Tag Archives: Reggaeton

Ryan Castro Teams Up with Nike for New Capsule Collection

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Ryan Castro is ready to just do it…

The 30-year-old Colombian singer and songwriter is teaming up with Nike for a new collaboration.

Ryan CastroThe Nike by Ryan Castro capsule — available for a limited time at Nike’s flagship stores in Bogotá and Medellín — features customized designs by “El Cantante del Ghetto,” including T-shirts, jackets and shoes with unique laces and tags accessories.

 

Honoring the intersection of sports, reggaetón and Colombian culture, each piece has been created to capture the vibrant energy, attitude and creativity that define the artist and the brand, according to the press release.

“Collaborating with Nike for this exclusive capsule is a dream come true for me,” Castro said in the release. “My love for fashion and music has always been deeply connected — both are ways I express who I am and where I come from. I made my break in the music industry with a song titled ‘Jordan,’ and to now be partnering with such an iconic brand feels like a full-circle moment.”

“Jordan,” which entered both the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts in 2022, “is the song that everyone identifies me with. I feel it’s my biggest hit because it relates to urban street fashion and my personal flow,” he previously said to Billboard.

Coinciding with Nike by Ryan Castro, the “Mujeriego” singer will kick off his El Cantante del Ghetto tour on September 6 with a sold-out show at Bogotá’s Movistar Arena.

In the fall, he’ll also hit the road with Blessd for a 15-date joint trek called Ay Bendito Ghetto. Powered by Touring the World and Seitrack US, the tour will kick off October 31 in San Jose, Calif., and wrap on December 1st in Atlanta after visiting key cities such as Los Angeles and Miami.

J Balvin to Headline This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Week

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J Balvin is helping celebrate Latin music…

The 39-year-old Colombian singer will headline the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week.

J BalvinThis year’s 35th annual event will take place from October 14-18 at The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater. 

Known for his massive influence on Colombian reggaetón and global Latin music, the Medellín superstar — who is fresh off releasing his sixth solo studio album Rayo — will host a special night titled “Next Gen Reggaetón: An Evening Curated by J Balvin” during the week.

The event promises an exciting lineup of surprise performances and guests, all chosen by Balvin himself.

The global superstar and entrepreneur is a highly decorated and critically acclaimed cultural icon who has won multiple Billboard Music Awards and plenty of chart accolades, including nine No. 1 tracks on the Hot Latin Songs chart like “Mi Gente” with Beyoncé, “Ginza,” “RITMO (Bad Boys For Life)” with Black Eyed Peas) and a No. 1 on the Hot 100 (“I Like It” with Cardi B and Bad Bunny).

Apart from his curation, Balvin will engage in an exclusive Superstar Q&A moderated by Leila Cobo, chief content officer for Latin/Español at Billboard, providing deeper insights into his music and influence. The session aims to foster intimate and enlightening discussions.

“Latin music is living its most successful and globally recognized moment ever this year. But Billboard has been proudly at its side for over 35 years as the main flagbearer, supporter and ultimate opinion maker for Latin music around the world,” said Cobo in a press release. “During a year when Latin music is dominating the charts and the cultural zeitgeist, we are thrilled to return to Miami Beach, the global capital of Latin music, for this exciting week-long event.”

The announcement also highlighted the expansive lineup for this legacy event, featuring a blend of established stars and emerging talents including Bad Gyal, DANNA, Danny Ocean, Domelipa, Fat Joe, Gloria Estefan, JOP, Keityn, Lele Pons, Luis Alfonso, Maria Becerra, Mau y Ricky, Mon LaFerte, N.O.R.E., Paola Jara, Peso Pluma, Pipe Bueno, Sophia Talamas, Yeison Jiménez, and Yeri Mua, with more to be announced in the coming months.

Tickets are now available here.

Karol G Releases Merengue-Inspired Single “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido”

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Karol G is embracing a new sounds…

The 33-year-old Colombian Grammy-winning singer-songwriter has surprised fans with a new single called “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” released on Thursday, June 20.

