Natanael Cano Among Headliners for 2025 Installment of Mexico City’s Axe Ceremonia Festival

Natanael Cano has a special axe to grind.

The 23-year-old Mexican rapper and singer will serve as one of the headlining acts for the 2025 edition of the Axe Ceremonia festival, which will take place April 5-6 at Parque Bicentenario in Mexico City, Mexico.

Natanael CanoCano is among a roster of headliners that includes Massive Attack, Tyler, the Creator, Charli XCXNathy Peluso, Parcels, Gesaffelstein, Fka Twigs, TOMORROW X TOGETHER and Meme del Real (Café Tacvba’s keyboard player).

The Marías, Hanumankind, A.G. Cook, NSQK, The Dare, Simpson Ahuevo and Brutalism 300 are other acts announced as part of the lineup for the festival, which has established itself as a cultural celebration featuring the best and most representative bands and soloists of the local and international scene.

Tickets were made available on Ticketmaster in a presale for CITIBANAMEX cardholders on Wednesday (Oct. 23), with the general sale beginning a day later, announced promoter Eco Live, which produces the event in collaboration with the Mexican promoter Ocesa.

The Axe Ceremonia, which will be celebrating its 12th edition, has become an interesting option within the circuit of major music festivals in Mexico, providing a space for diverse voices and multi-generational sounds, offering the freshest from the global scene on its lineup.

In the words of its promoters: “AXE Ceremonia is a platform that drives creative communities, cutting-edge talent and social activists so that their projects and ideas can reach a broader audience.”

Past editions have included global music stars such as Björk, Rosalía, Kendrick Lamar, LCD Soundsystem, Travis Scott, James Blake, Wu-Tang Clan, A$AP Rocky, Aphex Twin, Snoop Dogg, Animal Collective, Underworld, Nicolas Jaar and Fuerza Regida.

https://twitter.com/AXECeremonia/status/1848409977322451318?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1848409977322451318%7Ctwgr%5Ee4230a00a80b87632a63a3b10af49de6734283fe%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.billboard.com%2Fmusic%2Flatin%2F2025-axe-ceremonia-festival-lineup-1235808825%2F

Nanpa Básico Signs Record Deal with Sony Music’s 5020 Records

Nanpa Básico has a new recording contract…

The 31-year-old Colombian hitmaker has signed a record deal with 5020 Records.

Nanpa Básico Born Francisco David Rosero Serna, the singer-songwriter from Medellín, Colombia has made a name for himself due to his socially conscious, raw lyrics and a signature style that blends hip-hop with reggae and regional influences.

His latest album, HECHO M13RD4, includes collaborations with Ryan Castro, Gera MX and Santa Fe Klan.

“Joining 5020 Records is an important milestone in my career. This collaboration will allow me to reach even more fans and take my music to new heights,” Básico said in a statement. “I am excited about the future and the creative possibilities that this partnership brings.”

Sony Music recently launched 5020 Records out of Miami with a roster that includes Christina AguileraKany GarcíaNathy Peluso and Residente.

Básico had previously been releasing his music via his own self-titled imprint.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nanpa Básico to the family,” added Rafa Arcaute, co-president of 5020 Records. “His unique voice and powerful storytelling resonate with audiences around the world, and we look forward to supporting his artistic vision and helping him achieve even greater success.”

“Having Nanpa Básico in our roster reinforces our mission to expand the possibilities for Latin music exponents who, like him, are committed to excellence and the values of our culture,” added Bruno Duarte, 5020 Records co-president.

News of the deal comes on the heels of Básico’s upcoming Duelo Tour, which includes stops throughout Mexico, including Monterrey, Guadalajara and Mexico City.

Young Miko Teaming Up with Bizarrap for New Single “Music Session, Vol. 58”

Young Miko is readying for a high-profile music session…

The 25-year-old Puerto Rican rapper, singer-songwriter and former footballer is teaming up with Bizarrap for one of the producer’s popular music sessions.

