Marisa Monte Signs with Universal Music Publishing Group

Marisa Monte is going global…

The 53-year-old Brazilian star, the elegant singer, songwriter, producer and instrumentalist known for her distinctive vocals and ability to span multiple genres of Brazilian music, has signed a global administration agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group.

Marisa Monte

The deal encompasses Monte’s impressive catalog of songs on Monte Songs, spanning an almost four-decade career, including hits like “Ainda Bem,” “Depois,” “Beija Eu,” “Amor I Love You,” “Não Vá Embora,” “Já Sei Namorar,” “Velha Infância,” “Passe em Casa” and “Não é Fácil.”

Long regarded as one of Brazil’s leading female acts, Monte is also a much-admired artist globally who has worked with the likes of David ByrnePhillip GlassArnaldo Antunes and Carlinhos Brown. The latter once described her voice as “one of the most perfect in the world. It’s like the wind: soft, gentle and caressing, but it messes with everything in its path.”

Monte’s deal with Universal comes at a time when the company is led by women, a fact that she celebrated.

“I am very happy for this partnership between my catalog as a composer and a company with a female soul. Universal Music Publishing is globally chaired by a woman. UMPG Latin is led by a strong, female president who is surrounded by a capable and talented team,” said Monte in a statement. “Care, delicacy, empathy and all the feminine intelligence at the service of music. Long live the balance and the union of forces!”

Alexandra Lioutikoff, President Latin America and US Latin for UMPG, said: “Marisa Monte is […] a songwriter, artist and producer whose songs are celebrated by fans of all ages, making her a true icon in art and culture. We’re very proud to welcome her to our family and our team is eager to deliver creative opportunities to spread her music all over the world, as she deserves.”

Swizz Beatz to Co-Host Alicia Keys’ HIV/AIDS Charity Event Black Ball

Swizz Beatz is helping raising awareness about HIV and AIDS…

The 36-year-old half-Puerto Rican hip-hop artist and record producer is set to co-host his wife Alicia Keys’ annual charity event, which aims to shine a spotlight on HIV and AIDS.

Swizz Beatz

Keys announced Tuesday that her husband will co-host the 11th annual Black Ball alongside Diddy on October 30 at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom.

Keys, Nas, David Byrne and Angel Haze will perform.

Keep a Child Alive, Keys’ charity launched in 2003, offers assistance to people affected by HIV and AIDS in Africa and India.

Last year’s Black Ball raised $4 million and featured Carole King and Pharrell Williams.

The National Museum of American History to Memorialize Cruz

It’s been nearly 10 years since Celia Cruz passed away… But she’s remained one of the most influential artists in Latin music… And, now she’ll be memorialized in our nation’s capital.

The legendary Cuban-American singer—known as the “Queen of Salsa” —will be the subject of a new biographical portrait by Robert Weingarten, a noted photographic artist, at the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC.

Celia Cruz

As part of the museum’s “Frame an Iconic American” contest, officials selected five iconic American figures who represented a different set of ideas. And after more than 11,000 votes cast, Cruz’s story of immigration, music and entertainment resonated with a clear majority of the voters.

“The comments on our contest pages hint at some of the challenges museum staff face when thinking about how we collect, preserve and present history” says Shannon Perich, curator of the upcoming Pushing Boundaries: Portraits by Robert Weingarten exhibition. “Which stories do we tell and why? For some commenters, local allegiances were most important. For some, having a personal connection was the deciding factor. Others wrestled with the various ways in which we recognize the many kinds of contributions our heroes make to our society. This dynamic dialogue is important and we thank you for sharing your points of view with us.”

Celia Cruz

Cruz, who passed away in July 2003 at the age of 77, recorded more than 80 albums and songs, many of which went gold or platinum, during a professional career that spanned more than 60 years. Cruz, who became known around the world for her piercing and powerful voice and larger-than-life personality and stage costumes, won five Grammy Awards and received various other honors for her contributions to Latin music. She collaborated with Gloria Estefan, Cheo Feliciano, Ismael Rivera, David Byrne, Wyclef Jean and many other musical legends.

Celia Cruz

To learn more about Cruz, read a special tribute on the American History Museum’s blog or visit the museum’s online exhibition, ¡Azúcar! The Life and Music of Celia Cruz.

Cruz beat Audie Murphy, Alice PaulSamuel Morse and Frederick Douglass for the honor. Weingarten’s finished portrait of Cruz will be displayed at the Smithsonian this fall.