Lucero to Perform at the Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on March 23, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Lucero is preparing to make sweet music for Billboard…

The 43-year-old Mexican singer/actress has been added to the list of performers at next month’s 2013 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

Lucero, the star of Univision’s recent hit telenovela Por ella soy Eva, is known as “Mexico’s Sweetheart.” She’s been in the entertainment business for more than three decades and has sold more than 27 million albums worldwide.

But Lucero isn’t the only night’s big performer…

Don Omar, Gerardo Ortiz, Michel Telo and Carlos Vives have also been named as performers at the awards show, which will telecast live from Miami’s BankUnited Center on April 25 on Telemundo at 7:00 pm ET.

Don Omar, the “king of reggaeton,” leads the pack of nominees with 18 nods, including Artist of the Year.

Ortiz, who was discovered on YouTube just a few years ago, has created a musical revolution with his innovative compositions. The host of mun2’s DUB Latino is up for six awards.

Telo, who hails from Brazil, became a global musical sensation last year with his hit “Ai Se Eu Te Pego.” Up for seven awards, Telo made his U.S. debut last year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards.

Click here for the full list of nominees.

Don Omar Leads the Pack of Billboard Latin Music Awards Finalists

Posted on February 9, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It’s no wonder he’s called Don Omar…

The 34-year-old Puerto Rican reggaeton singer/actor, born William Omar Landrón Rivera, is the don of this year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards, earning 18 finalist nods, including Artist of the Year; Social Artist of the Year and Streaming Artist of the Year. Last year, Don Omar was the leader of the pack with 16 finalist nods.

In addition, Don Omar is nominated as Songs Artist of the Year, Male; Albums Artist of the Year, Male and Songwriter of the Year. His album Don Omar Presents MT02: New Generation competes for Latin Rhythm Album of the Year and Digital Album of the Year. Three of Don Omar’s hit songs — “Dutty Love,” featuring Natty Natasha, “Hasta Que Salga El Sol” and “Danza Kuduro” — are finalists in various song categories.

Romeo Santos comes in second, with the bachata star earning 12 nods. Wisin & Yandel and the late Jenni Rivera tied with 11 nods each. Prince Royce and Pitbull, major finalists last year, also returned with 10 and nine nods respectively, while newcomers 3BallMTY earned eight.

Meanwhile regional Mexican acts La Arrolladora Banda el Limón de René Camacho and Gerardo Ortiz nabbed seven and six nods, respectively, while rockers Maná with five and pop act Ricardo Arjona with three.

The 2013 Billboard Latin Awards will be broadcast live on Telemundo on April 25 from the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami in Florida.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards honor the most popular albums, songs, and performers in Latin Music, as determined by the actual sales, radio airplay, streaming and social data that informs Billboard’s weekly charts during a one-year period from the issue dated February 4, 2012, through this year’s January 26, 2013, issue.

Click here for the full list of nominees.

Prince Royce Ties Romeo Santos for Most Premio Lo Nuestro Nods

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Call it a “battle of the bachateros”

Romeo Santos and Prince Royce will battle it out for top honors at Univision’s Premio Lo Nuestro during the show’s 25th anniversary on February 21, 2013.

The 31-year-old Dominican/Puerto Rican singer, the former front man for Aventura, and the 23-year-old Dominican singer tied for most nods, at seven each. Santos and Prince Royce will battle it ou for Tropical Album of the Year, Tropical Male Artist of the Year, and Tropical Song of the Year.

Reggaeton superstar Don Omar, meantime, received six nods, including Artist of the Year, Collaboration of the Year for his mega duet with Natti Natasha, “Dutty Love,” and Album of the Year for his Don Omar Presents Meet The Orphans 2: New Generation.

Barcelona-raised urban artist Juan Magan is up for Best New Artist, along with four other awards. He faces stiff competition from 3Ball MTY, who cleaned up at this year’s Billboard’s Mexican Music Awards.

Mexican rock group Maná earned six nominations, and will compete against with Don Omar, Jenni Rivera, La Arrolladora Banda el Limon de Rene Camacho and Santos in the Artist of the Year category.

Sibling duo Jesse & Joy, the big winners at the Latin Grammys, are up for five awards, including Song of the Year and Video of the Year for “¡Corre!” as well as Album of the Year for ¿Con Quién Se Queda el Perro?.

Juanes was recognized for his critically acclaimed MTV Unplugged album with four nods, tied with Beto Cuevas and Victor Manuelle.

