Karol G, Maluma & More Unite for Colombia Earthquake Relief & More Uplifting Moments in Latin Music

From career milestones to new 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.

Karol G, Maluma, Grupo Niche, Sebastián Yatra & More Will Join Colombia: Voces por la Vida in Bogotá

Colombia’s music industry is putting competition aside to support communities affected by recent earthquake events. On Sunday (Aug. 23), Colombia: Voces por la Vida will bring together artists, promoters, companies and media partners at Bogotá’s Vive Claro Distrito Cultural to raise funds for the country’s rebuilding efforts.

Led by Ocesa Colombia’s Luz Angela Castro, the lineup includes Maluma, Kris R, Miguel Bosé, Greeicy, Silvestre Dangond, Eladio Carrión, Draco Rosa, Sebastián Yatra, TIMØ, Pedro Capó, Manuel Turizo, Juan Duque and more, with Karol G joining via livestream through her Con Cora Foundation. More artists are expected to participate. The initiative quickly grew into a collective effort involving Ocesa Colombia, MOVE Concerts, Páramo Presenta, CMN, Villalón Group, Diomar García Eventos and many others.

Maná Becomes First Latin Act Featured in Apple Music’s Rediscovered Series

More than three decades after its release on their groundbreaking ¿Dónde Jugarán los Niños?, Maná has become the first Latin act featured in Apple Music’s Rediscovered series. Fronted by Fher Olvera, the band — comprised of drummer Alex González, guitarist Sergio Vallín and bassist Juan Calleros, with additional backup members — performed a new version of “Oye Mi Amor” at Apple Music Studios in L.A.

The session, recorded in Spatial Audio and released exclusively on Apple Music, celebrates one of Maná’s most recognizable hits while adding another milestone to the Mexican band’s legacy. With more than 50 million albums sold worldwide, four Grammy Awards, nine Latin Grammys, and 10 No. 1s on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart, the band continues its Vivir Sin Aire Tour across the U.S. and Latin America. Maná’s performance joins recent Rediscovered sessions from Goo Goo Dolls, Norah Jones, Estelle, Ne-Yo, Billy Idol and Third Eye Blind. Watch their performance below.

Elvis Crespo Will Headline Free Labor Day Weekend Finale at Orchard Beach

Elvis Crespo is returning to the Bronx for a hometown celebration. The Puerto Rican Grammy-winning merengue star will headline the finale of the 2026 Bronx Summer Concert Series on Sept. 6 at Orchard Beach Pavilion. The free, family-friendly event will run from 1-5 p.m. ET and close out the borough’s annual summer concert series.

“Performing in New York City, where I was born, makes this moment meaningful,” Crespo said in a statement. “I can’t wait to bring the energy of merengue back to the city that will always be part of who I am.”

Bronx Borough president Vanessa L. Gibson added, “From salsa and  merengue to freestyle and Caribbean sounds, this concert series reflects the vibrant energy and diversity that define our borough. We are also thrilled to welcome the legendary Elvis Crespo for our Labor Day Weekend finale and invite everyone to join us as we close out another unforgettable summer in the Bronx.”

ZZK Records Brings ‘Onda Latina’ Back to Venice Beach

ZZK Records — the indie Latin American electronic music label and cultural platform — is bringing its Onda Latina dance night back to Los Angeles on Sept. 10 at Townhouse Venice. The lineup will feature an evening of deep Latin sounds from Argentine producer Chancha Vía Circuito, Mexico-born, Amsterdam-based DJ and broadcaster Coco María, and ZZK’s own El G, who will close out the night with a DJ set.

The event continues ZZK’s mission of spotlighting adventurous Latin electronic music, digital cumbia and folkloric sounds for L.A. audiences. Since relocating to the city in 2019, the label has hosted more than two dozen events featuring artists from 11 countries, helping connect the region’s underground scenes with new audiences. Buy tickets here.

D Smoke and Drezz Celebrate Women With Sultry “Mujeres”

D Smoke and Drezz, who perform together as the Los Angeles-based Afro-Latin duo STA-BN (short for ‘Sta Bien), released “Mujeres” on Friday (Aug. 21). The bilingual, mid-tempo track blends a sultry groove with lyrics celebrating women, individuality and connection across cultures.

“Mujeres is not only an ode to womankind, but a celebration of the individual woman, uniquely powerful and special,” D Smoke tells Billboard. “It champions she who, amidst a crowd, maintains her center and her protects own original energy.”

The song marks another cross-cultural release from the Grammy-winning artist, who continues to bridge English- and Spanish-language sounds through his music. Listen below.