Rosalia Makes History with Grammy Nomination for Best New Artist

Posted on November 21, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a brand new (artist)day for Rosalia…

The 26-year-old Spanish singer/songwriter has earned the first two Grammy nominations of her career, including a historic nod for Best New Artist.

Rosalia, a five-time Latin Grammy winner, is the first all-Spanish language singer to be nominated in the best new artist category. Other Latino artists have been nominated in the category over the years, including Vikki Carr in 1963, and Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera and Esperanza Spalding have won the award. Even José Feliciano won best new artist in 1969, bolstered by his hit version of the Doors’ “Light My Fire.” But the previous nominees and winners were not, however, honored for their work recorded exclusively in Spanish.

Rosalia’s second nomination comes in the Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album category for her second studio album, El Mal Querer. The album took home all the Latin Grammy awards it was nominated for, including Album of the Year, one of the top awards of the night.

Bad Bunny picked up two nominations… in the same category.

The 25-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton singer-rapper is nominated in the Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album category for his Latin Grammy-winning debut album X 100PRE, as well as his collaborative album with J Balvin, Oasis.

Esperanza Spalding, a four-time Grammy winner, including Best New Artist, has picked up two nods this year.

The 35-year-old part-Latinajazz bassist and singer is nominated in the Best Jazz Vocal Album category for her album12 Little Spells. She’s also up for Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals for serving as the arranger on her own single track “12 Little Spells (Thoracic Spine).”

Vince Mendoza is back in familiar territory…

The 58-year-old Latino music arranger, conductorand composer, a multi-Grammy winner, has picked up four nominations.

He’s nominated in the Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals category for his work on Trisha Yearwood’s “Over The Rainbow.”

Mendoza picked up two nods in the Best Instrumental Composition category for conducting Fred Hersch & The WDR Big Band’s “Begin Again,” as well as composing “Love, A Beautiful Force,” his single with Terell Stafford, Dick Oatts and the Temple University Studio Orchestra.

Emilio Solla is in the running for a Grammy this year…

The Argentine pianist and composer is nominated in the Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella category for arranging “La Novena,” his single with the Emilio Solla Tango Jazz Orchestra.

Diego Figueiredo picked up a nod

The 39-year-old Brazilian musician is nominated in the Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals category for arrangement alongside Cyrille Aiméeon Aimée’s “Marry Me A Little.”

Camila Cabello, a two-time Grammy nominee last year, has earned a nod this year…

The 22-year-old Mexican and Cuban singer and former Fifth Harmony member is nominated in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category for her collaboration with Shawn Mendes, “Señorita.”

Cardi B has earned a nod this year…

The 27-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar, who picked up her first Grammy at this year’s awards show for her debut album Invasion of Privacy, is up for Best Rap Performance for her work opposite Offset on “Clout.”

Rodrigo y Gabrielahave reason to celebrate…

The Mexican acoustic guitar duo, comprised of Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero, picked up its first Grammy nomination. Rodrigo y Gabriela is nominated in the Best Contemporary Instrumental Album category for Mettavolution.

Jessie Reyez is a first-time Grammynominee…

The 28-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter is nominated in the Best Urban Contemporary Album category for her sophomore album Being Human In Public. The album picked up a Juno Award in her home country of Canada for RnB/Soul Recording of the Year.

Sebastian Plano is celebrating his Grammy nod…

The Argentine composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist is nominated in the Best New Age Album category for his albumVerve.

Melissa Aldana has picked up her first Grammy nomination…

The 30-year-old Chilean tenor saxophone player is nominated in the Best Improvised Jazz Solo category for “Elsewhere.”

The nominees in the Best Latin Jazz Album include Chick Corea & The Spanish Heart Band (Antidote), Thalma De Freitas with Vitor Gonçalves, John Patitucci, Chico Pinheiro, Rogerio Boccato & Duduka Da Fonse (Sorte!: Music By John Finbury), Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis & Rubén Blades (Una Noche Con Rubén Blades), David Sánchez (Carib), and Miguel Zenón (Sonero: The Music of Ismael Rivera)

The Best Latin Pop Album nominees include an eclectic mix of artists: Luis Fonsi (Vida), Maluma (11:11), Ricardo Montaner (Montaner), Alejandro Sanz (#ELDISCO), and Sebastian Yatra (Fantasía).

In addition to Bad Bunny, J Balvin and Rosalia, the nominees in the Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album category include Flor De Toloache (Indestructible) and iLe(Almadura).

The Best Regional Mexican Music Album (including Tejano) include Joss Favela (Caminando), Intocable (Percepción), La Energia Norteña (Poco A Poco), Mariachi Divas De Cindy Shea (20 Aniversario), and Mariachi Los Camperos (De Ayer Para Siempre).

