Karol G Named Billboard’s 2024 Woman of the Year

Posted on February 8, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Karol G is a woman on top…

After a year of career-defining moments, including a history-making album, a momentous stadium tour, headlining Lollapalooza and her first Grammy win, the 32-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter has been named Billboard‘s 2024 Woman of the Year.

Karol G will be honored with the award at the Billboard Women in Music Awards on Wednesday, March 6, at the YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles, and streaming March 7.

Karol G will also grace the stage for a special performance.

Hosted by award-winning actor and producer Tracee Ellis Ross, the annual event will recognize music’s rising stars and A-List artists, creators and executives for their contributions to the industry and community.

“With her immense talent, Karol G has created a movement for women across the globe due to her empowering lyrics and inspiring confidence,” said Hannah Karp, Billboard’s editorial director. “The release of her groundbreaking album Mañana Será Bonito has proven her a force to be reckoned with in both the English and Spanish charts. We are so excited to honor her as Woman of the Year.”

Over the past few years, Karol G has become a leading force in Latin music. Two years after releasing her breakthrough album KG0516 in 2021, Karol G became the first female artist to top the Billboard 200 with a Spanish-language album thanks to Mañana Será Bonito.

The follow-up album, Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season), then debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. On Sunday, she won her first Grammy, taking home best música urbana album for Mañana Será Bonito.

Last summer, Karol launched her own Bichota Records and inked a distribution deal with Interscope. Additionally, The Con Cora Foundation was established to continue the artist’s social work and mission to support women who lead households, at-risk youth, children facing chronic or disabling diseases, those dealing with teenage pregnancy, women deprived of liberty and post-penalty, as well as low-income women.

Past recipients of Woman of the Year include SZA, Olivia Rodrigo, Cardi B, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Madonna, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift.

Karol G joins the previously announced lineup of powerhouse women set for the 2024 Billboard Women in Music Awards: Kylie Minogue will receive the Icon Award; Maren Morris will receive the Visionary Award; Ice Spice will receive the Hitmaker Award; Charli XCX will receive the Powerhouse Award; Young Miko will receive the Impact Award; Victoria Monét will receive the Rising Star award; NewJeans will receive the Group of the Year Award; TEMS will receive the Breakthrough Award; and Luísa Sonza will receive one of Billboard’s new Global Force Awards.

Tickets to attend the Billboard Women in Music Awards are available to the public. Prices range from $89 – $279. Fans can watch the show on Thurs, March 7 at 5:00 pm PT/8:00 pm ET on billboardwomeninmusic.com; more details about the stream will be announced soon.

Karol G Among Artists Appearing on Official “Barbie” Soundtrack

Posted on May 29, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Karol G is getting all dolled up…

The lineup of artists featured on the official soundtrack for Greta Gerwig’s highly anticipated film Barbie has been revealed, with the 32-year-old Colombian singer and songwriter making the list.

No word yet on the track name for Karol G’s single.

But she isn’t the only Latinx artist set to appear on the soundtrack.

Ice Spice, who recently joined voices with Taylor Swift on the “Karma Remix,” will also form part of the Barbie The Album soundtrack. Both Ice Spice and PinkPantheress are credited, perhaps signifying that their joint hit “Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2” has a place on Barbie’s pink-tastic playlist.

Other confirmed artists are Charli XCX, Lizzo, Nicki Minaj, FIFTY FIFTY, Dominic Fike, GAYLE, Ava Max, Khalid, The Kid LAROI and more.

Dua Lipa — the film’s resident pop star who’s portraying Mermaid Barbie in the project —previously announced her participation on the soundtrack, contributing the song “Dance The Night,” which arrived late last week.

More surprising, though, is that another of the film’s stars is also billed as a featured artist: Ryan Gosling, who’s playing Ken opposite Margot Robbie’s titular character.

The news comes in the form of a very on-brand poster shared by the soundtrack’s official Instagram, showing Robbie in character reading a pink-tinted newspaper (Barbie News, obviously) with the names of the project’s musicians printed in twisty, hot pink letters. “More Barbies & Kens to be announced…” it teases at the bottom.

The faux newspaper also directs readers to a new website called BarbieTheAlbum.com, on which limited edition vinyls and cassettes for the soundtrack are now available for preorder.

Barbie fans have quite the variety of different-colored options to choose from, including the “Candy Floss” vinyl, the “Cotton Candy” vinyl, the “Pink Bloom” vinyl and more.

According to Rolling Stone, the album was executively produced by Mark Ronson.

The soundtrack drops along with the Barbie film on July 21.

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Sky Ferreira Signs New Global Publishing Administration Agreement with Third Side Music

Posted on April 26, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Sky Ferreira is (third) siding with a new company…

The 29-year-old part-Brazilian American singer/songwriter has agreed to a new global publishing administration agreement with Third Side Music.

While her fans have eagerly awaited her next album since the release of the critically acclaimed debut Night Time, My Time for more than nine years, the new Third Side agreement signals Ferreira’s next chapter is on its way.

