Peso Pluma to Make Debut Performance at MTV Video Music Awards

Peso Pluma is preparing to make a grand debut appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards.

The 24-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter has been added to the list of performers for the upcoming MTV VMAs.

Peso PlumaPeso Pluma, who is nominated for Best New Artist, Best Latin and Song of the Summer, is part of a roster of new performer additions that includes Fall Out Boy, Metro Boomin with Future, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie and Swae Lee & NAV.

They join previously announced Nicki Minaj, Olivia Rodrigo, Lil Wayne, Anitta, Doja Cat, Kelsea Ballerini, Tomorrow X TogetherDemi Lovato, Karol G, Måneskin and Stray Kids.

Minaj will reprise her dual role at the VMAs as show emcee and performer for the 2023 live event from New Jersey’s Prudential Center on Tuesday, September 12.

Taylor Swift leads the pack in nominations with eight. Other multi-nominated artists include SZA with six noms, Doja Cat, Kim Petras, Miley Cyrus, Minaj, Olivia Rodrigo and Sam Smith with five each, and Blackpink, Diddy and Shakira with four each.

Fans can vote for their favorites across 15 gender-neutral categories, including “Video of the Year,” at vote.mtv.com through Friday, September 1st; voting for “Best New Artist” will remain active into the show on Tuesday, September 12th.

Anitta to Perform at This Year’s MTV Video Music Awards

Anitta will be making a special appearance at this year’s MTV VMAs

The 30-year-old Brazilian superstar has been added to the list of performers for the MTV Video Music Awards.

AnittaAnitta is joined by Lil Wayne, Doja Cat, Kelsea Ballerini and K-pop band Tomorrow X Together as the latest round of performers.

They join previously announced Demi Lovato, Karol G, Måneskin and Stray Kids.

Additional performers to be announced soon.

The awards show will air live from New Jersey’s Prudential Center on Tuesday, September 12 at 8:00 pm on MTV and stream on Paramount+.

Taylor Swift leads the pack in nominations with eight, including Video of the Year, Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for “Anti-Hero”.

Other multi-nominated artists include SZA with 6 noms, Doja Cat, Kim Petras, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Olivia Rodrigo and Sam Smith with 5 each, and Blackpink, Diddy and Shakira with 4 each.

There also are a record number of first-ever VMAs nominees (35 total) this year, with multiple nominations for first-timers Kim Petras (5), Metro Boomin and Rema (3 each), Ayra Starr, GloRilla, Ice Spice, Peso Pluma, Reneé Rapp and Yung Miami (2 each).

Other artists receiving first-time nods include Aespa, boygenius, Burna Boy, Davido, Eslabon Armado, Fletcher, Fifty Fifty, JVKE, Lauren Spencer Smith, Musa Keys, PinkPantheress, Saucy Santana, Stephen Sanchez and Toosii, among others.

Fans can vote for their favorites across 15 gender-neutral categories, including “Video of the Year,” at vote.mtv.com through Friday, September 1st; voting for “Best New Artist” will remain active into the show on Tuesday, September 12th. Nominations for social categories including “Group of the Year” and “Song of Summer” will be announced at a later date.

Shakira to Receive Video Vanguard Award at This Year’s MTV Video Music Awards

Shakira is being celebrated for leading the way…

The 46-year-old Colombian superstar singer-songwriter will receive the Video Vanguard Award at MTV‘s 2023 Video Music Awards on September 12, becoming the first South American artist to earn the award.

ShakiraShakira will accept the award and perform at the ceremony for the first time since 2006.

The “Hips Don’t Lie” singer is a four-time VMA winner and 30-time nominee.

She won her first VMA — the award for International Viewer’s Choice — Latin America (North) — in 2000 for “Ojos Así.” She snagged the same award in 2002 for “Whenever, Wherever/Suerte” and also scooped up the trophy for Best Choreography in a Video for 2006’s “Hips Don’t Lie” as well as Most Earth-Shattering Collaboration for 2007’s “Beautiful Liar” with Beyoncé.

Shakira has also earned three Grammys and 12 Latin Grammys in her career.

