Robert Trujillo & His Metallica Mates’ Helping Hands Concert to Air on Paramount+

Posted on November 23, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Here’s your chance to watch Robert Trujillo in guitar action for charity…

The 58-year-old half-Mexican American musician and his fellow Metallica band mates’ Helping Hands benefit concert will air on Paramount+, Pluto TV and MTV’s YouTube channel.

“We’re looking forward to celebrating the achievements of All Within My Hands at this year’s Helping Hands Concert & Auction and we’re psyched to tell you that it will be streamed live, thanks to our friends at @paramountplus!” the band wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday (Nov. 22).

The sold out December 16 show at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles will be hosted by late night’s Jimmy Kimmel and feature an opening set from Greta Van Fleet.

The event will kick off at 8:30 p.m. ET and stream live on Paramount+, with simulcasts on Pluto and YouTube.

It will also feature an auction that kicks off on December 5 to benefit the foundation, with 100% of the ticket and auction proceeds earmarked for those in need via a number of national and local charities.

Among the organizations that All Within My Hands has partnered with over the years are: the American Association of Community Colleges, Feeding America, Direct Relief and World Central Kitchen.

This year alone the foundation has handed out $100,000 to Direct Relief and World Central Kitchen to help those hit hardest by Hurricanes Ian and Fiona in Florida and Puerto Rico in October, as well as $20,000 to the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh in August and $100,000 to World Central Kitchen’s efforts to feed Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russia’s unprovoked war on their country.

Steve Treviño Signs with Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

Posted on November 13, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Steve Treviño has new representation…

The 44-year-old Mexican American rising stand-up comedian, writer and producer has signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) for representation.

Dubbed “America’s Favorite Husband” for his relatable style, Treviño’s videos have been viewed more than 223 million times. He has sold out shows coast-to-coast, has amassed more than two million social media followers, and has headlined specials for Amazon, Netflix and Showtime, among others.

Treviño’s specials include Grandpa Joe’s Son, his first for Showtime, which was ranked among the Nielsen Top 20. He also funded, produced, and shot his 2014 Netflix hit Relatable. To promote the special, he uploaded a clip titled “When Your Wife Comes Home From Shopping,” which generated 56 million views on Facebook.

He also expanded his social media presence through fans imitating bits of his comedy specials on TikTok. In less than two years, the grassroots effort helped him build a worldwide fan base on the platform, garnering 4.8 million likes and more than 50 million views.

In 2020, he and his wife, Renae, unveiled a weekly podcast entitled Steve Treviño and Captain Evil that has earned more than 1.5 million views/streams and is now in its third season.

He also filmed his fourth self-produced comedy special, My Life In Quarantine, which was picked up by Amazon Prime.

His self-produced fifth special filmed in Waco, Texas, entitled I Speak Wife, independently released on October 21 for free, exclusively to his global audience on YouTube.

Treviño regularly raises money for Helicopters for Heroes, an organization benefiting veterans, for whom he has helped raise over $1.5 million in the past two years.

Netflix Orders Reggaeton-Themed Comedy Series “Neon,” Starring Tyler Dean Flores

Posted on November 9, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Tyler Dean Flores is bringing a little reggaeton to Netflix…

Netflix has given a series order to Neon, a comedy series starring the Puerto Rican actor.

The project is set in the world of the musical genre that birthed the song “Despacito,” the second-most-viewed video ever on YouTube.

Flores, Emma Ferreira, Jordan Mendoza and Courtney Taylor star in the series, which hails from creator Shea Serrano with Max Searle set as showrunner.

Serrano, the author of The Rap Year Book, is behind Amazon Freevee series Primo with Mike Schur and Searle is co-showrunner of the second season of Chad and co-exec producer of Dave.

The eight-part series focuses on three friends who move from a small town in Florida to Miami with the hopes of making it big in the world of reggaeton. The show chronicles not only their larger than life dreams but the harsh comic realities of attempting to make it in the music industry.

Flores (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) plays Santi, a budding reggaeton artist who, with the help of his friends, Ness, played by (Ferreira) and Felix, (Mendoza) and A&R rep, Mia (Taylor) hopes to become the biggest reggaeton star in the world. Or at least make rent.

The series is executive produced by Serrano and Searle. It comes from Scooter Braun’s SB Projects with Braun executive-producing alongside Scott Manson and James Shin. Kyle Vinuya is co-executive producer. Mendoza also serves as consulting producer.

