Luciano Luna to Receive SESAC Latina’s SESAC Legacy Award

Posted on May 26, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Luciano Luna’s legacy in Latin music is being celebrated…

The 42-year-old Mexican Latin Grammy-winning songwriter/producer will receive the SESAC Legacy Award during the SESAC Latina Music Awards Gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles on June 26.

Luna will be presented the award in honor of his illustrious career and significant contribution to Latin music.

“I am very grateful for this distinction; it motivates me to continue dedicating myself to writing stories with my songs and being a good example for new generations of songwriters,” Luna said in a press release.

The Sinaloa creator has recorded more than 250 productions, mostly in the regional Mexican music genre, with iconic acts such as Julión Álvarez, Gerardo Ortiz, Banda Los Recoditos, Banda MS, Régulo Caro and more.

As a co-author, his collaborations include Joss Favela, Edén Muñoz and others.

“We are thrilled to present the Legacy Award to one of the most distinguished songwriters of our generation, Luciano Luna, who has sustained a remarkable career throughout the years,” said Celeste Zendejas, senior vice president of SESAC Latina

This year marks SESAC Latina’s 30th anniversary of representing top-tier songwriters globally.

The event will recognize the exceptional talent and achievements of its affiliated songwriters and publishers, awarding honors such as song of the year, publisher of the year, and more.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate the magnificent and vibrant talent within the Latin songwriting community,” remarked SESAC’s CCO, Sam Kling. “The SESAC Latina Music Awards always showcase exceptional songs and songwriters, making it an unforgettable evening.”

“SESAC Latina’s 30th anniversary is a celebration of continued growth, endless creativity, and the global success of the exceptional talent behind the music. On this milestone year, we honor all our incredible songwriters who continue to inspire us with their profound lyrics and soulful melodies,” added Zendejas.

She continued, “We are thrilled to present the Legacy Award to one of the most distinguished songwriters of our generation, Luciano Luna, who has sustained a remarkable career throughout the years.”

Oscar Ortiz & Edgardo Nuñez Earn First No. 1 on Any Billboard Chart with “First Love”

Posted on April 25, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Oscar Ortiz and Edgardo Nuñez are celebrating a special first (love)…

The Regional Mexican newcomers combine efforts for their first No. 1 on any Billboard chart as “First Love” rises 3-1 on the April 27-dated Regional Mexican Airplay ranking.

The song was released on December 23 via BadSin Records, the music management company co-owned by Ortiz and his brothers Kevin and Gerardo, both frequent Billboard charts visitors.

“I feel grateful and honored that Edgardo Nuñez believed in my composition and I cannot say ‘thank you’ enough to my fans for supporting me in this dream,” 21-year-old Ortiz tells Billboard.

“First Love” accrued 7.95 million audience impressions in the U.S. toward the April 27 Billboard ranking (April 12-18 tracking week), according to Luminate; that’s a 16% gain from the week prior. The song ejects Banda MS’ “Tu Perfume” from the penthouse, which falls to No. 2 with a 6% dip, to 7.1 million impressions.

Notably, “First Love” becomes just the fifth song by two co-billed soloists to lead Regional Mexican Airplay this decade. Here’s the list of those equal-billed collabs since 2020:

Title, Artist, Peak Date, Weeks at No. 1
“Dime Cómo Quieres,” Christian Nodal & Angela Aguilar, Jan. 30, 2021, five
“Duele,” Alejandro Fernández & Christian Nodal, April 24, 2021, one
“Tus Desprecios,” Pepe Aguilar & El Fantasma, Sept. 25, 2021, one
“Si Ya Hiciste El Mal,” Luis R Conriquez & Jessi Uribe, Nov. 19, 2022, one
“Según Quién,” Maluma & Carin León, Dec. 16, 2023, one
“La Intención,” Christian Nodal & Peso Pluma, March 30, two
“First Love,” Oscar Ortiz & Edgardo Nuñez, April 27

“First Love” caught immediate viral attention through TikTok, where Ortiz was named #Rompiendo Artist of the month in March by TikTok. To date, the song has sparked nearly 600,000 videos. Streams, however, experience a 4% dip during the tracking week, to 3.5 million official U.S. clicks.

