Lionel Messi: The World’s Highest Paid Latino Celebrity

Posted on June 7, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Lionel Messi isn’t just making goals… He’s makin’ some serious bank…

Forbes magazine has released its list of the world’s highest-paid celebrities, with the 32-year-old Argentine professional footballer coming in at No. 5 with $104 million, making his the highest-paid Latino celebrity in the world.

Messi has been awarded both FIFA‘s Player of the Year and the European Golden Shoe for top scorer on the continent a record six times. His 438 goals, including 36 hat tricks for Barcelona, is a club and La Liga record.

Neymarcomes in at No. 7…

The 28-year-old Brazilian professional footballer, who plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazil national team, had reported earnings of $95.5 million.

Jennifer Lopez is the highest-paid Latina celebrity on Forbes’ list.

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican superstar,one of the more popular celebrities when it comes to endorsements, had earnings of $47.5 million. She has deals with Versace, DSW, Quay sunglasses and her own fragrances.

The multi-hyphenate also produced and starred in the 2019 film Hustlers.

Lin-Manuel Miranda has made Forbes’ list for the first time…

The 40-year-old Puerto Rican Broadway star had reported earnings of $45.5 million.

The Hamilton creator and star added to his haul from the Broadway hit in February when Walt Disney paid $75 million for the rights to air the filmed version of his Founding Father musical.

Other Latino/a celebrities making the list include Howie Dorough (along with his fellow Backstreet Boys), Sofia Vergara, Robert Trujillo (along with his fellow Metallica band mates), Rafael Nadal and Canelo Alvarez.

Here’s a look at the Latino/as making this year’s list:

No. 5 Lionel Messi, $104 million
No. 7 Neymar, $95.5 million
No. 56 Jennifer Lopez, $47.5 million
No. 62 Lin-Manuel Miranda, $45.5 million
No. 64 Backstreet Boys, $45 million
No. 71 Sofia Vergara, $43 million
No. 78 Metallica, $40.5 million
No. 80 Rafael Nadal, $40 million
No. 91 Canelo Alvarez, $37 million

Robert Trujillo & His Metallica Mates Release Batch 100 Limited-Edition Blackened American Whiskey Boxed Set

Posted on May 18, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Robert Trujillo is enjoying the (di)still of the night…

The 55-year-old half-Mexican American bassist and his Metallic band mates havelaunched their Batch 100 limited-edition box set of Blackened American Whiskey.

The set pairs with two 12″ vinyl picture discs of Metallica’s playlist used in the distilling process.

The “Black Noise” custom sonic-enhancement process plays a unique mix of Metallica’s rare, live and studio recordings from its wide-spanning career, which was curated by master distiller/blender Rob Dietrich, at such a low frequency that it assists in the actual making of the liquor.

The low vibrations “pummel the black brandy casks during the finishing process, agitating the whiskey and extracting more flavor from the wood,” according to a press release.

Dietrich, who’s the first person outside of the band to blend the official playlist for one of its 19 batches of Blackened American Whiskey, adds a special personal touch by including the live version of “One,” which he played during his deployment in Somalia.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to be able to create a whiskey and pour so much of myself personally into the process,” Dietrich said in the release. “Music and distilling are two things I have dedicated my life to, and I do not take for granted how rare it is to be able to blend, literally, these worlds.”

Metallica frontman Lars Ulrich approved of his picks. “When I look at Rob’s playlist, I love the selections. I love the variety and I love that he’s gone for two deeper live tracks from the Damaged Justice tour,” he said in a statement. “I love seeing both the Binge & Purge and Through the Never eras represented. And he even tapped the Helping Hands album, so it’s clear he is not a part-timer!”

The Batch 100 limited-edition box set not only comes with the booze and accompanying beats but also with a first-edition Blackened Zine, which features Dietrich and Ulrich’s commentary on the whiskey blending process, iconic images of the heavy metal heavyweights, and behind-the-scenes footage of Metallica’s headquarters and rehearsal space.

Fans can purchase the Batch 100 limited-edition box set for $149 (although prices may vary by state) here and catch Ulrich’s unboxing video, as well as the tracklist for the two vinyl discs, below.

