Belinda To Participate in This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Week

Belinda is preparing to highlight Latina power at this year’s Billboard Latin Music Week event.

The 35-year-old Spanish-Mexican singer and actress will participate in Billboard Latin Music Week 2024, Billboard announced on Monday.

BelindaBelinda is among a roster of new conference participants that includes Camila Fernández, Chiquis, Dei V, Eslabón Armado, Kunno, Lupita Infante, Majo Aguilar, Omar Courtz, Yahritza y Su Esencia and Zhamira Zambrano will participate in

These artists join previously announced participants including Bad Gyal, DANNA, Danny Ocean, Domelipa, Fat Joe, Gloria Estefan, J Balvin, JOP, Keityn, Lele Pons, Luis Alfonso, Maria Becerra, Mau y Ricky, Mon Laferte, N.O.R.E., Paola Jara, Peso Pluma, Pipe Bueno, Sophia Talamas, Yeison Jiménez and Yeri Mua.

Celebrating its 35th anniversary, Billboard Latin Music Week will take place October 14-18 at The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater. Tickets are already available for purchase here.

“Miami Beach is a global destination for arts and entertainment, and this is a perfect example, hosting Billboard Latin Music Week,” said Miami Beach mayor Steven Meiner. “And just like Latin music is the heartbeat of many communities, the Billboard Latin Music Week is becoming the heartbeat of Miami Beach. We are really proud to have that partnership.”

Panelists include Venezuelan content creator Marko, who’ll speak on the panel “From Viral Hits to Billboard Charts: The Power of Content Creators.”

“Us content creators have become a must to take music to the masses,” said Marko at the press conference. “We’re doing work that began a few years ago basically with no credibility. Today, we have the possibility and blessing to have an important brand like Billboard give us our own panel to display our work and accomplishments with music. It’s a fact that content creators are the new DJs.”

Mau and Ricky will speak at the panel titled “Venezuela Rising,” where Venezuelan artists will discuss the global impact of Venezuelan artists and also, their role in their country’s current political climate.

Speaking at Billboard Latin Music Week “Provides us a platform to continue speaking about our country and what’s happening there now,” said Mau. “Thanks for giving us the opportunity to speak about Venezuelan talent and also about what things need to change in Venezuela. And thanks for the opportunity to speak to a new generation. It’s so important to me to give them the tools not many of us had when we started.”

Other newly added speakers include Belinda and Zhamira Zambrano, who will participate in The Women’s Panel, Global Rising: A Conversation with Female Stars from Around the Globe, shining a spotlight on the diverse talent and voices of trailblazing Latina artists.

The highly anticipated Legacies panel will bring together Chiquis, Majo Aguilar, Camila Fernández and Lupita Infante to discuss how, by building on their remarkable dynasties, they have crafted their own careers while honoring their family names and the evolution of Latin music.

Dei V and Omar Courtz will be part of Next Gen Reggaeton: An Evening Curated by J Balvin.

Meanwhile, the panel Families Who Work Together will feature Yahritza y Su Esencia, whose sister manages the group, and Eslabon Armado, whose mother serves as their manager, highlighting the unique dynamics of family partnerships in music.

Kunno will lend his expertise as the moderator of the From YouTube to Charts panel with chart-topping artists that started their careers on social media.

Billboard Latin Music Week will coincide with the Billboard Latin Music Awards, which will air on Telemundo. Latin Music Week tickets will not include access to the awards show this year. Instead, Billboard will host a special 35th-year anniversary celebration on the evening of October 18, where INSIDER badge holders will receive exclusive invitations to this star-studded event.

J Balvin to Headline This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Week

J Balvin is helping celebrate Latin music…

The 39-year-old Colombian singer will headline the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week.

J BalvinThis year’s 35th annual event will take place from October 14-18 at The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater. 

Known for his massive influence on Colombian reggaetón and global Latin music, the Medellín superstar — who is fresh off releasing his sixth solo studio album Rayo — will host a special night titled “Next Gen Reggaetón: An Evening Curated by J Balvin” during the week.

The event promises an exciting lineup of surprise performances and guests, all chosen by Balvin himself.

The global superstar and entrepreneur is a highly decorated and critically acclaimed cultural icon who has won multiple Billboard Music Awards and plenty of chart accolades, including nine No. 1 tracks on the Hot Latin Songs chart like “Mi Gente” with Beyoncé, “Ginza,” “RITMO (Bad Boys For Life)” with Black Eyed Peas) and a No. 1 on the Hot 100 (“I Like It” with Cardi B and Bad Bunny).

