Yahritza y Su Esencia Among the Latinx Acts Named to Billboard’s 21 Under 21 List

Yahritza Martinez has proven she is one to watch…

The 15-year-old Mexican American singer and her brothers, who make up the act Yahritza y Su Esencia, have been named to Billboard’s 21 Under 21 list, Billboard’s annual celebration of some of the most exciting and successful young artists in the music industry including Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish and more.

Last month, Yahritza became the youngest Latin performer to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart with “Soy El Unico.”

To date, Yahritza and her brothers have notched 52.9 million streams.

But Yahritza y Su Esencia aren’t the only Latinx act to make this year’s list.

Eslabon Armado, consisting of Brian Tovar, Pedro Tovar, Ulises Gonzalez and Damian Fidel Pacheco, have released four consecutive chart-topping albums over the past two years — all of which hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums chart.

The band took a longer-than-usual break before releasing its latest album, Nostalgia, on May 5. During that time, the group added new members Gonzalez and Pacheco.

“Releasing back-to-back albums was good for our career, but we decided to take a break writing new music so that we could come back stronger,” the Mexican-American sierreño group says. “Our biggest challenge as young artists is staying relevant and creating music that connects with our fans.”

Ángela Aguilar is being heralded for logging 240.1 million streams in her young career.

The 18-year-old Mexican American singer, the daughter of Pepe Aguilar, says she “had been working with my parents’ record label all my life,” having signed to Machín Récords herself in 2012.

Nearly a decade later, in 2020, she scored her first No. 1 on Billboard’Regional Mexican Airplay chart with the Christian Nodal-assisted single “Dime Cómo Quieres.”

Aguilar says the biggest benefit of being a young artist is “the ability to DM someone about a collaboration.”

Earlier this year, she scored her second No. 1 on the chart with “Ahí Donde Me Ven.”

The Latin Grammy nominee is eager to explore acting, like her father has, and says some of his best career advice includes being “respectful of your craft and the public — to keep your roots well-embedded in your heart.”

Tiago PZK has notched 7.1 million streams.

The 20-year-old Argentine singer and rapper was only 6 years old when he discovered his passion for music, thanks to Daddy Yankee’s 2007 song “Impacto (Remix)” (featuring Fergie).

Tiago PZK (who also cites Justin Bieber as inspiration) has since created his own fusion of R&B, reggaetón and alternative rock, best heard on his five Billboard Global 200 hits: “Además de Mi,” “No Me Conocen,” “Entre Nosotros,” “Salimo de Noche” and “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 48.

In 2021, the artist born Tiago Uriel Pacheco signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Sony Music Publishing U.S. Latin and, this year, a record deal with Warner Music Latina (through a partnership with indie Grand Move Records). Looking ahead, he says he’s most excited to tour: “It will make me travel the world and strengthen me mentally.”

DannyLux has garnered 4.8 million streams.

The 18-year-old Chicano alt-rocker is a self-taught musician who hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Songwriters chart at just 17 years old thanks to his work on Eslabon Armado’s “Jugaste y Sufrí” (off the band’s third album, Corta Venas).

The sierreño artist has since signed a record deal with Warner Music Latina (in partnership with his indie label, VSP Music) and released his ultra-melancholic album, Perdido Sin Ti. He’s already working on new music because, as he says, consistency is key. “Since I’m young, I have so much time to grow up to be the best artist I can be,” he says, citing Bad Bunny’s career as an inspiration because “he never gave up.”

The Linda Lindas, comprised of Mila de la Garza, Eloise Wong, Lucia de la Garza and Bela Salazar, have logged 6.9 million streams.

The all-girl group broke out onto the scene with their viral hit “Racist, Sexist Boy,” which they performed live from the L.A. Public Library.

Luis Vazquez Named to Billboard’s 21 Under 21 List

Luis Vazquez is one of the young ones to watch…

The 15-year-old Puerto Rican salsa singer has been named to Billboard’s 21 Under 21 list, which features a mix of young chart-toppers, TikTok stars-turned-artists and on-the-verge breakout acts, among many more making waves in the industry right now.

Luis Vázquez

Vazquez kicked off his music career at just 5 years old, having joined the musical group Los Bravitos de la Plena, founded by his musician father in Puerto Rico.

By 2019, Vazquez was discovered by artist manager Andy Martinez, who signed him to his label, JAK Entertainment, with a 360 deal. Earlier this year, Vazquez, whose biggest inspiration is Victor Manuelle, released “Tu Fan,” an urban-infused salsa track that highlights his crisp, dulcet vocals. “Tu Fan” scored Vazquez his first No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart, making him the youngest soloist to arrive at the summit since the chart began in October 1994.

