Sanz Honored for Taking a Stand Against Violence Against Women

Alejandro Sanz is fighting #PorEllas…

The 47-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter received a plaque recognizing him as a distinguished visitor to Asuncion, Paraguay in token of his public stand in opposition to violence against women, according to city councilors.

Alejandro Sanz

Councilman Buye Buongermini presented the award to Sanz on Sunday, moments before he took the stage for a concert at Asuncion’s Manuel Ferreira Stadium.

The plaque was in honor of Sanz’s gesture during a recent concert in Mexico, where he left the stage to defend a woman being harassed by a man in the crowd.

Accepting the award, Sanz joined the #PorEllas campaign, launched by Paraguayan lawmakers with the aim of protecting women against all forms of violence.

Sanz affirmed his commitment to #PorEllas during a ceremony in which Paraguayan rock artist Andrea Valobra participated.

Valobra was the composer of the musical theme of the campaign.

Around 300,000 Paraguayan women have suffered some form of violence, according to the city council.

J Balvin’s ‘Ginza’ Makes History on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs Chart

J Balvin makes Billboard chart history…

The 30-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer spends a 21st consecutive week at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart with “Ginza.”

J Balvin

With its latest frame at the top of the charts, the song makes history as the longest-leading No. 1 by a single act, unaccompanied by another.

“It’s amazing how dreams are limitless, and how discipline, along with good music, can bring you to live the unimaginable,” said Balvin in an interview with Billboard.

“Ginza” passes three other 20-week No. 1s by acts unaccompanied by other artists: Flex‘s “Te Quiero” (2008), Juanes‘ “Me Enamora” (2007-08) and Son by Four‘s “A Puro Dolor” (2000).

Overall, “Ginza” is the fourth-longest-leading No. 1 in Hot Latin Songs history (which dates to 1986) but rules as the only non-collaborative track to spend as many as 21 weeks atop the tally (which shifted from solely airplay audience measurement to a blend of airplay, sales, and streaming in October 2012). Enrique Iglesias leads with 41 weeks at No. 1 with “Bailando,” featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona (2014-15), followed by Nicky Jam and Iglesias’ “El Perdon” (31 weeks, 2015) and Shakira‘s “La Tortura,” featuring Alejandro Sanz (25 weeks, 2005).

Sustained streaming has helped to keep “Ginza” atop Hot Latin Songs, with 1.9 million U.S. streams logged in the week ending Feb. 18, according to Nielsen Music (an 8 percent hike), lifting it to No. 1 on Latin Streaming Songs for the first time. YouTube and Vevo on YouTube views account for 58 percent of overall clicks, including views stemming from the official music video (which has amassed more than 420 million worldwide streams since its July 2015 premiere). At its height, “Ginza” was streamed 2.4 million times in the U.S. during a single tracking week (reflected in the Oct. 31, 2015 chart week).

The reign of “Ginza” is also propelled by continued airplay on Latin stations, as it steps 3-2 on Latin Airplay with 12 million audience impressions in the tracking week. It previously dominated for 12 weeks on the airplay chart, peaking in September. Meanwhile, downloads of the song are up 14 percent to 3,000 downloads, earning it the No. 3 spot on Latin Digital Songs (following its No. 2 peak on the chart). The track has sold 153,000 downloads to date.

Balvin debuted the reggaeton track via a live performance on Univision‘s Premios Juventud awards show July 17, 2015, and it rose to No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs (in its 11th chart week) Oct. 17. “Ginza” is his second No. 1 on the chart, following a week atop the ranking with “Ay Vamos” earlier in the year (March 7).

Sanz’s HBO Latino Concert Special to Offer Rare Career Retrospective

Alejandro Sanz is offering fans a career retrospective as part of his HBO Latino special.

The 47-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter and musician has given the cable network exclusive access to his current Sirope Vivo tour, which is named after his 2015 studio album.

Alejandro Sanz

“I’ve put together a kind of play that narrates my career from my latest song to my earliest,” Sanz tells Billboard. “I end the show with ‘Pisando fuerte,’ a song I hadn’t performed in years, and which has lyrics I wrote as a teen.”

It’s a rare glimpse into the full arc of Sanz’s career and the first time, he says, that he’s truly provided a career retrospective, spanning over 25 years.

