Farruko to Perform at This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards

Farruko is headed to the Billboard Latin Music Awards

The 32-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and singer has been added to the list of artists who will perform at the awards show, which will take place on Thursday, October 5.

FarrukoThe “Pepas” singer is among a list of new performer additions that includes Banda Carnaval, Eddy Lover, Grupo Frontera, La Factoría, Marc Anthony, Nicki Nicole, Pepe Aguilar, Sky Rompiendo, Sofia ReyesXimena Sariñana and Yng Lvcas. 

On Monday, Billboard and Telemundo announced the second round of performers who will take the stage at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida. The show will be broadcast live on Telemundo and simultaneously on the Spanish entertainment cable network Universo, on Peacock and on the Telemundo app. Throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, it will be available on Telemundo Internacional.

Among the previously announced performers are Calibre 50ChiquisEl AlfaEladio CarriónJustin QuilesLos Ángeles AzulesManuel TurizoMarshmelloMyke TowersPeso PlumaTini and Yandel.

This year, Mexican music sensation Peso Pluma leads the list of finalists with 21 nods across 15 categories, including Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year and Top Latin Album of the Year. His collaboration with Eslabon Armado, “Ella Baila Sola,” is up for six awards, including Hot Latin Song of the Year, Global 200 Latin Song of the Year and Sales Song of the Year. And his hit with Yng Lvcas, “La Bebe,” competes in five categories, including Hot Latin Song of the Year and Latin Rhythm Song of the Year.

Following Peso Pluma are Bad Bunny and Grupo Frontera with 15 nods each, including four together for their collab “un X100to,” while Karol G has 13, and Shakira and Fuerza Regida have 12 each.

Carla Morrison Among Artists Confirmed for Season 3 of HBO’s “HBO Latino Presents: A Tiny Audience”

Carla Morrison is preparing for her Tiny moment… 

A Tiny Audience is unveiling its season 3 lineup, with the 35-year-old Mexican indie-pop singer and composer among the participating artists.

Carla MorrisonPresented by HBO Latino, the series features intimate live specials with some of Latin music’s hottest acts, including Paulina Rubio in season 2, where the artist is filmed in a live and unfiltered way, revealing a personal secret to the small audience and performing songs that are meaningful to them.

In its new season, HBO Latino Presents: A Tiny Audience will present Morrison, Danna Paola, Jessie Reyez, Justin Quiles, La India, Mike Bahia, Ximena Sariñana, Jay Wheeler, Becky G, Zion y Lennox, Robin Thicke, Manuel Medrano, Leslie Grace, Guaynaa, El Fantasma, Aleks Syntek and a tribute to Celia Cruz.

Season 3 premieres on April 22 on HBO/HBO Max in the U.S. and DirecTV/DirecTV GO in Latin America.

Andres Cepeda Teams Up with Ximena Sariñana for New Single “Lo Que Se Va”

Andres Cepeda is looking back

The 47-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter has joined voices with Mexican singer/songwriter Ximena Sariñana for the new single “Lo Que Se Va,” a taste of what will be his upcoming 14th studio album.

Andres Cepeda

On “Lo Que Se Va,” a track about a fiery relationship that’s diminishing and has no future, Cepeda and Sariñana fuse their powerhouse vocals over a sultry and innovative rhythm.

Produced by George Noriega and penned by Javier Andrés Cuello and Giovanny Andrés Fernández Manzur, the track fuses bolero, son, and Caribbean melodies, bringing to the forefront an experimental sound with live instruments, synth, and electronic beats.

Nicky Jam to Perform as Part of This Week’s Billboard Live At-Home Series Concerts

Nicky Jam is bringing you into his home for a special concert…

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American singer-songwriter will provide some entertainment as one of this week’s Billboard Live At-Home guests.

Nicky Jam

Nicky Jam will go live at 1:00 pm EST from his own home on Thursday, May 28 via Billboard’s Facebook page as a way of  connecting with fans during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Nicky Jam is the latest guest to perform as part of the BillboardLive At-Home series since its launch in late March. Previous Latin performers include Manuel TurizoFeidNatanael Cano and Ximena Sariñana, to name a few.

Each performer chooses a nonprofit partner to support with their live stream. Some of the non-profits have included My Friend’s PlaceAmerican Red CrossCenter for Disaster PhilanthropyMeals on Wheels AmericaDirect ReliefNational Coalition for the HomelessHousing Works Inc.Downtown Women’s CenterMusiCares and more that are working overtime to help those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Check out more from the Billboard Live At-Home series here.

Ximena Sariñana Hosts Billboard Live At-Home Concert

Ximena Sariñanahas opened the doors to her home…

The 34-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter and actresshosted a Billboard Live At-Home concert on Thursday (April 23) to serenade fans and raise money for Downtown Women’s Center, which offers support services for survivors of domestic violence and women experiencing homelessness during COVID-19.

