On Saturday night (May 6), Ivy Queen, along with Jacqueline Bracamontes, hosted Billboard’s inaugural Latin Women in Music gala. The event celebrated Latina artists, executives, and creatives who are proactively working for positive change and gender parity in the music industry.
Ivy Queen, also known as Martha Ivelisse Pesante Rodríguez, took center stage with the exclusive premiere of her new single “Toma” while dressed in a dazzling boxing gown with a hood covering her face. Produced by Young Hollywood, the hard-hitting reggaetón fused with Middle Eastern melodies which later transitions into an old-school perreo is a reaffirmation of her title as “Queen of Reggaetón.”
“The queen is here,” the song begins, and the chorus emphasizes, “take reggaetón so they feel the pressure.” The powerful verses of the song are a declaration of her identity, “I am the essence of Puerto Rico and the city of New York,” and a reminder to “respect the ranks.”
The 50-year-old Puerto Rican rapper was previously honored with the Icon Award at Billboard’s Women In Music 2023 gala. Latina Women in Music, the first event of its kind, aired on Telemundo on May 7. The event recognized Shakira with the first Woman of the Year award, along with other honorees Ana Gabriel, Emili Award, María Becerra, Evaluna, Goyo, and Thalía.
Billboard’s inaugural Latin Women in Music event aims to further elevate Latin music globally and celebrate women who have made a tangible impact on the industry. The event celebrates their artistic achievements and tangible actions resulting in recognition and concrete opportunities for women, achieving positive change in the industry as a whole.
