Gloria Trevi Among New Wave of Artists Added to Performance Roster at This Year’s Latin Grammys

Posted on November 8, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Gloria Trevi is preparing for her Latin Grammys close up…

The Latin Recording Academy has announced additional performers set to take the stage for the 22nd annual Latin Grammy Awards on November 18 in Las Vegas, with the 53-year-old Mexican singer making the list.

In addition to Trevi, who released the singles “Nos Volvimos Locos” featuring Guaynaa and “Mudanza de Hormiga” with María León this year, the new wave of artists includes current and past Latin Grammy nominees like Descemer Bueno, Camilo, Julio Reyes Copello, DJ Nelson, Sergio George, Gente de Zona, Grupo Firme, Mon Laferte, Jay Wheeler and Yotuel.

Laferte and Trevi will join La Arrolladora Banda El Limón de René Camacho and a mariachi for a medley, including “La Mujer,” nominated for best pop song.

Descemer Bueno, Gente de Zona and Yotuel will take the stage for an acoustic rendition of “Patria y Vida,” which is up for both song of the year and best urban song.

The new group of artists join previously announced performers Bad Bunny, Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga, Rubén Blades, C. Tangana, Calibre 50, Los Dos Carnales, Alejandro Fernández, Juanes, Maná, Ozuna, Danna Paola and Myke Towers, among others.

Five-time nominee C. Tangana is set to perform alongside Antonio Carmona, Diego del Morao, Jorge Drexler, Israel Fernández, La Húngara, Natalia Lafourcade and Omar Apollo. Meanwhile, Juanes will perform a new arrangement of Juan Gabriel’s iconic “No Tengo Dinero,” alongside Rubén Albarrán and Meme del Real of Café Tacvba.

With the theme “rediscovering life through music,” the three-hour show will air live on Univision at 8:00 pm ET, preceded by a one-hour pre-show starting at 7:00 pm ET. The telecast, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena, will “invite audiences to rediscover what’s important in life using music as a storyline,” according to a statement from the Latin Recording Academy.

Colombian singer-songwriter Camilo leads the 2021 Latin Grammys nominees with 10 nods, including nominations in the album, record, and song of the year categories. He’s followed by tropical music icon Juan Luis Guerra with six, Spanish rapper Tangana with five nominations, and multiple artists, including Bad Bunny, with four.

Bad Bunny to Perform at This Year’s Latin Grammys Awards Show

Posted on November 1, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Bad Bunny is preparing for his next Latin Grammy moment…

The Latin Recording Academy has announced a new wave of artists set to perform at the 2021 Latin Grammys on November 18, with the 27-year-old Puerto Rican superstar making the list.

Bad Bunny, a four-time nominee this year, joins a roster of performers that includes Pablo Alborán, Alejandro Fernández, Maná, Juanes, and Myke Towers.

They join the roster of previously announced performers including Ozuna, Paula Arenas, Nella, Danna Paola, Banda El Recodo De Cruz Lizárraga, Los Dos Carnales, Calibre 50, La Arrolladora Banda El Limón de René Camacho, and Rubén Blades, who will be honored as the Person of the Year.

Five-time nominee, C. Tangana, is set to perform alongside Antonio Carmona, Diego del Morao, Jorge Drexler, Israel Fernández, La Húngara, Natalia Lafourcade and Omar Apollo.

Additionally, Juanes will perform a new arrangement of Juan Gabriel’s iconic “No Tengo Dinero,” alongside Rubén Albarrán and Meme del Real of Café Tacvba.

Colombian singer-songwriter Camilo leads the 2021 Latin Grammys nominees with 10 nods, including nominations in the album, record, and song of the year categories. He’s followed by tropical music icon Juan Luis Guerra with six, Spanish rapper Tangana with five nominations, and multiple artists, including Bad Bunny, with four.

The 22nd annual Latin Grammys will air live on the Univision network on November 18 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Paulina Rubio to Appear in Season Two of HBO Max/HBO Latino’s “A Tiny Audience” Concert Series

Posted on February 25, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Paulina Rubio is preparing for a tiny moment…

HBO’s second season of A Tiny Audience is set to debut on Friday, March 19 on HBO Max and HBO Latino, with the 49-year-old singer/songwriter among the artists featured.

In addition to Rubio, known as the Queen of Latin Pop, the 16-episode run will include sets by chart-topping Latin artists like Carlos Vives, Lauren Jauregui, Pedro Capó and Kany García, among others.

