Bad Bunny Repeats as Billboard’s Top Latin Artist of the Year for Fifth Consecutive Year

Posted on November 26, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a sweet repeat for Bad Bunny…

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning superstar has repeated as Billboard’s Top Latin Artist of the Year for a record fifth consecutive year.

No other artist has been the year-end Top Latin Artist five times since the category began in 2011. Only one other artist has pulled a back-to-back winning streak since the category launched in 2011: Romeo Santos, who took home the first-place trophy in 2014 and 2015.

Unsurprisingly, Bad Bunny also echoes his past four years of achievements on the albums front: Thanks to Un Verano Sin Ti’s stronghold, the album wraps at No. 1 on the year-end Top Latin Albums chart for a second consecutive year.

Adding to his blockbuster year — with seven awards at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, including Artist of the Year, Tour of the Year and Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year — Benito also boasts four songs on the year-end Hot Latin Songs rundown, including “Un X100to” with Grupo Frontera at No. 3. His first foray into Regional Mexican music became the second Regional Mexican track to break the weekly top 10 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Billboard’s year-end music recaps represent aggregated metrics for each artist, title, label and music contributor on the weekly charts from November 19, 2022, through October 21, 2023. Rankings for Luminate-based recaps reflect equivalent album units, airplay, sales or streaming during the weeks that the titles appeared on a respective chart during the tracking year. Any activity registered before or after a title’s chart run isn’t considered in these rankings. That methodology detail, and the November-October time period, account for some of the difference between these lists and the calendar-year recaps that are independently compiled by Luminate.

Pitbull Extends Global Publishing Deal with BMG

Posted on November 24, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Pitbull is extending his global deal…

The 42-year-old Cuban American rapper, singer, songwriter, businessman and actor, born Armando Perez, has extended his global publishing deal with BMG.

Pitbull first signed to the company nearly a decade ago, and under the renewed partnership, his back catalog of hits and future songs will be administered by the BMG team.

Pitbull’s feel-good anthem “Give Me Everything,” featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer, hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated July 9 for one week in 2011, while “Timber,” his collaboration with Kesha, went to No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart on January 18, 2014, leading for three weeks.

Pitbull has sold more than 25 million studio albums and over 100 million singles worldwide. His music video have over 15 billion views on YouTube.

He has won one Grammy, one Latin Grammy, three Billboard Music Awards and nine Billboard Latin Music Awards.

Selena Gomez’s Rema-Collaboration “Calm Down” Earns U.S. Afrobeats Song of the Year Honors

Posted on November 22, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez is this year’s Afrobeats queen…

The 31-year-old Mexican American actress/singer’s record-breaking hit collaboration with Rema, “Calm Down,” is the 2023 U.S. Afrobeats Song of the Year.

Following Gomez’s addition to the buzzing track for a September 2022 remix release, it flew to No. 1 on the weekly U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart and rang up a record 58 weeks in charge, nearly obtaining a perfect shutout of holding the No. 1 spot for each week of the chart year that fell short when Tyla’s “Water” broke the stranglehold in the final frame.

The dominant “Calm Down” year helped the track make massive inroads for Afrobeats across multiple Billboard charts, setting new marks for the genre’s highest-charting hit on the Billboard Hot 100 (No. 3) and posting a 10-week command on the all-genre Radio Songs chart.

Strong performances reap rewards for the track on both year-end lists, with “Calm Down” at No. 6 on the 2023 Hot 100 review and No. 4 on Radio Songs’ recap.

Grupo Frontera Signs Management Deal with Habibi

Posted on November 21, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Grupo Frontera is under new management…

The Regional Mexican group has signed a management deal with Habibi, Noah Assad’s management firm.

Raymond Acosta, director of talent management at the company — which also includes Karol G on its roster — will lead Grupo Frontera’s management team.

The deal comes seven months after Grupo Frontera and Bad Bunny‘s massive cumbia/norteña track, “Un x100to,” peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also up for song of the year at this year’s Latin Grammys.

