Karol G to Receive Spirit of Hope Award at This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on September 14, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Karol G has real spirit…

The 32-year-old Colombian singer/songwriter will be honored with the Spirit of Hope award at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

The special award — which was established in 1996 in honor of the late Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla — will recognize Karol G for her exceptional commitment to civic, community and humanitarian causes beyond her artistic success.

“I am grateful for this special recognition,” Karol G said in a statement. “My commitment with Con Cora Foundation is a fundamental part of my life and I am proud to be able to help the women who need it most.”

The “Provenza” singer’s impact extends beyond music.

In 2022, Karol G founded the Con Cora Foundation, which aims to support the economic, social, psychological and artistic development of underprivileged women.

Her philanthropic work will be recognized with the Billboard Spirit of Hope Award at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which will broadcast live on Telemundo on October 5 at 7:00 pm ET.

Con Cora Foundation has partnered with She Is Foundation, dedicated to empowering women and girls through education in science, technology and entrepreneurship. Together, they aim to help one million women and girls by 2030.

In addition, Karol G’s foundation has teamed up with Fundación Acción Interna to offer scholarships — which provide skills and knowledge necessary to secure employment and reintegrate into society — to older female inmates in Bogotá and to female family members of those inmates.

A 13-time finalist at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, earlier this year Karol G made history with Mañana Será Bonito, becoming the first woman to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with an all Spanish-language album. Currently, she’s on her U.S. stadium tour, which wraps up September 28 in Boston.

This year, Peso Pluma leads the list of finalists with 21 nods across 15 categories, including artist of the year, songwriter of the year, Global 200 Latin artist of the year, and Top Latin Album of the year.

Christina Aguilera to Receive Spirit of Hope Award at Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on September 9, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a spirited time for Christina Aguilera.

The 41-year-old half-Ecuadorian American actress and pop star will receive the Spirit of Hope award at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

The special award — which was established in 1996 in honor of the late Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla — will recognize Aguilera for her philanthropic and humanitarian contributions beyond her musical work.

Aguilera will also perform during the awards show, which will take place on Thursday, September 29, at the Watsco Canter in Miami, and will be broadcast live on Telemundo beginning at 7:00 pm ET.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards — where Bad Bunny leads the list of finalists with a staggering 23 nods across 13 categories — will be simulcast on Telemundo, Universo, Peacock, the Telemundo App, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

In addition to her musical accolades, including more than 75 million records sold worldwide, five No.1 Billboard Hot 100 hits, and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, the artist also known as Xtina has lifted her voice to help end the cycle of domestic abuse, been a longtime supporter and ally to the LGBTQ+ community, raised awareness about HIV/AIDS research, and traveled the globe to help feed children in poverty-stricken areas.

Aguilera joins past Billboard Spirit of Hope recipients including Gloria Estefan, Emmanuel, Willy Chirino, Olga Tañon, Maná, Los Tigres del Norte, Ricky Martin, El General, Soraya, Juan Luis Guerra, Shakira, Ricardo Montaner, Juanes, Daddy Yankee, Marc Anthony, Carlos Vives, Carlos Santana, Luis Fonsi, and Maluma.

Selena Quintanilla’s “Moonchild Mixes” Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums Chart

Posted on September 8, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Quintanilla has another No. 1 album to her credit…

Moonchild Mixes, the new posthumous album by the late Mexican American singer, known as la Reina de la Musica Tejana, has debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums chart dated September 10.

It also debuts at No. 2 on the Regional Mexican Albums chart and No. 8 on the all-Latin-encompassing Top Latin Albums chart with 5,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the August 26-September 1 tracking week, according to Luminate.

The album earns the late icon her seventh No. 1 on Latin Pop Albums, tying Shakira and Thalia for the most among women.

The album also helps Selena extend her record for the most total weeks spent atop the chart. All seven of her No. 1 albums have spent a combined 173 weeks at No. 1 — Enrique Iglesias trails with the second-most, at 130 weeks.

The set also earns Selena her 18th top 10 on Regional Mexican Albums, the third-most among soloists after Vicente Fernandez (49) and Joan Sebastian (31).

On Top Latin Albums, the LP earns Selena her 16th top 10 album, extending her record for the most among women. Marco Antonio Solis and Vicente Fernandez lead all acts with 25 top 10 albums apiece.

Moonchild Mixes includes 10 previously unreleased songs by the superstar, who died in 1995 at age 23. She recorded the tracks between the ages of 13 and 16. In a recent interview with Billboard, her father Abraham Quintanilla Jr. said releasing the album is a way to keep her memory and legacy alive.

“We as a family had discussed this amongst ourselves that in the future, after Selena’s passing, we were going to maintain her presence through her music and we’ve done that for 27 years. I’m more than sure that the fans are going to love it because if you listen to it, it’ll move you emotionally and take you back to as if Selena was recording it this morning.”

Selena Quintanilla’s Family Releases “Moonchild Mixes” Featuring Original Recordings

Posted on August 26, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Quintanilla’s family is sharing original recordings of the late singer…

The family has released a new Selena album called Moonchild Mixes.

