Arcangel to Perform on This Year’s Latin American Music Awards Show

Posted on April 18, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Arcangel is preparing to take to the Latin AMAs stage…

The 38-year-old Dominican American rapper and singer has been added to the performers list for the ninth annual Latin American Music Awards.

Arcangel appears on the roster of recently added performers that includes Jennifer Nettles, KY-Mani Marley, Mora, Noel Schajris, Sech, Silvestre Dangond and Wisin.

The gala will take place on April 25 live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Actors Danny Pino and Michael Mando in addition to superstars Christian Chávez, Eslabon Armado, Joss Favela and Kali Uchis are all set to present awards.

DJ Steve Aoki and Victoria Justice will also make appearances.

This long list of talent joins previously announced performers: Peso Pluma, Farukko, Jay Wheeler, Justin Quiles, DJ Deorro, Yng Lvcas, Gabito Ballesteros, Marc Anthony, Carin León, Chino Pacas, Lenny Tavárez, Milo Beat, Nacho, Sergio George, Venesti and Zhamira Zambrano.

Anthony is set to premiere his new single “Ale Ale,” from his upcoming album Muevense, which is set to be released on April 26. He has won two Latin AMAs, and this year is nominated for best tropical artist and best tropical collaboration for “La Fórmula” with Maluma.

“I am really excited to have the opportunity of presenting the global premiere of my new song ‘Ale, Ale’ on live television at this year’s Latin American Music Awards, and on that same evening release my new studio album Muevense,” said Anthony in a statement. “The Latin AMAs stage has seen many of my firsts and I am ready to introduce this one to audiences everywhere.”

Mexican music’s big year will be well represented at the awards show this year with appearances by bubbling acts including León, Pacas, Ballesteros and Peso, who returns to the Latin AMA stage after making his TV debut there last year.

Peso, along with reggaeton star Feid, is the most nominated artist of the night with 12 recognitions, including nods in coveted categories like artist of the year, new artist of the year, song of the year, album of the year, and collaboration of the year, among others.

Behind Peso and Feid, Bad Bunny and Grupo Frontera lead the nominations list with 11 each. Karol G and Shakira each tout nine nominations, and Eslabon Armado and Fuerza Regida have eight.

There are 27 categories, with a total of 76 nominees that span all musical genres including pop, urban, música Mexicana and tropical.

The awards show will be hosted by Latin pop phenom Thalia, along with presenter Alejandra Espinoza, and singer-songwriter and television personality Carlos Ponce.

The show will broadcast live from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Lex Borrero Partners with Tommy Mottola to Acquire Arro Media, Now to Be Called AM16

Posted on June 28, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Lex Borrero is expanding his entertainment empire…

The Latino music executive and entrepreneur, the co-founder/CEO of Neon 16, has teamed up with Ntertain chairman Tommy Mottola to acquire Arro Media, a music marketing and social media agency that boasts a roster of clients like Adidas, Red Bull, the NFL, Xbox, Bacardi, The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation and more.

Founded by Cristina Arcay, the company will be rebranded as AM16.

“We have built a growing agency that will redefine how brands connect their marketing and advertising to the Latin culture because we live it day in and day out,” said Borrero and Mottola in a press release. “Our team has a finger on the pulse of trends, uniquely positioned to spot them before they happen, across music, television and film. Today’s announcement further differentiates our capabilities from competitors and will bring an even more comprehensive offering to our clients and partners.”

AM16 will find the intersection among music, entertainment and culture. Together, it will bring Arro’s capabilities with Neon16’s “innovative approach to cultural storytelling and experiential activations,” they said. The merger will include brand strategy and partnerships, product development, content production, music marketing, social media management, digital marketing, public relations, creative design services and experiential events.

“Launching AM16 agency represents an exhilarating new chapter in my career and the future of Arro,” said Arcay, who is appointed as co-president. “As a Latina entrepreneur, being able to lead and learn alongside our new partners represents a huge opportunity to reshape the industry by championing diversity, elevating ideas and fostering cultural movements that resonate with audiences worldwide.”

Chief marketing officer/co-president Gerry Rojas added, “I feel empowered and excited to be working in a Latino-owned agency where we’re reimagining how brands and artists tell their stories authentically, while raising the Latin cultural currency and creating a true, positive impact rooted in music and culture.”

Neon16 works with A-listers such as Tainy, Thalia, Juan Luis Guerra and Danna Paola.

Earlier this year, the company also played a key role in the Netflix Original series La Firma — a Latin music competition that sought to sign the next big Latin music star, featuring Borrero, Tainy, Rauw Alejandro and Nicki Nicole.

Borrero and Mottola also executive-produced Thalia’s music docuseries, Thalia’s Mixtape, via Ntertain on Paramount+.

Maria Becerra to Receive Visionary Award at Billboard Latin Women in Music Gala

Posted on April 26, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Maria Becerra is a vision(ary)…

The 23-year-old Argentine singer and former YouTuber will be honored with the Visionary Award at the inaugural Billboard Latin Women in Music gala.

Becerra will be recognized along with Thalia, Ana Gabriel, Evaluna and Goyo at the two-hour special event taking place at the Watsco Center in Miami on May 6, and airing on Telemundo and Universo on May 7.

The same evening, Shakira will be honored as Latin Woman of the Year.

Becerra, a pop/urban artist who began here career on YouTube in her teens and was nominated for a best new artist Latin Grammy in 2021, has had three entries on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, including her hit “Qué más pues?” alongside J Balvin, as well as two top 10 hits on Latin Airplay (“Te espero” with Prince Royce, which reached No. 1; and “Extasis” with Manuel Turizo at No. 9).

She’s also placed five tracks on Latin Rhythm Airplay, including three on the top 10 (“Suelta” with Dímelo Flow, Farruko, Rauw Alejandro, Mr. Vegas and Fatman Sccop; “Berlin” with Zion & Lennox; and “Extasis”).

“Maria Becerra is receiving the Visionary award for developing a sound and aesthetic that are intensely personal, are all her own, and cross genres and styles,” says Leila Cobo, Billboard’s chief content officer for Latin and Español. “Maria is a visionary who has defied convention with extraordinary quality and distinctiveness. We are proud to honor this rising star with an immense future.”

As announced previously, Mexican icon Ana Gabriel will be honored as Living Legend; urban pop Argentine star Emilia will receive the Rising Star award; singer, actress and director Evaluna will receive the Tradition and Future award; Colombian rapper and singer Goyo will be honored as Agent of Change; and Mexican superstar Thalia will receive the Global Powerhouse award.

Another icon, Ivy Queen, will host the event alongside actress and host Jacky Bracamontes.

Billboard’s inaugural Latin Women In Music celebrates artists, executives and Latin creatives who are working proactively to generate positive change, inclusion and gender parity in the music industry.

Tickets are on sale and can be purchased here.

Shakira to Be Honored as Billboard’s ‘Woman of the Year’ at First-Ever Mujeres Latinas en la Música Gala

Posted on April 24, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

t’s a career-recognizing first for Shakira…

The 46-year-old Colombian global superstar will be honored as Billboard’s Woman of the Year at the first-ever Mujeres Latinas en la Música gala.

The two-hour music special, hosted by Ivy Queen and Jacqueline Bracamontes and honoring Latin women in music, will be taped at the Watsco Center in Miami on May 6 and will air exclusively on Telemundo on May 7 at 9:00 pm ET/8:00 pm CT.

A first of its kind for Latin music, Mujeres Latinas en la Música celebrates Latin female artists, executives and creatives who are proactively working for positive change, inclusion and gender parity in the music industry.

Superstars Ana Gabriel, Emilia, Evaluna, Goyo and Thalia will also receive special awards at the inaugural event presented by Billboard with Telemundo.

