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The 2023 Heat Latin Music Awards (Premios Heat)—which recognizes renowned and up-and-coming artists who are making a buzz in the Caribbean and Latin American regions—aired live from Cap Cana in The Dominican Republic on Thursday (June 8), and featured many memorable moments.
Karol G, Feid, and Bad Bunny led the nominations with six each, followed by five-time nominee El Alfa. Romeo Santos and Bizarrap each scooped four nominations.
The big winner of the night was Karol G, who took home the coveted song of the year award for “Provenza.”
But beyond awarding the best urban artist, the best new artist, the best music video, and the best collaboration, to name a few categories, Premios Heat captured star-studded performances, special awards and tributes, and memorable speeches.
Below, check out some of the best highlights from the eighth edition of the Heat Latin Music Awards:
1. Hottest Song of the Moment: On the Premios Heat carpet, Billboard asked artists to share the hottest song of the moment and the answers ranged from perreo to pop. Reggaeton veteran Maldy said the song he can’t stop listening to — and dedicates to his wife — is YNG LVCAS and Peso Pluma’s “La Bebe (Remix).” Mau y Ricky gave Billboard an exclusive and sang a snippet of their upcoming collaboration with Argentine newcomer La Joaqui. Also, LAGOS crooned us with Lasso’s “Ojos Marrones,” which he helped compose.
2. Jay Wheeler’s in Love: The Puerto Rican artist, who’s making the rounds with his single “Pacto,” arrived at the Premios Heat with his wife and Venezuelan singer Zhamira Zambrano. It was a special night for the newlyweds as they not only took center stage to perform their pop ballad “Dicelo” but Wheeler also nabbed the award for best artist north region. “Don’t be afraid to fall in love because it’s beautiful. I’m married and I’m very happy,” he said during his acceptance speech.
3. Mike Bahia’s Surprise Award: At the eighth edition of Premios Heat, Colombian artist Mike Bahía was surprised with a special award called Lo + Heat for being part of the Heat family since its inauguration in 2015. During his acceptance speech, Bahía expressed that life has been in charge of reminding him not to quit. “Today I realize why life reminds me how beautiful it is to walk with a team. It wouldn’t make sense if I didn’t have someone to share it with. Love and honor your family always,” he said.
4. The New Wave of Latin Acts: The Heat Latin Music Awards is known for not only supporting up-and-coming Latin artists but also offering a platform where their hard work is recognized. Keeping their mission firm, this year’s awards show included a segment where a wave of emerging acts took center stage. They were Mar Rendon, who performed a rock version of Nek’s “Laura No Esta;” Teo (Fanny Lu’s son), who performed a medley of two original songs; Kunno and Dayanara, who performed their collaboration “El Ganado;” Xofi, who performed an infectious bachata; and Elena Rose, who performed “Bayamón.”
5. A Grupo Niche Tribute: Premios Heat celebrated the 43-year trajectory of Grupo Niche for its impact on music with a star-studded tribute. Joining the Colombian salsa group on stage to sing some of their timeless hits were Eddy Herrera, Mike Bahía, Yahaira Plasencia, and Yeison Jimenez. “This award is and will always be for Jairo Varela, creator of this iconic band,” the ensemble said during its acceptance speech.
Kang Daniel‘s last trip to the U.S. took place in February 2020, just as COVID-19 concerns were truly taking hold worldwide and would soon put live-music experiences on hold for the foreseeable future. The K-pop superstar was preparing the second EP of his solo career—one of his four color-themed EPs he released from 2019-2021—sharing that there was “so much [he] prepared this year to show people.” Even if a global pandemic slowed travel, it didn’t affect the star’s ambition.
Daniel pushed on into more music, acting and hosting these past years while balancing duties as CEO of his KONNECT Entertainment. Only in 2023 was he able to finally come back stateside with a show that finally saw his long-awaited concert dreams coming true.
