Tag Archives: Latinoamerica

Baca Receives La Mar de Musicas Award

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Susana Baca is being heralded for “bringing to light the musical riches that Afro-Peruvians have contributed”…

The 69-year-old Peruvian singer, Peru’s former Minister of Culture, received the La Mar de Musicas Award in Cartagena, Spain for her tireless work promoting traditional Afro-Peruvian music.

Susana Baca

“I feel honored and proud to receive this award, which I dedicate to all Peruvians, who are about to celebrate our Independence,” she told the audience upon receiving the award.

Prior to receiving the prize, Baca told the media that she’s been working for 30 years “for the sole purpose of bringing to light the musical riches that Afro-Peruvians have contributed to Peru’s musical heritage” so that young people don’t have a “disparaging” attitude toward their roots.

After accepting the award, Baca took to the stage to perform alongside Brazilian Gilberto Gil, Colombian Andrea Echevarrio and Spanish flamenco dancer Juan de Juan.

Baca’s music is a mixture of traditional and contemporary. She typically performs with the back of indigenous Peruvian instruments such as the cajon (wooden box), udu (clay pot), quijada (jawbone of a burro), checko (dried gourd), along with an acoustic guitar and electric upright baby bas.

In 2002 Baca won the Latin Grammy for Best Folk Album for her CD “Lamento Negro.” In 2011 she won the second Latin Grammy for her collaboration with Calle 13, in the song “Latinoamerica.”

Baca, who was born in Chorrillos district in Lima, also earned a spot in President Humala Ollanta’s cabinet in 2011, when she was sworn in as Minister of Culture. She became the second Afro-Peruvian cabinet minister in the history of independent Peru, though she would resign six months later.

Calle 13 Recognized by Argentina’s National University of La Plata

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Calle 13 picked up a record nine awards at last year’s Latin Grammy Awards, including song and record of the year awards for “Latinoamerica,” a tune that celebrates la cultura latina. And, now the Puerto Rican urban act has been recognized for their global influence.

The hip-hop duo, comprised of step brothers Eduardo Cabra and Rene Perez, has been honored by Argentina’s National University of La Plata for its contributions to popular communication and culture.

Calle 13

“It’s a very big honor” to receive the Rodolfo Walsh prize, which “many musicians in Argentina and Latin America deserve as much or more than I do,” said  Perez, a.k.a. Residente, after receiving the award Friday in a ceremony at the university’s School of Journalism.

The 34-year-old Perez, who said he feels like an “Argentine at heart,” received the prize.

“Don’t be afraid. The social networks and a ton of mechanisms now exist for getting the truth out. Like (slain writer) Rodolfo Walsh said: ‘Journalism is either free or it’s a farce,’” the artist said at the ceremony.

“We reward popular expression, popular culture, the defense of Latin America and therefore we’re acknowledging Calle 13, which is not just another band: it’s a group that stands up to the powerful with its rhythms and uses alternative communication channels,” the school’s dean Florencia Saintout said.

The band, which has won a record 19 Latin Grammy awards, is known for its outspokenness on socio-political issues and favors Puerto Rico’s full independence from the United States, a minority position on the Caribbean island.

Rodolfo Walsh was an Argentine writer, leading critic of the country’s 1976-1983 military regime and one-time militant who died on March 25, 1977, in a shootout with government commandos who ambushed him on a street in Buenos Aires, one day after publishing his bitter “Open Letter” to the military junta on the first anniversary of the armed forces’ seizing power.

Alborán & Lovato Highlight the Stellar Performances at the Latin Grammys

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The Latin Grammys aren’t solely a night to recognize the exceptional work of Latin musicians; they’re also a platform for showcasing the incredible talent of Hispanic artists to the entire world. And, this year’s awards show was no exception.

Latin Grammys Performances Shakira, Pablo Alboran & Pitbull

From international superstars like Calle 13 and Shakira—who took home awards for their great work in the past year—to rising stars like Sie7e and Pablo Alborán, the 12thAnnual Latin Grammy Awards featured high-octane performances by the brightest stars  in Latin music,
including some powerhouse duets. Even English-language artists like Demi Lovato and Usher made special guest appearances  during the show.

Here’s a look at the night’s best live performances:

Calle 13
This year’s big winners with a record-shattering nine awards kicked off the show with a electrifying performance of their smash hit “Latinoamerica,” which ended up winning the Puerto Rican urban hip-hop group the on the Song of the Year award. The show-stopping performance included a full orchestral accompaniment, which elevated the song to new heights.

Shakira
She’s this year’s Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, so it’s no surprise Shakira performed twice during the three-hour show. During the Colombian singer’s first appearance, she looked flawless in a crystal-encrusted strapless gown with peach chiffon skirt as she performed her latest single “Antes de las seis,” a powerful and heart-wrenching ballad. Looking all the rockera, Shakira returned later in the broadcast to perform “Devoción,” and then busted a move with her backup dancers while singing her big hit “Loca.”

Pablo Alborán & Demi Lovato
Spanish singer Pablo Alborán, nominated for best new artist, performed a duet with 19-year-old part-Mexican singer/actress Demi Lovato. The pair performed his heart-wrenching ballad ” Solamente Tú” to perfection.

Wisin y Yandel & Sean Kingston
In another spectacular presentation, the Puerto Rican hip-hop duo sang their hit “Estoy enamorado.” Wisin y Yandel first appeared on the TV
screens in black and white, before breaking out in technicolor—with rapper Sean Kingston joining them.

Pitbull & Marc Anthony
Talk about a show-stopping moment—complete with a ever changing cast of sexy back up dancers. Call Pitbull and Marc Anthony’s high-energy of “Rain Over Me” an ode to Las Vegas, where this year’s show took place.

Mana & Prince Royce
The legendary Mexican band rocked the show during the performance of Mana’s hit “Lluvia al corazon,”  before being joined by rising star Prince Royce to sing a tropical remix of the band’s current single “El verdadero amor perdona.”

Other outstanding performances:  Los Tigres del Norte and Paulina Rubio singing “Golpes en el Corazon”and Romeo Santos performing his hit “Promise” with Usher.

So which performance do you think stole the show?

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

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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.

Calle 13 Latin Grammys

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 Tops A Stellar Latin Grammys Lineup…

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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.