Zaa Pulls Rare Double on Billboard’s Tropical Charts

Charlie Zaa has pulled a rare tropical double

The 41-year-old Colombian tropical singer tops both Billboard’s Tropical Albums and Tropical Songs charts (dated Dec. 5), becoming only the second act to simultaneously top the charts this year.

Charlie Zaa

Zaa’s new album, the Sergio George-produced Mi Mejor Regalo, soars 18-1 in its second week with 1,000 copies sold in the week ending Nov. 19, according to Nielsen Music.

The album debuted a week earlier after pre-street date sales pushed it onto the list early.

The 10-track set is a tropical tribute to Mexican singer-songwriter Joan Sebastian, who died earlier this year (July 13, 2015). The concept to record the songs, in Zaa’s typical bachata/bolero style, was already in the works prior to Sebastian’s death.

Mi Mejor Regalo gives Zaa his fourth chart-topping album, the first of which was earned in 1997 when Sentimientos spent 15 weeks at No. 1. It’s also his best-selling album in the U.S., with 326,000 sold. His most recent No. 1 was in 2011, when De Bohemia reached the peak and spent 61 weeks in the top 20.

Meanwhile, on the Tropical Songs airplay chart, Zaa’s “Un Idiota” rises 52 percent in spins during the tracking week ending Nov. 22, according to Nielsen Music, shooting the track 9-1 and earning Zaa his first No. 1 (of his seven total charted tracks – which includes three top 10s).

Other than Zaa, salsa singer Victor Manuelle is the only other artist to concurrently top both Tropical lists. In 2015, “Agua Bendita” and Que Suenen Los Tambores each held the highest rank on the charts dated May 9.

Manuelle Gearing Up for 20-City U.S. Tour

Victor Manuelle is hitting the road…

Following a string of smash singles on Billboard’s airplay charts, the 46-year-old Puerto Rican salsa star is gearing up for what could very well be his most extensive U.S. tour in recent history.

Victor Manuelle

Manuelle’s Que Suenen Los Tambores tour, named after his most recent album and single (which hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart), kicks off on August 25 at Chicago’s Auditorium Theater. From there, he’ll play a total of 20 dates, ending in Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater on November 28. Tickets go on sale Friday, at 10:00 am ET.

Manuelle’s nearly 20-year career has been marked by innovation and risk. He’s recorded pop and at one point recorded independently. Most recently, on the album Que Suenen los Tambores, he included a track dedicated to his father, who’s suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease.

Through it all, Manuelle has remained a constant on the charts. Earlier this year, his single “Agua Bendita” became his 25th No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Songs chart, tying him with Marc Anthony for the most No. 1s on the chart.

For the chart dated August 8, his new single “No Queria Enganarte” arrived at No. 9, giving him his 60th charting hit and extending his record as the act with the most hits on the chart in its 21-year history (Anthony follows with 50). The entrance of the latest single marks Manuelle’s 49th top 10 — also furthering his lead for most top 10s.

In addition to the album track, a pop/ballad version featuring singer Raquel Sofia, is expected to be released on August 14.

Manuelle’s tour will serve as a retrospective of his No. 1s, those close to him told Billboard. He will be touring with his full salsa band (who also accompanied during his Billboard en Vivo performance in April) and new production.

Que Suenen Los Tambores U.S. tour dates:

Aug. 29 – CHICAGO, IL – Auditorium Theatre
Oct. 9 – NEWARK, NJ – NJ Performing Arts Center
Oct. 10 – ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – Tropicana Casino & Resort
Oct. 11 – BOSTON, MA – Orpheum Theatre
Oct. 16 – ORLANDO, FL – Hard Rock Live at Universal Studios
Oct. 17 – HOLLYWOOD, FL – Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hotel & Casino
Oct. 18 – ATLANTA, GA – Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Oct. 22 – CHARLOTTE, NC – The Fillmore
Oct. 23 – RALEIGH, NC – The Ritz
Oct. 24 – JACKSONVILLE, FL
Nov. 5 – COLUMBUS, OH – The Palace Theater
Nov. 6 –  ROCHESTER, NY – Auditorium Theatre
Nov. 7 – MASHANTUCKET, CT – Foxwoods Resort Casino
Nov. 14 – SAN JUAN, PR – Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot
Nov. 20 – HOUSTON, TX – Bayou Music Center
Nov. 21– SAN ANTONIO, TX – Aztec Theater
Nov. 22 – DALLAS, TX – House of Blues
Nov. 25 – SAN DIEGO, CA – Balboa Theatre
Nov. 27 – SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Warfield Theater
Nov. 28 – LOS ANGELES, CA – Microsoft Theater