Grupo Frontera Appears on Billboard Hot 100 for First Time with Cover of Morat’s “No Se Va”

Grupo Frontera has joined an elite club…

Five weeks ago, the Latino group appeared on a Billboard chart for the first time, Now the act is officially a Billboard Hot 100 hitmaker with its cover of Morat’s “No Se Va.”

Grupo FronteraThe song, which the group released independently, debuts at No. 99 with 4.8 million U.S. streams (up 43%) and 1,000 downloads sold (up 278%) in the September 23-29 tracking week, according to Luminate.

It concurrently jumps 28-15 on Hot Latin Songs and 18-3 on Latin Digital Song Sales and debuts at No. 15 on Latin Streaming Songs.

Helping the song’s surge in popularity, a snippet of it has been used in more than 130,000 clips on TikTok.

Colombian folk-pop group Morat released its initial recording of the song in 2019, although the track has not appeared on any Billboard charts. The group has earned one Hot Latin Songs hit: “Sé Que Te Duele,” with Alejandro Fernandez (No. 49 peak, 2017).

“No Se Va” became Grupo Frontera’s first Billboard chart entry when it debuted at No. 12 on the Regional Mexican Digital Song Sales survey dated September 3; the song spends a second week at No. 1 on the latest list.

The song also helps the group rise 49-24 on the Emerging Artists chart.

Notably, “No Se Va” is just the fifth Regional Mexican song to reach the Hot 100 in the chart’s 64-year history, a distinction that began with Christian Nodal and Gera MX’s “Botella Tras Botella” in May 2021 (peaking at No. 60). Ivan Cornejo’s “Está Dañada” became the second regional Mexican song to reach the Hot 100 last October (No. 61), followed by Grupo Firme’s “Ya Superame (En Vivo Desde Culiacan, Sinaloa)” in November (No. 91) and Yahritza y Su Esencia’s “Soy El Unico” this April (No. 20).

 

Grupo Frontera comprises six members: Beto, Juan Javier Cantu, Carlos Frontera, Payo, Julian Pena Jr. and Carlos Zamora.

Alejandro Fernández Earns Fifth No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with La Arrolladora-Collaboration “Nunca Dudes En Llamarme”

There’s no doubt Alejandro Fernández knows how to create hit music…

The 51-year-old Mexican singer, nicknamed El Potrillo, has reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart with “Nunca Dudes En Llamarme,” his collaboration with La Arrolladora Banda El Limón de Rene Camacho.

Alejandro Fernandez,The track rises from No. 3 to the summit on the chart dated September 17.

“Nunca Dudes En Llamarme” takes the Greatest Gainer honors of the week boosted by a 35% gain in audience impressions, to 6.54 million, earned in the U.S. in the week ending Sept. 11, according to Luminate.

The new champ, released July 15 via UMLE, reaches the penthouse in its eighth week on the chart, after its top 20 debut (at No. 16 on the July 30-dated ranking).

“Nunca Dudes En Llamarme” gives La Arrolladora its 17th No. 1 among 45 chart appearances. The band concurrently enters a tie with Intocable for the fourth-most.

Let’s take a look at the leaderboard:

22, Calibre 50
18, Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizarraga
18, Banda MS de Sergio Lizarraga
17, Intocable
17, La Arrolladora Banda el Limon de Rene Camacho
16, Conjunto Primavera
16, Los Tigres del Norte

Meanwhile, Fernández scores his first champ in over a year – his fifth in total. He clocked his last No. 1 through another team-up: “Duele,” with Christian Nodal, in April 2021.

Elsewhere, “Nunca Dudes En Llamarme” takes La Arrolladora to the upper region on the all-genre Latin Airplay ranking with a 13-8 lift.

With the move, the Sinaloans claim their 22nd top 10, the fifth-most among regional Mexican acts. Plus, Fernández captures his 21st, also the fifth-most among Latin pop acts.

