Ozuna Releases New Album “Cosmo”

Posted on November 19, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ozuna is back with new music…

The 31-year-old Puerto Rican singer and rapper has released his sixth studio album Cosmo.

Much like his previous projects Odisea, Aura and Nibiru, Ozuna’s new album is another out-of-this-world musical journey.

On the 15-track production, Ozuna delivers a new dimension of sounds, where Latin urban music meets innovative rhythms such as traditional Arabian music in “Made in Qatar” and infectious electronica in the David Guetta-assisted “Vocation.”

Ozuna and the renowned French DJ premiered the latter at the 2023 Latin Grammys on Thursday, November 16.

While Cosmo is also home to hard-hitting reggaeton tracks (“El Plan,” “Brabus,” “100 Squats”), it showcases Ozuna’s romantic side and admiration for women on songs such as “Mar de Lagrimas,” “La Chulita” and “Clase Azul.”

The set, which follows his 2023 EP Afro, “is the cosmic experience, where the vibrant essence of reggaeton prevails,” includes collaborations with De La Ghetto, Chencho Corleone, Anuel AA, Jhayco and Maldy among others.

Manuel Turizo to Make Performance Debut at This Year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Manuel Turizo is making a special Thanksgiving debut…

The 23-year-old Colombian singer will perform at this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Turizo exploded onto the scene in 2018 with his smash single “Culpables.” Numerous hits like “Esperándote” and “Una Lady Como Tú” and high-profile collaborations like “El Merengue” with Marshmello & the reggaeton single “Copa Vacía” with Shakira soon followed. Fast forward to 2022: Turizo’s biggest hit “La Bachata” reached No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Latin chart and earned Global Song of the Year honors at the Latin Billboard Awards. His recently released “Dem Time Deh” with Sean Paul is bound to keep the accolades coming.

But Turizo isn’t the only Latinx artist expected to take part in the parade.

Kirstin Maldonado and her Pentatonix group mates will be performing as well.

The 31-year-old part-Spanish and half-Mexican American singer and her group mates have redefined a cappella. The three-time Grammy-winning vocal quintet have reached unprecedented heights, selling 10 million albums worldwide.

The group was named “The Most Streamed Holiday Artist of 2022” and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023. Pentatonix is set to embark on their 2023 North American Christmas tour, The Most Wonderful Tour of the Year, this November in support of their recently released holiday greatest hits album, The Greatest Christmas Hits.

Other artists set to perform include Cher and Jon Batiste, as well as the Broadway casts of & Juliet, Back to the Future, How To Dance In Ohio, Shucked and Spamalot.

The parade and the NBC broadcast will kick off at 8:30 am ET on Thursday, November 23, a half-hour earlier than the traditional 9:00 am start.

The 97th Macy’s Parade lineup will include 5,000 volunteers, 16 featured character balloons, 26 floats, 32 heritage and novelty balloons, more than 700 clowns, 12 marching bands and nine performance groups, according to parade officials.

Fuerza Regida Releases Eclectic New Album “Pa’ las Baby’s y Belikeada”

Posted on October 20, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Fuerza Regida is celebrating “las baby’s”…

The Mexican American Regional Mexican band has released its eighth studio album Pa’ las Baby’s y Belikeada.

The album opens with a dark and seductive tone, as a sultry female voice confidently professes her affection for corridos. Her high-heeled footsteps echo in the background as she appears to pick up a machine gun, effortlessly blending sensuality with outlaw imagery, creating an intriguing juxtaposition.

Across an expansive 30-track journey, the San Bernardino, California troupe embarks on a daring and audacious expedition, fearlessly delving into the realm of corridos bélicos with a distinctive drill influence.

The album serves as a testament to the group’s evolution as they immerse themselves in la belikeada movement, embracing the realm of excess in all forms: women, power, wealth.

They deliver the expected corridos alterados, this time complete with menacing accordion arrangements; and the inclusion of tracks like “Zona de Comfort” adds a touch of cumbia sabrosura to the mix.

