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.

Yandel & Myke Towers’ “Borracho y Loco” Rises to No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart

Posted on February 12, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Yandel is back on top…

The 47-year-old Puerto Rican singer and songwriter and the half-member of the reggaeton duo Wisin & Yandel and Myke Towers have notched another No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart as “Borracho y Loco” crowns the list dated February 17.

It’s the first collaboration by two Latin rhythm acts to top the chart in 2024.

Yandel and Towers’ track advances from the runner-up slot with 10.3 million audience impressions earned in the U.S. in the week ending February 8 (up 18%), according to Luminate.

It sends last week’s No. 1, Xavi’s “La Diabla” down to No. 7 after one week in charge. The latter declined 26% to 7.1 million in audience.

“The truth is that it makes me very happy that with so many years making music my songs still reach the first places and top lists in the United States and other parts of the world,” Yandel told Billboard.

As “Borracho y Loco” lands at the summit, it becomes the pair’s second No. 1 team-up. The Puerto Ricans last ruled the overall Latin Airplay ranking through a Nio Garcia, Casper Mágico, Ozuna, Wisin and Flow La Movie collab, when “Travesuras” topped the tally for one-week in 2021.

With “Borracho y Loco” Yandel scores his 16th champ on Latin Airplay. Further, he ties with Nicky Jam for the seventh-most No. 1s among male urban artists since the tally launched in 1994.

Here’s a review of the winners:

36, J Balvin
33, Ozuna
28, Daddy Yankee
24, Bad Bunny
24, Maluma
22, Wisin
16, Nicky Jam
16, Yandel

“I am beyond grateful for my fans, my producers and the artists I have had the joy of collaborating with,” Yandel adds. “Now another No. 1 arrives through ‘Borracho y Loco.’ Myke Towers, thanks brother! Here we go, another No. 1 for the books!”

For Towers, the rapper and singer-songwriter lands his 10th No. 1 with his 31st chart appearance. He last topped the chart with the viral TikTok hit “Lala,” which spent two weeks at No. 1 in September 2023.

“Borracho y Loco” takes over Latin Airplay in its 18th week, marking the second-longest climb to the top for both artists. Previously, Yandel placed three songs at the summit each one in its 20th week, including two featured roles: through Maluma’s “El Perdedor,” and in IAmChino’s “Ay Dios Miío,” which also featured Pitbull and Chacal, and with “Nunca Me Olvides,” all in 2016.

Tower’s, meanwhile, secured two songs at No. 1 in 22 weeks each: “Bandido” with Juhn, and “Bésame,” with Luis Fonsi, in June and Nov. 2021, respectively.

Xavi Earns First No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with “La Diabla”

Posted on February 6, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a devilish first for Xavi…

The 19-year-old Mexican American Regional Mexican singer-songwriter and breakout star, who recently announced his first tour of the U.S., has earned his first No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart dated February 10 with his sophomore hit “La Diabla.”

The track races 17-1 on The chart, giving the Mexican-American singer-songwriter his first champ on a radio ranking.

The romantic corrido, released via Interscope, tops the overall Latin Airplay list with 9.6 million audience impressions, up 89%, earned in the U.S. in the week ending Feb. 1, according to Luminate.

Notably, it’s the first No. 1 by a regional Mexican artist on Interscope. The label was last on top with another song in the genre, Karol G’s “Mi Ex Tenia Razon” for two nonconsecutive weeks last October and November.

“’La Diabla’ has topped so many charts that it’s been hard to keep up, but this one is particularly special,” Manny Prado, VP of Marketing and A&R, Interscope Geffen A&M tells Billboard. “The fact that radio has embraced Xavi’s innovative sound is a significant statement and validates that he is successfully pushing the boundaries of Mexican music.”

Xavi’s radio success follows the song’s domination on both Hot Latin Songs and Latin Streaming Songs.

On the multi-metric tally, “La Diabla” spends a fifth nonconsecutive week at the summit, powered largely by 15.4 million streams during the same period. That’s enough to hold its No. 1 spot for a fourth week on Latin Streaming Songs and its No. 9 ranking on the overall Streaming Songs for a second week.