Over the past two years, Grupo Frontera — previously managed by Victor Ruiz — went from local McAllen, Texas, band to a música mexicana global force. Composed of Adelaido “Payo” Solis III, Juan Javier Cantú, Julian Peña Jr., Alberto Acosta, Carlos Guerrero and Brian Ortega, the group broke out last year thanks to its Tejano spin on Morat‘s 2019 single, “No Se Va.” The inventive cover scored the norteño group its first entry on any Billboard chart, ultimately peaking at No. 3 on the Hot Latin Songs tally dated November 12, 2022.

According to Raymond Acosta, Habibi was approached by Mexican hitmaker Edgar Barrera — who’s penned and produced for Grupo Frontera — and Alberto (of Frontera) after seeing the impact “Un x100to” had.

“I asked Noah for an opportunity to get to know and study Mexican culture,” Acosta explains. “Because for me, identities are very important. One of my role models is Mr. Angelo Medina, he was the manager of José José and Emmanuel. He was the one who taught me [that] when you’re going to cross the pond, you have to know where you’re going.”

In August, Grupo Frontera released its debut album, El Comienzo, via Barrera’s BorderKid Records label. The set bowed and peaked at No. 3 on the Top Latin Albums chart. In the past year alone, the group has placed eight songs on the Billboard Hot 100 — including “Que Vuelvas” with Carin Leon, “Bebe Dame” with Fuerza Regida and “Frágil” with Yahritza y Su Esencia. They have a distribution deal with Believe and own their masters.

“If you want to be the number one manager, your artists have to be number one,” adds Acosta. “I’m fulfilling my dreams by fulfilling the dreams of others. I think that’s the beauty of the management part. [At Habibi,] we don’t copy-paste marketing plans. That’s why when you see all the projects, none of them look alike. And seeing everything that is behind Frontera, the personality of each one and what they are doing, motivates us a lot.”

Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” Returns to the Top 20 on Billboard Hot 100

Posted on November 20, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Mariah Carey’s Christmas cheer is already spreading nationwide…

The 54-year-old half-Venezuelan American Grammy-winning singer-songwriter’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” the No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Greatest of All Time Holiday 100 Songs retrospective, has jingled its way back to the Billboard Hot 100 dated November 25, 2023.

Carey’s insta-classic carol re-enters the Hot 100 at No. 17 with 14 million official streams (up 29%), 7.6 million radio airplay audience impressions (up 333%) and 1,500 sold (up 7%) in the U.S. in the November 10-16 tracking week, according to Luminate.

The song, originally released in 1994, hit the Hot 100’s top 10 for the first time in December 2017. In December 2019, it ascended to the summit at last, for three weeks that holiday season. It became the second holiday song ever to reign, after “The Chipmunk Song,” by The Chipmunks with David Seville, spent four weeks at No. 1 beginning in December 1958.

“All I Want for Christmas Is You” led the Hot 100 for two more weeks in the 2020 holiday season, thus, passing “The Chipmunk Song” for the most for a Yuletide song, and for three more weeks over the 2021 holidays and a single-season-best four frames during the 2022 season, upping its total to 12 weeks at No. 1.

“When I wrote [it], I had absolutely no idea the impact the song would eventually have worldwide,” Carey marveled of “All I Want for Christmas Is You” in 2021. “I’m so full of gratitude that so many people enjoy it with me every year.”

With its 2019 coronation, Carey claimed her 19th Hot 100 No. 1, extending her mark for the most among soloists and moving to within one of The Beatles’ overall record 20.

Plus, when “All I Want for Christmas Is You” dominated the Hot 100 dated Jan. 4, 2020, Carey became the first artist to have ranked at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in four distinct decades (the 1990s, 2000s, ‘10s and ‘20s).

The song has also helped Carey claim the longest span of any soloist topping the Hot 100 – 32 years and five months, dating to her first week atop the chart dated August 4, 1990, with her debut single “Vision of Love” – and swell her total to 91 weeks at No. 1 among all her leaders, the most of any act.

Carey performed “All I Want for Christmas Is You s” on an awards show for the first time as part of the 2023 Billboard Music Awards (November 19). She was also honored with the Billboard Chart Achievement Award for the song, presented to her by her 12-year-old twins, Monroe and Moroccan.

