Rauw Alejandro Releases Sophomore Studio Album “Vice Versa”

Rauw Alejandro is back with new music…

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican singer, whose real name is Raúl Alejandro Ocasio Ruiz, has released his sophomore studio album, Vice Versa, via Duars Entertainment.

Rauw Alejandro

On his new album, Rauw opted to go experimental, trading, for the most part, his signature reggaeton and Latin R&B sound for more electro-pop, funk, and even Brazilian-inclined rhythms.

“This is the music I like to do,” he tells Billboard, crediting James BrownBruno Mars, and Michael Jackson as his music idols. “This album has a lot of contrast and a great selection of music.”

His best example? “Todo De Ti,” which Rauw admits was the last song to make it on Vice Versa.

“The album is incredible but the more I heard it, I felt like something was missing. That’s when ‘Todo de Ti’ was born,” he says, getting inspired from old-school sounds like funk and disco. “The most important thing in my music is the melodies. I began vibing in the studio with my producer Mr. Nais Gai and when I found the perfect melody, that’s when I began writing the concept of the song. I was so excited about the track that we finished it in two days.”

Also a phenomenon on TikTok with over one million video creations, “Todo de Ti” currently sits at No. 45 on Billboard‘s all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also entered the Hot Latin Songs, Latin Airplay, Global 200, and Global Excl. U.S. charts.

“It’s a totally different proposal and I took a risk,” he says.

Vice Versa contains only three reggaeton songs, two collaborations (one with Anitta and his longtime friend, Lyanno), and the rest, a rollercoaster of new fusions, best representing his album’s cover.

He explains the production was created between 2020 and 2021 and that he began working on it just two weeks after finalizing his debut set, Afrodisiaco. He also mentions that his entire team — which has been by his side since the beginning of his career — fully supported and respected the route he wanted to take in Vice Versa.

“I like to get out of my comfort zone,” he proudly states. “That’s what makes me happy, to be able to explore, expand and grow. I don’t judge any artist that wants to follow their line but in my case, I don’t like getting boxed in a certain type of genre. I want to experiment with the most that I can in my career and aim to become that complete

Up next, Rauw prepares to perform his biggest hits and new songs on his 2021-2022 tour in the U.S., Spain, and Puerto Rico, including three sold-out shows at the emblematic Coliseo de Puerto Rico on October 21, 22, and 23.

Demi Lovato Signs with United Talent Agency (UTA)

Demi Lovato is making a switch…

The 28-year-old half-Mexican American singer, songwriter and actor is making the move from William Morris Endeavor (WME) to United Talent Agency (UTA).

Demi Lovato

Lovato will be represented by UTA in all areas worldwide.

Over the course of their music career, Lovato has released seven albums, all of which have landed in the top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart, according to MRC Data. The artist’s 2009 album Here We Go Again reached No. 1 on the tally.

Lovato has also landed 35 Billboard Hot 100 hits, including four top 10s, according to MRC Data. They have sold 2.7 million albums and 23.8 million song downloads and their songs have registered 5.6 billion on-demand U.S. streams.

According to figures reported to Billboard Boxscore, Lovato’s tours have grossed $56.8 million and sold 1.1 million tickets. Their most recent tour, 2018’s Tell Me You Love Me Tour, was their biggest yet, earning $21.5 million.

In 2020, Lovato kicked off a career resurgence when they debuted their ballad “Anyone” during a stripped-down performance at the Grammy Awards and performed the national anthem at Super Bowl LIV.

In April, Lovato’s Dancing With The Devil…The Art of Starting Over reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The album coincided with the launch of Lovato’s powerful four-part documentary series from YouTube Originals and director Michael D. Ratner entitled Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil.

The docuseries opened the 2021 SXSW festival and detailed Lovato’s life as a pop star and the trauma they have faced. For the first time, Lovato opened up about every aspect that led to their nearly fatal overdose in 2018 and their awakenings in the aftermath. That series was preceded by a YouTube Originals documentary in 2017 titled Simply Complicated, which has garnered more than 35 million views.

On May 19, 2021, Lovato premiered their new podcast, 4D With Demi Lovato, where they announced that they identify as non-binary and have officially changed their pronouns to they/them.

Lovato has been honored over the years with numerous awards and accolades for their work, including an MTV Video Music Award, 14 Teen Choice Awards, five People’s Choice Awards, an American Latino Media Arts Award, a Latin American Music Award and a GLAAD Vanguard Award for their services to LGBT activism. They have also received two Grammy Award nominations, four Billboard Music Awards nominations and three Brit Award nominations for their work.