Shakira’s honor comes in the wake of an extraordinary year that has seen the superstar break records with the biggest Spanish-language debut of 2022 (“Monotonía” featuring Ozuna). Then, in January 2023, her “Shakira: BZRP Music Sessions #53” debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making her the first woman to reach the top 10 on the chart with a song in Spanish.

“Shakira: BZRP Music Sessions #53” also made history as the most-streamed Latin track in 24 hours in Spotify history and the most-viewed Latin track on YouTube in 24 hours with over 63 million views, and it broke 14 Guinness World Records.

“Shakira is the ultimate Woman in Music. Thanks to her, Latin women all over the world have been empowered to write and perform deeply personal music. She created a movement all on her own, and continues to be more relevant than ever today, with grace, a deep tradition of giving back, and enormous talent. She is the definition of a Woman in Music,” said Leila Cobo, Billboard’s chief content officer for Latin/Español.

“Shakira has been pivotal in shaping the vibrant and diverse landscape of Latin music and music in general throughout her career. Her passion, talent and creativity have broken barriers and empowered generations to embrace our identity through music, and we are incredibly proud to recognize her as Woman of the Year in the industry,” said Ronald Day, president of entertainment and content strategy for Telemundo.

Shakira has sold more than 95 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time and the top-selling female Latin artist of all time. Her global success as a crossover artist opened doors for other Latin artists to enter international markets. She is the most-viewed Latin female artist, and one of the top 10 artists overall of all time on YouTube with over 20 billion cumulative views, and the most-streamed female Latin artist of all time on Spotify.

Aside from her stellar industry accolades, at the age of 18, Shakira created the Pies Descalzos Foundation, which has built and adapted nine public schools in Cartagena, Barranquilla, Guajira and Quibdó, with six in construction. The foundation has raised over 40 million dollars since inception and impacted more than 150,000 children and nearly 900,000 families.

Thalia to Be Honored at Inaugural Latin Women in Music Event

Posted on April 6, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Thalia is feelin’ the love…

The 51-year-old Mexican singer and actress will be among the honorees at the first-ever Latin Women in Music, or Mujeres Latinas En La Música in Spanish.

In addition to the “Amor a la Mexicana” singer, the event will honor Thalia, Ana Gabriel, Natti Natasha, Evaluna, Goyo and Emilia Mernes, Billboard and Telemundo have announced.

The inaugural event will take place May 6 at the Watsco Center in Miami and is set to be co-hosted by reggaeton queen Ivy Queen — who received this year’s Icon Award at Billboard‘s 2023 Women in Music — and television personality Jacqueline Bracamontes.

The two-hour music special, which will air May 7 on Telemundo, will celebrate Latin women artists, executives and creatives who are proactively working for positive change, inclusion and gender parity in the music industry.

“Our Latin Women In Music gala is a bold and inspiring event. Our honorees come from vastly diverse places, generations, styles, genres and philosophies, but all have excellence, commitment and unique and uncompromising artistry and points of view,” said Leila Cobo, Billboard’s chief content officer for Latin/Español. “In this landmark year for Latin music, we are so proud to launch our newest tentpole, where we will celebrate outstanding, powerful, leading women yearly.”

Ana Gabriel will receive the Leyenda Viviente Award. With more than two-dozen albums, the Mexican singer-songwriter has serenaded fans for nearly five decades with cross-genre chart toppers, including 20 top 10 hits and 6 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart.

The awards for the other honorees will be announced soon.

“We are proud to recognize this group of powerful artists who have redefined the role of Latin women across genres and around the world,” added Ronald Day, president of entertainment and content strategy for Telemundo. “Music is more than a beat for the Latino community, it is a reflection of our identity. With this event, we aim to continue offering our audience the opportunity to celebrate our culture and come together through the music that unites us all.”

