Los Del Río Receive Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Recording Academy

Posted on November 16, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Holy Macarena! Los Del Río are getting some love more than 20 years after gaining international acclaim…

This week, the Spanish Latin pop and dance duo behind the smash-hit dance single “Macarena” received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Recording Academy.

Los Del Rio, comprised of Antonio Romero Monge and Rafael Ruíz Perdigones, joined a list of honorees that includes Lucecita Benítez, João Bosco, Ilan Chester, Víctor Heredia, Guadalupe Pineda and Cuco Valoy..

The Lifetime Achievement award is presented to performers who have made unprecedented contributions of outstanding artistic significance to Latin music and the Latin community.

Los Del Rio, who saw “Macarena” reach No. 1 in 15 countries, including the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., accepted their award with a lot of emotion, saying it was the first time they’ve received this kind of recognition in their 53-year music career.

Benitez accepted the honor given by her friend, Puerto Rican singer Olga Tañon. The 75-year-old Puerto Rican singer dedicated her recognition to her native island, emphasizing that she would never leave Puerto Rico even now that people needs help.

Pineda was presented her award from Pepe Aguilar. The 62-year-old Mexican singer had a political tone in her speech saying: “Music is a universal language. Music not only builds bridges but also breaks down walls. And, the walls fall.”

Meanwhile, Jon Fausty and Lalo Schifrin received the Trustees Award, which is given to individuals who have made significant contributions, other than performance, to Latin music during their careers. All the honorees are chosen by vote by the members of The Latin Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees.

The 18th annual Latin Grammy Awards will broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on November 16, from 8:00 – 11:00 pm ET/PT on Univision.

Erika Ender Among the Latin Recording Academy’s Inaugural “Leading Ladies of Entertainment”

Posted on November 14, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Erika Ender is a leading lady…

The Latin Recording Academy will honor the accomplishments of women working in the Latin music industry, including the 42-year-old Panamanian and Brazilian singer, songwriter and actress, with a ceremony recognizing “The Leading Ladies of Entertainment.”

Considered one of the most prolific composers in the Latin music market today, Ender is the woman behind Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s global hit “Despacito,” having co-written the song with the Puerto Rican superstars.

Last month, Ender was inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Billboard’s Leila Cobo, Executive Director of Content and Programming for Latin Music and Entertainment, will also be honored during the inaugural event, which will take place on Tuesday (November 14) at Mastro’s Ocean Club in Las Vegas.

Recording engineer Marcella Araica, Rebeca Leon, CEO and Founder of Lionfish Entertainment; Gabriela Martinez, General Manager Warner Music Latina and SVP Marketing Warner Music Latin America; and Univision’s Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Jessica Rodriguez will also be honored as 2017’s “Leading Ladies.”

The new Latin Grammy week event will precede the 18th annual awards, which will be broadcast live on Univision from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday (November 16).

“It is my pleasure to welcome this new event to Latin Grammy Week, where we will have another opportunity to celebrate talented and inspiring individuals,” said Gabriel Abaroa Jr., Latin Recording Academy President/CEO, said in a statement. “Women face a myriad of difficulties in the entertainment industry, but despite those obstacles, the women we are honoring have continually demonstrated perseverance, fortitude, and grace under pressure.”

Davina Aryeh, Chief Marketing Officer of The Latin Recording Academy, pointed out that the gender gap in the music industry “is more pronounced for Latinas.”

“We want to empower and inspire women,” she added. “Not only through the symbolic importance of the event…but also through the tangible financial contribution it will have as we donate proceeds back to our Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation in the form of scholarships for young women interested in studying music.”

Tommy Torres to Host This Year’s Latin Grammy Premiere Ceremony

Posted on November 12, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Tommy Torres will be put on his hosting hat…

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter and producer, a three-time Latin Grammy-winner, will host this year’s Latin Grammy Premiere ceremony, during which approximately 85 percent of the categories will be awarded, according to the Recording Academy.

The “biggest night in Latin music” will kick off with performances by nominees Tiago Iorc, Las Migas, Debi Nova and Sig Ragga.

Additionally, the first Latin Grammy awards of the day will be presented by nominees Paula Arenas, Eduardo Cabra, Cesar Camargo Mariano and Miranda, and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Guadalupe Pineda.

The Latin Grammy Premiere 2017 will be held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas on Thursday (Nov. 16); live streaming will begin at 4 p.m. EST on LatinGrammy.com and Univision.com/LatinGrammy.

