Blessd Releases Virtual Reality Version His Hit Single “Quien TV”

Blessd is taking his recent hot a step further…

The 22-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter and rapper has released a virtual reality version of his 2021 hit “Quien TV,” marking Warner Music Latina’s first full VR video in Meta Horizon Worlds.

BlessdIn the more than three-minute video, Blessd is seen entering the recording studio and begins to chat with his love interest.

“Hi love, when can we see each other?” he asks. “Any time. I live in Horizon Worlds,” a character named Laura replies. After asking how he can get to her, a Meta Quest 2 system magically appears at the studio. Blessd wears the gear and is instantly transported to the virtual world, where he begins his journey to find Laura. Toward the end of the clip, a phone call interrupts Blessd and transports him back to his reality at the recording studio.

The video was brought together by Warner Music Latina, Blessd, Meta, NSpire Create Labs and Merc Holdings Inc. A two-dimensional version of the video will be available on Blessd’s Facebook page. “Quien TV” officially premiered December 6, 2021. A remix featuring Ryan Castro was released on January 27, 2022.

The virtual reality video comes on the heels of Blessd taking part in the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Week, where he joined Colombian hitmaker Ovy on the Drums in the “Making the Hit Live!” panel.

In a span of 30 minutes, the producer and the artist worked together to create a promising reggaeton track, on which Blessd improvised, singing lyrics about heartbreak. While the track — which they broke down as they were making it — was not completed due to the limited time, attendees encouraged the duo to release the song after hearing a teaser that left everyone in the room wanting more.

Click this link to watch the video on Facebook.

Romeo Santos Pledges $100,000 for Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief

Romeo Santos is pledging support for Puerto Rico…

The 41-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American singer-songwriter, known as The King of Bachata, will donate $100,000 for Puerto Rico hurricane relief.

Romeo Santos

Santos made the announcement during his Superstar Q&A at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Week, after learning that Billboard had partnered with the Red Cross to raise funds for Puerto Rico.

Billboard VP/Latin Industry Lead Leila Cobo initially asked Santos if it was true that he had pledged to donate $20,000.

“That’s very generous,” said Cobo.

“Puerto Rico has given a lot more than $20,000,” said Santos. “Let’s step it up. Let’s give $100,000!” he said, to loud applause.  The amount will include $30,000 pledged by his business partner, Artie Pabon.

Billboard’s chief marketing officer, Dana Droppo, announced on Monday, at the start of Latin Music Week, that Billboard would support disaster relief and recovery efforts from the hurricane in Puerto Rico by backing the American Red Cross with a donation using proceeds from Billboard Latin Music Week.

Brand partners, artists and executives were invited to donate, with Billboard’s parent company, Penske Media Corporation, matching donations up to $50,000.

Santos, who was born in New York to a Dominican father and Puerto Rican mother, heard about the donation efforts while he waited to take the stage for his Q&A session on Tuesday afternoon.

Before taking the stage, he informed his team that he was in for $20,000. Then, within minutes, he told Cobo he would up that sum to $100,000.

Hurricane Fiona teared through Puerto Rico last week, leaving millions without power or drinking water.

As recently as September 26, more than 700,000 people in Puerto Rico, nearly a fourth of the island’s population, still had no power, according to a report on newswire Reuters.

Grupo Firme to Take Part in ‘Superstar Panel’ During Billboard Latin Music Week

Grupo Firme will be taking part in this year’s Billboard Latin Music Week.

The Regional Mexican band will take part in one of the various superstar panels during the event, which will take place on September 26-30 at Miami’s Faena Forum.

Grupo FirmeFounded by Eduin Caz in Tijuana, Mexico, in 2013, Grupo Firme — which straddles the genres of banda and norteño — is comprised of Eduin’s brother Jhonny Caz, Abraham Hernández, Joaquín Ruiz, Christian Gutiérrez, José Rubio and Dylan Camacho.

Touring titans, in 2021, the band secured a historic booking at Los Angeles’ 20,000-capacity Staples Center as the first Latin act to perform the most shows in a single calendar year at the venue with seven sold-out concerts this summer. (The only other artist who has done more in one year is Adele, with eight performances in 2016.)

Grupo Firme joins the already announced star-studded lineup that includes Romeo SantosCamiloChayanneIvy QueenNicky JamEslabon ArmadoBizarrapBlessdYahritza Y Su EsenciaLuis R. ConriquezOvy on the Drums, Kunno, and The Rivera Family.

More participants will be announced in the weeks leading up to the 2022 Latin Music Week. Registration is now open at BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com.

