J Balvin Leads Pack of Premio Lo Nuestro Nominees with 14

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

J Balvin is the man to beat…

Univision has announced the 2021 Premio Lo Nuestro nominees, with the 35-year-old Colombian urbano singer leading the pack with 14 nominations.

Balvin, who has previously collected 13 Premios Lo Nuestro trophies, is up for Artist of the Year, an award he’s previously claimed three times.

He’s also up for Album of the Year for Colores.

Maluma follows with 12 noms, Camilo with 10, and Ozuna with eight.

Anuel, Bad Bunny, Karol G, Natti Natasha, Sebastian Yatra, and Sech continue with seven nominations each.

This year, four new categories have been added including album of the year in pop, album of the year in urban, album of the year in Mexican Regional, and cumbia song of the year. A total of 147 artists are nominated in 34 music categories that honor the pop, urban, tropical and regional Mexican genres.

Celebrating music, resilience, and hope, the 33rd edition of the coveted awards show will also feature musical debuts, exclusive collaborations, and special tributes that will connect the community with music.

The 2021 Premio Lo Nuestro will air live starting at 7:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 18 from Miami’s AmericanAirlines Arena via Univision.

Here’s the complete nominations:

Premio Lo Nuestro Artist Of The Year
1. ALEJANDRO FERNÁNDEZ
2. BAD BUNNY
3. CAMILO
4. CHRISTIAN NODAL
5. J BALVIN
6. KAROL G
7. MALUMA
8. NATTI NATASHA
9. OZUNA
10. SEBASTIÁN YATRA

Album Of The Year
1. ALTER EGO – PRINCE ROYCE
2. AYAYAY! – CHRISTIAN NODAL
3. COLORES – J BALVIN
4. DE BUENOS AIRES PARA EL MUNDO – LOS ÁNGELES AZULES
5. GUÁRDAME ESTA NOCHE – EL FANTASMA
6. HECHO EN MÉXICO – ALEJANDRO FERNÁNDEZ
7. MÁS CARO, QUE AYER – GERARDO ORTIZ
8. MÁS FUTURO QUE PASADO – JUANES
9. PAPI JUANCHO – MALUMA
10. YHLQMDLG – BAD BUNNY

Song Of The Year
1. ADMV – MALUMA
2. BONITA – JUANES & SEBASTIÁN YATRA
3. CARITA DE INOCENTE – PRINCE ROYCE
4. FANTASÍA – OZUNA
5. FAVORITO – CAMILO
6. KEII – ANUEL
7. LA MEJOR VERSIÓN DE MI (REMIX) – NATTI NATASHA & ROMEO SANTOS
8. MORADO – J BALVIN
9. SÓLO TÚ – CALIBRE 50
10. TUSA – KAROL G & NICKI MINAJ

New Artist Female
1. CHESCA
2. EMILIA
3. NATHY PELUSO
4. NICKI NICOLE
5. YENNIS

New Artist Male
1. CAMILO
2. JAY WHEELER
3. NATANAEL CANO
4. NETO BERNAL
5. RAUW ALEJANDRO

Remix Of The Year
1. CARAMELO (Remix) – OZUNA, KAROL G & MYKE TOWERS
2. DJ NO PARE (Remix) – JUSTIN QUILES, NATTI NATASHA, FARRUKO FT. ZION, DALEX & LENNY TAVÁREZ
3. HAWÁI (Remix) – MALUMA & THE WEEKND
4. LA CAMA (Remix) – LUNAY, MYKE TOWERS, OZUNA, CHENCHO CORLEONE & RAUW ALEJANDRO
5. LA JEEPETA (Remix) – NIO GARCIA, ANUEL, MYKE TOWERS, BRRAY & JUANKA
6. LA MEJOR VERSIÓN DE MI (Remix) – NATTI NATASHA & ROMEO SANTOS
7. PORFA (Remix) – FEID, JUSTIN QUILES, J BALVIN FT. MALUMA, NICKY JAM & SECH
8. RELACIÓN (Remix) – SECH, DADDY YANKEE, J BALVIN FT. ROSALÍA & FARRUKO
9. TATTOO (Remix) – RAUW ALEJANDRO & CAMILO
10. YO NO SÉ (Remix) – MATI GÓMEZ, NICKY JAM & REIK

