Maria Becerra Signs with Wasserman Music for Worldwide Representation

Maria Becerra is expanding her world

The 23-year-old Argentine singer-songwriter has signed with Wasserman Music for representation worldwide (except Latin America).

Maria BecerraShe’ll be represented by agents Juan Toro and Ryan Soroka.

The deal caps off a significant 2023 for Becerra who in May signed a label deal with Warner Music Latina, in a joint venture with 300 Entertainment, followed by an exclusive administration deal with Warner Chappell Music in August.

In May, Becerra received the visionary award at the inaugural Billboard Latin Women in Music gala.

Becerra — known for fusing pop, cumbia villera, bachata and reggaeton — broke in 2019 with her EP 222.

Two years later, she released her debut album, Animal, featuring collaborations with artists such as Cazzu, Becky G and Tiago PZK. The set earned Becerra a Latin Grammy nomination for best urban music album.

Overall, Becerra has scored three entries on the Hot Latin Songs chart, including her J Balvin collaboration “Qué Más Pues?” She’s also claimed three top 10 spots on Latin Airplay, including two No. 1 hits: “Te Espero,” featuring Prince Royce and “Así Es La Vida” with Enrique Iglesias.

Notably, she holds the record for the most entries by a woman on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 with 43.

Most recently, Becerra sold out her upcoming March 23 show at the River Plate Stadium in her native Argentina in less than 90 minutes, making history in doing so.

Before her show at the fabled venue, which has a capacity of nearly 65,000, Becerra will perform at Viña del Mar in Chile on March 1.

Shakira Announces First-Ever Manuel Turizo-Collaboration “Copa Vacía,” Coming Out June 29

Shakira is dealing with an empty glass…

The 46-year-old Colombian superstar has joined voices with Manuel Turizo for the single “Copa Vacía,” which will be released on June 29.

Shakira“We made a movie,” the Colombian artists teased on social media of their first song together, sharing a poster that looks straight out of a movie with Shakira taking the role of a mermaid and Turizo as the prince.

The first time Shakira hinted at a new song was June 9, when she posted a photo of herself as a mermaid with the cryptic caption, “You want thingamabobs? I got twenty…,” a lyric from The Little Mermaid‘s “Part of Your World.”

But she didn’t offer anymore details, leaving fans wondering what she was up to.

Now, they know to expect a new song with “La Bachata” singer and a music video that promises to be a cinematic experience.

“Copa Vacía” will follow Shakira’s sweet song “Acróstico,” which is a love letter to her children.

The “Acróstico” music video, which dropped in May, features her two sons — Milan and Sasha — who sing and play the piano alongside her.

“This year Milan has written songs that have made me tear up and Sasha has dedicated hours playing the piano and discovering his voice,” Shakira wrote in Spanish on social media when the video dropped. “Both have spent some time with me in the studio and upon hearing this song, they’ve asked to be part of it. They’ve felt it and interpreted it in their own way and for themselves, with the same passion and emotion of a person who carries music within them.”

In May, Shakira was also honored at the inaugural Billboard Latin Women in Music gala as Woman of the Year, where she gave an emotional speech in which she acknowledged the hard times she’s been through, and thanked her mother, her friends and women in general.

Alejandra Guzmán Announces Joint “Eternas Tour” with Fey

Alejandra Guzmán is hittin’ the road with a fellow ‘90s Latin pop icon…

The 54-year-old Mexican musician, singer, composer and actress, nicknamed “La Reina de Corazones,” is joining forces wit Fey to launch a joint tour entitled Tour Eternas.

Alejandra Guzmán & FeyGuzman and the 49-year-old Mexican singer are considered two of the biggest Latin pop icons of the ’90s. For decades, they have maintained a strong presence in Latin pop/rock with their timeless hits.

Guzman and Fey officially announced their join tour via an Instagram Live with Billboard.

“We are excited, happy to celebrate one more day of life and career,” Guzman tells Billboard Latin’s social media manager Ingrid Fajardo. “The truth is that I am very thrilled about this day, to be able to invite everyone into our madness.”

