Karol G Makes History as “Mañana Será Bonito” Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart

Posted on March 6, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Karol G is celebrating a historic moment…

The 32-year-old Colombian singer and songwriter’s new album Mañana Será Bonito is making an unprecedented splash on the Billboard 200 albums chart dated March 11, as the set debuts atop the tally.

It’s both the first No. 1 for the artist and the chart’s first No. 1 all-Spanish-language album by a female artist.

“I feel so very special. More than happiness I feel special,” Karol G tells Billboard, who spoke with her as the news was reported. “My last album did so well and had all those big hits, like ‘Bichota,’ so the bar was high. But I didn’t want to make music because I felt pressure. I wanted to make the music I wanted to make, and the fact that I’ve hit No. 1 with an album that is so personal is enormous.”

Previously, only two all-Spanish albums led the list, both by Bad Bunny. (Un Verano Sin Ti in 2022 and El Ultimo Tour del Mundo in 2020).

Mañana Será Bonito earned 94,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in the week ending March 2, according to Luminate. Its starting sum was largely powered by streaming activity.

Of Mañana Será Bonito’s 94,000 equivalent album units earned, SEA units comprise 83,000 (equaling 118.73 million on-demand official streams of the set’s 17 tracks), album sales comprise 10,000 and TEA units comprise 1,000. The album’s sales were largely powered by its digital download album (8,500), though there was a CD available in limited quantities, selling about 1,500 copies. The digital album was also offered in two alternative cover variants on Karol G’s official webstore.

Mañana Será Bonito logs the largest week, by equivalent album units earned, for a Latin album by a woman since the chart began measuring by units in December of 2014. (Latin albums are defined as those that have hit or are eligible for Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart.) Further, as Mañana Será Bonito generated 118.73 million official on-demand streams for its songs, the set registers the biggest streaming week ever for a Latin album by a woman.

Mañana Será Bonito is also the first Latin album by a woman to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200 since 1995, when Selena’s posthumously-released, mostly-Spanish effort Dreaming of You topped the list for one week. (The 13-song Dreaming of You album has six tracks in Spanish, five in English and two duets that blend English and Spanish.)

Only three mostly-non-English-language albums by women have reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 – the all-Spanish Mañana Será Bonito, Dreaming of You and The Singing Nun’s all-French-language self-titled album in 1963.

Karol G made her Billboard chart debut in 2016 and has been a force on Billboard’s Latin genre charts ever since, notching 17 top 10 hits on the Hot Latin Songs chart – including five No. 1s (through the most recently published chart, dated March 4). On the Top Latin Albums list, she’s previously logged a trio of top two-charting sets, including one No. 1, her previous release, KG0516, in 2021.

Mañana Será Bonito is the fourth charting album for Karol G on the all-genre Billboard 200, but first to reach the top 10. She previously visited the list with KG0516 (No. 20 in 2021), Ocean (No. 54 in 2019) and Unstoppable (No. 192 in 2017). Preceding the release of the new album, Karol had logged five top 40-charting hit songs on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, but with three of them coming in 2022: “Mamiii,” with Becky G (No. 15), “Provenza” (No. 25) and “Gatubela,” with Maldy (No. 37). Both “Mamiii” and “Provenza” became Karol’s first top 10-charting hits on the all-genre Streaming Songs chart, reaching Nos. 5 and 10, respectively. (Both “Provenza” and “Gatubela” are included on Mañana Será Bonito.)

With Karol G’s Mañana Será Bonito replacing SZA’s SOS at No. 1, it’s the first time a woman has replaced another woman atop the list in over a year. It last happened when a trio of leading ladies traded off the top spot from November 20, 2021-December 4, 2021. Summer Walker’s Still Over It debuted at No. 1 on the on November 20 chart, Taylor Swift’s Red (Taylor’s Version) then opened atop the list on November 27, and Adele’s 30 bowed at No. 1 on the December 4 chart.

The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units, compiled by Luminate. Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album.

