Premios Juventud is officially a day away, promising a star-studded lineup, recognition of frontline heroes facing the pandemic, and a Selena Quintanilla tribute in celebration of her music and legacy, to name a few.
Unlike other Latin music events this year that opted to go virtual, Univision, keeping safety at top, will leverage technology and innovation to provide for a safe environment in delivering a live music awards show.
Latin artists confirmed to take part of the 17th annual PJ awards include CNCO, Karol G, Natti Natasha, Anuel, Camilo Cristian Castro, Farruko, and Grupo Firme, amongst other artists. Pitbull, Ricky Martin, and Becky G will also be honored with this year’s agents of change award for their work in the Latino community.
Co-hosted by Ana Patricia Gámez, Francisca Lachapel, Borja Voces, Sebastian Yatra, and Julissa Calderon, the 17th edition Premios Juventud will broadcast live at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 13 from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., via Univision. A one-hour pre-show hosted by Jomari Goyso and Clarissa Molina and Amara La Negra will begin at 7 p.m. ET.
With PJ just around the corner, a wave of Latin artists on-site at the rehearsals shared their quarantine confessions with Billboard. Check it out below.
What new skill did you learn during the quarantine?
Sebastian Yatra: During quarantine, I’ve been learning a lot of guitar and I’m super happy cause I’ve really seen improvements. I’m taking classes every day and just falling in love with a lot of different parts of music that I wasn’t before. I started writing and a lot of singing but instruments, I never had the time or the focus to do it and now I’m doing it and I’m excited about that. It’s helped me open my mind a lot.
Camilo: During quarantine, I discovered that I’m really good at cooking. We’ve been spending a lot of time in the kitchen so it’s been a new hobby for me.
Rauw Alejandro: I’ve been practicing my cooking skills right now.
Ally Brooke: A new skill I learned during quarantine is to make a latte. Come on over or I can go over and I’ll make you one. It’s going to be delicious.
Llane: I’m now an expert in cooking pasta, sweeping, and mopping floors.
Danna Paola: I learned how to paint a wall, perfect my cooking, I did my own studio at my house, and focused on finishing my album. I learned how to direct a music video with my phone. I learned how to be more patient and enjoy the smaller things in life.
Mau of Mau & Ricky: My new skill is that I learned that I’m pretty great at making barbeques.
Kendo Kaponi: I’ve learned to cook better. I cook well but … I’ve been cooking Puerto Rican food.
Pitizion: I’ve had to work a lot on my emotions. To cook better. I’m now an expert when it comes to cleaning the house and bettering my writing skills.
Dandee of Cali & El Dandee: We’ve been working on being patient. I think we’ve all had to be indoors for such a long time. For example in Colombia our family hasn’t been able to leave the house and being patient and having faith is a virtue.
Which Latin song did you have on repeat in Club Quarantine?
Sebastian Yatra: ”Tattoo” by Rauw and I also had on repeat “Deportivo” by Álvaro Díaz.
Camilo: The song I’ve been repeating is “Tattoo Remix” and not because it’s mine but I really enjoy it. This song has been like the soundtrack of this moment of my life. It’s like summer at your house.
Rauw Alejandro: The song I have on repeat is a track we made called “Elegí,” which is a hard perreo song. I also love Sech’s “Relación” and there are a bunch of others too.
Ally Brooke: Bad Bunny is on repeat and also lots of Natti Natasha. Which is crazy that I am on the same stage with her. It’s just so awesome and I love her.
Llane: I’ve been listening to “Nuestro Juramento” by Julio Jaramillo a lot, it’s a classic song!
Danna Paola: “El Efecto” by Rauw Alejandro, “Porfa” by Feid, “Negro” by J Balvin. I like Karol G’s “Ay, Dios Mio”and of course, “No Bailes Sola.” Oh! and “TQ y Ya.” My songs get jealous of each other so I try to give them all love.
Kendo Kaponi: There are two songs I’ve been listening to a lot: “Tusa” and “Adictiva” by Daddy Yankee and Anuel.
Pitizion: I’ve been hearing a lot of “Caramelo” by Ozuna.
Cali & El Dandee: We’ve been listening to a lot of reggaeton. Obviously, everything that Bad Bunny released and Sech’s music. There’s one by Jay Wheeler called “La Curiosidad” that I’ve been listening to a lot. It’s so good.
What movie or series did you watch for the first time during quarantine?
Sebastian Yatra: What I’ve been watching, and it just gets crazier Dark. Dark is just so dark but it’s cool.
Camilo: I’ve been watching some documentaries about things like design and architecture, it’s been a new passion for me so I’ve been watching that.
Rauw Alejandro: I’m very random and spontaneous so whatever I see on Netflix, I’ll watch. Tho, I’ve been playing a lot of video games too.
Ally Brooke: I watched Forrest Gump for the first time during the quarantine. And most people are like, ‘girl you haven’t seen it before?’ No, I’m so sorry.
Llane: I’ve watched Elite and everyone has to watch it. I’ve also watched others that have helped me reflect but I’m very boring so stick with Elite, you’ll have fun.
Danna Paola: I saw all three seasons of Dark, it has a lot of answers to things in life. I’ve seen a lot of documentaries. When I want to disconnect and watch something light, I watch The Floor is Lava, it’s a lot of fun. I watched the third season of Elite, on-and-off, and I watched all five seasons of Cable Girls.
Mau & Ricky: Shows and movies during quarantine would be definitely The Last Dance. Michael Jordan was definitely a highlight. Also, this one show called All American. I watched that. And also, Parasite, it’s awesome. Also, Tiger King.
Kendo Kaponi: I finished watching Money Heist since I had stopped watching it. And, I also finished watching Game of Thrones and now started watching a few other ones about prisoners going from prison to prison. There was one where I actually saw my name written on one of the walls.
Pitizion: Atypical, I recommend it 100 percent. I think it’s just a special series and it’s a reminder of how magical and grand human beings can be.
Cali of Cali & El Dandee: There’s a series called Westworld on HBO that I saw and it was great.
Greeicy: I watched a movie that I loved called Baby Driver. It was musically-driven and I loved the characters. Highly recommend it if you haven’t watched it.
Describe your 2020 (so far) in one word:
Sebastian Yatra: My 2020 is life-changing.
Camilo: 2020 for me has been a challenge.
Rauw Alejandro: 2020 has been a hard year but we have health and we’re here.
Ally Brooke: 2020 has been unaccepted on many levels. I won an Emmy Award for my participation on The Casagrandes on Nickelodeon and finished my book called Finding Your Harmony that comes out in October so I’m happy I still get to do what I love and see the fruits of my labor.
Llane: My 2020 has been a year of opportunity. Since this started, I was able to adapt even though it was tough at first.
Danna Paola: Unexpected!
Mau & Ricky: Masks and self-reflection
Kendo Kaponi: I would describe 2020 as a blessing and inertia.
Pitizion: 2020 for me is evolution.
Dandee of Cali & El Dandee: 2020 in one word is work. Believe it or not, we’ve been working a lot from home.
Greeicy: 2020 for me has been a moment of learning. There are many new things that I have never done. For example, if we wanted to continue making music, you had to learn to do it from home. We had to produce videos, record ourselves, we learned so much. We learned stuff we needed to learn to advance.