Shakira Among Finalists for This Year’s Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame

Posted on March 20, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira is known for her stellar songwriting… And, it could soon land her in the annals of history.

The 39-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter appears on the list of nominees in the performers (singer/songwriters) category to the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame 2016.

Shakira, who penned several of her hit singles, including “Inevitable,” “She Wolf,” and “Whenever, Wherever,” joins a list that includes fellow performers Juanes, Marco Antonio Solis and Draco Rosa.

Shakira won the Latin Grammy for Song of the Year in 2006 for her massive international hit “La Tortura.”

Non-performer (composers) finalists include Kike Santander, Carlos Lara, Chico Navarro and Alejandro Jean.

The final list of artists and composers chosen to be inducted into the LSHOF will be announced at the 2016 Latin Billboard Music Conference taking place in April.

The selected six winners will then be inducted into the esteemed hall during the fourth annual La Musa Awards at the Filmore Miami Beach Jackie Gleason Theater on October 13.

Here’s the full list of LSHOF 2016 nominees:

PERFORMERS
Alejandro Lerner (Argentina)
Caetano Veloso (Brazil)
Juanes (Colombia)
Shakira (Colombia)
Chucho Valdés (Cuba)
Joaquín Sabina (España)
José Mara Cano (España)
Marco Antonio Solís (Mexico)
Los Temerarios (Mexico)
Ruben Blades (Panama)
Draco Rosa (Puerto Rico)
Vico C (Puerto Rico)

NON-PERFORMING
Claudia Brant (Argentina)
Chico Novarro (Argentina)
Erasmo Carlos (Brazil)
Kike Santander (Colombia)
Jorge Luis Piloto (Cuba)
Alejandro Jaen (España)
Jose Enrique (Chelique) Sarabia (Venezuela)
Carlos Lara (Mexico)
Miguel Luna (Mexico)
Cheo Zorrilla (República Dominicana)
Luis Fernando Ochoa (USA)
K.C Porter (USA)

The non-profit organization was founded by songwriters/producers Desmond Child and Rudy Perez in 2012 to celebrate and honor Latin music creators.

Bunbury to Tour the United States This Summer

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Enrique Bunbury is heading across the pond…

The 48-year-old emblematic and enduring Spanish classic rocker will tour the United States this spring in support of his recent MTV Unplugged album.

Bunbury will kick off the tour in Los Angeles, his current hometown, on May 19. More dates in California and Texas immediately follow.

In June, Bunbury will play two consecutive nights at both Chicago’s House of Blues and Irving Plaza in Manhattan.

El Libro de las Mutaciones, Bunbury’s MTV Unplugged album, was released in late 2015.

Draco Rosa, Carla Morrison, Zoé vocalist León Larregui and Pepe Aguilar joined him for the recording in Mexico City. It’s likely some of those artists may make appearances on Bunbury’s tour, although no guests have yet been announced.

Tickets for Bunbury’s Mutaciones tour go on sale tomorrow, February 2.

Bunbury will be touring Latin America in March and April, and will spend the summer performing in his native Spain.

These are the U.S. concert dates and venues:

May 19: Los Angeles, Hollywood Palladium
May 23: Anaheim, House of Blues
May 25: San Diego, House of Blues
May 29: San Antonio, Aztec Theater
May 31: Houston, House of Blues
June 1: Dallas, House of Blues
June 3 and 4: Chicago, House of Blues
June 6 and 7: New York, Irving Plaza

Rosa Pens Plant-Based Eating Guide and Cookbook with His Nutritionist Nena Niessen

Posted on August 8, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Draco Rosa wants you to eat healthy…

The 46-year-old Puerto Rican rock singer-songwriter and cancer survivor has collaborated with his nutritionist to publish an eating guide and cookbook with recipes like “Draco’s Super Juice” and “Miracle Salad.”

Rosa penned the book with Nena Niessen, who was also diagnosed with cancer and beat it, twice.

“This is a book born of our healing from the terrible disease cancer,” Rosa stated in a release about the book, published in Spanish by Penguin Random House imprint Aguilar.

El secreto de la vida a base de plantas has climbed to the top of Amazon’s Spanish language books alternative medicine section since its release on July 28.

Draco Rosa’s Vida, the 2013 Latin Grammy Album of the year, was a personal as well as professional triumph. The album had been recorded with collaborators including Juan Luis Guerra and Ricky Martin after Rosa was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Rosa underwent a stem cell transplant. Upon the album’s release he was cancer free.

After a euphoric tour of concerts that were, literally, life-affirming for both the artist and his audience, the cancer had returned. Rosa went through another round of treatments, and moved his family and his recording studio to Hacienda Horizonte, the coffee plantation he owns in Puerto Rico.

Niessen, who is Nicaraguan and lives in Southern California, is known for her “cooking for cancer” classes. She worked with Rosa to change his own diet during his illness. Now the two “want to spread the word about plant-based nutrition as a fundamental weapon in the fight against illness in general and cancer in particular.”

