Luis Fonsi Teams Up with Manuel Turizo for New Single “Vacaciones”

Posted on January 21, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Fonsi is taking a vacation…

The 43-year-old Puerto Rican singer has joined voices with Manuel Turizo to release “Vacaciones,” via Universal Music Latino.

Fonsi and Turizo transport listeners to summer with the new single, the first time they work together on a track.

“Baby, I have a plan, in case the routine tires you/ I invite you to the beach and you can take a break from life,” Fonsi sings at the top of the pop-reggaetón song.

Penned by hitmakers Andrés Torres and Mauricio Rengifo — the duo behind Fonsi’s smash hit “Despacito” — “Vacaciones” will be part of Fonsi’s upcoming album, which is set to drop later this year.

Daddy Yankee’s “Con Calma” Surpasses One Billion Streams on Spotify

Posted on August 29, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Daddy Yankee has another billion reasons to smile…

This week, the 45-year-old Puerto Rican reggaeton icon surpassed more than one billion streams on Spotify with his 2019 Snow-assisted hit single “Con Calma.”

According to a press statement, Daddy Yankee is the “only Latin artist to tally over one billion Spotify streams on three tracks.”

He previously surpassed the one billion streams mark with “Despacito” with Luis Fonsi and “Despacito (Remix)” featuring Justin Bieber.

“Con Calma,” which is an energetic, bilingual remake of Snow’s 1992 hit “Informer,” peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart dated May 4, 2019, where it reigned for 14 consecutive weeks.

https://twitter.com/daddy_yankee/status/1430648878961922048

J Balvin Lands Two Singles on Spotify’s “Billions Club” Playlist

Posted on June 18, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

J Balvin is officially in special company…

Spotify has launched its “Billions Club” playlist to highlight the music of the members of its Billion Streams Club, including two of the 36-year-old Colombian singer/songwriter’s most iconic singles.

According to Spotify, the new playlist — which currently features more than 150 songs — highlights the megahits that have surpassed the one billion streams mark. Included on the new playlist are J Balvin’s “Mi Gente” with Willy William and his collaboration with Cardi B and Bad Bunny, “I Like It.”

In all Cardi B has three singles on the playlist. Along with “I Like It,” the other singles are “Girls Like You” with Maroon 5, and “Taki Taki,” her collaboration with Selena Gomez, Ozuna and DJ Snake.

Selena Gomez has three singles. Along with “Taki Taki,” her other singles on the playlist include “We Don’t Talk Anymore” with Charlie Puth, and “It Ain’t Me” with Kygo.

Bruno Mars has three singles on the playlist “That’s What I Like” and “Just the Way You Are,” as well as “Uptown Funk” with Mark Ronson.

Other Latin artists appearing on the playlist include Karol G, Danny Ocean, Fifth Harmony, Camila Cabello and Luis Fonsi.

“Spotify has long celebrated artist milestones and we wanted to find a unique way to honor the artists and songs fans can’t stop listening to,” Ashley Graver, Global Head of Creative Artist Partnerships, tells Billboard. “The Billions Club playlist is a natural evolution of the plaques you have seen from multiple artists, and we are excited to give fans a one-stop destination to enjoy some of the most streamed songs in the world.”

Also in celebration of the newly rounded up collection of songs, Spotify created a video sharing how various artists have reveled when learning of the milestone and receiving their One Billion Streams plaque from the streamer.

Prior to the launch of the “Billions Club” playlist, some artists have marked hitting the billion streams achievement by doing more than just showing off their shiny new plaques on social media. Several have literally eaten off the platter-shaped badge of honor: Halsey dug into some Cheetos and candy, Joe Jonas dined on some McDonald’s, and Quavo ate some scrambled eggs and waffles with plenty of syrup, for example. (See Billboard’s gallery.)

Spotify has been busy this year launching new features beyond the just announced “Billions Club” playlist.

In April, the streaming service started adding some livestream events to artist pages, and in late May, partnered with Driift for tickets to a virtual concert series.

Cardi B, “I Like It,” featuring Bad Bunny & J Balvin
Cardi B, “Girls Like Me,” with Maroon 5
Bruno Mars, “That’s What I Like”
Bruno Mars, “Just the Way You Are”
Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk,” with Mark Ronson
Fifth Harmony, “Work From Home,” featuring Ty Dolla $ign
Karol G, “Tusa,” featuring Nicki Minaj
Selena Gomez, “We Don’t Talk Anymore,” with Charlie Puth
Selena Gomez, “Taki Taki,” with DJ Snake, Cardi B & Ozuna
Selena Gomez, “It Ain’t Me,” with Kygo
Camila Cabello, “Senorita,” with Shawn Mendes
Camila Cabello, “Havana,” featuring Young Thug
Luis Fonsi, “Despacito – Remix,” with Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber
Luis Fonsi, “Despacity,” with Daddy Yankee
J Balvin, “Mi Gente,” with Willy William
Danny Ocean, “Me Rehuso”

Daddy Yankee’s “Problema” Reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart

Posted on May 11, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Daddy Yankee has a good problema…

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican rapper has earned his 24th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart, as “Problema” jumps 2-1 on the May 15 survey.

