Gaby Espino to Host This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on October 15, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Gaby Espino is makin’ the host of the month…

The 42-year-old Venezuelan actress, model and presenter will host this year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards, set to take place on Wednesday, October 21, according to Telemundo and Billboard.

Espino, known for her starring role in Jugar con Fuego, will be joined by Nicaraguan presenter and host of Latinx Now!, Nastassja Bolivar, who will offer behind-the-scenes coverage.

Additionally, a wave of artists, actors and Telemundo personalities have been announced as awards presenters, including Aymee Nuviola, Christian Chávez, Frederik Oldenburg, Ivy Queen, Jacky Bracamontes, Jeimy Osorio, Luis Ernesto Franco, Natalia Jiménez, Osvaldo Benavides, Pedro Capó, Samadhi Zendejas, Silvia Navarro, and Sofía Castro.

The 2020 BLMAs, led by 14-time finalists Bad Bunny and Ozuna, is the only awards show to honor the most popular albums, songs and performers in Latin music. The awards are determined by the actual sales, streaming, radio airplay and social data that informs Billboard‘s weekly charts during a one-year period from the rankings dated February 2, 2019, through this year’s January 25 charts.

Ivy Queen Releases New Single “Next”

Posted on September 11, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Ivy Queen’s got Next…

The 48-year-old Puerto Rican rapper/singer has released her latest single “Next,” as well as the song’s official music video.

Ivy Queen sings about a relationship that hasn’t been beneficial to her life.

“You didn’t teach me anything / Only that love hurts / You didn’t teach me anything / That’s why I’m going to forget you fast,” the song kicks off.

The infectious reggaeton track was co-written between Ivy and Peter Nieto and shares a woman’s perspective after a breakup.

“For men, saying ‘next’ is the easiest thing to do but when a woman wants to move on and begin dating, we are judged. That’s why ‘Next’ was born,” she tells Billboard.

In the simple yet metaphorical music video, Ivy Queen rocks a set of different glamorous outfits, including a long, silky light grey dress with glittery fringe and a matching pointy hat that represents a shark. The outfits in the clip pay homage to Ivy’s zodiac sign Pisces.

“The shark demands power and leadership,” she says. “When someone sees a shark, they know that there’s a halt. So, in other words, the boss is here. Mommy Shark.”

In true Ivy Queen fashion, “Next” oozes nothing but confidence and empowerment.

Her best advice for women to keep confident and positive after a breakup?

“It all starts with you,” she notes, “when you make the decision that a relationship is over and you’re ready to walk away and move on.” “I love that my songs encourage women. They have helped and inspired many people around the world,” she adds.

Next month, Ivy Queen will unite with the late Celia Cruz for an epic virtual performance at the Calle Ocho Live Festival, which is set to take place on October 4.

Ivy Queen to Take Part in First-Ever Series of Drive-In Latin Concerts from 360WE

Posted on May 28, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Ivy Queen is ready to drivefans wild in a new way…

As the idea of drive in concerts gains traction around the world, 360 Worldwide Entertainment (360WE) is launching the first-ever series of drive-in Latin shows, with the 48-year-old Puerto Rican singer/rapper part of the line up.

“Live Drive-In Safe & Sound Concert” will launch with shows by Ivy Queen, who was in the midst of her U.S. tour when in early Spring when the COVID-19 pandemic escalated.

“Our goal is make a reality of a project where the audience feels safe and protected in a comfortable environment,” says Lucas Piña, founder of 360WE.

Piña, who previously headed SBS Entertainment, the live entertainment arm of SBS, launched 360WE last year and is partnering with different companies to execute the drive-in shows. They include SBS, 4 Sound Technical Production for sounds and effect, Florida Investigation for security, Enviro Pro USA for disinfection of public areas, Online Wise for digital connectivity and The Dirty Rabbit, which specializes in food trucks.

360WE’s events would also include surround sound and, most notably, drone technology to take the temperature of concert-goers as they enter in their cars.

An app will let ticket buyers order food and drinks and reserve their locations. Events are being designed for up to 1,000 cars. A first venue and date will be announced soon.

Adriana Rios’ “Esta En Ti” Named Favorite Quarantine-Inspired Latin Song

Posted on May 9, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Adriana Rios is the quarantine queen…

Following a two-week poll asking readers to choose their favorite quarantine-inspired Latin song, Billboard has revealed the fans pick: Adriana Rios.

In the midst of the COVID-19global pandemic, the rising Regional Mexican singer penned a heartwarming song called “Esta En Ti‘.”

The lyrics are a wake-up call to society, encouraging everyone to cooperate and stay at home.

In the track, Rios, one of Billboard’sLatin Artists To Watchin 2020, also recognizes all of the workers and health professionals who have been in the frontline during these challenging times.

Rios’ “Esta En Ti” nabbed more than 45 percent of the votes. The heartfelt song is followed by Ivy Queen’s“Antídoto” with nearly 30 percent of the votes.

Other fan favorites included Karol G and Anuel AA’s“Follow” and Abraham Mateo’s“Esta Cuarentena.”

