Iglesias Becomes Solo Male Artist with the Most No. 1s on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs Chart

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

It should come as little surprise that Enrique Iglesias releases songs with titles like “Bailando,” “Dirty Dancer” and “Bailamos.”

The 41-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter has managed to break out of a tie for the most No. 1s among solo male artists in the 40-year history of Billboard‘s Dance Club Songs chart.

Iglesias has earned his 14th chart-topper with “Duele El Corazon,” featuring Wisin, who earns his first leader, as the track rises 2-1 on the chart dated September 17.

“I’m one lucky guy! ‘Duele El Corazon’ keeps surprising me in all senses,” Iglesias tells Billboard. “The song is quite simple and profound at the same time. And, in the end, all we need is love. That give-and-take feeling that moves the world.

“No. 1 on the dance chart … and I don’t dance. Quite amazing, if you ask me!”

Iglesias passes Dave Aude and Pitbull, each with 13 No. 1s.

Among all artists, he ties Lady Gaga for 10th place; Madonna leads with 46 No. 1s.

Dating back to the Dance Club Songs chart’s August 28, 1976, inception as a national survey, here’s an updated look at the acts with the most No. 1s:

46, Madonna
27, Rihanna
22, Beyonce
19, Janet Jackson
17, Mariah Carey
16, Jennifer Lopez
16, Kristine W
15, Katy Perry
15, Donna Summer
14, Lady Gaga
14, Enrique Iglesias
13, Dave Aude
13, Whitney Houston
13, Kylie Minogue
13, Pitbull

Iglesias’ new No. 1, remixed in Spanish and English by Aude, C-Rod and Tracy Young, among others (with added vocals by Tinashe and Javada), is the first leader with a foreign-language title since (the French) “Deja Vu,” by Giorgio Moroder featuring Sia (Aug. 1, 2015).

“Duele” is the first Spanish-language No. 1 since Iglesias’ last leader, “Bailando,” featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente De Zona (Oct. 18, 2014).

The crossover smash also remains No. 1 for a 12th (nonconsecutive) week on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart, where Iglesias has tallied a record 27 leaders.

Gente de Zona to Stream Barcelona Concert on Tidal

Posted on July 30, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Gente de Zona is a stream team…

The Cuban reggaeton duo, consisting of Alexander Delgado and Randy Malcom Martines, is partnering up with Tidal to live stream their concert at Barcelona’s Parc del Fórum for members and non-members alike.

Gente de Zona, currently trekking across Europe, found its first international success following their collaboration with Enrique Iglesias on his 2014 smash “Bailando“. The song won three Latin Grammy awards and received widespread international airplay

“We feel very happy with how we people in Europe have welcomed us,” said the “Traidora” singers in a statement. “It’s a privilege to be part of Tidal with other great artists and now live streaming from Europe is surreal. From Cuba to the world!”

You can tune in to the concert Sunday here.

Jesse & Joy Release Heartbreaking Video for New Single “Dueles”

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Jesse & Joy are sharing the pain…

The Mexican Latin Grammy-winning duo, comprised of siblings Jesse Eduardo Huerta and Tirzah Joy Huerta, have released the official music video for their latest single “Dueles.”

Jesse & Joy premiered the short film, which was directed by Lior Molcho, on Tuesday (July 5).

It tells the heartbreaking story of a woman who gets diagnosed with a brain tumor. Jesse, who plays the boyfriend, will do anything to get the money he needs to pay for the expensive surgery his girlfriend needs.

Jesse & Joy are confirmed to perform at Premios Juventud on July 14 held at the BankUnited Center in Miami.

The awards ceremony, hosted by Becky G, will also include other performances by Gente de Zona, Pitbull, Enrique Iglesias and Leslie Grace.

Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias Win Big at the Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Nicky Jam and Enrique Iglesias have plenty of reason to celebrate…

The 35-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American singer/songwriter and 40-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter were the big winners of the 2016 Billboard Latin Music Awards, propelled by their global hit “El Perdón.”

Nicky Jam and Iglesias collected six trophies each, including Hot Latin Song of the Year, Vocal Event, Airplay Song of the Year, Digital Song of the Year, Streaming Song of the Year and Latin Rhythm Song of the Year. Additionally, Iglesias won Latin Pop Songs Artist of the Year, Solo, while Nicky Jam won Latin Rhythm Songs Artist of the Year, Solo.

