Karol G is opening up about love through her music…
The 29-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer/songwriter has released her new single “Ay DiOs Mio,” which she co-wrote with Danny Ocean.
During the writing process, the track morphed into a tale of how she met her fiancé, rapper Anue lAA.
“I sat down with Danny and he came up with the idea of ‘She wrote me,’” Karol told Billboard during an exclusive Zoom interview.
“I said, ‘What? No. Not ‘she wrote me.’ In this song I’ll tell the story of how I met Ema [short for Emmanuel, Anuel’s real name]. The song starts from the moment Ema first wrote me a DM on Instagram and how he sent me DMs in Instagram and WhatsApp, until the day we met and went out. And when we went out, in the middle of dancing, and whether I’d go home with him or not.”
“Ay DiOs Mío [Oh My God],” produced by longtime collaborator Ovy On The Drums, is reminiscent of “Tusa,” Karol G’s smash hit with Nicki Minaj, in the use of a slow intro that then breaks into a slow, sensual reggaetón.
Working with Danny Ocean, however, was a departure for an artist used to writing alone. “But that’s the way you grow and evolve,” adds Karol G. Evolving, she says, has been front of mind since the COVID-19 epidemic and lockdown.
“There is so much pressure that you start losing your way,” she says. “Trying so hard to fit in was making me lose myself, doing a million things at the same time but with no direction. … Understanding myself has been the most important thing during these times, and I can tell you with absolute conviction that I’m Carolina again, the one who did music at home 14 years ago, and it’s connected to the entire concept of my [upcoming] album.”
Univision has announced the 2020 Premios Juventud nominations, with the 35-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer leading the pack.
Balvin received 12 nominations, including Video with a Purpose for the heart-wrenching “Rojo,” This Choreo Is On Fire for the dancetastic music video to “Amarillo,” and And Featuring, for being an artist that everyone wants to sing with.
He’s followed by Karol G, who picked up nine nods.
The 29-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer is nominated for Can’t Get Enough of This Song for her hit collaboration with Nicki Minaj, “Tusa,” Breaking the Internet, and Nailed It, for having the best manicure.
Bad Bunny picked up eight nominations, including The Traffic Jam (for songs you listen to while stuck in traffic) for “En Casita,” Sneakerhead and Scroll Stopper.
Other nominees include Anuel AA (7), Daddy Yankee (5), Manuel Turizo (5), Banda MS (4), Maluma (4),Sebastian Yatra (4), and Jennifer Lopez (3).
The New Generation – Female nominees include Jessie Reyez and Mariah, while the New Generation – Male nominees include Jhay Cortez, Lunay and Myke Towers.
The 17th edition of the awards show includes 28 different categories with new and modified categories Spicy Regional Songs, The Perfect Mix, The Quarantune, OMG Collaboration, #StayAtHomeConcert and Influencer with a Cause.
For the first time, Ana Patricia Gámez, Francisca Lachapel, and Borja Voces will host the three-hour live event beginning at 8:00 pm ET on Thursday, August 13, preceded by “PJ Takeover,” a one-hour pre-show hosted by Jomari Goyso, Clarissa Molina and Amara La Negra, beginning at 7:00 pm ET.
Celebrating the hottest artists in Latin music, pop culture, digital media, fashion, TV, and social media, the annual ceremony will air in a different and creative way, keeping safety top of mind.
The show will include a virtual audience, an innovative integration of the latest state-of-the-art, augmented, and virtual reality technologies for award presentations, intros, and musical performances. In true PJ fashion, the 2020 event is set to inspire, motivate and lead, honoring Agents of Change, including the young frontline heroes during the current global health crisis.
PJ 2020 will broadcast live from Miami and feature artist performances, with organizers leveraging technology and innovation to provide a safe environment in delivering a live music awards show.
