Things You Didn’t See on TV

On the eve of Premio Lo Nuestro (Feb. 18), Latin urban stars gathered at an invite-only, intimate dinner in Miami’s Cassadonna restaurant to celebrate Arcángel’s enduring legacy in music. The Puerto Rican artist, who received the Premio Lo Nuestro Urban Icon special award, was accompanied by friends and colleagues, including Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, Maluma, Eladio Carrión, Ryan Castro and Sech, in celebration of his 20-year career, new album La 8va Maravilla, and most recent Billboard Español cover story.

Xavi, Ryan Castro and Beto from Rawayana strutted the magenta carpet with very fashionable man purses: Xavi with a leather clutch, Castro with a traditional carriel bag from Colombia, and Beto with a large tote bag. For the most part, the artists carried their wallet and cellphones. Beto, on the other hand, had matches branded with Rawayana’s latest album ¿Dónde Es El After?

While some brought purses, Juan Duque — one of Billboard’s Latin Artists to Watch in 2026 — brought coffee from Antioquia. In the midst of his interview with Billboard, the emerging Colombian artist decided it was cafecito time (in true Miami fashion, too) and handed out coffee to co-hosts Ingrid Fajardo and Jessica Roiz, and also to Maluma, who joined the livestream after Duque.

In the media center — where artists gather after winning an award to talk to the press — Esaú Ortiz celebrated his win for best electro corrido with “Triple Lavada Remix” by doing a Reel. Yes, he took the official photos and talked to the press, but first, his own content. “I want to thank God, my family, my team, my girlfriend, and everyone who make this possible,” the Mexican artist, one of Billboard’s Latin Artists to Watch in 2026, said when he posted the clip on Instagram.

Jon Z and his team were caught watching Premio Lo Nuestro from the TVs backstage. The Puerto Rican artist, who won the award for best trap/hip-hop song of the year with “Bum Bum” alongside El Alfa and Alofoke Music, stopped on his tracks to watch the Arcángel special award tribute. He silently expressed admiration for his colleagues who formed part of the tribute, and paid close attention to Arcángel’s heartfelt speech. At the media center, he was also seen hanging out with ROA — also one of Billboard’s Latin Artists to Watch in 2026 and the winner of male new artist of the year.

Also backstage, renowned Panamanian artist Nando Boom could now hold back his tears when accepting the award for best dembow song with “Dem Bow” alongside Natti Natasha and Dímelo Flow. During a casual acceptance speech that he shared with the press, the reggae plena pioneer admitted that in his 40-year career he’s never won an award — and dedicated it to his mother, who’s in heaven. Earlier this year, “Dem Bow” reached No. 1 on the Latin Airplay chart, becoming Nando Boom’s (real name: Fernando Brown) first entry on any Billboard tally.