Shakira to Be Honored as Billboard’s ‘Woman of the Year’ at First-Ever Mujeres Latinas en la Música Gala

t’s a career-recognizing first for Shakira

The 46-year-old Colombian global superstar will be honored as Billboard’s Woman of the Year at the first-ever Mujeres Latinas en la Música gala.

ShakiraThe two-hour music special, hosted by Ivy Queen and Jacqueline Bracamontes and honoring Latin women in music, will be taped at the Watsco Center in Miami on May 6 and will air exclusively on Telemundo on May 7 at 9:00 pm ET/8:00 pm CT.

A first of its kind for Latin music, Mujeres Latinas en la Música celebrates Latin female artists, executives and creatives who are proactively working for positive change, inclusion and gender parity in the music industry.

Superstars Ana GabrielEmiliaEvalunaGoyo and Thalia will also receive special awards at the inaugural event presented by Billboard with Telemundo.

Shakira’s honor comes in the wake of an extraordinary year that has seen the superstar break records with the biggest Spanish-language debut of 2022 (“Monotonía” featuring Ozuna). Then, in January 2023, her “Shakira: BZRP Music Sessions #53” debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making her the first woman to reach the top 10 on the chart with a song in Spanish.

“Shakira: BZRP Music Sessions #53” also made history as the most-streamed Latin track in 24 hours in Spotify history and the most-viewed Latin track on YouTube in 24 hours with over 63 million views, and it broke 14 Guinness World Records.

“Shakira is the ultimate Woman in Music. Thanks to her, Latin women all over the world have been empowered to write and perform deeply personal music. She created a movement all on her own, and continues to be more relevant than ever today, with grace, a deep tradition of giving back, and enormous talent. She is the definition of a Woman in Music,” said Leila CoboBillboard’s chief content officer for Latin/Español.

“Shakira has been pivotal in shaping the vibrant and diverse landscape of Latin music and music in general throughout her career. Her passion, talent and creativity have broken barriers and empowered generations to embrace our identity through music, and we are incredibly proud to recognize her as Woman of the Year in the industry,” said Ronald Day, president of entertainment and content strategy for Telemundo.

Shakira has sold more than 95 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time and the top-selling female Latin artist of all time. Her global success as a crossover artist opened doors for other Latin artists to enter international markets. She is the most-viewed Latin female artist, and one of the top 10 artists overall of all time on YouTube with over 20 billion cumulative views, and the most-streamed female Latin artist of all time on Spotify.

Aside from her stellar industry accolades, at the age of 18, Shakira created the Pies Descalzos Foundation, which has built and adapted nine public schools in Cartagena, Barranquilla, Guajira and Quibdó, with six in construction. The foundation has raised over 40 million dollars since inception and impacted more than 150,000 children and nearly 900,000 families.

CNCO to Perform at This Year’s Latin American Music Awards

CNCO is preparing to take the global stage…

The Latin boy band is among the latest acts appearing on the performance roster for this year’s Latin American Music Awards, which will take place at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas

CNCOIn addition to CNCO, the latest list of confirmed artists includes EmiliaFarruko, Gera MXLuis Fonsi, Prince Royce, and Reik.

They join previous performers Black Eyed Peas, Boza, Calibre 50, Chiquis, Christian Nodal, Esteman, Gerardo Ortiz, Gloria Trevi, Jesse & Joy, Jhay Cortez, Lit Killah, Los Ángeles Azules, Lupita D’Alessio, María Becerra, Nicki Nicole, Ozuna, Sofía Reyes, and Tiago PZK.

The three-hour event will “pay tribute to today’s most influential and iconic Latin artists” in 26 categories, including favorite video and favorite social artist, selected by a committee of industry professionals who consider the quality, content, creativity, and fan engagement.

The 2022 Latin AMAs nominations are led by Bad Bunny with 10 nominations. He’s followed by the eight-time nominee Jhay Cortez, and Karol G, J Balvin, and Rauw Alejandro with seven nods each.

This year’s nominees, which are determined by fan voting via LatinAmas.com, are based on key fan interactions with music, including streaming, sales, airplay, and social activity tracked by Billboard through its data partners Luminate — formerly MRC Data — and Next Big Sound for data covering the periods of Feb. 6, 2021, through Jan. 29, 2022.

