Peso Pluma Earns First No. 1 on Any Billboard Album Chart with “Genesis”

Peso Pluma is celebrating his first No. 1 on any Billboard album chart…

The 24-year-old Mexican singer/songwriter’s album Génesis rises to No. 1 (from No. 35) on the Top Latin Albums chart dated July 8 after its first full tracking week.

Peso Pluma

It also advances 10-1 on the Regional Mexican Albums chart.

Génesis’ coronation arrives a week after the album debuted on both lists dated July 1 with only one day of activity. The original version of the album, comprising 14 tracks, was released on an off-cycle Thursday (June 22), the final day of the June 16-22 tracking week.

The new Génesis, containing three bonus tracks, was released on June 30. Both versions of the album have been combined for tracking and charting purposes, while the original version has been removed from platforms.

According to LuminateGénesis earned 73,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. during its first official tracking week ending June 29. It becomes the biggest week by units earned for a regional Mexican album ever, dating back to when the all-genre Billboard 200 chart began ranking by units in December 2014. The previous largest week by total units arrived just less than two months ago, when Eslabon Armado’s Desvelado launched with 44,000 units (May 13-dated list).

An equivalent album unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album (track equivalent album units, TEA), or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album (streaming equivalent album units, SEA).

As is standard among new artists, streaming powers nearly all of Génesis’ first-week totals. Out of its 73,000 units, 72,000 stem from SEA units. That figure equals to 101.18 million on-demand official streams of the set’s songs. Traditional album sales contribute just under 1,000 of the remaining balance, with a slice of negligible units deriving from TEA.

With 101.8 million streams, Génesis boasts the largest streaming week ever for a regional Mexican album. Previously, Eslabon Armado’s Desvelado drew the largest, with 63.51 million official U.S. streams (May 13).

Génesis becomes only the fifth Latin album to garner at least 100 million on-demand streams for its songs in a single week, following multiple weeks by Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Titwo for Bunny’s YHLQMDLG, one for Bunny’s El Último Tour del Mundo, and one for Karol G’s Mañana Será Bonito.

Further, Génesis becomes the fourth regional Mexican effort to lead Top Latin Albums this decade, after Alejandro Fernández’s Hecho en México (one week, Feb. 29, 2020) and two Eslabon Armado albums, Vibras de Noche (one week, Aug. 2020) and Desvelado (one week, May13).

Elsewhere, Génesis launches at No. 3 on the all-genre Billboard 200, his first entry and top 10 there. The set concurrently outpaces the two other regional Mexican albums which have seized a spot in the top 10, both by Eslabon Armado: Nostalgia (No. 9 debut and peak, May 2022) and Desvelado (No. 6 debut and peak, May 13).

Alejandro Fernandez Donates Portion of Hecho en Mexico Tour Proceeds to Help Immigrant Families Separated at U.S.-Mexico Border

Alejandro Fernandez is helping keep families together…

The 50-year-old Mexican singer has wrapped up the U.S. leg of his Hecho en Mexico tour, which served as a fundraiser for Families Belong Together.

Alejandro Fernandez,

In all, Fernandez donated over $100,000 from the tour proceeds to assist immigrant families separated at the U.S.-Mexico border.

“The impact of my concerts goes beyond the money, the box office, and the sold-out shows,” he explains. “I have always been a very sensitive person to things that happen, especially if it happens in my country. The important thing is to be able to start something and for people to come together, to educate and invite them to support these causes. I see it as giving my audience a little bit of what they have given me.”

On tour, Fernandez was joined by 25 people on stage, including his full band, his Mexican mariachi, special guests Christian Nodal and his son, Alex Fernández, as well as a handful of guests in different cities.

“History repeated itself,” Fernandez, who on many occasions shared the stage with his famed father Vicente Fernandez, expresses. “In fact, Alex was so reserved that I did not contemplate, nor did I know that he wanted to dedicate himself to a musical career. This was the first time we sang together on tour and it gave me a sense of nostalgia, family, and tradition.”

Hecho en México is also the name of his latest studio album, which made him the first act to achieve No. 1s on Billboard Top Latin Albums in the 1990s, ’00s, ’10s, and ’20s, starting with his first chart entry and 12-week ruler Me Estoy Enamorando in 1997.

