Kali Uchis to Receive Billboard Latin Women in Music’s Rising Star Award

Kali Uchis’ star is on the rise…

The 29-year-old Colombian American singer and songwriter will be honored at the 2024 Billboard Latin Women in Music program, per Billboard and Telemundo.

Kali UchisThis celebration, which highlights the efforts of Latin women musicians who are “proactively working for positive change, inclusion and gender parity in the music industry,” will see Uchis receive the Rising Star award.

Uchis “has quickly climbed the charts since releasing her first album in 2018,” the statement continues, “earning her this year’s Rising Star honor, a recognition and celebration of an emerging talent’s success in growing their musical prowess and solidifying their place in the industry.”

The singer, songwriter and record producer has successfully alternated between English and Spanish-language projects, while defying music genres with music that blends elements of R&B, neo-soul, pop, and Latin rhythms.

Her smash hit “telepatía” has amassed over 2 billion streams and is the Billboard Hot 100 longest-running Spanish song by a solo act this decade with a 23-week streak.

Uchis joins a list of previously announced honorees for this year that include Camila CabelloGloria Estefan (Legend), Ana Bárbara (Lifetime Achievement), Ángela Aguilar (Musical Dynasty) and Kany García (Spirit of Change).

In the coming weeks, additional honorees and details will be announced for the second annual Billboard Latin Women in Music ceremony, which will be hosted by actress Jacqueline Bracamontes.

The Billboard Latin Women in Music program will air exclusively on Telemundo on Sunday, June 9, at 9:00 pm ET, and will be simultaneously available on the Telemundo app and Peacock.

Jacqueline Bracamontes Returning to Host 2nd Annual Billboard Latin Women in Music Special

Jacqueline Bracamontes is preparing to help celebrate Latinas in music…

The 44-year-old Mexican actress, former model and beauty pageant titleholder and television personality will host the Billboard Latin Women in Music special, which is scheduled to return for its second edition on June 9 at 9:00 p.m. ET via Telemundo.

Jacqueline BracamontesHailing from Billboard and Telemundo, the two-hour music special will celebrate “Latin female artists proactively working for positive change, inclusion, and gender parity in the music industry,” as noted in the press release.

Bracamontes will return as host for a second time.

Produced at Telemundo Center in Miami, the event captures the essence of Latin culture through dynamic musical showcases and special acknowledgments from leading Latin female artists. It will also be available for simultaneous streaming on the Telemundo app and Peacock.

The recipients of this year’s honors will be revealed at a later time.

Bracamontes holds a prominent position in Latin American television.

She has anchored Telemundo’s broadcasts of prestigious events such as Miss Universe, the Billboard Latin Music Awards and the Latin American Music Awards.

Additionally, she has helmed programs like the dance competition Así se Baila and starred in the popular primetime series La Suerte de Loli.

Furthermore, Bracamontes joined the U.S. Hispanic network as the host of Viva el Mundial y Más, a sports and entertainment show that aired during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, and co-hosted two seasons of the hit music competition La Voz (The Voice).

At last year’s Latin Women in Music event, honors were granted to those who’ve made significant contributions to Latin music and its industry. The recipients included included Shakira as Woman of the Year, Ana Gabriel as Living Legend, Thalia as Global Powerhouse, Maria Becerra as Visionary, Emilia as Rising Star, Evaluna as Tradition and Future and Goyo as Agent of Change.

Jacqueline Bracamontes to Serve as a Spanish-Language Co-Host at This Year’s Miss Universe Pageant

Jacqueline Bracamontes is preparing for a universal role…

The 43-year-old Mexican actress, former model and beauty pageant titleholder will serve as talent for the upcoming Miss Universe pageant, which is set to take place in El Salvador on November 18.

Jacqueline BracamontesBracamontes will be among the Latinx artists serving as talent for Telemundos’ Spanish-language telecast of the pageant.

Bracamontes will co-host alongside Danilo Carrera. Joining them are Andrea Meza, Carlos Adyan and Julia Gama.

The English broadcast of the 72nd annual competition will be hosted by former Extra host Maria Menounos alongside returning hosts Olivia Culpo and Jeannie Mai.

Culpo and Mai hosted the competition last year, replacing Steve Harvey, who had previously hosted the show for a number of years.

The competition will air on Roku and Telemundo in the U.S.

Miss Universe began airing on CBS in 1960. After it was acquired by Donald Trump in 1996, it began airing on NBC in 2003 and remained there until 2014. It aired on Fox between 2015 and 2019, before moving to FYI and Telemundo briefly before airing on Fox in 2021.