Outside of music, Lovato’s film and television credits include Smurfs: The Lost Village, Sonny with a Chance, Glee, Barney & Friends and the final season of Will & Grace. They were also featured alongside Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams and Pierce Brosnan in Netflix’s hit feature film Eurovision and have appeared as a mentor on the U.S. version of The X Factor.

Lovato is next starring in the NBC single-camera comedy pilot Hungry, which follows a group of friends who belong to a food-issues group. They are executive-producing the project, which comes from Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner’s Hazy Mills, SB Projects and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio GroupPeacock has additionally ordered the four-part series Unidentified with Demi Lovato, which will see the singer, their best friend Matthew and their sister Dallas attempt to uncover the truth about the UFO phenomena.

Lovato continues to be represented by Scooter Braun Projects, Carroll Guido Groffman at Cohen Bar & Karalian, LLP and the Nordlinger Group.

Los del Rio Team Up with Airbnb to Celebrate 25th Anniversary of “Macarena”

Los del Rio are giving you the Macarena vacation experience of a lifetime…

The Spanish Latin pop and dance duo, comprised of Antonio Romero Monge and Rafael Ruiz Perdigones, has teamed up with Airbnb to commemorate 25 years of their global hit “Macarena” and give fans the ultimate vacation experience.

Los Del Rio

In celebration, Los del Rio will host guests at the luxurious Andalusian villa that they use as a rural getaway for musical inspiration.

“We can’t believe 25 years have gone by since ‘Macarena’ became one of the most listened to songs of summer,” they said in a statement. “Without a doubt, the best way to celebrate this milestone with our fans is to open the doors of our favorite rural refuge and list it on Airbnb.

Los Del Rio x Airbnb Los Del Rio x Airbnb

The two-night stay will not only include access to Andalusian gardens, a swimming pool, a karaoke room, and even private cooking and dancing lessons, but also the opportunity to hang out with Los del Rio themselves to dance the timeless “Macarena.”

Inspired by a woman named Madalena, Romero crafted the melody that would become “Macarena” during a 1993 studio session; the “Macarena” topped the Billboard Hot 100 on August 3, 1996.

Los Del Rio x Airbnb Los Del Rio x Airbnb

Booking opens on June 28 for a two-night stay starting Aug. 3 via airbnb.com. A one-time virtual experience is also available for fans by clicking here.

Los Del Rio x Airbnb

Christian Nodal to Launch 2021 “Botella Tras Botella” U.S. Tour in September

Christian Nodal will be popping bottles in the U.S.

The 22-year-old Mexican singer has announced the dates for his 2021 “Botella Tras Botella” U.S. tour with special guest Gera MX.

Christian Nodal

Produced by Live Nation, Nodal will kick off his series of concerts on September 14 at Las Vegas’ Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood.

The Regional Mexican is scheduled to wrap his tour on December 19 at Phoenix’s Arizona Federal Theatre.

Nodal, who will be joined by special guest Gera MX, will make pit stops in cities such as Orlando, Nashville, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Chicago, to name a few.

“I’m excited to announce that we’re finally going back on tour in the U.S. and that we’ll finally see each other to enjoy unforgettable moments,” he tells Billboard.

The tour was coined after his and Gera’s country-meets-hip-hop collaboration “Botella Tras Botella,” which made Billboard history as the first Regional Mexican title to enter the Hot 100 in its almost 63-year history.

The song, born during a carne asada hangout in the midst of the pandemic, tells the story of a man who’s hanging out with his bros but can’t get over his ex and breakup. “It did not have a marketing strategy or a plan. It has soul,” Mexican rapper Gera previously told Billboard.

Nodal’s “Botella Tras Botella” tour comes on the heels of his and Belinda’s engagement announcement on May 25. The couple will also debut their first-ever collaboration this week as the theme song of Univision’s Si Nos Dejan.

Tickets will go on sale at 12:00 pm local time on Friday, June 4 via Ticketmaster.com.

