Premio Lo Nuestro 2025 ceremoniously kicked off in Miami on Thursday (Feb. 20) with an opening act led by Will Smith and flamenco-pop artist India Martínez.
The duo opened the show with their heartfelt flamenco-rap track “First Love.” Martínez, clad in a black sequined dress, set the stage with soul-stirring vocals accompanied by evocative flamenco-style guitar strums that filled the venue. Will Smith, decked out in a sleek suit, soon joined her, melding his rhythmic rap verses with the song’s melodious flair. The performance peaked dramatically when Smith leaned in for a staged kiss, only for Martínez to walk away, heightening the theatrical tension.
The energy escalated as they transitioned into Smith’s very fitting 1997 hit “Miami,” with that classic sample of “And the Beat Goes On” by The Whispers. DJ Khaled amplified the vibe with his characteristic vigor. Meanwhile, Thalia and the legendary Miami Sound Machine added their distinctive style to the act, capturing the evening’s theme of “Uniting Generations.” Thalia, also pulling double-duty as host with Laura Pausini and Alejandra Espinoza, shifted gears from presenter to star performer.
“This is a really beautiful time for me as I’m starting to release new music,” Smith said a day prior at a private event, co-hosted by Neon16. “I’ve had a couple of years of really wonderful introspection, and I’ve had some beautiful revelations. I’m having a ball trying to express these things artistically.”
This isn’t the first time he’s made music with Latin stars: In 2016, Smith teamed up with Bomba Estéreo on “Fiesta Remix,” and last year the Philly rapper joined J Balvin at Coachella, where they re-enacted Men In Black.
With Premio Lo Nuestro broadcasting live from the Kaseya Center, Becky G and Carín León lead the list of nominations with 10 nods each. They are followed by Shakira and Myke Towers, with nine; and Ángela Aguilar, Emilia, Grupo Frontera and Leonardo Aguilar, each with eight nominations. La India, Alejandro Fernández and Manuel Alejandro are being honored with special awards.
To check out more coverage of Premio Lo Nuestro, visit Billboard.com.
