J Balvin Earns Fourth No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums Chart with “Jose”

Posted on September 23, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Make that four chart-topping albums for J Balvin…

The 36-year-old Colombian singer has notched his fourth No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart as Jose debuts atop the September 25-dated tally.

The set, released on September 10 via Sueños Globales/Universal Music Latino/UMLE, starts with 27,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week September 16, according to MRC Data.

Jose marks J Balvin’s sixth visit to the all-Latin genre Top Latin Albums chart, all of which have hit the top 10.

The rhythmic singer-songwriter first earned a No. 10 high with La Familia, his first studio album. A trio of No. 1s followed: Energía in 2016, two-week ruler Vibras (2018) and Oasis, with Bad Bunny, the eight-week leader starting July 2019. Colores, his fifth studio album and immediate predecessor to Jose, reached a No. 2 high in April 2020.

As Jose starts with 27,000 overall units, it becomes the second-largest debut week in 2021 after Anuel & Ozuna’s Los Dioses (29,000 in its opening week). In terms of largest week overall this year, Bad Bunny’s El Último Tour del Mundo continues at the helm with 38,000 units.

The 27,000-unit arrival for Jose easily marks Balvin’s best week, by units earned, for a solo album. His previous best week came through Colores‘ first full tracking week on the chart, when it earned 24,000 units on the April 4, 2020-dated chart. (Among all of Balvin’s albums, Oasis, his collaborative effort with Bad Bunny, holds his best week — with its 36,000 unit start on the July 13, 2019-dated chart.)

Out of Jose’s 27,000 units, 25,000 stem from streaming activity which equates to 33.8 million U.S. streams of the set’s tracks. The remainder 2,000-unit sum derives from album sales and track equivalent album units.

As Jose arrives, five of the set’s 24 tracks debut on Hot Latin Songs, which blends airplay, digital sales and streaming data. Let’s take a look:

No. 11, “Una Nota,” with Sech
No. 33, “Te Acuerdas de Mi,” with Yandel
No. 46, “La Venganza,” with Jhay Cortez
No. 48, “Perra,” with Tokischa
No. 49, “Billetes de 100,” with Myke Towers

Eight other tracks preceded the album on the all-metric chart: “Un Día (One Day)” (No. 1 peak and five-time ruler in 2020), “Otra Noche Sin Ti” (No. 5 peak, May 2021), “7 de Mayo” (No. 48 debut and peak (May 22-dated list), “Qué Más Pues?” (No. 14 peak, July 310-dated survey), “Otro Fili” (No. 26 debut and peak (June 26-dated chart), “Poblado (remix),” (No. 11 debut and peak, July 3), “In Da Getto” (peaks at No. 5 on the current chart), “Que Locura” (No. 41 debut and peak, August 28).

Jose concurrently starts at No. 1 on Latin Rhythm Albums and at No. 12 on the overall Billboard 200 chart, his fifth entry there.

Selena’s “Ones” Becomes First Latin Title to Reach No. 1 on Billboard’s Vinyl Albums Chart

Posted on July 17, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Selena’s still the Ones… And, she’s still making history.

The late legendary Mexican American singer’s Ones compilation album is the first Latin title to hit No. 1 on Billboard’s nine-year old Vinyl Albums chart.

The new 2-LP vinyl picture disc of Ones, released July 3 via Universal Music Latin Entertainment, was such a hot seller during its first week, it helps the album re-enter at No. 1 on the all-genre Vinyl Albums sales chart.

The vinyl edition of Ones sold 6,000 copies in the week ending July 9.

Ones previously spent just one week on the list, at No. 4 on the November 5, 2016-dated list, after its original vinyl release.

With Ones‘ re-entry at No. 1, it marks the first time a Latin album has been No. 1 on that tally, which launched in January 2011 as vinyl album sales began making their comeback. (Vinyl albums sales have grown yearly from 2006 through 2019.)