The Video Vanguard Award, named after Michael Jackson, went to Nicki Minaj last year. Previous winners include Beyoncé, Jennifer LopezKanye WestDavid BowieMadonna and RihannaThe Beatles and A Hard Day’s Night director Richard Lester won the award at the first VMAs in 1984.

Shakira is nominated for four VMAs this year: Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration and Best Latin for “TQG” with Karol G, and Best Latin for “Acróstico.”

Earlier this year, her hit collaboration with Bizarrap, “Music Sessions Vol. 53,” set a number of streaming records on Spotify and YouTube.

Shakira first performed at the VMAs in 2002 with her rendition of “Objection (Tango),” and was the first artist to perform a song entirely in Spanish at the ceremony alongside Alejandro Sanz when they sang “La Tortura” in 2005.

Taylor Swift leads this year’s VMA nominations with eight, while SZA comes in second with six nominations. Nicki Minaj, Doja CatMiley CyrusSam SmithOlivia Rodrigo and Kim Petras each have five nominations, and Blackpink and Diddy tie Shakira’s four. Demi Lovato, Karol G, Måneskin, and Stray Kids are confirmed to perform at the ceremony, with MTV announcing more performers soon.

Ozuna Signs with Scooter Braun‘s SB Projects

Ozuna is hoping to build up his music empire with a little extra braun

The 31-year-old Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, and rapper has signed with Scooter Braun‘s SB Projects.

Ozuna

The management deal is a partnership with Edgar Andino, founder and CEO of Andino Marketing Group.

Ozuna joins a SB Projects roster that includes Justin BieberAriana Grande and Demi Lovato, among others.

The company also previously managed Colombian powerhouse J Balvin, who parted ways with SB in June 2022 and is now signed to Roc Nation.

“I’m confident that Scooter and his team’s global music expertise will open doors into new markets,” Ozuna said in a statement. “We all share the same strategic vision and direction to keep spreading my music worldwide. I’m truly excited about all the new opportunities the future holds.”

“His music is a true voice of his community, and we look forward to working with him here at Hybe on a global scale,” Braun, CEO of HYBE America, added.

A key figure in Ozuna’s team, Andino has helped the singer-songwriter land global deals that range from NFT collaborations to releasing a song for the Call of Duty video game.

Most recently, he led negotiations for Ozuna’s inclusion in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Soundtrack, performing “Arhbo” with rapper GIMS. The uplifting song, which they performed at the World Cup’s closing ceremony, peaked at No. 1 Billboard‘s Latin Airplay chart.

“Working with Ozuna over these past years, one thing is for certain, we always go big,” added Andino.  “For us, Scooter and SB Projects align with our vision. They are the perfect partners to help in our continued approach and take Ozuna to the next level of his career. We cannot be more thrilled and cannot wait for everyone to see what we have coming next.”

In May, he released Afro, a seven-track EP where he experiments with Afrobeats. It followed his 2022 studio album, Ozutochi, which landed at No. 5 on the Top Latin Albums chart. Ozuna is set to embark on his Afro Tour across Europe this summer, which has 16 confirmed dates, including stops in France, Spain, Italy, Israel and Holland. The monthlong trek kicks off July 7 in France and wraps Aug. 6 in Spain.

“We’ve been following Ozuna’s career for years and we’re excited to be bringing him into the family to work with him and Edgar,” Jennifer McDaniels, president of management at SB Projects, said in a statement.

“Ozuna’s music is unmatched.  His ability to work across genres including reggaeton, Latin pop, and more, is phenomenal. With unique songs offering fresh perspective and beautiful sounds, we’re thrilled to amplify his artistry with this partnership.”

Demi Lovato to Perform on CNN’s “The Fourth in America” Special

Demi Lovato is celebrating America’s independence in a special way…

CNN will be hosting an Independence Day special, The Fourth In America, that will include a performance by the 30-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress.

Demi LovatoIn addition to Lovato, other performers will include Post Malone, Zac Brown Band and Leon Bridges.