The premiere ceremony will be followed by the 18th Annual Latin Grammy Awards, live on Univision from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas from 8:00 – 11:00 pm EST.

Viewers can watch the Latin Grammys 2017 red carpet — “Night of the Stars” — beginning at 7:00 pm EST, featuring live interviews and commentary on the stars and their glamorous attires.

Bad Bunny to Perform at This Year’s Latin Grammys

Posted on October 31, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Bad Bunny is ready to take the stage at this year’s Latin Grammys…

The 23-year-old Puerto Rican Latin hip-hop/trap singer and rapper, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is set to perform at this year’s awards show, airing live on November 16.

Bad Bunny, a nominee this year, joins a roster of performers that includes J Balvin, Flor De Toloache, Luis Fonsi, Juanes, Mon Laferte, Natalia Lafourcade, Maluma, Residente and Sofía Reyes.

Also slated to perform is person of the year honoree Alejandro Sanz and guest artists Steve Aoki, Alessia Cara, Logic and French Montana.

The Latin Grammys will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will air live on Univision, as well as around the world.

Jaime Camil and Roselyn Sanchez will host this year’s awards show.

The announced performers include the top nominees this year. Residente leads with nine — including record, album and song of year — while Maluma has seven, including three for record of the year. Juanes and Mon Laferte have five nominations each.

Mana to Celebrate Mexican Independence Day with Two Las Vegas Concerts

Posted on March 29, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Maná is preparing for a grito in Nevada…

The legendary Mexican rock band will celebrate Mexican Independence Day with two concerts at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The just-announced shows will take place September 15 and 16, celebrating Mexicans’ revolt against Spanish rulers — not be confused with Cinco de Mayo, which celebrates the Mexican victory over French troops in the Battle of Puebla.

While the band’s announcement did not mention anything about Donald Trump, the choice of celebrating Mexican Independence Day in a U.S. venue may be a jab at the current U.S. president from the band, particularly frontman Fher Olvera, who has frequently spoken out against Trump’s immigration policies and his statements about Latinos.

“Sometimes the results disappoint us or worry us, but they should never get us on our knees,” the singer said the day after the election. “Us Latinos will continue to keep our head up high and work to change what we don’t like, to have the life, country and world we want.”

The Las Vegas shows, which will be Maná’s only U.S. arena concerts in 2017, can be expected to rival the energy of the most fervent political rally.

Tickets go on sale Friday, March 31, at 10 a.m. PST.

Hernandez to Write Paramount Pictures’ “The Villas,” Inspired by Neil Simon’s “Plaza Suite”

Posted on February 4, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Dan Hernandez is livin’ the suite life…

Paramount Pictures has selected the Cuban American writer and Benji Samit to pen The Villas.

The project, produced by Atlas Entertainment, is loosely inspired by Neil Simon’s play and 1971 film Plaza Suite.

Similarly, the film centers on several relationship stories all taking place in a hotel. This time, though, the location is a group of neighboring high-roller villas in Las Vegas, similar to The Mansion at the MGM Grand.

Hernandez and Samit recently wrote and produced on the first season of Netflix’s One Day At A Time, and are currently writing on the ABC/Sony Television pilot Come Together.

The scribes started writing together as undergraduates at Brown University.

Valdez KOs Matias Adrian Rueda to Win Featherweight World Title

Posted on July 25, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Oscar Valdez is officially a world champion…

The 25-year-old Mexican boxer, who always dreamed of being a world titleholder like his idols Erik Morales, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. and Jose Luis Castillo knocked out Matias Adrian Rueda in the second round to win a vacant featherweight world title Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

“This was my dream since I was 8 years old,” Valdez said, holding back tears. “It is the dream we shared, me and my father. I just work hard in the gym. We got to accomplish our dream. Now I want to fight the best. Whoever it is, let’s do it.”

Valdez won the 126-pound world title vacated last month by Vasyl Lomachenko after he moved up in weight and won a junior lightweight title. And Valdez did it in explosive fashion.

He repeatedly rocked Rueda in the first round with left hooks to the head and then destroyed him in the second round.

Valdez (20-0, 18 KOs), Mexico’s only two-time Olympic boxer (2008 and 2012), began the round by rocking Rueda with a right hand to the head. Then he landed a left hook to the body that forced Rueda to take a knee.

