Estefan to Serve as Honorary Co-Chair of Univision & Fusion Media Group’s “Rise Up as One” Event

Posted on September 10, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Gloria Estefan is ready to rise up…

The 59-year-old Cuban singer-songwriter and her husband, Emilio Estefan, have been named as honorary co-chairs of Univision and Fusion Media Group‘s “Rise Up as One” event — a two-day celebration of music, diversity and unity, taking place on October 14 and 15.

The Estefans will serve as co-chairs alongside Calle 13‘s René Pérez aka Residente.

Also attached to the project are Junot Díaz, Ava DuVernay, America Ferrera, Salma Hayek, Samuel L. Jackson, Quincy Jones, Mía Maestro, Jonathan Olinger, Robert Rodriguez and Forest Whitaker, among other artists, thought leaders and influencers.

“We’re honored to have such a diverse group of inspiring and talented individuals joining us to celebrate who we are and the way we live through this unprecedented event. Their passion and commitment will help us put a spotlight on the power of inclusivity in a changing America,” said Camila Jimenez Villa, Fusion Media Group Co-President and COO.

The two-day event will wrap up with a free ticketed concert headlined by artists and musicians that are yet to be announced.

The concert will broadcast live on October 15 on Univision and Fusion at 7 p.m. ET.

Jesse & Joy to Co-Headline the 2016 Latin Grammy Acoustic Sessions

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Jesse & Joy are going acoustic…

The Mexican pop duo, comprised of Jesse Huerta and his sister Joy Huerta, will co-headline the 2016 Latin Grammy Acoustic Sessions, which lead up to the 17th annual Latin Grammy Awards taking place November 17 in Las Vegas.

Jesse & Joy, big winners at the 2012 Latin Grammys, will join fellow headliners Gloria Trevi and Sin Bandera.

Sin Bandera will kick off the sessions on September 21 — the same day nominees are announced — in Los Angeles with Mexican singer Carlos Rivera as the opening act.

Following Sin Bandera’s intimate show, Trevi will perform in Dallas on October 12, while Jesse & Joy will close the sixth edition of the sessions in Miami with Colombian singer/songwriter Manuel Medrano as the opening act on October 25.

“These exclusive events pave the way towards the biggest night in Latin music while allowing Latin music fans to celebrate together, in a true intimate setting, with some of today’s most esteemed artists,” Gabriel Abaroa Jr., president/CEO of the Latin Recording Academy, said in a statement.

“As the Session series enters its sixth year, we couldn’t be more proud and excited to continue to bridge the relationship between artists and Latin music fans. Commencing this year’s Latin GRAMMY season, we look forward to celebrating Latin music along with these gracious and talented musicians. With a new Acoustic Sessions partner, Stryd, I’m sure we can expect to experience some remarkable concerts.”

The Latin Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on Univision from the Las Vegas T-Mobile Arena.

J Balvin’s ‘Ginza’ Makes History on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs Chart

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

J Balvin makes Billboard chart history…

The 30-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer spends a 21st consecutive week at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart with “Ginza.”

With its latest frame at the top of the charts, the song makes history as the longest-leading No. 1 by a single act, unaccompanied by another.

“It’s amazing how dreams are limitless, and how discipline, along with good music, can bring you to live the unimaginable,” said Balvin in an interview with Billboard.

“Ginza” passes three other 20-week No. 1s by acts unaccompanied by other artists: Flex‘s “Te Quiero” (2008), Juanes‘ “Me Enamora” (2007-08) and Son by Four‘s “A Puro Dolor” (2000).

Overall, “Ginza” is the fourth-longest-leading No. 1 in Hot Latin Songs history (which dates to 1986) but rules as the only non-collaborative track to spend as many as 21 weeks atop the tally (which shifted from solely airplay audience measurement to a blend of airplay, sales, and streaming in October 2012). Enrique Iglesias leads with 41 weeks at No. 1 with “Bailando,” featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona (2014-15), followed by Nicky Jam and Iglesias’ “El Perdon” (31 weeks, 2015) and Shakira‘s “La Tortura,” featuring Alejandro Sanz (25 weeks, 2005).