Apart from his curation, Balvin will engage in an exclusive Superstar Q&A moderated by Leila Cobo, chief content officer for Latin/Español at Billboard, providing deeper insights into his music and influence. The session aims to foster intimate and enlightening discussions.

“Latin music is living its most successful and globally recognized moment ever this year. But Billboard has been proudly at its side for over 35 years as the main flagbearer, supporter and ultimate opinion maker for Latin music around the world,” said Cobo in a press release. “During a year when Latin music is dominating the charts and the cultural zeitgeist, we are thrilled to return to Miami Beach, the global capital of Latin music, for this exciting week-long event.”

The announcement also highlighted the expansive lineup for this legacy event, featuring a blend of established stars and emerging talents including Bad Gyal, DANNA, Danny Ocean, Domelipa, Fat Joe, Gloria Estefan, JOP, Keityn, Lele Pons, Luis Alfonso, Maria Becerra, Mau y Ricky, Mon LaFerte, N.O.R.E., Paola Jara, Peso Pluma, Pipe Bueno, Sophia Talamas, Yeison Jiménez, and Yeri Mua, with more to be announced in the coming months.

Tickets are now available here.

J Balvin to Release New Album, “Rayo,” This August

J Balvin will be catching some rayos this summer…

The 39-year-old Colombian rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer has announced plans to release his upcoming new album, titled Rayo, on August 9.

J BalvinBalvin’s 15-track LP includes collaborations with Feid, Chencho Corleone, Bad Gyal and Carín León, among others. 

The set will follow the hitmaker’s Grammy-nominated Jose released three years ago, which peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart for three weeks.

Overall, Balvin has placed four No. 1 sets on the tally since 2016, including Energía, Vibras and Oasis, his 2019 joint album with Bad Bunny.

As with all his previous albums, this one also started with a name before even recording any of the songs included. “My albums have always started with their names,” he previously told Billboard. “That way, we let ourselves be guided by the vibe.” The singer-songwriter also shared that London was a major source of inspiration for the set, specifically its nightclub scene, where he and his team would play demos sometimes. “We wanted to see fan reaction, and it was amazing,” he teased.

According to a press release, Rayo is an expression of “earnest need for human connection that drove Balvin to create an album that feels more like a house party than a collection of songs.”

On this new album, he blends elements of reggeatón with electronic pop and dembow, the statement further adds.

In April, Balvin performed a riveting sci-fi-inspired headlining set at Coachella, where he sang his biggest anthems to date, including hits recent hits such as the Tainy-produced “Colmillo” and “Dientes.”

Some of his surprise guests included Jowell & Randy, De La Ghetto and Will Smith.

The new album announcement coincides with Balvin’s new single “Gaga” in collaboration with Saiko. The Keityn and L.e.x.v.z.-produced track dropped on Thursday (July 11).

Here’s the Rayo tracklist:

“Cosa de Locos”
“Polvo de tu Vida” featuring Chencho Corleone
“Swat” featuring Luar La L
“Bajo y Batería”
“Doblexxó” featuring Feid
“3 Noches”
“Gaga” featuring Saiko
“Gato” featuring Bad Gyal
“Lobo” featuring Zion
“La Noche” featuring Dei V
“Origami” featuring Ryan Castro and Blessd
“Sólido”
“Stoker” featuring Carin León
“Ganster”
“En Alta” featuring Omar Courtz, Yovngchimi, Quevedo, Mambo Kingz, DJ Luian

Karol G’s “Provenza” Music Video Becomes Ninth to Enter YouTube’s Billion Views Club

Karol G is on Cloud Nine.

The 33-year-old Colombian Grammy-winning singer/songwriter has achieved yet another career milestone as herher “Provenza” music video surpasses one billion views on YouTube, just two years after it was released.

Karol GFilmed by Pedro Artola on the island of Lanzarote, the beachy music video marks Karol G’s ninth clip to enter the coveted “Billion Views Club” as a lead, featured artist or collaborator.

She also ranks No. 17 on the Global Top Artists chart.

On the Billboard charts, “Provenza” hit No. 1 on both the Hot Latin Songs and Latin Airplay charts in 2022.

“Provenza” follows her other one-billion titles: “China” with Anuel AA, Daddy Yankee, Ozuna & J Balvin; the Nicki Minaj-assisted “Tusa”; “Secreto” in collaboration with Anuel AA, as well as “Culpables”; “Bichota”; “TQG” with Shakira; “El Makinon” in collab with Mariah Angeliq; and the Bad Bunny-assisted “Ahora Me Llama.”

