Ice Spice Named to Shazam’s 2023 Predictions Playlist of Artists with Potential to Breakthrough

Ice Spice could be headed for a breakthrough

Shazam has unveiled its annual predictions playlist, compiling a 50-track selection of artists, including the 23-year-old half-Dominican American rapper, who have the potential to have a breakthrough year.

Ice SpiceBased on the music discovery app’s predictive data and algorithms and in collaboration with Apple Music’s global editorial team, this year’s selection of artists show early indicators of future growth, including consistent momentum in Shazam activity, as well as discovery trends in more than one country.

Ice Spice, Rosa Linn, Charlieonnafriday, Young Miko and Benson Boone top Shazam’s artists with global breakthrough potential.

“It’s very cool to me that people from all around the world can discover my music through [Shazam],” Rosa Linn told Apple Music per a press release. “They can hear the song, like it, and instantly find out that it’s me who is singing it. I gain fans and listeners and it directly impacts streaming.”

“Shazam has always been so useful for me whenever I needed to find the title of a song playing,” Ice Spice added. “I’m happy that it exists!”

Additionally, for the first time, Shazam is spotlighting artists who are gaining popularity regionally. Nigeria’s Carterefe, France’s Adé, Japan’s natori, Colombia’s KEITYN and Spain’s Munic HB have all made the list due to their budding stardom.

“I believe Shazam is an important gateway for my music to be discovered, especially in this busy lifestyle we live in,” natori, whose “Overdose” was the most-Shazamed debut single within J-Pop over the last year, told Apple Music.

Listen to the Shazam Predictions 2023 playlist exclusively on Apple Music worldwide at apple.co/shazampredictions23.

Karol G Releases New Single “Cairo”

Karol G is ready to rock like an Egyptian

The 31-year-old Colombian superstar has released her new track “Cairo,” an infectious track produced by her go-to producer Ovy On the Drums.

Karol GPenned by the team behind “Provenza” — Karol, Ovy and Keityn — “Cairo” is a head-bobbing earworm that thrives on a fusion of dance beats and Afrobeat. In the song, Karol sings about allowing herself to love again, even after swearing she wouldn’t.

“I’m not in love yet, but soon I will be,” she confesses.

“Cairo” follows Karol G’s “Gatubela,” which dropped in August. With the track, in collaboration with Maldy, the Colombian artist banked her 16th top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs with a No. 4 debut on the September 10-dated ranking.

Billboard recently revealed that Karol G‘s $Trip Love tour had grossed $69.9 million and sold 410,000 tickets across 33 shows in North America (through the end of October), according to numbers reported to Billboard Boxscore. With those figures, she has now earned the highest U.S.-grossing tour by a female Latin act.

With $Trip Love, the “Provenza” singer surpasses Jennifer Lopez‘s $50 million grossing It’s My Party World Tour in 2019. Meanwhile, Shakira grossed $28.2 million in 2018 with her El Dorado World Tour. This year, Rosalía’s Motomami world tour has grossed $28.1 million through the end of October.

Karol G is currently working on her forthcoming album, which will follow her chart-topping, Grammy-nominated 2021 set, KG0516. She’s also slated to headline the 16th annual Calibash, taking place Jan. 21-22 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. She joins a previously billed group of headliners that includes Ozuna, Myke Towers and Farruko.

The song dropped alongside a music video, shot in Cairo, directed by WEOWNTHECITY.

Keityn Releases New Single “Anoche”

It’s a night to remember for Keityn

The Colombian songwriter-singer, known for penning some of reggaetón’s biggest hits including Karol G’s “Tusa” and Maluma’s “Hawaii,” has released his new single “Anoche.”

KeitynWith the single, the Latin Grammy-nominated composer continues to mark his territory as a promising urban artist.

In “Anoche,” produced and written by himself and Lenin Yorney Palacios, Keityn (real name: Kevyn Mauricio Cruz) demonstrates his artistic versatility by bringing to life a sensual afrobeat track.

The song’s lyrics and melodies were born on an island near Cartagena, Colombia.

“It inspired me, I was in front of the sea, with the tropical atmosphere and all of that lent itself to this song coming out with these sounds and influences,” he said in a press statement.

Tainy Tops Billboard’s End-of-Year Hot Latin Songs Producers Chart

Tainy is a producer on top…

The 32-year-old Puerto Rican record producer and songwriter comes in at No. 1 on Billboard’s end-of-year Hot Latin Songs Producers chart.

TainyIn all, Tainy placed 25 tracks on the chart during the eligibility period of November 21, 2020, through Nov. 13, 2021 to rank at the summit.

The list includes hits like Bad Bunny and Jhay Cortez‘s “Dákiti,” Selena Gomez‘s “De Una Vez” and one of his most recent hits “Lo Siento BB:/” with Julieta Venegas and Bunny.

Other top 10 producers on the chart include Edgar Barrera. He boasts a wide-ranging list of tracks that go from a salsa anthem, “De Vuelta Pa’ La Vuelta,” to an urban smash hit such as “Imposible Amor.”

