Mariah Angeliq to Serve as Celebrity Mentor on Billboard & Samsung’s Social-Media-Driving Competition “NXT”

Mariah Angeliq in on the hunt to find music’s next big star…

Billboard is partnering with Samsung for another season of NXT, the social media-driving competition to find the next great unsigned talent, and they’re calling on the 23-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban-American singer to help.

Mariah AngeliqThe search launches the week of September 19 with Mariah Angeliq as one of the season’s three celebrity mentors.

The reggaeton star — dubbed “La Princesa de Miami” — will begin sharing how singers can join the competition exclusively on her social channels, with the other two mentors yet to be revealed.

After submitting their audition videos, the top 12 NXT hopefuls will be selected by Billboard and armed with Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Flip4, Buds2 Pro and Watch5 to compete in a series of three challenges that will test their singing, dancing and creativity.

Once the dozen are whittled down based on their weekly scores, the final three will be mentored by the “El Makinon” singer and the other celebrity guests for a grand finale performance in L.A. in front of a live audience and panel of A-list judges.

The winner of NXT 2.0 will get their very own special digital Billboard cover as well as a record label meeting facilitated by Billboard, studio time to record their first single, funding for an accompanying music video, tickets to attend the 2023 Billboard Music Awards and more.

“The next Billboard No. 1 artist is out there right now dreaming of their future as a star,” Billboard president Mike Van said in a statement. “It is an honor to partner with Samsung on this momentous search for those talents who are waiting to be discovered and play a role in launching their careers.”

Mariah Angeliq Teams Up with Mariah Becerra & Bad Gyal for “Bobo,” a Reimagining of TLC’s “No Scrubs”

Mariah Angeliq is making a TLC classic her own…

The 21-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American singer-songwriter, known as “La Princesa de Miami,” has joined voices with urbana newcomers Mariah Becerra and Bad Gyal for the single “Bobo.”

Mariah Angeliq, Mariah Becerra, Bad Gyal

Co-produced by DJ Chino and her longtime producer Nely El Arma Secreta, “Bobo” gives TLC’s ’90s anthem “No Scrubs” a reggaeton twist with a touch of Mariah’s perreo, Becerra’s urban-pop sounds, and Bad Gyal’s dancehall vibes.

Mariah does not hesitate to describe it as a “lit” collaboration overall.

“This song is going to make a big impact in the industry because we’re three girls,” she affirms.

“Honestly, I have loved this song since I was little,” she says. “I love R&B, and I think that’s one of the reasons that when Chino presented the idea to me I said, ‘Hell yeah!’ because I have that music in my soul.”

 

Mariah became a household name with her saucy 2019 single “Perreito.” In only two years, she captured the attention of her colleagues, landing major collaborations with Arcangel and Anuel AA, to name a few.

In March, Mariah joined forces with Karol G on “El Makinon,” a focus track from Karol’s KG0516 album. “It has definitely made my career grow,” Mariah tells Billboard, explaining that the Colombian star began supporting her music on social media before extending an invite to work together.

“This song has a lot of elements that identify me and that’s why I believe Karol wanted to do the song with me,” she recalls. “I was sharing my story when we were writing the song and I mentioned that I ran away at 16 to chase my dreams, so for sure, that’s why the song makes reference to that. Karol’s the same. She’s a fighter and she’s been working hard for her dreams since she was young. That’s why we connected on this song.”

“El Makinon,” slang for a big machine, also earned Mariah her first No. 1 on any Billboard chart when it topped the Latin Airplay chart dated June 5, becoming only the third female pairing to rule since the chart’s inception in 1994.

“Everything happened so quickly,” Mariah recalls. “I’m super happy because what’s better than to collaborate with one of the most important women in the industry? I took this as a blessing.”

Up next, Mariah is reportedly working on a full-length album and has 40 to 50 dates confirmed for an upcoming tour that will soon be announced.