Up next, the tour continues to Mexico with shows at Mexico City’s Auditorio Nacional, the Telmex Theater in Guadalajara, and the Pa’l Norte Festival in Monterrey, before moving on to Central and South America and Spain in 2022.

“That is what we have now, while we wait for the health protocols to be finalized in each country,” he assures. “Hopefully this nightmare ends soon and we can live a normal reality around the world.”

Fernandez originally kicked off his 2021 Hecho en Mexico U.S. tour on September 10 at the Grand Sierra Theatre in Reno, Nevada. The 21-date tour, presented by Live Nation, wrapped up on October 24 at the Arizona Federal Theatre in Phoenix.

“It was one of the most important tours I have ever had in my career here in the United States,” Fernandez tells Billboard of the gratifying experience.

Alejandro Fernandez Announces 19-Date U.S. Leg of “Hecho en México” Tour

Alejandro Fernandez is rarin’ to get back on the road…

After a more than 12-month hiatus that saw him interrupt his tour mid-start, the 49-year-old Mexican superstar has announced a 19-date U.S. tour.

Alejandro Fernandez

It’ll see him performing with 25 people onstage, including his full band, his Mexican mariachi, special guests Christian Nodal and his son, Alex Fernández, as well as a handful of guests in different cities.

The “Hecho en México” tour, so named after Fernández’s Grammy-nominated album (out on Universal Music Latin), kicks off on September 10 in Reno, and ends October 24 in Phoenix.

The tour is presented by Live Nation, and tickets go on sale on April 16 at 10:00 am on Ticketmaster.

The tour will play to full capacity venues, says Luana Pagani, a partner in Seitrack, Fernandez’s management team. For these venues, it translates to 5,800 people at the Hulu Theater in Madison Square Garden to nearly 15,000 at The Forum in Los Angeles.

“Nothing is ‘normal’ yet in terms of venues, but we understand all venues will follow their protocols, and we will as well,” says Pagani.

All visa and work requirements for Fernández and his musicians have already been cleared, and Fernandez will also perform at the Latin American Music Awards April 15.

For Fernandez, the import of his tour announcement is not lost, especially as one of Latin music’s biggest stars, as the scion of one of Mexico’s most prominent musical families (his father is Vicente Fernández), and as the spokesperson of Families Belong Together. The campaign of the National Domestic Workers Alliance works to end family separation, and will receive a portion of the tours’ proceeds.

“We lost a lot of people in this pandemic — fiends, family,” Fernández tells Billboard. “So the most important thing is we’re coming back properly, doing things right and with a very important message after all that’s happened, which is thanking God that we’re alive.”

Fernández, a prolific touring act, is known — like his father — for his bravura performances that are long on time and high on quality.

For “Hecho en México,” he is upping the ante by touring for the first time ever with his son, Alex Fernández, who is 25 and signed to Sony. The prospect recalls Fernández’s own stage debut alongside his father, when he was only six years old.

However, says Fernández, “I only started to tour when I was 18, so we’re not that far apart. Alex is a good kid. He’s dedicated and professional. He’s seen how my father works, and he’s seen how I work, and he’s responsible. He’s hungry to do things right.”

Fernández will also invite rising ranchero/norteño star Christian Nodal as a special guest on at least three tour stops. The two became close after recording the hit “Duele” together. It was the kind of cross-generational collaboration Fernández had not done before in Mexican music.

Fernández, that rare artist who’s able to navigate easily between traditional pop and traditional regional Mexican music, had most often collaborated with pop acts, and in his concerts he tends to mix styles and outfits to represent his two styles of music.

Partnering with Nodal, and also with Edén Muñoz of Calibre 50, who will be a guest in at least one show, highlights a new generation of Mexican music starts that are propelling the music forward.

“There’s a resurging interest for Mexican music,” agrees Fernández. “In fact, I’ll be singing some of my pop material, but in more Mexican arrangements.”

Fernández will also perform the entire tour dressed in the traditional formal charro garb that includes the broad-rimmed hat, tight decorated pants and a short fitted jacket.