A Tiny Audience‘s second season will kick off with rising Puerto Rican reggaeton and trap artist Lunay who will perform acoustic versions of his hit tracks “Soltera,” ‘Relaciones,” and “Aventuras.”

The concert series will wrap with a special tribute in honor of iconic Mexican singer and songwriter Juan Gabriel featuring Justin Quiles, Natalia Jiménez, Carlos Rivera and Cabas performing their favorite JuanGa songs.

The second season was “filmed inside an NBA-style bubble in Miami with a COVID-safe live audience.” The bubble included roughly 150 people composed of select audience members, crew and artists who “underwent extensive quarantining and rigorous testing prior to entering the bubble and throughout the two-week production.” The team executed 17, half-hour specials, and “did not report a single case of COVID-19,” the release added.

New episodes will premiere every Friday on HBO Max and HBO Latino. Season one of HBO Presents: A Tiny Audience is available for streaming now on HBO Max.

Vicente Fernández Returns to the Billboard Latin Airplay Charts After 8-Year Absence

Posted on October 22, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

It only took eight years… But Vicente Fernández is back on Billboard music charts.

The 80-year-old legendary Mexican singer, known as El Rey de la Música Ranchera, has earned a spot on the Latin Airplay chart for the first time in eight years as “Ya No Insistas Corazón” arrives at No. 48 on the October 24 survey.

It’s Fernández’s first visit since the No. 20 peak of “El Vestido Blanco” in 2012.

“Ya No Insistas Corazón,” produced by Fernández’s longtime collaborator Francisco Javier Ramírez López, is the first cut from his upcoming album. The song is a cover of the Juan Gabriel-penned tune, first released by Gabriel in 1976.

“Ya No Insistas Corazon” arrives with a robust 77% gain in audience impressions, to 3 million, earned in the week ending October 18, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data.

The song marks Fernández’s 39th entry on Latin Airplay, dating back to his first top 10 “No, No y No” in 1994.

The Latin Airplay arrival helps “Ya No Insistas” enter the top 20 for the first time on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart, at No. 19, after the song debuted at No. 36 on the October 17-dated list.

Frankie J Releases Album of Timeless Spanish Classic Song Covers, “Canciones Que Recuerdo”

Posted on May 16, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Frankie J is back, and he’s re-voicing history…

The 44-year-old Mexican singer has released his latest album Canciones Que Recuerdo.

In the well-crafted production, Frankie J revamps 15 timeless hits by José José, Juan Gabriel, Vicente Fernandez and Selena, to name a few, showcasing his powerhouse vocals as he taps into the bolero and mariachi genres.

“I’ve always loved hearing these kinds of songs, from Juan Gabriel, Jose Jose, Vicente Fernandez, Javier Solis, Pedro Infante,” says Frankie J. “I’m paying a tribute to a lot of artists that I grew up listening to because of my parents and my grandparents. These were the records that they were always listening to.”

Changing the game one song at a time, Frankie J kicked off his career in the late 90’s/early 2000’s as part of the wave of new Latinx artists producing pop-R&B songs in both Spanish and English.

He gained international success with hits like “Obsession,” “Suga Suga,” and “How To Deal,” which form part of The One, his third studio album that debuted and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart dated April 9, 2005, and spent 36 weeks on the chart.

Now, Frankie J returns with Canciones Que Recuerdo, marking his comeback production following his 2013 Grammy-nominated Faith, Hope y Amor and Sangria, a duet album with Baby Bash released in 2017.

La India’s Latest Single Reaches Top 10 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay Chart

Posted on May 6, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

La India is back in familiar territory…

The 51-year-old Puerto Rican salsa singer-songwriter returns to the Top 10 of Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart after four years with the salsa version of “Mi Propiedad Privada” as the song climbs 14-10 on the May 9 tally.

With the move, India clocks her 24th top 10 since the chart’s inception in 1994.

The Tony Succar-produced tune ascends with a lofty 63% in audience impressions (to 2 million) earned in the week ending May 3, according to Nielsen Music/ MRC Data.

“It’s so exciting to be back on the Billboard charts, it really means the world to me,” La India tells Billboard. “I chose to sing this song because it has always been a favorite of mine. It was also special working with Peruvian Latin Grammy Producer of the Year winner Tony Succar on the record which makes me very proud. Tony is on fire right now and is part of the Peruvian salsa movement, he is fresh, young and innovative!”