“It might sound a little silly, but when you lose something you understand how precious it is, right?” Daniel says during some downtime after touring the Empire State Building in New York. “For me, it was the performances and my shows. I really wanted to do a tour and I really wanted to get to my fans overseas.”
After releasing his first full-length album, The Story, and touring it through North America, Europe and Asia on his First Parade world tour, Daniel kickstarted a new era with the surprise, Mad Max-esque “Prequel” trailer that showcased a cinematic story as a backdrop to the K-pop star’s upcoming album. Combining his music with an epic, blockbuster production is another example of the ambitious, multifaceted artist he strives to not only be in the K-pop industry but recognized as such around the world.
“There’s a long history of pop culture and such diverse performances and shows in the U.S.,” he explains. “Everybody knows it all over the world. I want to be recognized as an artist through my shows in the U.S.”
After finally bringing his shows to America and beyond, Kang Daniel’s forthcoming album REALIEZ drops on June 19. Led by his first original English solo single, “Wasteland,” and its intensely eerie “Music Sequence” visual, the superstar’s ambition and goals seem on track to be recognized by his biggest audience ever. Read on for more from Kang Daniel on “Wasteland,” his reflections from his world tour, his personal advice and more.
Congratulations on the release of “Wasteland” ahead of your REALIEZ album. Why was this the right song to start your new era?
I think “Wasteland” is a song that expresses the betrayal of a firm faith and the moment of realizing it. The lyrics are all in English, signaling the beginning of a new narrative to more people and it seems that people can be more immersed in the cinematic concept, so it was released as a pre-release single.
This is your first music since your First Parade world tour that hit Europe, the U.K and U.S. Going back for a moment, tell me about your mindset when you were touring the States for the first time as a soloist?
The most important thought I had was, “I must do a show.” In my career as an artist, the most important part is being on the stage because that’s where I belong, that’s where I have the most fun and I want to share that with my fans. So, I’m very excited to have been in the US, we visited a lot of cities across the nation and it required a lot of preparation internally and for my stages as well. And it’s not only about the tour, but I get to explore these new cities and I get inspiration from that.
Do you like exploring the different cities or do you need to rest at hotels during touring?
I love to explore new places. For example, after checking into the hotel [in New York], I just went out by myself—went to a local restaurant and had dinner. Nowadays, I’m really into workouts so the gym is where I spend most of my time. So it’s like, “Okay: explore then workout.” Balance.
The tour centers around your first full-length album, The Story. Before officially moving from that era to REALIEZ, how do you reflect on such a significant project?
I think: “Finally, I was able to publish my first full-length album.” You know, it’s something we can hold onto as an artist; it’s a lifetime experience. For some artists, it might take, like, up to 10 years, right? But for me, since my debut, since I started collecting the music even, I really wanted to do, and just the fact that I was able to have my own [full-length] album in my lifetime was meaningful enough.
A title like “The Story” reaches very wide. What does it mean to you and does it still hold the same meaning as when you first titled the album?
When I had to come up with a title, I had a lot of pressure and I had to give a lot of thought to it because it’s almost like a collection of different dramas, with various genres, like, “How am I supposed to put everything into one word?” And in terms of genres, we describe it as “various,” but we can also say it’s kind of all over the place at the same time. So I just thought, “Okay, so far the life I’ve lived, and the music I’ve listened to, and it all comes into the word ‘story.’” it’s the story that I can share with my other fans and it’s just another story I can share with everybody and I story that I can love. And that meaning has stayed true even now.
There are some great lyrics to songs you wrote for The Story. “Parade” feels like a mature and empowered mindset behind it. What’s the s sentiment behind these lyrics?
So, you mentioned the word mindset and I just wanted to express [myself], not in an overly expressive manner but calmly. I mean, people might think I have a special life just because I’m an artist but I’m just a human being like other people, you know? So, rather than working so hard to come up with “cool lyrics,” I just wanted to be honest with my feelings.
