Xavi Makes ASCAP Latin History with Songwriter of the Year Award

Posted on April 29, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Xavi is making ASCAP Latin history…

At 20 years old, the Mexican-American singer-songwriter has become the youngest artist to receive the ASCAP Latin Music Award for songwriter of the year.

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) on Tuesday celebrated El Premio ASCAP 2025, its top ASCAP Latin songwriters awards for the most performed Latin music songs of the past year.

Xavi, known for his signature romantic tumbados and his unparalleled voice, has captivated a new generation of listeners with hits like “La Diabla” and “La Víctima.”

The former topped Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart for 14 weeks, while the latter reached No. 2.

By the end of 2024, Xavi also became the first solo artist to hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart with his first four songs in a single year, when “Flores” climbed from No. 3 to lead the ranking dated December 21.

Meanwhile, Colombian singer Feid won songwriter/artist of the year for the second consecutive year, while the hit “QLONA” by Karol G and Peso Pluma was named Latin song of the year.

Feid, whose Billboard Hot 100 hits include “Perro Negro” with Bad Bunny, “Revolu” with Rauw Alejandro, and “+57” with Karol G and other Colombian collaborators, boasts close to a dozen No. 1 hits on the Latin Airplay chart, including “Doblexxo” with J Balvin, “Si Sabe Ferxxo” with Blessd, and “Háblame Claro” with Yandel among his most recent.

“QLONA,” co-written by songwriter Dani Raw and published by Kobalt Music Publishing, won the ASCAP Award for Latin song of the year.

Featured on Karol G’s album Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season), the track led Hot Latin Songs for five weeks and reached No. 28 on the all-genre Hot 100.

Among other winners, Universal Music Publishing Group was named publisher of the year for the third consecutive year, thanks to hits like “(Entre Paréntesis)” by Shakira and Grupo Frontera, “Adivino” by Bad Bunny and Myke Towers, “Alch Si” by Carín León and Grupo Frontera, “Gata Only” by Cris MJ and FloyyMenor, and “Igual Que Un Ángel” by Kali Uchis, to name a few.

Additionally, Daddy Yankee broke his own record by earning his 52nd Premio ASCAP as “Bonita” was recognized as one of the most-played songs of the past year.

El Premio ASCAP 2025 honored the songwriters and publishers of the most-performed songs of 2024 in Latin music. Winning songs were determined based on data for terrestrial and satellite radio, and for programmed and on-demand audio streams, all provided by Luminate Data LLC in accordance with ASCAP’s publicly available rules.

Check out a full list of winners on ASCAP’s website.

Grupo Arriesgado Agrees to Contract with Smart Music Group (SMG)

Posted on February 25, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Grupo Arriesgado has agreed to a smart deal…

The Mexican group has entered into a contract with Smart Music Group (SMG), per Billboard en Espanol.

Co-founders and artist managers, Raczon López and Natalia Corona — honorees on last year’s Billboard Latin Power Players list — have launched a new label focusing on the five-member band that’s currently gaining traction on social media.

Originally formed in late 2013 on a ranch named Costa Rica in Culiacán, Sinaloa, and initially led by former frontman turned soloist Panter Bélico, Grupo Arriesgado gained popularity with hits like the accordion-infused “Jimenez” (2021), “El H,” and “Enloquecido” (2022).

With César Alfonso stepping in as the new lead vocalist, they have secured significant radio play and impressive digital platform statistics, amassing 4.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify and maintaining a vigorous schedule of live performances.

Their digital presence is equally robust with 882,000 followers on Instagram, 1.1 million followers and 23.8 million likes on TikTok, and a strong YouTube following with 472,000 subscribers and over 600 million views.

Jesús Cuadras (electric bass), César Soto (bajo sexto), Alfonso Rodríguez (second voice) and Ángel de León (drums) also make up the band.

“Our relationship with Grupo Arriesgado began with the promotion of their three most recent releases, which allowed us to increase their audience on Spotify to almost 5 million monthly listeners and accumulate 35 million views on the main platforms,” López tells Billboard. “For this reason, the group wanted to take its relationship with Smart Music Group (SMG) to the next level and we have signed an agreement that makes us their representatives.”