Here’s the full list of U.S. dates:

Sept. 14 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood
Nov. 12 – Orlando, Fla. @ Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Nov. 13 – Atlanta, Ga. @ Gas South Arena
Nov. 14 – Nashville, Tenn. @ TPAC
Nov. 19 – Dallas, Texas @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Nov. 20 – Hidalgo, Texas @ Payne Arena
Nov. 21 – Houston, Texas @ Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
Nov. 24 – San Antonio, Texas @ Freeman Coliseum
Nov. 26 – Chicago, Ill. @ Rosemont Theatre
Nov. 28 – Indianapolis, Ind. @ Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
Dec. 3 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ Performance Venue at Hollywood Park
Dec. 4 – San Diego, Calif. @ Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl San Diego State University
Dec. 5 – Oakland, Calif. @ Paramount Theatre-Oakland
Dec. 10 – Reno, Nev. @ Grand Sierra Resort and Casino
Dec .12 – Fresno, Calif. @ Save Mart Center
Dec. 17 – Albuquerque, N.M. @ Kiva Auditorium at the Albuquerque Convention Center
Dec. 18 – El Paso, Texas @ UTEP Don Haskins Center
Dec. 19 – Phoenix, Az. @ Arizona Federal Theatre

Bruno Mars’ Silk Sonic Single “Leave the Door Open” Returns to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100

Bruno Mars is back on top…

Leave the Door Open,” from the 35-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer and Anderson .Paak’s duo Silk Sonic, rebounds from No. 2 to No. 1 for its second week atop the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart.Bruno Mars, Ricky Regal, LacosteThe Hot 100 blends all-genre U.S. streaming (official audio and official video), radio airplay and sales data. For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram.

“Leave the Door Open,” released on Aftermath/Atlantic Records, first reached No. 1 on the Hot 100 dated April 17 (five weeks ago). It returns to the top as it drew 17.8 million U.S. streams (down 4%) and sold 14,200 (up 38%, helped by its placement in the iTunes Store‘s 69¢ Pop Hits sale) in the week ending May 13, according to MRC Data. It also attracted 87 million radio airplay audience impressions (up 8%) in the week ending May 16.

The track adds a fifth week atop the Radio Songs chart, pushes 3-2 on Digital Song Sales and keeps at No. 10 on Streaming Songs.

Notably, the four-week absence from No. 1 on the Hot 100 for “Leave the Door Open” is the longest for a song since Post Malone‘s “Circles” waited four frames between its second and third weeks on top on the charts dated December 7, 2019, and January 11, 2020. The two tracks’ breaks between weeks at No. 1 mark the longest since Taylor Swift‘s “Shake It Off” reigned for two weeks and then spent eight frames at No. 2 (behind Meghan Trainor‘s “All About That Bass“) before returning for two more weeks on top in September-November 2014.

The track concurrently leads Hot R&B Songs for an eighth week and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for a fourth frame; the latter two charts use the same methodology as the Hot 100.

Kali Uchis Earns First No. 1 Single on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs Chart with ”Telepatía”

Kali Uchis is officially a woman on top…

The 26-year-old Colombian American singer has notched her first No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart as ”Telepatía” ascends 2-1 on the May 22-dated survey.

Kali Uchis

Uchis becomes the first female soloist without an accompanied act to reach No. 1 since 2012 and bumps Bad Bunny and Jhay Cortez‘s “Dakiti” from No. 1 after 27 weeks.

“Thank you, God, my Kuchis and everyone supporting!” Uchis tells Billboard. “I hope this inspires all other artists to never compromise. We got this through intuition; there is nothing else on the radio like it!  I’m so honored and proud.”

The Hot Latin Songs chart blends airplay, digital sales and streaming data. “Telepatía” nabs the Greatest Gainer/Digital and Airplay honors of the week boosted by increments on both metrics. On the former, it generated 1,000 downloads sold in the U.S. in the week ending May 13, according to MRC Data, extending its reign on Latin Digital Song Sales for a seventh week. On the latter, it ascends 6-2 on the all-genre Latin Airplay chart with a 21% gain in audience impressions, to 6 million, earned in the week ending May 16.

Despite a 4% dip in streams (8.5 million U.S. streams logged in the week ending May 13), “Telepatía” concurrently lifts 44-43 on Streaming Songs and remains at No. 2 on Latin Streaming Songs for a fifth week after its 6-week No. 1 high.

“Telepatía,” released Nov. 18, 2020, is the third single from Uchis’ Latin Pop Albums No. 1 set Sin Miedo (Del Amor y Otros Demonios) (March 6-dated tally) — a double accolade for the Colombian as she became the first female solo act to rule with her first chart entry since Rosalía’s El Mal Querer in November 2018.

Beyond its Hot Latin Songs coronation, “Telepatía” lifts 46-40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, after its No. 39 high (March 13-dated tally).

Bad Bunny to Perform at This Year’s Billboard Music Awards

Bad Bunny is bringing some Latin heat to the Billboard Music Awards

The 27-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton singer will perform “Te Deseo Lo Mejor” from his 2020 album El Último Tour Del Mundo, which made history as the first all-Spanish-language album to hit No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart.