The Best Tropical Latin Album nominees include Marc Anthony (Opus), Luis Enrique + C4Trio (Tiempo Al Tiempo), Vicente Garcia (Candela), Juan Luis Guerra 4.40 (Literal) and Aymée Nuviola (A Journey Through Cuban Music).

The Best Musical Theater Album nominees includeHadestown, with Eva Noblezada as one of the principal soloists, and Moulin Rouge! The Musical, with Karen Olivo as one of the principal soloists. It’s the first Grammy nod for both Noblezada, who is half-Mexican American, and Olivo, who is part Puerto Rican and Dominican American.

Gustavo Dudamelis back in the hunt for a Grammy…

The 38-year-oldVenezuelan-Spanish conductor and violinist, who won his first Grammy in 2011, is nominated in the Best Orchestral Performance category for conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonnic’s “Norman: Sustain.”

FKA Twigs has picked up her first Grammy nomination…

The 31-year-old part-Spanish singer is up for Best Music Video for her acclaimed music video for “Cellophane.”

Lizzo led the pack with eight nods, while Billie Eillish and Lil Nas Xfollowed close behind with six nominations each. All three musicians are first-time Grammy nominees.

Alicia Keyswill return as host the ceremony for the second year in a row, making her the third womanand the first female musician to host the show twice.

The Grammy Awardswill take place on January 26 at the Staples Centerin Los Angeles. The broadcast will air live on CBSat 5:00 pm PT/ 8:00 pm ET.

Here’s a look at the categories with Latino nominees:

GENERAL FIELD

Best New Artist
Black Pumas
Billie Eilish
Lil Nas X
Lizzo
Maggie Rogers
Rosalía
Tank and the Bangas
Yola

POP FIELD

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:
“Boyfriend” — Ariana Grande & Social House
“Sucker” — Jonas Brothers
“Old Town Road” — Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus
“Señorita” — Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello

CONTEMPORARY INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

Best Contemporary Instrumental Album:
Ancestral Recall — Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah
Star People Nation — Theo Croker
Beat Music! Beat Music! Beat Music! — Mark Guiliana
Elevate — Lettuce
Mettavolution — Rodrigo y Gabriela

R&B

Best Urban Contemporary Album:
Apollo XXI — Steve Lacy
Cuz I Love You (Deluxe) — Lizzo
Overload — Georgia Anne Muldrow
Saturn — Nao
Being Human In Public — Jessie Reyez

RAP

Best Rap Performance:
“Middle Child” — J.Cole
“Suge” — DaBaby
“Down Bad” — Dreamville ft. J.I.D, Bas, J. Cole, Earthgang & Young Nudy
“Racks In The Middle” — Nipsey Hussle ft. Roddy Ricch & Hit-boy
“Clout” — Offset ft. Cardi B

NEW AGE

Best New Age Album:
Fairy Dreams — David Arkenstone
Homage To Kindness — David Darling
Wings — Peter Kater
Verve — Sebastian Plano
Deva — Deva Premal

JAZZ

Best Improvised Jazz Solo:
“Elsewhere” — Melissa Aldana, soloist
“Sozinho” — Randy Brecker, soloist
“Tomorrow Is The Question” — Julian Lage, soloist
“The Windup” — Brandford Marsalis, soloist
“Sightseeing” — Christian McBride, soloist

Best Jazz Vocal Album:
Thirsty Ghost — Sara Gazarek
Love & Liberation — Jazzmeia Horn
Alone Together — Catherine Russell
12 Little Spells — Esperanza Spalding
Screenplay — The Tierney Sutton Band

Best Latin Jazz Album:
Antidote — Chick Corea & The Spanish Heart Band
Sorte!: Music By John Finbury — Thalma De Freitas With Vitor Gonçalves, John Patitucci, Chico Pinheiro, Rogerio Boccato & Duduka Da Fonseca
Una Noche Con Rubén Blades — Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis & Rubén Blades
Carib — David Sánchez
Sonero: The Music Of Ismael Rivera — Miguel Zenón

LATIN

Best Latin Pop Album:
Vida — Luis Fonsi
11:11 — Maluma
Montaner — Ricardo Montaner
#ELDISCO — Alejandro Sanz
Fantasía — Sebastian Yatra

Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album:
X 100PRE — Bad Bunny
Oasis — J Balvin & Bad Bunny
Indestructible — Flor De Toloache
Almadura — iLe
El Mal Querer – Rosalía

Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano):
Caminando — Joss Favela
Percepción — Intocable
Poco A Poco — La Energia Norteña
20 Aniversario — Mariachi Divas De Cindy Shea
De Ayer Para Siempre — Mariachi Los Camperos

