J Balvin Becomes First Latino Artist to Headline NFL Kickoff Concert

Posted on September 9, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

J Balvin has earned a place in NFL history…

The 37-year-old Colombian singer performed at Alamitos Beach in Long Beach, California, on Thursday, September 8 as part of the NFL Kickoff Experience to celebrate the beginning of the 2022 NFL season, becoming the first Latino artist to headline an NFL kickoff concert.

J Balvin performed ahead of the first game of the year, which saw the Buffalo Bills battle with reigning Super Bowl champs, the Los Angeles Rams.

Attendees defied the L.A. heat wave and made their way to the beach for a free day event that featured all sorts of activities and activations, including a beach football field.

Before Balvin took the stage, a local mariachi band serenaded the sweaty crowd before the Alabama State Marching Hornets took over for a riveting number.

Opening for Balvin was West Coast-based DJ and producer Tokimonsta, who was able to get the concertgoers out of the shade and closer to the main stage where they danced to her eclectic set.

Then, an inflatable giant hand appeared onstage holding up an equally large smiling face balloon — Balvin’s signature smiley face— which could only mean that the chart-topping artist was ready to take make his grand entrance. While his set was scheduled to begin at 4:00 pm, Balvin took the stage 10 minutes earlier to perform a nearly one-hour show.

He appeared in a two-piece, army-like outfit styled with a matching balaclava that only exposed his eyes.

“Cómo está la vibra esta tarde, how’s the vibe today?” he asked the crowd.

Balvin kicked off with the fan-favorite “Mi Gente” and went on to perform back-to-back hits like “Reggaeton,” “Nivel de Perreo,” “Con Altura,” “Loco Contigo,” “Blanco,” “Ritmo,” “Amarillo,” “Ginza,” “I Like It” and “In Da Getto.” He also brought out a special guest, Trueno, an emerging rapper from Argentina, to perform their collaboration “Un Paso.”

“My name is Jose but they call me J Balvin,” he added. “Where are all the warriors that fight for their dreams? I see my Latino gang representing here.”

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Throughout the years, artists like Shawn Mendes, Meek Mill, Meghan Trainor and Ed Sheeran have performed at the NFL Kickoff Concert.

Jennifer Lopez to Perform as Part of “Global Citizen Live” Concert Event

Posted on August 10, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Jennifer Lopez is going global to defend the planet…

Global Citizen Live has revealed additional names of performers for its worldwide show on September 25, with the 52-year-old Puerto Rican superstar among those taking the stage.

J.Lo — who also performed as part of Vax Live in Los Angeles a few months ago — Taboo and his fellow Black Eyed Peas and Meek Mill are among the acts just added to the 24-hour event, which will feature performances on six continents.

Global Citizen, the international advocacy group behind the Vax Live concert on May 8, said next month’s event is aimed at defeating poverty, Covid and climate change.

The acts revealed today join Adam Lambert, Alessia Cara, Andrea Bocelli, Angélique Kidjo, Billie Eilish, BTS, Burna Boy, Camila Cabello, Christine and the Queens, Coldplay, Davido, Demi Lovato, DJ Snake, Doja Cat, Duran Duran, Ed Sheeran, Femi Kuti, Green Day, H.E.R., Hugh Jackman & Deborra-lee Furness, Keith Urban, Lang Lang, Lizzo, Lorde, Metallica, Rag’n’Bone Man, Ricky Martin, Shawn Mendes, The Lumineers, The Weeknd, Tiwa Savage and Usher.

Global Citizen’s stated goal for the event is call on world leaders, major corporations and foundations to donate at least 1 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses to those most in need by September, help the 41 million people on the brink of famine by contributing enough meals to feed everyone for the next year and combat climate change by developing science-based targets to reach net-zero emissions.

Broadcast and streaming partners for Global Citizen Live include ABC, ABC News Live, BBC, FX, iHeartRadio, Hulu, YouTube, Time and Twitter.

Here are the full concert lineups for September 25, with more locations and performances to be announced, per Global Citizen:

NEW YORK CITY
Coldplay, Billie Eilish, Camila Cabello, Jennifer Lopez, Lizzo, Meek Mill, Shawn Mendes (with guest performances by Alessia Cara, Burna Boy, Cyndi Lauper, Jon Batiste and Lang Lang)

PARIS
Ed Sheeran, Doja Cat, DJ Snake, H.E.R., Black Eyed Peas, Christine and the Queens (with a guest performance by Angélique Kidjo)

LAGOS, NIGERIA
Femi Kuti, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Made Kuti

Leslie Grace Teams Up with Meek Mill for Bacardi’s Remake of Gloria Estefan’s Iconic Song “Conga”

Posted on January 30, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Leslie Grace is letting her body do the conga…

The 26-year-old Dominican American singer-songwriter has joined voiced with rapper Meek Mill to release a reimagining of Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine’s smash hit single “Conga.”

The new version, which gives the ‘80s party banger a rhythmic-pop-urban twist, is part of Bacardi‘s “Conga Feat. You” campaign that launched in November.

“Bacardi presented this amazing plan, where they wanted me to recreate ‘Conga,’” Leslie Grace tells Billboard. “I couldn’t believe it was possible but they assured me that both Gloria and Emilio [Estefan] were on board. They wanted to entrust me with this project and I couldn’t pass on the opportunity.”

Calling the process “innovative,” Grace explained that the project originally began at the end of 2019 but was put on pause because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

“I went into the studio pre-Covid with Boi-1da. We immediately hit it off. I had written the first verse and the pre onto a loop he had sent me,” she notes. “Everything else was basically done remotely. Meek Mill jumped on the track later on after listening to the structure we built.”

The Estefans were also part of the process “every step of the way.”

Grace adds: “Everyone was really focused on maintaining the essence of this iconic track. Having their support and suggestions was beautiful. They approved every single thing on the project. This was really a labor of love and really intentional every step of the way with the original creators involved.”

“Conga” was the first Billboard Hot 100 hit for Gloria and Miami Sound Machine, peaking at No. 10 in February 1986. The song also hit No. 1 on Dance Singles Sales for one week in November 1985, and No. 7 on Dance Club Songs. The new version, at the helm of Grace, Mill, and Boi-1da, marks the first and only official remake of the original Latin dance classic in over 30 years.

“I’m a nineties baby, my generation grew up with ‘Conga’ and I grew up listening and dancing to the song in my living room,” Grace recounts. “Gloria is an inspiration to me. She’s one of the first artists I saw singing in both languages. I feel so honored and blessed to do this with Boi-1da and Meek Mill.”

Christina Aguilera Signs with Roc Nation Management

Posted on November 11, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Christina Aguilera is solid as a Roc…

The 39-year-old half-Ecuadorian American Grammy-winning singer has signed with Roc Nation management.

Rumors of the switch sparked when fans noticed the singer’s name and bio on the Roc Nation management roster. Aguilera joins Alicia Keys, DJ Khaled, Mariah Carey, Megan Thee Stallion, Meek Mill, Rihanna and more at the Jay-Z-founded agency.

Aguilera was previously managed by industry executive Irving Azoff, with whom she signed in 2000 after filing a breach of fiduciary duty lawsuit against her previous manager Steve Kurtz.

The pop singer’s most recent album, Liberation, debuted (and peaked) at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in 2018. It was her seventh top 10 on the chart.

“Accelerate,” which features Ty Dolla $ign and 2 Chainz, became her 10th No. 1 on the Dance Club Songs chart.

Camila Cabello Appears on Netflix’s “Bright” Soundtrack

Posted on December 14, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Camila Cabello’s future looks Bright…

Netflix has unveiled the soundtrack for its original film Bright, a 13-track effort chock full of features across all genres as well as a few unlikely genre-crossing collaborations.

Camila Cabello

The 20-year-old Mexican and Cuban singer and former Fifth Harmony appears on the soundtrack, alongside Future, Ty Dolla $ign, Meek Mill,and Snoop Dogg, among others.

Cabello and Grey cast an exotic spell on “Crown.” Grey slays it with Middle Eastern drums and Arabic strumming. The muted production brings the sensual heat of the desert, and drum machines and orchestral undertones bring a cinematic grandeur. Cabello comes in heavy and raw, injecting her performance with her own showmanship and hunger.

It’s described as a cool, moody EDM tune that’s sure to pump you up when you need it most.

The action movie will center on the lives of Will Smith and Joel Edgerton‘s characters, who are police officers — Smith plays as a human and Edgerton plays an Orc — heading on a routine mission that goes awry.

Fabolous to Perform at This Year’s Made in America Festival

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Fabolous is Made to order…

The 37-year-old half-Dominican American hip hop artist and “Make Me Better” singer will perform at this year’s Made in America Festival this September.

Produced by Live Nation and sponsored by Anheuser–Busch,the event features several stages that continuously host live music from a wide range of genres including hip hop, rock, pop, R&B, and EDM.

This year’s Made in America festival will take place on September 5 and 6 at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.