“We are exploding in love, in emotion, in energy, and in music,” adds Fey.

The two idols, who were thrilled to reveal the news live, also mentioned exclusively that they will be releasing two singles together very soon, ahead of the tour that kicks off on May 4.

“Since we were given the chance to be onstage together, we both know and are clear on who we are,” says Guzmán. “We started to write and flow, we already have two songs together!”

“Hits are eternal. The music becomes eternal when it becomes the public’s,” continues Guzmán, alluding to the name of the upcoming tour.

Ozuna Teams Up with Tokischa to Release Equality Single “Somos Iguales”

Ozuna is celebrating equality with a special guest…

The 30year-old Puerto Rican singer and rapper has joined voices with Tokischa to release the new single for “Somos Iguales,” as well as the track’s music video.

Ozuna & Tokischa Ozuna and Tokischa met for the first time last year at an afterparty in the Dominican Republic and “we instantly clicked,” the urban artist said during an Instagram Live interview with Billboard Latin.

That great chemistry is now cemented on the new single, which features party-starting rhythms while sending a message of equality and inclusion.

“On the dance floor anything goes; here we are all the same,” says part of the lyric.

“I wanted to generalize that we are all the same,” Ozuna notes. “Things are not as complicated as before. There are many open-minded people nowadays.”

“Somos Iguales,” produced by DJ Luian, Mambo Kingz, Jowny and Hydro, is a and reggaeton dembow fusion that Ozuna has been working on for two years, even before he met Tokischa. He explains he was challenged with the song’s concept but immediately connected with the track when Tokischa sent her verse.

“Her project is fresh and something totally new for the music industry,” he explains.

“In person, she’s very smart, respectful, chill and creative.”

The track also samples the 1993 reggae dancehallRich Girl” by British duo Louchie Lou and Michie One. “This song is so special for me because it samples a very iconic track that forms part of our childhood,” Tokischa says.

The music video, helmed by Venezuelan director Nuno Gomes, brings the lyrics to life, showing the two artists breaking into a room where a meeting with leaders of different nations is held. In the end, the leaders, law enforcement and artists all end up dancing to the same rhythm.

Currently, each artist is ready to kick off their individual tours. Ozuna’s trek starts September 30 in New York, and Toki plans to visit fans in Mexico and return to the U.S. after her successful debut Popola Tour.

“It felt nice,” she expresses of touring outside of her country for the first time. “I missed my house, my family and food, but I loved connecting with so many people, especially the Dominican who’s chasing a dream in another country. It was a beautiful experience.”

 

Becky G & Karol G’s “Mamiii” Track Hits No. 1 on Six Billboard Latin Charts

It’s a hot mami-ment for Becky G and Karol G.

The 25-year-old Mexican American singer/rapper and the 31-year-old Colombian singer’s sew single “Mamiii” has hit No. 1 on two new Billboard Latin charts.

Becky G & Karol G

A week after conquering the Latin Pop Airplay chart (dated March 19), their first collaboration takes over the all-genre Latin Airplay chart as it jumps 3-1 on the March 26-dated ranking. It concurrently ascends 2-1 on Latin Rhythm Airplay.

With the move, “Mamiii” now tops six Latin charts concurrently: Hot Latin SongsLatin AirplayLatin Pop AirplayLatin Rhythm Airplay, Latin Digital Song Sales, and Latin Streaming Songs.

The previous instance of that six-chart simultaneous domination occurred almost three years ago when Daddy Yankee’s “Con Calma,” featuring Snow, topped all six of the May 25, 2019-dated tallies and the surveys dated June 15-29, 2019.

“Mamiii” ascends to lead Latin Airplay with an 11% increase in audience impressions, to 8.97 million, earned in the U.S. in the week ending March 20, according to MRC Data.

Karol G adds a 13th No. 1 in her 22nd appearance, the second-most for a woman after Shakira’s 15 leaders. Meanwhile, Becky G captures her fourth No. 1.