Karol GReleased on the first day of summer, Karol G’s new single features a bold merengue sound.

“What would it have been like if I had met you before? Most probably you’d be dancing this song with me,” says part of the song’s lyrics.

In the music video, Karol G switched her baby pink locks for a new blonde look while performing the party-starting bop at a tiki bar.

On the eve of the song’s release, Karol G performed it for the first time in London, later explaining on her Instagram that the tribute to the merengue genre is because she owes a lot to The Dominican Republic.

“I worked on part of Mañana Sera Bonito there, and when I need to disconnect from the world and connect with myself I also go there,” she wrote. “Its culture, its music, its colors, the hospitality, the energy… everything feels very authentic and special there. Its people have embraced me in a way that fills my heart and inspires me all the time.”

“Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido”—which is released in the midst of the European leg of the Mañana Será Bonito Tour—further demonstrates Karol’s ability to experiment outside of the reggaetón realm.

Prior to her merengue tune, she tapped into bachata (“El Barco”), corrido tumbado (“200 Copas”), cumbia (“Mi Ex Tenía Razón”), and even dropped a salsa version of “Amargura” at the 2024 Billboard Women in Music gala, where she was named this year’s Woman of the Year.

The vibrant “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” marks Karol G’s second single of the year following the Tiësto-assisted “Contigo,” which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart dated March 2; reached No. 27 on the Latin Airplay chart dated June 1; and debuted at No. 61 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in March, becoming Karol’s 30th entry on the all-genre chart.

Ivy Queen to Make Carnegie Hall Debut as Part of the Iconic Venue’s Nuestros Sonidos Festival

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Ivy Queen is preparing to make her Carnegie Hall debut…

The 52-year-old Puerto Rican singer, rapper, songwriter and actress, whose real name is Martha Ivelisse Pesante Rodríguez, has been added to the roster for Carnegie Hall’s Nuestros Sonidos festival.

Ivy Queen,Ivy Queen, considered one of the pioneers of the reggaeton genre and commonly referred to as the Queen of Reggaeton, will be joined by fellow debutantes Monsieur Periné and Grupo Niche.

They will join Natalia Lafourcade, Cimafunk, Gustavo Dudamel, Quetzal and others for the concert series.

Nuestros Sonidos — which kicks off on October 8 with the festive Opening Night Gala featuring Dudamel leading the Los Angeles Philharmonic and concludes with Cimafunk and La Tribu on May 22, 2025 — will see the three newly announced performers make their debut at the prestigious Manhattan venue.

Ivy Queen, who was honored with the Icon Award at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music event, earned her name as the Queen of Reggaetón for her formidable contributions to the Puerto Rican genre. With hits such as “Quiero Bailar,” “La Vida Es Así” and more recently, “Toma,” her contributions extend beyond the genre she helped pioneer, making a mark in salsa, hip-hop and bachata. She’s scheduled to perform on November 20 at Stern Auditorium’s Perelman Stage, Carnegie’s main hall, which seats more than 2,800 people.

Meanwhile, Bogota-based group Monsieur Periné has been bringing boleros, swing and indie music to the Latin scene. Their most recent album, Bolero Apocalíptico (2023), earned them a Latin Grammy for best alternative album. They are set to perform at Zankel Hall, a smaller venue that seats about 600 people, on February 22.

Grupo Niche will also make its Carnegie Hall debut on April 17 next year on the Stern Auditorium’s Perelman Stage. Hailing from Cali, Colombia, the legendary group founded by Jairo Varela and Alexis Lozano has kept salsa alive and thriving since the late ’70s, releasing iconic songs such as “Cali Pachanguero,” “Una Aventura” and “Gotas de Lluvia.” A Grammy Award-winning band, they are considered one of the most influential and respected bands in the salsa genre.

