Rosalia to Become First Artist Featured on FC Barcelona’s Men’s & Women’s Team Home Kits

Posted on March 17, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Rosalia is picking sides…

To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the 30-year-old Spanish singer and songwriter’s Motomami, the Grammy-winning album’s logo will be emblazoned on FC Barcelona’s jerseys for their El Clásico match against Real Madrid.

Rosalia becomes the first artist to be featured on both the men’s and women’s teams home kits as part of Barcelona’s partnership with Spotify.

The limited-edition shirt with the Motomami logo will also be available for fans to purchase.

Rosalía follows Drake who, in October, had his OVO brand owl logo placed on the front of the FC Barcelona men’s jerseys for the match after becoming the first artist to surpass 50 billion streams on Spotify.

“We’re honored to give up our space on the FC Barcelona shirt to celebrate Rosalía – the most streamed Spanish artist on Spotify in 2022,” Marc Hazan, vice president of partnerships, Spotify said in a statement. “It’s a chance to continue the celebration of our unique partnership with FC Barcelona and continue to bring the worlds of football and music together.”

In 2022, Rosalía was the most-streamed Spanish artist in the world on Spotify, with streams of her tracks growing by more than 110% year over year, and she was also the most-streamed female artist in Barcelona, according to the company.

Juli Guiu, vice president of marketing, FC Barcelona, added: “Seeing such a renowned artist as Rosalía on the beloved Barça jersey is a wonderful surprise for our fans around the world. Music and football form a special partnership with a long future ahead of them and we are happy to add another chapter to the story alongside the world’s most popular music streaming platform, Spotify.”

Barcelona’s El Clásico match will take place on March 19. The women’s team will then also wear the Motomami jerseys at their match on March 25.

Both team’s players will also be curating the El Clásico Matchday playlists featuring the top songs to motivate the players in the build up to the matches, which will, of course, include their favorite Rosalía songs.

Rosalía’s Motomami peaked at No. 3 on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart. It won the Latin Grammy for album of the year. Most recently, Rosalía confirmed a joint three-song project with boyfriend and fellow artist Rauw Alejandro titled RR, set for release on March 24.

Ricky Martin Offers Sneak Peek at New Music Video

Posted on June 27, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Ricky Martin is offering a sneak peek at his latest music video…

After a busy weekend shooting the music video for his upcoming new single, the 50-year-old Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and actor has given fans a sneak peek to the clip via social media, along with a behind-the-scenes photo of him in action.

“In this photo, a little tease of what the video of my next single is going feel like,” Martin wrote in the post. “It was a really long day, but everything flows amazingly well when surrounded by the right group of people. Nothing but love and light throughout the day. et, which is the second part to his Latin Grammy-winning EP Pausa. “I’ve created two separate albums. Pausa is more chill and relaxed,”

Martin told Billboard back in 2020 when he released the first part of his project. “The second one called Play has more upbeat music.”

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Besides working on new music, Martin is busy with television projects as well. He will be the male lead in Mrs. American Pie, a new Apple TV+ comedy series. The cast will also include Kristen Wiig, Alison Janney and Laura Dern, who is executive producing the show.

Set to play Robert in the 10-episode series based on the novel by Juliet McDaniel, Mrs. American Pie is Martin’s first television project since Ryan Murphy’s drama The Assassination of Gianni Versace on FX, in which he played Antonio D’Amico.

Dimelo Flow Teams Up with Reik, Jay Wheeler & Boza for Heartbreak Anthem “Winnie Pooh”

Posted on April 28, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Dimelo Flow is pulling the heartstrings with his latest single…

While the catalog of the 33-year-old Panamanian deejay and producer, whose real name is Jorge Valdés Vázquez, includes saucy perreo bangers, his new track “Winnie Pooh” is a certified heartbreak anthem.

And Dimelo Flow called in reinforcements: Reik, Jay Wheeler, and Boza.

“Winnie Pooh” unites the renowned Mexican trio, Puerto Rico’s romantic voice, and the Latin Grammy-nominated Panamanian act in a mid-tempo pop-reggaeton produced by Flow and presented by Rich Music.

