Luis Fonsi Named an All-Star Ambassador for New Grammy Music Education Coalition Campaign

Posted on February 7, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Fonsiis raising awareness about music education…

The 40-year-old Puerto Rican singer/songwriter has been named to the Grammy Music Education Coalition’s (GMEC) national campaign on behalf of its new All-Star Ambassador program.

Additional members of the All-Star Ambassador program include singer Bebe Rexha, pop/R&B artist Rita Ora, Broadway veteran Kristin Chenoweth, Grammy winner Stephen Marley, country newcomer Caroline Jones, classical pianist Lang Lang, Guns N’ Roses’ Matt Sorum, saxophonist Mindi Abair, songwriter Regina Spektorand Philadelphia rock band War on Drugs.

Selected for their personal connections to music education, the diverse group of creatives will be working to spread awareness and raise funds for music education.

In a release announcing the Ambassador program, GMEC executive director Lee Whitmore said, “The Grammy Music Education Coalition is thrilled to be celebrating universal music education participation by American elementary, middle and high school students. Today, we join with our GMEC member and partner, the Grammy Museum Foundation, to inspire a future vision for careers and the arts for young people from around the Los Angeles area.”

Whitmore also announced that the GMEC has launched intensive music programs in Philadelphia and Nashville. Focusing on funding and services for both cities’ public school systems, the goal for this inaugural school year is to invest $1 million in each district while overseeing and coordinating the programs established by the Coalition’s partners. For instance, the Philadelphia slate includes a commercial music curriculum developed with DASH, Live Nationand Recording Academymembers along with a program coordinator. The Nashville investment will feature an elementary music coach, a program coordinator and professional development through spring/summer music and audio technology events for all teachers.

“Our commitments in these first two school systems for the next three years are focused and will have a lasting impact,” added Whitmore. “The Coalition and community investment goals for the school systems are $5 million each.” Rounding out its series of announcements, the GMEC revealed members of its Founders Circle, board and executive advisory council (grammymusiced.org).

The campaign will get underway this spring.

Rita Ora Releases Music Video for Girls, Featuring a Steamy Kiss with Her Collaborator Cardi B

Posted on June 7, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Cardi B is lockin’ lips with one of her Girls…

Rita Ora has released the official music video for her new single “Girls,” a collaboration with the 25-year-old half-Dominican American singer, Charli XCX and Bebe Rexha.

The single is the first from Ora’s upcoming second studio album.

The intimate clip begins with Ora lounging on a couch in an island-like setting, surrounded by other women who all begin making out with each other.

Charli XCX takes the baton from Ora by seductively strutting through the dark woods, Rexha kisses herself in a mirror, and Cardi B later appears in a futuristic get up and later locks lips with Ora.

The track has been no stranger to controversy, after being publicly bashed by Kehlani and Hayley Kiyoko for its “tone deaf” lyrics that do “more harm than good” for the LGBTQ+ community. Ora apologized, claiming that she would “never intentionally cause harm to other LGBTQ+ people.”

Cardi B also chimed in on Twitter by confirming that there were no “bad intentions” with the song.

Sabrina Claudio Appears on the Official Soundtrack for “Fifty Shades Freed”

Posted on January 9, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Prepare for fifty shades of Sabrina Claudio…

The 21-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American singer-songwriter appears on the official soundtrack for Fifty Shades Freed, singing in English and Spanish.

Claudio, who was named Apple Music’s Up Next artist in October, performs the single “Cross Your Mind” and its Spanish version.

But Claudio isn’t the only Latina appearing on the official soundtrack, a 22-song compilation.

Jessie Reyez joins voices with Black Atlass on the single “Sacrifice.”

Claudio and Reyez join an all-star roster that includes Sia, Ellie Goulding, Hailee Steinfeld and Miike Snow.

The soundtrack is kicked off by Liam Payne and Rita Ora’s lead number “For You,” which arrived last Friday.

The Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack will be released on February 9.

Its predecessor, the soundtrack to Fifty Shades Darker, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 last February.

The forthcoming film, the final in the Fifty Shades trilogy, also hits theaters on February 9.

