Karol G Receives Two Wax Figures from Madame Tussauds 

Karol G is waxing nostalgic… 

The 33-year-old Colombian Grammy-winning singer-songweriter has officially received two of her very own wax figures at the renowned Madame Tussauds wax museum.

Karol GKarol G was present at the recent grand reveal in New York City, where she reacted to her two figures: one that captures the Colombian-inspired outfit and signature blue hair that she rocked during her 2022 Coachella performance; the other is one of her looks from the “TQG” music video with Shakira, where she had her striking red locks.

“Wow, how impressive!” Karol said in a press statement. “My first impression was I love my smile, and the color of my eyes […] I hope when my fans meet the figures that it’s a manifestation for them that one day they will meet me.”

Karol G Wax FiguresHer Coachella wax figure will remain at the Madame Tussauds in Times Square, whereas her “TQG” wax figure will be relocated to the Madame Tussauds in Las Vegas at the end of October.

“Karol G is one of our generation’s greatest living Latina performers,” added Eliza Rose, marketing manager at Madame Tussauds New York. “Her figure is a beautiful addition to our museums, and a testament to her talent, influence and the love her fans have for her.”

The “Bichota” singer—who’s a 17-time finalist at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards and whose “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” has spent 12 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart—joins Maluma, Anitta, Selena, Bad Bunny, Shakira and other Latin acts with their own wax figures.

Shakira Dazzles as First-Ever Halftime Show Performer at 2024 Copa America Final

Shakira is celebrating a shining performance…

The 47-year-old Colombian superstar made her official Copa America debut during a special halftime performance during the tournament’s final match on Sunday, July 14.

ShakiraIn the midst of the Argentina vs. Colombia game, Shakira took Hard Rock Stadium by storm with a medley of old and new hits.

The superstar, dressed in a metallic silver skirt and halter top, kicked off the performance singing “Hips Don’t Lie.”

“Te Quiero, Colombia!,” she chanted in the middle of the song.

Accompanied by a group of dancers—female and robots alike—she continued with “Te Felicito,” “TQG,” and “Puntería,” all while flaunting her flawless dancing skills.

On television, the soccer field showcased large 3D wolves and floating gems, all representing her new era.

Shakira has taken center stage at many renowned sports events including the World Cup, Davis Cup, NBA All-Star Game and the Super Bowl, but this marks her first performance at the oldest international soccer tournament.

It also marks the first time ever that a soccer match features a halftime show a la Super Bowl, longer than 15 minutes. But organizers took advantage of the fact that this year’s Copa America took place in the U.S., where half time shows are customary.

“Shakira is an extraordinary South American star who has dazzled the entire world,” Alejandro Domínguez, president of CONMEBOL, previously said in a statement. “Her songs are sung and danced to in every corner of the planet, turning her art into a global phenomenon that crosses borders and is enjoyed by millions of people. We are sure that her performance at the Copa América USA 2024 will enhance the message of healthy passion and unity through sport.”

Ahead of her performance, her compatriot Karol G performed Colombian’s national anthem, and Abel Pintos performed Argentina’s national anthem.

Karol G’s “Provenza” Music Video Becomes Ninth to Enter YouTube’s Billion Views Club

Karol G is on Cloud Nine.

The 33-year-old Colombian Grammy-winning singer/songwriter has achieved yet another career milestone as herher “Provenza” music video surpasses one billion views on YouTube, just two years after it was released.

Karol GFilmed by Pedro Artola on the island of Lanzarote, the beachy music video marks Karol G’s ninth clip to enter the coveted “Billion Views Club” as a lead, featured artist or collaborator.

She also ranks No. 17 on the Global Top Artists chart.

On the Billboard charts, “Provenza” hit No. 1 on both the Hot Latin Songs and Latin Airplay charts in 2022.

“Provenza” follows her other one-billion titles: “China” with Anuel AA, Daddy Yankee, Ozuna & J Balvin; the Nicki Minaj-assisted “Tusa”; “Secreto” in collaboration with Anuel AA, as well as “Culpables”; “Bichota”; “TQG” with Shakira; “El Makinon” in collab with Mariah Angeliq; and the Bad Bunny-assisted “Ahora Me Llama.”