Known for their chart-topping prowess, the group also features their previous hits like “TQM” and “Sabor Fresa.” The album’s lyrical themes stay true to their rags-to-riches narrative (“FVDP”), reminding us of the hard-fought journey to success. However, Pa’ las Baby’s also ventures into unexpected territories. “Harley Quinn” sees them collaborating with Marshmello, infusing EDM elements into música mexicana, while “Freaky Freaky” (featuring Calle 24 and Armenta) brings reggaetón rhythms. JOP even switches to English for the sinister drill number “Dafuk,” showcasing the group’s versatility.

Also featuring El Fantasma, Maria Becerra, Juanpa Salazar, Gabito Ballesteros, Manuel Turizo, Chino Pacas and more, Fuerza Regiga maintains its signature blinged-out corridos style, solidifying its place in the genre. Still, they also boldly experiment with new sounds and genres, expanding their sonic horizons.

Belikeada is a testament to their ability to push boundaries while staying true to their roots, ensuring that that the group remains a reckoning force in the world of Mexican and Mexican-American music.

Bad Bunny Announces Plans to Release New Album “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va A Pasar Mañana” This Week

Posted on October 9, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Nobody may know what’s happening tomorrow, but Bad Bunny has an idea what will happen this Friday.

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican superstar has released a special teaser video to announce that he’ll release his next album, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va A Pasar Mañana, this Friday, October 13.

The announcement comes only two weeks after releasing his record-extending reggaeton single “Un Preview” — and telling his more than 15 million followers on his WhatsApp Channel that “this is possibly the last song I release this year. It’s a little preview of what’s to come next year”.

But on Monday, October 9, the “Yo Perreo Sola” singer told his nearly 50 million Instagram followers that “el día más esperado por muchos ya llegó…”

In the video, Bad Bunny is seen swarmed by paparazzi before entering a fancy restaurant and being greeted by a gentleman who says, “Don Benito, it’s so nice to see you.”

Bad Bunny, looking dapper in a black suit, white sunglasses and showing off his newly shaved head, smiles and shakes his hand, before the album title and date are revealed.

The global star — who won seven 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards including artist of the year last week— first teased fans on his X account on Sunday (October 8), revealing that 22 tracks are on the set. Next to each number is the word

“Fuego,” hinting that each song is fire. This was the same strategy he used in May 2022 ahead of his Un Verano Sin Ti album release, when each number had the word “PALO” next to it, which loosely translated to “hit.”

The set will come out this Friday, Oct. 13. Fans can already pre-save the album here.

Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va A Pasar Mañana marks Bad Bunny’s fifth solo studio album.

He previously released X100PRE (2018), YHLQMDLG (2020), El Último Tour Del Mundo (2020), Un Verano Sin Ti (2022). He also previously released a joint album with J Balvin, Oasis in 2019.

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Paramount+ to Premiere Nick Barili’s New Docuseries “De La Calle” in November

Posted on October 7, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Nick Barili is hittin’ the calle next month…

Paramount+ will premiere the 44-year-old Argentinian-American award-winning journalist, executive producer, director and writer’s new docuseries De La Calle in the U.S. and Canada on Tuesday, November 7.

Across 8 episodes, Barili explores Latino urban music from the U.S. to Panama, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Spain and beyond.

The series takes a journey into the Latine diaspora to map the evolution of Urbano music and cultures that ignited the musical revolution of Rap, Reggaeton, Bachata, Latin trap, Cumbia and other sounds that influence music and culture worldwide.

Interviewees include Fat Joe, NORE, Residente, Mala Rodriguez, Nicky Jam, Nicki Nicole, Villano Antillano, Sech, Goyo, Nathy Peluso, Santa Fe Klan, Jessie Reyes, Feid, Aleman and Gente De Zona, among others.

“As a first-generation immigrant who learned how to speak English through Hip Hop at Malcolm X Elementary, I grew up straddling two worlds, speaking English at school and Spanish at home,” Barili, the project’s co-creator, executive producer and host, shared in a statement.

He continued, “I was influenced by El General and Calle 13 as much as E-40 and Outkast. De La Calle was created to explore how the seeds from the street that inspired Hip Hop are also present throughout Latin America and Spain. Going to the neighborhoods where El Movimiento was created, talking to the pioneers who were actually there and sharing the origin stories of superstars of today and tomorrow. I’m thrilled to have MTV Studios and Paramount+ as partners to bring De La Calle to the world.”