Selena Returns to Top 10 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums Chart with “Selena: The Series” Soundtrack

Posted on December 19, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Selena is back on the charts…

The late Mexican American singer, known as la Reina de la Musica Tejana, returns to Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums chart dated December 19 with her latest soundtrack Selena: The Series, Music From The Netflix’s Original Series.

It’s Selena’s first entry and Top 10 since 2016 following the former No. 1 greatest hits compilation Lo Mejor De… (April 2016).

As Selena: The Series Soundtrack debuts at No. 8, Selena captures her sixth top 10, dating back to the 44-week ruler Dreaming of You (it debuted at No. 1 in August 1995).

Selena: The Series Soundtrack opens with 1,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending Dec. 10, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data, most of which stem from streaming activity. The first nine episodes of Selena: The Series premiered on Netflix on December 4.

The Latin Pop Albums chart ranks the most popular Latin pop albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units. Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).

Selena:The Series soundtrack, which was released December 4 via Netflix/Capitol Latin/UMLE, net 1,000 SEA which equates to 1.2 million on-demand U.S. streams for the album’s songs in its opening week.

With The Series arriving in the current chart week, Selena also generates popularity with other efforts. Her last live set, Live, The Last Concert: Houston, Texas 1995, an April 2001 one-week chart ruler, re-enters at No. 7 after previously hitting No. 10 last holiday season.

Concurrently, Selena’s all-time favorite Ones (2002), moves closer to Shakira’s El Dorado’s 63-week No. 1 record holder, holding strong atop the list in its 61st week.

Elsewhere, The Series’s 20-track set sees six of its songs debut or re-enter the Latin Digital Song Sales chart. Let’s take a look:

Rank, Title

No. 4, “Como La Flor”
No. 8, “Baila Esta Cumbia”
No. 10, “Que Creías” (debut)
No. 19, “Besitos” (debut)
No. 21, “La Carcacha”
No. 24, “Dame Un Beso” (debut)

Angela Aguilar Releases Selena Tribute Album, “Baila Esta Cumbia”

Posted on February 2, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Angela Aguilar is paying tribute to La Reina de la Musica Tejana…

The 16-year-old Mexican-American singer, the daughter of Pepe Aguilar, has released Baila Esta Cumbia, a seven-track EP highlighting some of the late Selena Quintanilla’s biggest hits.

The EP begins with the title track, which features a cumbia-banda twist.

On the tracks, which include “Como La Flor,” “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” “Amor Prohibido” and others, Aguilar adds her own flair of cumbia, mariachi or banda music while keeping the songs’ essence intact.

“I present this EP as a tribute and in gratitude to Selena,” Aguilar wrote on Instagram. “With an admiration of a Mexican / American woman who, along with her family, expressed her love for music and the stage through her dances and songs. I wish I could take your music to more girls who didn’t have the opportunity to listen to it.”

The set wraps up with a sweet mariachi-pop medley of “I Could Fall in Love” and “Dreaming of You,” where Aguilar proudly flaunts her powerhouse vocals.

The release of Baila Esta Cumbiacomes a little bit more than two months ahead of the 25th anniversary of Selena‘s death on March 31.

Ozuna’s Debut Album “Odiesa” Leads Billboard’s Top Latin Albums for 45th Week

Posted on August 24, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Ozuna has moved ahead of a Tejano legend…

The 26-year-old Puerto Rican reggaeton and Latin trap singer’s debut album, Odisea — released via DimeloVi/VP Entertainment almost a year ago (August 25, 2017) — leads Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart dated August 25 for a 45th week — earning the second-most weeks atop the 25-year-old chart.

It surpasses Selena‘s Dreaming of You, which remained on top for 44 weeks in 1995 and 1996.

Odisea moves closer to Gloria Estefan‘s record of 58 weeks with Mi Tierra (July 1993-September 1994).

