'Boys Club No More': Latina Artists Explain How They Are the Center of Latin Music

The boys are no longer needed. Such a statement seems to be the conclusion of a panel during Latin Music Week 2023 held this week by Billboard in Miami.

According to audience, both live and in social media, the panel that captured a lot of attention was the "Boys Club No More!," with Latina entertainment powerhouses such as KAny García, María Becerra, Nicki Nicole, Nathy Peluso, Young Miko and Gale.

They talked about the importance of women taking over the music industry and how it is no longer just the boys in this genre.

Billboard's Latin music week officially kicked off on Monday in Miami.

Shakira, Feid, Ivy Queen, and Nicky Jam are a few of the celebrities who formed part of panel discussions and workshops. Throughout the panel discussions and workshops where several artists like Shakira, Feid, Ivy Queen, Grupo Frontera, and Nicky Jam have taken the initiative to speak on important topics within the industry like the ways of marketing, the rise of Regional Mexican music, and why Latin music remains relevant.

This is what the Latina artists said in the "Boys Club No More!" panel:

Nathy Peluso

Peluso born in Argentina —raised in Spain— has been a part of the Latin music genre for about six years now. During the beginning of her career, Peluso was found stuck within the industry as she dealt with having to incorporate her urban style beats into a genre where men were dominating. Later her determination led to hit singles and collaborations with artists like BZRP where she featured in his music sessions.

"I know I wanted to dedicate myself to art and communicating. To communicate being a woman is a challenge and a privilege. I stopped singing on the streets to sing on stages, and every day I wake up thinking: How can we evolve? When I started rapping, there weren't many women on the scene, it was a struggle to create a space for myself. Today, we're far from those times and I'm grateful for the work of my sisters," she stated during the panel.

Maria Becerra

Maria de los Ángeles Becerra was born and raised in Argentina. She initially began her career in the entertainment industry as a YouTuber but later transitioned into the music industry. Since Becerra joined the Latin pop genre she has been able to collaborate with singers like J Balvin, Tini, and recently with Enrique Iglesis. These are the moments in which she dreamed of from a young age.

"When I was six years old, it was good that I realized that I knew how to sing and that I liked to sing. That's where everything started: music, singing, and acting. That combo that I always liked a lot I would carry with me in everything I do." said Becerra during the panel.

Young Miko

Puerto Rico has been grooving to the tracks of Young Miko since 2018. With the newly introduced genre of trap the emerging artist brings to radios near you songs like Lisa, Classy ft. Feid, Dispo ft. Karol G, and Chulo pt.2 featuring both Bad Gyal and Tokischa. Maria Victoria Ramirez de Arellano Cardona has changed the game of Latin music at the age of 24 by being a figure who proudly represents both the Latin and LGBTQ community in this new generation.

"Kany (García) was really the first artist that motivated me to not be scared. I found out we were from the same [LGBTQ+] community and it made me feel comfortable to speak with my mother. Things are now changing, today, thank God, there's an audience that's more receptive, there's an audience that is looking for change." said Miko.

Nicki Nicole

Singer Nicki Nicole was born and raised in Argentina. The early days of her career were not easy as she remarks during the seminar "I had 20 subscribers on YouTube, I released my first song with so much hope, really wanting for it to go places you never expected, but it's hard for women in the industry. Then, Cazzu was the first one who supported me, and I just had one song. She embraced me and it changed me as a woman and as an artist." The Argentine artist now has made her way up in the latin urban genre where she has teamed up with BZRP, Myke Towers, Young Miko, Peso Pluma, and more.

Kany Garcia

Garcia – born and raised in Puerto Rico – has been part of the Latin music industry since the early years of the 2000s. The Boricua singer has influenced music all throughout Latin America with her soothing voice and song-writing skills. In spite of the fact that the singer – who pertains to the LGBTQ community – has paved the way for the new wave of female emerging artists, like Young Miko. Though she is a veteran in this industry, continues to discover more about herself and her capabilities.

"I'm still finding myself 16 years later, as the days pass, you don't really stop discovering yourself. I'm still walking. I'm still learning," she said during the discussion.