Carlos Vives to Perform Telemundo’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Anthem at Billboard Latin Music Awards Alongside Emilia, Wisin & Xavi

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Vives is preparing to get in the game earlier than planned…

The 64-year-old Colombian singer, songwriter and actor will join voices with Emilia, Wisin and Xavi to premiere Telemundo’s official song for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the upcoming Billboard Latin Music Awards, which will be presented live on Telemundo on Thursday, Oct. 23.

Titled “Somos Más,” the track’s lyrics will “deliver a powerful message of unity, pride and global connection through fútbol, inviting fans to wear their team colors, raise their voices and celebrate together,” according to a press release.

“Telemundo’s World Cup anthem is more than a song – it’s a celebration,” said Telemundo’s EVP of primetime unscripted & specials Francisco Suarez in a statement. “By bringing together these artists from four vibrant Latin American countries, we’re showcasing the richness and diversity of Latino culture while delivering a powerful message of unity, peace, and joy.”

Telemundo will broadcast all 104 matches of next year’s World Cup live – 92 of them on Telemundo and 12 on Universo. Every match will stream live on Peacock and the Telemundo App.

“This anthem is a tribute to the global spirit of fútbol and the communities we serve,” said Joaquin Duro, EVP of sports at Telemundo. “As the exclusive Spanish-language home of the World Cup, we are committed to delivering the most authentic and relevant coverage of this historic tournament. ‘Somos Más’ is one of many efforts that will elevate the fan experience and bring audiences even closer to the game.”

Vives, Emilia, Wisin and Xavi will also, for the first time, speak about the making of the song and the importance of the World Cup during a conversation at Billboard’s Latin Music Week on October 22.

Grupo Arriesgado Agrees to Contract with Smart Music Group (SMG)

Posted on February 25, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Grupo Arriesgado has agreed to a smart deal…

The Mexican group has entered into a contract with Smart Music Group (SMG), per Billboard en Espanol.

Co-founders and artist managers, Raczon López and Natalia Corona — honorees on last year’s Billboard Latin Power Players list — have launched a new label focusing on the five-member band that’s currently gaining traction on social media.

Originally formed in late 2013 on a ranch named Costa Rica in Culiacán, Sinaloa, and initially led by former frontman turned soloist Panter Bélico, Grupo Arriesgado gained popularity with hits like the accordion-infused “Jimenez” (2021), “El H,” and “Enloquecido” (2022).

With César Alfonso stepping in as the new lead vocalist, they have secured significant radio play and impressive digital platform statistics, amassing 4.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify and maintaining a vigorous schedule of live performances.

Their digital presence is equally robust with 882,000 followers on Instagram, 1.1 million followers and 23.8 million likes on TikTok, and a strong YouTube following with 472,000 subscribers and over 600 million views.

Jesús Cuadras (electric bass), César Soto (bajo sexto), Alfonso Rodríguez (second voice) and Ángel de León (drums) also make up the band.

“Our relationship with Grupo Arriesgado began with the promotion of their three most recent releases, which allowed us to increase their audience on Spotify to almost 5 million monthly listeners and accumulate 35 million views on the main platforms,” López tells Billboard. “For this reason, the group wanted to take its relationship with Smart Music Group (SMG) to the next level and we have signed an agreement that makes us their representatives.”

He adds: “From now on, we will provide a comprehensive strategy that combines digital growth with presence in traditional media. This work will consolidate Grupo Arriesgado as one of the most important groups in Regional Mexican.”

López and Corona have recently managed the 2024 global breakout star Xavi, who topped Hot Latin Songs with “La Diabla” and secured the No. 2 spot with “La Víctima” on the same chart, and other notable achievements.

Under the pair’s management, Xavi also clinched the Artist of the Year (New) award at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards. The duo also managed newcomer Drian.

With this new partnership, Grupo Arriesgado has embarked on a fresh phase with the release of “De Aquí Soy” (2025) and “Qué Chulada” (2024), two singles that mark a shift toward a more romantic and melodic style.

