Gilberto Santa Rosa to Receive Honorary Doctor of Music Degree from Berklee College of Music

Posted on April 11, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Gilberto Santa Rosa is set to receive a special honor…

Berklee College of Music has announced that the 61-year-old Puerto Rican bandleader and singer of salsa and bolero music, nicknamed “El Caballero de la Salsa“, is among the artists that will receive honorary Doctor of Music degrees during a commencement ceremony in May.

Santa Rosa will be recognized alongside Ledisi and Q-Tip.

Recognized for their contribution to the worlds of music and philanthropy, the artists will be celebrated with a reception and concert in the Agganis Arena, where over 200 student vocalists, instrumentalists, dancers, arrangers, and track producers will perform a musical tribute to the work of each of the honorees.

“Very honored and excited,” expressed Santa Rosa on Instagram. “Thank you for this distinction! Thank you all for the demonstrations of support and affection!!!”

Past Latin recipients from the college include Tito Puente, Gloria Estefan, Rita Moreno and Juan Luis Guerra.

Willy Chirino Celebrates Half-Century Spanning Music Career with Release of “Sigo Pa’lante”

Posted on January 3, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Willy Chirino is celebrating his 50-year music career with new music.

The 75-year-old Cuban singer-songwriter behind salsa classics like “Medias Negras” and “Pobre Diabla” has released Sigo Pa’lante, his first studio album in more than a decade.

With reggaetón becoming more and more popular, Chirino was taking his time to study the landscape before releasing the album in December.

“There was a transition in music after my last album that was very dramatic,” he explains to Billboard Español about his hiatus. But the 50th anniversary, with all the fanfare and the news surrounding it, was the perfect occasion to release the album he’d been working on for the past three years.

Chirino wasn’t hibernating — in recent years he’d released an album of traditional Latin American songs with his wife Lissette (Amarraditos), two Christmas albums (Llegó la Navidad and Willy & Lissette Navidad En Familia) and other covers sets (My Favorites and My Beatles Heart) — Sigo Pa’lante is his first project of new music since 2008’s Pa’lante.

Composed of 12 tracks, it opens with the joyous “Imagínate” and includes collaborations with Gilberto Santa Rosa (on the first single “La Música”), Leoni Torres (“Para Mi Viejo”), El Chacal (the album’s title track), Lissette (“Mi Corazón Es Un Pueblo”) and his daughter Jesse (“Agua De Marzo,” a cover of the Brazilian classic “Aguas De Marzo” by Antonio Carlos Jobim).

It closes with an anthem of freedom for Cuba, “Que Se Vaya Ya,” a song as energetic as it is emotional, released in September 2021 with contributions from Lenier, Micha, Chacal, Osmani García and Srta. Dayana.

“Let them take all the bad things/ Let them go, let them go/ We can’t take the beatings anymore/ Let them leave now/ Because the people suffer and keep quiet/ Let them go, let them go/ Let them take the shrapnel/ Let them go now ”, they sing in Spanish.

Chirino, in fact, dedicates Sigo Pa’lante to his fans in Cuba, where he says that people continue to listen to his songs “despite all the mishaps they have suffered to do so.”

“They’ve paid a price that is not monetary, because listening to my music for a long time was totally prohibited,” the artist continues, adding that “when they found them listening, [the authorities] beat them, imprisoned them, took their boomboxes away. In other words, they were mistreated simply for the fact of listening to my music. So that for me has a special recognition”.

Although he clarifies that his songs are not currently banned in his native country, he says that his anti-Castro stance has made him persona non grata, and that his requests to perform in the island have never been answered.

Chirino debuted in 1974 with the album One Man Alone, and has released more than twenty albums since — but his career began earlier, as part of different bands and orchestras. The 50th anniversary dates back to 1972, when he says he began to use his own name when creating music as a solo artist.

On the Billboard charts, he’s scored 13 entries on the Tropical Albums listing, seven of which reached the top 10. He’s also had six entries on the Hot Latin Songs chart, two on Latin Airplay, and two on Top Latin Albums.

Romeo Santos to Release “Formula Vol 3” in September

Posted on August 15, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Romeo Santos will be sharing his winning Formula in less than a month…

The 41-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican-American singer, known as the King of Bachata, has announced plans to release his latest album Formula Vol 3. On September 1.

Santos revealed the release date of his new album with a 14-second teaser on social media on Monday, August 15.

The video featured a crown spinning at the guitar’s sound of what could be his next single as his voice says: “You don’t forget Romeo! Y yo, ni te recuerdo .”

The caption of the Instagram post read, “9.1.2022 FV3,” the date for the album’s release.

The new album comes eight years after Santos released Vol. 2 in 2014. Following the LP’s release, it became the best-selling Latin album to move 100,000 copies in the first week, making it the best debut for a Latin album since teen pop group RBD’s Celestial in 2006. Since the last Formula album in 2014, Santos has released Golden (2017) and Utopia (2019).

Throughout his career, Santos — also the leader of bachata supergroup Aventura — has scored a total of 43 entries on the Hot Latin Songs chart, the fourth-most among tropical acts, trailing Marc Anthony’s 60, Gilberto Santa Rosa’s 48 entries, and Victor Manuelle, who’s had a total of 47.

Santos has had a total of seven No. 1s — including his highest charting title at No. 1, “Odio,” feat. Drake, which topped the list for 13 weeks — making him the third-most among tropical acts, right behind Gloria Estefan, who has 15, and Anthony’s eight entries.

Additionally, Santos has scored 20 total top 10s, tying Juan Luis Guerra for the third-most among Tropical acts, behind Anthony and Estefan.

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Santos is confirmed for this year’s Billboard Latin Music Week, set to take place September 26-30 at the Faena Forum in Miami. Other confirmed artists to speak at the conference include Camilo, Ivy Queen, Chayanne, Nicky Jam, Eslabon Armado, Bizarrap, Blessd, Ovy on the Drums, Luis R. Conriquez, among many others. Registration is now open at BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com.

Kim Loaiza Among Artists Featured in Telemundo’s Summer Concert Series

Posted on July 7, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Kim Loaiza is preparing for a special performance…

The 24-year-old Mexican pop star, YouTuber and influencer will perform a live concert via En Casa con Telemundo as part of the network’s “Summer Concerts in Telemundo, the Road to Billboard Latin Music Awards.”