Climbing up the list with more than 750 million views each are “Mi Cama,” “A Ella,” and the heartfelt “Creéme” with Maluma.

The news comes on the heels of Billboard’s 2024 Woman of the Year and Latin Woman of the Year unleashing her summer-friendly tropical tune “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido.”

The feel-good track, produced by Edgar Barrera, Sky Rompiendo and Karol, is a flirty merengue inspired by her love and admiration for the Dominican Republic.

“Its culture, its music, its colors, the hospitality, the energy … everything feels very authentic and special there,” she expressed of the Caribbean island in Instagram an post. “Its people have embraced me in a way that fills my heart and inspires me all the time.”

Shakira Performs Surprise Concert For 40,000 Fans in New York City’s Times Square

Shakira is recovering from an epic performance…

The 47-year-old Colombian superstar surprised her followers with a “pop-up” concert in New York City’s Times Square to celebrate her first LP in seven years, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, which was released last Friday.

ShakiraAnnounced just hours earlier on her social media accounts, Shakira’s impromptu concert drew about 40,000 fans, according to figures provided by the organizers.

A huge electronic billboard that covered part of a skyscraper announced the free show with a clock counting down to its start.

At around 7:30 p.m. ET, the crowd enthusiastically chanted from ten to zero and two large doors hidden in the jumbotron opened to reveal the TSX Stage, and Shakira opening with her No. 1 Hot 100 hit “Hips Don’t Lie.”

Hola New York! Oh my God, this is amazing, absolutely insane,” she said immediately after in Spanglish. “It’s so awesome to see you again, to sing for you… Nothing compares to this. Thank you so much for all the love that you’ve been giving me this week during the release of my new album Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran. And thank you, thank you, thank you for showing up.”

Dressed in black pants and top with silver embellishments, the self-proclaimed She-Wolf delighted the crowd by singing live — along with a band and a group of dancers — songs such as “Te Felicito”, “TQG”, “Cómo Dónde y Cuándo” and “Puntería”, before closing with the mega hit “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53.”

“I’m happy to be here surrounded by my Latin people,” said the 14-time Latin Grammy and three-time Grammy winner. “Thank you New York. Until next time. I love you very much.”

Tuesday’s show was co-produced by TSX Entertainment, with presenting partners ViX, Vinfast and Sony Music Latin.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3bxt6r3zq8

Karol G & Shakira’s “TQG” Music Video Enters YouTube’s Billion Views Club

Karol G has another streaming hit video…

The official music video for the 33-year-old Colombian superstar’s massive breakup anthem with Shakira, “TQG,” has surpassed one billion views, officially entering YouTube’s Billion Views Club.

Shakira & Karol G The music video, released on February 24, 2023, as the focus track of Karol G’s Mañana Será Bonito album, features the two Colombian powerhouses delivering the empowering track that’s short for “te quedó grande.”

In the bop, the artists go back and forth about moving on from their past relationships and being on another level.

“TQG” marks the eighth Billion Views Club entry for both acts as a lead, featured artist or collaborator.

For Karol, it follows “China,” “Tusa,” “Secreto,” “Bichota,” “Culpables,” “Ahora Me Llama” and “El Makinon.”

For Shakira, it follows “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” “Chantaje,” “La Bicicleta,” “Hips Don’t Lie,” “Can’t Remember to Forget You,” “La La La” and “Perro Fiel.” The former is No. 13 on YouTube’s Global Top Artists chart, and the latter is No. 21.

On the Billboard charts, the Ovy on the Drums-produced banger debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. tallies, while also crowning six other Billboard listings and becoming Karol G’s first top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Furthermore, the track won best collaboration at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.

 

Shakira Reveals Star-Studded Tracklist for New Album “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran”

Shakira is making tracks

Ahead of the release of her upcoming new album Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran on March 22, the 47-year-old Colombian superstar has unveiled the album’s tracklist.

