Cardi B: The Leading Lady on Spotify’s “Songs of the Summer” Charts

Cardi B is the queen of the summer…

Spotify has revealed its official Songs of the Summer chart, with the 25-year-old half-Dominican American rap sensation the leading lady on the U.S. and global charts.

Cardi B

Globally, the No.2 and No. 3 songs both featured Cardi B: Maroon 5’s ballad “Girls Like You” came in second with around 293 million streams, while her’s own “I Like It” (featuring J Balvin and Bad Bunny) came in a close third with more than 289 million streams.

In the U.S., Cardi B’s “I Like It” comes in at  No.4 on the chart, while her track with Maroon 5, “Girls Like You” comes in at No. 11.

Drake’s “In My Feelings” topped the list both globally and in the U.S., with more than 393 million streams between June 1 and August 20.

The list also includes “Solo” by Clean Bandit, featuring Demi Lovato, at No. 8, as well as Selena Gomez’s “Back to You” at No. 15.

Latin jam “Te Boté – Remix” has also emerged as a top summer track globally, led by newcomer Nio Garcia, a Puerto Rican dancer-turned-rapper. The track also features artists Casper Magico, Darrell, Ozuna, Bad Bunny and Nicky Jam.

Summer lists are often a telling predictor of the final year-end lists — and it’ll take a monster hit to steal 2018 from Drake and Cardi B.

Spotify’s Top Global Songs of Summer 2018:

  1. In My Feelings – Drake
  2. Girls Like You – Maroon 5 (feat. Cardi B)
  3. I Like It – Cardi B (feat. Bad Bunny, J Balvin)
  4. Lucid Dreams – Juice WRLD
  5. SAD! – XXXTENTACION
  6. Better Now – Post Malone
  7. One Kiss – Calvin Harris (with Dua Lipa)
  8. Solo – Clean Bandit (feat. Demi Lovato)
  9. Taste – Tyga (feat. Offset)
  10. Youngblood – 5 Seconds of Summer
  11. God’s Plan – Drake
  12. Nice For What – Drake
  13. Te Boté – Remix – Nio Garcia (feat. Casper Magico, Darrell, Ozuna, Bad Bunny and Nicky Jam)
  14. Jackie Chan – Tiësto, Dzeko (feat. Post Malone, Preme)
  15. Back To You – Selena Gomez
  16. no tears left to cry – Ariana Grande
  17. Moonlight – XXXTENTACION
  18. Don’t Matter To Me – Drake (with Michael Jackson)
  19. Rise – Jonas Blue
  20. Nonstop – Drake

Spotify’s Top U.S. Songs of Summer 2018:

  1. In My Feelings – Drake
  2. Lucid Dreams – Juice WRLD
  3. SAD! – XXXTENTACION
  4. I Like It – Cardi B (feat. Bad Bunny, J Balvin)
  5. Nice For What – Drake
  6. Better Now – Post Malone
  7. Taste – Tyga (feat. Offset)
  8. Moonlight – XXXTENTACION
  9. Nonstop – Drake
  10. Yes Indeed – Lil Baby & Drake
  11. Girls Like You – Maroon 5 (feat. Cardi B)
  12. I’m Upset – Drake
  13. God’s Plan – Drake
  14. Psycho – Post Malone (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)
  15. All Mine – Kanye West
  16. Jocelyn Flores – XXXTENTACION
  17. Don’t Matter To Me – Drake (with Michael Jackson)
  18. All Girls Are The Same – Juice WRLD
  19. Look Alive – BlocBoy JB (feat. Drake)
  20. changes – XXXTENTACION

Bad Bunny to Guest Star on Adam Levine’s YouTube Premium Series “Sugar”

Bad Bunny is getting involved in a sweet project…

The 24-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton singer will guest star on  Sugaran original series executive produced by Maroon 5’s Adam Levine.

Bad Bunny

The eight-episode series features a new artist in each episode as they surprise fans who’ve given back to their communities in empowering ways. During a pivotal personal moment in their life, each fan is given a surprise of a lifetime as their heroes gatecrash their special events and give exclusive pop-up performances that pay-it-back in extraordinary style.

The new series inspired by Maroon 5’s music videoSugarthat has seen 2.5 billion views worldwide.

In addition to Bad Bunny, other guest stars include Maroon 5, Blake Shelton, Snoop Dogg, Charlie Puth, Kelly Clarkson,A$AP Ferg and 5th Harmony.

Sugar will premiere August 15 on YouTube Premium.

Pitbull to Visit the United Nations to Speak on the Global Water Crisis

Pitbull is headed to the United Nations

The 37-year-old Grammy-winning rapper is heading to the intergovernmental organization’s offices to discuss the global water crisis on World Water Day.

Pitbull

The organization Clean Water Here announced that the international pop star will be named Clean Water Here Ambassador on March 22, when he visits the U.N. in New York City.

