Juanes Releases New Single “La Versión en mi Cabeza”

Posted on September 29, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Juanes is getting something out of his head…

The 51-year-old Colombian superstar has released “La Versión en mi Cabeza” as part of the deluxe version of his successful album Vida Cotidiana, which earned him four Latin Grammy nominations this year.

The new song begins with soft chords from an electric guitar and the singer’s melodious voice, followed by soft percussion that unleashes the rock ballad.

Written primarily by Venezuelan singer-songwriter Joaquina, the protagonist reflectively accepts and understands the fact of not being able to change his partner to meet his expectations.

He finally realizes that the time has come to let go of that relationship: “I come back every time, even if I don’t want to/ To the version of you that only exists in my head/ I know you never wanted to hurt me/ But what do I do, ask you to change/ It’s too much,” goes the chorus.

Mon Laferte Among This Year’s Latin Recording Academy Leading Ladies of Entertainment Honorees

Posted on September 3, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Mon Laferte earns a special Leading Lady designation…

The Latin Recording Academy has announced its 2023 Leading Ladies of Entertainment, with the 40-year-old Chilean-Mexican singer-songwriter among the honorees.

Laferte is a two-time Grammy nominee and four-time Latin Grammy winner, the most for a Chilean artist.

With over 1.5 million digital records sold in Latin America between albums and singles, she has established herself as the best-selling Chilean artist of the 21st century. Some of her hits include “Tormento“, “Amor completo“, “Si tú me quisieras“, “Tu falta de querer“, “Amárrame,” and “Mi buen amor.”

Other honorees include RondenePR founder Róndine Alcalá; Grammy-nominated engineer and vocal producer Simone Torres; and Ana Villacorta López, SVP of Marketing and Promotion at Sony Music México.

“This diverse group of outstanding and successful women have made great contributions to Latin music,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy, in a press release. “We are proud to celebrate them with this and other initiatives that seek to promote gender parity and honor the important role women play in the entertainment industry.”

The initiative was created in 2017 to recognize the “professional and socially conscious” ladies in the music field who have made “significant contributions and inspired the next generation of female leaders,” states the press release.

The accompanying luncheon and private ceremony will be held in Sevilla, Spain on Monday (Nov. 13) as part of Latin Grammy Week.

Sebastián Yatra to Receive Recording Industry Association of America’s Artist of the Year Award

Posted on August 31, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Sebastián Yatra is the Recording Industry’s all-star this year…

In honor of Latin music’s explosive growth in the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) will recognize artists, label executives and policymakers, including the 28-year-old Colombian artist, who are “driving this rise across American music, culture and society.”

Yatra, a Latin Grammy-winner and Grammy-nominee, will be recognized as the RIAA’s Artist of the Year.

Meanwhile, global superstar Gloria Estefan with the icon award; her husband, visionary producer Emilio Estefan, as industry trailblazer; Maria Fernandez, executive vp/COO of Latin Iberia at Sony Music Entertainment, as executive of the year; and U.S. Reps. Veronica Escobar and María Elvira Salazar as policymakers of the year.

“As advocates for the music community and fans ourselves, the RIAA is so grateful to acknowledge superstars and leaders who have used their voices and platforms to change the culture and break the creative mold,” said RIAA chairman/CEO Mitch Glazier in a statement. “RIAA Honors is a special moment to stop and acknowledge those forging ahead for future generations and making waves in their own right. Latin music has lit up the charts and filled playlists across the U.S. this year and we are thrilled to celebrate Gloria Estefan, Sebastián Yatra, Emilio Estefan, Maria Fernandez and Representatives Veronica Escobar and María Elvira Salazar.”

In April, it was announced that Latin music revenues in the United States exceeded $1 billion for the first time, with the RIAA reporting that the Latin market grew to $1.1 billion in 2022 — a 24% jump over the previous year’s $881 million and lifting Latin music’s overall share of the total music market from 5.9% in 2021 to 6.9%.

