Amazon Music Live will return for season 2 with performances from several artists, including the 31-yea-old Colombian singer and songwriter.
Hosted by 2 Chainz, Amazon Music’s weekly livestreamed concert series, which is broadcast after Thursday Night Football will have performances starting September 21 at 9:00 pm PT with artists including Feid, Ed Sheeran, Lil Durk and more.
Amazon Music Live will broadcast live from Los Angeles and air on Prime Video and Amazon Music’s Twitch channel.
Lil Baby, Megan Thee Stallion, Kane Brown, Lil Wayne, Anuel AA, A$AP Rocky, Anitta and 21 Savage performed during season 1 of Amazon Music Live.
“We created Amazon Music Live to bring sports and music fans together on Thursday nights for a brand-new, can’t-miss event celebrating new music after the biggest game of the week,” said Ryan Redington, GM of Amazon Music. “Available to fans around the world on Prime Video and Twitch, AML became a massive new stage for artists to share their culture-defining new music after Thursday Night Football, and this year we’re going even bigger.”
Sheeran will kick off season 2 on September 21, just a week before he releases his seventh studio album Autumn Variations, due September 29. \
Feid will perform September 28, the night before he drops his new album Mor No Le Temas a la Oscuridad.
And Lil Durk will perform on Oct. 5.
More artists across all genres will be announced in the coming weeks.
“Join me each week when I’m turning Thursday night into music’s main stage with Amazon Music Live,” 2 Chainz said. “We’re returning to your screens live after Thursday Night Football with even more new music, more album drops and more wild performances than ever before. Amazon Music Live is the only place to be after the big game. Tune in and turn up.”
The 22-year-old Colombian singer is among the artists chosen by Amazon Music to cover beloved holiday songs exclusively for the music streaming company leading up to Christmas.
Turizo is slated to perform Mariah Carey’s insta-classic “All I Want For Christmas is You.”
Other songs by Latinx artists include “En lo Alto Gloria” by Majo y Danand Alex Zurdo, “Gozo y Paz” by Blanca and Alex Campos, “La Marimorena” by Demarco Flamenco and “Dime Navidad” by Edurne.
While some of the covers are currently available to stream on Amazon Music, more will be rolled out through the holiday season.
Here’s the full list of original holiday tracks from Amazon Music:
Amazon Original Holiday Tracklist “Someday at Christmas” by Lizzo
“Blue Christmas” by Kane Brown
“The First Noel” by GIVĒON
“Last Christmas” by Lauren Spencer Smith
“Firebabe” (Orchestral Version) by Stormzy
“Amazing Grace” by DVSN
“All I Want (For Christmas)” by Zoe Wees
“In the Bleak Midwinter” by Alexis Ffrench
“Together This Christmas” by Maisie Peters
“All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Manuel Turizo
“Christmas Lights” by Amy Shark
“En lo Alto Gloria” by Majo y Dan and Alex Zurdo
“Mon Beau Sapin” by Kendji Girac
“Jingle Bells” by Sam Ryder
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Priya Ragu
“Pastello Bianco” by Pinguini Tattici Nucleari
“Gozo y Paz” by Blanca and Alex Campos
“La Marimorena” by Demarco Flamenco
“Who Would Imagine a King” by Budjerah
“Dime Navidad” by Edurne
“El Hijo Ausente” by Rafa Pérez
The 42-year-old Mexican American recording artist and record producer has unveiled his very own series called Desde Abajo, which will be available on Amazon Music’s app and Twitch channel.
Focusing on culture and its influence on the music industry in Los Angeles, the series will include the Rancho Humilde founder interviewing special guests like Fuerza Regida, Snow Tha Product, AB Quintanilla, Deorro, among others.
The first episode is already out with new episodes airing at 9:00 p.m. ET every other Wednesday until October 12.
Christian Nodal is helping spotlight on the next generation of Regional Mexican music…
Amazon Music has launched “GEN MEX: Your Generation of Música Mexicana” with an assist from the 23-year-old Mexican singer.