Gusttavo Lima Leads Billboard’s Top Facebook Live Videos Chart with Five-Hour At-Home Concert

Posted on April 25, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Gusttavo Lima is the leader of the Facebook Live pack…

The 30-year-old Brazilian singer leads Billboard’s Top Facebook Live Videos chart’s March 2020 edition.

In March, much of the world began isolating itself due to the global outbreak of COVID-19— and a result, the chart saw more uploads than ever, as multiple musicians and bands uploaded videos from quarantine to their Facebookaccounts.

Lima’s chart-topper was a March 27 clip in which he performed a concert from home.

The chart is a monthly look at the widest-reaching and most-reacted-to videos posted by musicians on Facebook Live, as tracked by media analytics company Shareablee. Rankings are determined by a formula that blends reactions, comments, shares and first-seven-days views.

Lima’s five-hour stream, titled Buteco em Casa, was streamed across multiple social media channels in addition to Facebook. The concert featured Lima performing over prerecorded instrumentals and was shot at Lima’s home, with lighting and other resources used to create a more high-tech concert experience than, say, a solo performance in front of a webcam.

The concert was a major success, leading the March chart in two of its four metrics: comments (551,000) and reactions (338,000), according to Shareablee.

Lima held a second such concert on April 11 that will likely be in contention for the top spot of April 2020’s Top Facebook Live Videos chart.

Lima’s concert was outpaced in two metrics: shares and views in its first seven days. That distinction belongs to the No. 2 video of the month, uploaded by French singer-songwriter and actor Patrick Bruel. Bruel’s March 20 video, which ran for 11 minutes, also included a performance from his home.

Uploads from Bob Sinclar, Matthieu Chedid and Metallica round out the chart’s top five.

Robert Trujillo & Metallica Pledge $750,000 to Australian Bushfire Relief Efforts

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Robert Trujillo is doing his part to battle the bushfire emergency in Australia…

The 55-year-old half-Mexican American bassist and songwriter and his fellow Metallica bandmates have pledged $750,000 to the NSW Rural Fire Service and to the Country Fire Authority in Victoria to support relief efforts.

“We are totally overwhelmed by the news of the wildfires sweeping through millions of acres across Australia, with major impact in New South Wales and Victoria,” reads a statement issued by the band.

“The resulting destruction and devastating effects on all residents, animals, the environment and the incredible land in Australia is truly heartbreaking.”

It’s a particularly nice touch from a hard-rocking band who’re idolized in the land Down Under, and whose scheduled 2019 tour of Australia was postponed when vocalist James Hetfield sought treatment for addiction.

Metallica went a step further by posting a string of tweets with background to the ongoing bushfire tragedy and information on how others can help.

We are totally overwhelmed by the news of the wildfires sweeping through millions of acres across Australia, with major impact in New South Wales and Victoria. (1/6) pic.twitter.com/XqJAHmN6um
— Metallica (@Metallica) January 8, 2020

Robert Trujillo & His Metallica Mates Donate to California’s Wildfire Recovery Efforts

Posted on November 6, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Robert Trujillo helping with California’s wildfire recovery efforts…

The 55-year-old half-Mexican American musician and his Metallica band mates have donated $100,000 through their All Within My Hands non-profit foundation to help in the recovery from the fires that have ripped through Northern and Southern California over the past month, displacing thousands and leaving more than 500,000 in the dark due to power outages aimed at avoiding further blazes.

“Sadly, for the third year in a row, communities we have called home throughout the state of California are again experiencing the tragedy left in the wake of wildfires,” they wrote.

It is the second year in a row the band has pledged support for the state in the wake of historic fires, offering up $100,000 in 2018 and playing a wildfire relief show in San Francisco in 2017.

“The All Within My Hands Foundation would like to lend support to those affected in both Northern and Southern California by donating $100,000 to assist in relief, $50,000 to the Sonoma County Resilience Fund– created by the Community Foundation Sonoma County – and $50,000 to the Wildfire Relief Fund – created by the California Community Foundation,” they wrote. “Both organizations are dedicated to long-term recovery efforts, helping residents resume normal lives as they get back on their feet after the devastation of these firestorms. We would also like to encourage you to join us in supporting those in need as well as the first responders who have been working tirelessly to keep Californians safe.”

They also encouraged fans to volunteer, offer their homes for temporary housing, contribute money, non-perishable foods, clothing and supplies.

