La Maquinaria Norteña Earns Second No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with “Eres Ese Algo”

Posted on February 22, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

La Maquinaria Norteña is back on top…

The Mexican quintet’s “Eres Ese Algo” rises 3-1 to lead Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart dated February 25.

“Eres Ese Algo” reaches the summit just six months after La Maquinaria Norteña claimed its first radio No. 1 during its 10-year-plus charting career on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart, which launched with the No. 40 debut and peak of “Ayer y Hoy” in 2011.

Before “Eres Ese Algo,” “50 y Cincuenta” earned the norteño ensemble its maiden champ on any airplay chart last August. In between the band scored a No. 38 high through “Mejor Ni Me La Nombren,” with Neto Bernal (Aug. 27).

“Eres Ese Algo” shoots to No. 1 on Regional Mexican Airplay in its 14th week on the chart.

It takes the lead boosted by 28% gain in audience impressions, to 10 million, earned in the U.S. in the week ending February 16, according to Luminate. The increase secures the track the Greatest Gainer honors of the week.

The song is the second single of Al Derecho y Al Reverso, the seven-track set released on October 14 via Azteca/Fonovisa/UMLE, which reached No. 10 high on Regional Mexican Albums on the January 21-dated ranking.

In addition to bringing La Maquinaria its second airplay No. 1, “Eres Ese Algo” also secures the Azteca label its third ruler on Regional Mexican Airplay, among its 72 chart entries spanning 12 years. Prior to “50 y Cincuenta” and “Eres Ese Algo” by La Maquinaria, Azteca scored its first leader, also last August, through La Fiera de Ojinaga’s “Luna de Miel.”

Beyond its Regional Mexican Airplay coronation, “Eres Ese Algo” ascends the all-genre Latin Airplay list, rallying 10-4, besting La Maquinaria Norteña’s previous peak of No. 9 with “50 y Cincuenta.”

“Eres” was written by Keith Nieto, founding member of the Chihuahua-based band.

Los Rieleros del Norte Earn First No. 1 in 14 Years with “Cuéntame”

Posted on September 22, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Los Rieleros del Norte are back on top after a long time…

The Mexican Grammy-nominated Regional Mexican band returns to the No. 1 spot for the first time in 14 years on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart dated September 24 with “Cuéntame.”

It’s their first single released via Fonovisa after a nearly decade-long break from the label.

The song — released on July 29 — ascends 7-1 in its seventh week with 5.73 million in audience impressions, a 44% gain, earned in the U.S. in the week ending Sept. 18, according to Luminate.

It’s the biggest jump to the top in 2022. Which other track has jumped at least 5 rankings this year? “JG,” the team-up by La Adictiva and Luis R. Conriquez, which climbed 6-1 (September 10-dated list).

“Cuéntame” gives Los Rieleros their fifth No. 1 on Regional Mexican Airplay. It’s their first win in almost a decade and a half, after “A Punto de Llorar” ruled for one week in June 2008.

In between, the El Paso, Texas-based band placed 17 tracks including four top 10s, among those the No. 3-peaking “El Columpio,” with Banda Los Sebastianes and La Maquina Norteña in 2021.

The band first landed at the summit on its fifth chart visit, over two decades ago, when “Te Quiero Mucho” reached No. 1 in 1999. Let’s look at their champs across the years:

Peak, Title, Weeks at No. 1
Oct. 30, 1999, “Te Quiero Mucho,” 10
Dec. 16, 2006, “Dime Quién Es,” 9
Sept. 15, 2007, “Un Juego,” 1
June 14, 2008, “A Punto De Llorar,” 1
Sept. 24, 2022, “Cuéntame”

Elsewhere, “Cuéntame” takes Los Rieleros to upper region on the all-genre Latin Airplay chart. It’s also the band’s fifth top 10 and first since 2008.

La Maquinaria Norteña Earns First No. 1 on Any Billboard Radio Chart with “50 y Cincuenta”

Posted on August 22, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a special first for La Maquinaria Norteña…

The Mexican American band has scored its first No. 1 on a Billboard radio chart as “50 y Cincuenta” ascends from No. 3 to rule the Regional Mexican Airplay chart dated Aug. 20.

It’s their first leader spanning a decade of career entries.

“50 y Cincuenta,” released via Azteca/Fonovisa/UMLE on June 10, arrives at the summit in its ninth week.

It evicts Christian Nodal’s “Vivo En El 6,” which falls to No. 5 after its three-week reign, with a 7% gain in audience impressions, to 6.1 million, earned in the U.S. in the week ending August 14, according to Luminate.

“We are extremely grateful for the support of our fans,” the band tells Billboard. “The excitement is as great and as it is gratifying when one of our songs becomes so popular it reaches No. 1 on a Billboard chart.”

