Rubén Blades Signs Global Partnership Deal with Virgin Music Group

Posted on November 12, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Rubén Blades has a new deal…

The 76-year-old Panamanian musician, singer, composer, actor, activist and politician has signed a global partnership with Virgin Music Group.

The indie artist, who releases music under his own label Rubén Blades Production, was previously with AWAL.

This new deal with Virgin sets him up for the “next chapter in his legendary career,” states a press release.

One of the most influential and revered Latin artists of all time, Blades – whose career spans over five decades – is known for music that is both poetic and socially conscious and rooted in storytelling.

A key figure in the New York salsa revolution during the 1970s, Blades has dedicated his career to propelling Afro-Cuban music.

The “Pedro Navaja” singer was honored with the Latin Recording Academy’s Person of the Year award in 2021, he also won album of the year award for SALSWING! at the Latin Grammys that year.

“Rubén Blades has built an incredible legacy in Latin music as a trailblazer, pushing artistic boundaries and cultural change. We look forward to working with him on the next phase of his illustrious career and furthering his legacy with new audiences around the world,” Víctor González, president of Latin America and Iberia for Virgin Music Music Group, said in a statement.

Overall, Blades – also an actor who played the role of Daniel Salazar on Fear the Walking Dead – has won 12 Grammy Awards and 11 Latin Grammys. This year, he’s a two-time nominee at the 25th annual Latin Grammys where “Aún Me Sigo Encontrando,” his collab with Gian Marco, is up for song of the year and his latest album, Siembra: 45° Aniversario (En Vivo en el Coliseo de Puerto Rico, 14 de Mayo 2022), is up for best salsa album. The ceremony takes place Thursday (Nov. 14) in Miami.

Carlos Vives Unveils His Wax Figure at Mexico City’s Wax Museum

Posted on September 6, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Vives is waxin’ nostalgic.

The 63-year-old Colombian singer, songwriter and actor now has his double at the Wax Museum of Mexico City.

Vives helped unveil his figure on Thursday night at the institution, where it will share space with Mexican cultural figures, like painter Frida Kahlo and wrestler El Santo.

“I’m happy with this recognition that the Mexican people give me, that’s how I feel,” Vives said during the ceremony, evidently moved. “We have come to Mexico so much, our hearts have been touched by its music, by its art, by its cinema, its television.”

He added: “Being here in the museum, next to so many figures from the world, but above all next to the Mexican stars, who from my childhood and my youth had been a great example and inspiration — being here with them is the greatest honor I’ve received from the Mexican people.”

The new wax figure shows Vives looking a bit younger and taller than the real artist.

It carries a guitar and wears fitted leather pants and a black t-shirt emblazoned with his name and the title of his sixteenth album, Cumbiana (2020). It’s located in the main hall of the museum, close to those of Vicente Fernández and Marco Antonio Solís.

Vives — who is performing this Saturday, September 7 before 10,000 people for a sold-out show at the National Auditorium in Mexico City — shared the honor with the Colombian musicians who inspired him in his youth and who are part of his history.

“They are here with me and represent what I wanted to show the world: a beautiful and diverse oral tradition like our country,” he said.

His addition to the museum comes two months ahead of his honoring as the Latin Recording Academy 2024 Person of the Year in November, during the 25th anniversary of the Latin Grammys in Miami.

Born in Santa Marta, Colombia, Vives is one of the most respected artists in Spanish-language music and a pioneer of a new Latin American sound, redefining traditional Colombian vallenato by incorporating to it pop and rock sounds. With No. 1 hits on the Billboard charts such as “Volví a Nacer,” “Fruta Fresca” and “La Bicicleta” with Shakira, among others, he has become an ambassador of Colombian and Latin American culture around the world.

“He has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the hearts of millions of people and today he will be immortalized at the Wax Museum of Mexico City,” said the museum in a press release prior to Thursday’s ceremony.

Located in the central neighborhood of Colonia Juárez, in an old Art Nouveau style mansion, the Wax Museum of Mexico City celebrates this year its 45^th anniversary.

In its 14 thematic rooms, visitors can appreciate some 260 wax figures of characters from history, art, politics, and sports, from Diego Rivera and Salvador Dalí, to Bill Gates, Ronaldinho, Hugo Sánchez, ‘Canelo’ Álvarez; Gene Simmons, Michael Jackson, Chaplin, Alex Lora, Chabelo, and more.

According to the museum, the wax figures are made by its team of sculptors and many wear clothes that belonged to the real character. The creation of each figure takes approximately four to eight months.

Carlos Vives Named Latin Recording Academy’s 2024 Person of the Year

Posted on May 26, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Vives is set to receive the highest honor from the Latin Recording Academy.

