Shakira to Receive Video Vanguard Award at This Year’s MTV Video Music Awards

Posted on August 28, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira is being celebrated for leading the way…

The 46-year-old Colombian superstar singer-songwriter will receive the Video Vanguard Award at MTV‘s 2023 Video Music Awards on September 12, becoming the first South American artist to earn the award.

Shakira will accept the award and perform at the ceremony for the first time since 2006.

The “Hips Don’t Lie” singer is a four-time VMA winner and 30-time nominee.

She won her first VMA — the award for International Viewer’s Choice — Latin America (North) — in 2000 for “Ojos Así.” She snagged the same award in 2002 for “Whenever, Wherever/Suerte” and also scooped up the trophy for Best Choreography in a Video for 2006’s “Hips Don’t Lie” as well as Most Earth-Shattering Collaboration for 2007’s “Beautiful Liar” with Beyoncé.

Shakira has also earned three Grammys and 12 Latin Grammys in her career.

The Video Vanguard Award, named after Michael Jackson, went to Nicki Minaj last year. Previous winners include Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Kanye West, David Bowie, Madonna and Rihanna. The Beatles and A Hard Day’s Night director Richard Lester won the award at the first VMAs in 1984.

Shakira is nominated for four VMAs this year: Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration and Best Latin for “TQG” with Karol G, and Best Latin for “Acróstico.”

Earlier this year, her hit collaboration with Bizarrap, “Music Sessions Vol. 53,” set a number of streaming records on Spotify and YouTube.

Shakira first performed at the VMAs in 2002 with her rendition of “Objection (Tango),” and was the first artist to perform a song entirely in Spanish at the ceremony alongside Alejandro Sanz when they sang “La Tortura” in 2005.

Taylor Swift leads this year’s VMA nominations with eight, while SZA comes in second with six nominations. Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat, Miley Cyrus, Sam Smith, Olivia Rodrigo and Kim Petras each have five nominations, and Blackpink and Diddy tie Shakira’s four. Demi Lovato, Karol G, Måneskin, and Stray Kids are confirmed to perform at the ceremony, with MTV announcing more performers soon.

Juliana Velásquez Signs Distribution Deal with Warner Music México in Alliance with MUN Entertainment

Posted on August 7, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Juliana Velásquez has a new deal…

The 25-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter, a Best New Artist Latin Grammy winner, has signed a distribution deal with Warner Music México in alliance with MUN Entertainment.

The partnership is aimed at broadening Velásquez’s reach.

The Colombian singer-songwriter — one of Billboard’s Latin Artists to Watch in 2022 — will continue to have creative control over her project.

“I greatly admire Juliana. Her talent and creativity are impressive,” said Warner Music Andes MD Daniel Mora in a statement. “I have witnessed her incredible evolution as an artist and the connection she establishes with both her fans and with the general public. Her voice is simply captivating and has the power to win over everyone who listens to it. We are extremely excited to be a part of her journey and continue to witness how her art continues to flourish.”

Warner Music Mexico GM of artist strategy Alejandro Mejia added: “We are very happy that Juliana and her team have trusted Warner Music at this stage of their career. We are proud to be able to help them reap the successes they have been working on for years in Colombia and to be a fundamental part of those that will sow in other territories, where we are sure that he will continue to captivate with his enormous talent and charisma.”

Velásquez has released two studio albums: Juliana (2021) and Dos, Dos, Dos (2022). In 2021, she won the coveted best new artist award at the Latin Grammys, where she was one of 10 newcomers in the hard-to-predict category that also included Paloma Mami, Bizarrap, Boza and María Becerra.

“My acting and singing career began when I was very little. I was four years old when I entered a theater academy in Colombia […] That academy became my home,” Velásquez previously told Billboard. “Officially, I began singing and acting when I was seven years old and since then I haven’t stopped. I learned to write songs because when we were practicing for our musicals, I heard the lyrics and thought it was magical that you could tell stories via music. So, I’d go home after rehearsals and write my own version of the songs we had rehearsed.”

Velásquez is currently making the rounds with “Cuando Te Encuentre,” her debut single under the new signing which is part of her forthcoming studio album Mar Adentro.

Shakira Becomes First Artist to Hold Top Three Spots on Billboard’s Latin Pop Airplay Chart in Single Week

Posted on July 29, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira has earned another mention in the Latin music record books…

The 46-year-old Colombian superstar has become the first artist to occupy the top three ranks on Billboard’s Latin Pop Airplay chart in a single week.

On the survey dated July 29, “TQG,” with Karol G, holds strong at No. 1 for a 10th week; Shakira’s own “Acróstico” rises 3-2, returning to its best rank; and the Colombian superstar’s latest single “Copa Vacía,” with Manuel Turizo, advances 4-3 for a new high.

The Latin Pop Airplay chart, which began in 1994, reflects weekly audience impressions from a panel of over 150 Latin-formatted U.S. radio stations, as monitored by Mediabase, which provides Luminate data for Billboard charts.)

Despite “TQG” dipping 7% in audience impressions to 8.6 million in the latest tracking week, ending July 20, the team-up’s 10 weeks at No. 1 mark the second-most of 2023 – trailing only another Shakira song: Her Bizarrap collab “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” dominated for 12 weeks beginning in February (and currently holds at No. 7).

As “Acróstico” and “Copa Vacía” ascend to Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, radio airplay continues to grow for the songs. “Acróstico” takes the runner-up slot with a 2% gain in audience impressions, to 5.7 million, while “Copa Vacia” rises with a 33% boost, to 5.4 million, procuring the track the week’s Greatest Gainer honor.

Previously, Shakira and 16 other acts had held the top two on Latin Pop Airplay simultaneously.

The full list of such artists: Rauw Alejandro, Bad Bunny, Camilo, Daddy Yankee, Luis Fonsi, Juan Luis Guerra 440, Enrique Iglesias, J Balvin, