Luis Figueroa’s “Bandido” Rises to No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay Chart

Posted on October 21, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Figueroa is celebrating another chart-topper…

The 34-year-old Puerto Rican singer and songwriter has notched his second No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart as “Bandido” lifts to the top of the October 21-dated ranking.

“I am so excited with the reaction from everyone with this song … it has become a fan favorite!” Figueroa tells Billboard. “I am also proud to represent this new salsa movement. Salsa es lo que hay!”

“Bandido” rises to the summit with a 23% gain to 5.7 million audience impressions on reporting radio stations during the October 6-12 tracking week, according to Luminate. The song was released on August 17 via Magnus Media/Sony Music Latin, with Figueroa one of its six writers.

“It was amazing to work with so many talented musicians and lyricists on this song,” Figueroa adds. “I have been looking forward to putting this record out for a while, so for everyone to finally listen to it, and the reaction it has received, is so gratifying.”

Notably, “Bandido” becomes the first salsa track to crown Tropical Airplay among the five tropical tunes that have notched their first weeks at No. 1 in 2023. Let’s look at the winners, by core style:

Peak Date, Artist, Title (style)
February 4, Romeo Santos & Rosalia, “El Pañuelo” (bachata)
April 8, Marshmello & Manuel Turizo, “El Merengue” (merengue)
July 8, Prince Royce, “Me EnRD” (bachata)
August 5, Chayanne, “Bailando Bachata” (bachata)
October 21, Luis Figueroa, “Bandido” (salsa)

“Bandido” is the first salsa No. 1 on Tropical Airplay since Marc Anthony’s “Mala” in March 2022.

“Bandido” concurrently translates into a new No. 1 for Magnus Media. The label last ruled Tropical Airplay through another Figueroa song, “Hasta El Sol de Hoy,” for one week in July 2021.

Beyond its Tropical Airplay coronation, “Bandido” rebounds to its No. 18 high on the overall Latin Airplay chart. It became Figueroa’s second top 20 entry there, following the No. 15-peaking “Todavía Te Espero” in 2022.

Figueroa’s new achievement follows his first-time nomination for a Billboard Latin Music Award this year, for tropical artist of the year, solo.

Chencho Corleone Earns First Solo No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with “Un Cigarrillo”

Posted on September 30, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Chencho Corleone has a smokin’ hot chart-topper.

The 44-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter and producer has earned his first solo No. 1 (without any other acts) on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart as “Un Cigarrillo” rises 3-1 to lead the chart dated September 30.

Corleone adds a fourth champ to his Latin Airplay chart career.

“Un Cigarrillo” puffs its way to No. 1 after 18 weeks on the list with a 10% gain in audience impressions, to 8.9 million, earned in the U.S. during the tracking week ending September 21, according to Luminate.

The song was released on May 4 via Cerco/Sony Music Latin. It’s Corleone’s first official release after he signed a global record deal with the major label earlier in the year.

As for the Cerco label, “Un Cigarrillo” is its first No. 1 on any Billboard chart.

“Un Cigarrillo” gives Corleone his fourth leader on the overall Latin Airplay ranking.

He claimed his first No. 1 in July 2022 through his co-billed Rauw Alejandro collaboration “Desesperados.” Corleone returned to the penthouse with another co-billed collab, “Me Porto Bonito,” with Bad Bunny, in August 2022, which also gifted him his only No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs (20 weeks in charge). His Don Omar collab “Podemos Repetirlo” followed (one week, September 16-dated list).

Elsewhere, “Un Cigarrillo” jumps 2-1 on Latin Rhythm Airplay, his fifth champ there. Over on the multimetric Hot Latin Songs, which blends airplay, digital sales and streaming activity, the song rebounds from No. 49 to its No. 47 high.

Ryan Castro Teams Up with Peso Pluma for New Track “QUEMA”

Posted on July 14, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ryan Castro is feeling the burn… But he isn’t doing it alone!

The 29-year-old Colombian singer and songwriter has joined voices with Peso Pluma to release the new single “QUEMA” via Sony Music Latin.

Powered by a hypnotizing, head-bobbing beat, the irresistible old-school perreo track is signature Castro, who has a knack for delivering hooky songs — and his new track is no exception.

Add Peso, Mexican music’s biggest star today, and it’s a certified hit.