Best Tropical Latin Album:
Opus — Marc Anthony
Tiempo Al Tiempo — Luis Enrique + C4 Trio
Candela — Vicente García
Literal — Juan Luis Guerra 4.40
A Journey Through Cuban Music — Aymée Nuviola

AMERICAN ROOTS MUSIC

Best American Roots Performance:
“Saint Honesty” — Sara Bareilles
“Father Mountain” — Calexico With Iron & Wine
“I’m On My Way” — Rhiannon Giddens With Francesco Turrisi
“Call My Name” — I’m With Her
“Faraway Look” — Yola

MUSICAL THEATER

Best Musical Theater Album:
Ain’t Too Proud: The Life And Times Of The Temptations — Saint Aubyn, Derrick Baskin, James Harkness, Jawan M. Jackson, Jeremy Pope & Ephraim Sykes, principal soloists; Scott M. Riesett, producer (Original Broadway Cast)
Hadestown — Reeve Carney, André De Shields, Amber Gray, Eva Noblezada & Patrick Page, principal soloists; Mara Isaacs, David Lai, Anaïs Mitchell & Todd Sickafoose, producers (Anaïs Mitchell, composer & lyricist) (Original Broadway Cast)
Moulin Rouge! The Musical — Danny Burstein, Tam Mutu, Sahr Ngaujah, Karen Olivo & Aaron Tveit, principal soloists; Justin Levine, Baz Luhrmann, Matt Stine & Alex Timbers, producers (Original Broadway Cast)
The Music Of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child – In Four Contemporary Suites — Imogen Heap, producer; Imogen Heap, composer (Imogen Heap)
Oklahoma! — Damon Daunno, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Ali Stroker, Mary Testa & Patrick Vaill, principal soloists; Daniel Kluger & Dean Sharenow, producers (Richard Rodgers, composer; Oscar Hammerstein II, lyricist) (2019 Broadway Cast)

MUSIC FOR VISUAL MEDIA

Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media:
The Lion King: The Songs — (Various Artists)
Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood — (Various Artists)
Rocketman — Taron Egerton
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse — (Various Artists)
A Star Is Born — Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper

COMPOSING/ARRANGING

Best Instrumental Composition:
“Begin Again” — Fred Hersch, composer (Fred Hersch & The WDR Big Band Conducted By Vince Mendoza)
“Crucible For Crisis” — Brian Lynch, composer (Brian Lynch Big Band)
“Love, A Beautiful Force” — Vince Mendoza, composer (Vince Mendoza, Terell Stafford, Dick Oatts & Temple University Studio Orchestra)
“Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Symphonic Suite” — John Williams, composer (John Williams)
“Walkin’ Funny” — Christian McBride, composer (Christian McBride)

Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella:
“Blue Skies” — Kris Bowers, arranger (Kris Bowers)
“Hedwig’s Theme” — John Williams, arranger (Anne-Sophie Mutter & John Williams)
“La Novena” — Emilio Solla, arranger (Emilio Solla Tango Jazz Orchestra)
“Love, A Beautiful Force” — Vince Mendoza, arranger (Vince Mendoza, Terell Stafford, Dick Oatts & Temple University Studio Orchestra)
“Moon River” — Jacob Collier, arranger (Jacob Collier)

Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals:
“All Night Long” — Jacob Collier, arranger (Jacob Collier Featuring Jules Buckley, Take 6 & Metropole Orkest)
“Jolene” — Geoff Keezer, arranger (Sara Gazarek)
“Marry Me A Little” — Cyrille Aimée & Diego Figueiredo, arrangers (Cyrille Aimée)
“Over The Rainbow” — Vince Mendoza, arranger (Trisha Yearwood)
“12 Little Spells (Thoracic Spine)” — Esperanza Spalding, arranger (Esperanza Spalding)

PACKAGE

Best Recording Package:
Anónimas & Resilientes — Luisa María Arango, Carlos Dussan, Manuel García-Orozco & Juliana Jaramillo-Buenaventura, art directors (Voces Del Bullerengue)
Chris Cornell — Barry Ament, Jeff Ament, Jeff Fura & Joe Spix, art directors (Chris Cornell)
Hold That Tiger — Andrew Wong & Fongming Yang, art directors (The Muddy Basin Ramblers)
i,i — Aaron Anderson & Eric Timothy Carlson, art directors (Bon Iver)
Intellexual — Irwan Awalludin, art director (Intellexual)

NOTES

Best Album Notes:
The Complete Cuban Jam Sessions — Judy Cantor-Navas, album notes writer (Various Artists)
The Gospel According To Malaco — Robert Marovich, album notes writer (Various Artists)
Pedal Steel + Four Corners — Brendan Greaves, album notes writer (Terry Allen And The Panhandle Mystery Band)
Pete Seeger: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection — Jeff Place, album notes writer (Pete Seeger)
Stax ’68: A Memphis Story — Steve Greenberg, album notes writer (Various Artists)

CLASSICAL

Best Orchestral Performance:
“Bruckner: Symphony No. 9” — Manfred Honeck, conductor (Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra)
“Copland: Billy The Kid; Grohg” — Leonard Slatkin, conductor (Detroit Symphony Orchestra)
“Norman: Sustain” — Gustavo Dudamel, conductor (Los Angeles Philharmonic)
“Transatlantic” — Louis Langrée, conductor (Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra)
“Weinberg: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 21” — Mirga Gražinytė-tyla, conductor (City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra & Kremerata Baltica)

MUSIC VIDEO/FILM

Best Music Video:
“We’ve Got To Try” — The Chemical Brothers, Ellie Fry, video director; Ninian Doff, video producer
“This Land” — Gary Clark Jr., Savanah Leaf, video director; Alicia Martinez, video producer
“Cellophane” — FKA twigs, Andrew Thomas Huang, video director; Alex Chamberlain, video producer
“Old Town Road (Official Movie)” — Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus, Calmatic, video director; Candice Dragonas, Melissa Larsen & Saul Levitz, video producers
“Glad He’s Gone” — Tove Lo, Vania Heymann & Gal Muggia, video directors; Natan Schottenfels, video producer

Vicente Garcia Signs Worldwide Publishing Deal with Warner Chappell Music Colombia

Posted on August 10, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Vicente Garcia is going global…

The 36-year-old Dominican musician has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Colombia, covering his past albums as well as future projects, according to Billboard.

Garcia debuted his solo album Melodrama in 2011, which includes collaborations with Ximena Sariñana and Cultura Profetica.

His sophomore album, A La Mar, nabbed Garcia best new artist, best singer-songwriter album, and best tropical song for “Bachata En Kingston” at the 2017 Latin Grammyawards.

“Vicente is a fearless and dynamic artist whose creativity has no boundaries,” said Gustavo Menendez, president, Warner Chappell Music Latin Americain an official statement. “He is constantly evolving by experimenting across multiple genres all while staying true to his Dominican roots. We have admired his work for a long time and we are thrilled to now welcome him to the Warner Chappellfamily.”

Daniel Mora, managing director, Warner Chappell Music Colombia, added: “I’m extremely proud to count Vicente among our fast-growing Warner Chappell Music Colombia roster. He is one of the most trail-blazing tropical and alternative artists of our generation, with a very unique perspective and writing style.”

García recently toured the U.S., United Kingdom, Colombia, Netherlands, Spain, Costa Rica, Peru, Argentina, and Chile, to name a few, in support of his third studio album Candela released in May.

Eduardo Cabra Partners with Vicente Garcia on New Multimedia & Music Fusion Project Called Trending Topics

Posted on September 5, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Eduardo Cabra is trending…

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican artist and producer,known as Visitante, has teamed with Puerto Rican singer Vicente Garcia for his first post Calle 13 solo project, called Trending Topics.

A single is due Sept. 14, with an album to follow later this fall.

The album will be a joint release between Sony Music Colombia and Sony Music Spain, according to Billboard, through a new deal Cabra and Garcia made with the global company that partners the two regional offices for the project.

Cabra, who has produced 13 albums for other artists, in addition to his groundbreaking work with Calle 13, previously told Billboardthat Trending Topics is a collaborative recording whose “common denominator is the production.”

In addition to Garcia, who won the Latin Grammy for Best New Artist in 2017, the album will feature Ana Tijoux, Jorge Drexler, Li Suamet of Bomba Estereo fame, Amayo from Antibalas, Pucho and Guille from Spanish rock band Vetusta Morla, and musician and producer Carlos Alomar, best known as David Bowie’s guitarist.

Sony calls Trending Topics, “an innovative multimedia, music fusion project” with music “born from the traditions of Afro-Caribbean and Caribbean cultures and rhythms – intertwined with the sounds of boundary pushing contemporary/ experimental recording techniques and timely lyrical subject matter.”

Cabra previously told Billboardthat reggaeton, approached “in a different way” will be part of the mix.

In an announcement from Sony, Cabra called Trending Topics, “a project that was made with much love and with a brutal sense of art.”

Kany Garcia & Fellow Latin Artists Help Raise Money for Puerto Rico with Banco Popular’s annual Christmastime album “Nuestra Isla, Nuestro Encanto”

Posted on December 24, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like Kany Garcia and Ozuna are giving Puerto Ricans a Christmas to remember…

Banco Popular’s annual Christmastime album Nuestra Isla, Nuestro Encanto, featuring the 36-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter and the 25-year-old Puerto Rican reggaeton and Latin trap singer surges up Billboard’s Top Latin Albums (45-5) and Tropical Albums (9-2) charts.

