Santos’ “Odio” Debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard Latin Airplay Chart

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It’s the tying game for Romeo Santos…

The 32-year-old Puerto Rican/Dominican American singer’s new single “Odio,” featuring Drake, opens at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Latin Airplay chart.

Santos, known as the King of Bachata, ties Enrique Iglesias for the most debuts at No. 1 with three, following Santos’ chart-topping starts with “You” in 2011 and his featured turn on Iglesias’ “Loco,” which opened at No. 1 in September 2013.

Iglesias inked his first two No. 1 beginners in 1997: “Enamorado Por Primera Vez” and “Solo En Ti.” His third, and Santos’ second, arrived 16 years later (“Loco”). Next with two first-week No. 1s is Maná, with “Labios Compartidos” in 2006 and “Lluvia Al Corazon” in 2011.

The anguish-filled Bachata track is the second single from Santos’ album Formula, Vol. 2, due February 25.

Although an official music video for “Odio” has yet to be released, a lyric video and an audio video on his YouTube channels have amassed more than 6 million views worldwide in the song’s first week of availability.

The first single from the new set, “Propuesta Indecente,” spent two weeks at No. 1 on Latin Airplay and 25 weeks in the top 10.

In addition to Drake, the former lead singer of the Bachata group Aventura’s upcoming album will include collaborations with Nicki Minaj, Marc Anthony, Carlos Santana, Tego Calderon and comedian Kevin Hart.

Mana’s Vallín to Open Guitar School in Aguascalientes, Mexico

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Sergio Vallín is helping educate the next generation of guitarists…

For the past 18 months, the 40-year-old Mexican musician and lead guitarist of Maná has been working hard to build a guitar school in his hometown of Aguascalientes, Mexico.

Vallín will offer students a first-rate musical education with guitar stars of every genre as visiting professors.

“These kids are hungry to play, so I want to give them a space with the best infrastructure and the best programs,” Vallin said. “I spent 10 years with another (charity) program, but now I’m going independent and launching what will be a school for guitar. The notion is to teach all styles: flamenco, jazz, blues, classical. And in addition to the classes at the school I want to bring to my city great musicians; not just guitarists, but great instrumentalists,” he added.

Located in a historic building, the completely remodeled school will be adorned with paintings and murals by some of Latin America’s premiere artists.

“[Cuban painter] Waldo Saavedra made a painting of a Last Supper that’s amazing,” Vallín told Billboard.com. “And the main room will have a gigantic mural covering the entire ceiling and a wall with all these famous musicians. It’s going to be amazing, amazing, amazing.”

Maná Confirmed to Receive Hollywood Walk of Fame Star in 2014

Posted on June 22, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

They’re stars in their native Mexico and Latin America… And, now Maná will now get the ultimate star in Hollywood.

As previously reported, the Mexican rock band has been confirmed as a recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next year.

The band, which was formed in 1986, has sold an estimated 35 million albums worldwide. They initially received international commercial success in Australia and Spain and have since gained popularity and exposure in the US, Western Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Maná joins Katy Perry, rapper Tupac Shakur and comedian Phil Hartman as honored on the Walk of Fame, which recognizes professionals in film, television, radio and recording industries.

For motion pictures, Orlando Bloom, Ray Dolby, Sally Field, Jessica Lange, Matthew McConaughey, Liam Neeson and Tom Sherak will be recognized.

In television, Dabney Coleman, Kaley Cuoco, Claire Danes, Giancarlo Esposito, Deidre Hall, Cheryl Hines, Don Mischer and Tavis Smiley will be the recipients.

Motown songwriters and producers Holland-Dozier-Holland, Jeff Lynne, Mexican band Mana, Ray Parker Jr., Katy Perry, Rick Springfield.

“We have a great mix of celebrities and industry executives who have made Hollywood what it is today — one of the greatest entertainment destinations in the world,” said David Green, chairman of the Walk of Fame selection committee. “The new selections will bring great joy and fond memories for those millions who visit Hollywood each year!”

Dates for the Walk of Fame ceremonies have not been scheduled. Honorees have up to five years to schedule their ceremonies from date of selection, otherwise they will expire.

The Late Rivera Wins Six Trophies at the Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

She may be gone… But Jenni Rivera has not been forgotten.

The late Mexican American singer, known as la Diva de la Banda, proved to be one of the big winners at the 2013 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

Rivera, whose influence and sales rose in the wake of her tragic death last December in a plane crash in Mexico, won six awards, including Artist of the Year and Regional Mexican Album of the Year for La Gran Señora, which was coincidentally released the week after her death.