Carnegie Hall’s Nuestros Sonidos celebrates the “vibrant sounds, pioneering rhythms, diverse traditions, and enormous influence of Latin culture in the United States,” says the press release.

For more information, visit the Carnegie Hall website.

Maluma Partners with Blessd to Release Six-Track EP “1 of 1”

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Maluma is getting a special assist on his next musical venture…

The 30-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter and Blessd have released their first-ever joint EP called 1 of 1.

Maluma, Blessd

The six-track production includes the title track, “Call Me,” “Oe Bebé,” “Manrique,” “Sisas Nada” feat. Hades66 and “Goyard/GTA.”

The album was co-produced by MadMuscik and The RudeBoyz, and best represents Medellín’s reggaetón, swagger and vibrant culture.

“A full production between two Colombian artists had never been done before,” Maluma said in a press statement. “If it’s the first, it can’t be done twice.”

Maluma and Blessd’s friendship began in 2021 when the two Medellín-based acts released “Imposible (Remix),” a saucy reggaeton song by then-newcomer Blessd that became a viral hit on social media and on local Colombian radio stations and in clubs. Since, and prior to dropping their joint EP, they released bangers such as “La Nueva en el Mapa” and “El Reloj.”

“He [Maluma] wants to raise the flag,” Blessd, a former Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise, previously told Billboard. “There is no other artist like him helping those of us who are emerging so much. He’s doing a job that no one else has done. I respect him as an artist and triple as a person because of that.”

Beyond a collaborative set, the two Colombian artists want to encourage every aspiring artist—especially those who reside in the barrios of Medellín—to dream big and work hard for their dreams.

“This work will have a very positive impact,” both acts affirm. “We’ve had dreams since we were kids and seeing that they can come true is a source of pride for those who see us as role models.”

Luisa Sonza to Receive Global Force Award at Billboard Women in Music Awards

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Luisa Sonza is a global force… And now she’ll have an award to prove it!

The 25-year-old Brazilian singer-songwriter will be among the honorees of this year’s Billboard Women in Music Awards.

Luis SonzaSonza will receive one of Billboard’s new Global Force Awards.

Sonza has released three studio albums, two EPs and two compilations. She has also collaborated with both Katy Perry and Demi Lovato. She and Pabllo Vittar cohost the HBO Max show Queen Stars.

But she’s not the only Latinx artist being feted…Young Miko will receive the Impact Award.

The Puerto Rican rapper and singer-songwriter cracked the Billboard Hot 100 last year with her reggaeton song, “Classy 101” (with Feid). She incorporates her identity and interests, including anime and urban music, into her music.

Ice Spice will receive the Hitmaker Award.

“Four” is the 24-year-old half-Dominican American rapper’s magic number at the moment. That’s the number of Grammy nominations she received this year, including best new artist. And it’s the number of top 10 hits on the Hot 100 she amassed last year – for collaborations with Taylor Swift (“Karma”), PinkPantheress (“Boy’s a Liar, Pt. 2”) and a pair of collaborations with Nicki Minaj (“Princess Diana” and “Barbie World,” which also featured Aqua).

The latter song is nominated for two Grammys – best rap song and best song written for visual media. “Karma” is nominated for best pop duo/group performance.

Tracee Ellis Ross will host the 2024 Billboard Women in Music Awards, which will be held Wednesday, March 6, at YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif. – just outside of Los Angeles — and will stream on March 7. The annual event features musical performances and honors women powerhouses who are shaping the music landscape.

Presenters, performers and additional honorees, including the identity of the 2024 Billboard Woman of the Year, will be announced in the coming weeks.

“We could not be more excited to celebrate these inspiring and dynamic artists from around the world, as they move our culture forward and inspire women everywhere to push boundaries and pursue their own dreams,” Billboard’s editorial director, Hannah Karp, said in a statement. “With the talented Tracee Ellis Ross as our host, this year’s Billboard Women in Music Awards will be an unforgettable evening.”

