The 27-year-old Colombian singer, musician and songwriter was spotted hanging out with Grupo Firme at a recording studio earlier this week.
Grupo Firme spilled some details to Billboard on the Premio Lo Nuestro red carpet.
“I don’t know if I can say much, but we made a really good collaboration,” vocalist Eduin Caz said, adding that Edgar Barrera composed the song. “The song came out great, but soon we’ll reveal more information and when it’s coming.”
Backstage at the media center, Camilo admitted to being a faithful Grupo Firme fan and always listening to their music at home.
“Them, and El Fantasma, is what I mostly listen to,” he said. “I had a lot of desire to work with them. The energy at the studio is mutual, and we always have a good time. I love what they represent.”
The 32-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter has released his new banda anthem “Fuera De Servicio.”
Penned by Luciano Luna and Tony Montoya, the attitude-heavy corrido narrates El Fantasma’s return to the forefront after a few obstacles challenged him along the way.
“I struggled, but don’t worry, I know you’ll be there for me just how you had said back when I lend you a helping hand,” he sings. “My good luck has returned in case you want to come say hello again.”
The track is powered by traditional Sinaloan band brass instruments that provide a canvas to El Fantasma’s emboldened lyrics.
The Mexican norteño group, founded by brothers Poncho Jr. and Imanol Quezada, take over the top spot on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart as “Yo Soy Rico” lifts 3-1 on the November 20-dated chart.
The Quezada brothers capture their second leader and take the Greatest Gainer honor of the week thanks to a 49% gain in audience impressions, to 9.6 million, earned in the U.S. in the week ending November 14, according to MRC Data.
“’Yo Soy Rico’ has a special space in our repertoire; it’s a song that speaks about human prosperity, of how fortunate we are to have our family,” Imanol tells Billboard.
“Yo Soy Rico” follows Los Dos Carnales’ only other Regional Mexican Airplay leader: “El Envidioso” (September 5, 2020-dated list).
In between the brothers have placed two other top 10s: “Cabrón y Vago,” with El Fantasma (No. 7, ranking dated February 13) and “La Tóxica” (No. 3, July 17-dated survey).
“Yo Soy Rico’s” Regional Mexican Airplay success arrives a week after it vaulted at No. 10 on the overall Latin Airplay tally, where it rallies 10-2 on the current chart. It’s their first top 10 on the list.
It’s the week’s largest improvement among all of the 50-deep title chart.
Over on the all-metric Hot Latin Songs chart (a blend of airplay, digital sales and streams), “Rico” pushes 35-26 thanks to its radio gains, despite a 1% dip in streams.
Grupo Firme is celebrating their La Radio success…
The 2021 Premios de la Radio have been announced, with the Regional Mexican group topping the list of winners.
Taking place at Mexico City’s Foro Expo Santa Fe with a star-studded lineup of presenters, performers and nominees, the awards recognize the best of Regional Mexican music.
During the nearly four-hour ceremony, 16 awards — voted on by fans — were presented live, with Grupo Firme leading the winners list and taking home a total of five awards. The banda-norteño group won artist of the year, norteño group of the year, banda song of the year for “Ya Supérame,” Latin pride award and collaboration of the year thanks to “Yo Ya No Vuelvo Contigo” with Lenin Ramírez.
Other big winners include Ángela Aguilar, who won three awards, including female artist of the year, and El Fantasma, who nabbed male artist of the year and norteña song of the year for “Cabrón y Vago” featuring Los Dos Carnales.
The ceremony featured performances by Grupo Firme, who was joined by Carin Leonand Ramírez onstage for a medley of their tracks “El Tóxico” and “Yo Ya No Vuelvo Contigo.” Aguilar took the spotlight for showstopping performances of “Ahi Donde Me Ven” and “En Realidad.”
Additionally, various tributes took place, including a heartfelt homage honoring Vicente Fernández‘s legacy, which included performances by Grupo Firme’s Eduin Caz, Alan and Walo of Banda MS, Leon, Natalia Jimenez, Leonardo Aguilar and Aída Cuevas.
