Jesse & Joy to Perform at This Year’s Latin American Music Awards

Posted on March 17, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Jesse & Joy are preparing for the Latin AMAs…

The Latin American Music Awards have announced the first round of performers for its 2022 edition, with the Mexican sibling duo – comprised of brother Jesse Huerta and sister Joy Huerta – set to take the stage.

Jesse & Joy are among a roster of performers that includes The Black Eyed Peas, Boza, Calibre 50, Chiquis, Esteman, Gerardo Ortiz and Gloria Trevi.

The Latin AMAs will be broadcast on Telemundo from Las Vegas starting at 7:00 p.m. ET with the red-carpet pre-show.

Other acts confirmed to grace the stage include Jhay Cortez, Lit Killah, Los Ángeles Azules, María Becerra, Nicki Nicole, Sofia Reyes, Ozuna and Tiago PZK.

The awards show kicks off at 8:00 p.m. ET live from the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

According to a press release, the forthcoming three-hour event will “pay tribute to today’s most influential and iconic Latin artists” in 26 categories, including favorite video and favorite social artist, selected by a committee of industry professionals who consider the quality, content, creativity and fan engagement.

As it was previously announced, Mexican songstress Lupita D’Alessio will be honored with the Legend Award and Regional Mexican chart-topping artist Christian Nodal will receive the Extraordinary Evolution Award. Nodal is also a five-time nominee at this year’s Latin AMAs.

The 10-time-nominated Bad Bunny leads the list of nominees. The Puerto Rican hitmaker is followed by Jhay Cortez with eight nominations, and Karol G, J Balvin and Rauw Alejandro with seven nods each.

This year’s nominees are based on key fan interactions with music, including streaming, sales, airplay and social activity tracked by Billboard through its data partners MRC Data and Next Big Sound for data covering the periods of February 6, 2021, through January 29, 2022. All Latin AMA categories are determined by fan voting.

To vote for your favorite artists, visit LatinAMAs.com.

Becky G to Launch New Facebook Watch Series “Face to Face with Becky G” This Week

Posted on November 8, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Becky G putting her best (face to) face forward…

This week, the 24-year-old Mexican American singer/rapper will launch her very own Facebook Watch show, Face to Face with Becky G.

“Where I come from means everything to me. Join me and special guests for my new talk show as we tackle the most pressing topics within our community face to face,” Becky G said in the official trailer for the show. “We are celebrating who we are, no matter where we come from or how we identify.”

The first episode of Face to Face with Becky G, which is set to premiere on Tuesday, November 9, will feature Demi Lovato. The two will be engaging in a conversation about what it means to be non-binary, about their personal journey with self-discovery and what it means to live an authentic life. Fans watching the premiere can also expect the two singers to open up about dramatic moments in their life and what it was like for them growing up in the spotlight.

Other guests on Becky’s Facebook Watch show will include Diego Boneta, Isabela Merced, Anthony Ramos, Mickey Guyton, Tinashe, Rome Flynn, Chiquis, Manny MUA, Angel Merino, Christen Dominique and Sofia Reyes, where they will discuss everything from the evolution of Latinx representation in media to colorism within the Latinx community.

The first episode of Face to Face with Becky G will premiere on Tuesday at 9:00 am PT/12:00 pm ET on Facebook Watch. There are 10 episodes of the show, which will debut weekly on Facebook Watch.

Karol G Nabs Six Premios Juventud Awards

Posted on July 23, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Karol G has six reasons to celebrate…

The 18th annual Premios Juventud ceremony returned to Miami’s Watsco Center with a live audience Thursday night, where the 30-year-old Colombian singer/songwriter was the night’s big winner.

Karol G took home six awards including female artist of the youth. In her speech, she dedicated the award to her fellow nominees, including Becky G and Natti Natasha. “This is for all of you. We’re building an incredible empire and we’re all part of the game,” she said. “They respect us and we contribute.”

Other artists who took home awards include Bad Bunny, who made a special appearance to introduce Tommy Torres‘ performance, Grupo Firme, Los Dos Carnales, Becky G, Natti Natasha and Daddy Yankee, who received the special “Agent of Change” award.