Pitbull also will receive the 2018 World Water Champion Award for his global humanitarian efforts. He is leading the celebrity-driven social media campaign dubbed “Clean Water Here Cause Flash,” in hopes of raising awareness of the water crisis. Other participants include Bruno Mars, Pink, Maroon 5, Demi Lovato, Monica and Juanes.

On March 22, U.N. General Assembly President Miroslav Lajcak will launch a 10-year plan focused on sustainable development of water resources.

La Santa Cecilia Added to This Year’s BottleRock Napa Valley Lineup

La Santa Cecilia is ready to (bottle) rock Napa Valley…

The Mexican-American band, a Grammy winner in 2014 for its album Treinta Días, is set to perform at this year’s BottleRock Napa Valley music festival.

La Santa Cecilia

La Santa Cecilia, named after the patron saint of musicians Saint Cecilia, joins a lineup that includes headliners Foo Fighters, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Maroon 5 .

The three-day music, wine, food, and craft brew festival, which is held over Memorial Day weekend (May 26 through May 28), will take place at the Napa Valley Expo in the heart of wine country.

In all, more than 80 other artists will perform over the BottleRock weekend, including Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Modest Mouse, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, The Roots, Silversun Pickups, Band of Horses, Fitz & The Tantrums, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Gavin DeGraw and Andra Day.

Passes for the festival will go on sale at 10:00 am PST on January 4 at BottleRockNapaValley.com and eventbrite.com.

Check out the full lineup here.

Gomez Receives First-Ever AMA Artist of the Year Nomination

It’s a memorable first for Selena Gomez

The 24-year-old Mexican American singer has received her first-ever American Music Awards Artist of the Year nomination.

screen-shot-2016-11-15-at-11-58-08-am

After four weeks of voting, fans have selected Gomez among this year’s finalists for the top prize.

She’ll face off against her ex-boyfriend Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Carrie Underwood and Ariana Grande to see who will take home the title on Sunday, November 20.

Gomez is also nominated for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist.

The star-studded affair will see performances from Fifth HarmonyLady GagaGreen DayBruno MarsTwenty One Pilots and on-stage collaborations from Maroon 5 and Kendrick Lamar as well as The Chainsmokers‘ and Halsey with their record-breaking No. 1 hit “Closer.”

Fans can vote for the Artist of the Year category at AMAvote.com up until Thursday, November 17th at 8:59pm PT.

Ferreira to Star in Jonas Akerlund’s “Lords Of Chaos”

It’s a time of Chaos for Sky Ferreira

The 24-year-old part-Brazilian American singer-songwriter, model, and actress has signed on to star in Jonas Akerlund’s Lords Of Chaos.
 Sky Ferreira

Lords Of Chaos, which Akerlund co-wrote with Dennis Magnusson, follows young Norwegian band Mayhem that popularized a form of heavy metal music known as “True Norwegian Black Metal,” with a flair for publicity, church-burning and even murder.

In addition to Ferreira, who stars in Showtime’s new Twin Peaks reboot, the film also stars Rory Culkin, Emory Cohen and Jack Kilmer.

Akerlund directed Beyonce: Lemonade and other music videos for bands like The Rolling Stones, Madonna and Maroon 5 before venturing into features.

Ferreira’s acting credits include Elvis & Nixon, The Trust and The Green Inferno.

Balvin Expands Universal Music Worldwide Publishing Deal to the U.S.

J Balvin is heading stateside…

The 31-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer and rapper has extended his exclusive, worldwide publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), weeks before he prepares to release his new solo album this summer.

J Balvin

Balvin, who was previously signed to UMPG Colombia, will now join the publishing company’s U.S. roster and UMPG will continue to administer his entire catalog, including his upcoming album.

The move comes in the wake of rising interest from brands and Hollywood studios in Balvin’s music.

Last year, Balvin’s “Ginza” notched 22 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and it was the only Latin song on Spotify’s list of most streamed viral songs of 2015.

Balvin was also named Vevo’s Latin artist of the year for 2015. Prior to that, previous hits “6 A.M.” and “Ay Vamos” also hit No. 1 on the Hot Latin songs chart.

In the last year, he has also collaborated in remixes with mainstream market acts like Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Maroon 5, French Montana and Nicky Jam.

“I consider J Balvin one of the greatest global contemporary songwriters/artists in any genre,” said Evan Lamberg, UMPG President, North America in a statement. “He will be a force for years to come.”

“The massive appeal and magic of J Balvin is yet another example the world is waking up to Latin songwriters and what they can bring to making hits,” added Alexandra Lioutikoff, EVP, Latin Music for UMPG.

Lovato & Nick Jonas to Headline This Year’s Honda Civic Tour

Demi Lovato is doing her Civic duty…

The 23-year-old part-Mexican American singer/actress will headline the 2016 Honda Civic Tour alongside Nick Jonas.

Demi Lovato

In it’s 15th anniversary, this year’s tour – promoted exclusively by Live Nation – will include stops in 37 cities across the U.S.