The project includes new music programming and editorial, including Amazon Originals, videos, livestreams, and a new video featuring Nodal where he introduces fans to Amazon’s new home of Música Mexicana.
Additionally, GEN MEX launches with more than 80 playlists and with Yahritza Y Su Esencia as the newly-named ROMPE artist.
“GEN MEX is a celebration of one of the fastest growing music categories within Latin music in the past few years, one that continues to transcend borders across Latin America, the U.S. and beyond,” said Rocio Guerrero, head of global Latin, Amazon Music. “To look ahead, you have to honor the legends that have passed down their traditions. GEN MEX will honor those roots, while helping to redefine its future, connecting fans across borders and generations and elevating the voices of those driving the culture forward.”
The annual Amazon Prime Day Show will feature a streaming music performance by the 37-year-old half-Mexican American singer/songwriter and actor, whose real name is Scott Mescudi.
The events will be available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video for 30 days starting June 17, with Amazon Prime Days set for June 21 and 22. The streaming is available to all without a Prime subscription needed.
The special will offer performance and storytelling, inspired by Paris, the Dunbar Hotel, and outer space.
“Working with Billie Eilish, H.E.R., and Kid Cudi to bring their music to life through these imaginative experiences has been incredible,” said Ryan Redington, VP of music industry at Amazon Music. “Watching these globally renowned artists create three shows from the depths of their imagination has been unlike anything we’ve ever done before. We’re thrilled to bring fans along with us to celebrate these three remarkable artists and Prime Day.”
“These iconic artists have not only broken new ground in music but are inspired storytellers, culture creators, and visionaries,” said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios. “We’re thrilled to partner with Billie, H.E.R., and Cudi to bring these authentic and deeply personal specials to fans around the world as we celebrate Prime Day.”
Kid Cudi will depart earth to establish a new community on the moon in his performance. Featuring music from his album, Man on the Moon III, he collaborates with the International Space Orchestra, the world’s first orchestra composed of space scientists from NASA Ames Research Center, the SETI Institute, and the International Space University as his backing band.
The Prime Day Show with Kid Cudi is produced by Fremantle, Wolf + Rothstein, Mad Solar, and Amazon Studios, and is directed by Sam Wrench. Ashley Edens served as executive producer, along with Chad Wolf, Fam Rothstein and Sam Wrench as co-executive producers. Runtime is approximately 25 minutes.
Beginning today, Amazon Music subscribers and Prime members can access the official Prime Day Show playlist here or by asking, “Alexa, play the Prime Day Show playlist,” to stream Billie Eilish, H.E.R., and Kid Cudi. The Prime Day Show will also be available to stream on Twitch, IMDb TV, and on Amazon devices including Fire TV, Echo Show, and Fire tablets on Prime Video.
Ángela Aguilar is helping launch Amazon‘s new regional Mexican initiative.
Amazon Music has kicked off a new effort to celebrate regional Mexican music with new content spotlighting established and emerging artists, including the 17-year-old Mexican-American Grammy-nominated singer, who have “built and redefined the genre,” according to Amazon Music.
The campaign launches with a new mariachi version of beloved classic “Bésame Mucho,” reimagined by Aguilar, as well as exclusive videos that bring customers a different look into the works of leading artists including Banda MS and Calibre 50.
Exclusive content includes Album Spotlight, Anatomía de Un Hit breakdown, Raíces, which celebrates decades-spanning careers of artists, and Rompe, spotlighting rising artists.
“Latin music is so diverse, and Regional Mexican is one genre leading the way in redefining itself while still being true to its roots,” said Rocio Guerrero, global head of Latin at Amazon Music. “We’re committed to supporting the genre and its many talented artists by celebrating their work through this dedicated initiative across various channels. It is truly an embodiment of ‘La Música Que Nos Conecta.’ This campaign is just the beginning and we can’t wait to see how the genre continues to evolve.”
Jose Feliciano is making chart history with his holiday classic…
The 75-year-old Puerto Rican musician, singer and composer’s “Feliz Navidad” moves up from No. 16 to No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100songs chart, dated December 19, hitting the top 10 for the first time, 50 years after its original 1970 release. It previously reached No. 12 last holiday season.