Rueda (26-1, 23 KOs), 28, of Argentina, beat the count, but it was only a matter of time. Valdez went on the immediate attack and lashed him with punches. He put together a five-punch combination, four clean head shots followed by another powerful left hook to the body that dropped him again. As soon as Rueda went down referee Russell Mora waved off the fight at 2 minutes, 18 seconds.

“He caught me with a real good body shot and that was it,” Rueda said through an interpreter. “I could never recover. He really hurt me with that [first] body shot.”

Although Valdez was born in Mexico and still lives there, he spent most of his childhood living in Tucson, Arizona, where he went to school. A delegation of city officials were in Las Vegas for the fight to meet with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum about scheduling Valdez’s first defense in the city on November 26 pending a victory.

Carrie Underwood Frocks Out in Diaz’s Cage Bodice at ACM Awards

Posted on April 4, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Manuel Diaz knows why the caged American Idol sings…

During this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM Awards), country superstar and former AI winner Carrie Underwood performed her latest single “Church Bells” in one of the Mexican designers fashion-forward dresses.

Underwood sparkled in the silver cage bodice by Diaz over a Sanyae Semure dress, as well as gladiator-style heels, Graziela Gems earrings, and a Mariana Harutunian bracelet and rings.

The ACM Awards were held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday (April 3) in Las Vegas.

Click here to see Diaz’s website.

Lizárraga Mentors Las Vegas Students as part of Latin Grammy in the Schools Program

Posted on November 22, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Poncho Lizárraga is helping the next generation of musicians…

The 44-year-old Mexican musician and member of Banda El Recodo recently visited Rancho High School in Las Vegas to mentor aspiring musicians.

Lizárraga’s visit was part of the Latin Grammy in the Schools program — an educational initiative from the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation that offers music students the opportunity to learn about the world that surrounds the Latin music business from A-list musicians and music professionals — and included anecdotes and advice from the esteemed Banda el Recodo member.

During the same visit, Lizárraga helped present a donation from the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation with the assistance of Ford Motor Company of $20,000 that will go towards procuring instruments for the school’s music program.

The night before, Lizárraga spoke about the importance of giving back, “We’ve always looked at music as something that’s meant to be shared,” he told reporters from the press room at the MGM Grand Garden Arena after Banda el Recodo’s double win at Latin Grammys for best banda album (Mi Vicio Más Grande) and best regional Mexican song (“Todo Tuyo”).

Lafourcade Leads the Pack of Latin Grammy Winners

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Natalia Lafourcade is this year’s Latin Grammys darling…

The 31-year-old Mexican pop-rock singer-songwriter proved to be the big winner at this year’s awards show.

Lafourcade made good on four of her five nominations for her album Hasta la Raiz.

But she lost out on the top prize, Album of the Year, which went to Dominican bachata artist Juan Luis Guerra for Todo Tiene su Hora.

Lafourcade still walked away with two of the night’s most prestigious awards, Song of the Year and Record of the Year for the title track of “Hasta la Raiz.”

“My friend, how amazing that we made this disc together,” Lafourcade said to her friend and collaborator Leonel Garcia, with whom she shared three nominations as cowriters of the album’s title track.

Lafourcade, who more than doubled her career Latin Grammy haul in one night, now has seven Latin Grammys.

Meanwhile, Guerra picked up three awards. Along with Album of the Year, the Dominican musician took home the Latin Grammys for Best Contemporary Tropical Album and Best Tropical Song.

Meanwhile, J Balvin and Nicky Jam become first time Latin Grammy winners.

The biggest night in Latin music was presented in Spanish and English and featured a mix of rhythms, from alternative to mariachi.

The Latin Grammy Awards were broadcast live on Univision from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Actresses Jacqueline Bracamontes and Roselyn Sanchez hosted the three-hour ceremony.

