Bad Bunny to Perform at This Year’s Billboard Music Awards

Bad Bunny is bringing some Latin heat to the Billboard Music Awards

The 27-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton singer will perform “Te Deseo Lo Mejor” from his 2020 album El Último Tour Del Mundo, which made history as the first all-Spanish-language album to hit No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart.

Bad Bunny W Magazine Cover

In addition to topping the Billboard 200, Bad Bunny has also reached No. 1 on Billboards other flagship, all-genre chart, the Billboard Hot 100. He topped that chart with “I Like It,” his 2018 collab with Cardi B and J Balvin. In addition, he has cracked the top five on the Hot 100 with two other hits: “Mia” (featuring Drake) and “Dakiti” (a collab with Jhay Cortez).

Bad Bunny, a four-time BBMA winner, is nominated for seven more BBMAs this year, including top Latin artist and top Latin album, two categories he won last year. Bad Bunny is one of only nine artists with seven or more BBMA nods this year — and the only one representing Latin music.

He won his first Grammy on March 14, when his album YHLQMDLG won for best Latin pop or urban album.

Bad Bunny holds the record for the most top 40 hits on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart with 104. He also holds the record for the most hits total on that chart: 111.

But Bad Bunny won’t be the only Latin artist to perform…

Karol G will take the stage for a special medley of her hits “Bichota” and “El Makinon.”

The 30-year-old Colombian singer’s most recent album, KG0516, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart, becoming her first No. 1 on that list. It also made the top 20 on the Billboard 200, her highest ranking to date.

Karol G has amassed 25 hits on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, including three No. 1s. She has had 10 No. 1s on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart.

Hosted by Nick Jonas, the show will include performances by (in alphabetical order by principal performer) AJR, BTS, DJ Khaled featuring H.E.R. and Migos, Duran Duran, Glass Animals, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis with Sounds Of Blackness featuring Ann Nesby, Alicia Keys, P!nk, twenty one pilots and The Weeknd.

In addition to performing, P!nk will receive the ICON Award. She is the youngest recipient of that award to date.

Drake will receive the Artist of the Decade Award.  Trae Tha Truth will receive the Change Maker Award.

Billboard Music Awards finalists and winners are based on key fan interactions with music, including audio and video streaming, album and digital song sales, radio airplay, and social engagement, tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including MRC Data and Next Big Sound. This year’s awards are based on the chart period of March 21, 2020 through April 3, 2021.

Fan-voted categories include top social artist and top collaboration. Voting opened on May 10 and closes May 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT on Twitter and billboard.com/bbmasvote. For more information, visit billboardmusicawards.com/vote.

Lopez to Appear on Jimmy Fallon’s “The Tonight Show” from Florida

It looks like Jennifer Lopez is following Fallon to Florida…

Jimmy Fallon bring his The Tonight Show production to the Universal Orlando Resort for the late-night program’s first road trip since Jay Leno stepped down. And, he’s invited the 44-year-old Puerto Rican singer, actress and American Idol judge to join him in the Sunshine State.

Jennifer Lopez

The Tonight Show will broadcast from the Universal Studios backlot from Monday, June 16 through Thursday, June 19, which will coincide with the opening of the resort’s newest attraction, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley.

No word on when Lopez will appear during that week, but the BBMA Icon Award will perform.

Along with the “I Luh Ya Papi” singer, Fallon’s guests will include Keenen Ivory Wayans, Kevin Hart, Jimmy Buffet, Tracy Morgan and Pitbull.

Buffet and Pitbull will also perform on the show, as will fun.

Pitbull Kicks Off a Night of Latin Performances at the Billboard Music Awards

This year’s Billboard Music Awards had a decidedly Latino feel… Not only did Jennifer Lopez become the first Hispanic artist (and woman) to win the coveted Icon Award, but the show featured several high-octane performances from Latino musicians, including Pitbull.

Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez & Claudia Leitte

The 33-year-old Cuban-American rap superstar, joined by la Lopez and Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte, kicked off the night with an energetic performance of their new single ‘We Are One (Ole Ola),” the official 2014 FIFA World Cup anthem.

Pitbull kicked off the perforamnce with several scantily clad dancers backing him up, then kicked it over to Lopez, whose gold-fringed outfit sparkled in the lights. Leitte finished out the song.

No surprise, the performance featured strong soccer imagery as this year’s World Cup is right around the corner.

Pitbull, Lopez and Leitte will perform the song at the World Cup opening ceremony in Sao Paulo.

But Pitbull wasn’t the only one to perform a soccer-themed song…

Ricky Martin brought a little life to the BBMAs by performing “Vida,” one of the 2014 FIFA World Cup theme songs.

The upbeat track was written by fellow Puerto Rican singer Elijah King, as part of Sony’s “Supersong” 2014 World Cup song contest.

Looking stylish in all black amongst his team of white-clad dancers, Martin tore through the soccer-themed banger, shouting out its stadium-worthy cries of ole! In between, he showed off some dance moves of his own, leaving little doubt that he’s still livin’ la vida loca.

This isn’t the first time Martin has performed a track for the World Cup. His song for the 1998 competition, “La Copa de La Vida” (The Cup of Life),” propelled him into the global spotlight, taking off after he performed it on the Grammys. It charted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, and reached No. 45 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Jennifer Lopez, meantime, proved why she’s a living icon…

The “I Luh Ya Papi” singer returned to the BBMA stage once again, this time to debut her new single “First Love,” the latest track from her upcoming album A.K.A.

JLo not only looked haute in a one-shoulder, sparkly black jumpsuit, but she belted out the tune with gusto and showed the world just how well she can dance.

Last but certainly not least, Shakira performed her latest single “Empire.”

The Colombian singer and The Voice coach lit up the Billboard Music Awards stage with a sizzling rendition of the latest single from her recently released self-titled album.

Dressed in a sheer, sparkling dress and thigh high black boots, Shakira stalked the stage complete with a cathedral-like stage set and flames blasting on stage behind her.

By song’s end she had walked into the audience chanting the song’s luminescent refrain “and the stars made love to the universe,” pausing before a blast of steam with the mic stand held high above her head.

Lopez Feted with Icon Award at the Billboard Music Awards

Jennifer Lopez is not only an American Idol judge… She’s also an American icon

The 44-year-old singer/actress and current judge on Fox’s reality singing competition received the 2014 Icon Award at Sunday’s Billboard Music Awards, which were broadcast live from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Jennifer Lopez

“You continue to break down barriers and inspire girls,” Rihanna said in a video montage, which included other noted artists, including Britney Spears, Ricky Martin, Pitbull and Taylor Swift, sharing their thoughts on la Lopez and her remarkable career.

Before accepting the award from presenters, Ricky Martin and Iggy Azalea, Lopez took the stage for the second time in the night to offer a live debut performance of “First Love,” the second single from her upcoming album A.K.A.

Lopez kept the audience on her feet as she stepped back onto the stage to receive the Icon Award. “Oh my God! What the heck?” Lopez said as she held the award. “Music has always been my first love.”

She continued to thank God, her fans, family, friends, management (Benny Medina), Latinos (“para mi gente“) and wished for the “little ones” who were watching from home to follow their dreams.

Lopez is the first women to receive the BBMA accolade. Past winners of the Icon Award include Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder and Prince.

Earlier in the night, Lopez took the stage with long-time collaborator and friend Pitbull and Claudia Lette, to premiere the official anthem of this year’s FIFA World Cup, “We Are One (Ole Ola).”