With the latest success, ‘Mamiii” joins a group of four other tracks which have ruled all six Latin charts concurrently in the last five years. Here’s a recap of the champs:

Title, Artist, Date Reached No. 1
“Chantaje,” Shakira featuring Maluma, Jan. 14, 2017
“Despacito,” Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, featuring Justin Bieber, March 25, 2017; April 8, 2017, April 22 – July-1, 2017
“Mi Gente,” J Balvin and Willy Williams, featuring Beyoncé, Oct. 21, 2017; Nov. 4-25, 2017
“Con Calma,” Daddy Yankee, featuring Snow, May 25, 2019; June 15-29, 2019
“Mamiii,” Becky G & Karol G, March 26, 2022

Thanks to its growing airplay across Latin stations in the U.S., “Mamiii” holds strong at the summit on the all-metric Hot Latin Songs chart despite a dip in both streams and digital sales for the tracking week ending in March 17. On the former, it registered 11.3 million U.S. clicks with a 2% decline, which removes it from the top 10 on the overall Streaming Songs survey (9-17) but enough to continue at the lead on Latin Streaming Songs. On the latter, it likewise holds steady at the penthouse with a little over 1,000 downloads sold.

Adding to Karol G’s triumph “Mamiii” becomes the first song to rule the hybrid Hot Latin Songs chart and three airplay charts (Latin Airplay, Latin Pop Airplay, and Latin Rhythm Airplay) in over two years. Who did it prior? Well, herself, as “Tusa,” with Nicki Minaj, led all four rankings on the Feb. 15, 2020-dated list.

Nicki Nicole & Maria Becerra Bring Girl Power to Tiago PZK & LIT Killah’s “Entre Nosotros” Remix

Nicki Nicole and Maria Becerra are bringing some girl power to Tiago PZK’s most recent single…

The 21-year-old Argentine rapper and singer and 21-year-old compatriot have joined voices with Tiago PZK (real name: Tiago Uriel Lezcano) and LIT Killah for the official remix of “Entre Nosotros.”

Nicki Nicole, Maria Becerra, LIT Killah, Tiago PZK

Released in the summer of 2021 via Mad Move Records/Warner Music Chile, the original track is a collaboration between Tiago and LIT, which has garnered more than 212 million views on YouTube and entered the Billboard Global 200 chart last year.

Now, the two artists have reeled in fellow Argentine stars Nicole and Becerra for a fiery remix.

Produced by Big One, the new version keeps its sultry R&B and rap fusion intact, but each artist shines in their own right with their powerhouse vocals.

“Entre Nosotros” is about a person who’s struggling to forget an ex-lover.

In the music video, helmed by director Ballve and producer Anestesia, all four artists appear to be battling their internal feelings and lying on stretchers inside a laboratory as a scientist experiments with each of their minds.

“Entre Nosotros’ is easily the most iconic song that I have until now,” Tiago, a former Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise, previously said. “It not only continues to top the charts in my country but it also opened many doors for me. Many artists and producers are interested in collaborating with me.”

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.

Alejandro Escovedo Earns First Entry on a Billboard Latin Chart with “La Cruzada”

Alejandro Escovedo is celebrating a special first…

The 69-year-old Mexican American rock musician has notched his first entry on any Billboard Latin chart as La Cruzada, with Don Antonio, arrives at No. 8 on the Latin Pop Albums chart (dated November 7) with 1,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending October 29, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data.

La Cruzada is the Spanish version of Escovedo’s 2018 album The Crossing, with Don Antonio, which bowed at No. 6 on the Heatseekers Albums chart and at No. 28 on the Rock Albums Sales charts in September 2018.

Alejandro is a member of the storied Escovedo music family, which includes his brothers Pete and Coke, and niece Sheila E.

“It’s been a while since I was on the charts,” Escovedo tells Billboard from his home in Austin, Texas. “To have this record on the chart is very rewarding, such a beautiful thing for me. It seems my whole lifetime has led to this record. This is kind of the epitome of what I always wanted to do and express. I love the concept of an album, I love the storytelling of an album, this one gave me an opportunity to fully express in a way that I don’t think I had in previous records.”