But Vazquez isn’t the only Latinx artist to make the list…

Lucia de la Garza, sister Mila de la Garza and their fellow The Linda Lindas members, Bela Salazar and Eloise Wong, have made the cut.

The Linda Lindas first played together in January 2018 (before they were officially a band) when Dum Dum Girls founder Kristin Kontrol had them accompany her at the Los Angeles Girlschool festival.

By April 2019, the Latinx and Asian American punk rockers had opened a one-off date for Bikini Kill. The group has since independently released its debut, self-titled EP; placed a synch in Amy Poehler’s February film Moxie; and in May — after going viral with its anti-intolerance hit “Racist, Sexist Boy” — sisters Lucia and Mila, cousin Eloise and friend Bela signed with Epitaph Records and made their late-night debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Pedro Tovar Jr.Brian Tovar and Ulises Vázquez are also celebrating their place on the list…

Together they form Eslabon Armado.

Just six months after the band’s third album, Corta Venas, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums chart in January, the teenage band from Patterson, Calif., landed another chart-topper on the tally with Tu Veneno Mortal, Vol. 2. The 12-track set was the act’s fourth No. 1 in less than 13 months. With new member Ulises Vázquez now in tow, the trio — which won top Latin album artist of the year, duo or group at the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards — doesn’t plan to slow down.

“I have a new strategy for the remainder of the year: release music when people expect it least,” reveals group member Pedro Tovar. “I want to have that element of surprise like other mainstream artists have done.”

For the complete 21 Under 21 list, click here.

A committee of Billboard editors and reporters weighed a variety of factors in determining the 2021 21 Under 21 list, including, but not limited to, impact on consumer behavior, measured by metrics such as album and track sales, streaming volume (listed here as each artist’s career global total to date), social media impressions and radio/TV audiences reached; career trajectory; and overall impact in the industry, specifically during the past 12 months. Where required, record-label market share was consulted using MRC Data market share for album plus track-equivalent and stream-equivalent album consumption units. Unless otherwise noted, MRC Data is the source for sales/streaming data.

Bad Bunny Leads Pack of Billboard Latin Music Awards Finalists with 22 Nominations

Bad Bunny is celebrating a banner year…

The 27-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton superstar leads the list of finalists for the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards – with a bullet!

Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny earned a whopping 22 nods in 13 categories, including artist of the year, songwriter of the year, Hot Latin Songs artist of the year, top Latin rhythm album and top Latin album of the year — with three of his releases up for awards.

It’s a stellar showing that caps an incredible year for Bad Bunny, who was able to place three albums — El Último Tour del Mundo, YHLQMDLG and Las Que No Iban a Salir — atop the Billboard charts during the eligibility period for the awards (Feb. 1, 2020, through the Aug. 7, 2021, charts).

Following Bad Bunny in the double digits is Maluma with 11 nods, including artist of the year and Hot Latin Songs artist of the year, with his global hit “Hawái” up for six awards, including airplay song of the year and Hot Latin Song of the year.

Other multi-finalists include J Balvin with nine nods, and Karol GAnuel AA and Black Eyed Peas with eight each.

Finalists and winners will be honored at the annual Billboard Latin Music Awards, which will broadcast live on Telemundo from the Watsco Center in Miami on Thursday, Sept. 23, and which will cover 59 categories across the major music genres of Latin pop, tropical, Latin rhythm and regional Mexican.

Balvin and Anuel AA are both up for artist of the year in a category that also includes fellow reggaetón star Ozuna, who is up for seven awards. Balvin also garnered four nods for “Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life),” the blockbuster track with Black Eyed Peas, who are also four-time finalists with “Ritmo.”

Fellow Colombian Karol G is a four-time finalist for her smash “Tusa” (with Nicki Minaj), while Anuel is up for Hot Latin Songs artist of the year and Top Latin Albums artist of the year, primarily on the strength of his sophomore album, Emmanuel.

But while urban music continued to drive the beat of Latin music, regional Mexican music wasn’t far behind, thanks to a new crop of acts who are revamping the genre’s sound and branding.

Leading the way is the group Eslabon Armado with seven nods that include three of their albums: Corta Venas, Tu Veneno Mortal and Vibras de Noche. They’re followed by Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga with four nods, including song of the year for “Que Maldición,” and Los Dos Carnales, who are up for three awards, including regional Mexican song of the year, where they compete against themselves with “El Envidioso” and “Cabrón y Vago.”