Twenty-five years after leading the list of nominees for the first edition of the Latin Grammys, the 62-year-old Colombian singer, songwriter and actor has been named the 2024 Person of the Year.

Vives — winner of 18 Latin Grammy Awards, two Grammy Awards and a Billboard Latin Music Awards Hall of Fame inductee — “will be honored for his more than three-decade career as a multifaceted singer and composer, as well as for his continued commitment to environmental and social initiatives,” per the Latin Recording Academy.

“Carlos Vives is one of the most prolific and beloved artists of our time, whose commitment to Latin music and support for the new generations truly personifies the values of our Academy,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. “We honor him as our Person of the Year for his vast contributions to our musical heritage and for his many philanthropic initiatives.”

“It’s still surprising to me,” Vives told Billboard Español this week in an exclusive interview. “It’s like a message that the Academy gives at the end, because 32 years ago I chose a path [that was unconventional]. To be successful, to be commercial, there was one way. This other path that’s cultural or has to do with your identity, that doesn’t work, [they would say].”

In Wednesday’s press release, he added: “I am honored and moved to have been chosen as the 2024 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year. It is the reward for an authentic journey, for a wonderful team and, above all, it is the recognition of the musical spirits of our Latin American diversity. These spirits taught us to love and enrich our language, to take care of it and to respect it in order to exalt humanity with it.”

Born in Santa Marta, Colombia, Vives is one of the most respected artists in Spanish-language music and a pioneer of a new Latin American sound, redefining traditional Colombian vallenato by incorporating to it pop and rock sounds. With No. 1 hits on the Billboard charts such as “Volví a Nacer,” “Fruta Fresca” and “La Bicicleta” with Shakira, among others, has become an ambassador of Colombian and Latin American culture around the world.

His commitment to good causes transcends the musical realm. In 2015, he created the Tras La Perla initiative to promote the sustainable development of Santa Marta and its ecosystem. In addition, he created the Escuela de Música Río Grande to offer artistic experiences to children and young people, and founded the record label Gaira Música Local to promote new Colombian talent. He’s also been a strong advocate and generous supporter of the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation since its inception, the Latin Recording Academy highlights, and sponsored its annual Prodigy Scholarship in 2018.

His latest album, Escalona: Nunca Se Había Grabado Así, earned him his 18th Latin Grammy when it was crowned best cumbia/vallenato album in 2023. This year he was also recognized with the ASCAP Founders Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

Vives will be feted as Person of the Year at a special star-studded gala and tribute concert where an array of artist and friends will perform renditions of his renowned repertoire. Details of the event, to be presented in November during the 2024 Latin Grammy week in Miami, will be announced at a later date.

The Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year honors musicians and their artistic achievements in the Latin music industry as well as their humanitarian efforts.

Past honorees are Laura Pausini (2023), Marco Antonio Solís (2022), Rubén Blades (2021), Juanes (2019), Maná (2018), Alejandro Sanz (2017), Marc Anthony (2016), Roberto Carlos (2015), Joan Manuel Serrat (2014), Miguel Bosé (2013), Caetano Veloso (2012), Shakira (2011), Plácido Domingo (2010), Juan Gabriel (2009), Gloria Estefan (2008), Juan Luis Guerra (2007), Ricky Martin (2006), José José (2005), Carlos Santana (2004), Gilberto Gil (2003), Vicente Fernández (2002), Julio Iglesias (2001) and Emilio Estefan (2000).

Antonio Banderas to Receive Latin Recording Academy’s President’s Award

Posted on November 10, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Antonio Banderas is feelin’ presidential…

The Latin Recording Academy has announced plans to honor the 63-year-old Spanish Oscar-winning actor with its President’s Award for 2023.

Banderas is receiving the award for his “outstanding and numerous contributions to the artistic community.”

He will be presented with the award during the Latin Grammy Awards ceremony taking place Thursday, November 16 in Seville, Spain.

“We are delighted to present Antonio Banderas with the President’s Award as we celebrate our first international edition of the Latin Grammys in Andalucía,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy, in a press release. “Antonio’s outstanding and numerous contributions to the artistic community have made him a global ambassador of our cultural heritage.”

The most recent President’s Award recipient was Lin-Manuel Miranda in 2017.

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Roselyn Sánchez to Return as Co-Host of This Year’s Latin Grammy Awards Show

Posted on October 21, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Roselyn Sánchez is reporting for Latin Grammy duty…

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter, dancer, model, actress, producer and writer will serve as a co-host of this year’s Latin Grammy Awards ceremony, which will be broadcast from the Conference and Exhibition Centre (FIBES) in Seville, Spain, on Thursday, November 16, at 8:00 pm ET via Univision, UniMás and Galavisión in the U.S., and at 10:30 p.m. CET on Radiotelevisión Española (RTVE) in Spain.