Here’s the complete winners list:
Artist of the Year:
Grupo Firme
Male Artist of the Year:
El Fantasma
Female Artist of the Year:
Ángela Aguilar
Banda of the Year:
Banda MS
Norteño Group of the Year:
Grupo Firme
Sierreño Group or Soloist of the Year:
Carin Leon
Banda Song of the Year:
“Ya Supérame” – Grupo Firme
Mariachi Song of the Year:
“Dime cómo quieres” – Ángela Aguilar ft Christian Nodal
Norteña Song of the Year:
“Cabrón y Vago” – El Fantasma ft Los Dos Carnales
Sierreña Song of the Year:
“Ya Acabó” – Marca MP
Regional Urban Song of the Year:
“Grandes Ligas” – Lupillo Rivera, Alemán, Santa Fe Klan, B-Real ft Snoop Dogg
Corrido of the Year:
“El Perro “ – Gerardo Ortiz
Collaboration of the Year:
“Yo Ya No Vuelvo Contigo” – Lenin Ramírez ft Grupo Firme
New Artist of the Year:
Junior H
Latin Pride Award:
Ángela Aguilar
Grupo Firme
Tribute to the Greatest of Mexico:
Vicente Fernández
Pepe Aguilar
Aída Cuevas
Manager of the Year (Promoters Association):
Isael Gutiérrez, Grupo Firme
The 31-year-old Mexican regional singer and songwriter, who’s real name is Alexander Garcia, returns to No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart dated August 14 for only the second time in his career, as his latest single, “Soy Buen Amigo,” rises 2-1.
The song reaches the summit on the strength of 7.7 million radio airplay audience impressions earned in the tracking week ending August 8, according to MRC Data.
El Fantasma first hit No. 1 on Regional Mexican Airplay in 2019 with “Encantadora” after previously sending five songs into the top 10.
“Soy Buen Amigo” concurrently rises 29-28 on the Hot Latin Songs chart (after reaching No. 27 five weeks ago).
The 31-year-old Mexican singer, whose real name is Alexander García, has released the powerful new ballad “Agarra tu camino.”
The song is composed by El Fantasma in collaboration with his wife, Perla LimónElenes.
It’s not the first time the power couple has worked together on his songs, he’s previously said that she has been by his side since the beginning of his career and debuted a couple of years ago in his compositions.
Accompanied by the sound of acoustic guitars and a tuba, in this song of spite, El Fantasma ventures into the Sierreño style.
The lyrics center on a story of a person that’s ready to move on and has had enough of the manipulations and lies in the relationship.
“Crees que puedes destruirme, manipularme a tu antojo,” he sings.
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 andcumbia, 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 iHeartRadio Music Awards nominated have been revealed, with the 22-year-old Mexican/Cuban singer picking up six nods, the most of any Latina/o artist.
Cabello earned nods in the Song of the Year, Best Collaboration, Best Lyrics and Best Music Video categories for “Señorita,” her chart-topping collaboration with Shawn Mendes.
Cabello is also up for Best Fan Army, as well as Best Cover Song for her cover of Lewis Capaldi’s “Someone You Loved.”
Cardi B has picked up four nods…
The 27-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar is nominated for Hip-Hop Artist of the Year, as well as Hip-Hop Song of the Year for “Money.”
Cardi B is also nominated for Latin Pop/Urban Song of the Year for her collaboration with DJ Snake, Ozuna and Selena Gomez, “Taki Taki,” as well as Best Remix for appearing on Blueface’s “Thotiana” alongside YG.
Daddy Yankee has picked up four nominations…
The 42-year-old Puerto Rican rapper/singer, a nominee in the Latin Pop/Urban Artist of the Year category,is also up for Best Music Video, Best Remix and Latin Pop/Urban Song of the Year for his hit single“Con Calma.”
Bad Bunny has received three nods…
The 25-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton singer picked up two nods in the Latin Pop/Urban Song of the Year category, for his single “MIA” featuring Drake, and “Que Pretendes, his collaboration with J Balvin.
Bad Bunny is also up for Latin Pop/Urban Artist of the Year.
J Balvin is also a three-time nominee this year…
The 34-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer is nominated for Latin Pop/Urban Artist of the Year, as well as Latin Pop/Urban Song of the Year for “Que Pretendes” with Bad Bunny, and Best Music Video for “Con Altura” withRosalía and El Guincho.
Spanish singer/songwriter Rosalia, 26, is also nominated for Best New Latin Pop/Urban Artist. She’s nominated alongside Camilo, Guaynaa, Lunayand Sech.
Selena Gomezhas picked up three nods…
The 27-year-old Mexican American singer/actress is up for Best Lyrics for her first-ever chart-topper “Lose You To Love Me.” She’s also up for Best Fan Army and Latin Pop/Urban Song of the Year for “Taki Taki.”
The iHeartRadio Music Awards recognize the most-played names and songs throughout iHeartRadio‘s stations and apps.