Previously, Ferreira released music under an administrative agreement with Kobalt, but now, under her new deal with Third Side, she will receive a more hands-on approach while maintaining the administrative focus she’s accustomed to, including A&R and creative aid from the company’s vice president creative/director of A&R, Brontë Jane, who calls Ferreira an “unparalleled career artist” and “a true visionary with her craft.”

Third Side Music is a lean independent firm, focused on signing just a handful of talents and offering hyper-personalized service, often unavailable at larger institutions, and Ferreira will be joining other writers like SOFI TUKKER, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Blonde Redhead, Colin Stetson, and BADBADNOTGOOD on Jane’s Third Side roster.

Since inking a label deal at Capitol Records at 16, Ferreira has expressed her distrust of the music industry and of her label on multiple occasions: “every contract I have ever signed has always been set up to take advantage of me/my work in some way,” she explained in an Instagram story back in 2019. Though she remains in her deal with Capitol on the recorded side, Ferreira’s signing to Third Side act as a hopeful clean slate on the publishing front ahead of her highly anticipated next chapter.

Still, little is known about Ferreira’s music to come. With only two new songs released since her nearly decade-old debut album — a song for the Promising Young Woman soundtrack and a collaboration with Charli XCX, both released in 2019 — her sound as of 2022 is anyone’s guess.

So far, the announcement of the Third Side deal and her March 31 YouTube teaser captioned “remember me?” are the clearest indications of Ferreira’s next moves, but already, fans and fellow musicians are flocking to social media to show their love and support. “fangirl moment: v excited for new Sky,” writes Charli XCX on her Twitter. Grimes also shared her support to Ferreira, leaving the Instagram comment, “This is about to be a smash I can feel it.”

Oscar Isaac to Make Hosting Debut on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” in March

Posted on February 18, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Oscar Isaac is locking in his Saturday Plans…

The 42-year-old Guatemalan & Cuban actor will making his hosting debut on NBC’s longtime live sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live.

Isaac, who has starred in the Star Wars sequel trilogy as X-wing pilot Poe Dameron, and in X-Men: Apocalypse, is scheduled to host on March 5.

Isaac will be joined by Charli XCX, who had to pull her performance in December after the show was hit by Omicron with a reduced cast and crew for the Paul Rudd-hosted show.

Isaac previously made a cameo on SNL on Saturday, October 23

Trailer Released for Jenna Ortega’s SXSW-Bound High School Drama “The Fallout”

Posted on March 5, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Jenna Ortega is experiencing a fallout…

The first trailer has been release for writer-director Megan Park’s SXSW drama The Fallout, which stars the 18-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American actress as a student seeking out emotional healing following a school tragedy.

The Fallout is a film about the unseen faces of a tragedy, those who can’t turn their pain into effecting positive change in the world because they are too afraid to leave their bedrooms. Three teenagers form a unique and dynamic bond as they navigate the never linear, often confusing journey to heal in a world that feels forever changed.

In the film Ortega, Maddie Ziegler and Niles Fitch forge a close friendship that helps them cope with tragedy. From romantic moments to wine-downs in a hot tub, the teenagers find comfort and strength to face the world in each other.

The Fallout, which is in the SXSW Narrative Competition, also features Shailene Woodley, Julie Bowen, Will Ropp, Lumi Pollack and John Ortiz. Billie Eilish collaborator Finneas composed the music.

The 28th edition of the SXSW Film Festival will take place online March 16-20. Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil will kick off the annual fest and Charli XCX’s quarantine documentary Alone Together will serve as the film fest closer.

Check out the full lineup here.

J Balvin to Receive Collaborator of the Year Prize at Variety’s Hitmakers Awards Program

Posted on November 22, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

J Balvin is a real Hitmaker…

The 35-year-old Colombian singer/songwriter, who won a Latin Grammy earlier this week, will be honored at Variety’s Hitmakers awards program on Thursday, December 3rd at 5:00 pm PT / 8:00 pm ET.

The program will highlight the award recipients featured in Variety’s annual Hitmakers issue on December 2nd. The program will simulcast on Variety’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube pages.

J Balvin will be honored with the Collaborator of the Year prize.

Harry Styles will be receiving Hitmaker of the Year. Benee, Jenna Andrews and Josh Fountain will receive the Isolation Salvation Song of the Year prize, Charli XCX and A. G. Cook for Innovator of the Year, Roddy Ricch for Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Blackpink for Group of the Year, Lewis Capaldi for Songwriter of the Year, Interscope Geffen A&M for Label of the Year, Maren Morris for Crossover Artist of the Year, Mustard for Producer of the Year, Ron Perry for Executive of the Year and Wassim “Sal” Slaiby for Manager of the Year.

Presenters include 100 gecs, Justin Bieber, Sheryl Crow, Niall Horan, Zane Lowe, Lil Nas X, Tyga, and Ty Dolla $ign.