“Selena continues without a doubt to be one of the most influential artists in the music industry today and these accomplishments are a testament that her music transcends generations and will live on forever,” says Armando Rodriguez, SVP Commercial Partners, Universal Music Latino, Machete Music& Capitol Latin.

Selena’s posthumous compilation album was originally released on October 1, 2002, a little more than seven years after her death in 1995. It debuted at No. 4 on the Top Latin Albums chart dated October 19, 2002, and peaked at No. 2 on the March 4, 2017, chart.

The album is now back in the top five on the Top Latin Albums chart dated July 18 thanks to its 8,000 equivalent album units (up 198 percent) earned in the week ending July 9, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. Of that sum, nearly 6,000 are in album sales.

“Selena’s legacy is an inspiration for many fans and the artistic community, including Latin and non-Latin,” says Victor Gonzalez, president, Universal Music Latin Entertainment at Universal Music Group. “There is a deep connection between Selena’s old and new followers that puts her in a relevant position every time we revisit her music.”

Thanks to new vinyl edition of Ones, the set concurrently re-enters the all-genre Billboard 200chart at No. 116 after almost four years.

Onesincludes Selena’s No. 1 Hot Latin Songs hits “Buenos Amigos,” with Alvaro Torres (1992); “Donde Quiera Que Estés,” with the Barrio Boyzz (1994); “Amor Prohibido” (1994); “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” (1994); “No Me Queda Más” (1994); “Fotos y Recuerdos” (1994) and “Tú, Solo Tú,” Selena’s longest charting No. 1 title (1995). The set also includes a remixed version of “Si Una Vez“, by her brother, A.B. Quintanilla, retitled “Con Tanto Amor (Medley),” among other hits.

Luis Fonsi’s “Vida” Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums Chart

Posted on February 13, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Fonsiis celebrating his vida’s success…

The 40-year-old Puerto Rican singer is back at the top of Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart after nearly eight years.

He debuts at No. 1 on the list dated February 16 with his 10th studio album Vida, earning him his third No. 1 and first since Tierra Firmespent three consecutive weeks at No. 1 in July 2011.

Vida, which was released February 1 via Universal Music Latino/UMLE, opens with 22,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending February 7, according to Nielsen Music, with 16,000 of those comprising album sales.

Vida earns the biggest week for a Latin pop album since Shakira‘s El Doradolaunched at No. 2 with 29,000 units on the June 24, 2017-dated tally.

Vida also logs the biggest sales week for any Latin album since Romeo Santos’ Goldenbowed with 26,000 in its premiere frame (August 12, 2017).

“Vidais the culmination of many achieved dreams and goals,” Luis Fonsi tells Billboard.“The celebration of being alive and breaking boundaries through music. I thank each and every one who collaborated in this project, and above all, I thank my audience deeply for being part of my life.”

Vida’s first week was boosted by sales at Fonsi’s shows in Dallas (February 4) and San Diego (February 5), where CDs were available to purchase at merch stands at the venue. Luis Fonsi also generated sales alongside a performance at The Mall of San Juanin Puerto Rico (February 2) and an appearance at the Mayagüez Mall(February 3) in Mayagüez, also in Puerto Rico.

Concurrently, Vidadebuts at No. 18 on the Billboard 200chart; his second-highest-charting album ever, behind only 2008’s Palabras de Silencio (which debuted and peaked at No. 15 on September 13, 2008). Vidaalso notches the highest debut by a Latin album since Ozuna’s Aura(No. 7, September 8, 2018).

Alejandro Sanz Notches 11th Top 10 Album on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums Chart

Posted on December 24, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Make that 11 hit albums for Alejandro Sanz…

The 49-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter’s new live effort, +ES+: El Concierto, debuts at No. 7 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart (dated December 30) with 3,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending December 14, according to Nielsen Music.

