Ryan Castro, Baby Rasta, Gringo Join Latin Music Week
Artists discussed the evolution of music production during a panel held in Miami ahead of the annual awards ceremony.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Latin
Live Poll
Do you prefer when artists maintain their original style or adapt to reach wider audiences?
Ryan Castro and the duo Baby Rasta and Gringo participated in a panel discussion titled From Cassettes to Streaming at Billboard Latin Music Week in Miami. Moderated by Ingrid Fajardo, the event explored how artists have evolved their production processes to reach broader audiences.
Why it matters
The panel offered industry insight into how artists adapt their lyrical style and recording techniques to transition from traditional formats to the modern streaming era. This discussion serves as a prelude to the upcoming awards ceremony highlighting the most successful acts in the genre.
Leading finalists for the 2026 awards include Peso Pluma with 17 entries, followed by Tito Double P with 15 and Fuerza Regida with 12. Other notable nominees include Karol G with nine mentions, Prince Royce with eight, and Bad Bunny with seven.
The players
Ryan Castro
He is a prominent musical artist who participated in the Billboard Latin Music Week panel discussion.
Baby Rasta and Gringo
They are a pioneering reggaeton duo who discussed their career evolution from cassette recordings to digital streaming.
Ingrid Fajardo
She is the moderator who led the panel discussion during the industry event in Miami.
Peso Pluma
He is the leading finalist for the 2026 awards with 17 total entries.
Carmen Villalobos and Javier Poza
They are the selected hosts for the upcoming 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards ceremony.
The details
During the panel, Gringo explained that his duo shifted their creative approach from raw lyrics to romantic themes to achieve greater commercial popularity. Participants detailed how shifting from cassettes to digital streaming has fundamentally changed how they produce their biggest hits.
Timeline
The panel discussion took place on October 20, 2026.
The 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards will broadcast live on October 22, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The panel reflects a broader industry trend where legacy artists and new stars utilize platforms like Billboard Latin Music Week to navigate the shift from physical formats to global streaming dominance. This collaborative environment contrasts with the highly competitive landscape of the annual awards, where a handful of top-tier artists account for the vast majority of nominations.
Fans can tune in to the 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards live broadcast on October 22. Access to the awards ceremony remains tied to the official broadcast schedule hosted by Carmen Villalobos and Javier Poza.
The takeaway
Understanding the production history of musical hits provides listeners with greater context for the industry's shift toward streaming formats. Fans should keep an eye on the upcoming awards ceremony to see which of the year's top finalists takes home the most accolades.
What happens next
The 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards will broadcast live from the James L. Knight Center in Miami on October 22, 2026.
Further reading
For more news on the evolving sound of the industry, visit the Latin music section.
Live Poll
Do you prefer when artists maintain their original style or adapt to reach wider audiences?