Making reference to the lovable and beloved bear, the lyrics tell the story of a person who gave it their all in a relationship and was underappreciated. “I filled you with so many details that you couldn’t even see yourself/ I watered the rose every day until it drowned/ I did everything to have you, but it was the other way around/ Take off your makeup because that’s not who I fell in love with,” Reik sings to kick off the track.

The chorus later announces, “This Winnie Pooh has no honey left.”

Each artist adds a unique flow to the lyrics. Boza, for example, states how he’s “Gucci” and his ex-girlfriend left him for “Old Navy.” “I’m not with you and it feels great/ Even Cristiano [Rolando] loses the ball,” chants Wheeler over a chill reggae beat.

“Winnie Pooh” follows Dimelo Flow’s star-studded collaboration “Suelta” featuring Rauw Alejandro, Farruko, Maria Becerra, Mr. Vegas, and Fatman Scoop.

Both tracks will form part of his upcoming album, Always Dream.

The music video was directed by Joel DeLeon “JD.”

Jesse & Joy Sign Worldwide Deal with Warner Chappell Music Mexico for Catalog Rights

Posted on January 25, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Jesse & Joy are going global…

The Mexican brother sister duo, comprised of Jesse Huerta and Joy Huerta, have signed an exclusive worldwide deal for catalog rights with Warner Chappell Music Mexico, according to Billboard.

From grief and heartbreak to happiness and triumph, Jesse & Joy are “storytellers at their core, making music that speaks to the experiences we’ve all gone through,” says Carlos Ruiz, managing director, Warner Chappell Music Mexico.

“Aside from their musical talent, I’m inspired by how they use their voices to make a difference in the world and support their fellow Latinos, immigrants, and the LGBTQ+ community. All of us at Warner Chappell are thrilled they’ve entrusted us with their music and look forward to a wonderful journey ahead,” he adds.

Last year, Jesse & Joy initiated Pride Month with the release of their single “Love (Es Nuestro Idioma),” which spotlights love being a universal language. Both the song and video celebrated Pride Month and was a previous presentation for LGBTI organization Yaaj Mexico.

“The Warner Chappell team has done an impressive job amplifying Latin music on a global scale. They’re a publisher we trust and we look forward to our partnership together,” notes Jesse & Joy.

Calling their 15-year trajectory “impressive” and “at the top of their game,” Gustavo Menendez, president, Latin America, Warner Chappell Music, adds: “Their bicultural sound and style have earned them No. 1 hits, but more importantly, connected them with fans across the world who find comfort and joy in their music.”

The Latin Grammy and Grammy-award winning duo, known for hits such as “¡Corre!,” ”Dueles,” and “Espacio Sideral,” are currently nominated for four Premio Lo Nuestro awards including pop group or duo of the year and album of the year for Aire.

Carlos López Estrada Co-Directing Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Feature “Raya and the Last Dragon”

Posted on August 28, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

There’s a bright raya of light for Carlos López Estrada.

The 31-year-old Mexican-American music video, commercial and film director will co-direct Walt Disney Animation Studios’ animated feature Raya and the Last Dragon, starring Kelly Marie Tran as titular heroine.

Raya and the Last Dragon is set in the fantasy kingdom of Kumandra and follows a warrior who teams up with a crew of misfits in her quest to find the Last Dragon and bring light and unity back to their world. Tran is part of the voice cast that includes Awkawafina, who plays a dragon in human form named Sisu.

Lopez Estrada will co-direct the film with Don Hall, Paul Briggs and John Ripa.

Playwright Qui Nguyen serves as a co-writer with Adele Lim on the project.

“As filmmakers, Don and Carlos bring a combination of animation know-how and emotional storytelling to Raya and the Last Dragon, bringing our fantasy adventure to surprising, original, and dynamic heights,” said Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee. “They both saw the potential for this film and had a strong vision for the story, especially for our lead character, played by the wonderfully talented Kelly Marie Tran. And no small feat, directors Don and Carlos, writers Qui and Adele, and the entire crew of 400 Disney Animation artists are making this film together, while separated and working from home.”