Sanchez, best known for her work on Devious Maids and Without a Trace, will host the awards show alongside Mexican singer Danna Paola, Colombian superstar Sebastián Yatra and Spanish actress Paz Vega.

A host staple for the awards show, Sánchez returns for the sixth time after presenting the 16th, 17th, 18th, 20th and 22nd annual Latin Grammys.

Racking up a total of 15 Latin Grammy nominations throughout his career, Yatra is nominated for best pop song for “Contigo,” featuring Pablo Alborán.

Previously nominated for a Latin Grammy, Danna Paola joins the lineup of hosts for the first time.

Last but not least, award-winning actress Paz Vega returns for a second time after hosting the 20th annual ceremony.

The first round of performers were announced earlier this week, which includes Maria Becerra, Bizarrap, Feid, Kany García, Carin León, Christian Nodal, Rauw Alejandro and Alejandro Sanz.

This year, Mexican-American super producer Edgar Barrera leads the list of nominees with 13 nods, including songwriter of the year, producer of the year and song of the year. Barrera is followed by Colombian stars Camilo, Karol G, Shakira and composer Kevyn Mauricio Cruz (also known as Keityn), each with seven nominations.

Prior to the Latin Grammys, the Latin Recording Academy will bestow the Person of the Year title to Italian icon Laura Pausini. Marco Antonio Solís received this prestigious honor last year.

Maria Becerra to Perform at This Year’s Latin Grammy Awards Show

Posted on October 17, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Maria Becerra is preparing to hit the Latin Grammys stage…

The 23-year-old Argentine singer and former YouTube content creator will perform at the 24th annual Latin Grammy awards show.

Becerra is among a roster of A-list performers that includes Bizarrap, Feid, Kany García, Carin León, Christian Nodal, Rauw Alejandro and Alejandro Sanz.

The Latin Recording Academy announced the first round of performers on Tuesday, October 17 for the upcoming ceremony, which will broadcast from FIBES in Seville, Spain, on Thursday, November 16.

Four-time nominee Becerra is nominated in categories including song of the year and best reggaeton performance.

Meanwhile, Bizarrap is nominated in six categories, including producer of the year.

Feid is a five-time nominee with entries in best urban music album and best rap/hip-hop song.

García is nominated for best regional song.

León is in the running for best norteño album.

Nodal is up for best ranchero/mariachi album and best regional song.

Alejandro is a best urban music album nominee, and Sanz is nominated in record of the year and song of the year.

This year, Mexican hitmaker Edgar Barrera leads the list of nominees with 13 nods, including songwriter of the year, producer of the year and song of the year. Barrera is followed by Colombian stars Camilo, Karol G, Shakira and composer Kevyn Mauricio Cruz (also known as Keityn), each with seven nominations.

The Latin Grammy Week will include the person of the year gala — honoring Laura Pausini — and the special awards ceremony, the leading ladies of entertainment luncheon, the best new artist showcase and a reception for the nominees, among other events.

The 24th annual Latin Grammys will be broadcast on November 16 on Univision starting at 8:00 pm ET, UniMás and Galavisión in the U.S., and at 10:30 pm CET on Radiotelevisión Española (RTVE) in Spain. Additional international broadcasting partners and local airings will be available soon.

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.

Karol G to Perform at This Year’s Latin Grammys Awards Show

Posted on November 14, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Karol G is taking the stage at this year’s Latin Grammys…

The 31-year-old Colombian singer and songwriter has joined the list of performers for the upcoming Latin Grammys awards show, according to the Latin Recording Academy.

The “Provenza” singer appears on roster of new performers that includes Romeo Santos for the show, which will take place on November 17 at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.

Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation scholarship recipients Xavier Cintrón, Valentina Garcia, Nicolle Horbath and Sergio De Miguel Jorquera will also take the stage alongside previously announced performer, Nicky Jam.

Karol G is nominated in three categories including record of the year and song of the year for her and Ovy on the Drums’ “Provenza.”

Romeo Santos is a nominee in the best long-form music video category for his documentary “Romeo Santos: King of Bachata”; and as a member of Aventura, he is nominated for best urban fusion/performance.

They join previously announced artists Banda Los Recoditos, Camilo, Ángela Aguilar, Elvis Costello, Chiquis, Jorge Drexler, Silvana Estrada, Gente de Zona, Goyo, Jesse & Joy, John Legend, Carin León, Los Bukis, Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández, Aymée Nuviola, Julio Reyes Copello, Sin Bandera, Carlos Vives, Sebastián Yatra, Nicole Zignago and the 2022 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, Marco Antonio Solís.