Young Miko,Young Miko and the Argentine producer recently announced their collaboration on Instagram. 

The pair revealed that the song will arrive Wednesday, January 10.

It’s the first time the pair has joined forces for a track.

Young Miko joins an impressive roster of artists — including Shakira, Peso Pluma, Quevedo and Milo J — who’ve jumped on one of Bizarrap’s zealously streamed music sessions.

His collab with Shakira broke numerous records, including earning a staggering 14 Guinness World Records with her “Music Session, Vol. 53,” and a No. 3 spot on Billboard‘s 100 Best Songs of 2023. It also soared on multiple Billboard charts, including Latin Pop Airplay, where it spent 12 weeks at No. 1, and peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Global 200. 

The new song will follow Young Miko’s reggaetón banger “Señorita” also starring Wisin, and the club hit “Colmillo,” on which she paired up with superstars Tainy and J Balvin as well as genre pioneers Jowell & Randy.

Young Miko is set to perform in Mexico, making stops in Monterrey, Guadalajara and Mexico City starting on March 15.

Last year, the wordsmith, who was formerly a tattoo artist, landed on Billboard Latin and Español‘s 50 Best Spanish-language Rappers of All Time; she was also Billboard‘s Latin Rookie of the Year.

During Billboard Latin Music Week 2023, Young Miko joined an all-star roster of Latin female artists — including GALE, Maria Becerra, Nathy Peluso, Nicki Nicole and Kany García — for a panel dubbed Boys Club No More.

Classy 101,” her 2023 collaboration with Feid, landed at 99 on the Hot 100.

Paramount+ to Premiere Nick Barili’s New Docuseries “De La Calle” in November

Nick Barili is hittin’ the calle next month…

Paramount+ will premiere the 44-year-old Argentinian-American award-winning journalist, executive producer, director and writer’s new docuseries De La Calle in the U.S. and Canada on Tuesday, November 7.

Nick BariliAcross 8 episodes, Barili explores Latino urban music from the U.S. to Panama, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Spain and beyond.

The series takes a journey into the Latine diaspora to map the evolution of Urbano music and cultures that ignited the musical revolution of Rap, Reggaeton, Bachata, Latin trap, Cumbia and other sounds that influence music and culture worldwide.

Nick Barili, De La CalleInterviewees include Fat Joe, NORE, Residente, Mala Rodriguez, Nicky Jam, Nicki Nicole, Villano Antillano, Sech, Goyo, Nathy Peluso, Santa Fe Klan, Jessie Reyes, Feid, Aleman and Gente De Zona, among others.

“As a first-generation immigrant who learned how to speak English through Hip Hop at Malcolm X Elementary, I grew up straddling two worlds, speaking English at school and Spanish at home,” Barili, the project’s co-creator, executive producer and host, shared in a statement.

He continued, “I was influenced by El General and Calle 13 as much as E-40 and OutkastDe La Calle was created to explore how the seeds from the street that inspired Hip Hop are also present throughout Latin America and Spain. Going to the neighborhoods where El Movimiento was created, talking to the pioneers who were actually there and sharing the origin stories of superstars of today and tomorrow. I’m thrilled to have MTV Studios and Paramount+ as partners to bring De La Calle to the world.”

Fonseca to Take Part in Billboard’s En Vivo Concert Series During Latin Music Week 2023

Fonseca is heading to South Florida for a special performance…

The 44-year-old Colombian singer will take part in Billboard‘s En Vivo concert series, with the live shows taking place during Latin Music Week 2023, which returns to the Faena Forum in Miami October 2-6.

FonsecaIn addition to Fonseca, the En Vivo concert series will also feature performances by GreeicyMike BahíaMyke TowersNathy Peluso and Young Miko. 

Colombian power couple Greeicy and Mike Bahía will take the stage on Monday, October 2 for an intimate performance at the Faena Theater presented by Michelob ULTRA. It will be a private show, available only to Billboard Latin Music Week pass holders (21+).

That same day, Venesti, Maffio, Nacho, Bernier, Gonza and Alejo will help turn on the Official Billboard Latin Music Week Kickoff Party, hosted by DJ Alex Sensation and presented by AP Global Music. This event is open to the public and free to all Latin Music Week pass holders (21+).

On Wednesday, Oct. 3, Argentine-Spanish singer and songwriter Peluso will grace the stage at Oasis Wynwood with special guest Young Miko. Latin Music Week pass holders will receive free access, but the show is open to the general public with tickets starting at $35 (already available here.)

Two big stars will be taking the stage on Friday, October 6. During the day, Puerto Rican rapper, singer and songwriter Myke Towers will give a special performance at Wynwood Marketplace, as part of the Billboard Latin Music Week Block Party. The event is free and open to the public on a first come, first served basis.

And for a grand finale, there will be Friday Night with Fonseca. Sponsored by Michelob ULTRA, the Colombian singer will close the week of En Vivo performances at Oasis Wynwood — with tickets also starting at $35 and Latin Music Week pass holders (21+) receiving free access.

Celebrated for over 30 years, Billboard Latin Music Week is the longest-running and biggest Latin music industry gathering in the world. After a sold-out 2022 edition that featured live performances by Maluma, Camilo and GALE, to name a few, the event returns, coinciding with Hispanic Heritage Month.

Billboard Latin Music Week will also coincide with the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which will be broadcast live on Telemundo on Thursday, October 5 from the Watsco Center in Miami. The show will be available simultaneously on Spanish entertainment cable network Universo, Peacock, Telemundo’s App, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

Christian Chávez to Make Special Appearance During This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Week

Christian Chávez will be making a special appearance at this year’s Billboard Latin Music Week

The 40-year-old Mexican singer, songwriter and actor and his recently reunited RBD group mates Maite Perroni and Christopher von Uckermann have been confirmed for the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Week, set to take place on October 2-6 at the Faena Forum in Miami.

Christian ChávezFollowing their reunion tour announcement after a 14-year hiatus, the three RBD members will take center stage at Latin Music Week to share how their reunion tour came to fruition. This RBD marquee appearance follows another first as this month, all five members — Anahí, Dulce María, Perroni, Chávez and von Uckermann — will sit down with Billboard and Billboard Español for their first interview as a group.

Additionally, Chencho CorleoneFeidManuel Turizo and Myke Towers are also set to be part of the five-day legacy event.

Colombian superstar Feid, will bring together his creative and management team for a blow-by-blow panel on how his passion translated to success.

Hitmaker Myke Towers will participate in the “Deja tu Huella” panel presented by Cheetos. During the panel, the “LALA” singer will share the stage with fellow creatives from different fields who have also brought together success in conjunction with social responsibility.

Puerto Rican singer-songwriter and producer Corleone will be part of a panel conversation with Vico C. And, Manuel Turizo will grace the stage for a one-on-one conversation.

The aforementioned artists join a star-studded Billboard Latin Music Week that will feature exclusive panels and conversations with hitmakers throughout the week.

Previously announced participants include Shakira, Arcángel, Edgar Barrera, Maria Becerra, Eladio Carrión, Fonseca, GALE, Grupo Frontera, Natanael Cano, Nathy Peluso, Nicki Nicole, Peso Pluma, Santa Fe Klan, Sebastián Yatra, Vico C, Yng Lvcas, and Young Miko, with more to be revealed.

With 30 years of events, Billboard Latin Music Week is the longest running and biggest Latin music industry gathering in the world. After a sold-out 2022 edition that featured star Q&As with Maluma, Ivy Queen, Chayanne, Romeo Santos andChristina Aguilera, to name a few, the event returns, coinciding with Hispanic Heritage Month.

Billboard Latin Music Week will also coincide with the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards on Thursday, October 5, at the Watsco Center in Miami, and will broadcast live on Telemundo. The awards show will broadcast simultaneously on Spanish entertainment cable network Universo, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

Registration for the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Week is now open at BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com.

Bizarrap Announces Rauw Alejandro-Collaboration, “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 56,” Due This Week

Bizarrap is back with another all-star collaboration…

The 24-year-old Argentine DJ and record producer has partnered with Rauw Alejandro on his latest collaboration, “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 56,” due out this week.

Bizarrap,The track arrives only three weeks after Bizarrap released “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 55” with Peso Pluma

“What a joy it gives me to finally release music together my brother,” Biza expressed on his Instagram stories, tied to a short video announcement where Biza is seen surprising a select group of fans who are listening to the track for the first time in a booth in Madrid, Spain.

“Rauw Alejandro: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 56″—filmed in Biza’s blue-hued recording studio—is a catchy techno track where the Puerto Rican artist sings about two people who are single and desire each other.

“I’m alone and you’re alone / you want to taste me and I want to eat you all,” he chants in the sensual chorus. At the end of the track, the artists hint that a second collaborative effort is dropping this week.

“Rauw Alejandro x Bizarrap, ‘Baby Hello,’” reads the text with the June 23 date.

The new session comes on the heels of Biza and Peso’s heartbreak corrido that hit No. 1 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart dated June 17 and No. 5 on the Hot Latin Songs chart that same week.

Earlier this year, Biza earned his first No. 1 hit with the Shakira-assisted “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” a powerful EDM track where the Colombian artist didn’t hold back and is as blunt as ever about her ex, Spanish soccer star Gerard Piqué.

The dis track also peaked at  No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Rauw now joins a star-studded roster of artists who have dropped Bzrp Music Sessions including Arcángel, Nicky Jam, Residente, Nicki Nicole, Nathy Peluso, and Anuel AA, to name a few.

Bizarrap Named to Time Magazine’s 2023 Next Generation Leaders List

Bizarrap is leading the next generation through his music…

The 24-year-old Argentine DJ, producer and hitmaker has been named to Time magazine’s 2023 “Next Generation Leaders” list this week, which spotlights 10 global trendsetters and trailblazers.

Bizarrap, Bizarrap can usually be spotted in the background of his videos, back to the camera, shades obscuring his eyes, giving the floor—or, more accurately, the mic—to the artists he invites on the mega-popular YouTube music video series he started four years ago.

In an article titled “Viral Hitmaker Bizarrap Wants His Music to Speak for Itself,” Bizarrap—known for his fiery “BZRP Music Sessions” with Shakira, Nicky Jam, Quevedo and Nathy Peluso, to name a few—opened up to about the importance of people getting to know his music.

“I make music every day,” he told TIME. “I like thinking about ideas for my videos, making teasers. I’m always thinking about the next step.”

His numbers are impressive: 7.2 billion views on YouTube, 41.8 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Several of his videos and songs have hundreds of millions of views and streams. And Bizarrap, real name Gonzalo Julián Conde, has done it all without releasing an album.

 

But Bizarrap isn’t the only Latinx artist to be named to the list…

Rene Silva, a Brazilian journalist, is highlighted for launching his own newspaper covering the entire favela, as Brazil’s informal ­neighborhoods are known, at the age of 11.In 2005,

Silva persuaded teachers at his school in the Complexo de Alemão district to let him join the student newspaper—despite protests from older kids who thought he was too young. Within months he outgrew that gig, recruiting four other children to help him launch his own newspaper.

“I used to look through papers and I didn’t see the favela I knew represented,” he says. “The media only ever talked about drug trafficking, violence, death—so people from outside thought that’s all there is here.”

Eighteen years later, Voz  das Comunidades continues to chip away at those stereotypes. Now formally recognized as an NGO, it has 35 staff members who cover stories on culture, politics, sports, education, and problems of state neglect.

Click here to see the complete list.

Rels B. Agrees to Co-Management Deal with Federico Lauria & Pepo Ferradas

Rels B. has new representation…

The 29-year-old Spanish rapper, songwriter and music producer has signed with managers Federico Lauria and Pepo Ferradas, whose client list includes Nicki Nicole, Duki and Bizarrap (Lauria) and Camilo, Evaluna Montaner and Lali Esposito (Ferradas).

Rels B.Lauria and Ferradas will co-manage the rising Spanish artist.

Longtime friends, Lauria (CEO of DalePlay) and Ferradas (CEO of FPM Entertainment) have collaborated in multiple tours and projects, but this marks the first time the two executives team up to jointly to work in developing an artist’s career.

Rels B, also known as Skinny Flakk, began recording as a rapper but has evolved into more R&B and urban/pop territory with highly relatable lyrics and memorable melodies.

To date, he has amassed 4.5 million subscribers on his YouTube channel and has 15.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

After scoring multiple hits in his native Spain, Lauria and Ferradas are making a concerted effort to focus on the U.S. Latin and Latin American markets. This summer, Rels B finished playing a 27-date tour of the U.S. and Latin America, and in August, he put out his first single, “Cómo dormiste?,” under Lauria and Ferradas’ management.

The track garnered Rels B his first top 10 on the Billboard Argentina charts and the music video has over 38 million YouTube views. He recently released the alt/pop-leaning “pa quererte.”

Lauria and Ferradas have long worked together in different projects, most recently in Esposito’s sold-out Argentina tour, which Lauria promoted, and includes a grand finale at Velez Stadium, with 45,000 tickets sold. Both men have also scored big management wins in the past 12 months, Lauria with Duki and Bizarrap, and Ferradas with Camilo and, prior to that, Nathy Peluso.

But this is the first time they formalize a management alliance. Rels B releases music under his own Flakk Records and Dale Play, Lauria’s label. He is signed for publishing with Sony Music Publishing.

Nathy Peluso Signs with William Morris Endeavor (WME)

Nathy Peluso has new representation…

William Morris Endeavor (WME) has signed the 27-year-old Argentine singer-songwriter as a client in all areas.

Nathy PelusoThe agency will build Peluso’s business across touring, acting, fashion, talent ventures and more.

“I absolutely love performing live and visiting the world with my music, is such an enormous privilege,” Peluso said in a press statement. “I’m very happy to be represented by a team of strong women that believe in me and support me. I feel we will achieve great things together.” 

Peluso’s female-led team includes her manager Florencia JuriLucy Dickins, who’s leading the WME team; and agents Ashley Gonzalez and Phoebe Holley, among others, in addition to her publicist Jordan Frazes of Frazes Creative.

Peluso’s R&B-tinged vocals full of soul, unapologetic in-your-face lyrics and killer dance moves have put her on the map since she began placing her music on YouTube in 2017. She explored her passion for music when she was studying abroad and would write street poetry and rap bars as part of the then-underground hip-hop movement in Spain.

In 2020, Peluso released her sophomore album Calambre under Sony Music Entertainment España, where she experiments with neo-soul, perreo fusions, old-school ‘90s rap, tango and tropical music, to name a few.

“My music has an honest identity,” the former Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise previously told Billboard. “If I create music from the heart, it will always be different. Summarizing it to one genre or a specific style would be lying to you.”

Also in 2020, Peluso was a two-time nominee at the 2020 Latin Grammys for best alternative song for “Buenos Aires,” along with the coveted best new artist award.

In 2021, Calambre won the Latin Grammy for best alternative music album and was nominated for best Latin rock or alternative album at the Grammys.

Earlier this year, Peluso made her grand debut at the coveted Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where Latin colleagues such as Karol G and Grupo Firme also took center stage.