Junior H to Make Special Appearance at Rolling Loud California Next March

Junior H is rolling along…

The 23-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter has been added to the lineup for the sixth installment of Rolling Loud in California.

Junior HRolling Loud California 2024 will take over Hollywood Park Grounds in Inglewood, California, from March 15 to 17, 2024.

Junior H, a Billboard chart-topping regional Mexican artist, will serve as Friday’s special guest.

But he’s not the only Latinx artist set to appear.

Regional Mexican band Fuerza Regida will act as Saturday’s special guest, while award-winning corridos tumbados trailblazer Natanael Cano will serve as Sunday’s special guest.

Led by superstars Nicki MinajLil Uzi Vert and Post Malone, the sprawling list of performers features more than 90 of the biggest and buzziest names across rap, R&B, pop and Latin music.

Presale for Rolling Loud California 2024 begins Thursday, November 16, at 10:00 am PT, and general onsale begins the following day on Friday, November 17, at 10:00 am PT.

Fans can click here to RSVP for first access to tickets — and a chance to win free tickets before they go on sale — right now.

https://twitter.com/RollingLoud/status/1724411942234624368

Shakira to Release Fuerza Regida-Collab Track “El Jefe” This Week

Shakira is expanding her sound…

The 46-year-old Colombian superstar will release a new song in collaboration with Regional Mexican group Fuerza Regida.

ShakiraShakira took to social media to announce “El Jefe,” which is set for release on Wednesday, September 20. When talking about her upcoming new track during an interview with ET, Shakira didn’t reveal much and only teased, “I’m not the boss in this song, but wait and see.”

Then, she posted a snippet of “El Jefe,” Shakira’s first foray into Regional Mexican music, that’s about someone who has the mentality of a millionaire but doesn’t actually have money.

“You’re dreaming of leaving the barrio, you have everything it takes to be a millionaire, expensive taste, the mentality, you’re just missing a salary,” she sings over a fast-paced beat.

Shakira’s collab with Fuerza Regida is a reflection of Regional Mexican music’s dominance and influence on Latin music today. With acts like Fuerza at the forefront, the genre is having a record year growing in popularity in the United States and beyond. In May, Billboard reported that Regional Mexican music consumption in the U.S. jumped 42.1% year to date through May 25, outpacing gains in the Latin genre overall, as well as country, dance/electronic, rock and pop, according to Luminate.

The new song announcement arrives just days after Shakira’s show-stopping performance at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards on September 12, where she sang a medley of her hits, including “She Wolf,” “Hips Don’t Lie,” “Objection” and newer hits such as “Te Felicito” and “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53.”

The singer-songwriter also made history at the VMAs, becoming the first South American artist to receive the Video Vanguard Award. She is the second Latin artist to receive the award; Jennifer Lopez, the first performer of Latin descent, received the honor in 2018.

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

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.”

Sebastian YatraYatra, 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 trailblazerMaria 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.

Nashy-Nashai Wins Netflix’s Latin Music Competition Series “La Firma”

It’s a special signing for Nashy-Nashai

The aspiring Argentine artist has been declared the winner of Netflix’s La Firma, the streaming services first-ever Latin music competition show.

Nashy-NashaiLa Firma starred Rauw Alejandro, Tainy, Nicki Nicole, Yandel and Lex Borrero.

“The NEON16 team signs Nashy-Nashai for her performance on #LaFirmaNetflix, with a mission to build her presence in the music industry. Stay tuned for what’s coming in 2023 for Nashy-Nashai!” says an official Instagram post.

In a similar spirit as The Voice and Making The BandLa Firma placed 12 hopeful contestants in a mansion, and followed them for the chance to secure a record deal with Neon16 — a talent incubator founded by Borrero and Tainy.

Spectators were introduced to budding talent from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Perú, and the U.S.

Ryan Castro to Launch First-Ever U.S. & North American Tour

Ryan Castro is heading to the U.S.

The Columbian reggaetón singer/songwriter, a rising act in the Latin music world, has announced his first-ever U.S. and North American tour.

Ryan CastroPresented by BC Management, the tour kicks off on June 9 at Miami’s LIV nightclub and will continue throughout key U.S. cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and Las Vegas, to name a few.

Castro, who’s dubbed “El Cantante del Ghetto” by fans, will also visit fans across Mexico and Canada before wrapping on October 2 in Miami’s concert and food hall Oasis.

“I feel very happy,” Castro said in a statement. “Every since we were children, Colombians and the people of Medallo, have always had that American dream of visiting the U.S. I’ve always wanted to touch that territory because I have family there. Now that I can visit thanks to music makes me very happy and I’m going to enjoy it a lot.”