As “First Love” rises to No. 1 on Regional Mexican Airplay, it takes BadSin to its second champ in 2024 and 13th overall. Earlier in this year, the indie label topped the ranking through Ortiz’s brother Gerardo Ortiz’s “Ahí No Era,” for one week in charge in February.

Unlike Oscar Ortiz, whose first and only Billboard entry arrived through “First Love,” Nuñez has placed four other tracks on the charts, including “El Humo De Gallo,” with Banda Los Sebastianes de Saul Plata, which debuts at No. 34 on Regional Mexican Airplay on the current list.

Beyond its Regional Mexican Airplay coronation, ‘First Love” climbs 9-5 on the overall Latin Airplay chart, for its new peak, with an 18% gain in overall impressions, to 8.32 million.

Gerardo Ortiz Earns 13th No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with “Ahí No Era”

Posted on February 13, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

It’s Lucky No. 13 for Gerardo Ortiz…

The 34-year-old Mexican American Regional Mexican singer-songwriter has notched his 13th No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart as “Ahí No Era” advances 4-1 on the list dated February 17.

After a week in the top 10, Ortiz’s single crowns the list following a robust 40% gain in audience impressions, to 7.5 million, earned in the U.S. in the tracking week ending Feb. 8, according to Luminate.

As “Ahí No Va” advances, it unseats Xavi’s “La Diabla” from the lead after one week in charge. The latter dips 1-2 with 6.7 million, that’s a 29% decline from the week prior.

With 13 No. 1s to his account, Ortiz still has the second-most among soloists, behind Christian Nodal’s 15 No. 1s. Among all acts, Calibre 50 has the most, with 24.

Here’s the list of the acts with the most No. 1s since the Regional Mexican Airplay chart launched in 1994:

24, Calibre 50
19, Banda MS de Sergio Lizarraga
18, Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizarraga
18, Intocable
17, La Arrolladora Banda el Limon de Rene Camacho
16, Conjunto Primavera
16, Los Tigres del Norte
15, Christian Nodal
13, Gerardo Ortiz
12, La Adictiva Banda San Jose de Mesillas

As “Ahí No Era” lands at the summit, Ortiz becomes just the sixth soloist to rule Regional Mexican Airplay in the past year.

He joins Christian Nodal (“Un Cumbión Dolido” in June 2023), Alejandro Fernández (“No Es Que Me Quiera Ir” and “Difícil Tu Caso,” last August and November respectively), Carin León (“Indispensable,” last August-September), El Fantasma (“La Vida Cara,” last September), Eden Muñoz (“Como En Los Viejos Tiempos,” January 27-dated list), and Xavi (“La Diabla,” chart dated February 10).

Elsewhere, “Ahí No Era” pushes 14-4 on the overall Latin Airplay ranking, for Ortiz’ 17th top 10. The song becomes his highest peak since “Regresa Hermosa” reached an equal No. 4 high in 2016.

Luis R. Conriquez Releases New Album “Corridos Bélicos, Vol. IV”

Posted on January 6, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Luis R. Conriquez has released new music…

The 27-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter of Regional Mexican music and pioneer of corridos bélicos has assembled an all-star team of collaborators for Corridos Bélicos, Vol. IV, which was released on Friday, January 5.

With guest artists like Peso Pluma, Gerardo Ortiz, El Fantasma, Junior H, Gabito Ballesteros, Edén Muñoz, Fuerza Regida, Alfredo Olivas and Natanael Cano, Conriquez recruits some of the best in música mexicana, and honors both the new and old generations of regional Mexican hitmakers.

The set includes a total of 23 songs all powered by the subgenre’s signature sound, punctuated by sierreño guitars, trombones, trumpets and a tololoche.

