Draco Rosa to Receive The Latin Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award

Posted on July 18, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Draco Rosa will receive a special honor for his storied career…

The 55-year-old Puerto Rican singer, musician, songwriter and entrepreneur will be one of the recipients of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award from The Latin Recording Academy, as part of its annual Special Awards presentation.

Draco is among a roster of honorees that include Albita, Lolita Flores, Alejandro Lerner, Los Angeles Azules and Lulu Santos.

Additionally, Puerto Rican composer Ángel “Cucco” Peña and Mexican guitarist Chucho Rincón will receive the Trustees Award.

“It is with great pride that we honor these musical legends who continue redefining our Latin music and heritage, said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy, in a statement. “We look forward to celebrating them as part of our Latin GRAMMY 25th anniversary festivities in November.”

According to the Latin Academy, the Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to performers who have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to Latin music and its communities.

Meanwhile, the Trustees Award is given to artists who’ve made “significant contributions to Latin music during their careers in ways other than performance.”

Both are voted on by the Latin Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees.

Draco has evolved from boy band stardom to becoming a rock en español icon and global hitmaker.

He originally garnered fame as a member of boy band Menudo in the 1980s, singing lead on the band’s biggest stateside hit, “Hold Me” and featuring prominently in the accompanying music video.

After leaving the band he moved to Brazil where he released two albums, achieving mainstream success.

Following a brief subsequent stint in California, he returned to New York and joined the band Maggie’s Dream, which split after only one album, allowing him to resume his solo career.

The singer and composer has released numerous albums and has composed multiple songs for Ednita Nazario, Julio Iglesias and former Menudo band-mate, Ricky Martin.

He has also been featured on VH1‘s Behind the Music.

Renowned for her fiery vocal delivery, Albita has been championing Cuban music and tradition since the late ’80s.

Her career in the U.S. has produced success, including multiple Grammy and Emmy nominations and wins.

In 2005, Albita was cast for a major role in the Broadway-produced musical play The Mambo Kings, where she worked for six months to rave reviews.

Daughter of Spanish legends Lola Flores and Antonio “El Pescaílla” González, Lolita Flores has made significant contributions to modern flamenco with her stunning voice and diverse repertoire.

Flores started her career in the early 1970s and with the release of the album Amor, amor and a single of the same name in 1975 she achieved success in her native Spain, as well as in countries in Latin America.

Her songs “Sarandonga,” “Lo voy a divider” and “Si la vida son dos días,” among others, have become staples in Spanish radio.

In 2002, she won a Goya Award for Best New Actress for her performance in the movie Rencor. Flores has also appeared in several television programs such as Directísimo and Hostal Royal Manzanares. In February 2019, she received the Medalla de Oro al Mérito en las Bellas Artes.

Hailing from Buenos Aires, Alejandro Federico Lerner was a trailblazer in Argentine rock during the ’70s and is celebrated as a seminal figure in the genre.

From Iztapalapa to the world, Los Ángeles Azules have been instrumental in propelling Mexican cumbia to international acclaim since the ’70s, continually infusing the genre with a Latin alternative twist that keeps it vibrant and relevant.

Lastly, Lulu Santos, a gifted Brazilian guitarist, singer and composer, has enchanted audiences for over five decades with his distinctive contributions to Brazilian music.

The honorees will be celebrated at a private event on Sunday, November 10, in Miami during Latin Grammy Week. As in previous years, Latin Grammy Week will include the Latin Grammy Person of the Year gala, which this year honors Colombian sensation Carlos Vives, the Special Awards ceremony and a Leading Ladies of Entertainment luncheon, among other events.

Nominations for the 2024 Latin Grammys will be announced on September 17, and the awards ceremony will take place on November 14 at the Kaseya Center in Miami.

Lunay to Perform at This Year’s Premios Juventud

Posted on July 9, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Lunay is preparing for a performance for the Juventud.

Premios Juventud 2024 officials have revealed the first round of performers, with the 23-year-old Puerto Rican singer and songwriter among the artists set to take the stage on July 25

Lunay will perform “No Te Quieren Conmigo” on the show.

He’ll be joined by fellow Puerto Rican star Luar La L.

Other confirmed artists include Camila, Darell, DJ Adoni, Emilia, Los Ángeles Azules, Prince Royce, Wisin and Yovngchimi.

The awards show will take place at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot, under the theme Atrévete a Más. The event will air live on Univision and ViX, starting at 7:00 pm ET/6:00 pm CT.