Now, as Sanz prepares to kick off the Latin American leg of his tour Jan. 29 in Mexico, HBO Latino will premiere the “Sirope Vivo” concert special on February 12.

Filmed live at Madrid’s Barclay Center last September, the special will also feature exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and can also be watched anytime on HBO On Demand, HBO GO and HBO NOW.

“It’s the first time I plan a show as if I were constructing a photo album,” says Sanz “I don’t know about you, but I like to look at albums from the end to the beginning.”

Jesse & Joy Notch The Duo’s Chart-Topper on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums

It’s a special first for Jesse & Joy

The Mexican pop duo, comprised of siblings Jesse Huerta and Joy Huerta, has earned its first No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums (chart dated Dec. 26).

Jesse & Joy

The announcement comes as Jesse & Joy’s,Un Besito Mas arrives at the top spot with 3,000 copies sold during the tracking week ending Dec. 10 (according to Nielsen Music).

The entry marks the fourth charted set for the Mexican siblings who first reached the tally in 2009 with Electricidad (No. 14 peak).

Meanwhile, single “Ecos de Amor,” from Besito, hops 35-32 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart in its 12th week.

When the track debuted on the Oct. 10-dated chart, it ended a 22-week run of having no female-led songs on the chart. “Ecos” peaked at No. 30 (Nov. 7).

Over on Billboard’s Latin Pop Songs, chart the pair net the highest weekly debut with the set’s second single, “No Soy Una De Esas” featuring Alejandro Sanz. The song arrives at No. 19 — the act’s best entrance to date (of 15 charted songs). “Ecos” concurrently slides 19-24 on the list.

García Leads the Latin Grammy Nominee Pack with Six Nods

It’s turning out to be a massive year for Leonel García

The Latin Recording Academy has announced its nominees for the 16th annual Latin Grammys, with the 40-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter and former member of the musical duo Sin Bandera earning six nods.

Leonel García

García, who released his album Amor Futuro last November, earned four of his nominations in the key categories, receiving two nods for Song of the Year category, one for Record of the Year, and one for Album of the Year for producing Natalia Lafourcade’s album.

Meanwhile, Mexican indie artist Lafourcade and her album Hasta La Raiz follow close-behind with five nominations.

Up for record and album of the year are Alejandro Sanz and Juan Luis Guerra, who each claimed four nominations.

Ricky Martin, Nicky Jam, Pablo Alborán, Café Quijano, Pedro Capó and Vicentico follow with three nods each

The 2015 Latin Grammys will air live on November 19th from the MGM Grand Garden Area in Las Vegas via Univision.

Here’s the complete list of nominations:

RECORD OF THE YEAR
Fiesta – Bomba Estéreo
Encanto – Miguel Bosé
Será (Vida De Hombre) – Café Quijano
La Vida Entera – Camila Featuring Marco Antonio Solís
Ella Es – Leonel García Featuring Jorge Drexler
Tus Besos – Juan Luis Guerra 4.40
Hasta La Raíz – Natalia Lafourcade
Disparo Al Corazón – Ricky Martin
Un Zombie A La Intemperie – Alejandro Sanz
Ese Camino – Julieta Venegas

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
MTV Unplugged – Pepe Aguilar
Son De Panamá – Rubén Blades Con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta
Amo – Miguel Bosé
Orígenes: El Bolero Volumen 3 – Café Quijano
Todo Tiene Su Hora – Juan Luis Guerra 4.40
Creo En Mí – Natalia Jiménez
Hasta La Raíz – Natalia Lafourcade
Caja De Música – Monsieur Periné
Sirope – Alejandro Sanz
Consentido – María Toledo

SONG OF THE YEAR
Disparo Al Corazón – Pedro Capó, Yoel Henríquez, Ricky Martin & Rafael Esparza Ruiz, songwriters (Ricky Martin)
Ese Camino – Julieta Venegas, songwriter (Julieta Venegas)
Hasta La Raíz – Leonel Garcia & Natalia Lafourcade, songwriters (Natalia Lafourcade)
Hoy Es Domingo – Beatriz Luengo, Antonio Rayo Gibo, Yotuel Romero & Diego Torres, songwriters (Diego Torres)
Por Fin – Pablo Alborán, songwriter (Pablo Alborán)
Quédate Con Ella – Claudia Brant & Natalia Jiménez, songwriters (Natalia Jiménez)¿Recuerdas? – Leonel García, songwriter (Leonel García)
Un Zombie A La Intemperie – Alejandro Sanz, songwriter (Alejandro Sanz)
Vida De Mi Vida – Gian Marco, songwriter (Gian Marco)
Vivo – Pedro Capó, songwriter (Pedro Capó)

