Ricky Martin Releases Surprise Six-Track Album of Heartfelt Music, “Pausa”

Ricky Martin is pressin’ play on Pausa

The 48-year-old Puerto Rican superstar surprised fans on Thursday, May 28 with new music… a new EP titled Pausa, his first collective set since 2015’s A Quien Quiera Escuchar.

Ricky Martin

Martin’s new album features collaborations with Sting, Carla MorrisonPedro CapóDiego El Cigala, Bad Bunny, and more.

Packed with introspective, poignant and melancholic lyrics, the six-track set is born from a state of vulnerability and the need to heal through music. 

“[Through this music] I share my fears, my insecurities, my moments of panic that I’ve felt throughout this quarantine,” Martin tells Billboard.

In times of turmoil, Martin offers Pausa in lieu of a different album slated to be released called Movimiento

“I like to party but it’s not the moment for that. We had to change the concept and I’ve created two separate albums. Pausais more chill and relaxed and hopefully in September we can release the second one called Play with more upbeat music,” he says.

All songs on the EP, except for previously released “Tiburones,” are collaborations with artists Martin had never collaborated with before, including Mexican singer-songwriter Morrison. 

“I’m obsessed with Carlita’s voice and I’m obsessed with the way she tells a story. So, I called her. Initially, she thought I was asking her to write a song for my album and I said, ‘No, I want to sing with you,'” Martin recalls.

From Martin and Morrison’s “Recuerdo” to the Sting-assisted “Simple,” the “She Bangs” singer opens up to Billboard about all of the collaborations featured on Pausa:

“Simple” with Sting
The stunning collaboration with Sting, who sings in Spanish, sets the tone for the rest of the album: simple yet forceful and grand. “The big things are always simple, like the love there is in a sigh and reminds me why I’m alive,” Martin sings. About how the song and the melody were created, Martin says. “I called Sting and told him, ‘Something beautiful has to come out of this moment and that has to be music.’ I called him stepping out of my comfort zone because I don’t really like asking people and he said yes, to send him whatever I had and he liked what I sent him. And, he didn’t mind singing in Spanish. It’s a dream come true.”

“Recuerdo” with Carla Morrison
Possibly one of the most beautiful ballads released this year (so far), the heart-wrenching lyrics in this emotional track call for an introspection of the mind and soul. “This is a special song and it’s born out of the sadness I was feeling. Carla was also going through a rough moment and we had this urge to write again. We wanted to make sure that we each didn’t lose our essence when creating this fusion and it was born very organically.”

“Cae de Una” with Pedro Capó
As a true testament to Martin and Capó’s ability to turn heartbreak song into a bright melodic tune, “Cae de Una” becomes an instant hit with its infectious beat and the two Puerto Rican powerhouses trading cheeky verses. “You’re probably in a bar dancing without me. Don’t know whose skin you’re touching to forget the love you have for me,” they sing.

“Quiéreme” with Diego El Cigala
Martin and Spanish singer Diego El Cigala join forces for this flamenco-tinged pop song that is a standout duet in the EP. “We sent this song to producer Raul Refree in Barcelona because I wanted to see what he could do with this song. I didn’t say anything to him because I didn’t want to have any sort of influence on him and I’m now presenting you the end result,” Martin says. The result is an explosion of sounds and an exchange of dramatic and powerful vocals.

“Cántalo” with ResidenteBad Bunny
The previously released “Cántalo,” featuring fellow Puerto Rican hitmakers Residente and Bad Bunny, is a hybrid of sounds and genres including tambora, trumpet, salsa and trap. The thought-provoking track born post the #RickyRenuncia movement, calling for the removal of the now former Puerto Rican governor Ricardo Rosselló, some of the lyrics include: “Hoy no nos paran ni con tranquilizante de elefante/ El dinero, aunque sea abundante, no vale” (Nobody stops us today/ Not even with elephant soothing/ Money, although abundant, it is not worth).