People can work all through the night and when you see the sunrise, you know, “Oh, yes, I’ve worked really hard,” and then you go back home. That’s the feeling that I wanted to share.
That’s your vibe, I think—larger than life on stage or on camera but humble and friendly in person. So, what’s the meaning behind a song like “Loser” where you’re almost speaking to yourself like a main character in a movie?
When I was young, I didn’t have a lot of friends, and once you fight with one of your closest friends, you don’t have anyone else to play with, you know what I mean? You can play with other friends, but they’re not the same. Even if you go to the playground or play games, something is missing. So, in the song, I am the main character per se, and I wanted to look back at it as an adult. Childhood is also still part of your story.
The lyrics in “How We Live” featuring sokodomo are really powerful. Where or from what experience did that inspiration come?
Beer pong. [Laughs] So, the behind-the-scenes story is kind of based on conversations I had that night over drinks had with friends You know, if you’re watching people play beer pong at an Irish bar—some people are drunk, some are throwing up, but they’re all ultimately fine and it’s just their life. But I think the story’s point is that I fell asleep while my friends were drinking, but I woke up because they were so loud. I was like, “Hey, stop…” and they told me, “It’s not that bad, just have your drink.” Just trust yourself; trust your situation.
“Parade” was the name of the world tour, and to me is like an anthem for all individuals, freaks, losers, all kinds of people. You say, “Leave us alone and we’ll be fine.” Was that the idea you wanted to base the tour around?
The lyrics of “Parade” have a deep connection to my life. For me, happiness is the most important, and work, money and life are all separate. But in Asia, and especially Korea, everyone is overworked—I have to overwork myself too sometimes—and it’s not like you get paid overtime. There’s not really overtime [in Korea] but there’s so much pressure. So, you have to finish your work even if they don’t pay you extra and sometimes I’m like, “What the heck? You know what, it’s not that important.” It’s my life and it’s not my life to just work…happiness is what’s important and rather than trying to convince people by a basic message, I just wanted to give them a suggestion. So how about this [“Parade” theme]? That’s why the music video is in an office.
You re-released the album as The Story : RETOLD with the new single “Nirvana.” What does that word mean to you?
Kurt Cobain. [Laughs] Yeah, Kurt Cobain because Nirvana is one of my favorite rock bands. When I was working on the track, I tried other words on the topline, but nothing really worked out. And “Nirvana” really fit well. But once I said, “Okay, this is going to be the title” then I finished the rest of the song.
What’s your favorite Nirvana song?
“Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Classic.
You’ve done a lot of great collaborations recently: Jessi, pH-1, Chancellor, 220 KID and Willim. What do you look for in a collaborator these days?
I guess you are kind of asking about the motivation, but I’m not really sure. It’s not about the outcome that I’m looking for, but I just enjoy the process—it’s fun. For example, Jesse, I, her let’s together, you know, and K one was recommended by the team. And then I was like, “Okay, it’s a good fit and I wanted to give it a try.” So, in terms of collaboration, the most important thing is that I need to have fun. Yeah. And when I’m having fun, the song comes out really nice. So, I’m not looking to have a big plan of “I’m gonna show this part” or “I want to do this concept with this person,” it’s the fun during the process and the song itself.
You’ve also been doing so many things beyond music lately, like acting, your first Japanese release, and hosting shows as the MC. Was there any big lesson you took from the opportunities?
Actually, I learned a lot from those experiences, so it’s not possible to take one word or lesson to describe what I learned, but I think the main keywords are about diversity within myself. Take, for example, this table, I only used to see the top part of it, but now I can also see the legs and the other parts of it. So I can apply that to my music. I was working on my new album and it was really fun. I haven’t said this yet, but I think a lot of people are really going to like it.
What can you tell us about the new album REALIEZ that we haven’t seen yet through “Wasteland”?