Other multiple nominees include Ozuna, Calibre 50, El Fantasmaand Christian Nodal.
Fans will have the opportunity to vote for several categories, including best fan army, best lyrics, best cover song, best music video, best remix, the social star award, favorite tour photographer and the first-ever favorite music video choreography award.
Voting is available now, through Twitter using the appropriate category and nominee hashtags or by visiting iHeartRadio.com/awards, and will close on March 23 at 8 p.m. ET, except for best fan army, which will run until March 27 at 9:00 am ET.
The 2020 iHeartRadio Music Awards will air live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on March 29 at 8:00 pm ET on Fox.
Here’s the full list of nominees:
Song of the Year “bad guy” – Billie Eilish “Old Town Road” – Lil Nas X “Señorita” – Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello “Sucker” – Jonas Brothers “Truth Hurts” – Lizzo
Female Artist of the Year Ariana Grande Billie Eilish Halsey Lizzo Taylor Swift
Male Artist of the Year Ed Sheeran Khalid Luke Combs Post Malone Shawn Mendes
Best Duo/Group of the Year Dan + Shay Imagine Dragons Jonas Brothers Maroon 5 Panic! At The Disco
Best Collaboration “Dancing With A Stranger” – Sam Smith & Normani “Eastside” – benny blanco, Halsey & Khalid “I Don’t Care” – Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber “Señorita” – Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello “Sunflower” – Post Malone & Swae Lee
Best New Pop Artist: Ava Max FLETCHER Lewis Capaldi Lil Nas X Lizzo
Alternative Rock Song of the Year “bad guy” – Billie Eilish “Doin’ Time” – Lana Del Rey “Ready To Let Go” – Cage The Elephant “The Hype” – twenty one pilots “Trampoline” – SHAED
Alternative Rock Artist of the Year Billie Eilish Cage The Elephant Imagine Dragons Panic! At The Disco twenty one pilots
Best New Rock/Alternative Rock Artist Dirty Honey Dominic Fike Matt Maeson SHAED The Glorious Sons
Rock Song of the Year “Blue On Black” – Five Finger Death Punch “Ghost” – Badflower “Lo/Hi” – The Black Keys “Monsters” – Shinedown “S.O.S. (Sawed Off Shotgun)” – The Glorious Sons
Rock Artist of the Year Disturbed Five Finger Death Punch Godsmack Greta Van Fleet Shinedown
Country Song of the Year “Beautiful Crazy” – Luke Combs “GIRL” – Maren Morris “God’s Country” – Blake Shelton “The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home” – Justin Moore “Whiskey Glasses” – Morgan Wallen
Country Artist of the Year Carrie Underwood Dan + Shay Luke Bryan Luke Combs Thomas Rhett
Best New Country Artist Jimmie Allen Matt Stell Morgan Wallen Riley Green Runaway June
Dance Song of the Year “Body” – Loud Luxury featuring brando “Close To Me” – Ellie Goulding, Diplo featuring Swae Lee “Here With Me” – Marshmello featuring Chvrches “Higher Love” – Kygo & Whitney Houston “So Close” – NOTD, Felix Jaehn & Captain Cutsv featuring Georgia Ku
Dance Artist of the Year Diplo Kygo Loud Luxury Marshmello The Chainsmokers
Hip-Hop Song of the Year “Going Bad” – Meek Mill featuring Drake “Money In The Grave” – Drake featuring Rick Ross “Money” – Cardi B “Old Town Road” – Lil Nas X “Suge” – DaBaby
Hip-Hop Artist of the Year Cardi B Drake Lil Baby Meek Mill Travis Scott
Best New Hip-Hop Artist City Girls DaBaby Lil Nas X Lizzo Megan Thee Stallion
R&B Song of the Year “Before I Let Go (Homecoming Live Album)” – Beyoncé “Girls Need Love (Remix)” – Summer Walker & Drake “No Guidance” – Chris Brown featuring Drake “Shot Clock” – Ella Mai “Talk” – Khalid
R&B Artist of the Year Chris Brown Ella Mai H.E.R. Khalid Summer Walker
Best New R&B Artist Ari Lennox LightSkinKeisha Nicole Bus Summer Walker The Bonfyre
Latin Pop/Urban Song of the Year “Calma” – Pedro Capó & Alicia Keys featuring Farruko “Con Calma” – Daddy Yankee & Katy Perry featuring Snow “MIA” – Bad Bunny featuring Drake “QUE PRETENDES” – J Balvin & Bad Bunny “Taki Taki” – DJ Snake featuring Selena Gomez, Ozuna & Cardi B
Latin Pop/Urban Artist of the Year Bad Bunny Daddy Yankee J Balvin Maluma Ozuna
Best New Latin Pop/Urban Artist Camilo Guaynaa Lunay Rosalía Sech
Regional Mexican Song of the Year “¿Por Qué Cambiaste De Opinión” – Calibre 50 “A Través Del Vaso” – Banda Los Sebastianes “Con Todo Incluido” – La Adictiva Banda San José De Mesillas “Encantadora” – El Fantasma “Nada Nuevo” – Christian Nodal
