The Mexican band, considered to be one of the pioneers of Rock en Español, will be inducted into the RockWalk of fame, the Guitar Center’s RockWalk committee announced on Tuesday.
The induction ceremony will take place on Monday, September 17 at the Guitar Center headquarters in Hollywood, California.
“Mana has made a huge impression on the Latin rock scene over the years,” said Dave Weiderman, chairman of Guitar Center’s RockWalk in a statement.
“It’s only right they take their place on Guitar Center’s RockWalk,” he said, adding that Maná “has made such a contribution to the L.A. community and beyond.”
Maná has earned four Grammy Awards, seven Latin Grammy Awards, five MTV Video Music Awards Latin America, six Premios Juventud awards, fourteen Billboard Latin Music Awards and fifteen Premios Lo Nuestro awards.
Maná joins other legendary stars on the RockWalk of fame, including Aerosmith, Carlos Santana and B.B. King.
“It is an honor to be included in such a renowned group of musicians,” said Maná’s lead singer Fher Olvera in a statement. “Having our handprints immortalized on Guitar Center’s RockWalk will allow us to continue to be a part of Los Angeles – our second home – for generations to come.”
Star De Azlan is setting her sights on a musical crossover by embracing her Mexican American heritage…
The 27-year-old Mexican-American singer has just released her latest single “Si quieres verme llorar,” which integrates her Hispanic roots into her overall sound by fusing her country music with mariachi.
“My style is country, mariachi and pop; it’s a fusion that can be defined as country in Spanish with Mexican touches that sounds very good,” De Azlan, who was born Esther Gonzalez, told Efe during a promotional stop in Los Angeles.
Produced by Pepe Quintana, known for his work with musical icons such as Maná, Luis Miguel and Sting, De Azlan’s track is a new version of a classic melody popularized by Lisa Lopez.
“It’s a song that has not been done in 25 years and which now with the arrangements that Pepe Quintana put into it sounds fresher,” said the singer, who grew up in Central Texas. “It’s a song that I can sing from my soul and my heart and in which I can project my voice.”
The promotional single forms part of De Azlan’s new album, which contains original compositions like “Desnudate” and “Como una flor.”
De Azlan, who signed to Curb Records in 2007, released her debut single “She’s Pretty” in early 2008. The song peaked at #51 on the BillboardHot Country Songs charts.
Now, the artist is marrying her love of country music while singing in Spanish in her quest to carve out a niche for herself in a segment of the market where she feels right at home.
“Si me quieres ver llorar” is available on iTunes.
One is a rising star on the Latin music scene; the other is a seasoned veteran… But Prince Royce and Don Omar tied for the title of this year’s “King of the Billboard Latin Music Awards.”
During Thursday night’s award ceremony, the Puerto Rican Don Omar and the Dominican-American Prince Royce each received eight awards.
Prince Royce was ecstatic upon learning he had won artist/songwriter of the year and best tropical album for his self titled album and single Corazon sin cara.
“Wow! First of all I want to thank God who has given me everything,” said the soon-to-be-23-year-old singer. “[Also] my family and the Dominican Republic… and my fans I love you all with all my heart.”
Like Prince Royce, Don Omar thanked his mother and God as well as his fans and fellow colleagues after taking home awards for best Latin rhythm of the year, best songs of the year, best Latin rhythm artist of the year, best album of the year, best song of the year, best song of the year for airplay, and best Latin pop song of the year for his single “Taboo.”
His other hit “Danza Kuduro,” a collaboration with Brazilian artist Lucenzo, won best vocal collaboration of the year as well as best digital song.
“I am so grateful to each and every one of my colleagues in the music business… and from Puerto Rico,” said the 34-year-old reggaeton artist in Spanish. “It has been 15 years since we decided to start the urban music genre.”
Meanwhile, Mexican rock group Maná took home five awards, while Colombian pop star Shakira earned four. And, La Adictiva Banda San Jose de Mesillas group won best new artist. Marc Anthony received a Billboard Hall of Fame Award for his global, artistic influence.
Thursday’s live show was televised on Telemundo from the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami in Coral Gables.
Don Omar could very well be doing a celebration danza…
The 34-year-old Puerto Ricanreggaeton singer, rapper and actor is the lead finalist for the 2012 Billboard Latin Music Awards. In all, Don Omar, the “Danza Kuduro” hitmaker, secured 16 finalist nods in 14 categories.
He was followed closely by another hitmaker, Pitbull, who is a 14-time finalist in 12 categories.
Newcomer Prince Royce, winner of the 2011 Billboard Latin Music Award for best new artist, was a 12-time finalist while rockers Maná are finalists in 11 categories.