ShakiraThe 16-track album includes eight new tracks, plus previously released singles like “TQG” with Karol G, the Rauw Alejandro-assisted “Te Felicito” and “El Jefe” with Fuerza Regida.

A remix to her Bizarrap-produced “Music Sessions Vol. 53” featuring Tiesto will also be included on the set.

Shakira recruits Bizarrap and Alejandro again for new songs, while tapping new collaborators, including Cardi B and Grupo Frontera.

“Making this body of work has been an alchemical process,” Shakira previously said in a statement. “While writing each song, I was rebuilding myself. While singing them, my tears transformed into diamonds, and my vulnerability into strength.”

Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran is Shakira’s first new album in seven years. It also marks her debut release on vinyl, featuring four distinct artwork editions, each paired with an exclusive colored vinyl variant.

Shakira’s new album follows her 2017 set El Dorado, which spent five weeks at No. 1 on Billboard‘Top Latin Albums chart. It spawned the hit songs “Chantaje” with Maluma, “La Bicicleta” with Carlos Vives and the Prince Royce-assisted “Deja vu.”

Overall, the hitmaker has placed eight top 10 albums on the Top Latin Albums chart, six of those hit No. 1, including Dónde Están Los Ladrones? (1998), Fijación Oral: Vol. 1 (2005) and Sale El Sol (2010).

Here’s the tracklist for Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran:

  1. “⁠⁠Puntería” x Cardi B
  2. ⁠”La Fuerte” x Bizarrap
  3. ”Tiempo Sin Verte”
  4. ”Cohete” x Rauw Alejandro
  5. ⁠”(Entre Paréntesis)” x Grupo Frontera
  6. ”Cómo Dónde y Cuándo”
  7. ”Nassau”
  8. ”Última”
  9. ”Te Felicito” x Rauw Alejandro
  10. “Monotonía” x Ozuna
  11. ”Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53″
  12. “TQG” x Karol G
  13. ”Acróstico” x Milan + Sasha
  14. ”Copa Vacía” x Manuel Turizo
  15. “⁠El Jefe” x Fuerza Regida
  16. ”Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53 (Remix Tiësto)”
  17. “Punteria” (Vinyl Version)

Karol G Wins Three Latin Grammy Awards, Including Album of the Year for “Mañana Será Bonito”

Karol G is the leading (Latin Grammy) lady…

Women proved to be the big winners at the 2023 Latin Grammys in Seville, Spain, on Thursday night (Nov. 16), with the 32-year-old Colombian superstar taking home one of the night’s top prizes.

Karol GKarol G and her Colombian compatriot Shakira tied Mexico’s Natalia Lafourcade with three major awards each. The best new artist award also went to a woman, young singer/songwriter Joaquina.

Karol G took home the coveted album of the year award for her historic chart-topper Mañana Será Bonito, which became the first Spanish-language album ever by a Latina to top the Billboard 200. The set also won best urban album, and “TQG,” her collaboration with Shakira, won best urban/fusion performance.

On top of her win with Karol G for “TQG,” Shakira also won song of the year and best pop song along with Argentine DJ Bizarrap for their chart smash “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53.”

Earlier in the evening, Mexican singer/songwriter Natalia Lafourcade, who has won multiple Latin Grammys through the years, won best singer/songwriter album for De Todas Las Flores and best singer/songwriter song for the track of the same name. During the telecast, she also won record of the year for “De Todas Las Flores,” but wasn’t there to pick up her award, which was collected by her producer.

Venezuelan singer/songwriter Joaquina, who performs highly personal songs and has been opening shows for the likes of Juanes and Fonseca, broke down in tears as she collected her best new arist award. “I’ve been writing since I was 8 years old. … They told me I wouldn’t make it if I recorded my own songs, but here I am.”

Hitmaker Edgar Barrera, the lead nominee for the 2023 Latin Grammy Awards, also won three awards, for producer of the year, songwriter of the year and best regional song for “un X100to,” the Bad Bunny and Grupo Frontera hit.