While La Maquinaria claim their first radio No. 1, the band secured its first champ almost a decade ago, when the album Vives En Mi debuted and peaked atop the Regional Mexican Albums chart in 2013.

“50 y Cincuenta,” composed by Keith Nieto, Cesar Valdivia and Alfaro Aylín, is the first single from the group’s forthcoming EP, Al Derecho y Al Reverso, slated for a November release. Plus, the new champ lands amidst La Maquinaria Norteña’s eponymous 2022 24-date tour, which kicked off July 1 in San Pedro de Chiautzingo, Mexico.

“50” also gives the New Mexico-based group its first No. 1 in its 26th visit to the chart. The band’s maiden appearance, “Ayer y Hoy,” reached the top 40 in 2011. La Maquinaria has since clocked 11 top 10s, including “Con Honor a Ti,” featuring Grupo Firme, in 2020 and “Amores Van y Vienen,” with La Nueva Estrategia,” in January (both reached No. 6, their previous highest-charting songs until “50 y Cincuenta” climbed higher).

“Thanks to our team for their professionalism,” the group add. “Without you our growth as a band wouldn’t be possible.”

For Nieto, “50” concurrently grants him his first leader as a producer on Regional Mexican Airplay. He clocked a No. 5 through La Fiera de Ojinaga’s “En Otro Canal” in October 2020.

While La Maquinaria reaches a new level of recognition with its first win among regional Mexican stations, “50” also gifts the group its highest-charting entry on the all-genre Latin Airplay chart, pushing 11-9; also its first top 10 since its maiden visit in 2013. Previously the group notched a No. 17 with “Con la Boca Abierta” in 2019.

Marco Antonio Solís Signs Three-Year Worldwide Deal with Warner Chappell Music (WCM)

Posted on June 1, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Marco Antonio Solís is going to the Chappell…

The 61-year-old Mexican musician, singer, composer and record producer, one of the most respected, prolific and successful singer/songwriters in Latin music, has signed a three-year worldwide deal with Warner Chappell Music (WCM), according to Billboard.

The deal covers future works as well as most of Solís’ vast catalog, which includes global hits like “Si No Te Hubieras Ido,” “Más Que Tu Amigo,” “O Me Voy O Te Vas,” and “A Donde Vamos a Parar.”

Solís, who writes alone, holds the record for most No. 1 albums (12) on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart. He has also placed 50 songs on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, including 11 No. 1s.

“For decades [Marco’s] music has transcended time, touching the lives of music fans across generations,” says Gustavo Menendez, president U.S. Latin & Latin America, WCM. “As both a songwriter and recording artist he’s made a massive impact, laying the foundation for many who have followed him in both the regional Mexican and Mexican pop space. It’s an honor to represent one of the most important and hugely influential Latin music catalogs of all time.”

Solís, who began his storied career as the lead singer and composer of regional Mexican group Los Bukis, eventually launched a solo career, standing out as one of only a handful of regional Mexican acts who have successfully crossed over into pop music. Beyond his success as a recording artist, with five Latin Grammys to his name, Solís was also a prolific songwriter who’s been covered by a veritable who’s who of Latin stars, including Maná, Paulina Rubio and Enrique Iglesias.

Long signed to indie label Fonovisa, which was eventually acquired by Univision and later, by Universal, Solís decided to go independent a few years ago and has been releasing music under his own label, Marbella.

Likewise, his songs have long fallen under his own Crisma publishing.

Christian Nodal In Talks with Selena Gomez for Possible Collaboration

Posted on June 10, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Christian Nodal could be collaborating with a big Latina pop star…

The 21-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter, who released his EP AyAyAy! In late May, tells Billboard he could be teaming up with Selena Gomez.

“We are actually talking with Selena Gomezfor something in Spanish,” he fesses. “Drake Bellalso wrote to me on Instagram. It was so cool because I remembered all of my childhood.”

In this seven-track EP AyAyAy!, released on May 29 via Fonovisa, Nodal didn’t shy away from experimental fusions, dropping a norteño-tropical hybrid (“No Es Justo Por El”), a mariachi-tinged country song (“Se Me Olvido”), and even his own version of the ‘50s classic doo-wop “Tonight I Fell in Love” by The Tokensin “Anoche Me Enamore.”

“When I’m listening to music, my emotions change and that’s why I wanted to release part of the album,” said Nodal during a recent Instagram Live Q&A with Billboard.

“I’m taking advantage because I’m young, I’m 21, and because I love music in general,” he says. “With this album, I want to take Regional Mexican to the next level and that’s why I included cumbia, ‘70s rock, salsa, vallenatos, and more.”

AyAyAy!is the first part of Nodal’s upcoming full-length third studio album. “In September I’m releasing the second half. That album is 100 times better because it has all of my favorite songs,” he assures.