Beyond the growing strength of regional Mexican, another highly visible trend in this year’s list of finalists is mainstream music’s growing interest in Latin acts. The leaders of the pack are the Black Eyed Peas, whose album Translation featured mostly Latin acts, and which has two tracks, “Mamacita” and “Ritmo,” up for awards in addition to the Peas’ nod in the crossover artist of the year category. In addition, The Weeknd has seven nods on the strength of “Hawái,” his collaboration with Maluma; Minaj has six on the strength of “Tusa” alongside Karol G; and Snoop Dogg is a finalist for regional Mexican song of the year for “Que Maldición,” his collaboration with Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards were not immune to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligibility for the awards, whose finalists and eventual winners are based exclusively on performance on the Billboard charts, was extended from its usual one-year period to 18 months (from the rankings dated Feb. 1, 2020, through the Aug. 7, 2021, charts), as the 2020 awards were delayed by the pandemic.

And this year, given the pause in touring of the past 18 months, there is no touring category.

But there is a live awards show that will be broadcast once again on the Telemundo network at 8:00 pm ET and preceded by the red carpet one-hour preshow “La Alfombra de Premios Billboard.” The music special will also broadcast simultaneously on Spanish entertainment cable network Universo and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

 

BILLBOARD 2021 LATIN MUSIC AWARDS FINALISTAS

Artista del Año / Artist of the Year:

  • Anuel AA
  • Bad Bunny
  • J Balvin
  • Maluma
  • Ozuna

 Artista del Año, Debut / Artist of the Year, New:

  • Camilo
  • Eslabon Armado
  • Kali Uchis
  • Myke Towers
  • Rauw Alejandro

 Artista Crossover del Año / Crossover Artist of the Year:

  • Black Eyed Peas
  • Dua Lipa
  • Ne-Yo
  • Nicki Minaj
  • The Weeknd

SONG CATEGORIES 

“Hot Latin Song” Canción del Año / Hot Latin Song of the Year:

  • Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez, “Dákiti”
  • Black Eyed Peas & J Balvin, “Ritmo (Bad Boys For Life)”
  • Kali Uchis, “Telepatía”
  • Karol G & Nicki Minaj “Tusa”
  • Maluma & The Weeknd, “Hawái”

   “Hot Latin Song”, Colaboración Vocal del Año / Hot Latin Song of the Year, Vocal Event:

  • Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez, “Dákiti”
  • Bad Bunny & Rosalía, “La Noche De Anoche”
  • Black Eyed Peas & J Balvin, “Ritmo (Bad Boys For Life)”
  • Karol G & Nicki Minaj “Tusa”
  • Maluma & The Weeknd, “Hawái”

 “Hot Latin Songs” Artista del Año, Masculino / Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Male:

  • Anuel AA
  • Bad Bunny
  • J Balvin
  • Jhay Cortez
  • Maluma

“Hot Latin Songs” Artista del Año, Femenina / Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Female:

  • Kali Uchis
  • Karol G
  • Natti Natasha
  • Rosalía
  • Selena Gomez

 “Hot Latin Songs” Artista del Año, Dúo o Grupo / Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Duo or Group:

  • Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga
  • Calibre 50
  • Eslabon Armado
  • Grupo Firme
  • Los Dos Carnales

 “Hot Latin Songs” Sello Discográfico del Año / Hot Latin Songs Label of the Year:

  • Epic
  • Interscope
  • Rimas
  • Sony Music Latin
  • Universal Music Latin Entertainment

“Hot Latin Songs” Casa Disquera del Año / Hot Latin Songs Imprint of the Year:

  • Aura Music
  • Duars
  • Rimas
  • Sony Music Latin
  • Universal Music Latino

 Canción del Año, Airplay /Airplay Song of the Year:

  • Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez, “Dákiti”
  • Karol G & Nicki Minaj “Tusa”
  • Maluma & The Weeknd, “Hawái”
  • Ozuna, Karol G & Myke Towers, “Caramelo”
  • Prince Royce, “Carita de Inocente”

 Sello Discográfico del Año, Airplay / Airplay Label of the Year:

  • Remex
  • Rimas
  • Sony Music Latin
  • Universal Music Latin Entertainment
  • Warner Latina

 Casa Disquera del Año, Airplay / Airplay Imprint of the Year:

  • Aura
  • Fonovisa
  • Rimas
  • Sony Music Latin
  • Universal Music Latino

 Canción del Año, Ventas / Sales Song of the Year:

  • Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez, “Dákiti”
  • Black Eyed Peas & J Balvin, “Ritmo (Bad Boys For Life)”
  • Black Eyed Peas, Ozuna & J. Rey Soul “Mamacita”
  • Karol G & Nicki Minaj, “Tusa”
  • Maluma & The Weeknd, “Hawái”

 Canción del Año, Streaming / Streaming Song of the Year:

  • Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez, “Dákiti”
  • Bad Bunny “Yo Perreo Sola”
  • Bad Bunny, “Vete”
  • Bad Bunny, Jowell & Randy & Ñengo Flow, “Safaera”
  • Maluma & The Weeknd, “Hawái”

ALBUM CATEGORIES 

“Top Latin Album” del Año /Top Latin Album of the Year:

  • Anuel AA, Emmanuel
  • Bad Bunny, El Último Tour del Mundo
  • Bad Bunny, Las Que No Iban a Salir
  • Bad Bunny, YHLQMDLG
  • Maluma, Papi Juancho

 “Top Latin Albums” Artista del Año, Masculino / Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Male:

  • Anuel AA
  • Bad Bunny
  • J Balvin
  • Ozuna
  • Romeo Santos

 “Top Latin Albums” Artista del Año, Femenina / Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Female:

  • Becky G
  • Kali Uchis
  • Karol G
  • Selena Gomez
  • Shakira

 “Top Latin Albums” Artista del Año Dúo o Grupo / Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group:

  • Aventura
  • Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga
  • Black Eyed Peas
  • Eslabon Armado
  • Los Legendarios

 “Top Latin Albums” Sello Discográfico del Año / Top Latin Albums Label of the Year:

  • Glad Empire
  • Rancho Humilde
  • Rimas
  • Sony Music Latin
  • Universal Music Latin Entertainment

 “Top Latin Albums” Imprint del Año / Top Latin Albums Imprint of the Year:

  • Del
  • Real Hasta La Muerte
  • Rimas
  • Sony Music Latin
  • Universal Music Latin Entertainment


LATIN POP CATEGORIES
 

Artista “Latin Pop” del Año, Solista / Latin Pop Artist of the Year, Solo:

  • Camilo
  • Enrique Iglesias
  • Kali Uchis
  • Luis Fonsi
  • Shakira

Artista “Latin Pop” del Año, Dúo o Grupo /  Latin Pop Artist of the Year, Duo or Group:

  • CNCO
  • Maná
  • Mau y Ricky
  • Piso 21
  • Reik

 Canción “Latin Pop” del Año / Latin Pop Song of the Year:

  • Black Eyed Peas, Ozuna & J.Rey Soul “Mamacita”
  • Kali Uchis “Telepatía”
  • Reik, Farruko & Camilo “Si Me Dices Que Sí”
  • Sebastián Yatra, Rauw Alejandro & Manuel Turizo “TBT”
  • Shakira & Anuel AA “Me Gusta”

 “Latin Pop Airplay” Sello Discográfico del Año / Latin Pop Airplay Label of the Year:

  • Epic
  • Rimas
  • Sony Music Latin
  • Universal Music Latin Entertainment
  • Warner Latina

 “Latin Pop Airplay” Casa Disquera del Año / Latin Pop Airplay Imprint of the Year:

  • Real Hasta La Muerte
  • Rimas
  • Sony Music Latin
  • Universal Music Latino
  • WK

       Álbum “Latin Pop” del Año / Latin Pop Album of the Year

  • Camilo, Mis Manos
  • Camilo, Por Primera Vez
  • Kali Uchis, Sin Miedo (Del Amor y Otros Demonios)
  • Piso 21, El Amor En Los Tiempos del Perreo
  • Selena Gomez, Revelación

 “Latin Pop Albums” Sello Discográfico del Año /Latin Pop Albums Label of the Year:

  • Interscope Geffen A&M
  • Sony Music Latin
  • Thirty Tigers
  • Universal Music Latin Entertainment
  • Warner Latina

 “Latin Pop Albums” Casa Disquera del Año / Latin Pop Albums Imprint of the Year:

  • Capitol Latin
  • Hecho a Mano
  • Sony Music Latin
  • Universal Music Latino
  • Warner Latina

TROPICAL CATEGORIES 

Artista Tropical del Año, Solista / Tropical Artist of the Year, Solo:

  • Carlos Vives
  • Elvis Crespo
  • Marc Anthony
  • Prince Royce
  • Romeo Santos

 Artista Tropical del Año, Dúo o Grupo / Tropical Artist of the Year, Duo or Group:

  • Aventura
  • Gente de Zona
  • La Sonora Dinamita
  • Monchy & Alexandra
  • N’Klabe

        Canción Tropical del Año / Tropical Song of the Year:

  • Daddy Yankee & Marc Anthony, “De Vuelta Pa’ La Vuelta”
  • Marc Anthony, “Un Amor Eterno”
  • Nio García, Casper Mágico, Ozuna, Wisin & Yandel, Myke Towers & Flow La Movie, “Travesuras”
  • Prince Royce, “Carita de Inocente”
  • Prince Royce, “Lotería”

 “Tropical Airplay” Sello Discográfico del Año /Tropical Airplay Label of the Year:

  • El Cartel
  • LP
  • Pina
  • Sony Music Latin
  • Universal Music Latin Entertainment

 “Tropical Airplay” Casa Disquera del Año / Tropical Airplay Imprint of the Year:

  • El Cartel
  • Hecho a Mano
  • Pina
  • Sony Music Latin
  • WK

Álbum Tropical del Año / Tropical Albums of the Year:

  • El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, En Cuarentena
  • Frankie Ruiz, TheGreatest Salsa Ever, Vol. 1
  • Gloria Estefan, Brazil305
  • Prince Royce, Alter Ego
  • Sonora Ponceña, Hegemonía Musical

“Tropical Albums” Sello Discográfico del Año / Tropical Albums Label of the Year:

  • Discos Fuentes
  • Sony Music Latin
  • The Orchard
  • Universal Music Latin Entertainment
  • Zacarías Ferreira

 “Tropical Albums” Casa Disquera del Año / Tropical Albums Imprint of the Year:

  • Norte
  • Premium Latin
  • Sony Music Latin
  • The Orchard
  • Top Stop

REGIONAL MEXICAN CATEGORIES 

Artista Regional Mexicano del Año, Solista /Regional Mexican Artist of the Year, Solo:

  • Christian Nodal
  • El Fantasma
  • Junior H
  • Lenin Ramírez
  • Natanael Cano

 Artista Regional Mexicano del Año, Dúo o Grupo / Regional Mexican Artist of the Year, Duo or Group:

  • Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga
  • Calibre 50
  • Eslabon Armado
  • Los Ángeles Azules
  • Los Dos Carnales

 Canción Regional Mexicana del Año / Regional Mexican Song of the Year:

  • Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga & Snoop Dogg, “Que Maldición”
  • El Fantasma & Los Dos Carnales, “Cabrón y Vago”
  • Lenin Ramírez, featuring Grupo Firme, “Yo Ya No Vuelvo Contigo”
  • Los Dos Carnales, “El Envidioso”

“Regional Mexican Airplay” Sello Discográfico del Año / Regional Mexican Airplay Label of the Year:

  • Afinarte
  • Lizos
  • Remex
  • Sony Music Latin
  • Universal Music Latin Entertainment

 “Regional Mexican Airplay” Casa Disquera del Año / Regional Mexican Airplay Imprint of the Year:

  • Afinarte
  • Disa
  • Fonovisa
  • Lizos
  • Remex

 Álbum Regional Mexicano del Año / Regional Mexican Albums of the Year:

  • Christian Nodal, Ayayay!
  • Eslabon Armado, Corta Venas
  • Eslabon Armado, Tu Veneno Mortal
  • Eslabon Armado, Vibras de Noche
  • Junior H, Atrapado En Un Sueño

“Regional Mexican Albums” Sello Discográfico del Año /Regional Mexican Albums Label of the Year:

  • Afinarte
  • DEL
  • Rancho Humilde
  • Sony Music Latin
  • Universal Music Latin Entertainment

 “Regional Mexican Albums” Casa Disquera del Año / Regional Mexican Albums Imprint of the Year:

  • Afinarte
  • DEL
  • Fonovisa
  • Lizos
  • Rancho Humilde

LATIN RHYTHM CATEGORIES  

Artista “Latin Rhythm” del Año, solista / Latin Rhythm Artist of the Year, Solo:

  • Anuel AA
  • Bad Bunny
  • J Balvin
  • Maluma
  • Ozuna

 Artista “Latin Rhythm” del Año, Dúo o Grupo / Latin Rhythm Artist of the Year, Duo or Group:

  • Jowell & Randy
  • Los Legendarios
  • Play-N-Skillz
  • Wisin & Yandel
  • Zion & Lennox