Antonio “Rayito” Rayo Signs with SESAC Latina

It’s a new deal for Antonio Rayo… 

SESAC Latina has signed the Spanish composer and producer, known as Rayito.

Antonio "Rayito" Rayo

His notable writing credits include Shakira’s “Me Enamoré” and Karol G’s “Mi Cama” and “Punto G.”

Originally from Madrid, Rayito was touring as a flamenco guitarist at the age of 8, and recorded his first album when he was 10. 

At just 15, he moved to Miami and began collaborating with Latin pop stars. Rayito previously had a publishing deal with Sony Music.

Among Rayito’s other credits, he wrote and produced several tracks on Ricky Martin’s 2015 album A Quien Quiera Escuchar and co-wrote Diego Torres’ hit single “Hoy Es Domingo.

Martin to Star in Ryan Murphy’s FX Limited Series “Versace: American Crime Story”

Ricky Martin is bracing for a life of American Crime

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican singer/actor has been cast in Versace: American Crime Story, the third installment in the FX limited series from Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson.

Ricky Martin

Martin, who starred on ABC’s General Hospital back in 1994-1995, will co-star opposite Édgar Rarmirez, Penélope Cruz and Darren Criss.

The 10-episode Versace examines the shocking July 1997 assassination of Gianni Versace (Ramirez) on the steps of his Miami Beach mansion by sociopath and serial killer Andrew Cunanan (Criss).

Martin will play Versace’s longtime partner Antonio D’Amico; Cruz plays Versace’s sister Donatella.

This is a reunion for Martin and Murphy, who first cast the Latin music superstar in an episode of his Fox series Glee.

Versace, from Fox 21 and FX Productions, is based on the book Vulgar Favors by Vanity Fair writer Maureen Orth.

Tom Rob Smith is writing the first two and multiple subsequent episodes, and Murphy, who received an Emmy nomination for directing the opening episode of The People v. O.J. Simpsonwill direct the first hour.

Versace will begin production later this month in Los Angeles and Miami for a 2018 premiere. It will follow the second installment in the franchise, Katrina: American Crime Story.

American Crime Storys core producing team — Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, all Emmy winners for People v O.J. Simpson as Best Limited Series — executive produce Versace alongside Smith.

Martin has sold more than 70 million albums and has done runs on Broadway in Evita and Les Miserables. The “Livin’ la Vida Loca” singer’s most recent 10th studio album, 2015’s A Quien Quiera Escuchar, won Best Latin Pop Album at the 2016 Grammy Awards.

A dedicated global advocate for tolerance via his Ricky Martin Foundation, Martin can be seen in Las Vegas at his residency at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino.

Fifth Harmony to Perform at This Year’s Latin Grammy Awards Show

Ally Brooke Hernandez, Camila Cabello and Lauren Jauregui are ready to make their Latin Grammys debut.

Fifth Harmony

The Latina singers and their fellow Fifth Harmony members have been added to the performance lineup for this year’s awards show.

No word on what song the all-girl group, named to this year’s Billboard 21 Under 21 list, will perform, but the ladies did release a Spanish version of their hit single “Worth It.” Entitled “(Worth It) Dame Esta Noche,” was released earlier this summer.

In addition to Fifth Harmony, the Latin Recording Academy has booked OMIRicky MartinEspinoza PazMaluma and Banda el Recodo to take the stage at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas on November 19 for Latin music’s biggest night.

Six-time Grammy winners Banda El Recodo, Latin urban phenom Maluma and regional Mexican star  Paz each received one nomination this year — best banda album for Mi Vicio Más Grande, best urban performance for “El Tiki,” and best regional song for “Perdí La Pose,” respectively.

 

Pop idol Martin is also among this year’s nominees, having scored three nods: record of the year and song of the year for “Disparo Al Corazón” and best contemporary pop vocal album for A Quien Quiera Escuchar.