The album has registered 3,000 equivalent album units earned (up 350 percent) — nearly all from traditional album sales.

The set (which was also released as a separate DVD) celebrates the many festivals, carnivals and events throughout Puerto Rico, and was produced over the last year.

The album includes many guest stars, including Diana Fuentes, Garcia, Vicente Garcia, Ozuna, Rey Ruiz and Olga Tañon.

Some of the proceeds from the sales of the album and DVD will support the Embracing Puerto Rico relief effort, supporting communities affected by Hurricane Maria.

Last year’s Banco popular album, Du Puerto Rico Para El Mundo, spent three weeks at No. 1 on both the Top Latin Albums and Latin Pop Albums charts.

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Win Four Latin Grammys for “Despacito”

Posted on November 17, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee proved to be the night’s brightest stars at this year’s Latin Grammy Awards.

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican singer and the 40-year-old reggaeton star, the artists behind this year’s global smash single “Despacito,” picked up four awards from the Latin Recording Academy, including two of the biggest prizes.

Fonsi and Daddy Yankee won Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Despacito,” while their remix of the song featuring Justin Bieber was named Best Urban Fusion/Performance.

Not far behind, Vicente Garcia.

The 34-year-old Dominican singer, songwriter and composer picked up three awards, including Best New Artist. He also received the Best Tropical Song prize for his single “Bachata en Kingston,” as well as Best Singer-Songwriter Album for A La Mar.

Latin music veteran Ruben Blades, who won two awards, took home the night’s biggest honor Album of the Year for his album, Salsa Big Band, with Roberto Delgado & Orquesta.

It’s the second Album of the Year trophy for the 69-year-old Panamanian singer-songwriter. He previously took home the award in 2014 for his album Tangos.

Natalia Lafourcade, a Latin Grammy darling, added two more awards to her collection.

The 33-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter won the Best Folk Album award for her album Musas, which was produced in collaboration with the acoustic guitar duo Los Macorinos. The album is a homage to Latin American folk music, coand contains original songs as well as cover versions of other artists’ songs.

Shakira, who is currently on vocal rest and absent from the ceremony, won Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album for her latest record, El Dorado.

The 2017 Latin Grammy Awards were held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Thursday night. The three-hour show, hosted by Roselyn Sanchez and Jaime Camil, included performances by Fonsi, Steve Aoki, Alessia Cara, J Balvin, Maluma and Person of the Year Alejandro Sanz, among others.

Lin-Manuel Miranda was also honored with the President’s Merit Award for his outstanding and numerous contributions to the Latin community, including his relief efforts for Puerto Rico following the devastation of Hurricane Maria. Upon taking the stage, the Hamilton creator thanked his team and his wife, Vanessa Nadal.

“My people! Thank you, it’s an honor to be here,” Miranda began his Spanglish speech. “No one gets here alone,” he added before expressing how proud he was of the Latino community and dedicating the award to Puerto Rico.

“I know I’m a weird theater kid here, with a weird accent,” he continued. “But let’s keep collaborating and show the world that Latinos can change the world when we collaborate.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

