Maria Becerra Announces Natanael Real & Armando Lozano as New Co-Managers

Maria Becerra has new management.

The 24-year-old Argentine singer-songwriter, who has been dubbed as “a leading voice in Argentina’s urban pop movement,” will ] be co-managed by Natanael Real and veteran Mexican manager Armando Lozano after she parted ways amicable with longtime manager José Levy.

Maria BecerraReal has been Becerra’s longtime day-to-day manager, while Lozano steps into a bigger role after working two years as a consultant for the artist for all territories outside Argentina.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to María for placing her trust in me over nearly seven years, from the very beginning. It has been a true pleasure and honor to be part of her professional journey, and I wish her every success in this new chapter,” Levy told Billboard in a statement.

In turn, Lozano, who until recently also managed Mau & Ricky, said: “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to join María in this exciting new phase of her career. I am confident that remarkable achievements await her, further cementing her place as the global star she truly is.”

Added Real: “From the start, I’ve been inspired by María’s extraordinary talent and charisma. It is a privilege to support her in this new chapter and help her reach even greater heights.”

Becerra started her career as a YouTuber in her native Argentina as a tween, posting all kinds of content that included music covers.

By 17, she was focusing only on music and started working with Levy.

In  2021, at 21, she released her debut album, Animal via 300 Entertainment and earned a Latin Grammy nomination for best new artist.

In 2023, Becerra signed a deal with Warner Music Latina as a joint venture with 300 Entertainment, still managed by Levy, and also received the Visionary Award at Billboard’s inaugural Latin Women In Music event.

Becerra is in the midst of her first major U.S. tour and released new singles with Yandel (“El sexo está de moda”) and Gloria Trevi (“Borracha”), the latter which she performed at the Billboard Latin Music Awards in October.

She currently has 24 million monthly listeners on Spotify, making her 240 in the world on the platform.

Becerra has multiple entries on the Billboard charts, including two No. 1s on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart.

Gabito Ballesteros to Perform at 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards

Gabito Ballesteros is preparing for a major performance…

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

Gabito Ballestero

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

The artists join a previously announced lineup that includes Fuerza Regida, Grupo NicheJ 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.

Grupo Firme Earns Second No. 1 in a Week on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with “El Beneficio De La Duda”

Grupo Firme is replacing itself…

A week after the Mexican band scored its first career No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart, the Regional Mexican group replaces itself at the summit with new single “El Beneficio De La Duda,” as the song flies 24-1 on the July 13-dated list.

The new leader follows the one-week reign of “Te Va a Doler,” the group’s first collab with Thalia. 

Grupo Firme“We are grateful to our audience for supporting each one of our crazy ideas,” Eduin Caz, lead singer for Grupo Firme, tells Billboard. “Both songs are completely different and the fact that they have accepted them as such, to take them to No. 1 one after the other is incredible and only motivates us to keep going.”

“El Beneficio De La Duda” scores 6.2 million audience impressions, up 56%, earned during the June 28-July 4 tracking week, according to Luminate.

Thalia’s “Te Va a Doler,” with Grupo Firme, meanwhile, falls to No. 26 with a 48% decline in audience (down 48%) after one week on top.

Thanks to the 56% gain in audience, “El Beneficio De La Duda” takes home the Greatest Gainer trophy, a weekly award for the song with the largest increase in audience among the 50-title radio ranking.

A pair of California stations lead the way with the most plays, KLAX in Los Angeles and KRZZ in San Francisco, in the latest tracking week, while KFZO in Dallas, rounds up the top three.

“El Beneficio De La Duda,” composed by singer-songwriter Joss Favela and released May 28 via Music VIP, grants the label its first ruler on the overall Latin radio ranking. Music VIP came close when “Que Onda Perdida,” another Grupo Firme song, with Gerardo Coronel, reached No. 3 in July 2023.

“For us, it is wonderful to continue to represent our Mexican music in the highest possible way,” Isael Gutiérrez, founder and CEO of Music VIP Entertainment, tells Billboard. “Every achievement and every record we break drives us to keep innovating and creating music that continues to break boundaries.”

As “El Beneficio De La Duda” lands at the summit on the overall Latin radio tally, Grupo Firme replaces itself at No. 1, the second act to achieve the feat in 2024, following Myke Towers whose “Borracho y Loco” with Yandel ceded the throne to his own “La Falda,” after the latter’s one week in charge (Feb. 24-dated list).

