Christy Turlington to Be Honored at Harper’s Bazaar Icons Party

Posted on August 11, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Christy Turlington has reached Iconstatus…

The 50-year-old half-Salvadoran American former model will be honored at this year’s Harper’s Bazaar Icons Party, set to kick off New York Fashion Weekon September 6 for a sixth consecutive year at the Plaza Hotel.

In addition to Turlington, the magazine will fete more notable names featured in Harper’s Bazaar global fashion director Carine Roitfeld‘s 2019 “Icons” portfolio, including Alicia Keys, Celine Dion, Awkwafina, Regina King, Shailene Woodley, Lakeith Stanfield, Kate Moss,Alek Wekand Devon Aoki.

“I am excited to once again bring Harper’s Bazaar editors from around the world together to kick off New York Fashion Week and celebrate the 10 cultural forces that make up this year’s Icons portfolio,” said Roitfeld in a statement. “I am especially honored that the truly iconic Alicia Keys will be delivering this year’s special performance, which promises to be as inspirational and show-stopping as the artist herself.”

Added Harper’s Bazaar, Elle and Marie Claire senior vp and publishing director Carol Smith: “Bazaar is delighted to return to the Plaza to celebrate our sixth annual Icons portfolio by Carine Roitfeld. From Alicia Keys to Christy Turlington and Awkwafina to Lakeith Stanfield, the iconic men and women featured in this year’s portfolio embody the essence of being an independent — they’ve challenged the norm, defied expectations, broken boundaries and rewritten the rules — personally, professionally, politically, creatively, in life and around the world.”

At last year’s Icons party, pop diva Christina Aguilera took a break from her North American Liberation Tourto perform for a star-studded crowd.

More past Icons performers include The Weeknd, Katy Perry and Kanye West, among others.

She represented Calvin Klein’s Eternity campaign in 1989 and again in 2014,and also representsMaybelline. Turlington was named one of Glamour‘s Women of the Yearin 2013,and, in 2014, was named included on the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world.Turlington initially attracted fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s as a supermodel.

Ricky Martin to Perform Alongside Camila Cabello at This Year’s Grammys

Posted on February 4, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Ricky Martinis getting into the Grammy spirit…

The Recording Academy has announced that the 47-year-old Puerto Rican superstar will take the stage during this year’s Grammy Awards ceremony.

Martin, a two-time Grammy winner, will join Camila Cabelloduring her show opening number.

In addition to Martin, J Balvin, Young Thugand Arturo Sandovalare also expected to appear alongside Cabello, a two-time nominee this year.

Additionally, the show will feature a special tribute to eight-time Grammywinner, Dolly Parton, who will also take to the stage for the first time in 18 years to perform her new music.

Set to perform the iconic country star’s classic hits will be Katy Perry, Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Townand Maren Morris. Parton will then take center stage to sing her latest tunes from her 2018 album, Dumplin’ — the soundtrack to Netflix’s original motion picture by the same name starring Jennifer Aniston.

Previously announced artists performing during the biggest night in music include Cardi B, Dan + Shay, H.E.R., Post Malone, Shawn Mendes, Janelle Monáe,Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Diana Ross.

Hosted by Alicia Keys, the 61st Annual Grammy Awards will take place live from the Staples Center on Sunday, February 10 at 8:00 pm ET, and will be broadcast live on CBS.

Swizz Beatz Releases Video for His New Lil Wayne & Alicia Keys Collaboration “Pistol on My Side”

Posted on September 15, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Swizz Beatz is packin’ heat…

The 40-year-old half-Puerto Rican hip-hoprapper, DJ and record producer, whose real name is Kasseem Dean, has released the scorching video to “Pistol on My Side,” his collaboration with Lil Wayne and Beatz’s wife Alicia Keys.

Filmed at Lil Wayne’s skate park, Weezy is in full-force, thrashing doubters with his punchy delivery. “Pistol on my side, you don’t want that thing to scream at ya/ Laughin’ when you die, boy, my pistol a comedian (brr)/ Pistol on my side, now he lyin’ like the media/ Clips longer than encyclopedias, you’re readin’ ’em,” he raps.

While Beatz amplifies the track with his resounding ad-libs, Keys is found playing the piano in the flaming clip. As Wayne fires away the remaining bars from his loaded verse, Keys flips the track with her gloomy riffs, adding an exciting close to the fiery visual.

Not only did Swizz release his long-awaited video for “Pistol on My Side,” but he also announced the track list for his forthcoming album Poison.

Set to be released on November 2, Beatz enlisted Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Young Thug, Pusha T, The LOX and more for his first project in 11 years.

For the proverbial cherry on top, Beatz recruited J. Cole to serve as the project’s executive producer.

Gomez to Host This Year’s WE Day

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

It’s all about WE for Selena Gomez…

The 24-year-old Mexican American singer is set to host this year’s WE Day, a one-day event aiming to celebrate America’s youth by bringing together 16,000 young people and encouraging them to take action on social issues.