Starting with its June 24 launch near Miami (Sunrise, Fla.), the tour will make stops in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas, Seattle, Nashville and more.

Both Lovato and Jonas were in attendance when the news was announced at the Honda Press Preview during New York Auto Show week.

Additionally, fans can enter The Power of Dreams sweepstakes, which starts today and runs through Aug. 27. At each show, a ticket holder and a guest will be selected for a VIP experience that includes a private meet and greet with Lovato and Jonas.

Starting as well today through February 2017: Fans can vie for the chance to win a new 2016 Honda Civic sedan designed and autographed by Lovato, a Honda Grom motorcycle customized and signed by Jonas or a trip to the tour finale at The Forum in Los Angeles on Sept. 17.

So far, 68 acts have played the Honda Civic Tour, including 2015 headliner One Direction, Maroon 5 and the Black Eyed Peas. More than 4.2 million fans have attended since 2001.

More information about the full tour itinerary, tickets and the sweepstakes is available at HondaCivicTour.com.

Mars’ “Uptown Funk” Notches a 12th Week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart

Bruno Mars’ chart-topping run continues…

The 29-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer-songwriter’s collaboration with Mark Ronson, “Uptown Funk,” rules the roost on the Billboard Hot 100 for a twelfth week.

Bruno Mars

Released on RCA Records, “Uptown Funk” becomes only the fifteenth No. 1 in the chart’s five-and-a-half-decade history to rule for at least 12 weeks. It also ties for the longest reign of the 2010s: Robin Thicke‘s “Blurred Lines,” featuring T.I. and Pharrell Williams, also logged a 12-week command beginning in June 2013.

“Uptown Funk” inks a 12th week atop the Digital Songs chart with 187,000 downloads sold (down 1 percent) in the week ending March 22, according to Nielsen Music.  It’s now within one week of tying the record for the most time spent atop Digital Songs: the T-Pain-assisted “Low” by Flo Rida led for a record 13 weeks in 2007-08.

“Uptown Funk” leads the subscription services-based On-Demand Songs chart (4.6 million U.S. streams, down 6 percent) for an 11th week and Streaming Songs (19.1 million, up 13 percent) for a 10th, adding top Streaming Gainer honors on the Hot 100. Helping fuel its burst in streams: a clip that YouTuber Carson Dean created (featuring the song’s audio), in which he dances, and gets in a good cardio workout, on a treadmill. It drew 2.2 million U.S. clicks in the chart’s tracking week.

On Radio Songs, “Uptown Funk” reigns for a ninth week with 173 million in all-format audience (down 3 percent).

Ronson and Mars’ smash, therefore, leads the Hot 100 and its three main component charts (Digital Songs, Radio Songs and Streaming Songs) simultaneously for a record-extending eighth week (non-consecutively).

Twelve weeks into its Hot 100 reign, “Uptown Funk” manages to widen its lead at No. 1, as it’s up by 3 percent in overall activity, while Maroon 5‘s “Sugar,” at its No. 2 peak for a second week, dips by 4 percent. “Sugar” holds at No. 2 on Digital Songs (156,000, down 13 percent) and No. 4 on both Radio Songs (129 million, up 5 percent) and Streaming Songs (9.8 million, down 1 percent).

Lopez Wins Triple Threat Prize at People Magazine Awards

Jennifer Lopez is the People (magazine’s) choice…

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican actress/singer and American Idol judge received the Triple Threat prize at the inaugural People Magazine Awards.

Jennifer Lopez

Lopez, a Grammy and Golden Globes nominee, earned the award for her acclaimed work as an actress, singer and producer.

“Whether its acting, singing or producing, I feel so blessed,” said Lopez as she accepted her award. “I love to entertain. We have to cherish every moment. I feel like it’s just the beginning.”

Ryan Guzman, who plays Lopez’s onscreen hookup in the upcoming psychological thriller Boy Next Door (out Jan. 23), presented her with the award.

The star-studded event included performances from Gwen StefaniPharrell Williams5 Seconds of Summer and Maroon 5.

The two-hour special, hosted by Nick Cannon, was broadcast live on Thursday (Dec. 18) on NBC from the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Here’s the list of winners:

Movie Performance of the Year – Actor
Michael Keaton

Triple Threat
Jennifer Lopez

Hero of the Year Award
Nora Sandigo

On Screen TV Couple of the Year
Mindy Kaling and Chris Messina

Breakout Star of the Year
Billy Eichner

Style Icon
Gwen Stefani

Movie Performance of the Year – Actress
Jennifer Aniston

PEOPLE’s Sexiest Woman
Kate Upton

Role Model
Kate Hudson

Television Performance of the Year – Actor
Jon Hamm

Next Generation Star
Chloe Grace Moretz

Television Performance of the Year – Actress 
Lisa Kudrow

Comedy Star of the Year
Kevin Hart