 Canción “Latin Rhythm” del Año Latin / Rhythm Song of the Year:

  • Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez, “Dákiti”
  • Bad Bunny “Yo Perreo Sola”
  • Black Eyed Peas & J Balvin, “Ritmo (Bad Boys For Life)”
  • Karol G & Nicki Minaj “Tusa”
  • Maluma & The Weeknd, “Hawái”

“Latin Rhythm Airplay” Sello Discográfico del Año /Latin Rhythm Airplay Label of the Year:

  • Glad Empire
  • Rimas
  • Sony Music Latin
  • Universal Music Latin Entertainment
  • Warner Latina

“Latin Rhythm Airplay” Casa Disquera del Año /Latin Rhythm Airplay Imprint of the Year:

  • Aura
  • La Industria
  • Rimas
  • Sony Music Latin
  • Universal Music Latino

 Álbum “Latin Rhythm” del Año / Latin Rhythm Album of the Year:

  • Anuel AA, Emmanuel
  • Bad Bunny, El Último Tour del Mundo
  • Bad Bunny, Las Que No Iban a Salir
  • Bad Bunny, YHLQMDLG
  • Maluma, Papi Juancho

“Latin Rhythm Albums” Sello Discográfico del Año /Latin Rhythm Albums Label of the Year:

  • Glad Empire
  • Rich
  • Rimas
  • Sony Music Latin
  • Universal Music Latin Entertainment

 “Latin Rhythm Albums” Casa Disquera del Año /Latin Rhythm Albums Imprint of the Year:

  • Aura
  • Real Hasta La Muerte
  • Rimas
  • Sony Music Latin
  • Universal Music Latino

WRITERS/PRODUCERS/PUBLISHERS CATEGORIES 

Compositor del Año / Songwriter of the Year:

  • Anuel AA
  • Bad Bunny
  • Edgar ‘Edge’ Barrera
  • J Balvin
  • Tainy

 Editora del Año / Publisher of the Year:

  • RSM Publishing, ASCAP
  • Sony Discos Music Publishing LLC, ASCAP
  • Universal Music Corp, ASCAP
  • WC Music Corp, ASCAP

    Corporación Editora del Año / Publishing Corporation of the Year:

  • Kobalt Music
  • RSM Publishing
  • Sony Music Publishing
  • Universal Music
  • Warner Chappell Music

 Productor del Año / Producer of the Year:

  • Mora
  • Ovy On The Drums
  • Sky Rompiendo
  • Súbelo Neo
  • Tainy

Eslabon Armado Earns Fourth No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums Chart with “Tu Veneno Mortal, Vol. 2”

It’s another No. 1 for Eslabon Armado

Six months after the Regional Mexican group’s Corta Venas debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums chart, the band takes the lead again as its latest effort, Tu Veneno Mortal, Vol. 2, debuts at No. 1 on the July 10-dated survey.

Eslabon Armado

It’s the act’s fourth No. 1 total, and all have come in less than 13 months.

The new 12-track set is the second volume of Tu Veneo Mortalthe debut albums of the then-trio, which topped the tally for eight weeks in 2020. Eslabon Armado is now comprised of brothers Pedro and Brian Tovar after Gabriel Hidalgo exited the group.

Tu Veneno Mortal, Vol. 2 starts with 8,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending July 1, according to MRC Data. Nearly all the set’s opening sum derives from streaming activity. That is 12.5 million U.S. on-demand streams for the tracks on the album.

As Tu Veneno Mortal, Vol. 2 arrives at No. 1, it earns Eslabon Armado a career milestone. The duo becomes the first Latin act to debut two albums at No. 1 in 2021 on any of the five Latin albums charts.

In 2020, Bad Bunny pulled three No. 1 debuts: on the Latin Rhythm Albums chart, with YHLQMDLG (March 14, 2020), Las Que No Iban a Salir (May 3, 2020) and El Último Tour del Mundo (Dec. 12, 2020).

Tu Veneno Mortal, Vol. 2 is Eslabon Armado’s third No. 1 debut in less than 12 months on Regional Mexican Albums, as the act also opened atop the list with Vibras de Noche on the Aug. 1, 2020-dated chart. Their first No. 1, Tu Veneno Mortal, debuted at No. 2 before climbing to No. 1 last June.

With 8,000 equivalent album units, Eslabon Armado earns the second-biggest week in terms of overall units in 2021 for a regional Mexican album. Who did it first? Well, the group itself, when Corta Venas arrived at the summit with 21,000 units (chart dated Jan. 2).