He adds: “From now on, we will provide a comprehensive strategy that combines digital growth with presence in traditional media. This work will consolidate Grupo Arriesgado as one of the most important groups in Regional Mexican.”

López and Corona have recently managed the 2024 global breakout star Xavi, who topped Hot Latin Songs with “La Diabla” and secured the No. 2 spot with “La Víctima” on the same chart, and other notable achievements.

Under the pair’s management, Xavi also clinched the Artist of the Year (New) award at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards. The duo also managed newcomer Drian.

With this new partnership, Grupo Arriesgado has embarked on a fresh phase with the release of “De Aquí Soy” (2025) and “Qué Chulada” (2024), two singles that mark a shift toward a more romantic and melodic style.

Karol G Breaks Record for Most Weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido”

Posted on January 20, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Karol G is officially in a league of her own…

The 33-year-old Colombian Grammy-winning singer/songwriter’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” adds a 26th week at No. 1 on Billboard’s overall Latin Airplay chart dated January 25, breaking the record for the most weeks among all songs since the list launched in 1994.

The merengue track surpasses the 25-week domination by Shakira’s “La Tortura,” featuring Alejandro Sanz, a record the song held since November 2005, when it outdid the 20-week mark by Son By Four’s “A Puro Dolor.”

“Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” released June 21, 2024, also remains as the top performer on the Tropical Airplay chart, where it has led the list for 28 weeks (of its total 31 weeks on the chart).

Karol G might also set a new record on the tropical ranking, as she is one week away from tying Prince Royce‘s record of 29 nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 with “Carita de Inocente” in 2020. (It stepped aside for one week during its run atop the list, when Kyen?Es? sneaked-out one week atop the chart with “El Carnaval de Celia: A Tribute (La Vida Es Un Carnaval/ La Negra Tiene…)” in September 2020.

“Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” commands both Latin Airplay and Tropical Airplay despite a 13% decline in audience impressions, to 10 million, earned during the Jan. 10-16 tracking week in the U.S., according to Luminate.

The global hit gave Karol G her 18th No. 1 on the overall Latin radio ranking when it landed at the summit last July, the second-most among women, just behind Shakira who continues at the helm with 24 champs.

While “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” spent its last week on the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart on the January 11-dated list (due to the colossal take over by Bad Bunny’s new album), it also left a mark in 2024, tying with Xavi’s “La Diabla” and FloyyMenor and Cris MJ’s “Gata Only” for the most weeks at No. 1, all with 14 weeks at the summit.

Further, in addition to “Qlona,” with Peso Pluma (No. 5), Karol’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” became only the second song by a female artist to close in the top 10 on the year-end Hot Latin Songs chart in 2024, at No. 8.

Xavi Makes History with Fourth No. 1 of 2024 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart

Posted on December 18, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Xavi’s young music career is in full bloom…

The 20-year-old Mexican American singer-songwriter has added a fourth No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart as “Flores” rises 3-1 to lead the December 21-dated list with the Greatest Gainer honors of the week.

Notably, he’s landed all his No. 1 songs in 2024, dating to his first, “La Diabla,” in February.

“Flores” was released on October 11 on Interscope/ICLG as one 14 tracks on Next, Xavi’s debut studio album, which made a Nos. 9 and 6 entrance on the Top Latin Albums and Regional Mexican Albums charts, respectively.

“Flores” rises to the summit on Regional Mexican Airplay with a 29% gain in audience impressions to 7.2 million, earned during the December 6-12 tracking week in the U.S., according to Luminate.

It trades places with Grupo Frontera’s “Hecha Pa’ Mi,” after the latter’s 1-3 dip with 17% decline in impressions.

The new win makes Xavi the first soloist with the first four songs of his career to all hit No. 1 in a single year on the chart. It also places him in a tie with Christian Nodal for the most No. 1s by a soloist in a single calendar year, since Regional Mexican Airplay launched in 1994, both with four champs in 2024 and 2021, respectively.