Sustained streaming has helped to keep “Ginza” atop Hot Latin Songs, with 1.9 million U.S. streams logged in the week ending Feb. 18, according to Nielsen Music (an 8 percent hike), lifting it to No. 1 on Latin Streaming Songs for the first time. YouTube and Vevo on YouTube views account for 58 percent of overall clicks, including views stemming from the official music video (which has amassed more than 420 million worldwide streams since its July 2015 premiere). At its height, “Ginza” was streamed 2.4 million times in the U.S. during a single tracking week (reflected in the Oct. 31, 2015 chart week).

The reign of “Ginza” is also propelled by continued airplay on Latin stations, as it steps 3-2 on Latin Airplay with 12 million audience impressions in the tracking week. It previously dominated for 12 weeks on the airplay chart, peaking in September. Meanwhile, downloads of the song are up 14 percent to 3,000 downloads, earning it the No. 3 spot on Latin Digital Songs (following its No. 2 peak on the chart). The track has sold 153,000 downloads to date.

Balvin debuted the reggaeton track via a live performance on Univision‘s Premios Juventud awards show July 17, 2015, and it rose to No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs (in its 11th chart week) Oct. 17. “Ginza” is his second No. 1 on the chart, following a week atop the ranking with “Ay Vamos” earlier in the year (March 7).

Vives’ “Las Cosas de la Vida” Reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

It’s Lucky No. 11 for Carlos Vives…

The 54-year-old Colombian singer/composer leaps 12-1 on Billboard‘s Latin Airplay chart (dated March 5) with “Las Cosas de la Vida,” giving him his 11th career No. 1 on the list.

The song soars by 83 percent to 12.3 million audience impressions, according to Nielsen Music, earning Greatest Gainer honors.

Vives is now tied for the third-most No. 1s in the chart’s history with Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan and Romeo Santos. Enrique Iglesias leads with 25 toppers, followed by Ricky Martin (15).

Vives’ chart victory follows a star-studded performance on Univision’s awards show Premios Lo Nuestro (broadcast live Feb. 18), on which he was honored with the award of excellence. The singer invited several surprise guests to accompany him for a medley of his hits, all fellow Colombian musicians, including Juanes, J Balvin, Maluma and Fonseca.

Vives achieved his first No. 1 on Latin Airplay in 2000 with his longest-leading hit to date, “Fruta Fresca” (six weeks on top). 2001’s “Dejame Entrar” is his second-longest-ruling No. 1 (four weeks).

Following a seven-year absence from Billboard‘s charts (2005-12, as he took a hiatus from music), Vives returned with a No. 1 debut on Hot Latin Songs for “Volvi A Nacer” (Oct. 13, 2012), his fifth (and most recent) song to top the airplay/sales/streaming chart.

La Banda Winners CNCO Releases First Original Single “Tan Facil”

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

CNCO is ready to take the Latin music world by storm…

The musical group, the winners of Univision’s La Banda reality singing competition, have released “Tan Fácil,” CNCO’s first original single, a catchy up-tempo, urban track.

The group, comprised of Christopher Velez, Erick Brian Colon, Joel Pimentel, Richard Camacho and Zabdiel de Jesus, not only signed a record deal with Sony Music Latin. They also performed at New York City’s Times Square on New Year’s Eve and will be opening up for Ricky Martin on his “One World Tour” in Latin America.

The fourth leg of the tour launches in February in Puerto Rico and will continue in Argentina and Chile.

Sanchez Believes Latinos Can Stop Donald Trump From Being Elected President

Posted on December 19, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Roselyn Sanchez is speaking out against presidential hopeful Donald Trump…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican actress, who will serve as a co-host at Sunday’s Miss Universe pageant, says Hispanics have the power to prevent Trump from being elected president.

“I refuse to believe it. I don’t think it’s possible,” said Sanchez when asked by EFE whether the business mogul and Republican candidate could win the 2016 election.

