Luis Fonsi Teams Up with Myke Towers for Catchy Single “Besame”

Posted on June 5, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Fonsi is requesting kisses…

The 43-year-old Puerto Rican singer has joined voices with Myke Towers for the new single “Besame.”

The single, the first-ever team up for Fonsi and Towers, is a catchy song from beginning to end. It combines reggaeton pop with Dominican bachata.

Co-written by Fonsi, Towers, Andres Torres, Mauricio Rengifo, and Keaton, the song tells the story of a game of seduction and mischief between a man and a woman.

“I know that you are using me for the weekends,” Fonsi said of the lyrics. “But the reality is that it does not bother me. I play your game, but if you want to stay, stay because there is something interesting between us.”

The video was filmed in Miami and directed by Elastic People‘s Carlos Perez.

Overall, “Besame” is a mix of island flavors that will make you want to dance to the melodies and positive vibes.

Luis Fonsi’s Rauw Alejandro-Collaboration “Vacio” Reaches No. 1 on Billboard Latin Airplay Chart

Posted on May 26, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a tweener moment for Luis Fonsi…

The 43-year-old Puerto Rican singer’s collaboration with Rauw Alejandro, “Vacio,” rises 3-1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart dated May 29.

It’s the 12th No. 1 for Luis Fonsi and the fifth for Rauw Alejandro.

“Vacío” was released on February 19 and reigns on the all-Latin genre chart in its 13th week with 10.2 million in audience impressions, up 18%, earned in the week ending May 23, according to MRC Data. That’s a 1.5 million increase in audience from the previous week.

“I’m very grateful that the audience continues to embrace every song I release,” Fonsi tells Billboard. “Having another No. 1 song is not something I take for granted, ever. I work very hard every day to produce the best music I can, and I’m just so happy it’s so well received, and that I’m able to do it with producers and artists that I admire, in this case with Rauw Alejandro who brought his unique talent and flow to the song.”

Luis Fonsi collects his 12th Latin Airplay No. 1 and first since 2019 when “Date La Vuelta,” with Sebastián Yatra and Nicky Jam, ruled for one week. Alejandro nabs his fifth, three of which just arrived in 2021.

“I feel honored to have worked with the maestro Luis Fonsi,” Rauw tells Billboard. “’Vacío’ is a song that allows us to express that bizarre feeling of when one wants to be with someone but it’s unable to. I’m super grateful to be part of this project and even more, to the fans who made it No. 1.”

Mexico’s Andrea Meza Crowned Miss Universe

Posted on May 17, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Andrea Meza will be ruling the world…

The 26-year-old Mexican beauty queen, Miss Mexico, was crowned Miss Universe at the 69th annual pageant, which was delayed last year due to Covid-19.

“MÉXICO ESTO ES PARA TI,” Meza wrote in the caption of an Instagram post, alongside a video of her after the win was announced.

The competition was held in Hollywood, Florida, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Access Hollywood‘s Mario Lopez and Olivia Culpo, the 2012 Miss Universe, co-hosted the event, which also featured a performance by Luis Fonsi.

Meza beat 73 other women, including Miss Brazil Julia Gama, who was runner-up, and Miss Peru Janick Maceta Del Castillo, who was second runner-up.

“I am so honored to have been selected among the 73 other amazing women I stood with tonight,” Meza said in a news release from Miss Universe Organization. “It is a dream come true to wear the Miss Universe crown, and I hope to serve the world through my advocacy for equality in the year to come and beyond.”

In her final statement during the pageant, Meza spoke about beauty standards.

“We live in a society that more and more is more than advanced, and as we advance as a society, we’ve also advanced with stereotypes,” she said. “Nowadays beauty isn’t only the way we look. For me, beauty radiates not only in our spirit, but in our hearts and the way that we conduct ourselves. Never permit someone to tell you that you’re not valuable.”

Meza, who is from Chihuahua City, is a model and make-up artist and has a degree in software engineering, according to Miss Universe Organization’s news release.

She is also an activist, and “works closely with the Municipal Institute for Women, which aims to end gender-based violence,” the release said.

Meza also serves as the official Tourism Brand Ambassador for her hometown of Chihuahua, according to Miss Universe Organization.

Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, the first Black woman from South Africa to win the crown, had held the title since December 2019.

“What a moment!” Meza wrote in another Instagram post, sharing a photo of when she was crowned. “Ready for this journey!”

Meza will move to New York City “to represent the brand and various philanthropic organizations during her reign,” Miss Universe Organization said.

Luis Fonsi Earns Ninth No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Airplay Chart with Rauw Alejandro-Collab “Vacío”

Posted on May 8, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Fonsi is on Cloud Nine…

The 43-year-old Puerto Rican singer’s single “Vacío” featuring Rauw Alejandro takes over the top spot on Billboard’s Latin Pop Airplay chart as the song rises from No. 3 on the May 8-dated survey.