Dana Bash, Boris Sanchez, Victor Blackwell and Cari Champion will host the special, which also will include Sheryl Crow, Darius Rucker, Alanis Morrisette, Duran Duran, Flo Rida, Smash Mouth and The Plain White Ts.

This will be the fourth year that the network has scheduled a Fourth of July special, following CNN’s long running tradition of New Year’s Eve coverage from Times Square.

The special also will include a performance by the United States Air Force Band, as well as fireworks shows from around the county, including Washington, D.C.

Demi Lovato Teases Rockified Version of Her Hit Single “Cool for the Summer”

Demi Lovato is ready to rock the summer…

The 30-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress is planning to release a rock-ified remix of her electro-pop track “Cool for the Summer,” one of her biggest hits, later this month.

Demi LovatoIn a 10-second teaser clip, Lovato is seen in a studio re-recording the pre-chorus of Lovato’s 2015 smash.

But this time, instead of being accompanied by synths and hooky background vocals, the Grammy nominee sings over pounding drums and razor-edged electric guitar.

“Go tell your mother 😏,” Lovato captioned the video, a play on one of the song’s lyrics. “Cool For the Summer (Rock Version) 5/25.”

Produced by Max Martin and Ali Payami, “Cool for the Summer” was originally released eight years ago as the lead single from Lovato’s fifth studio album, Confident.

The song peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, whereas the album bowed at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.

About seven years later in March 2022, the song had something of a renaissance. A sped-up version of “Cool for the Summer” started trending on TikTok, and Lovato ended up releasing an official sped-up remix that April.

The rock remix of “Cool for the Summer” will sound more akin than the original to the style of music Lovato has been releasing more recently. Last year, she made a very deliberate departure from pop music — even hosting a joking funeral ceremony for the genre — and released a strictly hard rock album titled Holy Fvck, which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard 200.

https://twitter.com/ddlovato/status/1659275153698865152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1659275153698865152%7Ctwgr%5Ef7fee60b2281d25c2d80acf387baec8f1cbe1c5d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.billboard.com%2Fmusic%2Fmusic-news%2Fdemi-lovato-cool-for-the-summer-rock-remix-sneak-peek-1235332636%2F

Demi Lovato to Release Rock Version of Their Hit Single “Heart Attack”

Demi Lovato is preparing to rockify one of her beloved hits…

The 30-year-old half-Mexican singer/actress is set to release their power-fueled pop hit “Heart Attack” with a fresh update.

Demi LovatoTen years after its initial released, Lovato will release a rock version of the track this Friday, March 24. 

Lovato announced the new via Instagram on Monday.

“Heart Attack, but make it Rock,” they captioned the post, which features a short, guitar-centered snippet of the new track.

Upon its original release in early 2013, the song peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart dated April 27, 2013.

The Grammy-nominated Disney alum’s latest record marked a stark shift in image and sound from their revelatory 2021 album — Dancing With the Devil… The Art of Starting Over.

Led by the singles “Skin of My Teeth,” “Substance” and “29,” 2022’s Holy Fvck took on a more rock, edgy sound. Holy Fvck features collaborations with Royal & the SerpentYUNGBLUD and Dead Sara, as well as writing and production credits from Warren “Oak” Felder, Michael Pollack, and Lovato themselves.

In early 2022, Lovato hosted a “funeral” for their pop music days, sharing an image to their Instagram page posing with both middle fingers up, joined by music executives from Island Records and manager Scooter Braun. Every person in the picture wore all black. “A funeral for my pop music,” Lovato captioned the image.

Demi Lovato to Make Directorial Debut on Hulu Original Feature Documentary “Child Star,” About Former Child Stars

Demi Lovato is making her directorial debut…

The 30-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress will direct the Hulu original feature documentary about former child stars.

Demi LovatoThe film, which currently has the working title Child Star, will “deconstruct the highs and lows of growing up in the spotlight through the lens of some of the world’s most famous former child stars, including Lovato,” and how “their rise to fame, fortune and power affects their futures.”

The other participants in the film have yet to be revealed. Their experience growing up in the limelight will be chronicled through intimate conversations led by Lovato, verité footage, and archival material.

