From Emblema Fest to Singing With Enrique Iglesias, Santos Bravos Reflects on Band’s Highlights on First Anniversary
Billboard ·
The Latin pop group also gave an intimate performance at Billboard Latin Music Week 2026.
The members of the Latin pop group Santos Bravos celebrated their first anniversary together on Monday (Oct. 19), reminiscing about some of their most important moments as an emerging Latin band. These included their performance at the recent edition of the Tecate Emblema festival in Mexico City and recent collaboration with Enrique Iglesias, “Ooh Laka Laka La.” The song was born after opening for the Spanish superstar at a FIFA Fam Fest concert in Monterrey.
Moderated by Leila Cobo, Billboard ’s co-chief content officer, and presented by HYBE Latin America, the panel and showcase were held Monday night at the Faena Theater in Miami Beach, Fla., during Billboard Latin Music Week 2026, making the conversation and performance one of the most anticipated moments for attendees this year.
In 2025, Kenneth Lavíll, Drew Venegas, Gabi Bermúdez, Kauê Penna and Alejandro Aramburú became the first Latin boy band under HYBE, known for forming successful groups such as K-pop giants BTS and girl group KATSEYE.
During the panel, Lavíll shared that one of his favorite moments from the past 12 months since the band’s formation was the concert Santos Bravos performed last May at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez because his loved ones were able to attend. “I’m from Mexico, and performing shows in my country is very important,” said the singer, who turned 17 on Sunday (Oct. 18). “Not only being with them, but having my family and friends present.”
Lavíll also recalled that this year, they were invited to open Enrique Iglesias’ concert at a FIFA Fam Fest in the northern city of Monterrey, performing before 87,000 people — a unique milestone for him and his bandmates.
“It’s been a crazy year,” added Bermúdez. “If I had to pick a moment — because they’ve all been special — I’d say it was when we went to Puerto Rico for Premios Tu Música Urbano. That was very special for me.”
Peruvian member Aramburú chose the group’s sold-out performance in his home country as his highlight, where his family, including his grandmother, attended. “I went from playing in the streets of Lima to performing at a concert with them,” he shared. “Every show we do means so much to us.”
Brazilian member Kauê Penna shared that the band’s trip to South Korea, HYBE’s headquarters, was an unforgettable moment for him. “I’ve been a BTS fan since I was little. We met them in Mexico when they performed there.”
Meanwhile, American member Venegas also highlighted their performance as Iglesias’ opening act at the FIFA Fam Fest. “He was right next to the stage watching our performance,” he recalled. “He liked it so much that he wanted us to share the stage with him. It was an honor for us.”
Santos Bravos also delivered an exclusive showcase on Monday, during which the group sang and danced to songs from its debut EP, Dual , which includes debut single “0%.” Across the six tracks on its first project as a boy band, the quintet showcases its two-sided musical identity: the “santo” side, rooted in the energetic, melodic and emotional sound of Latin pop; and the “bravo” side, which represents the intensity and instinct backed by reggaetón and global club sounds.
Billboard Latin Music Week 2026 coincides with the 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which will air on Thursday (Oct. 22) from the James L. Knight Center in Miami via Telemundo and Peacock.