Producer you know by Shout-Out (When an artist shouts out the producer’s name) CHRIS JEDAY & GABY MUSIC DIMELO FLOW DJ SNAKE PLAY N SKILL OVY ON THE DRUMS SKY ROMPIENDO STEVE AOKI SUBELO NEO TAINY WILL.I.AM
The New Generation – Female (New female artist that make us dance) CAZZU EMILIA JESSIE REYEZ MARIAH YENNIS
The New Generation – Male (New male artist that make us dance) EL ALFA JHAY CORTEZ LUNAY MYKE TOWERS RAUW ALEJANDRO
The New Regional Mexican Generation (NewRegional Mexican Artist) ALEX FERNÁNDEZ CARIN LEÓN GRUPO FIRME NATANAEL CANO NETO BERNAL
Spicy Regional Songs (Regional Mexican songs with “spicy” lyrics) “Amor Tumbado” – NATANAEL CANO “Cosas De La Clica” – HERENCIA DE PATRONES “El Amor No Fue Pa’ Mi” – GRUPO FIRME FT. BANDA COLOSO “El Circo” – EL FANTASMA “Yo Ya No Vuelvo Contigo” – LENIN RAMÍREZ FT. GRUPO FIRME
The Traffic Jam (Songs you listen to while stuck in traffic) “China” – ANUEL AA FT. DADDY YANKEE, KAROL G, OZUNA & J BALVIN “Escondidos” – LA ADICTIVA “Me Quedaré Contigo” – PITBULL X NE-YO FT. LENIER & EL MICHA “No Elegí Conocerte” – BANDA SINALOENSE MS DE SERGIO LIZÁRRAGA “Que Tire Pa’ ‘Lante” – DADDY YANKEE
Can’t Get Enough Of This Song (Songs you can’t stop singing) “Mi Meta Contigo” – BANDA LOS SEBASTIANES “Pegao” – CNCO FT. MANUEL TURIZO “Ritmo (Bad Boys For Life)” – BLACK EYED PEAS & J BALVIN “Se Me Olvidó” – CHRISTIAN NODAL “TUSA” – KAROL G FT. NICKI MINAJ
The Perfect Mix (Best collaboration song) “China” – ANUEL AA FT. DADDY YANKEE, KAROL G, OZUNA & J BALVIN “Indeciso” – REIK, J BALVIN & LALO EBRATT “Pegao” – CNCO FT. MANUEL TURIZO “Qué Maldición” – BANDA SINALOENSE MS DE SERGIO LIZÁRRAGA FT. SNOOP DOGG “Qué Pena” – MALUMA FT. J BALVIN
The Quarentune (Songs born during quarantine) “Cuando Amanezca” – NIBAL, JUSTIN QUILES, DANNY OCEAN, FEID “Color Esperanza (2020)” – Artistas múltiples: DIEGO TORRES, NICKY JAM, REIK, CAMILO, FARRUKO, RUBÉN BLADES, CAMILA, CARLOS VIVES, MAU Y RICKY, THALÍA, LESLIE GRACE, RAUW ALEJANDRO, PRINCE ROYCE, PEDRO CAPÓ, KANY GARCÍA, LEONEL GARCIA, RÍO ROMA, DIEGO EL CIGALA, JORGE VILLAMIZAR, CARLOS RIVERA, IVETE SANGALO, COTI SOROKIN, LALI, GENTE DE ZONA, FONSECA, DANI MARTÍN, MANUEL TURIZO, ÁNGELA TORRES, ARA MALIKIAN , DILSINHO “El Mundo Afuera” – ALEJANDRO SANZ “El Tiempo Pasa (Cuarentena)” – FARRUKO “En Casita” – BAD BUNNY “Es Hora De Unirse” – BANDA SINALOENSE MS DE SERGIO LIZÁRRAGA “Esta Cuarentena” – ABRAHAM MATEO “I Believe That We Will Win” – PITBULL “Resistencia” – KENDO KAPONI “Tomar Distancia” – PISO 21
OMG Collaboration (Unexpected collaborations) BANDA SINALOENSE MS DE SERGIO LIZÁRRAGA & SNOOP DOGG – “Qué Maldición” NATANAEL CANO & BAD BUNNY – “Soy El Diablo (Remix)” REYKON & WILLIE COLÓN – “Perriando (La Murga Remix)” SHAKIRA & ANUEL AA – “Me Gusta” T3R ELEMENTO & FARRUKO – “DEL Barrio A La Ciudad”
And Featuring… (The artist that everyone wants to sing with) ANUEL AA DADDY YANKEE J BALVIN MANUEL TURIZO NATTI NATASHA
Can’t Get Enough (Artist that I follow on social media that I always want to see) BAD BUNNY FRIDA SOFÍA JENNIFER LOPEZ KAROL G SEBASTIÁN YATRA
Together They Fire Up My Feed (Couple or friends that appear on each others’ feeds) CAMILA CABELLO & SHAWN MENDES KAROL G & ANUEL AA NICKY JAM & CYDNEY MOREAU ROSALÍA & KYLIE JENNER SEBASTIÁN YATRA & MAU Y RICKY
