Karol G leads the list of finalists for the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, with 21 nods in categories including artist of the year, tour of the ytear, Global 200 Latin artist of the year, and top Latin album of the year for Mañana Será Bonito, Billboard and Telemundo announced Thursday (Sep. 12).

For the third consecutive year, the Colombian star garners the greatest number of entries for a female artist, after achieving 15 in 2022 and 13 in 2023. Her song “Qlona,” with Mexican star Peso Pluma, competes for six awards — including Hot Latin Song of the year, Global 200 Latin Song of the year and Sales Song of the Year — while her hit “Mi Ex Tenía Razón” garners two nods, for Latin airplay song of the year and Sales Song of the year.

Following Karol G are Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma with 15 nods each. Bunny competes, among others, for Artist of the Year, Global 200 artist of the year, and tour of the year. His song “Perro Negro” with Feid, including Global 200 Latin song of the year, Hot Latin Song of the Year, and Hot Latin Song of the Year, Vocal Event. His album Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va A Pasar Mañana competes for Top Latin Album of the Year and Latin Rhythm Album of the Year.

Pluma, meanwhile, is up for Artist of the Year, Global 200 Artist of the Year, songwriter of the year, and regional Mexican album of the Year for Éxodo. In addition to his six entries with Karol G for “Qlona,” his hit “Lady Gaga” with Gabito Ballesteros and Junior H competes for two awards: Hot Latin Song of the year, vocal event and Streaming Song of the year.

Feid boasts 11 entries. In addition to the five he achieved for “Perro Negro” with Bad Bunny, he also competes for Global 200 Latin artist of the year, and Latin rhythm album of the year for Ferxxocalipsis.

With eight entries are regional Mexican acts Fuerza Regida and Junior H, both artist of the year finalists. The group also competes, among others, for Hot Latin Song of the year, vocal event for “Harley Quinn” with Marshmello, as well as Top Latin Album of the year and regional Mexican album of the year with Pa Las Baby’s y Belikeada. Junior H is also a Top Latin Album of the year and regional Mexican album of the Year finalist for $adBoyz For Life II.

Other artists with multiple mentions include Xavi (7), Grupo Frontera y Mike Towers (5), Aventura, Gabito Ballesteros, Kali Uchis, y Shakira (4), Cris Mj, Eslabon Armado, FloyyMenor, Julión Alvarez y su Norteño Banda, Marc Anthony, Prince Royce, Rauw Alejandro y Young Miko (3), ATL Jacob, Edgar “Edge” Barrera, Grupo Firme, JOP, Luis Figueroa, Maná, Marshmello, Natanael Cano, Piso 21,  Reik, Venesti and Wisin (2).

The 31st annual Billboard Latin Music Awards will be broadcast on Telemundo on October 20 at 9pm ET from Miami. It will simultaneously be available on the Spanish entertainment cable network Universo, on Peacock and the Telemundo app, and in Latin America and the Caribbean through Telemundo Internacional.

This year’s awards will be presented in 49 categories spanning major Latin music genres, from Latin pop to tropical, and Latin rhythm to regional Mexican.

The Latin Billboard Music Awards are the only ones that recognize the most popular albums, songs and performers in Latin music, according to Billboard‘s weekly charts. Produced by Telemundo and MBS Special Events, they coincide with Billboard Latin Music Week, which returns to Miami Beach Oct. 14-18 with a roster of star speakers including Alejandro Sanz, Gloria Estefan, Danny Ocean, Peso Pluma and many more. Get your tickets today for the Billboard Latin Music Week 2024 here.

