Morat Announces 20-Date Latin American Stadium Tour

Posted on February 7, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Morat is preparing for a major trek…

Just as they Colombian Latin pop rock band is wrapping up its U.S. tour dates, Morat has announced plans for its upcoming stadium trek in Latin America.

After a performance in Madrid on June 21, Morat will begin the 20-date stint in cities like Bogotá, Lima, Buenos Aires and Quito before wrapping up with four shows in Mexico in December.

Dubbed Los Estadios: Antes de Que Amanezca Tour, Morat’s new trek comes on the heels of its touring success with more than 1 million tickets sold in 2023, according to Universal Music Latino, which led to the Colombian band’s upcoming first-ever stadium tour in Latin America.

“We have a wishlist of things we wanted to try to incorporate into the show,” Morat — composed of Juan Pablo Isaza, Juan Pablo Villamil, Martín Vargas and Simón Vargas — tells Billboard. “One thing we do a lot of is also think about the shows as moments so, that each song has something special, some moment, some little thing. And obviously our management team was hysterical because that obviously directly impacts the budget, but we were eager to have every one of the songs have something and at the end we did something that I think is very special. Our motto today is ‘We’re losing money, but let’s go down in history.’”

In 2016, the band, which got its start hand-delivering CDs in its native Bogotá, Colombia, and playing gigs in local bars, released its first album, Solo El Amor Y Sus Efectos Secundarios.

That same year, Morat received a Latin Grammy best new artist nomination.

Morat’s latest album, Si Ayer Fuera Hoy, scored the band its first entry on the Billboard Latin Pop Albums chart, where it peaked at No. 18 on the tally dated Nov. 19, 2022.

Tickets for Los Estadios Tour are set to go on sale soon.

Fans can find more information at moratoficial.com.

Belinda Signs Exclusive Record Deal with Warner Music México

Posted on August 8, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

It’s an exclusive for Belinda.

The 33-year-old Spanish-Mexican singer and actress has inked an exclusive record deal with Warner Music México that will represent a new stage in her career 10 years after her last album release.

The official signing took place on Monday, August 7 at Warner Music Latina headquarters in Miami Beach, where Belinda was joined by Warner Music México MD Tomas Rodriguez and Warner Music Latina president Alejandro Duque.

“We are honored to welcome Belinda, one of the most important artists in Latin pop music, to our WML family,” Duque expressed in a press statement. “Her undeniable talent, versatility, and dedication to her art make her a unique and exceptional artist. We are excited to accompany her on this new stage of her career, confident that together, we will reach new horizons and make history in her return to music.”

The artist, born Belinda Peregrín Schüll, was only 10 years old when she was cast as the lead in the Mexican children’s telenovela Amigos x Siempre. In addition to her film and TV roles, Belinda has released four studio albums: Belinda (2004), Utopía (2006), Carpe Diem (2010) and Catarsis (2013) — all of which entered the top 10 of Billboard‘s Latin Pop Albums chart. Catarsis, her last set, peaked at No. 4 on the Top Latin Albums chart in 2013.

“Throughout my musical career I have been lucky enough to come across wonderful people but also difficult and unexpected situations that did not allow me to maximize my potential and stop believing,” said Belinda in an Instagram post. “I stopped believing in the industry and companies. Today, years later, I decided to believe again. Believing in myself, in my music, in my career and in a wonderful team, which at a time very different from the one I had to live in the past, is fully committed. Thank you for believing.”

Belinda will soon unveil her new music projects under the signing.

Camila Cabello & Camilo Release Music Video for Their Bachata Track “Ambulancia”

Posted on January 24, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Camila Cabello is calling an ambulance…

The 25-year-old Cuban & Mexican singer/songwriter has teamed up with Camilo to release the official music video for their first collaborative effort “Ambulancia.”

Directed by Camilo’s wife and singer/actress Evaluna Montaner, the VHS-inspired clip finds Camilo and Cabello riding on top of an ambulance, where they are sitting on a mattress filled with sunflowers.