Loaiza’s performance will take place at 2 p.m. ET on Friday, July 8.

The outdoor musical series kicked off Thursday, July 7 with a live performance on the daytime show hoyDía by Regional Mexican artist Larry Hernandez.

The “Road to Premios Billboard” series will air weekly on hoyDia (every Thursday) and En Casa con Telemundo (every Friday), featuring a wave of special guests including Chiquis, CNCO, Gilberto Santa Rosa, and Lenny Tavárez, among others. (The air dates will be announced soon).

The news comes on the heels of Telemundo and Billboard unveiling the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards, produced by MBS Special Events, set to take place on September 29 live on Telemundo from Miami’s Watsco Center.

Widely considered the standard-bearer in Latin music, this is the only awards show in the market that honors the most popular albums, songs, and performers in Latin music as determined by the actual sales, streaming, radio airplay, and social data that informs Billboard’s weekly charts during a one-year period.

As has been the case for more than 20 years, the Billboard Latin Music Awards coincide with Billboard’s annual Latin Music Week, the single largest and most important gathering of the Latin music industry, taking place September 26-October 1.

Latin Music Week will feature panels, conversations, and workshops at the Faena Forum, and exclusive performances and fan experiences throughout the week in Miami.

For registration and information on Billboard Latin Music Week go to billboardlatinmusicweek.com.

Silk Sonic’s Bruno Mars Earns Four Grammy Nominations

Posted on November 23, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Bruno Mars is still a Grammy Darling…

The 36-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer/songwriter, an 11-time Grammy winner, has picked up four Grammy nominations, the most of any Latino artist.

Mars is nominated alongside rapper/singer Anderson .Paak for their work as Silk Sonic on the group’s chart-topping single “Leave the Door Open.”

Mars’ Silk Sonic single is nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song.

Mars and .Paak’s four nods come on the strength of that single single, since both of the artists had their new albums come out after this year’s eligibility cut-off, meaning they’ll probably be back with an equally high profile next year.

Adrian Quesada has picked up two Grammy nods.

The Mexican American artist and Grammy-nominated producer and guitarist and his Black Pumas band mate Eric Burton are up for Best Rock Album for Capitol Cuts – Live From Studio A, as well as Best Rock Performance for “Know You Better (Live From Capitol Studio A).”

Quesada has four previous nominations, including two last year for Record of the Year and Album of the Year.

Arturo O’Farrill, a five-time Grammy winner, has picked up two nominations.

The 61-year-old Mexican jazz musician is up for Best Latin Jazz Album alongside his Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra for their album Virtual Birdland. He’s also nominated in the Best Instrumental Composition for “Dreaming In Lions: Dreaming In Lions.”

Vince Mendoza has two more chances for Grammy glory…

The Mexican American composer, music arranger and conductor, a six-time Grammy winner, is up for Best Instrumental Composition alongside the Czech National Symphony Orchestra featuring Antonio Sánchez and Derrick Hodge for their “Concerto For Orchestra: Finale.” He’s also up for Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals for arranging To The Edge Of Longing (Edit Version).

Selena Gomez has picked up her first-ever Grammy nomination.

The 29-year-old Mexican American singer/actress is nominated in the Best Latin Pop Album category for her acclaimed Spanish-language album Revelación.

Camilo, who recently won four Latin Grammys, is celebrating his first Grammy nod. The 27-year-old Colombian singer/songwriter is up for Best Latin Pop Album for Mis Manos.

Other first-time Grammy nominees include Puerto Rican reggaeton singer Rauw Alejandro, Colombian singer Paula Arenas, Colombian singer Karol G, Argentine singer Nathy Peluso and Spanish rapper C Tangana.

Cardi B is “Up” for one Grammy this year…

The 29-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar, who won a Grammy for Best Rap Album for her debut album Invasion of Privacy, is nominated for Best Rap Performance for her chart-topping single “Up.”

Bad Bunny could repeat as a Grammy winner…

The Puerto Rican superstar is nominated in the Best Musica Urbana Album category for his acclaimed album El Último Tour Del Mundo. He won his first-ever Grammy last year for YHLQMDLG.

Esperanza Spalding, who upset Justin Bieber for Best New Artist, is nominated in the Best Jazz Vocal Album for Songwrights Apothecary Lab.

Previous Latinx Grammy winners and nominees earning a nod this year include Pablo Alboran, Ricardo Arjona, Alex Cuba, J Balvin, Kali Uchis, Bomba Estereo, Juanes, Aida Cuevas, Vicente Fernandez, Mon Laferte, Natalia Lafourcade, Christian Nodal, Ruben Blades, Gilberto Santa Rosa and Gustavo Dudamel.

The Grammy Awards are voted on by the Recording Academy’s voting membership body of around 12,000 music makers, who represent all genres and creative disciplines, including recording artists, songwriters, producers, mixers, and engineers.

Here’s the list of Latinx nominees for the 64th annual Grammy Awards:

Record of the Year

I STILL HAVE FAITH IN YOU
ABBA
Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, producers; Benny Andersson & Bernard Löhr, engineers/mixers; Björn Engelmann, mastering engineer
FREEDOM
Jon Batiste
Jon Batiste, Kizzo & Autumn Rowe, producers; Russ Elevado, Kizzo & Manny Marroquin, engineers/mixers; Michelle Mancini, mastering engineer
I GET A KICK OUT OF YOU
Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
Dae Bennett, producer; Dae Bennett & Josh Coleman, engineers/mixers; Greg Calbi & Steve Fallone, masteringengineers
PEACHES
Justin Bieber Featuring Daniel Caesar & Giveon
Josh Gudwin, HARV, Shndo & Andrew Watt, producers; Josh Gudwin & Andrew Watt, engineers/mixers; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer
RIGHT ON TIME
Brandi Carlile
Dave Cobb & Shooter Jennings, producers; Brandon Bell & Tom Elmhirst, engineers/mixers; Pete Lyman, mastering engineer
KISS ME MORE
Doja Cat Featuring SZA
Rogét Chahayed, Tizhimself & Yeti Beats, producers; Rob Bisel, Serban Ghenea, Rian Lewis & Joe Visciano, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer
HAPPIER THAN EVER
Billie Eilish
Finneas, producer; Billie Eilish, Finneas & Rob Kinelski, engineers/mixers; Dave Kutch, mastering engineer
MONTERO (CALL ME BY YOUR NAME)
Lil Nas X
Omer Fedi, Roy Lenzo & Take A Daytrip, producers; Denzel Baptiste, Serban Ghenea & Roy Lenzo, engineers/mixers; Chris Gehringer, mastering engineer
DRIVERS LICENSE
Olivia Rodrigo
Daniel Nigro, producer; Mitch McCarthy & Daniel Nigro, engineers/mixers; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer
LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN
Silk Sonic
Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II & Bruno Mars, producers; Serban Ghenea, John Hanes & Charles Moniz, engineers/mixers; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer

Album Of The Year

WE ARE
Jon Batiste
Craig Adams, David Gauthier, Braedon Gautier, Brennon Gautier, Gospel Soul Children Choir, Hot 8 Brass Band, PJ Morton, Autumn Rowe, Zadie Smith, St. Augustine High School Marching 100 & Trombone Shorty, featured artists; Jon Batiste, Mickey Freedom Hart, King Garbage, Kizzo, Sunny Levine, Nate Mercereau, David Pimentel, Ricky Reed, Autumn Rowe, Jahaan Sweet & Nick Waterhouse, producers; Jon Batiste, Russ Elevado, Mischa Kachkachishvili, Kizzo, Joseph Lorge, Manny Marroquin, David Pimentel, Ricky Reed, Jaclyn Sanchez, Matt Vertere, Marc Whitmore & Alex Williams, engineers/mixers; Andrae Alexander, Troy Andrews, Jon Batiste, Zach Cooper, Vic Dimotsis, Eric Frederic, Kizzo, Sunny Levine, Steve McEwan, PJ Morton, Autumn Rowe & Mavis Staples, songwriters; Michelle Mancini, mastering engineer
LOVE FOR SALE
Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
Dae Bennett, producer; Dae Bennett, Josh Coleman & Billy Cumella, engineers/mixers; Greg Calbi & Steve Fallone, mastering engineers
JUSTICE (TRIPLE CHUCKS DELUXE)
Justin Bieber
Beam, Benny Blanco, Burna Boy, Daniel Caesar, Chance the Rapper, DaBaby, Dominic Fike, Giveon, Jaden, Tori Kelly, Khalid, the Kid
Laroi, Lil Uzi Vert & Quavo, featured artists; Amy Allen, Louis Bell, Jon Bellion, Justin Bieber, Benny Blanco, BMW Kenny, Capi, Dreamlab, Dvlp, Jason Evigan, Finneas, the Futuristics, German, Josh Gudwin, Jimmie Gutch, Harv, Marvin “Tony” Hemmings, Ilya, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Stefan Johnson, KCdaproducer, Denis Kosiak, The Monsters & Strangerz, Jorgen Odegard, Michael Pollack, Poo Bear, Shndo, Skrillex, Jake Torrey, Trackz, Andrew Watt & Ido Zmishlany, producers; Cory Bice, Benny Blanco, Kevin “Capi” Carbo, Edwin Diaz, DJ Durel, Dreamlab, Finneas, Josh Gudwin, Sam Holland, Daniel James, Antonio Kearney, Denis Kosiak, Paul LaMalfa, Jeremy Lertola, Devin Nakao, Chris “Tek” O’Ryan, Andres Osorio, Micah Pettit & Benjamin Thomas, engineers/mixers; Amy Allen, Delacey (Brittany Amaradio), Louis Bell, Jonathan Bellion, Chancelor Johnathon Bennett, Justin Bieber, David Bowden, Jason Boyd, Scott Braun, Tommy Lee Brown, Valentin Brunn, Kevin Carbo,Kenneth Coby, Kevin Coby, Raul Cubina, Jordan Douglas, Giveon Dezmann Evans, Jason Evigan, Dominic David Fike, Kameron Glasper, Jacob Greenspan, Josh Gudwin, James Gutch, Scott Harris, Bernard Harvey, Leah Haywood, Gregory Aldae Hein, Marvin Hemmings, Jeffrey Howard, Alexander Izquierdo, Daniel James, Jace Logan Jennings, Rodney Jerkins, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Anthony M. Jones, Antonio Kearney, Charlton Kenneth, Joe Khajadourian, Felisha “Fury” King, Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, Matthew Sean Leon, Benjamin Levin, Marcus Lomax, Quavious Keyate Marshall, Luis Manuel Martinez Jr., Sonny Moore, Finneas O’Connell, Jorgen Odegard, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, Tayla Parx, Oliver Peterhof, Whitney Phillips, Michael Pollack, Khalid Donnel Robinson, Ilya Salmanzadeh, Alex Schwartz, Tia Scola, Aaron Simmonds, Ashton Simmonds, Gian Stone, Ali Tamposi, Ryan Tedder, Tyshane Thompson, Jake Torrey, Billy Walsh, Freddy Wexler, Symere Woods, Andrew Wotman, Rami Yacoub, Keavan Yazdani, Bigram Zayas & Ido Zmishlany, songwriters; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer
PLANET HER (DELUXE)
Doja Cat
Eve, Ariana Grande, Gunna, JID, SZA, the Weeknd & Young Thug, featured artists; Aaron Bow, Rogét Chahayed, Crate Classics, Digi, Dr. Luke, Fallen, Mayer Hawthorne, Mike Hector, Linden Jay, Aynzli Jones, Kurtis McKenzie, Jason Quenneville, Reef, Khaled Rohaim, Al Shux, Sully, Tizhimself, Yeti Beats & Y2K, producers; Rob Bisel, Jesse Ray Ernster, Serban Ghenea, Clint Gibbs, Rian Lewis, NealHPogue, Tyler Sheppard, Kalani Thompson, Joe Visciano & Jeff Ellis Worldwide, engineers/mixers; Ilana Armida, Aaron Bow, Rogét Chahayed, Jamil Chammas, Sheldon Yu-Ting Cheung, Antwoine Collins, Amala Zandile Dlamini, Lukasz Gottwald, Ariana Grande, Mayer Hawthorne, Mike Hector, Aaron Horn, Taneisha Damielle Jackson, Linden Jay, Eve Jihan Jeffers, Aynzli Jones, Sergio Kitchens, Carter Lang, Siddharth Mallick, Maciej Margol-Gromada, Kurtis McKenzie, Jidenna Mobisson, Gerard A. Powell II, Geordan Reid-Campbell, Khaled Rohaim, Destin Route, Solána Rowe, Laura Roy, Al Shuckburgh, David Sprecher, Ari Starace, Lee Stashenko, Abel Tesfaye, Rob Tewlow & Jeffery Lamar Williams, songwriters; Dale Becker & Mike Bozzi, mastering engineers
HAPPIER THAN EVER
Billie Eilish
Finneas, producer; Billie Eilish, Finneas & Rob Kinelski, engineers/mixers; Billie Eilish O’Connell & Finneas O’Connell, songwriters; John Greenham & Dave Kutch, mastering engineers
BACK OF MY MIND
H.E.R.
Chris Brown, Cordae, DJ Khaled, Lil Baby, Thundercat, Bryson Tiller, Ty Dolla $ign, YG & Yung Bleu, featured artists; Tarik Azzouz,