Castro — who opened for Karol G on her Bichota Reloaded Tour in Cali, Colombia — has placed his singles “Mujeriego” and “Jordan” on both the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts.

“We have been keeping an eye on Ryan Castro for quite some time; his talent is unmatched, he is passionate, dedicated, and knows how to engage with his audience and fans to deliver unforgettable performances,” Belinda Cruz, founder of BC Management, added. “We are really excited to be working alongside Ryan and his team to present his first-ever US and North America tour and we are sure that this is only the beginning for the young star.”

For ticketing and more information, visit www.ryancastrotour.com.

Here are the confirmed tour stops:

June 9 — Miami, FL @ LIV
June 10 — West Palm Beach @ Ivy nightclub
June 11 — Orlando @ Vibra Urbana Festival
August 11 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Mayan
August 12 — Anaheim, CA @ Rumba Room
August 13 — San Diego, CA @ Parq Nightclub
August 14 — Rosarito, MX @ Baja Beach Fest
August 14 — Rosarito, MX @ Bombay Afterparty
August 18 — Oakland, CA @ Complex
August 19 — Monterrey, MX @ Show Center
August 20 — San Diego, CA @ Parq Nightclub
August 21 — Rosarito, MX @ Baja Beach Fest
August 21 — Rosarito, MX @ Bombay Afterparty
September 8 — Chicago, IL @ The Mine Music Hall
September 9 — Toronto, Canada @ Toronto Event Centre
September 10 — Montreal, Canada @ L’Olimpia
September 11 — Boston, IL @ Oceanside Events
September 15 — Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium
September 16 — Las Vegas, NV @ Neon Pollen Festival
September 17 — Houston, TX @ Rise Rooftop
September 22 — Providence, RI @ The Strand Ballroom
September 23 — Queens, NY @ La Boom Club
September 23 — Elizabeth, New Jersey @ Barcode
September 24 — Norwalk, CT @ La Canchita
September 24 — Long Island, NY @ Stereo Garden
September 29 — Nashville, TN @ Bucanas Nightclub
September 30 — Atlanta, GA @ Believe Music Hall
October 2 — Miami, FL @ Oasis

Bad Bunny Leads Latin Music’s Double-Digit Audio Consumption Growth in 2020 So Far

Bad Bunny’s leading Latin music’s charge in consumption…

Latin music has posted a healthy increase in audio consumption album equivalents in the U.S. in the first six months of 2020, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data‘s midyear report, with the 26-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggeaton singer earning top artist honors.

Bad Bunny

Overall, audio consumption of Latin music grew to 14.56 million units in the first six months of 2020, up 15.9% from the 12.6 million units registered for 2019’s midyear total. That number helped the overall growth of the genre.

Following R&B/Hip-Hop, Latin was the greatest percentage point gainer among the large genres, now comprising 4.09% market share of the total U.S. music market. That’s up from 3.86% at midyear 2019.

Latin’s market share growth comes despite the fact that, like other genres, it has suffered a decline in its weekly streaming average since the economic shutdown beginning the week of March 13. Latin saw its average weekly on-demand count drop from 1.182 billion prior to the advent of the pandemic to 1.143 billion average weekly streams from the pandemic period onward through July 2, a 3.3% drop.

Like other genres, Latin’s physical sales was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with physical album sales dropping 48.7% to 212,000 copies from 414,000 in the first half of 2019. As with other genres, Latin enjoyed a digital sales bump with download albums growing 11.7% to 248,000 copies from 222,000 the year before.

That means overall, album sales fell 27.6% to 461,000 from 636,000 copies, and digital track sales fell 32.6% to 3.35 million copies, versus 4.83 million in the six-month year earlier period.

In terms of top artists for the first six months of the year, Bad Bunny was king. His YHLQMDLG became the highest-charting all-Spanish-language album in the history of the Billboard 200 when it reached No. 2 on the March 14 tally.

It’s also the sixth-most-consumed album of the year and the lone Latin title in the top 10. Interesting fact: When Bad Bunny’s Las Que No Iban a Salir debuted on the May 14 Top Latin Albums chart at No. 1, Bad Bunny also held the No. 2 (YHLQMDLG) and No. 3 (X100PRE) slots.

Following Bad Bunny in consumption for the first six months of the year is Ozuna, and in third place, newcomer Natanael Cano

In terms of songs, the most-consumed track for the first six months of the year was Karol G and Nicki Minaj’s “Tusa,” followed by Bad Bunny’s “Yo Perreo Sola.”

At the midyear mark, Bad Bunny gets an artist credit, either as a solo or in collaboration, in seven of the top 10 most streamed Latin songs.