Nicky Jam Wins Big with Six Awards at the Billboard Latin Music Awards

It’s a jammin’ year for Nicky Jam

The 36-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American reggaeton star, who rose to stardom after a decade of silence battling drug addiction, turned out to be the big winner at the Billboard Latin Music Awards, taking home six awards.

Nicky Jam

Nicky Jam, who claimed his first No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart earlier this year with Fenix, his first set in a decade, lived up to the album’s name. He was named Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Male and Latin Rhythm Songs Artist of the Year, Solo.

His hit song “Hasta el amanecer” won Hot Latin Song of the Year — an award that includes radio airplay, sales and streams, underscoring Nicky Jam’s popularity across all platforms. “Hasta el amanecer” also won Digital Song of the Year, Streaming Song of the Year and Latin Rhythm Song of the Year.

Following in wins was the late Juan Gabriel, who won the coveted Artist of the Year award, as well as Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Male and Latin Pop Albums Artist of the Year, Solo. Gabriel’s album Los Dúo 2 won Top Latin Album of the Year as the top-selling release and Latin Pop Album of the Year.

Enrique Iglesias took home four awards, including Latin Pop Songs Artist of the Year, Solo. Iglesias and reggaeton star Wisin both won three awards for their hit collaboration “Duele el corazón”: Hot Latin Song of the Year, Vocal Event; Airplay Song of the Year; and Latin Pop Song of the Year.

Also winning three awards each were Banda Sinaloense MS De Sergio Lizarraga, CNCO, Gente de Zona and Los Plebes del Rancho de Ariel Camacho. CNCO — a bilingual/bicultural pop group spawned from a TV reality show — were the winners in the coveted Artist of the Year, New category. The group, mentored by Ricky Martin and produced by Wisin, is currently playing its first major tour.

Special awards of the evening went to Ricardo Arjona, the iconic Guatemalan singer/songwriter, who was given the lifetime achievement award for a career that continues to be one of the most successful in Latin music. Luis Fonsi won the Spirit of Hope Award for his work with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Jennifer Lopez, who also won social artist of the year, was given the Telemundo Star Award.

Find the full list of winners below:

ARTIST CATEGORIES

Artist of the Year:

  •  Juan Gabriel

Artist of the Year, New: 

  •  CNCO

Tour of the Year:

  •  Marc Anthony

Social Artist of the Year:

  •  Jennifer Lopez

Crossover Artist of the Year:
•    Justin Bieber

SONG CATEGORIES

Hot Latin Song of the Year:

  •  Nicky Jam, “Hasta El Amanecer”

Hot Latin Song of the Year, Vocal Event:

  •  Enrique Iglesias feat. Wisin, “Duele El Corazón”

Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Male:

  •  Nicky Jam

Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Female:

  •  Shakira

Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Duo or Group:

  •  Banda Sinaloense MS De Sergio Lizárraga

    Hot Latin Songs Label of the Year:

  •  Sony Music Latin

Hot Latin Songs Imprint of the Year:

  •  Sony Music Latin

Airplay Song of the Year:

  •  Enrique Iglesias feat. Wisin, “Duele el Corazón”

Airplay Label of the Year:

  •  Sony Music Latin

    Airplay Imprint of the Year:

  •  Sony Music Latin

Digital Song of the Year:

  •  Nicky Jam, “Hasta El Amanecer”

Streaming Song of the Year:

  •  Nicky Jam, “Hasta El Amanecer”

ALBUM CATEGORIES

Top Latin Album of the Year:

  •  Juan Gabriel, Los Dúo 2

    Latin Compilation Album of the Year:

  •  Varios/Various, Las Bandas Románticas de América 2016

Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Male:

  •  Juan Gabriel

Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Female:

  •  Selena

    Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group:

  •  Los Plebes del Rancho de Ariel Camacho

Top Latin Albums Label of the Year:

  •  Universal Music Latin Entertainment

Top Latin Albums Imprint of the Year:

  •  Fonovisa

LATIN POP CATEGORIES

Latin Pop Song of the Year:

