Mon Laferte to Receive Social Justice Award, More Latin Music Moments

From career milestones to new 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.

Mon Laferte to Receive Social Justice Award

This week, it was announced that Mon Laferte will receive the Social Justice Award at the 39th annual Hispanic Heritage Awards, taking place Sept. 10 at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. The Chilean singer will be honored for using her art, music and platforms to promote conversations about human rights, gender equality and social justice in Latin America and around the world.

“I feel incredibly honored. I never imagined that a moment would come in my life or career when my work to carry out the projects that truly matter to me would be recognized,” Laferte said in a statement. “I believe one of the greatest strengths of the Latino community is our ability to build connections, welcome and care for one another, wherever we may be. Knowing that my work can contribute to that sense of community, create a meaningful impact and inspire others is deeply rewarding.”

As this year’s honoree, Laferte joins singer-songwriter Ximena Sariñana and the People of the Twin Cities collective, who have also received the recognition.

Marc Anthony and Yandel to Be Honored as Agents of Change at Premios Juventud

Marc Anthony and Yandel have been selected as this year’s Agents of Change, an honor recognizing artists who make a significant impact beyond music through philanthropic, humanitarian and community-focused initiatives. The award, which will be presented during Premios Juventud 2026, highlights both artists’ commitment to using their platforms and resources to support causes that benefit underserved communities and promote positive social change.

Marc Anthony will be honored for his commitment to developing future generations and his philanthropic work through the Maestro Cares Foundation, which since 2012 has launched more than 35 projects across Latin America and the United States to improve the quality of life for children and vulnerable communities. This year, he is also leading “Unidos por Venezuela,” an international benefit concert and telethon supporting the country’s recovery and reconstruction following the twin earthquakes on June 24.

Yandel, meanwhile, will receive the honor for his continued support of community and educational initiatives, his commitment to mental health in the music industry, and his efforts to empower new generations of artists and musicians. “Through charitable projects, educational programs and collaborations with emerging artists, the Puerto Rican singer has used his platform to create opportunities and promote the development of Latino talent,” according to a statement.

The Premios Juventud ceremony, which will take place in Spain for the first time, will air live Sept. 3 on Univision, UniMás, Galavisión and ViX.

Noel Schajris Awards 2026 Prodigy Scholarship From the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation awarded more than $1.7 million in scholarships Wednesday (Aug. 5) to students from underserved backgrounds pursuing music degrees. Among this year’s sponsors, singer-songwriter Noel Schajris is supporting the Prodigy Scholarship, whose recipient is Puerto Rican violinist Razil Rosado. He will receive up to $250,000 to cover four years of study at Berklee College of Music, including tuition, housing and other expenses.

“It is the honor of my life to help Razil expand that divine gift and the indomitable spirit of a 17-year-old with unparalleled passion, simply by providing him with more tools and opportunities to follow that path, with the help of my beloved family at the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation and a wonderful institution like Berklee College of Music,” Schajris said. “My hope is that this stage will further enrich his journey and allow him to build a life filled with music that elevates us all. My wish is that the music flowing from you will always serve the soul, light and love.”

During the foundation’s ceremony, held in Doral, Fla., two Frost School of Music–Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation Scholarships were also awarded, along with the Berklee–Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation Emerging Talent Scholarship, the Celia Cruz Legacy Scholarship, the Kany García Scholarship and the Manolo Díaz Scholarship, as well as several Tuition Assistance Scholarships.

Banda El Recodo Showcases Its History at the Grammy Museum

The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles opened an exhibition Wednesday (Aug. 5) that will remain on view through December, showcasing the musical history of Banda El Recodo, 88 years after its founding in Sinaloa, Mexico. Instruments such as a tambora, clarinet and tuba — essential to the sound of the Sinaloan band — are part of the exhibition, along with costumes and album covers from different points in the career of the group, which pioneered recording the genre and bringing it to audiences across five continents.

“We are incredibly proud to be here on such an important day in the career of Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga. We share this recognition with all our fans and the media, but above all with our founder. Without his vision, we wouldn’t be here today telling such a beautiful story within Mexican music,” bandleader Alfonso “Poncho” Lizárraga told Billboard Español.

As part of the event, the nine-time Latin Grammy-winning band performed a free concert at the venue, marking the first time a regional Mexican band has played at the museum. — TERE AGUILERA

Álvaro Díaz Celebrates the Japanese Culinary Culture That Inspired OMAKASE

Inspired by the Japanese culinary tradition of omakase, in which diners place their trust in the chef to create a personalized experience, Álvaro Díaz has continued expanding the creative universe of his album OMAKASE beyond music. The Puerto Rican artist’s LP blends Japanese and Puerto Rican influences through themes of discovery, identity and cultural exchange, and he is celebrating the project through a series of artistic collaborations and fan experiences that reflect the album’s concept.

As part of the initiative, Díaz partnered with Toyota to collaborate with Japanese and Puerto Rican artists on a series of limited-edition posters inspired by the album’s tracklist and visual aesthetic, which highlight the cultural fusion at the heart of OMAKASE. Rather than focusing solely on music, the initiative seeks to immerse fans in a broader universe through visual art, storytelling and cross-cultural collaboration, celebrating the Japanese traditions that inspired the album and showcasing Díaz’s unique perspective as a Puerto Rican artist.