Play-N-Skillz Signs Label Deal with Pitbull‘s Mr. 305 Records

Play-N-Skillz are getting (Mr.) Worldwide support…

The Latin/American record production/DJ group, comprised of brothers Juan “Play” Salinas and Oscar “Skillz” Salinas, has signed a label deal with Pitbull‘s Mr. 305 Records.

Play-N-Skillz,The Dallas-born siblings join a roster that includes Omar Courtz, IAMCHINO and Montana Tucker, among others.

“Joining Mr. 305 Records is a perfect match for us,” said Play-N-Skillz in a statement. “We have a strong history with Pitbull and being part of his record label is an amazing chance for growth. We appreciate the trust he has in us and are excited to create incredible music together.”

After DJing house parties in their hometown, Play-N-Skillz landed its big break in the early 2000s after producing Lil’ Flip‘s second album, U Gotta Feel Me.

Since then, Play-N-Skillz has produced for artists such as ChamillionaireDavid GuettaLil WayneBecky GNicky Jam and Daddy Yankee.

In 2019, Play-N-Skillz produced and co-wrote Yankee’s smash hit “Con Calma” ft. Snow, which later got a remix with Katy Perry. The original track peaked at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart for a total of 14 weeks.

“I am thrilled to welcome Play-N-Skillz to the Mr. 305 Records family. Our history of working together has been marked by mutual respect, creativity, and shared musical vision. I have always admired their exceptional production skills and their ability to push boundaries in their craft,” added Robert Fernandez, CEO of Mr. 305 Records. “It’s an honor that they have decided to partner with us and trust us to help bring their brand and artistic vision to the next level. Together, we will continue to make history and ccreate music that will captivate audiences worldwide. The future looks incredibly exciting, and I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about the journey ahead with Play-N-Skillz.”

Play-N-Skillz is currently working on new music set to drop soon under Mr. 305.

Ricky Martin Offers Sneak Peek at New Music Video

Ricky Martin is offering a sneak peek at his latest music video…

After a busy weekend shooting the music video for his upcoming new single, the 50-year-old Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and actor has given fans a sneak peek to the clip via social media, along with a behind-the-scenes photo of him in action.

Ricky Martin“In this photo, a little tease of what the video of my next single is going feel like,” Martin wrote in the post. “It was a really long day, but everything flows amazingly well when surrounded by the right group of people. Nothing but love and light throughout the day. et, which is the second part to his Latin Grammy-winning EP Pausa. “I’ve created two separate albums. Pausa is more chill and relaxed,”

Martin told Billboard back in 2020 when he released the first part of his project. “The second one called Play has more upbeat music.”

Besides working on new music, Martin is busy with television projects as well. He will be the male lead in Mrs. American Pie, a new Apple TV+ comedy series. The cast will also include Kristen Wiig, Alison Janney and Laura Dern, who is executive producing the show.

Set to play Robert in the 10-episode series based on the novel by Juliet McDanielMrs. American Pie is Martin’s first television project since Ryan Murphy’s drama The Assassination of Gianni Versace on FX, in which he played Antonio D’Amico.

Ricky Martin Teams Up with Paloma Mami for New Summer Banger “Que Rico Fuera”

Ricky Martin is bringing the sabrosura…

The 49-year-old Puerto Rican superstar has joined voices with Chilean-American newcomer Paloma Mami to release his new summer banger “Que Rico Fuera.”

Ricky Martin & Paloma Mami

“I’ve been obsessed with her for a while now,” Martin tells Billboard. “I love that she’s very selective in her collaborations, and with this song, I threw my shot in the air and she liked it.”

“I think my manager was the one who told me that he had the song ready,” Paloma (real name: Paloma Rocío Castillo Astorga) recalls. “I heard it and fell in love with it. It’s incredible to be on this catchy song and it’s just what I needed in my career.”

“Que Rico Fuera” — co-written by Paloma and Ricky and helmed by producers Wissem Larfaoui, Kevyn Mauricio Cruz and Juan Camilo Vargas — is a rhythmic Caribbean bop with urban-pop fusions and sultry lyrics.

They describe the song as “lit,” “sabrosura” or, Martin’s personal favorite, “Freaky Ricky.”

“My thing is to find the magic in different cultures and break barriers,” says Ricky. “At the end of the day, I grab a bit of the rhythms that move me, turn them into my sound, and that’s the dynamic that has worked.”

For both Ricky and Paloma, who recorded the song separately but met for the first time at the video shoot in California, this is just what people needed right now.