  •  Enrique Iglesias feat. Wisin, “Duele el Corazón”

Latin Pop Songs Artist of the Year, Solo:

  •  Enrique Iglesias

    Latin Pop Songs Artist of the Year, Duo or Group:

  •  CNCO

Latin Pop Airplay Label of the Year:

  •  Sony Music Latin

Latin Pop Airplay Imprint of the Year:

  •  Sony Music Latin

Latin Pop Album of the Year:

  •  Juan Gabriel, Los Dúo 2

    Latin Pop Albums Artist of the Year, Solo:

  •  Juan Gabriel

Latin Pop Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group:

  •  CNCO

    Latin Pop Albums Label of the Year:

  •  Universal Music Latin Entertainment

Latin Pop Albums Imprint of the Year:

  •  Fonovisa

TROPICAL CATEGORIES

Tropical Song of the Year:

  •  Deorro feat. Pitbull & Elvis Crespo, “Bailar”

    Tropical Songs Artist of the Year, Solo:

  •  Prince Royce

    Tropical Songs Artist of the Year, Duo or Group:

  •  Gente de Zona

    Tropical Songs Airplay Label of the Year:

  •  Sony Music Latin

Tropical Songs Airplay Imprint of the Year:

  •  Sony Music Latin

    Tropical Album of the Year:

  •  Gente de Zona, Visualízate

Tropical Albums Artist of the Year, Solo:

  •  Marc Anthony

Tropical Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group:

  •  Gente de Zona

Sello Discográfico del Año, “Tropical Albums” Tropical Albums Label of the Year:

  •  Sony Music Latin

Tropical Albums Imprint of the Year:

  •  Sony Music Latin

REGIONAL MEXICAN CATEGORIES

Regional Mexican Song of the Year:

  •  Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizárraga, “Solo Con Verte”

    Regional Mexican Songs Artist of the Year, Solo:

  •  Gerardo Ortiz

    Regional Mexican Songs Artist of the Year, Duo or Group:

  •  Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizárraga

    Regional Mexican Airplay Label of the Year:

  •  Universal Music Latin Entertainment

Regional Mexican Airplay Imprint of the Year:

  •  Fonovisa

Regional Mexican Album of the Year:

  •  Los Plebes del Rancho de Ariel Camacho, Recuerden Mi Estilo

Regional Mexican Albums Artist of the Year, Solo:

  •  Joan Sebastian

Regional Mexican Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group:

  •  Los Plebes del Rancho de Ariel Camacho

Regional Mexican Albums Label of the Year:

  •  Universal Music Latin Entertainment

Regional Mexican Albums Imprint of the Year:

  •  Fonovisa

    LATIN RHYTHM CATEGORIES 

Latin Rhythm Song of the Year:

  •  Nicky Jam, “Hasta El Amanecer”

Latin Rhythm Songs Artist of the Year, Solo:

  •  Nicky Jam

Latin Rhythm Songs Artist of the Year, Duo or Group:

  •  Zion & Lennox

Latin Rhythm Airplay Label of the Year:

  •  Sony Music Latin

    Latin Rhythm Airplay Imprint of the Year:

  •  Sony Music Latin

Latin Rhythm Album of the Year:

  •  J Balvin, Energía

Latin Rhythm Albums Artist of the Year, Solo:

  •  J Balvin

Latin Rhythm Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group:

  •  Zion & Lennox

Latin Rhythm Albums Label of the Year:

  •  Sony Music Latin

Latin Rhythm Albums Imprint of the Year:

  •  Capitol Latin

    WRITERS/PRODUCERS/PUBLISHERS CATEGORIES

Songwriter of the Year:

  •  Horacio Palencia Cisneros

    Publisher of the Year:

  •  DEL World Songs, ASCAP

    Publishing Corporation of the Year:

  •  Sony/ATV Music

    Producer of the Year:

  •  Saga Whiteblack

Ozuna to Conduct First-Ever World/U.S. Tour

Ozuna is hitting the road…

The 24-year-old Puerto Rican singer/songwriter, a rising Latin trap star, will conduct in his first-ever world/U.S. tour.

