Nanpa Básico Signs Record Deal with Sony Music’s 5020 Records

Nanpa Básico has a new recording contract…

The 31-year-old Colombian hitmaker has signed a record deal with 5020 Records.

Nanpa Básico Born Francisco David Rosero Serna, the singer-songwriter from Medellín, Colombia has made a name for himself due to his socially conscious, raw lyrics and a signature style that blends hip-hop with reggae and regional influences.

His latest album, HECHO M13RD4, includes collaborations with Ryan Castro, Gera MX and Santa Fe Klan.

“Joining 5020 Records is an important milestone in my career. This collaboration will allow me to reach even more fans and take my music to new heights,” Básico said in a statement. “I am excited about the future and the creative possibilities that this partnership brings.”

Sony Music recently launched 5020 Records out of Miami with a roster that includes Christina AguileraKany GarcíaNathy Peluso and Residente.

Básico had previously been releasing his music via his own self-titled imprint.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nanpa Básico to the family,” added Rafa Arcaute, co-president of 5020 Records. “His unique voice and powerful storytelling resonate with audiences around the world, and we look forward to supporting his artistic vision and helping him achieve even greater success.”

“Having Nanpa Básico in our roster reinforces our mission to expand the possibilities for Latin music exponents who, like him, are committed to excellence and the values of our culture,” added Bruno Duarte, 5020 Records co-president.

News of the deal comes on the heels of Básico’s upcoming Duelo Tour, which includes stops throughout Mexico, including Monterrey, Guadalajara and Mexico City.

Christina Aguilera to Serve as Presenter at This Year’s Grammy Awards Show

Christina Aguilera has a date with Grammy

The half-Ecuadorian American Grammy-wining singer will serve as a presenter at the 2025 Grammy Awards.

Christina AguileraAguilera appears on a list of presenters that includes Samara Joy, Lenny Kravitz, Maluma, Lionel Richie, Mark Ronson, Meryl Streep, Taylor Tomlinson and Oprah Winfrey are set to present on the 2024 Grammy Awards, set for Sunday, Feb. 4.

Joy was the surprise winner of last year’s award for best new artist. Aguilera won in that same category 24 years ago.

Ronson, a seven-time Grammy-winner, received five nominations this year for his work on Barbie.

Richie won album of the year 39 years ago for Can’t Slow Down. He won song of the year the year after that for “We Are the World,” which he co-wrote with Michael Jackson.

Streep is nominated for best audio book, narration and storytelling recording for Big Tree. This is her seventh nomination. Streep has won three Oscars and three Primetime Emmys, but she has yet to win a Grammy (or a Tony).

Maluma received his third Grammy nod this year – best Latin pop album for Don Juan.

Additional performers will be announced in the coming days.

It’s unknown whether Taylor Swift will perform, though CBS has promoted the fact that she will be “in the building” to accept any awards she may win.

U2 is set to take the stage from Sphere in Las Vegas, where the band’s acclaimed U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere show is playing.

Trevor Noah will host the Grammys for the fourth consecutive year.

The 66th annual Grammy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 4, live on both coasts beginning at 8:00 pm ET on CBS, and will stream live and on-demand on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs).

The telecast will be produced by Fulwell 73 Productions for the Recording Academy for the fourth consecutive year. Ben Winston, Raj Kapoor and Jesse Collins are executive producers.

Christina Aguilera Signs with United Talent Agency for Global Representation

Christina Aguilera has new representation…

The 43-year-old half-Ecuadorian American Grammy-winning singer and pop icon has signed with United Talent Agency (UTA) for worldwide representation.

Christina AguileraThe “Genie in a Bottle” and “What a Girl Wants” singer, a multiple Grammy-winning singer-songwriter renowned for her powerhouse vocals, has to date sold more than 75 million records worldwide. She’s also garnered five No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making her the third female artist, and fourth overall, to top the list over three consecutive decades.

The winner of seven Grammys, including two Latin Grammys, Aguilera’s most recent recognition at these award shows came in the form of the 2022 Latin Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album on behalf of her second Spanish-language album, Aguilera. After being recognized with the inaugural Music Icon Award at the People’s Choice Awards in 2021, she nabbed the Spirit of Hope Award at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards, going on to receive the Advocate for Change Award at the GLAAD Media Awards the following year.

In addition to her work as a songwriter and recording artist, Aguilera is well known for her efforts as a producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Since 2009, she’s served as a global spokesperson for Yum! BrandsWorld Hunger Relief effort, also helping to raise over $150 million for the World Food Program and other hunger relief agencies, while raising awareness around domestic violence, LGBTQ+ equality and other essential cultural conversations.