Headlined by Beyoncé and the Weeknd, the event will also include performances by Axwell & Ingrosso, J. Cole, Bassnectar, Modest Mouse, Death Cab for Cutie, Meek Mill, Big Sean, Future and more.

Click here to view the full lineup.

Fabolous to Perform at Hot 97’s Summer Jam

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Fabolous is ready to jam out this summer…

The 37-year-old half-Dominican American hip hop artist will perform at Hot 97’s Summer Jam.

The New York City radio station, the world’s most well known hip hop station, has officially revealed the lineup, which also includes performances by Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean, Chris Brown, Trey Songz, Meek Mill, Childish Gambino, Omarion and Ty Dolla $ign.

Fabolous and his friends will be performing on the main stage of the festival.

B.o.B, Joey Bada$$, Dej Loaf, Travi$ Scott and Teyana Taylor will be performing on the festival stage.

Summer Jam 2015 will take place on Sunday, June 7 at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.

Tickets are on sale now on Ticketmaster.

Carey Releases “Triumphant (Get ‘Em) Music Video

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Mariah Carey is a boxy lady…

The 42-year-old part-Venezuelan American diva and new American Idol judge has just released the music video for her latest single “Triumphant (Get ‘Em).”

In the clip, which includes appearances by rappers Rick Ross and Meek Mill, Carey takes to the boxing ring while dressed to the nines.

Carey forms part of rapper Meek Mill’s entourage, who’s playing the boxer at the center of the action. Rick Ross is serves as a member of the boxer’s crew.

But Carey’s most memorable moment comes when she appears as a boxing ring girl and holds up the cards announcing the rounds in the match.

Carey Releases Full Version of Her New Single “Triumphant (Get ‘Em)”

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Newly appointed American Idol judge Mariah Carey is officially back in the music game…

The 42-year-old part-Venezuelan American songstress—who could experience a massive Jennifer Lopez-like comeback in the next year now that she’ll be sitting at the judges table on Fox’s singing competition series—has released the full version of her brand new single “Triumphant (Get ‘Em).”

The track, which features Rick Ross and Meek Mill, has Carey singing positive inspiration. “Can’t fall down, stay triumphant, keep on living/ Stay on your toes/ Get off the ropes/ Don’t let ’em ever count you out/ Realize all things are possible/ In your heart who’s the greatest/ Reach for the stars, be all that you are,” she sings in the chorus.

“Working with Ross and Meek on the same record was incredible,” said Carey on a conference call Thursday. “Obviously Ross is a star and everybody loves him. I’m a fan of his music. I really, really wanted to work with him.”

She continued singing praises for both Ross and Meek, “I love the tone of his voice. I think the contrast of his voice and mine would be something special. I always like to do collaborations that people might think are different. Meek adds an excitement, a newness to the record that is pretty rare right now.”

Brian Michael Cox, who co-wrote and co-produced the single along with Carey and Jermaine Dupri, told MTV, “This song is kind of inspirational. It’s close to her heart, and I think her fans are going to really, really be emotionally attached to this song.”

Cox adds, “I expect that this record’s going to be a huge record. I expect that this is going to be one of her bigger albums.”

“Triumphant” will be featured on Carey’s upcoming album, which is still untitled.

“I’m collaborating with a lot of my favorite people but the main thing is [that] I’m not trying to follow any particular trend,” said Carey about her highly anticipated new album. “I want it to be well received. I want to stay true to myself and the music that I love and make the fans happy.”

Carey’s Next Single: “Triumphant (Get ‘Em)”

Posted on July 21, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Mariah Carey is celebrating her latest triumph… some highly anticipated new music.

The 42-year-old part-Venezuelan American singer, rumored to be the top contended to replace Jennifer Lopez on American Idol, has announced that her latest single will be coming out this summer.

“So I can finally announce to you that my new single is coming out early August! It’s called TRIUMPHANT (Get ‘Em) ft. Rick Ross & Meek Mill,” tweeted the Grammy-winning singer on Saturday.

Carey also hinted that the new single could have inspirational lyrics, much like her other popular songs like “Hero.” In a separate tweet, she said, “I wrote TRIUMPHANT when I was going through a difficult time & it helped me get through it. When u hear it, pay attention 2 the lyrics.”

Carey, who will receive the BMI Icon award later this year, co-wrote and co-produced the new single with Jermaine Dupri and Brian Michael Cox, who also worked with her on her singles “Shake It Off” and “Don’t Forget About Us.”

The new single reportedly is a part of the summer treat that the star announced in June through Twitter. She previously teased that she had been “mixing up some concoctions.” She ended the message with the hashtag “MCSummer2012,” the same tag seen on her “Stay Triumphant” note.

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