J Balvin to Release New Album, “Rayo,” This August

Posted on July 11, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

J Balvin will be catching some rayos this summer…

The 39-year-old Colombian rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer has announced plans to release his upcoming new album, titled Rayo, on August 9.

Balvin’s 15-track LP includes collaborations with Feid, Chencho Corleone, Bad Gyal and Carín León, among others.

The set will follow the hitmaker’s Grammy-nominated Jose released three years ago, which peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart for three weeks.

Overall, Balvin has placed four No. 1 sets on the tally since 2016, including Energía, Vibras and Oasis, his 2019 joint album with Bad Bunny.

As with all his previous albums, this one also started with a name before even recording any of the songs included. “My albums have always started with their names,” he previously told Billboard. “That way, we let ourselves be guided by the vibe.” The singer-songwriter also shared that London was a major source of inspiration for the set, specifically its nightclub scene, where he and his team would play demos sometimes. “We wanted to see fan reaction, and it was amazing,” he teased.

According to a press release, Rayo is an expression of “earnest need for human connection that drove Balvin to create an album that feels more like a house party than a collection of songs.”

On this new album, he blends elements of reggeatón with electronic pop and dembow, the statement further adds.

In April, Balvin performed a riveting sci-fi-inspired headlining set at Coachella, where he sang his biggest anthems to date, including hits recent hits such as the Tainy-produced “Colmillo” and “Dientes.”

Some of his surprise guests included Jowell & Randy, De La Ghetto and Will Smith.

The new album announcement coincides with Balvin’s new single “Gaga” in collaboration with Saiko. The Keityn and L.e.x.v.z.-produced track dropped on Thursday (July 11).

Here’s the Rayo tracklist:

“Cosa de Locos”
“Polvo de tu Vida” featuring Chencho Corleone
“Swat” featuring Luar La L
“Bajo y Batería”
“Doblexxó” featuring Feid
“3 Noches”
“Gaga” featuring Saiko
“Gato” featuring Bad Gyal
“Lobo” featuring Zion
“La Noche” featuring Dei V
“Origami” featuring Ryan Castro and Blessd
“Sólido”
“Stoker” featuring Carin León
“Ganster”
“En Alta” featuring Omar Courtz, Yovngchimi, Quevedo, Mambo Kingz, DJ Luian

Ozuna Releases New Album “Cosmo”

Posted on November 19, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ozuna is back with new music…

The 31-year-old Puerto Rican singer and rapper has released his sixth studio album Cosmo.

Much like his previous projects Odisea, Aura and Nibiru, Ozuna’s new album is another out-of-this-world musical journey.

On the 15-track production, Ozuna delivers a new dimension of sounds, where Latin urban music meets innovative rhythms such as traditional Arabian music in “Made in Qatar” and infectious electronica in the David Guetta-assisted “Vocation.”

Ozuna and the renowned French DJ premiered the latter at the 2023 Latin Grammys on Thursday, November 16.

While Cosmo is also home to hard-hitting reggaeton tracks (“El Plan,” “Brabus,” “100 Squats”), it showcases Ozuna’s romantic side and admiration for women on songs such as “Mar de Lagrimas,” “La Chulita” and “Clase Azul.”

The set, which follows his 2023 EP Afro, “is the cosmic experience, where the vibrant essence of reggaeton prevails,” includes collaborations with De La Ghetto, Chencho Corleone, Anuel AA, Jhayco and Maldy among others.

Jacqueline Bracamontes to Co-Host This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on September 30, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Jacqueline Bracamontes will be reporting for host duty this week…

The 43-year-old Mexican actress, former model and beauty pageant titleholder will co-host this year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards, taking place on Thursday, October 5.

It will be the first time serving as a host of the awards show for Bracamontes, who won Nuestra Belleza Jalisco 2000, Nuestra Belleza México 2000 and represented her country at Miss Universe 2001.

She’ll be joined by fellow first-time host of the show, Danilo Carrera.

The 34-year-old Ecuadorian actor, presenter and model’s credits include El amor invencible, Vencer la ausencia and Contigo sí.

Telemundo also announced the following artists were announced as presenters for the awards show: Eslabon Armado, Beéle, Christian Chávez (RBD), De La Ghetto, Danny Lux, La Materialista, Maite Perroni (RBD), Elena Rose, Alex Sensation, Mar Solis and Christopher Von Uckermann (RBD).

This year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida on Telemundo.

Beéle Earns First No. 1 on Billboard Charts with “Vagabundo” with Sebastian Yatra & Manuel Turizo

Posted on September 4, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Beéle is celebrating a special first…

The 20-year-old Colombian singer checks off a career milestone this week as he earns his first No. 1 on a Billboard chart with “Vagabundo,” his collaboration with Sebastian Yatra and Manuel Turizo.

The song rises 7-1 to crown the Latin Airplay chart dated September 2.