Demi Lovato to Make Special Appearance During This Week’s Virtual GLAAD Media Awards

Posted on July 29, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Demi Lovato’s GLAAD to accept the invitation…

The 27-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress will be taking part in this year’s GLAAD Media Awards.

Lovato, who recently announced her engagement to fiancé Max Ehrich, will make a special appearance during the virtual ceremony.

The organization announced that along with a special musical performance from Chloe x Halle, the show will also now feature two new performers; actor and singer Ben Platt, and singer-songwriter Shea Diamond.

In addition to Lovato, stars like Jennifer Garner, Lilly Singh, Charli XCX, Kandi Burruss, Theo Germaine, August Getty, Gigi Gorgeous Getty, Nats Getty, Harvey Guillén and Darryl Stephens will also appear throughout the event.

“Among this year’s nominees are a wide range of stories and narratives about LGBTQ people of different races, ethnicities, genders, religions, and other identities that demonstrate the power of inclusion and diversity in fostering positive cultural change,” GLAAD president & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. “As this year’s Media Awards go virtual, we hope to send a powerful message to LGBTQ people that in the midst of this culturally and politically divisive time, our visibility and voices have never been more important.”

Ahead of Thursday’s ceremony, GLAAD is already beginning to announce select winners, including Transparent: Musicale Finale for Outstanding TV Movie.

The organization will continue to announce winners on their Twitter account leading right up to the start of the ceremony.

The show will be livestreamed on Thursday, July 30 at 8:00 pm ET via GLAAD’s YouTube and Facebook pages.

Sky Ferreira Appears on Charli XCX’s New Single “Cross You Out”

Posted on August 17, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Sky Ferreira is back with new music…

The 27-year-old part-Brazilian American singer/songwriter has joined voices with Charli XCX on the new single, “Cross You Out.”

The moody collaboration, the fourth single of Charli XCX’s upcoming third album Charli, is Ferreira’s first single as a featured artist since her collab with Primal Scream on 2016’s “Where the Light Gets In.”

Produced by Lotus IV and A.G. Cook, “Cross You Out” launches with thudding electronics and bright keys. But it simmers down as Charli XCX begins singing, her voice Auto-Tuned and vulnerable.

Pabllo Vittar Releases First English-Only Single “Flash Pose,” Featuring Charli XCX

Posted on July 28, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Pabllo Vittar has released her first-ever single sung entirely in English.

The 24-year-old Brazilian singer and drag artist has joined voices with longtime collaborator Charli XCX on “Flash Pose.”

Touted as the first single off her upcoming album 111, “Flash Pose” is an infectious club anthem that feels eminently danceable, fun as hell and offers a new take on classic Pabllo-sounds.

“Come over, come over baby/ Come in my picture, that’s right/ Because I wasn’t trying to get a nice picture by myself!” Vittar sings wickedly.

“I can’t describe the feeling — I am super excited! This is my first song in English and I have my friend Charli with me,” Vittar tells Billboard. “I couldn’t be happier right now.”

Vittar, who’s known for creating modern dancehall tracks in both Portuguese and Spanish, has become increasingly popular Stateside, even among non-multilingual listeners.

Her fresh take on international pop music as well as her powerful message of queer empowerment — she’s an outspoken critic of Brazil’s conservative president, Jair Bolsonaro— has won her powerful accolades and brought her performances to Pride festivities across the U.S., including a headlining spot on Pride Island during WorldPride NYC 2019.

“We have to show those kinds of people that you can be who you want and do whatever you want, as long as you respect other people’s space and feelings,” says Vittar. “I am not hurting anyone, I am trying to do my share to make a better world for everyone. I am an LGBTQ artist and I am proud of it, and no one can tell me what I can or cannot do.”

With her popularity in North America growing, it makes sense that Vittar’s next move would be to release an English-language song.

Becky G Headlining the Fitness Concert at This Year’s Zumba Instructor Convention

Posted on July 26, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Becky G is ready to zum-zum-zum…

The 22-year-old Mexican American singer, rapper and actress is headlining a special concert at the 2019 Zumba Instructor Convention, taking place now through Sunday in Orlando, Florida.

Becky G is sharing headlining duties for the annual Fitness Concert with Brazilian drag queen sensation Pabllo Vittar, promising an amazing show.

“I’m so excited! I’m not going to lie,” Becky G tells Billboard. “I’m like fangirling about it because I’m a huge Zumbafan and on top of that, I’m excited about the opportunity to be affiliated with the Zumba family.”

Vittar will be performing his upcoming single “Flash Pose,” featuring Charli XCX, a song that’s full of energy and has a super ’90s vibe.

“I love to perform and this one is going to be special,” says Vittar. “This will be my first time at a Zumba convention, and I can’t wait. I am super excited to sing for all those people and, most importantly, see all the cool choreography there.”

The Zumba Fitness Concert takes place at 8:30 p.m. on Friday.

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