BEST NEW ARTIST
Kaay
Iván “Melón” Lewis
Manu Manzo
Matisse
Monsieur Periné
Julieta Rada
Tulipa Ruiz
Raquel Sofía
Vázquez Sounds
Vitrola Sintética

BEST CONTEMPORARY POP VOCAL ALBUM
Terral – Pablo Alborán
Amo – Miguel Bosé
Aquila – Pedro Capó
A Quien Quiera Escuchar – Ricky Martin
Sirope – Alejandro Sanz

BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM
Astrid Asher – Astrid Asher
Orígenes: El Bolero Volumen 3 – Café Quijano
Nada Es Demasiado – Mojito Lite
Necesito Un Bolero – Gilberto Santa Rosa
Último Acto – Vicentico

BEST URBAN PERFORMANCE
A Ti Te Encanta – Alexis & Fido
Una Cita (Remix) – Alkilados Featuring J Alvarez, El Roockie y Nicky Jam
Ay Vamos – J Balvin
El Perdón – Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias
El Tiki – Maluma
Calentura – Yandel
Sígueme Y Te Sigo – Daddy Yankee

BEST URBAN MUSIC ALBUM
El Que Sabe, Sabe – Tego Calderón
Farruko Presents Los Menores – Farruko
Greatest Hits Vol 1 – Nicky Jam
The Last Don II – Don Omar
Legacy: De Lider A Leyenda Tour (Deluxe Edition) – Yandel

BEST URBAN SONG
A Ti Te Encanta – Alexis & Fido & Juan Jesús Santana, songwriters (Alexis & Fido)
Ay Vamos – J Balvin, Rene Cano, Alejandro “Mosty” Patiño & Alejandro “Sky” Ramírez, songwriters (J Balvin)
Back It Up (Spanish Version) – Ilya, Savan Kotecha, Pitbull & Prince Royce, songwriters (Prince Royce Featuring Jennifer Lopez & Pitbull)
Dando Break – Tego Calderón & Ernesto Padilla, songwriters (Tego Calderón)
Sígueme Y Te Sigo – Carlos Ortiz, Luis Ortiz & Daddy Yankee, songwriters (Daddy Yankee)

BEST ROCK ALBUM
Y/O – Charliepapa
La Venganza De Cucamonga – Cuca
B – Diamante Eléctrico
Monarca – La Gusana Ciega
El Tiempo Otra Vez Avanza – NoTeVaGustar

BEST POP/ROCK ALBUM
Habla Tu Espejo – El Cuarteto De Nos
Corazones – Mikel Erentxun
Todo Es Ahora – Manolo García
Flamboyán – Camila Luna
Cama Incendiada – Maná
Malditos Pecadores – Moderatto

BEST ROCK SONG
Astrómetra – Charliepapa, songwriters (Charliepapa)
Celebración – Daniel Aceves & JotDog, songwriters (JotDog)
Entre La Espada y La Pared – Adolfo Cabrales & Carlos Raya, songwriters (Fito & Fitipaldis)
Esclavo De Tu Amor – Cachorro López & Vicentico, songwriters (Vicentico)
Todo Va A Arder – Daniel Álvarez & Juan Galeano, songwriters (Diamante Eléctrico)

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM
Amanecer – Bomba Estéreo
Sombras De Oro – Centavrvs
Hasta La Raíz – Natalia Lafourcade
Y La Banda Sigue – Los Auténticos Decadentes
Moctezuma – Porter

BEST ALTERNATIVE SONG
Allí Estás – Famasloop, songwriters (Famasloop)
Caribbean – Andrés Nusser, songwriter (Astro)
Hasta La Raíz – Leonel García & Natalia Lafourcade, songwriters (Natalia Lafourcade)
No Llora – Roberto Musso, songwriter (El Cuarteto De Nos)
Otra Era – Javiera Mena, songwriter (Javiera Mena)

BEST SALSA ALBUM
Son De Panamá – Rubén Blades Con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta
Jukebox Primera Edición – Luis Enrique
Que Suenen Los Tambores – Víctor Manuelle
Son 45 – Ismael Miranda
Estaciones – Rey Ruiz