Also the co-founder of Playground, a sexual wellness lifestyle brand launched in 2022, Aguilera can currently be found headlining a new show at Volatire at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.

She continues to be represented by Roc Nation and imPRint.

Christina Aguilera to Launch New Series of Las Vegas Shows at The Venetian Resort

Christina Aguilera is stripping down…

The 42-year-old half-Ecuadorian American Grammy-winning singer has announced that she’ll be holding a new series of shows in Las Vegas.

Christina AguileraAguilera’s shows will take place at the Voltaire Belle de Nuit at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas starting New Year’s Eve weekend. Taking place in Voltaire’s “seductively cozy” performance space, the show will follow the singer through two decades of hit songs.

“I look forward to bringing Las Vegas a new show that fuses music, sophistication and art in ways I have never performed before,” Aguilera says in a statement. “What I love about the intimacy at Voltaire at The Venetian Resort is how up-close-and-personal I can be with the audience … a truly modern twist on the performance experience.”

The new shows will officially kick off December 30 and 31, with future dates set to be announced on Friday (October 13).

In a statement, Voltaire founder Michael Gruber says the venue’s goal is to create “superstar artist experiences in Las Vegas” and that the “incredibly talented” Aguilera will help “highlight that Voltaire experience.”

Aguilera made headlines for her own live performance earlier this year when she headlined NYC’s Pride Island back in late June, where she celebrated the LGBTQ community with a set of her biggest hits to date. “There’s a lot of bleak things out there right now,” she told the crowd during her dazzling set. “We are here tonight and we stand in unison to be free to be ourselves.”

Tickets for the opening dates of Aguilera’s Voltaire shows go on sale Friday (October 13) at Voltaire’s website.

Yahritza Martinez to Receive Special Recognition at SESAC Latina Awards

Yahritza Martinez is officially breaking through

The 16-year-old Mexican American Regional Mexican artist, the lead singer of Yahritza y Su Esencia, will receive a special honor at the upcoming SESAC Latina Awards 2023.

Yahritza MartinezSESAC will award Martinez with its breakthrough songwriter award.

Argentine producer Federico Vindver is set to receive special honors at the event. He has worked with artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Ricky MartinMarc Anthony and, most recently, Christina Aguilera for her Spanish-language album Aguilera, which was nominated for album of the year at the Latin Grammys 2022.

The ceremony, which will take place on June 27 in Los Angeles, where the song of the year, publisher of the year and songwriter of the year — for both regional Mexican and pop/Latin rhythm — winners will also be announced.

“We love every opportunity to recognize our talented affiliates within the Latin songwriting community and l look forward to bringing everyone together for a night of celebration,” said Sam Kling, chief creative officer, SESAC Performing Rights. “The songs and spirit at the SESAC Latina Music Awards always make it a wonderfully special and unique evening.

“Vindver is a one-of-a-kind versatile producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist that has worked with some of the biggest names in music,” said Celeste Zendejas, VP of SESAC Latina. “Additionally, we are recognizing all that Yahritza has done in her career at such a young age — she has broken several records not only as an artist but as a songwriter as well.”

With “Soy El Único,” Yahritza y Su Esencia’s debut single, Martinez made chart history as the youngest Latin performer to enter the Billboard Hot 100 when the track debuted at No. 20 last year. Subsequently, their seven-track debut EP, Obsessed, peaked at No. 1 on the Regional Mexican Albums chart (dated May 7, 2022). Martinez is just one of the two women (the other being Karol G) who have reached No. 1 on the Latin Songwriters chart.

Christina Aguilera to Headline NYC Pride’s Pride Island Event

Christina Aguilera is heading to Pride Island.

The 42-year-old half-Ecuadorian American Grammy-winning singer will serve as the official headliner for this year’s NYC Pride Pride Island in New York.

Christina AguileraTaking place on Sunday, June 25, Pride Island will also feature sets from Guy Scheiman, Karina Kay and Mor Avrahmi throughout the event.

“I couldn’t be more excited to headline NYC Pride’s iconic Pride Island,” Aguilera said in a statement of the upcoming show. “I’m always ready to celebrate the strength and resilience of all the individual members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies by dedicating this performance to our combined power when we act and work in solidarity.”

This year’s Pride Island is also coming to a new home. After Kim Petras’ headlining set on Governor’s Island last year, 2023’s Pride Island will take place at the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park, a modern manufacturing campus in Brooklyn that also hosts cultural events.

Aguilera has a storied track record of support for the LGBTQ community. Earlier this year, GLAAD recognized Xtina as its 2023 advocate for change, honoring the artist as someone who “through [her] work, has changed the game for LGBTQ people around the world.” In accepting the award, the five-time Grammy winner called on everyone listening “to raise our voices if we want to live in a world that is free of discrimination, hate and violence.”

