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.
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Xavi Brings Mexican Music Swagger to Times Square’s New Year’s Eve Celebration
With his slicked-back hair and oversized black coat Xavi kicked off 2026 with a bang (and a fresh look) during Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2026 in Times Square, with over 100,000 fans reportedly in attendance. Backed by a norteño ensemble featuring an accordionist, brass section and guitarists, he delivered performances of the Billboard No. 1 bachata hit “En Privado” and the Mexican cumbia-infused “No Capea,” originally starring Manuel Turizo and Grupo Frontera, respectively. The multi-city extravaganza also featured a headlining act by Diana Ross, alongside performances by Ciara, LE SSERAFIM, Little Big Town, Daddy Yankee, Maren Morris, and more.
In other Xavi news, “En Privado” was added to Barack Obama’s Favorite Music of 2025 list.
Los Tigres del Norte and The Simpsons Teamed Up For “El Corrido de Pedro y Homero”
In a historic (and heartwarming) moment for Latin music fans, Los Tigres Del Norte made their animated debut on The Simpsons during the Dec. 28 episode, performing “El Corrido de Pedro y Homero.” The episode, “The Fall Guy-Yi-Yi,” centered around Bumblebee Man, and was “a love letter of sorts to our Latin American fans, and to Mexican culture specifically,” Cesar Mazariegos, co-executive producer of The Simpsons, said in a statement.
The new song was a reimagining of the classic “Pedro y Pablo,” originally featured on Los Tigres’ Jaula de Oro album from 1984. The artwork depicted the group performing onstage, dressed sharply with thick mustaches, cowboy hats and boots, while playing traditional instruments such as accordion, guitars, bass and drums.
Stream the episode on Disney+, and watch a snippet below.
Bizarrap Joins MONDO for U.S. Debut at CES 2026
Argentine superproducer Bizarrap is partnering with MONDO, a Scandinavian lifestyle audio brand, for its U.S. and Latin American debut at CES 2026, where he will headline a show on Wednesday (Jan. 7) at Hakkasan Studio in Las Vegas. “The U.S. and Latin America are where music, identity, and design intersect most powerfully right now,” says Johan Wahlbäck, CEO of MONDO, in a press release. “With strong regional partners and creators who genuinely live in sound, we’re building MONDO as a long-term cultural brand, not a short-term product launch.”
This performance will be MONDO’s first official U.S. activation, as the brand emphasizes a culture-driven approach to sound and music. “The exchange has already begun to influence product development, including work on a DJ-inspired headphone being developed jointly with MONDO’s design team. An early preview of the product is planned for 2026”, says the press release.