Most of that total is driven by traditional album sales, bolstered by an edition of the album that comes with a DVD of a live concert. The arrival gives Sanz his 11th top 10-charting set.

The live album — released December 8 via Universal Music Latino — is his 13th set to chart and features a bevy of guest stars. Among them: Juan Luis Guerra, Juanes and Laura Pausini.

The new live album celebrates the 20^th anniversary of his fifth studio effort, Mas, which was released in 1997 and peaked at No. 5 the following year. It was his first album to reach Billboard‘s charts.

Further, Sanz collects his eighth top five on the Latin Pop Albums chart as the new set opens at No. 2. He’s notched three No. 1s on the list: Sirope (2015, one week at No. 1), La Musica No Se Toca (2012, five weeks at No. 1) and Paraíso Express (2009, one week at No. 1).

The new release follows his Latin Grammys performance (November 16), where he was honored as person of the year 2017.

Karol G Signs with Universal Music Latin Entertainment

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Karol G has Universal appeal…

The 24-year-old Colombian pop/urban singer-songwriter has signed with Universal Music Latin Entertainment.

Karol G, born Giraldo Carolina Navarro, has amassed more than 100 million YouTube views from several videos released in Colombia.

The official music video for Karol G’s single with Nicky Jam, “Amor de Dos,” has nearly 56 million views on YouTube.

She is the first signing under Universal Music Latino new general manager Alejandro Duque.

Daddy Yankee Returning as a Coach for Telemundo’s “La Voz Kids”

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Daddy Yankee is ready to kid around…

The 38-year-old Puerto Rican singer is returning as a coach for the fourth season of Telemundo’s La Voz Kids alongside fellow returning coaches Natalia Jimenez and Pedro Fernandez.

La Voz Kids, scheduled to air this spring, features the young voices of the nation.

The new season, filmed at Universal Studios Orlando, offers the audience the opportunity to witness the development of future stars.

Last year, Jimenez’s team had the victory, when Jonael Santiago was selected the winner of the third season. Winners are determined by the audience and Santiago got votes from more than 1.2 million viewers.

Like The Voice, La Voz features three rounds: Blind Auditions, Battle Rounds and the Final Stage. This season, the coaches will have the opportunity to save a contestant from the audience during the Battle Rounds with a new “Wild Card” system. During the final stage, viewers have the opportunity to vote for their favorites and, with the coaches, will decide who continues in the competition, who will go home and who will be the winner of La Voz Kids for the grand prize: a recording contract with Universal Music Latino.

Santiago Wins the Third Installment of Telemundo’s “La Voz Kids”

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Jonael Santiago is the pint-sized voz of the season…

The 11-year-old Puerto Rican dynamo with an outsize personality was declared the winner of the third installment of La Voz Kids, the Spanish-language kiddie version of The Voice on the Telemundo network.

Santiago’s win — determined by audience voting from more than 1.2 million viewers — was not a slam dunk by any means. This third season boasted a particularly talented lineup of finalists, including 11-year-old Shanty Sumaya, a Mexican American from Texas who already plays gigs in her home state and is particularly good at grupero; and 14-year-old Franser Pazosa, a Cuban-born 14-year-old from Portland, Oregon, with a stunning, versatile voice.

Santiago, a diminutive boy who looks younger than his years, couldn’t match their vocals, but he made up for it with stage presence, attitude and dance moves that evoked Bruno Mars and Michael Jackson. His grand finale was Mars’ “Treasure,” a song chosen for him by coach Natalia Jimenez.

“He’s an amazing package,” Jimenez told Billboard after the win. “He can dance, he can sing, he can act. I wanted him to sing something he can move with. He’s really good at singing ballads, but the most impressive thing is seeing him dance and sing at the same time.”

Even Daddy Yankee, a competing coach, agreed. “It’s so entertaining to watch Jona onstage,” he said after Santiago’s final performance.