Raya and the Last Dragon is set to debut on March 12, 2021.

Lopez Estrada, who earned a Latin Grammy in the Best Short Form Music Video category for directing Jesse & Joy’s “Me Voy” music video, previously directed Blindspotting.

J Balvin Releases Music Video for New Single “Si tu novio te deja sola”

Posted on March 5, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

J Balvin is sending out a warning to careless boyfriends…

The 31-year-old Colombian singer has released his latest single, “Si tu novio te deja sola,” along with its corresponding music video.

A tropical, groovy beat starts off the trap tune, featuring rising star Bad Bunny.

The cheeky song is Balvin’s first single since he released his latest Latin Grammy-winning album Energía last summer.

“Si tu novio te deja sola” is the first collaboration between the Colombian superstar and Bad Bunny, who has previously teamed up with other reggaetoneros, including Farruko and Arcángel.

Bad Bunny will be part of the “Latin Trap Panel” at this year’s Billboard Latin Music Conference along with Farruko, Ozuna, Noriel, Bryant Myers and Messiah.

Sangalo Preparing to Launch Five-City U.S. Tour…

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Ivete Sangalo is ready to conquer America with her untiring Brazilian party music.

The 41-year-old Brazilian Axé and MPB singer, songwriter, actress and television host is preparing to celebrate her 20-year music career with a five-city U.S. tour that will take her to the West Coast for the first time.

Sangalo, known for her all-singing, all-dancing, high-energy extravaganzas that come as close to Brazil’s over-the-top Carnival celebrations as one can get, expects to see more than a few “gringos” during her tour, thanks to her growing reputation among non-Brazilians.

“My public is growing outside of Brazil. Every time I play out of the country there are more and more local people, thanks to all the Brazilians who act as ambassadors for my music,” said Sangalo, who will kick off her Real Fantasia Tour 2013 on August 9 in Oakland, Calif. She’ll also visit Los Angeles; Lynn, Mass.; and Newark, N.J., before wrapping in Miami on Aug. 17.

“I’m going to places I’ve never performed before so I have to cure a lot of homesickness. I have to give the fans what they like,” said Sangalo in a phone interview from her home in Salvador, Bahia.

In Brazil, Sangalo is the undisputed Queen of Axe (ah-SHAY) music – a doubled-timed party sound that fuses Brazilian rhythms like samba and frevo with rock, reggae and calypso styles. It is the sound of Bahia’s weeklong Carnival- which differs from the better known blow-out in Rio where samba is king – and Sangalo, a statuesque brunette with a voice like a trumpet, reigns over it, singing from the top of a huge sound truck for six hours or more at a stretch.

“My music reaches a lot of different (people),” Sangalo said.

The Latin Grammy winner released the album Real Fantasia last year.

Nieves: Latin Music’s Next Emilio Estefan?

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

He’s only 18-years-old, but Jesus Manuel Nieves is one of the most promising musicians in Latin music.

The Puerto Rican composer-producer, known as Jhay El Superdotado, picked up his first Latin Grammy for contributing to Tito El Bambino’s award-winning album “Invencible” during this year’s telecast.

Nieves wrote and produced five songs, including the hit single “Llama al Sol,” on the album, which won top honors in the Best Contemporary Tropical Album category.

And Latin music’s rising star is already taking on his next projects. He’s currently writing, composing and producing for the likes of Ricky Martin, Ednita Nazario, Marc Anthony and Enrique Iglesias.

Despite his growing success in the music business, Nieves isn’t let the fame and recognition go to his head.

“All this has taught me to be fairly unassuming and always the same,” says Nieves in a recent interview with EFE. “Because I may be enjoying success today but tomorrow might be a different story.”

Even though he’s only 18, Nieves could be considered a seasoned pro. After all, he entered the music industry at age 11 when he joined Hednokers Music Inc. He started by singing and composing a song here and there, but his curiosity and eagerness for musical experimentation led him into production, sound engineering and arranging.

“If it’s music, I want to learn it and do it all; it’s what I love and I can’t imagine doing anything different,” says Nieves. “From the start I’ve given 100 percent to my music.”

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