The book outlines a healthy vegetarian diet and a plan for detoxing, and explains the nutritional and medicinal properties of specific plants.

“Having been attacked twice by cancer was a blessing and a new awakening,” Rosa said. “We found the way to healthy eating. We don’t pretend to be doctors, we just want to share what we learned, and the benefits that plant-based eating has given us.”

Martin’s “Disparo Al Corazon” Makes Impressive Debut on Billboard’s Latin Charts

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a shot to the charts for Ricky Martin…

The 43-year-old Puerto Rican singer has landed his way onto Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart with “Disparo Al Corazon,” the second single from his upcoming tenth studio album A Quien Quiera Escuchar.

Martin’s ballad enters the chart at No. 35, aided by 3.2 million audience impressions gained during its first week at radio, according to Nielsen Music (week ending Jan. 18).

WKAQ, San Juan, in the singer’s native Puerto Rico, championed the song with 58 spins during the tracking week.

Entering at No. 19 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Airplay chart, Martin extends his lead for most top 20s on the chart to 40 (followed by Enrique Iglesias with 36).

It’s the 42nd hit to earn its notch on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart for Martin, and follows the set’s lead single, “Adios,” which dips 38-37 in its 17th week. Furthermore, “Disparo Al Corazon” opens at No. 7 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Digital Songs chart (1,000 downloads), trailing “Adios” at No. 4 (2,000).

The entrance marks the first ballad on the chart for Martin since 2013 when he joined former Menudo bandmate and longtime collaborator Draco Rosa as a featured act on “Mas y Mas.” The single, from Rosa’s Vida set, reached No. 27 on Hot Latin Songs.

“Disparo” was produced by Julio Reyes (Jennifer Lopez, Alejandro Sanz) and written by Martin along with Pedro Capo and Yoel Henriquez.

A video clip for the song is expected to premiere in the following weeks.

Rosa’s “Amantes Hasta El Fin,” Feat. Ednita Nazario, Lands on the Billboard Charts

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Draco Rosa is still mining hits…

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter has returned to Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart with “Amantes Hasta El Fin,” a track from his 2013 Latin Grammy album of the year winner Vida.

The song, featuring Ednita Nazario, is powered solely by play at two Puerto Rican stations: WKAQ and WRXD, both in San Juan.

It debuts despite not being actively promoted as a single by his label (Sony Music Latin). Rosa’s representatives say the song has taken on a life of its own on his native island, without a push from the label.

It’s Rosa’s first charting song since fellow Vida track “Mas y Mas,” featuring Ricky Martin, spent 18 weeks on the list in 2013.

“Amantes” rises to 3.2 million audience impressions (a 7 percent jump, according to Nielsen BDS).

Hernandez’s La Santa Cecilia Wins First-Ever Grammy

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It’s one memorable Grammy night for Marisol Hernandez and her La Santa Cecilia band mates…

The Mexican-American singer, known as La Marisoul, and her Los Angeles-based band members earned the first Grammy of their career on Sunday during the pre-Grammy telecast ceremony.

La Santa Cecilia, named after the patron saint of musicians, Saint Cecilia, won the award for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album for the bilingual band’s album Treinta Dias.

“Thank you to our beautiful City of Angels,” said Marisoul. “We are proud to be from immigrant parents and dedicate the Grammy to the 11 million undocumented workers in America.”

Along with lead singer Hernandez, band members include guitarist Gloria Estrada, accordinist and requinto player Jose Carlos, bassist Alex Bendana, percussionist Miguel Ramirez and drummer Hugo Varagas.

La Santa Cecilia wasn’t the only act to earn its first Grammy…

Draco Rosa, a three-time Latin Grammy winner, picked up his first gramophone from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

The 44-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter and former Menudo band member, a previous nominee in 2011 for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album, won the award for Best Latin Pop Album for his latest studio effort Vida.

The sixth time’s the charm for the Gipsy Kings…

The group, made up mostly of the children of Spanish gitanos, won their first Grammy for Best World Music Album for Savor Flamenco, tying Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s Live: Singing For Peace Around The World for the prize.

Christian Tumalan’s 19 piece traditional Latin big band Pacific Mambo Orchestra won its first Grammy for Best Tropical Latin Album for its self-titled album, which was produced independently through a Kickstarter campaign.

Meanwhile, Bruno Mars earned the second Grammy of his career at the 56th annual Grammy Awards. The 28-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer-songwriter, nominated for four awards this year, earned the Best Pop Vocal Album award for his chart-topping sophomore album Unorthodox Jukebox.

Paquito D’Rivera earned the fourth Grammy of his noted career. The 65-year-old Cuban saxophonist and clarinetist’s Song for Maura took the prize for Best Latin Jazz Album.

Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea won its second career-Grammy. The group earned the award for Best Regional Mexican Music Album (including Tejano) for its album A Mi Manera.

Click here to see the complete list of winners and nominees.

Rivera Graces Cover of Rolling Stone’s “Latin Hot List” Issue

Posted on November 8, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Rolling Stone’s male readers may experience serious heart palpitations, thanks to Naya Rivera.

The 26-year-old half-Puerto Rican singer/actress and Glee star – this year’s best-costumed Latina during the Halloween party period – bares plenty of skin all on the cover of Rolling Stone’s Latin Hot List issue.

Heralded as “Glee’s Bad Girl,” Rivera stripped down to a bodysuit for the cover, showing off her lengthy legs and an eyeful of cleavage.

Rivera, who’s featured on the flip cover of the issue, dished about her role on Fox’s hit musical dramedy and her ambitions of a music career.

“It took a long time to figure out where I wanted to go musically,” she said of her upcoming album, explaining that she insisted her label release “Sorry” as a single this summer. “This is what I’m doing,” she told the label, “Get on or get off. I think this is a summer song, and I want it on the radio by the end of the summer.”

Rolling Stone’s special Latino-themed issue also includes profiles on DJs the Martinez Brothers, novelist Daniel Alarcon, pop star Becky G, chef Danny Mena, rock star Draco Rosa, and Brooklyn-based band Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra.

Vives Leads The Pack of Latin Grammy Nominees

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Vives is one of this year’s Latin Grammy darlings…

The 52-year-old Colombian singer, composer and actor leads the pack of Latin Grammy nominees with five nods.

Among his nominations, Vives’ latest album Corazon Profundo is up for Album of the Year, while his hit single “Volví a Nacer” is nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

Illya Kuryaki & the Valderramas, a duo who take their name from the fictional television spy and former Colombian soccer player Carlos Valderrama tied Vives with five nominations, landing nods at Latin music’s top honors for best urban song and best alternative album.

Spanish singer-songwriter Alejandro Sanz and Caetano Veloso, the 71-year-old pioneer of Brazil’s Tropicalia music genre, each earned four nominations.

Sanz’s album La Música No Se Toca was nominated for album of the year and best contemporary pop vocal album, while his song “Mi Marciana” was nominated for song of the year and record of the year.

Veloso, who earned a Latin Grammy lifetime achievement award last year, earned record of the year and song of the year nominations for the song “Um Abraçaço.”

Natalie Cole, whose first Spanish-language album debuted at No. 1 on the Latin Albums chart, and Draco Rosa, whose Vida marked a spectacular return for the artist from his battle with cancer, earned three nominations each.

Spanish singer and actor Miguel Bosé, 57, will be honored as the person of the year for lifetime achievement. His album Papitwo is also nominated for album of the year and best contemporary pop album.

The Latin Grammys will take place November 21 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The awards show will be broadcast live by Univision.

Click here for a complete look at this year’s nominees.

Rosa Heading on a Five-City Tour in the U.S. This October

Posted on August 23, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Draco Rosa is taking the show on the road…

The 44-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter will soon be taking the stage again after winning his battle with cancer on a tour that will take him to five major U.S. cities.

With shows in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Orlando and Miami, Rosa will perform his greatest hits, many of which are featured on his latest album Vida, which was released in March.

His latest musical work was undertaken as an answer to his two-year battle with cancer.

Rosa was eager to do the album to celebrate his full recovery with assistance from artists like Ricky Martin, Juan Luis Guerra, Juanes, Ruben Blades, Shakira, Calle 13, Jose Feliciano and Marc Anthony.

Since Vida was released it has managed to reach No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin charts.

Draco – who began his music career in the boy band Menudo, which during the 1980s was one of the most successful Latin music groups and which also included Martin among its members – will kick off his tour on October 19.

Rosa Releases Music Video for His “Esto es Vida” Duet with Juan Luis Guerra

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Draco Rosa is heading back in time for one of his re-released classics…

The 44-year-old Puerto Rican singer has released the official music video for his life-affirming and sublimely romantic song “Esto es Vida.”

The duet with Latin Music superstar Juan Luis Guerra gets the pastoral treatment, echoing the spare acoustics of the recording. The two artists, wearing appropriately tropical gentlemen’s attire, play guitars against a backdrop of palm trees and jungle vines at the Engombe ruins outside Santo Domingo. It’s the now-bucolic site of a 16th Century sugar mill, a setting that echoes the song’s violin-accompanied plea to “cultivate amor” and enjoy the moment.

The video with the Old World feel was directed by Guerra’s son, Jean Gabriel Guerra.

The song is the latest single from Rosa’s latest album Vida. Released in March, it peaked at No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums and Latin Pop Albums charts. This week, Vida is No. 17 on the Latin Pop Albums chart.

“Esto es Vida” first appeared on Rosa’s 2010 album Amor Vincit Omnia.

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