Bad Bunny W Magazine Cover

In addition to topping the Billboard 200, Bad Bunny has also reached No. 1 on Billboards other flagship, all-genre chart, the Billboard Hot 100. He topped that chart with “I Like It,” his 2018 collab with Cardi B and J Balvin. In addition, he has cracked the top five on the Hot 100 with two other hits: “Mia” (featuring Drake) and “Dakiti” (a collab with Jhay Cortez).

Bad Bunny, a four-time BBMA winner, is nominated for seven more BBMAs this year, including top Latin artist and top Latin album, two categories he won last year. Bad Bunny is one of only nine artists with seven or more BBMA nods this year — and the only one representing Latin music.

He won his first Grammy on March 14, when his album YHLQMDLG won for best Latin pop or urban album.

Bad Bunny holds the record for the most top 40 hits on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart with 104. He also holds the record for the most hits total on that chart: 111.

But Bad Bunny won’t be the only Latin artist to perform…

Karol G will take the stage for a special medley of her hits “Bichota” and “El Makinon.”

The 30-year-old Colombian singer’s most recent album, KG0516, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart, becoming her first No. 1 on that list. It also made the top 20 on the Billboard 200, her highest ranking to date.

Karol G has amassed 25 hits on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, including three No. 1s. She has had 10 No. 1s on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart.

Hosted by Nick Jonas, the show will include performances by (in alphabetical order by principal performer) AJR, BTS, DJ Khaled featuring H.E.R. and Migos, Duran Duran, Glass Animals, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis with Sounds Of Blackness featuring Ann Nesby, Alicia Keys, P!nk, twenty one pilots and The Weeknd.

In addition to performing, P!nk will receive the ICON Award. She is the youngest recipient of that award to date.

Drake will receive the Artist of the Decade Award.  Trae Tha Truth will receive the Change Maker Award.

Billboard Music Awards finalists and winners are based on key fan interactions with music, including audio and video streaming, album and digital song sales, radio airplay, and social engagement, tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including MRC Data and Next Big Sound. This year’s awards are based on the chart period of March 21, 2020 through April 3, 2021.

Fan-voted categories include top social artist and top collaboration. Voting opened on May 10 and closes May 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT on Twitter and billboard.com/bbmasvote. For more information, visit billboardmusicawards.com/vote.

Bruno Mars Earns Eighth No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 with Silk Sonic Single “Leave the Door Open”

Bruno Mars is Leave-ing his mark yet again…

Leave the Door Open” by Silk Sonic, the duo of the 35-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer and Anderson .Paak, rises from No. 3 to No. 1 for its first week at the summit of the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart.

Bruno Mars, Ricky Regal, Lacoste

It’s Mars’ eighth Hot 100 No. 1, while Anderson. Paak earns his first.

The Hot 100 blends all-genre U.S. streaming (official audio and official video), radio airplay and sales data.

“Leave the Door Open” drew 21.5 million U.S. streams (up 13%) and sold 28,600 copies, downloads and CDs combined (up 138%), in the week ending April 8, according to MRC Data. It also attracted 59.1 million radio airplay audience impressions (up 9%) in the week ending April 11.

Combining digital and physical sales, the song was the most-sold of the tracking week, aided by two CD versions that shipped to purchasers in that span (one for $2.50 and a live version for the standard $1.29 single price), as it wins the Hot 100’s top Sales Gainer award.

Bruno Mars’ Hot 100 No. 1s:
“Nothin’ on You” (B.o.B feat. Mars), two weeks, beginning May 1, 2010
“Just the Way You Are,” four weeks, Oct. 2, 2010
“Grenade,” four weeks, Jan. 8, 2011
“Locked Out of Heaven,” six weeks, Dec. 22, 2012
“When I Was Your Man,” one week, April 20, 2013
“Uptown Funk!” (Mark Ronson feat. Mars), 14 weeks, Jan. 17, 2015
“That’s What I Like,” one week, May 13, 2017
“Leave the Door Open” (Silk Sonic [Mars & Anderson. Paak]), one week to-date, April 17, 2021

With eight Hot 100 No. 1s dating to his first, as featured on B.o.B‘s “Nothin’ on You” on the chart dated May 1, 2010, Mars ties Drake, Katy Perry and Rihanna for the most in that span. Mars becomes one of 18 artists in the Hot 100’s entire history with at least eight leaders.

 

Meanwhile, “Leave the Door Open” reaches No. 1 in its fifth week on the Hot 100, completing Mars’ quickest coronation. He wrapped a prior-best eight-week ascent to the summit with “Uptown Funk!” in 2015.

