Calle 13 Takes Down the Competition at Last Night’s Latin Grammys…

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

Calle 13 proved to be the big winner at last night’s Latin Grammy Awards, picking up a record nine awards including album of the year for “Entren Los Que Quieran.”

The Puerto Rican urban act—came into the night with a leading 10 nominations—kicked off the awards show with a high-energy performance of their hit “Latinoamerica,” earning a standing ovation for the tune that celebrates la cultura latina. The song later received the Latin Grammy for song of the year and record of the year awards, ensuring a sweep of the night’s top prizes.

The hip-hop duo, comprised of step brothers Eduardo Cabra and Rene Perez, dedicated one award “to those who don’t sell out and make real music,” and exclaimed “long live true music” after winning another.

Calle 13’s other prizes included: best urban album, best urban song, best tropical song, alternative song, short-form music video and producer of the year. In the end, the duo ended up re-writing the record books in two categories: most Latin Grammy awards won in a career (19) and most Latin Grammy Awards won in one single night.

The group’s record-breaking wins at this year’s Latin Grammy led Franco de Vita—who won best male pop vocal album—to joke onstage, “Lucky Calle 13 wasn’t in this category!”

Meanwhile, Puerto Rican singer Sie7e was named best new artist; Shakira—who was feted as this year’s Person of the Year by the Latin Recording Academy a night earlier—earned the best female pop vocal album; Alex, Jorge y Lena won best album vocal pop duo; Mana claimed a win for rock album; and Tito El Bambino won best contemporary tropical album.

Click here for a complete list of winners.

Shakira’s Person of the Year Celebration a Star-Studded Event…

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

International superstar Shakira is officially this year’s Person of the Year, an award she received from the Latin Recording Academy during a star-studded tribute event last night that included a special performance by the Colombian singer’s father.

Latin music’s brightest stars paid homage to the 34-year-old singer during the event at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay. They performed some of biggest hits, including “La Tortura” and “Estoy Aqui” during the two-hour salute to a career that has spanned decades and crossed international borders.

Shakira delightedly watched artists like Cristian Castro, Franco de Vita, Alejandra Guzman and Gilberto Santa Rosa sing her music and went on stage to hug each one after their performance.

But it was a surprise performance by Shakira’s father William Mebarak that served as the highlight of the night. Mebarak took to the stage mid-way through the event and sang “Mi Niña Bonita” to his daughter.

As Mebarak sang the father-daughter tune often heard at Latino weddings and birthday parties, pictures of him with Shakira, flashed on a screen behind him.

“Thank you, daddy, for that song,” Shakira later told her father in Spanish.

Marc Anthony later presented Shakira with her Person of the Year plaque.

“We are in the presence of one of the most special human beings, one of the most talented human beings you will ever meet,” Anthony said.

Shakira—who has sold more than 60 million albums in Spanish and English—is the youngest person to receive the prestigious award. Previous honorees include Carlos Santana, Gloria Estefan and Julio Iglesias.

“I’ll carry this night with me always,” she declared in Spanish after receiving the award. “It’s an honor that I am not sure I deserve, but you’ve made me very happy.”

She ended the night with a performance of “En Barranquilla me quedo,” a tribute to her hometown originally performed by the late Colombian salsa star Joe Arroyo. During the performance, Shakira lifted up the skirt of her sea foam-colored evening gown as she salsa danced across the stage.

It’s the second event to celebrate Shakira this week. On Tuesday, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

And she could get more recognition before the week is over. Shakira’s up for three awards, including album of the year, at this year’s Latin Grammy Awards, taking place tonight in Las Vegas.

It’s no wonder Shakira—who recently ended an international tour to promote her “Sale el Sol” album—has said that 2011 has been a “year of passion.”

Shakira Gets the Big “Star” Treatment…

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

There’s no denying Shakira’s star power, especially now that she’s got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Surrounded by her family and hundreds of fans waving Colombian flags, the 34-year-old international singing sensation and noted philanthropist revealed her star on the legendary walkway.

“This is incredible,” exclaimed the “Hips Don’t Lie” songstress in front of the multitude of supporters at her star, located in front of the W Hollywood Hotel. “I want to thank all of you!”

Shakira— the first Colombian to receive a star on the legendary walkway—recalled a conversation with her mother and a friend at the age of 7, while walking near the Walk of Fame.

“Shaki, one day you are going to have your star here,” her mother told the two-time Grammy winner.

“If someone would have heard that conversation, they would’ve thought she delirious,” expressed Shakira during the ceremony, which her parents attended.

Shakira is the first Colombian and the 2,454th celebrity to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

But the accolades continue for Shakira, the highest-selling Colombian recording artist of all time

She’ll receive the Latin Recording Academy’s “2011 Person of the Year” award for her incredible talent and selfless philanthropic activities tomorrow. Then she’ll perform at the Latin Grammy Awards, where she’s up for three awards—best album, best pop vocal album and best short music video.