Nicky Jam to Receive Billboard Hall of Fame Award at Billboard Latin Music Awards

Nicky Jam is standing hall

The 41-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American artist will receive the Billboard Hall of Fame award at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

Nicky JamThe special award will recognize the reggaetón artist, actor and entrepreneur for his prolific work that transcends musical genres and languages.

He is also set to perform at the awards show, which will take place on Thursday, September 29, at the Watsco Canter in Miami and will broadcast live on Telemundo beginning at 7:00 pm ET.

Nicky now joins past Billboard Hall of Fame recipients including Alejandro Fernández, Banda El Recodo, Carlos Vives, Daddy Yankee, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Franco de Vita, Joan Sebastian, José José, Marc Anthony, Marco Antonio Solís, Mongo Santamaria, Rocío Dúrcal and Vicente Fernández.

Born Nick Rivera Caminero, the half Puerto Rican, half Dominican star is considered one of the pioneers of reggaetón with more than three decades of music.

The 13-time Billboard Latin Music Award winner is known for his Hot Latin Songs No. 1 hits such as his Enrique Iglesias-assisted “El Perdón,” which topped the chart for 30 weeks in 2015, and “Hasta El Amanecer,” which ruled for 18 weeks.

Currently, he’s making the rounds with his singles “Sin Novia” and “Ojos Rojos,” which topped both the Latin Airplay and Latin Rhythm Airplay charts in April.

Christian Nodal Earns 14th No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with “Vivo En El 6”

Make that 14 hits for Christian Nodal

The 23-year-old Mexican singer has extended his record for the most No. 1s on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart as his latest single “Vivo En El 6” rises from No. 4 to rule the July 30-dated survey.

Christian Nodal,“Vivo En El 6” leads with 8.1 million in audience impressions, up 32%, earned in the U.S. in the week ending July 24, according to Luminate.

“Vivo En El 6” ensures Nodal’s unbroken record of chart-toppers among solo acts on Regional Mexican Airplay with 14 No. 1s. Gerardo Ortiz, with 11, has the second-most No. 1s. Among all acts, Calibre 50 continues to lead with 22 champs.

As “Vivo” jumps 4-1, it captures the week’s Greatest Gainer honor within the 40-deep title ranking.

Here’s a recap of Nodal’s No. 1s since his first Regional Mexican Airplay win in 2017:

Peak Date, Title, Artist (if other than Nodal)
April 8, 2017, “Adios Amor”
Sept. 30, 2017, “Probablemente,” featuring David Bisbal
March 10, 2018, “Me Deje Llevar”
August 11, 2018, “Te Falle”
Dec. 22, 2018, “No Te Contaron Mal”
May 4, 2019 “Nada Nuevo”
August 24, 2019, “De Los Besos Que Te Di”
May 9, 2020 “Se Me Olvido”
Sept. 12, 2020, “Aqui Abajo”
Jan. 30, 2021, “Dime Como Quieres,” with Angela Aguilar
April 24, 2021, “Duele,” with Alejandro Fernandez
May 22, 2021, “2 Veces,” with Los Plebes Del Rancho De Ariel Camacho
Nov. 27, 2021, “La Sinverguenza,” with Banda Ms
July 30, 2022, “Vivo En El 6”

Beyond its Regional Mexican Airplay coronation, “En El 6” cracks the top 10 on the all-genre Latin Airplay chart as the song rallies 12-4 in its ninth week.

With its growing airplay performance, Nodal enters a tie with Ortiz for the third-most top 10s among regional Mexican solo performers, trailing Marco Antonio Solis’ 27 leaders and Alejandro Fernández’s 20.

Edén Muñoz Leaving Calibre 50 to Launch Solo Career

Edén Muñoz is re-Calibre-ating his career…

The Mexican singer and accordionist is leaving Calibre 50 after 12 years to launch his solo career.

Edén Muñoz

Lizos Music announced the move in a statement this week the frontman of the norteño band has also signed a record and management deal with the indie label and management company spearheaded by Sergio Lizárraga.

