Lin-Manuel Miranda Tops Billboard’s Year-End Hot 100 Songwriters Chart

Lin-Manuel Miranda is this year’s songwriter of the year…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican songwriter, actor, playwright and filmmaker leads Billboard’s 2022 year-end Hot 100 Songwriters chart.

Lin-Manuel Miranda Miranda, a Pulitzer Prize, Grammys, Tonys and Emmys, finishes the year at No. 1 due to his work on Disney’s Encanto soundtrack, including its five-week Billboard Hot 100 leader “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” credited to Carolina Gaitan, Mauro Castillo, Adassa, Rhenzy Feliz, Diane Guerrero, Stephanie Beatriz and the Encanto cast.

Miranda is credited as the sole songwriter on the track, helping boost his chart points (as he does not split chart points with multiple writers).

During its 20-week run on the chart, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” earned the distinction as the biggest Disney song of all time, based on Billboard’s Greatest of All Time methodology.

In total, Miranda earned eight songwriting credits on the Hot 100 in the 2022 chart year, all from Encanto, which all contributed to his placement on the year-end ranking.

Here’s a look at where each song peaked on the Hot 100—Miranda is the only credited writer on each song:

Peak Position, Artist Billing, Title
No. 1, Carolina Gaitan, Mauro Castillo, Adassa, Rhenzy Feliz, Diane Guerrero, Stephanie Beatriz & Encanto Cast, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”
No. 8, Jessica Darrow, “Surface Pressure”
No 20, Stephanie Beatriz, Olga Merediz & Encanto Cast, “The Family Madrigal”
No. 27, Diane Guerrero & Stephanie Beatriz, “What Else Can I Do?”
No. 36, Sebastian Yatra, “Dos Oruguitas”
No. 48, Stephanie Beatriz, “Waiting On A Miracle”
No. 71, Stephanie Beatriz, Olga Merediz, John Leguizamo, Adassa, Maluma & Encanto Cast, “All of You”
No. 100, Carlos Vives, “Colombia, Mi Encanto”

Prior to 2022, Miranda had only landed seven songs on the Hot 100 as a songwriter (he’s billed as an artist on four of them). He first charted in July 2016 with “Love Make The World Go Round” with Jennifer Lopez (No. 72 peak), and then with four songs from Moana soon after: Opetaia Foa’l and Miranda’s “We Know The Way” (No. 93 peak), Alessia Cara’s “How Far I’ll Go” (No. 56), Dwayne Johnson’s “You’re Welcome” (No. 65) and Auli’I Cravalho’s “How Far I’ll Go” (No. 41). After that, he charted with “Almost Like Praying,” featuring Artists for Puerto Rico (No. 20) and “Found / Tonight” with Ben Platt (No. 49)

His work on the Moana songs helped Miranda finish as the No. 28 Hot 100 Songwriter of 2017.

Miranda is also credited as a producer on all eight of his Encanto chart hits.

“Colombia, Mi Encanto” was produced by Miranda and Carlos Vives, while the other seven entries were produced by Miranda and Mike Elizondo.

Miranda’s production work enables his finish as the No. 12 Hot 100 Producer of 2022, while Elizondo finishes just behind him at No. 13.

Billboard’s year-end music recaps represent aggregated metrics for each artist, title, label and music contributor on the weekly charts dated November 20, 2021 through November 12, 2022. The rankings for Luminate-based recaps reflect equivalent album units, airplay, sales or streaming during the weeks that the titles appeared on a respective chart during the tracking year. Any activity registered before or after a title’s chart run isn’t considered in these rankings. That methodology details, and the November-November time period, account for some of the difference between these lists and the calendar-year recaps that are independently compiled by Luminate.

Jhené Aiko Appears on Def Jam Recordings’ New Holiday Album “Def The Halls”

Jhené Aiko is deffing the halls

Def Jam Recordings and 4th & Broadway have released a new compilation album featuring the 34-year-old part-Dominican American singer and others singing traditional Christmas songs and original holiday tracks.

Jhené AikoTitled Def The Halls, the holiday album also features Coco Jones, Alessia Cara and others,

The album follows the 2019 EP A Def Jam Christmas, which first featured Cara’s “Make It To Christmas.” That song also appears on this new release, alongside August 08’s reworking of “Silent Night” and Aiko’s 2013 ballad “Wrap Me Up.”

Other notables include Jones’ new “Silver Bells” and North Carolina’s Mikhala Jené, who gives an R&B twist to two modern holiday classics: “This Christmas” (from Donny Hathaway) and “Please Come Home For Christmas” (from Charles Brown). Los Angeles duo Calabasas pay homage to the beloved ’80s duo, Wham! with their rendition of “Last Christmas.”