After thanking God, his genre Latina, Billboard and the people of Colombia and Puerto Rico, Nicky Jam gave a shout-out to his father, who he was separated from for much of his childhood. “I never brought home to you a medal from school,” he said. “But here is your medal, Papi.”

Right behind in the trophy haul was Mexican singer/songwriter Juan Gabriel, a comeback success story who won Tour of the Year and whose album of duets, Los Duo, won for Top Latin Album of the Year and Latin Pop Album of the Year. Gabriel also won Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Male and Latin Pop Albums Artist of the Year, solo, and was honored with the special Billboard Star Award.

“This doesn’t seem real,” said a giddy Juan Gabriel, the first winner of the night. “I’m amazed. I’m surprised. I am very happy to be here for the first time.”

Other top winners of the evening included Romeo Santos, who won Artist of the Year, Mana, who won Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group, and Shakira, who won Social Artist of the Year.

Here’s a look at the night’s winners:

Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Male: Juan Gabriel
Tropical Songs Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Gente de Zona
Hot Latin Song of the Year: Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias, “El Perdón”
Tropical Song of the Year: Gente de Zona Feat. Marc Anthony, “La Gozadera”
Top Latin Album of the Year: Juan Gabriel, Los Dúo
Tropical Album of the Year: Victor Manuelle, Que Suenen Los Tambores
Regional Mexican Album of the Year: Gerardo Ortiz, Hoy Más Fuerte
Latin Rhythm Songs Artist of the Year, Solo: Nicky Jam
Latin Rhythm Song of the Year: Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias, “El Perdón”
Airplay Song of the Year: Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias, “El Perdón”
Streaming Song of the Year: Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias, “El Perdón”
Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizarraga
Regional Mexican Songs Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizárraga
Latin Rhythm Songs Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Zion & Lennox
Latin Pop Album of the Year: Juan Gabriel, Los Dúo
Tour of the Year: Juan Gabriel
Artist of the Year: Romeo Santos
Artist of the Year, New: Ariel Camacho y Los Plebes del Rancho
Social Artist of the Year: Shakira
Crossover Artist of the Year: Justin Bieber
Hot Latin Song of the Year, Vocal Event: Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias, “El Perdón”
Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Male: Romeo Santos
Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Female: Shakira
Digital Song of the Year: Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias, “El Perdón”
Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Female: Selena
Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Maná
Latin Pop Song of the Year: Maná Feat. Shakira, “Mi Verdad”
Latin Pop Songs Artist of the Year, Solo: Enrique Iglesias
Latin Pop Songs Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Mana
Latin Pop Albums Artist of the Year, Solo: Juan Gabriel
Latin Pop Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Maná
Tropical Songs Artist of the Year, Solo: Romeo Santos
Tropical Albums Artist of the Year, Solo: Romeo Santos
Tropical Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Buena Vista Social Club
Regional Mexican Song of the Year: Ariel Camacho y Los Plebes del Rancho, “Te Metiste”
Regional Mexican Songs Artist of the Year, Solo: El Komander
Regional Mexican Albums Artist of the Year, Solo: Joan Sebastian
Regional Mexican Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda
Latin Rhythm Album of the Year: Pitbull, Dale
Latin Rhythm Albums Artist of the Year, Solo: Pitbull
Latin Rhythm Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Plan B
Songwriter of the Year: Anthony “Romeo” Santos
Producer of the Year: Saga WhiteBlack

Anthony Earns His Record 27th No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Songs Chart with His Gente de Zona Collaboration

Posted on March 19, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Marc Anthony is the sole King of Tropical Music once again…

The 47-year-old Puerto Rican singer’s collaboration with Gente de Zona, “Traidora,” rises 3-1 in its 10th charting week on Billboard’s Tropical Songs chart (up 31 percent in plays at the format in the week ending March 13).

The crowning achievement gives Anthony his 27th career No. 1 on the chart, breaking him out of a tie with Victor Manuelle to now lead as the artist with the most chart-toppers ever.

Additional, the single gives Gente de Zona its fourth No. 1.

Gente de Zona Signs Worldwide Booking Deal with Cardenas Marketing Network

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Gente de Zona is going global…

The Cuban reggaeton duo, consisting of Alexander Delgado and Randy Malcom, has signed an exclusive deal with Cardenas Marketing Network (CMN) for worldwide booking, according to Billboard.

The deal was negotiated in partnership with Magnus Media, the entertainment company launched by Marc Anthony, which also manages Gente de Zona.