Chiquis Rivera Teams Up with peermusic for Her First-Ever Publishing Deal

Posted on June 25, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a special first for Chiquis Rivera…

The 34-year-old Mexican American singer and television personality, thedaughter of the late Regional Mexican singer Jenni Rivera, has landed her first publishing deal with peermusic, according to Billboard.

This week, Kathy Spanberger, president & chief operating officer, peermusic; Yvonne Drazan, vp, Latin Division, West Coast, peermusic, and Julio Bague, vp, Latin Division, East Coast & Puerto Rico announced that they have signed Chiquis to an exclusive global publishing agreement.

The news comes almost three months after she and her management team, The Sixth House,signed a new dealwith Fonovisa, the Regional Mexican division of Universal Music Group back in April.

“I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Chiquis into the peermusic family. She’s already established herself as one of Latin music’s most powerful and promising new voices, and I can’t wait until the songs she’s writing and recording are ready to be shared with the world,” said Drazan.

“I am so excited and honored to officially be a part of the peermusic family,” said Chiquis. “Writing has gotten me through some very tough times in my life, it’s a form of therapy for me now. I love the process and thoroughly enjoy creating with amazing and talented people during the song camps at peermusic. Can’t wait to see and hear what the future holds!”

Ready to make her return with new music in 2019, Chiquis announced her single “Animate y Veras” will be released on June 28.

A new album is also in the works, where peermusic already organized and held two songwriting camps for it, including one in Los Angeles and another in Miami. Each camp was two days long and featured six writers to collaborate with Chiquis, including both peermusic writers and non-peermusic writers. The camps have already produced one of the upcoming album’s singles.

The untitled album follows her debut studio albumAhora(2015) and her 2018 album Entre Botellas, which reached No. 1on the Regional Mexican Albums chart, making her the first woman to debut at the top of that chart since her late mother, Jenni Rivera, did in 2016.

Jenni Rivera Enterprises Agrees to Worldwide Distribution Deal with Sony Music Latin & The Orchard

Posted on November 15, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

The music of the late Jenni Rivera has a new home…

Jenni Rivera Enterprises has signed a worldwide distribution deal with Sony Music Latin and The Orchard to cover the late singer’s catalog.

Rivera, a legend of Regional Mexican music through her career, died in a plane crash in December 2012, at the age of 43.

“In Sony Music Latin and The Orchard, we found exceptional partners for the next era of Jenni’s music,” said Jenni Rivera Enterprises CEO and Rivera’s sister, Rosie Rivera, in a statement. “Her music meant everything to her, and still does to so many people. Our commitment and highest responsibility is to maintain its integrity and impact. The Orchard and Sony Music Latin feel the exact same way.”

Between 1999 and 2012, Rivera released 12 studio albums and four live albums, five of which reached the top two slots on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart.

After her death, her popularity grew exponentially; two compilation albums and four additional live albums that were released in the four years following her passing all reached No. 1 on the Top Albums chart as well.

“Jenni Rivera’s contributions to the Regional Mexican genre are unparalleled,” The Orchard COO Colleen Theis said in a statement. “We are honored and excited to team up with Sony Music Latin and Jenni Rivera Enterprises to leverage our global network and bring her music to the world in a new way.”

As part of the deal, a “multi-tiered global marketing campaign” will be rolled out in order to push Rivera’s music and give it a new shine, according to a press release accompanying the announcement. Her music and catalog was previously distributed by Universal/Fonovisa, though, unusually, she had retained control of her masters throughout her career.

“We’re humbled and honored to be able to work alongside Rosie and [brother] Juan Rivera on Jenni’s legacy,” Sony Music U.S. Latin president Nir Seroussi said in a statement. “It’s an opportunity for her music to reach new audiences and for us to pay homage to a generation-defining superstar. She’s going to continue making history.”

Enrique Iglesias Agrees to Publishing Deal with Kobalt Music

Posted on February 13, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Enrique Iglesias is celebrating a new deal…

The 42-year-old Spanish superstar has signed a publishing deal with Kobalt Music that includes his existing catalog, as well as future works, according to Billboard.

The deal encompasses Iglesias’ massive global hits like “Bailando,” which he co-wrote, as well as hits from his early romantic ballad days on indie Fonovisa.

All told, Iglesias has notched 38 top 10 hits on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, a record surpassed only by Luis Miguel, who has 39. Iglesias has nabbed 18 top 10s since 2005.

“Enrique is one of the biggest global artists ever, so it is an honor that he has chosen Kobalt to support him in both creative and global admin services,” said Kobalt Music founder & CEO Willard Ahdritz in a statement. “He is an amazing singer, songwriter and producer with an extraordinary capacity to write in Spanish and English. The potential for his new music is massive and we’re excited to support him.”

Iglesis was previously signed to Sony ATV, but his contract there expired over a year ago, sources say. By signing to Kobalt, he follows in the footsteps of another major Latin star, Carlos Vives, who signed to Kobalt through its Latin division in October of 2016.