Ximena Sariñana

Sariñana kicked off her live performance while at home in Mexico City with her latest single “TBT 4 EVER,” debuting a piano version on the live stream.

“I’m imagining your applause. Sending all my love to everybody, hope you are all staying safe,” she said in between songs while also taking questions from fans. “Sending you all my love.”

Sariñana went on to perform her empowerment anthem “Que Tiene” and “Mediocre.” 

Before wrapping up, she announced to fans that she’s releasing new music next week.

Los Angeles Azules Bringing Their ‘Todos Somos Cumbia’ Tour to the U.S.

Los Angeles Azules are ready to cumbianorth of the border…

The Mexican musical group will bring all of their classics to the U.S. with their Todos Somos Cumbia tour, adding 21 dates for a total of 27 shows in the states. 

Los Angeles Azules

In support of Gran Centenario Tequila, the tour will kick off February 21 in Ft. Myers, Florida, with gigs to follow in West Palm Beach and Auburndale, marking the Mexican group’s first-ever concerts in the Sunshine State. 

From late February to late April, Los Angeles will make stops in cities like Houston, New York, Washington, and Chicago. The group will retake the tour in September and November, visiting their fans in the West Coast and Canada. Additional dates will be announced. 

Ximena Sariñana and Jay de la Cueva will be the special guests in select cities.

Formed by siblings of the Mejia Avante family — Elías, Alfredo, José Hilario, Jorge, Cristina and Guadalupe in 1983 — the group is known for their catchy cumbia soniderasound, including Billboard chart hits like “Como Te Voy a Olvidar” and “Nunca es Suficiente” featuring Natalia Lafourcade, which landed the group their first No. 1 in 19 years on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart (dated Jan. 26, 2019).

Their latest single “Amor a Primera Vista,” in collaboration with BelindaHoracio Palencia, and Lalo Ebratt, jumped 11-4 on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart-dated August 17, 2019, nabbing the group their eighth top 10. 

Tickets for the Todos Somos Cumbia tour are currently on sale to the general public via Ticketmasterand Live Nation.

Todos Somos Cumbia U.S. tour dates:
*with special guests Ximena Sariñana and Jay de La Cueva
2/21 — Fort Myers, FL  @ Lee Civic Center
2/22 — West Palm Beach, FL @ South Florida Fairgrounds
2/23 — Auburndale, FL @ International Market World
2/28 — Laredo, TX @ Sames Auto Arena *
2/29 — Corpus Christi, TX @ Selena Auditorium *
3/1 — Houston, TX @ Smart Financial Centre *
3/12 — New York, NY @ United Palace 
3/13 — Washington, D.C @ MGM National Harbor
4/16 — Dallas, TX @ Toyota Music Factory
4/17 — San Antonio, TX @ Freeman Coliseum
4/18 — Hidalgo, TX @ Payne Arena
4/19  — Austin, TX @ HEB Center 
4/24 — Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theatre 
4/25 — Chicago, IL @ Allstate Arena
4/26 — Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room 
9/11 — Bakersfield, CA @ Mechanics Arena
9/12 — Temecula, CA @ Pechanga Summit 
9/13 — Las Vegas, NV @ Mandalay Bay Events Center
9/17 — El Paso, TX @ El Paso County Coliseum
9/18 — Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Federal Theatre 
9/26 — San Diego, CA @ Viejas Arena
9/27 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum
11/13 — Duluth, GA @  Infinite Energy Arena
11/14 — Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum 
11/19 — Sacramento, CA @ Golden 1 Center
11/20 — San Jose, CA @ SAP Center
11/21 — Ontario, CA @ Toyota Arena

Molotov to Headline the First-Edition of Vive Latino in Europle, Vive Latino Zaragoza

Molotovis bringing their sound to the Iberian Peninsula…

The Mexican rap rock band has been named one of the headliners of the first edition of the Mexican mega festival Vive Latino to be held in Europe. 

Molotov

A new event, branded Vive Latino and characterized by the “quality, vanguard and independence” of the 20-year-old must-attend annual Mexican festival, will take place in Zaragoza, Spain.

Vive Latino Zaragoza is set to take place on September 11 and 12, with performances by headliners Molotov, BunburyVetusta MorlaLeivaAndrés CalamaroCafé Tacvba,TabureteKase.O and Ara Malikian.

The more-than 40 announced rock and alternative acts, both iconic and emerging, on the monster line up also include AterciopeladosMon LaferteDengue Dengue DengueMiss BoliviaBabasónicosMexican Institute of SoundLittle JesusXimena Sariñana and León Benavente.

They said in an announcement that Vive Latino Zaragoza will transport “the attitude and identity of the festival with the most tradition and success in Latin America.”