Bordeaux, Nelson Bridges, DJ Camper, Cardiak, Cardo, Chi Chi, Steven J. Collins, Flip, Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman, Grades, H.E.R., Hit-Boy, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Walter Jones, Kaytranada, DJ Khaled, Mario Luciano, Mike Will Made-It, NonNative, Nova Wav, Scribz Riley, Jeff Robinson, Streetrunner, Hue Strother, Asa Taccone, Thundercat, Thurdi & Wu10, producers; Rafael Fai Bautista, Luis Bordeaux, Dee Brown, Anthony Cruz, Ayanna Depas, Morning Estrada, Chris Galland, H.E.R., Jaycen Joshua, Kaytranada, Derek Keota, Omar Loya, Manny Marroquin, Tim McClain, Juan “AyoJuan” Peña, Micah Petit, Patrizio Pigliapoco, Alex Pyle, Jaclyn Sanchez, Miki Tsutsumi & Tito “Earcandy” Vasquez, engineers/mixers; Denisia “Blu June” Andrews, Nasri Atweh, Tarik Azzouz, Stacy Barthe, Jeremy Biddle, Nelson “Keyz” Bridges, Chris Brown, Stephen Bruner, Darhyl Camper Jr., Luis Campozano, Louis Kevin Celestin, Anthony Clemons Jr., Steven J. Collins, Ronald “Flip” Colson, Brittany “Chi” Coney, Elijah Dias, Cordae Dunston, Jeff Gitelman, Tyrone Griffin Jr., Priscilla “Priscilla Renea” Hamilton, H.E.R., Charles A. Hinshaw, Chauncey Hollis, Latisha Twana Hyman, Keenon Daequan Ray Jackson, Rodney Jerkins, Dominique Jones, Khaled Khaled, Ron Latour, Gamal “Lunchmoney” Lewis, Mario Luciano, Carl McCormick, Leon McQuay III, Julia Michaels, Maxx Moore, Vurdell “V. Script” Muller, Chidi Osondu, Karriem Riggins, Mike “Scribz” Riley, Seandrea Sledge, Hue Strother, Asa Taccone, Tiara Thomas, Bryson Tiller, Daniel James Traynor, Brendan Walsh, Nicholas Warwar, Jabrile Hashim Willliams, Michael L. Williams II, Robert Williams & Kelvin Wooten, songwriters; Dave Kutch & Colin Leonard, mastering engineers
MONTERO
Lil Nas X
Miley Cyrus, Doja Cat, Jack Harlow, Elton John & Megan Thee Stallion, featured artists; Denzel Baptiste, David Biral, John Cunningham, Omer Fedi, Kuk Harrell, Jasper Harris, KBeaZy, Carter Lang, Nick Lee, Roy Lenzo, Tom Levesque, Jasper Sheff, Blake Slatkin, Drew Sliger, Take A Daytrip, Ryan Tedder & Kanye West, producers; Denzel Baptiste, David Biral, Jon Castelli, John Cunningham, Jelli Dorman, Tom Elmhirst, Serban Ghenea, Kuk Harrell, Roy Lenzo, Manny Marroquin, Nickie Jon Pabon, Patrizio ‘Teezio’ Pigliapoco, Blake Slatkin, Drew Sliger, Ryan Tedder & Joe Visciano, engineers/mixers; Keegan Bach, Denzel Baptiste, David Biral, John Cunningham, Miley Ray Cyrus, Amala Zandile Dlamini, Omer Fedi, Vincent Goodyer, Jack Harlow, Jasper Harris, Montero Hill, Isley Juber, Carter Lang, Nick Lee, Roy Lenzo, Thomas James Levesque, Andrew Luce, Michael Olmo, Jasper Sheff, Blake Slatkin, Ryan Tedder, William K. Ward & Kanye West, songwriters; Chris Gehringer, Eric Lagg & Randy Merrill, mastering engineers
SOUR
Olivia Rodrigo
Alexander 23, Daniel Nigro & Olivia Rodrigo, producers; Ryan Linvill, Mitch McCarthy & Daniel Nigro, engineers/mixers; Jack Antonoff,
Annie Clark, Daniel Nigro, Olivia Rodrigo, Casey Smith & Taylor Swift, songwriters; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer
EVERMORE
Taylor Swift
Bon Iver, Haim & The National, featured artists; Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner & Taylor Swift, producers; Thomas Bartlett, JT Bates, Robin Baynton, Stuart Bogie, Gabriel Cabezas, CJ Camerieri, Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, Scott Devendorf, Matt DiMona, Jon Gautier, Trevor Hagen, Mikey Freedom Hart, Sean Hutchinson, Josh Kaufman, Benjamin Lanz, Nick Lloyd, Jonathan Low, James McAlister, Dave Nelson, Sean O’Brien, Ryan Olson, Ariel Rechtshaid, Kyle Resnick, Laura Sisk, Evan Smith, Alex Sopp & Justin Vernon, engineers/mixers; Jack Antonoff, William Bowery, Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, Taylor Swift & Justin Vernon, songwriters; Greg Calbi & Steve Fallone, mastering engineers
DONDA
Kanye West
Baby Keem, Chris Brown, Conway the Machine, DaBaby, Jay Electronica, Fivio Foreign, Westside Gunn, Jay-Z, Syleena Johnson, Kid Cudi, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Lil Yachty, the Lox, Marilyn Manson, Playboi Carti, Pop Smoke, Roddy Ricch, Rooga, Travis Scott, Shenseea, Swizz Beatz, Young Thug, Don Toliver, Ty Dolla $ign, Vory, the Weeknd, Westside Gunn & Lil Yachty, featured artists; Allday, Audi, AyoAA, Roark Bailey, Louis Bell, Jeff Bhasker, Boi-1Da, BoogzDaBeast, Warryn Campbell, Cubeatz, David & Eli, Mike Dean, Dem Jointz, Digital Nas, DJ Khalil, DRTWRK, 88-Keys, E.Vax, FNZ, Gesaffelstein, Nikki Grier, Cory Henry, Ronny J, DJ Khalil, Wallis Lane, Digital Nas, Nascent, Ojivolta, Shuko, Sloane, Sean Solymar, Sucuki, Arron “Arrow” Sunday, Swizz Beatz, Zen Tachi, 30 Roc, Bastian Völkel, Mia Wallis, Kanye West, Wheezy & Jason White, producers; Josh Berg, Todd Bergman, Rashade Benani Bevel Sr., Will Chason, Dem Jointz, IRKO, Jess Jackson, Nagaris Johnson, Shin Kamiyama, Gimel “Young Guru” Keaton, James Kelso, Scott McDowell, Kalam Ali Muttalib, Jonathan Pfarr, Jonathan Pfzar, Drrique Rendeer, Alejandro Rodriguez-Dawson, Mikalai Skrobat, Devon Wilson & Lorenzo Wolff, engineers/mixers; Dwayne Abernathy Jr., Elpadaro F. Electronica Allah, Aswad Asif, Roark Bailey, Durk Banks, Sam Barsh, Christoph Bauss, Louis Bell, Jeff Bhasker, Isaac De Boni, Christopher Brown, Jahshua Brown, Tahrence Brown, Aaron Butts, Warryn Campbell, Hykeem Carter Jr., Jordan Terrell Carter, Shawn Carter, Denzel Charles, Raul Cubina, Isaac De Boni, Kasseem Dean, Michael Dean, Tim Friedrich, Wesley Glass, Samuel Gloade, Kevin Gomringer, Tim Gomringer, Tyrone Griffin Jr., Jahmal Gwin, Cory Henry, Tavoris Javon Hollins Jr., Larry Hoover Jr., Bashar Jackson, Sean Jacob, Nima Jahanbin, Paimon Jahanbin, Syleena Johnson, Dominique Armani Jones, Eli Klughammer, Chinsea Lee, Mike Lévy, Evan Mast, Mark Mbogo, Miles McCollum, Josh Mease, Scott Medcudi, Brian Miller, Rodrick Wayne Moore Jr., Michael Mulé, Mark Myrie, Charles M. Njapa, Nasir Pemberton, Carlos St. John Phillips, Jason Phillips, Khalil Abdul Rahman, Laraya Ashlee Robinson, Christopher Ruelas, David Ruoff, Maxie Lee Ryles III, Matthew Samuels, Daniel Seeff, Eric Sloan Jr., Sean Solymar, Ronald O’Neill Spence Jr., David Styles, Michael Suski, Aqeel Tate, Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, Caleb Zackery Toliver, Bastian Völkel, Brian Hugh Warner, Jacques Webster II, Kanye West, Orlando Wilder, Jeffery Williams & Mark Williams, songwriters; Irko, mastering engineer

Song Of The Year

BAD HABITS
Fred Gibson, Johnny McDaid & Ed Sheeran, songwriters (Ed Sheeran)
A BEAUTIFUL NOISE
Ruby Amanfu, Brandi Carlile, Brandy Clark, Alicia Keys, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Linda Perry & Hailey Whitters, songwriters (Alicia Keys & Brandi Carlile)
DRIVERS LICENSE
Daniel Nigro & Olivia Rodrigo, songwriters (Olivia Rodrigo)
FIGHT FOR YOU
Dernst Emile II, H.E.R. & Tiara Thomas, songwriters (H.E.R.)
HAPPIER THAN EVER
Billie Eilish O’Connell & Finneas O’Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)
KISS ME MORE
Rogét Chahayed, Amala Zandile Dlamini, Lukasz Gottwald, Carter Lang, Gerard A. Powell II, Solána Rowe & David Sprecher, songwriters (Doja Cat Featuring SZA)
LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN
Brandon Anderson, Christopher Brody Brown, Dernst Emile II & Bruno Mars, songwriters (Silk Sonic)
MONTERO (CALL ME BY YOUR NAME)
Denzel Baptiste, David Biral, Omer Fedi, Montero Hill & Roy Lenzo, songwriters (Lil Nas X)
PEACHES
Louis Bell, Justin Bieber, Giveon Dezmann Evans, Bernard Harvey, Felisha “Fury” King, Matthew Sean Leon, Luis Manuel Martinez Jr., Aaron Simmonds, Ashton Simmonds, Andrew Wotman & Keavan Yazdani, songwriters (Justin Bieber Featuring Daniel Caesar & Giveon)
RIGHT ON TIME
Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters (Brandi Carlile)

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

I GET A KICK OUT OF YOU
Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
LONELY
Justin Bieber & Benny Blanco
BUTTER
BTS
HIGHER POWER
Coldplay
KISS ME MORE
Doja Cat Featuring SZA

Best Rock Performance

SHOT IN THE DARK
AC/DC
KNOW YOU BETTER (LIVE FROM CAPITOL STUDIO A)
Black Pumas
NOTHING COMPARES 2 U
Chris Cornell
OHMS
Deftones
MAKING A FIRE
Foo Fighters

Best Rock Album

POWER UP
AC/DC
CAPITOL CUTS – LIVE FROM STUDIO A
Black Pumas
NO ONE SINGS LIKE YOU ANYMORE VOL. 1
Chris Cornell
MEDICINE AT MIDNIGHT
Foo Fighters
McCARTNEY III
Paul McCartney