Scroll Stopper (Artists that halt us from scrolling just to see their posts) BAD BUNNY CARDI B GUAYNAA SEBASTIÁN YATRA THALÍA
#Pet Goals (Artists that post with their pets) EL DASA CON BENITO FRIDA SOFÍA CON PHILLIPPE J BALVIN CON PAZ Y FELICIDAD KAROL G Y ANUEL AA CON GOKU MALUMA CON BONNIE Y CLYDE
#Stay Home Concert (Best at-home concert) ALEJANDRO SANZ & JUANES – “#LaGiraSeQuedaEnCasa” CARLOS VIVES – “#NoTeVayasDeTuCasa El Show de Carlos Vives” CHRISTIAN NODAL – “Juntos Por La Música #StayHome #WithMe #QuédateEnCasa GERARDO ORTIZ – “Juntos Por La Música #StayHome #WithMe #QuédateEnCasa” SECH – “#YouTubeAndChill Concert”
Breaking the Internet (Artists that post pictures that break the internet) CHIQUIS RIVERA KAROL G LUNAY MALUMA NATTI NATASHA
Triple Threat (Influencer that does it all and dominates at least 3 areas: Social Media platforms, television, film or music) DANILEIGH JUANPA ZURITA ISABELA MERCED LUISA FERNANDA W MARIO BAUTISTA
Name a Better Duo (Friends, siblings or couples that frequently create content together) ANALISSE & KAT RODRÍGUEZ CALLE Y POCHÉ JUANPA ZURITA & MARIO RUIZ KAREN GONZÁLEZ & SEBASTIÁN ROBLES MARTÍNEZ TWINS
Best LOL Award (Funny content creators) ALEX GUZMAN (BLESIV) GADIEL DEL ORBE LEJUAN JAMES LOUIE CASTRO SALICE ROSE
Influencer With A Cause (Influencers who use their platforms for a good cause) CANELO ÁLVAREZ EDWIN CASTRO INDYA MOORE JESSICA Y JP DOMINGUEZ JULISSA CALDERÓN
High Fashion (Always dressed “High Fashion” for Red Carpet Events) BAD BUNNY JENNIFER LOPEZ MALUMA SOFÍA CARSON THALÍA
Sneakerhead (Loves sneakers more than anything) BAD BUNNY DE LA GHETTO J BALVIN KAROL G ROSALÍA
Hair Obsessed (Has the trendiest hairstyles) AMARA LA NEGRA CAMILO J BALVIN JENNIFER LOPEZ PABLLO VITTAR
Nailed It (Has the best “Manicure”) BAD BUNNY BILLIE EILISH CARDI B KAROL G ROSALÍA
This Choreo Is On Fire (Best dance choreography in a music video) “Aguardiente” – GREEICY “Amarillo” – J BALVIN “Bogaloo Supreme” – VICTOR MANUELLE Y WISIN “Que Tire Pa’ ‘Lante” – DADDY YANKEE “Whine Up” – NICKY JAM Y ANUEL AA
Video With A Purpose (Video with best social messaging) “Aleluya” – REIK Y MANUEL TURIZO “Me Estás Matanado” – NATTI NATASHA “No Ha Parado De Llover” – MANÁ Y SEBASTIÁN YATRA “Rojo” – J BALVIN “Tiburones” – RICKY MARTIN
The 24-year-old Puerto Rican & Mexican American rapper, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, has released his new song “Yaya,” in which he embraces his Latino roots.
In the party-ready track, 6ix9ine raps and sings in Spanish, a departure from the previous English-language singles he’s dropped this year following his early release from prison.
The vibrant music video was filmed while 6ix9ine remains on house arrest and features a whole lot of suggestive booty shaking and milk — and not much social distancing.
“THIS IS THE BEST ONE I DID SO FAR,” he teasedon Thursday, saying, “WE BREAKING THE INTERNET PARAAAAA MI GENTE LATINAAAAAAAAAAA LATINO AMERICA !!!!”
He previously sang in Spanish on two tracks that were released back in 2018, “Bebe” and “Mala,” both with Anuel AA; “Bebe” debuted at No. 1on the Hot Latin Songs chart.
Gloria“Goyo“Martínez is standing in solidarity with the Black community…
The 37-year-old Colombian singer and member of the Latin Grammy-winning hip-hop group ChocQuibTown has joined the Conciencia Collective.