Romeo Santos, currently on his first solo arena tour, and Shakira, are tied as finalists in 10 categories each.
The Billboard Latin Music Awards are given in 65 categories and honor the most popular albums, songs, and performers in Latin music, as determined by the actual sales and radio airplay data that informs Billboard’s weekly charts from the issue dated February 5, 2011 through this year’s January 28, 2012 issue.
She’d previously won six Grammys with the Black Eyed Peas… But its Fergie’s recent project without the group that has resulted in more gramophones in her collection.
The 36-year-old part-Mexican singer took home two awards at the 54th Grammy Awards on Sundayfor her work on Kanye West’s “All of the Lights.”
The track from West’s album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy—featuringFergie, Rihanna and Kid Cudi—won in theBest Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Rap Song categories.
But Fergie wasn’t the only two-time winner… Jazz musician Chick Corea also picked up a pair of gramophones at this year’s Grammys.
The 70-year-old part-Spanish jazz pianist, keyboardist and composer won in the Best Improvised Jazz Solo category for the song “500 Miles High,” as well as in the Best Jazz Instrumental Album for the album Forever.
In all, Correa has won a total of 18 Grammy Awards during his illustrious career.
Meanwhile, Louis C.K. earned his first Grammy, further cementing his status as the world’s biggest comedy star.
The 44-year-old part-Mexican American comedian won in the Best Comedy Album category for “Hilarious,” beating out the Weird Al Yankovic, Patton Oswalt, Kathy Griffin and Andy Samberg’s Lonely Island for the award.
Here’s a look at some of the other Latino winners at the 54th Grammy Awards:
Best Latin Pop, Rock, Or Urban Album Maná, Drama y Luz
Best Regional Mexican Or Tejano Album Pepe Aguilar, Bicentenario
Best Banda or Norteño Album Los Tigres Del Norte, Los Tigres Del Norte And Friends
Last summer, Maná’s four-night run of shows at Los Angeles’ Staples Center tied Britney Spears for the most shows ever at the venue… And they sold out even more shows throughout the United States, putting their audience numbers on par with the likes of Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift… So it’s no wonder, the Mexican rockers will be launching a second leg of their Drama y Luz U.S. tour.
The rock band will kick off the second installment of their oh-so-popular tour on April 3 at the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas. And, it includes a new show at the Staples Center that will give them a new record for most concerts played at the arena. Currently, only Maná and Spears have headlined a total of eight concerts at the venue.
In all, Maná—which had one of the top five Latin tours of the year in 2011 and played over 30 dates in the U.S. and Latin America—will play a total of 17 additional arena dates in the U.S., including encore performances at Madison Square Garden and Miami’s American Airlines Arena. Tickets go on sale February 3, 2012
In addition to the new U.S. dates, Maná is finalizing a series of Latin American dates. As of today, these kick off with a show Feb. 24 at the Atahualpa Stadium in Quito, Ecuador, followed by stadium shows in Guayaquil, Medellín and Bogotá (in Colombia) and in Puerto La Cruz, Valencia and Caracas in Venezuela. More dates are expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, Maná is enjoying the success of the band’s latest single, “El Verdadero Amor Perdona” (feat. Prince Royce). The songe recently hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, making it the third single from “Drama y Luz” to claim the top spot.
Full tour dates:
02/24/12 – Quito, Ecuador; Estadio Atahualpa
02/27/12 – Guayaquil, Ecuador; Medio Estadio Modelo
03/01/12 – Medellin, Colombia; Polideportivo Envigado
03/03/12 – Bogota, Colombia; Corferias
03/07/12 – Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela; Estadio Jaa
03/10/12 – Valencia Venezuela; Estadio Misael Delgado
03/11/12 – Caracas, Venezuela; Estadio Univ SB
04/03/12 – Hidalgo, TX; State Farm Arena
04/04/12 – Houston, TX; Toyota Center
04/05/12 – Dallas, TX; American Airlines Center
04/07/12 – Laredo, TX; Laredo Energy Arena
04/10/12 – New York, NY; Madison Square Garden
04/13/12 – Chicago, IL; Allstate Arena
04/17/12 – Sacramento, CA; Power Balance Pavillion
04/19/12 – Oakland, CA; Oracle Orena and O Co. Coliseum
04/22/12 – Fresno, CA; Save Mart Center
04/24/12 – San Diego, CA; Valley View Casino
04/27/12 – Los Angeles, CA; Staples Center
05/01/12 – Denver, CO; Mangess Arena
05/04/12 – Glendale, AZ; Jobing.com Arena
05/06/12 – El Paso, TX; El Paso Coliseum
05/08/12 – San Antonio, TX; ATT Center
05/09/12 – Corpus Christie, TX; American Bank Center
05/11/12 – Miami, FL; American Airlines Arena
And, now the 34-year-old Colombian superstar is ending the year with a bang by receiving six Premio lo Nuestronominations, tying Tito “El Bambino” for the most nominations this year.