Robert Trujillo & Metallica Partner with Stance on a Rockin’ Sock Line

Posted on October 31, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Robert Trujillo wants to help you put your best (rockin’) foot forward…

The 55-year-old half-Mexican American musician and his Metallicaband mates have released their latest band merch: socks.

Metallica announced their collaboration with sock maker Stance this week on eight styles of hosiery in a mix of performance and casual options.

The sock styles include a black youth version with a white Metallica logo, an infant/toddler three-pack, a version with flaming skulls, as well as Master of Puppets, Ride the Lightning, Kill ‘Em All and Master of Puppet versions for adults; there is also a Metallica logo sock for adults in the collection, with prices ranging from $13.99-$24.99.

But this isn’t Metallica’s first fashion collaboration…

The hard rock band previously launched a Billabong x Metallica Black AlbumJacket, “Enter Sandman” Nixonwatch, Master of Puppets BrokkerFigure Set and the Kill ‘Em All backpack.

Robert Trujillo & Metallica’s “Halo on Fire” Charts on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Songs Chart

Posted on December 15, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Robert Trujillo is still on fire…

The 54-year-old Mexican American musician, songwriter and bassist and his Metallica band mates have charted their sixth song from their album Hardwired… to Self-Destruct on Billboard‘s Mainstream Rock Songs airplay chart.

On the December 15-dated ranking, “Halo on Fire” debuts at No. 29.

The first five songs from the album all reached the top five, with two topping the tally. In order of their chart runs: “Hardwired” (No. 1, one week, October 2016), “Moth Into Flame” (No. 5, November 2016),“Atlas, Rise!” (No. 1, two weeks, February 2017), “Now That We’re Dead” (No. 2, July 2017) and “Spit Out the Bone” (No. 4, March 2018).

“Halo on Fire” extends the lifetime of Hardwired on Mainstream Rock Songsto over two years and three months, as lead single “Hardwired” debuted on Sept. 3, 2016.

Hardwired is the first set to produce at least six Mainstream Rock Songs entries in over a decade, since Nickelback‘s All the Right Reasons also yielded six, stretching from the seven-week No. 1 “Photograph” (beginning in October 2005) to “If Everyone Cared” (No. 37 peak, March 2007).

Metallica is no stranger to maximizing album airplay. Hardwired‘s predecessor, 2008’s Death Magnetic, generated five entries on Mainstream Rock Songs, including a pair of No. 1s in “The Day That Never Comes” (for nine weeks) and “Cyanide” (two).

Hardwired debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 dated December 10, 2016, with 291,000 equivalent album units earned in its first week, according to Nielsen Music.

Jared Leto to Participate in Entercom’s Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Special “I’m Listening”

Posted on August 28, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Jared Leto is doing more than Listening…

The 46-year-old part-Spanish American actor and Thirty Seconds to Mars frontman is part of the lineup for Entercom’s live, commercial-free broadcast special to raise awareness around mental health and suicide prevention.

Part of Entercom’s I’m Listening campaign, the September 9 broadcast will feature numerous music, film and sports luminaries like Leto.

The lineup includes Mike McCready and Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam, Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, Alessia Cara, Bebe Rexha, Charlie Puth, Stone Temple Pilots, Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind and more.

Hosted by Seattle KISW-FM personality BJ Shea, the show will also feature clinical psychologist and NowMattersNow.org CEO Dr. Ursula Whiteside and Dr. Chris Nowinksi, co-founder and executive director of Concussion Legacy Foundation.

“In my forthcoming album The Pains of Growing, I touch on being lost and lonely and stuck inside my head,” said “Growing Pains” singer Cara. “I’ve recently dealt with anxiety – and understand what it was. I definitely want to reach as many people as I can, and will do so by partnering with Entercom and so many influential names connected to the cause. Hopefully, if I talk about mental health, it’ll help other people to talk about it… we’re all a lot more similar than we think we are.”

After Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington died in 2017, bandmate Shinoda released his first solo album, Post Traumatic, about the “journey out of grief and darkness.” Says Shinoda, “In most parts of the world, suicide claims more lives than war, murder and natural disasters combined. I hope that sharing my personal story, in music and conversation, helps open up the door to new discussions and awareness about mental health.”

