Gomez to Headline This Year’s Global Citizen Festival

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez is a global citizen…

The 24-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress has been named one of the headline acts at this year’s Global Citizen Festival.

The annual free-ticketed event, which is held on the Great Lawn in New York City’s Central Park, will take place on Saturday, September 24, 2016.

In addition to Gomez, other headliners include Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Major Lazer and Metallica.

The Festival will harness actions from millions of Global Citizens around the world to hold world leaders accountable to the progress made toward achieving the Global Goals set out by the United Nations last year.

Special guest performers include Usher, Chris Martin, Eddie Vedder, Ellie Goulding, Yandel, and Yusuf/Cat Stevens.

Hosts for this year’s festival include Chelsea Handler, Deborra-lee & Hugh Jackman, Neil Patrick Harris, Priyanka Chopra, Salma Hayek Pinault and Seth Meyers.

Since 2012, more than six million actions from Global Citizens have led world leaders to enact policy changes and commit significant resources to issues of girls and women’s equality, education, health, water and sanitation, environment, finance and innovation, and food and hunger. These financial and policy commitments and announcements are set to affect the lives of up to 656 million people.

“I couldn’t be more honored to participate in the Global Citizen Festival as it continues to help solve important issues around the world. I am particularly proud to be involved this year as the focus is on education. As an artist with many young fans, I believe everyone has the right to an education,” said Gomez.

A live simulcast of the full concert will air on MSNBC and MSNBC.com.

Global Citizens can earn their admission to the free-ticketed Festival by joining the social action platform at globalcitizenfestival.com. Ticket draws will occur throughout the summer and fans will be notified via Global Citizen when they have been selected. A limited number of VIP tickets will also be available for purchase through Ticketmaster starting on Thursday, July 28th.

FKA Twigs Directs & Performs in Calvin Klein #MyCalvins Video

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

FKA Twigs isn’t afraid to let you see her Calvins….

The 28-year-old part-Spanish singer, songwriter, producer and dancer directed and performed in her Calvin Klein undies to an extended version of her own single “Good to Love.”

FKA Twigs is one of the celebrities featured in Calvin Klein’s latest #mycalvins ad campaign. Other stars featured in the campaign include Kendrick Lamar, Fetty Wap, Joey Bada$$ and Justin Bieber.

To publicize the campaign, the singer performed alongside dancer Kaner Flex in a sensual black-and-white video.

The singer was able to promote everything from jeans to underwear in the four-and-a-half-minute clip.

Gomez to Make Cameo Appearance in Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” Video

Posted on May 16, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez is revealing her bad blood with Taylor Swift…

The 22-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress will make a cameo appearance in Taylor Swift’s upcoming music video for “Bad Blood,” which will premiere during the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, May 17.

Gomez will play the character Arsyn, according to Swift, who shared a sexy poster of Gomez sporting a new black hairdo while holding a machine gun through Instagram on Saturday, May 16.

Earlier in the day, Swift also revealed a new Kill Bill-esque poster of herself standing next to model Martha Hunt, who has been cast as Homeslice. Swift, of course, will play Catastrophe. In the new poster, the pair are seen holding swords and appear to be prepping for a fight.

“Bad Blood” will also feature Karlie Kloss, Lena Dunham, Hailee Steinfeld, Kendrick Lamar and several others.

Fabolous to Perform at Hot 97’s Summer Jam

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Fabolous is ready to jam out this summer…

The 37-year-old half-Dominican American hip hop artist will perform at Hot 97’s Summer Jam.

The New York City radio station, the world’s most well known hip hop station, has officially revealed the lineup, which also includes performances by Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean, Chris Brown, Trey Songz, Meek Mill, Childish Gambino, Omarion and Ty Dolla $ign.

Fabolous and his friends will be performing on the main stage of the festival.

B.o.B, Joey Bada$$, Dej Loaf, Travi$ Scott and Teyana Taylor will be performing on the festival stage.

Summer Jam 2015 will take place on Sunday, June 7 at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.

Tickets are on sale now on Ticketmaster.

Blacc to Perform at Milwaukee’s Summerfest This June

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Aloe Blacc is heading to The Badger State.

The 36-year-old Panamanian American singer-songwriter is set to perform at this year’s Summerfest, the Guinness Book of World Records-certified largest festival in the world.

Aloe Blacc will join Kaskade, Bastille, the Flaming Lips, Sheryl Crow, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Santigold, Jane’s Addiction, DJ Paris Hilton, Kings of Leon, Florida Georgia Line, Kendrick Lamar, and more from June 24-28 and June 30-July 5 at Milwaukee’s Henry W. Maier Festival Park.