“The electricity of an arena full of thousands of young people who are making real change in the world is like nothing I’ve ever experienced,” Gomez, who has attended the event in the past, said in a statement. “I am grateful to be a part of such a supportive community and hope I can inspire the kids at WE Day just as they continue to inspire me.”

The star-studded lineup also includes a musical performance by Alicia Keys and appearances by Demi Lovato, Tyrese Gibson, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Bryan Cranston, Alessia Cara, DJ Khaled, Emeli Sandé, Shay Mitchell and more. Even Miss Piggy and the other Muppets will grace the stage.

WE Day is connected to a yearlong educational program, WE Schools, which provides schools and community groups with curriculum, educational resources and action campaigns.

The event will take place on April 27, at The Forum in Inglewood, California.

Sanz Partnering with Javier Limon to Develop Music Talent Contest “Son of Songs”

Posted on March 31, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Alejandro Sanz is getting real competitive…

The 48-year-oldSpanish singer-songwriter, a 17-time Latin Grammy winner and three-time Grammy winner, is partnering with music producer Javier Limon on an original primetime entertainment format, Son of Songs.

A music talent contest that celebrates the vast range of styles open to modern artists, Son of Songs will be produced by Mediapro, Gazul Producciones, which represents Sanz, and the Limon’s U.S.-based record production label, Casa Limon.

Son of Songs also marks one of the earliest formats to emerge from Mediapro as its drives into upscale TV production.

With Sanz also taking an executive producer credit, Son of Songs’ format features eight young talents, drawn from different styles of music, who pay tribute to a guest star performing their greatest hits in different styles. The format is based on the idea that the musical idea of any song can be interpreted in any style: Jazz, blues, hip-hop, Latin, dance, or flamenco, Mediapro said in a statement.

Now in development, but with first images and content recorded in Boston by young musicians at its prestigious Berklee College of Music, Son of Songs yokes the talents and channels the music passions of two key Spanish music industry figures who have successfully crossed over to the U.S, and Latin America.

Selling 25 million albums to date, Sanz broke through internationally with 1997’s Mas. Including “Corazón Partío,” it sold two-million-plus copies in Spain, making it the most-sold album in history. It also vindicated a style which, however much based on romantic ballads laced with flamenco tropes, has seen experimented throughout Sanz’s career with fusions of jazz, R & B, soul and pop – an inclusiveness which has led Sanz to record with multiple artists from Alicia Keys to Shakira, Michael Jackson to The Corrs.

The winner of 10 Grammys, Limon’s Casa Limon has presented Lagrimas Negras and Buika, and produced concerts, documentaries and television programs. A producer, composer and performer, the key to his work has been its diversity, in both the geographic origin and styles of the great artists he has collaborated with, from Paco de Lucia, Enrique Morente and Joaquin Sabina in Spain to Cuba’s Bebo Valdés, Mexico’s Chavela Vargas, the U.K.’s Nick Lowe and India’s Anoushka Shankar. He also serves as artistic director at the Berklee College of Music.

Trujillo & His Metallica Bandmates to Appear on CBS’ “Carpool Karoake: The Series”

Posted on February 13, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Robert Trujillo is sharing a special ride…

The 52-year-old Mexican American musician and his Metallica bandmates will belt out their hits in CBS’ Carpool Karoake: The Series, which will be streamed on Apple Music, the portal’s first series.

Based on James Corden’s Late Late Show popular segment that has become a viral video sensation, Carpool Karaoke: The Series will feature 16 celebrity hosts — one of whom is Corden, paired with Will Smith — riding along in a car together as they sing tunes from their personal playlists and surprise fans who don’t expect to see big stars belting out songs one lane over.

In addition to Corden, Smith, Metallica, those appearing in the series include Shaquille O’Neal, Seth MacFarlane, Billy Eichner, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Ariana Grande, Chelsea Handler, Blake Shelton, Michael Strahan, Jeff Gordon, John Cena and more.

In a panel for the show at the Television Critics’ Association summer press tour, Corden addressed what the series means for the famed bit on The Late Late Show. “I’m still going to see my kid on the weekends,” said Corden. “This just became a wonderful platform to see these people in a such an intimate environment. I don’t feel it’s mine.”

Carpool Karaoke is produced by CBS Television Studios and Fulwell 73. Corden and Ben Winston serve as co-creators and executive producers along with executive producer and showrunner Eric Pankowski.

Hernandez to Serve as a Presenter at the MTV Video Music Awards

Posted on August 27, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Laurie Hernandez is ready to make music… or at least a music-related announcement.

The 16-year-old Puerto Rican gymnast, a member of the gold-winning Final Five and a silver medalist on the balance beam at the 2016 Rio Games, is heading to the MTV Video Music Awards.

Laurie Hernandez

Hernandez and her teammates, Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas and Madison Kocian, will present awards at Sunday’s show in New York City.

Jimmy Fallon, Kim Kardashian, Alicia Keys and Puff Daddy will also present awards, while attendees at Madison Square Garden will include Kanye West, Bryson Tiller, 2 Chainz, DNCE, Desiigner and Troye Sivan.

Britney Spears, Rihanna, Future, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Nick Jonas and the Chainsmokers will perform during the live show.