Here’s a look at this year’s Latin Grammy winners:

RECORD OF THE YEAR
Hasta La Raíz – Natalia Lafourcade

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Todo Tiene Su Hora – Juan Luis Guerra 4.40

SONG OF THE YEAR
Hasta La Raíz – Leonel Garcia & Natalia Lafourcade

BEST NEW ARTIST
Monsieur Periné

BEST CONTEMPORARY POP VOCAL ALBUM
Sirope – Alejandro Sanz

BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM
Necesito Un Bolero – Gilberto Santa Rosa

BEST URBAN PERFORMANCE
El Perdón – Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias

BEST URBAN MUSIC ALBUM
El Que Sabe, Sabe – Tego Calderón

BEST URBAN SONG
Ay Vamos – J Balvin, Rene Cano, Alejandro “Mosty” Patiño & Alejandro “Sky” Ramírez

BEST ROCK ALBUM
B – Diamante Eléctrico

BEST POP/ROCK ALBUM
Cama Incendiada – Maná

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM
Hasta La Raíz – Natalia Lafourcade

BEST ALTERNATIVE SONG
Hasta La Raíz – Leonel García & Natalia Lafourcade

BEST SALSA ALBUM
Son De Panamá – Rubén Blades Con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta

BEST CUMBIA/VALLENATO ALBUM
Sencillamente – Jorge Celedón & Gustavo García

BEST CONTEMPORARY TROPICAL ALBUM
Todo Tiene Su Hora – Juan Luis Guerra 4.40

BEST TRADITIONAL TROPICAL ALBUM
Tributo A Los Compadres No Quiero Llanto – José Alberto “El Canario” & Septeto Santiaguero

BEST TROPICAL FUSION ALBUM
El Mismo – ChocQuibTown

BEST TROPICAL SONG
Tus Besos – Juan Luis Guerra

BEST SINGER-SONGWRITER ALBUM
Healer – Alex Cuba

BEST RANCHERO ALBUM
Acaríciame El Corazón – Pedro Fernández

BEST BANDA ALBUM
Mi Vicio Más Grande – Banda El Recodo De Don Cruz Lizárraga

BEST TEJANO ALBUM
Sentimientos – Sólido

BEST REGIONAL SONG
Todo Tuyo – Mauricio Arriaga, Edgar Barrera & Eduardo Murguía, Banda El Recodo De Cruz Lizárraga

BEST INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM
Dr. Ed Calle Presents Mamblue – Ed Calle & Mamblue

BEST FOLK ALBUM
Balas y Chocolate – Lila Downs

BEST TANGO ALBUM
Homenaje A Astor Piazzolla – Orquesta Del Tango De Buenos Aires

BEST FLAMENCO ALBUM
Entre 20 Aguas: A La Música De Paco De Lucía – Varios Artistas

BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM
Jazz Meets The Classics – Paquito D’Rivera

BEST CHRISTIAN ALBUM (SPANISH LANGUAGE)
Derroche De Amor – Alex Campos

BEST CHRISTIAN ALBUM (PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE)
Da Eternidade – Fernanda Brum

BEST BRAZILIAN CONTEMPORARY POP ALBUM
Dancê – Tulipa Ruiz

BEST BRAZILIAN ROCK ALBUM
Sol-Te – Suricato

BEST SAMBA/PAGODE ALBUM
Só Felicidade – Fundo de Quintal

BEST SERTANEJA MUSIC ALBUM
Amizade Sincera II – Renato Teixeira & Sérgio Reis

BEST BRAZILIAN SONG
Bossa Negra – Hamilton de Holanda, Diogo Nogueira & Marcos Portinari, songwriters Diogo Nogueira & Hamilton de Holanda

BEST LATIN CHILDREN’S ALBUM
Los Animales – Mister G BEST CLASSICAL ALBUM: Alma Brasileira – Débora Halász, Franz Halász & Radamés Gnattali; Marcelo Amaral, Debora Halász & Johannes Müller, producers (Tie)

Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 – Montero: Ex Patria, Op. 1 & Improvisations – Gabriela Montero; Jonathan Allen, album producer (Tie)

BEST CLASSICAL CONTEMPORARY COMPOSITION
Capriccio – Carlos Franzetti, composer (Allison Brewster Franzetti)

BEST RECORDING PACKAGE
Este Instante – Natalia Ayala, Carlos Dussan Gómez & Juliana Jaramillo, art directors (Marta Gómez)

BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM
Hasta La Raíz – Andrés Borda, Eduardo Del Águila, Demián Nava, Alan Ortiz Grande, Alan Saucedo & Sebastián Schunt, engineers; Eduardo Del Águila & Cesar Sogbe, mixers; José Blanco, mastering engineer (Natalia Lafourcade)

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Sebastian Krys

BEST SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO
Ojos Color Sol – Calle 13 Featuring Silvio Rodríguez

BEST LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEO
Loco De Amor “La Historia” – Juanes

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

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