The hosts of the ceremony – Sebastian Yatra, Chiquis and Alejandra Espinoza – announced that next year’s Premios Juventud are set to take place for the first time ever in Puerto Rico.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

Artista De La Juventud Femenino: KAROL G
Mejor Canción Regional Mexicana: “EL ENVIDIOSO” – LOS DOS CARNALES
La Nueva Generación – Femenina – KALI UCHIS
La Nueva Generación – Masculina: JAY WHEELER
La Nueva Generación Regional Mexicano: LOS DOS CARNALES
Mejor Canción Mariachi-Ranchera: “DIME CÓMO QUIERES” – CHRISTIAN NODAL & ÁNGELA AGUILAR
Mejor Colaboración Regional Mexicana: “EL GÜERO” – GRUPO FIRME FT. MARCA MP
Mejor Fusión Regional Mexicana: “EL CAMBIO” – CHESCA & GRUPO FIRME
La Mezcla Perfecta: “RELACIÓN (REMIX)” – SECH, DADDY YANKEE, J BALVIN, ROSALÍA & FARRUKO
Tropical Mix: “ANTES QUE SALGA EL SOL” – NATTI NATASHA & PRINCE ROYCE
Colaboración OMG: “HAWÁI (REMIX)” – MALUMA & THE WEEKND
Track Viral Del Año: “DÁKITI” – BAD BUNNY & JHAY CORTEZ
Artista De La Juventud Masculino: BAD BUNNY
Grupo o Dúo Favorito Del Año: GRUPO FIRME
Álbum Del Año: EL ÚLTIMO TOUR DEL MUNDO – BAD BUNNY
Álbum Regional Mexicano Del Año: NOS DIVERTIMOS LOGRANDO LO IMPOSIBLE – GRUPO FIRME
Canción Del Año: “DÁKITI” – BAD BUNNY & JHAY CORTEZ
El Traffic Jam: “BICHOTA” – KAROL G – WINNER
La Más Pegajosa: “AY, DIOS MÍO!” – KAROL G
Girl Power: “RAM PAM PAM” – NATTI NATASHA & BECKY G
La Coreo Más Hot: “BICHOTA” – KAROL G
Social Dance Challenge: “BICHOTA” – KAROL G
Video Con El Mensaje Más Poderoso: “UN DÍA (ONE DAY)” – J BALVIN, DUA LIPA, BAD BUNNY & TAINY
Quiero Más: SEBASTIÁN RULLI
Juntos Encienden Mis Redes: NATTI NATASHA & RAPHY PINA
Ayudando A Sus Fans: BECKY G
Mejor LOL: IMARAY ULLOA
Influencer Con Causa: JUANPA ZURITA
El Más Trendy: KAROL G

Chiquis Becomes First Latina Act to Release Own Digital Collectible

Posted on May 19, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Chiquis is off the (block)chain…

The 35-year-old Mexican America Regional Mexican artist is set to release her first-ever NFT in partnership with crypto gaming company AnRKey X, according to Billboard.

The digital NFT (non-fungible token), a one-of-a-kind cryptographic token that exists on a blockchain, will come in the form of a gaming card inspired by her “Spiritual Gangsta” persona, which will be able to be used in AnRKey X’s game Battle Wave 2323 – a blend of cyberpunk, hip-hop and Marvel universe-inspired game characters.

“‘Spiritual Gangsta’ is in my Instagram bio – part Chiquis and part Janney,” the Latin Grammy-winning artist told Billboard. “I’ve always seen [that] character as an alter ego and thought that it would even be perfect for a video game character!”

Only a handful of Latin acts, like Ozuna and Rudy Mancuso, have experimented with this once-considered niche method of cryptocurrency, and Chiquis becomes the first female Latin act to release her very own digital collectible.

“It is so exciting to be on the forefront of new technology and bring my fans and followers along for the ride,” the “Anímate y Verás” singer says. “There is so such a vast space for incredibly creative and innovative ideas in the NFT and crypto world. You all know me as an artist, TV personality, philanthropist and business woman so I see there are big possibilities ahead in this sector.”

Victoria La Mala Returns with New Album “Soy Mala”

Posted on May 10, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Victoria La Mala is breaking bad…

The Mexican singer/songwriter has made her triumphant return to music with her EP Soy Mala, home to eight saucy collaborations and one solo track.

On the set, the Mexican singer lets her true colors shine, incorporating mariachi, cumbia, corridos, reggaeton, and hip-hop, genres that have shaped her musical sound. “I feel that I’ve been put in a box for so many years,” she admits to Billboard. “It was either I did something super traditional but I couldn’t do fusions. I am more than that.”

Creating what came from her heart, La Mala penned songs about self-worth (“Cabrona”), female empowerment (“Tenme Miedo”), and immigrant struggles as heard in “Nuestra Tierra (Our Land)” with Chris Perez, Joe Ojeda, and Yorch.

Standout tracks include the opening “Nada De Ti” featuring the all-female mariachi Flor de Toloache and the Western-tinged “Sexo Debil” in collaboration with Chiquis.

“I did the fusions I wanted to do, not thinking about anything other than feeling and creating,” she adds. “Every song I wrote or co-wrote and it marks a new stage of my career.”