It features 10 of Selena’s original recordings between the ages of 13 and 16.

The songs are being released 37 years later via Warner Music Latin.

“We as a family had discussed this amongst ourselves that in the future, after Selena’s passing, we were going to maintain her presence through her music and we’ve done that for 27 years,” the late singer’s father Abraham Quintanilla told Billboard. “I’m more than sure that the fans are going to love it because if you listen to it, it’ll move you emotionally and take you back to as if Selena was recording it this morning.”

The set is home to singles “Dame Tu Amor,” “No Llores Mas,” “Cariño Mio” and “Sabes.”

Moonchild Mixes is available on all digital platforms and in stores.

Francisca Valenzuela Releases New Single “Como La Flor”

Posted on February 12, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Francisca Valenzuela is blossoming with new music…

The 34-year-old Chilean American singer-songwriter has released the new single “Como La Flor.”

In the pop-ballad track, Valenzuela delivers a message of resistance that touches on thriving in a world that tears you down over and over again.

“We are the flower in the middle of war, the light that will illuminate sadness… we are love, always love,” she sings evocatively.

Produced by Ali Stone and Sebastian Krys, the single is an homage to Selena’s 1992 heartbreak anthem.

“When I wrote this song during the pandemic, at a difficult time for all of us, I felt like my idols and artists that I love would keep me company. They would contain me, be my friends,” Valenzuela said.

Library of Congress Selects Gregory Nava’s “Selena” Among 25 Films for National Film Registry for 2021

Posted on December 19, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Gregory Nava’s ode to la Reina de la Musica Tejana is being celebrated as an influential film…

The Library of Congress has unveiled its annual list of 25 films to make the cut for the National Film Registry, with the 72-year-old Mexican/Spanish American filmmaker’s Selena among this year’s selections.

This year’s list, considered among America’s most influential motion pictures, features titles spanning from 1902-2008.

The movies have been selected for their cultural, historic or aesthetic importance to preserve the nation’s film heritage.

Several, including Nava’s Selena, explore stories from diverse communities that often carry universal themes.

Selena, the 1997 biographical film of Tejano Music star Selena Quintanilla-Pérez starred Jennifer Lopez in her first major movie role.

Co-star Edward James Olmos told the Library of Congress that Selena “will stand the test of time… (It’s) a masterpiece because it allows people to learn about themselves by watching other peoples’ culture.”

Sylvia Morales’ 1979 film Chicana was also selected to be part of the registry this year.

The film traces the history of Chicana and Mexican women from pre-Columbian times to the present. It covers women’s role in Aztec society, their participation in the 1810 struggle for Mexican independence, their involvement in the US labor strikes in 1872, their contributions to the 1910 Mexican revolution and their leadership in contemporary civil rights causes. Using murals, engravings and historical footage, Chicana shows how women, despite their poverty, have become an active and vocal part of the political and work life in both Mexico and the United States

Three films on this year’s list directly addressed one of the most pressing issues of the day: racially-motivated violence against people of color. The Murder Of Fred Hampton (1971), Who Killed Vincent Chin? (1987) and Requiem-29 (1970) told stories of violence against Black, Asian and Hispanic Americans, respectively.

Requiem-29 documents the chilling inhuman treatment of 50,000 Chicanos by police and the death of L.A. Times journalist Ruben Salazar.

The 2021 roster of titles brings the total number in the registry to 825.

Said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, “Films help reflect our cultural history and creativity — and show us new ways of looking at ourselves — though movies haven’t always been deemed worthy of preservation. The National Film Registry will preserve our cinematic heritage, and we are proud to add 25 more films this year. The Library of Congress will work with our partners in the film community to ensure these films are preserved for generations to come.”

Select titles from 30 years of the National Film Registry are freely available online in the National Screening Room.

Films Selected for the 2021 National Film Registry (chronological order)

Ringling Brothers Parade Film (1902)
Jubilo (1919)
The Flying Ace (1926)
Hellbound Train (1930)
Flowers and Trees (1932)
Strangers on a Train (1951)
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
Evergreen (1965)
Requiem-29 (1970)
The Murder of Fred Hampton (1971)
Pink Flamingos (1972)
Sounder (1972)
The Long Goodbye (1973)
Cooley High (1975)
Richard Pryor: Live in Concert (1979)
Chicana (1979)
The Wobblies (1979)
Star Wars Episode VI — Return of the Jedi (1983)
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Stop Making Sense (1984)
Who Killed Vincent Chin? (1987)
The Watermelon Woman (1996)
Selena (1997)
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
WALL-E (2008)

Chris Perez Appears in New PETA Campaign

Posted on October 5, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Chris Perez is raising awareness for pet safety…

The 52-year-old Mexican American guitarist, songwriter and author has joined PETA‘s new campaign to remind people that animals can die of heatstroke inside parked cars in as little as 15 minutes.

“That connection I feel with dogs is something special to me. I consider them as part of the family,” says the former Selena y Los Dinos guitarist and Selena Quintanilla’s husband in the clip. “When I hear about a dog [who] gets left in a car, it’s really upsetting. It’s sad. It happens so fast.”