Here’s the full list of winners of the 24th annual Latin Grammy Awards:

General Field

Record of the year: “De Todas Las Flores,” Natalia Lafourcade
Album of the yearMañana Será Bonito, Karol G
Song of the year: “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” Santiago Alvarado, Bizarrap, Kevyn Mauricio Cruz & Shakira, songwriters (Bizarrap Featuring Shakira)
Best new artist: Joaquina

Field 1: Pop

Best pop vocal albumTu Historia, Julieta Venegas
Best traditional pop vocal albumDécimo Cuarto, Andrés Cepeda
Best pop song: “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” Santiago Alvarado, Bizarrap, Kevyn Mauricio Cruz Moreno & Shakira, songwriters (Bizarrap Featuring Shakira)

Field 2: Urban

Best urban/fusion performance: “TQG,” Karol G Featuring Shakira
Best reggaeton performance: “La Receta,” Tego Calderón
Best urban music albumMañana Será Bonito, Karol G
Best rap/hip hop song: “Coco Chanel,” Bad Bunny & Eladio Carrión, songwriters (Eladio Carrión Featuring Bad Bunny)
Best urban song: “Quevedo: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52,” Santiago Alvarado, Bizarrap & Quevedo, songwriters (Bizarrap Featuring Quevedo)

Field 3: Rock

Best rock albumSólo D’ Lira, Molotov
Best rock song: “Leche De Tigre,” Juan Galeano, songwriter (Diamante Eléctrico Featuring Adrián Quesada)
Best pop/rock albumVida Cotidiana, Juanes
Best pop/rock song: “Ojos Marrones,” Luis Jiménez, Lasso & Agustín Zubillaga, songwriters (Lasso)

Field 4: Alternative

Best alternative music albumBolero Apocalíptico, Monsieur Periné
Best alternative song: “El Lado Oscuro Del Corazón,” Dante Spinetta, songwriter (Dante Spinetta)

Field 5: Tropical

Best salsa albumNiche Sinfónico, Grupo Niche y Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Colombia
Best cumbia/vallenato albumEscalona Nunca Se Había Grabado Así, Carlos Vives
Best merengue/bachata album (Tie): Fórmula, Vol. 3, Romeo Santos & A Mi Manera, Sergio Vargas
Best traditional tropical albumVida, Omara Portuondo
Best contemporary tropical album5:10 am, Luis Fernando Borjas
Best tropical song: “Si Tú Me Quieres,” Fonseca, Yadam González & Yoel Henríquez, songwriters (Fonseca & Juan Luis Guerra)

Field 6: Singer-Songwriter

Best singer-songwriter albumDe Todas Las Flores, Natalia Lafourcade
Best singer-songwriter song: “De Todas Las Flores,” Natalia Lafourcade, songwriter (Natalia Lafourcade)

Field 7: Regional-Mexican

Best ranchero/mariachi album: Forajido EP2, Christian Nodal
Best banda albumDe Hoy En Adelante, Que Te Vaya Bien, Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda
Best Tejano albumPara Empezar A Amar, Juan Treviño
Best Norteño albumColmillo De Leche, Carin León
Best regional song: “un X100to,” Bad Bunny, Edgar Barrera, Andrés Jael Correa Rios & Mag, songwriters (Grupo Frontera Featuring Bad Bunny)

Field 8: Instrumental

Best instrumental albumMade In Miami, Camilo Valencia & Richard Bravo

Field 9: Traditional

Best folk albumCamino Al Sol, Vicente García
Best tango albumOperation Tango, Quinteto Astor Piazzolla
Best flamenco albumCamino, Niña Pastori 

Field 10: Jazz

Best Latin jazz/jazz AlbumI Missed You Too!, Chucho Valdés & Paquito D’Rivera (with Reunion Sextet)

Field 11: Christian

Best Christian album (Spanish language): Lo Que Vemos, Marcos Vidal
Best Portuguese language Christian albumNós, Eli Soares

