HIGHXTAR. was the media partner for the most anticipated night party of the season, packed with Caribbean sounds.
Last Saturday, May 30, at HIGHXTAR we didn’t just witness something historic—we experienced it front row. As the official media partner for the kickoff date of La Gran Cucaracha: Un Ratito Más Festival, we set out—together with two essential allies, adidas and KIKO MILANO—to turn Florida Park in Madrid’s Retiro into the absolute epicentre of Latin culture in Madrid.
We wanted to pay tribute to Borinquen culture—that perfect archipelago that is Puerto Rico—and to all of Latin America. With adidas and KIKO MILANO, who from different worlds share our vision of creativity, authenticity and self-expression, we created a space to keep dancing Un Ratito Más. While adidas turned Florida Park’s terrace into the meeting point for our community and some of the most exciting talents right now, KIKO MILANO brought attendees into the world of its new collaboration with Just Cavalli—a collection inspired by the Italian house’s animalier universe that turns makeup into a true attitude statement. And so, between music, beauty and culture, we claimed our right to perrear from the sky to the floor until six in the morning.
Our VIP area: the adidas terrace
From the moment doors opened, it was clear who ruled the outdoor space. adidas took over Florida Park’s terrace, creating a one-of-a-kind meeting point where we brought together our whole community and standout talents from today’s scene.
Many of the most special guests at this coveted date came with HIGHXTAR. and adidas. Some arrived straight from Bad Bunny’s first concert in Madrid; others were drawn in by the pull of Latin rhythms, from salsa to reggaetón. Joining us were film director Javier Calvo (fresh off a Cannes award for La bola negra), singers Ralphie Choo, Belén Aguilera, Abhir, Carlota Urdiales; actors Manu Ríos, Ana Rujas, Ricardo Gómez, Claudia Traisac, Bárbara Lennie, Irene Escolar, Itzan Escamilla, Macarena García, Itsaso Arana, Joel Sánchez, Nico Furtado, Ester Expósito, Carlos González; models Ali Guty and Lucia Rivera; creators Daniela Aldana, Carlota Weber, Claudia Fernández; designer Alejandro Palomo; and footballer Sergio Camello, among many others.
The best thing about these events is the real, organic synergies that happen. Spread across the adidas terrace, meetups and confessions unfolded. Ana Rujas, Irene Escolar and Bárbara Lennie were at one table sharing toasts, laughs and debate as the night kicked off. A few metres away, at another table, El Bugg, Albany and Ralphie Choo brought together the freshest core of today’s urban music in a conversation that—who knows—might spark some very interesting projects.
From the terrace to the dancefloor: adidas’ Photo Booth
To make sure no one forgot this magical salsa night, adidas set up an interactive Photo Booth right by the dancefloor. It instantly became a must-stop spot where you could jump in with your friends, your partner, or whoever you’d just met dancing, and take home a physical, analogue, forever keepsake of the night.
If anyone embodied the festival’s free, party spirit, it was Carla Paucar. The renowned stylist and content creator spent the whole night there in the VIP area adidas had also set up inside, with her group of friends—going all in, and popping in and out of the Photo Booth to capture every moment.
KIKO MILANO: the wildest side of the night
KIKO MILANO’s presence on this first date of La Gran Cucaracha also served to introduce Madrid audiences to its new collaboration with Just Cavalli. Under the slogan “Unleash your wildest side, the collection brings together 18 exclusive products inspired by the Italian house’s animalier universe, combining vibrant colours, luminous finishes and formulas designed to keep up with the most intense days and nights of summer.
Among the standout launches are pieces like the Wild Beats Solid Lip Oil, an innovative solid lip oil that melts into a creamy texture on contact with the lips, or the Glow Fusion Blush, enriched with hyaluronic acid and jojoba oil. A collection made for those who see makeup as a form of expression as personal as fashion or music.
All night long, KIKO MILANO brought attendees into the world of this new collaboration with Just Cavalli through a space with a makeup station that became one of Florida Park’s busiest meeting points. There, guests and attendees could discover some of the collection’s hero products, try the formulas with the help of makeup pros, and get a closer look at a proposal that champions luminous finishes, vibrant colours and limitless self-expression.
Beyond the beauty experience, the Italian house brought the collection’s full visual identity to the festival. Animal-print patterns inspired by Just Cavalli’s universe wrapped the space, while the photocalls set up by the brand became a must-stop for anyone wanting to capture one of La Gran Cucaracha’s most special nights. A staging that perfectly reflected the spirit of the collaboration and its invitation to unleash everyone’s wildest side.
The lineup
We can’t not highlight the music programming curated by La Cucaracha, Madrid’s most successful Caribbean-sounds party, which usually holds its sessions at El Internacional club. For this opening night of La Gran Cucaracha at Florida Park—which will add up to 10 dates through June 15—we had a set from DJ Karla Mercedes (@karlamercedes.music), the band Pleneros del Exilio (@plenerosdelexilio), a DJ set by Playero, and plenty of shows and performances by Caribe Mami (@caribeeeeemami). The frog and ant heads—an homage to Puerto Rico’s big-head festival parties—that were part of the scenography were created by artist Amanda Portillo (@amandaportillo).
Saying DJ Playero influenced popular urban music would be an understatement. We’re talking about the figure who led San Juan, Puerto Rico’s burgeoning underground scene in the 90s and played a key role in taking reggaetón worldwide through his now-legendary mixtape series Playero.
Playero gave a platform to foundational legends like Daddy Yankee, Tempo, Nicky Jam, Maicol & Manuel, OG Black, Master Joe, Ranking Stone, Lisa M, Wiso G and Vico C. His work defined the sound of the Boricua underground and laid the groundwork for everything we hear today. More than a set, his was a masterclass on the decks—and a tribute to an entire genre he helped spread worldwide.
From HIGHXTAR. all that’s left is to thank @adidas_es and @kikomilano for being the perfect partners in crime—from music, fashion and beauty—in this celebration, and to invite anyone who still hasn’t been to La Gran Cucaracha to join this celebration of culture and dance. Don’t let them tell you about it later.
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