Ivy Queen Launching 19-City U.S. Tour Next Month

Posted on January 31, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Ivy Queenis hittin’ the road…

The 47-year-old Puerto Rican rapper, The Queen of Reggaeton, will kick off a new album and single with the launch of a 19-city tour, beginning February 13 and ending March 29.

The Raíz No Rama Tourbegins at BarCodein Elizabeth, New Jersey, and will play clubs and theaters all along the East Coast before heading west.

It’ll be Ivy Queen’s first-ever bus tour, with the artist documenting her travels via a podcast.

The tour announcement coincides with the release of her new single, “Un Baile Más.” The track, on her own NKS music, highlights a slightly softer side of reggaetón’s grandest dame, as does the video, which shows couples of different ages and gender dancing together.

“The underlying question in this song was, ‘If you were dancing your last dance, who would you dance it with?” Ivy Queen tells Billboard.

While reggaetón and urban music are currently dominating charts, women are largely in scant supply.

Ivy Queen, who launched her career over 20 years ago at a time when virtually no women were performing reggaetón, has managed to remain relevant. Doing a tour that goes down to the basics, playing venues of between 500 and 1,000 people, is part of the journey, she says.

To purchase tickets, visit http://raiznorama.com.

Here are the tour dates:

FEBRUARY 13, 2020 • BARCODE / NEW JERSEY, NJ
FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • RIO CANTINA / STERLING, VA
FEBRUARY 15, 2020 • VIP NIGHTCLUB / BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
FEBRUARY 20, 2020 • PLAZA MARIACHI MUSIC CITY / NASHVILLE, TN
FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • ELEVEN LOUNGE / ATLANTA, GA
FEBRUARY 22, 2020 • IBIZA / GREENVILLE, FL
FEBRUARY 29, 2020 • STUDIO 60 / MIAMI, FL
MARCH 04, 2020 • HOUSE OF BLUES / DALLAS, TX
MARCH 05, 2020 • HOUSE OF BLUES / HOUSTON, TX
MARCH 08, 2020 • AZTEC THEATER / SAN ANTONIO, TX
MARCH 11, 2020 • VAN BUREN / PHOENIX, AZ
MARCH 12, 2020 • HOUSE OF BLUES / SAN DIEGO, CA
MARCH 13, 2020 • GIGGLES / LOS ANGELES, CA
MARCH 14, 2020 • XALOS / ANAHEIM, CA
MARCH 15, 2020 • HOUSE OF BLUES / LAS VEGAS, NV
MARCH 18, 2020 • FILLMORE / SAN FRANCISCO, CA
MARCH 22, 2020 • ACE OF SPADES / SACRAMENTO, CA
MARCH 28, 2020 • DELUXE AT OLD NATIONAL / INDIANAPOLIS, IN
MARCH 29, 2020 • HOUSE OF BLUES / CHICAGO, IL

Kany Garcia to Be Honored at This Year’s La Musa Awards

Posted on September 4, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Kany Garcia is seriously A-Muse-d!

The Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame has announced its honorees for the 2019 La Musa Awards, with the 26-year-oldPuerto Rican singer and songwriter making the list.

Garcia, a three-time Latin Grammy winner, will be awarded the Elena Casals La Musa Award.

Garcia has penned all the songs for her albums. And she’s also written songs for other artists like Ha*Ash, Ednita Nazario, Pedro Capó, Fabiola and Chayanne.

José José, referred to as El Príncipe de la Canción, will receive the Living Legend Award, The 71-year-old Mexican crooner, who began his musical career in his early teens, has released more than 30 albums, his last Tenampa in 2001.

Jesús López, chairman & CEO for Universal Music Latin Americaand the Iberian Peninsula, will receive the Desi Arnaz Pioneer Award, while music executive Nestor Casonuwill be honored with the Ralph S. Peer Publisher Award.

Additional honorees will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

In addition to unveiling the first wave of honorees, LSHOF has also announced that Spotify is returning as the official title sponsor of the awards ceremony. According to an official statement, the “continuing partnership aligns with Spotify’s unparalleled commitment to supporting and highlighting Latin music and songwriters on its global platform.”

In May, Ivy Queen, Willie Colón, Michael Sullivan, Chico Novarro, and Armando Larrinaga were announced as the five songwriters who will be inducted at the prestigious hall this year.

The 2019 group of inductees, which were selected by the general public from a previously announced list of 24 nominated songwriters and composers, is comprised of some of the greatest performers, lyricists, and musicians in Latin music today.

The 2019 honorees will be officially inducted at the seventh annual La Musa Awards ceremony and gala, taking place October 24 at the James L. Knight Centerin Miami.

Tickets for the 7th annual La Musa Awards are now on sale via Ticketmaster.com.

Ivy Queen Releases New EP “The Queen is Here”

Posted on March 1, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Ivy Queen is back on her throne…

The 46-year-old Puerto Rican rapper has released her new EP The Queen Is Here and returns on a mission to take the feminine movement to a new level.

The EP, released on February 28, includes seven songs that Ivy Queen recorded after her fans insisted that she needed to release new music.