The holiday classic sports gains of 6% to 23 million in radio airplay audience, 15% to 18.5 million U.S. streams and 34% to 3,000 sold, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data.
Feliciano adds his second Hot 100 top 10, after his debut entry, his cover of The Doors‘ “Light My Fire,” hit No. 3 in August 1968. (The Doors‘ original ruled for three weeks in the summer of 1967.) He has charted 11 total Hot 100 entries, as well as 16 titles, including eight top 10s, on the Hot Latin Songs chart.
The legendary singer, songwriter and guitarist is celebrating the 50th anniversary of “Feliz Navidad” this year. He performed on NBC‘s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonand CBS Sunday Morninglast week and, among other festivities, has a livestream scheduled for December 20.
Becky G is bringing in some big guns to talk politics and more…
The 23-year-old Mexican American singer/rapper’s new voting-themed episode of her En La Salamultimedia podcast features Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris and actress America Ferrera.
The candid conversation, which went live Tuesday (October 6) exclusively on Amazon Musicwith corresponding video on Amazon Music’s Twitch channel, touches on a wide range of topics including Harris’ experience as California’s attorney general, the importance of voting on November 3 and 2Pac.
“This is one of the biggest moments in my entire career,” Becky G says in the episode’s trailer. She also speaks with Ferrera about She Se Puede, the new nonprofit the actress and activist founded to pursue social justice and support civic engagement for Latinas. The episode will also be dedicated to the Latino Community Foundation, a nonprofit working to increasing political participation of the Latinx community in California.
Becky G is confirmed to speak at this year’s virtual Latin Music Week. The hitmaker will join Jorge and Hernán Hernández from the iconic norteño group Los Tigres del Norte to discuss the role artists currently play in engaging Latino voters who for the first time in a presidential election are the nation’s largest racial minority among eligible voters this year with a record 31.6 million Latinos eligible to vote. They will also chat about the immigrant experience as seen by two generations of Mexican-American artists. To reserve a spot and receive updates, RSVP here.
Amazon Music is putting a big focus on Latin music with the launch of “Amazon Music LAT!N,” featuring the 19-year-old Mexican singer in a new editorial video series, Género101,
The Latin music brand features a broad umbrella that includes over 100 new and revamped playlists, an emerging artist program, merchandise, video and multiple catalog programs among many other initiatives.
Using the tagline “La Musica que nos conecta” — a reference to the fact that Latinos come from many countries and cultures but are connected by music and language — the LAT!N hub, which includes music in Spanish and Portuguese, will live within Amazon at amazon.com/latinmusic.
It seeks to establish Amazon as a major player in Latin music streaming and content, as well as retail.
“The big differentiator [with other streaming services] is the ability to work cross functionally with the other Amazon verticals and services like Twitch and Prime Video,” explains Rocío Guerrero, who assumed the newly created position of global head of Latin music at Amazon in January.
“We can do things 360. It’s unparalleled and it will live within the Amazon.com ecosystem.”
Prior to Guerrero’s arrival, Amazon Music had been relatively perfunctory with its approach to Latin music, offering playlists and a big catalog but little else. Latin content was hardly ever marketed The launch of LAT!N marks a major investment and commitment to the music.
“What they want is to expand with even more audiences and fans and engage them with Latin music,” Guerrero says. A major thrust is positioning Amazon as a destination that focuses not only on reggaetón and urban music, which dominate the major Latin playlists around the world, but on all genres of Latin music, aiming for Amazon’s “broader” — as Guerrero calls it — audience, including older listeners.
“For instance, genres like bachata, salsa and Regional Mexican are big in Amazon Music,” she says. “We have a spotlight now. And we can shine a light on all the genres of Latin music.”
Guerrero came to Amazon from Warner Music Latin, but previously spent years overseeing U.S. Latin content in Spotify. Since joining Amazon in late 2019 she has expanded the Latin music global team, hiring Ana Martinez as label relations and Cristina Martin to head marketing for Latin music global and retaining Amaya Mendizabal as senior music curator.