Most of the album’s songs narrate rags-to-riches stories with lyrics inspired by narco culture, the style of storytelling that has defined corridos bélicos.

Conriquez’s Corridos Bélicos, Vol. IV rings in the year with a tour de force that showcases solidarity in Mexican music — the genre had a massive 2023 and this year looks just as promising.

Gerardo Ortiz to Perform at Los Angeles’ First-Ever LA3C Festival

Posted on October 7, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Gerardo Ortiz is helping celebrate culture and creativity…

The 33-year-old Mexican American Regional Mexican singer has been added to the lineup for the first-ever LA3C culture and creativity festival.

Sponsored by Penske Media, the event is set for December 10-11.

In addition to Ortiz, new additions to the main stage performance lineup include Free Nationals, Fonseca, Marc Segui, Shawn Wasabi, Monogem, Shea Diamond, and Chicocurlyhead.

The festival will take place at the Los Angeles State Historic Park in Los Angeles.

The name, LA3C, stands for Los Angeles the Capital of Culture & Creativity.

The diverse lineup of performers join previously announced headliner and three-time Grammy-winner Megan Thee Stallion and Latin chart-topper Maluma, with performances by K-Pop stage-breakers Seventeen and Snoop Dogg.

Tickets are on-sale now at LA3C.com.

“We are thrilled to share our full music lineup today,” said Juan Mora, CEO of LA3C. “Our goals were to create a lineup that celebrates the range of musical genres Los Angeles offers including Pop, Hip-Hop, R&B, K-Pop, Regional Mexican Music, EDM and more and for attendees to discover new artists while enjoying names they know and love.”

LA3C has also announced its partnership with HIN Events LLC, Hot Import Nights Brand, the world’s largest indoor/outdoor automotive lifestyle event producer.

As part of the partnership, HIN Events will host a second stage featuring headliner Mustard and performance sets from AJ Hernz, ARIUS, Cam Girl, Freya Fox, Kill Bambi, Kim Lee, LOLO, Lucky Light, Madds, MEIRLIN, Peach, Rose Gold, Soda and Vice.

Additional talent for the two-day culture and creativity festival will be announced in the coming weeks including chefs, restaurants and artists.

Gerardo Ortiz Earns 12th No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with “Modo Crudo”

Posted on October 6, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Gerardo Ortiz has logged another chart-topper…

The 33-year-old Mexican American singer’s “Modo Crudo” has jumped to No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart, leading the October 8-dated ranking.

The track takes the Greatest Gainer trophy of the week thanks to a robust 65% gain in audience impressions, to 7.1 million, earned in the U.S. in the week ending October 2, according to Luminate.

“Modo Crudo” was released June 3 via Bad Sin/Sony Music Latin. It becomes the most-heard song on U.S. monitored Regional Mexican stations during the tracking week as it rallies 8-1 after it reached a No. 5 high on the Sept. 10-dated ranking.

Among “Modo Crudo’s” greatest radio supporters by audience during the September 26-Oct. 2 tracking week, stations in Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles take the lead.

Chicago’s WOJO generated 9.8 million (up 91%), Dallas’ KLNO rose to 8.7 million (up 1,795%), while Los Angeles’ KSCA increased by 77% (to 7.1 million).

The new leader is Ortiz’s 12th champ among 31 career appearances. Of those, 23 reached the top 10, including his 12-week ruler “Solo Vine a Despedirme” (November 2012-January 2013). The singer/songwriter continues to hold the second-most wins among soloists, trailing Christian Nodal, who leads with 14 No. 1s since the chart launched in 1994.

Here’s a recap:

14, Christian Nodal
12, Gerardo Ortiz
8, Marco Antonio Solís
7, Vicente Fernández
5, Alejandro Fernández

Elsewhere, “Modo Crudo” keeps rolling on the all-genre Latin Airplay chart. There, the Pasadena-born record producer scores his 16th top 10 as the track speeds 19-7, also the Greatest Gainer of the week.