Album of the Year: Salsa Big Band — Rubén Blades con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta
Record of the Year: “Despacito” — Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee
Song of the Year (A Songwriter’s Award): “Despacito” — Daddy Yankee, Erika Ender and Luis Fonsi, songwriters (Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee)
Best New Artist: Vicente García
Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album: El Dorado, Shakira
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: Salón, Lágrimas Y Deseo, Lila Downs
Best Urban Fusion/Performance: Despacito (Remix) Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber
Best Urban Music Album: Residente, Residente
Best Urban Song: Somos Anormales, Rafael Arcaute, Igor Koshkendey & Residente, Songwriters (Residente)
Best Rock Album: La Gran Oscilación, Diamante Eléctrico
Best Pop/Rock Album: Mis Planes Son Amarte, Juanes
Best Rock Song: Déjala Rodar, Juan Galeano, Songwriter (Diamante Eléctrico) & La Noche, Andrés Calamaro, Songwriter (Andrés Calamaro) [Tie]
Best Alternative Music Album: Jei Beibi, Café Tacvba
Best Alternative Song: Amárrame, Mon Laferte, Songwriter (Mon Laferte featuring Juanes)
Best Salsa Album: Salsa Big Band, Rubén Blades Con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta
Best Cumbia/Vallenato Album: Ni Un Paso Atrás, Jorge Celedón y Sergio Luis Rodríguez
Best Contemporary Tropical Album: Bidimensional, Guaco
Best Traditional Tropical Album: To Beny Moré With Love, Jon Secada Featuring The Charlie Sepúlveda Big Band
Best Tropical Fusion Album: Olga Tañón Y Punto., Olga Tañón
Best Tropical Song: Bachata En Kingston, Vicente García, Songwriter (Vicente García)
Best Singer-Songwriter Album: A La Mar, Vicente García
Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album: Las Caras Lindas, Flor De Toloache
Best Banda Album: Ayer Y Hoy, Banda El Recodo De Cruz Lizárraga
Best Norteño Album: Piénsalo, Los Palominos
Best Regional Song: Siempre Es Así, Juan Treviño, Songwriter (Juan Treviño Featuring Aj Castillo)
Best Instrumental Album: Spain Forever, Michel Camilo & Tomatito
Best Folk Album: Musas (Un Homenaje Al Folclore Latinoamericano En Manos De Los Macorinos, Vol. 1), Natalia Lafourcade
Best Tango Album: Solo Buenos Aires, Fernando Otero
Best Flamenco Album: Memoria De Los Sentidos, Vicente Amigo
Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album: Dance Of Time, Eliane Elias
Best Christian Album (Spanish Language): Momentos, Alex Campos
Best Portuguese Language Christian Album: Acenda A Sua Luz, Aline Barros
Best Portuguese Language Contemporary Pop Album: Troco Likes Ao Vivo: Um Filme De Tiago Iorc, Tiago Iorc
Best Portuguese Language Rock Or Alternative Album: Jardim – Pomar, Nando Reis
Best Samba/Pagode Album: + Misturado, Mart’nália
Best Mpb (Musica Popular Brasileira) Album: Dos Navegantes, Edu Lobo, Romero Lubambo, Mauro Senise
Best Sertaneja Music Album: Daniel, Daniel
Best Brazilian Roots Album: Ao Vivo – Melodias Do Sertão, Bruna Viola
Best Portuguese Language Song: Trevo (Tu), Ana Caetano & Tiago Iorc, Songwriters (Anavitória Featuring Tiago Iorc)
Best Latin Children’s Album: Marc Anthony For Babies, Varios artistas
Best Classical Album: Música De Compositores Costarricenses Vol. 2, Eddie Mora, Directing The Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional De Costa Rica; Winnie Camila Berg, Solista; Carlos Chaves, Album Producer
Best Classical Contemporary Composition: Sonata Del Decamerón Negro, Leo Brouwer, Composer (Mabel Millán)
Best Recording Package: El Orisha De La Rosa, Carlos Dussán, Juliana Jaramillo, Juan Felipe Martínez & Claudio Roncoli, Art Directors (Magín Díaz)
Best Engineered Album: Mis Planes Son Amarte, Josh Gudwin, Mixer; Tom Coyne, Mastering Engineer (Juanes)
Producer Of The Year: Eduardo Cabra [A La Mar (Vicente García) (A), La Fortuna (Diana Fuentes Featuring Tommy Torres) (S), La Lucha (La Vida Bohème) (A), Sofá (Silvina Moreno) (A), Somos (Swing Original Monks) (A)]
Best Short Form Music Video: Despacito, Luis Fonsi Featuring Daddy Yankee, Carlos R. Perez, Video Director; Joanna Egozcue & Roxy Quiñones, Video Producers
Best Long Form Music Video: Musas, El Documental, Natalia Lafourcade, Bruno Bancalari, Video Director; Juan Pablo López Fonseca, Video Producer

Residente Leads Pack of Latin Grammy Nominees with Nine Nods

Posted on September 26, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like Residente will be the artist to beat at this year’s Latin Grammys…

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and founding member of Calle 13, whose real name is. René Juan Pérez Joglar, leads the list of nominees this year with nine nods.

Residente, who has won 24 Latin Grammy awards in his career, making him the Latin artist who has won the most gold-plated gramophones, picked up nods in the three main categories. He’s up for album of the year for Residente, his first solo album, and song and record of the year for “Guerra.”

In a departure, particularly for an album that had no radio singles, Residente also has different tracks up for best urban/fusion performance (“Dagombas en tamale”) best urban song (“Somos anormale”) and best tropical song (“Hijos del cañaveral”), while the ethereal music video to “Desencuentro,” a rare love song, is up for best short form music video.

Nipping at Residente’s heels, Maluma, with seven nods…

The 23-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer, who was nominated for Best New Artist in 2013, earned six of his nominations from only two categories.

In what may be a first for the Latin Grammys, Maluma has the same three recordings competing in both record and song of the year. “Felices los 4,” “Chantaje” (where he is featured on Shakira’s track) and “Vente Pa’Ca” (where he is featured on Ricky Martin’s track) are all up for record of the year; because Maluma has co-writing credit in all three tracks, he also garners nods in the song of the year categories, which are given to the songwriters.