For 30 years, Billboard Latin Music Week has been the longest running and biggest Latin music industry gathering in the world. After a sold-out 2021 edition that featured Q&As with Daddy Yankee and Karol G, as well as show-stopping performances by AnittaRauw Alejandro, and Natti Natasha, the event returns, coinciding with Hispanic Heritage Month.

Billboard Latin Music Week will also coincide with the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 29, in Miami. The Billboard Latin Music Awards will broadcast live on Telemundo, and will also broadcast simultaneously on the Spanish entertainment cable network, Universo, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

Bizarrap’s “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52” Collaboration with Quevedo Notches Second Week at No. 1 on Both Billboard Global 200 & Billboard Global Excl. U.S. Charts

Bizarrap is celebrating the global success of his latest single…

The 23-year-old Argentine record producer and DJ’s collaboration with Spain’s QuevedoBzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52” has notched a second week at No. 1 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts.

Bizarrap, Quevado, A week earlier, Bizarrap’s track became the first leader on the lists for each act. 

The two charts, which began in September 2020, rank songs based on streaming and sales activity culled from more than 200 territories around the world, as compiled by Luminate. The Billboard Global 200 is inclusive of worldwide data and the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart comprises data from territories excluding the U.S.

Chart ranks are based on a weighted formula incorporating official-only streams on both subscription and ad-supported tiers of audio and video music services, as well as download sales, the latter of which reflect purchases from full-service digital music retailers from around the world, with sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites excluded from the charts’ calculations.

“Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52” spends a second week at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 after it drew 92 million streams (up 4%) and sold 1,000 downloads (up 34%) worldwide in the July 22-28 tracking week.

“For me, he was the perfect bridge between the Argentine urban movement and the world,” Federico “Fede” Lauria, president of Bizarrap’s label, Dale Play Records, told Billboard last week of his 2019 signing of the artist whose “Sessions” series began in 2018. “You could already see his impact in Argentina. His sessions were already having an effect.”

“My music is now heard around the world, and it’s something that’s honestly just incredible,” marveled Quevedo, who noted that Bizarrap reached out to him via Instagram for their collaboration. “He told me he liked what I was doing and was hoping we could do music together. The timing was perfect because I was in Argentina recording. So, we decided to do the session then. We recorded the song [and] then just spent the day laughing and watching videos on YouTube.

“Whatever Bizarrap touches turns gold,” Quevedo further mused. “Also, the song is perfect for summer and festivals, and people can sing along and dance to it. Plus, I’m a new artist, so I think people are intrigued about what I’m doing.”

“Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52” by Bizarrap and Quevedo concurrently crowns the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart for a second week, with 86.7 million streams (up 2%) and 800 downloads sold (up 28%) in territories outside the U.S. in the July 22-28 tracking week. (Of the song’s global totals in that span, 94% of its streams and 79% of its sales were from beyond the U.S., slightly gaining domestically from respective splits of 96% and 82% a week earlier, as the track holds at No. 5 on the U.S.-based Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart and surges 20-13 on Hot Latin Songs.)

Bizarrap will speak at Billboard Latin Music Week, on September 26-30, at the Iconic Songwriter Q&A, presented by Sony Music Publishing.

Mike Bahia & Greeicy to Take Part in Tech-Themed Panel Discussion During Billboard Latin Music Week

Mike Bahia is opening up about love and tech…

The 35-year-old Colombian singer and enterprise administrator and Greeicy have been confirmed for this year’s Billboard Latin Music Week, which returns to Miami from September 20 to 25 with a weeklong event that unites the top Latin hitmakers, influencers, and executives, and features live performances and conversations with superstars.

Mike Bahia & Greeicy

In the “Tech and the Vanguard Music Couple” panel, moderated by Billboard Latin’s assistant editor Jessica Roiz, Bahia and the 28-year-old Colombian singer/actress, but multi-faceted stars and a real-life couple, will talk about how they’ve advanced their individually successful careers using distinctive approaches to music, tech, entrepreneurship, and, of course, love.

The star-studded 2021 Latin Music Week lineup — headlined by Daddy Yankee, Karol G, and Nicky Jam — also includes participation by Anitta, Lunay, Myke Towers, Natti Natasha, Rauw Alejandro, Tainy, and others.

Previously announced panels include “Coming Out Latin” with Raymix, Esteman, Erika Vidrio and Grupo Firme’s Jhonny Caz; “My Cause, My Music: A Conversation on Social Justice” with Yotuel Romero, Kany García and ChocQuibTown members Goyo and Tostao; “Regional No More – Mexican Music Goes Global” with Natanael Cano, Los Dos Carnales and Carin Leon, and moderated by Rancho Humilde’s Jimmy Humilde, and many more.

