This is a list of notable events in Latin music (music from Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking regions of Latin America, Latin Europe, and the United States) that took place in 2016.
Events February 24: Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias is recognized by the Guinness World Record for having the most number one songs on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and the longest running song with "Bailando". February 25: "Ginza by J Balvin sets the record for the longest-leading song at number one on the Hot Latin Songs by a solo artist. The song spent 21 weeks at No. 1 on the chart. March 31: The 22nd annual Broadcast Music Inc. Latin music awards is held. Mexican pop singer Gloria Trevi is awarded the President's Award for her contributions to the Latin pop field. Sergio George signs with Marc Anthony's label Magnus Media, the new deal "will oversee George's interests in all areas of the entertainment industry throughout the [popular market]". April 21: Singer-songwriter José Miguel Fernández Sastrón is elected president of the Spanish Society of Authors and Editors (SGAE). April 22: In a report by Nielsen, the purchasing power of Latinos in the United States was at $1.5 trillion. With an average annual spending of $135 on music, the report found Hispanics spending more money than their non-Hispanic counterparts. Billboard magazine announced Marco Antonio Solis to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award after releasing twelve albums peaking at number one on the U.S. Top Latin Albums chart in his career, the most of any artist. For the May 2, 2016 issue of Billboard magazine, Leila Cobo interviewed female music executives and Chiquis Rivera, Leslie Grace, and Carla Morrison on the declining presence of females on Billboard music charts. April 25 – 28: The 2016 annual Billboard Latin Music Conference is held. June 7: At the 2016 Gardel Awards, Argentine rock singer Luis Alberto Spinetta's posthumous released album Los Amigo (2012) receives Album of the Year honor. Afro-Uruguayan singer Ruben Rada was named Male Pop Artist of the Year and Production of the Year, while Argentine rock band Ciro y Los Persas' song "Antes y Después" won Song of the Year. Other winners included Litto Nebia for Best Rock Album, and Julieta Rada for Best New Pop Album. June 8: American hip-hop recording artist Jay Z appoints bachata singer Romeo Santos as CEO of the newly formed Roc Nation Latino. June 9: Former American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) A&R representative, Ana Rosa Santiago became acting VIP president of the Latin division of Universal Music Publishing Group. June 12: Following the Orlando nightclub shooting (which occurred during a Latin night event), Latin music events throughout Orange County, Florida are uncertain if future events will be canceled. Latin DJ Candy Boy, spoke out on the lack of security at events he has hosted, while Latin music acts such as Proyecto Uno, Ilegales, Pitbull, Prince Royce, and Farruko, have upcoming shows that may be affected as a result of the events that occurred. June 25: The first Festival Chispa took place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, focusing on Latin music and culture at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. June 26: Despite a decrease on physical and digital consumption in the United States, Latin America was found by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) to have been the only region to have the highest growth rate for the fifth consecutive time. Digital sales were up 44.5 percent and music streaming increased to 80.4 percent. The study found that Brazil and Argentina were the two largest markets. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), found that Latin music overall decrease 6.3 percent from the previous year. July 2: Alan Ramírez, who is the lead singer of Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizárraga, was shot in the neck during a Mexico City tour. He is currently in the hospital and is expected to recover. July 4: The inaugural Lollapalooza Colombia was canceled after Barbadian singer Rihanna dropped out and organizers failing to find a replacement. July 7: The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced the class of 2017 for their Hollywood Walk of Fame inductees including Selena and announced Pitbull's induction set for July 15. July 8 Salsa singer Victor Manuelle's "Imaginar" became the singer's 28th chart-topper, breaking the tie with Marc Anthony for most number ones on the Tropical Songs chart. With "Imaginar", Manuelle tied with Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias for most Latin number one singles. The New York City annual Latin Alternative Music Conference commenced, which catered the Latin alternative scene. September 9: iHeartRadio announces the creation of the iHeartLatino, a division dedicated to Latin music, a first for a major radio station company. The division is led by Enrique Santos. November 17: The 17th Annual Latin Grammy Awards are held at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. "La Bicicleta" by Carlos Vives and Shakira wins the Latin Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Juan Gabriel posthumously wins the Latin Grammy Award for Album of the Year for Los Dúo, Vol. 2. Manuel Medrano wins Best New Artist. American singer Marc Anthony is honored as the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year.
