Luis Vázquez Becomes Youngest Soloist to Top Billboard’s Tropical Airplay Chart with “Tu Fan”

Posted on July 3, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

He may not be old enough to drive, but Luis Vázquez is already making a splash in the music world…

The 15-year-old Puerto Rican singer has notched his first No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart as “Tu Fan” rises 3-1 on the July 3-dated survey.

At 15, Vázquez becomes the youngest soloist to arrive at the summit since the chart began in October 1994. He beats out previous record-holder Leslie Grace, who was 17 when “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” topped the chart in October 2012.

“I’m beyond happy that at the beginning of my career I already have a No. 1 on the Tropical Airplay chart,” Vázquez tells Billboard. “Thankful to God for helping me achieve this dream with my first song and to my family for all the support and love. Grateful also to the public who has supported the song from the beginning and to my second family, JAK Entertainment.”

“Tu Fan” tops the chart with 3.8 million in audience impressions earned in the week ending June 27, up 39%, according to MRC Data. The song is Vázquez’s first entry on any Billboard chart.

“We, at JAK Capitol, are extremely proud of Luis’ great achievement!“ Andy Martinez, CEO, JAK Entertainment tells Billboard. ‘We believe in his talent and our mission is to continue working hard so the tropical genre sees more young talent.”

As it lands atop the summit, “Tu Fan” joins a list of five other tracks that have topped the Tropical Airplay chart in 2021.

Song, Artist, Debut/ Peak Date
“De Vuelta Pa’ La Vuelta,” Daddy Yankee & Mark Anthony, Jan. 2
“Travesuras,” Nio García, Casper Mágico, Ozuna, Wisin & Yandel, Myke Towers, Flow La Movie, March 6
“Un Amor Eterno,” Marc Anthony, March 20
“Víctimas Las Dos,” Victor Manuelle & La India, May 29
“Si Supieras,” Prince Royce, June 5
“Tu Fan,” Luis Vázquez, July 3

“I’m super excited for this No. 1 because from the beginning this project sounded incredible and ambitious with a great artist who exceeded my expectations even at such a young age,” Juan Miguel, the song’s producer, tells Billboard. “I am sure that Luis will be a salsa icon and I will be very happy in the future to have been part of his history.”

Beyond its Latin Airplay coronation, “Tu Fan” also sees progress on the all-genre Latin Airplay chart, where the track advances 41-32.

“Tu Fan” is part of Vázquez’s debut studio album, Comienzos. The eight-track set, released February 12, debuted and peaked at No. 17 on the Tropical Albums chart.

Daddy Yankee Breaks Record for Most Top 10s on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with Marc Anthony Collab “De Vuelta Pa’ La Vuelta”

Posted on January 19, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Daddy Yankee is rompe-iendo records…

The 43-year-old Puerto Rican rapper, singer, songwriter, actor and record producer has broken the record for the most top 10s on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart, as “De Vuelta Pa’ La Vuelta,” his collaboration with Marc Anthony, rises 11-8 on the January 16 survey.

with Marc

Daddy Yankee breaks out of a tie with Enrique Iglesias and takes possession of the mark for the most top 10s since the chart began in 1994.

The song’s advance on the chart was assisted by an 11% boost in audience impressions, to 8 million, collected in the week ending January 10, according to MRC Data.

Going down the list of the artists with at least 25 top 10s in the history of Latin Airplay, only one female act secures a space:

Most Top 10s, Latin Airplay
Daddy Yankee, 41 Enrique Iglesias, 40
J Balvin, 32
Shakira, 31
Ricky Martin, 27
Marc Anthony, 26
Marco Antonio Solis, 26
Ozuna, 26
Cristian Castro, 25
Wisin & Yandel, 25

“De Vuelta Pa’ La Vuelta” was co-written by Daddy Yankee and Marc Anthony alongside Edgar ‘Edge’ Barrera, Elena Rosa, Rafael A. Pina Nieves and produced by longtime hit maker, Sergio George.

The salsa collaboration is Yankee’s 41st Latin Airplay top 10, dating back to his first top 10 hit “Lo Que Pasó, Pasó” in 2005. Marc Anthony, meanwhile, has logged 26 top 10s in four decades of chart history, 11 of which have hit No. 1.

Elsewhere, “De Vuelta” dips 13-14 on the all-metric Hot Latin Songs chart with declines in digital sales and streams. On Tropical Airplay, however, it remains at No. 1 for a third week.

Prince Royce Replaces Himself at No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay Chart

Posted on October 21, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Prince Royce is his own replacement…

The 31-year-old Dominican American bachata singer has replaced himself at No. 1 on the Tropical Airplay chart.

On the October 24-dated survey, his latest single “Lotería” climbs 2-1, bumping his own “Carita de Inocente” down 1-2.

“Carita de Inocente” had earlier set the record for the most weeks at No. 1, and its total weeks atop the list now stand at 29.

“It feels great to have the top two Tropical Airplay songs in the country and I’m so thankful to everyone at radio and the fans who keep embracing my music and bachata,” Royce tells Billboard.