Santiago competed against contestants coached by Jimenez, ranchera singer Pedro Fernandez and reggaeton star Daddy Yankee, who shared the stage as coaches for the first time in this third season of La Voz. The show, whose previous coaches have included Paulina Rubio and Prince Royce, has become a ratings success for Telemundo.

La Voz Kids is a variation on The Voice’s format that features kids as contestants, major music stars as coaches and big-name guest performers. For the Sunday night finale, held — as the entire season was — at Universal Orlando, featured performers for the evening, beside the contestants, were Marc Anthony and Gente de Zona, Mexican singer Lucero and La Voz coach Fernandez.

The winner of La Voz Kids gets a $50,000 cash prize from AT&T that goes toward their education, and a recording contract from Universal Music Latino for the production of a song and video. That could go in different directions for Santiago, who moved from Puerto Rico to Miami two years ago to further his training in music and dance and sings equally well in both languages.

“I felt comfortable with ‘Treasure,’” he said of his final performance. His favorite acts, he says are “Demi Lovato — I love her — and Tori Kelly. I really want to record in the studio ‘All In My Head’ by Tori Kelly; she’s awesome.” However, he added, “Spanish is my first language and I came to Miami two years ago and I’m not perfect [in English yet]. I’m Puerto Rican and I always will be and I’ll talk Spanish forever.”

Fernández Notches His Best Sales Week with New Album “Confidencias”

Posted on September 7, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It’s an extra special quinceañera for Alejandro Fernández…

The 42-year-old Mexican singer has notched the best sales week of his two-decade-plus career with his 15th studio album, Confidencias.

Released by Universal Music Latino, Fernández’s album debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums with 21,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The album’s impressive opening also impacts the Billboard 200 where it enters the chart at No. 19, making this Fernandez’s best position on the chart ever.

Confidencias is only the second Latin album to breach the top 20 of the Billboard 200 this year; Earlier, Marc Anthony’s 3.0 debuted at No. 5 on August 10 with 39,000 copies. Now, 3.0 drops to No. 2 on the Top Latin Albums chart.

Fernandez’s previous best sales week was the January 10, 1998 frame when his Me Estoy Enamorando sold 20,000 Christmas-week units.

Confidencias is Fernandez’ fourth chart-topper behind Enamorando (12 weeks in 1998-99), Entre Tus Brazos (May 13, 2000) and Dos Mundos: Evolucion (Jan. 2, 2010).

“Hoy Tengo Ganas de Ti,” the album’s first single, featuring Christina Aguilera, serves as the theme song to Univision’s new soap opera La Tempestad and sits at its peak of No. 5 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs, a rarity for a ballad in today’s more up-tempo dominated radio charts.

The Latin pop album also features a new rendition of Rod Stewart’s classic “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out,” featuring Stewart himself, as well as Alejandro’s first collaboration with his father Vicente Fernandez in over 20 years on “Me Olvide de Vivir.”

Frankie J. Joins Jennifer Lopez & Enrique Iglesias’ Tour

Posted on July 14, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It’s Blackjack time for Frankie J.

The 36-year-old Mexican R&B singer has signed on to perform on 21 of the 26 dates on the Jennifer Lopez and Enrique Iglesias summer tour.

The announcement comes after Wisin & Yandel dropped out of the highly publicized tour due to “timing issues” and “a host of things” that led to their announcement, according to Randy Phillips, president of AEG Live.

Frankie J, known for his smooth R&B vocals and earlier in his career for being part of the Kumbia Kings, will join Lopez and Iglesias on July 20 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

“I am super excited to join Enrique and Jennifer on this adventure,” Frankie J. said in a statement through Universal Music Latino. “They are global superstars and I am honored that they invited me to be a part of their tour. I look forward to performing for my fans across the country.”

Frankie J., who was raised in Southern California and sings in both English and Spanish, will will debut his latest single “Tienes Que Creer en Mi” later this month during the Premios Juventud. The awards show is scheduled to air on Univision on July 19.

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