Feid Releases Eclectic New Album “MOR, No Le Temas A La Oscuridad”

Posted on October 1, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Feid is back with new music…

After weeks of teasing fans on social media, the 31-year-old Colombian singer and songwriter has released his new studio album, MOR, No Le Temas A La Oscuridad.

Translating to “Love, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark,” the set’s title is a tribute to the renowned ‘90s Nickelodeon show Are You Afraid of the Dark? and its concept is meant to remind us that everyone shines in the darkness.

On a personal level, Feid told Billboard earlier this year that its “whole concept has to do with how I went from being in the shadows as a composer to everything I am achieving now [as an artist].”

Home to 15 tracks, including the previously-released singles “Niña Bonita” with Sean Paul, “Vente Conmigo,” and “FERXXO 151” with Icon, which is rapidly gaining virality on TikTok, MOR is easily Feid’s most eclectic production yet.

The set kicks off with a chill, one-minute piano melody, where Ferxxo (his alter-ego) summarizes all the fame and success he’s living now. “I always wanted to sing/I never wanted to be a bad boy/I don’t like to show off but music has me living like a gangster,” he chants.

If his latest singles, including the Spanglish Afrobeat “Bubalu” with Nigerian artist Rema, are any indication, the Colombian artist is experimental as ever. This time around, he dabbles into electronic music (“Luces de Tecno”), futuristic perreo (“Romanticos de Lunes”), and lacing funk and indie-pop (“Privilegios”).

On other notable tracks, such as the Ryan Castro-assisted “Ritmos de Medallo” and “Hey Chory,” Feid (real name: Salomón Villada Hoyos) keeps his essence by singing romantic lyrics using his Medallo slang and distinct reggaeton sound.

MOR, No Le Temas A La Oscuridad follows Feliz Cumpleaños Ferxxo, Te Pirateamos el Album, which after being leaked online, peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart in 2022.

Bad Bunny Releases New Single “Un Preview”

Posted on September 26, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Bad Bunny is offering a preview…

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning superstar has released his new single, the reggaetón banger “Un Preview.”

On the track, Bad Bunny is smitten, singing about a girl that has him head over heels.

“Baby, I’m no longer scared of tasting you and falling in love again … we’re crazy at the club, I get closer to you dancing, and I kiss your neck, with you, I’ll deal with fire.”

At the beginning of the music video, which has a cowboy aesthetic, Bad Bunny explains that this song, as its name would suggest, is just a preview of what’s to come. “Ven acá,” he begins. “I’ll give you a preview of what will come after.” He expanded on that message on his WhatsApp channel where he wrote: “This is possibly the last song I release this year. It’s a little preview of what’s to come next year.”

Bad Bunny officially confirmed the release date of his new song on Sunday, when he posted a 17-second snippet and wrote in Spanish, “In case you like it and are interested to know, [the song] comes out tomorrow Monday at 8 p.m. Puerto Rico time.”

“Un Preview,” produced by Tainy and La Paciencia, comes on the heels of Bunny’s “Where She Goes,” which he released in May. The Jersey Club-inspired beat (a hybrid of house and hip-hop) reached No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 and Latin Airplay charts.

Earlier this year, Bunny also teamed up with Grupo Frontera on “un x100to,” which marked his first time dipping his toes in the norteño-cumbia realm. The song earned Grupo Frontera its highest debut on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, entering at No. 3 on the April 29-dated ranking, and later hitting No. 1 on both the Latin Airplay chart and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart.

Bad Bunny is a 15-time finalist at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which are set to take place on Thursday, October 5. He is up for artist of the year, tour of the year, Global 200 Latin artist of the year and Global 200 Latin song of the year for “Titi Me Preguntó.”

Wisin to Pull Double Duty at This Year’s Latin Music Week

Posted on September 18, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Wisin is prepping for a Latin music celebration…

The 44-year-old Puerto Rican reggaeton rapper, singer and record producer and La Base, the record label he launched in 2020, are confirmed for the 2023 Latin Music Week and Billboard En Vivo concert series, returning to Miami from October 2 to 6.

