Dale Pututi and Nesty are set to perform at the 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards, taking place on Thursday, October 22, at the James L. Knight Center in Miami. The exciting news was confirmed by both artists during the official podcast of the event produced by Telemundo.
The announcement was made on Friday, October 16, when Telemundo released the fifth edition of "Premios Billboard: El Podcast," which was recorded on Thursday, October 15.
The podcast episode featured Cuban content creator Soy Nuklear alongside Puerto Rican Kuzi and Mexican journalist Tomás Mier as co-hosts. Pututi and Nesty joined via video call from Barcelona, where they were performing a series of shows.
"We had so many thoughts, so many nerves," Pututi recalled about the moment they received the formal invitation to the gala. He added a poignant reflection: "Not many Cubans have had this opportunity."
Nesty emphasized the historical significance of the moment for their genre: "Thank God, we're at a very special time for the genre," he said. "It's an honor to be at the Latin Billboard singing Cuban music."
The artists highlighted the unique flavor they bring across borders. "The Cuban flavor…, you know, the humor, the spark," they noted about what their music conveys to new audiences.
The same podcast episode also featured other genre representatives like Helabusador and Rey Tony, who discussed the genre's success and their hit "Dichávate."
Helabusador described the genre with a phrase capturing its global reach: "It's adaptable, it's moldable, you can mix it with any other genre." Rey Tony succinctly described the track that launched them to fame: "It's a song with magic."
"Dichávate," released on December 24, 2025, has over 112 million Spotify streams and 88 million YouTube views, climbing to the third spot on Spotify Spain's Top 50 chart.
The Cuban presence in both the podcast and the upcoming gala marks a new milestone in the international recognition of the genre, known as "reparto." This urban subgenre emerged between 2006 and 2007 in Havana's popular neighborhoods, particularly in Arroyo Naranjo, blending Cuban reggaeton, timba, rumba, and guaguancó, and circulated outside the official industry circuits for years.
The journey to Miami has been gradual. In June 2025, Billboard Latin dedicated a full article to the genre, featuring 31 selected artists, sparking debate among genre exponents. Months later, in October 2025, Bebeshito became the first "reparto" artist to participate in the Billboard Latin Music Week in Miami Beach.
The October 22 gala will be hosted by Carmen Villalobos and Javier Poza, airing live on Telemundo and Peacock at 8 p.m. ET. Among the artists with the most nominations are Peso Pluma (17), Tito Double P (15), and Fuerza Regida (12). Cristian Castro will receive the Billboard Artistic Career Award, honoring over thirty years in music.
Nesty summed up the significance of the event from Barcelona: "It's an honor to be at the Latin Billboard singing Cuban music," encapsulating what this Thursday means for the genre and the island where it was born.
Frequently Asked Questions about Billboard Awards and Cuban Artists
Who are Dale Pututi and Nesty?
Dale Pututi and Nesty are Cuban artists known for their contribution to the "reparto" genre, an urban music style emerging from Cuba.
What is the significance of the Billboard Latin Music Awards for Cuban artists?
The Billboard Latin Music Awards offer Cuban artists like Dale Pututi and Nesty a global platform to showcase their music, marking a significant step in the international recognition of Cuban music genres.
What is the "reparto" genre?
"Reparto" is an urban music subgenre that originated in Havana, Cuba, blending elements of Cuban reggaeton, timba, rumba, and guaguancó, and has gained international attention in recent years.