AGP Executive Report

World Cup Pop Power: Shakira keeps the FIFA 2026 spotlight blazing—her “Dai Dai” anthem video just dropped with cameos from Messi, Mbappé, Haaland and more, plus Burna Boy, and it’s already feeding the hype for the July 19 final. Classic Anthem Echo: Earlier, Shakira’s 2010 “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” got the spotlight again as a reminder of how her lyrics frame resilience and comeback energy. Latin Festival Momentum: Sueños Music Festival 2026 opened in Chicago with J Balvin closing night one by leaning on his “OG” reggaetón blueprint—hits, crowd control, and all. New Tour Buzz: Stray Kids announced “STRAYCITY,” a Latin America music festival hitting Colombia, Argentina, and Mexico starting in September, with NEXZ and local acts. Quick Culture Detour: Crunchyroll’s Anime Awards crowned “My Hero Academia Final Season” as Anime of the Year, showing how global pop keeps borrowing from fandom worlds.

World Cup Music Push: Shakira and Burna Boy just dropped the “Dai Dai” video, packed with football cameos from Messi to Mbappé, as the 2026 tournament gears up across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Global Anthem Collab: LISA, Anitta, and Rema also unveiled “Goals,” the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album single—three continents, one track, and a high-energy video to match. Caribbean Festival Momentum: St. Kitts Music Festival added R&B giants Boyz II Men and dancehall rising star Skippa to its June 25–27 lineup. Local Culture Under Pressure: In Mexico’s Guerrero, a cartel attack on the indigenous community of Tula forced residents to flee and rebuild amid shortages and no arrests—while in Rio’s favelas, residents keep organizing to fight “abandonment” and climate-hit neglect. Music Beyond the Pitch: Chomee returns with “Tjovitjo (Bafana Is Back)” for South Africa’s World Cup return, signaling a bigger comeback wave.

World Cup Music Push: FIFA’s official 2026 anthem “Goals” is now out, pairing LISA (BLACKPINK) with Anitta and Rema—and it’s set to be performed live at the opening ceremony in Los Angeles on June 12. Festival Spotlight: Live Nation + JYP unveiled STRAYCITY, a Stray Kids-led festival hitting Bogotá (Sept 9), Buenos Aires (Sept 14), and Mexico City (Sept 25), with local acts and NEXZ as support. Fan Backlash Watch: BTS fans are furious over alleged Busan hotel price gouging, with reported room-rate spikes during concert week triggering complaints and checks by consumer authorities. Tech Meets Audio: Spotify is rolling out an AI audiobook creation tool via ElevenLabs for authors, expanding its “Spotify for Authors” push into more languages. Latin Culture on the Move: Caribbean music communities keep shifting—some events thrive, others fade, like the Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival ending after 25 years due to funding strain.

World Cup Music Push: Shakira and Burna Boy team up with FIFA for “Dai Dai,” the official FIFA World Cup 2026 song, with royalties earmarked for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund—and FIFA also confirms Shakira will co-headline the July 19 final halftime show. Global Pop Meets Local Tension: In Mexico City, a nightclub owner is charging Americans nearly $300 to enter, sparking backlash over tourism and “American imperialism” fears. Hip-Hop Community Power: Rio’s “Active Favela” day brings breakdancers and MCs to Maré to inspire youth through hip-hop, while “Virada Sustentável” spotlights sustainability projects across Rio favelas. K-Pop in the Spotlight: BTS’ Suga runs Bay to Breakers in San Francisco just hours before performing at Stanford Stadium—blending into a 30,000-person crowd. Latin Festival Watch: Chicago’s Sueños Music Festival hits Grant Park May 23-24 with J Balvin and Kali Uchis headlining Saturday, and Fuerza Regida leading Sunday.

World Cup Culture Push: FIFA’s official anthem “Goals” is now out, starring Rema, LISA and Anitta—another big pop moment feeding the tournament’s global hype. Streaming & AI Shake-Up: Spotify doubled down on AI at its investor day, pitching AI-made personalized podcasts plus AI tools for covers and remixes, even as users push back. Latin Pop on the Move: Dua Lipa wrapped her Mexico City “Radical Optimism” run with the live album/film Live From Mexico, including a Mana cover with Fher Olvera. Regional Music Training: Bogotá’s Idartes opened free workshops in rock, Brazilian batucada, vocals/instrumental ensembles and DJing—no experience needed. Caribbean Spotlight: Jamaica kept winning abroad, taking Best Destination–Caribbean and Best Tourism Board–Caribbean at Canada’s TravelPulse awards. Cross-Border Conjunto Love: A Japanese Conjunto artist toured the Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame and jammed with accordion legend Juan Antonio Tapia.