Daddy Yankee, Alejandro Sanz, Paulina Rubio, Ricardo Arjona, Chino y Nacho, Gerardo Ortiz, La Original Banda El Limón, La Banda El Recodo and Wisin y Yandel each earned three nods.

View the full list of 130 nominations in 33 different categories here and cast your vote until December 23, then tune into Univision on February 21 for the awards show.

Shakira Wins Favorite Latin Artist at the American Music Awards

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira is the country’s reigning reina of Latin music…

The 35-year-old Colombian singer and soon-to-be The Voice coach picked up the Favorite Latin Artist award at Sunday night’s American Music Awards.

Shakira, who was the first female to win the award in the category back in 2005, beat out Pitbull and Don Omar for the prize.

It’s the fourth win in the category for the expectant mom, who stands just one win shy of category-leader Enrique Iglesias.

Meanwhile, Shakira’s “Get It Started” collaboration partner, Pitbull, came away empty-handed after leading the Latino pack of nominees with two nods.

Here’s a look at the full list of winners:

Artist of the year: Justin Bieber
New artist of the year: Carly Rae Jepsen
Pop/rock female artist: Katy Perry
Pop/rock male artist: Justin Bieber
Pop/rock band, duo or group: Maroon 5
Pop/rock album: Justin Bieber, Believe
Country female artist: Taylor Swift
Country male artist: Luke Bryan
Country band, duo or group: Lady Antebellum
Country album: Carrie Underwood, Blown Away
Rap/hip-hop artist: Nicki Minaj
Rap/hip-hop album: Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
Soul/R&B female artist: Beyonce
Soul/R&B male artist: Usher
Soul/R&B album: Rihanna, Talk That Talk
Alternative rock artist: Linkin Park
Adult contemporary artist: Adele
Latin artist: Shakira
Contemporary inspirational artist: tobyMac
Electronic dance music artist: David Guetta

Pitbull Earns Two American Music Award Nods

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It could be called a case of déjà vu for Pitbull…

For the second straight year, the 31-year-old Cuban American rap superstar has earned two American Music Award nominations. And, he’s picked them up in exact same categories as last year.

Pitbull is nominated in the Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock, where he’ll face stiff competition from Usher, Justin Bieber and Flo Rida.

In addition, Pitbull has received a nomination in the Favorite Artist – Latin category. He’s up against Don Omar and three-time AMA Latin Artist award winner Shakira, who last picked up the award in the category in 2010. Pitbull and Shakira most recently collaborated together on the dancetastic track “Get It Started.”

The 40th American Music Awards nominations were announced on Tuesday morning in Los Angeles by Christina Aguilera. The “Your Body” singer, who will release her seventh studio album next month, is the first performer announced for the telecast.

The American Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre on November 18 at 8:00 pm on ABC.

For the sixth year, winners will be determined by online voting.

Click here for the complete list of American Music Award nominees.

Prince Royce & Don Omar Top Winners at Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

One is a rising star on the Latin music scene; the other is a seasoned veteran… But Prince Royce and Don Omar tied for the title of this year’s “King of the Billboard Latin Music Awards.”

During Thursday night’s award ceremony, the Puerto Rican Don Omar and the Dominican-American Prince Royce each received eight awards.

Prince Royce was ecstatic upon learning he had won artist/songwriter of the year and best tropical album for his self titled album and single Corazon sin cara.

“Wow! First of all I want to thank God who has given me everything,” said the soon-to-be-23-year-old singer. “[Also] my family and the Dominican Republic… and my fans I love you all with all my heart.”

Like Prince Royce, Don Omar thanked his mother and God as well as his fans and fellow colleagues after taking home awards for best Latin rhythm of the year, best songs of the year, best Latin rhythm artist of the year, best album of the year, best song of the year, best song of the year for airplay, and best Latin pop song of the year for his single “Taboo.”

His other hit “Danza Kuduro,” a collaboration with Brazilian artist Lucenzo, won best vocal collaboration of the year as well as best digital song.

“I am so grateful to each and every one of my colleagues in the music business… and from Puerto Rico,” said the 34-year-old reggaeton artist in Spanish. “It has been 15 years since we decided to start the urban music genre.”

Meanwhile, Mexican rock group Maná took home five awards, while Colombian pop star Shakira earned four. And, La Adictiva Banda San Jose de Mesillas group won best new artist. Marc Anthony received a Billboard Hall of Fame Award for his global, artistic influence.

Thursday’s live show was televised on Telemundo from the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami in Coral Gables.

