Los Ángeles Azules to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on August 29, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Los Ángeles Azules have earned an extra special honor…

The Mexican cumbia group will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

The band, known for songs like “El Listón de Tu Pelo,” “Cómo Te Voy a Olvidar” and “Mi Niña Mujer,” among many other cumbia anthems, will be recognized for their enduring, exceptional career that has expanded the reach of Latin music worldwide.

The award will be presented at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, where they will also hit the stage with a special performance.

The ceremony will be held Thursday, October 5, and will be broadcast live on Telemundo from the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Fla.

“We are very honored to receive this award,” the group — led by the Mejía-Avante brothers — said in a statement. “It is a recognition to our music, which we have shared with our audiences throughout all these years.”

With a 40-year musical career, Los Ángeles Azules have achieved great success, including 14 entries on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart, with three songs in the top 10. They also have 16 entries on Latin Airplay, of which six reached the top 10, including “Nunca es Suficiente,” with Natalia Lafourcade, which peaked at No. 3 in 2019. Their 2020 album De Buenos Aires Para El Mundo debuted at No. 8 on the Regional Mexican Albums chart, making it the band’s 12th album to reach the top 10 on the tally.

Past recipients of the Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award include Raphael, Paquita la del Barrio, Armando Manzanero, Miguel Bosé, Los Temerarios, Intocable, José José, Marco Antonio Solís, Ricardo Arjona and Maná, among others.

Besides airing live on Telemundo, the Billboard Latin Music Awards will air simultaneously on the Hispanic entertainment cable channel, Universo, Peacock, the Telemundo App, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

Peso Pluma leads the list of finalists with 21 nods across 15 categories including artist of the year, songwriter of the year, Global 200 Latin artist of the year, and Top Latin Album of the year.

Raphael to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on September 1, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Raphael is being feted for his extraordinary career…

The 79-year-old Spanish singer and actor will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards, according to Telemundo.

Raphael will be recognized for his “exceptional professional career and his artistic and personal contributions” that have influenced the development of Latin music around the world.

The singer will also perform during the awards show, which will take place on Thursday, September 29, at the Watsco Canter in Miami and will be broadcast live on Telemundo beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards — where Bad Bunny leads the list of finalists with a whopping 23 nods across 13 categories — will be simulcast on Telemundo, Universo, Peacock, the Telemundo App, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

With a musical career that spans more than 60 years, Raphael — known for anthemic songs such as “Yo Soy Aquel,” “En Carne Viva” and “Mi Gran Noche” — has garnered worldwide recognition as a pioneer of Spanish-language romantic ballads.

In 1962, he began his professional career, where he soon earned first, second and third prize at Spain’s Festival Internacional de la Canción in Benidorm. He also performed two consecutive times at the Eurovision Festival, starred in various films and hosted a radio show called The Raphael Show.

To date, he’s recorded more than 60 albums and has sold over 70 million records. Raphael is currently on tour in support of his Raphael 6.0 LP.

He’s slated to release a new album at the end of the year.

Past recipients of the Billboard lifetime achievement award include Paquita la del Barrio, Armando Manzanero, Miguel Bosé, Los Temerarios, Intocable, José José, Marco Antonio Solís, Ricardo Arjona and Maná, among others.

Carlos Rivera Releases New Album “Leyendas,” Featuring Duets with Iconic Singers

Posted on May 30, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Rivera is celebrating for a legendary moment…

The 35-year-old Mexican singer has released his new album Leyendas, in which he shows off his young spirit and classic heart.

On the album, Rivera duets with older, iconic singers on some of their best-known tracks.

From Roberto Carlos’ “Un Millón de Amigos” to José Luis Rodríguez’s “Agárrense de Las Manos,” Rivera traverses the Latin American songbook with the care of someone who grew up admiring, and finally emulating, the voices and personalities that defined Latin pop in the ’70s and ’80s.

These are big arrangements, big strings, big voices, big productions, and it’s a reminder of another face of Latin music.

Rivera took great care to curate the songs by artists who’ve passed: The set includes Rocío Dúrcal’s “Amor Eterno” and José José’s “Amor, Amor,” both recorded from existing tracks.

The most poignant inclusion is Armando Manzanero’s “Todavía,” which Rivera was actually able to record live with Manzanero during the pandemic, just a few months before his death.

It’s a reminder that there’s no reason to wait to celebrate greatness.

The Late Armando Manzanero’s “20 Éxitos Originales” Reaches Top 10 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums Chart

Posted on January 7, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Armando Manzanero’s legacy lives on…

For the first time in 32 years, the late Mexican Mayan musician, widely considered the premier Mexican romantic composer of the postwar era and one of the most successful composers of Latin America, ranks on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums chart.

