Miguel to Perform for the First-Time at the Latin Grammys

Miguel is preparing for Latin music’s biggest night…

The 34-year-old Mexican American R&B singer, songwriter, who released the Spanish EP Te Lo Dije earlier this year, is set to perform at this year’s Latin Grammys, according to The Latin Recording Academy.

Miguel

Miguel is part ofthe final wave of performers and presenters joining the star-studded 2019 Latin Grammys lineup.

In addition to Miguel, who performed “Remember Me” with Natalia Lafourcade on the soundtrack to Disney’s Dia de los Muertos-themed animated film Coco, new additions to the performers roster include Alicia KeysFarrukoOzunaResidenteBeto CuevasCalibre 50Leonel GarcíaFito PáezMilly QuezadaTony SuccarCarlos Rivera, and Prince Royce.

Plus, Ángela AguilarEduardo “Visitante” Cabra,Sofia CarsonEmilio EstefanMon LaferteWilliam LevyRudy Mancuso,,Luis Gerardo MéndezMichael Peña, and Dayanara Torres join as presenters. 

Nominees CamiloDe La GhettoPaula FernandesKany GarcíaChristian Nodal and Tommy Torres were previously announced as presenters.

Coined as “the biggest night in Latin Music,” the awards show will kick off with a never-before-seen tribute honoring the 20th Anniversary of the Latin Grammys. A group of 20 artists, who’ll perform together for the first time, will interpret multiple iconic songs spanning various genres of Latin music while commemorating the past 20 years of excellence.

The final roster of performers join already confirmed artists Aitana, Anitta, Pedro CapóJulio Reyes CopelloDarellDimelo FlowFonsecaLuis FonsiGreeicyIntocableNellaReikRosalía, and Alejandro Sanz, who’s this year’s top nominee. 

The awards show will also include performances by Pepe Aguilar and Los Angeles AzulesPaula ArenasBad BunnyAlessia CaraDraco Rosa, Ximena SariñanaSech, Sebastián YatraNatalia Jiménez, Olga Tañón and Juanes, who as the 2019 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year will perform a medley of his biggest hits.

VicenteAlejandro, and Alex Fernandezwill also take the stage, becoming the first time all three generations of the Fernandez family will perform at the show. They’ll be joined by Mariachi Sol de Mexico

The 20th annual Latin Grammys, which will be co-hosted by Ricky Martin and actresses Roselyn Sánchez and Paz Vega, will air live Nov. 14 from the MGM Grand Garden Arenain Las Vegas via Univision.

Mon Laferte to Be First Chilean Artist to Kick Off Viña del Mar Festival in Decades

Mon Laferte is the fest in show…

The Viña del Mar Festival has unveiled its first artist its 61st annual event… the 36-year-old Chilean singer-songwriter, who was born and raised in the city.

Mon Laferte 

The announcement was made by the organizing committee of the LXI International Festival of Viña del Mar, chaired by Chilean politician Virginia Reginato

Mon Laferte will be the first Chilean artist to kick off the event in recent decades. 

Laferte is known for her fusion music of blues-rock, Latin alternative, bolero, and cumbia, as heard in her songs such as “Tu Falta de Querer,” “Mi Buen Amor,” and “Amarrame.” 

Television presenters María Luisa Godoyand Martín Cárcamowill be returning as hosts of Viña del Mar, which will take place between February 23 and 28. 

According to the official statement, the LXI International Song Festival of Viña del Mar will be broadcast in Chile via Channel 13 and TVN in conjunction with the radio stations of the IARC-ADNand Pudahuelradio conglomerate. FOX Networkswill air the festival in Latin America. 

Mon Laferte Signs Worldwide Publishing Deal with Universal Music Publishing Mexico

Mon Laferte is going global… 

The 35-year-old Chilean alt-pop chanteuse with a beguiling voice and songs has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Mexico.

Mon Laferte

The deal will cover all of Laferte’s compositions moving forward, including her new single, “El beso,” released on Friday, September 7.

As a recording artist, Laferte is also signed to Universal Music Latin Entertainment. As a songwriter she was previously signed to Warner/Chappell.