Best R&B Performance

LOST YOU
Snoh Aalegra
PEACHES
Justin Bieber Featuring Daniel Caesar & Giveon
DAMAGE
H.E.R.
LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN
Silk Sonic
PICK UP YOUR FEELINGS
Jazmine Sullivan

Best R&B Song

DAMAGE
Anthony Clemons Jr., Jeff Gitelman, H.E.R., Carl McCormick & Tiara Thomas, songwriters (H.E.R.)
GOOD DAYS
Jacob Collier, Carter Lang, Carlos Munoz, Solána Rowe & Christopher Ruelas, songwriters (SZA)
HEARTBREAK ANNIVERSARY
Giveon Evans, Maneesh, Sevn Thomas & Varren Wade, songwriters (Giveon)
LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN
Brandon Anderson, Christopher Brody Brown, Dernst Emile II & Bruno Mars, songwriters (Silk Sonic)
PICK UP YOUR FEELINGS
Denisia “Blue June” Andrews, Audra Mae Butts, Kyle Coleman, Brittany “Chi” Coney, Michael Holmes & Jazmine Sullivan, songwriters (Jazmine Sullivan)

Best Rap Performance

FAMILY TIES
Baby Keem Featuring Kendrick Lamar
UP
Cardi B
MY LIFE
J. Cole Featuring 21 Savage & Morray
WAY 2 SEXY
Drake Featuring Future & Young Thug
THOT S***
Megan Thee Stallion

Best Jazz Vocal Album

GENERATIONS
The Baylor Project
SUPERBLUE
Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter
TIME TRAVELER
Nnenna Freelon
FLOR
Gretchen Parlato
SONGWRIGHTS APOTHECARY LAB
Esperanza Spalding

Best Jazz Instrumental Album

JAZZ SELECTIONS: MUSIC FROM AND INSPIRED BY SOUL
Jon Batiste
ABSENCE
Terence Blanchard Featuring The E Collective And The Turtle Island Quartet
SKYLINE
Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette & Gonzalo Rubalcaba
AKOUSTIC BAND LIVE
Chick Corea, John Patitucci & Dave Weckl
SIDE-EYE NYC (V1.IV)
Pat Metheny

Best Latin Jazz Album

MIRROR MIRROR
Eliane Elias With Chick Corea and Chucho Valdés
THE SOUTH BRONX STORY
Carlos Henriquez
VIRTUAL BIRDLAND
Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra
TRANSPARENCY
Dafnis Prieto Sextet
EL ARTE DEL BOLERO
Miguel Zenón & Luis Perdomo

Best Latin Pop Album

VÉRTIGO
Pablo Alborán
MIS AMORES
Paula Arenas
HECHO A LA ANTIGUA
Ricardo Arjona
MIS MANOS
Camilo
MENDÓ
Alex Cuba
REVELACIÓN
Selena Gomez

Best Música Urbana Album

AFRODISÍACO
Rauw Alejandro
EL ÚLTIMO TOUR DEL MUNDO
Bad Bunny
JOSE
J Balvin
KG0516
KAROL G
SIN MIEDO (DEL AMOR Y OTROS DEMONIOS) 8
Kali Uchis

Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album

DEJA
Bomba Estéreo
MIRA LO QUE ME HICISTE HACER (DELUXE EDITION)
Diamante Eléctrico
ORIGEN
Juanes
CALAMBRE
Nathy Peluso
EL MADRILEÑO
C. Tangana
SONIDOS DE KARMÁTICA RESONANCIA
Zoé

Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)

ANTOLOGÍA DE LA MUSICA RANCHERA, VOL. 2
Aida Cuevas
A MIS 80’S
Vicente Fernández
SEIS
Mon Laferte
UN CANTO POR MÉXICO, VOL. II
Natalia Lafourcade
AYAYAY! (SÚPER DELUXE)
Christian Nodal

Best Tropical Latin Album

SALSWING!
Rubén Blades y Roberto Delgado & Orquesta
EN CUARENTENA
El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico
SIN SALSA NO HAY PARAÍSO
Aymée Nuviola
COLEGAS
Gilberto Santa Rosa
LIVE IN PERU
Tony Succar

Best Americana Album

DOWNHILL FROM EVERYWHERE
Jackson Browne
LEFTOVER FEELINGS
John Hiatt with The Jerry Douglas Band
NATIVE SONS
Los Lobos
OUTSIDE CHILD
Allison Russell
STAND FOR MYSELF
Yola

Best Children’s Music Album

ACTÍVATE
123 Andrés
ALL ONE TRIBE
1 Tribe Collective
BLACK TO THE FUTURE
Pierce Freelon
A COLORFUL WORLD
Falu
CRAYON KIDS
Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band

Best Comedy Album

THE COMEDY VACCINE
Lavell Crawford
EVOLUTION
Chelsea Handler
SINCERELY LOUIS CK
Louis C.K.
THANKS FOR RISKING YOUR LIFE
Lewis Black
THE GREATEST AVERAGE AMERICAN
Nate Bargatze
ZERO F***S GIVEN
Kevin Hart

Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media

CRUELLA
(Various Artists)
DEAR EVAN HANSEN
(Various Artists)
IN THE HEIGHTS
(Various Artists)
ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI…
(Various Artists)
RESPECT
Jennifer Hudson
SCHMIGADOON! EPISODE 1
(Various Artists)
THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY
Andra Day

Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media

BRIDGERTON
Kris Bowers, composer
DUNE
Hans Zimmer, composer
THE MANDALORIAN: SEASON 2 – VOL. 2 (CHAPTERS 13-16)
Ludwig Göransson, composer
THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT
Carlos Rafael Rivera, composer
SOUL
Jon Batiste, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, composers

Best Instrumental Composition

BEAUTIFUL IS BLACK
Brandee Younger, composer (Brandee Younger)
CAT AND MOUSE
Tom Nazziola, composer (Tom Nazziola)
CONCERTO FOR ORCHESTRA: FINALE
Vince Mendoza, composer (Vince Mendoza & Czech National Symphony Orchestra Featuring Antonio Sánchez & Derrick Hodge)
DREAMING IN LIONS: DREAMING IN LIONS
Arturo O’Farrill, composer (Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble)
EBERHARD
Lyle Mays, composer (Lyle Mays)

Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella

CHOPSTICKS
Bill O’Connell, arranger (Richard Baratta)
FOR THE LOVE OF A PRINCESS (FROM “BRAVEHEART”)
Robin Smith, arranger (HAUSER, London Symphony Orchestra & Robin Smith)
INFINITE LOVE
Emile Mosseri, arranger (Emile Mosseri)
META KNIGHT’S REVENGE (FROM “KIRBY SUPERSTAR”)
Charlie Rosen & Jake Silverman, arrangers (The 8-Bit Big Band Featuring Button Masher)
THE STRUGGLE WITHIN
Gabriela Quintero & Rodrigo Sanchez, arrangers
(Rodrigo y Gabriela)

Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals

THE BOTTOM LINE
Ólafur Arnalds, arranger (Ólafur Arnalds & Josin)
A CHANGE IS GONNA COME
Tehillah Alphonso, arranger (Tonality & Alexander Lloyd Blake)
THE CHRISTMAS SONG (CHESTNUTS ROASTING ON AN OPEN FIRE)
Jacob Collier, arranger (Jacob Collier)
ELEANOR RIGBY
Cody Fry, arranger (Cody Fry)
TO THE EDGE OF LONGING (EDIT VERSION)
Vince Mendoza, arranger (Vince Mendoza, Czech National Symphony Orchestra & Julia Bullock)

Best Orchestral Performance

ADAMS: MY FATHER KNEW CHARLES IVES; HARMONIELEHRE
Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor (Nashville Symphony Orchestra)
BEETHOVEN: SYMPHONY NO. 9
Manfred Honeck, conductor (Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh & Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra)
MUHLY: THROUGHLINE
Nico Muhly, conductor (San Francisco Symphony)
PRICE: SYMPHONIES NOS. 1 & 3
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor (Philadelphia Orchestra)
STRAUSS: ALSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA; SCRIABIN: THE POEM OF ECSTASY
Thomas Dausgaard, conductor (Seattle Symphony Orchestra)

Best Choral Performance

IT’S A LONG WAY
Matthew Guard, conductor (Jonas Budris, Carrie Cheron, Fiona Gillespie, Nathan Hodgson, Helen Karloski, Enrico Lagasca, Megan Roth, Alissa Ruth Suver & Dana Whiteside; Skylark Vocal Ensemble)
MAHLER: SYMPHONY NO. 8, ‘SYMPHONY OF A THOUSAND’
Gustavo Dudamel, conductor; Grant Gershon, Robert Istad, Fernando Malvar-Ruiz & Luke McEndarfer, chorus masters (Leah Crocetto, Mihoko Fujimura, Ryan McKinny, Erin Morley, Tamara Mumford, Simon O’Neill, Morris Robinson & Tamara Wilson; Los Angeles Philharmonic; Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, Los Angeles Master Chorale, National Children’s Chorus & Pacific Chorale)
RISING W/THE CROSSING
Donald Nally, conductor (International Contemporary Ensemble & Quicksilver; The Crossing)
SCHNITTKE: CHOIR CONCERTO; THREE SACRED HYMNS; PÄRT: SEVEN MAGNIFICAT-ANTIPHONS
Kaspars Putniņš, conductor; Heli Jürgenson, chorus master (Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir)
SHEEHAN: LITURGY OF SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
Benedict Sheehan, conductor (Michael Hawes, Timothy Parsons & Jason Thoms; The Saint Tikhon Choir)
THE SINGING GUITAR
Craig Hella Johnson, conductor (Estelí Gomez; Austin Guitar Quartet, Douglas Harvey, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet & Texas Guitar Quartet; Conspirare)

Gilberto Santa Rosa Launching 16-City “Camínalo” U.S. Tour in October

Posted on June 20, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Gilberto Santa Rosa is preparing to hit the road this fall after the pandemic-forced hiatus.

The 58-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning salsa singer-songwriter is set to launch his 16-city Camínalo U.S. tour in Lubbock, Texas on October 7.

Santa Rosa, known as the “Gentleman” of salsa both for his velvety voice as for his proper demeanor and outstanding soneo–or improvisatory—skills, will perform a mix of mostly theaters and casinos in a wide variety of markets.

The Camínalo tour will make stops at The Conga Room in Los Angeles and the San José Center for the Performing Arts in San José, and also at the Theater at MGM National Harbor and the Ocean Resort Casino in Atlantic City.

Santa Rosa will also play the James L Knight Center in Miami and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, a big Puerto Rican enclave.

Camínalo will “be a big party, full of music and good vibes,” said Santa Rosa. The tour is named after one of the songs in his new album, Colegas.

The tour is produced by promotion, entertainment and marketing company Loud & Live which has announced half a dozen tours in the past month, including those of Camilo, Carlos Vives and Juan Luis Guerra. Loud and Live also produce Colombian Silvestre Dangond’s successful multi-weekend run at the Fillmore Miami Beach.

“It’s a pleasure to work with a great artist and legend of our Latin community,” said Loud and Live CEO Nelson Albareda.

Tickets to Camínalo are currently on sale.

Here’s the Camínalo tour schedule:

Oct. 07, 2021 — Lubbock, TX The Buddy Holly Hall
Oct. 08, 2021 — El Paso, TX Abraham Chavez Theater
Oct. 09, 2021 — Dallas, TX Majestic Theater Dallas
Oct. 10/2021 — Houston, TX Cullen Performance Hall
Oct. 21, 2021 — Chicago, IL Copernicus Center
Oct. 22, 2021 — Raleigh, NC Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
Oct. 23, 2021 — Charlotte, NC Ovens Auditorium
Nov. 11, 2021 — Los Angeles, CA The Conga Room
Nov. 12, 2021 — San Jose, CA San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
Nov. 17, 2021 — Denver, CO Paramount Theater – NC
Nov. 18, 2021 — San Diego, CA Magnolia Grand Theater
Nov. 26, 2021 — Washington, DC The Theater at MGM National Harbor
Nov. 27, 2021 — Atlantic City, NJ Ocean Resort Casino
Nov. 28, 2021 — Tampa, FL Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Feb. 12, 2022 — Miami, FL James L Knight Center
Feb. 13, 2022 — Orlando, FL Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

Edward James Olmos to Take Part in Biden Inaugural Committee’s “Latino Inaugural 2021: Inheritance, Resilience, and Promise” Event

Posted on January 18, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Edward James Olmos is preparing to celebrate the resilience and promise of the Latino community in the United States…

President-elect Joe Biden’s inaugural committee has announced a Tuesday night event, featuring the 73-year-old Mexican American actor, director, producer, and activist, that shines a spotlight on the Latino community.