“Vagabundo” climbs with a 34% gain in audience impressions, to 9.2 million, earned in the U.S. in the week ending August 24, according to Luminate.

The song, released via Universal Latino/UMLE on May 12, also arrives at the summit on Latin Pop Airplay (hopping 2-1).

“Vagabundo” earns Beele his first champ on his third appearance on Latin Airplay.

He reached a No. 36 high previously with another Turizo team-up, “+Linda,” which also credited Dalex, Arcangel and De La Ghetto in 2021.

Yatra, meanwhile, picks up his 11th ruler on Latin Airplay. The new champ arrives after “Tacones Rojos” ruled for one week in February 2022.

Turizo captures his seventh No. 1, and third of the year, following “La Bachata,” and “Merengue” with Marshmello, both with one week in charge.

Jowell y Randy Release New Single “Toro”

Posted on October 7, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Jowell y Randy have returned with a bullseye…

The Puerto Rican reggaeton duo, composed of Joel Muñoz and Randy Ortiz, has released its new single “Toro,” released under Rimas Entertainment.

Produced by Subelo Neo and composed by Mora, the ultra-perreo stays true to the Puerto Rican duo’s essence.

“We feel the responsibility to ‘romper la calle’ very hard,” Jowell tells Billboard. “We cannot play with being experimental and bringing concepts that are not the sound people expect from us.”

The track, which has a raunchy lyricism that metaphorically relates to a bull, was a quick creative process, according to Randy.

“We didn’t have to think much about it,” he says. “Mora is very talented. This kid is a huge fan of ours and he grew up with our music. He has a different type of vocabulary and a different type of composing. Getting together with Jowell and Randy was like a huge challenge for him and a lot of fun too. There are a lot of powerful minds in this collaboration.”

For the official music video, Jowell y Randy opted for their signature party scene, mechanical bulls, and a very inclusive group of people.

The single is one of many the artists hope to release as part of their forthcoming studio album, following their 2020 Viva El Perreo, which peaked at No. 5 on the Top Latin Albums chart.

“We have a lot of songs for like three albums,” Jowell explains. “We are going to release the strongest rhythms we have for the club and for the dancing. This is very fast and people want music. We can’t keep waiting.”

The forthcoming untitled album is set to be released before 2022 comes to an end, and according to the duo, will include promising collaborations with Rauw Alejandro, De La Ghetto, Nicky Jam, Wisin y Yandel, and Maluma, to name a few.

“There’s nothing on this album that’s not reggaetón. It’s pure reggaetón,” Randy elaborates.

Jowell y Randy previously released their pandemic-inspired hit “Se Acabó la Cuarentena” featuring Kiko el Crazy in 2020.

Quevedo Claims First No. 1 on Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart with Bizarrap-Collab “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52”

Posted on July 20, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Quevedo has found success in Argentina…

The 20-year-old Spanish rapper has captured his first No. 1 on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart as “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52,” with Bizarrap, takes the lead on the July 16-dated ranking.

“Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52” rallies to the chart’s summit in its second week on the tally (the song was released on July 6), tying with Tini’s “La Triple T” for the fastest climber in 2022. The latter also needed two frames two reach No. 1 (May 14-dated survey).

Beyond the new achievement, with a 45-1 surge, the track takes the Greatest Gainer honors of the week and becomes the third-highest racer to No. 1 since the chart’s inception in 2018.

Here’s a rundown of the top 5 climbers:

Positions to 1, Song Title, Artist, Peak Date
74, “Mienteme,” TINI X Maria Becerra, May 8, 2021
52, “La Triple T, ” TINI, May 14
44, “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52,” Bizarrap & Quevedo, July 16
18, “Entre Nosotros,” Tiago pzk, LIT killa, Nicki Nicole & Maria Becerra, Jan. 8
13, “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol .38,” Bizarrap & L-Gante, March 20, 2021

While the Argentinian producer Bizarrap scores his sixth champ, among those, four belonging to his Bzrp sessions, Quevedo takes the lead in his fourth try.

The rapper previously ranked at No. 6 with “Si Quieren Frontear,” with Duki & De La Ghetto (April 30-dated list).

As the session “Vol. 52” takes over atop the chart, it sends Shakira and Rauw Alejandro’s “Te Felicito” to No. 3 after its four-week reign.

Meanwhile, the Highest Debut of the week goes to Tini, Becky G and Anitta’s “La Lotto,” which bows at No. 7. The Brazilian secures her first top 10 since her maiden chart visit in Nov. 2018, while Tini and Becky G up their Argentina Hot 100 top 10 count to 12 and six, respectively.

Paulo Londra Signs New Deal with Warner Music Latina

Posted on March 10, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Paulo Londra is forging a new partnership…

The 23-year-old Argentine rapper and singer has signed a new agreement with Warner Music Latina, according to Billboard.

