Latin Artists Share Personal Journeys at Billboard and Meta Event

Billboard Brasil and Billboard Español, in collaboration with Meta, hosted a two-day event at the Museum of Illusions in Las Vegas on November 10-11. Latin music stars like Bad Gyal, Luísa Sonza, and Milo J shared their experiences and reflections ahead of the 27th Annual Latin Grammy Awards, as reported by Billboard. Artists explored optical illusions, tried Meta's smart glasses, and engaged in candid conversations about their music and careers.

Insights into Music and the Industry

Luísa Sonza was surprised by her Latin Grammy nomination for “Uñas afiladas” outside the Brazilian categories. For her, it was a beautiful achievement, especially since the song with Sofía Reyes grew from a friendship, without awards in mind, she told Billboard.

Bruses, with three nominations, joked, “Rosalía, it's an honor to lose to you. I love you so much.” The Mexican singer-songwriter revealed that her album Desde el Coma took three years to complete and that mental health is central to her lyrics, which began as a personal diary. “Success looks different to me now,” she said, making it clear it goes beyond musical achievement, according to Billboard.

J Noa found herself in an ironic position: her song “Antisistema,” which criticizes the music industry, was nominated for a Latin Grammy. The Dominican rapper explained that the track targets the pressures musicians face from the system in general, including the public and listeners. She was surprised that such a direct song received this recognition, as published by Billboard.

Argentine artist Milo J took a big gamble with his album La Vida Era Más Corta. He initially considered it his least commercial work, but it turned out to be his most successful. “So it's my least commercial album, but also my most commercial at the same time,” he reflected, earning six Latin Grammy nominations.

Personal Stories Behind the Songs

Francisca Valenzuela found inspiration in motherhood for “Bugambilia,” her nominated alternative song. Written during her first postpartum experience, the Chilean artist aimed to portray the “beautiful and brutal” realities of that time, including the pressure and feelings of inadequacy, as she shared with Billboard.

Gerardo Coronel offered a unique prescription for getting over heartbreak with his song “Una de 1500.” The Mexican singer suggested that sometimes spending 1,500 pesos (about $80 USD) on a psychologist, a night out drinking, or an outing can help heal. “One of 1,500 is very necessary to heal your sorrows,” he affirmed, according to Billboard.

Ovy on the Drums believes the best collaborations stem from personal chemistry. His nominated track “Yo y Tú” with Quevedo was “very natural, very easy, very fluid.” The Colombian producer commented that “when things happen that way, the music comes with a beautiful energy,” unlike when business interferes, as he told Billboard.

Fonseca fulfilled a dream by recording with Rubén Blades. The Colombian singer-songwriter, who grew up with Blades' music, invited him to collaborate on a song about migrants, and the Panamanian icon became involved in production and composition, an “enormous privilege” for Fonseca, according to Billboard.

Bad Gyal approached her album Más Cara without strict rules. The Spanish artist let her musical tastes guide the project, rather than forcing a predetermined concept, showing how artists, as we covered in this article, find their own path.

Why it matters

These intimate gatherings remind us that behind every song and every nomination are personal life stories, challenges, and triumphs. They allow fans to connect more deeply with their favorite artists and understand the passion and realities shaping today's Latin music.