BEST CUMBIA/VALLENATO ALBUM
Por Siempre – Américo
Sencillamente –  Jorge Celedón & Gustavo García
Sigo Invicto – Silvestre Dangond & Lucas Dangond
Al Son De Mi Corazón – Gusi
El Camino De Mi Existencia – Ivan Villazón y Saúl Lallemand

BEST CONTEMPORARY TROPICAL ALBUM
Buen Camino – Lucas Arnau
Lloviendo Estrellas – Leslie Grace
Presente Continuo – Guaco
Todo Tiene Su Hora – Juan Luis Guerra 4.40
Johnny Sky – Johnny Sky

BEST TRADITIONAL TROPICAL ALBUM|
#SiguedeModa – Checo Acosta
Tributo A Los Compadres No Quiero Llanto – José Alberto “El Canario” & Septeto Santiaguero
Homenaje A Tito Rodríguez – Rafael “Pollo” Brito
El Alma Del Son – Tributo A Matamoros – Alain Pérez
Locos Por El Son – Sonlokos

BEST TROPICAL FUSION ALBUM
Radio Universo – Chino y Nacho
El Mismo – ChocQuibTown
Esa Morena – Daiquiri
The King Is Back – Juan Magan
El Día Que Vuelva – Jorge Villamizar

BEST TROPICAL SONG
Agua Bendita – Andrés Castro & Víctor Manuelle, songwriters (Víctor Manuelle)
Cómo Duele El Silencio – Edgar Barrera, Efraín Dávila, Guianko Gómez & Leslie Grace, songwriters (Leslie Grace)
Tú Tienes Razón (Bachata) – Gusi, songwriter (Gusi)
Tus Besos – Juan Luis Guerra, songwriter (Juan Luis Guerra 4.40)
Ya Comenzó – Alex Cuba, Luis Enrique & Fernando Osorio, songwriters (Luis Enrique)

BEST SINGER-SONGWRITER ALBUM
Equilibrio – Santiago Cruz
Healer – Alex Cuba
Amor Futuro – Leonel García
Este Instante – Marta Gómez
#Libre – Gian Marco

BEST RANCHERO ALBUM
Pa’ Que Sientas Lo Que Siento – Aida Cuevas
Acaríciame El Corazón – Pedro Fernández
Mariachi Flor De Toloache – Mariachi Flor De Toloache
Alegría Del Mariachi – Mariachi Los Arrieros Del Valle
Mexicano Hasta Las Pampas 2 – Diego Verdaguer

BEST BANDA ALBUM
El Aferrado – Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda
Mi Vicio Mas Grande – Banda El Recodo De Don Cruz Lizarraga
Dejando Huella – Banda Rancho Viejo
Alucine – El Coyote y Su Banda Tierra Santa
Ojos En Blanco – La Arrolladora Banda El Limón De René Camacho

BEST TEJANO ALBUM
Tributo Al Amor y Dolor – Alazzan
Nueva Era – La Fiebre
Dueña De Mi Amor – Los Gallitos
El Ídolo De Tejas – Rubén Ramos & The Mexican Revolution
Al Fin Completa – Elida Reyna y Avante
Sentimientos – Sólido

BEST NORTEÑO ALBUM
El Karma – Ariel Camacho y Los Plebes Del Rancho
Cruzando Territorio – La Energía Norteña
Abrázame – Pesado
Mi Vida En Vida – Remmy Valenzuela
Levantando Polvadera – Voz De Mando

BEST REGIONAL SONG
El Amor De Su Vida – Julio Bahumea, songwriter (Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda)
Me Sobrabas Tú – José Alberto Inzunza & Luciano Luna, songwriters (Banda Los Recoditos)
Para Que Nunca Llores – Raúl Jiménez E. & Chucho Rincón, songwriters (Diego Verdaguer)
Perdí La Pose – Espinoza Paz, songwriter (Espinoza Paz)
Todo Tuyo – Mauricio Arriaga, Edgar Barrera & Eduardo Murguía, songwriters (Banda El Recodo De Cruz Lizárraga)

BEST INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM
Tema – Antonio Adolfo
Triology – Chick Corea Trio
Dr. Ed Calle Presents Mamblue – Ed Calle & Mamblue
Brazilian Nights – Kenny G
Camino – Gustavo Santaolalla