“Chantaje” is also up for best urban fusion performance, giving Maluma his seventh nod.

Following Maluma with six nominations is Shakira, a 10-time Latin Grammy winner.

Shakira garnered three of her nods for “Chantaje,” her track with Maluma while her album El Dorado is also up for album of the year and best contemporary pop vocal album.

Juanes, Mon Laferte and producer/engineer/songwriter Kevin Jimenez ADG, who works with Maluma, have five nominations each.

Juanes is nominated for album and best pop/rock album of the year for his “visual” album, Mis planes son amarte, which is also up for best long form video.

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, the artists behind the global phenomenon “Despacito,” are up for four awards each for the track: song of the year (as writers), record of the year, best short form music video and best urban fusion performance, where they’re nominated for the “Despacito” remix that features Justin Bieber.

Of more than 500 submissions for best new artist, an award that has tended to shun big successes, the 10 nominees include at least seven signed to major labels: CNCO, Sebastian Yatra, Sofía Reyes, Martina La Peligrosa, Vicente García, Danay Suárez and Mau y Ricky.

Nominees to the Latin Grammys were chosen in 48 categories from over 10,000 total submissions and are voted upon by members of the Latin Academy who also vote for the winners.

This year’s Latin Grammys will air live on the Univision Network on November 16 and will be produced by a new team that includes Jose Tillan and Terry Lickona, longtime producer of Austin City Limits.

Find key nominations below:

Album Of The Year
Salsa Big Band — Rubén Blades con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta
Obras Son Amores — Antonio Carmona
A La Mar — Vicente García
Fénix — Nicky Jam
Mis Planes Son Amarte — Juanes
La Trenza — Mon Laferte
Musas (Un Homenaje Al Folclore Latinoamericano En Manos De Los Macorinos, Vol. 1) — Natalia Lafourcade
Residente — Residente
El Dorado — Shakira
Palabras Manuales — Danay Suarez

Record Of The Year
“La Flor De La Canela” — Rubén Blades
“El Surco” — Jorge Drexler
“Quiero Que Vuelvas” — Alejandro Fernández
“Despacito” — Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee
“El Ratico” — Juanes featuring Kali Uchis
“Amárrame” — Mon Laferte featuring Juanes
“Felices Los 4” — Maluma
“Vente Pa’ Ca” — Ricky Martin featuring Maluma
“Guerra” — Residente
“Chantaje” — Shakira featuring Maluma

Song Of The Year (A Songwriter’s Award)
“Amárrame” — Mon Laferte, songwriter (Mon Laferte featuring Juanes)
“Chantaje” — Kevin Mauricio Jiménez Londoño, Bryan Snaider Lezcano Chaverra, Joel Antonio López Castro, Maluma and Shakira, songwriters (Shakira featuring Maluma)
“Desde Que Estamos Juntos” — Descemer Bueno and Melendi, songwriters (Melendi)
“Despacito” — Daddy Yankee, Erika Ender and Luis Fonsi, songwriters (Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee)
“Ella” — Ricardo Arjona, songwriter (Ricardo Arjona)
“Felices Los 4” — Mario Cáceres, Kevin Mauricio Jiménez Londoño, Maluma, Servando Primera, Stiven Rojas and Bryan Snaider Lezcano Chaverra, songwriters (Maluma)
“Guerra” — Residente and Jeff Trooko, songwriters (Residente)
“La Fortuna” — Diana Fuentes and Tommy Torres, songwriters (Diana Fuentes featuring Tommy Torres)
“Tú Sí Sabes Quererme” — Natalia Lafourcade, songwriter (Natalia Lafourcade featuring Los Macorinos)
“Vente Pa’ Ca ” — Nermin Harambasic, Maluma, Ricky Martin, Mauricio Montaner, Ricky Montaner, Lars Pedersen, Carl Ryden, Justin Stein, Ronny Vidar Svendsen and Anne Judith Stokke Wik, songwriters (Ricky Martin featuring Maluma)

Best New Artist
Paula Arenas
CNCO
Vicente García
Martina La Peligrosa
Mau y Ricky
Rawayana
Sofía Reyes
Rosalía
Danay Suarez
Sebastián Yatra

Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album
Hijos Del Mar — David Bisbal
Rompiendo Fronteras — Alejandro Fernández
Flora Y Faῦna — Camila Luna
El Dorado — Shakira
Extended Play Yatra — Sebastián Yatra

Best Urban Fusion / Performance
“Si Tu Novio Te Deja Sola” — J. Balvin featuring Bad Bunny
“Despacito” (Remix) — Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber
“El Amante” — Nicky Jam
“Dagombas En Tamale” — Residente
“Chantaje” — Shakira featuring Maluma