Ozuna

The chart-topping artist’s Odisea World Tour will kick off the North American-leg of the trek May 26 in Atlanta, Georgia and will be making stops in other major cities including Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles and New York.

Tickets for Ozuna’s tour, titled after his forthcoming debut album, go on sale Friday (April 21). For the complete list of tour dates and ticket information, click here.

Ozuna is a finalist at the Billboard Latin Music Awards in the new artist of the year category, along with CNCOCrecer Germán and Ulíces Chaidez y Sus Plebes.

The “Dile que tu me quieres” hitmaker will also be a panelist at this year’s Billboard Latin Music Conference in the “Pop + Urban = The Perfect Marriage.” The panel includes other superstars like WisinReikSilvestre Dangond and ChocQuibTown‘s Tostao.

Tañón Extends Record on Billboard’s Tropical Songs Chart with “Así Es El Amor”

Olga Tañón is staying ahead of the tropical pack…

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican singer has scored her 27th top 10 on Billboard’s Tropical Songs airplay chart, as her single “Así Es El Amor,” featuring Wisin, jumps 12-6 (up 40 percent to 1.9 million audience impressions).

Olga Tañón

Tañón extends her record for most top 10s on the chart by a woman (India follows with 23).

The latest single marks her first trip to the top 10 since 2011 when “You Need To Know” peaked at No. 7.

“Así Es El Amor” is the lead single from Tañón’s forthcoming album, Olga Tañón y Punto, due May 12. The set is poised to be her 18th entry on the Tropical Albums chart, where she also holds the record for most top 10s – all 17 of her albums have peaked in the top 10 and three have reached No. 1.

Tañón, who has won two Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammys, debuted on Tropical Songs in 1994 with “Receta De Amor,” which became her first track to reach the top 10 (No. 7). Her following eight chart hits also followed in the feat, all reaching the top 10.

Wisin to Take Part in Pop + Urban-Themed Panel at Billboard Latin Music Conference

Wisin is ready for the perfect marriage

The 38-year-old Puerto Rican rapper/singer, whose real name is Juan Luis Morera Luna, will appear at this year’s Billboard Latin Music Conference.

Wisin

Wisin will take part in the panel discussion “Pop + Urban = The Perfect Marriage” alongside Mexican pop trio Reik, trap rising sensation Ozuna, Colombian vallenato singer Silvestre Dangond and ChocQuibTown‘s Tostao.

The discussion, focused on urban/reggaetón/pop fusions dominating the Billboard charts, will be moderated by iHeart Radio‘s Enrique Santos.

The Pop + Urban panel will take place April 25 at the Ritz Carlton in Miami Beach.

Other superstar-packed panels to be held at the conference include Socializing Maluma, Iconic Singer/Songwriter Q&A with Residente, and the Legends Q&A featuring Miguel Bosé.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards are the culmination of the Billboard Latin Music Conference, taking place April 24-27 at the Ritz Carlton Miami Beach.

 

To register, visit BillboardLatinConference.com.

Mars Earns Three Billboard Music Award Nominations, Including Top R&B Artist

It’s a Magic-filled year for Bruno Mars

The 2017 Billboard Music Awards nominations have been announced, with the 31-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer leading the Latino pack of nominees with three.

Bruno Mars

Mars, who released his third album 24K Magic last November, is nominated in the Top R&B Artist category.

Mars, who picked up a Billboard Music Award in 2011 for “Just The Way You Are,” will also compete in the Top R&B Album and Top R&B Song categories.

But Mars isn’t the only multiple Latino nominee…

Robert Trujillo and his Metallica bandmates have picked up two nods.

The 52-year-old part-Mexican American guitarist and his groupmates are nominated for Top Rock Artist, as well as the Top Rock Album for Hardwired…To Self Destruct.