“Billboard has been an integral part of my life for a very long time now,” Carey said in her acceptance speech. “Even though I don’t acknowledge time, I kind of have to admit that some of my most memorable times in my career are connected to Billboard and the BBMAs. One thing I really have to say that I’m really grateful for is the fact that my fans have been here with me through the hits, through the misses, the No. 1s and the Bubbling Unders.”

Below “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” three other holiday classics make annual resurgences on the Hot 100, led by Wham!’s “Last Christmas” at No. 32 (11.3 million streams, up 41%).

Mattel Releases Holiday-Themed Mariah Carey Barbie Doll

Posted on November 18, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Mariah Carey is getting all dolled up for the holidays…

Mattel is releasing a special Barbie doll to celebrate the 54-year-old half-Venezuelan American Grammy-winning songstress and Queen of Christmas this holday season.

The Mariah Carey Barbie was released on Friday, November 17 via Mattel Shop and Amazon.

Capturing Carey’s “signature flair and dazzling style,” the doll wears a glittery, trumpet gown with matching red heels. The festive, red dress features ruched overlay with a dramatic slit and sparkly silvery jewelry. The doll also holds a silver microphone and wears a tiny replica of Carey’s butterfly ring.

Carey holds many Hot 100 records. She has had 19 No. 1 hits, the most of any solo artist. She is the artist with the most weeks at No. 1 (91). She is the female songwriter with the most No. 1 hits (18). She is the only artist to reach No. 1 with her first five singles — “Vision of Love,” “Love Takes Time,” “Someday,” “I Don’t Wanna Cry” and “Emotions.”

In addition, Carey has made her mark on many other charts. She is the artist with the most weeks at No. 1 on the Radio Songs chart (91). She has had 18 top 10 albums on the Billboard 200, including six No. 1 albums (Mariah Carey, Music Box, Daydream, Butterfly, The Emancipation of Mimi and E=MC2).

Cardi B’s Character Appears in New “Baby Shark’s Big Movie” Trailer

Posted on November 14, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Cardi B hittin’ the high seas…

A new trailer has been released for Baby Shark’s Big Movie, starring the 31-year-old half-Dominican American Grammy-winning singer and actress.

In addition to Cardi B, her rapper-husband Offset and their children, Kulture and Wave, the film also features Lance Bass and ENHYPEN.

All play their aquatic alter-egos in the animated children’s film arriving on December 8 on Nickelodeon and Paramount+.

The project marks the very first feature-length endeavor for Baby Shark, the hit preschool television program best known for its viral earworm of the same name, which charted in the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 in 2019.

The fishy film will find Cardi and Offset reprising their roles from Baby Shark Big Show!, Sharki B and Offshark, while the rap power couple’s two kids will voice Kulture Sharki and Wavey Shark. The family has been all aboard the “Baby Shark” train since the beginning, starting with Cardi posting an Instagram video in January 2019 of her doing a runway walk around a pool to the “Baby Shark” song.

“Good luck!” says Offset’s character toward the end of the two-minute trailer, with Cardi’s Sharki B telling Baby Shark: “You got this!”

The film will follow Baby Shark, voiced by Kimiko Glenn, as he works to save his best friend William, played by Luke Youngblood, from Ashley Tisdale’s Stariana, a jealous pop superstar who plots to steal Baby Shark’s special song for herself. Along the way, he encounters a boy band of belugas voiced by the seven members of ENHYPEN — Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon and Ni-ki — as well as a TV announcer named Lance Bass, played by… you guessed it, Lance Bass.

Karol G to Perform at This Year’s Billboard Music Awards

Posted on November 9, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Karol G is preparing a special medley…

The 32-year-old Colombian superstar is set to perform at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards, taking place on Sunday, November 19.

Karol G — who’s had a banner year, scoring her first Billboard 200 leader with Mañana Será Bonito — will perform a trio of her hit songs during the awards show.

Karol G is nominated for five Billboard Music Awards, including top Latin artist, top Latin female artist, top Latin touring artist, top Latin album (Mañana Será Bonito) and top Latin song (“TQG” with Shakira).

Karol G’s Mañana Será Bonito, released in February, made history as the first all Spanish-language album by a female artist to top the Billboard 200.