Best Alternative Music Album
Jei Beibi — Café Tacvba
Apocalipsis Zombi — El Cuarteto de Nos
La Trenza — Mon Laferte
La Promesa De Thamar — Sig Ragga
Palabras Manuales — Danay Suarez

Best Regional Song (A Songwriter’s Award)
“Compromiso Descartado” — Espinoza Paz, songwriter (Leonardo Aguilar)
“Ganas De Volver” — Horacio Palencia, songwriter (Horacio Palencia)
“Sentimiento Emborrachado” — Raúl Jiménez E. and Chucho Rincón, songwriters (Santiago Arroyo)
“Siempre Es Así” — Juan Treviño, songwriter (Juan Treviño featuring AJ Castillo)
“Vale La Pena” — Edgar Barrera, Martín Castro Ortega and Alfonso Lizárraga, songwriters (Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga)

Best MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) Album
Dos Navegantes — Edu Lobo, Romero Lubambo, and Mauro Senise
DNA Musical — Alexandre Pires
Silva Canta Marisa — Silva
Até Pensei Que Fosse Minha — António Zambujo
Zanna — Zanna

For a full list of nominations, go to LatinGrammy.com.

Juanes Launches Monthly Radio Show on SiriusXM

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

There’s no doubt Juanes is Sirius about music… And now he’s part of the first artist-hosted show for bilingual listeners.

The 40-year-old Colombian singing superstar officially launched Juanes: Fijate Bien on SiriusXM‘s Caliente channel 150 and La Kueva channel 540.

On his exclusive monthly show, the Grammy and seventeen-time Latin Grammy-winning guitarist, singer and songwriter, will feature new music and showcase spontaneous, live jam sessions with special guests, as well as share personal stories and anecdotes from life on the road.

During the first broadcast, Juanes shared stories and music from one of his earliest inspirations, Colombian singer and songwriter Octavio Mesa. Juanes also welcomed his first guest, Dominican singer-songwriter, Vicente Garcia, who deliveres a special performance.

“I am excited to launch Fijate Bien on SiriusXM this Sunday,” said Juanes. “I look forward to hearing from listeners all over the country and sharing stories, inspiring live music and life experiences from the road.”

“Juanes: Fijate Bien is our first show for the bilingual listener,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM. “As one of the most recognizable Latin stars today, Juanes will have his own platform to share his thoughts and musical tastes with SiriusXM bilingual listeners nationwide.”

Named after the Colombian superstar’s groundbreaking first album, Juanes: Fijate Bien debuted Sunday, September 23, 2012 at 8:00 pm ET.

The special replays on SiriusXM’s Caliente channel 150 Wednesday, September 26, and on La Kueva channel 540 Friday, September 28 at 12:00 pm ET.

Vicente Garcia: Future Star!

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

He’s had the opportunity to tour with Latin superstar Juan Luis Guerra… And, now Vicente Garcia is hoping to reach the same level of success as his fellow Dominican mentor.

“I had the opportunity to visit many countries while touring with Juan Luis Guerra during his tour La Travesia,” says the 28-year-old Garcia, who was taken under his wing by Guerra when he was only 13 and a member of the band Calor Urbano “It made me realize the power of Dominican music. It made me want to express my own music.”

Garcia’s music isn’t filled with traditional Dominican beats. Instead it’s a fusion of reggae, rhythm & blues and Motown-inspired soul.

“His songs are new and really beautiful,” says Guerra about Garcia’s music in an interview on Garcia’s YouTube channel.

Garcia experimented in the studio with bachata, soul and salsa sounds for an entire year while working on his latest album Melodrama, a project that his mentor says has achieved an innovative and unique sound.

“We were in Brooklyn in a studio with a lot of old equipment that allowed us to obtain that old school feel to the music,” says Garcia. “I love incorporating Dominican elements into my music, that has a lot of value to me.”

But Guerra isn’t the only musician who has inspired his latest studio effort…

Garcia has worked with artists like Mana and Shakira, who’ve incorporated Merengue beats into their own project. He even caught the eye of another rising star, Mexican singer Ximena Sariñana, after sending her two of his demos in hopes that she’d collaborate with him.

“Working with her was so gratifying, it was such a surprise because I wasn’t even signed yet,” remembers Garcia. “I flew out to her home in Guadalajara and we recorded songs for four days straight. It was very cool of her to sing with me.”

So what has Garcia learned about working with some of his idols? The importance of staying true to yourself and having a strong work ethic when creating music.

“In order to reach a unique sound this has to come from the heart. You have to do this based on your identity and to me that lies in my home country. Know who you are,” says Garcia. “I write songs almost every day, and now, I’m taking the time to fine-tune my songs.”

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