Bands reformed Amber Rose (1997–2000) Bandana (2001–2004)
Number-one albums and singles by country List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 2016 (Brazil) List of number-one songs of 2016 (Colombia) List of number-one albums of 2016 (Mexico) List of number-one songs of 2016 (Mexico) List of number-one albums of 2016 (Portugal) List of number-one albums of 2016 (Spain) List of number-one singles of 2016 (Spain) List of number-one Billboard Latin Albums from the 2010s List of number-one Billboard Hot Latin Songs of 2016 List of number-one singles of 2016 (Venezuela)
Awards 2016 Premio Lo Nuestro 2016 Billboard Latin Music Awards 2016 Latin American Music Awards 2016 Latin Grammy Awards 2016 Tejano Music Awards
Albums released
First quarter
January Day Title Artist Genre(s) Singles Label1 Roberto Sierra: Sinfonía No. 3 "La Salsa", Borikén, El Baile & Beyond the Silence of Sorrow Martha Guth De Fiesta Rombai Sol Detente Álvaro López and ResQBandLatin ChristianIndependiente5 Território Conquistado Larissa Luz8 En Vivo en la Mexico Joan Sebastian Bandana La Vuelta Bandana15 ¿Donde Están? José Lugo and Guasábara Combo16 Relevante Mario Diníz21 Ayer, Hoy y Siempre Los Herederos de Nuevo León Mi Ritmo Es Bueno Bobby Valentín22 Nueve canciones de amor y una de esperanza Elefantes The King of Romance Ken-Y Imperio Nazza: Justin Quiles Edition Justin Quiles29 Vive José María Napoleón Me Esta Gustando Banda Los Recoditos Yo Manuel Lombo Lubna Mónica Naranjo Vulnerable A Ti Marian y Mariel Durón: Lagrimas, Amor... Eva Juárez, Rogério Gonçalves, and A Corte Musical
February Day Title Artist Genre(s) Singles Label2 Outras histórias Deolinda4 Hambre Por El Dios Vivo New Wine5 Yo Creo Carlos Rivera Que Bendición Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizarraga Tributo a los Alegres de Terán Pesado Una Ultima Vez Sin Bandera9 Big Band Carrera Quinta12 Imparables Andy & Lucas Magia Luis Ramiro Cicatriz en la Matrix Lendakaris Muertos Canciones para robots romanticos Fangoria Mi Vicio y Mi Addicion Kevin Ortiz El Regreso a la Habana Aymee Nuviola Carlos Gardel Original Leonardo Pastore Canto América La Orquesta Sinfonietta, Michael Spiro, and Wayne Wallace16 Entre Colegas Andy González18 Me Pongo de Pie Noel Torres Lo Que Pesa Mi Palabra Hijos de Barron Yo Soy Iván Grupo Maximo Grado19 25 Años Marcos Vidal21 Ascensão Various artistsBrazilian rootsSelo Sesc26 Romaphonic Sessions Andrés Calamaro Buenaventura La Santa Cecilia Eres la Persona Correcta en el Momento Equivocado Río Roma Moura Ana Moura Soy Luna Various artists Pop Walt Disney Records