Flores’ previous credits include The Dark Knight Rises, When They See Us and Chicago Fire.

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” Video Hits 8 Billion Views on YouTube

Posted on November 8, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee continue extending their reign…

The 44-year-old Puerto Rican singer and 45-year-old Puerto Rican reggaeton star’s music video for global sensation “Despacito” has logged 8 billion views on YouTube.

In the process Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s video extends its reign as the most-viewed music video on YouTube — by a long shot.

The closest competitor to the nearly five-minute clip for the 2017 smash hit is Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You,” which has raked in 5.8 billion views.

“Who would of thought that a melody over my guitar that morning in my house would be listened to in so many places, by so many people,” Fonsi wrote on social media celebrating the song’s new milestone. “It’s been almost six years and I still can’t believe it. The words THANK YOU don’t cover it. 8 billion views, sounds so nice.”

Fonsi continued thanking those who made it all possible, including Daddy Yankee, Justin Bieber who jumped on the remix, his co-writer Erika Ender, producers Andrés Torres and Mauricio Rengifo and video director Carlos Pérez, to name a few, and his island of Puerto Rico, where they filmed the video, featuring former Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera.

“Despacito,” released via Universal Music Latino in January 2017, is the gift that keeps on giving. Four months after the music video made its debut on YouTube, it hit the 1 billion mark back when it got a boost from a bilingual remix that featured Bieber.

Five years ago in May, the remix with Bieber reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and made global history. Furthermore, “Despacito” topped the Hot Latin Songs chart for a record 56 (non-consecutive) weeks, spending the most weeks at No. 1 for any title since the chart’s inception in 1986.

Rels B. Agrees to Co-Management Deal with Federico Lauria & Pepo Ferradas

Posted on November 5, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Rels B. has new representation…

The 29-year-old Spanish rapper, songwriter and music producer has signed with managers Federico Lauria and Pepo Ferradas, whose client list includes Nicki Nicole, Duki and Bizarrap (Lauria) and Camilo, Evaluna Montaner and Lali Esposito (Ferradas).

Lauria and Ferradas will co-manage the rising Spanish artist.

Longtime friends, Lauria (CEO of DalePlay) and Ferradas (CEO of FPM Entertainment) have collaborated in multiple tours and projects, but this marks the first time the two executives team up to jointly to work in developing an artist’s career.

Rels B, also known as Skinny Flakk, began recording as a rapper but has evolved into more R&B and urban/pop territory with highly relatable lyrics and memorable melodies.

To date, he has amassed 4.5 million subscribers on his YouTube channel and has 15.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

After scoring multiple hits in his native Spain, Lauria and Ferradas are making a concerted effort to focus on the U.S. Latin and Latin American markets. This summer, Rels B finished playing a 27-date tour of the U.S. and Latin America, and in August, he put out his first single, “Cómo dormiste?,” under Lauria and Ferradas’ management.

The track garnered Rels B his first top 10 on the Billboard Argentina charts and the music video has over 38 million YouTube views. He recently released the alt/pop-leaning “pa quererte.”

Lauria and Ferradas have long worked together in different projects, most recently in Esposito’s sold-out Argentina tour, which Lauria promoted, and includes a grand finale at Velez Stadium, with 45,000 tickets sold. Both men have also scored big management wins in the past 12 months, Lauria with Duki and Bizarrap, and Ferradas with Camilo and, prior to that, Nathy Peluso.

But this is the first time they formalize a management alliance. Rels B releases music under his own Flakk Records and Dale Play, Lauria’s label. He is signed for publishing with Sony Music Publishing.

Adrienne Bailon-Houghton to Co-Host NBCUniversal’s Revived “E! News”

Posted on October 21, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Adrienne Bailon-Houghton is ready to start spreading the news…

NBCUniversal cable network is bringing back its long-running franchise E! News after a two-year break, with the 38-year-old Puerto Rican and Ecuadorian American actress, singer and television personality to serve as a co-host.

Bailon-Houghton, who recently signed a talent deal with NBCUniversal,will be joined by Justin Sylvester, on the show, which will debut on November 14 at 11:30pm.

John Redmann, who was the executive producer of CBS’ The Talk for 10 years, and John Pascarella, who was co-executive producer of Maury, will exec produce the nightly show.

In 2020, E! News became a morning show and after going on an indefinite hiatus in March 2020 as a result of the pandemic, it was canceled in August 2020 with its operation moving online as a web news service.

The show, which covers celebrity news and gossip as well as film and television news, is best known for being hosted by Ryan Seacrest. The new iteration will have an “emphasis on celebrity-friendly, fact-based reporting and serve as a platform for personalities to connect with their fans”.

It’s the latest shift at E!, which recently canceled Daily Pop and Nightly Pop, leading to the departure of production staff on those shows.

“E! News has a long history of entertainment news excellence, and we are excited to bring the show back and continue its legacy,” said Tracie Wilson, EVP, NBCUniversal Syndication Studios and E! News. “John Redmann and John Pascarella are strategic, respected executive producers with stellar reputations and Justin and Adrienne are charismatic, seasoned hosts with a genuine interest in pop culture. This is the perfect team to bring a fresh take to this franchise.”

Bailon-Houghton was the first Latina daytime talk show host on English-language television on the recently canceled daytime series The Real. In addition to hosting The Real, Bailon-Houghton has her own YouTube channel, All Things Adrienne, hosts design show House to Home on CleoTV, and was a contestant on Fox’s The Masked Singer in 2019.

Adrienne Bailon-Houghton Strikes Talent & Development Deal with NBCUniversal Television & Streaming

Posted on October 15, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Adrienne Bailon-Houghton is ready for primetime…

The 38-year-old Puerto Rican and Ecuadorian American actress, singer and television personality is moving into primetime television with a talent and development deal at NBCUniversal.

Bailon-Houghton, the first Latina daytime talk show host on English-language television on the recently canceled daytime series The Real, has struck the deal with NBCUniversal Television and Streaming and it includes unscripted opportunities across its networks and streaming service Peacock to serve as host and/or producer.

NBCUniversal has struck similar talent deals with the likes of Miley Cyrus and Meghan Trainor.

In addition to hosting The Real, Bailon-Houghton has her own YouTube channel, All Things Adrienne, hosts design show House to Home on CleoTV, and was a contestant on Fox’s The Masked Singer in 2019.

She began her career as a member of R&B girl group 3LW and later became a member of pop group the Cheetah Girls. She has also acted in series That’s So Raven and Raven’s Home and movies like Coach Carter.

“I’ve had some incredible opportunities throughout my career, and many of my favorite moments have come from stepping into a hosting role,” said Bailon-Houghton. “From co-hosting The Real to whatever the future holds, these are the opportunities that I thrive for. I’m thrilled to have the support of the incredible team at NBCU as I continue to grow in my career and couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come.”

“We’ve long admired Adrienne’s talents and been so impressed with how she has been able to connect and relate with her audience,” added Tomii Crump, Head of Unscripted Casting and Talent, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “We’re looking forward to aligning her with projects where she can really thrive and show all that she has to offer.”

Jennifer Lopez’s “On the Floor” Music Video with Pitbull Surpasses Two Billion Views on YouTube

Posted on October 12, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

One of Jennifer Lopez’s biggest hits is flooring it…

The 53-year-old Puerto Rican superstar’s club anthem “On the Floor” with Pitbull has surpassed two billion views on YouTube.

The nightclub-set clip for J. Lo and Pit’s 2011 hit has averaged more than 500K views per day so far in 2022, according to the video streaming platform.

The track scored the pair another entry on the Billboard Hot 100 as it peaked at No. 3 on the tally dated May 21, 2011.

“On the Floor” is one of the handful of collaborations between la Lopez and Pitbull.

The pair have struck gold with other songs like “Dance Again,” “Back It Up” with Prince Royce, and the official 2014 World Cup song “We Are One (Ole Ola)” with Brazilian star Claudia Leitte.

Produced by RedOne, the song thrives on a hypnotic beat, with Pitbull dropping by for a rapid-fire verse that rhymes “badonkadonk” with “Donkey Kong.”

Lopez’s sweet yet commanding vocals take centerstage during the chorus where she sings “La la la la la la la la la la la la la la. Tonight we gon’ be it on the floor.”

The track samples French-Brazilian pop group Kaoma’s 1988 song “Lambada,” a global hit that went on to top Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart in March of 1990. As a result of the sample, the “Lambada” reappeared on the Billboard charts more than 20 years after its global domination. It made its debut on the World Digital Songs chart at No. 3 in March of that year, a few weeks after “On the Floor” came out.