The 2023 show will be produced by executive produced Sergio Alfaro and his LA-based production company InventTV, as well as Paula Shugart and Anne Jakrajutatip for Miss Universe.

The Miss Universe Organization is now owned by Thailand’s JKN Global Group.

The show will also feature two backstage correspondents: Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Zuri Hall, co-host of Access Hollywood and NBC’s American Ninja Warrior.

Jacqueline Bracamontes to Co-Host This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards

Jacqueline Bracamontes will be reporting for host duty this week…

The 43-year-old Mexican actress, former model and beauty pageant titleholder will co-host this year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards, taking place on Thursday, October 5.

Jacqueline Bracamontes It will be the first time serving as a host of the awards show for Bracamontes, who won Nuestra Belleza Jalisco 2000Nuestra Belleza México 2000 and represented her country at Miss Universe 2001.

She’ll be joined by fellow first-time host of the show, Danilo Carrera.

The 34-year-old Ecuadorian actor, presenter and model’s credits include El amor invencible, Vencer la ausencia and Contigo sí.

Telemundo also announced the following artists were announced as presenters for the awards show:  Eslabon Armado, Beéle, Christian Chávez (RBD), De La GhettoDanny Lux, La Materialista, Maite Perroni (RBD), Elena Rose, Alex Sensation, Mar Solis and Christopher Von Uckermann (RBD).

This year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida on Telemundo.

Shakira to Be Honored as Billboard’s ‘Woman of the Year’ at First-Ever Mujeres Latinas en la Música Gala

t’s a career-recognizing first for Shakira

The 46-year-old Colombian global superstar will be honored as Billboard’s Woman of the Year at the first-ever Mujeres Latinas en la Música gala.

ShakiraThe two-hour music special, hosted by Ivy Queen and Jacqueline Bracamontes and honoring Latin women in music, will be taped at the Watsco Center in Miami on May 6 and will air exclusively on Telemundo on May 7 at 9:00 pm ET/8:00 pm CT.

A first of its kind for Latin music, Mujeres Latinas en la Música celebrates Latin female artists, executives and creatives who are proactively working for positive change, inclusion and gender parity in the music industry.

Superstars Ana GabrielEmiliaEvalunaGoyo and Thalia will also receive special awards at the inaugural event presented by Billboard with Telemundo.

Shakira’s honor comes in the wake of an extraordinary year that has seen the superstar break records with the biggest Spanish-language debut of 2022 (“Monotonía” featuring Ozuna). Then, in January 2023, her “Shakira: BZRP Music Sessions #53” debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making her the first woman to reach the top 10 on the chart with a song in Spanish.

“Shakira: BZRP Music Sessions #53” also made history as the most-streamed Latin track in 24 hours in Spotify history and the most-viewed Latin track on YouTube in 24 hours with over 63 million views, and it broke 14 Guinness World Records.

“Shakira is the ultimate Woman in Music. Thanks to her, Latin women all over the world have been empowered to write and perform deeply personal music. She created a movement all on her own, and continues to be more relevant than ever today, with grace, a deep tradition of giving back, and enormous talent. She is the definition of a Woman in Music,” said Leila CoboBillboard’s chief content officer for Latin/Español.

“Shakira has been pivotal in shaping the vibrant and diverse landscape of Latin music and music in general throughout her career. Her passion, talent and creativity have broken barriers and empowered generations to embrace our identity through music, and we are incredibly proud to recognize her as Woman of the Year in the industry,” said Ronald Day, president of entertainment and content strategy for Telemundo.

Shakira has sold more than 95 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time and the top-selling female Latin artist of all time. Her global success as a crossover artist opened doors for other Latin artists to enter international markets. She is the most-viewed Latin female artist, and one of the top 10 artists overall of all time on YouTube with over 20 billion cumulative views, and the most-streamed female Latin artist of all time on Spotify.

Aside from her stellar industry accolades, at the age of 18, Shakira created the Pies Descalzos Foundation, which has built and adapted nine public schools in Cartagena, Barranquilla, Guajira and Quibdó, with six in construction. The foundation has raised over 40 million dollars since inception and impacted more than 150,000 children and nearly 900,000 families.

Thalia to Be Honored at Inaugural Latin Women in Music Event

Thalia is feelin’ the love…

The 51-year-old Mexican singer and actress will be among the honorees at the first-ever Latin Women in Music, or Mujeres Latinas En La Música in Spanish.

ThaliaIn addition to the “Amor a la Mexicana” singer, the event will honor ThaliaAna Gabriel, Natti Natasha, Evaluna, Goyo and Emilia MernesBillboard and Telemundo have announced.