Reggaetón pioneer Wisin is also set to host the event, in addition to surprising audiences with a world premiere of a new song during his performance. Lele Pons and Clarissa Molina will also be sharing hosting duties.

Having secured seven Premios Juventud awards in the past, Camila will grace the stage once again, debuting their upcoming single “Mía” from their forthcoming album Regresa, which is scheduled for release on August 1.

Fresh off their stadium tours in Chile and Argentina, the Mexican pop balladeers are set to commence their upcoming tour across Mexico, the United States, Central and South America.

Los Ángeles Azules are set to make their first television performance alongside Argentine star Emilia to sing their new collaboration “Perdonarte ¿Para Qué?”

This year, the Mexican cumbia icons are nominated in three categories, including favorite group or duo of the year and best regional Mexican collaboration with Alejandro Fernández for “La Cumbia Triste.”

Emilia also boasts three nominations, including best pop/urban album for .MP3 and girl power for “La_Original.mp3” alongside TINI.

From Puerto Rico, rapper Yovngchimi will deliver the Latin drill track “TU$$I,” which was released late last year, originally starring Dei V.

Maluma Makes Billboard Chart History as His Carin Leon-Collab “Según Quien” Tops Two Latin Charts

Posted on December 12, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Maluma is back at the top of the charts… And, he’s making history in the process.

The 29-year-old Colombian singer and Carin Leon’s single “Según Quien” has advanced 3-1 to lead Billboard’s December 16-dated Latin Airplay chart.

The move gives Maluma his 24th champ, while León captures his second.

“Según Quien” crowns the all-genre airplay chart with a 50% gain in audience impressions, to 13.2 million, earned in the U.S. in the week ending December 7, according to Luminate.

The song is one of 24 tracks from Maluma’s Grammy-nominated Don Juan album, which debuted at No. 11 on the Top Latin Albums chart last September.

In addition to its first week at No. 1 on Latin Airplay, “Según Quien” also lands at the summit on Regional Mexican Airplay (rising 11-1) for its first week in charge, and gives León his fifth leader there. He previously reached No. 1 with the three-week champ “Indispensable,” his first ruler with no accompanying acts, last August. Maluma claims his second, after “Cada Quien” in 2022.

Notably, as the Maluma-León partnership takes over both tallies, Maluma becomes the first urban artist to lead the rankings simultaneously since Latin Airplay and Regional Mexican Airplay launched in 1994.

Only two other urban artists have reached the penthouse on Regional Mexican Airplay: Cazzu and Santa Fe Klan, through their equally billed collab “Tú y Tú,” with Los Ángeles Azules, in May; the song peaked at No. 5 on Latin Airplay during the same period.

Further, “Según Quien” becomes the fifth champ by two co-billed male soloists on Latin Airplay out of the 33 No. 1s in 2023. They include:

Artists, Title, Peak Date, Weeks at No. 1
Marshmello & Manuel Turizo, “El Merengue,” June 10, one
Yng Lvcas & Peso Pluma, “La Bebe,” July 15, one
Feid & Sean Paul, “Niña Bonita,” Aug. 19, one
Ozuna & Amarion, “Tucu,” Sept. 9, one
Maluma & Carin León, “Según Quien,” Dec. 19

Farruko to Perform at This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on September 11, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Farruko is headed to the Billboard Latin Music Awards…

The 32-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and singer has been added to the list of artists who will perform at the awards show, which will take place on Thursday, October 5.

The “Pepas” singer is among a list of new performer additions that includes Banda Carnaval, Eddy Lover, Grupo Frontera, La Factoría, Marc Anthony, Nicki Nicole, Pepe Aguilar, Sky Rompiendo, Sofia Reyes, Ximena Sariñana and Yng Lvcas.

On Monday, Billboard and Telemundo announced the second round of performers who will take the stage at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida. The show will be broadcast live on Telemundo and simultaneously on the Spanish entertainment cable network Universo, on Peacock and on the Telemundo app. Throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, it will be available on Telemundo Internacional.

Among the previously announced performers are Calibre 50, Chiquis, El Alfa, Eladio Carrión, Justin Quiles, Los Ángeles Azules, Manuel Turizo, Marshmello, Myke Towers, Peso Pluma, Tini and Yandel.