In the background, a green screen shows trippy visuals such as the starry galaxy, a busy highway and crashing ocean waves, to name a few.

The clip comes more than four months after the single dropped September 6, part of Camilo’s De Adentro Pa Afuera album, which debuted at No. 8 on the Latin Pop Albums chart dated September 17.

“I love the song so much,” Cabello told Camilo during an Instagram Live chat Tuesday afternoon. “I’ve always wanted to do a song with you. Being on set with you, Evaluna, and Indi (the couple’s baby), and then performing it live together in Los Angeles, for me, was a dream come true.”

The Colombian artist agreed: “I wanted to thank you for opening the door of your heart to do music together and also your fans for allowing me to be a part of their playlist.”

“Ambulancia” is a flirty slow-tempo bachata track that narrates the story of a connection that cannot be explained, the one that is pure magic and magnetic.

Moreover, it perfectly combines Camilo’s melodic vocals with Camila’s raspy voice. “I had turned off my heart, but when he saw you alone, he decided to turn back on,” she sings in a verse.

Danna Paola Signs Exclusive Publishing Deal with Warner Chappell Music Mexico

Posted on December 3, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Danna Paola has locked in a new partner…

The 27-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter, actress and model has signed an exclusive go-forward and full catalog publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Mexico.

“I’ve been waiting for a music partner like this for a while now and couldn’t be happier,” the “XT4S1S” singer said in a statement. “As a songwriter, I’m glad to be part of a company that supports and respects their artists’ creativity, and I’m pretty sure we’re going to create magic together!”

Since releasing her album K.O. in 2021 — which peaked at No. 9 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums chart dated Jan. 30, 2021 — she has released a handful of singles including her latest “XT4S1S,” a euphoric and liberating track.

Her 2020 project, SIE7E+, also entered the charts. It peaked at No. 16 on that same tally.

About the deal, Carlos Ruíz, Warner Chappell Music Mexico managing director, added: “Danna is an artist in every sense of the word. Her talent, professionalism, and dedication are the basis of her solid career and why she has become an icon of her generation — not only in Mexico but in many parts of the world. She provokes a unique connection with her fans through her music, and we are delighted that she has entrusted us to accompany her in all the successes that are to come.”

With more than 10 million listeners on Spotify and collaborations with artists like Sebastián Yatra, David Bisbal, Mau y Ricky, among others, Paola — who also starred in Netflix’s popular series Élite — is currently on the XT4S1S Tour in Mexico.

Camilo Earns First No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with Grupo Firme Collab “Alaska”

Posted on November 11, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s another first for Camilo…

The 28-year-old Colombian Latin Grammy-winning singer has landed his first No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart as “Alaska,” his single with Grupo Firme, rises from the No. 4 slot to rule the November 12-dated list.

“Alaska” received its official release through Hecho A Mano/Sony Music Latin on August 18. It’s the sixth single from Camilo’s third studio album, De Adentro Pa’ Fuera, which reached a No. 6 high on Latin Pop Albums (September 24).

“Alaska” reaches the No. 1 slot, after a second week in the top 10 (No. 4 high, November 5-dated ranking) and in its eighth week on the chart boosted by a 25% increase in audience impressions, to 7.1 million, earned in the U.S. in the week ending Nov. 6, according to Luminate.

The regional Mexican tune, which was co-written and co-produced by Camilo alongside Edgar Barrera, dispatches Duelo’s “24 Siete” after it’s one-week command.

With seven No. 1s on its career history, Grupo Firme ties with Christian Nodal and Banda MS for the third-most champs this decade, trailing Calibre 50’s eight leaders. Since the chart launched in 1994, Calibre 50 continues at the helm with 22 No. 1’s.

“Alaska” becomes the first team-up by a regional Mexican group with a core Latin pop act to lead Regional Mexican Airplay since Natalia Lafourcade ruled for three weeks through her featured role in Los Angeles Azules’ “Nunca Es Suficiente” in 2019.

