From career milestones and 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.
The Latin Recording Academy Celebrates Its Leading Ladies of Entertainment
The Latin Recording Academy celebrated its 2026 Leading Ladies of Entertainment this week during Latin Grammy Week in Las Vegas. This year’s honorees were María Fernández, chief operating officer of Sony Music Entertainment Latin Iberia; Sandra Jiménez, regional director and head of music for Latin America and U.S. Latin at YouTube; Salomé Limón, a five-time Latin Grammy-winning producer, songwriter and sound engineer; and six-time Latin Grammy winner María Rosa García, the Spanish singer-songwriter better known as Niña Pastori.
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“Life has given me so much more than I ever dreamed or imagined — so many recognitions and so much love from the public and my colleagues, that I truly feel very loved by them,” Pastori said upon receiving her recognition. “Thank you to the Academy, to [its CEO] Manuel [Abud], to my fellow awardees Salomé, María, Sandra. It is a privilege to share this day with you.”
Held on Tuesday (Nov. 10), the event included appearances by artists such as Erika Ender and Leslie Grace, as well as other distinguished female executives in the industry.
Jesús López Named Honorary Academician by the Spanish Music Academy
Jesús López, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Latin America & Iberian Peninsula, has been named the 2026 Honorary Academician by the Spanish Music Academy, a distinction that recognizes his contributions to the development of artists, the transformation of the recording industry, and the international projection of Spanish-language music, according to a press release.
López, whose work contributed to the rise of Spanish music legends such as Mecano, Radio Futura, Raphael, Joaquín Sabina and Joan Manuel Serrat, received the honor during the first edition of the Honorary Academicians ceremony. The award was presented by Antonio Guisasola, Treasurer of the board of directors of the Spanish Music Academy and president of AGEDI and PROMUSICAE. The event took place on Nov. 6 at the Teatro Real in Madrid.
Sports, Music and Solidarity Come Together at GET YOURS INVITATIONAL
Also during Latin Grammys Week, GET YOURS hosted the first edition of the GET YOURS INVITATIONAL on Tuesday (Nov. 10) at the Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas. The event brought together golfers, creators, artists and music industry professionals for a day that combined sports, entertainment and philanthropy.
With Cash App as the main sponsor, it featured special guests such as Lenny Tavárez and The Warning, along with brand experiences, live music and a golf competition. The event also supported All God’s Children International (AGCI), directing funds to its work with vulnerable children and families in Latin America.