“Absolutely fantastic,” says Don Smiley, president & CEO of Summerfest, in regard to the 2015 line-up in a statement. “It’s the best line-up of bands in the U.S. and possibly the world. A true, quality choice of music for everyone.”

This year’s Summerfest anticipates its usual approximately 900,000 attendees to see a total of 800 acts and 1,000 performances (totaling last year to 1,353 hours, or about 57 days) spread across 11 days and 11 stages.

Tickets are now available for purchase on Summerfest’s official website, where you can also find a comprehensive list of this year’s lineup. General admission tickets are $19 while weekday tickets are $12; three-day passes sell for $45.

Pentatonix Among 50 Acts to Be Honored at the 2015 YouTube Music Awards

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

There’s no doubt Kirstie Maldonado is YouTube sensation… After all, the video for Pentatonix’ Grammy-winning “Daft Punk” single has garnered more than 122-million views alone.

And now the 22-year-old half-Mexican/part-Spanish singer and her Pentatonix band mates are being recognized for their online success.

Pentatonix, which had the best-selling album by a group last year, is one of 50 acts that will be feted during this year’s YouTube Music Awards.

The platform noted that the winners were “chosen by the fans” as they “showed the biggest growth in views, subscribers and engagement over the last six months on YouTube.”

Collectively, the winners – which include Fifth Harmony, Beyonce, Ariana Grande, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Sam Smith, Sia, Pharrell Williams, Brad Paisley, Tori Kelly and Katy Perry — have over 146 million subscribers and 44 billion lifetime views.

To celebrate the winners, the ceremony on March 23 will comprise of premiering a slew of new Vice-produced music videos by Charli XCX, Ed Sheeran, Martin Garrix, Cahoots, Max Schneider, Migos, Megan Nicole, Nicky Jam and Shamir, among others.

The move follows the platform’s first-ever YouTube Music Awards in 2013, which streamed live from New York City’s Pier 36. Jason Schwartzman and comedian Reggie Watts co-hosted, while Spike Jonze oversaw the creative direction of the ceremony, which also featured the production of live music videos by Lindsay Sterling, Avicii and Arcade Fire.

Diaz to Host NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” on November 22

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Cameron Diaz is ready to a little Saturday Night fun…

The 42-year-old half-Cuban American actress is set to host NBC’s sketch comedy program Saturday Night Live on November 22, NBC confirms.

It’ll be the fourth time hosting SNL for Diaz, who most recently starred in comedies The Other Woman and Sex Tape this year.

Diaz next stars as Miss Hannigan in Annie, set for release December 19.

That night, Mark Ronson teams up with Bruno Mars as SNL’s musical guest; Mars last served as both host and musical guest in 2012. Mars and Ronson collaborate on “Uptown Funk!” which will be released on November 10 and is the first single off Ronson’s new album.

NBC also confirmed that Woody Harrelson will return to Studio 8H for the first time in more than 20 years to make his third appearance as SNL host. He’ll be joined by musical guest Kendrick Lamar, who is making his second appearance as music act.

Miguel Provides New Track for “BET Presents Music Matters Vol. 1” Compilation

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

There’s no denying that music matters to Miguel… And, nowhe’s proving it.

BET Networks and its new artist program Music Matters has partnered with Louder Than Life/Red Associated Labels to launch a compilation album series: BET Presents Music Matters Vol. 1, which features new music from the 28-year-old half-Mexican American singer-songwriter.

The compilation, also featuring new music from Big Sean, Mack Wilds, Melanie Fiona and The Internet, will be released June 23 in support of the second annual BET Experience (June 27-29). The three-day music and lifestyle festival culminates with the BET Awards on June 29, hosted by Chris Rock.

Miguel’s track for the 15-track compilation is called “Gravity.”

Now available for preorder at Amazon, the album sports a mix of established acts and rising stars. Music Matters is a multiplatform initiative that provides exposure for groundbreaking talent across BET and Centric, in addition to national tours and monthly showcases.

Miguel, Kendrick Lamar, Elle Varner, J. Cole and Marsha Ambrosius are among the artists who have been spotlighted by Music Matters.

Salaam Remi, who founded Louder Than Life and doubles as executive vice president A&R and production at Sony Music Entertainment, is the executive producer of the BET Presents Music Matters compilation album series. Collaborating with Remi is Kelly G, senior director of music programming for BET Networks.