“This sustained expansion speaks to an openness to new artists, music and ways of listening,” said RIAA senior vp of state public policy & industry relations Rafael Fernandez Jr. “It’s also perfect timing to salute Latin Music champions during the first week of National Hispanic Heritage Month. RIAA Honors’ epic music-filled celebration adds to the excitement as other festivities and recognitions continue throughout the coming weeks.”

The RIAA Honors, will take place on September 19 in Washington, D.C.

Shakira to Receive Video Vanguard Award at This Year’s MTV Video Music Awards

Posted on August 28, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira is being celebrated for leading the way…

The 46-year-old Colombian superstar singer-songwriter will receive the Video Vanguard Award at MTV‘s 2023 Video Music Awards on September 12, becoming the first South American artist to earn the award.

Shakira will accept the award and perform at the ceremony for the first time since 2006.

The “Hips Don’t Lie” singer is a four-time VMA winner and 30-time nominee.

She won her first VMA — the award for International Viewer’s Choice — Latin America (North) — in 2000 for “Ojos Así.” She snagged the same award in 2002 for “Whenever, Wherever/Suerte” and also scooped up the trophy for Best Choreography in a Video for 2006’s “Hips Don’t Lie” as well as Most Earth-Shattering Collaboration for 2007’s “Beautiful Liar” with Beyoncé.

Shakira has also earned three Grammys and 12 Latin Grammys in her career.

The Video Vanguard Award, named after Michael Jackson, went to Nicki Minaj last year. Previous winners include Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Kanye West, David Bowie, Madonna and Rihanna. The Beatles and A Hard Day’s Night director Richard Lester won the award at the first VMAs in 1984.

Shakira is nominated for four VMAs this year: Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration and Best Latin for “TQG” with Karol G, and Best Latin for “Acróstico.”

Earlier this year, her hit collaboration with Bizarrap, “Music Sessions Vol. 53,” set a number of streaming records on Spotify and YouTube.

Shakira first performed at the VMAs in 2002 with her rendition of “Objection (Tango),” and was the first artist to perform a song entirely in Spanish at the ceremony alongside Alejandro Sanz when they sang “La Tortura” in 2005.

Taylor Swift leads this year’s VMA nominations with eight, while SZA comes in second with six nominations. Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat, Miley Cyrus, Sam Smith, Olivia Rodrigo and Kim Petras each have five nominations, and Blackpink and Diddy tie Shakira’s four. Demi Lovato, Karol G, Måneskin, and Stray Kids are confirmed to perform at the ceremony, with MTV announcing more performers soon.

Juliana Velásquez Signs Distribution Deal with Warner Music México in Alliance with MUN Entertainment

Posted on August 7, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Juliana Velásquez has a new deal…

The 25-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter, a Best New Artist Latin Grammy winner, has signed a distribution deal with Warner Music México in alliance with MUN Entertainment.

The partnership is aimed at broadening Velásquez’s reach.

The Colombian singer-songwriter — one of Billboard’s Latin Artists to Watch in 2022 — will continue to have creative control over her project.

“I greatly admire Juliana. Her talent and creativity are impressive,” said Warner Music Andes MD Daniel Mora in a statement. “I have witnessed her incredible evolution as an artist and the connection she establishes with both her fans and with the general public. Her voice is simply captivating and has the power to win over everyone who listens to it. We are extremely excited to be a part of her journey and continue to witness how her art continues to flourish.”

Warner Music Mexico GM of artist strategy Alejandro Mejia added: “We are very happy that Juliana and her team have trusted Warner Music at this stage of their career. We are proud to be able to help them reap the successes they have been working on for years in Colombia and to be a fundamental part of those that will sow in other territories, where we are sure that he will continue to captivate with his enormous talent and charisma.”

Velásquez has released two studio albums: Juliana (2021) and Dos, Dos, Dos (2022). In 2021, she won the coveted best new artist award at the Latin Grammys, where she was one of 10 newcomers in the hard-to-predict category that also included Paloma Mami, Bizarrap, Boza and María Becerra.