“Mi Propiedad Privada” is a 1971 Afro-Peruvian waltz written by Spanish composer Modesto López Otero, which became an anthem of the Peruvian música criollathrough the voice of Afro Peruvian singer Lucha Reyes.

With its salsa version hitting the top 10, India has now secured a top 10 in each of the last four decades on the chart dating back to October 1994 with her maiden two-week ruler “Nunca Voy a Olvidarte.”

She has placed a total of 24 top 10s on Tropical Airplay: 10 in the 1990s, eight in the 2000s, four in the 2010s and her new top 10 entry on the current chart. Out of those, 10 have reached No. 1.

La India last visited the Tropical Airplay chart in 2016 with “Me Voy a Acostumbrar,” featuring the late Juan Gabriel, which marked her most recent No. 1 on the list.

Succar, “Mi Propiedad Privada’”s salsa version producer, has also earned a spot on the chart: “Uno De Los Dos,” with Obie Bermudez where he also claims writing and production credit, peaked at No. 15 on the Feb. 8-dated list. The two-time Latin Grammywinner made his first appearance on a Billboard Latin chart in 2015 with Unity: The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson, which opened at No. 1 and remained a total of 63 weeks on the chart.

José José Lands Posthumous No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums Chart

Posted on October 10, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

José José’s passing has people purchasing…

Reactions to the death of the Mexican singer/musician and actor, who passed away at the age of 71 late last month, sends the Príncipe de La Canción back atop Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums chart as Serie Platino 20 Exitos, Vol. 2 opens at No. 1 on the October 12-dated chart.

Serie Platinologged 3,000 in equivalent album units earned in the week ending October 3 (up 803%), according to Nielsen Music.

The 1997 album earns José his first No. 1 in over 31 years as he last took the crown in 1988 with the nine-week ruler Soy Así.

The romantic balladeer claimed his first crown, however, when Reflexiones, his 20th studio album, landed at the summit in 1985, where it remained for eight consecutive weeks.

Three other José José sets arrive on Latin Pop Albums: El Principe de La Canción at No. 6, Secretos at No. 7 and 20 Triunfadoras de José José at No. 11. With the four new albums visiting the tally for the first time, the Mexican artist now holds the record for the most chart entries with 32 (Juan Gabriel follows with 31).

The Latin Pop Albums chart ranks the most popular Latin pop albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units. Units are comprised of traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).

Concurrently, Serie Platino, El Principe andSecretos debut on the Top Latin Albumschart at No. 13, No. 30and No. 34, respectively; he’s had 18 total charted titles since his first entry in 1994.

In the week ending October 3, the singer-songwriter’s catalog of albums earned 8,000 equivalent album units (up 930%) and sold 2,000 copies (up from a negligible figure previously). Meanwhile, his songs logged 68 million total on-demand streams (up 1,318%).

As Serie Platinoarrives, two of the greatest-hits album’s 20 tracks enter the Latin Digital Song Sales chart: “El Triste” at No. 16 and “Amar y Querer” at No. 25. It’s José’s first visit to the chart, which began on January 2010.

José José died at 71 of pancreatic cancer in Homestead, Florida.

Jesús López to Receive Desi Arnaz Pioneer Award at the La Musa Awards

Posted on September 29, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Jesús López has a pioneering spirit…

The chairman and CEO of Universal Music Latin America and Iberian Peninsula will receive the Desi Arnaz PioneerAward at the seventh annual La Musa Awards from the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.

López, who is responsible for Universal Music Groupoperations in all Spanish and Portuguese-speaking territories of the world, will receive the recognition for his many contributions throughout his professional career.

The Desi Arnaz Pioneer Award was created by the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame in honor of the early television visionary, songwriter and entertainer, who developed the iconic comedy show I Love Lucy, which he produced and starred in with his wife, Lucille Ball.

For more than four decades, López has worked with some of the greatest artists in Latin music, including Juan Luis Guerra, Juanes, José Luis Perales, Joan Manuel Serrat, Mecano and Juan Gabriel. Most recently, he has launched the careers of Karol Gand Sebastian Yatra, among many of a new generation of acts. Lopez was also behind the global hits “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee and J Balvin’s “Mi Gente,” which were pivotal in the current explosion of Latin music.

Lopez’s roster of international hits also includes Los del Rio’s “Macarena,” “La Camisa Negra” by Juanes, and “Bailando” by Enrique Iglesias featuring Descemer Buenoand Gente de Zona.