That’s good news for Mexican fans, who are expected to fly in from Mexico to see Fernández’s shows, particularly on the West Coast. The month of September, which has traditionally drawn Mexican tourists to Las Vegas for the many Latin music performances that take place there as part of Mexican Independence, is expected to see a surge in travel, as concerts have not restarted in Mexico.

“Last year I had played Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City and a couple of dates in Guadalajara and then we had to put everything on hold,” says Fernández. “This will be an epic return.”

Here are the dates and venues for the “Hecho En Mexico” tour:

*with Alex Fernandez
+with Christian Nodal

Fri, Sept. 10 – Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Theatre^
Sat, Sept. 11 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center*
Sun, Sept. 12 – Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center*
Wed, Sept. 15 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena*
Fri, Sept. 17 – Albuquerque, NM – Rio Rancho Events Center*
Sat, Sept. 18 – El Paso, TX – UTEP Don Haskins Center*
Fri, Sept. 24 – Houston, TX – Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land*
Sun, Sept. 26 – Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena*
Thurs, Sept. 30 – Boston, MA – Orpheum Theatre
Fri, Oct. 1 – New York, NY – Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
Sun, Oct. 3 – Miami, FL – AmericanAirlines Arena
Tues, Oct. 5 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy
Fri, Oct. 8 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory*
Sat, Oct. 9 – Hidalgo, TX – Payne Arena*
Sun, Oct. 10 – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center*
Fri, Oct. 15 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center at San Jose+
Sat, Oct. 16 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena+
Fri, Oct. 22 – Los Angeles, CA – The Forum+
Sun, Oct. 24 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Federal Theatre*

Alejandro Fernández to Receive Icon Award at Latin American Music Awards

Alejandro Fernández has officially reached icon status…

The 49-year-old Mexican singer will receive the Icon Award during the sixth edition of the Latin American Music Awards, Telemundo has announced.

Alejandro Fernandez

With a career that spans more than four decades, the son of regional Mexican legend Vicente Fernández has sold over over 35 million records and has collaborated with artists like Beyoncé, Plácido DomingoChristina Aguilera and Marc Anthony.

Most recently, his Grammy-nominated 2020 album Hecho En México debuted at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart becoming the first act to achieve No. 1s on the tally in the 1990s, ‘00s, ‘10s, and ‘20s.

The Icon Award is given to an artist who interprets our life in their songs, forms an important part of Latin America’s history, and is considered a musical hero whose name exceeds all generations, according to statement by Telemundo.

“In addition to his immense contribution to Latin music, his service to those most in need, coupled with his constant support for Latino immigrants in the United States, make him worthy of the Latin AMAs Icon Award.”

The Jalisco-born star will also perform at this year’s Latin AMAs, which will take place on April 15 and will be broadcast live from the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida.

Fernández joins the previously-announced star-studded lineup that includes Ozuna, Maluma, Banda MS, Camilo, Carlos Vives, Eslabon Armado, Karol G, Los Dos Carnales, José Luis “El Puma” Rodríguez and Piso 21. The ceremony will also include a special tribute to the late regional Mexican singer-songwriter Joan Sebastian.

Following safety protocols to protect the health and safety of all involved, the 2021 awards show will honor some of the most influential Latin artists of today, as voted by fans in 25 categories including pop, urban, tropical, regional Mexican and the newly-added favorite virtual concert.

This year’s top nominees include Karol G and J Balvin with nine nods each, followed by Bad Bunny with eight, Ozuna with seven, and Anuel AA and Camilo with six each.

The 2021 Latin AMAs, hosted by actress Jacqueline Bracamontes, will air at 7:00 pm ET on Thursday, April 15, via Telemundo and will broadcast simultaneously on Universo and throughout the Americas on Telemundo Internacional.

Alejandro Fernandez to Launch “Hecho En Mexico” World Tour

Alejandro Fernandez is celebrating his Mexican roots on the road…

The 48-year-old Mexican singer, nicknamed “El Potrillo,” is starting the year with new music and a new tour. 

Alejandro Fernandez,

Dubbed the Hecho En México World Tour, Fernandez will perform for his fans in the U.S. and Canada, as well as Europe. 

