Adam Lambert is speaking out against the removal of the Pride flag at Stonewall National Monument in New York City.

In early January, the Trump administration replaced the rainbow-colored flag — a symbol of LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion — with an American flag at the National Park Service–run site in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village.

“Stonewall is not just a park, it is sacred historical ground in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights,” Lambert, a founding partner of Pride Live and the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center (SNMVC), wrote on Instagram Thursday (Feb. 12).

The singer continued, “The Pride flag is not a political prop; it is a symbol of visibility, resilience, and the countless lives that have fought, and continue to fight, for dignity and equality. Removing it sends a message that our history and our humanity are negotiable. They are not. We were here. We are here. And we will continue to be.”

The Stonewall National Monument, located across the street from the Stonewall Inn — a historic bar known as the origin point of the LGBTQ rights movement — is a national civil rights landmark established in 2016 by President Barack Obama.

The Pride flag was taken down on Feb. 10 under new guidance from the Trump administration. Weeks earlier, the Department of the Interior had issued federal guidance prohibiting the display of “non-agency” flags in the National Park System.

On the same day Lambert shared his thoughts on social media, local elected officials raised the Pride flag once again at the Stonewall National Monument.

Lambert wasn’t the only artist to speak out against the Pride flag removal. Gracie Abrams also made her opinion clear by resharing comedian Benito Skinner’s post about it being “Demonic” on her Instagram Story on Feb. 10.

Recently elected NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a statement on X that he was “outraged” by the seizure of the flag.

New York is the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, and no act of erasure will ever change, or silence, that history,” he wrote. “Our city has a duty not just to honor this legacy, but to live up to it.”

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.

New Doc Celebrates the Life and Legacy of Eddie Palmieri

A new documentary feature film, Eddie Palmieri: Sweet Sweet Sugar, directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Omar Acosta, is currently in production. The film focuses on the life and legacy of Grammy-winning pianist, composer, and bandleader Eddie Palmieri, who revolutionized salsa and Latin jazz and shaped the genre as we know it. Set against the backdrop of Spanish Harlem and the Bronx from the 1950s to the 1980s, the film explores how Palmieri used his music to amplify the voices of Puerto Ricans while shaping Latin music’s global influence today.

“Puerto Ricans came to New York with rhythm, passion, and very little else. We didn’t melt into the pot. We reshaped it. Eddie Palmieri is the proof,” said director Acosta in a press release. “Born in the crucible of Spanish Harlem, his music captures the moment Puerto Rico collided with New York and invented something new, something permanent. Eddie speaks for the Puerto Rican diaspora, a people whose fight for dignity and opportunity transformed not only themselves, but American culture and the world beyond it.” 

Produced by David Kennedy and Nick Quested of Goldcrest Films in co-production with Uprising Music NYC and in cooperation with the Eddie Palmieri estate, the film has full access to Palmieri’s music catalog and never-before-seen archival footage.

Outernational Brings Revolution Rock to Bogotá’s Streets

New York troupe Outernational brought the streets of Bogotá to life with a riveting performance on Callejeras Música de a Pie, a YouTube channel that transforms public spaces into open stages. Frontman Miles Solay was joined by Bogotá ensemble — Diana Castro (accordion), Juancho Mendez (tiple), Hector Marín Bedoya (bass), Sergio Arias (guitar) — as they fused their rebellious future rock with Latin American rhythms, such as cumbia, carranga, jazz, and slam poetry in La Candelaria, creating a riveting celebration of music in 15 minutes. Songs “Woman on the Edge of Time,” “La Gente Nueva,” and “Welcome” — all from their 2024 album Welcome to the Revolution, produced by Chad Smith — invited onlookers passing by to connect, dance, and reflect. Watch below.

Peso Pluma Joins the Adidas Family

Adidas announced on Friday (Feb. 13) that Peso Pluma has officially joined its roster of global ambassadors. “Representing the three stripes for Mexico and our music with Adidas is something I dreamed about since I was a kid,” the Mexican superstar said in a statement. “This isn’t just about me, it’s for my people, my culture, and everyone pushing Mexico forward. I’m excited to join the Adidas family and keep showing the world who we are.” Peso joins the ranks of Bad Bunny, Pharrell Williams and Jennie (BLACKPINK), who have also partner with the iconic brand.

Guaynaa & Lele Pons Welcome Baby Girl

Beloved Latin music couple Guaynaa and Lele Pons — who are also Billboard Español cover star alums — welcomed their first born child. They introduced their blue-eyed girl on a shared Instagram post on Wednesday (Feb. 11), captioning, “Say hello to Eloísa.” A bevy of stars congratulated them, including Jay Wheeler, who wrote, “What we create are works of art! God bless her,” and who also recently welcomed a child with his wife. De La Ghetto commented, “She has the same face as her dad.” Meanwhile, Anitta shared her excitement, simply writing, “Loooooove.” See the post below.