Manzanero’s 20 Éxitos Originales, a compilation set originally released in 2007, arrives at No. 10 (on the chart dated January 9), following his death on December 28 due to COVID-19 complications. He was 85.

The 20-track set follows Manzanero’s first and only entry on Latin Pop Albums up to date: 20 Grandes Éxitos earned him his first top 10 in 1988 (No. 6 debut and peak).

The Yucatán singer-songwriter collects his second top 10 ever on any Billboard chart.

20 Éxitos Originales starts with 1,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending Jan. 31, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. Most of its opening sum derives from streaming activity.

Jessie Reyez to Perform at This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards,

Posted on September 28, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Jessie Reyez is celebrating her Latin roots…

The 29-year-old Colombian-Canadian singer and Grammy nominee will perform at this year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards, which are less than a month away.

Reyez joins a roster of newly confirmed A-list artists set to perform at the Billboard awards show.

Reyez joins a roster of new additions to the lineup that includes Anuel AA, Banda MS, Carlos Vives, Chesca, Daddy Yankee, Kendo Kaponi, Luis Fonsi, Manuel Turizo, Pablo Alborán, Paulina Rubio, Pitbull, Rauw Alejandro, Raymix, Reik, and Yandel.

They join the previously announced performers Armando Manzanero, Black Eyed Peas, Farruko, Gente de Zona, Gerardo Ortiz, Jesse & Joy, Maluma, Myke Towers, Ozuna, Sech, and Wisin.

The 2020 BLMAs, led by top finalists Bad Bunny and Ozuna, are the only awards show to honor the most popular albums, songs, and performers in Latin music, the awards are determined by the actual sales, streaming, radio airplay, and social data that informs Billboard‘s weekly charts during a one-year period from the rankings dated February 2, 2019, through this year’s January 25 charts.

The event is coinciding with Billboard’s Latin Music Week 30th anniversary, a three-day virtual experience dedicated to Latin music, culture, and entertainment, The Billboard Latin Music Awards 2020 will broadcast live from the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida on October 21 via Telemundo.

For more information and to RSVP for Latin Music Week, visit BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com.

Manzanero Launches New Program “La Música Con Manzanero”

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Armando Manzanero is heading back to television…

The 78-year-old Mexican musician and composer is launching the new show La Música Con Manzanero.

Manzanero, whose career spans more than five decades, has penned more than 400 songs. At a recent event to promote the new program, the legendary singer/songwriter said he was thrilled to be launching a show that highlights other songwriters through performance and interviews.

Canal 22 International, the arts and entertainment channel based in Mexico, is producing the new show, which is seen both in Mexico and the U.S. The network features everything from documentaries to Mexican movies and news programs and is seen in the U.S. through DirectTV.

Throughout the show’s 13 episodes, Manzanero will guide viewers through the musical history of romantic music from Mexico with guests such as Aleks Syntek, Ely Guerra, Celso Piña and Alex Lora, among other artists.

During a recent presentation at the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles, Manzanero and Canal 22 executives introduced the new program before the guest of honor took to the piano and performed a few of his classics. His songs have been performed by everyone from Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett to Andrea Bocelli.

“I’m very thankful for this opportunity,” Manzanero said. “It’s also about [Mexican] roots and it’s something that’s meaningful to me. When I see the kind of programming that Canal 22 provides, it gives me pride because it’s important to keep bringing these shows to people.”

The program, Manzanero said, first took place about a decade ago, but it was short-lived. He didn’t have to think twice, he added, to jump on a chance to be part of the new show, which explores different styles of music.

“Mexican music is what best presents us in Mexico,” Manzanero said. “It’s really beautiful music and it’s important that the rest of the world continue to see what we do through art.”

La Música Con Manzanero airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET.

Estefan to be Inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Gloria Estefan’s name is being added to the annals of Latin music history…

The 56-year-old Cuban singer-songwriter and seven-time Grammy Award winner has been named as a Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee.

Estefan, one of the top 100 best selling music artists with an estimated 100 million records sold worldwide, rose to acclaim as the lead singer of the Miami Sound Machine.

But the “Conga” singer, the female artist with most No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, earned critical acclaim for penning some of her biggest solo hits in English and Spanish, including “Cuts Both Ways,” “Always Tomorrow,” “Coming Out of the Dark,” “No Llores” and “Oye Mi Canto (Hear My Voice).”