“Crossover” Collaboration Of The Year
1. HAWÁI (Remix) – MALUMA & THE WEEKND
2. MAMACITA – BLACK EYED PEAS, OZUNA & J. REY SOUL
3. ME GUSTA – ANITTA, CARDI B & MYKE TOWERS
4. ME QUEDARÉ CONTIGO – PITBULL & NE-YO FT. LENIER & EL MICHA
5. QUÉ MALDICIÓN – BANDA MS DE SERGIO LIZÁRRAGA & SNOOP DOGG
6. RITMO (BAD BOYS FOR LIFE) – BLACK EYED PEAS & J BALVIN
7. SUBELO (FURTHER UP) – STATIC & BEN EL, PITBULL & CHESCA
8. TKN – ROSALÍA & TRAVIS SCOTT
9. TUSA – KAROL G & NICKI MINAJ
10. UN DÍA (ONE DAY) – J BALVIN, DUA LIPA, BAD BUNNY FT. TAINY

Video Of The Year
1. BOOGALOO SUPREME – VÍCTOR MANUELLE & WISIN
2. CUANDO ESTÉS AQUÍ – PABLO ALBORÁN
3. DESPUÉS DE TODO – YORDANO
4. EN CANTOS – ILE & NATALIA LAFOURCADE
5. FOR SALE – CARLOS VIVES & ALEJANDRO SANZ
6. GIRASOLES – LUIS FONSI
7. MALA VIDA – NICKI NICOLE
8. PECADOR – RESIDENTE
9. QUÉ LÁSTIMA – CHOCQUIBTOWN & SECH
10. TKN – ROSALÍA & TRAVIS SCOTT

Lali, Carin León & More Latin Artists Share Their New Year’s Resolutions For 2021

Pop – Artist Of The Year
1. CAMILO
2. CARLOS RIVERA
3. ENRIQUE IGLESIAS
4. JENNIFER LOPEZ
5. JUANES
6. KANY GARCÍA
7. PEDRO CAPÓ
8. RICKY MARTIN
9. SEBASTIÁN YATRA
10. SHAKIRA

Pop- Song Of The Year
1. ADMV – MALUMA
2. BONITA – JUANES & SEBASTIÁN YATRA
3. BUENA SUERTE – PEDRO CAPÓ
4. FAVORITO – CAMILO
5. NO HA PARADO DE LLOVER – MANÁ & SEBASTIÁN YATRA
6. PERDIENDO LA CABEZA – CARLOS RIVERA, BECKY G & PEDRO CAPÓ
7. SI ME DICES QUE SÍ – REIK, FARRUKO & CAMILO
8. TABÚ – PABLO ALBORÁN & AVA MAX
9. TANTO – JESSE & JOY & LUIS FONSI
10. TIBURONES – RICKY MARTIN

Pop – Collaboration Of The Year
1. BONITA – JUANES & SEBASTIÁN YATRA
2. COMO ASÍ – LALI FT. CNCO
3. EL CIEGO – MELENDI & CALI Y EL DANDEE
4. FOR SALE – CARLOS VIVES & ALEJANDRO SANZ
5. MUCHACHA – GENTE DE ZONA & BECKY G
6. PERDIENDO LA CABEZA – CARLOS RIVERA, BECKY G & PEDRO CAPÓ
7. SI ME DICES QUE SÍ – REIK, FARRUKO & CAMILO
8. TABÚ – PABLO ALBORÁN & AVA MAX
9. TANTO – JESSE & JOY & LUIS FONSI
10. UNA MENTIRA MÁS – YURI & NATALIA JIMÉNEZ

Pop – Group or Duo Of The Year
1. CALI Y EL DANDEE
2. CNCO
3. JESSE & JOY
4. MAU Y RICKY
5. REIK

Pop – Album Of The Year
1. AIRE – JESSE & JOY
2. BLANCO – RICARDO ARJONA
3. COLEGIO – CALI Y EL DANDEE
4. MÁS FUTURO QUE PASADO – JUANES
5. MESA PARA DOS – KANY GARCÍA
6. MUNAY – PEDRO CAPÓ
7. PAUSA – RICKY MARTIN
8. POR PRIMERA VEZ – CAMILO
9. QUE QUIÉNES SOMOS – CNCO
10. 20–21 – REIK

Pop/Ballad – Song Of The Year
1. ADMV – MALUMA
2. HONGOS – RICARDO ARJONA
3. LO QUE EN TI VEO – KANY GARCÍA & NAHUEL PENNISI
4. TE ADORARÉ – RICARDO MONTANER
5. UNA MENTIRA MÁS – YURI & NATALIA JIMÉNEZ