Field 12: Portugese language

Best Portuguese language contemporary pop album: Em Nome da Estrela, Xênia França
Best Portuguese language rock or alternative album: Jardineiros, Planet Hemp
Best Portuguese language urban performance: “Distopia,” Planet Hemp Featuring Criolo
Best Samba/Pagode album: Negra Ópera, Martinho Da Vila
Best MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira) albumSerotonina, João Donato
Best Sertaneja music albumDecretos Reais, Marília Mendonça
Best Portuguese language roots albumTecnoShow, Gaby
Best Portuguese language song: “Tudo O Que A Fé Pode Tocar,” Tiago Iorc & Duda Rodrigues, songwriters (Tiago Iorc)

Field 13: Children’s

Best Latin children’s albumVamos Al Zoo, Danilo & Chapis

Field 14: Classical

Best classical albumHuáscar Barradas Four Elements Immersive Symphony For Orchestra And Chorus, Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra; Ollantay Velasquez, conductor; Huascar Barradas, Maria Cardemas, Eugenio Carreño & Eduardo Martinez Planas, album producers
Best classical contemporary composition: “Concerto Venezolano,” Paquito D’Rivera, composer (Pacho Flores Featuring Paquito D’Rivera)

Field 15: Arranging

Best arrangement: “Songo Bop,” Rafael Valencia, arranger (Camilo Valencia, Richard Bravo Featuring Milton Salcedo)

Field 16: Recording Package

Best recording packageAtipanakuy (Deluxe), Gustavo Ramirez, art director (Kayfex) 

Field 17: Songwriter

Songwriter of the year: Edgar Barrera

Field 18: Production

Best engineered album: Canto A La Imaginación, Érico Moreira, engineer; Érico Moreira, mixer; Felipe Tichauer, mastering engineer (Marina Tuset)
Producer of the year: Edgar Barrera

Field 19: Music Video

Best short form music video: “Estás Buenísimo”, Nathy Peluso; Félix Bollaín & Rogelio González, video directors; María Rubio, video producer
Best long form music video: Camilo: El Primer Tour De Mi Vida, Camilo; Camilo & Camilo Ríos, video directors; Mauricio Ríos, video producer

Karol G to Perform at This Year’s Billboard Music Awards

Karol G is preparing a special medley…

The 32-year-old Colombian superstar is set to perform at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards, taking place on Sunday, November 19.

Karol GKarol G — who’s had a banner year, scoring her first Billboard 200 leader with Mañana Será Bonito — will perform a trio of her hit songs during the awards show.

Karol G is nominated for five Billboard Music Awards, including top Latin artist, top Latin female artist, top Latin touring artist, top Latin album (Mañana Será Bonito) and top Latin song (“TQG” with Shakira).

Karol G’s Mañana Será Bonito, released in February, made history as the first all Spanish-language album by a female artist to top the Billboard 200.

The set includes her unprecedented collaboration with Shakira, “TQG,” which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. This year, Karol G also went on her first-ever U.S. stadium tour, which included stops in major markets like Miami, Los Angeles and Chicago.

With nods in 20 categories, Taylor Swift is the top finalist at the 2023 BBMAs. Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma have the most nods among Latinx artists with six; Eslabon Armado, Karol G and Selena Gomez follow with five each.

The 2023 Billboard Music Awards — which will be produced by dick clark productions — will have a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Spotify Fans First,” which will bring fans up close and personal with their favorite artists.

Performances and awards will roll out across the BBMAs and Billboard social channels, as well as via BBMAs.watch on Sunday, November 19.

J Balvin Earns Record-Extending 36th No. 1 on Billboard Latin Airplay Chart with “Dientes”

J Balvin is sinking his teeth into the Latin charts…

The 38-year-old Colombian musica urbana singer/songwriter has added a record-extending 36th No. 1 to his Billboard Latin Airplay account as his latest single “Dientes,” with Usher and DJ Khaled, climbs 9-1 on the November 4-dated ranking. Usher and Khaled add their second leader.

J Balvin, Dientes“Dientes” becomes the Greatest Gainer of the week with 11 million audience impressions, up 51%, earned in the U.S. during the October 20-26 tracking week, according to Luminate. 

With “Dientes,” J Balvin earns his first No. 1 on the overall Latin Airplay chart in 2023. His last effort, “Nivel de Perreo” with Ryan Castro, reached a No. 26 high in September 2022. Prior, “Forever My Love” and “Sigue,” both collaborations with Ed Sheeran, took Balvin to the summit for one week each in April 2022.