Londra’s deal, signed at the company’s Miami Beach headquarters with Londra’s family, team, and the label’s president, Alejandro Duque, in attendance, will focus on the artist’s upcoming releases and musical expansion.

“I’m happy for this new phase,” Londra, who last released music in 2019, expressed in a press statement. “I waited and went through a lot to be able to do what I love. I’ve gone through the bad times, now it’s time for the good times, that’s why I’ve started to enjoy it.”

In November 2021, Londra settled a two-year legal battle with Cristian Salazar and producer Daniel Oviedo (Ovy on the Drums), with whom he co-founded Big Ligas in 2018. During the course of the term, Big Ligas entered a $3 million licensing deal with Warner Music Latina in January 2019. After filing dueling lawsuits in 2020, Big Ligas and Paulo Londra amicably resolved their differences in a Miami courtroom.

“We are thrilled that Paulo has chosen us for this new phase,” Duque, president of Warner Music Latin America added. “Paulo has been at the forefront since the beginning of his career and has captivated global audiences with his music. We are convinced that Paulo’s best is yet to come and we are proud to be part of this moment and together, take Paulo Londra’s music to the global scene.”

On the Billboard charts, the pioneer of the Argentine urban movement and former Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise has a total of three entries on Hot Latin Songs and two on Latin Airplay, including his banger “Adan y Eva.”

His freshman album Homerun debuted and peaked at No. 12 on Top Latin Albums in 2019 and at No. 10 on Latin Rhythm Albums, earning a combined 185,000 equivalent albums units and 332 million on-demand song streams in the U.S., according to MRC Data.

Londra has collaborated with artists like Ed Sheeran, Becky G, De La Ghetto, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, and many more.

Rauw Alejandro Releases Genre-Bending New Album “Trap Cake Vol. 2”

Posted on February 26, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Rauw Alejandro is bakin’ up new music…

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican singer and rapper has released his new album Trap Cake Vol. 2 via Sony Music Latin.

A follow up to his 2019 Trap Cake, Vol. 1, which featured collaborations with Cazzu, De La Ghetto, and Jon Z, Rauw Alejandro delivers an equally star-studded Vol. 2 that includes songs with Future, Ty Dolla $ign, and Rvssian.

The genre-blurring EP stays in tune with the Puerto Rican artist’s ever-so experimental essence.

Treading between trap, rock, pop, and R&B, Alejandro kicks off the nine-track set with the sentimental heartbreak song “Museo.”

But not all is heartbreak on Trap Cake Vol. 2, a standout track is “Wuepa” with Ankhal, a bonafide party anthem.

Sofia Reyes Releases Sophomore Album “Mal de Amores”

Posted on February 12, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Sofia Reyes is finally back with a new album…

The 26-year-old Mexican pop singer has released her highly-awaited sophomore album Mal De Amores, five years after her debut set Louder!

On her new set, Reyes not only experiments with new musical approaches but also flaunts her maturity over the years.

She’s unapologetic, and the opening track “MUJER” is proof of that — a saucy cumbia with elegant violins where she simply says “I don’t regret being a woman.”

It follows with the galactic reggaetón banger “Marte,” the set’s focus track, performed in collaboration with Maria Becerra — a friendly reminder that women should never tolerate toxicity.

Reyes also navigates musical styles in Mal de Amores ranging from norteño (“GALLINA”) to corridos (“Amigos” with Adriel Favela, Danny Felix) to her signature pop-urban.

The 17-track set includes previously-released collaborations such as “1, 2, 3” with Jason Derulo and De La Ghetto, “R.I.P.” with Rita Ora and Anitta, “A Tu Manera (Corbata)” with Jhay Cortez, “De Casualidad” with Pedro Capo, and the Becky G-assisted title track.

Reyes also teamed up with Warner Music newcomers Leon Leiden and The Change.

Chesca Teams Up with De La Ghetto for Steamy “Como Tu Me Querias” Remix

Posted on January 22, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Chesca is getting a Ghetto-fabulous assist…

Only three months after releasing “Como Tu Me Querias,” the Puerto Rican singer has joined voices with De La Ghetto for a saucy remix.

The track tells the story of a good girl whose looks are deceiving and falls for the bad boy in town. Cue De La Geezy, the bad boy, who brings his distinguishable voice and seductive lyrics to the track.

“Como Tu Me Querias” is an infectious, uptempo reggaeton with hints of old-school perreo and dancehall melodies.

The music video, filmed by Mimi Labisi of Stellarhead in LA, shows both artists’ onscreen chemistry in a futuristic and vibrant setting. Chesca is also seen flaunting her killer dance moves.

Chesca, who’s a two-time nominee at the 2021 Premio Lo Nuestro, crowned Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart on December 12, 2020, with her Pitbull and Frankie Valli-assisted “Te Quiero Baby.”

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