The 2022 Latin AMAs will take place on Thursday, April 21, live from the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The seventh annual ceremony will be broadcast on Telemundo starting at 7 p.m. ET with the red-carpet pre-show followed at 8 p.m. ET by the awards show.

Emilia Teams Up with Tiago PZK for Hot New Single “Rápido Lento”

Emilia is taking is fast and slow…

The 24-year-old Argentine singer/songwriter, whose name is Emilia Mernes, has joined voices with Tiago PZK for the new single “Rápido Lento.”

Emilia, Tiago PZK,

Known for her uptempo urban-pop tracks, Emilia, this month’s Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise, shows fans a new side to her in this sultry collaboration, where Tiago adds his refreshing rap verses.

“Rápido Lento” is a chill, R&B song fused with hip-hop and alternative rock undertones.

“Get close/ I need to understand why every time we see each other time stops,” Emilia sings in the sexy chorus. “We’re breaking the law but not the one of attraction,” Tiago chants in the lyrics about two people who continue to have chemistry despite the distance and years.

Directed by Facundo Ballve, the music video was filmed in a castle-like setting with a black-and-white aesthetic that’s both classy and provocative. The storyline? A couple that signs a contract and enjoys their intimacy in the castle. Both Emilia and Tiago are seen performing the song in the rain and in the elegant gardens.

 

Emilia and Tiago PZK are considered two of Argentina’s most promising newcomers.

Ozuna Launching New Caribbean Music Festival “Ozuna Fest Bahamas”

Ozuna is inviting you to experience the Bahama breeze and his music…

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton singer has announced the debut of his Ozuna Fest Bahamas.

Ozuna

The festival is being launched in partnership with travel company Pollen.

Taking place from December 2-6 at Atlantis Bahamas, the festival will include full resort accommodations, pool parties, exclusive club events, and many more activities.

Besides headliner Ozuna, the confirmed lineup is Alex Sensation, Blessd, Caleb Calloway, Dimelo Flow, DJ Adoni, Emilia, Jhay Cortez, Lunay, Major Lazer, Sound System, Mora, Sech, and Tiago PZK.

 

For tickets and more information, click here.

Rauw Alejandro to Headline First-Ever Vibra Urbana Music Festival Orlando Edition

Rauw Alejandro is bringing some vibra to Orlando…

Following its inaugural edition in Miami last February 2020, the Vibra Urbana Music Festival will make its debut in Orlando with a two-day event featuring the 28-year-old Puerto Rican rapper, singer and composer.

Rauw Alejandro

Set to take place July 31 – August 1, phase one of this year’s lineup includes artists like, Sech, Mora, Mariah Angeliq, Alex Rose, Dalex, Eladio CarrionZion & Lennox, among others, who are set to perform at the Orlando Amphitheater. Additional artists will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

“After over a year since our last show as a result of the pandemic, our team wanted to make sure we delivered the most exciting and energetic festival for our fans,” Javier Caso, founder and partner of Vibra Urbana, said in a statement. “Being able to bring our Vibras to a second city in the Sunshine State makes us beyond excited.”

“We are honored to be bringing some of the biggest and brightest names in the genre with Rauw Alejandro and Sech, along with one of the legendary groups in reggaeton, Zion Y Lennox,” added Kirk Taboada, head of talent and Vibra Urbana partner. “It has always been a dream of mine to do a reggaeton festival here in my home state. Orlando, I hope you’re ready for us!”

Other artists set to perform in Orlando include Boza, Eix, El Prefe, Emilia, LATENIGHTJIGGY, Marconi Impara, Mario Duran and Omy de Oro. Tickets will go on-sale on Friday, May 14, at 10:00 a.m. ET at www.vibraurbanafest.com.

Growing from a single-day event to two days, Vibra Urbana will also return to Miami at the Miami Dade County Fair & Expo Center on December 18-19. This year, the outdoor fest will transform into an immersive two-day experience in a new, open-air format.

Vibra-Urbana-Music-Festival