“We are proud to add Gente de Zona to our booking roster as they are continuing an upward trend playing in new venues, countries and continents”, said Henry Cardenas, Cardenas Marketing Network CEO.

CMN has already begun preparations for Gente de Zona’s 2016 tour dates which will take the duo throughout Europe, Latin America, the U.S., and for the first time, the Middle East.

Regarding the partnership, Magnus’ CEO, Michael Vega said: “We are thrilled to have the CMN team aboard as partners as we continue to develop Gente de Zona’s profile throughout the world.”

CMN, based out in Chicago and Miami, produces Latin music concerts in the United States and the rest of the world for Marc Anthony, Juan Luis Guerra, Juan Gabriel, Chayanne, Alejandro Fernández and more.

Since the release of “Bailando” (with Enrique Iglesias) in 2014, and “La Gozadera” with Marc Anthony in 2015, Gente de Zona has taken Cuba’s sounds and rhythm around the world with their music.

The duo is a four-time finalist for the Billboard Latin Music Awards 2016.

J Balvin’s ‘Ginza’ Makes History on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs Chart

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

J Balvin makes Billboard chart history…

The 30-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer spends a 21st consecutive week at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart with “Ginza.”

With its latest frame at the top of the charts, the song makes history as the longest-leading No. 1 by a single act, unaccompanied by another.

“It’s amazing how dreams are limitless, and how discipline, along with good music, can bring you to live the unimaginable,” said Balvin in an interview with Billboard.

“Ginza” passes three other 20-week No. 1s by acts unaccompanied by other artists: Flex‘s “Te Quiero” (2008), Juanes‘ “Me Enamora” (2007-08) and Son by Four‘s “A Puro Dolor” (2000).

Overall, “Ginza” is the fourth-longest-leading No. 1 in Hot Latin Songs history (which dates to 1986) but rules as the only non-collaborative track to spend as many as 21 weeks atop the tally (which shifted from solely airplay audience measurement to a blend of airplay, sales, and streaming in October 2012). Enrique Iglesias leads with 41 weeks at No. 1 with “Bailando,” featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona (2014-15), followed by Nicky Jam and Iglesias’ “El Perdon” (31 weeks, 2015) and Shakira‘s “La Tortura,” featuring Alejandro Sanz (25 weeks, 2005).

Sustained streaming has helped to keep “Ginza” atop Hot Latin Songs, with 1.9 million U.S. streams logged in the week ending Feb. 18, according to Nielsen Music (an 8 percent hike), lifting it to No. 1 on Latin Streaming Songs for the first time. YouTube and Vevo on YouTube views account for 58 percent of overall clicks, including views stemming from the official music video (which has amassed more than 420 million worldwide streams since its July 2015 premiere). At its height, “Ginza” was streamed 2.4 million times in the U.S. during a single tracking week (reflected in the Oct. 31, 2015 chart week).

The reign of “Ginza” is also propelled by continued airplay on Latin stations, as it steps 3-2 on Latin Airplay with 12 million audience impressions in the tracking week. It previously dominated for 12 weeks on the airplay chart, peaking in September. Meanwhile, downloads of the song are up 14 percent to 3,000 downloads, earning it the No. 3 spot on Latin Digital Songs (following its No. 2 peak on the chart). The track has sold 153,000 downloads to date.

Balvin debuted the reggaeton track via a live performance on Univision‘s Premios Juventud awards show July 17, 2015, and it rose to No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs (in its 11th chart week) Oct. 17. “Ginza” is his second No. 1 on the chart, following a week atop the ranking with “Ay Vamos” earlier in the year (March 7).

Anthony’s Maestro Cares Foundation to Honor Bill Clinton

Posted on December 20, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Marc Anthony’s non-profit organization to honor former U.S. president Bill Clinton…

The Maestro Cares Foundation, created by the 47-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter and music promoter Henry Cardenas, will honor Clinton with its 2016 Global Humanitarian Award.

The award will be presented at the Maestro Cares’ third annual “Changing Lives, Building Dreams” gala.

F.J. Pollack, president and CEO of TracFone Wireless, will be honored with the foundation’s Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility Award.

Anthony will perform at the February 16 gala with Gente de Zona, his collaborators on the hit single “La Gozadera.”

The black-tie dinner, hosted by Latin radio personality Enrique Santos, will be held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York.