Christian Nodal Earns 14th No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with “Vivo En El 6”

Posted on July 27, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Make that 14 hits for Christian Nodal…

The 23-year-old Mexican singer has extended his record for the most No. 1s on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart as his latest single “Vivo En El 6” rises from No. 4 to rule the July 30-dated survey.

“Vivo En El 6” leads with 8.1 million in audience impressions, up 32%, earned in the U.S. in the week ending July 24, according to Luminate.

“Vivo En El 6” ensures Nodal’s unbroken record of chart-toppers among solo acts on Regional Mexican Airplay with 14 No. 1s. Gerardo Ortiz, with 11, has the second-most No. 1s. Among all acts, Calibre 50 continues to lead with 22 champs.

As “Vivo” jumps 4-1, it captures the week’s Greatest Gainer honor within the 40-deep title ranking.

Here’s a recap of Nodal’s No. 1s since his first Regional Mexican Airplay win in 2017:

Peak Date, Title, Artist (if other than Nodal)
April 8, 2017, “Adios Amor”
Sept. 30, 2017, “Probablemente,” featuring David Bisbal
March 10, 2018, “Me Deje Llevar”
August 11, 2018, “Te Falle”
Dec. 22, 2018, “No Te Contaron Mal”
May 4, 2019 “Nada Nuevo”
August 24, 2019, “De Los Besos Que Te Di”
May 9, 2020 “Se Me Olvido”
Sept. 12, 2020, “Aqui Abajo”
Jan. 30, 2021, “Dime Como Quieres,” with Angela Aguilar
April 24, 2021, “Duele,” with Alejandro Fernandez
May 22, 2021, “2 Veces,” with Los Plebes Del Rancho De Ariel Camacho
Nov. 27, 2021, “La Sinverguenza,” with Banda Ms
July 30, 2022, “Vivo En El 6”

Beyond its Regional Mexican Airplay coronation, “En El 6” cracks the top 10 on the all-genre Latin Airplay chart as the song rallies 12-4 in its ninth week.

With its growing airplay performance, Nodal enters a tie with Ortiz for the third-most top 10s among regional Mexican solo performers, trailing Marco Antonio Solis’ 27 leaders and Alejandro Fernández’s 20.

CNCO to Perform at This Year’s Latin American Music Awards

Posted on March 29, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

CNCO is preparing to take the global stage…

The Latin boy band is among the latest acts appearing on the performance roster for this year’s Latin American Music Awards, which will take place at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas

In addition to CNCO, the latest list of confirmed artists includes Emilia, Farruko, Gera MX, Luis Fonsi, Prince Royce, and Reik.

They join previous performers Black Eyed Peas, Boza, Calibre 50, Chiquis, Christian Nodal, Esteman, Gerardo Ortiz, Gloria Trevi, Jesse & Joy, Jhay Cortez, Lit Killah, Los Ángeles Azules, Lupita D’Alessio, María Becerra, Nicki Nicole, Ozuna, Sofía Reyes, and Tiago PZK.

The three-hour event will “pay tribute to today’s most influential and iconic Latin artists” in 26 categories, including favorite video and favorite social artist, selected by a committee of industry professionals who consider the quality, content, creativity, and fan engagement.

The 2022 Latin AMAs nominations are led by Bad Bunny with 10 nominations. He’s followed by the eight-time nominee Jhay Cortez, and Karol G, J Balvin, and Rauw Alejandro with seven nods each.

This year’s nominees, which are determined by fan voting via LatinAmas.com, are based on key fan interactions with music, including streaming, sales, airplay, and social activity tracked by Billboard through its data partners Luminate — formerly MRC Data — and Next Big Sound for data covering the periods of Feb. 6, 2021, through Jan. 29, 2022.