The original Christmas tunes “BBC” by DaniLeigh, and “Underneath The Mistletoe” by August 08 are both collaborations with rising star Kendra Jae. Another duet brings together 4th & Broadway’s Kidd Kenn and Pap Chanel on “Naughty.”

Def the Halls is rounded out by the originals “Trinket” by UK artist Debbie, “Christmas” by global Latin-pop star Trinidad Cardona, “Cold With You” by young Anaheim rapper OHNO, “Everyday” from Kennedy Stephens, “Snowed In” by newly-signed St. Louis artist Bry Bee, and “A Hoe’s Christmas” by Broadway actress Jai’Len Josey.

“Def The Halls” tracklist:
Mikhala Jene – Please Come Home For Christmas
Alessia Cara – Make It To Christmas
Trinidad Cardona – Christmas With You
August 08, Kendra Jae – Underneath The Mistletoe
Debbie – Trinket
Calabasas – Last Christmas
DaniLeigh – BBC (ft. Kendra Jae)
Jhené Aiko – Wrap Me Up
Coco Jones – Silver Bells
OHNO – Cold With You
Kennedy Stephens – Everyday
Mikhala Jene – This Christmas
Kidd Kenn, Pap Chanel – Naughty
Jai’Len Josey – A Hoe’s Christmas

“Moana” Star Auliʻi Cravalho’s “How Far I’ll Go” Breaks Into YouTube’s Billion Views Club

Oh how far Auliʻi Cravalho has gone…

The 21-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer/actress, who rose to acclaim after voicing the lead character in Disney’s Moana, has earned a spot in YouTube’s coveted Billion Views Club.

Auli’i CravalhoCravalho entered the club with the official video for “How Far I’ll Go,” her signature power ballad for the acclaimed animated film.

According to a statement from YouTube, an impressive number of people have been watching Cravalho’s beloved character embark on her big sea adventure in the past 12 months, with the video averaging more than 350,000 views a day.

With its new milestone, “How Far I’ll Go” now matches the billion views status of fellow Moana track “You’re Welcome,” performed by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s cocky but lovable demigod, Maui.

The world has loved the music of Moana since it came out six years ago: “How Far I’ll Go” — which is performed by Alessia Cara — peaked at No. 56, while “You’re Welcome” reached a high of No. 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2017.

The soundtrack — which features music written by Oscar-nominated Encanto composer Lin-Manuel Miranda — made history for weeks spent at No. 1 on Billboards soundtracks chart.

Disney is finding similar love for its latest animated project, Encanto, and the songs sung by its cast of magical characters. Also composed by Miranda, We Don’t Talk About Bruno” just topped the Hot 100 chart for the second week in a row, and is currently the music behind a couple of wildly popular TikTok trends.

The full soundtrack has sat atop the Billboard 200 for four weeks and counting.

Jennifer Lopez to Perform as Part of “Global Citizen Live” Concert Event

Jennifer Lopez is going global to defend the planet…

Global Citizen Live has revealed additional names of performers for its worldwide show on September 25, with the 52-year-old Puerto Rican superstar among those taking the stage.

Jennifer Lopez

J.Lo — who also performed as part of Vax Live in Los Angeles a few months ago — Taboo and his fellow Black Eyed Peas and Meek Mill are among the acts just added to the 24-hour eventwhich will feature performances on six continents.

Global Citizen, the international advocacy group behind the Vax Live concert on May 8, said next month’s event is aimed at defeating poverty, Covid and climate change.

The acts revealed today join Adam Lambert, Alessia Cara, Andrea Bocelli, Angélique Kidjo, Billie Eilish, BTS, Burna Boy, Camila Cabello, Christine and the Queens, Coldplay, Davido, Demi Lovato, DJ Snake, Doja Cat, Duran Duran, Ed Sheeran, Femi Kuti, Green Day, H.E.R., Hugh Jackman & Deborra-lee Furness, Keith Urban, Lang Lang, Lizzo, Lorde, Metallica, Rag’n’Bone Man, Ricky Martin, Shawn Mendes, The Lumineers, The Weeknd, Tiwa Savage and Usher.

Global Citizen’s stated goal for the event is call on world leaders, major corporations and foundations to donate at least 1 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses to those most in need by September, help the 41 million people on the brink of famine by contributing enough meals to feed everyone for the next year and combat climate change by developing science-based targets to reach net-zero emissions.