Meanwhile, “Alaska” earns Grupo Firme its fourth No. 1 in 2022, including “Cada Quien,” with Maluma, which topped the chart for two weeks in February

“Alaska” advances 11-7 on the overall Latin Airplay ranking, earning Camilo his 11th top 10 while Grupo Firme adds a sixth top 10 to its scoreboard.

Selena Quintanilla’s “Moonchild Mixes” Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums Chart

Posted on September 8, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Quintanilla has another No. 1 album to her credit…

Moonchild Mixes, the new posthumous album by the late Mexican American singer, known as la Reina de la Musica Tejana, has debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums chart dated September 10.

It also debuts at No. 2 on the Regional Mexican Albums chart and No. 8 on the all-Latin-encompassing Top Latin Albums chart with 5,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the August 26-September 1 tracking week, according to Luminate.

The album earns the late icon her seventh No. 1 on Latin Pop Albums, tying Shakira and Thalia for the most among women.

The album also helps Selena extend her record for the most total weeks spent atop the chart. All seven of her No. 1 albums have spent a combined 173 weeks at No. 1 — Enrique Iglesias trails with the second-most, at 130 weeks.

The set also earns Selena her 18th top 10 on Regional Mexican Albums, the third-most among soloists after Vicente Fernandez (49) and Joan Sebastian (31).

On Top Latin Albums, the LP earns Selena her 16th top 10 album, extending her record for the most among women. Marco Antonio Solis and Vicente Fernandez lead all acts with 25 top 10 albums apiece.

Moonchild Mixes includes 10 previously unreleased songs by the superstar, who died in 1995 at age 23. She recorded the tracks between the ages of 13 and 16. In a recent interview with Billboard, her father Abraham Quintanilla Jr. said releasing the album is a way to keep her memory and legacy alive.

“We as a family had discussed this amongst ourselves that in the future, after Selena’s passing, we were going to maintain her presence through her music and we’ve done that for 27 years. I’m more than sure that the fans are going to love it because if you listen to it, it’ll move you emotionally and take you back to as if Selena was recording it this morning.”

Kali Uchis’ “Sin Miedo (Del Amor y Otros Demonios)” Returns to No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums Chart

Posted on June 29, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Kali Uchis is back on top…

More than a year after scoring her first No. 1 on a Billboard albums chart with her first Spanish-language set Sin Miedo (Del Amor y Otros Demonios), the 27-year-old Colombian American singer’s album returns to No. 1 on the Latin Pop Albums chart.

The album concurrently debuts in the top 10 on the Vinyl Albums chart.

Sin Miedo was issued on clear vinyl for Record Store Day’s June 18 drop via EMI/Interscope/IGA, which prompts the album’s 6-1 jump on Latin Pop Albums with 9,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending June 23, up 201%.

Of that unit total, album sales comprise 6,000 (up 6,857%), with nearly all of that figure in vinyl sales. Concurrently, the album debuts at No. 9 on the Vinyl Albums chart.

It’s Uchis’ second top 10 on Vinyl Albums. She captured her first entry — and first top 10 — with the English-language effort Isolation (No. 10 high, 2018).

Notably, Sin Miedo becomes the sixth Spanish-language album to secure a spot in the top 10 on the 25-deep tally Vinyl Albums tally since its inception in 2011.

Here’s the leaderboard:

Title, Artist, Peak Position, Peak Date
Ones, Selena, No. 1, July 8, 2020
Anniversary Trilogy, Bad Bunny, No. 1, Jan. 15, 2022
Buena Vista Social Club, Buena Vista Social Club, No. 10, Oct. 16, 2021 (debut)
El Último Tour del Mundo, Bad Bunny, No. 4, April 2022 (debut)
Motomami, Rosalía, No. 7, May 28, 2022 (debut)
Sin Miedo (Del Amor y Otros Demonios), Kali Uchis, No. 9, July 2, 2022

In addition, one more Spanish-language album has reached the Vinyl Albums chart (but didn’t hit the top 10) — Bad Bunny’s X 100PRE (No. 19 peak on March 20, 2021).