“There is no better film or topic for my directorial debut than this story, which is close to home,” said Lovato. “Our project sheds light on important messages about growing up in the public eye, learning to protect our boundaries, and becoming active advocates of our own destinies. I’m humbled to be able to learn from the individuals who have lived the unique experience of child stardom and share their stories in our film.”

Lovato is co-directing alongside Nicola Marsh.

The documentary is being produced by Michael D. Ratner’s OBB Pictures, a division of OBB Media, whose company also has a multi-year non-exclusive development deal with Walt Disney Television Alternative.

The deal focuses on creating documentaries, docuseries, original specials and unscripted formats that cater to Gen Z and Millennial audiences across Disney platforms. Lovato’s production company, DLG, and Scooter Braun’s SB Projects are also producing.

“With this film we’re setting out to tell a story that is as timely as ever given our evermore connected world and lack of privacy. This story has a deeply rooted shared nostalgia, and is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining,” said Michael D. Ratner, OBB Media founder, president and CEO. “Demi and the talented individuals taking part in this documentary have decided to share their stories authentically, and I’m thrilled to work alongside Demi, Nicola, and the teams at SB Projects and Hulu, in bringing their stories to screen.”

“At the heart of our documentaries are storytellers with distinct backgrounds and perspectives who leave no page of their stories unturned. Demi’s first-hand experience and personal relationships are all on bold display in this poignant and exploratory film,” said Belisa Balaban, Senior Vice President, Documentaries and Unscripted Series, Hulu Originals. “Our audience has long been interested in delving into the nuances of pop culture, and Demi’s story – hard truths and all – uniquely suits her to the kind of stories we feel fortunate to tell at Hulu.”

Lovato, OBB Media, and SB Projects are frequent collaborators, having previously worked together on the documentary series Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil, which was the opening night headliner at SXSW in 2021. Lovato and Ratner also co-directed the music video for the single, Dancing with the Devil. Most recently they collaborated on the podcast series, 4D with Demi Lovato.

Lovato serves as executive producer for her DLG banner.

Demi Lovato Offers Sneak Peak at “Still Alive,” Her New Single for the “Scream VI” Soundtrack

Demi Lovato is a scream queen…

The 30-year-old half-Mexican American actress/singer has offered her followers on TikTok a sneak peek of “Still Alive,” her new single for the Scream VI soundtrack.

Demi LovatoTo tease the song, Lovato appears with her back to the camera, slowly circling to reveal that she’s holding the famous Ghostface mask in front of her face.

As she lowers the shroud, Lovato’s voice can be heard singing, “Alive, I don’t want to just survive/ Give me something to sink my teeth in” before the song abruptly cuts out.

Naturally, Lovatics were clamoring to hear the entire track, which will be released on March 3.

“Demi Lovato is coming for blood,” one fan predicted in the comments, punctuating the sentiment with a single drop of blood emoji. Another wrote, “I’m so here for this era…keep slayinggggg,” while a third amusingly commented, “I work in a cinema and when I tell you this better be the end credit song so I can hear it 5 times a day when I’m cleaning I swear.”

“Still Alive” will serve as Lovato’s first taste of new music since releasing her seventh studio album, Holy Fvck, back in 2022.

The pop-punk fueled full-length contained collaborations with Yungblud, Royal & the Serpent and Dead Sara and ultimately topped three separate Billboard tallies: Top Rock & Alternative Albums, Top Rock Albums and Top Alternative Albums.

https://www.tiktok.com/@ddlovato/video/7200847315257593134

Anitta Among Performers for This Year’s iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour

Anitta is preparing to jingle all the way to Miami…

iHeartMedia has revealed the star-studded lineup for its annual iHeartRadio Jingle Ball tour, with the 29-year-old Brazilian singer/songwriter making the list.

Anitta

Anitta will perform at Jingle Ball in the Ft. Lauderdale/Miami, Florida market on Sunday, December 18, at 7:00 pm EST.

But Anitta isn’t the only Latinx artist set to take the stage…

Pitbull is scheduled to perform at the concerts in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC and Atlanta.

Howie Dorough and his fellow Backstreet Boys will perfrom in Detroit, New York City, Boston and Ft. Lauderdale/Miami.

