Tokischa Releases New Dembow Single “Candy”

Tokischa is sweetening up the music world…

The 27-year-old Dominican musica urbana rapper and songwriter has released the new single “Candy.”

TokischaWith the new single, inspired by a friend named Candy, Tokischa embraces the dembow stylings to deliver a fast-paced, slickly produced ode to getting high and keeping the vibes correct.

Candy is an authentic, risky, irreverent, liberal girl who loves excess. In the 2 minute and 58 second dembow track, Tokischa moves as a soloist with a rush of adrenaline that is projected in the speed of her rhymes, which she pronounces with the distinctive voice that has made her known across international borders.

in its explicit verse, the track presents an escape from Candy’s reality and the fascination of that journey to experience the excitement of the senses.

In the masterful music video directed by Raymi Paulus, Tokischa is shown embodying the personality of her friend, wearing similar styles in her way of dressing, hair and behavior.

Furthermore, the colorful music video shows Tokischa in urban scenes wasting his energetic strength, enjoying the feeling of freedom and expressing what he feels.

The single and music video for “Candy” are available on major digital music platforms.

Eladio Carrión Launching First Sauce Boyz Fest in Puerto Rico

Eladio Carrión is bringing the sauce to Puerto Rico…

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and singer of Latin trap and reggaeton will launch the first Sauce Boyz Fest , which he conceived.

Eladio Carrión The event, which promises to be historic, will host some of the most exhilarating acts in the música urbana and rap game. 

Headliners include Argentine giants Bizarrap and Duki, rap superstar Wiz Khalifa, Dominican dembow artist Tokischa, and rising stars like Young Miko, Dei V, Yovngchimi and more, with an expected attendance of 45,000 total.

The event sold out weeks before the lineup was even announced.

“We really want [fest-goers] to have the best experience of their life. Musically it’s going to be crazy. I’ve been dying to just announce this lineup,” Carrión tells Billboard Español. Taking place May 18 and 20 in Mayagüez and San Juan, the Puerto Rican festival is the first of its kind, being held at a beer factory on day one and by the beach on day two.

At the same time, Carrión will launch his own beer line, La H.

Manuel Turizo Teams Up with Marshmello for Cross-Genre Single “El Merengue”

Manuel Turizo has called on an unlikely collaborator to help him get over his ex…

The 22-year-old Colombian singer has teamed up with Marshmello for the duo’s first cross-genre collaboration titled “El Merengue.”

Manuel Turizo, MarshmelloTurizo and Marshmello released the track and music video that puts a fresh spin on merengue with layered electro beats and Turizo’s rich baritone vocals.

The video, directed by Chadrick Preuss and Sandeep Vadlamudi, follows a lovestruck Turizo who is hung up on an ex-flame that he casually runs into one night at a crowded nightclub. In the heat of the moment, the Colombian singer and his ex sway to the rhythms of the sultry merengue beat. Overtaken by rekindled emotions — and liquid courage — Turizo ends up retching into the nightclub’s toilet while an unmasked Marshmello listens from the next stall over.

“I drunkenly told you I had forgotten you, but I didn’t,” Turizo admits over a vibrating beat that’s reminiscent of the booming merengue anthems of the early 2000s.

The video then turns into a dream-like, spell-binding sequence that returns to the first scene of the video where Turizo is looking at a photo of him and his ex. The song lyrically touches on the same themes and was written by the duo along with the much sought-after producer Edgar Barrera and Puerto Rican artist Gale, among others.

The collaboration between the two artists was first unveiled on February 24 when Turizo appeared wearing Marshmello’s emblematic white helmet amongst the bustling madness of New York City’s Times Square. Fans crowded around Turizo while the city’s famed neon billboards displayed the announcement of “El Merengue.”

No stranger to Latin collaborations, Marshmello previously released the pulsating EDM and trap-infused “Estilazo” with Dominican star Tokischa last April and during his EDC Mexico headlining set last week, the DJ debuted an unreleased track featuring regional Mexican artists Fuerza Regida and Peso Pluma. Dubbed an electro corrido, the track has been making its rounds on social media and Latin outlets, while fans patiently await the song’s official release.

