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.
A New Era for Piso 21
Piso 21 kicked off 2025 announcing that they will now be a trio composed by founding members David Escobar (Dim), Juan David Huertas (El Profe), and Pablo Mejía (Pablito). The news comes on the heels of member Lorduy (real name: David Lorduy Hernández) announcing that he was exiting the group.
“Thank you for your love, for your support. Thank you for believing in our dreams,” the now three-member Colombian band expressed on social media. “We promise that we will continue to give our lives to bring you the best music, and thus continue to be the soundtrack of your lives. We dream of continuing to accompany you in those moments of love and heartbreak. And to meet with you on this floor of love and brotherhood.”
Since launching in 2012 with previous member Llane (real name: Juan David Castaño Montoya), the group has achieved many Billboard chart entries including a No. 1 hit on Latin Pop Airplay with “La Misión” in collaboration with Wisin last year. The group has released seven albums: Piso 21 (2014), Ubuntu (2018), Canciones Que Nos Marcaron (2020), El Amor en Los Tiempos del Perreo (2021), 777 (2022), Los Muchachos (2023), and 2.1 (2024).
Lenny Tavárez Is Getting Married
Lenny Tavárez will soon tie the knot! The Puerto Rican artist—who’s making the rounds with his viral 2024 hit “Tu Feo” in collaboration with Prince Royce—proposed to his longtime girlfriend and mother of his children, Natasha Nazario. The intimate engagement took place January 2 at Los Roques Archipelago in Venezuela, where they were joined by their two children Miami Zabelle and Mor Antonio. “I dreamed it, I wrote it in my songs, and now it’s real,” the artist expressed on Instagram on Thursday (Jan. 9), the day he revealed the news to his fans. “Now I’m starting the best stage of my life with you. Thank you for being my light, my strength, and my inspiration. I love you!”
Bad Bunny’s Fun Marketing
Earlier this week, Bad Bunny was back home in his native Puerto Rico promoting his sixth studio album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS. Previously, we’ve seen Bad Bunny promote his albums on many popular podcasts, but this time, he hit up the local news network. On WAPA TV, he took on the role of news anchor and weatherman on the “NotiCentro Al Amanecer” morning show, and later in the week, he portrayed a stage director on Telemundo Puerto Rico’s “Alexandra a las 12” afternoon show, bringing a refreshing vibe and silly skits to both shows—all while promoting his tropical-leaning set.
A Scholarship for Emerging Artists
On its mission to provide educational opportunities that advance Latin music and its heritage, the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation unveiled its first-ever Emerging Artist Scholarship. Valued at $275,000, the scholarship is in partnership with Berklee College of Music, and will cover a bachelor’s degree and room and board at the college for its 2025 fall semester, as well as wrap-around services and ongoing mentorship and learning opportunities. The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation is now accepting applications until April 10, 2025. For more information on how to apply, click here.