In addition to Tainy and Barrera, Ovy on the Drums, Mora and Sky Rompiendo have made this year’s 10 Latin producers list after ruling the charts this year.

Billboard’s year-end music recaps represent aggregated metrics for each artist, title, label and music contributor on the weekly charts dated Nov. 21, 2020, through Nov. 13, 2021. The rankings for MRC Data-based recaps reflect equivalent album units, airplay, sales or streaming during the weeks that the titles appeared on a respective chart during the tracking year. Any activity registered before or after a title’s chart run isn’t considered in these rankings. That methodology detail, and the November-November time period, account for some of the difference between these lists and the calendar-year recaps that are independently compiled by MRC Data.

Here’s a look at the Top 10.

  1. Tainy

Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez’s “Dákiti” — The song debuted and peaked at No. 1 on the chart dated Nov. 14, 2020. Has spent a total of 27 weeks atop the chart, 20 in 2021, the most for any Latin track.

  1. Ovy on the Drums

Karol G, Anuel AA & Bad Bunny’s “Location” — Part of her chart-topping album KG0516, this Western-inspired, country-tinged empowering anthem peaked at No. 6 on Hot Latin Songs.

  1. MORA

Anuel AA’s “Dictadura” — one of Anuel’s newest songs, the reggaeton hit peaked at No. 12 on the tally in November. The track was the first single off the singer’s new album, Las Leyendas Nunca Mueren, which launched at No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart (dated Dec. 11).

  1. MAG

Bad Bunny’s “Maldita Pobreza” — The alternative track may not be one of Bunny’s highest charting titles, but it is part of his history-making album El Último Tour del Mundo. On Hot Latin Songs, “Maldita Pobreza” peaked at No. 12.

  1. Sky Rompiendo

J Balvin & Sech’s “Una Nota” — In September, Balvin and Sech’s collab peaked at No. 11 on Hot Latin Songs.

  1. Edgar Barrera

Gera MX and Christian Nodal’s “Botella Tras Botella” — In May,  Nodal and newcomer Gera MX’s “Botella Tras Botella” debuted at No. 60 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (dated May 8), becoming the first regional Mexican title to enter the list in its almost 63-year history. On the Hot Latin Songs chart, the track peaked at No. 3.

  1. Mr. Naisgai

Rauw Alejandro’s “Todo De Ti” — A No. 2 peak (Sept. 11-dated tally), it’s Rauw’s highest-charting title.

  1. Albert Hype

Selena Gomez & Rauw Alejandro’s “Baila Conmigo” — One of the first single’s off Gomez’s first-ever Spanish-language album titled Revelación, the track debuted and peaked at No. 4 on the tally.

  1. Keityn

Maluma’s “Sobrio” — The reggaeton song premiered in July to a star-studded music video that has raked in more than 155 million views on YouTube. “Sobrio” peaked at No. 11 on the Hot Latin Songs chart (dated July 24).

  1. Manuel Lara

Kali Uchis’ “Telepatía” — Peaked at No. 1 on the chart dated May 22, where it remained for eight weeks. Kali Uchis became the first female soloist to reach No. 1 with a song unaccompanied by another act since Paulino Rubio did it in Feb. 2012

Warner Music Latina Signs Worldwide Deal with Keityn

Keityn is ready to break out globally…

Warner Music Latina has signed a worldwide exclusive deal with the 25-year-old Colombian songwriter.

Keityn

Born Kevyn Mauricio Cruz Moreno, the artist is behind chart-topping hits like “Tusa” by Karol G and Nicki MinajMaluma‘s “Hawái” and J Balvin and Tainy‘s “Agua,” to name a few.

The deal will see future releases of his songs as an artist. With “Nueva Versión,” which was released this week, he makes his debut as a singer-songwriter.

“Keityn is undoubtedly one of today’s top and most complete artists,” Gabriela Martinez, managing director Warner Music Latina, said in a statement. “His new musical work with his lyrics and rhymes represent an unprecedented new sound, and his voice confirms his unstoppable talent.”

“For me it is a pleasure to be part of the Warner family, this is one of the largest labels in the industry and I’m extremely happy,” Keityn expressed. “It is incredible to know they trust me, and my talent and I hope to do amazing things with this great family.”

Juan Vargas, Keityn’s manager added: “It is a pleasure to start this new stage in his rising career, with the support of a Warner Music Latina. It means a lot to be backed by a such a great record label.”

Keityn is up for three Latin Grammys, including song of the year for “Agua” and “Hawai” and best urban song for “Agua.”

Earlier this year, Billboard caught up with the artist who’s “Tusa (Heartbreak),” which he co-wrote with Ovy on the Drums, won song of the year at the ASCAP Latin Music Awards.

“It’s a song that a woman or a man can sing,” Keityn said talking about the hit song. “It’s a situation a lot of people go through so they identify with the song. Plus, the combination of Nicki with Karol; that was explosive.”

J Balvin Celebrates His Birthday with Release of New Single “7 de Mayo”

J Balvin celebrates his cumple with new music…

In honor of his 36th birthday (May 7), the Colombian singer/songwriter has released an ultra-personal track titled “7 de Mayo.”