The album is about the process of realizing the truth hidden in lies on the theme of a dystopian world in a cinematic form. There are a total five songs, including “Wasteland,” in this album and it’s a story of gaining enlightenment through uncovering truth from lies and a story about the realization to face our whole self. Depending on the listener, different endings can be imagined, so, I’m looking forward to it.
Your KONNECT Entertainment has grown greatly since you last visited America with several great artists signed. I always ask K-pop company CEOs if they have professional plans or any reflections on their artists.
So, I don’t take care of their schedules, but when they need help, I try to set up a separate meeting with them so that I can refer somebody they need or make sure they have better connections. I’ve been having planning conversations with different companies and collaborators, some that are unexpected.
To wrap up, I always really admire your mindset, and you seem in a good place right now. Do you have any words for those who may be having a tough time or how to keep yourself physically, mentally and emotionally healthy?
Oh, thank you. Emotionally, let’s say, we don’t really know what’s behind the door until we open it. I’ve been in that place in my dark times and, actually, what scares us is not what’s behind the door, but it’s the action we have to take to open the door, you know? Because once we open it, there’s nothing really scary or severe. And I really hope it’s the same for everybody else, but happiness is ultimately most important, and that’s what I want to share most.
Seven months after Migos rapper Takeoff was shot to death in a Texas bowling alley, his mother, Titania Davenport, has filed a wrongful death suit against the venue.
Davenport filed the lawsuit on Wednesday (June 7) against the bowling alley’s property owners as well as several LLCs connected to the business. The complaint alleges that despite being notified of the private party where Takeoff (born Kirsnick Khari Tiquon Ball) was shot prior to it taking place on Oct. 31, 2022, the defendants “failed to provide proper and adequate security for the event.”
“Defendants breached their duty owed to Kirsnick Khari Tiquon Ball by failing to exercise ordinary care to keep the premises safe,” the lawsuit states. It continues that the venue was rented by the family of music executive J. Prince for an “after hours” event “with potentially many artists, popular athletes and public figures [in attendance].”
Takeoff died at the downtown Houston venue around 2:50 a.m. on Nov. 1, when investigators said someone started shooting, causing guests to flee the area. During the melee, Takeoff was shot in the head or neck by a “stray bullet,” according to his record label Quality Control Music. Takeoff’s uncle Quavo, also a member of Migos, was with his nephew when the tragedy took place and was heard in video footage pleading for help. Takeoff was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suit points to alleged negligence on the part of the defendants, claiming they “provided no screening mechanisms, no after-hour controls or security measures, and no enforcement of rules or industry standards to deter crime against their invitees.”
“As a proximate and foreseeable result of Defendants’ negligence, Kirsnick Khari Tiquon
Ball sustained catastrophic personal injuries, endured conscious pain and suffering, experienced mental anguish, became aware of his impending death, wrongfully died, and suffered other damages as will be proven at trial,” the complaint continues.
In total, the lawsuit refers to 18 separate instances of alleged negligence, including not providing “adequate and appropriate security personnel” and “negligently misrepresenting to invitees that the property was safe.”
Davenport, who is listed on the complaint as the administrator of Takeoff’s estate, is seeking at least $1 million.
Representatives for defendants 810 Billiards & Bowling, LVA4Houston Greenstreet, Lionstone Partners, Midway Companies and Cushman & Wakefield of Texas did not immediately respond to Billboard‘s requests for comment.
Karol G was the big winner at the 2023 Heat Latin Music Awards (Premios Heat) on Thursday (June 8), taking home the awards for best urban artist, best video for “Mientras Me Curo del Cora,” and song of the year for “Provenza.”
The Colombian star, Bad Bunny, and Feid had led nominations for the ceremony, tallying six each.
The fan-voted awards ceremony—held live from the beach in Cap Cana, Punta Cana, The Dominican Republic, and aired on the HTV and TNT networks—recognizes renowned and up-and-coming artists who are making a buzz in the Caribbean and Latin American regions.
