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.
Romeo Santos Launches Fundación Los Santos to Support Children With Autism
Romeo Santos is turning a very personal experience into a broader mission. On Tuesday (Aug. 11), the bachata superstar announced the launch of Fundación Los Santos, a registered 501(c)(3) organization created to support children with autism and their families through greater access to resources, educational opportunities, developmental programs and community initiatives.
“As a father of a child with autism, I have experienced firsthand both the joys and challenges that many families face every day,” Santos said in a statement. “The Los Santos Foundation seeks to help families feel seen, supported and empowered, contributing to a more hopeful future for so many children.”
With a personal contribution from Santos, the foundation’s initial efforts will focus on grants, strategic partnerships, family resource centers, social and developmental opportunities for children, and collaborations with schools and community organizations. Additional initiatives are expected to be announced in the coming months.
Los Ángeles Azules to Receive L.A. Street Naming Ahead of Hispanic Heritage Month
Los Ángeles Azules’ decades-long cumbia legacy will be celebrated with a new street designation in L.A. On Sept. 14, Los Angeles City Councilmember Imelda Padilla will host a ceremony naming the intersection of Van Nuys Boulevard and Chase Street in Panorama City Los Ángeles Azules Square, honoring the group’s cultural impact ahead of Latino Heritage Month.
“It is an incredible honor for Los Ángeles Azules to receive this recognition from the City of Los Angeles,” said the group in a statement. “Having the iconic corner of Van Nuys Blvd. and Chase Street in Panorama City bear our name represents much more than a tribute to our career, it is a symbol of the deep bond we have built over so many years with this city, the Latino community, and the families who have made our music part of their lives.”
They continued: “We were proudly born in Iztapalapa and have had the immense privilege of seeing our music embraced in so many places around the world. Without a doubt, the City of Los Angeles holds tremendous meaning for us and will always have a very special place in our hearts. Here, generations of fans have welcomed us with open arms, danced to our cumbia, and passed our music down from parents to children, making it part of the cultural history of this great city.”
The ceremony will include the unveiling of the band members’ handprints in cement, along with remarks from city officials, community leaders and the group.
Eladio Carrión Announces Return of Saucegiving in Puerto Rico
Eladio Carrión’s Sauce for a Cause Foundation is bringing its annual Saucegiving community celebration back to his roots in Humacao, Puerto Rico, on Dec. 6. Now in its sixth year, the free event will combine sports, music and community programming, including a celebrity softball game, Home Run Derby, baseball clinics for hundreds of young people, a dog adoption fair and SauceMarket merchandise.
“Saucegiving is something that means a lot to me because it’s about giving back to the people and community that have supported me throughout my journey,” Carrión said in a statement. “Every year, we get to bring more families together, create new opportunities for our youth and make a bigger impact.”
Through Sauce for a Cause, founded in 2020 under the umbrella of Fundación Rimas, Carrión has supported more than 17,000 people across Puerto Rico, Latin America and the Caribbean through initiatives focused on youth development, animal welfare, community empowerment and disaster relief.
Courtesy of the artist
Rosalía Stuns Rio with A Cappella Tribute to Caetano Veloso and Fito Páez
Rosalía delivered an unforgettable moment during her Lux Tour on the second night at Rio de Janeiro’s Farmasi Arena on Tuesday (Aug. 11). Stepping to the front of the stage for an intimate, stripped-back segment, she stunned the Brazilian crowd by singing a raw, a cappella rendition of the iconic Argentine rock anthem “Un Vestido y Un Amor” by Fito Páez.
Before singing, the Spanish superstar shared with the audience that she had watched icon Caetano Veloso perform live in the city just days earlier, which deeply inspired her to pay homage to him. By performing “Un Vestido y Un Amor” — a track Veloso famously covered and popularized in Brazil — Rosalía beautifully bridged Argentine rock, Brazilian MPB history, and her own signature vocal artistry into a single, breathtaking moment of cross-cultural admiration. Watch the moment here.