On Latin Pop Albums, Sin Miedo returns to No. 1 for the first time since the October 16, 2021-dated chart. In total, the set has spent 10 nonconsecutive weeks atop the list.

Out of its 9,000-unit sum, 6,000 stem from album sales (effectively all in vinyl sales). Streaming makes up most of the remaining sum, with 3,000 from that sector, equal to 4.1 million on-demand official streams for the album’s songs.

The album also rejoins the top 10 on Top Latin Albums, flying 30-4. It returns to the top 10 for the first time since the chart dated October 16, 2021, when it ranked at No. 7. Sin Miedo peaked at No. 3 for four nonconsecutive weeks that year — its highest ranking in its 84-week charting history (and counting). As in Latin Pop Albums, the set takes home the Greatest Gainer honors there.

Over on the all-genre Billboard 200, Sin Miedo re-enters at No. 122, its highest ranking in over a year.

Becky G to Perform at MLB’s All-Star Saturday Extra Innings Concert

Posted on June 11, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Becky G is getting into the game…

The 25-year-old Mexican American bilingual singer, rapper and actress will perform at Major League Baseball’s MGM Rewards All-Star Saturday Extra Innings concert.

Becky G’s freshly released album Esquemas, the follow-up to her debut set Mala Santa, scored the artist her first No. 1 — and first entry — on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums. It concurrently debuted at No. 5 on Top Latin Albums.

Becky G has won the American Music Award for Favorite Latin Female Artist two years in a row (2020 and 2021) and the E! People’s Choice Award for The Latin Artist of 2020.

Additionally, MLB revealed the rest of their star-studded lineup of events for its first-ever All-Star Saturday during All-Star Week at Los Angeles’s Dodger Stadium, including the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game and the 2022 MGM Rewards All-Star Celebrity Softball Game.

The All-Star Saturday Extra Innings concert, All-Star Futures Game and the All-Star Celebrity Softball Game are all included with the purchase of an All-Star Saturday ticket, which are now available to purchase at AllStarGame.com.

Ticket prices currently range from $25 to $140. Gates at Dodger Stadium open at 2 p.m. on July 16 with the first 10,000 fans to receive a special All-Star souvenir giveaway.

Christina Aguilera Releases New Spanish EP “La Tormenta”

Posted on May 31, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Christina Aguilera is embracing the torment…

The 41-year-old half-Ecuadorian American Grammy-winning singer has released her new EP La Tormenta.

Aguilera has postponed the release of the five-track production, which includes her highly anticipated collaboration with Tini, “Sueltame,” following the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

The follow-up to Aguilera’s six-track EP La Fuerza, released in January, the new EP is home to tracks that not only continue to showcase Xtina’s powerful vocals singing in Spanish, but also her experimental ability to tap into reggaeton and other Latin rhythmic melodies while maintaining her pop essence.

“Sueltame” marks the EP’s focus single alongside Argentine pop star, Tini, a sultry tango-meets-urban collaboration where the lady takes matters into her own hands.

“If you want to kiss me, kiss me/ If you want to touch me, touch me/ But this only lasts until the morning/ If you want me to come back, let me go,” goes part of the lyrics.

The release of La Tormenta was postponed to respect those who lost their lives in the senseless mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

“I will be postponing the release of my new music as we mourn with the community of Uvalde,” Aguilera wrote via her Instagram Story on Thursday, May 26. “My heart breaks for the families and loved ones of the children and educators affected by this tragedy. I urge our leaders to make immediate changes on laws around gun control.”

Both La Tormenta and La Fuerza mark Xtina’s first Spanish effort in more than 20 years since Mi Reflejo, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart in 2000.

With La Fuerza, Aguilera returned to Billboard’s Latin album charts with its No. 1 debut on the Latin Pop Albums chart dated February 5.

Rosalía Announces 15-Country Motomami World Tour

Posted on April 18, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Rosalía is ready to get her moto runnin’…

The 28-year-old Latin Grammy-winning Spanish singer/songwriter has announced the dates for her first-ever global tour.