“We’re in a moment where we’ve gone through so much and this song moves people,” Martin explains.

But their collaboration goes beyond professional.

“We have an astrological connection,” he says. “Everything I do with a Scorpio turns out to be very successful and I didn’t know that was her sign until we finished filming the video.”

Paloma, who says she simply loves Capricorns, immediately knew there was “magical chemistry” between the two.

“She’s young and knows what she wants and doesn’t want and I love that she’s so connected. You can tell by her music and her delivery in this song,” Martin notes.

“Que Rico Fuera” will appear on Martin’s upcoming album Play, slated for later this year.

Ricky Martin Releases Surprise Six-Track Album of Heartfelt Music, “Pausa”

Ricky Martin is pressin’ play on Pausa

The 48-year-old Puerto Rican superstar surprised fans on Thursday, May 28 with new music… a new EP titled Pausa, his first collective set since 2015’s A Quien Quiera Escuchar.

Ricky Martin

Martin’s new album features collaborations with Sting, Carla MorrisonPedro CapóDiego El Cigala, Bad Bunny, and more.

Packed with introspective, poignant and melancholic lyrics, the six-track set is born from a state of vulnerability and the need to heal through music. 

“[Through this music] I share my fears, my insecurities, my moments of panic that I’ve felt throughout this quarantine,” Martin tells Billboard.

In times of turmoil, Martin offers Pausa in lieu of a different album slated to be released called Movimiento

“I like to party but it’s not the moment for that. We had to change the concept and I’ve created two separate albums. Pausais more chill and relaxed and hopefully in September we can release the second one called Play with more upbeat music,” he says.

All songs on the EP, except for previously released “Tiburones,” are collaborations with artists Martin had never collaborated with before, including Mexican singer-songwriter Morrison. 

“I’m obsessed with Carlita’s voice and I’m obsessed with the way she tells a story. So, I called her. Initially, she thought I was asking her to write a song for my album and I said, ‘No, I want to sing with you,'” Martin recalls.

From Martin and Morrison’s “Recuerdo” to the Sting-assisted “Simple,” the “She Bangs” singer opens up to Billboard about all of the collaborations featured on Pausa:

“Simple” with Sting
The stunning collaboration with Sting, who sings in Spanish, sets the tone for the rest of the album: simple yet forceful and grand. “The big things are always simple, like the love there is in a sigh and reminds me why I’m alive,” Martin sings. About how the song and the melody were created, Martin says. “I called Sting and told him, ‘Something beautiful has to come out of this moment and that has to be music.’ I called him stepping out of my comfort zone because I don’t really like asking people and he said yes, to send him whatever I had and he liked what I sent him. And, he didn’t mind singing in Spanish. It’s a dream come true.”

“Recuerdo” with Carla Morrison
Possibly one of the most beautiful ballads released this year (so far), the heart-wrenching lyrics in this emotional track call for an introspection of the mind and soul. “This is a special song and it’s born out of the sadness I was feeling. Carla was also going through a rough moment and we had this urge to write again. We wanted to make sure that we each didn’t lose our essence when creating this fusion and it was born very organically.”

“Cae de Una” with Pedro Capó
As a true testament to Martin and Capó’s ability to turn heartbreak song into a bright melodic tune, “Cae de Una” becomes an instant hit with its infectious beat and the two Puerto Rican powerhouses trading cheeky verses. “You’re probably in a bar dancing without me. Don’t know whose skin you’re touching to forget the love you have for me,” they sing.

“Quiéreme” with Diego El Cigala
Martin and Spanish singer Diego El Cigala join forces for this flamenco-tinged pop song that is a standout duet in the EP. “We sent this song to producer Raul Refree in Barcelona because I wanted to see what he could do with this song. I didn’t say anything to him because I didn’t want to have any sort of influence on him and I’m now presenting you the end result,” Martin says. The result is an explosion of sounds and an exchange of dramatic and powerful vocals.

“Cántalo” with ResidenteBad Bunny
The previously released “Cántalo,” featuring fellow Puerto Rican hitmakers Residente and Bad Bunny, is a hybrid of sounds and genres including tambora, trumpet, salsa and trap. The thought-provoking track born post the #RickyRenuncia movement, calling for the removal of the now former Puerto Rican governor Ricardo Rosselló, some of the lyrics include: “Hoy no nos paran ni con tranquilizante de elefante/ El dinero, aunque sea abundante, no vale” (Nobody stops us today/ Not even with elephant soothing/ Money, although abundant, it is not worth).