The song finds the corridos singer returning to urbano following “La Bebe Remix,” his hit song with Yng Lvcas, which has now spent 16 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Quema” — produced by SOG, Castro’s longtime producer — will be part of the Colombian artist’s upcoming new album, El Cantante Del Ghetto.

Chayanne Releases New Tropical Single “Bailando Bachata”

Posted on May 25, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Chayanne is in a bachata state of mind…

The 54-year-old Puerto Rican Latin pop singer and actor has returned to tropical music with “Bailando Bachata,” the third single from his highly-anticipated new album which debuts on Thursday, May 25 at 8:00 pm ET via Sony Music Latin.

Chayanne’s new single follows the previously released tracks:

reggaeton-pop single “Tú y Yo” and ballad “Te Amo y Punto.”

“I love the genre,” Chayanne told Billboard Español ahead of the bachata single’s premiere, noting that he has visited Santo Domingo countless times and that “anywhere in the world, when they play Caribbean music like salsa, merengue, bachata, one enjoys dancing to it very closely, so I am very excited.”

“How lucky I am that I can see you when I wake up every day/ And when I travel I miss you/ I have your photograph in my wallet”, begins the romantic Spanish-language song, co-written by Chayanne, Yasmil Marrufo, Andy Clay Cruz Felipe and Mario Alberto Cáceres Pacheco. “We are like the glass and the wine/ We go together since the moment we saw each other,” says part of the chorus.

Just as romantic is the music video, directed by Katherine Díaz and produced by Guacamaya Films.

Set in the 1970s, the clip stars Venezuelan actress and model Veronica Schneider. Upon arriving home, she lies down to watch her favorite series — starring Chayanne, of course — when she notices that the artist can see her from the screen.

“When I’m on TV, beware, because I’m watching you!”, he warns Billboard Español with a laugh.

“Bailando Bachata” is not Chayanne’s first foray into bachata — he “flirted” with the genre almost a decade ago with his pop-fusion song “Bailando Dos Corazonas.”

The new song, he explains, “is something more faithful, more complete, which makes me very excited.”

The 3-minute track is part of his forthcoming eight-song album. When asked if he’ll include any regional Mexican music — a genre currently enjoying significant global success — Chayanne couldn’t contain himself and revealed eagerly: “Yes! That too!”

“I started flirting with a lot of rhythms without leaving the backbone of pop,” he said. “But yes, the Mexican regional, you guessed right. There is also a song of that genre and it is beautiful”.

As for the release of his highly anticipated new set — his first studio album since 2014’s En Todo Estaré, which reached No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart — he said that he finished recording and hopes to make an announcement very soon. “Right now we are mastering, so it’s a matter of setting a date,” he says.

Chencho Corleone Signs Global Record Deal with Sony Music Latin

Posted on May 3, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Chencho Corleone is entering a new musical phase…

The 44-year-old Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and record producer has launched a “new musical phase” by signing a global record deal with Sony Music Latin, the company tells Billboard.

The agreement comes on the heels of Chencho’s upcoming debut album as a solo artist; he was previously one-half of the duo Plan B, who rose to fame in the early 2000s.

“I’m very happy with what we’ve been creating and what’s coming up,” said the Puerto Rican hitmaker in a statement. “I’m sure my fans will enjoy this new musical phase, adding another milestone in my career.”

Corleone is set to release the first single from the set, “Un Cigarrillo,” on Thursday (May 4) along with a music video directed by Jessy Terrero. “I had the opportunity to sit down with production and the team to create a visual concept that projects and marks the new solo path at the beginning,” Chencho added in his statement.

The deal comes amid a career spike for Corleone. Last year, he scored his first No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart thanks to “Me Porto Bonito” with Bad Bunny, which ruled the tally for 20 weeks. He also notched his first No. 1 on Billboard‘s Latin Airplay chart with his feature on Rauw Alejandro‘s “Desesperados.”

About the signing, Sony Music U.S. Latin president Alex Gallardo, added, “We’re extremely happy to welcome Chencho Corleone to the Sony Music family. Chencho has proved to be one of the leaders in his genre with his distinctive style and powerhouse collaborations, reaffirming his position worldwide. We are committed alongside his team to take his career to new levels and establish him as one of the biggest names in the music.”

Farruko Teams Up with Marshmello to Release New Single “Esta Vida”

Posted on April 15, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a celebration of life for Farruko…

The 31-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and singer has joined voices with Marshmello to release the new single “Esta Vida” via Sony Music Latin.