Lizos Music is also home to artists like Banda MS and Natalia Jiménez.

Muñoz founded Calibre 50 in 2010, and the group quickly become known for its norteño sound via anthems like “El Inmigrante” and “A La Antiguita,” placing seven No. 1 albums on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums chart. Their most recent album, Vamos Bien, peaked at No. 8 on the tally dated September 11.

Earlier in January, the group scored its 21st No. 1 on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart (dated January 22) with their Marco Antonio Solís cover “Si Te Puediera Mentir.”

With 21 leaders on the group’s account, the band from Sinaloa extends its record for the most No. 1 since Regional Mexican Airplay launched in 1994.

As a songwriter, Muñoz has penned most of Calibre 50’s repertoire, and has also written chart-topping hits for Alejandro Fernández, Pepe Aguilar, Yuridia, Banda MS and Carlos Rivera, among many others.

Last year, Muñoz was named songwriter of the year at the annual 2021 SESAC Latin Music Awards. He won songwriter of the year in the regional Mexican category for the second time for songs penned both for Calibre 50 (“Barquillero,” “Solo Tú”) and for other groups, including Banda MS (“Cerrando Ciclos”) and Banda Carnaval (“Esta Vez Soy Yo”). Muñoz’s publisher, Dulce María Music, won publisher of the year, Regional Mexican.

According to the press release, 2022 will be a “year that will mark the beginning of a very productive era for both Muñoz and Lizos.”

“I feel alive again. I feel like I’ve escaped monotony. I’m motivated now that I have creative freedom,” says Muñoz of his decision to go solo.

His upcoming new solo single “Chale” is due out on February 18.

Gloria Estefan to Perform at the Latin Grammy Awards Show

Gloria Estefan is headed to the Latin Grammys stage…

The Latin Recording Academy has announced additional performers set to take the stage for the 22nd annual Latin Grammy Awards on November 18 in Las Vegas, with the 64-year-old Cuban singer and four-time Latin Grammy winner among those on the list.

Gloria EstefanMaking her return to the Latin Grammys stage after more than a decade, Estefan — accompanied by AnittaCarlinhos Brown, Laércio da Costa, Pedro CapóFarina, Giulia Be and Diego Torres — will open the Latin Grammys with a three-song medley, including her iconic song “Abriendo Puertas,” along with “Cuando Hay Amor” and “Magalenha.”

Additionally, Ángela AguilarPepe Aguilar, María BecerraEladio Carrión, Silvestre Dangond, EmmanuelJoss Favela, Evaluna MontanerRicardo Montaner, Fito PáezResidente, Sofía Reyes, among others, have joined the broadcast as presenters.

The new group of artists join previously announced performers Mon Laferte, Grupo Firme, Bad Bunny, Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga, Rubén Blades, C. Tangana, Calibre 50, Los Dos Carnales, Alejandro Fernández, Juanes, Maná, Ozuna, Danna Paola and Myke Towers, among others.

Five-time nominee C. Tangana is set to perform alongside Antonio Carmona, Diego del Morao, Jorge Drexler, Israel Fernández, La Húngara, Natalia Lafourcade and Omar Apollo. Meanwhile, Juanes will perform a new arrangement of Juan Gabriel’s iconic “No Tengo Dinero,” alongside Rubén Albarrán and Meme del Real of Café Tacvba.

With the theme “rediscovering life through music,” the three-hour show will air live on Univision at 8:00 p.m. ET, preceded by a one-hour pre-show starting at 7:00 p.m. ET.

The telecast, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena, will “invite audiences to rediscover what’s important in life using music as a storyline,” according to a statement from the Latin Recording Academy.

Camilo leads the 2021 Latin Grammys nominees with 10 nods, including nominations in the album, record, and song of the year categories. He’s followed by tropical music icon Juan Luis Guerra with six, Spanish rapper Tangana with five nominations, and multiple artists, including Bad Bunny, with four.

Estefan is nominated this year for Best Contemporary Tropical Album for her samba-flavored album Brazil305.