Christina Aguilera will take to the Pride Island main stage on Sunday, June 25, at Brooklyn Army Terminal. Tickets to Pride Island are on sale now.

Christina Aguilera Wins First-Ever Webby Award for “Beautiful (2022 Version)”

Christina Aguilera is celebrating a beautiful win…

The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences (IADAS) has revealed the winners of the 27th Annual Webby Awards, with the 42-year-old half-Ecuadorian among the honorees.

Christina AguileraAguilera won the Webby Award for Music Video, General Video (Video) category for the new music video for her hit single “Beautiful.” “Beautiful (2022 Version)” was released to celebrate the 20-year-old anniversary of her Stripped album.

It’s Aguilera’s first-ever Webby Awards win.

 

Other winners include SZA as Artist of the Year, Tracee Ellis Ross with a Special Achievement Award and Sharon Horgan as Best Actress.

Barack ObamaLizzo, Doja Cat, Blackpink, Hugh Jackman, Jimmy Kimmel, Hoda Kotb, Trixie Mattel, Serena Williams, the cast of Stranger Things and the cast of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever were also among the award recipients.

“This year’s Webby Winners speak to the incredible potential of the Internet and the people who shape it,” Claire Graves, president of The Webby Awards, said in a statement. “They have set the benchmark for excellence in their respective category and are an inspiration for us all to continue striving towards a more connected and creative digital world.”

Roy Wood Jr. will host the Webby Awards ceremony set to take place on Monday, May 15 at the Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.

Special Achievement Winners

Webby Lifetime Achievement Award: Shigetaka Kurita, the creator of the emoji, for his significant contribution to the worldwide cultural zeitgeist and impact on the way we communicate.

Webby Breakout of The Year Award: ChatGPT, the game-changing, generative AI writing tool that created a digital phenomenon that’s changing the way we work and create.

Webby Artist of The Year: SZA for the instant classic SOS, the true intention and consideration she injects into her work, and for her ingenious use of the Internet to share unique, brilliantly honest art.

Webby Special Achievement Award: Tracee Ellis Ross for her ingenious use of the Internet to share multidimensional stories of belonging, increase Black representation in the beauty industry, and serve as a constant, positive force.

Webby Podcast of The YearSmartLess, honoring Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett for bringing nostalgia and laughter to listeners on their podcast SmartLess.

Webby Best Actress: Sharon Horgan for capturing the Internet’s attention with her acclaimed Apple TV+ show Bad Sisters, which she created, executive produced and stars in, as well as for her incredible career in comedy as a voice of radical self-awareness and razor-sharp wit.

Webby Special Achievement Award: Tobe Nwigwe for his innovative use of the Internet to create art that is imaginative and poignant as seen in his album moMINTS and his role as ‘Nick’ in the Netflix series Mo.

Webby Special Achievement AwardUnder the Desk News for making the news accessible and understandable to young people through their candid, hard-hitting and synoptic reporting, all done in bite-sized pieces on Tik Tok.

