Becky G to Co-Host This Year’s Latin American Music Awards

Becky G will be spending a lot of time on the Latin AMAs stage…

The 27-year-old Mexican American singer, songwriter, rapper and actress will serve as a co-host alongside Thalia, Alejandra Espinoza and Carlos Ponce at this year’s Latin American Music Awards.

Becky GOther artists set to take center stage during the awards ceremony — which is celebrating the theme We Speak Música — include Feid, Anitta, Manuel Medrano and Oscar Maydon. The first of the four (in addition to Peso Pluma) is the most nominated artist this year, leading with 12 nods.

Feid and Peso, who are up for the artist of the year and album of the year awards, are followed by top nominees Bad Bunny (11), Grupo Frontera (11), Karol G (9), Shakira (9), Eslabon Armado (8) and Fuerza Regida (8).

Meanwhile, three artists will receive a special recognition during the ceremony: Recognized for their notable musical careers, both Banda MS and Ricardo Montaner will be honored with the Latin AMA Legacy Award, and Yandel will be celebrated for his contributions to the Latin urban music scene with the Latin AMA Pioneer Award.

The 2024 Latin American Music Awards will air live at 7:00 pm ET on Thursday, April 25, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas via Univision, UNIMÁS, Galavisión and ViX. 

Here’s a look at this year’s participating celebrities:

AB Quintanilla
Anitta
Arcángel
Banda MS
Becky G
Carin León
Chino Pacas
Dalex
Danny Ocean
Deorro
Dimelo Flow
Farruko
Feid
Gabito Ballesteros
Jay Wheeler
Jennifer Nettles
Justin Quiles
Ky-Mani Marley
Lenny Tavárez
Los 2 De La S
Manuel Medrano
Marc Anthony
Milo Beat
Mora
Morat
Nacho
Noel Schajris
Oscar Maydon
Peso Pluma
Ricardo Montaner
Ryan Castro
Sech
Sergio George
Silvestre Dangond
Thalia
Venesti
Wisin
Yandel
Yng Lvcas
Zhamira Zambrano

Manuel Medrano Reveals First U.S. Tour Dates

Manuel Medrano is preparing to entertain U.S. audiences for the first time.

After building a 10-year career, the 36-year-old Colombian pop singer and Latin Grammy winner is officially touring the U.S. for the first time.

Manuel Medrano

Medrano—known for ballads like “Bajo el Agua,” “Afuera del Planeta,” and “La Distancia”—unveiled four North American cities added to his “Manuel Medrano en Concierto” Tour that already made stops in Mexico and Latin America.

This week, at an intimate press event where he also performed an upcoming single with famed pianist Arthur Hanlon, Medrano announced he’ll be visiting Orlando, New York, Miami, and Puerto Rico next.

Medrano will kick off his brief visit to North America with a show at Hard Rock Live Orlando in Florida on November 7 followed by a concert at Colen Auditorium in Flushing, New York.

He’ll then make is way back to Florida to perform at Miami’s James L. Knight Center and wrap up on November 16 at Coca-Cola Music Hall in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“Having the opportunity to visit the United States is gratifying because I will arrive with many more songs,” Medrano said in a statement. “On the other hand, I will bring a much bigger and more powerful performance, with various musicians on stage and a show based on the concept of all my albums. I’m very happy to be back with an open heart for all my fans.”

Medrano is working on the follow-up to his sophomore album Eterno and recently joined Jared Leto and his band 30 Second to Mars for a special performance at the Colombian music festival Estéreo Picnic.

He will be visiting Europe and South America before performing in the States, stopping by La Riviera in Madrid, Spain, on May 19 and then Razzmatazz 2 in Barcelona. He makes his way back to Latin America with a night at Arena Monticello in Santiago, Chile, on June 15, a concert at Teatro Broadway in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on June 19 and a stop at Anfiteatro Parque Exposición in Lima, Peru, on June 22.

Manuel Medrano North American Tour Dates
November 7 – Hard Rock Live Orlando – Orlando, Florida
November 9 – Colden Auditorium – Flushing, New York
November 10 – James L. Knight Center – Miami, Florida
November 16 – Coca-Cola Music Hall – San Juan, Puerto Rico

Manuel Medrano Releases New Single “Verano en NY”

Summer may have come and gone, but Manuel Medrano is still embracing the season.

The 35-year-old Colombian Latin Grammy-winning singer has released the new single “Verano en NY.”

Manuel MedranoThe new single pays tribute to a summer in New York with this soulful alt-pop song powered by sincere lyrics inspired by a memorable summer spent with a great love.

