This year’s Billboard Latin Music Week 2026 panel programming culminated in one of the week’s most memorable moments: a live “Superstar Q&A: The Story Behind the Charts” panel, featuring Pitbull in conversation with Leila Cobo, Billboard’s Chief Content Officer. Dressed in a blue button-down shirt, blazer and white trousers, Mr. Worldwide reflected on his career as one of the most successful artists on Billboard this century — and on how his legacy continues to transcend generations.
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Reflecting on the hits that defined his career and the mindset that propelled him forward, Pitbull said, “I don’t pay much attention to the music charts. What’s meant for you, no one can take away. What’s destined to be will be. Lil Jon gave me an opportunity. I’m someone who hasn’t always been given the best opportunities — and when you get one, you don’t let it pass you by.”
The conversation turned to a listening session for his new album, PITCOIN, released Oct. 8 on his own Mr. 305 Records label. Discussing his collaboration with Jon Bon Jovi to update the latter’s 1999 Bon Jovi smash “It’s My Life,” Pitbull recalled telling him it would be great to record one of his songs. Although “Livin’ on a Prayer” was initially under consideration, Bon Jovi had other plans. The new version of “It’s My Life,” titled “Now or Never,” proved to be a fruitful partnership, debuting on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, Adult Top 40 Airplay, Hot Dance/Pop Songs, Mainstream Top 40 Airplay and Adult Contemporary charts between 2024 and 2025.
“When someone gives you that kind of trust, it becomes a responsibility,” Pitbull shared. “Now, whenever I see Bon Jovi, he asks me, ‘When are we going to do another one?’”
Pitbull also paid tribute to his longtime collaborator IAMCHINO. “Chino is my little brother,” he said, praising his collaborator’s incredible energy and determination to keep moving forward. Reflecting on their decade-long musical partnership, he added, “Chino, I love you.”
“It’s an honor for the iconic group KISS to bless us and agree to remake one of the greatest songs of all time,” Pitbull said of “Reach for the Stars,” the opening track on his new album, which puts a new spin on the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers’ radio staple “Rock and Roll All Nite.” “To be able to perform it on stage… it’s funny, because we used it as the intro to a show, so it almost feels like the law of attraction. You put it out into the universe, and it comes back.”
Pitbull also praised the country music community, recalling the professionalism and respect he experienced at a country music awards show several years ago. “I love this world,” he said. That appreciation led to collaborations with Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, Blake Shelton and Zac Brown, as well as a close friendship with the late Jimmy Buffett. “He’s someone who really helped me in my career,” Pitbull said of the iconic singer-songwriter, who died at 76 in 2023.
Mr. 305 also shared music with the legendary Dolly Parton. “She’s Dolly and I’m dale,” he joked, describing her as full of chispa and “always happy.” He recalled that she once told him, “Well, hey, you know I’m Miss Worldwide, right?” — prompting laughter from the audience. (Parton died at 80 this August.)
All those collaborations led to “Damn, I Love Miami,” the album’s high-energy collab, with Lil Jon, which was featured on the Bad Boys for Life soundtrack (2020). “Music unites, it doesn’t divide, it has no boundaries, it has no borders, it has no limits, and it shows you that good music could be Country, Latin, Urban — doesn’t matter, it’s music.”
Mr. Worldwide also spoke about his friendship with Enrique Iglesias, who has consistently supported him and shared valuable advice. “To be able to create those relationships and build those friendships, it’s not only an honor — it’s a responsibility,” he said, remembering his collab, “I Like It,” which reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and No. 2 on the Hot Latin Songs and Latin Airplay charts in 2010.
Cobo recalled how “On the Floor,” Pitbull’s collaboration with Jennifer Lopez, returned to the Billboard charts earlier this year. “At the time, I was so blessed and honored to work with Jennifer Lopez,” Pitbull said. “Everything she’s done in her career, climbing from the bottom, all the success that she has…”
Fueled by a viral boost from Amazon Prime’s Off Campus, the 2011 hit debuted on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts in May.
The song marked one of Lopez’s 10 top 10s on the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at No. 3 in 2011 among her 32 career entries — and is one of Pitbull’s 10 top 10s, among 45 total entries. “Jennifer, I appreciate you,” Pitbull said.
The nearly hour-long conversation concluded with the announcement that PITCOIN (Deluxe) will be released Jan. 15, 2027, including 10 to 20 new tracks. Pitbull also exclusively revealed that his I’m Back Tour will arrive in Latin America in February, with performances scheduled in Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina and Mexico.
Pitbull closed by saying, “It’s a blessing to be able to make music so you all can have fun — dale. It’s truly my pleasure. To all the fans, I appreciate you, your love and your commitment.”
