge,” Yatra said in a statement. “I hope that the person who has this opportunity will take full advantage of the scholarship and enjoy it to the fullest. I will be looking for candidates who share a lot of heart and honesty in their art.”