The inaugural event will take place May 6 at the Watsco Center in Miami and is set to be co-hosted by reggaeton queen Ivy Queen — who received this year’s Icon Award at Billboard‘s 2023 Women in Music — and television personality Jacqueline Bracamontes.

The two-hour music special, which will air May 7 on Telemundo, will celebrate Latin women artists, executives and creatives who are proactively working for positive change, inclusion and gender parity in the music industry.

“Our Latin Women In Music gala is a bold and inspiring event. Our honorees come from vastly diverse places, generations, styles, genres and philosophies, but all have excellence, commitment and unique and uncompromising artistry and points of view,” said Leila Cobo, Billboard’s chief content officer for Latin/Español. “In this landmark year for Latin music, we are so proud to launch our newest tentpole, where we will celebrate outstanding, powerful, leading women yearly.”

Ana Gabriel will receive the Leyenda Viviente Award. With more than two-dozen albums, the Mexican singer-songwriter has serenaded fans for nearly five decades with cross-genre chart toppers, including 20 top 10 hits and 6 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart.

The awards for the other honorees will be announced soon.

“We are proud to recognize this group of powerful artists who have redefined the role of Latin women across genres and around the world,” added Ronald Day, president of entertainment and content strategy for Telemundo. “Music is more than a beat for the Latino community, it is a reflection of our identity. With this event, we aim to continue offering our audience the opportunity to celebrate our culture and come together through the music that unites us all.”

The show — which according to both companies will “embody Latin culture featuring powerhouse performances, impactful historic moments, and can’t-miss surprises” — will also be on the Telemundo app and available to stream on Peacock.

The inaugural Latin Women in Music event was announced earlier this year as an expansion of Billboard’s Women in Music franchise. It aims to celebrate the women who have made a concrete impact on Latin music through their artistic achievements, or through tangible, noteworthy actions that have brought measurable recognition and opportunity to women, effecting positive change to the industry as a whole.

Additional information about Billboard Mujeres Latinas en la Música, including the first-ever Latin Woman of the Year honoree, musical performances, presenters and more, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets to attend Billboard Mujeres Latinas en la Música live at the Watsco Center can be purchased at BillboardMujeresEnLaMusica.com.

Karol G Wins Big at Latin American Music Awards with Six Trophies

Karol G is this year’s Latin AMAs darling…

The 31-year-old Colombian singer proved to be the biggest winner at the seventh annual Latin American Music Awards, earning six awards at the ceremony that celebrates the best of Latin music.

Karol GKarol G took home the most coveted award of the night, Artist of the Year. She also prevailed as Female Artist of the Year and Favorite Urban Artist.

Her third studio album, KG0516, was voted Album of the Year and Favorite Urban Album, and she picked up a Favorite Collaboration Award for her track “Makinón,” with Miami native Mariah Angelique.

Bad Bunny, who came into the ceremony as the most-nominated artist, followed close behind with five awards.

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican artist’s five awards included Song of the Year, Favorite Male Artist and Favorite Urban Song for his multiplatinum single “Dákiti,” with Jhay Cortez.

He also nabbed the award for Favorite Tropical Song “Volví,” and Viral Song of the Year for “AM.”

Argentine singer María Becerra, whose debut album Animal was released last summer, won Best New Artist.

This year’s Latin AMAs were hosted by Jacqueline Bracamontes, Rafael Amaya and Cristián de la Fuente and broadcast on Telemundo from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Latin AMAs voting is fan-driven with nominations based on streaming, sales, airplay and social activity tracked by Billboard from February 6, 2021 through January 29, 2022.

Here’s the full list of Latin AMA 2022 winners:

Artista del Año: Karol G
Nuevo Artista del Año: María Becerra
Sencillo del Año: Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez — “Dákiti”
Álbum del Año: Karol G — “KG0516”
Artista Favorita Femenina: Karol G
Artista Favorito Masculino: Bad Bunny
Dúo o Grupo Favorito: Aventura
Artista Favorito Pop: Selena Gomez
Álbum Favorito Pop: CNCO — “Déjà Vu”
Canción Favorita Pop: Sebastián Yatra & Myke Towers — “Pareja Del Año”
Artista Favorito Solo Regional Mexicano: Christian Nodal
Dúo o Grupo Favorito Regional Mexicano: Grupo Firme
Álbum Favorito Regional Mexicano: Christian Nodal — “Ahora”
Canción Favorita Regional Mexicano: Gera MX & Christian Nodal — “Botella Tras
Artista Favorito Urbano: Karol G
Álbum Favorito Urbano: Karol G — “KG0516”
Canción Favorita Urbano: Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez — “Dákiti”
Artista Favorito Tropical: Romeo Santos
Álbum Favorito Tropical: El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico — ‘”En Cuarentena”
Canción Favorita Tropical: Aventura & Bad Bunny — “Volví”
Artista Favorito Crossover: The Weeknd
Colaboración del Año: Karol G & Mariah Angeliq — “El Makinon”
Canción Viral del Año: Nio Garcia, J Balvin & Bad Bunny — “AM”
Gira del Año: Enrique Iglesias & Ricky Martin
Video Favorito: Anitta — “Girl From Rio”
Artista Social Favorito: Pabllo Vittar

