Yandel Signs with Warner Music Latina

Posted on September 26, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Yandel has a new deal…

The 46-year-old Puerto Rican singer and songwriter, whose real name is Llandel Veguilla Malavé, has signed with Warner Music Latina, marking his first deal with a major label after releasing his latest albums (Quien Contra Mi 2 and Resistencia) via his own company, Y Entertainment.

The signing took place at the Empire State Building in New York City, where Yandel kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month festivities by leading the lighting ceremony and treating a group of attendees to an intimate concert at the Empire State Building Observatory.

“I am truly excited to join the Warner Music Latina family and look forward to bringing new music to fans worldwide, fostering this new adventure with the label, and continuing to write my musical story together,” said Yandel, who rose to fame more than 20 years ago as one half of the iconic reggaetón duo, Wisin & Yandel.

Yandel’s first release on the label was his Myke Towers collaboration “Borracho y Loco,” which came out on Thursday, September 21.

After scoring countless hits as part of Wisin & Yandel, including “Abusadora” and “Rakata,” Yandel launched a full-fledged solo career in 2013.

In addition to 2003’s Quien Contra Mí — a solo album released prior to Wisin & Yandel’s 2013 hiatus — he’s released a total of eight solo albums, including his 2013’s De Líder a Leyenda, which peaked at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart. In February, he scored his first solo Billboard Hot 100 entry with “Yandel 150” in collaboration with Feid.

“Yandel’s iconic career has resonated with audiences worldwide, and his influence in the music industry is undeniable,” said Warner Music Latina Alejandro Duque. “This collaboration signifies a new chapter of innovation and creativity. We are excited to work hand in hand with Yandel to bring his music to fans across the globe.”

“Yandel is an artist who embodies both iconic status and forward-thinking vision,” added Warner Music Latina MD Roberto Andrade. “We take immense pride in joining him on this new chapter of his career, contributing to its evolution alongside his dedicated and collaborative team.”

Eslabon Armado Makes History with “Good Morning America” Performance

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Eslabon Armado is celebrating a historic American television appearance…

To kick off Hispanic Heritage Month festivities, the Regional Mexican band performed on ABC’s Good Morning America on Friday, September 15 — making history as the first Regional Mexican band ever to sing on the show.

Eslabon Armado, from Patterson, Calif., performed their blockbuster hit “Ella Baila Sola.” The sierreño song with Peso Pluma peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 chart.

“I think it’s a blessing for us,” said Eslabon’s lead singer Pedro Tovar minutes before performing on GMA. “It’s totally another feeling for us … we’ve been on other shows but this is one of the most important one for us. I remember going to school and my teachers putting on the Good Morning America show.”

Yotuel Teams Up with Macy’s & Cubavera for Hispanic Heritage Month Capsule Collection

Posted on September 17, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Here’s your chance to dress up in Yotuel style…

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the 45-year-old Cuban singer and actor has partnered with Macy’s for a limited-edition capsule collection.

Aimed at honoring the Hispanic culture from the perspective of an Afro-Latino experience, the capsule, dubbed “Yotuel by Cubavera,” includes graphic tees and hoodies illustrated by fine artist Tony Mendoza.

The clothing will be sold exclusively at Macy’s and Cubavera.com.

“I am very proud to represent Latinos and especially Afro-Latino culture during Hispanic Heritage Month,” Romero tells Billboard via email. “This collaboration with Cubavera, Macy’s, and artist Tony Mendoza celebrates our Cuban roots through the fusion of fashion and the art.”

Hailing from Havana, Romero is a singer, songwriter and founder of the Cuban hip-hop fusion group Orishas founded in 1999. Last year, his patriotic and heartfelt track “Patria y Vida,” in collaboration with Gente de Zona, Descemer Bueno, Maykel Osorbo and DJ El Funky, won the Latin Grammy for best urban song and song of the year.

Mendoza, on the other hand, is a renowned Cuban fine artist who’s adding his vibrant pop-art touch to the exclusive capsule.

Additionally, Cubavera (part of Perry Ellis International) and Macy’s will partner to create a pop-up shopping experience across the top 20 Macy’s stores, including New York’s Herald Square flagship store, during Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15).

“We are pleased to partner with cultural trailblazers like Yotuel and Tony as they imbue and share our heritage,” stated Oscar Feldenkreis, CEO and president of Perry Ellis, in a statement. “Our retail partnership with Macy’s will showcase this collaboration that amplifies the appeal and impact on mainstream culture through their incredible talents and our fashion lifestyle.”

Matthew Sebra, senior director of menswear, Macy’s Fashion Office, added: “Macy’s is thrilled to be the exclusive partner for this collaboration and to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month alongside Yotuel, Tony, and Cubavera. This collection offers our customers even more ways to own their style and honor Hispanic culture, music, art, and fashion.”