“It is a privilege to work with Enrique, a great human being and extraordinary artist whom I admire,” said Kobalt president of Latin America, Nestor Casonu. “Since the start of his career, he has consistently topped charts all over the world due to his great capacity to work, engage with his fans, as well as the respect and care he gives to the creative process of his songs.

Iglesias is currently signed as a recording artist to Sony Music Latin, where he went in 2015 after being a Universal Music Group (UMG) artist since 1999 (prior to Universal, Iglesias was signed to indie Fonovisa, which was later acquired by UMLE).

Last month, Iglesias accused UMG of “systematically underpaying” his streaming royalties in a lawsuit filed in a Miami federal court.

According to the suit, Iglesias has sought to inspect Universal’s bookkeeping after receiving what is described as a “small fraction” of his 50 percent royalty rate for streaming.

The artist and his legal team believe UMG’s “improper accounting” has resulted in a shortfall running in the millions of dollars, and is demanding the court enforce his streaming rate and force the label to pay lost royalties.

Sony Music Latin Partners with Jenni Rivera’s Siblings to Develop Regional Mexican Stars

Posted on August 30, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Jenni Rivera’s family is keeping her legacy alive…

Juan and Rosie Rivera, siblings of the late Mexican American Banda and ranchera singer who passed away in December 2012, have joined Sony Music Latin in a new venture to develop the next generation of regional Mexican stars.

The announcement was made in Los Angeles earlier this week, where the Rivera family and Sony executives officially signed and agreed to commence a partnership between the Rivera’s Linea, LLC, and Sony.

“Juan and Rosie have been in the [music] game since they were born,” said Nir Seroussi, Sony Music Latin president, in an exclusive interview with Billboard. “Juan is very focused and chill. Rosie is very sharp and eloquent. We’re confident that Linea will soon become a major player in the market.”

It’s been nearly five years since Rivera died in a plane crash, while working in Mexico and since that time, numerous projects themed around the Long Beach, California, -born recording artist have been released, from albums to reality shows and merchandise.

Rosie, whose close-knit relationship with Jenni was undeniable, has spent the last five years helping to complete some of her sister’s dreams from releasing music to caring for her foundation and making sure she was there for her sibling’s children.

This new chapter, Rosie said, continues to honor her sister, but it’s different in that she will now have a more active role in the industry along with her brother, which is something that Jenni encouraged them to do years ago. While Jenni was signed to Fonovisa, under Universal Music Latin Entertainment, this new venture with Sony has nothing to do with Jenni music other than the fact that she always wanted to help launch the careers of others.

“I think Jenni would be very happy,” says Rosie. “I can see her smiling with tears of joy and her wide eyes. She invested so much love and discipline in her dreams. She told us she envisioned this for Juan and myself and she’s cheering us from heaven.”

In 2013, Rosie announced a similar venture, but it was in the form of a new label called JRE/Divina Music, which had already been in the works in 2010, two years before the singer died. That label was established to complete Jenni’s goals and that was met by supporting other artists. The new chapter begins with joining forces with Sony.

Rosie, an entrepreneur and motivational speaker, is the youngest of the Rivera family of singers. Since her sister’s death she has gone more public about her own struggles in the hopes of helping others. In 2015 she founded the movement Sister Somalia to support women who have been victims of sexual abuse, human trafficking, drugs and domestic violence in Latin America. Additionally, Rivera is active in her family’s Christian outreach ministry, helping single mothers find affordable housing through the Jenni Rivera Love Foundation.

Besides overseeing the Jenni Rivera estate with his sister Rosie, Juan is a recording artist with nearly a dozen albums to his name and has appeared in several reality shows with his family of singers that includes Lupillo Rivera and Chiquis Rivera.

Seroussi said that more details will be unveiled soon and those aspiring artists hoping to break into the business through the regional Mexican genre will have a chance to participate. The Sony executive wouldn’t confirm or deny what types of projects will be unveiled, but he reassures that they will be part of a thrill ride.

“This is a very special venture,” Seroussi said. “Having Juan and Rosie makes it that more exciting. Many things are going to happen.”

Los Hijos de Barrón Sign with Universal Music Latin Entertainment

Posted on December 21, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Los Hijos de Barrón have Universal appeal…

The Regional Mexican band-to-watch has signed with Universal Music Latin Entertainment.

The group from Sinaloa released a new single, “Lo Que Pese Mi Palabra,” and video coinciding with the announcement last Friday.

The single is the title track of the band’s next album, due out on Universal imprint Fonovisa/Disa in early 2016.

Los Hijos de Barrón are also set to tour the U.S. in February.

The group is known in Mexico as one of the most popular bands playing the acoustic guitar-supported genre called Sierreño.

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