Broadcast and streaming partners for Global Citizen Live include ABC, ABC News Live, BBC, FX, iHeartRadio, Hulu, YouTube, Time and Twitter.

Here are the full concert lineups for September 25, with more locations and performances to be announced, per Global Citizen:

NEW YORK CITY
Coldplay, Billie Eilish, Camila Cabello, Jennifer Lopez, Lizzo, Meek Mill, Shawn Mendes (with guest performances by Alessia Cara, Burna Boy, Cyndi Lauper, Jon Batiste and Lang Lang)

PARIS
Ed Sheeran, Doja Cat, DJ Snake, H.E.R., Black Eyed Peas, Christine and the Queens (with a guest performance by Angélique Kidjo)

LAGOS, NIGERIA
Femi Kuti, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Made Kuti

Alejandro Fernandez to Perform with Son & Father for the First Time Together at Latin Grammys

Alejandro Fernandezis preparing for a family affair…

The Latin Recording Academy has announced the first group of performers for the 20th Annual Latin Grammy Awards , including all three generations of the Fernandez family.

Alejandro Fernandez,

For the first time, the 48-year-old Mexican singer, his son Alex Fernández and his father Vicente Fernández will perform together. No word yet on what the Fernandez men will sing, but Mariachi Sol de México will accompany them on stage.

Current nominees Paula ArenasBad BunnyAlessia CaraDraco RosaXimena SariñanaSech and Sebastián Yatra are also confirmed to perform, plus Natalia Jiménez and Olga Tañón

As customary, the 2019 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year (Juanes) is set to perform a medley with his best songs.

Last week, the Latin Recording Academy confirmed that Ricky Martin will host alongside Roselyn Sánchez and Paz Vega

The annual ceremony will broadcast live on Univision on November 14 from 8:00–11:00 pm ET/PT (7:00 pm Central) from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Jared Leto to Participate in Entercom’s Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Special “I’m Listening”

Jared Leto is doing more than Listening

The 46-year-old part-Spanish American actor and Thirty Seconds to Mars frontman is part of the lineup for Entercom’s live, commercial-free broadcast special to raise awareness around mental health and suicide prevention. Abrc gives you the different and best health suggestions for healthy life.

Jared Leto

Part of Entercom’s I’m Listening campaign, the September 9 broadcast will feature numerous music, film and sports luminaries like Leto.

The lineup includes Mike McCready and Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam, Olympic gold medalist Michael PhelpsMike Shinoda of Linkin ParkAlessia CaraBebe RexhaCharlie PuthStone Temple PilotsStephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind and more.

Hosted by Seattle KISW-FM personality BJ Shea, the show will also feature clinical psychologist and NowMattersNow.org CEO Dr. Ursula Whiteside and Dr. Chris Nowinksi, co-founder and executive director of Concussion Legacy Foundation.

“In my forthcoming album The Pains of Growing, I touch on being lost and lonely and stuck inside my head,” said “Growing Pains” singer Cara. “I’ve recently dealt with anxiety – and understand what it was. I definitely want to reach as many people as I can, and will do so by partnering with Entercom and so many influential names connected to the cause. Hopefully, if I talk about mental health, it’ll help other people to talk about it… we’re all a lot more similar than we think we are.”

After Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington died in 2017, bandmate Shinoda released his first solo album, Post Traumaticabout the “journey out of grief and darkness.” Says Shinoda, “In most parts of the world, suicide claims more lives than war, murder and natural disasters combined. I hope that sharing my personal story, in music and conversation, helps open up the door to new discussions and awareness about mental health.”

The broadcast will air across Entercom stations nationwide on September 9 (at 7:00 am local time) and on live streams via the Radio.com app as part of National Suicide Prevention Week. The special will feature call-in opportunities as well as an interactive website for listeners to share their stories and seek resources. For more information about the I’m Listening campaign, visit their website here.

Last year, the broadcast featured HalseyLogic and iconic rock band Metallica, who spoke out about their experiences with mental illness and what fans can do to help themselves. The metal quartet spoke about how suicidal thinking can happen to anyone and how “talking about it is the most important thing.” Bassist Robert Trujillo reminded fans, “It’s not a sign of weakness to see a doctor when you are depressed.”

If you or someone you know is going through a crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741-741.

Zuleyka Rivera to Perform at This Year’s Grammy Awards

Zuleyka Rivera is ready for music’s biggest night…

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican actress and former Miss Universe will perform at this year’s Grammy Awards, which will take place on Sunday, January 28.

Zuleyka Rivera

Rivera is featured in the music video for Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s global smash, “Despacito.”

