“Pedro, tu no puedes, eres lo que eres, busca un trabajo, y paga los que debes, la vida es muy corta pa’ soñar,” crooned Pedro Capo as he improvised on the lyrics while carefully plucking the strings of his nylon guitar as he sat on the Making the Hit Live panel at 2023 Latin Music Week on Tuesday (Oct. 3). The Puerto Rican artist then united his voice with Carin León’s for a stunning harmony. The Mexican artist recognized this too. “That’s the money maker,” he declared.
This beautiful acoustic ballad with contemplative lyrics and plenty of charm was created during the panel, where the two artists also reflected on their creative process and highlighted how each of them perceives a hit differently. While participating in the discussion, León held a 12-string guitar — a traditional instrument within the música mexicana space — and bounced ideas off his fellow panelist and artist.
“How do you compose a hit? With God’s blessing,” Capo said. But moments later, the creativity between the two musicians was flowing like water.
“A lot of people relate it to success. For us, it means something different. I feel that the definition of success is very personal and very individual,” said León. “One has to connect with issues of the heart to get it off your chest.”
“You guys met for the first time 30 minutes ago, and it seems like you’ve known each other all your lives,” Fajardo noted. “From here to the studio, please.”
Celebrated for more than 30 years, the 2023 edition of Latin Music Week includes a Superstar Q&A with Shakira; the Legends on Legends chat with Chencho Corleone and Vico C; Making the Hit Live! with Carin León and Pedro Capó; a panel with RBD’s Christian Chávez, Christopher von Uckermann, and Maite Perroni; Superstar Songwriter discussion with Edgar Barrera and Keityn, among many other panels, Q&As and workshops.
See the ultimate Latin Music Week guide here. This year’s Latin Music Week, taking place Oct. 2-6, also includes showcases by Peso Pluma, Mike Bahía and Greeicy, DannyLux and Fonseca, to name a few. Check out the dates and times for the showcases throughout the week here.
Official partners of the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Week include AT&T, Cheetos, CN Bank, Delta Air Lines, Lexus, Netflix, Michelob ULTRA and Smirnoff.
Latin Music Week coincides with the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards ceremony, which will broadcast live from the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Fla., on Thursday (Oct. 5) and will air on Telemundo. It will also broadcast simultaneously on Universo, Peacock, the Telemundo App, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.