Beyond its Latin Airplay coronation, “El Beneficio De La Duda” takes the lead on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart, for the group’s 10th No. 1 there, tying with Christian Nodal for second-most champs this decade, both trailing only Calibre 50’s 11 No. 1s since 2020.

“When Joss Favela sent me the first take of the song, he simulated the accordion with his voice because the song wasn’t produced yet,” Caz adds. “I still liked how his voice hummed the melody and decided to incorporate it, and that is one of the most special details of the song.”

Grupo Firme, comprising Eduin and Johnny Caz, Abraham Hernandez, Joaquin Ruiz, Christian Gutierrez, Jose Rubio and Dylan Camacho, celebrates its second No. 1 on the heels of the group’s La Última Peda Tour 2024, the 32-date run that launched in San Antonio, Texas on May 10 and will wrap up November 2 at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

Eladio Carrión Earns First No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with “TQMQA”

Eladio Carrión is celebrating a first…

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton rapper and singer has earned his first No. 1 on Billboard‘s Latin Airplay chart as “TQMQA” climbs 4-1 to lead the April 13-dated list.

Eladio CarriónCarrión crosses off a new achievement with the dembow-pop tune — whose title stands for “Te Quiero Más Que Ayer — as it tops the overall Latin radio ranking. “TQMQA” lands at the summit seven weeks after it earned the Latin rapper his maiden champ on any Billboard chart (hit No. 1 on Latin Pop Airplay in March).

“The intention behind ‘TQMQA’ was to give my parents the recognition that they deserve,” Carrión said. “It’s an honor for me that the track landed at No. 1, but when I make music, I’m never thinking about what numbers or awards I’m gonna get. My main intention is always to be authentic to myself and share that with my fans. Everything else that comes after that is just a bonus that I’m extremely grateful for. It never gets old.”

“TQMQA” advances to the lead with a 26% gain in audience impressions, to 9.5 million, earned in the U.S. during the March 29-April 4-tracking week, according to Luminate.

“TQMQA” is the first cut from Carrión’s fifth studio album, Sol María (released via Rimas Entertainment). The 17-track set, an ode to his mother, debuted at Nos. 6 and 3, respectively, on Top Latin Albums and Latin Rhythm Albums (February 3-dated rankings).

“When I first told my parents about the concept for ‘TQMQA,’ they were taken aback by how personal the song and video were,” Carrión shares. “But it was special to us because we pieced together all these old clips from our home movies to make this time capsule of my upbringing. It’s emotional to see how far we’ve come and how they’ve been there for me every step of the way. But none of us were prepared for how many people the song would resonate with.”

Carrión breaks the No. 1 barrier on Latin Airplay as a soloist and on his fourth try.

Plus, he bests his first and only top 10: “Nunca y Pico” with Yandel and Maluma, which took the Puerto Rican-American to No. 6 in November 2022.

Carrión has charted two other times on Latin Airplay: “Alejarme De Ti” with Jay Wheeler (No. 22 in March 2022) and “Coco Chanel” with Bad Bunny (No. 42 in June 2023).

Of the 15 songs that have been No. 1 on Latin Airplay in 2024, a third of them were credited to a singular artist with no accompanied acts, including Carrion’s new No. 1. Here they are:

Peak Date, Title, Artist, Weeks at No. 1
Jan. 27, 2024, “Monaco,” Bad Bunny, one
Feb. 10, 2024, “La Diabla,” Xavi, two
Feb. 24, 2024, “La Falda,” Myke Towers, one
March 30, 2024, “Baccarat,” Ozuna, one
April 13, 2024, “TQMQA,” Eladio Carrión

Elsewhere, “TQMQA” rebounds to its No. 1 high on Latin Pop Airplay for its third week in charge (rising 2-1).

Further, thanks to its radio gain, it re-enters at No. 44 on the multimetric Hot Latin Songs chart, which blends airplay, digital sales, and streaming data.

Eladio Carrión Earns First No. 1 on Any Billboard Chart with “TQMQA”

Eladio Carrión has earned a special first…

Following multiple Top 10s across the Billboard charts, the 29-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and Latin trap singer has attained his first No. 1 on any ranking with “TQMQA,” a song outside of his usual rhythmic realm.

Eladio Carrión“TQMQA,” a Latin pop-tinged song — short for “Te Quiero Más Que Ayer” — rises 2-1 on the Latin Pop Airplay chart dated March 2 with 5.4 million audience impressions, up 9%, earned in the U.S. during the February16-22 tracking week, according to Luminate.