Images courtesy of Getty Images and Shakira.

Lovato Singing at the Latin Grammys…

Posted on November 5, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

She sang the national anthem for an international audience at this year’s World Series… And, now Demi Lovato is set to perform in front of Latin music superstars.

The Latin Recording Academy has confirmed that the 19-year-old part-Mexican singer/actress will perform at the 12th Annual Latin Grammy Awards.

There’s no official word on what song Lovato will sing at this year’s awards show—which will take place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on November 10—or if she’ll tackle singing in Spanish.

Earlier this year, Lovato performed her hit “Skyscraper” in English and Spanish at the ALMA Awards—even though she doesn’t speak Spanish.

Meanwhile, other confirmed performers include Pablo Alborán; Alex, Jorge Y Lena; Intocable; Los Tigres Del Norte with Paulina Rubio; Black Eyed Peas‘ Taboo; and Wisin Y Yandel.

Hip-hop duo Calle 13 lead the pack of nominees this year with a record-breaking 10 nods, including Album of the Year, Best Urban Music Album for Entren Los Que Quieran, and Song Of The Year for “Latinoamérica.”

The Latin Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on Univision at 8:00 pm. ET.

Shakira Getting a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

There’s no denying Shakira’s star power, especially now that she’s getting her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will honor the 34-year-old Colombian singer with her own star on this month in front of the W Hollywood Hotel on the renowned corner of Hollywood and Vine.

It’s a much-deserved honor. After all, Shakira has won two Grammy Awards, seven Latin Grammy Awards, 12 Billboard Latin Music Awards and has received a Golden Globe nomination. The Latin Recording Academy named her the 2011 Person of the Year, an award she’ll receive later this month.

Having sold more than 60 million albums worldwide, Shakira is the highest-selling Colombian artist of all time and the second most successful female Latin singer of all time after Gloria Estefan.

But Shakira is also a humanitarian… At the age of 18, she launched her Pies Descalzos Foundation, which provides education and nutrition to more than six thousand impoverished children in Colombia. The organization is expanding its work to other countries, including Haiti and South Africa.

Shakira has also become a leading advocate for universal education, speaking to world leaders on the topic and advocating policy change to governments around the world. Last month, she was named to a White House education commission.

Shakira’s special star ceremony will be held next Tuesday, November 8 in Hollywood.

Shakira Tops A Stellar Latin Grammys Lineup…

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

This year’s Latin Grammy Awards show is shaping up to be a star-studded event with high-octane performances by Puerto Rican superstar act Calle 13, Mexican crooner Marco Antonio Solis and international singing sensation Shakira, who will receive 2011 Person of the Year honors during the telecast.

Calle 13, comprised of Eduardo Cabra and Rene Perez, received a record 10 nominations this year, including nods for Album of the Year for “Entren Los Que Quieren” and Record of the Year for “Latinoamerica.” Solis’ “A Donde Vamos a Parar” is up for Song of the Year, while Shakira’s “Sale el Sol” is nominated for Album of the Year.

But those aren’t the only top-notch acts taking the stage…

The Latin Recording Academy has locked in a duet with Venezuelan troubadour Franco de Vita and Mexican rockera Alejandra Guzman; a special performance by Mexican rock group Mana of the remake of the band’s current singe, “El Verdadero Amor Perdona” with rising star Prince Royce; and a performance newcomer Sie7e.

Meanwhile, Hollywood actress Zoe Saldana and telenovela star Adamari Lopez have been added to the list of award presenters.

The Latin Grammys will be hosted by Mexican singer/actress Lucero and Chilean actor Cristian De la Fuente.

Univision will broadcast the awards show live from Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Events Center on November 10.

Shakira Named Person of the Year…

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

International singing sensation and philanthropist Shakira has been named this year’s “person of the year” by The Latin Recording Academy.

The 34-year-old seven-time Latin Grammy winner—nominated for three Latin Grammy Awards this year, including the top Album Of The Year prize for her most recent work, “Sale el Sol”—has received the special recognition for her renowned artistic talent and selfless philanthropic contributions.

“We are honored to pay homage to this dynamic, socially conscious woman whose illustrious career has touched so many people around the world, both musically and personally,” says Gabriel Abaroa Jr., president/CEO of The Latin Recording Academy.

Shakira becomes the youngest artist to receive the honor. Previous recipients include Placido Domingo, Carlos Santana, Gloria Estefan, Julio Iglesias and Ricky Martin.

“It is truly an honor to be in the company of some of the greatest artists and legends of Latin Music,” says Shakira of this special distinction.

During the special star-studded tribute, Shakira’s friends and fellow artists will salute her with their own versions of her music. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit Shakira’s Pies Descalzos Foundation as well as The Latin Recording Academy’s Latin Grammy in the Schools educational efforts.

The tribute gala will take place on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

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