The lineup also boasts Christina Aguilera, who is up for seven awards, Rauw Alejandro, Rosalía, Marc Anthony and Christian Nodal.

The night’s most-nominated artists are Bad Bunny, who has a total of 10 nods, and Mexican-American composer Edgar Barrera, who holds nine.

Additionally, the Academy shared its bill of presenters, which includes Maria Becerra, Becky G, Eden Muñoz and Farina, in addition to Macarena Achaga, Yalitza Aparicio, Cami, Miguel Angel Muñoz, Fonesca, Luis Figueroa, Kany García, Kurt, Ludmilla, Victor Manuelle, Fito Páez, Georgina Rodríguez, Alison Solís, Marla Solís, Luisa Sonza, Tainy and Adrián Uribe.

The 23rd Latin Grammys, which “celebrate the present and embrace the future of Latin music,” will be hosted by current nominee Anitta, Latin-Grammy winners Luis Fonsi and Laura Pausini, and by the Latin Recording Academy’s President’s Award recipient Thalia.

Latin Grammy winner Julio Reyes Copello will be the night’s musical director.

The telecast will air on Univision on November 17, at 8:00 pm ET/PT (7 p.m. CT), and will air on cable channel TNT at 7:00 pm (MEX) / 8:00 pm (PAN-COL) / 9:00 pm (VEN) / 10:00 pm (ARG/CHI/BRAZIL), and on Televisa on Channel 5. The show will also be available on HBO Max in Spanish only.

Rosalía to Perform at This Year’s Latin Grammys Awards Show

Posted on November 7, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Rosalía is readying to take Latin music’s biggest stage…

The 30-year-old Spanish Grammy– and Latin Grammy-winning singer and songwriter has been added to the roster of artists set to take center stage at the 23rd annual Latin Grammys on November 17.

Rosalia is among a new wave of confirmed performers that includes Silvana Estrada, Gente de Zona, Goyo, Los Bukis, Aymée Nuviola, Julio Reyes Copello, Carlos Vives and Nicole Zignago.

Copello, a seven-time nominee, joins the event as musical director of the show’s house band.

At this year’s ceremony, eight-time nominee Rosalía is up for record of the year and album of the year; Vives, a five-time nominee, is up for record of the year and song of the year; Gente de Zona and Nuviola are nominated in the tropical categories; and both Estrada and Zignago, are up for the coveted best new artist.

The newly announced artists set to take the stage join previously announced performers such as Ángela Aguilar, Christina Aguilera, Rauw Alejandro, Marc Anthony, Banda Los Recoditos, Camilo, Elvis Costello, Chiquis, Jorge Drexler, Nicky Jam, Jesse & Joy, John Legend, Carin León, Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández, Christian Nodal, Sin Bandera, Sebastián Yatra, and the 2022 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, Marco Antonio Solís.

The Latin Grammy Awards — which “promise to honor the legacy, celebrate the present and embrace the future of Latin music, with deliberate consciousness, paying-it-forward to the next generations of music creators,” according to a press statement — will be held on November 17 at the Michelob Ultra Arena at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, and will air live on Univision beginning at 8:00 pm ET.

The Latin Grammy Premiere, a non-televised ceremony in which the winners in most categories are announced, will take place before the broadcast.

Christina Aguilera to Perform at This Year’s Latin Grammys Awards Show

Posted on November 1, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Christina Aguilera has a date with the Latin Grammys…

The 41-year-old half-Ecuadorian American singer, actress and television personality has been added to the performers list for this year’s Latin Grammys awards show.

In addition to Aguilera, the celebration of the best in Latin music will also feature appearances by new lineup additions Camilo, Elvis Costello, Jorge Drexler, John Legend, Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández and Christian Nodal.

They have all been confirmed by the Latin Recording Academy to take the stage at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Thursday, November 17.

The musical acts joined previously announced stars like Ángela Aguilar, Rauw Alejandro, Marc Anthony, Banda Los Recoditos, Chiquis, Nicky Jam, Jesse & Joy, Carin León, Sin Bandera, Sebastián Yatra and the 2022 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, Marco Antonio Solís.

The 23rd Annual Latin Grammy Awards promise to honor the legacy, celebrate the present and embrace the future of Latin music, with deliberate consciousness, paying it forward to the next generations of music creators.

Univision will air the ceremony on Thursday, November 17 starting at 8:00 pm ET with the red carpet coverage starting an hour earlier.

Bad Bunny leads the nominations list for the 2022 Latin Grammys scoring 10 mentions including Album of the Year for his chart-topping Un Verano Sin Ti. Edgar Barrera was the second most mentioned artist with 9 nods and Rosalía and Rauw Alejandro tied in third with eight nominations.

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