Entitled Latino Inaugural 2021: Inheritance, Resilience, and Promise, the event will be hosted by Eva Longoria.

It will feature appearances by Olmos, Lin-Manuel Miranda, John Leguizamo, Rita Moreno, Ivy Queen and Becky G.

There also will be performances from Gilberto Santa Rosa and Gaby Moreno, featuring David Garza, Emilio Estefan and All-Star Tejanos United – Stefani Montiel, Jose Posada, Shelly Lares, DJ Kane and Mariachi Nuevo Santander from Roma High School.

Emilio Estefan produced a performance of One World, One Prayer by the Wailers, featuring Skip Marley, Farruko, Shaggy and Cedella Marley.

The event will take palace on Tuesday, January 19 at 9:30 pm ET

It’s part of a series of events that will highlight the nation’s diversity, including the AAPI Inaugural Ball: Breaking Barriers, celebrating the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities; and We Are One, celebrating Black Americans.

Pablo Alborán to Perform at the Latin Recording Academy’s Person of the Year Gala Honoring Maná

Posted on November 14, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Pablo Alborán is set to honor Mexico’s most popular rock band…

The 29-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter will perform at the Latin Recording Academy’s Person of the Year gala honoring Maná.

Alboran, a three-time nominee for this year’s Latin Grammys, joins an all-star list of artists paying homage to the Mexican band for their creative accomplishments and philanthropic contributions to the Latino community.

In addition to the “No vaya a ser” singer, the other performers include fellow 2018 nominees Enrique Bunbury, Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández, Iza, Beatriz Luengo, Vetusta Morla, Monsieur Perine, Gilberto Santa Rosa and Sebastian Yatra.

In addition to four-time Latin Grammy winner Pepe Aguilar and two-time Latin Grammy and Grammy winner Draco Rosa, José María Cano accompanied by his son Dani, Daniel Habif, Arthur Hanlon, Ara Malikian, La Marisoul, Orianthi and Piso 21 will also perform at the star-studded event.

The Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Gala, hosted by Jaime Camil and Soledad Pastorutti, will take place the night before the Latin Grammys on Wednesday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

Gilberto Santa Rosa Celebrating His Long Career in Music with HBO Latino Special “40…Y Contando”

Posted on September 12, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Gilberto Santa Rosa is celebrating his long musical career with a bang…

The 56-year-old Puerto Rican singer, known as “El Caballero de la Salsa,” has partnered with HBO Latino to celebrate 40 years in music with the premiere of his special 40…Y Contando, chronicling the last concert he performed in Puerto Rico.

Gilberto Santa Rosa: 40… Y Contando will premiere on Friday, September 15 at 8:00 pm ET across all the channel’s platforms, including HBO GO, HBO NOW and free On Demand channels.

“I’m extremely honored with this invitation,” Santa Rosa tells Billboard. “When I started my career it was in an orchestra, I spent 10 years with them and the other 30 years as soloist.”

During all these years, he says has not finished learning, but the most thing he has enjoyed is having collaborated with many of his idols.

The concert, taped live at the Coliseo José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico, a few months after Hurricane Maria, will feature many of his greatest hits, like “Conciencia,” “Que Alguien Me Diga” and “Déjate Querer,” as well as many musical guests, including Luis Enrique, Victor Manuelle, Vico C, Tito Nieves and Pirulo Y La Tribu, among others.

In addition to the concert, HBO Latino will also air a 15-minute special during which Santa Rosa shares the greatest moments of his career from the biggest salsa landmark in New York City, the Copacabana.

Gilberto Santa Rosa’s HBO Latino special will also celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which starts Friday. “The best thing about being Latino is that we have the ability to connect with various cultures and interpret art more easily,” said Santa Rosa.

Erika Ender Inducted Into the Latin Song Writers Hall of Fame

Posted on October 22, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

She’s the woman behind the song of the summer… And, now Erika Ender has earned her place in Latin music history.

At the fifth annual La Musa Awards gala last week — hosted by Jane the Virgin‘s Jaime Camil – the Panamanian-Brazilian singer/songwriter was inducted into the prestigious Latin Song Writers Hall of Fame, the youngest inductee in the hall’s history.

Along with Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, Ender is co-writer of the biggest hit of the year, “Despacito,” featuring Justin Bieber, which spent 16 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100.

Born in Panama to a Brazilian mother and a U.S.-born father of German ancestry, Ender speaks fluent Portuguese and Spanish, and moves easily between cultures.

Before “Despacito,” she had written hits for Chayanne, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Gloria Trevi, Ednita Nazario and Los Tigres del Norte. She also is a TV personality in Latin America, where she has been a judge for a Latin version of American Idol.

Along with Ender, Ana Gabriel, Roberto Livi, Martin Urieta, Carlos Vives and Camilo Sesto were also inducted into hall of fame.

Each was presented at the James L. Knight Center with the coveted hand-crafted trophy, originally inspired by “the muse” of the late Cuban songwriter and poet, Elena Casals.

Additionally, Vives was presented with the Icon Award, while Wisin, the late Julio Jaramillo and “La Bamba” garnered the Victory Award, Legacy Award and Song of All Time, respectively.

Amid a political climate currently riddled with anti-immigrant rhetoric, as well as the devastating aftermaths of hurricanes Irma and Maria throughout the Caribbean, Urieta offered words and sentiments in support of immigrants, while Nazario performed a brilliant tribute to the island of Puerto Rico.

The Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame is dedicated to educating, preserving, honoring and celebrating “the lives and music of the world’s greatest Latin songwriters, composers and lyricists in every genre while developing and inspiring new generations of music creators through master classes, workshops, scholarships and digital initiatives.”

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

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