Shakira is up for artist of the year, collaboration of the year, female artist of the year – pop, pop album of the year for “Sale el Sol” and two pop song of the year nods for her hit singles “Rabiosa“ and “Sale el Sol.“
Meanwhile, 30-year-old Puerto Rican singer Tito “El Bambino” is up for collaboration of the year, rock/alternative artist of the year, two tropical song of the year nods for “Llama El Sol” and “Llueve el Amor,” as well as male artist of the year – tropical and artist of the year –traditional tropical.
Mexican pop rock band Maná and Dominican-American bachata singer Prince Royce weren’t far behind, receiving five nominations each.
Other artists receiving multiple nominations include Ricky Martin, Alejandra Guzmán, Don Omar, Larry Hernández, Natalia Jiménez and Wisin y
Yandel with three nods.
Romeo Santos, Daddy Yankee, Gloria Trevi, Gerardo Ortiz, Intocable, Juanes, Joan Sebastian and La Arrolladora Banda el Limón each received three nods.
Click here for the complete list of nominees and vote for your favorites.
The Premio Lo Nuestro awards will be handed
out on February 16, 2012.
Bruno Mars is apparently one of the Recording Academy’s Grammy golden boys…
After scoring seven nominations last year, the 26-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer/songwriter has scored six nominations for the 54th annual Grammy Awards, including nods in the three top categories.
Mars’ “Grenade” is nominated for record of the year honors—which recognizes performance and production—along with Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” Bon Iver’s “Holocene,” Mumford & Sons’ “The Cave” and Katy Perry’s “Firework.”
In addition, Mars’ I’d-die-for-your-love tune is up for song of the year, along with Kanye West’s “All of the Lights” (featuring Rihanna, Fergie and Kid Cudi), Mumford & Sons’ “The Cave,” Bon Iver’s “Holocene” and Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.”
Meanwhile Mars’ “Doo-Wops and Hooligans” is nominated for album of the year, along with Adele’s “21,” Foo Fighters, “Wasting Light,” Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” and Rihanna’s “Loud.”
Mars also received nominations for Best Pop Solo PerformanceandBest Pop Vocal Album.
Rap superstar Kanye West led the field with seven nominations, while British soul singer Adele received six nominations.
Other Hispanic musicians and acts receiving nods include Fergie, Christina Aguilera, Calle 13, Maná, Intocable and Pepe Aguilar.
He’s had the opportunity to tour with Latin superstar Juan Luis Guerra… And, now Vicente Garcia is hoping to reach the same level of success as his fellow Dominican mentor.
“I had the opportunity to visit many countries while touring with Juan Luis Guerra during his tour La Travesia,” says the 28-year-old Garcia, who was taken under his wing by Guerra when he was only 13 and a member of the band Calor Urbano “It made me realize the power of Dominican music. It made me want to express my own music.”
Garcia’s music isn’t filled with traditional Dominican beats. Instead it’s a fusion of reggae, rhythm & blues and Motown-inspired soul.
“His songs are new and really beautiful,” says Guerra about Garcia’s music in an interview on Garcia’s YouTube channel.
Garcia experimented in the studio with bachata, soul and salsa sounds for an entire year while working on his latest album Melodrama, a project that his mentor says has achieved an innovative and unique sound.
“We were in Brooklyn in a studio with a lot of old equipment that allowed us to obtain that old school feel to the music,” says Garcia. “I love incorporating Dominican elements into my music, that has a lot of value to me.”
But Guerra isn’t the only musician who has inspired his latest studio effort…
Garcia has worked with artists like Mana and Shakira, who’ve incorporated Merengue beats into their own project. He even caught the eye of another rising star, Mexican singer Ximena Sariñana, after sending her two of his demos in hopes that she’d collaborate with him.
“Working with her was so gratifying, it was such a surprise because I wasn’t even signed yet,” remembers Garcia. “I flew out to her home in Guadalajara and we recorded songs for four days straight. It was very cool of her to sing with me.”
So what has Garcia learned about working with some of his idols? The importance of staying true to yourself and having a strong work ethic when creating music.
“In order to reach a unique sound this has to come from the heart. You have to do this based on your identity and to me that lies in my home country. Know who you are,” says Garcia. “I write songs almost every day, and now, I’m taking the time to fine-tune my songs.”
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.
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.