“Problema,” released February 26, takes over atop the all-genre Latin airplay chart in its eighth week through a 7% boost in audience impressions, to 9.8 million, earned in the week ending May 9, according to MRC Data.

As “Problema” hits No. 1, Daddy Yankee collects his 24th leader dating back to the 15-week coronation of “Rompe” in 2005. Since then, he’s placed 23 other No. 1 hits, three of which have led the tally for at least five weeks starting in March of its corresponding year: “Despacito” (19 weeks starting March 11, 2017), “Dura” (five weeks, starting March 17, 2018), and “Con Calma” (eight weeks starting March 16, 2019).

Luis Fonsi to Serve as Kelly Clarkson’s Team Advisor on Season 20 of NBC’s “The Voice”

Posted on February 1, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a special crossover for Luis Fonsi…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican singer will join Kelly Clarkson as her team advisor on season 20 of NBC’s The Voice.

Fonsi, who has been a coach on Telemundo‘s La Voz since 2018 — the network’s Spanish-language version of the singing competition series — is a “natural at giving constructive criticism.”

“It means a lot to them,” Clarkson told Extra. “I’ve been them, and it means a lot when people actually take the time to invest in your performance.”

“Getting to work with Kelly truly is an honor,” said Fonsi of Clarkson. “I’m a fan … I’ve been doing this for 22 years and you meet talented people every day, but to meet a normal talented person? Somebody who is kind-hearted — it is so refreshing. ‘Oh, wait, you are famous, talented and nice … What?’”

In 2019, Fonsi made a surprise appearance on The Voice to promote the second season of Telemundo’s La Voz. There he found a new fan, Kelly Clarkson, who asked for a Spanish lesson. The “Despacito” singer told her to repeat: Mi nombre es Kelly Clarkson y soy una mujer hermosa (My name is Kelly Clarkson and I’m a pretty woman).

Season 20 of The Voice kicks off March 1 with returning judges Clarkson, Nick Jonas, John Legend and Blake Shelton.

Romeo Santos: Billboard’s Top Latin Music Artist of the 2010s

Posted on December 6, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Romeo Santos is celebrating his ten-ure on the Latin charts…

Billboard is revealing the top acts of the 2010s by genre, with the 39-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American bachata singer-songwriter topping the list of artists in the Latin category.

Since first hitting Billboard‘s surveys as a soloist in 2011, after breaking though in hit bachata quartet Aventura, Santos has collected seven solo No. 1s on the weekly Hot Latin Songs chart and five No. 1s on Top Latin Albums.

“If you put out quality music,” he told Billboard in 2017, “you’re always going to be in a good place.”

Santos beat out Prince Royce for the top spot.

The 31-year-old Dominican American singer-songwriter has not stopped making his mark in the Latin music industry since he released his eponymous debut studio album, which generated two commercially successful singles, “Stand by Me” and “Corazón Sin Cara,” in March 2010.

Most recently, Prince Royce “Carita de Inocente“, spent a record-breaking 29 weeks at number-one on the Billboard Latin Tropical Airplay chart.

J Balvin comes in at No. 3 on the chart…

The 35-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer, known as the “Príncipe del Reggaetón,”

was included in Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020 and one of the greatest Latin artists of all time by Billboard.

Daddy Yankee is the No. 5 top Latin act of the 2010s, due in part to his landmark hit “Despacito,” with Luis Fonsi and featuring Justin Bieber. The English/Spanish-language collaboration spent a record 56 weeks atop Hot Latin Songs beginning in February 2017, passing the 41-week reign of “Bailando” by Enrique Iglesias (the decade’s No. 4 artist), featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona, beginning in May 2014.

Latin
1, ROMEO SANTOS
2, PRINCE ROYCE
3, J BALVIN
4, ENRIQUE IGLESIAS
5, DADDY YANKEE
6, JUAN GABRIEL
7, BANDA SINALOENSE MS DE SERGIO LIZARRAGA
8, OZUNA
9, NICKY JAM
10, GERARDO ORTIZ

Click here to view the full, 50-position Top Latin Artists of the 2010s chart.

David Bisbal Teams Up with Carrie Underwood for Bilingual Uptempo Pop Ballad “Tears of Gold”

Posted on December 4, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

David Bisbal is shedding tears with an American Idol…

The 41-year-old Spanish singer, songwriter and actor has joined voices with Carrie Underwood for the bilingual single “Tears of Gold.”

The dancetastic single – a soaring, uptempo pop ballad – features Bisbal and Underwood’s powerful voices.

It’s vintage Bisbal, who’s always had a flair for the dramatic. And, it’s Underwood’s first-ever foray into recorded musica en español.

When Bisbal first heard the demo, “I immediately knew it was an amazing track that needed a special talent, and voice, to work with me on a duet,” he explains. “As an artist and vocalist, I listen to a lot of songs, determine the style and sound, and am involved in the process of my collaborators for my projects.”

