Quevedo & Kidd Voodoo Talk New Urban Movement: ‘One of the Things That Makes Us Unique Is Where We Come From’
From the Canary Islands and Chile, the artists discussed identity and the global expansion of their respective scenes during Billboard Latin Music Week.
Urban music transcends geographical boundaries, weaving together sounds from diverse islands, continents, and digital platforms to create worldwide hits. This was a key theme in The New Urban Movement, a discussion featuring Quevedo and Kidd Voodoo on October 19 during Billboard Latin Music Week 2026. The panel, moderated by Billboard associate editor Jessica Roiz, took place at the Faena Theater in Miami Beach.
Both artists reflected on how their cultural roots have influenced their music. Quevedo, who hails from the Canary Islands, a region with historical ties to Latin America, emphasized that his upbringing was instrumental in shaping the identity of his albums Buenas Noches (2024) and El Baifo (2026), which blend urban beats with merengue, salsa, and other Latin rhythms.
He noted, "One of the things that makes us unique is where we come from." He also spoke fondly of his 2022 collaboration with Bizarrap, which became a Billboard hit, topping Latin Airplay, Global 200, and Global Excl. U.S. charts, and marking his debut on the Billboard Hot 100. Quevedo regarded this song as transformative, saying, "It's the song that changed my life, and I'll always have that affection for it."
Kidd Voodoo, conversely, discussed his transition from rock to reggaetón. Initially, he tried to maintain his rock identity, experimenting with jazz and bossa nova. However, the pandemic led him to fully embrace urban music. He recalled his first encounter with reggaetón, which resonated with him after just one song. Over time, reggaetón became an integral part of his artistic identity, stating, "I'm nothing without reggaetón now."
The panel also underscored the significance of collaborations between male and female artists. Kidd Voodoo expressed admiration for Chilean artists such as Mon Laferte, Albana Cruz, María José Quintanilla, and Sofía, and championed collaboration as the backbone of the urban music scene: "The positive path will always be collaboration, unity."
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