In the one-minute video, he also encouraged pet owners to take the right measurements or leave them at home.

For more information, visit www.peta.org.

Ally Brooke Recording First-Ever Spanish-Language Album

Posted on August 16, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Ally Brooke is switching tongues…

The 28-year-old Mexican American singer and former Fifth Harmony member is currently recording her first Spanish-language album.

Ally Brooke, who appeared on Dancing With the Stars and launched a 2020 U.S. tour, has signed a joint record deal with indie labels Duars Entertainment, founded by Eric Duars, and with AMSI, launched by entertainment attorney Simran A. Singh, becoming the first female artist signed to either company.

Brooke is working with producers Luny Tunes, Dimelo Flow and Mr. NaisGai, among others on the album, which will feature collaborations with Latin and mainstream artists.

The San Antonio native met Singh –who also reps Daddy Yankee, Ozuna and Anuel AA, among others—through mutual friend Suzette Quintanilla, Selena’s sister.

Singh, who initially came onboard as her attorney, was impressed with both Ally Brooke’s personality and her voice.

“We began working and I said, ‘What do you think about doing a Spanish album?'” says Singh. “She said she’d love to and we instantly clicked.”

Singh reached out to Duars, another longtime client and friend, and they decided to jointly sign Ally Brooke to an unusual joint label deal instead of shopping her to another label.

“Eric and I know this business very well and we have the capital. So rather than knock on doors, we’re going to build it up ourselves,” Singh told Billboard.

Ally Brooke is the latest mainstream female artist to record in Spanish in the past year. Selena Gomez released her first Spanish-language EP earlier this year and Camila Cabello has forayed into Spanish in singles as well.

Fans will get a first listen to Ally Brooke’s new music during a showcase hosted by Duars Entertainment and slated to take place during Billboard Latin Music Week in Miami the week of September 20 with a line-up that will also includes Rauw Alejandro. Singh says he plans to release a first single immediately after.

No stranger to the charts, Ally Brooke has scored previous hits alongside collaborators like Tyga and Afrojack.

Netflix Releases Teaser for Part Two of Christian Serratos’ “Selena: The Series”

Posted on April 5, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

May the fourth be with Christian Serratos…

Netflix has revealed a new date for part two of Selena: The Series, starring the 30-year-old half-Mexican American actress as the late Tejano music icon. It will now be released on May 4.

Along with the new date for the final part of the two-part series, Netflix also released a teaser featuring Selena in her signature sparkly criss-cross purple pantsuit singing “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” at the Houston Astrodome in Texas, where she performed her last televised concert.

Part 1 of the series, which “explores Selena Quintanilla‘s journey from singing small gigs to becoming the most successful female Latin artist of all time,” made its Netflix debut on December 4, starring Serratos as singer.

“[Selena] created a path for herself when it was arguably difficult for Latinas,” Serratos previously told Billboard. “Being a woman in the industry is super tricky, but she managed to be incredibly powerful, strong, and resilient and [to] be a pioneer while being incredibly gracious, and I always thought that was so beautiful.”

Other cast members include Ricardo Chavira, who co-stars as Selena’s father, Abraham; Gabriel Chavarria as her brother A.B.; Noemi Gonzalez as her sister Suzette; Seidy Lopez as her mother, Marcella; and Madison Taylor Baez as young Selena.

https://twitter.com/contodonetflix/status/1379082648690171910

The two-part series was released 23 years after the Gregory Nava-directed and Oscar-nominated film Selena starring Jennifer Lopez made its debut on the big screen.

E! Kicking Off “True Hollywood Story” Reboot with Cardi B Episode

Posted on March 5, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Cardi B is kicking off E!’s iconic docuseries…

The entertainment network’s television docuseries True Hollywood Story will officially return on Monday, March 15, starting with an in-depth look at the 28-year-old half-Dominican American Grammy-winning rapper.

The first episode will track how the “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)” rapper built herself from the ground up, including interviews with television producer Mona Scott-Young (VH1‘s Love & Hip Hop), “Bodak Yellow” music video director Picture Perfect and fellow New York rapper Maino.

The rest of the second season’s episodes will focus on the tragic deaths of Selena and Christina Grimmie at the hands of those obsessed with them (“Death of Innocence” will air March 29); the sisterhood bond that withstands the celebrity spotlight between Beyoncé and Solange Knowles, Britney and Jamie Lynn Spears, and Miley and Noah Cyrus (“Star Sisters” will air on April 10); trail-blazing billionaires like Jay-Z (“Billionaires: Fierce, Fearless & Filthy Rich” will premiere this summer); and Hollywood’s most talked-about and mysterious cases including Whitney Houston‘s death (“Hollywood Mysteries” will premiere in the fall).

Selena’s husband Chris Perez and Grimmie’s brother Marcus will share intimate stories during the “Death of Innocence” special.

Season two of E! True Hollywood Story will debut on Monday, March 15 at 10:00 pm ET.

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