Regional Mexican Artist of the Year Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizárraga Calibre 50 Christian Nodal El Fantasma La Arrolladora Banda El Limón
Best New Regional Mexican Artist of the Year:Banda Los Sebastianes El Fantasma Fuerza Regida Kanales Lenin Ramírez
Producer of the Year Andrew Watt Benny Blanco Finneas Louis Bell Max Martin
Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley Finneas Frank Dukes Louis Bell Savan Kotecha
Best Lyrics: *Socially Voted Category “10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber “7 rings” – Ariana Grande “bad guy” – Billie Eilish “Beautiful People” – Ed Sheeran featuring Khalid “Hot Girl Summer” – Megan Thee Stallion featuring Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign “Juice” – Lizzo “Lose You To Love Me” – Selena Gomez “Nightmare” – Halsey “Señorita” – Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello “Someone You Loved” – Lewis Capaldi “The Bones” – Maren Morris “You Need to Calm Down” – Taylor Swift
Best Cover Song: *Socially Voted Category Led Zeppelin – “Black Dog” – Miley Cyrus cover Ariana Grande – “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored” – Lana Del Rey cover Phil Collins – “Can’t Stop Loving You” – Taylor Swift cover Sam Smith & Normani – “Dancing With A Stranger” – 5SOS cover Elvin Bishop – “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” – Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes, Caylee Hammack cover The Rembrandts – “I’ll Be There For You” – Meghan Trainor cover Taylor Swift – “Lover” – Keith Urban cover Lewis Capaldi – “Someone You Loved” – Camila Cabello cover Jonas Brothers – “Sucker” – Halsey cover Post Malone – “Sunflower” – Vampire Weekend cover
Best Fan Army: *Socially Voted Category Agnation – Agnez Mo Arianators – Ariana Grande Beliebers – Justin Bieber BTSArmy – BTS Camilizers – Camila Cabello Harries – Harry Styles Limelights – Why Don’t We Louies – Louis Tomlinson MendesArmy – Shawn Mendes Niallers – Niall Horan Selenators – Selena Gomez Swifties – Taylor Swift
Best Music Video:*Socially Voted Category “7 rings” – Ariana Grande “bad guy” – Billie Eilish “Boy With Luv” – BTS featuring Halsey “Con Altura” – Rosalía, J Balvin featuring El Guincho “Con Calma” – Daddy Yankee & Snow “Dancing With A Stranger” – Sam Smith & Normani “I Don’t Care” – Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber “Kill This Love” – BLACKPINK “ME!” – Taylor Swift featuring Brendon Urie “Old Town Road” – Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus “Señorita” – Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello “Sucker” – Jonas Brothers
Social Star Award:*Socially Voted Category Asher Angel Cody Orlove Danielle Cohn DeStorm Power King Bach Montana Tucker Niki and Gabi Piper Rockelle Scotty Sire Stephanie Poetri The Moy Boys Zoe Laverne
Best Remix:*Socially Voted Category “bad guy” – Billie Eilish (with Justin Bieber) “Con Calma” – Daddy Yankee, Katy Perry featuring Snow “Good As Hell” – Lizzo featuring Ariana Grande “Higher Love” – Kygo & Whitney Houston “Lover” – Taylor Swift featuring Shawn Mendes “Old Town Road” – Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus “The Bones” – Maren Morris featuring Hozier “Thotiana” – Blueface featuring Cardi B and YG “Trampoline” – SHAED featuring Zayn “Without Me” – Halsey featuring Juice WRLD
Favorite Tour Photographer: *Socially Voted Category Adam Degross (Post Malone) Alfredo Flores (Ariana Grande) Andy DeLuca (5SOS) Blair Caldwell (Normani) Daniel Prakopcyk (John Mayer) Jake Chamseddine (Panic! At The Disco) Josiah Van Dien (Shawn Mendes) Matty Vogel (Billie Eilish) Rays Corrupted Mind (Travis Scott) Zack Caspary (Why Don’t We) Zakary Walters (Ed Sheeran)
Favorite Music Video Choreography: (New Category)*Socially Voted Category “7 rings” (Ariana Grande) – Scott and Brian Nicholson “How Do You Sleep?” (Sam Smith) – Parris Goebel “Kill This Love” (BLACKPINK) – Kyle Hanagami & Kiel Tutin “ME!” (Taylor Swift featuring Brendon Urie) – Tyce Diorio “Motivation” (Normani) – Sean Bankhead “Señorita” (Shawn Mendes & Camilla Cabello) – Calvit Hodge & Sara Bivens
This year’s Premios de la Radio have been doled out, recognizing the best of Regional Mexican music, with the 20-year-old Mexican singer and songwriter taking home two awards.