2023 Winner Highlights

  • Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty Show Vol. 4 won the Webby People’s Voice Award for Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle, Branded Entertainment (Video)
  • The Daily Show with Trevor Noah– “America’s Door Problem” won the Webby Award for Comedy, General Video (Video)
  • Recess Therapy’s “It’s Corn” won the Webby People’s Voice Award for Video Remixes/Mashups, General Video (Video)
  • Trixie Mattel Transforms Into Dr. Manhattan won the Webby People’s Voice Award for Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle, General Video (Video)
  • Christina Aguilera – Beautiful (2022 Version) won the Webby Award for Music Video, General Video (Video)
  • Discord won the Webby Award for Community, General Websites and Mobile Sites, (Websites and Mobile Sites)
  • Spotify’s 2022 Wrapped won the Webby Award for Best Mobile Visual Design – Aesthetic, Mobile Specific Features & Design (Websites and Mobile Sites)
  • Google Store won the Webby Award for Best Mobile User Experience, Mobile Specific Features & Design (Websites and Mobile Sites)
  • Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez won the Webby Award for Fashion & Beauty, General Social (Social)
  • Doja Cat x Taco Bell: A “Contractual” Partnership won the Webby Award for Best Influencer or Creator Endorsement, Features (Social)
  • My BTS Story won the Webby Award for Best Community Engagement, Features (Social)
  • LIZZO’S BIG GIRLS | Womxn’s History Month | Animated Social Video won the Webby Award for Arts & Entertainment, Social Video (Social)
  • Disney’s TikTok won the Webby Award for Entertainment, General Social (Social)
  • HBO Max’s “Negroni Sbagliato” won the Webby Award for Best Use of Video, Features (Social)
  • PinkVenomChallenge – YouTube Shorts x BLACKPINK won the Webby People’s Voice Award for Best Partnership or Collaboration, Features (Social)
  • Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever won the Webby Award for TV, Film & Entertainment, Social Content Series (Social)
  • Pod Save AmericaObama’s Advice For Democrats won the Webby Award for Featured Guest, Individual Episodes (Podcasts)
  • ESPN’s 30 for 30 Podcasts won the Webby Award for Sports, General Series (Podcasts)
  • FIFA 23 x TED LASSO won the Webby Award for In-Game Integration, Individual (Advertising, Media & PR)
  • Netflix Stranger Things Global Rift Takeover won the Webby Award for Experience Marketing, Individual (Advertising, Media & PR)
  • The Coors Light featuring Patrick Mahomes won the Webby Award for Best Partnership or Collaboration, Advertising Campaigns (Advertising, Media & PR)
  • Steak-umm Beef Sheets featuring Jimmy Kimmel won the Webby Award for Digital Campaign, Advertising Campaigns (Advertising, Media & PR)
  • The Apple TV app won the Webby Award for Best Streaming or OTT Service, App Features (Apps, dApps and Software)
  • Never Done Evolving featuring Serena Williams won the Webby Award for Technical Achievement, Virtual Video Features (Metaverse, Immersive & Virtual)

For the complete list of winners check the website here.

Webby Winners are selected by the IADAS. Members include Questlove, DJ and Producer; Tan France, Fashion Designer, Television Personality & Author; Natalie Guzman, Co-President & CMO, Savage X Fenty; Werner Vogels CTO, Amazon; Roxanne Gay, Host, The Roxanne Gay Agenda; Quinta Brunson, Writer, Director and Actor; Ziwe Fumudoh, Comedian and Writer; Reshma Saujani, Founder, Girls Who Code; LeVar Burton, Actor, Podcaster and TV Host; Takashi Murakami, Artist; Samantha Bee, Comedian; and Tracy Chou, Founder & CEO, Block Party.

Christina Aguilera Appears on Soundtrack for “Prom Pact”

It’s a prom-tacular appearance (of sorts) by Christina Aguilera.

The 42-year0old half-Ecuadorian American Grammy-winning singer’s collaboration with Great Big World, “Fall on Me,” will appear on the Prom Pact soundtrack.

Christina Aguilera 

The film brings 1980s glitz, perms, bright colors and ruffled dresses to 2023, as well as one of the boldest decades in its soundtrack.

The list of songs features a mix of modern hits like Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy” and Imagine Dragons’ “Believer” with a slew of throwback classics like David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” Billy Idol’s “Mony Mony” and even the Ghostbusters theme.

The soundtrack also includes a number of covers from the cast, including the Dirty Dancing hit “I’ve Had the Time of My Life.”

“There are so many songs I wanted to include,” the film’s director and executive producer Anya Adams tells Billboard of curating the perfect playlist for the film. “There’s not enough movie for the songs we wanted to use, but I wanted to bring in a multitude of different ’80s music. So not just be in one kind of genre. We’re using DJ EZ Rock and doing ‘It Takes Two,’ but we’re also using David Bowie and ‘Let’s Dance.’ It was hard to pick songs!”

She continued, “Some of the songs were written into the script and really worked with the scene, so we kept them. Some of them, we saw the scenes and we were like, ‘Oh, let’s bring in this song.’ So it’s been a kind of journey and everyone is really excited about the music because it does inspire such nostalgia and we’re so excited to introduce this music to this generation.”

Prom Pact follows high school senior Mandy Yang (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) and her best friend Ben (Milo Manheim) as they navigate prom season. The prom is ’80s-themed, and the BFF duo are surrounded by over-the-top Promposals, but Mandy has her goals set on getting into Harvard University. When she’s waitlisted from her dream school, Mandy plans to get accepted by becoming the tutor for the all-star jock Graham Lansing (Blake Draper), whose father is a powerful senator and Harvard alum.

Prom Pact premiered on March 30 on Disney Channel, before becoming available for streaming the next day on Disney+.