Caribbean Fundraising Push: The CTO Foundation is hosting “Rum & Rhythm” in New York on June 4 at Lavan, with Caribbean chefs, mixologists, DJs, and ticket sales aimed at scholarships for tourism and hospitality students. World Cup Music Takes Over: FIFA’s 2026 Final halftime show is set to feature BTS, Madonna, and Shakira at MetLife Stadium, while the tournament’s official album keeps stacking cross-continental hits—LISA, Anitta, and Rema just released “Goals,” blending Latin pop, K-pop, and Afrobeats. Regional Culture on Display: Caracas Metro opened “The Burial of the Sardine” photo exhibition at Bellas Artes station, using music and local history to turn commuting into a cultural moment. Fan Culture Meets Tech: A surge of AI-made World Cup team songs is going viral online, raising fresh questions about ownership and who gets paid. Tour-Stage Fallout: Harry Styles’ team says it’s adjusting the “Together, Together” stage after fans complained about obstructed views.

World Cup Music Push: Peso Pluma is set to headline a free FIFA World Cup kickoff show at LA’s BMO Stadium on June 11, with adidas running the match watch party earlier that day—turning the tournament into a full-on pop event, not just a sports one. Tour Backlash: Harry Styles’ “Together, Together” tour is adjusting stage layouts after VIP fans complained about obstructed views in Amsterdam, with the team promising visibility fixes while prioritizing safety. Cuba Tensions in the News Cycle: Raul Castro has been indicted in the U.S. on murder charges tied to a 1996 aircraft shootdown, escalating Washington’s pressure campaign as fears of further action mount. Caribbean Culture Calendar: DanceAfrica 2026 returns over Memorial Day weekend with Uganda’s Ndere Troupe and other diaspora acts, while Preston’s Caribbean Carnival gears up for May 24 with Skinny Banton as a headline. K-pop Global Reach: BTS will broadcast its Busan concert live in cinemas worldwide next month, expanding the “Arirang” tour beyond stadium walls.

Billie Holiday Monument Vote: New York City has unveiled six finalist designs for a permanent Billie Holiday tribute outside the Jamaica Performing Arts Center in Queens, and the public can help choose what it looks like. Screening Spotlight: Netflix confirmed Cien Años de Solitude Part 2 lands Aug. 5 with seven episodes, then the finale on Aug. 26—Macondo turns darker as the story races to its end. Cuban-US Legal Shock: The U.S. indicted former Cuban president Raúl Castro on murder charges, escalating a pressure campaign tied to a 1996 shootdown incident. Tour Talk: Harry Styles’ team says it will adjust stage structures after fans complained about blocked sightlines on the Together, Together tour. Caribbean Jazz: Curaçao pianist Randal Corsen will perform July 10 at North Sea Jazz’s anniversary edition, mixing big-band power with salsa, tumba, danzón, and merengue. Latin Music & Culture: Colombian folk icon Totó la Momposina has died at 85, and the region is already rallying around her legacy.

World Cup Spotlight: Carlo Ancelotti named Neymar back in Brazil’s 26-man squad for FIFA World Cup 2026, ending a long injury absence and setting up a major chemistry storyline for the tournament. Caribbean Culture & Tourism: Nevis used Saveurs Caraïbes 2026 in Saint-Barthélemy as a guest-destination showcase, leaning on music, artisan displays, and the Nevis Mango Festival to pull in the same luxury crowd. Latin Music Loss: Colombia mourns Totó la Momposina, the Caribbean-coast icon who helped globalize cumbia, porro, mapalé and bullerengue, dying at 85 in Mexico. Education Policy: A Latino/Latine Studies minor drops Spanish language requirements starting Fall 2026, with content folded into other required courses. Whale-Migration Record: Scientists document humpback whales traveling between eastern Australia and Brazil—over 14,000 km—using decades-apart tail photos. Music Industry Moves: IDOL appoints Evan Whikehart as North America GM, expanding growth across North and Latin America.

Shakira’s Tax Win: Spain’s High Court acquitted Shakira of 2011 tax fraud and ordered the Treasury to refund €55m+ with interest, after prosecutors argued she should’ve been treated as a Spanish tax resident. World Cup Music Push: Shakira and Burna Boy keep feeding the 2026 hype with the official anthem “Dai Dai,” while Ghana’s DopeNation met the GFA to explore using music to supercharge the Black Stars’ campaign. Caribbean Live Momentum: Boyz II Men join the St. Kitts Music Festival lineup (June 25–27), alongside dancehall act Skippa, as the island’s summer calendar gets louder. DocsBarcelona Spotlight: Amazomania won Best Film at the 29th DocsBarcelona, with The Travelers taking Best Catalan Film. Authenticity Talk: Ballantine’s and ColorsxStudios double down on “raw” live moments, citing fans’ demand for realness over perfection. Brazil Comeback Note: Neymar was named in Brazil’s World Cup squad by Ancelotti, returning after injury setbacks.

World Cup Halftime Power Move: FIFA’s first-ever final halftime show is locked in for July 19 at MetLife: BTS, Madonna, and Shakira headline, with Global Citizen tied to children’s education funding. Shakira’s Legal Win: Spain’s high court orders a refund of more than €55M to Shakira after rejecting the tax authority’s claim she met residency days in 2011. Shakira x Burna Boy Anthem: The duo’s official World Cup song “Dai Dai” keeps rolling out as the tournament’s biggest pop moment. Brazil Squad Drama: Neymar is named in Brazil’s World Cup squad after a long injury absence, with Ancelotti saying fitness and form drove the call. Reggae/Dancehall Crossovers: Drake’s new triple-album credits Jamaican producer Mxssivh on “New Bestie,” while Vershon’s “Queen” lands in the film SWITCH and Jemere Morgan teams with Damian Marley on “Know Better.” Mexico City Football Culture: A major memorabilia exhibition turns World Cup fever into a full-on art show.

