J Balvin & Xavi Honor Nir Seroussi as Latin Power Players Executive of the Year: ‘You Deserve This’

Industry leaders, artists and Billboard‘s 2025 Latin Power Players gathered at Casadonna in Miami on Monday (Oct. 20), where hugs were exchanged, awards were handed out and heartfelt speeches were given in honor Latin Power Players Executive of the Year, Nir Seroussi, head of Interscope Capitol Miami.

The special night kicked off with Billboard‘s editor-in-chief Hannah Karp, who welcomed the executives and called them “los líderes más poderosos de la música latina” (“the most powerful leaders in Latin music”). “Every year, you become even more powerful, gaining strength as the global audience for Latin music grows.”

Leila Cobo, chief content officer, Latin/Español, Billboard also congratulated the honorees, calling them “an elite group,” and handed out a few awards, including Top Regional Mexican Albums Label of the Year to Double P Records, which was received by co-founders Peso Pluma and George Prajin; Regional Mexican Airplay Label of the Year to Universal Music Latin Entertainment, which was awarded by Colombian singer-songwriter Ela Taubert to Angel Kaminsky and Ana Martínez; Top Latin Rhythm Albums Label of the Year and Hot Latin Songs Label of the Year went to Rimas.

But it was Seroussi’s big night. He was being honored as Latin Power Player Executive of the Year and who received special messages and words from his artists, J Balvin and Xavi, and John Janick, CEO, Interscope. “Tonight we celebrate someone who embodies what this business is truly about, artist development, entrepreneurship, disruption and building culture from the inside out,” Janick said.

Have you played Billboard’s Latin Music Week Crossword?
Play now!

Balvin and Xavi spoke next. The latter hitmaker kept it brief, thanking Seroussi for believing in him. “You deserve this,” Xavi said. Meanwhile, Balvin went on to share personal anecdotes and that the Interscope executive is someone who “deserves the best,” the Colombian star said. “You have the power of being a great human being, you’re like a brother to me, a mentor, I love you, brother, for more people like you. Congratulations, Nir.”

An emotional Seroussi went on stage to accept the award and share an equally emotional speech. “I’ve had 30 years to think about what I was going to say tonight,” he began.

“I’m proud and humbled to share this honor with all of you. I look around and I see so many people that have raised the bar, sometimes by design, sometimes by accident but always with heart … My name may be on the award but this belongs to the entire team, the ones who turn ideas into reality,” Seroussi continued. “To our team, everyone plays an essential role to what we do for our artists and their dreams, you’re the heartbeat of everything we’ve done. None of this happens without you. To our artists and label partners, thank you for trusting us with your music and your vision, to remind us why we do this. When you win, when your stories connect, we all rise a little higher. After 30 years I still believe that being an artist is the hardest job in the world, helping them chase an impossible dream is the greatest privilege and never gets old, let’s keep building playgrounds together.”

Billboard‘s Latin Power Players Executive of the Year award celebrates leaders whose vision and strategies have left a significant mark on the music industry over the past year. Seroussi was recognized for his leadership of Interscope Capitol Miami — the division of Universal Music Group whose high-profile artists include J Balvin, Karol G, Xavi and Ivan Cornejo. The label ended 2024 as Billboard’s No. 3 top Latin label.