Here’s the Complete Track List:

1. “Music Matters Theme” — Marsha Ambrosius
2. “Gravity” — Miguel
3. “Prove” — Gabi Wilson
4. “My Crib” (Remix) — Mack Wilds featuring Pusha T
5. “It’s a Man’s World” — Adrian Marcel
6. “Lit” — Bas featuring J. Cole and KQuick
7. “Memories” — Big Sean
8. “Dontcha” — The Internet
9. “Walking Shoes” — Mali Music
10. “Liquid Love” — Chris Turner
11. “Under the Covers” — Curtis Fields
12. “Touch” — Ashley Kimbrae
13. “Cold Case” — Elle Varner
14. “Where It Counts” — Melanie Fiona
15. “Friends and Lovers” — Marsha Ambrosius

Swizz Beatz to Attend Harvard Business School

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Swizz Beatz is headed to the Ivy League…

The 35-year-old half-Puerto Rican hip-hop artist and record producer, born Kasseem Dean, has been accepted to Harvard Business School’s nine-week Owner/President Management Extension Program, the same one attended by Antonio “L.A.” Reid at the request of Clive Davis.

Beatz, the husband of Alicia Keys,made the announcement by posting his acceptance email on his Instagram account earlier this week.

“This might be one of the happiest days of my life,” he posted on his social media account. “From BX to Harvard.”

Beatz has produced hit singles for the likes of Nas, Nicki Minaj, Beyonce and Bono. He’s also a fashion and shoe designer, art collector and tireless brand promoter who spent the 2010-11 academic year as the first “producer-in-residence” at New York University‘s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music.

The HBS program awards those who pass the curriculum a certification for the course, which is aimed at CEOs and heads of companies. The price tag is $33,000 per credit, with Beatz taking three credits for a cool 100 grand, beginning next month. He’ll live in Harvard housing.

“Admission is a selective process based on professional achievement and organizational responsibility. We look for professionals who have demonstrated business talent and leadership potential,” according to the school’s official site.

The program focuses on navigating the global economy, maximizing financial resources, aligning strategies and sales and other business skills.

Keys and son Egypt will join him in the dorm on weekends, according to Showbiz 411’s Roger Friedman, who interviewed Swizz on the carpet at the The Amazing Spider-Man 2 premiere. His wife performed her soundtrack song with Kendrick Lamar at the post-premiere party.

Swizz, who never went to college, started his music career directly after graduating high school.

Mars: This Year’s Top Latino Grammy Nominee

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It comes as little surprise that Bruno Mars is this year’s Latino Grammy darling…

Following the release of his critically acclaimed sophomore album Unorthodox Jukebox, the 28-year-old part-Puerto Rican Grammy-winning singer has received four Grammy nominations for the 56th annual awards, the most of any Latino artists this year.

Mars, a 19-time nominee who earned a Grammy in 2011 for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for his first career smash hit “Just The Way You Are,” is nominated in two major categories. He’s up for Record of the Year and Song of the Year for his No. 1 song “Locked Out of Heaven.”

In addition, Mars’ latest studio effort is nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album and his ballad “When I Was Your Man” is up for Best Pop Solo Performance.

But Mars isn’t the only Latino artist to receive multiple nods this year…

Miguel, who won the award for Best R&B Song during the 2013 Grammys, is nominated for two awards.

The 28-year-old half-Mexican American R&B singer is up for Best R&B Performance for his duet with Kendrick Lamar, “How Many Drinks?,” as well as Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for his collaboration with J. Cole, “Power Trip.”

Paquito D’Rivera, meantime, is nominated for two awards.

The Cuban Grammy-winning alto saxophonist, clarinetist and soprano saxophonist is nominated for Best Improvised Jazz Solo for the track “Song for Maura,” as well as Best Latin Jazz Album for the album of the same name.

Other Latino nominees include Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan, Intocable, Frankie J and Carlos Vives.

The nominations were announced during the Grammy Awards’ special on CBS on Friday night.

The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the organization that awards the Grammys, used to announce the nominations through an ordinary news conference. But for the last six years, it has tried to stir excitement with a primetime TV special with the rapper and actor LL Cool J as host. Performers on Friday’s show included Lorde, Robin Thicke and, by satellite, Taylor Swift from Sydney, Australia, and Katy Perry from Toronto.

The 65th Grammy Awards, dubbed music’s biggest night, will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2014.

Here’s a look at this year’s Latino nominees:

Record of the Year
GET LUCKY  Daft Punk & Pharrell Williams
RADIOACTIVE  Imagine Dragons
ROYALS Lorde
LOCKED OUT OF HEAVEN Bruno Mars
BLURRED LINES  Robin Thicke Featuring T.I. & Pharrell

Song Of The Year
JUST GIVE ME A REASON  Jeff Bhasker, Pink & Nate Ruess, songwriters (Pink Featuring Nate Ruess)
LOCKED OUT OF HEAVEN  Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine & Bruno Mars, songwriters (Bruno Mars)
ROAR  Lukasz Gottwald, Max Martin, Bonnie McKee, Katy Perry & Henry Walter, songwriters (Katy Perry)
ROYALS  Joel Little & Ella Yelich O’Connor, songwriters (Lorde)
SAME LOVE  Ben Haggerty, Mary Lambert & Ryan Lewis,  songwriters (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Mary Lambert)