Silk Sonic pushes “Leave the Door Open” from No. 2 to No. 1 for its first week atop the multi-metric Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, where it’s Mars’ fourth leader, after “That’s What I Like” (10 weeks, 2017), “Finesse” (one week, 2018) and “Please Me” (one week, 2019), the latter two with Cardi B.

“Door” concurrently rebounds 2-1 for a third week atop the Hot R&B Songs chart, which, like Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, uses the same methodology as the Hot 100.

Bruno Mars Announces Plans to Launch Limited-Edition CD Single Release of Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open (Live)”

Bruno Mars is opening another door

The 35-year-old part-Puerto Rican Grammy-winning singer and Anderson .Paak‘s Silk Sonic will release a limited-edition “Leave the Door Open (Live)” CD single on Friday.

Bruno Mars, Ricky Regal, Lacoste

The collectible item comes in a jewel-case CD featuring a photo from their 2021 Grammy Awards performance of their single.

It also features the minute-long intro track by funk legend and “special guest host” Bootsy Collins, which will be featured on Silk Sonic’s upcoming album An Evening with Silk Sonic.

“Due to popular demand (and by demand I mean andy’s close relatives and 2 people I employ) we proudly present, #LeaveTheDoorOpen LIVE!,” Mars wrote via Instagram on Tuesday (March 30), adding on Twitter, “Swear this is even more collectible.”

Silk Sonic’s debut single is currently sitting at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week (dated April 3) after peaking at No. 2. It reached No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot R&B Songs chart earlier this month.

 

The “Leave the Door Open (Live)” CD single, which can be pre-ordered here, will begin shipping Friday and is only available to order through April 5.

Cardi B’s “Up” Rises to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100, A Historic Fifth Chart-Topper on the Chart

Things are still up for Cardi B

The 28-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar’s latest single “Up” rises from No. 6 to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 to spend its first week at the top of the chart.

Cardi B

The song, which becomes Cardi B’s fifth Hot 100 No. 1, debuted at No. 2 five weeks earlier and tallied three weeks at the runner-up spot before reaching the summit.

Cardi B performed “Up” as part of a medley, with Megan Thee Stallion, of their four-week 2020 Hot 100 No. 1 “WAP” on the 63rd annual Grammy Awards, broadcast on CBS, on March 14, which helped power the song’s ascent.

“Up” drew 22.7 million U.S. streams (down 5%) and 18,000 downloads sold (up 96%, good for the Hot 100’s top Sales Gainer award) in the week ending March 18, according to MRC Data. It also attracted 34.9 million radio airplay audience impressions (up 7%) in the week ending March 21.

The track rises 5-3 on the Streaming Songs chart, which it led for two weeks; 7-3 on Digital Song Sales, where it spent a week in the lead; and 17-14 on Radio Songs.

Here’s an updated look at Cardi B’s Hot 100 No. 1s:

Title, Weeks at No. 1, Date Reached No. 1
“Bodak Yellow (Money Moves),” three, Oct. 7, 2017
“I Like It,” with Bad Bunny & J Balvin, one, April 21, 2018
“Girls Like You,” Maroon 5 feat. Cardi B, seven, Sept. 29, 2018
“WAP,” feat. Megan Thee Stallion, four, Aug. 22, 2020
“Up,” one (to date) March 27, 2021

Cardi B extends her record for the most Hot 100 No. 1s among female rappers. (Of her five leaders, four have also topped the multi-metric Hot Rap Songs chart, all except Maroon 5‘s “Girls Like You,” on which she’s featured.)

Meanwhile, “Up” is Cardi B’s first Hot 100 No. 1 with no accompanying acts since “Bodak Yellow.” Thanks to the two leaders, Cardi B is the first female rapper with two Hot 100 No. 1s with no accompanying artists.

Dating to her first week atop the Hot 100 with “Bodak Yellow” (Oct. 7, 2017), Cardi B ties for the most No. 1s among all acts in the span since, matching the five each earned in that stretch by Drake and Ariana Grande.

The Hot 100 blends all-genre U.S. streaming (official audio and official video), radio airplay and sales data.

“Up” concurrently rebounds 5-1 and 4-1, respectively, for a fourth week each atop the multi-metric Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts, which use the same methodology as the Hot 100.

“Up” is the first song by a solo female and no accompanying artists to top the Hot 100, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs since Lizzo‘s “Truth Hurts” in 2019. Before that, Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow” last earned the honor.