The song is the first single from Carrión’s fifth studio album, Sol María, which debuted and peaked at No. 6 on Top Latin Albums and at No. 3 on Latin Rhythm Albums charts (February 3).

“TQMQA,” released and promoted via Rimas Entertainment, yields Carrion his first Latin Pop Airplay No. 1 with his third chart appearance. His breakthrough Latin Pop Airplay song, “Alejarme De Ti” with Jay Wheeler, earned Carrión his first top 10 on that chart, peaking at No. 9 in March 2022, while “No Puede Ser,” with Mau y Ricky, reached No. 22 a month later, in April 2022.

Prior to its radio impact, “TQMQA” debuted and peaked at No. 39 on the multimetric Hot Latin Songs chart, which blends airplay, digital sales, and streaming activity.

Elsewhere, the song climbs 22-19 on the overall Latin Airplay chart, Carrión’s highest entry since “Nunca y Pico,” with Yandel and Maluma, earned him his first top 10, peaking at No. 6 in November 2022.

Myke Towers Earns 11th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with “La Falda”

Myke Towers has skirted his way to the top of the charts…

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican rapper, singer and songwriter has pounced to No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart as “La Falda” rises from No. 5 to lead the list dated February 24.

Myke TowersThe song, announced on Towers’ X account in November, is the focus track from his 23-song album LVEU: Vive La Tuya… No La Mía, which debuted and peaked at No. 9 on Top Latin Albums on the December 9-dated list.

With the new leader, Towers collects his 11th Latin Airplay No. 1 and second in 2024, after the Yandel collab, “Borracho y Loco” (February 17 chart).

“La Falda” likewise ascends to No. 1 on Latin Rhythm Airplay, securing Towers an 11th champ there as well.

For the tracking week February 9-15, “La Falda” registered 10.54 million audience impressions in the U.S., up 47% from the week prior, according to Luminate, and takes the Greatest Gainer honors.

Towers’ run of Latin Airplay No. 1s began just a little more than three years ago, when “Caramelo,” with Ozuna and Karol G, peaked at No. 1 in late 2020, where it remained for three weeks.

Here’s a look at his collection of wins on the overall radio ranking:

Title, Artist, Peak, Weeks at No. 1
“Caramelo,” with Ozuna & Karol G, Aug. 15, 2020, three
“Mi Niña,” with Los Legendarios & Wisin, Jan. 16, 2021, one
“La Nota,” with Manuel Turizo & Rauw Alejandro, Jan. 23, 2021, one
“Travesuras,” with Nio Garcia, Casper Mágico, Ozuna, Wisin, Yandel & Flow La Movie, March 6, 2021, one
“Bandido,” with Juhn, June 19, 2021, one
“Pareja Del Año,” with Sebastián Yatra, Aug. 14, 2021, one
“Bésame,” with Luis Fonsi, Nov. 27, 2021, one
“Ulala,” with Daddy Yankee, April 8, 2023, one
“Lala,” Sept. 23, 2023, two
“Borracho Y Loco,” with Yandel, Feb. 17, 2024, one
“La Falda,” Feb. 24, 2024

Thanks to its radio haul, “La Falda” pushes 18-12 on the multimetric Hot Latin Songs chart, which blends streaming activity, digital sales, and radio airplay.

“La Falda” rises to new peaks on both Global charts as well. It lifts 85-75 on Billboard Global 200, powered largely by with 24 million worldwide streams. Meanwhile, it pushes 56-47 on Global Excl. U.S. supported in great part by 20 million clicks outside the U.S.

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

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’Latin Airplay chart as “Borracho y Loco” crowns the list dated February 17.

Yandel & Myke TowersIt’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.

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

Maluma will be feelin’ the FIBES

The 29-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter will perform at this year’s Latin Grammy Awards.

MalumaThe “Felices Los 4” singer joins a roster of recently added performers that includes Milo J, Rosalia, Shakira, Sebastian Yatra, Andrea Bocelli and DJ Premier.

They’ll perform at the upcoming ceremony, which will broadcast from FIBES in Seville, Spain, on Thursday, November 16.

The newly announced artists join previously unveiled performers, including Maria BecerraBizarrap, FeidKany GarcíaCarin LeónChristian NodalRauw AlejandroAlejandro Sanz, Pablo AlboránEdgar BarreraCamilo, Manuel Carrasco, IzaJuanes, OzunaEslabon Armado and Peso Pluma.