Previous recipients of the award include Quincy Jones, Nat King Coleand Raul Pablo Alarcon Sr.

The La Musa Awards ceremony will take place on October 24 at the James L. Knight Centerin Miami. This year’s class of inductees includes Ivy Queen, Willie Colón, Michael Sullivan, Chico Novarroand Armando Larrinaga.

Georgel & Esteman Release Updated Version of Juan Gabriel’s Classic “El Noa Noa”

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Georgel and Esteman are breathing new life into an El Divo de Juarez classic…

The Mexican singer-songwriter and 35-year-old Colombian singer/songwriter have joined voices to pay tribute to the late Juan Gabriel’s legacy with the release of “El Noa Noa.”

Just in time for El Divo de Juarez’s third-year death anniversary on August 28, Georgel and Esteman not only revamp a timeless ‘80s hit, but also mark the first time two openly gay Latin artists are collaborating together.

“There was immediate chemistry, artistically speaking,” Esteman tells Billboard of when he met Georgel thanks to the producer (and friend in common) Juan Pablo Vega. “He told me he wanted to do the song with me, and I thought it was a great idea to bring this classic song to our generation.”

As someone who admires Juan Gabriel, Georgel didn’t hesitate to do a new electro-cumbia version of “El Noa Noa.” “In my opinion, it’s the most fun, it’s the most uptempo, it’s the one that our Mexican and Latin culture remembers as a party song,” he says, adding that it’s a very personal tribute for him in different aspects.

“I wanted to celebrateJuangawith ‘Noa Noa,’ but at the same time, it sends a message of equality and liberty. With this song, we want to send the message that there’s a place for everyone in this world,” he adds.

The retro-futuristic music video, produced by Autumn Leave Filmsin Ciudad de Juarez, does just that.

“It looks like we’re on another planet but basically, it’s to show that when you go to ‘el noa noa,’ everyone is different,” Esteman says of the clip. “The best part is the message it sends of accepting each other in this diverse world, where everyone is welcomed and where we have freedom of speech.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gUFGfJb4FA

Ozuna’s “Odiesa” Registers Largest Streaming Week Ever for a Latin Release

Posted on September 4, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

There’s absolutely no sophomore slump for Ozuna…

The 26-year-old Puerto Rican reggaeton and Latin trap singer’s second studio album, Aura, has scored 2018’s biggest week for a Latin album, and the largest streaming week ever for a Latin release.

Ozuna’s album, released on August 24 via VP Entertainment/DimeloVi/Sony Music Latin, earned 49,000 equivalent album units in the week ending August 30, according to Nielsen Music— largely driven by streaming activity. Of that sum, 7,000 were in traditional album sales. Aura arrives with 55.34 million on-demand audio streams earned for its songs in its debut tracking frame.

Aura arrives at No. 7 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart and makes for Ozuna’s first top 10. It also gives Ozuna his second No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart, where it bumps his first album (and first chart-topper), Odisea, from No. 1 to No. 2.

Odisea falls to No. 2 in its 53rd week on the list. It has been No. 1 on the list for 46 nonconsecutive weeks, the second-most weeks atop the chart in its 25-year history. (Only Gloria Estefan’s Mi Tierra has more, with 58 weeks leading the list.)

Additionally, Ozuna is the first act to replace itself at No. 1 since March 16, 2013, when Jenni Rivera, who died the previous December, took over for herself at No. 1. Her Joyas Prestadas: Pop replaced her own La Misma Gran Senora at No. 1.

Ozuna is also the first act to concurrently rank at Nos. 1 and 2 on the chart in a year-and-a-half. It last occurred when Juan Gabriel was Nos. 1, 2 and 3 on the January 28, 2017-dated chart with Los Duo 2, Mis Rancheras Queridas and Hoy Manana y Siempre, respectively. Gabriel died the previous August.

Aura is the highest-charting Latin album on the all-genre Billboard 200 since Romeo Santos’ Formula: Vol. 2 debuted and peaked at No. 5 on the March 15, 2014-dated list (from 85,000 copies sold, back before the list transitioned to an equivalent album units-ranked tally).

The Billboard 200 ranks the week’s most popular albums in the U.S. across all genres of music, while the Top Latin Albums chart ranks the week’s biggest albums within the Latin genre. Both charts rank titles based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units. Units are comprised of traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).

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