The milestone comes just as his sophomore album, Aura, dropped on Friday (August 24). The set has yielded three hits on the Hot Latin Songs chart: “La Modelo” with Cardi B debuting and peaking at No. 3 (January 6, 2018), “Única” peaking at No. 6 (August 11), and “Vaina Loca,” which has so far topped out at No. 29 (July 14), and sits at No. 32 on the current tally.

Likewise, Ozuna extends his longest leading No. 1 record among males on the Top Latin Albums chart. Below him, Luis Miguel continues with the second-longest reign (Segundo Romance, 29 weeks).

Notably, Odisea departed the penthouse for only six weeks since its debut on the tally (September 2017). when four other albums debuted at No. 1: CNCO’s self-titled album (Apr. 21), Maluma’s F.A.M.E. (June 2), J Balvin’s VIBRAS (June 9), and Anuel AA’s Real Hasta La Muerte which crowned the list for two weeks (July 28-Aug. 4).

In the latest tracking week (ending Aug. 16), Odisea earned 10,000 equivalent album units (down 1 percent), according to Nielsen Music. In total, the set has earned 707,000 units, of which 37,000 are in traditional album sales. In February 2017, the Top Latin Albums chart began ranking albums by overall equivalent album units and allowing catalog (or older) titles to chart. Previously, the list ranked albums by pure album sales, and only current albums were eligible to appear.

Here’s a look at the 10 albums with the most weeks at No. 1 on Top Latin Albums:

Weeks at No. 1, Artist, Title, Peak Date
58, Gloria Estefan, Mi Tierra, July 10, 1993
45, Ozuna, Odisea, 30 (through Aug. 28, 2018), Sept. 16, 2017
44, Selena, Dreaming of You, Aug. 5, 1995
29, Luis Miguel, Segundo Romance, Sept. 17, 1994
26, Ricky Martin, Vuelve, Feb. 28, 1998
24, Daddy Yankee, Barrio Fino, July 31, 2004
23, Aventura, The Last, June 27, 2009
20, Juan Gabriel, Los Duo 2, Jan. 2, 2016
20, Selena, Amor Prohibido, June 11, 1994
19, Christina Aguilera, Mi Reflejo, Sept. 30, 2000

Anuel AA’s Debut Album “Real Hasta La Muerte” Certified Gold by the RIAA…

Posted on August 14, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Anuel AA is golden…

The 25-year-old Puerto Rican trap artist’s Real Hasta La Muerte has been certified gold by the RIAA only three weeks after its release.

Anuel AA

“At the moment I have no words to say thank you for the support I have received from my fans,” said Anuel in a press statement. “I thank God more than anything for the blessing of so much good news in such a short time.” Anuel calls the album “my return to music, and I am back to stay.”

Back in July, Anuel AA earned his first No. 1 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart with his debut album, Real Hasta La Muerte.

The chart-topping album arrived on July 17 via Real Hasta La Muerte/ GLAD Empire— hours before he was released from prison after serving time for gun possession charges.

Real Hasta La Muerte opened in the penthouse with 11,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending July 19, according to Nielsen Music. Of its starting sum, 3,000 were in traditional album sales — a notable feat, since it only had two days of sales during the tracking week. It scored the fifth largest sales week for a Latin album in 2018, trailing only the debuts of CNCO’s self-titled album (13,000; chart dated April 21), J Balvin’s Vibras (10,000; chart dated June 9), Maluma’s F.A.M.E. (7,000; chart dated June 2), and Victor Manuelle’s 25/7 (4,000; chart dated Apr. 7).

Real Hasta La Muerte also debuted at No. 1 on the Latin Albums Sales chart.

The set, which was recorded while Anuel AA was serving his sentence, also logged 7,000 in streaming equivalent units (SEA).

Further, Anuel was the first artist to land at the summit with a debut album in a little less than a year. Ozuna bowed at No. 1 with his debut set, Odisea (Sept. 16, 2017). Real bumps Odisea down to No. 2, after 42 nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1. (He continues to hold the record for the most weeks atop the list for a male artist, and the third overall; Gloria Estefan’s Mi Tierra leads with 58 weeks and Selena’s Dreaming of You follows with 44.)