“Hispanics have the power to prevent it,” she said.

Sanchez, an advocate for the Latino community, bowed out as co-host of the 2015 Miss USA pageant, of which Trump had been part owner, saying that incendiary remarks by Trump about Mexican immigrants were degrading.

“He said what he said and never apologized,” Sanchez recalled, adding that hearing Trump’s views on Latinos was “devastating” and “sad.”

Trump, a former reality television star who has performed well in early polling ahead of the first Republican primaries, generated controversy when he said most Mexican immigrants crossing the border were a scourge on U.S. society.

“They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people,” Trump said in launching his candidacy in June.

The magnate sold the Miss Universe Organization to the WME/IMG agency in September after a legal spat with NBC Universal, which along with Univision refused to broadcast the Miss USA pageant, held in July, due to Trump’s remarks.

The Miss Universe Organization runs both the Miss USA and Miss Universe competitions.

Sanchez, known for her roles in the film Rush Hour 2 and the television series Without a Trace and Devious Maids, said Hispanics were doing “incredible things” in fields as diverse as entertainment, science, politics and business.

In that regard, she said she hoped Latinos would “be able to make their voice heard” in the future no matter who is elected as the next U.S. president.

The actress said she agreed to co-host this year’s edition along with comedian Steve Harvey because there were new owners and new people behind this event, which will be held Sunday at the AXIS Theater in Las Vegas and televised by Fox.

Sanchez to Co-Host This Year’s Miss Universe Pageant

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Roselyn Sanchez has landed a universal role…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican actress, singer and Devious Maids star will co-host this year’s Miss Universe pageant.

Sanchez, who recently co-hosted this year’s Latin Grammys, will report live from the show and backstage.

Sanchez made headlines around the world when she walked out of Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump’s Miss USA Pageant as co-host after his remarks about Mexican immigrants in the Unites States.

Trump sold his interest in the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants after the controversy that erupted in remarks in his bid for the presidency. Univision and NBC severed their relationship with the real estate mogul, and Sanchez, whose credits include Without a Trace, walked away from the pageant broadcast in protest.

At the time, Roselyn wrote on her Facebook page: “As a Latino, proud of my roots, culture and all that we have contributed to this nation, I decided to cancel my participation in the Miss USA Pageant.

“I cannot tolerate the disrespectful and hurtful words out of the mouth of Mr. Trump. Mexicans, like all Latinos, contribute positively to this great nation. We are the force that keeps the country afloat.”

Hosted by Emmy winner Steve Harvey, the annual broadcast will feature performances from Seal, Charlie Puth and The Band Perry.

The 2015 Miss Universe telecast will air live from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on Sunday, Decenber 20, at 7:00 pm ET on Fox.

Lafourcade Leads the Pack of Latin Grammy Winners

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Natalia Lafourcade is this year’s Latin Grammys darling…

The 31-year-old Mexican pop-rock singer-songwriter proved to be the big winner at this year’s awards show.

Lafourcade made good on four of her five nominations for her album Hasta la Raiz.

But she lost out on the top prize, Album of the Year, which went to Dominican bachata artist Juan Luis Guerra for Todo Tiene su Hora.

Lafourcade still walked away with two of the night’s most prestigious awards, Song of the Year and Record of the Year for the title track of “Hasta la Raiz.”

“My friend, how amazing that we made this disc together,” Lafourcade said to her friend and collaborator Leonel Garcia, with whom she shared three nominations as cowriters of the album’s title track.

Lafourcade, who more than doubled her career Latin Grammy haul in one night, now has seven Latin Grammys.

Meanwhile, Guerra picked up three awards. Along with Album of the Year, the Dominican musician took home the Latin Grammys for Best Contemporary Tropical Album and Best Tropical Song.

Meanwhile, J Balvin and Nicky Jam become first time Latin Grammy winners.

The biggest night in Latin music was presented in Spanish and English and featured a mix of rhythms, from alternative to mariachi.