Additionally, Majo AguilarAnitta, Pedro Capó, Jorge Drexler, Luis Figueroa, Fonseca, Tiago Iorc, Mon LaferteNatalia Lafourcade, John Leguizamo, Nicki Nicole, Carlos PonceCarlos Vives and Yandel join as presenters throughout the ceremony.

For the first time held outside the United States, the annual Latin Grammys will be broadcast from the Conference and Exhibition Centre in Seville, Spain. It will air November 16 on Univision starting at 8:00 pm ET, UniMás and Galavisión in the U.S., and at 10:30 pm CET on Radiotelevisión Española (RTVE) in Spain.

Danna Paola, Yatra, Roselyn Sánchez and Paz Vega will serve as co-hosts.

This year, Mexican hitmaker Edgar Barrera leads the list of nominees with 13 nods, including songwriter of the year, producer of the year and song of the year. Barrera is followed by Colombian stars Camilo, Karol G, Shakira and composer Kevyn Mauricio Cruz (also known as Keityn), each with seven nominations.

Feid to Perform at Los Angeles’ Calibash Festival in January

Feid is feelin’ (Cali)bashful…

The 31-year-old Colombian singer and songwriter is among an all-star lineup of Latin music luminaries set to take the stage at the Calibash festival.

FeidFeid is part of a roster than includes YandelFarrukoPrince RoyceYoung MikoMaria Becerra and Darell.

The event will take place on Friday, January 12, at the Crypto.com Arena in the heart of Los Angeles, and is presented by SBS Entertainment, LaMusica and Mega 96.3 FM.

“Calibash is the iconic live concert event of the year for Latin music fans,” stated Alessandra Alarcón, president of SBS Entertainment, in a press release. “We could not be happier with the lineups and with creating a spinoff of Calibash that reflects the totality of where music stands today.”

SBS Entertainment is expanding its horizons with the launch of Calibash MX, a Mexican live music concert brand that promises to showcase the brightest stars in Mexican music.

This inaugural counterpart is scheduled for Saturday, January 13, and will feature a stellar lineup that includes Grupo Frontera, Edgardo NuñezYng LvcasYahritza y Su Esencia and Conexión Divina.

“Mexican music has taken global music charts by storm and our generation is breathing new life into some of the formats’ biggest subgenres,” continued Alarcón. “The corrido-boom, as we like to call it, inspired us to grow the Calibash franchise with Calibash MX, a live concert that will showcase some of the hottest artists who are adding a unique and special twist to the different kinds of Mexican music.”

Tickets for this event will go on sale Friday, October 27, at 7:00 am PT. Open the LaMusica app or tune in to KXOL-FM Mega 96.3 for more updates leading to Calibash 2024.

Yandel Signs with Warner Music Latina

Yandel has a new deal…

The 46-year-old Puerto Rican singer and songwriter, whose real name is Llandel Veguilla Malavé, has signed with Warner Music Latina, marking his first deal with a major label after releasing his latest albums (Quien Contra Mi 2 and Resistencia) via his own company, Y Entertainment.

YandelThe signing took place at the Empire State Building in New York City, where Yandel kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month festivities by leading the lighting ceremony and treating a group of attendees to an intimate concert at the Empire State Building Observatory.

“I am truly excited to join the Warner Music Latina family and look forward to bringing new music to fans worldwide, fostering this new adventure with the label, and continuing to write my musical story together,” said Yandel, who rose to fame more than 20 years ago as one half of the iconic reggaetón duo, Wisin & Yandel.

Yandel’s first release on the label was his Myke Towers collaboration “Borracho y Loco,” which came out on Thursday, September 21.

After scoring countless hits as part of Wisin & Yandel, including “Abusadora” and “Rakata,” Yandel launched a full-fledged solo career in 2013.

In addition to 2003’s Quien Contra Mí — a solo album released prior to Wisin & Yandel’s 2013 hiatus — he’s released a total of eight solo albums, including his 2013’s De Líder a Leyenda, which peaked at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart. In February, he scored his first solo Billboard Hot 100 entry with “Yandel 150” in collaboration with Feid.

“Yandel’s iconic career has resonated with audiences worldwide, and his influence in the music industry is undeniable,” said Warner Music Latina Alejandro Duque. “This collaboration signifies a new chapter of innovation and creativity. We are excited to work hand in hand with Yandel to bring his music to fans across the globe.”

“Yandel is an artist who embodies both iconic status and forward-thinking vision,” added Warner Music Latina MD Roberto Andrade. “We take immense pride in joining him on this new chapter of his career, contributing to its evolution alongside his dedicated and collaborative team.”