MAC Cosmetics to Replenish Its Limited Edition Selena Collection

Posted on December 20, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

MAC Cosmetics’ Selena collection is getting a refill…

The cosmetics line has announced plans to restock of the brand’s limited edition Selena Quintanilla collection, back by popular demand.

Originally requested via an online change.org petition from her fans back in February 2015, the 14 piece collection finally launched this past October with colors named after the legendary late Tejano singer’s biggest hits, including a deep, wine-red lipstick called “Dreaming of You“, a dusty-pinky beige eyeshadow named “Missing My Baby” — and, of course, MAC‘s signature Lipglass in a sheer pink with silverly flakes, named after Selena’s ubiquitous “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom.”.

All products, except Liquid Eye Liner in Boot Black, will be available for purchase Wednesday, December 28 at 12:01am EST on maccosmetics.com, and in stores everywhere in the U.S and Canada on Thursday, December 29.

Selena Inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame

Posted on October 24, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

She’ll forever be known as La Reina de la Musica Tejana… And, now Selena Quintanilla is an official Texas legend.

The late Tejano singer was among the five iconic women who were inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame over the weekend.

Along with the rest of Selena’s many historic accomplishments — like introducing the Tejano genre into mainstream music — she was notably recognized by the Texas governor for “shattering stereotypes and expectations, proving the impossible is always possible.”

Her sister Suzette Quintanilla accepted the award on behalf of Selena and her family.

“My sister once said that the goal isn’t to love forever, but to create something that will. Today is a testament to those words. I stand up here today with so many emotions and all of these beautiful memories in my heart that I would love to share with you guys but that would take a long time,” she said as she held back the tears. “As you all know Selena was such a unique person who embodied so much for being so young. Selena was a very kind and caring person that had an infectious smile and laughter.”

A Grammy winner and owner of a clothing line and a boutique-salon, Selena was shot and killed by the founder of her first fan club on March 31, 1995 at the age of 23. The Texas-born singer was a pioneer for many artists as she seamlessly crossed over from the Spanish market and into the English market.

Before her untimely death in 1995, she had started work on an English-language crossover album. Dreaming of You was released posthumously and became the best-selling Latin album of all time, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and selling 175,000 copies on its very first day of release.

Shortly after her death, the star’s story was brought to life in the biopic Selena starring Jennifer Lopez.

Most recently, MAC Cosmetics launched their Selena-inspired make up line, which sold out online in a matter of hours. The highly anticipated collection, which includes lipsticks, eye shadows and blush, is now available in MAC stores.

MAC to Premiere Its Selena World Line in Corpus Christi Next Month

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like Selena fans will be seeing (shades of) red next month…

The new MAC make-up line named for the late singer, known as La Reina de la Musica Tejana, will have its premiere at the American Bank Center in the singer’s home town of Corpus Christi, TX on September 30.

The MAC Selena World premiere, presented in partnership with Dillard’s department store, will be a day-long “product experience” where fans can buy the cosmetics before they are available in stores in October, as well as see the Quintanilla family perform with an as yet-unrevealed guest performer. DJs will part of the day’s entertainment, as well as make-up demonstrations.

Anticipating the big multi-generational crowds that can be expected to flock to the arena for the event, the cosmetics company has posted detailed instructions for attending – and lining up outside for world premiere, cautioning that “once the arena reaches capacity, doors will be closed to entry” to the free-admission event. View screens will be set up outside the arena, which has a maximum capacity of 10,000.

Doors open at 10 am, and the Quintanilla Family is set to perform at 8 p.m. The Selena

make-up will be available for purchase at the event until stock sells out.

Selena’s sister Suzette Quintanilla unveiled the full make-up collection in May via Persicope. It features lipsticks named for the beloved singer’s hits like “Dreaming of You” and “Amor Prohibido.”