Edward James Olmos, Rivera’s Filly Brown co-star, introduced a tribute segment to the singer, pointing out that just a year before, she had herself performed live on the awards stage.

“We want to remember her a little bit differently — as the woman, the friend, the mother, the daughter,” he said, before a video montage focusing mainly on Rivera’s family life and humanitarian work.

Her parents, Pedro Rivera and Rosa Saavedra, and two eldest daughters, Janney “Chiquis” Marín and Jacqueline Marín, accepted her posthumous awards.

Meanwhile, Don Omar – who performed his current hit, “Zumba” at the show – had garnered 18 finalist nods — a record tied only by Tito El Bambino in 2010 — and took home 10. They include Songs Artist of the Year, Male and Airplay Song of the year for “Dutty Love,” featuring Natty Natasha. Don Omar also won Streaming Artist of the Year and Streaming Song of the Year for “Danza Kuduro,” featuring Lucenzo.

Prince Royce, the young urban/bachata singer and soon-to-be La Voz Kids coach who has dominated the charts since his debut in 2011, won four awards, including Albums Artist of the Year, Male.

Romeo Santos, Shakira and La Arrolladora Banda el Limón de René Camacho won three awards each, as did Natty Natasha, who is featured in Don Omar’s “Dutty Love.” Teary-eyed, she dedicated her last win to “all Latinos — those who leave their homelands to pursue their dreams.”

This year’s awards featured a series of premiere performances, including Carlos Vives with Michel Teló (who won Song of the Year for his global hit “Ai Se Eu Te Pego“).

Mexican rockers Maná, who won Albums Artist of the Year, duo or Group and Latin Pop Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group, also received the Billboard Spirit of Hope Award for the philanthropic work of their Selva Negra Foundation, which has worked in environmental causes for nearly 20 years.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards honors the most popular albums, songs, and performers in Latin music, as determined by the actual sales, radio airplay, streaming and social data that informs Billboard’s weekly charts.

The awards were broadcast live on Telemundo from the BankUnited Center in Miami.

Click here to see the full list of winners.

Prince Royce Wins Six Premio Lo Nuestro Awards

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Prince Royce has plenty of reason to celebrate…

The 23-year-old Dominican American singer proved to be the night’s big winner at the Premio Lo Nuestro awards ceremony, earning six awards.

Prince Royce took home the awards for Tropical Album of the Year for his sophomore project Phase II, Tropical Song of the Year for his single “Incondicional”, Tropical Male Artist of the Year and Tropical Contemporary Artist of the Year.

He also won Collaboration of the Year for “El Verdadero Amor Perdona,” his duet with Mexican rockers Mana, as well as Rock/Alternative Song of the Year for that same track.

Meanwhile, the late Jenni Rivera, who died in a Northern Mexico plane crash in December at the age of 43, won five awards, including the night’s top prize… awards for Artist of the Year.

Rivera’s other trophies include Pop Female Artist of the Year and Regional Mexican Female Artist of the Year, as well as the Pop Song of the Year and Pop Album of the Year for “A Cambio de Que” and “Joyas Prestadas,” respectively.

In one of the most touching moments of the night, Rivera’s daughters went on stage to receive her award for Pop Female Artist of the Year. One of them lifted the prize into the air to dedicate it to her mother, while the audience rose to their feet in tribute to the popular singer known as la Diva de la Banda.

The New Artist of the Year prize went to Mexican tribal house group 3Ball MTY, while Mexican pop-rock duo Jesse & Joy won Video of the Year for “Corre” and Pop Group/Duo of the Year.