Beyonce is the leading nominee with 11, followed by Adele with eight nominations.

Beyonce, Adele, West, Justin Bieber and Drake will compete for video of the year.

Fifth Harmony Signs with Maverick Management

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Ally Brooke Hernandez, Camila Cabello and Lauren Jauregui are mavericks…

The Latina singers and their fellow Fifth Harmony members have signed with Maverick Management, according to Billboard.

Maverick hinted at the arrangement with a tweet, which featured a photo of the girl-group along with the caption, “Welcome to the Maverick family, @FifthHarmony!”

The all-girl group, which was named Group of the Year at Billboard’s Women in Music 2015 ceremony, is now onboard with a management enclave that counts Pharrell Williams, Madonna, Alicia Keys, U2, Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus among its clients.

Fifth Harmony had previously been repped by Jared Paul at Faculty.

The pop-quintet’s debut full-length album, Reflection, opened at No. 5 on the Billboard 200. The 2015 set has yielded two top 40 hits, “Worth It” (No. 12) and “Sledgehammer” (No. 40).

Swizz Beatz Hosting Three-Day Art & Concert Series at Art Basel Miami Beach

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Swizz Beatz is bringing a mix of art and music to Art Basel Miami Beach this year.

The 37-year-old half-Puerto Rican hip-hop artist and record producer is collaborating with Bacardi for a three-day art and concert series at North America’s foremost international modern and contemporary art fair next month to showcase up-and-coming artists — both visual and musical — on a platform that will also feature performances from Alicia Keys, Pusha T, A-Trak, DMX and Wiz Khalifa, among others.

The collaboration, called Casa Bacardi at Wynwood, will be curated by Beatz’s The Dean Collection and encompass two separate yet connected events.

The first, running from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Dec. 3-5, is a No Commission Art Fair, where artists will be allowed to showcase their work for free and take home 100 percent of their proceeds, a departure from the industry standard where galleries both take a percentage of profits and charge for booth space.

The second, running from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. each night, is the Bacardi Untameable House Party, a concert series with both established and emerging musicians and DJs.

“It’s by the artist, for the artist, with the people,” Swizz tells Billboard. “And I think a lot of people forgot the message of why they’re even going down to Basel. You’re going down to Basel because there are amazing, creative artists who took a lot of time out of their lives to put together some masterpieces and hope for entry in a great collection or for somebody to be inspired. And not taking anything away from Basel or from the galleries, but I just chose to do something different. And I think the world needs more powerful collaborations that are willing to push the envelope and not really follow the necessary rules that are laid out.”

Swizz’s connection to the art world goes beyond his own Dean Collection; he also joined the board of the Brooklyn Museum in October and has been curating at Basel for years.

“This is something that just has to happen,” he says. “Because if we’re not pushing the envelope, then who do we expect to do it? I think the most important part of the message is the give back factor. And the other part of the give back factor is having a brand like Bacardi supporting that. There’s no punch line, there’s no catch. This is a genuine thing.”

The No Commission Art Fair will be free and open to the public, while each night’s House Party will be free via RSVP.

“We totally connected on the need to help fuel the hustle and provide artists with a stage to showcase their passions,” says Zara Mirza, head of creative excellence at Bacardi. “Bacardi has a deep heritage in music and the arts, from Prohibition parties in Havana, Cuba in the 1920s to some of our more modern partnerships like the Untameable Artist Series.”

Artists showing at The No Commission Art Fair:
KAWS
BK The Artist
SWOON
Jenks Imaging
Cyrcle
David Choong Lee
D*Face
Wolfbat
Derrick Adams
HOXXOH
Doze Green
Dustin Yellin
Eddie Colla
Gabriel Dawe
Gordon Parks Foundation
Gregory Siff
Hebru Brantley
Hyon Gyon
Jaybo Monk
Jerome Lagarrigue
Jill Greenberg
Kehinde Wiley
Lyle Owerko
Maya Hayuk
Michael Kagan
Michael Vasquez
Mickalene Thomas
Sandra Chevrier
Sanford Biggers
Sean HRT
Shepard Fairey
So Youn Lee
Sue Tsai
Timothy Buwalda
Todd James
Tomokazu Matsuyama
Miss Van
CRYPTIK
Zio Zigler

Smollett Joins Voices with Alicia Keys for Uplifting Ballad “Powerful”

Posted on November 27, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a powerful moment for Jussie Smollett…

The 32-year-old Brazilian actor/singer and Alicia Keys turned up the heat on Empire this week with a duet of their uplifting ballad “Powerful.”

Keys is guesting on the series as Skye Summers, a pop star and mentor to Smollett’s character Jamal Lyon.

The two got down to work on their collaboration in Wednesday night’s episode and, well, it all ends in a tender moment.

“Powerful,” a song about hope, change and a “colorful future, where skin don’t define any human,” appears on Empire: Original Soundtrack, Season 2, Vol. 1 (Deluxe).

The album was released last Friday and Fox shared the audio for “Powerful” on the day of release.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Alicia Keys