Urban – Female Artist Of The Year
1. ANITTA
2. BECKY G
3. CAZZU
4. IVY QUEEN
5. KAROL G
6. NATTI NATASHA
7. PALOMA MAMI
8. ROSALÍA

Urban – Male Artist Of The Year
1. ANUEL
2. BAD BUNNY
3. DADDY YANKEE
4. FARRUKO
5. J BALVIN
6. MALUMA
7. OZUNA
8. SECH

Urban – Song Of The Year
1. FANTASÍA – OZUNA
2. HAWÁI – MALUMA
3. KEII – ANUEL
4. LA DIFÍCIL – BAD BUNNY
5. MORADO – J BALVIN
6. MUÉVELO – NICKY JAM & DADDY YANKEE
7. QUE TIRE PA LANTE – DADDY YANKEE
8. RITMO (BAD BOYS FOR LIFE) – BLACK EYED PEAS & J BALVIN
9. SIGUES CON ÉL – ARCÁNGEL & SECH
10. TUSA – KAROL G & NICKI MINAJ

Urban – Collaboration Of The Year
1. MUÉVELO – NICKY JAM & DADDY YANKEE
2. QUÉ PENA – MALUMA & J BALVIN
3. RITMO (BAD BOYS FOR LIFE) – BLACK EYED PEAS & J BALVIN
4. SIGUES CON ÉL – ARCÁNGEL & SECH
5. TUSA – KAROL G & NICKI MINAJ

Urban – Album Of The Year
1. 1 OF 1 – SECH
2. COLORES – J BALVIN
3. NIBIRU – OZUNA
4. PAPI JUANCHO – MALUMA
5. YHLQMDLG – BAD BUNNY

Urban/Pop – Song Of The Year
1. HONEY BOO – CNCO & NATTI NATASHA
2. ME GUSTA – SHAKIRA & ANUEL
3. ME QUEDARÉ CONTIGO – PITBULL & NE-YO FT. LENIER & EL MICHA
4. SI ME DICES QUE SÍ – REIK, FARRUKO & CAMILO
5. TBT – SEBASTIÁN YATRA, RAUW ALEJANDRO & MANUEL TURIZO

Urban/Trap – Song Of The Year
1. BOUNCE – CAZZU
2. GAN-GA – BRYANT MYERS
3. MEDUSA – JHAY CORTEZ, ANUEL & J BALVIN
4. NO ME AME – RVSSIAN, ANUEL & JUICE WRLD
5. VETE – BAD BUNNY

Tropical – Artist Of The Year
1. CARLOS VIVES
2. GENTE DE ZONA
3. GILBERTO SANTA ROSA
4. JUAN LUIS GUERRA
5. MARC ANTHONY
6. PRINCE ROYCE
7. ROMEO SANTOS
8. SILVESTRE DANGOND
9. VÍCTOR MANUELLE
10. WILLIE COLÓN

Tropical – Song Of The Year
1. BOOGALOO SUPREME – VÍCTOR MANUELLE & WISIN
2. CARITA DE INOCENTE – PRINCE ROYCE
3. EL CARNAVAL DE CELIA: A TRIBUTE – KYEN?ES?
4. LA MEJOR VERSIÓN DE MI – NATTI NATASHA & ROMEO SANTOS
5. LÁMPARA PA’ MIS PIES – JUAN LUIS GUERRA
6. LO QUE TE DI – MARC ANTHONY
7. NO TE VAYAS – CARLOS VIVES
8. PA’LANTE Y PA’TRAS – N’KLABE, LA TRIBU DE ABRANTE & FARINA
9. PERRIANDO (LA MURGA REMIX) – REYKON FT. WILLIE COLÓN
10. VALLENATO APRETAO – SILVESTRE DANGOND

Tropical – Collaboration Of The Year
1. BOOGALOO SUPREME – VÍCTOR MANUELLE & WISIN
2. CANCIÓN PARA RUBÉN – CARLOS VIVES & RUBÉN BLADES
3. CARTAGENA – FONSECA & SILVESTRE DANGOND
4. IMAGINARME SIN TI – ELVIS CRESPO & MANNY CRUZ
5. LA FAMILIA – GILBERTO SANTA ROSA & TITO NIEVES
6. MI CORAZÓN ES TUYO – OLGA TAÑÓN & MANNY MANUEL
7. NUESTRO AMOR – ALEX BUENO & ROMEO SANTOS
8. PA’LANTE Y PA’TRAS – N’KLABE, LA TRIBU DE ABRANTE & FARINA
9. PERRIANDO (LA MURGA REMIX) – REYKON FT. WILLIE COLÓN
10. VALLENATO APRETAO – SILVESTRE DANGOND FT. ZION Y LENNOX