The winners of the 2013 Primeo Lo Nuestro Awards are…

Pop Album of the Year: “Joyas Prestadas” by Jenni Rivera
Pop Song of the Year: “A Cambio de Que” by Jenni Rivera
Male Pop Artist of the Year: Alejandro Sanz
Female Pop Artist of the Year: Jenni Rivera
Duo or Group Pop Artist of the Year: Jesse & Joy
Rock or Alternative Album of the Year: “Exiliados en la Bahia: Lo Mejer de Mana” by Mana
Rock or Alternative Song of the Year: “El Verdadero Amor Perdona” by Mana and Prince Royce
Rock or Alternative Artist of the Year: Mana
Tropical Album of the Year: “Phase II” by Prince Royce
Tropical Song of the Year: “Incondicional” by Prince Royce
Male Tropical Artist of the Year: Prince Royce
Female Tropical Artist of the Year: Olga Tanon
Duo or Group Tropical Artist of the Year: Chino y Nacho
Tropical Merengue Artist of the Year: Juan Juis Juancho
Tropical Salsa Artist of the Year: Victor Manuelle
Contemporary Tropical Artist of the Year: Prince Royce
Regional Album of the Year: “Intentalo” by 3BallMTY
Regional Song of the Yea: “Amor Confuso” by Gerardo Oritz
Regional Male Artist of the Year: Espinoza Paz
Regional Female Artist of the Year: Jenni rivera
Regional Duo or Group Artist of the Year: La Arrolladora Banda El Limon de Rene Camacho
Banda Artist of the Year:
Banda El Recodo
Duranguense Artist of the Year: Grupo Montez de Durango
Grupero Artist of the Year: Grupo Bryndis
Norteno Artist of the Year: Gerardo Ortiz
Ranchero Artist of the Year: Vicente Fernandez
Urban Album of the Year: “Lideres” by Wisin y Yandel
Urban Song of the Year: “Lovumba” by Daddy Yankee
Urban Artist of the Year: Wisin y Yandel
Premio Lo Nuestro Artist of the Year: Jenni Rivera
Collaboration of the Year: “El Verdadero Amor Perdona” by Mana and Prince Royce
New Artist of the Year: 3BallMTY
Video of the Year: “Corre” by Jesse & Joy

Martin & Rosa to Peform at This Year’s Premio Lo Nuestro

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It’ll be a reunion of sorts for Ricky Martin and Draco Rosa…

The 41-year-old Puerto Rican global superstar and new The Voice Australia coach and the 43-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter will perform their new single “Más y Más” on the 25th anniversary edition of Premio Lo Nuestro.

It’ll be Martin and Rosa’s first time performing together onstage since their time together as members of Menudo.

“Más y Más” is the new single from Draco’s latest album Vida, his first musical production since overcoming a two-year battle with cancer. The album is being hailed as Draco’s celebration of life after having been declared cancer free. It features duets with many of Latin music’s biggest stars like Martin, Alejandro Sanz, Calle 13, Juan Luis Guerra, José Feliciano, Juanes, Marc Anthony, Maná and Shakira.

The Premio Lo Nuestro awards show will be televised live on Univision on Thursday, February 21 at 8:00 pm ET.

Martin and Rosa join the list of previously announced performers that includes 3BallMTY, Carlos Vives, Jessy & Joy, Juan Luis Guerra, Olga Tañón, Pitbull, Prince Royce and Thalía.

Don Omar Leads the Pack of Billboard Latin Music Awards Finalists

Posted on February 9, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It’s no wonder he’s called Don Omar…

The 34-year-old Puerto Rican reggaeton singer/actor, born William Omar Landrón Rivera, is the don of this year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards, earning 18 finalist nods, including Artist of the Year; Social Artist of the Year and Streaming Artist of the Year. Last year, Don Omar was the leader of the pack with 16 finalist nods.

In addition, Don Omar is nominated as Songs Artist of the Year, Male; Albums Artist of the Year, Male and Songwriter of the Year. His album Don Omar Presents MT02: New Generation competes for Latin Rhythm Album of the Year and Digital Album of the Year. Three of Don Omar’s hit songs — “Dutty Love,” featuring Natty Natasha, “Hasta Que Salga El Sol” and “Danza Kuduro” — are finalists in various song categories.

Romeo Santos comes in second, with the bachata star earning 12 nods. Wisin & Yandel and the late Jenni Rivera tied with 11 nods each. Prince Royce and Pitbull, major finalists last year, also returned with 10 and nine nods respectively, while newcomers 3BallMTY earned eight.

Meanwhile regional Mexican acts La Arrolladora Banda el Limón de René Camacho and Gerardo Ortiz nabbed seven and six nods, respectively, while rockers Maná with five and pop act Ricardo Arjona with three.

The 2013 Billboard Latin Awards will be broadcast live on Telemundo on April 25 from the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami in Florida.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards honor the most popular albums, songs, and performers in Latin Music, as determined by the actual sales, radio airplay, streaming and social data that informs Billboard’s weekly charts during a one-year period from the issue dated February 4, 2012, through this year’s January 26, 2013, issue.

Click here for the full list of nominees.