Estefan also co-wrote Shakira’s hit single “Whenever, Wherever” with the Colombian superstar and Tim Mitchell and co-wrote Jennifer Lopez’s signature song “Let’s Get Loud.”

In addition to Estefan, Ricardo Arjona, Juan Luis Guerra, Panamanian composer Omar Alfanno, Spanish pop songwriter Rafael Pérez Botija and Mexican singer/songwriter Lolita de la Colina will also be honored at this year’s induction ceremony — known as La Musa Awards — taking place on October 18 at Miami Beach’s Ritz Carlton hotel.

The Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame debuted in 2013 with a black tie gala honoring well-known Latin music figures including Jose Feliciano, Julio Iglesias and composer Armando Manzanero.

Founded by songwriters and producers Desmond Child and Rudy Perez, the goal of the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame is to “honor the world’s greatest Latin songwriters and their music in every genre.”

Buika to Perform “Besame Mucho” at the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Buika will be helping honor one of the most recognizable Spanish-language ballads of all time…

The 40-year-old Afro-Spanish singer, who earned rave reviews after performing two songs in Pedro Almódovar’s 2011 film The Skin I Live In, will perform “Besame Mucho” at the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame’s first induction gala.

Buika and an orchestra of top musicians will perform the song – which was written by the Mexican composer Consuelo Velasquez in 1940 and performed by artists including the Beatles and Frank Sinatra, in addition to a number of Latin stars – before it receives the Hall of Fame’s La Musa award.

In addition, the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame will induct Manuel Alejandro, Jose Angel “Ferrusquilla” Espinosa, Jose Feliciano, Julio Iglesias, Armando Manzanero and Concha Valdez Miranda as the first-ever songwriters to be added to the recently created hall of fame.

Additionally, Olga Guillot, Draco Rosa, Nat King Cole, Desi Arnaz, Ralph S. Peer and emerging Spanish singer/songwriter Natalia Jimenez will receive recognition for their contribution to the music industry.

Rubén Blades, Cristian Castro, Natalie Cole and Rosa are among the artists set to perform at the black tie event, celebrating the rich past and current popularity of Latin song.

The event will take place on April 23rd at the New World Center in Miami Beach during the Billboard Latin Music Conference.

Iglesias to be Inducted into Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

He’s one of the Top 5 best-selling musicians in history, having sold more than 300 million records worldwide… And now Julio Iglesias is being recognized for crafting some of the most memorable songs.

The 69-year-old Spanish singer is one of the first artists to be inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Iglesias will be joined by fellow Spanish artist Manuel Alejandro, Mexicans Jose Angel Espinoza “Ferrusquilla” and Armando Manzanero, Puerto Rican Jose Feliciano and Cuba’s Concha Valdez Miranda.

The announcement was made by the directors of the Miami-based Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame, Desmond Child and Rudy Perez, both producers and composers.

In a gallery packed with journalists and people from the music industry, Perez noted the enormous effort that had been made over the years to win the support of the existing U.S. Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The six artists incorporated into the Songwriters Hall of Fame will be honored with the La Muse prize at the gala to be held April 23 at the New World Center de Miami Beach.

Libertad Receives Special Peruvian Medal of Honor

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

She received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Recording Academy in 2009… And, now Tania Libertad is being honored once again for her 50-year artistic career.

The 59-year-old Peruvian singer has been awarded the Order of Merit for Distinguished Service in the “degree of great officer” by Peruvian Foreign Minister Rafael Roncagliolo.

“To be honored by my country not only moves me deeply but also makes me a very privileged person,” the singer told guests at the palace.

In a ceremony at the presidential palace in Lima, Roncagliolo pinned the medal on the famed Peruvian artist, who has spent more than 30 years living in Mexico.

Even though she hasn’t been physically in Peru for many years, Libertad says it’s always in her heart and in her roots.

“I began this wonderful vocation when I was a very little girl,” said Libertad, who has recorded 38 albums and sold more than 40 million copies. “Music has been my whole life and I had the luck to always have great creative people around me, great artists who taught me to stay on the right road.”

Libertad has previously said she feels regret over leaving Peru to pursue greater career opportunities in Mexico.

“In Mexico I had many more possibilities. I already live there for more than twenty years now,” she sad. “It is difficult, and it makes me sad sometimes, not to be in Peru. But when I do concerts over there, I always receive a warm welcome. They are proud of me.”

And Libertad—who has shared the stage with stars like Armando Manzanero, Miguel Bose, Pablo Milanes and Vicente Fernandez—says she’ll continue spreading the “wonderful culture of Peru” to people around the world with her music.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Armando Manzanero