Maluma Moved to Tears Revisiting "Hawái" at Billboard Latin Music Week
Colombian singer Maluma was moved to tears on Wednesday, Oct. 21, while listening to his 2020 hit "Hawái" during Billboard Latin Music Week in Miami. Billboard reported the moment from the event's Faena Forum stage.
The emotional moment came during the "Iconic Songwriter Q&A," presented by Sony Music Publishing. In the session, Maluma talked through the stories behind his best-known songs. The conference runs from Oct. 19 to 22.
Maluma said he cried out of gratitude. He told the audience that "Hawái" spent nine weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Latin Songs chart, the weekly ranking of the most popular Spanish-language tracks. A remix with The Weeknd carried the song to No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, the main singles chart in the United States. Billboard's Spanish-language coverage quoted him as saying "Me siento lleno," which translates roughly as "I feel full."
Other songs came up as well. "Agua," his merengue collaboration with Shakira, was released on Sept. 17, 2026. He also released "1 + 1," a duet with Kany García, in January 2026.
He spoke about "Según Quién," his 2023 song with Carín León. The track reached No. 1 on Billboard Latin Airplay and Regional Mexican Airplay, two charts that rank songs by how often radio stations play them. Maluma described the song as a meeting of Colombia and Mexico. He added that he would like to experiment much more with regional music, a path he said he has not yet started.
At the close of the panel, Sony Music Publishing Latin America presented him with a commemorative plaque. It celebrates more than 30 songs that have reached No. 1 on various Billboard charts.
Billboard Latin Music Week brings together songwriters, executives and performers for several days of panels and showcases. Other speakers this year include Rubén Blades, Anthony Ramos, Lenny Tavárez and Tito Nieves. The event ends on Oct. 22.
For anyone who has heard "Hawái" at a party or on a playlist, the session offered a look at the people behind the song. Writing and performing a hit is only part of the story. Publishing deals, chart runs and remixes all shape how far a song travels, and on this stage the songwriter was the one telling it.