“It’s an experience. It’s the musical platform where you can make a real connection—the beach gives us that feeling of closeness,” Premios Heat founder Diana Montes tells Billboard. “What was clear to me when we did the treatment of the awards is that I did not want to do them in the United States for various reasons beginning with we did not have the resources to compete with the larger awards show. Initially, we spoke with Cartagena de Indias but for some reason, we arrived in Cap Cana, and we’ve been hosting the awards here for nine years now. That’s the difference from a traditional award, here you see everyone working and networking but in a bathing suit and with a beer in hand.”
Below, check out the complete 2023 Heat Latin Music Awards winners list:
Best Male Artist
Bad Bunny
Christian Nodal
Romeo Santos
Alejandro Fernández
Prince Royce
Wisin
Ozuna
Feid — WINNER
Maluma
Best Female Artist
Shakira
Karol G
Tini
Rosalía
Farina
Greeicy — WINNER
Natti Natasha
Emilia Mernes
Kim Loaiza
Gloria Trevi
Best Group or Band
Grupo Firme
Wisin & Yandel
Piso 21
Zion & Lennox
Morat
Reik
Servando y Florentino
Grupo Niche — WINNER
Best Rock Artist
Morat — WINNER
Juanes
Maná
No Te Va Gustar
Fito Páez
Leiva
Los Caligaris
Leon Larregui
Best Pop Artist
Lasso
Sebastián Yatra — WINNER
Kany Garcia
Camilo
Axel
Carlos Rivera
Danny Ocean
Andrés Cepeda
Lali
Best Urban Artist
Bad Bunny
Karol G — WINNER
Feid
Arcángel
Eladio Carrión
Ryan Castro
Rauw Alejandro
Justin Quiles
El Alfa
Farruko
Best Tropical Artist
Carlos Vives
Romeo Santos — WINNER
Silvestre Dangond
Marc Anthony
Víctor Manuelle
Felipe Peláez
Américo
Eddy Herrera
Jandy Ventura
Best Artist South Region
Duki
LIT Killah
Trueno
Nicki Nicole
Emilia Mernes
Tiago PZK
Cris Mj
Bizarrap — WINNER
Wos
Best Artist Andean Region
Fanny Lu
Danny Ocean
Goyo
Mike Bahia — WINNER
Dekko
Manuel Turizo
Ryan Castro
Blessd
Farina
Andreína Bravo
Best Artist North Region
Farruko
Sech
Dalex
Kim Loaiza
Chris Andrew
Jay Wheeler — WINNER
El Alfa
Mora
Justin Quiles
Chris Lebron
Best New Artist
Polimá Westcoast
Lola Índigo
Quevedo
Edén Muñoz
Brray
Chris Lebron
LIT Killah — WINNER
Kim Loaiza
Musical Promise
TEO
Elena Rose
Young Miko
Paopao
Dayanara
Mario Bautista — WINNER
Ángel Dior
ADSO
Villano Antillano
Mar Rendón
Influencer of the Year
Domelipa — WINNER
Kunno
Yeri Mua
Mont Pantoja
La Segura
Brianda
Marko
Lele Pons
Kevlex
Best Popular Regional Artist
Christian Nodal — WINNER
Alejandro Fernández
Carin León
Paola Jara
Jessi Uribe
Grupo Firme
Grupo Frontera
Yeison Jiménez
Eden Muñoz
Best Dominican Urban Artist
El Alfa — WINNER
Angel Dior
Rochy RD
Chimbala
La Materialista
Bulova
La Insuperable
Flow 28
Rosaly Rubio
Best Video
“Mientras me Curo del Cora” – Karol G — WINNER
“For Sale” – Gilberto Santa Rosa, Carlos vives
“La Reina” – Maluma
“Le Pido a Dios” – Feid
“Mi Pecadito”- Mike Bahía, Greeicy
“Ambulancia” – Camilo, Camila Cabello
“Cairo” – Karol G, Ovy on The Drums
“Suegra” – Romeo Santos
“Tití Me Preguntó”- Bad Bunny
Best Collaboration
Karol G, Shakira – “TQG”
Rauw Alejandro, Baby Rasta – “Punto 40”
Arcangel, Bad Bunny – “La Jumpa” — WINNER
Romeo Santos, Chris Lebron – “SIRI”
Ozuna, Feid – “Hey Mor”
El Alfa, Zepekeño, El Pepo Show – “Arrebatao Remix”
Lasso, Sebastián Yatra – “Ojos Marrones”