FloyyMenor Signs with Independent Artist Group for Booking

Posted on January 29, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

FloyyMenor has a new booking agent…

The 19-year-old Chilean singer and songwriter has signed with Independent Artist Group for booking.

The signing follows the huge success of FloyyMenor’s reggaeton hit “Gata Only” with Cris MJ, which was named TikTok’s Global Song of the Summer and Global Song of the Year in 2024.

According to a press release, the track saw 50 million creations on TikTok, generating more than 74 billion streams on the platform and 1.3 billion streams on Spotify; it also reached No. 2 on Spotify’s Global Chart.

“Gata Only” also had great success in the U.S., where it hit No. 27 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 and topped Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart for 14 weeks. It finished at No. 1 on the year-end Hot Latin Songs list.

FloyyMenor’s breakthrough came in 2023 with the single “Pa la Europa.” That was followed by the August release of his debut EP El Comienzo, on which he partnered with UnitedMasters.

According to the release, the EP became the most-listened-to Chilean project in Spotify’s history and ranked among the top Spanish albums globally in 2024. In December, Spotify also named “Gata Only” the most-streamed Latin song of the year, while that same month, FloyyMenor was named one of VEVO’s DSCVR Artists to Watch 2025. “Gata Only” was also featured on former U.S. President Barack Obama’s “Favorite Music of 2024” list.

In October, FloyyMenor became the first Chilean artist to win a Billboard Latin Music Award, where he took home the Global 200 Latin song of the year. He also won top Latin song at the Billboard Music Awards for “Gata Only.”

FloyyMenor is set to release his debut album YTSQS later this year.

Feid Earns 11th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Rhythm Airplay Chart with “Sorry 4 That Much”

Posted on October 22, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

It’s Lucky No. 11 for Feid.

The 32-year-old Colombian singer, songwriter and record producer has earned his 11th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Rhythm Airplay chart, and sixth this year, as “Sorry 4 That Much” rises 2-1 to lead the October 26-dated tally.

“Sorry 4 That Much” leads thanks to a 6% gain in audience impressions, to 6.6 million, earned in the U.S. during the October 11-17 tracking week, according to Luminate.

As the song lands at the summit, it ejects J Balvin and Chencho Corleone’s “Polvo de Tu Vida” from the lead, after the latter falls with an 11% dip in audience, to 5.8 million.

Of the 16 No. 1s on Latin Rhythm Airplay in 2024, only five were by a soloist, unaccompanied by any other collaborator — including “Sorry 4 That Much.”

Here’s a review of that elite group:

Artist, Title, Peak Date, Weeks at No. 1
Bad Bunny, “Monaco,” Jan. 27, one
Myke Towers, “La Falda,” Feb. 24, one
Ozuna, “Baccarat,” March 30, one
Venesti, “Es Normal,” July 27, two
Feid, “Sorry 4 That Much,” Oct. 26

“Sorry 4 That Much” takes Feid to his sixth straight No. 1 on Latin Rhythm Airplay, and all have come in 2024 — the most No. 1s of any act this year.

Elsewhere, Feid nearly misses the No. 1 on the overall Latin Airplay chart, where “Sorry 4 That Much” jumps 3-2, just behind Karol G’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” for the latter’s 14th week in the lead.

Feid’s new achievement lands on the heels of the Billboard Latin Music Awards 2024, where the Colombian became a finalist in 11 categories, including Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year.

Gabito Ballesteros to Perform at 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on October 8, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Gabito Ballesteros is preparing for a major performance…

The Mexican singer-songwriter and record producer will perform at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

He’s among a list of just-added performers that includes Gloria Trevi, Prince Royce, Chencho Corleone and Proyecto Uno.

The artists join a previously announced lineup that includes Fuerza Regida, Grupo Niche, J Balvin, Pepe Aguilar, Luis Alfonso, Maria Becerra, Xavi and Yandel.

The awards show will broadcast on Sunday, October 20, at 9:00 pm ET on Telemundo. Viewers can also watch on the Telemundo App and Peacock and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

Both Prince Royce and Gabito Ballesteros are finalists this year. The former is up for three awards, including tropical artist of the year, solo; tropical song of the year for “Cosas de la Peda,” with Gabito Ballesteros, and tropical album of the year for his seventh album Llamada Perdida.

Meanwhile, Ballesteros is a four-time finalist vying for artist of the year, new. He’s up against Young Miko, Tito Double P, Xavi and Oscar Maydon in that category.

Karol G leads the list of finalists with 17 entries in categories including artist of the year, tour of the year, Global 200 Latin artist of the year, and top Latin album of the year for Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season).

The Billboard Latin Music Awards — the only awards that recognize the most popular albums, songs and performers in Latin music, according to Billboard’s weekly charts — coincide with Billboard Latin Music Week, which returns to Miami October 14-18 with a roster of star speakers including Alejandro Sanz, J Balvin, Young Miko, Pepe Aguilar, Feid, Gloria Estefan, Danny Ocean, Peso Pluma and many more.

Karol G Receives Two Wax Figures from Madame Tussauds

Posted on October 8, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Karol G is waxing nostalgic…

The 33-year-old Colombian Grammy-winning singer-songweriter has officially received two of her very own wax figures at the renowned Madame Tussauds wax museum.

Karol G was present at the recent grand reveal in New York City, where she reacted to her two figures: one that captures the Colombian-inspired outfit and signature blue hair that she rocked during her 2022 Coachella performance; the other is one of her looks from the “TQG” music video with Shakira, where she had her striking red locks.

“Wow, how impressive!” Karol said in a press statement. “My first impression was I love my smile, and the color of my eyes […] I hope when my fans meet the figures that it’s a manifestation for them that one day they will meet me.”

Her Coachella wax figure will remain at the Madame Tussauds in Times Square, whereas her “TQG” wax figure will be relocated to the Madame Tussauds in Las Vegas at the end of October.

“Karol G is one of our generation’s greatest living Latina performers,” added Eliza Rose, marketing manager at Madame Tussauds New York. “Her figure is a beautiful addition to our museums, and a testament to her talent, influence and the love her fans have for her.”

The “Bichota” singer—who’s a 17-time finalist at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards and whose “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” has spent 12 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart—joins Maluma, Anitta, Selena, Bad Bunny, Shakira and other Latin acts with their own wax figures.

Anuel AA to Make Feature Film Debut in Indie Horror Film “You Lose You Die”

Posted on June 12, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Anuel AA is set to make his big screen debut…

The 31-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and singer, whose real name is Emmanuel Gazmey Santiago, will make his feature debut in Carlos “Spiff TV” Suarez’s indie horror film You Lose You Die.

He joins previously announced stars Freddy Rodriguez, who also executive produces, and Ashley Elizabeth Fliehr (WWE star Charlotte Flair).

Shooting is due to wrap imminently in the Dominican Republic and the project will be shopped following post-production.

You Lose You Die follows sociopathic tech expert Mr. Fantastik (Rodriguez), who runs a popular show on the dark web with two other sociopathic tech experts, Ms. Perfect (Fliehr) and Mr. Creep (Anthony Alvarez). On the show, thousands of viewers vote on games and challenges for prisoners to participate in. If the prisoners lose, viewers vote on the weapons the sociopaths use to kill them.

In addition to Anuel AA who plays EZ Money, the cast includes Josh Bredl as Mr. Large, Sophia Zimba as Kara, Ashley Hernandez as Julie, Alejandro Duran as Alfonso, Noah Crider as Chase, Marcella Acuña as Christie, Mercy Grant as Darling and Lydia Faith Gomez as Jamie.

Rodriguez, Josue “Sway” Mendez and Ulysses Terrero serve as executive producers, with Mendez also producing.

Michael Patti is director of photography.

Anuel AA is a Latin trap music pioneer. He recorded his debut album Real Hasta La Muerte (2018) which topped the U.S. Top Latin Albums chart.

He has collaborated with notable artists such as Daddy Yankee, Karol G, Ozuna and J Balvin. His hits include “Secreto” and “China.” He won the Billboard Latin Music Award for New Artist of the Year in 2019.