This year, Mexican music sensation Peso Pluma leads the list of finalists with 21 nods across 15 categories, including Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year and Top Latin Album of the Year. His collaboration with Eslabon Armado, “Ella Baila Sola,” is up for six awards, including Hot Latin Song of the Year, Global 200 Latin Song of the Year and Sales Song of the Year. And his hit with Yng Lvcas, “La Bebe,” competes in five categories, including Hot Latin Song of the Year and Latin Rhythm Song of the Year.

Following Peso Pluma are Bad Bunny and Grupo Frontera with 15 nods each, including four together for their collab “un X100to,” while Karol G has 13, and Shakira and Fuerza Regida have 12 each.

Eladio Carrión to Perform at This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on September 5, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Eladio Carrión is headed to the Billboard Latin Music Awards.

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton singer will perform at this year’s awards show, set to take place on Thursday, October 5.

Carrión joins a roster of confirmed performers that includes Calibre 50, Chiquis, El Alfa, Justin Quiles, Los Ángeles Azules, Manuel Turizo, Marshmello, Myke Towers, Peso Pluma, Tini and Yandel.

Billboard and Telemundo announced on Tuesday (September 5) the first round of performers who’ll take the stage at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida. The show will be broadcast live on Telemundo and simultaneously on the Spanish entertainment cable network Universo, on Peacock and on the Telemundo app. Throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, it will be available on Telemundo Internacional.

This year, Mexican music sensation Peso Pluma leads the list of finalists with 21 nods across 15 categories, including Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year and Top Latin Album of the Year. His collaboration with Eslabon Armado, “Ella Baila Sola,” is up for six awards, including Hot Latin Song of the Year, Global 200 Latin Song of the Year and Sales Song of the Year. And his hit with Yng Lvcas, “La Bebe,” competes in five categories, including Hot Latin Song of the Year and Latin Rhythm Song of the Year.

Los Ángeles Azules will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Latin Billboard Music Awards 2023, while Ivy Queen will be recognized with the Icon Award.

Los Ángeles Azules to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on August 29, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Los Ángeles Azules have earned an extra special honor…

The Mexican cumbia group will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

The band, known for songs like “El Listón de Tu Pelo,” “Cómo Te Voy a Olvidar” and “Mi Niña Mujer,” among many other cumbia anthems, will be recognized for their enduring, exceptional career that has expanded the reach of Latin music worldwide.

The award will be presented at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, where they will also hit the stage with a special performance.

The ceremony will be held Thursday, October 5, and will be broadcast live on Telemundo from the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Fla.

“We are very honored to receive this award,” the group — led by the Mejía-Avante brothers — said in a statement. “It is a recognition to our music, which we have shared with our audiences throughout all these years.”

With a 40-year musical career, Los Ángeles Azules have achieved great success, including 14 entries on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart, with three songs in the top 10. They also have 16 entries on Latin Airplay, of which six reached the top 10, including “Nunca es Suficiente,” with Natalia Lafourcade, which peaked at No. 3 in 2019. Their 2020 album De Buenos Aires Para El Mundo debuted at No. 8 on the Regional Mexican Albums chart, making it the band’s 12th album to reach the top 10 on the tally.

Past recipients of the Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award include Raphael, Paquita la del Barrio, Armando Manzanero, Miguel Bosé, Los Temerarios, Intocable, José José, Marco Antonio Solís, Ricardo Arjona and Maná, among others.

Besides airing live on Telemundo, the Billboard Latin Music Awards will air simultaneously on the Hispanic entertainment cable channel, Universo, Peacock, the Telemundo App, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

Peso Pluma leads the list of finalists with 21 nods across 15 categories including artist of the year, songwriter of the year, Global 200 Latin artist of the year, and Top Latin Album of the year.

Cazzu Earns First No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with Santa Fe Klan & Los Ángeles Azules Single “Tú y Tú”

Posted on May 17, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a career first for Cazzu…

The 29-year-old Argentine rapper and singer and Santa Fe Klan have each scored their first No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart as “Tú y Tú,” with Los Ángeles Azules, rises 3-1 to lead the May 20-dated survey.

The new leader yields both Cazzu and Santa Fe Klan’s first champ in their maiden chart appearance.

“Tú y Tú,” released via SeiTrack/Disa/UMLE on March 10, takes over Regional Mexican Airplay in its eighth week after a 28% boost in audience impressions, to 8.5 million, earned in the U.S. during the May 5-11 tracking week, according to Luminate.

As “Tú y Tú” rises to the top of the ranking, Cazzu and Santa Fe Klan become the first artists to claim a No. 1 in their maiden chart performance among the nine tracks that have crowned Regional Mexican Airplay in 2023.