Under the slogan “The Beat of Latin Music,” making its mark as the longest running and biggest Latin music industry gathering in the world, this year’s event will continue through the end of the week as Billboard launches its En Vivo concert series.

Latin Music Week coincides with the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which will be broadcast live via Telemundo on September 23.

For more information, visit BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com.

Las Villa to Perform as Part of “The Rising Generation of Music” Showcase at Billboard Latin Music Week

Las Villa are on the rise…

The Colombian sister duo is among a new wave of artists set to take the stage during the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Week, which returns to Miami from September 20 to 25 with a weeklong event that unites the top Latin hitmakers, influencers, and executives, and features live performances and conversations with superstars.

Las Villa

Las Villa, along with indie Dominican newcomer The Change and the innovative Venezuelan rapper Micro TDH, have all been confirmed to perform as part of “The Rising Generation of Music” showcase presented by Warner Music Latina.

Las Villa will also form part of the “Women on the Rise” panel to discuss their music careers.

Registrants and attendees will be able to enjoy the event during Latin Music Week, taking place at 6:00 pm ET on Tuesday, September 21, at the Faena Forum main stage.

Under the slogan “The Beat of Latin Music,” making its mark as the longest running and biggest Latin music industry gathering in the world, this year’s event will continue through the end of the week as Billboard launches its En Vivo concert series.

Latin Music Week coincides with the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which will be broadcast live via Telemundo on September 23.

For more information, visit BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com.

Farruko to Take Part in “Moving Our Music Pa’lante” Panel at Billboard Latin Music Week

Farruko is movin’ pa’lante

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican singer and songwriter will take part in the “Moving Our Music Pa’lante” panel discussion, which is set to take place during Billboard Latin Music Week 2021.

Farruko

The event will return to Miami with a weeklong (September 20-25) event that unites the top Latin hitmakers, influencers and industry leaders, and features live performances and conversations with superstars.

Presented by HBO Max and moderated by Billboards Leila Cobo, the panel will explore how HBO Max creates and markets its slate of acquired Latin music films and documentaries, sharing their creative process and the strategies they use to deliver compelling content that resonates with fans across the U.S. and Latin America.

Panelists include Farruko; Edgar Martinez, svp entertainment, Loud and LiveJessica Vargas, director of multicultural marketing, HBO Max/HBO; and Leslie Cohen, senior vp content acquisitions for WarnerMediaHBO Max/HBO.

Other recently announced panels include “Mano a Mano” with Rauw Alejandro and Myke Towers, during which both chart-topping artists will discuss new projects, upcoming tours and the challenges and advantages for the new wave of reggaetón artists; “Making the Hit, Live” masterclass with Lunay and his longtime producers Chris Jedi and Gaby Music; and the “Coming Out Latin” panel with Raymix, Esteman, Erika Vidrio and Jhonny Caz of Grupo Firme for an insightful and heartfelt conversation on the challenges and rewards of coming out as a Latin music act.

Under the slogan “The Beat of Latin Music,” making its mark as the longest running and biggest Latin music industry gathering in the world, this year’s event will continue through the end of the week as Billboard launches its En Vivo concert series.

The 2021 Latin Music Week will take place from September 20 to 25 at the Faena Forum in Miami, and coincides with the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards broadcasting live via Telemundo on Sept. 23.

To register and for more information, visit BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com.

Nicky Jam to Bring “Rockstar Show” to Billboard Latin Music Week, with Jhay Cortez as Special Guest

Nicky Jam is bringing his (Rockstar) Show on the road…

The 40-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American will bring his talk show Rockstar Show live to Billboard Latin Music Week, and he’s booked Jhay Cortez as his special guest.

Nicky Jam

The intimate experience is set to take place on September 22 exclusively for Billboard Latin Music Week registrants, with capacity limited.

Nicky Jam’s talk show, his passion project, launched in January with Maluma as his first guest.

Daddy YankeeKarol G and Nicky Jam are also confirmed for Billboard’s 2021 Latin Music Week, returning to Miami in September with a weeklong event that unites the top Latin hitmakers, influencers and industry leaders, and features live performances and conversations with superstars.

Latin Music Week will feature one-of-a-kind performances, panels, conversations and more with the aforementioned artists. Karol G will take center stage in The Superstar Q&A on September 21 for an in-depth conversation about her career, music, love and upcoming projects.

On September 22, fans will get up close and personal with Yankee as he discusses his 25-year career that launched reggaetón around the world in the second installment of The Superstar Q&A. The Puerto Rican hitmaker is also set to perform for a Billboard En Vivo concert that night at the Faena Forum exclusive to Billboard Latin Music Week registrants.