In the Latin categories, the late Juan Gabriel picked up three nods, including one for Top Latin Artist; J Balvin picked up two, including one for Top Latin Album for his studio effort Energia; Los Plebes Del Rancho De Ariel Camacho earned two nods, including Top Latin Artist; and Nicky Jam and Maluma both received nods in the Top Latin Artist and Top Latin Song categories.

Shakira, a 7-time Billboard Music Award winner, received two nods in the same category, Top Latin Song, for “Chantaje,” her collaboration with Maluma, and “La Bicicleta,” her collaboration with Carlos Vives.

Two-time Grammy winner and 3-time Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda also earned two nominations in the same category, Top Soundtrack/Cast Album.

The 37-year-old Puerto Rican actor, singer, composer and lyricist is a nominee for his work on the cast album to the hit Broadway musical Hamilton, as well as his Oscar-nominated work on the soundtrack to Disney’s Moana.

Other Latino nominees include CNCO, Daddy Yankee, Enrique Iglesias, Wisin and Camila Cabello.

The Billboard Music Awards will air on May 21 at 8PM on ABC.

Here’s the full list of nominees:

Top Artist:
Adele
Beyonce
Justin Bieber
The Chainsmokers
Drake
Ariana Grande
Shawn Mendes
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
The Weeknd

Top New Artist:
Alessia Cara
Desiigner
Lil Uzi Vert
Lukas Graham
Zayn

Billboard Chart Achievement Award Presented by Xfinity:
Luke Bryan
Nicki Minaj
The Chainsmokers
The Weeknd
Twenty One Pilots

Top Male Artist:
Justin Bieber
Drake
Future
Shawn Mendes
The Weeknd

Top Female Artist:
Adele
Beyonce
Ariana Grande
Rihanna
Sia

Top Duo/Group:
The Chainsmokers
Coldplay
Florida Georgia Line
Guns N’ Roses
Twenty One Pilots

Top Billboard 200 Artist:
Beyonce
Drake
Prince
Twenty One Pilots
The Weeknd
Top Hot 100 Artist:
The Chainsmokers
Drake
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
The Weeknd

Top Song Sales Artist:
The Chainsmokers
Drake
Prince
Justin Timberlake
Twenty One Pilots

Top Radio Songs Artist:
Justin Bieber
The Chainsmokers
Drake
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
Top Streaming Songs Artist:
The Chainsmokers
Desiigner
Drake
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots

Top Social Artist:
Justin Bieber
BTS
Selena Gomez
Ariana Grande
Shawn Mendes

Top Touring Artist:
Justin Bieber
Beyonce
Coldplay
Guns N’ Roses
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

Top R&B Artist:
Beyonce
Bruno Mars
Frank Ocean
Rihanna
The Weeknd

Top R&B Tour:
Beyonce
Lionel Richie
Rihanna

Top Rap Artist:
J. Cole
Desiigner
Drake
Future
Rae Sremmurd

Top Rap Tour
Drake
Future
Kanye West

 

Top Country Artist:
Florida Georgia Line
Blake Shelton
Keith Urban
Chris Stapleton
Jason Aldean

Top Country Tour:
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Dixie Chicks

Top Rock Artist:
Coldplay
The Lumineers
Metallica
Twenty One Pilots
X Ambassadors

Top Rock Tour:
Coldplay
Guns N’ Roses
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

Top Latin Artist:
J Balvin
Juan Gabriel
Los Plebes Del Rancho De Ariel Camacho
Maluma
Nicky Jam

Top Dance/Electronic Artist:
The Chainsmokers
Calvin Harris
Major Lazer
DJ Snake
Lindsey Stirling

Top Christian Artist:
Lauren Daigle
Hillsong Worship
Hillary Scott & the Family
Skillet
Chris Tomlin

Top Gospel Artist:
Jekalyn Carr
Kirk Franklin
Travis Greene
Tamela Mann
Hezekiah Walker

Top Billboard 200 Album:
Beyonce, Lemonade
Drake, Views
Rihanna, Anti
Twenty One Pilots, Blurryface
The Weeknd, Starboy

Top Soundtrack/Cast Album:
Hamilton: An American Musical
Moana
Purple Rain
Suicide Squad: The Album
Trolls