After planning for the first half of the year, the official LAT!N kickoff features an original, acoustic version of Maluma’s global hit “Hawái.” It will be followed by exclusive weekly releases of new renditions by Karol G, Christian Nodal and Romeo Santos during Hispanic Heritage Month, with more planned moving forward.
At the same time, a catalog program called “Raices” will kick off with a spotlight on Marc Anthony that includes a mini documentary shot in his home, and will highlight Latin catalog content on a monthly basis. Likewise, an emerging artist program, “Rompe,” which is similar to Amazon’s “Breakthrough” program in the U.K., will highlight a local emerging artist every month, beginning with Colombia’s Las Villa and Interscope artist Nobeat.
New content will go beyond music to include five new editorial video series, available in English and Spanish. The first, Género101, will highlight different sub-genres of Latin music, beginning with an episode on corridos tumbaos explained by Natanael Cano. An Alexa component is also in development that will allow listeners to ask their virtual assistant questions and get replies in different artists’ voices.
The core of LAT!N, of course, will continue to be playlists — now expanded to 100 — including Latin global hits playlist Platino (formerly titled Fuego Latino), new music playlist Hoy, and a Clásicos playlist that features classics for each genre. Says Guerrero: “We cannot commit to just one audience only.”
The 67-year-old Cuban jazz trumpeter, pianist and composer’s bullfighting song, “La Virgen de la Macarena,” continues its olé-worthy run on Billboard’s Latin Digital Songs chart.
Sparked by the 2003 track’s use an iPhone 7 ad, it currently ranks No. 2 on the chart, right behind right behind Shakira and Maluma’s hit “Chantaje.”
The Apple spot, “Dive,” was shot in Barcelona and features a virile man of a certain age who bears a winking resemblance to Pablo Picasso, who continued to seduce young muses in his senior years.
The week before the Apple ad debuted in early November, Sandoval’s “La Virgin de la Macarena” sold 5 downloads. In the commercial’s first week, the track sold 1,362 downloads.
The song had 35,000 Shazam tags in November, and a total of 6,000 downloads sold and 83,000 streams.
“La Virgen de la Macarena,” also known popularly as “the bullfighting song,” is a classic paso doble, a rousing piece of sonic bravura synonymous with the bullring. Written by Spanish composers Bernardo Bautista and Antonio Ortiz, it has been covered by artists including Paco de Lucia, Trio Los Panchos, Maynard Ferguson and Canadian Brass, but was first widely popularized through a recording of the piece by Mexican trumpeter Rafael Mendez.
The Virgen de la Macarena of the song is a statue of the Virgin Mary that resides in the cathedral in Seville, Spain. La Macarena has historically been closely associated with matadors and bullfighting. In 1920, the Virgen was dressed all in black to mourn the famous bullfighter Joselito, who died after being gored in the ring.
Sandoval’s version of “La Virgen de la Macarena” was included on his 2003 album Trumpet Evolution, an homage to great jazz trumpet players that also includes the Chet Baker classic “My Funny Valentine” and “’Round Midnight.” The album was released by Emilio Estefan’s Crescent Moon label.
“La Virgen De La Macarena” had its biggest week in the time frame ending November 24, when the song sold 2,200 downloads, a 96 percent increase from the week prior. It was streamed 23,000 times, an 84 percent increase from the week before.
The latest chart (for week of January 21) marks the track’s peak at no. 2 on the Latin Digital Song Sales chart, with 3,013 downloads.
The “Dive” ad currently has over 4 1/2 million views on YouTube, and thanks to Apple, new fans of “La Virgen de la Macarena” who may have never been anywhere near a bullring have discovered its brassy, dramatic appeal.
“I’m playing this song right before I do anything!” wrote one customer in the comments on the song’s Amazon Music page.
Hosted by 2 Chainz, Amazon Music’s weekly livestreamed concert series, which is broadcast after Thursday Night Football will have performances starting September 21 at 9:00 pm PT with artists including Feid, Ed Sheeran, Lil Durk and more.