The song jumps 3-1 boosted by a 21% lift in audience impressions, to 6.7 million, earned in the week ending May 2, according to MRC Data.

Luis Fonsi earns his ninth No. 1 on the chart after “Perfecta” with Farruko reigned for two weeks starting in December 2020.

Rauw picks up his third, and second of the year, following “Baila Conmigo,” his two-week champ alongside Selena Gómez (March 13-dated list).

“Vacío” is the fourth male co-billed duet to top Billboard’s Latin Pop Airplay chart in 2021, one of which, as previously mentioned, also includes Luis Fonsi: “Perfecta,” with Farruko (Jan. 2).

In between, two other dual male pairings took the crown: Ozuna and Camilo’s “Despeinada” (four weeks starting Jan. 9-dated list) and Sebastian Yatra and Guaynaa’s “Chica Ideal” (three-week champ starting February 2).

“Vacío” is among a handful of songs of late to find reception among both Latin pop and Latin rhythmic audiences and radio. It continues its ascent on the Latin Rhythm Airplay chart (9-7) to become the fifth Latin pop song No. 1 of 2021 to make it to the top 10 of the Latin Rhythm Airplay chart, following four other titles which led Latin Pop Airplay before: Ozuna and Camilo’s “Despeinada,” Sebastian Yatra and Guaynaa’s “Chica Ideal,” Selena Gomez and Rauw Alejandro’s “Baila Conmigo” and Karol G, Anuel AA and J Balvin’s “Location.”

“Vacío” concurrently enters the top 10 on the all-genre Latin Airplay chart with a 14-9 hike. Luis Fonsi ups his career count to 19 top 10s, while Rauw clams his sixth. “Vacío” was written by Fonsi, Andres Torres, Mauricio Rengifo, Omar Alfanno and Rauw.

Luis Fonsi Teams Up with Rauw Alejandro for New Single “Vacío”

Posted on February 19, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Fonsi is embracing lo vacío…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican singer, musician and songwriter has teamed up with Rauw Alejandro to release the new single “Vacío.”

Fonsi took four lines from Son By Four’s 2001 smash hit “A Puro Dolor” to create the track.

The song starts as “A Puro Dolor” does, and then meanders, staying close but not identical.

It’s a clever way to catch the listener’s attention, and Fonsi’s voice does justice to the original’s R&B sound. Rauw Alejandro ’s urban groove helps bring a new and modern twist to the track.

Luis Fonsi to Serve as Kelly Clarkson’s Team Advisor on Season 20 of NBC’s “The Voice”

Posted on February 1, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a special crossover for Luis Fonsi…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican singer will join Kelly Clarkson as her team advisor on season 20 of NBC’s The Voice.

Fonsi, who has been a coach on Telemundo‘s La Voz since 2018 — the network’s Spanish-language version of the singing competition series — is a “natural at giving constructive criticism.”

“It means a lot to them,” Clarkson told Extra. “I’ve been them, and it means a lot when people actually take the time to invest in your performance.”

“Getting to work with Kelly truly is an honor,” said Fonsi of Clarkson. “I’m a fan … I’ve been doing this for 22 years and you meet talented people every day, but to meet a normal talented person? Somebody who is kind-hearted — it is so refreshing. ‘Oh, wait, you are famous, talented and nice … What?’”

In 2019, Fonsi made a surprise appearance on The Voice to promote the second season of Telemundo’s La Voz. There he found a new fan, Kelly Clarkson, who asked for a Spanish lesson. The “Despacito” singer told her to repeat: Mi nombre es Kelly Clarkson y soy una mujer hermosa (My name is Kelly Clarkson and I’m a pretty woman).

Season 20 of The Voice kicks off March 1 with returning judges Clarkson, Nick Jonas, John Legend and Blake Shelton.

Romeo Santos: Billboard’s Top Latin Music Artist of the 2010s

Posted on December 6, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Romeo Santos is celebrating his ten-ure on the Latin charts…

Billboard is revealing the top acts of the 2010s by genre, with the 39-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American bachata singer-songwriter topping the list of artists in the Latin category.

Since first hitting Billboard‘s surveys as a soloist in 2011, after breaking though in hit bachata quartet Aventura, Santos has collected seven solo No. 1s on the weekly Hot Latin Songs chart and five No. 1s on Top Latin Albums.

“If you put out quality music,” he told Billboard in 2017, “you’re always going to be in a good place.”

Santos beat out Prince Royce for the top spot.

The 31-year-old Dominican American singer-songwriter has not stopped making his mark in the Latin music industry since he released his eponymous debut studio album, which generated two commercially successful singles, “Stand by Me” and “Corazón Sin Cara,” in March 2010.

Most recently, Prince Royce “Carita de Inocente“, spent a record-breaking 29 weeks at number-one on the Billboard Latin Tropical Airplay chart.

J Balvin comes in at No. 3 on the chart…

The 35-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer, known as the “Príncipe del Reggaetón,”

was included in Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020 and one of the greatest Latin artists of all time by Billboard.

