Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Influential Hispanic Americans in Music

In the vibrant and ever-evolving music industry landscape, Hispanic Americans have played a transformative role in shaping its sounds and defining its future. From September 15 to October 15, we honor National Hispanic Heritage Month by recognizing and celebrating their contributions and influence. In this post, we’re shining a light on some of the trailblazers among us whose passion, creativity, and dedication have left an undeniable mark on our industry. 🔥 Let’s dive in!

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Influential Hispanic Americans in Music

Nuria Net

Nuria Net, the founder and CEO of Shake It Easy Media, a content studio based in Madrid, is an accomplished digital content strategist, podcast producer, and Latin music expert with a career that spans New York City, Miami, and Barcelona. In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, she serves as a lecturer at Universitat de Barcelona’s Journalism Master’s program. As the co-founder and former Editor-in-Chief of Remezcla.com, Nuria is passionate about innovating storytelling across media and championing emerging arts, music, multiculturalism, and diversity. She brings a unique expertise in editorial strategy, U.S. Latinx content, and digital entrepreneurship, having launched influential digital spaces such as Remezcla, Fusion, and La Coctelera Music.

In 2015, Nuria was selected as part of the inaugural class of Poynter and the Online News Association’s “Women in Digital Leadership Academy,” chosen from over 500 applicants. Her work has also earned her a spot on LinkedIn’s first-ever “Next Wave” list, which recognized 150 professionals under 35 who are transforming key industries. Additionally, she was named one of Billboard Magazine’s “30 Under 30” for her pioneering contributions to Remezcla.com.

Villano Antillano

Villano Antillano is a Puerto Rican rapper, singer, and songwriter who has gained recognition in the Latin music scene for their fierce style, unapologetic lyrics, and activism for LGBTQ+ rights. As a non-binary artist, they have been at the forefront of promoting inclusivity and breaking down gender norms in Latin music, a space often dominated by machismo and traditional gender roles.

Villano Antillano is known for blending reggaeton, trap, and rap with socially conscious messages, addressing issues such as discrimination, gender identity, and empowerment.

Elias De León

Elias De León is a highly influential figure in the Latin music industry, best known as the CEO and founder of White Lion Records, a label that has played a pivotal role in the development of reggaeton and Latin urban music. De León is recognized for his ability to identify and nurture talent, helping launch the careers of several major artists in the genre.

White Lion Records, founded in the early 2000s, became instrumental in the rise of reggaeton during its golden era. Elias De León has worked with artists such as Tego Calderón, Don Omar, Zion & Lennox, and more recently, rising stars like Almighty and Villano Antillano. His ear for talent and his business acumen have positioned him as a key player in expanding the reach of Latin urban music globally.

Emilio Morales

Emilio Morales is a key figure in the Latin music industry, currently serving as the Managing Director of Rimas Publishing, a company known for managing top Latin artists like Bad Bunny, Eladio Carrión, and Mora. Under his leadership, Rimas Publishing has secured significant achievements, including Latin Billboard’s Publisher of the Year awards in 2021 and 2022.

Emilio has also been recognized in Billboard’s Latin Power Players list and has made major contributions to notable projects like Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti​. In addition, he currently holds the role of Treasurer on the board of the Music Business Association, actively advocating for fair practices in music publishing and promoting Latin music all around the world.

Rebeca León

Rebeca León is a prominent artist manager and the co-founder of Lionfish Entertainment, a badass management company responsible for the global success of some of Latin music’s biggest stars, including J Balvin, Rosalía, and Karol G. She played a major role in J Balvin’s transformation from a Colombian reggaeton artist to an international music icon, helping him bridge the gap between Latin and mainstream music markets. León also guided Rosalía’s career, supporting her rise as a genre-blending sensation known for mixing flamenco with urban music.

Beyond her artist management achievements, León advocates for diversity and inclusion in the music industry, particularly for women in leadership roles. Through Lionfish Entertainment, she fosters environments where artists can creatively thrive and express their unique identities. She is known for her strategic vision, providing mentorship and business guidance to help artists navigate the complex world of music while maintaining authenticity.

Tomas Cookman

Tomas Cookman is known for founding Nacional Records and the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC), making major waves in the Latin Music industry. Through Nacional Records, Cookman has helped promote and distribute Latin alternative music, working with major artists such as Calle 13, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, and Aterciopelados, giving them a platform to reach global audiences. His label has been instrumental in expanding the reach of independent and alternative Latin music beyond its traditional markets.