Residente, Anuel, Bad Bunny & More Latin Artists Who Penned Ultra-Personal Songs

Regional Mexican – Artist Of The Year
1. ALEJANDRO FERNÁNDEZ
2. CARIN LEÓN
3. CHIQUIS
4. CHRISTIAN NODAL
5. EL FANTASMA
6. GERARDO ORTIZ
7. JOSS FAVELA
8. LENIN RAMÍREZ
9. NATANAEL CANO
10. NETO BERNAL

Regional Mexican – Song Of The Year
1. AMOR TUMBADO – NATANAEL CANO
2. CABALLERO – ALEJANDRO FERNÁNDEZ
3. DORMIDA – EDWIN LUNA Y LA TRAKALOSA DE MONTERREY
4. EN ESO NO QUEDAMOS – BANDA LOS SEBASTIANES
5. ESCONDIDOS – LA ADICTIVA BANDA SAN JOSÉ DE MESILLAS
6. OTRA BORRACHERA – GERARDO ORTIZ
7. SE ME OLVIDÓ – CHRISTIAN NODAL
8. SI QUIERES – NETO BERNAL & CAROLINA ROSS
9. SÓLO TÚ – CALIBRE 50
10. YO YA NO VUELVO CONTIGO (EN VIVO) – LENIN RAMÍREZ FT. GRUPO FIRME

Regional Mexican – Collaboration Of The Year
1. NO ES QUE ME GUSTES – LUIS CORONEL & LA SÉPTIMA BANDA
2. QUÉ MALDICIÓN – BANDA MS DE SERGIO LIZÁRRAGA & SNOOP DOGG
3. SI QUIERES – NETO BERNAL & CAROLINA ROSS
4. Y LA HICE LLORAR – LOS ÁNGELES AZULES FT. ABEL PINTOS
5. YO YA NO VUELVO CONTIGO (EN VIVO) – LENIN RAMÍREZ FT. GRUPO FIRME

Regional Mexican – Group or Duo Of The Year
1. BANDA MS DE SERGIO LIZÁRRAGA
2. CALIBRE 50
3. EDWIN LUNA Y LA TRAKALOSA DE MONTERREY
4. GRUPO FIRME
5. LOS ÁNGELES AZULES

Regional Mexican – Sierreña Song Of The Year
1. CON TUS BESOS – ESLABON ARMADO
2. EL GÜERO – MARCA MP
3. EL MUCHACHO ALEGRE – FUERZA REGIDA
4. EN BOCA DE TODOS – T3R ELEMENTO
5. TÚ – CARIN LEÓN

Regional Mexican – Banda Song Of The Year
1. DORMIDA – EDWIN LUNA Y LA TRAKALOSA DE MONTERREY
2. EN ESO NO QUEDAMOS – BANDA LOS SEBASTIANES
3. ESCONDIDOS – LA ADICTIVA BANDA SAN JOSÉ DE MESILLAS
4. ESTA VEZ SOY YO – BANDA CARNAVAL
5. YO YA NO VUELVO CONTIGO (EN VIVO) – LENIN RAMÍREZ FT. GRUPO FIRME

Regional Mexican – Norteño Song Of The Year
1. EL ENVIDIOSO – LOS DOS CARNALES
2. EN HONOR A TI – LA MAQUINARIA NORTEÑA FT. GRUPO FIRME
3. MÁS TE RECUERDO – JULIÓN ÁLVAREZ
4. OTRA BORRACHERA – GERARDO ORTIZ
5. SÓLO TÚ – CALIBRE 50

Regional Mexican – Mariachi/Ranchera Song Of The Year
1. CABALLERO – ALEJANDRO FERNÁNDEZ
2. CLARO Y OBVIO – JOSS FAVELA
3. DILE – JARY FRANCO
4. SE ME OLVIDÓ – CHRISTIAN NODAL
5. SI QUIERES – NETO BERNAL & CAROLINA ROSS