Named after her third studio album, Motomami, Rosalia will visit fans on a tour across 15 countries and has already confirmed 46 shows set to kick off July 6 at Recinto Ferial de Almeria in Almería, Spain.

The Spanish powerhouse will make pit stops in Barcelona, Mexico City, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, London, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Amsterdam and Toronto, to name a few, before ending her tour on December 18 at the Accor Arena in Paris, France.

During her Motomami world trek, presented by Live Nation, Rosalía will not only perform songs from her new album but also from her 2018 Latin Grammy-winning album, El Mal Querer, and other hits.

Motomami marks the artist’s first album in four years, and hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums chart on the April 2 chart, debuting with the largest week of 2022 for a Latin pop album and the best opening week among all album debuts so far.

Tickets for the Motomami Tour begin at 10 a.m. (local time) on Friday, April 22 via rosalia.com.

Here are the complete dates and venues:

ROSALÍA – MOTOMAMI WORLD TOUR 2022 DATES:
Wed Jul 06 – Almería, Spain – Recinto Ferial de Almeria
Sat Jul 9 – Sevilla, Spain – Estadio La Cartuja
Tue Jul 12 – Granada, Spain – Plaza de Toros
Thu Jul 14 – Malaga, Spain – Marenostrum
Sat Jul 16 – Valencia, Spain – Auditorio Marina Sur
Tue Jul 19 – Madrid, Spain – WiZink Center
Wed Jul 20 – Madrid, Spain – WiZink Center
Sat Jul 23 – Barcelona, Spain – Palau Sant Jordi
Sun Jul 24 – Barcelona, Spain – Palau Sant Jordi
Wed Jul 27 – Bilbao, Spain – Bilbao Exhibition Centre BEC
Fri Jul 29 – A Coruña, Spain – The Coliseo
Mon Aug 1 – Palma, Spain – Son Fusteret
Sun Aug 14 – Mexico City, Mexico – Auditorio Nacional
Wed Aug 17 – Guadalajara, Mexico – Auditorio Telemex
Fri Aug 19 – Monterrey, Mexico – Auditorio CitiBanamex
Mon Aug 22 – Sao Paulo, Brazil – Tokio Marine Hall
Thu Aug 25 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Arena Movistar
Sun Aug 28 – Santiago, Chile – Movistar Arena
Wed Aug 31 – Bogota, Colombia – Movistar Arena
Sat Sep 3 – La Romana, Dominican Republic – Altos De Chavon Amphitheater
Fri Sep 9 – San Juan, Puerto Rico – The Coliseo
Thu Sep 15 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Sun Sep 18 – New York, New York – Radio City Music Hall
Mon Sep 19 – New York, New York – Radio City Music Hall
Fri Sep 23 – Toronto, Canada – Budweiser Stage
Mon Sep 26 – Washington, D.C. – The Anthem
Wed Sep 28 – Chicago, Illinois – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
Sun Oct 2 – San Diego, California – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
Tue Oct 4 – San Francisco, California – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
Fri Oct 7 – Inglewood, California – YouTube Theater
Sat Oct 8 – Inglewood, California – YouTube Theater
Wed Oct 12 – Houston, Texas – 713 Music Hall
Fri Oct 14 – Irving, Texas – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Mon Oct 17 – Atlanta, Georgia – Coca-Cola Roxy
Sat Oct 22 – Miami, FL – iii Points Festival
Fri Nov 25 – Porto, Portugal – Altice Forum Braga
Sun Nov 27 – Lisbon, Portugal – Altice Arena
Thu Dec 1 – Milan, Italy – Mediolanum Forum
Sun Dec 4 – Berlin, Germany – Velodrom
Wed Dec 7 – Dusseldorf, Germany – Mitsubishi Electric Hall
Sat Dec 10 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – AFAS Live
Mon Dec 12 – Brussels, Belgium – Forest National
Thu Dec 15 – London, United Kingdom – The O2
Sun Dec 18 – Paris, France – AccorHotels Arena

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