Top R&B Album:
Beyonce, Lemonade
Bruno Mars, 24K Magic
Frank Ocean, Blonde
Rihanna, Anti
The Weeknd, Starboy

Top Rap Album:
J. Cole, 4 Your Eyez Only
Drake, Views
Kevin Gates, Isla
DJ Khaled, Major Key
A Tribe Called Quest, We Got It From Here…Thank You For Your Service

Top Country Album:
Jason Aldean, They Don’t Know
Florida Georgia Line, Dig Your Roots
Blake Shelton, If I’m Honest
Chris Stapleton, Traveller
Keith Urban, Ripcord

Top Rock Album:
The Lumineers, Cleopatra
Metallica, Hardwired…To Self Destruct
Radiohead, A Moon Shaped Pool
Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Getaway
Twenty One Pilots, Blurryface

Top Latin Album:
J Balvin, Energia
CNCO, Primera Cita
Juan Gabriel, Los Duo 2
Juan Gabriel, Vestido De Etiqueta: Por Eduardo Magallanes
Los Plebes del Rancho de Ariel Camacho, Recuerden Mi Estilo

Top Dance/Electronic Album:
The Chainsmokers, Bouquet
The Chainsmokers, Collage 
Flume, Skin
Kygo, Cloud Nine
Lindsey Stirling, Brave Enough

Top Christian Album:
Casting Crowns, The Very Next Thing
Lauren Daigle, How Can It Be
Joey + Rory, Hymns
Hillary Scott & The Family, Love Remains
Skillet, Unleashed

Top Gospel Album:
Tamela Mann, One Way
Kirk Franklin, Losing My Religion
Travis Greene, The Hill
Tasha Cobbs, One Place: Live
Hezekiah Walker, Better: Azusa – The Next Generation 2

Top Hot 100 Song:
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey, “Closer”
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya, “Don’t Let Me Down”
Drake Featuring WizKid & Kyla, “One Dance”
Justin Timberlake, “Can’t Stop The Feeling!”
Twenty One Pilots, “Heathens”

Top Selling Song:
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey, “Closer”
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya, “Don’t Let Me Down”
Drake Featuring, WizKid & Kyla “One Dance”
Justin Timberlake, “Can’t Stop The Feeling!”
Twenty One Pilots, “Heathens”

Top Radio Song:
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey, “Closer”
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya, “Don’t Let Me Down”
Drake Featuring WizKid & Kyla, “One Dance”
Sia Featuring Sean Paul, “Cheap Thrills”
Justin Timberlake, “Can’t Stop The Feeling!”

Top Streaming Song (Audio):
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey, “Closer”
Drake Featuring WizKid & Kyla, “One Dance”
D.R.A.M. Featuring Lil Yachty, “Broccoli”
Rihanna, “Needed Me”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk, “Starboy”

Top Streaming Song (Video):
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey, “Closer”
Desiigner, “Panda”
Zay Hilfigerr & Zayion McCall, “JuJu On That Beat (TZ Anthem)
Rae Sremmurd Featuring Gucci Mane, “Black Beatles”
Twenty One Pilots, “Heathens”

Top Collaboration:
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey, “Closer”
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya, “Don’t Let Me Down”
Drake Featuring WizKid & Kyla, “One Dance”
Sia Featuring Sean Paul, “Cheap Thrills”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk, “Starboy”

Top R&B Song:
Drake Featuring WizKid & Kyla, “One Dance”
Bruno Mars, “24K Magic”
Rihanna, “Needed Me”
Rihanna Featuring Drake, “Work”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk, “Starboy”

Top R&B Collaboration:
Drake Featuring WizKid & Kyla, “One Dance”
PARTYNEXTDOOR Featuring Drake, “Come And See Me”
Rihanna Featuring Drake, “Work”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk “I Feel It Coming”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk, “Starboy”