Meanwhile, Marshmello has been teasing the release of his next full-length record — what will be his first since 2021’s Shockwave — via socials. He has already released a slate of singles this year including “Party Jumpin’,” “Unity,” “Eternal,” and “Again.”

Turizo entered the limelight back in 2016 with his sweet love song “Una Lady Como Tú,” and has since become a global favorite with the releases of hit singles like “Culpables,” a collaboration with Ozuna, and “La Bachata” — the first single from his forthcoming new album, 2000.

Ozuna’s Feid-Collab “Hey Mor” Hits No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart

Ozuna is back on top of the charts…

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and rapper has captured his 32nd No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart as “Hey Mor,” with Feid, advances from No. 3 to lead the March 4-dated ranking.

Ozuna, Feid, Hey MorWith the new leader, Ozuna ties with Enrique Iglesias for the second-most No. 1s on the list. Feid, meanwhile, scores his second.

“Hey Mor” takes over Latin Airplay in its ninth week, supported by a 12% increase in audience impressions, to 11.5 million, earned in the U.S. during the Feb 17-23 tracking week, according to Luminate.

“Hey Mor” is the second song from Ozuna’s fifth studio album, OzuTochi, to hit No. 1 on the all-genre Latin Airplay chart.

It follows “Somos Iguales,” with Tokischa, featuring Louchie Lou & Michi One, which topped the tally for one week last October.

With the new No. 1, Ozuna moves ahead and enters a tie with Enrique Iglesias for the second-most No. 1s on Latin Airplay since its inception in 1994. They only trail J Balvin, who continues to dominate with 35 No. 1s: Here’s an update of the scoreboard:

35, J Balvin
32, Enrique Iglesias
32, Ozuna
27, Daddy Yankee
22, Maluma
22, Wisin
22, Romeo Santos

Feid, meanwhile, picks up his second No. 1 after a year and a half. He secured his first victory with “Porfa,” with the all-star team comprising J Balvin, Maluma, Nicky Jam, Sech and Justin Quiles. The song earned the Colombian his first No. 1 on any Billboard chart as it ascended to a dual domination on Latin Airplay and Latin Rhythm Airplay for one week in August 2020.

Further, Feid crosses off a new career achievement as “Hey Mor” rises 12-10 on Hot Latin Songs, which blends airplay, streams, and digital sales. It becomes his first top 10 on the multi-metric tally. Ozuna collects his 29th top 10.

Rosalia Among Headlining Acts for 2023’s Primavera Sound Festival

Rosalia is getting into the primavera spirit…

The star-studded lineup for the 2023 Primavera Sound Festival has been revealed, with the 30-year-old Spanish singer/songwriter among the acts set to perform.

RosaliaRosalia will headline the event alongside Kendrick Lamar, Depeche Mode, Blur and Halsey.

The event will take place in both Barcelona (June 1-3) at Ciudad del Rock in Arganda Del Rey and Madrid (June 8-10) at the Parc Del Forum.

Other participating acts include Ghost, Darkside, Le Tigre, Turnstile, Sparks, Pusha T, Baby Keem, Skrillex, Bad Religion, The Mars Volta, Bad Gyal, Maneskin, St. Vince, the War on Drugs and many more.

In addition, the Pet Shop Boys will play Wednesday’s (May 31) free show with Jake Bugg, Confidence man and La Paloma.

Other acts slated to take the stage include: Japanese Breakfast, PinkPanthress, Christine and the Queens, Arlo Parks, The Voidz, Alex G, Built to Spill, The Moldy Peaches, Bleachers, Julia Jacklin, Caroline Polachek, Maggie Rogers, My Morning Jacket, Tokischa, Death Grips and more.

One-day and multi-day tickets will go on sale on Thursday, December 1 at 12:00 pm CET; more information on tickets here.

Festival organizers announced earlier this year that 2023’s event would take place in Barcelona and Madrid for the first time, saying that the cities will “mirror” each other on consecutive summer weekends.

“Look for yourself in the Primavera Sound 2023 line-up… and find yourself,” organizers said in a statement in describing the mirror-image lineups. “Because we assure you that you are there. After twenty editions, the festival is the mirror in which the community that will come from near and far to Barcelona and for the first time to Madrid next June looks at itself and recognizes itself, but after everything it has experienced, this reflection goes in two directions, marking the richest musical itinerary we can think of: Primavera Sound also looks for and finds itself in its own audience.”