“My acting and singing career began when I was very little. I was four years old when I entered a theater academy in Colombia […] That academy became my home,” Velásquez previously told Billboard. “Officially, I began singing and acting when I was seven years old and since then I haven’t stopped. I learned to write songs because when we were practicing for our musicals, I heard the lyrics and thought it was magical that you could tell stories via music. So, I’d go home after rehearsals and write my own version of the songs we had rehearsed.”

Velásquez is currently making the rounds with “Cuando Te Encuentre,” her debut single under the new signing which is part of her forthcoming studio album Mar Adentro.

Gustavo Santaolalla to Receive Lifetime Achievement Trustees Award During Latin Grammys

Posted on August 5, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Gustavo Santaolalla is set to receive a special honor…

The 71-year-old Argentine musician and composer will receive the Lifetime Achievement Trustees Award in November.

The award honors his music legacy and is conferred on individuals who have made significant contributions to Latin music during their careers in ways other than performance.

Santaolalla has received two Academy Awards, two BAFTA awards, two Grammys, 19 Latin Grammys, and is an Emmy nominee for his work on HBO’s “The Last of Us.”

All of the hardware is even more amazing when you consider Santaolalla can’t read or write music.

He will receive the honor during a private event as part of Latin GRAMMy Week on Sunday, November 12, 2023, in the Teatro Lope de Vega in Sevilla, Spain.

In addition, Santaolalla will perform at Eric Clapton’s 2023 Crossroads Festival in Los Angeles.

The event is being held September 24 at the Crypto Arena. Clapton gathers past, present and the future of guitar music onto the stage to benefit the Crossroads Centre in Antigua, a treatment and education facility founded by Clapton for chemically dependent persons.

Santaolalla scored the original video game for “The Last of Us” and its 2020 sequel, as well as the HBO series.

In addition to his video game and television work, he has collaborated with high profile filmmakers like Alejandro González Iñárritu (Amores Perros, 21 Grams, Babel), Walter Salles (The Motorcycle Diaries, On The Road) and Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain).

Kany García Performs for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Series

Posted on July 24, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Kany García is embracing a tiny but impressive moment…

The 40-year-old Puerto Rican singer and songwriter is the latest Latin star to perform for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series.

The intimate setting is fitting for García’s personal, deep lyrics which touch on love, heartbreak and beyond.

She kicked off her nearly 17-minute set with the gorgeous “Para Siempre” from her 2018 album Soy Yo. After that, she transitioned into “Búscame,” included on Mesa Para Dos (2020), explaining the meaning behind the song: “There’s so many songs that I wrote about relationship, sadness and all those kind of things and I never write songs about the people that I always feel like home, that people that I owe them a lot of things so this is a song for them.”

Love and heartbreak weren’t the only topics she touched on. The Latin Grammy-winning artist also paid tribute to immigrants across the world with her poignant “Mundo Inventado,” which loosely translates to an invented world. “This is a very special song for me because it’s a song that I’m talking about immigrants and as you know, they are people who have never given up in many parts of the world,” García introduced the song. “And thanks to the all the immigrants I think we make cities, countries and all these places a better place.”

After singing those songs, each one from a different album, she ended with one from her latest set, El Amor Que Merecemos. The empowering and liberating flamenco-tinged pop song “DPM (De Pxta Madre)” closed her set, which she prefaced with a few words: “It’s a phrase that we always use like for many things. Like, ‘F–k I won the lottery’ or ‘F–k I have a very bad day.’ This is song is about when you realize that all the people that are mean to you, they are no longer in your life and you’re grateful for that so you are [feeling] de puta madre.”

Other Latin stars that have recorded Tiny Desk Concerts include Karol G, Carla Morrison, Carin Leon, Farruko and Tokischa, among others.

Ángela Aguilar to Co-Host This Year’s Premios Juventud

Posted on July 1, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ángela Aguilar is preparing for a special night…

The 19-year-old Mexican-American singer and daughter of Mexican singer Pepe Aguilar will make her hosting debut at Premios Juventud, which will take place July 20 in Puerto Rico.