Climbing up the list with more than 750 million views each are “Mi Cama,” “A Ella,” and the heartfelt “Creéme” with Maluma.

The news comes on the heels of Billboard’s 2024 Woman of the Year and Latin Woman of the Year unleashing her summer-friendly tropical tune “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido.”

The feel-good track, produced by Edgar Barrera, Sky Rompiendo and Karol, is a flirty merengue inspired by her love and admiration for the Dominican Republic.

“Its culture, its music, its colors, the hospitality, the energy … everything feels very authentic and special there,” she expressed of the Caribbean island in Instagram an post. “Its people have embraced me in a way that fills my heart and inspires me all the time.”

DJ Luian to Make Feature Debut in Indie Horror Film “You Lose You Die”

DJ Luian is readying for his feature film close-up.…

The 33-year-old Puerto Rican DJ and producer is set to make his feature debut in Carlos “Spiff TV” Suarez’s indie horror film You Lose You Die.

DJ Lujan joins previously announced stars Freddy Rodriguez, who also executive produces, Ashley Elizabeth Fliehr (WWE star Charlotte Flair) and Anuel AA, who will also be making his feature debut.

Shooting is due to wrap imminently in the Dominican Republic and the project will be shopped following post-production.

You Lose You Die follows sociopathic tech expert Mr. Fantastik (Rodriguez), who runs a popular show on the dark web with two other sociopathic tech experts, Ms. Perfect (Fliehr) and Mr. Creep (Anthony Alvarez). On the show, thousands of viewers vote on games and challenges for prisoners to participate in. If the prisoners lose, viewers vote on the weapons the sociopaths use to kill them.

In addition to DJ Lujan, who plays Ice Pick, the cast includes Josh Bredl as Mr. Large, Sophia Zimba as Kara, Ashley Hernandez as Julie, Alejandro Duran as Alfonso, Noah Crider as Chase, Marcella Acuña as Christie, Mercy Grant as Darling and Lydia Faith Gomez as Jamie.

Rodriguez, Josue “Sway” Mendez and Ulysses Terrero serve as executive producers, with Mendez also producing.

Michael Patti is director of photography.

DJ Luian has collaborated with Daddy Yankee, Nicky Jam, J Balvin and Ozuna.

His notable songs include “La Ocasión, “Mia” featuring Drake and Bad Bunny and “Sensualidad.”

With “Mia,” he reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 2015, DJ Luian co-founded the music label Hear This Music with Mambo Kingz and is credited with discovering and signing global superstar Bad Bunny, whose breakthrough hit “Diles” was released under the label.

Anuel AA to Make Feature Film Debut in Indie Horror Film “You Lose You Die”

Anuel AA is set to make his big screen debut…

The 31-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and singer, whose real name is Emmanuel Gazmey Santiago, will make his feature debut in Carlos “Spiff TV” Suarez’s indie horror film You Lose You Die.

Anuel AAHe joins previously announced stars Freddy Rodriguez, who also executive produces, and Ashley Elizabeth Fliehr (WWE star Charlotte Flair).

Shooting is due to wrap imminently in the Dominican Republic and the project will be shopped following post-production.

You Lose You Die follows sociopathic tech expert Mr. Fantastik (Rodriguez), who runs a popular show on the dark web with two other sociopathic tech experts, Ms. Perfect (Fliehr) and Mr. Creep (Anthony Alvarez). On the show, thousands of viewers vote on games and challenges for prisoners to participate in. If the prisoners lose, viewers vote on the weapons the sociopaths use to kill them.

In addition to Anuel AA who plays EZ Money, the cast includes Josh Bredl as Mr. Large, Sophia Zimba as Kara, Ashley Hernandez as Julie, Alejandro Duran as Alfonso, Noah Crider as Chase, Marcella Acuña as Christie, Mercy Grant as Darling and Lydia Faith Gomez as Jamie.

Rodriguez, Josue “Sway” Mendez and Ulysses Terrero serve as executive producers, with Mendez also producing.

Michael Patti is director of photography.

Anuel AA is a Latin trap music pioneer. He recorded his debut album Real Hasta La Muerte (2018) which topped the U.S. Top Latin Albums chart.