Regional Mexican – Cumbia Song Of The Year
1. ACARÍÑAME – LOS ÁNGELES AZULES, JULIETA VENEGAS & JUAN INGARAMO
2. TE EXTRAÑO, TE OLVIDO, TE AMO – LOS SOCIOS DEL RITMO & CHIQUIS
3. TE METISTE – LOS ÁNGELES DE CHARLY
4. TÚ Y YO – RAYMIX & PAULINA RUBIO
5. Y LA HICE LLORAR – LOS ÁNGELES AZULES FT. ABEL PINTOS

Regional Mexican – Album Of The Year
1. AYAYAY! – CHRISTIAN NODAL
2. DE BUENOS AIRES PARA EL MUNDO – LOS ÁNGELES AZULES
3. EL TRABAJO ES LA SUERTE – BANDA MS DE SERGIO LIZÁRRAGA
4. EN VIVO DESDE ANAHEIM, CA – GRUPO FIRME
5. GUÁRDAME ESTA NOCHE – EL FANTASMA
6. HECHO EN MÉXICO – ALEJANDRO FERNÁNDEZ
7. LABIOS MENTIROSOS – LA ARROLLADORA BANDA EL LIMÓN DE RENE CAMACHO
8. MÁS CARO, QUE AYER – GERARDO ORTIZ
9. PORQUE ASÍ TENÍA QUE SER – BANDA CARNAVAL
10. SIMPLEMENTE GRACIAS – CALIBRE 50

Camilo Teams Up with El Alfa for New Bachata-fied Single “Bebé”

Posted on November 28, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Camilo is getting into the bachata business…

On the heels of his playful cumbia, “Vida de Rico,” the 26-year-old Colombian singer, whose full name is Camilo Echeverry, has released a savory bachata single dubbed “Bebé.”

For his new single, the Latin Grammy-winning artist joined voices with El Alfa, one of the Dominican Republic’s biggest artists, to bring this fresh tune to life.

The melody fuses traditional guitar riffs found in bachata with a hint of urban.

“I approach music from my imagination, from what my heart asks of me, and right now what it wants is to dance with someone really close,” Camilo expressed.

“‘Bebe’ is a tribute to the sound that represents this song with the special affection I feel for the Dominican Republic, a country I love with all my heart.”

Co-directed by Evaluna Montaner and Cristian Saumeth, the music video was filmed in Samaná, Las Galeras, and Las Terrenas in the Dominican Republic.

Camilo picked up his first-ever Grammy nomination earlier this week.

Danna Paola Teams Up with Luisa Sonza & Aitana for New Single “Friend de Semana”

Posted on November 1, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Danna Paola is makin’ new friend with benefits…

The 25-year-old Mexican singer/actress has joined voices with two of Latin music’s hottest up-and-coming artists for her new single “Friend de Semana.”

In collaboration with Brazil’s Luisa Sonza and Spain’s Aitana, Danna Paola dropped the playful and catchy reggaeton-meets-cumbia track perfect for any friends with benefits.

“Quiero bailar contigo este fin de semana / I just wanna see you pa’ matar la’ gana’ / Ya sabes que te toca entrar por la ventana / Tú no te aguantas, tú no te aguantas,” the powerhouses sing in the flirtatious lyrics.

Directed by Charlie Nelson in different parts of a school, the music video offers up major Elite vibes.

Raymix Releases New Electrocumbia Single “Llámame”

Posted on August 29, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Raymix is feelin’ some kind of way…

The 29-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter has released his new single “Llámame,” a playful electrocumbia track that finds him experiencing a roller coaster of emotions while out with a group of friends.

In “Llámame,” released along with a music video, Raymix is crushing hard on his friend and wondering if he’s feeling the same. The story’s unexpected twist will keep you on the edge of your seat so you’ll have to watch until the very end.

The video was filmed in Mexico City and directed by Raymix’s brother Pablo Gómez Moreno. It’s the first time Raymix, who came out as gay in June, features a man as his love interest in a music video.

“It’s time to be courageous though I understand it takes time and it’s not easy,” Raymix previously told Billboard. “We should modernize our music too because cumbia can fall under two categories, urban and regional Mexican, both with heteronormative standards of masculinity. We see the typical macho guys all the time.”

He continued, “Why not change the game? You don’t know how happy I am for doing what I did and for my new team to support me. They played a huge role in this. Here I am, showing the world that we can and should evolve. The most important thing is to be happy.”