Casey Wasserman is planning to sell his namesake agency amid escalating fallout tied to documents released in the Jeffrey Epstein case, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal published on Friday (Feb. 11).

The Journal reported that Wasserman formally put the agency on the market and informed staff of the move in an internal memo, citing the controversy and recent client and executive departures.

In the memo, Wasserman wrote: “At this moment, I believe that I have become a distraction to those efforts. That is why I have begun the process of selling the company, an effort that is already underway.”

He added that Wasserman president Mike Watts “will assume day-to-day control of the business” while he focuses on his role leading the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games organizing committee.

“First and foremost, I want to apologize to you,” Wasserman wrote to employees. “I’m deeply sorry that my past personal mistakes have caused you so much discomfort. It’s not fair to you, and it’s not fair to the clients and partners we represent so vigorously and care so deeply about.”

The decision follows intense scrutiny after newly unsealed Epstein-related materials included email exchanges between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell from 2003. Wasserman has maintained that his interactions were limited and occurred before Maxwell’s criminal conduct became public.

In Friday’s memo, he reiterated that position, writing that his contact “consisted of one humanitarian trip to Africa and a handful of emails that I deeply regret sending.”

He also stated he was “heartbroken that my brief contact with them 23 years ago has caused you, this company, and its clients so much hardship over the past days and weeks.”

The fallout has already had measurable impact across the representation business. Multiple music and sports clients have exited or signaled plans to leave the agency in recent days, including high-profile music acts and athletes. Reporting across trade outlets has described internal pressure from agents exploring buyout scenarios or spin-offs to protect client relationships.

Chappell Roan, Orville Peck and Sylvan Esso are among those to have departed the agency, while Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino wrote on Feb. 5, “I did not consent to having my name or my career tied to someone with this kind of association to exploitation.”

On Jan. 31, a day after the release of the latest round of files in the Epstein case, Wasserman sent a statement to The Hollywood Reporter apologizing for his involvement with Maxwell while denying “a personal or business relationship” with Epstein himself.

“I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell which took place over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes came to light,” Wasserman said. “I never had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. As is well documented, I went on a humanitarian trip as part of a delegation with the Clinton Foundation in 2002 on the Epstein plane. I am terribly sorry for having any association with either of them.”

Music’s biggest stars certainly didn’t leave the world hanging this Valentine’s Day weekend.

Charli xcx leads this week’s Friday Music Guide with her lush Wuthering Heights companion album, which features spunky collaborations with John Cale (“House”) and Sky Ferreira (“Eyes of the World”). The soundtrack accompanies the release of the film of the same name, directed by Oscar-winning screenwriter Emerald Fennel and starring Oscar-nominated actors Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.

Jill Scott also dropped her new album — and it’s her first full-length offering in a decade. Featuring collaborations with Trombone Shorty, JID and Tierra Whack, as well as a gritty, soulful soundscape, To Whom This May Concern set a high bar for 2026 R&B LPs. Holding it down for the genre’s new school, Brent Faiyaz also shared his new Icon LP, executive produced by the great Raphael Saadiq.

On the hip-hop side, a plethora of artists shared new music, including A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie (Before Artistry EP), Domani (Forever Lasting Tape), Feng (Weekend Rockstar), Waka Flocka Flame (Lebron Flocka James 2K26), Eem Triplin (A Love Song for U EP), Buddah Bless (Buddah Bless the Streets) and Ras Kass (Leopard Eats Face). Central Cee also dropped his long-awaited “Iceman Freestyle,” while Mike Will Made-It teamed up with Chief Keef and YoungBoy Never Broke Again for “Rooms.”

As far as singles go, Bleachers, the Jack Antonoff-led rock outfit, followed up the A-list producer’s recent Grammy wins (best rap song for “TV Off” and record of the year for “Luther”) with a new, National-esque track titled “You and Forever.” Pop trio MUNA also returned with “Dancing on the WALL,” the title track off their forthcoming fourth studio album, and enigmatic Swedish singer Lykke Li unleashed “Lucky Again,” kicking off her “existential era.”

Not to be outdone, Red Hot Chili Peppers founding member Flea went back to his jazz roots with “Thinkin Bout You,” a tender Frank Ocean lift that serves as the latest taste of his upcoming debut solo album, Honora, due this March.

Vote between this week’s new releases — or share your own — in Billboard‘s New Music Friday poll below: