Wisin & Yandel to Receive BMI President’s Award

Wisin & Yandel are getting the presidential treatment…

The iconic Puerto Rican reggaeton duo will be honored with the BMI President’s Award at the 29th Annual BMI Latin Awards, which will be held on March 15 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Wisin & YandelWisin & Yandel will receive the honor in recognition of their outstanding achievements and contributions to the Latin music community that span over 20 years and continue to influence the next generation of songwriters, according to the music rights organization.

“Wisin & Yandel are true innovators of reggaeton and urban Latin music” Jesus GonzalezBMI vice president, creative, Latin, said in a statement. “Their music transcends generations and has influenced many artists across all genres, helping to propel Latin music forward. We’re thrilled to finally come together and present this distinct honor to ‘el duo de la historia,’ whose undeniable chemistry and talents have earned them legions of fans around the world.”

Since the late ’90s, Wisin & Yandel has scored a number of hits on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, including “Rakata,” “Ahora Es,” “Llame Pa’ Verte” and “Algo Me Gusta de Ti.”

Wisin y Yandel also brought reggaetón from an underground genre to the mainstream in collaborations with different artists, including Chris Brown, T- Pain, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, Luis Fonsi and Enrique Iglesias.

The special award presented to a songwriter, composer, producer or executive who has “profoundly influenced the entertainment industry,” Wisin & Yandel join previous BMI President’s Award recipients including Carlos Vives, Gloria Trevi, Juanes, Luis Fonsi, Mario Quintero, Pitbull and Sergio George, among others.

Songwriters, publishers and administrators of the past year’s most-performed Latin songs in the United States will also be honored during the ceremony hosted by BMI president & CEO Mike O’Neill and Gonzalez. The BMI Regional Mexican Song, Songwriter, BMI Contemporary Latin Song, Songwriter and Publisher of the Year will also be named.

Cris Abrego to Receive the Imagen Foundation’s President’s Award

Cris Abrego is presidential…

The Imagen Foundation has announced that the Latino television producer, writer and executivewill receive this year’s Imagen President’s Awardat the 34th Annual Imagen Awards

Cris Abrego

Abrego is the chairman of Endemol Shine Americasand CEO of Endemol Shine North America.

The Imagen Awards were established in 1985 to encourage positive portrayals of Latinos in the media.

“Cris Abrego has embraced his experiences and background which have allowed him to appreciate the value of diversity and inclusion both behind the scenes and in front of the camera,” said Helen Hernandez, president & founder of the Imagen Foundation. “He has understood the importance and the power of the U.S. Latino market and has endeavored to create and inspire content that speaks to our communities.”

Abrego oversees the North American and Latin American divisions of Endemol Shine Group.

“I am truly humbled that the Imagen Foundation has selected me for this incredible honor,” said Abrego. “Norman Lear, who founded the Imagen Awards and is a pioneer of inclusion in entertainment, is someone I have always admired and been inspired by. And the list of former recipients of the President’s Awardis filled with some of the most talented and celebrated writers, producers and actors in our industry, many of whom have helped pave the way for Latinos in Hollywood.”

The 34th Annual Imagen Awards will take place on Saturday, August 10th, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotelin Beverly Hills.

Luis Fonsi Extends Worldwide Deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing

Luis Fonsi is getting an extension

The 40-year-old Puerto Rican singer, who picked up five trophies at the Billboard Music Awards over the weekend, has extended his worldwide deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing.

Luis Fonsi

The new agreement with Fonsi includes his global hit “Despacito,” which is now the Latin song with most wins ever at the BBMAs.

The new agreement with Fonsi, who first signed to Sony/ATV in 2005, includes recent hits “Despacito” and “Echame la Culpa.” But it also encompasses his past catalog of Spanish language hits, including “Aqui Estoy Yo,” “No Me Doy Por Vencido” and “Nada Es Para Siempre.” The deal also includes future works.

“I’m happy to continue to work with the amazing Sony/ATV family led by my longtime friend Jorge Mejia,” said Fonsi in a statement, referring to Sony/ATV’s president for Latin America and U.S. Latin. “We’ve shared some amazing moments together and I can’t wait to celebrate more.”

Added Mejia: “In my career and perhaps in the annals of Latin music, there is certainly a ‘before Despacito’ and an ‘after Despacito’. I am honored to extend our long-standing relationship with Luis Fonsi, a history-making artist, songwriter and friend.”

In addition to his most recent wins at the BBMAs, Fonsi was presented with the President’s Award at the BMI Latin Awards in Los Angeles in March.

Residente to Receive BMI Champion Award

Residente is a true champion

The 40-year-old Puerto Rican singer/songwriter will be receiving the BMI Champion Award at the 25th Annual BMI Latin Awards, Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) announces exclusively on Billboard.

Residente

It’s the first time in the history of the annual gala that the honor will be given to a Latin artist.

The Champion Award will recognize Residente’s musical career and philanthropic efforts.

“Outside of being one of Latin music’s most highly decorated award-winners, Residente is a true humanitarian,” said Delia Orjuela, BMI Vice President of Creative, Latin Music in a statement.

The 22-time Latin Grammy winner now joins Keith Urban and Congressman Doug Collins (R-GA-9), who were both honored with the champion award, in honor to their commitment to support the next generation of songwriters and music makers.

Meanwhile, Luis Fonsi will receive the BMI President’s Award at the ceremony that will be held on Tuesday, March 20th at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA and hosted by BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill and Delia Orjuela.

Justina Machado Wins First-Ever Imagen Award for Her “One Day at a Time” Performance

The third time’s the charm for Justina Machado

The 44-year-old Puerto Rican actress, a three-time nominee, picked up her first Imagen Award. The awards honor the positive portrayal and creative excellence of Latinos and Latino cultures on screen.

Justina Machado

Machado, who’d previously been nominated for her performances on HBO’s Six Feet Under in 2005 and 2006, took home the Best Actress – Television award for her performance in Netflix’s One Day at a Time, which was named Best Primetime Television Program – Comedy.

Machado’s on screen children, Isabella Gomez and Marcel Ruiz, also picked up awards. Gomez was named Best Supporting Actress – Television; Ruiz was named Best Young Actor – Television.

Scandal star Guillermo Diaz was named Best Actor – Television, his first Imagen Award in two attempts.

Peter Gadiot picked up his first Imagen Award, and his first acting prize in his first-ever nomination. The 31-year-old half-Mexican actor was named Best Supporting Actor – Television for his work on Queen of The South.

In film, Miguel Arteta won the best director award for Beatriz at Dinner, while Diego Luna was named best actor – feature film for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Best actress – feature film was awarded to Salma Hayek for her work in How to be a Latin Lover.

Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and his family were given the Imagen Foundation’s President’s Award for their humanitarian and artistic contributions.

The Imagen Awards were hosted by comedian/actress Aida Rodriguez before more than 600 attendees.

The Imagen Awards 2017 winners were judged and selected in seventeen categories by an independent panel of entertainment industry executives and Latino community leaders. The Imagen Awards program was established in 1985.

Here’s a look at the complete list of 2017 Imagen Awards winners:

Best Picture: How to be a Latin Lover
Best Director: Miguel Arteta, Beatriz at Dinner
Best Actor – Feature Film: Diego Luna, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Best Actress – Feature Film: Salma Hayek, How to be a Latin Lover
Best Primetime Television Program – Drama: Queen of the South
Best Primetime Television Program – Comedy: One Day at a Time
Best Primetime Program: Specials, Movies, & Mini-Series: American Crime
Best Actor – Television: Guillermo Diaz, Scandal
Best Actress – Television: Justina Machado, One Day at a Time
Best Supporting Actor – Television: Peter Gadiot, Queen of The South
Best Supporting Actress – Television: Isabella Gomez, One Day at a Time
Best Young Actor – Television: Marcel Ruiz, One Day at a Time
Best Variety or Reality Show: Fluffy Breaks Even
Best Children’s Programming: Elena of Avalor
Best Documentary: ESPN Features: SC Reportajes “The Heights”
Best Informational Program: Gaycation with Ellen Page
Best On-Air Advertising: Acura MDX: “Family Home”