Gloria Trevi Among New Wave of Artists Added to Performance Roster at This Year’s Latin Grammys

Gloria Trevi is preparing for her Latin Grammys close up…

The Latin Recording Academy has announced additional performers set to take the stage for the 22nd annual Latin Grammy Awards on November 18 in Las Vegas, with the 53-year-old Mexican singer making the list.

Gloria Trevi

In addition to Trevi, who released the singles “Nos Volvimos Locos” featuring Guaynaa and “Mudanza de Hormiga” with María León this year, the new wave of artists includes current and past Latin Grammy nominees like Descemer BuenoCamilo, Julio Reyes Copello, DJ Nelson, Sergio GeorgeGente de ZonaGrupo FirmeMon LaferteJay Wheeler and Yotuel.

Laferte and Trevi will join La Arrolladora Banda El Limón de René Camacho and a mariachi for a medley, including “La Mujer,” nominated for best pop song.   

Descemer Bueno, Gente de Zona and Yotuel will take the stage for an acoustic rendition of “Patria y Vida,” which is up for both song of the year and best urban song.

The new group of artists join previously announced performers Bad Bunny, Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga, Rubén Blades, C. Tangana, Calibre 50, Los Dos Carnales, Alejandro Fernández, Juanes, Maná, Ozuna, Danna Paola and Myke Towers, among others.

Five-time nominee C. Tangana is set to perform alongside Antonio Carmona, Diego del Morao, Jorge Drexler, Israel Fernández, La Húngara, Natalia Lafourcade and Omar Apollo. Meanwhile, Juanes will perform a new arrangement of Juan Gabriel’s iconic “No Tengo Dinero,” alongside Rubén Albarrán and Meme del Real of Café Tacvba.

With the theme “rediscovering life through music,” the three-hour show will air live on Univision at 8:00 pm ET, preceded by a one-hour pre-show starting at 7:00 pm ET. The telecast, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena, will “invite audiences to rediscover what’s important in life using music as a storyline,” according to a statement from the Latin Recording Academy.

Colombian singer-songwriter Camilo leads the 2021 Latin Grammys nominees with 10 nods, including nominations in the album, record, and song of the year categories. He’s followed by tropical music icon Juan Luis Guerra with six, Spanish rapper Tangana with five nominations, and multiple artists, including Bad Bunny, with four.

Bad Bunny to Perform at This Year’s Latin Grammys Awards Show

Bad Bunny is preparing for his next Latin Grammy moment…

The Latin Recording Academy has announced a new wave of artists set to perform at the 2021 Latin Grammys on November 18, with the 27-year-old Puerto Rican superstar making the list.

Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny, a four-time nominee this year, joins a roster of performers that includes Pablo AlboránAlejandro FernándezManáJuanes, and Myke Towers.

They join the roster of previously announced performers including Ozuna, Paula Arenas, Nella, Danna Paola, Banda El Recodo De Cruz Lizárraga, Los Dos Carnales, Calibre 50, La Arrolladora Banda El Limón de René Camacho, and Rubén Blades, who will be honored as the Person of the Year.

Five-time nominee, C. Tangana, is set to perform alongside Antonio Carmona, Diego del Morao, Jorge Drexler, Israel Fernández, La Húngara, Natalia Lafourcade and Omar Apollo.

Additionally, Juanes will perform a new arrangement of Juan Gabriel’s iconic “No Tengo Dinero,” alongside Rubén Albarrán and Meme del Real of Café Tacvba.

Colombian singer-songwriter Camilo leads the 2021 Latin Grammys nominees with 10 nods, including nominations in the album, record, and song of the year categories. He’s followed by tropical music icon Juan Luis Guerra with six, Spanish rapper Tangana with five nominations, and multiple artists, including Bad Bunny, with four.