LAMC is one of his most significant contributions, launched in 2000 to spotlight Latin alternative music. The conference has grown into an essential networking and performance event, connecting artists, industry professionals, and fans from around the world. By creating these platforms, Cookman has elevated underrepresented genres and artists, significantly shaping the global acceptance and appreciation of Latin music.

Jesus Triviño

Jesús Triviño, is an authority on Latino pop culture and a thought leader. He is a Webby-nominated content creator, who has covered music, TV, film, and more for over 20 years as a reporter, editor, producer, curator, and booker. He’s worked on projects for People, Vibe, Apple Music, New York Daily News, SLAM, XXL, Penguin Random House, Universal Music, Latina, Essence, and BET.

As a journalist he’s covered countless luminaries including Bruno Mars, Jennifer Lopez, Karol G, J Balvin, 50 Cent, Lin-Manuel Miranda, JAY Z, Demi Lovato, Shakira, Salma Hayek, Carmelo Anthony, Bad Bunny, as well as being the first writer to interview Daddy Yankee in the U.S. During his time at TIDAL, he’s championed the early careers of Feid, Anitta, Rauw Alejandro, and many more.

He’s also been profiled and interviewed by POPSUGAR, Rolling Stone, Men’s Health, Oprah Daily, and more. As an active guest speaker, he’s been featured on events by ABC News, Arizona State University, Billboard, among others. Triviño is a professional member of The Recording Academy and is a winner of the 2023 National Latino Leader recognition awarded by the National Diversity Council.

He is presently the Senior Director of Industry Relations (general market) & Global Latin at TIDAL.

Maria Gironas

Maria Gabriela Gironas, Forbes 30 Under 30 Honoree, has followed two north stars throughout their career: elevating marginalized communities and empowering creatives to embrace technology. Over the past 10+ years, these pillars have guided their career through companies that span the entertainment and tech industries such as Reybee, Fender, YouTube, Q&A, Human Re-Sources, and Reddit. They have also have worked with top artists like BTS, Isaiah Rashad, Kano, Arlo Parks, Freya Ridings, Julia Michaels, Lauv, Nick Cave, Logic, Flume, Mike Posner, Post Malone, The Black Keys, and internet favorites like T-Pain, Therapy Gecko, Madilyn Bailey, and Rick Astley.

As an entertainment and technology executive, they value driving positive change through empowering creators and building community. They are the founders of their own company – Cool Shit, Cool People – where they continue these missions by working on artist development, talent relations, and integrated marketing with clients like Wide Eyed Entertainment, Good Party, Showcase, and more. In addition to their company, Maria is an advisory member of multiple platforms in the creator space including ShowUp and Artist Verified. Outside of their work, they are the Global Chair of Diversity & Inclusion at Women In Music where they work to create sustainable change for women in music at all stages of their careers.

Jesus Malverde Gonzalez

As a former Universal Recording artist himself, Jesus “Malverde” Gonzalez, has over 10+ years specializing in Strategic Partnerships and Cultural Lifestyle Marketing. Before returning to UMG, Jesus was VP of Music Partnerships at FRUKT, an IPG agency, where he helped guide music strategy and execution across their global client portfolio, which included MasterCard, Sprint, and Hyatt, among others.  Additionally, Jesus has a long history of leveraging music and entertainment platforms for social and civic initiatives. He sits on the Board of Directors of AmanecerLA.org and maintains close ties to prominent non- profit organizations such as UnidosUS, MALDEF, Voto Latino and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation.

He has been involved in various projects and collaborations with prominent Latin artists. His work spans different genres, including regional Mexican music and Latin pop. Malverde González is recognized for his ability to blend traditional Latin sounds with modern influences, making him a significant player in shaping contemporary Latin music.

Jennifer Mota

Jennifer Mota is a Dominican-American journalist, music historian, and cultural strategist, known for her work documenting and promoting Dominican dembow. Her 2019 article Recognizing Dominican Dembow: From Jamaica to El Alfa was the first in-depth look at the genre for U.S. Latin media, establishing her as a key figure in dembow’s history. She has written for Rolling Stone, VIBE, and Pitchfork, and contributed to visual storytelling on Afro-Latine identity, reggaeton, and gender in music. Recognized for her bold approach, she’s been included in Remezcla’s 2023 “Major Mujeres: Latinas Shaping the Industry” list.