Anitta to Perform at This Year’s Latin American Music Awards

Anitta will be bringing the heat to the Latin AMAs

Telemundo has announced the second wave of performers to take center stage at the 2021 Latin American Music Awards next month, with the 27-year-old Brazilian singer/songwriter making the list.

Anitta

Anitta joins a roster of new additions to the lineup that includes Carrie Underwood, Juanes, Manuel Turizo, Pitbull, Ricky Martin, Wisin, Yandel, Ziggy Marley, Alaina Castillo, Cami, Carlos Rivera, Juhn, Mariah Angeliq, Natanael Cano, Sofía Reyes and Yendry.

Underwood will join David Bisbal for their first-ever television performance of “Tears of Gold,” Ricky and Carlos Vives, as well as Ziggy and Maluma, will present their upcoming collaborations, Juanes will serenade fans with a new song from his soon-to-be-released album, and Karol G will take the stage with Mariah Angeliq for an exclusive TV premiere, to name a few.

They join the first wave of performers, which included Ana Bárbara, Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga, Camilo, Carlos Vives, Bisbal, Eslabon Armado, Gerardo Ortiz, Joss Favela, Karol G, Los Dos Carnales, Maluma, Myke Towers, Nicky Jam, Piso 21 and a special tribute to the late Regional Mexican singer-songwriter Joan “El Poeta del Pueblo” 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.

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

Ozuna to Receive Extraordinary Evolution Award at the Latin American Music Awards

It’s an extraordinary time for Ozuna

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican urban singer will receive the Extraordinary Evolution Award during the sixth edition of the Latin American Music Awards, according to Telemundo.

Ozuna

With seven Latin AMAs nominations this year — including artist of the year and collaboration of the year — the “Caramelo” singer will be honored for his achievements as an artist who has demonstrated change and accelerated growth to reach the pinnacle of success in a short period of time. Previous recipients of the award include Becky G (2019) and Maluma (2018).

The chart-topping artist, who most recently dropped the joint album Los Dioses with Anuel AA and is featured on the new animated film Tom and Jerry, 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.

Ozuna joins the previously announced star-studded lineup that includes 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 noms 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.

Lafourcade Leads the Pack of Latin Grammy Winners

Natalia Lafourcade is this year’s Latin Grammys darling…

The 31-year-old Mexican pop-rock singer-songwriter proved to be the big winner at this year’s awards show.

Natalia Lafourcade

Lafourcade made good on four of her five nominations for her album Hasta la Raiz.

But she lost out on the top prize, Album of the Year, which went to Dominican bachata artist Juan Luis Guerra for Todo Tiene su Hora.

Lafourcade still walked away with two of the night’s most prestigious awards, Song of the Year and Record of the Year for the title track of “Hasta la Raiz.”

“My friend, how amazing that we made this disc together,” Lafourcade said to her friend and collaborator Leonel Garcia, with whom she shared three nominations as cowriters of the album’s title track.

Lafourcade, who more than doubled her career Latin Grammy haul in one night, now has seven Latin Grammys.

Meanwhile, Guerra picked up three awards. Along with Album of the Year, the Dominican musician took home the Latin Grammys for Best Contemporary Tropical Album and Best Tropical Song.

Meanwhile, J Balvin and Nicky Jam become first time Latin Grammy winners.

The biggest night in Latin music was presented in Spanish and English and featured a mix of rhythms, from alternative to mariachi.

The Latin Grammy Awards were broadcast live on Univision from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Actresses Jacqueline Bracamontes and Roselyn Sanchez hosted the three-hour ceremony.