The “Billboard En Vivo with La Base and Wisin” event, held at Oasis Wynwood, will feature special guests Luny Tunes and DJ Nelson spinning the biggest reggaeton hits of yesterday and today. Also marking the first-ever La Base party out of Puerto Rico, the 21-and-over free event will be open to the public on a first come, first served basis.

Additionally, reggaeton icon Wisin will be joined by legendary hitmakers Luny, Tunes, DJ Nelson and Hybe for a once-in-a-lifetime conversation where they will share their views on identifying and creating hits. Titled “Wisin & La Base: Eye of the Tiger,” the panel presented by Smirnoff will be tied to Wisin’s visionary label and music company La Base.

In other Latin Music Week news, Billboard will reveal the final talent additions and full event schedule during a press conference held September 20 at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, where Leila Cobo, chief content officer of Billboard Latin and Billboard Español, will be joined by mayor Dan Gelber, Valentina Bueno (director of Karol G’s Con Cora Foundation), as well as artists Fonseca, Mike Bahía and Venesti.

Celebrated for more than 30 years, Billboard Latin Music Week is the longest running and biggest Latin music industry gathering in the world, and coincides with the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which will be broadcast live on Telemundo on Thursday, October 5, from the Watsco Center in Miami.

Christian Alicea Signs Exclusive Booking Agreement with Loud and Live

Posted on September 14, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Christian Alicea has a new deal…

The Puerto Rican artist and developing salsa star has signed an exclusive booking agreement with Nelson Albareda’s Loud and Live.

Albareda has always carried tropical music in general and salsa in particular, deep inside him. A die-hard fan of Cuban salsero Willy Chirino, he also worked closely with salsa queen Celia Cruz and, through Loud and Live, represents the Celia Cruz estate today.

Now, Albareda is on a quest to elevate and grow the music with which he started his career. As he’s been saying for months, tropical music is having a moment. This week, via his powerhouse promotion and entertainment company, Albareda signed Alicea.

Loud and Live already books major tropical music names like Carlos Vives and Juan Luis Guerra. But the Alicea deal is different in that in addition to booking Alicea’s concerts, Loud and Live will also work in partnership with his management team to support marketing and promotional endeavors surrounding the artist and his music.

Although Alicea has just one album under his belt — Yo, released this past May — he has already placed two tracks in the Top 25 of Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart. This week, a third single, “Aroma,” is at No. 15 on the list.

“Christian is an exceptionally talented young man who, because of his humility, charisma and spectacular and unique voice, we are confident that he will conquer and lead the tropical genre worldwide for many years to come,” said Albareda in a statement.

The partnership, says Alicea’s producer, Urales ‘Dj Buddha’ Vargas, is “the icing on the cake. For us, having someone like Nelson see the vision and the potential of Christian means a lot.”

As Latin music’s focus has slowly shifted from solely reggaetón in the past year, other genres are beginning to rise on the charts. While regional Mexican music undoubtedly leads the fray, pop is also seeing a resurgence, and tropical music — long focused on legacy acts — is finally seeing a smattering of new names, including Luis Figueroa, teenager Luis Vazquez, and, Alicea.

Mora Releases Eclectic New Album “Estrella”

Posted on September 4, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Mora is shining bright…

The 27-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter has released his new album Estrella.

The 14-track set may be Mora’s most eclectic yet, both sonically and thematically.

Estrella finds Mora dabbling in reggaetón, perreo, trap and electronic, featuring a star-studded roster of collaborators — with OGs and newcomers alike, including Arcángel, Yandel, RaiNao, Alvaro Diaz and Dei V.

Whether you’re in love, overcoming heartbreak or just want some good escapism music, there’s something for everyone in the album: From the intergalactic romantic opening track “MEDIA LUNA” to the slowed down reflective “DONDE SE APRENDE A QUERER?” and the fast-paced, club-ready “LAGUNA” with Arcángel.

Putting Mora’s versatility at the forefront, the artist assembled an A-star team of producers for the LP, such as Ovy on the Drums, Sky Rompiendo and MAG.

“I would define the album as a combination of all I can musically contribute,” Mora says about Estrella.

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