See the complete list of finalists below:

OVERALL ARTISTS CATEGORIES

Artist of the Year

Bad Bunny

Fuerza Regida

Junior H

Karol G

Peso Pluma

Artist of the Year, New

Gabito Ballesteros

Oscar Maydon

Tito Double P

Xavi

Young Miko

Tour of the Year

Aventura

Bad Bunny

Karol G

Luis Miguel

RBD

Crossover Artist of the Year

ATL Jacob

Cardi B

Marshmello

Rema

Tiesto

Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year

Bad Bunny

Feid

Karol G

Peso Pluma

Xavi

SONGS CATEGORIES

Global 200 Latin Song of the Year

Bad Bunny & Feid, “Perro Negro”

Feid & ATL Jacob, “Luna”

FloyyMenor & Cris Mj, “Gata Only”

Karol G & Peso Pluma, “Qlona”

Myke Towers, “Lala”

Hot Latin Song of the Year

Bad Bunny, “Monaco”

Bad Bunny & Feid, “Perro Negro”

FloyyMenor & Cris Mj, “Gata Only”

Karol G & Peso Pluma, “Qlona”

Xavi, “La Diabla”

Hot Latin Song of the Year, Vocal Event

Bad Bunny & Feid, “Perro Negro”

FloyyMenor & Cris Mj, “Gata Only”

Fuerza Regida & Marshmello, “Harley Quinn”

Karol G & Peso Pluma, “Qlona”

Peso Pluma, Gabito Ballesteros & Junior H, “Lady Gaga”

Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Male

Bad Bunny

Feid

Junior H

Peso Pluma

Xavi

Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Female

Anitta

Karol G

Kali Uchis

Shakira

Young Miko

Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Duo or Group

Eslabon Armado

Fuerza Regida

Grupo Firme

Grupo Frontera

Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda

Hot Latin Songs Label of the Year

Double P

Interscope Capitol Labels Group

Rimas

Sony Music Latin

Warner Latina

Latin Airplay Song of the Year

Bad Bunny & Feid, “Perro Negro”

Karol G, “Mi Ex Tenía Razón”

Karol G & Peso Pluma, “Qlona”

Myke Towers, “La Falda”

Myke Towers, “Lala”

Latin Airplay Label of the Year

Interscope Capitol Labels Group

Rimas

Sony Music Latin

Universal Music Latin Entertainment

Warner Latina

Sales Song of the Year

Bad Bunny, “Monaco”

Karol G, “Mi Ex Tenía Razón”

Karol G, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido”

Karol G & Peso Pluma, “Qlona”

Xavi, “La Diabla”

Streaming Song of the Year

Bad Bunny & Feid, “Perro Negro”

Calle 24, Chino Pacas & Fuerza Regida, “Qué onda”

Karol G & Peso Pluma, “Qlona”

Peso Pluma, Gabito Ballesteros & Junior H, “Lady Gaga”

Xavi, “La Diabla”

ALBUM CATEGORIES

Top Latin Album of the Year

Bad Bunny, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana

Fuerza Regida, Pa Las Baby’s y Belikeada

Grupo Frontera, El Comienzo

Junior H, $ad Boyz For Life II

Karol G, Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season)

Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Male

Bad Bunny

Feid

Junior H

Peso Pluma

Rauw Alejandro

Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Female

Becky G

Kali Uchis

Karol G

Shakira

Young Miko

Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group

Aventura

Eslabon Armado

Fuerza Regida

Grupo Frontera

Grupo Marca Registrada

Top Latin Albums Label of the Year

Double P

Interscope Capitol Labels Group

Rimas

Sony Music Latin

Universal Music Latin Entertainment

LATIN POP CATEGORIES

Latin Pop Artist of the Year, Solo

Enrique Iglesias

Kali Uchis

Luis Fonsi

Sebastián Yatra

Shakira

Latin Pop Artist of the Year, Duo or Group

Camila

La Oreja De Van Gogh

Maná

Piso 21

Reik

Latin Pop Song of the Year

Danny Ocean, “Amor”

Maná & Edén Muñoz, “Amor Clandestino”

Piso 21 & Wisin, “La Misión”

Reik, “Abril”

Venesti, Nacho & Maffio, “No Es Normal”