Selena, who was only 23 when she died, was known for her bright red lips and a personal style that has influenced thousands of female fans.

Selena to be Immortalized with Her Own Wax Figure at Madame Tussauds Hollywood

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Quintanilla fans, prepare to wax nostalgic…

After a formal online petition held by the La Reina de La Musica Tejana’s fans, representatives of Madame Tussauds announced that the late Tejano singer will be immortalized with her own wax figure.

Quintanilla’s wax-figure unveiling will be in commemoration of the 21st anniversary of her last studio album, Dreaming of You.

Madame Tussauds Hollywood’s sculptors and artists’ team of experts researched and captured Selena’s authentic likeness, iconic pose and expression, signature hairstyle, makeup and wardrobe, after traveling to the Selena Museum in Corpus Christi, Texas, for an initial meeting with the Quintanilla family.

“At Madame Tussauds, our figures represent icons who have made a significant impact on our culture,” Colin Thomas, general manager of Madame Tussauds Hollywood, said in a statement. “Her influence has transcended generations and her passionate fans continue to be inspired by her to this day. We recognize this, and in response, we are proud to join her fans in celebrating her legacy by immortalizing her,” he added.

Valued at approximately $350,000, the figure will be dressed in a re-created stage look from Selena’s concert held at the Memorial Coliseum in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Feb 7, 1993. The performance was recorded for the album Selena Live!, which won the Grammy for best Mexican/American album in 1994.

Meanwhile, Selena’s sister Suzette Quintanilla expressed her gratitude on behalf of her family. “This is yet another step in making sure that her legacy lives on and that her fans new and old can appreciate her as a person, an artist and one whom we can all identify with,” she said.

The official unveiling will take place at Madame Tussauds Hollywood on August 30.

Daddy Yankee Releases First English Track “This Is Not a Love Song”

Posted on September 10, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Daddy Yankee is switching tongues…

The 37-year-old Puerto Rican reggaeton singer-songwriter and actor has released the uptempo song “This Is Not a Love Song” en ingles.

Daddy Yankee’s new track was produced by the Cataracs, who’ve worked with everyone from Enrique Iglesias to Beyonce. It also features newcomer Duncan.

There are currently no plans for an English-language album, according to a spokesperson for the entertainer, one of the most revered rappers in Latin music.

But Daddy Yankee is releasing the 10th-anniversary edition of Barrio Fino on October 7.

Yankee, who has been working with producers like Diplo and Jim Jonsin, was searching for the right English-language song. When the Cataracs song surfaced, it struck a chord.

“Over these past 10 years I focused on bringing my music to the forefront of the Latin music world, but when I got this track from The Cataracs, I knew I had to run with it,” Yankee said in a statement. “Most people have only ever heard me in Spanish so it shocks everyone to hear me rap all in English. The hook helps bring it to life. Duncan’s voice is one of a kind and he just adds that magic touch to the record.”

A decade ago, Barrio Fino was heard around the world. In the U.S., sales have totaled 1.08 million to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The album debuted at No. 1 on Top Latin Albums on July 31, 2004. It spent 24 weeks at No. 1 and holds more weeks at No. 1 than any other urban album in the chart’s history. Only four other albums have had more weeks at No. 1. The ranking:

Gloria Estefan, Mi Tierra (58 weeks at No. 1)
2. Selena, Dreaming of You (44 weeks)
3. Luis Miguel, Segundo Romance (29 weeks)
4. Ricky Martin, Vuelve (26 weeks)
5. Daddy Yankee, Barrio Fino (24 weeks)

The album peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard 200 on April 16, 2005.

“Ten years ago ‘Gasolina’ introduced me and my music to the mainstream market and helped pave the path for many artists that came after me with a vision and a dream,” Yankee added.

“This Is Not a Love Song” went on sale Tuesday (Sept. 9) through iTunes and other digital platforms.

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