He has collaborated with notable artists such as Daddy Yankee, Karol G, Ozuna and J Balvin. His hits include “Secreto” and “China.” He won the Billboard Latin Music Award for New Artist of the Year in 2019.

Blessd & Feid Lead Latest Billboard Latin Airplay Chart with “Si Sabe Ferxxo”

Blessd has another chart-topper on his hands…

The 24-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter and rapper, whose real name is Stiven Mesa Londoño. and Feid combine forces atop Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart, as the pair’s first collaboration “Si Sabe Ferxxo“ climbs from No. 7 to lead the list dated June 1.

Blessd & FeidThe new champ is the second team-up by two Colombian artists to rule the overall Latin radio tally in less than a year, after Shakira and Manuel Turizo united at No. 1 through “Copa Vacía” (one week in charge) in October 2023.

Si Sabe Ferxxo” is one of eight collaborative cuts from Blessd’s 14-track album, Si Sabe, which earned the 24-year-old his first entry on any Billboard albums chart, debuting and reaching No. 29 and No. 15 high on the Top Latin Albums and Latin Rhythm Albums charts dated February 10, respectively.

The song advances to the chart’s summit with a 28% gain in audience impressions, up to 8.5 million, earned in the U.S. during the May 17-23 tracking week, according to Luminate.

With “Si Sabe Ferxxo,” Blessd achieves his second No. 1 on Latin Airplay, following his three-way collab “Medallo,” with Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavarez, in May 2022.

For Feid, “Si Sabe Ferxxo” becomes the hitmaker’s eighth No. 1 on the overall radio ranking, which began with “Porfa,” featuring J Balvin, Maluma, Nicky Jam, Sech and Justin Quiles, climbing to No. 1 in August 2020.

Here’s his collection of champs:

Peak, Title, Artist, Weeks at No. 1
Aug. 29, 2020, “Porfa,” with J Balvin, Maluma, Nicky Jam, Sech & Justin Quiles, one
March 4, 2023, “Hey Mor,” with Ozuna, one
April 15, 2023, “Yandel 150,” Yandel, four
Aug. 19, 2023, “Niña Bonita,” with Sean Paul, one
Jan. 13, 2024, “Bubalu,” with Rema, two
April 20, 2024, “Perro Negro,” with Bad Bunny, one
May 4, 2024, “Luna,” with Atl Jacob, two
June 1, 2024, “Si Sabe Ferxxo,” with Blessd, one

As “Si Sabe Ferxxo” rises to No. 1, it unseats another Warner Latina song from the summit: Myke Towers’ “La Capi” dips 1-5 with a 25% decrease in audience impressions, to 7.71 million.

Elsewhere, thanks to its radio haul, “Si Sabe Ferxxo” rises 36-31 with the Greatest Gainer/Airplay honors of the week on the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart, which combines airplay, digital sales and streaming data.

Grupo Frontera & Shakira Reach No. 1 Simultaneously on Two Billboard Charts with “(Entre Paréntesis)”

Grupo Frontera is celebrating a double victory…

The Regional Mexican band’s collaboration with Shakira, “(Entre Paréntesis),” has reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay and Regional Mexican Airplay.

Grupo Frontera, Shakira“(Entre Paréntesis)” crowns both lists dated May 18.

The track is Shakira’s second regional Mexican pair-up, and her first to rule both charts simultaneously.

On Latin Airplay, “(Entre Paréntesis)” jumps 2-1 to top the overall Latin radio list despite a 3% dip in audience impressions, to 9.63 million, on U.S. reporting radio stations during the May 3-9 tracking week, according to Luminate.

With the ascension, Shakira adds her record-extending 23rd No. 1 on Latin Airplay among women in the chart’s almost 30-year history.

Here’s an updated list of the female artists with the most No. 1s on Latin Airplay, which launched in 1994 (overall, J Balvin continues at the lead overall, with 36 No. 1s):

23, Shakira
17, Karol G
11, Gloria
10, Jennifer López
10, Natti Natasha
7, Rosalía
6, Becky G

Grupo Frontera, meanwhile, captures its third champ, after “Bebe Dame,” with Fuerza Regida, for one week atop in 2023 and “Un X100to,” with Bad Bunny, with a six-week domination in 2023.

“(Entre Paréntesis)” is the ninth single off Shakira’s 12th studio album Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, released March 22. The set made a splash across Billboard’s charts, including a No. 1 start on Top Latin Albums and Latin Pop Albums, and a top 10 debut on Top Album Sales and Vinyl Albums charts (dated April 6).