Escovedo’s The Crossing, with Italian band Don Antonio -fronted by multi-instrumentalist Antonio Garmantieri, was co-written with Garmantieri and recorded in Emilia-Romagna, Italy. Its Spanish version, La Cruzada, was released via Yep Roc/Redeye and pressed on red, white and green striped double vinyl exclusively for Record Store Day.

Two years after the release of its original English version, La Cruzada secures a spot on the Latin charts. “I thought the message had to be heard,” Escovedo adds. “My father was born in Saucillo, Mexico and crossed the border in 1907 when he was 12. I come from a musical family, my brother Pete and Coke Escovedo played for Santana, and Sheila E is my niece. The story of The Crossing and La Cruzada is really about my family, my father.”

He continues, “When (Donald) Trump came down the escalator and announced that some Mexicans were rapists and drug dealers I really took a stand, of course, as a lot of us probably did. I thought this is something that needs to be addressed. I’ve always tried to tell my Dad’s story, but I’ve never had a large Latin audience because I come from rock-and-roll, punk rock, and I sing in English.”

About La Cruzada’s 1,000 limited copies, Escovedo adds: “The record was just going to be a Record Store Day release in vinyl with the special packaging. Then the label was supposed to put it out as a general release for everyone on CD and vinyl, but because of Covid our tour was cancelled, and the release of the record was delayed. Not sure where that hangs right now with but hopefully with this Billboard attention they see there’s potential for a larger audience.”

“We used the same backing tracks we recorded for The Crossing,” Escovedo adds. “We translated the lyrics and Alex Ruiz, lead singer of band Del Castillo, recorded the vocals in Spanish at Rick del Castillo’s studio. I did some of the background vocals with him. I wanted Alex’s voice, though, I thought he could articulate the words in a way I probably wouldn’t because my Spanish isn’t that great.”

About the production of The Crossings Escovedo remembers: “My wife and I flew to Italy and spent a month making this record out there with Don Antonio. The distance somehow gave me the way of seeing the story and America in a different eye. Traveling is something I recommend, to see the world through other people’s eyes, to have a different view point.”

The album tells the tale of two boys — Diego from Mexico and Salva from Italy — who meet while working in a restaurant in Galveston, Texas to chase their American rock-and-roll dreams. La Cruzada gets the same treatment en español and earns Escovedo and Don Antonio their first top 10 on any Latin chart.

“It’s crazy!” Escovedo muses. “When my manager Randy gave me the news, it just went over my head and I didn’t understand it. I thought, ‘Oh, we’re going to do an interview with Billboard on the record,’ which I thought was wonderful, any attention is great. Then at the end of the conversation I said, ‘Tell me that again, what happened with the record?’ and he says: ‘You are No. 8 — in the top 10 — on the Latin Pop Albums chart.’ I flipped out; that’s something that’s never happened for me and this is a real blessing for us, it brought a lot of joy to another wise strange and dark and uncertain day.”

Maluma to Appear on Telemundo’s Pre-Billboard Latin Music Awards Special “Detrás de la Fama”

Maluma is about to get deep…

Telemundo has announced extensive coverage for the 2020 Billboard Latin Music Awards, with three television specials surrounding the highly anticipated ceremony set to take place Oct. 21, including one featuring the 26-year-old Colombian superstar.

Maluma, MichelobULTRA

Detrás de la Fama will air on October 17 at 10:00 pm ET and will feature exclusive and in-depth interviews with some of the stars of the Billboard Latin Music Awards, including Maluma, PitbullCarlos Vives and Becky G.

La Alfombra de Premios Billboard will air live on October 21 at 7:00 pm ET, showcasing the arrival of the stars on the red carpet.  For the first time in its history, La Alfombra will also feature musical performances with Dalex and Dímelo Flow set to perform.

To wrap up the 2020 Billboard Latin Music Awards coverage, Billboard: Acceso VIP will broadcast after the awards ceremony at 11:35 p.m. ET to present exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the awards show.

The complete list of finalists was announced earlier this year, with Bad Bunny and Ozuna leading the list with 14 mentions each. Daddy Yankee and J Balvin both have 12 finalist mentions; Anuel AA has 11; and Farruko has 10. See the complete list of finalists here.