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.
NBA teams up with Nicky Jam
The NBA and Mitchell & Ness launched a limited-edition apparel collection in collaboration with Nicky Jam featuring the Miami Heat. According to a press release, the singer-songwriter “provided design input” on the merchandise — including a Heat hoodie, Hardwood Classics jersey, t-shirt, shorts and a hat.
“I’m thrilled to collaborate with the NBA and Mitchell & Ness on this new collection, bringing Miami flavor to life with the Heat’s vibrant colors complemented by locally relevant design elements,” the “El Perdón” singer expressed in a statement. “These pieces are a testament to the NBA’s cultural impact extending beyond the court into music and style. As my fans know, I’m always representing the Latin community, and it’s exciting to build on the league’s commitment to inclusiveness and diversity.”
See the collection here.
RBD Barbie dolls
Mexican supergroup RBD is getting their own Barbie dolls. The collector’s dolls — available in a set of five or sold individually as Rebelde characters Mia (Anahí), Roberta (Dulce Maria) and Lupita (Maite Perroni), Diego (Christopher von Uckermann) and Giovanni (Christian Chávez) — commemorate the group’s reunion tour after a 15-year hiatus. The dolls are decked out in emblematic concert outfits or their signature Elite Way school uniform.
“¡Y soy Rebelde! Pop stardom meets pop culture icons with the special edition RBD x Barbie dolls,” read the caption of the post shared on the Barbie instagram page unveiling the RBD Barbie dolls.
Women rule 2023 Latin Grammys
For the first time in history, women win the top four categories at the Latin Grammys. It happened on Thursday, Nov. 16, at the 24th annual Latin Grammy Awards where Karol G won album of the year (Mañana Será Bonito), Natalia Lafourcade won record of the year (“De Todas Las Flores”), Shakira, along with Bizarrap, took home song of the year (“Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53”) and Joaquina won best new artist.
Lafourcade’s acceptance speech for best singer-songwriter album for De Todas Las Flores was fitting for the historical night: “I dedicate it to all women friends, let’s not stop composing, let’s not stop believing in our art, in our music.”
Belanova’s comeback
Mexican pop trio Belanova — known for 2000s hits such as “Rosa Pastel” and “Por Ti” — will make its comeback to the Vive Latino stage after a six-year hiatus, the festival announced earlier this week. Vocalist Denisse Guerrero, keyboardist Édgar Huerta and bassist Ricardo Arreola will perform at the event taking place March 16 and 17, and held for the first time at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City.
Other artists set to perform at Vive are Maná, Hombres G, Silvana Estrada, Fito Páez, among others. See the lineup here.