Victoria La Mala & Chiquis Team Up for Women’s Empowerment Anthem “Sexo Debil (TNMDQH)”

Posted on May 4, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Victoria La Mala is empowering women with her latest single…

The Mexican singer has teamed up with Chiquis, whom she met about six years ago, for their first-ever collaboration “Sexo Debil (TNMDQH).”

“I wrote the song a couple of years ago with Claudia Brant,” La Mala tells Billboard. “I was holding on to it for a while because I loved it so much and it meant so much to me.”

“Sexo Debil (TNMDQH),” short for “tu no me dices que hacer” is a Western-tinged corrido that fuses to an infectious cumbia melody towards the middle. It’s an anthem to remind women that they are in no shape or form the weakest sex.

“Every word we wrote was something that was told to me,” she adds. “I wanted to let women feel that they are empowered, have control of their lives and that they can do whatever they want.”

For the track, La Mala reeled in Latin Grammy winner, Chiquis, because “she’s such a strong woman and she’ll be able to relate.”

“Us women who are in this industry understand how hard it can be and the discrimination that happens,” Chiquis notes. “I love what Victoria did on this song because it comes from the heart. She’s really embracing who she is, she’s hip-hop, she’s Regional, she’s a little bit of everything and I love that she did something different. This song gives women power and reminds them that they can do whatever they want.”

In the music video, both Mexican artists are just as unapologetic and fierce as the track.

“I’m obsessed with this video! We had so much fun and I think it reflects that,” La Mala says. “I wanted to do this whole late ‘90s, early ‘00s aesthetic because I grew up with that. We filmed it in a day and we got to hang out with each other and let loose.”

With the release of “Sexo Debil,” part of Soy Mala EP coming out on May 5th, both La Mala and Chiquis hope to encourage more and more women in Regional Mexican to collaborate.

“Why can’t we get together the way Becky G and Natti [Natasha] collab? I want that in our genre so now it’s happening and hopefully it keeps on going,” Chiquis expresses.

“We’re the generation that’s doing it!” La Mala agrees. “There’s space to support all the women and grow together. We’re more unstoppable that way.”

Vanessa Zamora to Perform at the First-Ever Edition of OutMusik Festival on National Coming Out Day

Posted on September 23, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Vanessa Zamora’s ready to express her Pride…

The 29-year-old Mexican singer, songwriter and composer will celebrate National Coming Out Day by taking part in the first-ever edition of OutMusik Festival.

In addition to Zamora, the list of performers set to take the stage on October 11 include Georgel, Javiera Mena, Zemmoa, Mabiland and Christian Chavez, among others.

The virtual festival will feature artists who form part of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as allies who’ll be sending motivational messages to the community.

Georgel, Raymix and Esteman will serve as hosts of the first OutMusik Fest.

“I didn’t grow up with openly and well represented LGBTQ+ icons to identify with in mainstream media, which a lot of times led me to feel like I didn’t exist or this life wasn’t worth living,” Georgel tells Billboard. “OutMusik represents an evolved world as I perceive it, a platform where LGBTQ+ artists express their truth through performance and audiences feel represented.”

“Music is a powerful medium to tell stories and send messages that tell our reality,” adds Esteman. “The more visible our stories, we won’t have to put labels and instead celebrate who we are.”

Presenters and allies who will be of the celebration include Karol G, Chiquis, Maite Perroni, Lila Downs, Francisca Valenzuela and Gepe.

The festival will be streamed on the website OutMusik.Com, which will remain post-festival and will serve as a resource center for the LGBTQ+ community. Access to the live stream will be free but viewers will have the option of donating.

Proceeds will go toward to organizations It Gets Better and The Trevor Project.

Becky G Teams Up with Dime Optics to Launch Her First-Ever Eyewear Collection

Posted on August 27, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

The future’s so bright Becky G’s gotta wear shades…

The 23-year-old Mexican American singer/rapper, who recently collaborated with Chiquis Rivera for a cumbia-fied cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” has partnered with Dime Optics to launch her first-ever eyewear collection. Here you will get the Best optical shop in Singapore, do visit.

“For me, it’s really important to be that open book that I’ve always been since the beginning of my career and the truth is, many things inspire me beyond just music,” Becky G tells Billboard. “To be able to transition into something new is exciting for me but also comes very naturally.”

Inspired by her Mexican-American roots and Latinx vibes, Becky G’s fashionable line includes eight different styles because “it’s versatile like me!

For the “Mayores” singer, affordability and quality were key in teaming up with the glasses brand.