The Latin Grammy Awards were broadcast live on Univision from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Actresses Jacqueline Bracamontes and Roselyn Sanchez hosted the three-hour ceremony.

Here’s a look at this year’s Latin Grammy winners:

RECORD OF THE YEAR
Hasta La Raíz – Natalia Lafourcade

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Todo Tiene Su Hora – Juan Luis Guerra 4.40

SONG OF THE YEAR
Hasta La Raíz – Leonel Garcia & Natalia Lafourcade

BEST NEW ARTIST
Monsieur Periné

BEST CONTEMPORARY POP VOCAL ALBUM
Sirope – Alejandro Sanz

BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM
Necesito Un Bolero – Gilberto Santa Rosa

BEST URBAN PERFORMANCE
El Perdón – Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias

BEST URBAN MUSIC ALBUM
El Que Sabe, Sabe – Tego Calderón

BEST URBAN SONG
Ay Vamos – J Balvin, Rene Cano, Alejandro “Mosty” Patiño & Alejandro “Sky” Ramírez

BEST ROCK ALBUM
B – Diamante Eléctrico

BEST POP/ROCK ALBUM
Cama Incendiada – Maná

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM
Hasta La Raíz – Natalia Lafourcade

BEST ALTERNATIVE SONG
Hasta La Raíz – Leonel García & Natalia Lafourcade

BEST SALSA ALBUM
Son De Panamá – Rubén Blades Con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta

BEST CUMBIA/VALLENATO ALBUM
Sencillamente – Jorge Celedón & Gustavo García

BEST CONTEMPORARY TROPICAL ALBUM
Todo Tiene Su Hora – Juan Luis Guerra 4.40

BEST TRADITIONAL TROPICAL ALBUM
Tributo A Los Compadres No Quiero Llanto – José Alberto “El Canario” & Septeto Santiaguero

BEST TROPICAL FUSION ALBUM
El Mismo – ChocQuibTown

BEST TROPICAL SONG
Tus Besos – Juan Luis Guerra

BEST SINGER-SONGWRITER ALBUM
Healer – Alex Cuba

BEST RANCHERO ALBUM
Acaríciame El Corazón – Pedro Fernández

BEST BANDA ALBUM
Mi Vicio Más Grande – Banda El Recodo De Don Cruz Lizárraga

BEST TEJANO ALBUM
Sentimientos – Sólido

BEST REGIONAL SONG
Todo Tuyo – Mauricio Arriaga, Edgar Barrera & Eduardo Murguía, Banda El Recodo De Cruz Lizárraga

BEST INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM
Dr. Ed Calle Presents Mamblue – Ed Calle & Mamblue

BEST FOLK ALBUM
Balas y Chocolate – Lila Downs

BEST TANGO ALBUM
Homenaje A Astor Piazzolla – Orquesta Del Tango De Buenos Aires

BEST FLAMENCO ALBUM
Entre 20 Aguas: A La Música De Paco De Lucía – Varios Artistas

BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM
Jazz Meets The Classics – Paquito D’Rivera

BEST CHRISTIAN ALBUM (SPANISH LANGUAGE)
Derroche De Amor – Alex Campos

BEST CHRISTIAN ALBUM (PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE)
Da Eternidade – Fernanda Brum

BEST BRAZILIAN CONTEMPORARY POP ALBUM
Dancê – Tulipa Ruiz

BEST BRAZILIAN ROCK ALBUM
Sol-Te – Suricato

BEST SAMBA/PAGODE ALBUM
Só Felicidade – Fundo de Quintal

BEST SERTANEJA MUSIC ALBUM
Amizade Sincera II – Renato Teixeira & Sérgio Reis

BEST BRAZILIAN SONG
Bossa Negra – Hamilton de Holanda, Diogo Nogueira & Marcos Portinari, songwriters Diogo Nogueira & Hamilton de Holanda

BEST LATIN CHILDREN’S ALBUM
Los Animales – Mister G BEST CLASSICAL ALBUM: Alma Brasileira – Débora Halász, Franz Halász & Radamés Gnattali; Marcelo Amaral, Debora Halász & Johannes Müller, producers (Tie)

Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 – Montero: Ex Patria, Op. 1 & Improvisations – Gabriela Montero; Jonathan Allen, album producer (Tie)

BEST CLASSICAL CONTEMPORARY COMPOSITION
Capriccio – Carlos Franzetti, composer (Allison Brewster Franzetti)

BEST RECORDING PACKAGE
Este Instante – Natalia Ayala, Carlos Dussan Gómez & Juliana Jaramillo, art directors (Marta Gómez)

BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM
Hasta La Raíz – Andrés Borda, Eduardo Del Águila, Demián Nava, Alan Ortiz Grande, Alan Saucedo & Sebastián Schunt, engineers; Eduardo Del Águila & Cesar Sogbe, mixers; José Blanco, mastering engineer (Natalia Lafourcade)

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Sebastian Krys

BEST SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO
Ojos Color Sol – Calle 13 Featuring Silvio Rodríguez

BEST LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEO
Loco De Amor “La Historia” – Juanes

Maluma’s “Pretty Boy Dirty Boy” Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums Chart

Posted on November 11, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Maluma is ending his remarkable year on top…

The 21-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer has earned his first No. 1 on a Billboard chart as a lead act, as his album Pretty Boy Dirty Boy debuts at No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart with 3,000 sold in the week ending November 5, according to Nielsen Music.

His first U.S. album’s current single “Borro Cassette” concurrently tops the Latin Airplay chart (rising 3-1).

“Everything starts with a dream, powered by passion, desire, and discipline. From there on, it’s a great supporting team materializing each idea, and this is a clear result of that,” Maluma tells Billboard.com.

A huge presence in his native Colombia and across Latin America, and a rising star in the U.S., Maluma is a social-media powerhouse, boasting nearly 16 million Facebook likes and 6 million Instagram followers.

“I just want to say thanks, to God, to my fans, and to my whole team who work day to day to reach these dreams.” Looking ahead, Maluma prepares for what’s to come. “The best part is that it’s only the beginning!”

Pretty Boy Dirty Boy has collaborations with some big names in Latin urban music, including Farruko, Alexis & Fido and Arcangel.

Its his second studio album, following Magia, which was originally only physically released in Colombia and Venezuela by Sony Music Colombia in 2012.

Maluma is a Latin Grammy nominee for best urban performance, for his song “El Tiki,” which reached No. 15 on Billboard’s Latin Rhythm Airplay chart earlier this year (dated May 23). It’s his second time up for an award, following a 2013 nomination for best new artist.

He will be performing at the upcoming awards show, to be broadcast by Univision on November 19 from Las Vegas.

Lafourcade to Perform at This Year’s Latin Grammy Awards Show

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Natalia Lafourcade is certain to take the stage at this year’s Latin Grammys.

The 31-year-old Mexican pop-rock singer-songwriter, a five-time nominee for this year’s awards show, including nods for Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year, has joined the list of performers at the Latin Grammys on November 19.

Lafourcade, a three-time Latin Grammy winner and two-time Grammy nominee, will take the stage of the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. There’s no word on what song she’ll perform.

She joins a growing roster of performers that includes Julión Álvarez, Silvestre Dangond and Nicky Jam, along with a special performance by this year’s Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Roberto Carlos.

Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda and Silvestre Dangond each received one nomination. In the best banda album category, Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda are nominated for El Aferrado. Dangond is nominated with Lucas Dangond in the best cumbia/vallenato album category for Sigo Invicto.

Nicky Jam has two nominations for best urban performance: “Una Cita (Remix)” with Alkilados featuring J Alvarez & El Roockie, and “El Perdón” with Enrique Iglesias.

Previously announced performers include current nominees ChocQuibTown, J Balvin, Natalia Jiménez, Juan Luis Guerra, Matisse and Raquel Sofía.

The show, co-hosted by Devious Maids star Roselyn Sanchez and Mexican model and actress Jacqueline Bracamontes, will air live November 19 on Univision.

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