The set includes her unprecedented collaboration with Shakira, “TQG,” which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. This year, Karol G also went on her first-ever U.S. stadium tour, which included stops in major markets like Miami, Los Angeles and Chicago.

With nods in 20 categories, Taylor Swift is the top finalist at the 2023 BBMAs. Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma have the most nods among Latinx artists with six; Eslabon Armado, Karol G and Selena Gomez follow with five each.

The 2023 Billboard Music Awards — which will be produced by dick clark productions — will have a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Spotify “Fans First,” which will bring fans up close and personal with their favorite artists.

Performances and awards will roll out across the BBMAs and Billboard social channels, as well as via BBMAs.watch on Sunday, November 19.

Carin León Signs Exclusive Global Publishing Agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group

Posted on November 6, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Carin León has a new worldwide publishing deal…

The 34-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter and Regional Mexican star has signed an exclusive global publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG).

A leading force in the música mexicana genre, the Sonora-born artist has established himself as one of Mexican music’s most versatile and eclectic artists today recording in norteño, banda, R&B and pop.

“There is no doubt, Carin León is one of the most talented artists currently,” Yadira Moreno, UMPG managing director of Mexico and Central America & vp of new business development for Latin America, said in a statement. “He can blend R&B, Folk, Country and Mexican Music easily and gracefully. We are excited to collaborate with Carin and foster his composing career internationally.”

“I feel deeply honored to embark on this creative journey alongside Universal Music Publishing Group. This partnership marks a thrilling new chapter in my career, and I’m eagerly looking forward to expressing my passion and creativity through the art of music,” added Leon.

Since launching his solo career in 2018, León has helped usher a new era for regional Mexican music. With three career entries on the Billboard Hot 100 and 12 on the Hot Latin Songs tally, he scored his first top 10 on the Top Latin Albums chart with Colmillo de Leche, released in May. It was the first studio album released on the singer-songwriter’s own label, Socios Music, which he launched late last year.

Jody Gerson, UMPG chairman and CEO, said: “Carin León’s career is limitless and transcends Música Mexicana. His soulful voice, songwriting, live shows and ambition goes beyond language. I look forward to working with Jorge Juarez and our entire global team to support Carin as he opens doors creatively across musical genres and geographies.”

León joins UMPG’s roster, which includes other regional Mexican powerhouses such as Juan Gabriel, Espinosa Paz, Horacio Palencia, Grupo Firme, Yahritza Y Su Esencia and Ivan Cornejo, among others.

Bad Bunny Appears as The Nosferatu in New “Baticano” Music Video

Posted on November 1, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Bad Bunny is having a fangtastic time…

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning superstar gets his creep on in the just-released music video for “Baticano,” a single off his third and latest No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana.

Bad Bunny appears as the iconic vampire, The Nosferatu, in the clip.

Directed by Stillz, the music video has all the angles, shadows and hallmarks of the 1922 version of Nosferatu, a benchmark in German Expressionism filmmaking.

Steve Buscemi plays the father figure/mad scientist, who tells the pointy-eared creature, “they’re not ready for you in this world. But you are beautiful. Remember that. You are too perfect for this world.”

Bad Bunny is following in some mighty footsteps. Max Schreck’s performance in that early film was so compelling, Willem Dafoe reprised the role for 2000’s Shadow of the Vampire, which posited that, just maybe, Schreck was an actual garlic-hating, sunshine-avoiding vampire. Werner Herzog helmed the 1979 remake of Nosferatu the Vampyre, with Klaus Kinski, in the lead role, creepier than a box of spiders. Robert Eggers directs an update on the blood-sucking count, due out in 2024.

All 21 songs from Bad Bunny’s new album went on to enter the Billboard Hot 100, including “Baticano,” which bowed at No. 78 last month. It’s his fifth solo studio album, following last year’s blockbuster Un Verano Sin Ti. His 2022 album spent 13 weeks atop the Billboard 200 albums chart and topped the year-end Billboard 200 as well — the first Spanish-language album to do so.

Following its release, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana was confirmed by Spotify as the platform’s most-streamed album in a single day in 2023 so far.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Billboard Hot 100