“(Entre Paréntesis)” is the second regional Mexican song to concurrently top Latin Airplay and Regional Mexican Airplay. Previously, “Por El Contrario” by Becky G with siblings Leonardo and Angela Aguilar, topped both rankings for one week on the chart dated March 9.

Over on Regional Mexican Airplay, “(Paréntesis)” takes the lead (rising 2-1) with 7.32 million audience impressions, down 4% across regional Mexican stations. The move earns Shakira a first No. 1 on the tally, after “El Jefe,” with Fuerza Regida, took her to a No. 9 high in Nov. 2023.

The Edinburg, Texas band picks up its ninth No. 1, and enters a tie with Banda MS de Sergio Lizarraga and Grupo Firme for the third-most No. 1s this decade.

Peso Pluma Among Latinx Artists to Perform at This Year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

Peso Pluma is returning to the Colorado Desert of Southern California this spring.

The lineup for this year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has been finalized, with the 24-year-old Mexican singer set to perform over the two weekends of the festival: April 12-14 and April 19-21.

Peso PlumaPeso Pluma, a Regional Mexican artist who has taken the world by storm, is scheduled to perform on Friday, April 12 and Friday, April 19. He performed at the festival in 2023 during Becky G’s set.

Other Latinx artists set to perform on the same days at Peso Pluma incude Argentina’s Bizarrap, Puerto Rico’s Young Miko and Cuba’s Cimafunk.

Ice Spice will perform on Saturday, April 13 and Saturday, April 20.

Other Latinx artists performing on Saturday alongside the 24-year-old half-Dominican American “Barbie World” singer include Santa Fe Klan and Depresión Sonora.

J Balvin is set to perform on Sunday, April 14 and Sunday, April 21.

It’ll be the 38-year-old Colombian singer’s first performance at Coachella since 2019.

Sunday’s other Latinx performers include Carin Leon, Eddie Zuka, Hermanos Gutierrez and Ludmilla.

This year’s lineup includes a No Doubt reunion, with the band performing together for the first time in almost a decade.

Lana del ReyTyler the Creator and Doja Cat are the 2024 headlining acts

The presale for Coachella starts on Friday, January 19 at 11:00 am PT, with the official site suggesting that for the “best chance at passes,” look at Weekend 2.

General admission passes start at $499 (plus fees) for Tier 1 and go up to $599 (plus fees) for Tier 3. For those festival-goers looking for a VIP experience and have access to exclusive areas, the passes start at $1,069 (plus fees) for Tier 1 and $1,269 (plus fees) for Tier 2. The passes allow entrance to the festival for all three days of the chosen weekend.

Young Miko Teaming Up with Bizarrap for New Single “Music Session, Vol. 58”

Young Miko is readying for a high-profile music session…

The 25-year-old Puerto Rican rapper, singer-songwriter and former footballer is teaming up with Bizarrap for one of the producer’s popular music sessions.

Young Miko,Young Miko and the Argentine producer recently announced their collaboration on Instagram. 

The pair revealed that the song will arrive Wednesday, January 10.

It’s the first time the pair has joined forces for a track.

Young Miko joins an impressive roster of artists — including Shakira, Peso Pluma, Quevedo and Milo J — who’ve jumped on one of Bizarrap’s zealously streamed music sessions.

His collab with Shakira broke numerous records, including earning a staggering 14 Guinness World Records with her “Music Session, Vol. 53,” and a No. 3 spot on Billboard‘s 100 Best Songs of 2023. It also soared on multiple Billboard charts, including Latin Pop Airplay, where it spent 12 weeks at No. 1, and peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Global 200. 

The new song will follow Young Miko’s reggaetón banger “Señorita” also starring Wisin, and the club hit “Colmillo,” on which she paired up with superstars Tainy and J Balvin as well as genre pioneers Jowell & Randy.

Young Miko is set to perform in Mexico, making stops in Monterrey, Guadalajara and Mexico City starting on March 15.

Last year, the wordsmith, who was formerly a tattoo artist, landed on Billboard Latin and Español‘s 50 Best Spanish-language Rappers of All Time; she was also Billboard‘s Latin Rookie of the Year.

During Billboard Latin Music Week 2023, Young Miko joined an all-star roster of Latin female artists — including GALE, Maria Becerra, Nathy Peluso, Nicki Nicole and Kany García — for a panel dubbed Boys Club No More.

Classy 101,” her 2023 collaboration with Feid, landed at 99 on the Hot 100.