Nodal nabbed Male Artist of the Year and Mariachi Song of the Year for his single “De Los Besos Que Te Di.”
Banda MStook home the night’s biggest prize… Artist of the Year. The Mexican band was also named Banda of the Year.
Other winners included Calibre 50, El Fantasma, rising urban corrido artist Natanael Cano and Ana Barbara, who won Female Artist of the Year, a category that returned after three years.
Gloria Trevi was the night’s opening act, performing a cumbia version of her single “Abranse Perras,” produced exclusively for the event by producer Toy Selectah of Control Machete. Trevi was also recognized with a special award for Highest Rated Female Mexican Star in the World.
Various tributes to place Thursday night, including a heartfelt homage by Banda MS to the late Mexican singer José José.Grupo Bronco, Los Huracanes del Norteand Pancho Barrazaalso received tributes.
Following performances by La Adictiva, Los Angeles Azules, Legado 7, and others, the awards show came to an end with a special cumbia tribute to the late Selena Quintanilla with a medley performanceby Belinda(“Baila Esta Cumbia”), Chiquis(“Techno Cumbia”), Edith Marquez(“No Debes Jugar”) and Ana Barbara(“Fotos y Recuerdos”).
Here’s the complete winner’s list:
Artist of the Year: Banda MS Female Artist of the Year:Ana Bárbara Male Artist of the Year: Christian Nodal Banda of the Year: Banda MS Banda Song of the Year: “A través del vaso” Banda los Sebastianes Mariachi Song of the Year: “De los besos que te di” Christian Nodal Norteño Song of the Year: “Simplemente Gracias” Calibre 50 Sierreña Song of the Year: “Lluvia en tus pestañas” Virlán García Collaboration of the Year: “Amor a Primera Vista” Los Ángeles Azules, Belinda, Horacio Palencia y Lalo Ebratt Corrido of the Year: “Aerolíneas Carrillo” Gerardo Ortiz y T3r Elemento Urban Corrido of the Year: “El de la Codeína” Natanael Cano From social media to the radio: Herencia de Patrones Norteño Group of the Year: Grupo Firme Sierreño Group or Artist of the Year: Fuerza Régida Orgullo Latino Award: El Fantasma Revelation of the Year: Carín León
The 27-year-old Mexican rising star, whose real name is Alexander García, has been honored by SoundExchange as one of digital radio’s top 20 breakout artists of 2017.
El Fantasma placed seventh on the list — the top Latin artist in the tally — behind Julia Michaels and Harry Styles and ahead of Noah Cyrus and Bad Bunny.
“We’re not celebrating yet. We’re looking ahead,” said a smiling El Fantasma, whose nickname comes from his fair complexion.
El Fantasma was feted by SoundExchange’s Matthew Limones at a private luncheon in Las Vegas two days before the Latin Grammy awards, where he’s nominated for his first Latin Grammy in the Best Banda album category for En El Camino.
SoundExchange’s honors are based on play on outlets like Pandora, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio and Music Choice.
This week, El Fantasma also placed his fifth single on the Top 10 of Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart.
Despite the power of reggaetón and urban music, Regional Mexican continues to be a driving force in digital radio, said Limones, noting that Christian Nodal also made the Top 20 list, at No 17.
As for El Fantasma, he’s continuing to break the mold with music that’s strongly tied to his roots and which has cross-generational appeal.
“I like to film all my videos in Durango de la Sierra,” he says, referring to his birth town. “I don’t like to show mansions or stuff like that. My corridos talk about people who wake up to drink coffee in the morning, who work the fields. Everybody deserves their own corrido.”