Back on Latin Airplay, “La Diabla” ejects another regional Mexican track from the lead: Fuerza Regida and Marshmello’s “Harley Quinn” falls to No. 3 after one week in charge with 8.2 million, down 9%.

Beyond its Latin Airplay domination, “La Diabla” surges 8-1 on Regional Mexican Airplay for its first week atop the 40-deep song tally; also, a first champ there for the Phoenix-born artist. Sales too, contribute to the song’s rise across Billboard charts: “La Diabla” sold 1,000 downloads for a No. 2 on Latin Digital Sales for a third week (topped the list for one week on the Jan. 20-dated survey).

Elsewhere, “La Diabla” remains steady at No. 4 on the Billboard Global 200 chart for a fourth week after its No. 3 peak in January. Plus, it remains at No. 3 for a third week on Global Excl. U.S. following its No. 2 high also in January.

Thanks to its gain in all metrics (streaming, sales, and radio), Xavi holds strong at its at No. 33 peak on the Billboard Artist 100 for a second week, which measures artist activity across key metrics of music consumption- album and track sales, radio airplay and streaming – to provide a weekly multi-dimensional ranking of artist popularity.

Xavi Launching First Trek in the U.S., the 2024 Poco A Poco Tour, in March

Posted on February 5, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Little by little, Xavi is embracing the touring life…

The 19-year-old Mexican American Regional Mexican singer-songwriter and breakout star will hit the road with the 2024 Poco A Poco Tour, his first trek in the U.S.

Xavi is set to kick off the 24-date stint on March 28, starting with two stops in Mexico.

On April 2, he begins his American stint in Los Angeles at the Roxy Theatre, making stops in Seattle, Portland, Phoenix and Las Vegas and wrapping up in San Antonio on May 12.

The “La Diabla” singer is also slated to perform at Sueños Music Festival in Chicago on May 25.

The tour announcement comes on the heels of Xavi’s rapid rise in the music industry due to his signature tumbados románticos.

Xavi signed with Interscope Records in 2021, and in 2023, he released a summer EP titled My Mom’s Playlist — a tribute to his mother that features covers of Latin pop and rock en Español classics she loved — reflects his deep-rooted family values.

At the end of December, Xavi debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 with not one, but two entries: “La Diabla” and “La Víctima,” which have since peaked at No. 22 and No. 55, respectively.

His global appeal is further evidenced by his presence on the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts, with “La Diabla” reaching the top five on both.

He’s also spent eight weeks atop Billboard’s Latin Songwriters due to songs like “La Diabla” and previously released singles including “La Víctima,” “Poco a Poco” with Dareyes De La Sierra and “Modo DND” with Tony Aguirre.

Earlier this year, Xavi signed with WME for global representation in all areas.

Pre-sale tickets go live Wednesday (Feb. 7) via Seated.com. Public on-sale for tickets will be available on Friday, February 9 through Xavi’s official website.

Here are the 24 dates for his first tour:

March 28, Auditorio BlackBerry, Mexico City, Mexico
March 30, Teatro Diana, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
April 2, The Roxy Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
April 5, Showbox SoDo, Seattle, WA
April 6, Roseland Theater, Portland OR
April 7, Knitting Factory, Boise, ID
April 11, Arcata Theatre Lounge, Arcata, CA
April 12, Ruth Finley Theater, Santa Rosa, CA
April 13, The Catalyst, Santa Cruz, CA
April 14, Freemont Theatre, San Luis Obispo, CA
April 18, Riverside Municipal Auditorium, Riverside CA
April 19, The Observatory, Santa Ana, CA
April 21, The Observatory North Park, San Diego, CA
April 26, Fox Theater, Bakersfield, CA
April 27, House of Blues Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
April 28, The Union Event Center, Salt Lake City, UT
May 1, The Van Buren, Phoenix, AZ
May 2, The Rialto Theatre, Tucson, AZ
May 3, La Hacienda Event Center, Midland, TX
May 5, The Plaza Theatre, El Paso, TX
May 9, Tower Theatre, Oklahoma City, OK
May 10, House of Blues Dallas, Dallas, TX
May 11, House of Blues Houston, Houston, TX
May 12, The Aztec Theatre, San Antonio, TX

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