Two generations of salsa took the same stage at the Faena Theater in Miami Beach on Monday, and the conversation was worth every minute. Tito Nieves, five decades into a career stacked with hits like“Fabricando Fantasías”and“De Mí Enamórate,”sat down with Luis Figueroa for the“Salsa Revival: Bridging Generations”panel, moderated by AARP’s Bryant Pino during day one of Billboard Latin Music Week.
Nieves looked back on his early years touring New York’s club circuit with Marc Anthony, building an audience one room at a time. Figueroa brought the modern perspective, noting that today’s artists wrestle with platforms that lack the immediate feedback of a live crowd, and that big social media numbers don’t necessarily translate to tickets sold. Both agreed on the big picture: salsa won’t fade despite reggaetón’s chart dominance, because the rhythm carries emotion in any language. Nieves even recalled switching to recording in English in the 1980s after his son asked what his songs meant.
The panel wrapped with advice for the next generation. Nieves urged young singers to work hard and enjoy performing, while Figueroa stressed discipline and understanding the business side of the industry. Nieves summed up his why simply: young people inspire him, and he wants to support them even with his own legacy secured.
What’s your favorite salsa song of all time? Tell us in the comments.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.