The U.S. and Canada tour, produced by Live Nation, kicks off on May 22 in Fresno, California at the Save Mart Center, wrapping up on September 20 at San Antonio’s AT&T Center

The first leg of his tour also includes Fernandez’s first-ever show at Meridian Hall in Toronto, Canada. 

The European tour, which begins on November 27 in Málaga, Spain, is produced by Planet Events@ Live Nation and includes his first-ever shows in London and Paris.

Named after his forthcoming studio album, Hecho En México, the tour and new album marks Fernandez’s return to the mariachi ranchera essence that characterizes his sound. 

The album, which will be released on February 14, includes recently-released singles “Caballero” and “Te Olvide.”

Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning at 9:00 am local time on February 14 via TicketmasterEvery online ticket purchased for the U.S. and Canada includes one physical CD copy of the new album. Tickets for the European dates will be available at www.ticketmaster.es, www.ticketmaster.fr, and www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

Here are the confirmed dates so far:

May 22, 2020 — Fresno, CA @ Save Mart Center
May 23, 2020 — Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena
May 24, 2020 — Los Angeles, CA @ “Fabulous” Forum
May 30, 2020 — San Diego, CA @ Viejas Arena
May 31, 2020 — Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Federal Theatre
June 5, 2020 — Hidalgo, TX @ Payne Arena
June 6, 2020 — Houston, TX @ Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
June 7, 2020 — Laredo, TX @ Sames Auto Arena
June 12, 2020 — Dallas, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
June 14, 2020 — Chicago, IL @ Allstate Arena
June 16, 2020 — Toronto, ON @ Meridian Hall
June 19, 2020 — Fairfax, VA @ EagleBank Arena
June 20, 2020 — Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
June 21, 2020 — Raleigh, NC @ PNC Arena
June 26, 2020 — Miami, FL @ AmericanAirlines Arena
June 28, 2020 — Atlanta, GA @ Infinite Energy Center
September 11, 2020 — Temecula, CA @ Pechanga Resort & Casino
September 15, 2020 — Las Vegas, NV @ Mandalay Bay Events Center
September 19, 2020 — El Paso, TX @ Don Haskins Center
September 20, 2020 — San Antonio, TX @ AT&T Center
November 27, 2020 — Málaga, Spain @ Martín Carpena
November 28, 2020 — Tenerife, Spain @ Recinto Ferial
November 30, 2020 — London, England @ Eventim Apollo
December 3, 2020 — Paris, France @ Olympia
December 5, 2020 — Bilbao, Spain @ Miribilla
December 6, 2020 — La Coruña, Spain @ Coliseum
December 8, 2020 — Madrid, Spain @ Wizink Center 
December 10, 2020 — Barcelona, Spain @ Palau St Jord

“Hecho En México” Documentary Opens in Los Angeles

It could be called “From México with Love”…

Duncan Bridgeman’s latest film, Hecho En México, opened this weekend in Los Angeles, the U.S. market with the largest Mexican-American population.

Hecho en Mexico

The documentary, composed of original songs and insights from the most iconic artists and performers of contemporary Mexico, captures the rich diversity of Mexican geography, art, music and culture.

Hecho En México features appearances by noted Mexican artists and musicians like Diego Luna, Alejandro Fernandez, Carla Morrison, Chavela Vargas, Lila Downs, Natalia Lafourcade, Julieta Venegas and Gloria Trevi.

It’s described as a rare look at the country’s real identity, and an unparalleled celebration of what it truly means to be “Hecho en Mexico.”

The documentary “spans across genres of Mexican music and it’s something that has been well-received outside Mexican culture itself,” says Pantelion Films’ Edward Allen.

The film has already performed strongly in Mexico, where it was released two months ago.

“To reach the Latino audience [in the United States], we’ve been going through Univision and the Latin Grammys, which is one of [the network’s] biggest shows,” said Allen. “Artist Lila Downs performed at the show that’s also in the documentary and re-created the piece visually. That was our kickoff in the U.S. and we’ve been supporting the release via Univision both locally and nationally.”

Following this weekend’s opening in Los Angeles, Hecho En México will head to 15-20 additional cities in the coming weeks.