Top Rap Song:
Desiigner, “Panda”
Drake, “Fake Love”
D.R.A.M. Featuring Lil Yachty, “Broccoli”
Migos Featuring Lil Uzi Vert, “Bad And Boujee”
Rae Sremmurd Featuring Gucci Mane, “Black Beatles”

Top Rap Collaboration:
D.R.A.M. Featuring Lil Yachty, “Broccoli”
Zay Hilfigerr & Zayion McCall, “JuJu On That Beat (TZ Anthem)
Machine Gun Kelly & Camila Cabello, “Bad Things”
Migos Featuring Lil Uzi Vert, “Bad and Boujee”
Rae Sremmurd Featuring Gucci Mane, “Black Beatles”

Top Country Song:
Kenny Chesney Featuring Pink, “Setting The World On Fire”
Florida Georgia Line, “H.O.L.Y.”
Florida Georgia Line Featuring Tim McGraw, “May We All”
Little Big Town, “Better Man”
Keith Urban, “Blue Ain’t Your Color”

Top Country Collaboration:
Dierks Bentley Featuring Elle King, “Different For Girls”
Kenny Chesney Featuring Pink, “Setting The World On Fire”
Eric Church Featuring Rhiannon Giddens, “Kill A Word”
Florida Georgia Line Featuring Tim McGraw, “May We All”
Chris Young Featuring Vince Gill, “Sober Saturday Night”

Top Rock Song:
Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa & Imagine Dragons with Logic & Ty Dolla $ign Featuring X Ambassadors, “Sucker For Pain”
Twenty One Pilots, “Heathens”
Twenty One Pilots, “Ride”
Twenty One Pilots, “Stressed Out”
X Ambassadors, “Unsteady”

Top Latin Song:
Daddy Yankee, “Shaky Shaky”
Enrique Iglesias Featuring Wisin, “Duele El Corazon”
Nicky Jam, “Hasta El Amanecer”
Shakira Featuring Maluma, “Chantaje”
Carlos Vives & Shakira, “La Bicicleta”

Top Dance/Electronic Song:
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey, “Closer”
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya, “Don’t Let Me Down”
Calvin Harris Featuring Rihanna, “This Is What You Came For”
Major Lazer Featuring Justin Bieber & MO, “Cold Water”
DJ Snake Featuring Justin Bieber, “Let Me Love You”

Top Christian Song:
Lauren Daigle, “Trust In You”
Hillary Scott & The Family, “Thy Will”
Skillet, “Feel Invincible”
Ryan Stevenson Featuring GabeReal, “Eye Of The Storm”
Zach Williams, “Chain Breaker”

Top Gospel Song:
Jekalyn Carr, “You’re Bigger”
Tasha Cobbs, Featuring Kierra Sheard “Put A Praise On It”
Kirk Franklin, “Wanna Be Happy??”
Travis Greene, “Made A Way”
Hezekiah Walker, “Better”

Becky G Joins Fans for Special Lyric Video for Play-N-Skillz’ English Remix of Selena’s “Si una vez”

Becky G has met her mash

The 20-year-old Mexican American singer-songwriter and Power Rangers’ Yellow Ranger, Frankie J and Kap-G have come together with their fans in the new lyric video for Play-N-SkillzEnglish remix of “Si una vez.”

Becky G

The video is a mash-up of homemade videos sent in from fans singing the late Selena Quintanilla‘s iconic song.

Play-N-Skillz released the English remix with Becky G and Kap-G back in February, just weeks after releasing the Spanish version, featuring Leslie Grace and Wisin.

The two versions combined have collected nearly six million streams in the U.S. since its release, according to Nielsen Music.

To date, the song has also sold 24,000 downloads.

Valoy Receives “Gran Soberano Award” at the Premios Soberanos

It’s a Gran prize for Cuco Valoy

The 80-year-old Dominican singer-songwriter has received the Gran Soberano award, the top arts prize at the Dominican Republic’s Premios Soberanos.

Cuco Valoy

Valoy was given the honor during a show featuring an opening performance by Juan Luis Guerra and “Merengue KingJohnny Ventura.