Further, Xavi ties with six other acts for the third-most champs overall in a single year. Going back to when the 30-year-old chart launched, and Calibre 50 continues to lead the pack with the most rulers, with 26 career No. 1s.

Here’s a recap of the acts with the most No. 1s in a single calendar year on Regional Mexican Airplay:

6, Grupo Frontera (2023)
5, Grupo Frontera (2024)
4, Xavi (2024)
4, Grupo Firme (2022)
4, Christian Nodal (2021)
4, Calibre 50 (2020)
4, Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga (2017)
4, Los Tigres del Norte (1997)

Elsewhere, “Flores” takes Xavi to an equal No. 3 high as his past two entries on the overall Latin Airplay chart: “Corazón de Piedra” (June) and “#OOTD” (August).

Grupo Frontera Extends Record for Most No. 1s in a Calendar Year on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with “Hecha Pa’ Mi”

Posted on December 10, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Grupo Frontera is celebrating another chart-topper…

It only took four months for the Regional Mexican band from South Texas to regain its No. 1 slot on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart as “Hecha Pa’ Mi” jumps 2-1 on the December 14-dated ranking.

Before the song rose to No. 1, Grupo Frotera previously ruled with their Maluma collaboration, “Por Qué Será?” for one week in August.

“Hecha Pa’ Mi,” released on the group’s label (Grupo Frontera) on October 3, traces its gain to 7.8 million audience impressions earned in the U.S. during the November 29-December 5 tracking week, according to Luminate, a 16% increase from the previous week.

The song trades places with “Amor Bonito” by Luis Angel “El Flaco,” as the latter dips 1-2 with a 7% decline in audience for the week.

While Grupo Frontera earns its 11th No. 1 on Regional Mexican Airplay, the second-most in the 2020s decade (behind Calibre 50’s 12 rulers), with the new arrival, the group achieves its fifth champ in 2024 and extends its record for the most leaders in the calendar year.

Here’s a look at the artists with the most No. 1s on the radio tally in 2024:

5, Grupo Frontera
3, Alejandro Fernández
3, Eden Muñoz
3, Xavi

With its 16% surge in audience, “Hecha Pa’ Mi” takes home the Greatest Gainer trophy, awarded weekly to the song with the biggest increase in impressions on the 40-deep chart.

Plus, it becomes the group’s first No. 1 song unaccompanied by any other collaborator among its collection of 11 leaders.

Further, continued progress among Regional Mexican stations pushes “Hecha Pa’ Mi” 5-3 on the overall Latin Airplay chart, for the song’s new peak there.

The song also advances 13-12 on the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart despite decreases in the two other metrics that inform the chart. It generated 2.5 million official U.S. streams, that’s a 15 dip in clicks during the tracking period, while declined 33% in digital sales.

“Hecha P’a Mi” went viral in October after the band crashed a wedding to perform the song, surprising the bride, groom and guests.

“You won’t believe me,” leading singer Payo said on social media. “I don’t know if you’ll believe me, but that gig was more difficult than a concert. I swear, I was more nervous than in a concert.”

Gabito Ballesteros to Perform at 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on October 8, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Gabito Ballesteros is preparing for a major performance…

The Mexican singer-songwriter and record producer will perform at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

He’s among a list of just-added performers that includes Gloria Trevi, Prince Royce, Chencho Corleone and Proyecto Uno.

The artists join a previously announced lineup that includes Fuerza Regida, Grupo Niche, J Balvin, Pepe Aguilar, Luis Alfonso, Maria Becerra, Xavi and Yandel.

The awards show will broadcast on Sunday, October 20, at 9:00 pm ET on Telemundo. Viewers can also watch on the Telemundo App and Peacock and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

Both Prince Royce and Gabito Ballesteros are finalists this year. The former is up for three awards, including tropical artist of the year, solo; tropical song of the year for “Cosas de la Peda,” with Gabito Ballesteros, and tropical album of the year for his seventh album Llamada Perdida.

Meanwhile, Ballesteros is a four-time finalist vying for artist of the year, new. He’s up against Young Miko, Tito Double P, Xavi and Oscar Maydon in that category.