Here’s a look at this year’s Latin Grammy winners:

RECORD OF THE YEAR
Hasta La Raíz – Natalia Lafourcade

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Todo Tiene Su Hora – Juan Luis Guerra 4.40 

SONG OF THE YEAR
Hasta La Raíz – Leonel Garcia & Natalia Lafourcade 

BEST NEW ARTIST
Monsieur Periné 

BEST CONTEMPORARY POP VOCAL ALBUM
Sirope – Alejandro Sanz  

BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM
Necesito Un Bolero – Gilberto Santa Rosa 

BEST URBAN PERFORMANCE
El Perdón – Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias 

BEST URBAN MUSIC ALBUM
El Que Sabe, Sabe – Tego Calderón 

BEST URBAN SONG
Ay Vamos – J Balvin, Rene Cano, Alejandro “Mosty” Patiño & Alejandro “Sky” Ramírez 

BEST ROCK ALBUM
B – Diamante Eléctrico 

BEST POP/ROCK ALBUM
Cama Incendiada – Maná 

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM
Hasta La Raíz – Natalia Lafourcade 

BEST ALTERNATIVE SONG
Hasta La Raíz – Leonel García & Natalia Lafourcade 

BEST SALSA ALBUM
Son De Panamá – Rubén Blades Con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta 

BEST CUMBIA/VALLENATO ALBUM
Sencillamente –  Jorge Celedón & Gustavo García 

BEST CONTEMPORARY TROPICAL ALBUM
Todo Tiene Su Hora – Juan Luis Guerra 4.40 

BEST TRADITIONAL TROPICAL ALBUM
Tributo A Los Compadres No Quiero Llanto – José Alberto “El Canario” & Septeto Santiaguero 

BEST TROPICAL FUSION ALBUM
El Mismo – ChocQuibTown 

BEST TROPICAL SONG
Tus Besos – Juan Luis Guerra 

BEST SINGER-SONGWRITER ALBUM
Healer – Alex Cuba 

BEST RANCHERO ALBUM
Acaríciame El Corazón – Pedro Fernández 

BEST BANDA ALBUM
Mi Vicio Más Grande – Banda El Recodo De Don Cruz Lizárraga 

BEST TEJANO ALBUM
Sentimientos – Sólido 

BEST REGIONAL SONG
Todo Tuyo – Mauricio Arriaga, Edgar Barrera & Eduardo Murguía, Banda El Recodo De Cruz Lizárraga 

BEST INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM
Dr. Ed Calle Presents Mamblue – Ed Calle & Mamblue 

BEST FOLK ALBUM
Balas y Chocolate – Lila Downs 

BEST TANGO ALBUM
Homenaje A Astor Piazzolla – Orquesta Del Tango De Buenos Aires 

BEST FLAMENCO ALBUM
Entre 20 Aguas: A La Música De Paco De Lucía – Varios Artistas 

BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM
Jazz Meets The Classics – Paquito D’Rivera 

BEST CHRISTIAN ALBUM (SPANISH LANGUAGE)
Derroche De Amor – Alex Campos 

BEST CHRISTIAN ALBUM (PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE)
Da Eternidade – Fernanda Brum  

BEST BRAZILIAN CONTEMPORARY POP ALBUM
Dancê – Tulipa Ruiz 

BEST BRAZILIAN ROCK ALBUM
Sol-Te – Suricato  

BEST SAMBA/PAGODE ALBUM
Só Felicidade – Fundo de Quintal 

BEST SERTANEJA MUSIC ALBUM
Amizade Sincera II – Renato Teixeira & Sérgio Reis 

BEST BRAZILIAN SONG
Bossa Negra – Hamilton de Holanda, Diogo Nogueira & Marcos Portinari, songwriters Diogo Nogueira & Hamilton de Holanda 

BEST LATIN CHILDREN’S ALBUM
Los Animales – Mister G BEST CLASSICAL ALBUM: Alma Brasileira – Débora Halász, Franz Halász & Radamés Gnattali; Marcelo Amaral, Debora Halász & Johannes Müller, producers (Tie)

Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 – Montero: Ex Patria, Op. 1 & Improvisations – Gabriela Montero; Jonathan Allen, album producer (Tie) 

BEST CLASSICAL CONTEMPORARY COMPOSITION
Capriccio – Carlos Franzetti, composer (Allison Brewster Franzetti) 

BEST RECORDING PACKAGE
Este Instante – Natalia Ayala, Carlos Dussan Gómez & Juliana Jaramillo, art directors (Marta Gómez) 

BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM
Hasta La Raíz – Andrés Borda, Eduardo Del Águila, Demián Nava, Alan Ortiz Grande, Alan Saucedo & Sebastián Schunt, engineers; Eduardo Del Águila & Cesar Sogbe, mixers; José Blanco, mastering engineer (Natalia Lafourcade)

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Sebastian Krys 

BEST SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO
Ojos Color Sol – Calle 13 Featuring Silvio Rodríguez 

BEST LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEO
Loco De Amor “La Historia” – Juanes