Entertainment
Sergio George Launches First-Ever Global Google Doodle & More Uplifting Moments in Latin Music
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.
Sergio George’s Google Doodle
Earlier this week, Google launched its first-ever global Doodle dedicated to salsa, curated by renowned producer, pianist and arranger Sergio George. The initiative marks an “unprecedented recognition of a genre born in Latino communities that went on to conquer stages and celebrations around the world,” according to a press release. The tribute comes just days before George presents his first Salsa Festival, ¡ATACA SERGIO!, at Miami’s Kaseya Center on Sept. 21.
The Doodle debuted as an animated music video honoring Hispanic Heritage Month with a remix of five salsa anthems, including “I Like It” by Pete Rodríguez and “Mi Gente” by Héctor Lavoe. The Doodle also showcases iconic salsa instruments such as the piano, conga, trombone, clave, and güiro. The project was brought to life under the creative direction of Jorge R. Canedo E. and Sergio George.
The Doodle is accompanied by a playlist of salsa hits titled DAME MÁS SALSA, which includes 15 tracks produced by Sergio George.
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Karol G’s Con Cora Foundation Initiatives
The Colombian star, who will be headlining Coachella next year, announced two new projects in Colombia for her Con Cora Foundation. Karol G took to social media to unveil the construction of Santa Fe de Icotea College in Maria la Baja, Bolivar and Casa Con Cora in Medellin, a safe space for women and girls in vulnerable situations.
“They’re the kind of achievements that make me feel like everything I do has a purpose because behind them are incredible stories of struggles and hopes that touch me deeply,” she captioned the Instagram post. See the developments here.
BMI Hosts “Las Compositoras+” Songwriting Camp
BMI recently hosted the “Las Compositoras+” song camp as part of its “commitment to supporting its songwriters and amplifying diverse voices in música mexicana,” according to a press statement. The three-day creative retreat was in partnership with songwriter Erika Vidrio, who led the songwriting sessions. Held in Los Angeles, the camp united a lineup of emerging and established talent, including Paulina B, Celimar, Amanda Coronel, Delilah, Lupita Infante, Michelle Maciel, Karen Moon and Ashlee Valenzuela.
“The Las Compositoras+ song camp is about fostering collaboration, supporting our songwriters and building a creative community,” Lilibeth Patron, BMI’s associate director, creative, Latin, said in a statement. “Together, with the support of our sponsors, we were able to provide a platform and create a unique experience for female songwriters and creators in the LGBTQ+ community in música mexicana.”
2025 Latin Music Week Lineup
On Thursday, Billboard unveiled the full lineup for the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Week, returning to The Fillmore Miami Beach from Oct. 20 to 24.
Joining the star-studded roster of the week-long event are Aitana, Christian Alicea, Danny Ocean, Ivy Queen, Lenny Tavárez, Luck Ra, Lupita Infante, Olga Tañón, Rawayana, Silvestre Dangond, Suzette Quintanilla, Tokischa and Yailin, to name a few.
The new additions were announced during a press conference in Miami. “We are thrilled to be back with our biggest Latin Music Week ever — 32 panels, more than 100 guests, including the artists, executives and content creators most relevant,” Leila Cobo, chief content officer of Billboard Latin/Español, said then. “The Fillmore is not just a beautiful theater, but history has been made here. Every artist of note has performed here.”
See the full lineup here.
Regional Mexican GOATs
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, which officially kicked off Sept. 15, Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors rolled out the 75 Best Regional Mexican Acts of All Time, announcing Nos. 75-61.
The following criteria was taken into consideration for the list: vocal prowess, body of work, career longevity, industry achievements, Billboard chart accomplishments, game-changing influence and enduring generational/cultural impact.
Billboard will be unveiling a new round every week until the final 15.
Entertainment
sombr Stops Show to Scold Venue Staff After Fan Seemingly Passes Out: ‘You Need to Pay Attention’
At his recent show in London, sombr paused the program to call out event staff after a fan appeared to faint in the audience without receiving help.
While in the midst of singing his breakout Billboard Hot 100 hit “Back to Friends” on Tuesday at O2 Academy Brixton, the Gen Z pop star suddenly waved at his band to stop playing. “Stop the show,” he said before addressing people working the concert, as captured in videos posted on social media. “Guys, there’s someone passed out over there.”
sombr Returns With New Song ‘Homewrecker,’ Navigates Love Triangle With Quenlin Blackwell & Milo Manheim in Western Music Video
“This is the most poorly managed venue I’ve ever played at in my life,” he continued. “You need to pay attention. It’s insane. I’ve played three nights here, and I’ve never played at a more poorly managed venue.”