The song was co-produced by Juan Ariza, Jona Camacho and Medrano, and features Medrano’s deep vocals chanting lyrics such as, “Remember that summer in New York/ When we walked hand in hand together/ Don’t forget that I’m still alive.”

The accompanying music video, directed by Salomon Simhon and filmed in New York, tells a captivating story about a boy who works at a flower shop and falls in love with one of his customers, daydreaming about various romantic scenarios and always bringing her flowers.

“Verano En NY” is the first single from his upcoming third studio album and showcases Medrano’s artistic and musical evolution, immersing us in magical realism.  

Paula Arenas Releases New Single “Un Día A La Vez”

Paula Arenas is taking it one day ty a time

The 34-year-old Colombian pop singer-songwriter has released the new single “Un Día A La Vez.”

 

Arenas’ introspective pop song is the result of a period of reflection and internal struggle with depression and anxiety.

“If I turn off the lights I know/ That I am only soul, bone and skin/ And what judges me/ I wish I didn’t care later/ One day at a time, one day at a time,” sings the Latin Grammy-nominated artist in the chorus of the mid-tempo tune, which she co-wrote with Valentina Rico.

The music video, directed by her husband Beto Pérez Fleta, offers a glimpse into Paula’s thoughts and feelings while writing the song.

“Un Día A La Vez” is the third single from Arena’s next studio, album after “Volando Bajito” and “Puro Sentimiento,” featuring Manuel Medrano.

The album, still untitled, should be out in the first quarter of 2023.

Manuel Medrano Teams Up Paula Arenas to Release New Single “Puro Sentimiento”

Manuel Medrano is getting all sentimental

The 34-year-old Colombian singer has joined voices with his compatriot Paula Arenas to release the new single “Puro Sentimiento,” with the official music video premiering Thursday on Billboard.

Manuel MedranoAfter years of friendship, Medrano and Arenas have finally released their first-ever collaborative effort.

“Puro Sentimiento” is an ‘80s-inspired love song with chill funk melodies and smooth soulful vocals, narrating the story of two people who have chemistry.

“I’m counting the hours so that you can meet this special song for me,” Arenas expressed on Instagram. “Because I wrote it with two friends, Manuel Medrano and Juan Pablo Vegas because we had a great time filming the video, because it’s years of friendship reunited in one song, and because it’s a dream come true.

The official music video, directed by Jesus Adrianza, brings the lyrics of “Puro Sentimiento” to life, showing both Arenas and Medrano pulling closer to each other every once in a while atop the old Post Office building in Downtown Miami.

“Puro Sentimiento,” which translates to “pure feelings,” marks Arenas’ second single of the year.

It follows a successful 2021, where she was a four-time nominee at the 2021 Latin Grammys for album of the year, song of the year, record of the year, and best contemporary pop vocal album with her EP Mis Amores. The set also received a Grammy nomination for best Latin pop album.

Up next, Arenas will share the stage with Medrano as a special guest on his “Eterno Tour” in Mexico.

The tour kicks off Friday, May 13, at the Showcenter Complex in Monterrey.

Carla Morrison Among Artists Confirmed for Season 3 of HBO’s “HBO Latino Presents: A Tiny Audience”

Carla Morrison is preparing for her Tiny moment… 

A Tiny Audience is unveiling its season 3 lineup, with the 35-year-old Mexican indie-pop singer and composer among the participating artists.

Carla MorrisonPresented by HBO Latino, the series features intimate live specials with some of Latin music’s hottest acts, including Paulina Rubio in season 2, where the artist is filmed in a live and unfiltered way, revealing a personal secret to the small audience and performing songs that are meaningful to them.

In its new season, HBO Latino Presents: A Tiny Audience will present Morrison, Danna Paola, Jessie Reyez, Justin Quiles, La India, Mike Bahia, Ximena Sariñana, Jay Wheeler, Becky G, Zion y Lennox, Robin Thicke, Manuel Medrano, Leslie Grace, Guaynaa, El Fantasma, Aleks Syntek and a tribute to Celia Cruz.

Season 3 premieres on April 22 on HBO/HBO Max in the U.S. and DirecTV/DirecTV GO in Latin America.

Manuel Medrano Releases New Single “Nenita”

Manuel Medrano is making sweet music…

The 33-year-old Colombian Latin Grammy-winning singer has released his latest track “Nenita.”

Manuel Medrano

It’s the second single of his upcoming new album that can easily become a declaration of love beyond time and distance.