After completing her commitment as Miss Universe, Rivera studied acting in New York. Eventually, she snagged parts on a whole slew of Televisa soap operas in Mexico, including playing the part of the main villain in 2014’s Cosita LindaCurrently, she’s based in Miami where she’s a special guest/host on Latin shows such as Telemundo’s Un Nuevo Dia and Univision’s Despierta America.

Rivera joins a roster of performers that includes Alessia Cara, Bruno Mars and Cardi B, Childish Gambino, Daddy Yankee, DJ Khaled with Rihanna and Bryson Tiller, Luis FonsiLady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, and more.

The 60th Annual Grammy Awards will air on Sunday, January 28 at 7:30 pm EST.

Cardi B & Bruno Mars to Perform “Finesse (Remix)” at This Year’s Grammy Awards Show

Cardi B is ready to make her Grammys debut…

The 25-year-old part-Dominican rapper will partner with Bruno Mars to bring their “Finesse (Remix)” to the Grammy stage when the 60th Annual awards come back to New York City on Sunday January 28.

Cardi B & Bruno Mars

Along with Mars and Cardi B, the Recording Academy revealed that 2018 Grammy nominees Luis Fonsi & Daddy YankeeKesha, and SZA will also join the roster.

In addition, Alessia Cara, Khalid and Logic will join voices for a performance, taking the stage with a group of suicide attempt and loss survivors in a special performance of “1-800-273-8255.”

Previously announced performers include Childish Gambino, Lady Gaga, Little Big Town, Patti LuPone, P!nk, and Ben Platt.

Mars, who is the third most nominated artist of the night after JAY Z and Kendrick Lamar, has earned six nominations including album of the year and best R&B album for 24K Magic as well as record of the year for “24K Magic” and song of the year for “That’s What I Like.”

Cardi B, who will make her Grammy debut this year, received two nods for “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)” (best rap performance and best rap song).

Current three-time Grammy nominees Fonsi & Daddy Yankee are up for record of the year, song of the year, and best pop duo/group performance (“Despacito” featuring Justin Bieber) after winning big at the Latin Grammys back in November 2017.

The show will be hosted by award-winning television personality and performer James Corden and will be broadcasted live on CBS at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.

Bad Bunny to Perform at This Year’s Latin Grammys

Bad Bunny is ready to take the stage at this year’s Latin Grammys

The 23-year-old Puerto Rican Latin hip-hop/trap singer and rapper, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is set to perform at this year’s awards show, airing live on November 16.

Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny, a nominee this year, joins a roster of performers that includes J Balvin, Flor De Toloache, Luis Fonsi, Juanes, Mon Laferte, Natalia Lafourcade, Maluma, Residente and Sofía Reyes.

Also slated to perform is person of the year honoree Alejandro Sanz and guest artists Steve Aoki, Alessia Cara, Logic and French Montana.

The Latin Grammys will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will air live on Univision, as well as around the world.

Jaime Camil and Roselyn Sanchez will host this year’s awards show.

The announced performers include the top nominees this year. Residente leads with nine — including record, album and song of year — while Maluma has seven, including three for record of the year. Juanes and Mon Laferte have five nominations each.

Demi Lovato to Serve as Co-Host at This Year’s Global Citizen Festival

Demi Lovato is celebrating her global citizenship…

Global Citizen has announced several guest appearances for its annual Global Citizen Festival on September 23, including the 25-year-old part-Mexican American actress/singer.

Demi Lovato

Lovato will serve as a co-host, alongside Aaron Paul, Priyanka Chopra, Kal PennLupita Nyong’o, Nashville‘s Connie Britton and many more.

Hugh Jackman and actor/producer Deborra-lee Furness will serve as lead hosts.

Dianna Agron, Freida Pinto, Wendy WilliamsMark CubanBridget MoynahanDaymond JohnCamren BicondovaElaine Welteroth, Erin Richards, Latina supermodel Joan Smalls, Malin Akerman, Rachel BrosnahanMichelle Monaghan and Serge Ibaka will also serve as hosts for this year’s festival, taking place in New York City’s Central Park.

The social advocacy group hosts the free festival each year to raise awareness of its goal to end extreme poverty by 2030.

Fans can earn their tickets by taking part in Action Journeys, a series of challenges designed to promote social activism.

This year’s headliners include Stevie Wonder, Green Day, The Killers and The Lumineers, with featured performances by The ChainsmokersPharrell Williams, Big SeanAndra Day and Alessia Cara.

The one-day festival will also be broadcast live from Central Park on YouTube, Twitter and MSNBC.

To hear more from this year’s hosts and learn more about the festival, visit Global Citizen’s official site.