Valoy, who has been performing and recording for half a century, said he was dedicating the award to Los Virtuosos, the band that accompanied him early in his career, when he was a pioneer in taking Dominican music to Europe, “where few knew where our country is located.”

Earlier in the show, the legendary singer-songwriter was honored with a performance by his son, Ramon Orlando, singer Henry Garcia and popular urban music act Mozart La Para, who joined in interpreting “Juliana,” one of Valoy’s hits.

Guerra and Ventura were joined on stage by dozens of dancers, with the performance climaxing with everyone simulating Dominican pitcher Fernando Rodney throwing an imaginary strike, a gesture that became popular in the country when the Dominican Republic won the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Guerra also received an award in the category of most prominent artist or group abroad.

Puerto Rican reggaeton singer Wisin performed his hit, “Vacaciones,” and received huge applause from the audience when he received the Soberano International Prize.

The audience at Santo Domingo’s Eduardo Brito National Theater also enjoyed a performance by some members of the disbanded La Coco Band orchestra, founded about 30 years ago, which revolutionized merengue with contagious rhythm and simple lyrics.

Bachata artist Leonardo Paniagua, honored at the show for his long career, recalled the early days of the style, when it was difficult for him to be accepted on major stages.

Nazario Releases Video for “Soy Tuya,” Dedicated to Her Native Puerto Rico

Ednita Nazario is celebrating La Isla del Encanto

The 61-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter has released her new single “Soy Tuya,” which she dedicated to Puerto Rico’s baseball team.

Ednita Nazario

Nazario premiered the song in her social media, along with an emotive lyric video.

The clip shows the beautiful island scenery and great achievements of different personalities like Zuleyka Rivera winning the Miss Universe crown, boxer Tito Trinidad, tennis player Monica Puig winning the gold medal in the 2016 Olympic Games and, of course, the Puerto Rico baseball team during the World Baseball Classic 2017.

“Seeing my country, Puerto Rico, united is the greatest joy that I can feel, she wrote, adding: “Thank you for giving the best of you and we will continue to do the same: give ourselves in body and soul to a productive and positive life for ours and for everyone.”

This year, Puerto Rico’s team made its presence felt after reaching the finals without losing a game and uniting an entire country. They also generated a polemic movement: all the players decided during the series to dye their hair blond, immediately going viral. From young people to singers like Victor Manuelle, Ken-Y and Wisin (with a wig) also joined the movement and went blond.

Nicky Jam Releases Music Video for “Superhéroe,” Feat. J Balvin

Nicky Jam is up for some serious heroics

The 35-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American singer has released the music video for “Superhéroe,” his latest single featuring J Balvin.

Nicky Jam

The concept video, like his two previous clips “Si tu la ves” (featuring Wisin) and “No te puedo olvidar,” features Nicky Jam sitting in a dark room watching his latest audio/visual project. This time around he’s joined by Balvin.

As the title suggests, the clip is about a girl in danger, who is later saved by superheroes.

Tañón Releases Tropical/Urban Single “Así es el amor,” Featuring Wisin

Olga Tañón is sharing the love with a special guest…

The 49-year-old Puerto Rican singer has joined voices with Wisin for the new tropical/urban single titled “Así es el amor.”

Olga Tañón

The new single, made available on all digital platforms on February 10, is the first collaboration between the two Puerto Rican chart-topping artists.

“This collab with Wisin has been a great experience,” Tañón says. “So many years of love and respect for each other, and now to be able to record this song with him has been a true blessing.”

“Así es el amor” follows Tañón’s latest single, “Tú eres la razón,” with Descemer Bueno and a featured appearance by Qva Libre, released in 2016.

The tune is also the first single from the merengue singer’s forthcoming new album, due in May.

 

Following the release of her new album, Tañón will return to her native Puerto Rico for a special concert at the Coliseo in September.

“Going back to my island is always exciting,” the singer explains. “It’s been so many years since I last performed on a massive stage, and I’m preparing a grand spectacle for all of my people, so they can enjoy, sing and dance with me.”