“It’s a privilege to officially announce this year’s honorees and celebrate their tangible and meaningful contributions to our society,” Anthony said in a statement. “I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize their leadership and their commitment to help and empower disadvantaged children around the world.”

In March 2016, the foundation will open a home for over 70 orphaned girls in Toluca, Mexico in partnership with Telmex Foundation and Casa Hogar Alegria, its fourth project for youth in Latin America. In September 2015, the foundation also broke ground to its fifth project in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Other homes are underway in La Paz, Bolivia and Guadalajara, Mexico.

J.Lo Bringing a Little Pop to SBS’ Megaton Mundial Concert

Posted on October 3, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Jennifer Lopez is bracing for a mega(ton) performance….

The 46-year-old Puerto Rican singer/actress has joined the roster of acts performing at the SBS network’s annual Megaton Mundial de Polito Vega, taking place on October 28 at Madison Square Garden.

Lopez is the only pop act so far on a roster that, as is traditionally the case with Megatón, features predominantly tropical and urban music.

The Megatón will also feature performances by Pitbull, veteran rappers Tego Calderon and Vico C, Cuban duo Gente de Zona and Ivy Queen.

Salsa performers include Luis Enrique, Pirulo y la Tribu, Tony Vega, Hector Tricoche and Nino Segarra, while merengue will be represented by Elvis Crespo, Grupo Manía and La Dinastía Rosario. Bachata will be present courtesy of El Torito, Bachata Heightz and Jay Ruiz.

SBS’ annual Megatón, produced by SBS Entertainment, bears the name of popular radio personality Polito Vega, who’s been on the air more than 50 years.

Vega is one of the iconic voices of Mega 97.9 FM, the top-rated Spanish-language station in the country.

Nicky Jam’s “El Perdon” Spends 26th Consecutive Week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs Chart

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

There’s no doubt Nicky Jam’s latest single is a smash hit… But it’s now thisclose to making history.

The 34-year-old Puerto Rican/Dominican American singer’s collaboration with Enrique Iglesias’ “El Perdon” is now the second-longest-running No. 1 in the 29-year history of Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, spending a 26th consecutive week at No. 1.

“I don’t believe it yet. It’s hard to digest,” Nicky Jam tells Billboard.

The track shot to No. 1 in only five weeks, after debuting at No. 50 on the chart dated Feb. 21. A music video, released in conjunction with the YouTube Music Awards (March 23), has garnered more than 229 million global views on YouTube. In addition, a lyric video on Jam’s YouTube channel has amassed 325 million views.

The 26th week at No. 1 trails only Iglesias’ own “Bailando,” featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona, which shattered the record for most weeks at the top, when it spent 41 consecutive weeks at No. 1 (on the charts dated May 17, 2014, through Feb. 14, 2015). “El Perdon” surpasses Shakira’s 25-week No. 1 run with “La Tortura,” featuring Alejandro Sanz, attained in 2005.

Seemingly unaware of the track’s reach, a humble Nicky Jam says, “My manager scolds me because he said that I don’t know how big I am, and that maybe that’s the key.” He adds, “I try not to think about the success, because it’s pressure to continue making music. If I write songs trying to top other songs, it’s a lot of pressure.”

While Nicky Jam had his first three Hot Latin Songs-charted tracks between 2005 and 2008, “El Perdon” is his breakout international smash and follows a six-year chart hiatus. His return to the chart came in 2014 with “Travesuras,” also a sizable hit, reaching No. 4 on the list (Dec. 27).

An English version of the track, “El Perdon (Forgiveness),” has given the song extra legs in recent weeks — helping the crossover hit to scale the Billboard Hot 100. On the Sept. 12-dated chart, it hops 72-68 in its 23rd week (nearing its No. 66 peak). A music video for the new version was released Sept. 1 via a live stream at YouTube Space NYC, hosted by BuzzFeed Espanol. The clip was uploaded to Nicky Jam’s YouTube channel immediately following the broadcast.

The song’s 26th crowning week on the hybrid chart (which measures radio, sales, and streaming of the Spanish version only) is supported mostly by streams, accounting for 56 percent of total points contributing to its rank. It racked up 2.5 million U.S. clicks during the week ending Aug. 28, (up 6 percent, according to Nielsen Music), with the Spanish version receiving 89 percent of total clicks.

Any bumps in sales and streaming for “Forgiveness” are expected to impact the Hot 100 rank on the Sept. 19-dated charts.

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