The last time an artist ranked first and second in the same chart week was Marc Anthony with “Lo Que Te Di” at No. 1 and “Parecen Viernes” at No. 2 (January 25-dated lists).

The last act, however, to replace himself at No. 1 was Nicky Jam in January 2018. Romeo Santos’ “Bella y Sensual,” which features Jam and Daddy Yankee, ceded its five-week reign to “Cásate Conmigo,” his collaboration with Silvestre Dangond (Jan. 27, 2018-dated list).

“Lotería” leads the list dated October 24, advancing from the runner-up position, thanks to a 34% gain in audience impressions, to 4 million, earned in the week ending October 18, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data.

The tune helps the bachata singer-songwriter up his career No. 1 count to 19, extending his third-most record in the chart’s 26-year history. Royce stands just behind Marc Anthony with 32 No. 1s and Victor Manuelle with 28.)

“Lotería” is from Royce’s Alter Ego album, which debuted at No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart (dated February 22). The tune was produced by Royce alongside D’lesly “Dice” Lora and written by Royce, Lora, Yonathan “Mickey” Then and Ronald “Dae” López.

Over on Latin Airplay, “Lotería” enters the top 25, hiking 34-24.

Saban Music Group’s Kyen?Es? Earns First No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay Chart with “El Carnaval de Celia: A Tribute”

Posted on September 12, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a big first for Kyen?Es?…

Saban Music Group’s Kyen?Es? has scored their first No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart, their first No. 1 on a Latin airplay chart, as the collaborative “El Carnaval de Celia: A Tribute (La Vida Es Un Carnaval/ La Negra Tiene…)” jumps 2-1 with 8 million in audience (up 43%) earned in the week ending September 6.

The reimagination draws inspiration from Celia Cruz‘s classic hits: “La Vida es Un Carnaval” (No. 27 peak on Tropical Airplay, 2003), “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” (No. 4 peak, 2002) and “Rie y Llora” (11-week No. 1, 2003).

The track also sees progress elsewhere on the Latin charts: it surges on the Latin Airplay chart with a 17-5 hike, and debuts at No. 27 on Hot Latin Songs.

Gloria Estefan Returns to Billboard’s Tropical Airplay Chart with “Cuando Hay Amor”

Posted on June 18, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Gloria Estefan is back in familiar territory after a long hiatus…

The 62-year-old Cuban superstar’s latest single “Cuando Hay Amor” debuts at No. 25 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart dated June 20.

It’s the lead single off her forthcoming 13th album Brazil305, her first in over seven years.

“Cuando Hay Amor” was released on June 12 via Sony Music Latin.

It arrives on the chart with only three days of tracking activity and earns Estefan her 20th entry on the Tropical Airplay chart.

She last visited the chart with “Hotel Nacional” which debuted at No. 1 in January 2012.

The new song was produced by Emilio Estefan, Nicolás Tovar and Andrea López and is one of four unreleased songs to be featured on the album.

La India’s Latest Single Reaches Top 10 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay Chart

Posted on May 6, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

La India is back in familiar territory…

The 51-year-old Puerto Rican salsa singer-songwriter returns to the Top 10 of Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart after four years with the salsa version of “Mi Propiedad Privada” as the song climbs 14-10 on the May 9 tally.

With the move, India clocks her 24th top 10 since the chart’s inception in 1994.

The Tony Succar-produced tune ascends with a lofty 63% in audience impressions (to 2 million) earned in the week ending May 3, according to Nielsen Music/ MRC Data.

“It’s so exciting to be back on the Billboard charts, it really means the world to me,” La India tells Billboard. “I chose to sing this song because it has always been a favorite of mine. It was also special working with Peruvian Latin Grammy Producer of the Year winner Tony Succar on the record which makes me very proud. Tony is on fire right now and is part of the Peruvian salsa movement, he is fresh, young and innovative!”

“Mi Propiedad Privada” is a 1971 Afro-Peruvian waltz written by Spanish composer Modesto López Otero, which became an anthem of the Peruvian música criollathrough the voice of Afro Peruvian singer Lucha Reyes.

With its salsa version hitting the top 10, India has now secured a top 10 in each of the last four decades on the chart dating back to October 1994 with her maiden two-week ruler “Nunca Voy a Olvidarte.”

She has placed a total of 24 top 10s on Tropical Airplay: 10 in the 1990s, eight in the 2000s, four in the 2010s and her new top 10 entry on the current chart. Out of those, 10 have reached No. 1.

La India last visited the Tropical Airplay chart in 2016 with “Me Voy a Acostumbrar,” featuring the late Juan Gabriel, which marked her most recent No. 1 on the list.

Succar, “Mi Propiedad Privada’”s salsa version producer, has also earned a spot on the chart: “Uno De Los Dos,” with Obie Bermudez where he also claims writing and production credit, peaked at No. 15 on the Feb. 8-dated list. The two-time Latin Grammywinner made his first appearance on a Billboard Latin chart in 2015 with Unity: The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson, which opened at No. 1 and remained a total of 63 weeks on the chart.

Victor Manuelle Recognized with Five Guinness World Records Titles

Posted on December 11, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Victor Manuelle is breakin’ records…

After becoming the artist with most hits on any Billboard Latin airplay chart this past August, the 50-year-old Puerto Rican singer has received official recognition for this feat, and others, from Guinness World Records.