Kany Garcia, Christian Nodal – “La Siguiente”
Mora, Feid – “La Inocente”
Best Content, Music Platform
Molusco TV
Dimeloking
Alofoke Media — WINNER
El Chombo
Rapetón
DJ of the Year
Dj Adoni — WINNER
Gordo
Tiësto
Diplo
Marshmello
Bizarrap
Dj Tornall
Víctor Cardena
Song of the Year
“La Bachata” – Manuel Turizo
“BZRP Music Sessions #53” – Bizarrap, Shakira
“Despechá” – Rosalía
“Feliz Cumpleaños Ferxxo” – Feid
“Los Cachos” – Piso 21, Manuel Turizo
“Tití Me Preguntó” – Bad Bunny
“Provenza” – Karol G — WINNER
“La Fórmula” – Maluma, Marc Anthony
“BZRP Music Sessions #52” – Bizarrap, Quevedo
“Bendecido” – El Alfa, Farina
“Me Porto Bonito” – Bad Bunny, Chencho Corleone
Killer Mike stopped by Billboard News to talk about creating Michael — his most personal album yet — the start of his career, Atlanta rappers such as Latto and Lil Baby, his thoughts on Georgia politics and more!
Killer Mike:
Run the Jewels is the X-Men, right? It’s us as a group — me, El-P, Trackstar. We have this world that’s the uncanny X-Men. Well in my character, you get the superhero of Killer Mike. But there’s still this story that this 9-year-old kid is just a regular human kid.
Hey, what’s up? This is Killer Mike, and this is Billboard News.
Tetris Kelly:
It’s Tetris with Billboard News, hanging out with Grammy-winning rapper Killer Mike. Man, what’s up?
Killer Mike:
Man, trying to get back to more Grammys, man.
Tetris Kelly:
Hey, I like to hear that. I actually think this is the first time I’ve had another Georgia brother on the couch, man.
Killer Mike:
Red Clay brothers, man. Good to be here.
Tetris Kelly:
There we go. I’m happy to have you. We’re gonna get back to Georgia. But let’s jump into this music, right now.
Killer Mike:
Let’s do it, let’s do it!
Tetris Kelly:
So Michael, the album, obviously naming the album that, you know, it’s got to be really personal for you. So why did you decide to name it Michael?
Killer Mike:
It really is. If you look at the cover, it’s a bucktoothed little kid with a halo and some horns popping out. And that really is the spirit of that record. At 9 years old, when I did that school picture, I decided I was going to be a rapper. And there’s something about a kid’s imagination, once he says you can do it, it’s not impossible. But this record is about a 9-year-old Black boy, essentially, grows up in an all-Black enclave in Atlanta, Ga., which is a Black city, in the Deep South. And he blossoms and he and the city and this music all grew up together. And it’s that journey.
So there’s deeply personal records on there like “Shed Tears” that talks about, you know, as a man, you’re going to endure some hardships and pains. And the women who love you — whether it’s your mother, your wife, your lover, your daughters — people cheer for you and sometimes you just got to go in the bathroom and shake yourself up. Let a few tears flow and then go out and conquer the world.
I just wanted people to understand that the superhero Killer Mike created an image of his 9-year-old boy, it was really started by this 9-year-old boy named Michael.
Watch the video above to see what else Killer Mike shares about his new album, the rise of Atlana rappers and more.
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