The broadcast will air across Entercom stations nationwide on September 9 (at 7:00 am local time) and on live streams via the Radio.com app as part of National Suicide Prevention Week. The special will feature call-in opportunities as well as an interactive website for listeners to share their stories and seek resources. For more information about the I’m Listening campaign, visit their website here.

Last year, the broadcast featured Halsey, Logic and iconic rock band Metallica, who spoke out about their experiences with mental illness and what fans can do to help themselves. The metal quartet spoke about how suicidal thinking can happen to anyone and how “talking about it is the most important thing.” Bassist Robert Trujillo reminded fans, “It’s not a sign of weakness to see a doctor when you are depressed.”

If you or someone you know is going through a crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741-741.

Robert Trujillo & His Metallica Bandmates to Perform at Band Together Bay Area Concert for North Bay Firestorm Relief

Posted on October 26, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Robert Trujillo is banding together for firestorm relief…

The 52-year-old Mexican American bassist and his fellow Metallica members will perform as part of Band Together Bay Area’s relief concert.

A coalition of Bay Area business and community leaders launched Band Together Bay Area in response to the North Bay firestorm — the most destructive and deadliest firestorm disaster in California history — to support the local relief effort with a concert November 9 at AT&T Park in San Francisco featuring Metallica, Dave Matthews, G-Eazy and more.

“For 34 years, Metallica has flown the flag for the Bay Area all over the world,” says Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich in a statement provided to Billboard. “The recent tragic events up in Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties have left us all saddened. We’re here to help as much as we can, and this concert on November 9 is one small way we can do that.”

The concert will be underwritten by sponsors, with 100 percent of ticket sales going to the Tipping Point Emergency Relief Fund.

Live Nation and Another Planet Entertainment are joining forces to help produce and manage the event. The best seats in the house will be donated to first responders, volunteers and families impacted by the firestorm.

“Sometimes you just need to stop and do something meaningful,” says Gregg Perloff, CEO of indie concert promoter Another Planet Entertainment. “This is one of those times. We are one community and together we act as one.”

Tickets for the Band Together Bay Area concert will go on public sale Friday at 10 a.m. at bandtogetherbayarea.org and Ticketmaster.com. Tickets range from $49.50 to $199.50 plus fees. Ticketmaster will donate all processing fees to the relief effort.

Band Together Bay Area — a business coalition including Kaiser Permanente, Marc and Lynne Benioff, Salesforce, Google, Twilio, the San Francisco Giants, Live Nation and Another Planet Entertainment — has raised an initial $6.5 million from partners and founding sponsors.

The funds raised by Band Together Bay Area will go into an emergency relief fund established by Tipping Point Community and will be directed to the North Bay community foundations, service providers and government partners supporting the low-income communities hit hardest by the fires.

The fires have burned an estimated 200,000 acres and 6,000 homes in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Lake Counties, displacing thousands of residents. Damage estimates are in the billions of dollars and rising, and the cleanup and recovery efforts will be the largest and costliest in California history.

“Live Nation, along with our BottleRock Festival family in Napa, are honored to be a part of an effort to help raise funding for so many deeply affected by the North Bay wildfires,” says Jodi Goodman, president of Live Nation Northern California. “Seeing the Bay Area music community come together to help those in need is truly inspiring. Thanks to all of the artists and companies who have banded together to make it all possible.”

Robert Trujillo & Metallica’s “Hardwired… To Self-Destruct” Surpasses One Million Copies Sold

Posted on July 7, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Robert Trujillo has a million reasons to smile…

The 52-year-old Mexican American musician/songwriter and Metallica band members’ latest album Hardwired… To Self-Destruct has registered another 4,000 copies sold in the latest tracking week.

With its performance, the album surpasses 1 million in total U.S. sales, as its to-date sum rises to a little more than 1,004,000.

The former No. 1 set is the band’s 12th album to sell at least a million copies since Nielsen Music began tracking sales in 1991.

Some of Hardwired‘s sales were driven by a well-received concert ticket/album bundle sale redemption promotion with the band’s stadium tour.

In total, the group has sold 58 million albums in the U.S. in the Nielsen Music era, and owns the overall top-selling album of that span of time: its self-titled 1991 release, with 16.6 million sold.

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