The 2022 Latin AMAs will take place on Thursday, April 21, live from the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The seventh annual ceremony will be broadcast on Telemundo starting at 7 p.m. ET with the red-carpet pre-show followed at 8 p.m. ET by the awards show.

Jesse & Joy to Perform at This Year’s Latin American Music Awards

Posted on March 17, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Jesse & Joy are preparing for the Latin AMAs…

The Latin American Music Awards have announced the first round of performers for its 2022 edition, with the Mexican sibling duo – comprised of brother Jesse Huerta and sister Joy Huerta – set to take the stage.

Jesse & Joy are among a roster of performers that includes The Black Eyed Peas, Boza, Calibre 50, Chiquis, Esteman, Gerardo Ortiz and Gloria Trevi.

The Latin AMAs will be broadcast on Telemundo from Las Vegas starting at 7:00 p.m. ET with the red-carpet pre-show.

Other acts confirmed to grace the stage include Jhay Cortez, Lit Killah, Los Ángeles Azules, María Becerra, Nicki Nicole, Sofia Reyes, Ozuna and Tiago PZK.

The awards show kicks off at 8:00 p.m. ET live from the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

According to a press release, the forthcoming three-hour event will “pay tribute to today’s most influential and iconic Latin artists” in 26 categories, including favorite video and favorite social artist, selected by a committee of industry professionals who consider the quality, content, creativity and fan engagement.

As it was previously announced, Mexican songstress Lupita D’Alessio will be honored with the Legend Award and Regional Mexican chart-topping artist Christian Nodal will receive the Extraordinary Evolution Award. Nodal is also a five-time nominee at this year’s Latin AMAs.

The 10-time-nominated Bad Bunny leads the list of nominees. The Puerto Rican hitmaker is followed by Jhay Cortez with eight nominations, and Karol G, J Balvin and Rauw Alejandro with seven nods each.

This year’s nominees are based on key fan interactions with music, including streaming, sales, airplay and social activity tracked by Billboard through its data partners MRC Data and Next Big Sound for data covering the periods of February 6, 2021, through January 29, 2022. All Latin AMA categories are determined by fan voting.

To vote for your favorite artists, visit LatinAMAs.com.

Gerardo Ortiz Earns 11th No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with “Tranquilito”

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s Lucky No. 11 for Gerardo Ortiz.

The 32-year-old Mexican American singer has earned his 11th No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart as his single “Tranquilito” rises 4-1 on the October 16-dated survey.

The single, released February 21 as part of Ortiz’s Décimo Aniversario set, pushes to the top of the tally with a 40% increase in audience impressions, to 8 million, earned in the U.S. in the week ending October 10, according to MRC Data.

As the corrido lands atop the 26-year-old chart, Gerardo captures his 11th No. 1, the second-most among soloists behind Christian Nodal’s 12 leaders. (Calibre 50 continues at the helm, among all acts, with 20 total No. 1s.)

Here’s a recap of the solo acts with the most Regional Mexican Airplay No. 1s:

12, Christian Nodal
11, Gerardo Ortiz
8, Marco Antonio Solis
7, Vicente Fernández
4, Alejandro Fernández
4, Joan Sebastian
4, Ulices Chaidez

“Tranquilito” was written by Emmanuel Delgado and Julio Nápoles. It concurrently sets foot in the overall Latin Airplay chart’s top 10 as it races 15-5 in its sixth week and earns Ortiz his 15th top 10 there, the third-most for a regional Mexican solo act. With a 40% boost in audience, it logs the largest percentage increase by a regional Mexican song.

Back on Regional Mexican Airplay, “Tranquilito” follows the two-week champ “Otra Borrachera” (June 2020) from his No. 7-peaking album Más Caro, Que Ayer. Previously, he placed nine other No. 1 titles, including the 12-week leader “Solo Vine a Despedirme” in 2012, the second-longest leading No. 1 for a soloist behind Marco Antonio Solis’ “La Venia Bendita” (13 weeks, 1997).

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