Here’s the full track list:

‘Fifty Shades Freed Official Soundtrack’ Tracklisting:

Capital Letters – Hailee Steinfeld x BloodPop®
For You (Fifty Shades Freed) – Liam Payne & Rita Ora
Sacrifice – Black Atlass featuring Jessie Reyez
High – Whethan & Dua Lipa
Heaven – Julia Michaels
Big Spender – Kiana Ledé featuring Prince Charlez
Never Tear Us Apart – Bishop Briggs
The Wolf – The Spencer Lee Band
Are You – Julia Michaels
Cross Your Mind – Sabrina Claudio
Change Your Mind – Miike Snow
Come On Back – Shungudzo
I Got You (I Feel Good) – Jessie J
Ta Meilleure Ennemie (Pearls) – Samantha Gongol (of Marian Hill) featuring Juliette Armanet
Deer in Headlights – Sia
Diddy Bop – Jacob Banks & Louis the Child
Love Me Like You Do (Fifty Shades Freed Version) – Ellie Goulding
Freed – Danny Elfman
Seeing Red – Danny Elfman
Maybe I’m Amazed – Jamie Dornan [Bonus Track]
Cross Your Mind (Spanish Version – Sabrina Claudio [Bonus Track]
Pearls – Samantha Gongol (of Marian Hill) [Bonus Track]

Camila Cabello Wins First MTV Europe Music Award as a Solo Artist

Posted on November 13, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Camila Cabello is taking Europe by storm…

The 20-year-old Cuban and Mexican singer and former Fifth Harmony member, who recently earned her first No. 1 in the U.K. with her hit single “Havana,” earned her first-ever MTV EMAs prize as a single artist at the this year’s MTV Europe Music Awards.

Cabello, who has only been a solo artist since December, picked up the award for Best Pop, beating out Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, Shawn Mendes and Taylor Swift.

Cabello’s former group mates didn’t leave empty-handed…

Fifth Harmony, featuring Latina singers Ally Brooke Hernandez and Lauren Jauregui, was named Best U.S. Act.

It’s the second time the all-girl group has won in the category, and it’s Fifth Harmony’s fourth MTV EMAs award.

Jared Leto and his group Thirty Seconds to Mars were named Best Alternative…

It’s the ninth MTV EMAs win for the 45-year-old part-Spanish American singer/actor and his bandmates.

The Rita Ora-hosted award show was held at the SSE Arena in Wembley.

Here’s a look at the winners.

2017 MTV EMAs Awards Winners

Best Song
Shawn Mendes, “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back”

Best Artist
Shawn Mendes

Best Look
Zayn

Best New
Dua Lipa

Best U.S. Act
Fifth Harmony

Best Pop
Camila Cabello

Best Video
Kendrick Lamar, “Humble”

Best Live
Ed Sheeran

Best Electronic
David Guetta

Best Rock
Coldplay

Best Hip Hop
Eminem

Best Alternative
Thirty Seconds to Mars

Biggest Fans
Shawn Mendes

Best Push
Hailee Steinfeld

Best World Stage
The Chainsmokers

Camila Cabello Leads U.K. Midweek Sales Chart with “Havana”

Posted on October 30, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Camila Cabello is making waves across the pond…

After three weeks in the runner-up position, the 20-year-old Cuban singer has the U.K. chart crown in her sights.

Cabello’s hit “Havana” climbs 2-1 on the midweek chart, with a 3,500 combined sales lead over the second-placed “Rockstar” by Post Malone featuring 21 Savage, which is unseated from the chart throne after four weeks. It’s the first time that “Havana” has led the Official Chart Update.

Meanwhile, Marshmello and Khalid’s “Silence” is unchanged at No. 3, Avicii and Rita Ora’s collab “Lonely Together” is unmoved at No. 4 and Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” rises one place to No. 5.

Rita Ora could snaffle a second top 10 when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published this Friday as “Anywhere” leaps 20-6, just up from Charlie Puth’s “How Long,” which follows a similar trajectory by soaring 18-7.

Marshmello, meanwhile, backs up his “Silence” hit with “Wolves,” a collaboration with Selena Gomez which bites into the chart at No. 14 for the highest debut on the current midweek survey.

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Top Spotify’s Global Top 30 Songs of the Summer 2017 List

Posted on September 2, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee are officially the stars of the summer…

Spotify has revealed its global most-streamed songs of the summer, and 39-year-old Puerto Rican singer and 40-year-old Puerto Rican rapper’s juggernaut “Despacito,” featuring Justin Bieber, reigns supreme.

The smash hit — which this week capped its record-breaking 16th week atop the Billboard Hot 100 — garnered more than 786 million streams on Spotify this summer, specifically between June 21 and August 27.

In global streams, “Despacito” is followed by DJ Khaled‘s “Wild Thoughts” with Rihanna and Bryson Tiller at No. 2, and French Montana‘s “Unforgettable” at No. 3.