The last artist to pick up a first No. 1 in a first attempt was Mario Bautista, as “Brindo” with Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga led for one week on June 11, 2022.

Previously, Eden Muñoz completed the deed with “Chale!” (May 21, 2022).

“Tú y Tú” ascends 3-1 and sends Grupo Marca Registrada and Grupo Frontera’s “Di Que Sí” to No. 6 after its three-week domination, with a 39% dip in audience (to 5.2 million).

“Tú” also brings Los Ángeles Azules back to No. 1. The cumbia sonidera ensemble last ranked first through the three-week ruler “Nunca Es Suficiente,” with Natalia Lafourcade, in early 2019. In between, the group collected five top 10s, including the No. 2-peaking “Amor a Primera Vista,” with Belinda and Lao Ebratt, featuring Horacio Palencia, in August 2019.

Elsewhere, “Tú” continues its progress on the all-genre Latin Airplay chart, reaching its No. 5 high.

Camilo Earns First No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with Grupo Firme Collab “Alaska”

Posted on November 11, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s another first for Camilo…

The 28-year-old Colombian Latin Grammy-winning singer has landed his first No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart as “Alaska,” his single with Grupo Firme, rises from the No. 4 slot to rule the November 12-dated list.

“Alaska” received its official release through Hecho A Mano/Sony Music Latin on August 18. It’s the sixth single from Camilo’s third studio album, De Adentro Pa’ Fuera, which reached a No. 6 high on Latin Pop Albums (September 24).

“Alaska” reaches the No. 1 slot, after a second week in the top 10 (No. 4 high, November 5-dated ranking) and in its eighth week on the chart boosted by a 25% increase in audience impressions, to 7.1 million, earned in the U.S. in the week ending Nov. 6, according to Luminate.

The regional Mexican tune, which was co-written and co-produced by Camilo alongside Edgar Barrera, dispatches Duelo’s “24 Siete” after it’s one-week command.

With seven No. 1s on its career history, Grupo Firme ties with Christian Nodal and Banda MS for the third-most champs this decade, trailing Calibre 50’s eight leaders. Since the chart launched in 1994, Calibre 50 continues at the helm with 22 No. 1’s.

“Alaska” becomes the first team-up by a regional Mexican group with a core Latin pop act to lead Regional Mexican Airplay since Natalia Lafourcade ruled for three weeks through her featured role in Los Angeles Azules’ “Nunca Es Suficiente” in 2019.

Meanwhile, “Alaska” earns Grupo Firme its fourth No. 1 in 2022, including “Cada Quien,” with Maluma, which topped the chart for two weeks in February

“Alaska” advances 11-7 on the overall Latin Airplay ranking, earning Camilo his 11th top 10 while Grupo Firme adds a sixth top 10 to its scoreboard.

Ángela Aguilar to Perform at This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on September 6, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Ángela Aguilar is preparing for her Billboard moment…

The 18-year-old Mexican-American singer-songwriter will perform at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards, set to take place on Thursday, September 29.

Aguilar is part of a roster of recently added performers that includes Alejandra Guzmán, Calibre 50, Elvis Crespo, Farruko, Los Ángeles Azules, Ozuna and Piso 21.

Billboard and Telemundo announced on Tuesday (Sept. 6) the second round of performers who will take the stage at Miami’s Watsco Center.

The new list of acts join an already star-studded lineup that includes Camilo, Carlos Vives, Chayanne, CNCO, Eslabon Armado, Grupo Firme, Maluma, Pablo López, Pepe Aguilar, Raphael and Tini.

Bad Bunny leads the list of finalists for the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards, with 23 nods across 13 categories. He is up for artist of the year, tour of the year, Hot Latin Songs artist of the year, male, and top Latin album of the year for his album Un Verano Sin Ti, which has logged nine nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and was nominated for album of the year at the recent MTV Video Music Awards. Bad Bunny won artist of the year — the first time a Latin artist has been in a marquee category at that show.

Following Bad Bunny is Colombian star Karol G with 15 entries in 11 categories — a record number of nods for a female artist. Karol’s categories include artist of the year and Hot Latin Songs artist of the year, female, as well as Hot Latin Song of the year, vocal event, for her Becky G collab “MAMIII.”

The 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards, the longest-running awards show in Latin music, will begin at 8:00 p.m. ET on September 29, preceded by a one-hour red carpet special.

The awards will broadcast simultaneously on Spanish entertainment cable network Universo, throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional, the Telemundo App and on Peacock.