BEST FOLK ALBUM
La Muerte Del Rucio Moro – Reynaldo Armas
Balas y Chocolate – Lila Downs
Ayahuasca Dreams – Ciro Hurtado
Hijos De La Tierra – Los Tekis
30 Años + 5 Días – Teresa Parodi

BEST TANGO ALBUM
Aníbal Troilo 100 Años – Ariel Ardit
Piazzolla: Desde Estudios A Tangos – Octavio Brunetti & Elmira Darvarova
Homenaje A Astor Piazzolla – Orquesta Del Tango De Buenos Aires
Bogotá – Buenos Aires – Quinteto Leopoldo Federic
Historia Del Tango – History Of Tango – Berta Rojas & Camerata Bariloche
Troilo 100 Años – Selección Nacional De Tango

BEST FLAMENCO ALBUM
Andando – Joselito Acedo
Sinergia – Argentina
Bendito – Blas Córdoba “El Kejío” & Chano Domínguez
Amar En Paz – Estrella Morente & Niño Josele
Sonetos Y Poemas Para La Libertad – Miguel Poveda
conSentido – María Toledo
Entre 20 Aguas: A La Música De Paco De Lucía – (Varios Artistas)

BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM
Jazz Meets The Classics – Paquito D’Rivera
Jazzeando – Eddie Fernández
Ayer Y Hoy – Iván “Melón” Lewis
Negroni Piano +9 – José Negroni
I Make You Want To Move – José Valentino Ruiz & The Latin Jazz Ensemble Featuring Giovanni Hidalgo

BEST CHRISTIAN ALBUM (SPANISH LANGUAGE)
Amanece – Marco Barrientos
Derroche De Amor – Alex Campos
Voy Tras De Ti Con Todo – Emmanuel y Linda
Mujer Frente A La Cruz – Son By 4
Irreversible – Tercer Cielo

BEST CHRISTIAN ALBUM (PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE)
Da Eternidade – Fernanda Brum
Ao Vivo – Anderson Freire
Posso Tudo Nele – Jane Gomes
Como Águia – Bruna Karla
Não Vou Desistir – Wilian Nascimento

BEST BRAZILIAN CONTEMPORARY POP ALBUM
Insano – Jamz
Músicas Para Churrasco Vol. 2 – Seu Jorge
Vida Loka – Onze:20
Dancê – Tulipa Ruiz
Blam! Blam! – Jonas Sá

BEST BRAZILIAN ROCK ALBUM
Banda Do Mar – Banda do Mar
Insular Ao Vivo – Humberto Gessinger
Supernova – Malta
Não Pare Pra Pensar – Pato Fu
Sol-Te – Suricato

BEST SAMBA/PAGODE ALBUM
Verde Amarelo Negro Anil – Nilze Carvalho
Herança Popular – Arlindo Cruz
Só Felicidade – Fundo de Quintal
Em Samba! Ao Vivo – Mart’nália
Bossa Negra – Diogo Nogueira & Hamilton de Holanda
Ser Humano – Zeca Pagodinho
Sorriso Eu Gosto – Ao Vivo No Maracanãzinho – Sorriso Maroto

BEST MPB (MUSICA POPULAR BRASILEIRA) ALBUM
Meus Quintais – Maria Bethânia
Centenário Caymmi – Dorival Caymmi
Guelã – Maria Gadú
Carbono – Lenine
América, Brasil – Ivan Lins

BEST SERTANEJA MUSIC ALBUM
Os Anjos Cantam – Jorge & Mateus
Cabaré – Leonardo & Eduardo Costa
Amizade Sincera II – Renato Teixeira & Sérgio Reis
Bem Sertanejo – Michel Teló
Irmãos – Victor & Leo

BEST BRAZILIAN SONG
Bossa Negra – Hamilton de Holanda, Diogo Nogueira & Marcos Portinari, songwriters (Diogo Nogueira & Hamilton de Holanda)
Diz Pra Mim – Bruno Boncini, songwriter (Malta)
Mais Ninguém – Mallu Magalhães, songwriter (Banda do Mar)
Simples Assim – Dudu Falcão & Lenine, songwriters (Lenine)
Tudo – Adriana Calcanhotto & Bebel Gilberto, songwriters (Bebel Gilberto)