Christina Aguilera to Host Intimate ‘Premiere Party’ at Billboard Latin Music Week

Christina Aguilera is throwing a premiere party

The 41-year-old half-Ecuadorian American singer will take part in this year’s Billboard Latin Music Week, taking place September 26-October 1 at the Faena Forum in Miami.

Christina AguileraDuring the conference, Xtina will be hosting the “Premiere Party with Christina Aguilera,” where she’ll be debut never-before-heard music and answer fan questions in an intimate setting.

But Aguilera isn’t the only new addition to the lineup…

Justin Quiles will take part in an engaging panel about connecting people with music through technology, while Wisin y Yandel will join Nicky Jam for a compelling conversation during The Nicky Jam Rockstar Show Live from Billboard Latin Music Week.

The artists join a star-studded lineup that already includes: Bizarrap, Blessd, Camilo, Chayanne, Cris Chil, Dannylux, Dimelo Flow, Eladio Carrion, Elena Rose, Foreign Teck, Grupo Firme, The Children of Jenni Rivera, Kuinvi, Kunno, Lili Zetina, Luis R Conriquez, Eslabón Armado, Ivy Queen, Maluma, Mariah Angeliq, Ovy On The Drums, Subelo Neo, Tini, Tokischa, Ugly Primo and The King of Bachata Romeo Santos.

More participants will be announced in the weeks leading up to the 2022 Latin Music Week.

Registration is now open here.

Ozuna Teams Up with Tokischa to Release Equality Single “Somos Iguales”

Ozuna is celebrating equality with a special guest…

The 30year-old Puerto Rican singer and rapper has joined voices with Tokischa to release the new single for “Somos Iguales,” as well as the track’s music video.

Ozuna & Tokischa Ozuna and Tokischa met for the first time last year at an afterparty in the Dominican Republic and “we instantly clicked,” the urban artist said during an Instagram Live interview with Billboard Latin.

That great chemistry is now cemented on the new single, which features party-starting rhythms while sending a message of equality and inclusion.

“On the dance floor anything goes; here we are all the same,” says part of the lyric.

“I wanted to generalize that we are all the same,” Ozuna notes. “Things are not as complicated as before. There are many open-minded people nowadays.”

“Somos Iguales,” produced by DJ Luian, Mambo Kingz, Jowny and Hydro, is a and reggaeton dembow fusion that Ozuna has been working on for two years, even before he met Tokischa. He explains he was challenged with the song’s concept but immediately connected with the track when Tokischa sent her verse.

“Her project is fresh and something totally new for the music industry,” he explains.

“In person, she’s very smart, respectful, chill and creative.”

The track also samples the 1993 reggae dancehallRich Girl” by British duo Louchie Lou and Michie One. “This song is so special for me because it samples a very iconic track that forms part of our childhood,” Tokischa says.

The music video, helmed by Venezuelan director Nuno Gomes, brings the lyrics to life, showing the two artists breaking into a room where a meeting with leaders of different nations is held. In the end, the leaders, law enforcement and artists all end up dancing to the same rhythm.

Currently, each artist is ready to kick off their individual tours. Ozuna’s trek starts September 30 in New York, and Toki plans to visit fans in Mexico and return to the U.S. after her successful debut Popola Tour.

“It felt nice,” she expresses of touring outside of her country for the first time. “I missed my house, my family and food, but I loved connecting with so many people, especially the Dominican who’s chasing a dream in another country. It was a beautiful experience.”

 

Pabllo Vittar Added to LETSGETFR.EE Festival Lineup

Pabllo Vittar’s schedule is FREEing up…

The 28-year-old Brazilian drag queen and singer has been added to the lineup for this summer’s LETSGETFR.EE festival.

Pabllo Vittar Vittar is among a list of lineup newcomers that includes Tokischa, DJ Camilo and more.

They join the previously announced Missy Elliott, El Alfa, Ozuna, Kali Uchis and Bomba Estereo, to name a few.

