Luciano Luna to Receive SESAC Latina’s SESAC Legacy Award

Luciano Luna’s legacy in Latin music is being celebrated…

The 42-year-old Mexican Latin Grammy-winning songwriter/producer will receive the SESAC Legacy Award during the SESAC Latina Music Awards Gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles on June 26.

Luciano LunaLuna will be presented the award in honor of his illustrious career and significant contribution to Latin music.

“I am very grateful for this distinction; it motivates me to continue dedicating myself to writing stories with my songs and being a good example for new generations of songwriters,” Luna said in a press release.

The Sinaloa creator has recorded more than 250 productions, mostly in the regional Mexican music genre, with iconic acts such as Julión Álvarez, Gerardo Ortiz, Banda Los Recoditos, Banda MS, Régulo Caro and more.

As a co-author, his collaborations include Joss Favela, Edén Muñoz and others.

“We are thrilled to present the Legacy Award to one of the most distinguished songwriters of our generation, Luciano Luna, who has sustained a remarkable career throughout the years,” said Celeste Zendejas, senior vice president of SESAC Latina

This year marks SESAC Latina’s 30th anniversary of representing top-tier songwriters globally.

The event will recognize the exceptional talent and achievements of its affiliated songwriters and publishers, awarding honors such as song of the year, publisher of the year, and more.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate the magnificent and vibrant talent within the Latin songwriting community,” remarked SESAC’s CCO, Sam Kling. “The SESAC Latina Music Awards always showcase exceptional songs and songwriters, making it an unforgettable evening.”

“SESAC Latina’s 30th anniversary is a celebration of continued growth, endless creativity, and the global success of the exceptional talent behind the music. On this milestone year, we honor all our incredible songwriters who continue to inspire us with their profound lyrics and soulful melodies,” added Zendejas.

She continued, “We are thrilled to present the Legacy Award to one of the most distinguished songwriters of our generation, Luciano Luna, who has sustained a remarkable career throughout the years.”

Ozomatli Giving Latin Classics a Reggae Twist on New Album “Nonstop Mexico to Jamaica”

Ozomatli is mixing things up…

The Latin hip hop and rock band is giving classic and iconic Latin songs a reggae twist on their upcoming album Nonstop Mexico to Jamaica.

Ozomatli

The album is a collection of re-imagined versions of songs like “Bésame mucho,” “Noa noa” and “Tragos amargos.”

Teaming up with other Latin superstars like Juanes, Régulo Caro and Gaby Moreno for the new versions of the “oldies but goodies,” the album pays tribute to music and artists Ozomatli members grew up listening to.

“Anyone who is 8 or 80 will recognize ‘Sabor a mi‘ or ‘Bésame mucho,’ and with these new renditions, these classics become reborn, allowing a whole new generation to sing, dance and keep the legends alive,” Ozomatli’s percussionist and MC Justin “El Niño” Porée says.

Following a career spanning 21 years, Nonstop Mexico to Jamaica will be the Los Angeles-based band’s first album that will include mostly all-Spanish songs.

“This record is yet another stop on a journey that shall be continued … It seems that our natural tendency to embrace difference is being challenged and we want the world to know we stand in solidarity with those that see diversity as a beautiful blessing for all.”

Coronel Among Artists Featured on Tribute Album for the Late Ariel Camacho

Luis Coronel is paying tribute to a regional Mexican music legend…

The 21-year-old Mexican American singer is one of the artists featured on a tribute album for the late Ariel Camacho, who passed away two years ago.

Luis Coronel

DEL Records recently released the album, which features duets with Coronel, Gerardo Ortiz, Régulo Caro and other artists.

Titled Ariel Camacho Para Siempre Duetos Vol. 1, the album also includes a 15-minute DVD with never-before-released footage of the chart-topping artist, who died in a car accident at age 23 on February 25, 2015.

The new set, which includes songs like “Te metiste” and “Arrodíllate,” is a “celebration of Camacho’s life and legacy,” DEL Records Founder & CEO Ángel del Villar tells Billboard.

“Ariel’s career was about to kick off when this happened. We had big plans for him here at DEL Records and after he died, it’s been my personal project to continue his legacy. We have worked so hard to continue his dream with the help of the people who still consume and listen to his music,” Del Villar adds.

Following the death of Camacho, his band Ariel Camacho Y Los Plebes del Rancho became Los Plebes del Rancho de Ariel Camacho, eight-time 2017 Billboard Latin Music Awards finalists up for awards like artist of the year and top Latin album of the year with Recuerden Mi Estilo.

While Recuerden Mi Estilo is under DEL Records, the group Los Plebes del Rancho de Ariel Camacho is no longer with the label.

“Regardless of what happened with Los Plebes, in the nine years I’ve worked in this industry, I’ve never seen the main artist of a band pass away and add a new vocalist and still have the same success as the original lead vocalist. We created a new group to continue Ariel’s legacy and we produced a great album (Recuerden Mi Estilo) that Ariel’s fans accepted and loved. It’s a lot of hard work but I give a lot of credit to the fans.”

Recuerden Mi Estilo debuted at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart dated March. 10, 2016. The album was also No. 1 on Billboard’s 2016 year-end Regional Mexican Albums, and the Mexican group crowned the year-end Regional Mexican Artists Albums.

“When I met Ariel I asked him what he wanted to accomplish and he told me that he dreamed about performing in big venues. That kid was so humble that it motivated and inspired me and I knew he was the type of artist I need in my label.”

Coronel Named Newcomer of the Year at the Premios Los Angeles

There’s no denying including Luis Coronel is a rising star in Latin music… And, now he has the goods to prove it.

The 18-year-old singer Mexican American singer was crowned the newcomer of the year at the inaugural Premios Los Angeles, which awarded trophies to some of the most trending musical acts in Mexican music.

Luis Coronel

“I want to thank all of the L.A. fans,” Coronel said, as he picked up his trophy during the pre-taped ceremony. “You’ve never failed me. I live through you.”

Coronel has posted a number of his singles on the iTunes and Billboard charts, including “Mi Niña Traviesa,” “Será Mas Fácil,” and “Escápate.” He released his debut album, Con la Frente en Alto, in September 2013. The album reached the top spot on Billboard‘s Regional Mexican Albums chart within three weeks of its release.

The Premios Los Angeles, which opened with a performance by the Grammy-winning band La Santa Cecilia during the live taping, was hosted by singer/songwriter Aleks Syntek. The program will air June 1 on MundoFox.

The awards, which included an online voting system available to fans, included 10 other winners including Spanish Latin singer Enrique Bunbury for best pop/rock album, Regulo Caro for best regional Mexican artist, La Arrolladora Banda El Limon for best banda artist and El Trono de Mexico for best artist tierra caliente.

Alex Rivera took home the prize for composer of the year, Buknas de Culiacan won for best altered movement artist, Amantes de Sinaloa took home the prize for best Los Angeles underground artist, Eddie Sotelo “El Piolin” won for radio announcer of the year and Elisabeth Espinoza took home the prize for crossover TV personality.

The program, which was taped at the Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, included performances and tributes to boxing champ Julio Cesar Chavez, L.A. politician Gil Cedillo, radio pioneer Pepe Garza and veteran regional Mexican singer Ramon Ayala.

“We are proud to have created a platform that spotlights and rewards the impressive work that our Latino artists are contributing to the world,” said Humberto Valencia, president of HUMA Productions and creator of the event. “We look forward to continuing to recognize talented Latino artists and leaders through ‘Premios Los Angeles’ in the years to come.”

The awards show will air on MundoFox and Ocho TV on June 1 at 7 p.m. (PT). The program is also scheduled to air in Mexico.