Following his hit “El Merengue,” DJ Marsmello is venturing back into the Spanish-language music market to release this latest Latin collaboration with Farruko.

The track maintains Farruko’s trademark electronic sound, which has seen him reach the top of Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs and Hot Dance/Electronic Songs charts in the past, but the American DJ takes it a step further with an electro-house mix that elevates it with synths and a danceable beat.

The lyrics convey a different message that reflects his newly found life path and the video only adds to it, showing Farruko living two parallel but contrasting lives, as a homeless man and as a wealthy celebrity.

“Let them talk, let them say, live your life, I live mine/ I got tired of the lies, from so much falsehood of the same system/ I found a way out of my problems/ Now that I’ve changed for the better, don’t take it the wrong way,” he sings.

The song had its live debut during the DJ’s Ultra Music Festival headlining set on March 26th — and you can’t please everyone, as they mention in the chorus, but they will undoubtedly please many with this collaboration.

Yandel Earns 15th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with Feid Collaboration “Yandel 150”

Posted on April 13, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a special quinceañera for Yandel…

The 46-year-old Puerto Rican singer and songwriter has notched his 15th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart as “Yandel 150,” his collaboration with Feid, rises to the top spot on the chart dated April 15.

In addition, the song also rises from 2-1 on the Latin Rhythm Airplay chart.

Yandel returns to the summit following the one-week lead of “Déjà Vu,” with Tainy, in 2021. His longest-leading champ was “Encantadora,” which held atop the chart for three weeks.

Feid, meanwhile, claims his third No. 1 just a month after his featured turn in Ozuna’s “Hey Mor” ruled the March 4-dated list.

The collaboration ousts another pairing, Myke Towers and Daddy Yankee, after one week in charge for “Ulala.”

“Yandel 150” is the fourth single from Yandel’s Resistencia, his seventh studio album as a soloist, released Jan. 13 via Sony Music Latin. The 17-track set, jam-packed with reggaetón vets and newcomers alike, including his longtime collaborator Wisin, earned the Puerto Rican an eighth straight top 10 on Latin Rhythm Albums (March 23-dated list).

Further, “Yandel 150” leads in its ninth week on Latin Airplay, tying with “Hey Mor” as the third song to rise to the summit in nine weeks or fewer among Yandel’s 15 champs. Only two other tracks climbed faster: “Como Antes,” featuring Wisin, led in its second week, while “Se Acabó El Amor,” with Abraham Mateo and Jennifer Lopez, conquered in its sixth week.

Elsewhere, Yandel also takes his 15th No. 1 on Latin Rhythm Airplay, while Feid picks up his fourth champ.

Ozuna Notches 29th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Rhythm Airplay Chart with Feid-Collaboration “Hey Mor”

Posted on February 16, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ozuna has mor to celebrate…

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and rapper has notched his 29th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Rhythm Airplay chart as “Hey Mor,” featuring Feid, leads the February 18-dated ranking.

The song trades places with Bad Bunny and Rauw Alejandro’s “Party,” which slides 1-2 after two weeks at the top of the chart.

“Hey Mor” was released on October 8 via Aura/Sony Music Latin. It ascends 2-1 in its 10th week with 9.3 million in audience impressions, up 7%, earned in the U.S. in the week ending Feb. 9, according to Luminate.

The song is the sixth single from Ozuna’s fifth studio album OzuTochi which debuted at No. 5 on Top Latin Albums and at No. 4 on Latin Rhythm Albums last October.

“Hey Mor” gives the Latin rhythmic hitmaker his 29th champ on Latin Rhythm Airplay, and steps closer to the lead extending his second-best count of No. 1s among all acts on the 17-year-old chart. Daddy Yankee and J Balvin continue to have the most champs, both with 34 No. 1s.

Here’s the leaderboard:

34, Daddy Yankee
34, J Balvin
29, Ozuna
20, Bad Bunny
19, Maluma
19, Wisin
19, Wisin & Yandel

Feid, meanwhile, captures his third No. 1 among seven career appearances. The Colombian’s first offering arrived with “Porfa,” with an all-star team comprising J Balvin, Maluma, Nicky Jam, Sech and Justin Quiles in August 2020.