“That’s important because one of my responsibilities as an artist is to know that my audience, at the end of the day, is mostly hard-working individuals who are still going to school and I want them to know that they will be investing in something that’s worth it.”

Becky G’s collection, with all pairs selling for only $30, ships worldwide. And, two of the pairs have already sold out: the 33 Clear Crystal + Blue Light, and the 333 Black Grey styles.

“When we started this collab, I wanted to make something that was amazing AND affordable,” tweeted Becky G. “So excited guys are liking them already.”

Click here to shop Becky G’s Dime collection.

Ivonne Galaz Releases Tribute Song to Murdered U.S. Army Soldier Vanessa Guillén

Posted on July 8, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Ivonne Galaz is raising her voice to honor murdered U.S. army soldier Vanessa Guillén.

The Mexican singer, one of the young female singers leading the emerging corridos tumbados movement, revisits Guillén’s tragic fate in a tribute song she’s uploaded to her Instagram account.

“JusticeForVanessaGuillen with much respect to Vanessa’s family,” wrote Galaz, who titled the track “Vanessa Guillén.”

After Guillén’s disappearance made national headlines, the lawyer for her family confirmed on Sunday that the U.S. Armypositively identified the soldier’s remains near the Leon River in Texas last week.

Guillén, 20, a soldier in Fort Hood, was declared missing by her family since April, but the search for her only intensified last month when the family went public with appeals to find her.

Galaz, the first female signee on corridos tumbados label Rancho Humilde, uploaded the song to Instagram on Sunday night. Corridos tumbados (sometimes referred to as trap corridos) are a new take on the traditional Mexican song from the perspective of the youth in the streets of the U.S.

Backed by an acoustic guitar, Galáz sympathizes with Guillén’s family in her heartbreaking corrido. “Her suffering family asking, ‘Where is the girl?'” she sings in Spanish. Galáz sadly notes Guillén’s “light has been put out” while highlighting her heritage in the haunting final line: “The Mexican people, we will be there so that her case is not forgotten.”

Many Latino artists, including Becky G, Chiquis, Salma Hayek and Intocable, have posted about Guillen in social media, demanding answers from authorities at her base.

The main suspect in Guillén’s murder, Spc. Aaron David Robinson, who was stationed with the her at Fort Hood, killed himself last Wednesday as investigators were closing in. Robinson’s reported girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar, says Robinson murdered Guillén and that she tried to help him dispose of her body. Aguilar was charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence.

Galáz hails from Senora, Mexico, the same state as her labelmate Natanael Cano. She made her debut last year as a featured artist on Cano’s “Golpes de La Vida” from his Mi Nuevo Yo EP. On Rancho Humilde’s recent Corridos Tumbados Vol. 2 album, Galáz recorded with Cano again and also teamed up with Natalie Lopéz on the girl-powered “La Rueda.” A solo project from Galaz is due out soon.

Chiquis Releases Animated Video for Her Cumbia-fied Cover of “Jolene” with Becky G

Posted on June 26, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Chiquis is getting animated…

The 35-year-old Mexican American singer and television personality has released the animated music video for “Jolene,” her cover of Dolly Parton’s 1974 hit single, featuring Becky G.

Chiquis, the daughter of late banda singer Jenni Rivera, and Becky G revamped Parton’s iconic song, giving it a saucy Western-cumbia twist.

“Her and I have been wanting to work together for so long, but we didn’t know what genre,” Chiquis tells Billboard of working with Becky G. “She thought she was going to come to Regional because she sings really pretty with mariachi. I sent her two songs, one a little bit more urban, which I thought she was going to choose, and also ‘Jolene,’ which she absolutely wanted to do because she’s a huge fan.”

“Jolene” is the lead single from Chiquis’ 10-set album Playlist. In the lyrics, the two powerhouses confront each other about liking the same man.

“You think of country music and you think Dolly. We both loved the song and it happened so organically,” she adds. “I was happy because we can bring something new to the song, which is great as it is, but together we brought the Latino flavor with cumbia.”

The track was recorded at the studio right before the coronavirus outbreak. The music video, however, was recorded at home during the quarantine. In the animated clip, Chiquis and Becky G star in an action-packed Old Western film.

“It was all done with a green screen. I was at my house and Becky was at hers,” Chiquis says of the process. “There was a photographer that made us do all these crazy moves as if we were holding a gun, bending over and running away. It was very cool and something very, very different for me to see it all come together. It’s crazy cause we look real but we’re drawn at the same time.”

“A lot of people were waiting for Becky and me to do something together because we have a really nice friendship,” she notes. “Even though we were not together in the video, people won’t even tell because of our crazy connection. I think people are going to love it; it’s something different, it’s something fun.”

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