In honor of the 25 anniversary of Billboard’s Latin Music Conference, Billboard is breaking out the greatest moments from Latin music’s premiere event. The conference has hosted Superstar Q&A’s from Latin legends including Pitbull, Enrique Iglesias, Don Omar and the late Jenni Rivera. Showcases from the event have assisted in the launch of countless careers, including Selena, Kat Dahlia and Prince Royce. Here: a look back at 1999-2003.
2014 Billboard Latin Music Awards
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1999
— Memorably, Ricky Martin performed “Livin’ La Vida Loca” at the height of the “Latin explosion”
— Ricardo Dopico of the RIAA delivered the keynote speech at the 10th Annual Music Conference
— Billboard Latin Music Awards, hosted by Daisy Fuentes & Paul Rodriguez, were televised for the FIRST time
— Multi-award-winning artist Falco Jiminez was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Latin Music Awards
— Rick Martin won Pop Album of the Year for “Vuelve” at the Latin Music Awards
2000
— The traditional keynote was replaced with a one-on-one Q&A with Enrique Iglesias at the 2000 Billboard Latin Conference
— Livin’ La Vida Loca! Ricky Martin takes home the award for Latin Pop Track of the Year at the Latin Music Awards in 2000
— Marco Antonia Solis of Los Bukis was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 2000 Latin Music Awards
2001
— Enrique Iglesias’ “Hero” spent a week at No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs in 2001. He holds the record for most No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs: 24!
— Christina Aguilera brought home the award for Pop Album of the Year for “Mi Reflejo” at the Latin Music Awards
— Popular Latina Singer Thalia was honored with El Premio de la Estrella (the excellence award) at the 2001 Latin Music Awards
— The rumba quinto master, Mongo Santamaria was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Latin Music Awards
— Check out the performers of the 2001 Latin Music Awards including Gloria Estefan, Paulina Rubia, Julio Iglesias, Luis Fonsi
— Marc Anthony sat down for an exclusive Q&A session at the Billboard Latin Conference with our very own Leila Cobo
2002
— Ricky Martin, sat down for an exclusive, in depth chat during the 13th annual Billboard Latin Conference & received the Spirit of Hope Award
— Latin pop singer Shakira was selected for the Viewers Choice Awards
— Check out some of the Nominees for the Billboard Latin Music Awards in 2002 including Banda El Recodo & Marco A Solis
— Celine Dion was awarded for “My Heart Will Go On” and performs “Aun Existe Amor” at the Billboard Latin Music Awards
2003
— Latin Pop Album Finalist, Alejandro Sanz participated in Q&A session at the Billboard Latin Conference