The recently-announced initiative, comprised of more than 35 executives from the Latin music industry — including artists, activists, artist managers, publicists, among others – aims to stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Mattermovement in an effort to create awareness about racial and social injustice.
Conciencia Collective was born amid national outrage in the U.S. over the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylorand other black citizens who’ve died at the hands of police. The intention is to “educate our colleagues, artists and peers of influence in order to gain their advocacy. Our ongoing initiatives also focus on the many issues affecting our Latin community,” according to a press release.
Goyo, a leading, Afro-Latinx voice launched the initiative with a poignant statement.
“I’m talking to you as a Black woman, rapper, singer, born in South America. In an invisible region, a jewel in my country; a Black village,” writes Goyo. “The experiences that we Black women live change you from the moment you leave your home. Society reminds you that at home, you live in a protected space. At home, we are educated with tools to go out into a racist world. As Howard C. Stevensonsaid, ‘we [as Black people] are educated with a kind of a racial literacy.'”
Goyo kicked off a “Conciencia Talk” alongside Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Rafa Pabónin partnership with Latinx-focused media/news company MiTú on Friday, June 26.
The “online dialogue” was moderated by Afro-Colombian Dr. Aurora Vergara Figueroa, director of the Afrodiasporic Studies Centerat ICESI University.
Quotes on solidarity and racial inequality from more than 100 Latin artists, including Leslie Grace, Anuel AA, Jesse & Joy, Myke Towers, Carla Morrison, Zion & Lennox, and Farruko, among others, will be posted weekly on MiTú’s page.
“In order to consciously educate the Latinx community and change the derogatory narratives towards people of color within our community, we commit to leading with acknowledgement in solidarity with the Black community to enable the rise of leaders in our respective communities,” the statement continues.
“We want to extend our platforms to our brothers and sisters so that their voices and needs can be heard. We want our brothers and sisters across the U.S. and Latin America to know that we see them, we hear them and we will champion equality and justice on behalf of our industry.”
Shakira’s ready to give fans what they want… new music!
Posing with headphones in front of a microphone, the 43-year-old Colombian superstar announced this week: “I’ve read your tweets bosses! I’m on it!,” hinting that she’s working on new music.
Shak’s Twitter fans immediately reacted with “OMG’s” and requests for a new English-language track.
One Twitter user even hoped for a “Middle Eastern-Urban fusion with English lyrics and a good music video.”
Shak continues making the rounds with her Anuel AA-assisted single “Me Gusta,” which dropped in January and jumped 20-6 in its second frame on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart dated February 1.
“Me Gusta” is an infectious reggaeton-meets-Latin-trap fusion revives Inner Circle’s 1992 reggae bop “Sweat,” using parts of the timeless “ala la la la long” chorus.
During quarantine, Shakira isn’t only recording music but also celebrating the 2.5 billion video views for “Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)” and recently revealed that she graduated from a four-week online crash course in philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania because she needed to “make the confinement productive.”
The 27-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and singer’s single “KEII” has reached the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart.
“KEII” leads the list in its 11th week on the survey and picks up a 48% increase in audience impressions (to 15.9 million) earned in the week ending April 26, according to Nielsen Music.
It’s his third No. 1 on the Latin Airplay chart. He’s previously reached the summit with “China,” featuring Daddy Yankee, Karol G, Ozuna and J Balvin, and the “Otro Trago Remix” with Sech, Ozuna, Nicky Jam and Darrell.
The song also tops the Latin Rhythm Airplaychart dated May 2, 2020 as song the jumps 6-1.
Anuel AA has a new illuminat(i)ng new collaboration…
The 27-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and singer has joined voices with Lil Pump for a fiery new single “Illuminati.”
Rumors about a new music videofrom Lil Pump surfaced late last year when the 19-year-old “Gucci Gang” rapper shared a profanity-laced Instagramclip showing his bloodied hand after being bitten by a snake.
On Friday, Pump and Anuel AA dropped the hellish Spiff TV-directed video for “Illuminati,” which features the two artists surrounded by death, fire and plenty of serpents.
“Illuminati” and its accompanying video were released through Tha Lights Global.
Bad Bunnyis doing whatever he wants, including releasing a new surprise album…
The 25-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton singer released YHLQMDLG, which stands for “Yo hago lo que me da la gana,” on Saturday at midnight.