BEST LATIN CHILDREN’S ALBUM
Chino & Nacho For Babies – Chino y Nacho
Adelante – Lucky Díaz And The Family Jam Band
Los Animales – Mister G
De La Cuna A La Jungla – Rockcito
¡Uno, Dos, Tres, Andrés! En Español y En Inglés – 123 Andrés

BEST CLASSICAL ALBUM
Alma Brasileira – Débora Halász, Franz Halász & Radamés Gnattali; Marcelo Amaral, Debora Halász & Johannes Müller, producers
Dvorak-Serebrier Legends: Symphony No. 8 – José Serebrier; Chris Hazel, album producer
Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 – Montero: Ex Patria, Op. 1 & Improvisations – Gabriela Montero; Jonathan Allen, album producer
Ritual – Fernando Otero; Brian Forbes, Fernando Otero & Ruben Parra, album producers
Ruperto Chapí: String Quartets 1&2 – Cuarteto Latinoamericano; Dan Merceruio, album producer
Works For String Orchestra – Iván Valiente; Yalil Guerra, album producer

BEST CLASSICAL CONTEMPORARY COMPOSITION
Auschwitz (Nunca Se Olvidarán) – Orlando Jacinto García, composer (José Serebrier Conducting The Málaga Philharmonic & The FIU Concert Choir)
Capriccio – Carlos Franzetti, composer (Allison Brewster Franzetti)
Concierto En Tango Op. 110 For Cello And Orchestra – Miguel del Águila, composer (Joann Falletta Conducting The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra)
Conexión – Fernando Otero, composer (Fernando Otero)
El Retrato De La Paloma – Yalil Guerra, composer (Iván Valiente Conducting The Ensamble Solistas De La Habana)
Trio No. 4 “La Noche” – Roberto Sierra, composer (Arcos Trío)

BEST RECORDING PACKAGE
Blam! Blam! – Julia Rocha, art director (Jonas Sá
Este Instante – Natalia Ayala, Carlos Dussan Gómez & Juliana Jaramillo, art directors (Marta Gómez)
Noel Rosa, Preto E Branco – Anna Amendola, art director (Valéria Lobão)
Tajo Abierto – Pablo González & Francisca Valenzuela, art directors (Francisca Valenzuela)
Veinte Años El Grito Después – Laura Varsky, art director (Catupecu Machu)

BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM
Astrid Asher – Salome Limón, engineer; Caco Refojo, mixer; Caco Refojo, mastering engineer (Astrid Asher)
Baile Do Almeidinha – Daniel Musy, engineer; Daniel Musy, mixer; Andre Dias, mastering engineer (Hamilton de Holanda)
Hasta La Raíz – Andrés Borda, Eduardo Del Águila, Demián Nava, Alan Ortiz Grande, Alan Saucedo & Sebastián Schunt, engineers; Eduardo Del Águila & Cesar Sogbe, mixers; José Blanco, mastering engineer (Natalia Lafourcade)
Made In Brazil – Jonathan Allen & Rodrigo De Castro Lopes, engineers; Pete Karam, mixer; Paul Blakemore, mastering engineer (Eliane Elias)
Sintético – Otávio Carvalho, engineer; Otávio Carvalho, mixer; Felipe Tichauer, mastering engineer (Vitrola Sintética)

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Mario Adnet, Dori Caymmi
Aníbal Kerpel, Gustavo Santaolalla
Sebastian Krys
George Noriega
Kenny O’brien, Manuel Quijano
Andrés Saavedra

BEST SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO
Te Busqué – Willbert Álvarez
Ojos Color Sol – Calle 13 Featuring Silvio Rodríguez
Así De Grandes Son Las Ideas – Calle 13
No Llora – El Cuarteto De Nos
Huitzil – Porter

BEST LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEO
Terral – Pablo Alborán
Loco De Amor “La Historia” – Juanes
MTV Unplugged – Kinky
15 – Ara Malikian
Último Acto – Vicentico

Nicky Jam’s “El Perdon” Spends 26th Consecutive Week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs Chart

There’s no doubt Nicky Jam’s latest single is a smash hit… But it’s now thisclose to making history.

The 34-year-old Puerto Rican/Dominican American singer’s collaboration with Enrique IglesiasEl Perdon” is now the second-longest-running No. 1 in the 29-year history of Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, spending a 26th consecutive week at No. 1.