The 22nd annual Latin Grammys will air live on the Univision network on November 18 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Alejandro Fernandez Donates Portion of Hecho en Mexico Tour Proceeds to Help Immigrant Families Separated at U.S.-Mexico Border

Alejandro Fernandez is helping keep families together…

The 50-year-old Mexican singer has wrapped up the U.S. leg of his Hecho en Mexico tour, which served as a fundraiser for Families Belong Together.

Alejandro Fernandez,

In all, Fernandez donated over $100,000 from the tour proceeds to assist immigrant families separated at the U.S.-Mexico border.

“The impact of my concerts goes beyond the money, the box office, and the sold-out shows,” he explains. “I have always been a very sensitive person to things that happen, especially if it happens in my country. The important thing is to be able to start something and for people to come together, to educate and invite them to support these causes. I see it as giving my audience a little bit of what they have given me.”

On tour, Fernandez was joined by 25 people on stage, including his full band, his Mexican mariachi, special guests Christian Nodal and his son, Alex Fernández, as well as a handful of guests in different cities.

“History repeated itself,” Fernandez, who on many occasions shared the stage with his famed father Vicente Fernandez, expresses. “In fact, Alex was so reserved that I did not contemplate, nor did I know that he wanted to dedicate himself to a musical career. This was the first time we sang together on tour and it gave me a sense of nostalgia, family, and tradition.”

Hecho en México is also the name of his latest studio album, which made him the first act to achieve No. 1s on Billboard Top Latin Albums in the 1990s, ’00s, ’10s, and ’20s, starting with his first chart entry and 12-week ruler Me Estoy Enamorando in 1997.

Up next, the tour continues to Mexico with shows at Mexico City’s Auditorio Nacional, the Telmex Theater in Guadalajara, and the Pa’l Norte Festival in Monterrey, before moving on to Central and South America and Spain in 2022.

“That is what we have now, while we wait for the health protocols to be finalized in each country,” he assures. “Hopefully this nightmare ends soon and we can live a normal reality around the world.”

Fernandez originally kicked off his 2021 Hecho en Mexico U.S. tour on September 10 at the Grand Sierra Theatre in Reno, Nevada. The 21-date tour, presented by Live Nation, wrapped up on October 24 at the Arizona Federal Theatre in Phoenix.

“It was one of the most important tours I have ever had in my career here in the United States,” Fernandez tells Billboard of the gratifying experience.

Joss Favela Signs Worldwide Administration Agreement with Warner Chappell Music

Joss Favela has a new deal…

The 30-year-old Mexican award-winning singer-songwriter has signed a worldwide administration agreement with Warner Chappell Music.

Joss Favela

“His raw talent, creative instincts, and authenticity shine through in every performance,” said Gustavo Menéndez, WCM president, U.S. Latin & Latin America, who first saw Favela perform at the ASCAP Latin Music Awards a few years ago. “We’re glad Joss has chosen Warner Chappell as his partner in this journey and we look forward to working alongside him.”

Proud to be his publisher and excited to do “great things together,” Lazaro Hernandez, WMC vice president, A&R, U.S. Latin & Latin America, added: “Joss is a dynamic and genuine songwriter who at such a young age has already established himself as one of the greatest of his time.”

The Regional Mexican star, who has penned more than 100 songs for artists like Alejandro Fernandez, Banda MS, and Natti Natasha, made history at the 2016 Premio ASCAP as the youngest person ever to win songwriter of the year. He nabbed the title in 2017 and 2018.

On the Billboard charts, Favela has entered Hot Latin Songs, Latin Airplay, Top Latin Albums, Regional Mexican Albums, and Regional Mexican Airplay, where he has five top 10’s.

“When my love for music started I never thought that I’d get to spend my life writing songs,” he said. “I’m continuously surprised by the beautiful things that happen to me, and joining the Warner Chappell family is one of them. I’m grateful for the songs that life has given me, but I’m even more grateful for the ones that are still to come.”

Favela, who is represented by Simran A. Singh and Christopher Navarro of Singh, Singh & Trauben, LLP, is nominated for best banda album at the 2021 Latin Grammys with Llegando al Rancho.