Other recently announced panels include “My Cause, My Music: A Conversation on Social Justice” with Cuban artist/activist Yotuel Romero, Puerto Rican star Kany García and ChocQuibTown members (and husband and wife) Goyo and Tostao; “Making the Hit, Live” masterclass with Lunay and his longtime producers Chris Jedi and Gaby Music; and “Regional No More– Mexican Music Goes Global” with Eslabon Armado, Los Dos Carnales and Carin Leon, which is moderated by Rancho Humilde‘s Jimmy Humilde.

For the first time, Billboard will launch a virtual streaming experience in partnership with LIVENow, offering viewing opportunities to international audiences. Passes for the livestream can now be purchased here. The star-studded 2021 Latin Music Week lineup also includes participation by García, Anitta, Elena RoseMyke TowersRauw Alejandro, EstemanRaymix, and Tainy, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.

Under the slogan “The Beat of Latin Music,” making its mark as the longest running and biggest Latin music industry gathering in the world, this year’s event will continue through the end of the week as Billboard launches its En Vivo concert series.

Nicky Jam to Launch ‘Infinity Tour’ Next February

Nicky Jam is heading back on the road…

The 40-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American rapper, singer and songwriter is returning to touring in his first official post-pandemic tour to kick off in early 2022.

Nicky Jam

Entitled the Infinity Tour after his upcoming studio album, which is set to be released this year, Nicky Jam will visit major cities across the U.S. and Canada, starting February 3, 2022, at Boston’s Agganis Arena.

He’ll then make pit stops in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, before wrapping up March 27 at the WAMU Theatre in Seattle.

“Thank you, God, for allowing us to tour again. I’ll wait for you there,” the reggaeton artist, rapper and actor told his more than 41 million followers on Instagram.

On the tour, presented by CMN Events, Nicky will sing some of his biggest hits as well as his upcoming releases live for the first time.

Tickets are officially on sale via CMNevents.com.

In addition, Nicky Jam is set to headline the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Week, returning to Miami in September with a weeklong event that unites the top Latin hitmakers, influencers and executives, and features live performances and conversations with superstars. For more information and registration, visit billboardlatinmusicweek.com.

Here’s a list of the full tour dates and venues:

February 3, 2022 — Boston @ Agganis Arena
February 5, 2022 — New York @ United Palace
February 10, 2022 — Atlanta @ Coca-Cola Roxy
February 11, 2022 — Chicago @ Rosemont Theatre
February 25, 2022 — Toronto @ Coca-Cola Coliseum
February 27, 2022 — Montreal @ Place Bell
March 3, 2022 — Orlando @ Amway Center
March 12, 2022 — Houston @ Smart Financial Center
March 13, 2022 — Hidalgo @ Payne Arena
March 19, 2022 — Ontario @ Toyota Arena
March 20, 2022 — Los Angeles @ Forum
March 25, 2022 — San Jose @ SAP Center
March 27, 2022 — Seattle @ WAMU Theatre

https://twitter.com/NickyJamPR/status/1427272960893669376

Natti Natasha to Take Part in Special Motherhood Talk During This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Week

Natti Natasha is opening up about being a new mom…

The 34-year-old Dominican singer and songwriter will be taking part in a special talk entitled “There’s No Hood Like Motherhood” at this year’s Billboard Latin Music Week.

Natti Natasha

Returning to Miami in September, the weeklong event unites the top Latin hitmakers, influencers and industry leaders, and features live performances and conversations with superstars.

Natti Natasha will appear alongside Telemundo’s Adamari López for a candid conversation on wellness, babies and superstardom.

The “Antes Que Salga El Sol” singer gave birth to her first child, a baby girl named Vida Isabelle, in May with longtime manager and fiancé Raphy Pina of Pina Records.

Recently announced panels include the “Mano a Mano” panel with Rauw Alejandro and Myke Towers, during which both chart-topping artists will discuss new projects, upcoming tours and the challenges and advantages for the new wave of reggaetón artists; “Making the Hit, Live” masterclass with Lunay and his longtime producers Chris Jedi and Gaby Music; and the “Coming Out Latin” panel with Raymix, Esteman, Erika Vidrio and Johnny Caz of Grupo Firme for an insightful and heartfelt conversation on the challenges and rewards of coming out as a Latin music act.

The star-studded 2021 Latin Music Week lineup — headlined by Daddy Yankee, Karol G and Nicky Jam — also includes participation by Anitta, Elena Rose, Myke Towers, Nicki Nicole, Rauw Alejandro, Esteman, Raymix, Kany García, Tainy and Tini, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.

The 2021 Latin Music Week will take place from September 20 to 24 at the Faena Forum in Miami and coincides with the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards broadcasting live via Telemundo on September 23.

To register and for more information, visit BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com.