Vive Latino Zaragoza will take place at the Espacio Expo, the grounds of the 2008 International Expo.

Upon announcing the festival, the city’s Vice Mayor, Sara Fernández, stated that Vive Latino Zaragoza will allow the city to “reclaim the importance it is due on a national and international level” and “put Zaragoza back on the cultural map.”

Alejandro Fernandez to Perform with Son & Father for the First Time Together at Latin Grammys

Alejandro Fernandezis preparing for a family affair…

The Latin Recording Academy has announced the first group of performers for the 20th Annual Latin Grammy Awards , including all three generations of the Fernandez family.

Alejandro Fernandez,

For the first time, the 48-year-old Mexican singer, his son Alex Fernández and his father Vicente Fernández will perform together. No word yet on what the Fernandez men will sing, but Mariachi Sol de México will accompany them on stage.

Current nominees Paula ArenasBad BunnyAlessia CaraDraco RosaXimena SariñanaSech and Sebastián Yatra are also confirmed to perform, plus Natalia Jiménez and Olga Tañón

As customary, the 2019 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year (Juanes) is set to perform a medley with his best songs.

Last week, the Latin Recording Academy confirmed that Ricky Martin will host alongside Roselyn Sánchez and Paz Vega

The annual ceremony will broadcast live on Univision on November 14 from 8:00–11:00 pm ET/PT (7:00 pm Central) from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Vicente Garcia Signs Worldwide Publishing Deal with Warner Chappell Music Colombia

Vicente Garcia is going global…

The 36-year-old Dominican musician has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Colombia, covering his past albums as well as future projects, according to Billboard.

Vicente-Garcia

Garcia debuted his solo album Melodrama in 2011, which includes collaborations with Ximena Sariñana and Cultura Profetica

His sophomore album, A La Mar, nabbed Garcia best new artist, best singer-songwriter album, and best tropical song for “Bachata En Kingston” at the 2017 Latin Grammyawards.

“Vicente is a fearless and dynamic artist whose creativity has no boundaries,” said Gustavo Menendez, president, Warner Chappell Music Latin Americain an official statement. “He is constantly evolving by experimenting across multiple genres all while staying true to his Dominican roots. We have admired his work for a long time and we are thrilled to now welcome him to the Warner Chappellfamily.”

Daniel Mora, managing director, Warner Chappell Music Colombia, added: “I’m extremely proud to count Vicente among our fast-growing Warner Chappell Music Colombia roster. He is one of the most trail-blazing tropical and alternative artists of our generation, with a very unique perspective and writing style.”

García recently toured the U.S., United Kingdom, Colombia, Netherlands, Spain, Costa Rica, Peru, Argentina, and Chile, to name a few, in support of his third studio album Candela released in May.

De La Ghetto Appears on Dillon Francis’ Spanish-Heavy Album “Wut Wut”

De La Ghetto is joining voices with Dillon Francis

The Puerto Rican and Dominican American singer and songwriter, whose real name is Rafael Castillo, appears on the cross-genre electronic producer and DJ’s bilingual, Spanish-heavy full album.

De La Ghetto & Dillon Francis

Francis’ Wut Wutfeatures 11 tracks of Latin in a spectrum of pop palettes, and much like an actual trip to Latin America, it highlights the diversity of the culture within a variety of styles and feelings sure to entertain fans of dance-pop and Latin music alike.

It opens with self-awareness on previously-released single “White Boi.” The song features Colombia’s Lao Ratalking about how she fell in love for this Caucasian dude, and Francis hopes the Spanish-speaking masses will follow suit with the rest of his release.

It continues with a mysterious big of magic on “Esta Noche” with Ximena Sariñana. Francis then puts extra funk on the R&B groove of “No Pare” feat. Yashua from the Dominican Republic, turns up the tropical heat on “Sexo” with Residente and iLe, and hits electric urban notes on “Never Let You Go” that’ll have you calling De La Ghetto Puerto Rico’s answer to The Weeknd.

If you’re looking for something romantic, give “We The Funk” with Fuego a spin. If you want wild-n-crazy classic Francis, head straight to “Look At That Butt” with Jarina De Marco. “Cuando” with noted madman Happy Colors is equally bold with banging bass lines. Things stay heavy with “Ven” feat. Arcángel and Quimico Ultra Mega, get twisted on booty banger “BaBaBa” with Young Ash, and finishes with quite the flourish on horn-heavy “Get It Get It.”

It’s a great mix of Francis’ dance-pop style and Latin rhythms. It’s multi-lingual and certainly influenced by a variety of tempos and feels. It definitely has more of a central character than its predecessor Money Sucks, Friends Rulewhich the producer himself admitted was kind of all over the place. Wut Wut, in that way, it’s very much a matured sound for the producer, but don’t worry, Francis fans. Mostly, it’s just fun.