El Fantasma Teaming Up with Fuerza Regida to Launch Tecate’s Virtual Concert Series & Community Fundraiser ‘El Patio Tecate’

Posted on August 20, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

El Fantasma is giving back to the community in a special way…

The 30-year-old Mexican singer is teaming up with Fuerza Regida to kick off Tecate‘s new monthly virtual concert series and community fundraiser El Patio Tecate on Friday, August 21.

The El Patio Tecate concerts, part of Tecate’s “Mexico is in Us” campaign, will take place from August through December with each event highlighting a different sub-genre of Latin music while offering fans a reimagined festival-going experience featuring a multi-cam and immersive livestream concert supporting both Mexican-American arts and culture.

Filmed near downtown Los Angeles, the first concert live stream will focus on regional Mexican and cumbia, and will also feature Mexican-American DJs.

“Our team couldn’t be more excited to finally unveil Tecate’s new virtual concert series that will soon provide both music-lovers and beer-drinkers across the country with access to some of today’s hottest Latin artists. These livestreams will look to offer fans a high dose of interactive entertainment in celebration of Mexican-American culture and music,” said Belen Pamukoff, Tecate brand director.

“The maverick spirit that lives in each of these talented music artists will be on full display allowing viewers at home to not only feel inspired, but to be their true authentic selves while embracing their own diversity,” she added.

Tecate’s designated charity partner for the campaign is the Latino-led non-profit No Us Without You, which helps immigrants within the local Los Angeles culinary community.

The charity is now feeding more than 1,000 families per week providing food security to the most disenfranchised hospitality workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and 100 percent of the funds raised via direct donations before and after each concert will go directly to the No Us Without You.

The first concert kicks off August 21 at 8:00 pm ET across Tecate’s official YouTube channel, Twitter page and online at tecatebeer.com/elpatiotecate.

Carlos Vives Launching “El Mundo Perdido de Cumbiana” Documentary in Partnership with Grammy Museum

Posted on August 19, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Vives is celebrating Colombia’s indigenous roots in music in a special way…

The 59-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter is launching a special documentary, El Mundo Perdido de Cumbiana, this Friday, August 21 on the Grammy Museum’s digital museum.

In May, Vives released his 14th studio album, Cumbiana, which married Colombia’s past with the future. The album shed light on the indigenous roots of Colombian music in a 10-set production that includes collaborations with Jessie Reyez, Alejandro Sanz, Ruben Blades and others.

Vives decided to bring his extensive research and musical exploration to the masses via the documentary, which is directed by Carlos Felipe Montoya and produced by Isabel Cristina Vasquez from Mestiza Films.

Vives spotlights the history of the amphibian universe to better understand the origins of cumbia and vallenato music, the ancestral spirits that inspired his latest production, and the environmental challenges the Magdalena River ecosystem is facing.

“I discovered a lost world. That’s the truth,” Vives previously told Billboard.

“We’ve always spoken about our African heritage in music. We’ve always thought that the most uplifting elements of our music came from Africa or from European rhythms like polka. But it turns out it comes from Andean or indigenous music. This album highlights the joy of the fusion of African, European, and indigenous music.”

El Mundo Perdido de Cumbiana, which also elaborates on the creative process of Cumbiana, will be available at 1:00 pm PT on Friday, August 21 at the Grammy Museum website for 72 hours only.

Following the screening, Vives will attend an exclusive conversation with NPR Alt Latino’s Felix Contreras to further discuss the documentary.

Natti Natasha to Take Part in Selena Tribute at This Year’s Premios Juventud

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Natti Natasha will be honoring a Latina legend…

This year’s Premios Juventud will include a special segment, honoring 25 years of Selena Quintanilla’s music and legacy, with the 33-year-old Dominican singer-songwriter among the artists set to take part.

In addition to Natasha, Selena’s brother and producer of her biggest hits, A.B. Quintanilla III, will participate in the special dedicated to la Reina de la Musica Tejana.

The other artists participating in the Selena tribute include Karol G, Danna Paola, Ally Brooke and Greeicy.

“For me being part of this special was a real honor. She is a woman that after all these years, and everything that has happened, is a legend. I never hard the chance to meet her while she was here but she is an icon, an icon that lasts a lifetime,” Greeicy tells Billboard.

“How amazing is it that she has inspired so many with her music. It was very challenging for me to create the energy and portray her flavors of cumbia. It was a beautifully difficult challenge and it was very special because I learned from her music and I’m going to keep enjoying it with respect and I hope to honor her. To have the privilege to prepare this special with her brother, who knew her, lived with her, and spent her life with her, is very special. It was a hard challenge for me because I felt like I was speaking directly to her. The special is going to be really great, it was beautiful to be able to create it with him, he was wonderful to work with,” she adds.