Soundtrack track list
“Believer” – Imagine Dragons
“Bad Guy” – Billie Eilish
“Addicted to Love” – Robert Palmer
“Old Time Rock & Roll” – Bob Seger
“What Makes You Beautiful” – One Direction
“Fall on Me” – Great Big World and Christina Aguilera
“Let’s Dance” – David Bowie
“The Promise” – When in Rome
“Mony Mony” – Billy Idol
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” – Whitney Houston
“Only You” – Yazoo
“Coincidance” – Handsome Dancer
Theme from Ghostbusters

Covers
Pat Benatar’s “Love Is a Battlefield” – Milo Manheim and Peyton Elizabeth Lee
Seal’s “Don’t Cry” – Alice Lee
Nazareth’s “Love Hurts” – Alice Lee
Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes’ “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”
Men in Hats’ “The Safety Dance”

Christina Aguilera Joins Playground Lube Brand to Help Promote Sexual Wellness

Christina Aguilera is breaking new (play)ground

The 42-year-old half-Ecuadorian American Grammy-winning singer, a long-time advocate for female empowerment, has taken on a new role as co-founder and chief brand advisor for the sexual wellness brand Playground.

Christina AguileraThrough this collaboration, Aguilera is hoping to de-stigmatize the conversation around intimacy via a range of products that includes scented personal lubricants with names such as “Love Sesh,” “Date Night” (champagne & vanilla scented) and “Mini Escape” (coconut & sandalwood).

“Sex is an essential part of our overall wellness, and @hello.playground is here to remind you that EVERY part of your body, not just your hair or your face, deserves to be pampered,” Aguilera wrote in an Instagram post announcing her collaboration.

In another post, Aguilera said she’s spent her whole career encouraging everyone, “but especially women,” to feel empowered while owning their sexuality. “The better you feel about yourself, the better you can live your life and own EVERY capacity of it!” she wrote. “I am so proud to be a co-founder of @hello.playground an amazing women-owned brand that’s committed to making sexual wellness products more accessible and ✨FUN✨ for all!”

The products from the woman-owned brand — which also include the musk and oxwood-scented “After Hours” lubricant — can be ordered discreetly from home. In a statement on their site, the company promises that their “full-sensory” products spark “all five senses and multiple erogenous zones — enhancing your mood, mind and libido. Intentionally designed for a woman’s unique needs and desires, our proprietary formulas contain innovative biotech formulations and chemistry-enhancing ingredients.”

The plant-based products feature natural ingredients, are pH-balanced, vegan and 100% transparent, so users can see what they are putting into their bodies. They are also sustainably sourced, with bottles and caps that are made of 50% post-consumer recycled plastic and boxes made from 30% post-consumer waste.

Mariah Carey to Co-Headline This Year’s L.A. Pride in the Park

Mariah Carey will be livin’ with Pride this summer…

This upcoming Pride Month, the 52-year-old half-Venezuelan American Grammy-winning songstress will serve as a headliner alongside Megan Thee Stallion at L.A. Pride.

Mariah CareyL.A. Pride organizers have announced that the two superstars will serve as the headliners for 2023’s L.A. Pride in the Park event.

 

Taking place at Los Angeles State Historic Park over two days, Pride in the Park will feature the “WAP” rapper leading the show on Friday, June 9, while the Elusive Chanteuse will receive top-billing for Saturday, June 10. Additional artists have yet to be announced for the concert.

In a statement posted to her Instagram, Carey celebrated the news under a poster of herself and Megan. “I’m thrilled and honored to be a part of LA Pride 2023,” she wrote. “I am happy to be back in-person celebrating with the LGBTQIA+ community here in Southern California and throughout all of the lands!!! Let’s come together to celebrate love, inclusion, and Pride.”

The “Savage” rapper also put out a statement, writing, “I can’t wait to headline LA Pride in the Park and celebrate the phenomenal LGBTQIA+ community. This incredible event advocates for diversity, inclusivity and equality, so I’m honored to perform and have a blast with all of the Hotties in attendance.”

Along with announcing the pair of artists as this year’s headliners, L.A. Pride also shared that the official theme of the festivities this year is “All Out With Pride,” aiming to celebrate “the LGBTQIA+ community’s diversity, resilience, and joy,” according to a statement.

“Mariah Carey and Megan Thee Stallion are the perfect artists to headline L.A. Pride in the Park this year as we expand to two days,” L.A. Pride’s board president Gerald Garth said in a statement. “These empowering and iconic women are sure to take the stage by storm to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and will undoubtedly make this year’s L.A. Pride in the Park an unforgettable experience.”

Last year’s L.A. Pride festivities culminated in a headlining Pride in the Park set from Christina Aguilera, which featured guest appearances from stars like Mya, Kim Petras and Paris Hilton. “I’m so proud to call you my family,” Xtina said during her set last year. “You are a part of me and I’m so happy to bring this to you.”

Tickets for 2023’s L.A. Pride in the Park are now available to purchase on the L.A.Pride website.