The title is a testament to what Bad Bunny’s fans love about him. From redefining men’s fashion to his outspokenness about Puerto Rican politics, Bad Bunny has always stayed true to himself.
“My job is what I’m passionate about. I simply do what fulfills me,” Bad Bunny told Entertainment Tonight, ahead of the album drop. “I try to please people. I try to please myself.”
The sprawling 20-track album includes an all-star lineup of guest stars, including Daddy Yankee, Ñengo Flow, Sech and Jowell y Randy— as well as uncredited vocals by Arcángel, Anuel AA and Myke Towers. The song “Bichiyal” also features a surprise comeback from Puerto Rican cult favorite, Yaviah.
Said Bad Bunny of the new album on Twitter Friday afternoon:“Les recomiendo que esta noche se reunan con sus amistades y seres queridos, compren cervezas, tengan el surtido correcto para toda la noche y la pasen cabrón escuchando mi álbum.” In short, the album goes down best with a few beers and your best buddies.
Bad Bunny’s star has been on the meteoric rise since 2018. After he dropped his debut album X 100pre, which won best urban music album at the Latin Grammys, he released an album with J Balvin the very next year, Oasis.
The 27-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and singeris set to speak at this year’s LatinFest+ by Billboard and Telemundo, taking place from April 20 to 23 in Las Vegas.
He’ll participate in a panel titled “Viva Live with Anuel,” where he’ll talk about the making of his upcoming new album to be released under Sony Music Latin.
Anuel earned his first No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albumschart with his 2018 debut album Real Hasta la Muerte(on the list dated July 28).
After the global success of hits like “Ella Quiere Beber,” “Secreto,” and “China,” his new single “KEII” opens at No. 3 on the Hot Latin Songschart (dated February 22), earning him his first top 10 debut of the year on the tally and his 14th top 10 overall.
The new single, which is Japanese for “respect,” adds his 14th top 10 on the list, following “Me Gusta,” his collaboration with Shakira(No. 6 peak).
Other stars confirmed so far to participate at Latinfest+ include Ozuna, J Balvin, Rosalia, Carlos Vives, and Los Tigres del Norte. Sech, Lunay, Manuel Turizo, Natanael Cano, Cazzu, Mariah, Myke Towers, and Jhay Cortezwill also participate as part of the “On The Rise: The New Generation of Urban Men and Women” panel.
Formerly known as Billboard Latin Music Week, the three-day event and panel series, which has been revamped and expanded in a partnership with Telemundo, will unite Latin music’s top artists and industry leaders. The inaugural Latinfest+ also marks the 30th anniversary of Billboard’s Latin Music Conference, the longest-running and biggest Latin music gathering in the world.
The 30-year-old Puerto Rican hit-making producer and songwriter captures the essence of the reggaetón he was raised on “Nada,” the just-released single off his forthcoming debut solo EP The Kids That Grew Up On Reggaeton: Neon Tapes.
Featuring Lauren Jaureguiand C. Tangana, “Nada” crosses language and genre barriers with Jauregui’s soulful pop vocals filtering Spanish and English lyrics and C. Tangana’s electronically-tinged trap verses.
The song has a sexual flare to it, as both singers reject the notion of marriage but bemoan that they’re giving each other “nada” or nothing with their undefined yet playful relationship.
The Elliot Muscat/The Garden-directed music video is set in Miami, Fla. where Tainy launched his NEON16 studio, showing the city’s raw, yet vibrant landscapes from green palm trees cascading over a vintage red Mercedes Benz that the former Fifth Harmony member rests on to turquoise-colored houses where Tainy kicks back with the guys.
The Kids That Grew Up On Reggaeton: Neon Tapes marks Tainy’s first solo venture after working with the likes of Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Anuel AA, Ozuna and more Latin popstars in his accelerating successful career, spanning 47 Hot Latin Songs entries and a No. 1 producer ranking last year on Billboard‘s Latin Producers chart (dated July 20).
“Nada” marks a pivotal cross-cultural moment in Tainy’s reggaetón speciality, democratizing the Latin urban genre for both mainstream American and Latin artists. “You can’t go too drastic when you’re creating records for the Latin market; it’s about expanding what their ear is used to,” Tainy told Billboardin an interview last month. “The American market has more liberty. Hearing the essence of reggaetón from [his production team] Luny Tunes, but listening to different chords from The Neptunes or how big and full Timbaland‘s percussion sounds [are] and adding those pop and electronic elements [influences my work].”
