Billboard Latin Music Week 2024: Reggae, Networking, and More

The following comes from Open On Sunday, a company DMN is proud to partner with.

Billboard Latin Music Week 2024 — artists and industry frontliners converged to attend round table discussions and panels on the rise of reggae, music and data management, monetization, and catalog financing.

Hosted at The Fillmore Miami Beach, Billboard Latin Music Week 2024 kicked off with performances from Latin music's biggest stars. The event was abuzz with attendees, including established and up-and-coming artists and music industry leaders.

Colombian reggaeton superstar J Balvin was the headliner for the 35th Anniversary Special. Balvin also took part in a special Q&A session, joining other notable guests such as hip hop artists Fat Joe and NORE

During a panel discussion, Fat Joe called the hip hop and reggaeton connection 'crazy but dope.'

Joe added, “Hip hop reggae go side by side — and hip hop is the influence. It's like they're rapping in Spanish, with hip hop beats.”

NORE highlighted that the 2004 release of his classic single, Oye Mi Canto 'set off a movement,' and made him one of the pioneers of reggaeton. He added, “No one could ever take this away from me, the first reggaeton record on MTV is mine and the first reggaeton record on BET (Black Entertainment Television) is mine. First reggaeton record on Hot 97 is mine. The first reggaeton performing at the Source Awards is mine.”

“If you listen to that record — whether you're Black or Chinese — you become Latino for three minutes,” NORE said.

Billboard Latin Week panels also covered major topics like catalog financing and the carbon footprint of festivals and music events.

Anana Love, Director of Membership for catalog acquisition company Open on Sundayspoke at a panel to dish out truths about essential catalog elements. “If you're interested in selling your music catalog, you must have your data in order,” Love told the group.

Tanner Watt, Director of Partnerships at REVERB, also joined the panel. REVERB partners with venues, festivals, and artists to minimize the negative environmental impact of music endeavors.

Watt relayed that he was 'very excited to connect with more artist teams in the Latin space to help them support non-profit causes they care about — and engage their fans in positive change in the world.'

Many of the Billboard Latin Music Week 2024 attendees were artists looking to promote their music and meet like-minded individuals. However, business professionals were also on hand to network and educate artists on alternative revenue streams.

Luxury real estate agent Wendy Sanchez spoke about the importance of sound financial advice for artists and entertainers. “I am a luxury real estate agent, I also do high-end luxury Airbnb management, and then I also work for one of the top hospitality groups doing their private membership club program.”

“I'm here to help artists or anyone in the entertainment industry with the business side of things — real estate,” Sanchez said.

Financial advisor Andrea Friedman touched upon the importance of balancing family and career — whether you're an artist or a businessman. “It's about being disciplined so you can spend time with loved ones and still be a highly successful career individual,” Friedman said.

Billboard Latin Music Week 2024 took place October 15-18.