Thiaguinho Signs New Record Deal with Virgin Music

It’s a big deal for Thiaguinho

The 38-year-old Brazilian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has signed a record deal with Virgin Music, according to Billboard.

Thiaguinho

In hopes of catapulting Thiaguinho to mainstream success, the signing — which took place in Miami — comes on the heels of a “new cycle on Thiaguinho’s career, envisioning his international career such as the development of his new projects,” according to a statement from the company own by Universal Music Group.

“It’s with a great pleasure for me to join forces with Virgin to take my art and the culture of our country to new places and even more people. I’m very grateful and I’m excited for the start of this work,” Thiaguinho said in a statement.

Miguel Cariello, general director of Virgin Music Brasil, added: “I’m happy for having another dreaming coming true. Thiaginho, just like Virgin is synonyms with boldness and joy. We’ll use these attributes that we have in common to fly even higher, to further strengthen the career of this great artist in Brazil and seek to break through the borders across the world.”

With more than three million listeners on Spotify and over two million YouTube subscribers, the Latin Grammy-nominated artist is an exponent of traditional Brazilian genres such as samba and pagode, which he fuses with pop and R&B.

“Thiaguinho has been part of the Brazilian music scene from a young age, becoming one of the most successful artists of the Pagode and Samba genres,” stated Jesús López, chairman/CEO Universal Music Latin America & Iberian Peninsula. “His determination to extend his success outside of Brazil and that he has chosen Virgin Music as his travel companion, gives us great joy and also responsibility.”

Gloria Estefan Releases Samba-Flavored Album “Brazil305,” Featuring 14 Reimagined Classics

Gloria Estefan’s changing things up…

The 62-year-old Cuban Grammy-winning singer has released her first album in seven years, the vibrant, samba-flavored Brazil305.

Gloria Estefan

The 18-track Sony Music Latin release will transport listeners not only to the South American country, while giving them a trip to the past.

The album, an homage to Brazil and samba instrumentation, features 14 reimagined versions of Estefan’s classic songs, including a new rendition of her hit “Mi Tierra,” a song dedicated to her native Cuba and to immigrants the world over coping with departing from their homeland.

Gloria Estefan, Brazil305

BRAZIL305, bringing together Brazil and Miami’s 305 area code, the set kicks off with a bang with a new version, titled “Samba,” of her global, seminal 1985 hit “Conga,” which takes a life of its own now with Brazilian rhythms.

Other re-imagined versions of Estefan’s timeless hits included in the concept album are “Get On Your Feet” and “Ayer.”

The first single from the album, “Cuando Hay Amor,” penned by Nicolás Tovar, Emilio Estefan and Andrea López, stands out with a message of unity and a celebration of love.

“I really wanted an original song as the first single,” Estefan previously told Billboard. 

BRAZIL305 was produced by Estefan, Emilio and Afo Verde, chairman and CEO of Sony Music Latin Iberia, and was recorded between Brazil and Miami.

Martinez Sambas to the Top of the DWTS Leaderboard…

Hey may say he doesn’t know how to be sexy, but former “All My Children” star J.R. Martinez does know how to shake his bon-bon…

Performing a sizzling samba and even playing the drums to Gloria Estefan‘s “Conga” on Monday night’s ‘80s-themed “Dancing With the Stars” performance show, the 28-year-old wounded-Iraq-veteran-turned-actor showed just why he’s a frontrunner.

Martinez and his dancing partner Karina Smirnoff received a total of 28 points from the judges, including the pair’s first 10, to earn the highest score of the night.

Martinez tapped into his Latin roots to get “inspired” and perfect the complicated Brazilian dance.

“One of the advantages that I think I have in the Samba this week is the fact that I am Latin,” said Martinez in the pre-dance clip. “Being raised by a single mother, I was always dancing with my mother and I think that will help me do well with the samba.”

Meanwhile, Smirnoff pushed him hard to help Martinez capture the dance’s sexual energy.

“It’s funny, she kept telling me, ‘Be sexy here! Be masculine!’ and I would do something and she’s like, ‘That’s not sexy! That’s
not masculine!’” said Martinez after the dance. “And I was like, ‘I don’t know how to be sexy!’ I really don’t. It’s not my thing. I don’t think I’m a sexy and masculine type of guy, but tonight, it was fun.”

Boy, did the judges respond to the pair’s high energy dance!

“You were like a loin-shattering sex machine,” said Bruno Tonioli. “You had so much fire down below, it was like a volcano!”

Meanwhile, Carrie Ann Inaba told Martinez just how hot she thinks he is: “Hey papi, muy caliente!” she said. “That is the way to dance that samba.”

If the dancing pair survive tonight’s elimination round, Smirnoff says they’ll tackkle a quick step for next week’s Broadway-themed performance show.