Latin Pop Airplay Label of the Year

AP Global

Intercope Capitol Label Group

Sony Music Latin

Universal Music Latin Entertainment

Warner Latina

Latin Pop Album of the Year

Chayanne, Bailemos Otra Vez

Jay Wheeler, Música Buena Para Días Malos

Kali Uchis, Orquídeas

Kany García, García

Shakira, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran

Latin Pop Albums Label of the Year

Columbia

Interscope Capitol Labels Group

Sony Music Latin

Universal Music Latin Entertainment

Warner Latina

TROPICAL CATEGORIES

Tropical Artist of the Year, Solo

Juan Luis Guerra

Luis Figueroa

Marc Anthony

Prince Royce

Romeo Santos

Tropical Artist of the Year, Duo or Group

Aventura

Gente de Zona

Grupo Niche

La Sonora Dinamita

Monchy & Alexandra

Tropical Song of the Year

Luis Figueroa, “Bandido”

Marc Anthony, “Punta Cana”

Myke Towers, “La Capi”

Prince Royce & Gabito Ballesteros, “Cosas de la Peda”

Víctor Manuelle feat. Frankie Ruiz, “Otra Noche Más”

Tropical Airplay Label of the Year

Interscope Capitol Label Group

Magnus

Rimas

Sony Music Latin

Warner Latina

Tropical Album of the Year

Aventura, Generation Next

Camilo, Cuatro

Marc Anthony, Muevense

Prince Royce, Llamada Perdida

Tropical Albums Label of the Year

Discos Fuentes

Sony Music Latin

The Orchard

Universal Music Enterprises

Universal Music Latin Entertainment

REGIONAL MEXICAN CATEGORIES

Regional Mexican Artist of the Year, Solo

Carin León

Ivan Cornejo

Junior H

Natanael Cano

Peso Pluma

Regional Mexican Artist of the Year, Duo or Group

Eslabon Armado

Fuerza Regida

Grupo Firme

Grupo Frontera

Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda

Regional Mexican Song of the Year

Alejandro Fernández, “Difícil Tu Caso”

Banda MS, “Tu Perfume”

Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga, “Dios Bendiga Nuestro Amor”

Banda Los Recoditos, “Vas a Querer Volver”

Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda, “Buscándole a la Suerte”

Regional Mexican Airplay Label of the Year

Afinarte

Azteca

Grupo Frontera

Sony Music Latin

Universal Music Latin Entertainment

Regional Mexican Album of the Year

Fuerza Regida, Pa Las Baby’s y Belikeada

Grupo Frontera, El Comienzo

Junior H, $ad Boyz For Life II

Natanael Cano, Nata Montana

Peso Pluma, Éxodo

Regional Mexican Albums Label of the Year

Double P Records

Grupo Frontera

Sony Music Latin

Universal Music Latin Entertainment

Warner Latina

LATIN RHYTHM CATEGORIES

Latin Rhythm Artist of the Year, Solo

Bad Bunny

Feid

Karol G

Myke Towers

Rauw Alejandro

Latin Rhythm Artist of the Year, Duo or Group

Baby Rasta & Gringo

Jowell & Randy

Mambo Kingz

Wisin & Yandel

Zion & Lennox

Latin Rhythm Song of the Year

Aaantonio, “El Hotel”

Daddy Yankee, “Bonita”

Natti Natasha, “Ya No Te Extraño”

Venesti, “Umaye”

Wisin & Mora, “Bien Loco”

Latin Rhythm Airplay Label of the Year

Interscope Capitol Labels Group

Rimas

Sony Music Latin

Universal Music Latin Entertainment

Warner Latina

Latin Rhythm Album of the Year

Bad Bunny, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana

Feid, Ferxxocalipsis

Karol G, Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season)

Rauw Alejandro, Playa Saturno

Tainy, Data

Latin Rhythm Albums Label of the Year

Interscope Capitol Labels Group

Neon 16

Rimas

Sony Music Latin

Universal Music Latin Entertainment

WRITERS / PRODUCERS / PUBLISHERS CATEGORIES

Songwriter of the Year

Alexis Armando Fierro Román

Edgar Barrera

JOP

Peso Pluma

Xavi

Publisher of the Year

Double P Publishing, BMI

Prajin Music Publishing, BMI

Street Mob Publishing, BMI

Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp, BMI

Universal Music, Inc., ASCAP

Publishing Corporation of the Year

Downtown Music Publishing

Kobalt Music Group

Sony Music Publishing

Universal Music

Warner Chappell Music

Producer of the Year

Edgar Barrera

Ernesto ‘Neto’ Fernández

JOP

MAG

Ovy On The Drums

Stop me if you know you’ve heard this one before. Despite the end-times detente between long-battling brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher of Oasis that recently led to their announcement of a 2025 UK tour, some things in the music feud world never change.