J Balvin's Air Balvins

Penned by Balvin and Keityn, the hip-hop song is an autobiographical piece intertwined with recordings from real-life commentaries, including Daddy Yankee.

Balvin opens up about his upbringing, the struggles in his career, and the legacy he wants to leave behind.

He recalls the times people didn’t believe in him because he was a Colombian doing reggaetón music and how difficult it was for him to export his talent in times where there was no social media or press.

He sheds light on his mental health issues and how his mother and her prayers have kept him grounded. “If I die, don’t remember the hitmaker, remember the parcero who left a legacy,” he chants in the track.

A music video directed by José Emilio Sagaró shows a performance by Balvin laced with rare footage of his beginnings in music and some of his most successful career moments.

“May 7 is the day a warrior and a dreamer was born,” he states.

J Balvin Teams Up with Khalid to Release New Single “Otra Noche Sin Ti”

It’s another night for J Balvin

The 35-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer has joined voices with Khalid to release the joint single, “Otra Noche Sin Ti,” along with a music video directed by Colin Tilley.

J Balvin x Khalid

The song, produced by Lexus and Keityn, is the third single from Balvin’s upcoming new album.

The track pairs Balvin’s Spanish lyrics with Khalid’s English verses, with Khalid crooning, “Been a while since I’ve seen your face/ When you know it gets lonely in L..A/ Thinking of you every day/ Say the word I’m on a one-way.”

The monochrome music video, set in a foggy forest, brings the singers together for the soulful song.

Ahead of the video’s premiere, Balvin and Khalid appeared on YouTube series Released to discuss their creative process and how the two originally met via Twitter.

In February, Balvin shared his single “Ma’ G.” Then, in March, Balvin released a new song called “Tu Veneno.”

Maluma Releases Bilingual “Hawái” Remix, Featuring The Weeknd

Maluma’s is (re)mixing things up with The Weeknd

The 26-year-old Colombian singer/songwriter has joined voices with the Canadian singer on a remix of Maluma’s chart-topping single “Hawái.”

Maluma x The Weeknd

On Wednesday, Maluma and The Weeknd surprised fans by announcing the collaboration, sharing a photo together across social media.

Less than 24 hours later, the bilingual “Hawái” remix and accompanying video officially dropped via Sony Music Latin/RCA Records.

Marking their first-ever collaboration, The Weeknd kicks off the remix by singing in English. “So now he’s your heaven? You’re lying to yourself and him to make me jealous / You put on such an act when you’re sleeping together / All this cause I said I don’t want marriage,” he croons before flaunting the infectious chorus in Spanish. This also marks the first time the Canadian singer has sung in Spanish.

“I have always admired The Weeknd so it feels nothing short of a dream come true to have him collab on ‘Hawái’ remix,” Maluma said in a press statement. “He brought another flow to it and sang in both Spanish and English which is impressive.”

Co-written by Maluma alongside Keityn, Edgar Barrera, and Bull Nene and produced by Rude Boy, the romantic urban bop, originally released in July, is about a relationship that couldn’t work out and one of the exes “moved on” but it’s all an act.

The original music video, filmed in Miami by Jessy Terrero of Cinema Giants, shows Maluma arguing with his girlfriend, breaking up, a confrontation at her wedding with another man, and a surprising plot twist. The remix video, also at the helm of Terrero, was filmed in Los Angeles and features both artists.

“Hawái” is currently in its ninth week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart. The song earned Maluma just his second No. 1 on the list among his 40 chart entries.

Maluma Releases Music Video for New Single “Hawái”

Maluma is a wedding crasher…

The 26-year-old Colombian/songwriter singer has released his new single “Hawái,” along with the track’s drama-filled music video.

Maluma

The song finds Maluma heartbroken and plotting his next move to get his lady back — even if that means crashing her wedding.

Produced by Rude Boyz, the melodious pop song was penned by Maluma, KeitynEdgar Barrera and Bulle Nene with lyrics set in present day that tell the story of a toxic relationship and the aftermath of a breakup in the Instagram era. 

“Stop lying to yourself, the photo you put up with him saying he was your everything, I know you only posted it to make me jealous,” Maluma sings.

Maluma wrote the storyline for music video, which was shot in Miami. The action-packed video, directed by Jessy Terrero of Cinema Giants, opens with a scene of Maluma arguing with his girlfriend. After the huge blow up, they go their separate ways. On her wedding day to another man, he crashes the ceremony hoping she’ll take him back. And, the video ends with a plot twist.

“Hawái” follows Maluma’s chart-topping “ADMV” single which scored him his 16th No. 1 on Billboard’Latin Airplay chart. “ADMV” was also penned by Maluma and Barrera along with Vicente Barcoand Miky La Sensa.

The tracks drop ahead of Maluma’s forthcoming album, slated to be released later this year, according to Maluma.

In an interview with Apple Music, he said, “I didn’t know that I was about to release an album this year because all of these things are happening.”

Adding, “my first album [this year] is about to come. I had this chance to know myself again in this crazy sh– that is going on. So, I decided to make the music that I just wanted to do. “Hawái” for sure is the first single of my new album.”