“The motivation has been the fans and each of their messages on social media,” Ivy Queen said.

But the new EP is just the beginning, because Ivy Queen has plans that go much further in 2019.

“We are in negotiations for a collaboration with Cardi B,” says the singer, who also clarified that they have not been able to coordinate to meet in the studio because of scheduling conflicts. “In May, we will be singing at the same festival and we hope to be able to meet.” The idea of a collaboration came after Cardi B tweeted that Ivy is her queen.

Los Tigres del Norte to Perform at the Tropicália Music and Taco Festival

Posted on October 26, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Los Tigres del Norte are ready to hail the Queen…

The Grammy-winning Mexican norteño group are set to perform at the Tropicália Music and Taco Festival at Queen Mary Park in Long Beach, CA.

Los Tigres del Norte join a list of more than 50 artists that includes Os Mutantes, Kali Uchis, Café Tacvba and Ivy Queen.

The Tropicália Music and Taco Festival will take place on November 11.

King Krule, Celso Piña, Chicano Batman and Wanda Jackson are also on the multi-generational, multi-lingual bill, according to festival promoters The Observatory Group.

Tickets are now on sale at the festival website starting at $85 and topping at a “Rage on the Stage” VIP pass priced at $500 per person. The price includes all-you-can-eat tacos until 4 p.m. from over two dozen area taquerias.

Here’s the full list of artists slated to play Tropicália:

Alina Baraz
Beach Bums
Brenton Wood
Buttertones
Buyepongo
Café Tacvba
Celso Piña
Chicano Batman
Chulity Vinly Club
Chrome Sparks (DJ Set)
Cuco
Current Joys
Dub Cub
Evelyn “Champagne” King
Funky Sole
Ginuwine
Goldlink
High Curbs
Inner Wave
Ivy Queen
Jack Moves
Jeanette
Jessie Reyez
Jhene Aiko
Jorja Smith
Kali Uchis
King Rule
La Banda Skalavera
Las Cafeteras
Los Tigres Del Norte
Low End Theory
Madlibe
Os Mutantes
Phoney Ppl
Pity Party
Red Pears
Sad Girl
Sango
Scam & Jam
Slow Hollows
Smino
Sonora Dinamita
Surf Curse
Summer Salt
The Delfonics
Thee Commons
Very Be Careful
Weapons of Mass Creation
Wanda Jackson
XXYYXX
Yellow Days

Gilberto Santa Rosa to Serve as NYC Puerto Rican Day Parade Grand Marshall

Posted on May 11, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Gilberto Santa Rosa is set to have a grand old time at this year’s NYC Puerto Rican Day Parade.

The 54-year-old Puerto Rican singer and bandleader, known as “El Caballero de la Salsa,” will serve as the grand marshall of the annual parade on June 11.

Santa Rosa is a Grammy and Latin Grammy winner, who has been active in the music industry for approximately forty years.

But Santa Rosa isn’t the only superstar participating in this year’s parade.

Iris Chacón, the 67-year-old showgirl who came to fame in the 1970s as “the Puerto Rican bombshell” has been named godmother of the parade.

Ozuna will appear as the parade’s Rising Star, salsa singer Ismael Rivera has been named a Puerto Rican Day ambassador, and Latin alternative duo BuscaBulla will also join the parade.

This year’s Puerto Rican Day Parade marks the 60th time that “la parada” fills Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue with tropical music and Puerto Rican pride. Previous grand marshalls include Marc Anthony and Ricky Martin; Calle 13’s Rene Perez was crowned king of the parade in 2014.

Olympic gold medal gymnast Laurie Hernández, actress Lana Parrilla (Once Upon a Time) and 14-time MLB All-Star Iván Rodríguez will also participate in this year’s parade.

The event will also reference recent politics: it will honor former political prisoner Oscar López Rivera, who was pardoned by President Barack Obama in January after 35 years in federal prison, as National Freedom Hero. And this year’s parade coincides with 100 years since all Puerto Ricans were granted U.S. citizenship by a law enacted by President Woodrow Wilson.

“In this monumental year, we are showcasing our collective achievement and the legacy we have built by working in solidarity,” Puerto Rican Day Parade Board Chair Board Chair Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez said at a press conference. “And we will discuss key challenges that Puerto Rico is facing to help inform and engage our community. We also honor legendary figures and the next generation of stars that are already accomplished in their own right.”

Two music festivals preceding the parade will turn June 9-11 into a full throttle Puerto Rican party weekend.

The 2017 Soulfrito festival will feature a line-up of “club bangers and Latin trap” that includes urban stars Farruko, Zion y Lennox , Bad Bunny, Cosculluela and Ivy Queen starts the party in Brooklyn on Friday, June 9, at the Barclays Center.

Willie Colon, Eddie Palmieri and Tito Nieves lead the incredible line-up of the 33rd New York Salsa Festival, which takes place Saturday, June 10, also at the Barclay Center. Jerry Rivera, Grupo Niche, Fruko y Sus Tesos, Tito Rojas and DLG are also among the artists scheduled to perform.

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

Posted on October 3, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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