Written from the heart by Medrano, the song represents true and free love. Manuel himself confesses love to someone very special who he wants to share in this and other lives.

“You are what I always wanted / only you have what I dreamed of / Let me tell you that you are the light / that lights up the days in my world and no one knows that you are .”

The song is a beautiful blend of lyrics, electric guitars, and Medrano’s soothing Latin pop.

It was produced together with Juan Pablo Vega.

Manuel Medrano Releases New Single “Hay Una Luz Dentro De Ti”

Manuel Medrano is shining a new light on love…

The 33-year-old Colombian pop singer has released a new single “Hay Una Luz Dentro De Ti.”

Manuel Medrano

After testing the waters with a pop-funk-meets-urban sound, which he simply nailed, Medrano returns to his roots on the single.

In true and authentic Medrano fashion, he laces a soulful alternative beat with heartfelt lyrics that will simply make anyone fall in love.

“There are so many things within you that I can’t resist” and “your heart and mine join forces and it feeds my entire body,” are some of the lyrics that Medrano’s deep vocals chant, flaunting his ease with poetry.

The music video is just as symbolic, showing a couple’s love story through lyrical dance as Medrano performs the song in an abandoned train station and inside a vintage theater.

Beatriz Luengo’s “Havana Street Party Presents” Concert Special Streaming on HBO Max

Beatriz Luengo has bared it all…

The 38-year-old Spanish singer, songwriter and actress appeared in an intimate concert special filmed in Havana, Cuba, that premiered on HBO Latino on Friday, February 12.

Beatriz Luengo

The second installment of the HBO concert series “Havana Street Party Presents” — filmed before the global pandemic — not only includes live performances of Luengo’s Cuerpo y Alma album, but also taps into personal stories and empowering anecdotes as told by Luengo.

“Prior to the tour that was expected to start in 2020, I started making this documentary as a way to show my fans what my show would be like and as a presentation for those who don’t know me,” Luengo tells Billboard.

Of her 2018 album, she explains “cuerpo” are the songs she composes on top of beats, for artists like Daddy Yankee, Ozuna, Wisin, Yandel. “Alma” are the songs she pens for organic instruments, for artists like Reik, Thalia, Ha*Ash, Alejandra Guzman, and Ricky Martin.

“This concert is an opportunity to show how a woman has managed to become a songwriter in such a difficult industry,” she says.

Filmed at the doors of an ancient castle in Habana for a select group of local fans, Luengo’s special guests include Manuel Medrano, Farina, Blas Cantó, and Orishas. She’s accompanied by a gospel choir, string quintet, and live DJ throughout the show.

For Luengo, it was important to bring her concept to life, fusing melancholy with modernity, the past with the future.

“We created a very special ambiance,” she says. “I feel that it is a way of projecting and giving hope, showing the Cuban youth all the advanced technology, such as mapping. The entire production has a very strong message for me. Cuba deserves the best.”

Meanwhile, Luengo is making the rounds with the Yotuel and Omar Montes-assisted “Rebelde,” which has become a viral sensation on TikTok with its vogue-meets-flamenco dance. “It exploded!” she expresses. “The TikTok videos are giving me life, all the outfits, and concepts. I love to see how your music can generate a person’s creativity or simply have fun.”

“Havana Street Party presents Beatriz Luengo” is currently streaming on HBO Max.

Yeison Jimenez Signs With Vibras Lab for Global Representation

Yeison Jimenez has a vibrant future…

The 28-year-old Colombian singer has signed with Vibras Lab, the management company headed by J Balvin co-manager Fabio Acosta, for global representation.  

Yeison-Jimenez-

Jiménez, signed to Sony Colombia, is one of the leaders in the country’s burgeoning “Música popular,” or popular music movement, the name given locally to Colombia’s take on regional Mexican music.

“Colombia is a trend-setter in music, and música popular, as they call the genre in Colombia, has seen huge growth there in the past year,” says Acosta. “Yeison is a leader in that genre and he has the potential to be one of those Colombian artists who are very successful with another genre, as happened with reggaetón and artists from Medellín.”

The deal with Vibras, says Acosta, will allow Jiménez to expand in other territories. 

Already, the singer/songwriter has more than 400,000 followers on Spotify

Jiménez’s music is an example of how regional genres morph. Although he’s rooted in Mexican norteño and mariachi sounds, he also adds tropical music and the traditional acoustic guitar of Colombian popular music from the countryside for a unique blend of sounds.

Jiménez joins a Vibras roster that also includes Colombian Manuel Medrano, Argentine rapper Cazzu, J Balvin and newly signed Matt Paris.