March Day Title Artist Genre(s) Singles Label1 Levántate Explosión Negra4 Recuerden Mi Estilo Los Plebes del Rancho de Ariel Camacho No Manchester Mexrrissey"International Playgirl"Nacional Records Corridos Time, Season Two – Los Implacables Los Tucanes de Tijuana El Poeta Halley Love of Lesbian Gira Los Huayra Tierra Mojada Los Ramones De Nuevo León Rompiendo El Silencio Remedios Amaya8 Jo competeixo Manel11 La Bandononona En Mi Rancho Banda Rancho Viejo de Julio Aramburo La Bandononon Irremediablemente Buenos Aires Claudia Montero18 Perdido por Perdido Iván Noble Faz a Festa Funk Tubarão Between Brothers Raul Agraz Impredecible Bareto Ginastera: The Vocal Album Various artists Brindando por Nada Las Pelotas20 Vivo X la 25 La 2525 Disculpen la Demoura Marcelo Moura Tropix Céu A Luneta E Tempo (Trilha Sonora Original De Alceu Valença) Alceu Valença26 A La Mar Vicente GarcíaSony Music
Second quarter
April Day Title Artist Genre(s) Singles Label1 Si Yo Fuera un Chico Helen Ochoa La Sonora Santanera en su 60 Aniversario Sonora Santanera Ciudad De Luz Generasion2 Umbral Melkin7 Halo Juana Molina8 Mis Ídolos, Hoy Mis Amigos!!! Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda Adaptación La Ley L.H.O.N. Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas Amiga Álex Anwandter Latin alternative "Siempre Es Viernes en Mi Corazón" Nacional Records Full HD Cali Flow Latino Nuevo Ciclo Chambao13 Capitão Fausto têm os dias contados Capitão Fausto15 A Todo Volumen La Septima Banda We Love Disney (Latino) Various artists Un Amigo Tendrás Jay Perez and the Band Alto Al Fuego Traviezoz de La Zierra Mujeres Por Colombia, Vol. 2 Various artists Ensemble Rui Massena19 Tronco Viejo Johnny Ventura22 Visualízate Gente de Zona "Piensas (Dile la Verdad)""La Gozadera""Traidora" Sony Music Latin La Alcaldia Del Perreo Jowell & Randy Sexo Con Modelos Marilina Bertoldi Viento del Este Loquillo Arde Estocolmo Pedro Guerra Samba De Chico Hamilton de Holanda Reluciente, Rechinante y Aterciopelado Aterciopelados 23 Pronto Auxilio (En Vivo) Yashira Guidini25 Bar Do Leo Leonardo28 Casa De Bituca Hamilton De Holanda Quinteto29 Tini Martina Stoessel Pop "Siempre Brillarás""Great Escape""Got Me Started""Si Tu Te Vas" Hollywood Records Pégate de Mi Mambo Manny Manuel Merengue Universal Music Latino Lleno de Vida Adrian Vestirte de Amor Pipe Peláez and Manuel Julián A Vida Num Segundo Ceremonya Panda E Os Amigos Panda E Os Amigos 30 Mosaico Bruno Miranda
May Day Title Artist Genre(s) Singles Label2 Tropical Infinito Antonio Adolfo3 Canciones de Sol Marta Gómez6 Latina ThalíaLatin Pop, Reggaeton, Dance-pop, Pop-rock, Salsa, Cumbia, Vallenato, Bolero"Desde Esa Noche""Vuélveme a Querer"Sony Music Latin Hecho a Mano Joss Favela Con Tololoche Remmy ValenzuelaFonovisa Llegue para Quedarme Juan Jose & San Juan Habana Yo Te Esperare Siggno Guaco Histórico 2 Guaco Ilusión Gaby MorenoMetamorfosis10 Genera Treo12 Sobredosis Yomil & El Dany Segir Latiendo Sanalejo15 Sóis João Victor 20 Limonada Kany GarcíaSony Music Latin Soy Lali Pop, R&b, dubstep, reggae"Soy""Boomerang""Ego"Sony Music Argentina Desde Adentro – Impuesto de Fe (En Vivo) Babasónicos Desde Madrid: Live Omar Alfanno26 Chamamé Yangos Brazilian rootsIndependente27 La Salvación de Solo y Juan Los Fabulosos Cadillacs Doy la Cara José Mercé
June