The show — which according to both companies will “embody Latin culture featuring powerhouse performances, impactful historic moments, and can’t-miss surprises” — will also be on the Telemundo app and available to stream on Peacock.

The inaugural Latin Women in Music event was announced earlier this year as an expansion of Billboard’s Women in Music franchise. It aims to celebrate the women who have made a concrete impact on Latin music through their artistic achievements, or through tangible, noteworthy actions that have brought measurable recognition and opportunity to women, effecting positive change to the industry as a whole.

Additional information about Billboard Mujeres Latinas en la Música, including the first-ever Latin Woman of the Year honoree, musical performances, presenters and more, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets to attend Billboard Mujeres Latinas en la Música live at the Watsco Center can be purchased at BillboardMujeresEnLaMusica.com.

Julio Reyes Copello Signs Multiyear Worldwide Deal with Sony Music Publishing

Posted on March 16, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Julio Reyes Copello has a new worldwide deal…

The 53-year-old Colombian producer, songwriter and record engineer has inked a multiyear worldwide deal with Sony Music Publishing.

“I am thrilled to be starting this new phase of my creative life as part of the great Sony Music Publishing family,” says Copello, who won producer of the year honors at the 2022 Latin Grammys. “I am very grateful for the belief, respect and enthusiasm that [Sony Music Publishing president/CEO for Latin America & U.S. Latin] Jorge Mejia and his team have shown, which will be essential in order to find new outlets and homes for my music.”

“I have known and admired Julio for many years,” adds Mejia. “He is widely respected as a musician’s musician, with a deft touch at the piano and a sensitivity as a producer and songwriter, that makes all manner of artists and writers feel right at home whenever they work with him. It is a dream come true, therefore, to finally be able to work directly with Julio, as well as the artists and songwriters he’s developing. I can’t wait for what comes next.”

Reyes is currently working on upcoming releases with Spanish pop star Pablo Alborán, Marc Anthony, Alejandro Sanz, among many others.

The four-time Grammy and seven-time Latin Grammy winner is widely considered one of Latin pop’s most important songwriters, producers and musicians.

Since launching his career in 2001, the Cúcuta alchemist has also penned hits for the likes of superstars Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Thalía, Chayanne, Laura Pausini, Kany García and more.

In total, he has earned 48 Grammy and Latin Grammy nominations; he also has more than 10 ASCAP awards under his belt.

Aside from his songwriting career, Reyes founded Art House Records, a talent incubator where he continues to discover and develop emerging artists, which includes Joaquina, Riza, Ela Taubert and more.

Additionally, he partnered with Abbey Road Institute — the first U.S. music production school, and an extension of the music production education program held at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London.

Together, both parties established the Art House Academy & Abbey Road Institute Miami, where they specialize in music performance, music production and sound engineering to develop and educate “the next generation of singer/songwriters, music producers and sound engineers.”

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.”

Natti Natasha & Becky G Return to No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with Latest Team-Up “Ram Pam Pam”

Posted on July 15, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Natti Natasha and Becky G are back in top form…

The 34-year-old Dominican singer and the 24-year-old Mexican American singer have returned to Billboard’s Latin Airplay summit with their collaborative single “Ram Pam Pam.” The track hits No. 1 on the July 17-dated chart.

The pair previously appeared atop the tally when “Sin Pijama,” their first team-up, ruled for one week in August 2018.

Becky G last appeared atop the tally with “Sin Pijama,” while Natti Natasha was last at No. 1 in April with “Antes Que Salga El Sol,” with Prince Royce.

It’s the third No. 1 for Becky G on Latin Airplay, and the eighth for Natti Natasha on the 50-deep tally.

“Ram Pam Pam” takes the lead (6-1) with a 48% gain in audience impressions, to 9.6 million, earned in the week ending July 11, according to MRC Data. As Natti establishes her eighth chart-topper, she continues to have the fifth-most No. 1s among female artists since the chart launched in 1994.