Billboard has reached out to reps for sombr and O2 Academy Brixton.
Before proceeding with the show, the artist told the crowd, “Let me know when everyone’s good.”
sombr is currently on a run of shows in Europe, with dates planned for venues in Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Dublin. This summer, he’ll play a slew of festivals, including Coachella and BottleRock Napa Valley.
The New York native also had another mid-show interruption recently, this time during his performance at the BRIT Awards. While he was singing “Undressed” at the ceremony, a man wearing a “Sombr is a homewrecker” shirt ran out on stage and appeared to hit Sombr; as it turned out, it was a pre-planned stint to help promote his new single “Homewrecker,” which recently debuted at No. 26 on the Hot 100.
And despite the momentary frustration, Sombr had only kind words to say about his overall experience playing for fans in London. “I love you so much,” he wrote over a video of the crowd at O2 Academy Brixton on his Instagram Story. “Thanks so much for an unforgettable past 3 nights. I’ll be back London.”
While the K-pop world is grappling with the unexpected news that ENHYPEN is no longer seven members following member Heeseung’s seemingly out-of-nowhere announcement of his departure, the industry has certainly been blindsided by such abrupt exits many times.
While Heeseung’s situation was shocking, it unfolded fairly calmly. On March 10, announcements came from ENHYPEN’s official channels, alongside a handwritten letter from Heeseung himself and ENHYPEN’s own statement on social media. Comparatively, some of K-pop’s biggest groups have been changed forever by dramatic announcements from members, via notices of legal action or vague updates from their agencies — the latter of which can sometimes be the most heartbreaking for fans.
From one of K-pop’s most landmark member exits in Junsu, Yoochun and Jaejoong from TVXQ! in 2009 (which ultimately rid the industry of so-called “slave contracts”) to years like 2014, 2019 or even last year, where multiple popular groups saw members drop from their groups, Billboard is sharing a timeline of the 15 most shocking exits from K-pop groups.
Membership changes are never easy, even when fans suspect something may have shifted for the group or there is an internal or external issue. Members of K-pop groups have left for the sake of their mental health or sometimes due to ongoing external pressure from issues from their past arising. For the purposes of this timeline and its relation to the news surrounding ENHYPEN and Heeseung, we’re focusing on K-pop member exits that seemingly came out of nowhere, with no prior indication, hiatuses or controversy.
Read on to learn how rare it is to have Heeseung remain under the same label as his former group in BELIFT LAB to pursue his solo career and more, in this look through K-pop’s most unexpected member departures.
Entertainment
Watch Harry Styles Bust Marcello Hernandez for Impersonating Him Ahead of ‘SNL’: ‘Are Those My Clothes?’
Sorry, Marcello Hernandez — there’s only one Harry Styles. On the set of Saturday Night Live ahead of the pop star’s upcoming hosting and performing stint, the comedian got a little too comfortable impersonating that week’s guest in a promo video posted Wednesday (March 11).
The teaser opens as a spoof on Styles’ One Night in Manchester concert special trailer, with the piano intro to his new single “American Girls” playing over shots of what looks like the singer’s silhouette striking poses and dancing across the stage. A record-scratch moment happens when the real Styles walks in with SNL castmember Kenan Thompson, busting Hernandez, who’d been pretending to be the Grammy winner that whole time.
“What are you doing, Marcello? Are those my clothes?” Styles asks a visibly embarrassed Hernandez.
“Yeah, sorry,” the stand-up comic stutters, suddenly shy about wearing Styles’ pinstriped, flared slacks. “I thought you weren’t coming, so I thought I’d just go on as your understudy.”
Perplexed, Styles explains where he and Thompson had been. “I’m 15 minutes late, because Kenan and I went out for pain au chocolat. It’s a tradition when I host.”
Suffice to say, it’ll be Styles — the real Styles — helming SNL on Saturday (March 14), returning to host for the second time. He previously led an episode of the show in 2019.
The Brit will also serve as musical guest on the new episode, having just dropped his new album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally. The project was led by Billboard Hot 100-topping single “Aperture” and features second single “American Girls,” both of which are strong contenders for the tracks Styles will perform at 30 Rock — although fans will have to tune in to the live show to find out.
Watch Styles’ SNL promo above.
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