Tag Archives: Marc Antony

Calle 13’s René Pérez Named King of New York City’s Puerto Rican Day Parade

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There’s no raining on René Pérez Joglar’s parade…

The 36-year-old Puerto Rican singer-composer and Calle 13 frontman, best known by his stage name Residente, has been named the king of New York City’s upcoming Puerto Rican Day Parade.

Rene Perez - Residente

Pérez, known as much for his music as for his social commentary and actions that include regular meetings with Latin American presidents, and recently, a collaboration with Julian Assange on the title track of the band’s recent album Multi-Viral, will be grand marshall of the parade, which will take place on June 8.

The front man of the record-holding Latin Grammy-winning group follows Latin music stars like Marc Anthony as king of the massive event on New York’s Fifth Avenue.

Pérez is an outspoken supporter of the Puerto Rican Independence movement.

The parade will also honor the two greats of Latin music, Cheo Feliciano and Gran Combo of Puerto Rico founder Eddie Pérez, both of whom who died in the past year.

Estefan Signs Development Deal with 20th Century Fox Television

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He’s one of the successful Latin music producers of all time… And now Emilio Estefan is setting his sights on television.

The 59-year-old Cuban-born musician and music producer has signed a development deal with 20th Century Fox Television. As part of the agreement, Estefan will bring to life his first drama series for network television.

Emilio Estefan

Estefan is already meeting with writers for the project, a Latino-themed series which he’ll executive produce. The pitch is expected to be presented to the networks this fall.

“Reaching out to all audiences, including the Latino audience, is a critical priority for this studio as we look for that next big international hit,” said 20th TV chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman. “Emilio has a vision for a dramatic series that combines great storytelling with an authenticity in terms of Latino culture that we think every network will want on their schedule.”

During his career, Estefan launched the Miami Sound Machine and has played a vital in developing the careers of his wife Gloria Estefan, Marc Antony, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Ricky Martin and Jon Secada, among others.

After helping so many Latino musicians crossi over into the mainstream, Estefan is ready to do the same with a Latino-themed series.

“I think this is the perfect time to do it,” he said, noting that Hispanics are the largest and fastest growing minority in the U.S.

Years ago, he shopped a script for Beauty Parlor, a series he said was in the vein of Modern Family, which is produced by 20th TV. Back then, he was told the American TV audiences were not ready for a Latino family. But Estefan, the winner of 19 Grammy Awards, believes the times have changed.