J Balvin’s Latest Nike Sneaker Collaboration Sells Out Quickly

Posted on September 15, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

J Balvin’s latest Nike collaboration is a hit…

The 37-year-old Colombian singer’s sneaker collaboration sold out within hours of being released on the Nike SNKR app.

The collaboration debuted on Thursday, September 15 in commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Balvin’s shoe offers a fresh take on the classic 1986 design. It features a celestine blue colorway with cloud graphics along the heel, collar and insole, and puffed-up panels on the upper ankle, with premium materials and air cushioning designed to keep your feet comfortable.

Although Balvin is known for his unique style, there’s a deeper meaning to the design aesthetic.

“Everything I do has to tell a story,” he explained in an interview with Complex. “I talked to Nike about how I wanted to reflect my mental health journey in a creative way. We discussed how I had to overcome walking through dark moments to find the light. That’s where we came up with the concept for this sneaker. I wanted it to be reflective of how you jump towards the light and your dreams and elevate yourself to get through the dark situations in life.”

The J Balvin x Air Jordan 2 sneaker retails for $300 in adult sizes, $100 for kids, and $80 for toddlers. All three sizes are sold out at Nike, but like with any limited drop, you can usually find the shoes on resale sites like StockX, Fight Club, GOAT, and Grailed.

Mattel Releases Gloria Estefan Barbie Inspired by the Grammy Winner’s “Get On Your Feet” Video

Posted on September 1, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Gloria Estefan is getting all dolled up for her birthday…

Mattel has released a Barbie doll made in the likeness of the Cuban singer, actress and businesswoman to celebrate the music icon’s 65th birthday and her 1989 hit single “Get on Your Feet.”

“I’m honored to be partnering with Barbie to create a doll in my likeness, especially as I ring in my 65th birthday and right ahead Hispanic Heritage Month,” Estefan said in a statement to Billboard. “When designing my Barbie with the team, I wanted to ensure I was staying true to my multicultural roots – and I believe we did just that.”

The collectible Barbie retails for $55 and is available at Amazon, Target and MattelCreations.com.

The release of Estefan’s signature Barbie arrives ahead of Hispanic Month, which is September 15-October 15.

Inspired by the ‘80s wardrobe in the Grammy winner’s “Get on Your Feet” music video, the Gloria Estefan Barbie is dolled up in a black jacket with intricate, gold detailing, black leggings accentuated with a gold waist chain, and thigh-high, leopard-print boots. The doll also holds a microphone spruced up with lace.

In addition to releasing the doll, Barbie will also be partnering with Artístas y Músicos Latino Americanos, a North Philadelphia nonprofit that provides young people with private music lessons, songwriting, audio and production programs.

Additionally, Barbie will be underwriting one of ALMA’s event programs and bolstering their Mentor-Fellow programs, which train children in various careers, including arts production and administration.

Grupo Firme to Take Part in ‘Superstar Panel’ During Billboard Latin Music Week

Posted on August 9, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Grupo Firme will be taking part in this year’s Billboard Latin Music Week.

The Regional Mexican band will take part in one of the various superstar panels during the event, which will take place on September 26-30 at Miami’s Faena Forum.

Founded by Eduin Caz in Tijuana, Mexico, in 2013, Grupo Firme — which straddles the genres of banda and norteño — is comprised of Eduin’s brother Jhonny Caz, Abraham Hernández, Joaquín Ruiz, Christian Gutiérrez, José Rubio and Dylan Camacho.

Touring titans, in 2021, the band secured a historic booking at Los Angeles’ 20,000-capacity Staples Center as the first Latin act to perform the most shows in a single calendar year at the venue with seven sold-out concerts this summer. (The only other artist who has done more in one year is Adele, with eight performances in 2016.)

Grupo Firme joins the already announced star-studded lineup that includes Romeo Santos, Camilo, Chayanne, Ivy Queen, Nicky Jam, Eslabon Armado, Bizarrap, Blessd, Yahritza Y Su Esencia, Luis R. Conriquez, Ovy on the Drums, Kunno, and The Rivera Family.

More participants will be announced in the weeks leading up to the 2022 Latin Music Week. Registration is now open at BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com.

For 30 years, Billboard Latin Music Week has been the longest running and biggest Latin music industry gathering in the world. After a sold-out 2021 edition that featured Q&As with Daddy Yankee and Karol G, as well as show-stopping performances by Anitta, Rauw Alejandro, and Natti Natasha, the event returns, coinciding with Hispanic Heritage Month.

Billboard Latin Music Week will also coincide with the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 29, in Miami. The Billboard Latin Music Awards will broadcast live on Telemundo, and will also broadcast simultaneously on the Spanish entertainment cable network, Universo, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

TikTok Names Anitta its First Official #Rompiendo Artist

Posted on April 29, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Anitta is counting down to a new partnership…

TikTok has announced the launch of a new program dubbed #Rompiendo, with the 29-year-old Brazilian star the first artist to be featured in the new program.

