From October 14 to 18, Miami played host to one of the most important events in Latin Music: Billboard’s Latin Music Week. This year marked the 35th iteration of this culturally and sonically rich event, and the lineup featured big names like J Balvin and Edén Muñoz as well as up-and-coming stars like Paola Jara and Tito Double P.
The weeklong event is focused on bringing together the biggest stars in Latin music as well as fans, cultural leaders, and industry executives to celebrate the accomplishments and heritage of this popular genre. Highlights of the week included showcases such as “The Explosion of Colombian Pop Music,” “Neuvo Mexicano,” “Venezuela Rising,” “K-Pop Goes Latin,” “The Intersection of Latin and Hip-Hop,” and so much more.
In addition to explosive performances, attendees enjoyed panels on topics like women in Latin music and mental health and stardom as well as Q&A sessions with superstars like J Balvin and Young Miko.
Let’s dive deeper into the history of Billboard Latin Music Week as well as the Avi & Co. event at our Miami Design District location, which attracted many of the performing stars and perfectly complemented the celebratory atmosphere of this cultural and musical celebration.
The Origins of Billboard Latin Music Week
Since 1989, Billboard Latin Music Week has been a key moment for big names in Latin music to mix and mingle – and it is also a great opportunity for fans to enjoy personal moments with the artists they love most.
The inaugural event was called “Premios Lo Nuestro A La Música Latina Conference & Awards,” but the next year, Billboard changed its name to the “Latin Music Seminar.” This celebration lasted just one day in Miami. The 1990 event featured five industry panels, two artist showcases, and an awards show. Since then, the scope of the celebration has multiplied in size to encompass a week-long celebration of Latin sounds, foods, and heritage.
Over the years, Billboard Latin Music Week (in all of its different names and phases) has hosted some of the biggest stars on Earth. At the 1996 event, Shakira performed at the New Artist Showcase. Since then, she has won 26 Billboard Latin Music Awards.
Other big names that have made waves at Billboard Latin Music Week include Ricky Martin, who performed “Livin’ La Vida Loca” at the 1999 event; Marc Anthony; Daddy Yankee, who hosted a legendary Q&A session there in 2006; Enrique Iglesias, who met collaborators Wisin and Yandel backstage at the conference in 2008; Santana; Carlos Vives; Gloria Estefan; Nicky Jam; Bad Bunny; Maluma; Pitbull; and so many more.
While Billboard Latin Music Week has primarily been held in Miami, there have been aberrations from this pattern in the past. For instance, one event towards the beginning of the conference’s history took place in Las Vegas. In 2010, the event was held in Puerto Rico in partnership with the Puerto Rican government.
The rich history of Billboard Latin Music Week and the subsequent Billboard Latin Music Awards (which were broadcast this year on Sunday, October 20, following the week-long celebration) speaks for itself.
Highlights of Billboard Latin Music Week 2024
This year’s Billboard Latin Music Week celebration truly had it all – incredible performances, a stellar lineup, Q&A sessions with Latin music’s hottest artists, and fashionable ensembles that turned heads at every moment. From streetwear to formalwear, and of course all manner of iced-out jewelry, Latin music stars made waves in the fashion world as well as the sonic one.
The majority of events were held at the Fillmore Miami Beach, a performance space within Jackie Gleason Theater. The Fillmore is an Art Deco inspiration that perfectly encapsulates the atmosphere of tropical Miami. After Billboard Latin Music Week, the Billboard Latin Music Awards were shown on Telemundo on Sunday, October 20.
Among the big winners were Karol G (eight awards), Bad Bunny (six awards), Peso Pluma (six awards), Fuerza Regida (four awards), and FloyyMenor (two awards). Three Latin music icons received special awards as well. Pepe Aguilar was recognized with the coveted Billboard Hall of Fame Award. Alejandro Sanz won the Lifetime Achievement Award.
In a particularly touching moment, J Balvin received the Billboard Spirit of Hope Award, which is given to an artist or group to recognize their extraordinary philanthropic and humanitarian contributions beyond the scope of their musical work. He was awarded this honor by fellow Colombian artist Maluma, and J Balvin gave an emotional speech about the importance of the Spirit of Hope Award, which was established in 1996 in honor of Latin pop icon Selena.
Avi & Co.’s Billboard Latin Music Week Miami Event
To finish off Billboard Latin Music Week with a bang, Avi & Co. hosted an exclusive event on October 15th at our Miami Design District location. The event started at 7 p.m. and continued on until the wee hours of the morning, as guests and celebrities alike could not get enough of the luxury watches on display at our chic showroom.
Who attended? We were proud to host a star-studded guest list to help add to the celebratory atmosphere of Billboard Latin Music Week. Of course, Avi & Co. founder and CEO Avi Hiaeve enjoyed the party and reconnected with some familiar faces. Some notable guests included…
Perhaps an even bigger question is… What watches and accessories did guests love the most as they perused our showroom during this spirited event? In particular, many of our celebrity guests were attracted to our Richard Mille collection. Richard Mille watches are well-known across the horological community for their unique aesthetic and combination of sporty, luxe, and durable qualities. Wes Watson and Gabriela Cundari (pictured above) tried on a few Richard Mille pieces to determine which would be the best fit for their wrists.
In addition to the Richard Mille watches, Avi & Co.’s own named collections were a big hit. Many of our visitors were drawn to the Avi & Co. Iced Collection and Frosted Collection as well as our GIA-certified diamond jewelry, which showcases the best of all-natural stones in a variety of cuts, colors, and carats.
Hot Watches at Avi & Co.’s Latest Miami Event
The Avi & Co. watch collections were some of the most in-demand pieces at our Billboard Latin Music Week event in Miami. In fact, Puerto Rican rapper and singer Anuel purchased a 40 mm rose gold Iced Collection watch as well as a 40 mm white gold Frosted Collection watch to add to his wardrobe. It doesn’t get better than these breathtaking pieces that offer countless pave diamonds and unique bracelet designs.
Avi & Co.’s Iced Collection watches are available in a variety of metals and sizes in order to suit the needs of every customer. You can purchase an Iced Collection watch in either 18K rose gold or 18K white gold (opt for the former if you are trying to emulate Anuel’s impeccable taste). These pieces are available in 37 mm, 40 mm, and 44 mm case sizes, making them versatile with options for every wrist. The mid-size 40 mm watch features a grand total of 738 diamonds, making it a striking timepiece that is sure to turn heads.
For those seeking a subtler bit of flair, consider the Avi & Co. Frosted Collection watches. Available in 18K white gold and 18K rose gold and with case sizes of 40 mm and 44 mm, these pieces showcase a unique bracelet finishing technique that leads to a “frosted” effect. The Frosted Collection watches maintain the eye-catching diamond dial and bezel of the Iced Collection, offsetting these precious gems with a burnished bracelet achieved through our proprietary tooling methods.
Find Your Perfect Style at Avi & Co.
No matter which watch you prefer, we have the perfect timepiece for you at Avi & Co. Come visit us at any one of our three convenient locations – you can find us in Miami, New York City, and Aspen, Colorado. What are you waiting for?
Schedule an appointment with us today!