Karol G leads the list of finalists with 17 entries in categories including artist of the year, tour of the year, Global 200 Latin artist of the year, and top Latin album of the year for Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season).

The Billboard Latin Music Awards — the only awards that recognize the most popular albums, songs and performers in Latin music, according to Billboard’s weekly charts — coincide with Billboard Latin Music Week, which returns to Miami October 14-18 with a roster of star speakers including Alejandro Sanz, J Balvin, Young Miko, Pepe Aguilar, Feid, Gloria Estefan, Danny Ocean, Peso Pluma and many more.

Rafa Márquez Becomes Assistant Coach for Mexico National Team

Posted on July 21, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Rafa Márquez is preparing for a special homecoming.

The 45-year-old Mexican football coach, former player and head coach of Barcelona Atlètic, the B team of FC Barcelona, and the Mexican Football Federation have finalized a deal for him to become Javier Aguirre‘s assistant with the Mexico national team.

Marquez will as Aguirre’s assistant for the first two years of the contract before succeeding him as head coach after the 2026 World Cup.

He had previously been a candidate to become the head coach of the Barcelona first-team prior to Xavi‘s exit U-turn in April.

Márquez had informed the Catalan club a few days ago that he was going to consider Mexico’s proposal despite having recently committed to Barcelona B until June 2025.

The former Mexico international had other proposals but decided to renew his contract at Barcelona in June following a season in which he came close to clinching promotion to the second division.

Sources told ESPN that Aguirre wants people on his staff who understand his management style and considers Márquez to be the ideal person to replace him after 2026.

Márquez won 147 caps with Mexico during his playing career and shares the record for appearing in five World Cups.

Aguirre will also be joined in Mexico by Toni Amor, his former assistant at Mallorca, and is now looking for a goalkeeping coach to complete his staff.

Danny Ocean Earns First-Ever No. 1s on Billboard Charts with “Amor”

Posted on June 12, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a special, long-awaited first for Danny Ocean.

The 32-year-old Venezuelan singer, songwriter and record producer, whose real name is Daniel Alejandro Morales Reyes, has earned his first No. 1 on a Billboard chart with “Amor.”

The pop-dembow tune surges 10-1 on the overall Latin Airplay chart and 2-1 on the Latin Pop Airplay ranking dated June 15.

“What makes me happiest, beyond my name being there, is that a Venezuelan is at No. 1,” Ocean tells Billboard. “This is a project that has always honored love.”

“Amor” takes the crown with 8.7 million audience impressions, up 54%, on U.S. reporting radio stations during the May 31-June 6 tracking week, according to Luminate.

Thanks to the 54% percentage surge on airplay, “Amor” wins the Greatest Gainer honor, awarded weekly to the song with the largest gain in impressions among the chart’s 50 titles. Among the song’s biggest supporters, New York’s WXNY leads the way in the latest tracking week, Puerto Rico’s WKAQ comes second, while Los Angeles’ KXOL rounds out the top three.

“Amor,” one of 12 tracks on Ocean’s third studio album, Reflexa, completes a five-week journey to the top on Latin Airplay, having debuted at No. 45 on the chart dated May 18.

Thus, it takes second-fastest rise to the summit among the ranking’s 21 rulers in 2024, after Xavi’s “La Diabla” which reached the penthouse in its third week (chart dated February 10).

Only one song achieved the feat faster: Shakira and Cardi B’s “Puntería” debuted atop the list dated April 6. Here’s the recap of those songs that needed the least weeks to land at No. 1 on Latin Airplay in 2024:

Weeks To Position, Title, Artist, Reached On
1, “Puntería,” Shakira & Cardi B, April 6 (debut)
3, “La Diabla,” Xavi, Feb. 10
5, “Amor,” Danny Ocean, June 15
7, “Por El Contrario,” Becky G with Leonardo Aguilar & Angela Aguilar, March 9
7, “(Entre Paréntesis),” Shakira & Grupo Frontera, May 18

As “Amor” hits No. 1 on Latin Airplay, it pushes Alejandro Fernández and Alfredo Olivas’ “Cobijas Ajenas” from the lead, with a 33% drop in impressions, to 5.9 million.