Case in point: the Smiths. The legendary British purveyors of sorrowful rock broke up acrimoniously in 1987, and based on their latest alleged loggerheads it seems certain that they are never, ever getting back together. Not even to re-release their old music, according to lead lamenter Morrissey.

In a post on his official blog on Wednesday (Sept. 11) titled “Smiths Not OK,” the 65-year-old singer claimed that his ex-bandmate and chief nemesis, former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, has “blocked” the release of a planned greatest hits compilation. “The proposed greatest hits album by The Smiths entitled Smiths Rule OK! has been blocked by J Marr,” he wrote, in a post featuring a classic pic of the four-man Manchester band and what he said was a new cover image of their 1983 debut single, “Hand in Glove.”

Morrissey said that the single and hits comp were slated for release this year worldwide by Warner Records along with a deluxe box set of the band’s 1984 self-titled debut album, which featured such beloved tales of woeful misery as “Reel Around the Fountain,” “Miserable Lie,” “Still Ill” and “What Difference Does it Make?” The singer said the 40th anniversary edition of the album was to be packaged with a new 7-inch of the single “This Charming Man” as well.

“Warner approached Morrissey and [graphic designer] Darren Evans to assemble artwork for all four releases, all of which were rejected and halted out of hand by J Marr,” Morrissey wrote. At press time it did not appear that band composer Marr — whose iconic jangly, ringing guitar tone was as crucial to the band’s sound as Morrissey’s laconic, sad-eyed vocals and lyrics — had responded to the singer’s claims and a spokesperson for Marr had not returned Billboard‘s request for comment.

During their brief, but highly impactful tenure, The Smiths released just four full-length studio albums, all of which featured songs that have become alt rock landmarks, including “That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore,” “Meat Is Murder,” “Bigmouth Strikes Again,” “The Boy With the Thorn in His Side,” “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out,” “Girlfriend in a Coma,” “Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me” and, of course, “Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before.”

Morrissey paid loving tribute to late bassist Andy Rourke — with whom he and Marr had also feuded with over the band’s royalties — in May 2023 after Rourke’s death at 59 from pancreatic cancer. “Sometimes one of the most radical things you can do is to speak clearly. When someone dies, out come the usual blandishments… as if their death is there to be used. I’m not prepared to do this with Andy,” the singer wrote at the time.

Last month, Morrissey posted a note claiming that in June of this year AEG Entertainment made a “lucrative offer” to both Morrissey and Marr to reunite for a Smith’s world tour in 2025, to which he claimed he said yes while Marr “ignored the offer.” In keeping with the sniping acrimony between the former bandmates, the misanthropic singer added that while he “undertakes a largely sold out tour of the USA in November, Marr continues to tour as a special guest to New Order.”

For the record, Marr is slated to kick off a headlining North American tour with opener James on Sept. 17 at the Paramount Theatre in Denver that will run through an Oct. 18 gig at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul, MN.

While the Gallaghers have miraculously managed to set aside their sibling rivalry for a run of shows most fans never thought would happen, the alleged greatest hits snit suggests the animosity between Marr and Morrissey will continue apace after nearly 40 years of public barbs and insults, blocking a much-desired get back from one of the most influential and beloved British indie rock bands of all time.

After 17 years in Ibiza, IMS is expanding to the Middle East.

The annual electronic music conference announced Thursday (Sept. 12) that it will host the debut edition of IMS Dubai on Nov. 14-15 at the W Dubai – Mina Seyahi.

The two-day event will feature MENA region-based speakers from YouTube, Warner Music Group, Anghami, Believe and more, along with artists and organizers of regional events including Morocco’s Oasis Festival, Dubai’s Soho Garden and Groove on the Grass, and Beirut’s Factory People.

Additionally, speakers from outside the Middle East will represent companies and brands including Tomorrowland, Defected Records, CAA, WME, He.She.They and the Association For Electronic Music.