As Vol. 2 launches at No. 1, it dethrones Natanael Cano’s A Los 20 from its four-week coronation. It concurrently earns the Tovar brothers four successive champs. Here is the recap:

Title, Debut/ Peak Date/ Weeks at No. 1

Tu Veneno Mortal, June 13, 2020, eight weeks
Vibras de Noche, August 1, 2020, 11 weeks
Corta Venas, Jan, 2, 17 weeks
Tu Veneno Mortal, Vol. 2, July 10

With Vol. 2’s entrance on Regional Mexican Albums, Eslabon Armado places a total of four simultaneous titles on the list, the most since Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga had as many in September 2020.

Two Vol. 2’s songs debut on Hot Latin Songs on the strength of streaming activity: “Regresa Mami” at No. 25 and “No Dudes de Ti” at No. 45. The tally encapsulates airplay, streaming data and digital sales. Among both, the group registered 3.8 million U.S. clicks in the week ending July 1.

Elsewhere on the charts, Vol. 2 concurrently bows at No. 5 on Top Latin Albums and at No. 132 on the overall Billboard 200 chart.

Bad Bunny: The Top Latinx Winner at the Billboard Music Awards

Bad Bunny is celebrating a memorable night…

The 27-year-old Puerto Rican superstar took home four awards at Sunday’s Billboard Music Awards, the most of any Latinx artist.

Bad Bunny W Magazine Cover

Bad Bunny collected the awards Top Latin Artist, Top Latin Male Artist, Top Latin Song (“Dákiti“) and Top Latin Album (YHLQMDLG).

Bad Bunny, who performed “Te Deseo Lo Mejor” after accepting his Top Latin Artist award, presented by Lena Waithe, holds the record for the most top 40 hits on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart with 104. He also holds the record for the most hits in total on that chart: 111. His chart-topping YHLQMDLG won him his first Grammy on March 14, when it was named Best Latin Pop or Urban Album.

In the Top Latin Artist category at the BBMAs, Bad Bunny was up against Anuel AA, J Balvin, Maluma and Ozuna.

“I share this [award] with all of my colleagues nominated who are doing big things for the genre,” he said in Spanish during his speech.

El Conejo Malo wasn’t the only one representing Latin music at the BBMAs. Colombian hitmaker Karol G also took center stage performing “Bichota” and “El Makinon” after being announced winner of the Top Latin Female Artist award, beating out Becky G and Rosalía.

Karol G, whose most recent album KG0516 debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart, becoming her first No. 1 on that list, has amassed 25 hits on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, including three No. 1s. She has had 10 No. 1s on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart.

She performed a medley of her hits “Bichota” and “El Makinon,” both from her latest album KG0516. She also flaunted her “next level” dance moves that she rehearsed “very hard” for, as she told Billboard’s Leila Cobo.

“I’m happy and I’m nervous,” she said ahead of her big night. “A lot of power…with this performance, I want to express that I feel like a woman and a business girl. I feel so happy and grateful for everything that’s happening in my career and my life, and to have the opportunity to inspire girls all over the world.”

Finally, representing the Regional Mexican realm, Eslabon Armado took home the Top Latin Duo/Group award. The teenage trio was up against Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga and Los Dos Carnales in that category.

Known for their sierreño ballads, Eslabon Armado – comprised of brothers Pedro (lead vocalist) and Brian Tovar (bass and bajoloche), along with friend Gabriel Hidalgo (harmony and background vocals) – scored three consecutive chart-topping albums in 2020: Tu Veneno MortalVibras de Noche and Corta Venas.

“Always grateful to God, our parents, our label and our fans,” Eslabon Armado posted on their social media after they won the award. “This award is for all of you.”

Hosted by Nick Jonas, the ceremony also honored P!nk as the Icon, Drake as the artist of the decade and Trae Tha Truth as the Change Maker.