With 12 nominations, J Balvin leads the 2020 Premios Juventud, followed by Karol G, Bad Bunny and Anuel AA.

Confirmed performers include CNCO, Ozuna, Natanael Cano, Pitbull and Gloria Trevi, to name a few.

Following all the safety guidelines, PJ 2020, broadcasting live from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, will feature artists performing at the venue, 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.

Premios Juventud 2020, hosted by Ana Patricia Gámez, Francisca Lachapel, Borja Voces, Sebastian Yatra, and Julissa Calderon, will air at 8:00 pm ET on Thursday, August 13, via Univision, preceded by “PJ Takeover,” a one-hour pre-show hosted by Jomari Goyso and Clarissa Molina and Amara La Negra, beginning at 7:00 pm ET.

Fanny Lu Releases Video for New Female Empowerment Single “En Mis Tacones,” Featuring Paty Cantu & Melanie Pfirrman

Posted on July 24, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Fanny Lu is celebrating women through music…

The 47-year-old Colombian pop singer/songwriter is reversing roles in the music video for her latest single “En Mis Tacones.”

On her latest track, her first release since signing an exclusive record deal with BMG, Fanny Lu recruited Mexican singer Paty Cantú and California-native rising artist Melanie Pfirrman, resulting in a new female empowerment anthem.

Fusing urban, vallenato, cumbia and pop rhythms, the bilingual “En Mis Tacones” conveys the message that women are hard-working and independent, among many things.

And with lyrics like “put yourself in my heels so that you understand and that it is clear who is in control,” Fanny says she wanted to pay homage to an important part of femininity: the heels.

“It’s an invitation to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, especially men in the shoes of women,” Fanny expresses. “But it is also an important message for all human beings to have compassion and be understanding of others. There’s nothing more appropriate than putting yourself in each other’s shoes!”

Fanny Lu’s reference to heels isn’t just metaphorical, but also literal in the video.

Unlike the song, which was recorded in 2019, the music video, directed by Iñigo Abaroa and produced by Miguel Ferrer of Magic Films, was filmed during the coronavirus pandemic.

The innovative production shows all three artists using a game controller to control with their male counterparts, who are trying to balance themselves in heels.

Toward the end, the three men finally understand the powerful message of “En Mis Tacones” and can easily manage walking, modeling and even dancing in a pair of pumps.

To make the video come to life during the quarantine period, Magic Films sent professional equipment, including lights, props, a smoke machine and more, to each artist and directed their shots via video calls.

For the rest of the year, Fanny Lú tells Billboard she’s going to focus on creating more empowering music for women, working on special collaborations, and helping her son kick off his music career as well.

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.”

Carlos Vives Releases Indigenous Roots-Inspired Album “Cumbiana”

Posted on May 24, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Vives is going back to his roots…

The 58-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter has released his latest album, Cumbiana, a search for the indigenous roots of Colombian music.

The album has been described as “exuberant, soulful, beautiful and important without ever sounding overbearing,” by Billboard.

The album features duets with Jessie Reyez, Ruben Blades and Alejandro Sanz,and ittreads that line between what’s commercial and what’s artistic.

“I discovered a lost world. That’s the truth,” Vives simply states, speaking from his home in Bogota, where he’s been in lockdown for the past two months.

“We’ve always spoken about our African heritage in music,” he adds. “We’ve always thought that the most uplifting elements of our music came from Africa or from European rhythms like polka. But it turns out it comes from Andean, or indigenous music. This album highlights the joy of the fusion of African, European and indigenous music.”

Marrying Colombia’s past with the future, Cumbianahas already delivered a chart hit with “No Te Vayas.” Edgier still is current single “For Sale,” a mix of traditional beats with reggaeton, a touch of rap and Sanz’s flamenco strains. Of course, Vives wrote the rulebook for Colombian fusion.

His 1994 album, La Tierra Del Olvido, where he marries Colombia’s most traditional folk beats — vallenato, cumbia, porro— with rock guitars and drums and pop sensibility, is the original blueprint of the sound that would later define the work of acts like Juanes, Fonseca and even Shakira at times.

But Cumbiana expands its realm. So much so that this is the first of a three-album project.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Cumbia