Tickets to attend the Women in Music Awards are available to the public. American Express Card Members get early access to tickets from Wednesday, January 24 at 10:00 am PT/1:00 pm ET – Friday, January 26 at 10:00am PT/1:00 pm ET (terms apply), before the public on-sale Saturday, January 27, at 10:00 am PT/1:00 pm ET, at billboardwomeninmusic.com. Prices range from $89 – $279. Fans can watch the show on Thurs, March 7 at 5pm PT/8pm ET on billboardwomeninmusic.com; more details about the stream will be announced soon.

Here’s a list of the 2024 honorees that have been announced so far.

NewJeans: Group of the Year Award
The South Korean group made a big splash in August 2023 when their second EP, Get Up, entered the Billboard 200 at No. 1, displacing Taylor Swift’s Speak Now (Taylor’s Version). The group also had five Hot 100 hits, topped by “Super Shy,” which rode the chart for two months.

Ice Spice: Hitmaker Award
“Four” is Ice Spice’s magic number at the moment. That’s the number of Grammy nominations she received this year, including best new artist. And it’s the number of top 10 hits on the Hot 100 she amassed last year – for collabs with Taylor Swift (“Karma”), PinkPantheress (“Boy’s a Liar, Pt. 2”) and a pair of collabs with Nicki Minaj (“Princess Diana” and “Barbie World,” which also featured Aqua).

The latter song is nominated for two Grammys – best rap song and best song written for visual media. “Karma” is nominated for best pop duo/group performance.

Victoria Monét: Rising Star Award
Monét was nominated for seven Grammys in 2024, for performance, songwriting and engineering. Her haul includes two of the Big Four awards – best new artist and record of the year for “On My Mama.” Monét’s album Jaguar II is nominated for two awards – best R&B album and best engineered album, non-classical.

Kylie Minogue: Icon Award
Minogue kicked off her Las Vegas residency on the heels of her 2023 Tension album, which featured the dance-floor smash “Padam Padam.” The track is nominated for a Grammy for best pop dance recording. Minogue won a Grammy for best dance recording 20 years ago for “Come Into My World.”

Minogue has a longer history on the Billboard Hot 100 than any of this year’s other nominees. She landed her first top 10 hit, a cover version of Little Eva’s “The Loco-Motion,” in 1988. She returned to the top 10 in 2002 with “Can’t Get You Out of My Head.” Her album Fever reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 in 2002.

Maren Morris: Visionary Award
Last year, Maren announced that she was taking a break from country music, the format in which she became a star. She has also been outspoken about aspects of country music culture where she would like to see change. She won a Grammy for best country solo performance for “My Church” seven years ago. She has landed two top 10 albums on the Billboard 200, Hero (No. 5 in 2016) and GIRL (No. 4 in 2019). She landed her biggest hit to date for a pop recording, “The Middle,” on which she teamed with Zedd and Grey. The smash reached No. 5 on the Hot 100 in 2018.

Charli XCX: Powerhouse Award
The pop star performed “Speed Drive” on Barbie: The Album. Her biggest unaccompanied hit on the Hot 100, “Boom Clap,” was also from a film, The Fault in Our Stars. That song made the top 10 in 2014. She has made the top 10 as a featured artist twice – on Icona Pop’s “I Love It” and Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy.” Charli XCX’s album Crash reached No. 7 on the Billboard 200 in 2022.

Tems: Breakthrough Award
The Nigerian singer-songwriter and record producer is nominated for a Grammy as a co-writer of Rhianna’s smash “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The smash, which entered the Hot 100 at No. 2 in late 2022, is nominated for best song written for visual media. A year ago, it brought Tems and her co-writers an Oscar nod for best original song.

Tems won a Grammy last year – best melodic rap performance for Future’s “Wait for U,” on which she was featured (along with Drake). That song topped the Hot 100 in 2022. Tems landed her first top 10 hit, as a featured artist on Wizkid’s “Essence,” in 2021. Justin Bieber was also featured on that smash.