Los Angeles Azules Announce “De Iztapalapa Para El Mundo” Tour Across the U.S.

Posted on April 18, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Los Angeles Azules are preparing to hit the U.S. in a big way…

The six-sibling Mexican cumbia troupe, which found unlikely international success after 40 years together, is launching its biggest U.S. tour to date.

The De Iztapalapa Para El Mundo tour, so named after their Mexican hometown, will feature 34 dates across 33 cities, beginning in Denver, Colorado on August 26, and ending in New Orleans on April 1, 2023.

Tickets for De Iztapalapa Para El Mundo go on sale beginning on Friday, April 22 at 10:00 am local time through www.losangelesazules.com.mx.

The tour is presented by Live Nation Entertainment.

While music from Mexico is increasingly gaining mainstream fans, both Latin and non-Latin, the continued popularity of Los Angeles Azules is one of the most remarkable success stories in Latin music in recent years.

Officially founded in 1980 by the Mejia Avante siblings, the group early on opted to sing its own version of Colombian cumbia, giving it a Mexican twist. Popular at home, Los Angeles Azules were thrust into the international spotlight in 1997, when their heartfelt cumbia “Como Te Voy a Olvidar,” landed the group for the first time ever on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs and Latin Airplay charts, peaking at No. 7 on the February 22, 1997-dated charts.

Three years later, “El Liston de tu Pelo” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart. It would take 19 years for Los Angeles to go to No. 1 again, this time with on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart with “Nunca Es Suficiente,” featuring Natalia Lafourcade.

It was one of many collaborations with artists of other genres that have increasingly raised the group’s profile. In 2018, Los Angeles played Coachella, and last month, the group sold out five nights in Buenos Aires’ legendary Luna Park theater, making them perhaps the first-ever Mexican cumbia group to achieve that level of success in Argentina.

In the U.S., the De Iztapalapa para el Mundo tour marks the culmination of almost a decade of steady touring. In 2013, Los Angeles were averaging a gross of $82,700 per tour stop, selling an average of 4,000 tickets at an average price of $20. Last year, their average gross was $270,000 with an average of over 7,000 tickets sold per stop.

All told, the group sold out 25 U.S. dates in their last tour, including shows in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Chicago and two in Los Angeles.

This time around, their trek is even more ambitious, with first-time stops in cities like New Orleans and Miami, where Mexican cumbia is not popular.

Here are the tour dates:

Los Angeles Azules’ 2022 De Iztapalapa Para El Mundo:
Aug. 26 – Denver, CO – Bellco Theatre
Aug. 27– Salt Lake City, UT – Maverik Center
Sept. 9 – Anaheim, CA – The Theatre Honda Center
Sept. 10 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
Sept. 11 – Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center
Sept. 16 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center
Sept. 17 – Las Vegas, NV – Michelob ULTRA Arena
Sept. 23 – Los Angeles, CA – YouTube Theater
Sept. 24 – Los Angeles, CA – YouTube Theater
Sept. 30– Rancho Mirage, CA – Agua Caliente Casino
Oct. 1 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Federal Theatre
Oct. 7 – Laredo, TX – Sames Auto Arena
Oct. 8 – Edinburg, TX – Bert Ogden Arena
Oct. 9 – Houston, TX – Smart Financial Center
Oct. 13 – Austin, TX – HEB Center at Cedar Park
Oct. 14– San Antonio, TX– Freeman Coliseum
Oct. 15 – Dallas, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Oct. 21 – El Paso, TX – UTEP Don Haskins Center
Oct. 22 – Albuquerque, NM – Kiva Auditorium
Oct. 23 – Dodge City, KS – United Wireless Arena
Nov. 18 – Atlanta, GA – Gas South Arena
Nov. 19 – Miami, FL – FPL Solar Amphitheater
Nov. 23 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro, Coliseum
Nov. 25– Boston, MA – Orpheum Theatre
Nov. 26 – New York, NY – Hulu Theater
Nov. 27 – Fairfax, VA– EagleBank Arena

2023
March 12 – Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Resort & Casino
March 17 – Kennewick, WA – Toyota Center
March 18 – Seattle, WA – WAMU Theater
March 19 – Portland, OR – Veterans Memorial Coliseum
March 24 – Minneapolis, MN – Orpheum Theatre
March 25– Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena
March 31 – Orlando, FL – Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts
April 1 – New Orleans, LA – Saenger Theater

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