Guinness presented the salsa star with five titles: most charted titles on the Billboard Latin Airplay charts; most Top 10 hits on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart; most Top 10 hits on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart (male); most No. 1 singles on the Billboard Tropical Airplay Chart; and most charted titles on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart.

Manuelle received his honors during the live telecast of daily morning show Un Nuevo Día, on Telemundo.

One of the most successful and respected salsa stars of this generation, Manuelle won two Latin Grammys in November for his album 25/7, an eclectic set where he collaborated with both traditional salsa singers as well as new reggeaton and trap stars. This musical open-mindedness has contributed to Manuelle remaining a relevant chart topper, 25 years after he launched his recording career.

“I never thought that a phrase that I use jokingly –‘ Let’s get a Guinness World Records title’– came true,” said Manuelle in a statement. “Today, I receive the great news that I officially belong to the prestigious Guinness World Records family in several categories in 2018. I thank God and my extended family, my audience that never fails me. Let’s go for more,” he said.

In August, Manuelle notched his 71st entry on the Tropical Songs airplay chart. Only Daddy Yankee,with 68 entries on the Latin Rhythm airplay chart, comes close to his numbers.

“We are proud that incredible music stars such as Victor are part of the Guinness World Records family. His illustrious musical career is now Officially Amazing™,” said Manuelle, Guinness World Records adjudicator.

Manuelle joins an impressive list of Latin music artists who have set Guinness World Records, including “Despacito” singers Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi in 2018.

Bad Bunny Joins Voices with Victor Manuelle on the Salsa/Trap Collaboration “Mala y Peligrosa”

Posted on November 5, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Bad Bunny is going tropical…

The 23-year-old Puerto Rican Latin hip-hop/trap singer and rapper, who will be performing at this year’s Latin Grammys, has joined voices with salsa star Victor Manuelle on the new single “Mala y Peligrosa.”

Released on Friday morning along with a music video, the single combines Manuelle’s salsa with what’s popular today, trap music.

“My intention with this song is to try to reach a young audience that is captivated by urban music, because I feel that salsa has lost its attention,” told Manuelle to Billboard.

When Manuelle collaborates with an urban singer, his only rule is that it has to be a salsa song.

“He [Bad Bunny] was very clear that the message and style of the song has a vocabulary that is not his style, but his improvisation was very clean and humorous, nothing that could sound offensive,” Manuelle explains.

The song was co-written by Manuelle, Bad Bunny and Víctor Alfonso Sanabria-López and follows Manuelle’s previous single “Hasta Que Me Dé La Gana“, which peaked No. 6 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart.

The music video, directed by Fernando Lugo, was filmed in Puerto Rico with scenery of a clandestine bar, where a band plays Latin jazz and a lady flirts with Manuelle and Bad Bunny, becoming the song’s muse.

“Mala y Peligrosa” is Manuelle’s second single from his forthcoming album, which will be released in 2018 as part of a celebration of his 25-year career.

Prince Royce Earns 21st Top 20 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs Chart with “Deja Vu”

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Prince Royce is turning 21…

The 27-year-old Dominican American singer earns the Hot Shot Debut on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart as “Deja Vu,” his duet with Shakira, arrives at No. 18 on the March 11-dated tally.

The entrance marks Royce’s 21st career chart hit and highest entrance since 2013 when “Darte Un Beso” bowed at No. 2. The debut gives Shakira her 36th chart entry.

The new single, from Prince Royce’s latest studio album, Five (released on February 24), enters with 588,000 streams and 2,000 downloads sold in the week ending February 23, according to Nielsen Music. There is currently no music video for the song, but an audio and lyric video on Prince Royce’s YouTube channel have accumulated over 5.5 million global views to date.

Airplay is the debut’s main driver, with 8.5 million audience impressions reported in the week ending February 26, spurring a No. 2 start on Tropical Airplay. Tropical station WLZL, Washington backed the song with the most weekly spins, playing the duet 91 times.

Five is expected to debut at No. 1 on the March 18-dated Top Latin Albums chart (published on Billboard’s websites on March 7). In addition to the collaboration with Shakira, the set includes songs with Chris Brown, Zendaya, and Farruko, among others.

“Deja Vu” follows three previous singles prior to the new album: “Culpa Al Corazon,” “La Carretera,” “Moneda,” featuring Gerardo Ortiz.

Sanluis’ “Se Acabo,” feat. Chino & Nacho, Reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay Chart

Posted on August 27, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Sanluis has its first massive hit…

The Venezuelan act, comprised of brothers Luigi and Santiago Castillo, leap 5-1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart with “Se Acabo,” featuring Chino & Nacho.

The track is the duo’s first chart hit, and is up 57 percent in spins at the format in the week ending August 21. WLZL, Washington DC championed the track with 74 spins in the tracking week ending August 21 (up from 69 plays in the prior week), aiding in its No. 1 rise.

A music video for the track boasts over 96 million views on YouTube since being released in February.

It’s the pair’s most watched clip, followed by the lyric video for the track with over 10 million views.

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