Previously announced performers include Julión ÁlvarezBomba Estéreo with Will SmithJ BalvinChoc Quib TownSilvestre DangondNicky JamNatalia JiménezNatalia LafourcadeJuan Luis GuerraMajor Lazer and mØ, Matisse, and Raquel Sofía.

Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Roberto Carlos will also grace the stage for a special performance.

Gabriel Scores First Top Latin Albums in Nearly Two Decades

It’s been a long time coming, but Juan Gabriel is back at the top of the charts…

The iconic 65-year-old Mexican singer/songwriter climbs to No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums (dated March 7) with Los Duo, scoring his first chart-topping set in 18 years, after debuting last week at No. 2.

Juan Gabriel

The new duets album — which features a variety of guests like Juanes and Marco Antonio Solis — is helping Gabriel cover his own classics — sold 9,000 units in its second week, according to Nielsen Music.

Rising to the top despite a 61 percent decline in sale, the album opened with 23,000 copies (Gabriel’s biggest sales week since Nielsen started tracking sales in 1991) but was bested by Ricky Martin’s No. 1-debuting A Quien Quiera Escucharwhich arrived with 25,000. Both sets saw an expected second-week dip, with Martin dropping 72 percent (to 7,000), allowing Gabriel to take the top spot with the smaller sales decrease.

Gabriel, whose career launched in the early 1970s, last claimed the top spot in 1997 (with his only other No. 1 album) when Juntos Otra Vez, a collaborative set with Spanish singer Rocio Durcal, spent a week at the top.

It garnered a similar second-week climb to No. 1 after debuting the prior week at No. 7. (The Top Latin Albums chart launched in July of 1993.)

Over on Latin Pop Airplay, the new album’s lead single “Querida,” featuring Juanes, steps 26-25 with a two percent increase at the plays-based format.

Among Los Duo’s collaborations is “Se Me Olvido Otra Vez” with Solis, as the pair team up for a cover of Gabriel’s classic song that was first released in 1974.

Other artists from multiple Latin genres that join Gabriel on the set include regional Mexican singer-songwriter Espinoza Paz (duetting on “Siempre En Mi Mente,” the title track from Gabriel’s 1978 album) and Italian pop star Laura Pausini. The latter lends her powerful voice to “ Juan Gabriel,” the title track from a No. 2-peaking Gabriel album released in 2000.

Additional duets with the likes of Vicente Fernandez, Natalia Jimenez, Alejandra Guzman and Fifth Harmony also help to shape Gabriel’s chart-topping set.

Martin’s “Disparo Al Corazon” Makes Impressive Debut on Billboard’s Latin Charts

It’s a shot to the charts for Ricky Martin

The 43-year-old Puerto Rican singer has landed his way onto Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart with “Disparo Al Corazon,” the second single from his upcoming tenth studio album A Quien Quiera Escuchar.

Ricky Martin

Martin’s ballad enters the chart at No. 35, aided by 3.2 million audience impressions gained during its first week at radio, according to Nielsen Music (week ending Jan. 18).

WKAQ, San Juan, in the singer’s native Puerto Rico, championed the song with 58 spins during the tracking week.

Entering at No. 19 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Airplay chart, Martin extends his lead for most top 20s on the chart to 40 (followed by Enrique Iglesias with 36).

It’s the 42nd hit to earn its notch on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart for Martin, and follows the set’s lead single, “Adios,” which dips 38-37 in its 17th week. Furthermore, “Disparo Al Corazon” opens at No. 7 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Digital Songs chart (1,000 downloads), trailing “Adios” at No. 4 (2,000).

The entrance marks the first ballad on the chart for Martin since 2013 when he joined former Menudo bandmate and longtime collaborator Draco Rosa as a featured act on “Mas y Mas.” The single, from Rosa’s Vida set, reached No. 27 on Hot Latin Songs.

“Disparo” was produced by Julio Reyes (Jennifer Lopez, Alejandro Sanz) and written by Martin along with Pedro Capo and Yoel Henriquez.

A video clip for the song is expected to premiere in the following weeks.