Here’s the full list of winners:

Top Artist: The Weeknd
Top New Artist: Pop Smoke
Top Male Artist: The Weeknd
Top Female Artist: Taylor Swift
Top Duo/Group: BTS
Top Billboard 200 Artist: Taylor Swift
Top Hot 100 Artist: The Weeknd
Top Streaming Songs Artist: Drake
Top Song Sales Artist
: BTS
Top Radio Songs Artist:
The Weeknd
Top Social Artist (Fan Voted): BTS
Top R&B Artist:
The Weeknd
Top R&B Male Artist: The Weeknd
Top R&B Female Artist
: Doja Cat
Top Rap Artist: Pop Smoke
Top Rap Male Artist: Pop Smoke
Top Rap Female Artist: Megan Thee Stallion
Top Country Artist: Morgan Wallen
Top Country Male Artist: Morgan Wallen
Top Country Female Artist: Gabby Barrett
Top Country Duo/Group: Florida Georgia Line
Top Rock Artist: Machine Gun Kelly
Top Latin Artist: Bad Bunny
Top Latin Male Artist: Bad Bunny
Top Latin Female Artist
: Karol G
Top Latin Duo/Group: Eslabón Armado
Top Dance/Electronic Artist
: Lady Gaga
Top Christian Artist
: Elevation Worship
Top Gospel Artist
: Kanye West
Top Billboard 200 Album: Pop Smoke, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon
Top R&B Album: The Weeknd, After Hours
Top Rap Album: Pop Smoke, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon
Top Country Album: Morgan Wallen, Dangerous: The Double Album
Top Rock Album: Machine Gun Kelly, Tickets to My Downfall 
Top Latin Album: Bad Bunny, YHLQMDLG 
Top Dance/Electronic Album
: Lady Gaga, Chromatica 
Top Christian Album: Carrie Underwood, My Gift
Top Gospel Album: Maverick City Music, Maverick City Vol. 3 Part 1 
Top Hot 100 Song: The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights”
Top Streaming Song: DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch, “ROCKSTAR”
Top Selling Song: BTS, “Dynamite”
Top Radio Song: The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights”
Top Collaboration (Fan Voted): Gabby Barrett ft. Charlie Puth, “I Hope”
Top R&B Song: The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights”
Top Rap Song: DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch, “ROCKSTAR”
Top Country Song: Gabby Barrett, “I Hope”
Top Rock Song: AJR, “Bang!”
Top Latin Song
: Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez, “Dákiti”
Top Dance/Electronic Song: SAINt JHN, “Roses (Imanbek Remix)”
Top Christian Song: Elevation Worship ft. Brandon Lake, “Graves Into Gardens”
Top Gospel Song: Kanye West ft. Travis Scott, “Wash Us In The Blood”

Eslabon Armado’s “Corta Venas” Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums Chart

Make that three chart-toppers for Eslabon Armado.

The California trio claims its third No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums chart as Corta Venas debuts atop the list dated January 2, 2021.

Eslabon Armado

The latest chart reflects sales and streaming data compiled in the week ending December 24, 2020.

The trio’s third studio album concurrently arrives at No. 2 on the Top Latin Albums chart, becoming just the fourth regional Mexican effort to open in the top two on the all-Latin genre chart.

Corta Venas is my favorite album because I feel all songs are good and reflective,” says Pedro Tovar, lead singer of the group. “This album is different because it has a variety of flows I would say that it is a combination of my two previous albums.”

Tovar composed 22 of the 24 tracks of the set.

Corta Venas was released on December 18 via Del Records. It earns 2020’s second-biggest week for a regional Mexican album in terms of overall units. It comes close to Eslabon Armado’s own Vibras de Noche which started with 2020’s largest week for a regional Mexican set: 23,000 equivalent album units.

Regional Mexican Albums ranks the most popular regional Mexican albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units. Units comprise traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).

In terms of streaming data, Corta Venas also takes the second-biggest streaming week for a regional Mexican album in 2020.

The set bows with 20,000 SEA, which equates to 31.6 million on-demand streams generated by the songs on the album. The group’s own Vibras de Noche spawned 32 million on-demand streams (chart dated August 1).

As Corta Venas arrives, all three of Eslabon’s albums grab a spot on Regional Mexican Album’s top five: the new album at No. 1, Tu Veneno Mortal at No. 3 and Vibras de Noche at No. 4. It’s the only group to place three simultaneous titles in the same chart week in 2020.

“We feel more than happy to be back at No. 1. Thank you to the fans, God, my family and the Del Records company that supports and trusts my ideas,” Tovar says.

Four cuts off the set arrive on the Hot Latin Songs chart, including one top 10. Here’s a rundown of Eslabon’s new arrivals to the list:

No. 10, “Ando Más Que Mal
No. 26, “La Mejor De Todas”
No. 28, “Mi Historia Entre Tus Dedos”
No. 47, “El Tiempo Nos Cambió”

Beyond its No. 1 start on Regional Mexican Albums and its No. 2 arrival on Top Latin Albums, Corta Venas also secures the trio their second entry on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, with a No. 56 debut.