Shakira Legal Win: Spain’s National High Court has ordered the tax authority to refund Shakira more than €55 million (about $64M) after ruling she didn’t meet the 183-day threshold for Spanish tax residency in 2011—clearing her of tax fraud claims and wiping out penalties tied to that year. World Cup Soundtrack Push: Shakira and Burna Boy’s official FIFA World Cup 2026 anthem “Dai Dai” keeps rolling into the spotlight as the tournament approaches. Latin Pop on the Road: Colombian pop-rock band Morat announced U.S. and Canada dates for their 2027 “YEM: Ya Es Mañana” tour. Festival Buzz: Mexico City’s Tecate Emblema returned with a packed, multi-generational lineup featuring Gloria Trevi, Jonas Brothers, Louis Tomlinson, Cazzu, Ha*Ash, and more. Rock Legacy: Chris Cornell is remembered nine years after his death, with coverage revisiting Soundgarden and Audioslave’s impact.

FIFA World Cup anthem drop: Shakira and Burna Boy just released “Dai Dai,” the official FIFA World Cup 2026 song, with Shakira’s royalties tied to Global Citizen’s education push. Global stage moment: Shakira is also set to perform at the World Cup final halftime show on July 19 alongside Madonna and BTS. Latin hip-hop crossovers: Drake’s surprise triple-album era keeps rolling—“ICEMAN” credits include Hispanic producer GORDO on 11 tracks, underscoring how Latin club flavor is now baked into mainstream rap. Touring heat: Harry Styles’ “Together, Together” residency adds another Melbourne date after ticket demand, while Enhypen extends Macao and Mexico stops as their “Blood Saga” tour keeps expanding. Caribbean music buzz: Trinidad’s R&B Brunch drew big crowds with Ja Rule and Ashanti, even as one onstage outburst sparked a brief controversy. Local music infrastructure: Guyana says it’s rebuilding its National Music School and adding recording studios to give artists more professional space to grow.

World Cup Pop Collab: Shakira and Burna Boy just dropped “Dai Dai,” the official FIFA 2026 anthem—Latin rhythms meet Afrobeats, with the duo trading verses and name-checking World Cup countries and stars. Global Stage Power Move: FIFA also confirmed the first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show at the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium, headlined by Madonna, Shakira and BTS, with the Global Citizen Education Fund backing the $100M push. Latin Music Spotlight: Brazilian percussion legend Paulinho Da Costa earned a Hollywood Walk of Fame star—another reminder that Latin grooves keep crossing borders. Live Music Momentum: Harry Styles kicked off his “Together, Together” tour in Amsterdam with a massive opening-night crowd and a set built around his latest era. Local Culture, Mexico Flavor: In Orillia, Casa Colibri opened downtown with an “authentic Mexican” menu and upbeat music—small-town proof that Latin sounds travel.

World Cup Music & Money: FIFA’s 2026 ticket pricing is sparking fresh outrage, with fans hitting “sticker shock” over resale fees and final-ticket markups. Pop Tour Buzz: Harry Styles kicked off his “Together, Together” residency in Amsterdam, leaning hard into his latest era while still packing in fan favorites—proof that the residency model is turning into a global pilgrimage. Latin Crossover Heat: Becky G dropped “Epa,” a Spanish-Spanglish dance track shot in Boyle Heights with community energy and a drag cameo. Caribbean Culture on Stage: Guyana launched its Independence-season Guyana Festival with a “Song, Soul, and Taste” theme, while South Florida’s Haitian Compas Festival kept Haitian music and identity front and center. Regional Live-Music Calendar: La 1 in Spain won’t air Eurovision’s final, replacing it with a homegrown music special—another reminder that music programming is getting political fast.

Cannes Spotlight: Mexican actor-director Diego Luna, whose film Ashes is in Cannes’ Special Screenings, ties migration to Latin America’s political reality—arguing that telling a specific Mexican story is the fastest route to universal resonance. World Cup Music Push: Shakira and Burna Boy have released “Dai Dai,” the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, positioning Latin rhythms and Afrobeats for a tournament that spans the US, Canada, and Mexico. Caribbean Culture & Economy: Jamaica’s opposition culture spokesperson Nekeisha Burchell says the island must capture more value from the global creative economy—especially via copyright, licensing, and royalties. Arms Smuggling Case: Jamaican producer Countree Hype (Taugea Ubert Dayes) pleaded guilty in the US for shipping hidden firearms to Jamaica inside office furniture. Street-Connected Youth: Mexico hosted the Street Child World Cup finals with U2 on hand, spotlighting education, protection, and gender equality through sport and music. New Releases & Tours: KATSEYE announced its first headline arena world tour, while Deacon Blue’s Ricky Ross returned to Edinburgh to honor late keyboardist Jim Prime.