Young Miko: Impact Award
The Puerto Rican rapper and singer-songwriter cracked the Hot 100 last year with her reggaeton song, “Classy 101” (with Feid). She incorporates her identity and interests, including anime and urban music, into her music. Young Miko’s birth name is María Victoria Ramírez de Arellano.

Luísa Sonza: Global Force Award
The Brazilian singer-songwriter will receive one of Billboard’s new Global Force Awards. Sonza has released three studio albums, two EPs and two compilations. She has also collaborated with both Katy Perry and Demi Lovato. She and Pabllo Vittar cohost the HBO Max show Queen Stars.

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

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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.

Maria Becerra to Perform in Times Square as Part of Univision’s “¡Feliz 2024!”

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Maria Becerra will be ringing in 2024 in the Big Apple…

New York City’s Times Square is gearing up to host its annual New Year’s Eve celebration, which includes the televised ball lowering during the countdown to the new year, with the 23-year-old Argentine singer and former YouTuber set to perform.

María Becerra,

The tradition, which has been celebrated for 120 years now, will boast Becerra and Mexican reggaeton artist Yng Lvcas will perform a medley of their biggest hits at the Center Stage.

Becerra will perform at 10:04 pm as part of Univision’s ¡Feliz 2024! program.It will air live on Univision and the Times Square New Year’s Eve webcast.

Meantime, Yng Lvcas will perform a medley of his hit songs as part of Univision’s ¡Feliz 2024! Program from 11:02 to 11:07 pm.

Maria Becerra Signs with Wasserman Music for Worldwide Representation

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Maria Becerra is expanding her world…

The 23-year-old Argentine singer-songwriter has signed with Wasserman Music for representation worldwide (except Latin America).

Maria BecerraShe’ll be represented by agents Juan Toro and Ryan Soroka.

The deal caps off a significant 2023 for Becerra who in May signed a label deal with Warner Music Latina, in a joint venture with 300 Entertainment, followed by an exclusive administration deal with Warner Chappell Music in August.

In May, Becerra received the visionary award at the inaugural Billboard Latin Women in Music gala.

Becerra — known for fusing pop, cumbia villera, bachata and reggaeton — broke in 2019 with her EP 222.

Two years later, she released her debut album, Animal, featuring collaborations with artists such as Cazzu, Becky G and Tiago PZK. The set earned Becerra a Latin Grammy nomination for best urban music album.

Overall, Becerra has scored three entries on the Hot Latin Songs chart, including her J Balvin collaboration “Qué Más Pues?” She’s also claimed three top 10 spots on Latin Airplay, including two No. 1 hits: “Te Espero,” featuring Prince Royce and “Así Es La Vida” with Enrique Iglesias.

Notably, she holds the record for the most entries by a woman on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 with 43.

Most recently, Becerra sold out her upcoming March 23 show at the River Plate Stadium in her native Argentina in less than 90 minutes, making history in doing so.

Before her show at the fabled venue, which has a capacity of nearly 65,000, Becerra will perform at Viña del Mar in Chile on March 1.

Peso Pluma Teams Up with Anitta to Release Reggaeton Banger “Bellakao”

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Peso Pluma is expanding his sound, and he’s enlisted a Latina superstar to help…

The 24-year-old Mexican singer has joined voices with Anitta to release the single “Bellakao.”

Peso Pluma & AnittaThe sweltering reggaetón number continues to showcase Peso Pluma’s genre versatility.

In their first collaboration together, Peso Pluma and Anitta belt out a duet about feeling intoxicated with each other’s irresistibility.

“Everyone wants to get close to me/ But I don’t want anyone/ It’s just that when you move it like that/ The atmosphere gets dangerous,” spits the Brazilian femme fatale.

Meanwhile, Peso pluma leads the tongue-twisting “Bellaque-que-que-que-que-que-queo” verbiage to hype up the vibe.

The music video was filmed in Madrid, and viewers see the collaborators performing their bellakeo ritual against a dingy, dark backdrop.