Laferte has burst into prominence in the past year with her alt/folk fusion, winning a Latin Grammy for Best Alternative Song for her single “Amárrame.”

Most recently, she toured the U.S. with Juanes, playing 16 cities, in addition to performing for over 90,000 during her Latin American “Amarte” tour.

“The first time you hear Mon Laferte live, it’s an unforgettable experience. A deeply talented songwriter and artist, she is a bright star that electrifies with her lyrics and performances,” said Yadira Moreno, managing director, UMPG Mexico, in a statement.

Mon Laferte to Perform at the Immigrant Rights-Themed “Selena for Sanctuary” Concert

Mon Laferte is taking on the music of a legend… And it’s all for a good cause.

The 35-year-old Chilean singer-songwriter will perform at “Selena for Sanctuary,” a free concert that’s part of the summer festival Lincoln Center Out of Doors.

Mon Laferte 

The concert aims to raise awareness about the dire situation of undocumented immigrant that has caused a national outcry, with the music of Selena being used to entertain and educate people about the plight of undocumented immigrants facing deportation.

“I am very excited to be part of this event,” said Laferte, a Latin Grammy winner. “I admire Selena and I grew up singing her songs. It is an honor for me to be able to sing her songs and to support this initiative with a subject like migration, which concerns us all.”

The show will also feature singers Gaby Moreno, Cuco and Nina Diaz, as well as special guest appearances by guitarist Chris Perez, Selena’s widower; Omar Apollo, and August Eve.

Created by Doris Munoz, daughter of undocumented immigrants, “Selena for Sanctuary” pays tribute to the most successful artist in Latin music while fighting for a cause. It arrives at the outdoor stage of the prestigious Lincoln Centerafter having smaller editions in South California.

“This event started as a simple idea and call to action after the current administration threatened our community’s sanctuary cities which affected my working-class undocumented parents,” Munoz said, referring to the policies of President Donald Trump.

She added: “It only feels necessary to leverage the platform we have been blessed with to help our community in need. This event is as personal as it gets, there are millions of families like my own and if this inspires at least one person to get involved we’ve done our job.”

More than two decades after her passing, Selena Quintanilla still inspires fans and musicians alike.

“We know Selena is a Tejano music icon and a legend, but beyond that, she represents the Latin American people as someone who fought for her dreams, overcoming many difficulties, always defending tooth and nail the Latino roots she carried inside,” Moreno said in an email.

Selena broke barriers for women in Latin music and opened the floodgates for a new generation of contemporary artists of Latin descent who would go on to enjoy huge popularity with mainstream American audiences.

She was fatally shot by her fan club’s president at 23. She has sold more than 65 million units worldwide, making her the best-selling female artist in Latin music history.

To Cuco, the late Tejano star launched a new era of representation for people of color in the industry.

“This event is important to me because it paves a way for people that went through the same struggle that my parents went through,” said the Mexican-American singer.

Mon Laferte’s “La Trenza” Enters the Top 5 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums Chart

It’s a special first for Mon Laferte

The 35-year-old Chilean singer has earned her first top five-charting set on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums as her 2017 album La Trenza surges 11-4 in its fifth tracking week.

Mon Laferte

On the overall Top Latin Albums tally, it vaults 50-12 — the biggest jump on the chart since December.

The set earned 2,000 equivalent album units in the week ending May 17 (up 126 percent), according to Nielsen Music. Most of that sum was driven by traditional album sales (up 167 percent). The title rallies thanks largely to sales generated by an in-store performance and album-signing appearance at Amoeba Music in Los Angeles on May 15.

La Trenza previously topped out at No. 10 on Latin Pop Albums for one week (May. 12).

La Trenza takes a striking 38-rank climb on the Top Latin Albums chart, as the set surges 50-12. It logs the largest positional jump since Puerto Rican Banco Popular’s compilation, Nuestra Isla, Nuestro Encanto surged 40 positions (45-5) on the Dec. 30, 2017- dated tally.

Concurrently, La Trenza leads the Latin Album Sales chart, jumping 7-1.

Juanes & Mon Laferte to Launch Joint North American “Amarte Tour”

Juanes is hitting the road with a rising star…

In a major twist from his traditional touring form, the 45-year-old Colombian star is joining forces with rising alt/chanteuse Mon Laferte.

Juanes & Mon Laferte

Together Juanes and the 34-year-old Chilean singer-songwriter will launch their 2018 North American Amarte Tour. Mexican artist Caloncho will be the opening act.

The trek is scheduled to kick off April 20 in Orlando’s Amway Center and will hit a mix of arenas and theaters in 15 additional cities, ending May 20 in Temecula’s Pechanga Theatre.

Both Juanes and Laferte launch the tour fresh from winning a Latin Grammy for their collaboration “Amárrame.” Juanes also won a Latin Grammy for best pop/rock album.

“It’s the first time to do a tour of this magnitude,” Mon LaFerte told Billboard at Casa Buchanan’s during Latin Grammy week, when the tour was still in its planning stages.

According to Juanes, both artists will travel in a tour bus with their respective bands.

“I admire Mon very much, I like what she does, and we’re going to do a very special show,” he added.

LaFerte and Juanes met LaFerte when to visit Juanes at his Miami home. “I literally knocked on his door,” she said laughing.

Watch the interview and check out the full list of tour dates below.

Amarte Tour 2018 Dates 

April 20 — Orlando, FL @ Amway Center
​April 21 — Miami, FL @ AmericanAirlines Arena
April 27 — New York, NY @ The Theater at Madison Square Garden
April 28 — Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theatre
April 29 — Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
May 01 — Chicago, IL @ Rosemont Theatre
May 03 — Dallas, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
May 04 — Houston, TX @ Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
May 06 — San Antonio, TX @ Freeman Coliseum
May 9 — El Paso, TX @ El Paso County Coliseum
May 11 — Phoenix, AZ @ Comerica Theatre
May 12 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum
May 16 — San Diego, CA @ Viejas Arena at San Diego State University
May 18 — San Jose, CA @ City National Civic
May 19 — Las Vegas, NV @ The Pearl at The Palms
May 20 — Temecula, CA @ Pechanga Theatre

Bad Bunny to Perform at This Year’s Latin Grammys

Bad Bunny is ready to take the stage at this year’s Latin Grammys

The 23-year-old Puerto Rican Latin hip-hop/trap singer and rapper, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is set to perform at this year’s awards show, airing live on November 16.

Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny, a nominee this year, joins a roster of performers that includes J Balvin, Flor De Toloache, Luis Fonsi, Juanes, Mon Laferte, Natalia Lafourcade, Maluma, Residente and Sofía Reyes.

Also slated to perform is person of the year honoree Alejandro Sanz and guest artists Steve Aoki, Alessia Cara, Logic and French Montana.

The Latin Grammys will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will air live on Univision, as well as around the world.

Jaime Camil and Roselyn Sanchez will host this year’s awards show.

The announced performers include the top nominees this year. Residente leads with nine — including record, album and song of year — while Maluma has seven, including three for record of the year. Juanes and Mon Laferte have five nominations each.

Residente Leads Pack of Latin Grammy Nominees with Nine Nods

It looks like Residente will be the artist to beat at this year’s Latin Grammys

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and founding member of Calle 13, whose real name is. René Juan Pérez Joglar, leads the list of nominees this year with nine nods.

Residente

Residente, who has won 24 Latin Grammy awards in his career, making him the Latin artist who has won the most gold-plated gramophones, picked up nods in the three main categories. He’s up for album of the year for Residente, his first solo album, and song and record of the year for “Guerra.”

In a departure, particularly for an album that had no radio singles, Residente also has different tracks up for best urban/fusion performance (“Dagombas en tamale”) best urban song (“Somos anormale”) and best tropical song (“Hijos del cañaveral”), while the ethereal music video to “Desencuentro,” a rare love song, is up for best short form music video.

Nipping at Residente’s heels, Maluma, with seven nods…

The 23-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer, who was nominated for Best New Artist in 2013, earned six of his nominations from only two categories.

In what may be a first for the Latin Grammys, Maluma has the same three recordings competing in both record and song of the year. “Felices los 4,” “Chantaje” (where he is featured on Shakira’s track) and “Vente Pa’Ca” (where he is featured on Ricky Martin’s track) are all up for record of the year; because Maluma has co-writing credit in all three tracks, he also garners nods in the song of the year categories, which are given to the songwriters.

“Chantaje” is also up for best urban fusion performance, giving Maluma his seventh nod.

Following Maluma with six nominations is Shakira, a 10-time Latin Grammy winner.

Shakira garnered three of her nods for “Chantaje,” her track with Maluma while her album El Dorado is also up for album of the year and best contemporary pop vocal album.

Juanes, Mon Laferte and producer/engineer/songwriter Kevin Jimenez ADG, who works with Maluma, have five nominations each.

Juanes is nominated for album and best pop/rock album of the year for his “visual” album, Mis planes son amarte, which is also up for best long form video.

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, the artists behind the global phenomenon “Despacito,” are up for four awards each for the track: song of the year (as writers), record of the year, best short form music video and best urban fusion performance, where they’re nominated for the “Despacito” remix that features Justin Bieber.

Of more than 500 submissions for best new artist, an award that has tended to shun big successes, the 10 nominees include at least seven signed to major labels: CNCOSebastian Yatra, Sofía Reyes, Martina La Peligrosa, Vicente García, Danay Suárez and Mau y Ricky.

Nominees to the Latin Grammys were chosen in 48 categories from over 10,000 total submissions and are voted upon by members of the Latin Academy who also vote for the winners.

This year’s Latin Grammys will air live on the Univision Network on November 16 and will be produced by a new team that includes Jose Tillan and Terry Lickona, longtime producer of Austin City Limits.

Find key nominations below:

Album Of The Year 
Salsa Big Band — Rubén Blades con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta
Obras Son Amores — Antonio Carmona
A La Mar — Vicente García
Fénix — Nicky Jam
Mis Planes Son Amarte — Juanes
La Trenza — Mon Laferte
Musas (Un Homenaje Al Folclore Latinoamericano En Manos De Los Macorinos, Vol. 1) — Natalia Lafourcade
Residente — Residente
El Dorado — Shakira
Palabras Manuales — Danay Suarez 

Record Of The Year 
“La Flor De La Canela” — Rubén Blades
“El Surco” — Jorge Drexler
“Quiero Que Vuelvas” — Alejandro Fernández
“Despacito” — Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee
“El Ratico” — Juanes featuring Kali Uchis
“Amárrame” — Mon Laferte featuring Juanes
“Felices Los 4” — Maluma
“Vente Pa’ Ca” —  Ricky Martin featuring Maluma
“Guerra” — Residente
“Chantaje” — Shakira featuring Maluma

Song Of The Year (A Songwriter’s Award)
“Amárrame” — Mon Laferte, songwriter (Mon Laferte featuring Juanes)
“Chantaje” — Kevin Mauricio Jiménez Londoño, Bryan Snaider Lezcano Chaverra, Joel Antonio López Castro, Maluma and Shakira, songwriters (Shakira featuring Maluma)
“Desde Que Estamos Juntos” — Descemer Bueno and Melendi, songwriters (Melendi)
“Despacito” — Daddy Yankee, Erika Ender and Luis Fonsi, songwriters (Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee)
“Ella” — Ricardo Arjona, songwriter (Ricardo Arjona)
“Felices Los 4” — Mario Cáceres, Kevin Mauricio Jiménez Londoño, Maluma, Servando Primera, Stiven Rojas and Bryan Snaider Lezcano Chaverra, songwriters (Maluma)
“Guerra” — Residente and Jeff Trooko, songwriters (Residente)
“La Fortuna” — Diana Fuentes and Tommy Torres, songwriters (Diana Fuentes featuring Tommy Torres)
“Tú Sí Sabes Quererme” — Natalia Lafourcade, songwriter (Natalia Lafourcade featuring Los Macorinos)
“Vente Pa’ Ca ” — Nermin Harambasic, Maluma, Ricky Martin, Mauricio Montaner, Ricky Montaner, Lars Pedersen, Carl Ryden, Justin Stein, Ronny Vidar Svendsen and Anne Judith Stokke Wik, songwriters (Ricky Martin featuring Maluma) 

Best New Artist
Paula Arenas
CNCO
Vicente García
Martina La Peligrosa
Mau y Ricky
Rawayana
Sofía Reyes
Rosalía
Danay Suarez
Sebastián Yatra 

Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album
Hijos Del Mar — David Bisbal
Rompiendo Fronteras — Alejandro Fernández
Flora Y Faῦna — Camila Luna
El Dorado — Shakira
Extended Play Yatra — Sebastián Yatra

Best Urban Fusion / Performance
“Si Tu Novio Te Deja Sola” — J. Balvin featuring Bad Bunny
“Despacito” (Remix) — Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber
“El Amante” — Nicky Jam
“Dagombas En Tamale” — Residente
“Chantaje” — Shakira featuring Maluma

Best Alternative Music Album
Jei Beibi — Café Tacvba
Apocalipsis Zombi — El Cuarteto de Nos
La Trenza — Mon Laferte
La Promesa De Thamar — Sig Ragga
Palabras Manuales — Danay Suarez

Best Regional Song (A Songwriter’s Award)
“Compromiso Descartado” — Espinoza Paz, songwriter (Leonardo Aguilar)
“Ganas De Volver” — Horacio Palencia, songwriter (Horacio Palencia)
“Sentimiento Emborrachado” — Raúl Jiménez E. and Chucho Rincón, songwriters (Santiago Arroyo)
“Siempre Es Así” — Juan Treviño, songwriter (Juan Treviño featuring AJ Castillo)
“Vale La Pena” — Edgar Barrera, Martín Castro Ortega and Alfonso Lizárraga, songwriters (Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga)

Best MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) Album
Dos Navegantes — Edu Lobo, Romero Lubambo, and Mauro Senise
DNA Musical — Alexandre Pires
Silva Canta Marisa — Silva
Até Pensei Que Fosse Minha — António Zambujo
Zanna — Zanna

For a full list of nominations, go to LatinGrammy.com.

 

La Santa Cecilia & Mon Laferte Give New Life to Café Tacvba’s “Ingráta”

La Santa Cecilia and Mon Laferte are celebrating one of Mexico’s most popular bands…

The Mexican-American band joined voices with the 34-year-old Chilean singer-songwriter to pay tribute to the rock band Café Tacvba with a new version of  “Ingráta.”

La Santa Cecilia & Mon Laferte

The song was recorded live on a rooftop alongside the Zocalo, the Historic Center of Mexico City – allowing viewers to appreciate the classic colonial architecture of the Metropolitan Cathedral, along with the songs’ traditional folkloric sound.

Mon Laferte to Perform at LAMC’s Central Park SummerStage

Mon Laferte is headed to the Big Apple…

Organizers of the annual Latin Alternative Music Conference have unveiled its Central Park SummerStage lineup, with the 33-year-old Chilean singer-songwriter and actress among the performers.

Mon Laferte

In addition to Mon Laferte, the list of performers includes psychedelic Los Angeles-based band Chicano Batman, Puerto Rican artist IFÉ, Venezuelan group La Vida Boheme, multifaceted NYC musician Princess Nokia and Argentine reggae group Los Pericos.

Mon Laferte, IFÉ and Princess Nokia will perform at SummerStage on July 12, while the other three artists will take the stage on closing night July 15.

The fest will take place on July 12-15 in New York.

Now in its 18th edition, LAMC, known as the “Sundance of Latin Music,” will take place at the Stewart Hotel, featuring keynote speakers, industry panels, showcases and other events that will be announced leading up to the conference.

Last year’s fest included performances by Grammy-winning artist iLe, Las Robertas and Sexy Zebras.

 

For registration info, click here.