#Rompiendo is meant to “highlight the success and impact” of Latinx music and artists on the app. According to the social media company, the program includes promotion, playlisting, inclusion on TikTok radio and a feature on @MusicOnTikTok socials.

Anitta is a strong first choice to launch the program.

Her single “Envolver” has been used in more than 2 million videos after the song and its dance challenge went viral on TikTok. A new #Rompiendo artist will be announced every two weeks.

Most recently, Anitta made her Coachella debut with an epic set that brought Brazil to the desert and featured surprise guests such as Snoop Dogg, Saweetie and Diplo.

In mid-April, she dropped her long-awaited album Versions of Me, which includes “Envolver.” The cheeky reggaeton track peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart earlier this month, marking the first leader on the list by an artist from Brazil.

#Rompiendo is TikTok’s latest effort to propel Latinx creators on the app. Last year, during Hispanic Heritage Month, TikTok and MACRO — a media company that represents the voices and perspectives of Black people and persons of color — teamed up to launch a new incubator called TikTok Latinx Creatives in an effort to help further grow the Latinx creative community on the platform. The 10-week program focused on “nurturing and developing” 150 talented Latinx creators and music artists.

“We’re driven to spotlight and support Latinx talent with a platform that amplifies their voices and a community that is moved by them,” TikTok said in a statement at the time of Latinx Creatives’ launch.

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According to TikTok, popular Latinx community hashtags — including #Latino, #Latina, #Familia, #Hispanic — generate “significant” community engagement and have accumulated billions of video views.

Anitta to Appear in Billboard’s Facebook Watch Series “12 Hours With…”

Posted on September 22, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Ready to spend 12 hours with Anitta?

Billboard has announced a brand-new Facebook Watch series centered on the 28-year-old Brazilian singer, Maluma, Prince Royce and Mariah Angeliq, spotlighting the four Latin hitmakers during Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month.

The four-part series, titled 12 Hours With…, will dig deep into the four artists’ stories about how their heritage and roots helped build a foundation for their music careers and how they’re shaping culture and building on generations of Latin influence across the globe.

Maluma will star in the first episode, “12 Hours With Maluma,” which will premiere October 5 at 9:00 am ET on Facebook Watch and simulcast on Billboard.com and the Facebook app.

Anitta’s episode will premiere October 7, while “12 Hours With Prince Royce” will air on October 12 and Mariah Angeliq’s special will round out the series on October 14.

Billboard‘s “12 Hours With…” Facebook Watch series was produced by The Intellectual Property Corporation.

Learn more about Facebook’s Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations here.

J Balvin Kicks Off NPR’s “El Tiny” Home Concert Series in Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month

Posted on September 18, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Size doesn’t matter for J Balvin…

The 36-year-old Colombian singer has kicked off NPR‘s “El Tiny” series in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Balvin’s performance on September 16 was the first of 10 “El Tiny” concerts that will feature Latin artists like Camila Cabello, Prince Royce, Sech, Nicki Nicole and Silvana Estrada. The series will run through October 15, the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Backed by the Brooklyn Bridge in the middle of the East River, the chart-topping artist kicks off his 15-minute mini concert, singing new tracks off his latest and most personal album yet, Jose. He kicks off the set with “Vestido” and goes on to perform “Que Locura,” “OTRO FILI,” “F40” and closes with fan favorite “In Da Getto.”

“Even though we have some of the biggest names in Latin music scheduled, our ‘El Tiny’ takeover of the Tiny Desk (home) concerts is more than just entertainment,” Felix Contreras, host of NPR Music‘s Alt.Latino, said in a statement. “I firmly believe that music has always been an accurate barometer of what’s going on in the Latin communities here in this country. Reggaetón hip-hop, soul, Afro Latino, jazz — it’s all reflected in our lineup and shows how diverse our listening habits, and our community, is.”

The nine-time finalist at the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards recently spoke to Billboard about his 24-track set released on September 10. “The album was made thinking about myself and what I like to do,” Balvin said. “When I realized I didn’t have to box myself into a concept, like I did with Colores, I said, ‘The concept is me.'”

Ozuna Teams Up with National Football League (NFL) for Special Latinx Content

Posted on September 17, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a touchdown for Ozuna.

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the 29-year-old Puerto Rican singer/songwriter has teamed up with the National Football League for special content geared towards Latinx NFL fans.

The NFL has introduced new partnerships, collaborations and activations that are “designed to celebrate la cultura Latina” throughout the NFL season, including working with Ozuna.

The Puerto Rican chart-topping artist joined the NFL to advise on its season-long content vision her career, music, love and upcoming projects.for reaching Latinx fans.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CT42HAGpG3l/

Additionally, Ozuna, along with NFL legend Victor Cruz, will be featured in the campaign and support promotional initiatives.

“I’m honored to be partnering with the NFL on such a groundbreaking new initiative to highlight the diversity of their fans, especially now during Latinx Heritage Month,” said Ozuna about the partnership. “For the NFL to acknowledge, support, and encourage our culture is meaningful.”

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