The two-day event, taking place on August 20-21 in Queens, N.Y., is designed for and by Black, Brown, Asian/Pacific Islander and LGBTQIA+ individuals, and according to a press statement, “Its mission is to close the equity gap for Black, Brown, Asian, and other underrepresented people in the entertainment industry, with the aim of achieving a diversified workforce across all levels in the industry by 2030.”

For more information, click here.

J Balvin to Co-Headline ‘Sueños,’ Chicago’s New Reggaeton & Latin Trap Festival

J Balvin is livin’ the sueño(s)…

The 36-year-old Colombian singer and rapper will co-headline Sueños, a new reggaeton and Latin trap festival in Chicago.

J Balvin

J Balvin will co-headline with Ozuna and Wisin y Yandel, when the festival takes place during Memorial Day Weekend (May 28-29).

The first-ever edition of Sueños — presented by the producers behind Baja Beach Fest and Lollapalooza, respectively, and Chicago’s Reventon Promotions —  will also include sets by artists like Myke Towers, El Alfa, Tokischa, Sech, Natanael Cano, Fuerza Regida, Jhay Cortez, Blessd, Jowell & Randy, and DJ Luian.

“We’re honored to work with the producers of Lollapalooza and Reventon to bring a premier Latin festival to Grant Park in Chicago,” said Aaron Ampudia of Baja Beach Fest. “Reggaetón is a massive genre, but remains underserved by live festivals in the U.S. We’re extremely proud to expand to the US and serve our community and everyone who enjoys Latin music.”

Reventon Promotions’ Enrique Medrano added: ​​”Over a decade ago, I started Reventon Promotions with a dream of bringing authentic and diverse Hispanic entertainment to Chicago. Now I am excited and proud to be part of the first Sueños festival, an event that celebrates the Hispanic presence in the city, in addition to being held in the iconic and representative Grant Park right in the heart of downtown. What better place is there for thousands of people from different Latin American countries to meet, share, and celebrate with artists of the likes of J Balvin, Ozuna, and many more.”

Sueños’ inaugural edition will be the first of two back-to-back reggaeton festivals set to take place for the first time ever in Chicago over the summer.

The also new Más Flow three-day reggaeton fest — featuring headliners Don Omar and Ivy Queen — is confirmed for July 15 to July 17, and produced by Grass Root Events, a local production company.

Sueños and Más Flow join Chicago’s very own Ruido Fest, a Latin alternative music festival that launched in 2015, as the third and second Latinx music festivals to find a home in the Midwestern city, where Latinos are now the second-largest racial or ethnic group, growing by 5%  from roughly 779,000 in 2010 to nearly 820,000 in 2020, according to census data.

Tickets for Sueños will be available via pre-sale beginning Friday, February 11, at 1:00 pm ET with the official on-sale launching at 3:00 pm at www.suenosmusicfestival.com.

Maluma Among the Headlining Acts for This Year’s Baja Beach Fest

Maluma is headed south of the border this summer…

The 27-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter will co-headline this year’s Baja Beach Fest, which will return to the beaches of Mexico this summer.

Maluma, Quay Australia,In addition to Maluma, the Rosarito-based fest will also be headlined by Anuel AA, Farruko and Wisin y Yandel.

The festival will also feature a headlining performance from Sinaloan heroes Banda MS.

The festival is slated to run two weekends in a row, from August 12-14 and August 19-21 for three days each. Each weekend will close out with a headlining set from Daddy Yankee, who recently suggested on social media he would be heading out on his last world tour this year.

The Reggaeton and Latin Trap festival will also see sets from Myke Towers, Natanael CanoSechJhay CortezEl AlfaNatti Natasha and more.

Jay WheelerTokischaMoraNicki Nicole, Arcángel and VF7 and Lunay, among others, are also set to perform at the beachside resort.

Baja Beach Fest first emerged as a one-day event in 2018 and has continued to grow each year.

In 2019, the festival expanded to two days and welcomed top-tier talent including OzunaJ BalvinBecky GBad Bunny and Nicky Jam.

In 2020, the festival postponed due to the pandemic and returned in 2021 with performances from Ozuna, Balvin and Karol G for 30,000 fans.

https://twitter.com/BajaBeachFest/status/1484615711443935232