Best Pop Solo Performance
BRAVE Sara Bareilles
ROYALS Lorde
WHEN I WAS YOUR MAN Bruno Mars
ROAR Katy Perry
MIRRORS  Justin Timberlake

Best Pop Vocal Album
PARADISE Lana Del Rey
PURE HEROINE Lorde
UNORTHODOX JUKEBOX Bruno Mars
BLURRED LINES Robin Thicke
THE 20/20 EXPERIENCE – THE COMPLETE EXPERIENCE  Justin Timberlake 

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
VIVA DUETS  Tony Bennett & Various Artists [Featured artists include Chayanne, Thalia, Christina Aguilera, Franco De Vita, Gloria Estefan, Juan Luis Guerra, Ricardo Arjona, Romeo Santos, Vicentico and Dani Martín)
TO BE LOVED Michael Bublé
THE STANDARDS Gloria Estefan
CEE LO’S MAGIC MOMENT Cee Lo Green
NOW  Dionne Warwick

Best R&B Performance
LOVE AND WAR  Tamar Braxton
BEST OF ME Anthony Hamilton
NAKAMARRA  Hiatus Kaiyote Featuring Q-Tip
HOW MANY DRINKS?  Miguel Featuring Kendrick Lamar
SOMETHING  Snarky Puppy With Lalah Hathaway

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
POWER TRIP  J. Cole Featuring Miguel
PART II (ON THE RUN) Jay Z Featuring Beyoncé
HOLY GRAIL Jay Z Featuring Justin Timberlake
NOW OR NEVER  Kendrick Lamar Featuring Mary J.
REMEMBER YOU  Wiz Khalifa Featuring The Weeknd

Best Improvised Jazz Solo
DON’T RUN  Terence Blanchard, soloist
SONG FOR MAURA Paquito D’Rivera, soloist
SONG WITHOUT WORDS #4: DUET Fred Hersch, soloist
STADIUM JAZZ Donny McCaslin, soloist
ORBITS Wayne Shorter, soloist

Best Latin Jazz Album
LA NOCHE MÁS LARGA Buika
SONG FOR MAURA  Paquito D’Rivera And Trio Corrente
YO  Roberto Fonseca
EGGŪN Omar Sosa
LATIN JAZZ-JAZZ LATIN Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet

Best Latin Pop Album
FAITH, HOPE Y AMOR Frankie J
VIAJERO FRECUENTE Ricardo Montaner
VIDA Draco Rosa
SYNTEK Aleks Syntek
12 HISTORIAS Tommy Torres

Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album
L OBJETO ANTES LLAMADO DISCO Café Tacvba  
OJO POR OJO El Tri
CHANCES  Illya Kuryaki And The Valderramas
TREINTA DÍAS  La Santa Cecilia
REPEAT AFTER ME Los Amigos Invisibles

Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)
EL FREE Banda Los Recoditos
EN PELIGRO DE EXTINCIÓN Intocable  
A MI MANERA  Mariachi Divas De Cindy Shea
ROMEO Y SU NIETA Paquita La Del Barrio
13 CELEBRANDO EL 13 Joan Sebastian

Best Tropical Latin Album
3.0  Marc Anthony
COMO TE VOY A OLVIDAR Los Angeles Azules 
PACIFIC MAMBO ORCHESTRA Pacific Mambo Orchestra
SERGIO GEORGE PRESENTS SALSA GIANTS Various Artists  (Featuring
CORAZÓN PROFUNDO Carlos Vives

Best World Music Album 
SAVOR FLAMENCO Gipsy Kings
NO PLACE FOR MY DREAM Femi Kuti
LIVE: SINGING FOR PEACE AROUND THE WORLD  Ladysmith Black Mambazo
THE LIVING ROOM SESSIONS PART 2 Ravi Shankar

Best Instrumental Composition
BOUND AWAY  Chuck Owen, composer (Chuck Owen & The Jazz Surge)
CALIFORNIA PICTURES FOR STRING QUARTET Gordon Goodwin, composer (Quartet San Francisco)
KOKO ON THE BOULEVARD  Scott Healy, composer (Scott Healy Ensemble)
PENSAMIENTOS FOR SOLO ALTO SAXOPHONE AND CHAMBER ORCHESTRA Clare Fischer, composer (The Clare Fischer Orchestra)
STRING QUARTET NO. 1: FUNKY DIVERSION IN THREE PARTS  Vince Mendoza, composer (Quartet San Francisco)

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

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