Nicky Jam

“I don’t believe it yet. It’s hard to digest,” Nicky Jam tells Billboard.

The track shot to No. 1 in only five weeks, after debuting at No. 50 on the chart dated Feb. 21. A music video, released in conjunction with the YouTube Music Awards (March 23), has garnered more than 229 million global views on YouTube. In addition, a lyric video on Jam’s YouTube channel has amassed 325 million views.

The 26th week at No. 1 trails only Iglesias’ own “Bailando,” featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona, which shattered the record for most weeks at the top, when it spent 41 consecutive weeks at No. 1 (on the charts dated May 17, 2014, through Feb. 14, 2015). “El Perdon” surpasses Shakira’s 25-week No. 1 run with “La Tortura,” featuring Alejandro Sanz, attained in 2005.

Seemingly unaware of the track’s reach, a humble Nicky Jam says, “My manager scolds me because he said that I don’t know how big I am, and that maybe that’s the key.” He adds, “I try not to think about the success, because it’s pressure to continue making music. If I write songs trying to top other songs, it’s a lot of pressure.”

While Nicky Jam had his first three Hot Latin Songs-charted tracks between 2005 and 2008, “El Perdon” is his breakout international smash and follows a six-year chart hiatus. His return to the chart came in 2014 with “Travesuras,” also a sizable hit, reaching No. 4 on the list (Dec. 27).

An English version of the track, “El Perdon (Forgiveness),” has given the song extra legs in recent weeks — helping the crossover hit to scale the Billboard Hot 100. On the Sept. 12-dated chart, it hops 72-68 in its 23rd week (nearing its No. 66 peak). A music video for the new version was released Sept. 1 via a live stream at YouTube Space NYC, hosted by BuzzFeed Espanol. The clip was uploaded to Nicky Jam’s YouTube channel immediately following the broadcast.

The song’s 26th crowning week on the hybrid chart (which measures radio, sales, and streaming of the Spanish version only) is supported mostly by streams, accounting for 56 percent of total points contributing to its rank. It racked up 2.5 million U.S. clicks during the week ending Aug. 28, (up 6 percent, according to Nielsen Music), with the Spanish version receiving 89 percent of total clicks.

Any bumps in sales and streaming for “Forgiveness” are expected to impact the Hot 100 rank on the Sept. 19-dated charts.

Sanz Teams Up with Alejandro Fernandez for New Single “A Que No Me Dejas”

Are two Alejandros better than one? The answer is yes if you’re talking about Alejandro Sanz and Alejandro Fernandez.

The 46-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter has joined voices with the 44-year-old Mexican singer for his new ballad, “A Que No Me Dejas.”

Alejandro Sanz & Alejandro Fernandez

It’s the second single from Sanz’s latest album Sirope, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart upon its release in May, and topped a nine-year-old sales high in his native Spain.

“Aside from flamenco, some songs have a touch of folk or R&B. It’s a very eclectic sound,” Sanz recently told Billboard about his new album. “It’s a mix of many styles, searching, perhaps, for different path by mixing sounds. I’m looking for each song to tell me something and have a sense. The sound is completely at the service of the songs.”

Sanz shared a 40-second teaser of the video for the soon-to-be-released track.

Sanz’s tour in support of Sirope kicks off July 30 in Córdoba, Spain. He’ll pause from the tour to serve as one of the judges (along with Laura Pausini and Ricky Martin) on Univision’s new reality talent competition series, La Banda, premiering this September. Following his run on the show, Sanz will embark on a tour of Latin America and the U.S. in the summer of 2016.

Martin Featured in Time Magazine’s “Letters From Dad” Series

Let(ter) Ricky Martin entertain you with his words of wisdom…

With Father’s Day this upcoming Sunday (June 21), Time magazine has revealed its annual Letters From Dad series, with the 43-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter participating in the project.

Ricky Martin

The magazine typically asks several influential dads to write open letters to their children — and this year, Martin was among them.

In his heartfelt letter, former member of the all-boy band Menudo starts off by telling his twins Matteo and Valentino, now six, that being a father was something he always dreamed of. He also credits them with positively changing his life.

“Above all, my beautiful sons, your love gave me the strength to live an honest life,” writes Martin, who came out as a gay man in 2010, after years of scrutiny about his sexuality. “A life of courage and transparency, which fills me with great pride and peace. What an amazing gift you have given me, and I’m forever thankful to you.