Daddy Yankee is the No. 5 top Latin act of the 2010s, due in part to his landmark hit “Despacito,” with Luis Fonsi and featuring Justin Bieber. The English/Spanish-language collaboration spent a record 56 weeks atop Hot Latin Songs beginning in February 2017, passing the 41-week reign of “Bailando” by Enrique Iglesias (the decade’s No. 4 artist), featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona, beginning in May 2014.

Latin
1, ROMEO SANTOS
2, PRINCE ROYCE
3, J BALVIN
4, ENRIQUE IGLESIAS
5, DADDY YANKEE
6, JUAN GABRIEL
7, BANDA SINALOENSE MS DE SERGIO LIZARRAGA
8, OZUNA
9, NICKY JAM
10, GERARDO ORTIZ

Click here to view the full, 50-position Top Latin Artists of the 2010s chart.

Erika Ender Releases New Trilingual Album “MP3-45”

Posted on November 15, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Erika Ender is getting personal…

The 45-year-old Panamanian Latin Grammy-winning singer, songwriter has released MP3-45, her most personal and intimate album to date.

Ender, who co-penned Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee‘s massive hit “Despacito,” bares it all on the 9-track set, which kicks off with a vintage dance band cover of Alberto Zarzar’s “Abrázame.”

She then slows things down with beautiful ballads “Só Louco” and “When I Fall in Love” setting the stripped-down tone for the remainder of the album, which finds an emotional Ender singing about falling in and out of love.

“This album has to do with my structure as a human being and as an artist,” Ender tells Billboard. “MP3 is the format we listen to music nowadays and 45 takes me back to 45RPM which is how I used to listen to music when I was growing up at my parent’s house. That music formed me as a songwriter. I remember I’d listen and write down the lyrics and list the credits, I was fascinated by all of that. I’m bringing that little Erika to the woman I am now. It’s a digital vintage. It has profound, deep lyrics and I sing in three different languages because I come from a multicultural family.”

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” Becomes First Video to Surpass 7 Billion Views on YouTube

Posted on October 15, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Fonsi is still killin’ it on YouTube…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican singer and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” has officially become the first video in YouTube history to surpass 7 billion views.

According to YouTube, the music video, released in 2017, averages more than 1.4 million views a day (so far) in 2020 with Daddy Yankee currently No. 16 on the streaming platform’s Global Top Artists chart.

The record-breaking news comes just days after Telemundo and Billboard announced that Fonsi and Yankee will receive the Billboard Latin Song of the Decade award for “Despacito” at the 2020 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

The top honor recognizes “Despacito” for its chart milestones, which include topping the Hot Latin Songs chart for a record 56 (non-consecutive) weeks, spending the most weeks at No. 1 for any title since the chart’s inception in 1986.

The song’s success also set the chart-topping longevity mark on Hot Latin Songs when it spent its 42nd week at the top on the February 17, 2018-dated tally, surpassing the 41-week reign of Enrique Iglesias, Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona’s “Bailando” in 2014-15.

In addition, “Despacito” made history at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in May 2017, tying the then all-time mark for weeks at No. 1 (16) set by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day” in 1996.

Fonsi and Daddy Yankee are confirmed to perform at the Billboard Latin Music Awards set to take place on Wednesday, October 21, live from the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida.

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” Named Billboard Latin Song of the Decade

Posted on October 10, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee have the song of the decade…

Telemundo and Billboard have announced that the 42-year-old Puerto Rican singer and the 43-year-old Puerto Rican rapper will receive the Billboard Latin Song of the Decade award for their 2017 hit “Despacito” at the 2020 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

Fonsi and Daddy Yankee are also confirmed to perform at the awards ceremony, which is set to take place on Wednesday, October 21 live from the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida.

On the Billboard charts, “Despacito” topped the Hot Latin Songs chart for a record 56 (non-consecutive) weeks, spending the most weeks at No. 1 for any title since the chart’s inception in 1986. The song’s success also set the chart-topping longevity mark on Hot Latin Songs when it spent its 42nd week at the top on the February 17, 2018-dated tally, surpassing the 41-week reign of Enrique Iglesias, Descemer Bueno, and Gente de Zona’s “Bailando” in 2014-15.

The 2020 BLMAs, led by top finalists Bad Bunny and Ozuna, is the only awards show to honor the most popular albums, songs, and performers in Latin music, the awards are determined by the actual sales, streaming radio airplay, and social data that informs Billboard’s weekly charts during a one-year period from the rankings dated February 2, 2019, through this year’s January 25 charts.

The event coincides with Billboard’s Latin Music Week 30th anniversary, a three-day virtual experience dedicated to Latin music, culture, and entertainment. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the event will take place October 20-23 and will feature intimate artist conversations, industry panels, exclusive performances, and more.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards 2020 will broadcast live from the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla. on October 21 via Telemundo.

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