Jacqueline Bracamontes Returning to Host 2nd Annual Billboard Latin Women in Music Special

Posted on April 30, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Jacqueline Bracamontes is preparing to help celebrate Latinas in music…

The 44-year-old Mexican actress, former model and beauty pageant titleholder and television personality will host the Billboard Latin Women in Music special, which is scheduled to return for its second edition on June 9 at 9:00 p.m. ET via Telemundo.

Hailing from Billboard and Telemundo, the two-hour music special will celebrate “Latin female artists proactively working for positive change, inclusion, and gender parity in the music industry,” as noted in the press release.

Bracamontes will return as host for a second time.

Produced at Telemundo Center in Miami, the event captures the essence of Latin culture through dynamic musical showcases and special acknowledgments from leading Latin female artists. It will also be available for simultaneous streaming on the Telemundo app and Peacock.

The recipients of this year’s honors will be revealed at a later time.

Bracamontes holds a prominent position in Latin American television.

She has anchored Telemundo’s broadcasts of prestigious events such as Miss Universe, the Billboard Latin Music Awards and the Latin American Music Awards.

Additionally, she has helmed programs like the dance competition Así se Baila and starred in the popular primetime series La Suerte de Loli.

Furthermore, Bracamontes joined the U.S. Hispanic network as the host of Viva el Mundial y Más, a sports and entertainment show that aired during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, and co-hosted two seasons of the hit music competition La Voz (The Voice).

At last year’s Latin Women in Music event, honors were granted to those who’ve made significant contributions to Latin music and its industry. The recipients included included Shakira as Woman of the Year, Ana Gabriel as Living Legend, Thalia as Global Powerhouse, Maria Becerra as Visionary, Emilia as Rising Star, Evaluna as Tradition and Future and Goyo as Agent of Change.

Bad Bunny Repeats as Billboard’s Top Latin Artist of the Year for Fifth Consecutive Year

Posted on November 26, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a sweet repeat for Bad Bunny…

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning superstar has repeated as Billboard’s Top Latin Artist of the Year for a record fifth consecutive year.

No other artist has been the year-end Top Latin Artist five times since the category began in 2011. Only one other artist has pulled a back-to-back winning streak since the category launched in 2011: Romeo Santos, who took home the first-place trophy in 2014 and 2015.

Unsurprisingly, Bad Bunny also echoes his past four years of achievements on the albums front: Thanks to Un Verano Sin Ti’s stronghold, the album wraps at No. 1 on the year-end Top Latin Albums chart for a second consecutive year.

Adding to his blockbuster year — with seven awards at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, including Artist of the Year, Tour of the Year and Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year — Benito also boasts four songs on the year-end Hot Latin Songs rundown, including “Un X100to” with Grupo Frontera at No. 3. His first foray into Regional Mexican music became the second Regional Mexican track to break the weekly top 10 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Billboard’s year-end music recaps represent aggregated metrics for each artist, title, label and music contributor on the weekly charts from November 19, 2022, through October 21, 2023. 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 detail, and the November-October time period, account for some of the difference between these lists and the calendar-year recaps that are independently compiled by Luminate.

Pitbull Extends Global Publishing Deal with BMG

Posted on November 24, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Pitbull is extending his global deal…

The 42-year-old Cuban American rapper, singer, songwriter, businessman and actor, born Armando Perez, has extended his global publishing deal with BMG.

Pitbull first signed to the company nearly a decade ago, and under the renewed partnership, his back catalog of hits and future songs will be administered by the BMG team.

Pitbull’s feel-good anthem “Give Me Everything,” featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer, hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated July 9 for one week in 2011, while “Timber,” his collaboration with Kesha, went to No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart on January 18, 2014, leading for three weeks.

Pitbull has sold more than 25 million studio albums and over 100 million singles worldwide. His music video have over 15 billion views on YouTube.

He has won one Grammy, one Latin Grammy, three Billboard Music Awards and nine Billboard Latin Music Awards.

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