Balvin first broke the No. 1 barrier with “AM” with Farruko in 2014, for one week in charge, and became a staple at the format with six more No. 1s from his next 10 chart visits. In total, Balvin has collected 36 champs, further distancing from the competition.

Here’s the rundown of artists with the most No. 1s on Latin Airplay since the chart began in 1994:

36, J Balvin
33, Ozuna
32, Enrique Iglesias
28, Daddy Yankee
23, Maluma
22, Bad Bunny
22, Wisin

 

“Dientes” brings Usher to the lead after more than two decades, after his featured role in Romeo Santos’ ”Promise” ruled for 10 weeks between 2011-12. Between his two chart-topping singles, he landed a No. 35 high through his featured turn in David Guetta’s “Without You” in 2012.

DJ Khaled, meanwhile, scores his second No. 1 after Jennifer Lopez’s “Dinero” — where he is featured along with Cardi B — led for one week in 2018.

Back to the champ, in addition to securing all artists a new No. 1, “Dientes” gives UMLE its fourth ruler in 2023, after the label dominated with Karol G and Shakira’s TQG” (two weeks between May and July), Alejandro Fernandez’s “No Es Que Me Quiera Ir” and Feid and Sean Paul’s “Nina Bonita” (both for one week in Aug.)

Shakira Ties Jennifer Lopez for Most No. 1s by a Female Act in a Single Year with “Copa Vacia”

It’s another series of chart achievements for Shakira.

The 46-year-old Colombian singer and songwriter leads Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart yet again as “Copa Vacía,” her collaborative single with Manuel Turizo, rises 3-1 on the October 28-dated list.

ShakiraThe new leader marks two successes in her chart career: Shakira extends her record for the most chart-toppers by a woman, with 20, and ties Jennifer Lopez’s No. 1 record by a female act in a single year in the history of the survey, both with four leaders.

Shakira also now has the most No. 1s on Latin Airplay in 2023 among all artists.

As radio airplay continues to grow for “Copa Vacía,” it ascends to the summit with 10.5 million audience impressions earned in the U.S. in the week ending October 19, according to Luminate, an 18% gain from the week prior.

The song sends Venesti’s “Umaye” to No. 7 after one week in charge (down 21%, to 7.5 million).

Here’s the recap of all the songs by a female artist that has reached the top of the chart thus far.

Peak Date, Title, Artist, Weeks at No. 1
Dec. 2, 2022, “Monotonia,” with Ozuna, six
Feb. 4, “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” with Bizarrap, four
Feb. 25, “El Pañuelo,” Romeo Santos & Rosalia, one
April 1, “Besos Moja2,” Wisin & Yandel & Rosalia, one
May 13, “TQG,” with Karol G, two
Oct. 7, “Mi Ex Tenía Razón,” Karol G, one
Oct. 28, “Copa Vacía,” with Manuel Turizo

Further, as “Copa Vacía” leads Latin Airplay, Shakira ties Jennifer Lopez’s No. 1 record by a woman in a single year (January through December Billboard chart dates), as the latter scored and equal four rulers in 2018.

Among all acts, Ozuna and J Balvin tie for the most overall, with nine No. 1s in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

Turizo, meanwhile, banks his eighth champ with a chart-topping rate that has soared this decade. After scoring two No. 1s between 2018-19, the Colombian singer has logged six leaders since 2020, including “La Bachata,” his first ruler as a soloist, unaccompanied by any other act.

Plus, Turizo’s 2023 chart career has proven to be fruitful, scoring three No. 1s: “El Merengue” with Marshmello (June 10), “Vagabundo” with Sebastián Yatra and Beele (Sept. 2) and now “Copa Vacía” with Shakira. The latter also becomes his first and only No. 1 with a woman.

Beyond its coronation on Latin Airplay, “Copa Vacía” also lifts 2-1 on Latin Rhythm Airplay, while it holds solid at No. 1 on Latin Pop Airplay for a seventh week, the third-most in 2023.