Rosa Teams Up with Ricky Martin & More for New Album

Posted on January 12, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Draco Rosa has lined up some big names to help mark his return to music following a long absence due to his cancer treatment…

For the 43-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter’s latest album, entitled Vida, Rosa performs his greatest hits with friends and colleagues, including Ricky Martin, Alejandro Sanz, Juan Luis Guerra and Shakira.

“I feel very fortunate to be part of this because … they are recording my songs,” says the Grammy- and Latin Grammy-winning singer. “For me it’s a dream made into reality,” Rosa said Thursday in an interview with Efe.

Draco Rosa will also be joined on the album by other great figures in Latin music, including Romeo, Andres Calamaro, Mana, Marc Anthony, Jose Feliciano and Calle 13.

Draco Rosa admits the recording of the album helped him greatly to get through his cancer treatment, since it encouraged him to “continue with my desires and energy of life.”

“It is called Vida because I’m very happy to be alive. After two years of the disease, on Decemner 31 they confirmed to me that I was cancer-free,” he said.

The first song to hit the market is a new version of the hit “Mas y Mas” in duet form with Martin, with whom he shared one phase of his musical career when both were part of Menudo.

Vida will be released on March 19.

Prince Royce Ties Romeo Santos for Most Premio Lo Nuestro Nods

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Call it a “battle of the bachateros”

Romeo Santos and Prince Royce will battle it out for top honors at Univision’s Premio Lo Nuestro during the show’s 25th anniversary on February 21, 2013.

The 31-year-old Dominican/Puerto Rican singer, the former front man for Aventura, and the 23-year-old Dominican singer tied for most nods, at seven each. Santos and Prince Royce will battle it ou for Tropical Album of the Year, Tropical Male Artist of the Year, and Tropical Song of the Year.

Reggaeton superstar Don Omar, meantime, received six nods, including Artist of the Year, Collaboration of the Year for his mega duet with Natti Natasha, “Dutty Love,” and Album of the Year for his Don Omar Presents Meet The Orphans 2: New Generation.

Barcelona-raised urban artist Juan Magan is up for Best New Artist, along with four other awards. He faces stiff competition from 3Ball MTY, who cleaned up at this year’s Billboard’s Mexican Music Awards.

Mexican rock group Maná earned six nominations, and will compete against with Don Omar, Jenni Rivera, La Arrolladora Banda el Limon de Rene Camacho and Santos in the Artist of the Year category.

Sibling duo Jesse & Joy, the big winners at the Latin Grammys, are up for five awards, including Song of the Year and Video of the Year for “¡Corre!” as well as Album of the Year for ¿Con Quién Se Queda el Perro?.

Juanes was recognized for his critically acclaimed MTV Unplugged album with four nods, tied with Beto Cuevas and Victor Manuelle.

Daddy Yankee, Alejandro Sanz, Paulina Rubio, Ricardo Arjona, Chino y Nacho, Gerardo Ortiz, La Original Banda El Limón, La Banda El Recodo and Wisin y Yandel each earned three nods.

View the full list of 130 nominations in 33 different categories here and cast your vote until December 23, then tune into Univision on February 21 for the awards show.

Sanz to Launch His Next Tour in Mexico

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Alejandro Sanz is preparing to take his show on the calle, beginning in Mexico Lindo.

The 43-year-old Spanish singer/songwriter and former La Voz… de Mexico coach is putting the finishing touches on his upcoming tour, which he’ll premiere next month in Mexico.

Sanz’s monumental show is set to coincide with the release of his latest album “La Musica No Se Toca,” which resulted from his urge to compose an album “of monumental symphonic pop rock.”

“There’s a song that I think of as a tribute to The Beatles‘ Sgt. Pepper and also a part like Queen‘s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ but it’s not something I would have planned,” Sanz told reporters.

“It’s a disc dedicated to prowling, to roaming around. I’ve been through so many things, good and bad, and I’ve learned that the journey is in the traveling, not in the destination,” said Sanz, who in the past year had his third child, lost his mother and married Raquel Perera.

Sanz and the 10 musicians joining him for his upcoming tour will take the stage on a set featuring the eye-catching designs of Luis Pastor, who has previously with Sanz, Miguel Bose and Maná.

The result, he believes, is the “most spectacular tour” he’s done to date.

And Sanz will be premiering his new show to the people of Mexico, who supported him during his stint on La Voz.

“Mexico made me so happy last year and I felt really at home there,” said Sanz..

Sanz has plans to bring the tour to Spain sometime in May or June 2013.

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