An opening keynote will be delivered by Maha ElNabaw, managing editor of Billboard Arabia. Other speakers will include Aloki Batra, CEO of The Pacha Group and Five Hospitality; Janet Ashak, YouTube’s head of music in the region; and more. Artist participants include Iranian producer Deep Dish, and Saudi Arabian producer Cosmicat. As at the Ibiza event, IMS Dubai will be hosted by BBC Radio’s Pete Tong, who is also an IMS co-founder.

The two-day conference will feature 13 panel discussions, with topics including navigating the music industry in the MENA region; a look at culture tourism focused on Ibiza and Dubai; MENA region investors; regional talent buyers; the growth of labels and streaming in the region; the underground scene in Dubai; a focus on the Egyptian market; MENA women in music; and more.

Passes for the event go on sale Sept. 19.

“For almost two decades, International Music Summit has united the global electronic music community annually in Ibiza to explore industry trends, innovations, and the challenges our diverse community faces,” the IMS founders said in a joint statement. “To make a global impact, IMS seeks to be where change is happening, which is why we’ve also hosted three editions of IMS Asia Pacific in Shanghai and one in Singapore, five IMS Engage events in Los Angeles, and three IMS College events in Malta. IMS Dubai will debut in the United Arab Emirates, marking a strategic expansion into the Middle East and North Africa.”

Organizers note that the conference “will not receive government or cultural funding or incentives for this initiative.” Digital download platform Beatport acquired a majority stake in IMS in 2023, with support for the event also coming from AlphaTheta, the owner of Pioneer DJ.

“Our goal is to inspire continued growth, support, and investment while addressing the unique cultural challenges musicians and start-ups face,” the statement continues. “Electronic music culture is built on long standing principles of bringing people together from diverse backgrounds on the dancefloor. Music has the power to unify and we all have a part to play in creating safer spaces for all; a principle that IMS and Beatport proudly stand behind.”

The MENA region is indeed a current buzzy growth market for electronic music and more. The 2024 IFPI Global Report found that total MENA revenue rose by 14.4% in 2023 following a 26.8% jump in 2022. According to IFPI, streaming revenue accounted for 98.4% of the region’s market over the last year.

Rock legend Jon Bon Jovi stepped into an unexpected role as a hero on Tuesday (Sept. 10) when he helped talk a distressed woman off the edge of a Nashville bridge.

The incident, which occurred on the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, was captured on surveillance footage released by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.

The 62-year-old, who was filming a music video at the time, approached the woman with another person and calmly convinced her to step down from the ledge over the Cumberland River.

After about a minute of conversation, the footage shows Bon Jovi and the other individual helping the woman climb back over the railing. The singer then embraced her, before comforting her as they walked down the bridge together. Police confirmed that the woman was later taken to receive mental health care.

“A shout out to @jonbonjovi & his team for helping a woman on the Seigenthaler Ped Bridge Tue night. Bon Jovi helped persuade her to come off the ledge over the Cumberland River to safety,” Nashville police shared on X (formerly Twitter).

Nashville Police Chief John Drake praised the singer, stating, “It takes all of us to help keep each other safe.”

A shout out to @jonbonjovi & his team for helping a woman on the Seigenthaler Ped Bridge Tue night. Bon Jovi helped persuade her to come off the ledge over the Cumberland River to safety. “It takes all of us to help keep each other safe,”–Chief John Drake https://t.co/1YejKJ2WgM

— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) September 11, 2024

Bon Jovi’s involvement in the rescue is perhaps unsurprising given his extensive charity work through the JBJ Soul Foundation, which focuses on helping those affected by homelessness, hunger, and other crises.

This act of kindness has only further endeared Bon Jovi to fans, many of whom took to social media to praise the “Livin’ On a Prayer” legend.

When he’s not saving lives, Bon Jovi remains a longtime fixture in the music industry. The frontman for Bon Jovi, one of the world’s best-selling rock bands, has four Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits under his belt, including classics like “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name.” Earlier this year, the band released their album Forever, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart.

Check out footage released by Nashville PD below.