Chris Avila to Fight YouTube star Doctor Mike in October

Posted on September 20, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Chris Avila is puttin’ on the boxing gloves…

The 29-year-old Latino UFC and Bellator MMA veteran will compete against YouTube star Doctor Mike in a four-round, professional boxing match on October 29 in Glendale, Arizona.

The contracted weight will be 185 pounds, and the pair will fight with 10-ounce gloves. An official announcement is expected to be made soon.

Doctor Mike, whose real name is Mikhail Varshavski, is a well-known social media influencer with more than 23 million followers across platforms and more than 10 million YouTube subscribers.

Varshavski competed in an amateur boxing match back in May, a unanimous decision win over YouTube personality Ian “iDubbbz” Washburn. That event raised $1.3 million for charity, and Varshavski donated his entire fight purse to Ukraine relief. For the Avila fight, Varshavski will donate his purse to the Boys & Girls Club, per officials.

“As a practicing physician, I’ve taken an oath to ‘do no harm,’ but when those ‘exam’ gloves come off and the boxing gloves slide on: all bets are off,” Varshavski said via a statement. “With one win under my belt, I’m hungry to add more. And this pro-fight with Chris Avila could be just what the doctor ordered.”

This will be Varshavski’s pro boxing debut, as he joins the likes of Jake Paul as famous YouTubers competing against professional boxers.

Avila is 1-1 as a pro boxer and is an eight-year veteran of mixed martial arts, a longtime member of Nate Diaz‘s team in Northern California. Most recently, Avila beat Paul sparring partner Anthony Taylor last December in a boxing match via majority decision. Avila is expected to be the first fighter signed to Diaz’s new promotional entity Real Fight Inc., which is still going through the process of getting licensed by athletic commissions.

“Hmmmm, let’s see. I am giving him a height advantage, a reach advantage and a medical degree advantage,” Avila said on Tuesday. “It’s whatever though. If he wants to go to boxing fantasy camp, then I’m glad to give him the lesson he wants. A real fight against a real fighter who is not here to play games or clout chase for Instagram.”

Also on the card, Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions‘ top prospect, 18-year-old Ashton Sylve, will face boxing veteran Braulio Rodriguez in an eight-round fight contracted at 133 pounds, per officials. Sylve is undefeated at 7-0 with seven knockouts, and Rodriguez (20-4, 17 KOs) is just one fight removed from competing against Ryan Garcia, a 2018 knockout loss at Madison Square Garden. This represents a major step up in competition for Sylve.

The card will be put on by MVP and distributed by Showtime.

“MVP was started 14 months ago with a goal to elevate fighters and provide a platform that puts them first,” Paul and MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian said via a statement. “From the highest levels of boxing like Amanda Serrano, to young elite prospects like Ashton Sylve and unique crossover matchups like Avila vs. Dr. Mike, we pride ourselves on delivering exciting events that have something for everyone. On Saturday October 29, we are proud to partner with Showtime once again and deliver a night of boxing for the ages.”

Bad Bunny Earns Eighth Billion Views Club Entry on YouTube with “AMORFODA” Music Video

Posted on September 10, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a great eight for Bad Bunny…

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican superstar is officially an eight-time member of YouTube’s Billion Views Club as his 2018 music video for “AMORFODA” has surpassed one billion views on the online video sharing and social media platform.

It’s the Latin music super star’s eighth total project to reach the milestone, according to YouTube.

The achievement comes a few months after his “Dákiti” music video with Jhay Cortez crossed into billions territory in January.

Before that, he’d earned billion-views status for his “Te Bote Remix,” “Mayores,” “No Me Conoce,” “I Like It,” “Mia” and “Tu No Vive Asi” music videos.

Released one day after Valentine’s Day in February of 2018, “AMORFODA” (which loosely translates to “a f— love”) marked a significant departure from Bad Bunny’s usual trap-infused musical style, with the two-time Grammy winner opting instead for minimalistic piano.

The “AMORFODA” music video matches the song’s simplicity, and follows the musician with one continuous shot as he leaves his pleading ex-girlfriend behind on a sunset-lit beach.

“Everyone has been in love, at some point or another,” he told Billboard of the song, which peaked at No. 10 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, a few days after its release. “It’s honestly a song I’ve had written for quite some time now. In fact, it’s a song I had written way before the fame and success.”

“I’ve always loved this song because I wrote it with a lot of sentiment behind it,” he continued. “It’s the kind of record that reminds me of the longevity of really good songs. A good song never gets old. It was just a matter of time, and it was time to come out with something different.”

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