Here’s a recap of female acts with the most Latin Airplay No. 1s:

15, Shakira
11, Gloria Estefan
11, Karol G
10, Jennifer Lopez
8, Natti Natasha
5, Paulina Rubio
5, Thalia

“Ram Pam Pam” becomes the second female pairing to lead Latin Airplay in 2021, after Karol G and Mariah Angeliq’s “El Makinon” reigned for one week on the June 5-dated list. The new collaboration is just the fourth joint effort by two women in a lead role to hit No. 1 since the chart’s inception.

Here are the four winners:

Artists, Title, Peak Date
Becky G & Natti Natasha, “Sin Pijama”, August 11, 2018
Karol G & Nicki Minaj, “Tusa,” Feb. 15, 2020 (five weeks)
Karol G & Mariah Angeliq, “El Makinon,” June 5
Natti Natasha & Becky G, “Ram Pam Pam,” July 17

Beyond its Latin Airplay coronation, “Ram Pam Pam” also lands at No. 1 on Latin Rhythm Airplay: a seventh win for Natti and a fourth lead for Becky.

Thalia Releases Sexy Music Video for New Track “Mojito”

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Thalia is getting her drink on…

The 49-year-old Mexican singer, businesswoman and former actress has taken to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to officially release the music video for her latest single “Mojito.”

As the special guest on Wednesday night, Thalia talked about her upcoming studio album, fame on TikTok and more before premiering the clip for her new track.

“It’s super sexy. It has real music with guitar and bongos,” she said. “It’s the perfect summer song because it’s refreshing.”

“Mojito” is part of Thalia’s upcoming studio album, desAMORfosis, a play on words for heartbreak, love, and morphosis.

“Love is an adventure and this is a very honest album,” she said, expressing that she really opened up on this set for the first time. “It’s like going to therapy and it was amazing.”

Beatriz Luengo’s “Havana Street Party Presents” Concert Special Streaming on HBO Max

Posted on February 15, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Beatriz Luengo has bared it all…

The 38-year-old Spanish singer, songwriter and actress appeared in an intimate concert special filmed in Havana, Cuba, that premiered on HBO Latino on Friday, February 12.

The second installment of the HBO concert series “Havana Street Party Presents” — filmed before the global pandemic — not only includes live performances of Luengo’s Cuerpo y Alma album, but also taps into personal stories and empowering anecdotes as told by Luengo.

“Prior to the tour that was expected to start in 2020, I started making this documentary as a way to show my fans what my show would be like and as a presentation for those who don’t know me,” Luengo tells Billboard.

Of her 2018 album, she explains “cuerpo” are the songs she composes on top of beats, for artists like Daddy Yankee, Ozuna, Wisin, Yandel. “Alma” are the songs she pens for organic instruments, for artists like Reik, Thalia, Ha*Ash, Alejandra Guzman, and Ricky Martin.

“This concert is an opportunity to show how a woman has managed to become a songwriter in such a difficult industry,” she says.

Filmed at the doors of an ancient castle in Habana for a select group of local fans, Luengo’s special guests include Manuel Medrano, Farina, Blas Cantó, and Orishas. She’s accompanied by a gospel choir, string quintet, and live DJ throughout the show.

For Luengo, it was important to bring her concept to life, fusing melancholy with modernity, the past with the future.

“We created a very special ambiance,” she says. “I feel that it is a way of projecting and giving hope, showing the Cuban youth all the advanced technology, such as mapping. The entire production has a very strong message for me. Cuba deserves the best.”

Meanwhile, Luengo is making the rounds with the Yotuel and Omar Montes-assisted “Rebelde,” which has become a viral sensation on TikTok with its vogue-meets-flamenco dance. “It exploded!” she expresses. “The TikTok videos are giving me life, all the outfits, and concepts. I love to see how your music can generate a person’s creativity or simply have fun.”

“Havana Street Party presents Beatriz Luengo” is currently streaming on HBO Max.

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