Aguilera will not only join television personality Alejandra Espinoza as co-host, she’ll also perform during the show.

A three time Premios Juventud winner, Aguilar has earned three Latin Grammy nominations during her career.

The Premios Juventud will be broadcast live on Univision.

Also confirmed to perform are Danna Paola, Farruko, Denise Rosenthal, Sofía Reyes and Eslabon Armado.

This year’s Premios Juventud theme is “Exprésate a tu Manera.”

Don Omar Releases Long-Awaited Album “Forever King”

Posted on June 18, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Don Omar is celebrating a royal launch…

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican reggaeton rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer and actor – a Latin music icon – has released his long-awaited album Forever King after releasing a succession of singles over the past 18 months.

It’s Don Omar’s first album since his partnership with Saban Music Latin.

After four years without a studio album release, Don Omar brings his music to another level.

“This is just the beginning of a new stage in my career with Saban Music Latin. I promised my fans to give them what I do best, which is good music,” said the Latin Grammy winner.

Fans have been asking for the release of the album, and by popular demand, it was decided to launch it ahead of time.

“Forever King is an album that features the real Don Omar. For me, it is super important to create songs that showcase my true essence. This has allowed me to have a career that expanded more than 20 years and continue to connect with my loyal fans. In this industry you must work hard to maintain your place; to achieve you must take risks and step outside of your comfort zone,” said Don Omar.

The album brings 14 songs, two of which have already reached the #1 position on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart: ‘Se Menea’ and ‘Soy Yo’. With ‘Soy Yo’ is the 39th time that the multi-award-winning Puerto Rican artist has established himself in the number one spot on a list.

Back in September 2022, he partnered with Lil Jon for the single ‘Let’s Get Crazy.’

Don Omar, who has been captivating fans with his talent, style, and staying power for decades now, continues his musical success.

‘FOREVER KING’ ALBUM TRACK LIST
El Preso #9
Carcelero
Podemos Repetirlo with Chencho Corleone
Te Abandono (Remix) with Nio García
Cariñito Magdalena with Maluma
Cuestión de Tiempo Bandidos with Cosculluela Flow
HP with Residente
Sincero Agradecido Good Girl with Akon
Soy Yo with Wisin y Gente de Zona
Se Menea with Nio García
Let’s Get Crazy with Lil Jon
Te Abandono Sincero (Salsa Version)
Sincero (Trap Version)

Luis Fonsi Releases New Single “Buenos Aires” & Official Music Video for Track

Posted on May 30, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Fonsi is heading south this summer…

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican singer has released his highly anticipated new single “Buenos Aires.”

With Fonsi leading the composition along with Andrés Torres, Mauricio Rengifo and Keityn, and produced by Rengifo and Torres, “Buenos Aires” is the first single of what is set to be Fonsi’s next musical chapter.

Fonsi shared what inspired him to write his new hit, saying, “‘Buenos Aires’ tells the story of attempting to erase the memory of a lover and coming to the realization that it is completely impossible to do so. It is a heartbreak song that speaks of the pain you feel when that person who means so much to you has moved on.

“When I started writing the song, it immediately transported me to Argentine cumbia, and this inspired me to make references to some of the cities that have great significance in my life and career in the next couple of songs that I will be releasing. It’s very exciting for me because ‘Buenos Aires’ marks the beginning of a new chapter in my music…I have many songs to share, and I am thrilled to have fans join me on this journey.”

For several weeks, the multiple Latin Grammy winner had been sharing a preview of “Buenos Aires” with his followers on social media, which resulted in thousands of fan creations on TikTok.

Fonsi’s community can also finally enjoy not only the complete song but also the stellar music video directed by renowned creative director of Elastic People, Carlos Pérez.

The video was filmed in Miami last April, and its concept drew inspiration from one of the catchy phrases in the song “no saquen el corazón que están robando,” which means keep the stolen heart inside.

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