Over on Latin Pop Airplay, with “Amor” Ocean outdoes his prior best showing of No. 5 for “Miedito o Qué?,” with Ovy On The Drums and Karol G, in January 2021.

Xavi Earns Second No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with “Corazón de Piedra”

Posted on May 20, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Xavi is back on top…

The 19-year-old Mexican American singer has earned his second No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart as “Corazón de Piedra” advances from No. 3 to lead the May 25-dated ranking.

“Corazón de Piedra” takes the top spot as the Greatest Gainer of the week, with 7.8 million audience impressions on U.S. reporting radio stations during the May 10-16 tracking week, according to Luminate.

That’s a 27% gain from the week prior. Last week’s leader, Shakira and Grupo Frontera’s “(Entre Paréntesis),” slips to No. 2 after falling 15% in audience, to 6.3 million.

To date, the biggest supporters for “Corazón de Piedra” among reporters to the Regional Mexican Airplay chart reporting panel are KOND Fresno, Calif., KISF Las Vegas and KLNO Dallas, all with over 400 plays for it since its release, followed closely by WOJO Chicago and KHOT Phoenix (with all five stations owned by Univision).

Thanks to “Corazón de Piedra,” Xavi nabs his second No. 1 on Regional Mexican Airplay, just three months after “La Diabla” earned him his maiden champ on the Feb. 10-dated list (the latter dips 24-38 on the latest chart, with a 31% drop in audience, to 2 million).

In between his two chart-toppers, the Phoenix-based artist reached No. 20 with “La Víctima” (chart dated March 2).

Beyond its Regional Mexican Airplay coronation, “Corazón de Piedra,” released March 23 through Interscope/ICLG, reaches a new peak on the overall Latin Airplay tally, jumping 9-5 in its seventh week.

Gerardo Ortiz Earns 13th No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with “Ahí No Era”

Posted on February 13, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

It’s Lucky No. 13 for Gerardo Ortiz…

The 34-year-old Mexican American Regional Mexican singer-songwriter has notched his 13th No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart as “Ahí No Era” advances 4-1 on the list dated February 17.

After a week in the top 10, Ortiz’s single crowns the list following a robust 40% gain in audience impressions, to 7.5 million, earned in the U.S. in the tracking week ending Feb. 8, according to Luminate.

As “Ahí No Va” advances, it unseats Xavi’s “La Diabla” from the lead after one week in charge. The latter dips 1-2 with 6.7 million, that’s a 29% decline from the week prior.

With 13 No. 1s to his account, Ortiz still has the second-most among soloists, behind Christian Nodal’s 15 No. 1s. Among all acts, Calibre 50 has the most, with 24.

Here’s the list of the acts with the most No. 1s since the Regional Mexican Airplay chart launched in 1994:

24, Calibre 50
19, Banda MS de Sergio Lizarraga
18, Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizarraga
18, Intocable
17, La Arrolladora Banda el Limon de Rene Camacho
16, Conjunto Primavera
16, Los Tigres del Norte
15, Christian Nodal
13, Gerardo Ortiz
12, La Adictiva Banda San Jose de Mesillas

As “Ahí No Era” lands at the summit, Ortiz becomes just the sixth soloist to rule Regional Mexican Airplay in the past year.

He joins Christian Nodal (“Un Cumbión Dolido” in June 2023), Alejandro Fernández (“No Es Que Me Quiera Ir” and “Difícil Tu Caso,” last August and November respectively), Carin León (“Indispensable,” last August-September), El Fantasma (“La Vida Cara,” last September), Eden Muñoz (“Como En Los Viejos Tiempos,” January 27-dated list), and Xavi (“La Diabla,” chart dated February 10).

Elsewhere, “Ahí No Era” pushes 14-4 on the overall Latin Airplay ranking, for Ortiz’ 17th top 10. The song becomes his highest peak since “Regresa Hermosa” reached an equal No. 4 high in 2016.

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