Bisbal took “Tears of Gold,” originally written by Paul Harris, Matt Schwartz and Cameron Forbes, plus “Despacito” producers Andrés Torres and Mauricio Rengifo, who added Spanish lines to turn the track into a bilingual song.

When he approached Underwood to sing it as a duet, she was game, even though she’d be singing in both English and Spanish, and despite the fact that “Tears of Gold” is not a country song but purely a pop track.

“I was very excited that Carrie wanted to record a bilingual song with lyrics in both English and my language, Spanish,” says Bisbal, who also sings in Spanish and English on the track. “It is a big moment for me personally to be joined by such a powerful voice in music on a track that connects Latin, pop and country music together in this way. It’s a beautiful moment for our music genres and I am thankful for Carrie to collaborate with me for this release.”

The sleekly elegant video for “Tears of Gold” was shot in Los Angeles, in urban backgrounds that highlight the strength of Bisbal and Underwood’s voices.

Erika Ender Releases New Trilingual Album “MP3-45”

Posted on November 15, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Erika Ender is getting personal…

The 45-year-old Panamanian Latin Grammy-winning singer, songwriter has released MP3-45, her most personal and intimate album to date.

Ender, who co-penned Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee‘s massive hit “Despacito,” bares it all on the 9-track set, which kicks off with a vintage dance band cover of Alberto Zarzar’s “Abrázame.”

She then slows things down with beautiful ballads “Só Louco” and “When I Fall in Love” setting the stripped-down tone for the remainder of the album, which finds an emotional Ender singing about falling in and out of love.

“This album has to do with my structure as a human being and as an artist,” Ender tells Billboard. “MP3 is the format we listen to music nowadays and 45 takes me back to 45RPM which is how I used to listen to music when I was growing up at my parent’s house. That music formed me as a songwriter. I remember I’d listen and write down the lyrics and list the credits, I was fascinated by all of that. I’m bringing that little Erika to the woman I am now. It’s a digital vintage. It has profound, deep lyrics and I sing in three different languages because I come from a multicultural family.”

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” Becomes First Video to Surpass 7 Billion Views on YouTube

Posted on October 15, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Fonsi is still killin’ it on YouTube…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican singer and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” has officially become the first video in YouTube history to surpass 7 billion views.

According to YouTube, the music video, released in 2017, averages more than 1.4 million views a day (so far) in 2020 with Daddy Yankee currently No. 16 on the streaming platform’s Global Top Artists chart.

The record-breaking news comes just days after Telemundo and Billboard announced that Fonsi and Yankee will receive the Billboard Latin Song of the Decade award for “Despacito” at the 2020 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

The top honor recognizes “Despacito” for its chart milestones, which include topping the Hot Latin Songs chart for a record 56 (non-consecutive) weeks, spending the most weeks at No. 1 for any title since the chart’s inception in 1986.

The song’s success also set the chart-topping longevity mark on Hot Latin Songs when it spent its 42nd week at the top on the February 17, 2018-dated tally, surpassing the 41-week reign of Enrique Iglesias, Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona’s “Bailando” in 2014-15.

In addition, “Despacito” made history at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in May 2017, tying the then all-time mark for weeks at No. 1 (16) set by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day” in 1996.

Fonsi and Daddy Yankee are confirmed to perform at the Billboard Latin Music Awards set to take place on Wednesday, October 21, live from the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida.

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” Named Billboard Latin Song of the Decade

Posted on October 10, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee have the song of the decade…

Telemundo and Billboard have announced that the 42-year-old Puerto Rican singer and the 43-year-old Puerto Rican rapper will receive the Billboard Latin Song of the Decade award for their 2017 hit “Despacito” at the 2020 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

Fonsi and Daddy Yankee are also confirmed to perform at the awards ceremony, which is set to take place on Wednesday, October 21 live from the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida.

On the Billboard charts, “Despacito” topped the Hot Latin Songs chart for a record 56 (non-consecutive) weeks, spending the most weeks at No. 1 for any title since the chart’s inception in 1986. The song’s success also set the chart-topping longevity mark on Hot Latin Songs when it spent its 42nd week at the top on the February 17, 2018-dated tally, surpassing the 41-week reign of Enrique Iglesias, Descemer Bueno, and Gente de Zona’s “Bailando” in 2014-15.

The 2020 BLMAs, led by top finalists Bad Bunny and Ozuna, is the only awards show to honor the most popular albums, songs, and performers in Latin music, the awards are determined by the actual sales, streaming radio airplay, and social data that informs Billboard’s weekly charts during a one-year period from the rankings dated February 2, 2019, through this year’s January 25 charts.

The event coincides with Billboard’s Latin Music Week 30th anniversary, a three-day virtual experience dedicated to Latin music, culture, and entertainment. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the event will take place October 20-23 and will feature intimate artist conversations, industry panels, exclusive performances, and more.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards 2020 will broadcast live from the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla. on October 21 via Telemundo.

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