In the U.S., “Despacito” is instead followed by Lil Uzi Vert‘s “XO TOUR Llif3” at No. 2, with “Wild Thoughts” taking No. 3. Later down the line on both lists are Calvin Harris, Kendrick Lamar, Charlie Puth, Demi Lovato and others.

Spotify’s head of Latin culture Rocio Guerrero is calling 2017 “the summer of Latin music,” with five Spanish-language songs featured in the global top 30 ranking.

The list includes Willy William and J Balvin‘s “Mi Gente,” Maluma‘s “Felices los 4,” Danny Ocean‘s “Me Rehúso,” and both the original “Despacito” and remix featuring Bieber.

Notably, only seven female artists make the global top 30 list, and only three — Demi Lovato with “Sorry Not Sorry,” Rita Ora with “Your Song” and Maggie Lindemann with “Pretty Girls” — are the main artists, rather than featured guests, on their included tracks.

Smollet’s “Empire” Soundtrack Reaches No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart

Posted on March 18, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Jussie Smollett is a chart-topper…

The 31-year-old Brazilian actor/singer and the stars of Fox‘s Empire have reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, as the breakout hit series’ soundtrack debuts atop the list.

The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week based on multi-metric consumption, which includes traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).

The Empire soundtrack was released March 10 through Columbia Records and bows at the top spot with 130,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending March 15, according to Nielsen Music.

It’s the first television soundtrack to debut at No. 1 since 2010, when three different Glee albums arrived atop the list.

Empire features contributions from its newcomer cast, like Smollett, as well as hitmakers like Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Estelle, Rita Ora, Juicy J and Courtney Love (all of which have guest-starred on the show).

Empire earned 17,000 units from track equivalent albums (thanks to the strong performance of the set’s multiple Billboard Hot 100 hit singles like “You’re So Beautiful” and “Conqueror“), while it tallied another 3,000 units from streaming equivalent albums.

Also helping matters: During release week, Smollett performed on TV’s The Ellen DeGeneres Show (March 9) and on Fox’s American Idol three days later (joined by fellow cast member Yazz).

Lopez Brings on Iggy Azalea for “Booty” Remix

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Jennifer Lopez is making bootyful music with Iggy Azalea…

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican singer, actress and American Idol judge has joined voices with the “Fancy” singer for the remix to her latest track, “Booty.”

The two artists shout out those with similar assets — and their own, of course.

“The last time the world seen a booty this good was on ‘Jenny From the Block‘… I want to tell all my ladies to get up on the floor and shake it, shake it!” raps Azalea.

“Booty” is the latest single from Lopez’s album A.K.A.

Azalea was introduced by J.Lo at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday before she performed her The New Classic single “Black Widow” alongside Rita Ora.

Becky G Makes Her Debut Performance at the Teen Choice Awards

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Becky G is all fresh and clean following her debut performance a the 2014 Teen Choice Awards…

In a last minute change in the lineup, the 17-year-old Mexican American singer replaced Rita Ora as one of the night’s performers.

Becky G took the stage at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles to sing her most recent single, “Shower,” to an appreciative audience.

Becky G, a first-time TCA Awards nominee this year, may have lost in the Choice Summer Music Star: Female category, but she managed to leave a big mark on the crowd.

Meanwhile, Demi Lovato, who beat out Becky G for the award, kicked off the night with a high octane performance of her latest single, “I Really Don’t Care.”

Donning an all-black outfit, a black leather jacket and a pair of boots, the former Disney Channel star was joined onstage by a number of dancers. Mid-song, collaborator Cher Lloydappearedon the stage to spit her verses.

Lovato to Perform at This Year’s Teen Choice Awards

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Demi Lovato will storm this year’s Teen Choice Awards…

The 21-year-old part-Mexican singer/actress and former The X Factor judge will take the stage at this year’s Teen Choice Awards alongside Cher Lloyd.

The two will perform their dancetastic duet “Really Don’t Care,” the latest single off Lovato’s self-titled 2013 album, according to Fox.

Lovato has several nominations. She is up for Choice Summer Song and Choice Break-Up Song with Lloyd for “Really Don’t Care.” She’s also nominated for Choice Summer Music Star: Female as well as Choice Love Song for her duet with The Vamps, “Somebody to You.”

In addition to Lovato, the network also confirmed that Rita Ora will perform her latest single “I Will Never Let You Down.”

Additionally, Hilary Duff, Megan Fox, Fifth Harmony, Kevin Hart, Colton Haynes, Josh Hutcherson, Sarah Hyland, Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Lea Michele, The Band Perry and Nat Wolff will all make appearances.

The Teen Choice Awards will air on August 10 at 8:00 pm ET on Fox.

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