Plus, he locked in his first and only champ as a soloist, unaccompanied by any other act, on Latin Rhythm Airplay with “Normal” in January.

Elsewhere, “Hey Mor” doubles its previous peak on the all-genre Latin Airplay chart, rallying 8-4 in its seventh week. Plus, Feid scores a career best on the overall Billboard Hot 100 ranking, as the song climbs 96-88.

Bizarrap Earns First No. 1 on Billboard Hot Latin Songs Chart with Shakira-Collab “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53”

Posted on January 24, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Bizarrap has earned his first-ever No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart…

The 24-year-old Argentine DJ and record producer captures his first chart-topper for “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” his smash collaboration with Shakira.

The new track rallies up the January 28-dated chart with a 16-1 jump following its first full-week of tracking.

With the No. 1 song, Shakira ties with Bad Bunny for the fourth-most No. 1s overall, both with 12.

The song was released on January 11 at 7 p.m. ET through Dale Play/Sony Music Latin and debuted at No. 16 (chart dated January 21) with less than two days of activity.

Hot Latin Songs ranks the most popular Latin songs in the U.S. based on a blend of airplay, digital sales, and streaming data.

Starting with radio airplay, “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” generated 7.42 million audience impressions in the tracking week ending in January 19, according to Luminate. The sum allows for a No. 5 debut on the all-genre Latin Airplay chart.

It’s the second top 10 for Bizarrap after his four-week command with “Music Sessions, Vol. 52,” with Quevedo (November 2022). Shakira, meanwhile, collects her 36th top 10.

On the streaming front, “Music Sessions, Vol. 53” logged 20.2 million official U.S. streams, up 315%, in the same tracking period. The count yields a No. 3 start on the overall Streaming Song ranking and a 17-1 jump on Latin Streaming Songs.

Sales also assist the collaboration’s No. 1 ascent on Hot Latin Songs. With 9,000 downloads sold, “Vol. 53” surges 23-3 on the Digital Songs Sales ranking and holds at No. 1 for a second week on Latin Digital Song Sales.

It’s the largest sales week among Hot Latin Songs hits since Shakira’s own “Suerte (Whenever, Wherever)” sold 15,000 on the Feb. 15, 2020-dated chart, following her performance of the track during the halftime show that year (Feb. 2).

Back on the multimetric tally, “Vol. 53” easily sends Fuerza Regida and Grupo Frontera’s “Bebe Dame” to No. 2 after its one week in charge.

Here’s the scoreboard since the chart’s inception in 1986:

27, Enrique Iglesias
16, Luis Miguel
15, Gloria Estefan
12, Bad Bunny
12, Shakira
11, Marco Antonio Solis
11, Ricky Martin

Notably, “Vol. 53” allows for another woman in a lead or co-lead role to rule Hot Latin Songs for the first time since Karol G’s “Provenza” in May 2022. Further, the tally’s No. 1 slot was monopolized by three Bad Bunny’s songs for 35 weeks, as “Moscow Mule,” “Me Porto Bonito,” with Chencho Corleone, and “Titi Me Preguntó” dominated the May 21, 2022 – January 14, 2023-dated rankings, until Fuerza Regida and Grupo Frontera’s “Bebe Dame” landed at the summit the week prior.

Elsewhere on the charts, “Vol. 53” makes a No. 9 debut on the overall Billboard Hot 100 chart. It’s the highest start for both acts, and Shakira’s highest ranking since “Beautiful Liar,” with Beyoncé, peaked at No. 3 in 2007. “Vol. 53” also bows at No. 2 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts.

Nicky Jam Releases High Octane, New Single “Toy a Mil”

Posted on January 20, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Nicky Jam is bringing it at 1,000…

The 41-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American singer-songwriter has released his latest single “Toy a Mil” via Sony Music Latin.

Packed with Caribbean-packed sounds, the track is described as a “full-on summer jam.”

The track fins Nicky Jam meshing Jamaican reggae beats with Dominican dembow, while belting sensual and playful lyrics full of Dominican slang.

An invitation to start the party, the Jorge Milliano-produced track focuses on a girl Nicky Jam was waiting for to be single.

The just-as-vibrant music video captures the veteran hitmaker having a “boys night out” with perreo duo Jowell & Randy — who doesn’t shy away from doing the signature Dembow dance, holding a party foam cup in one hand and swaying the other side to side to the thumping rhythm.

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