Guerrido Launching Her Own Denim Line

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It’s all about the pantalones for Jackie Guerrido…

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican television weather forecaster and journalist, the ex-wife of reggaeton star Don Omar, is launching her own denim line for “successful and independent women.”

“I am extremely excited about this opportunity,” Guerrido told members of the press while showing off her new line. “These jeans are designed for every occasion and for women like me, who work every day to get ahead.”

Guerrido says she’s marketing the new line, called Jackie Guerrido Jeans, to fashionistas and women who are independent and strong.

The line should be available in stores next month.

Natti Natasha: Reggaeton’s Next Big Star

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It may be a traditionally male-dominated genre… But that hasn’t stopped Natti Natasha from carving out her place in the world of reggaeton.

The 25-year-old Dominican singer, who credits her musical godfather Don Omar and his record label with helping her make her mark in the genre.

“It is a privilege to be with the company and to be supported by such a recognized artist as Don Omar, since I consider him a brother and a teacher, because he has taught me much through his own experiences,” Natasha, whose real name is Natalia Alexandra Gutierrez Batista, recently told Efe in an interview with Efe.

Natasha says the opportunity to be part of the Orfanato Music Group came two years ago, when Don Omar walked into the New York studio where she’d just recorded a song with producer Link-On.

After listening to the track, the reggaeton star called her and asked that she come back to the studio, where he greeted her warmly and praised her work with Link-On.

The video of Natasha’s first single with Don Omar, “Dutty Love,” has logged more than 34 million hits on YouTube, and the cut will be part of Orfanato’s upcoming release Meet The Orphans: The Next Generation.

From an early age, Natasha—who attended the School of Fine Arts in Santiago when she was only 8—has always had an enormous admiration for artists like Bob Marley, Lauryn Hill and Jerry Rivera, and felt great admiration and affection for Hill, who she still calls one of her favorites.

Don Omar Leads the Pack of Billboard Latin Music Awards Finalists

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Don Omar could very well be doing a celebration danza…

The 34-year-old Puerto Rican reggaeton singer, rapper and actor is the lead finalist for the 2012 Billboard Latin Music Awards. In all, Don Omar, the “Danza Kuduro” hitmaker, secured 16 finalist nods in 14 categories.

He was followed closely by another hitmaker, Pitbull, who is a 14-time finalist in 12 categories.

Newcomer Prince Royce, winner of the 2011 Billboard Latin Music Award for best new artist, was a 12-time finalist while rockers Maná are finalists in 11 categories.

Romeo Santos, currently on his first solo arena tour, and Shakira, are tied as finalists in 10 categories each.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards are given in 65 categories and honor the most popular albums, songs, and performers in Latin music, as determined by the actual sales and radio airplay data that informs Billboard’s weekly charts from the issue dated February 5, 2011 through this year’s January 28, 2012 issue.

For a full list of finalists, visit www.billboardlatinconference.com.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards will air live April 26 on Telemundo from the BankUnited Center in Miami.

Don Omar to Perform at the Super Bowl Fan Jam…

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Cobra Starship’s Gabe Saporta isn’t the only Latino musician getting in the game at this year’s Super Bowl… Don Omar will also make his way to Indianapolis for a special performance.

The 33-year-old Puerto Rican Reggaetón singer/actor will take the stage at the Super Bowl Fan Jam. Sponsored by the NFL and Pepsi, the pre-game event is expected to build plenty of buzz for the big game.

El Don will headline the event on Wednesday, February 1, four days before Sunday’s Super Bowl game.

But Don Omar won’t be the only Latino taking the stage at this year’s Fan Jam.

He’ll be joined by Larry Hernandez, Alejandra Guzman and Moderatto in the show, which will be broadcast live on television.

The following day, Fan Jam—completely free to the public—will continue with performances from Gym Class Heroes and B.o.B.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Don Omar

Lucero to Perform at the Billboard Latin Music Awards

Don Omar Leads the Pack of Billboard Latin Music Awards Finalists

Prince Royce Ties Romeo Santos for Most Premio Lo Nuestro Nods

Shakira Wins Favorite Latin Artist at the American Music Awards

Pitbull Earns Two American Music Award Nods

Prince Royce & Don Omar Top Winners at Billboard Latin Music Awards

Guerrido Launching Her Own Denim Line

Natti Natasha: Reggaeton’s Next Big Star

Don Omar Leads the Pack of Billboard Latin Music Awards Finalists

Don Omar to Perform at the Super Bowl Fan Jam…