Demi Lovato will perform in Boston, while Carlos PenaVega and his Big Time Rush band mates will perform at Ft. Lauderdale/Miami.

The 2022 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour will stop in Dallas/Ft. Worth; Los Angeles; Chicago; Detroit; New York; Boston; Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta; Tampa and Miami/Ft. Lauderdale.

“Every year our iHeartRadio Jingle Ball lineup is one of the most anticipated announcements,” Tom Poleman, chief programming officer for iHeartMedia, said in a press statement. “We’re particularly excited about who’s playing this year. This is the show that represents the best pop music of the year, all brought together on one stage. We look forward to celebrating the holiday season with music fans across the country.”

“This the time of the year when the biggest artists in music come together to celebrate the holidays with their fans from coast to coast, culminating with a two hour broadcast television event on The CW Network,” added John Sykes, president of entertainment enterprises for iHeartMedia.

Ticket pre-sale for Capital One cardholders begins on Tuesday, October 4 at 10:00 am local time and runs through Thursday, October 6 at 10:00 am local time. Pre-sale info and tickets will be available at iHeartRadio.com/CapitalOne.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, October 7 at 12:00 pm local time here.

For those who can’t make the shows in person, Z100’s Jingle Ball 2022 in New York City will air as a television special on The CW Network on Saturday, December 17 at 8:00 pm EST/PST. The CW Network will also video stream the concert live on CWTV.com and The CW App.

Here’s the full list of Jingle Ball dates and lineups:

Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas – Tuesday, November 29, at 7:30 p.m. CST
Performers: Jack Harlow, Black Eyed Peas, Khalid, Lauv, Ava Max, Lewis Capaldi, Lauren Spencer-Smith, Jax and Nicky Youre.

Los Angeles, Calif. – Friday, December 2, at 7:30 p.m. PST
Performers: Dua Lipa, Jack Harlow, Pitbull, Khalid, Bebe Rexha, Lewis Capaldi, Ava Max, Dove Cameron, Jax and Nicky Youre.

Chicago, Ill. – Monday, December 5, at 7 p.m. CST
Performers: Jack Harlow, Pitbull, Khalid, Macklemore, Lauv, Tate McRae, Ava Max, Jax and Nicky Youre.

Detroit, Mich. – Tuesday, December 6, at 7:30 p.m. EST
Performers: The Kid LAROI, AJR, Backstreet Boys, Khalid, Macklemore, Tate McRae, Ava Max, Nicky Youre, Jax and Armani White

New York, N.Y. – Friday, December 9, at 7 p.m. EST
Performers: Dua Lipa, Lizzo, Charlie Puth, Backstreet Boys, The Kid LAROI, AJR, Demi Lovato, Lauv, Ava Max, Dove Cameron and Jax.

Boston, Mass. – Sunday, December 11, at 6 p.m. EST
Performers: Jack Harlow, Backstreet Boys, Demi Lovato, The Kid LAROI, Lauv, Tate McRae, Dove Cameron, Jax and Nicky Youre.

Philadelphia, Pa. – Monday, December 12, at 7:30 p.m. EST
Performers: Sam Smith, Charlie Puth, AJR, Khalid, Tate McRae, Lauv, Ava Max, Jax and Nicky Youre.

Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, December 13, at 7:30 p.m. EST
Performers: Sam Smith, Pitbull, Charlie Puth, Khalid, Tate McRae, Lauv, Ava Max, Nicky Youre and Jax.

Atlanta, Ga. – Thursday, December 15, at 7:30 p.m. EST
Performers: Sam Smith, Pitbull, AJR, Macklemore, Khalid, Tate McRae, Lauv, Ava Max and Nicky Youre.

Tampa, Fla. – Friday, December 16 at 7 p.m. EST
Performers TBA

Ft. Lauderdale/Miami, Fla. – Sunday, December 18, at 7 p.m. EST
Performers: Charlie Puth, Anitta, Backstreet Boys, Tate McRae, Black Eyed Peas, Big Time Rush, Ava Max, Lauren Spencer-Smith and Jax.