Aloe Blacc is hoping to raise awareness about suicide prevention…

The 40-year-old Panamanian American singer-songwriter will be taking part in a benefit concert for suicide prevention featuring the music of the late EDM star Avicii.

Taking place on December 5 in Stockholm, Sweden, the show will feature 19 of the original singers on some of the late DJ/producer’s most beloved tracks performing with a 30-piece band during the two-hour Avicii Tribute Concert for Mental Health Awareness.

Blacc has previously teamed up with Avicii on the single “Wake Me Up.” Released in June 2013, the single topped most music markets in Europe and reached No. 4 in the United States  

Blacc most recently appeared on Avicii’s single “SOS,” which appears on the DJ/producer’s posthumous third studio album Tim.

Proceeds will support the work of the new Tim Bergling Foundation, named for the musician who died of suicide in April 2018. 

The show at Friends Arena will open with headline DJ sets from a number of Avicii’s friends, including David Guetta, Kygo, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Laidback Luke and Nicky Romero.

“Tim had plans for his music to be performed together with a large live band, and now we are realizing his dream and giving fans a chance to experience his music in this unique way,” said Klas Bergling, Avicii’s father in a statement.

In addition to Blacc, the concert will feature many of the singers, including Adam Lambert and Rita Ora, who were on Avicii’s recordings and it will mark the first time many of them have been performed the songs live.

Among the other acts slated for the show: Alex Ebert, Amanda Wilson, Andreas Moe, Audra Mae, Blondfire, Bonn, Carl Falk, Dan Tyminski, Daniel Adams Ray, Joe Janiak, Nick Furlong, Otto Knows, Sandro Cavazza, Simon Aldred, Vargas Lagolaand Zack Abel, with more to be announced later.

Sofia Carson is going worldwide…

The 26-year-old Colombian American actress, singer-songwriter and philanthropist has been named as the first-ever global ambassador for the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation. 

Carson is best known for her starring role as Evie in the Disney Channel original movie franchise Descendants, and for being part of the movie’s soundtrack, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart dated August 22, 2015. 

She recently performed “Ciclo Sin Fin,” the Spanish-language version of The Lion King’s “Circle of Life,” featured on the digital soundtrack for Latin America. 

Carson’s next venture is portraying April in the upcoming Netflix dance film Feel the Beat.

“Sofia Carson is an exceptional role model for all”, said Becky Villaescusa, vice president of Strategic Planning & Corporate Development, Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, in an official statement. “Her education, discipline, and dedication inspire the music makers of tomorrow and we are incredibly thankful for her passion and generosity toward the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation. We know she will be an outstanding ambassador, helping us make strides in our awareness efforts and growth.”

Since its establishment five years ago, the foundation has donated $5 million in scholarships, grants, musical instrument donations, and educational events in the United States and Ibero-America.

“I am immensely proud to be the first Global Ambassador for the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, a foundation whose goal is to provide the Latin youth of the world with the precious gift of music education, and the priceless opportunity to share their music,” said Carson. “The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation and the incredible team behind its heart, offer life-changing opportunities to youth who are deeply committed to their art and are driven by their desire to leave behind a lasting musical legacy. I am deeply grateful. It is truly my privilege to be a part of this most worthy cause.”

Carson’s role as a global ambassador will include advocating, promoting, and increasing awareness of the foundation’s mission and educational programs. She will also participate in events to help raise funds and promote the Latin Grammy Foundation’s primary charitable focus: to provide scholarships to students interested in Latin music, grants to scholars and organizations worldwide for research and preservation of diverse Latin music genres, and music education programs, including musical instrument donations to schools in need.

J Balvin is helping to unite the Latino community after last weekend’s deadly shootings in El Paso and Dayton, Ohio…

Univision’s Uforia Music Series will present two star-studded concerts in Texas, featuring performances by the 34-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer, Bad Bunny, Ozuna, Natti Natasha and many more. 

The shows, taking place August 8 in Dallas and August 10 in Houston, will bring together local communities for a celebration of Latin music and assist those impacted by the recent shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio.

“The Uforia Music Series is meant to be a celebration of the sounds and rhythms that connect us as a culture and as a community — this connection is especially important in times of need,” Jesus Lara, president of radio, Univision, said in an official statement. “Following the tragic events in El Paso, we are honored to do our part to bring the local Latino community in Dallas and Houston together and to provide an opportunity for fans to support local organizations assisting those impacted on-site and via our first-ever Livestream. All of us at Univision stand in strength and solidarity with the Latino community in El Paso and across the country.”

Univision will provide opportunities for fans and attendees to donate to the El Paso Community Foundation, Paso del Norte Community Foundationand The Dayton Foundation. The Spanish-language network will match the first $50,000 of donations.

See below for more information on the Uforia Music Series in Texas.

Uforia Latino Mix Live in Dallas
Date: Thursday, Aug. 8
Location: Dos Equis Pavilion
Performers: J Balvin, Bad Bunny, Wisin & Yandel, Reik, Sech, Dalex, Plan-N-Skillz, and more. 

Uforia Latino Mix Live in Houston
Date: Saturday, Aug. 10
Location: R.A. Apffel Park (East Beach) in Galveston Island
Performers: Ozuna, J Balvin, Natti Natasha, Pedro Capo, Sebastian Yatra, Tito El Bambino, Reik, Dalex, Play N Skillz and Lyanno.

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com

Christina Aguilera is a proud Ally…

The 38-year-oldhalf-Ecuadorian American singer was awarded the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Ally for Equality Award at the 2019 HRC National Dinner in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Unfortunately, Aguilera wasn’t able to attend the event to accept in person. In light of her absence, the “Come On Over” singer posted a special message of support and love to the LGBTQ community on her Instagram account, thanking them for supporting her throughout her career. 

“Since the very beginning of my career I have leaned on the LGBTQ+ community for support, friendship, joy and acceptance,” she wrote. “I have crawled out of some of my darkest times thanks to the small group of people I surround myself with – fellow dancers, glam artists, and creatives who I realize are overcoming obstacles of their own – the fights for freedom, the struggles for equality, and prayers for acceptance.”

The star said she identifies with those in the community so strongly because she’s also struggled to be true to herself in the industry. 

“What I realize is that I would not have had the power to be where I am today without the return acceptance from those who, like myself, were labeled as ‘other,’” she wrote.

Aguilera also acknowledged the difficult road to the present state of affairs in the fight for LGBTQ acceptance, saying that we would be in a worse place if it weren’t for the HRC.

“While these social relationships leave me satisfied and fulfilled, I can’t help but acknowledge the struggle to get where we are today,” she wrote. “The activists on the front lines of change have created a world for my friends to also thrive.”

The annual award is given to celebrities who have helped forward the conversation on LGBTQ issues to mainstream audiences. Aguilera joined past honorees like Meryl Streep, P!nk, Jennifer Lopez and more.