Before signing off, Martin adds, “If there is anything I want you to live with, aside from knowing that you are unconditionally loved and adored by me and our family and friends, it is that you can be YOURSELF. Don’t ever let anyone or anything make you feel like you can’t be your true self.”

But Martin isn’t the only Latino dad participating this year.

In an equally sweet letter, Colombian superstar Juanes goes through the emotions he felt when each of his children came into this world and what they have taught him.

“I would feel a mixture of joy and nerves come over me that I could not describe with words alone,” writes Juanes to Luna, Paloma and Dante, his three children with TV personality Karen Martinez. “And then, in the blink of an eye, as when a candle is lit in the darkness, you would appear, illuminating the whole place.”

Later in the piece, he writes, “At first, I imagined that my mission as a father would be to teach you everything I knew about life: the physical, the intellectual, the spiritual. But as the days passed, I realized that I would be learning from you. Yes, you read that right—I would also be your student. The purity of your souls, your innocence, reminded me that I, too, one day came to this world like you, innocent and with a pure soul. I felt myself reconnecting with my father and mother, completing this mysterious and magical circle of existence.

Juanes’ letter is also available in Spanish. As the Colombian rock star’s short bio points out, he is about to head on his Loco de Amor tour, for which he is currently rehearsing.

Martin is getting ready for Univision’s La Banda, a new reality singing competition series airing in September in search of the next big Latin boy band. Martin will serve as a judge, along with Alejandro Sanz and Laura Pausini, and he is also credited as a producer.

Other musical figures invited by Time to pen letters for their kids this year include Pete Wentz and Russell Simmons.

Click here to read the letters in full.

Sanz to Perform at This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards

Alejandro Sanz is bringing zombies to the Billboard Latin Music Awards…

The 46-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter will perform “Un Zombie a la Intemperie,” the first single from his upcoming new album, during the awards show on the April 30.

Alejandro Sanz

Sanz’s appearance will mark the worldwide television premiere of “Un Zombie a la Intemperie.”

The song will be included on Sanz’ new album Sirope, his 10th studio set. The artist has announced to his over 12 million Twitter followers that the album will be released on May 4.

Sanz, a Latin music superstar who has won more Grammys than any other Spanish artist, has also announced the first dates of what is expected to be a worldwide tour to support the album.

Starting with a concert in Cordoba on July 7, he’ll be performing in Spanish cities throughout the summer, finishing in Seville on Sept. 26.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards, hosted by actress and TV host Gaby Espino and Mexican singer Pedro Fernandez, will also feature performances Wisin, Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, Carlos Vives, Regional Mexican chart topper Julion Alvarez y Su Norteño Banda, Ana Gabriel, Lucero, and special honorees Roberto Carlos and Carlos Santana.

Topping the list of this year’s finalists are Romeo Santos (21 entries), Enrique Iglesias (19), J Balvin (12), Marc Anthony (7), Drake (7), Descemer Bueno (6), Gente de Zona (6), Julion Alvarez y Su Norteño Banda (6), Farruko (6) and Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizarraga (6).

Sanz Releases Romantic Video for New Pop Ballad “Un Zombie a la Intemperie”

It’s all about romance and zombies for Alejandro Sanz

The 46-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter, who announced his world tour last month, has released his brand new single “Un Zombie a la Intemperie.”

Alejandro Sanz

Sanz, who doesn’t disappoint with the beautiful pop ballad, gave his fans a little extra special bonus… a romantic video shot in a medieval monastery in Galicia, Spain.

“Un Zombie a la Intemperie” is the clumsy title of an upbeat, easily singable love song typical of Sanz’s laid back style, backed by lightly arranged piano, drums, violin and cello.

Sin ti solo soy un zombie,” (“Without you I’m just a zombie”), Sanz sings at the chorus, taking on a deep, zombie-ish voice. But the silliness actually adds to the song’s appeal and shows that at 46, Sanz has not lost his boyish charm.

The video is a more dramatic romantic affair, in which Sanz appears with Spanish actresses Inma Cuesta and Marta Etura. There’s an air of romantic fantasy and period alchemy, with misty landscapes and scenes of Sanz appearing to levitate books and papers. The aesthetic suggests that Sanz and the clip’s director, Rubén Martin, are fans of Game of Thrones.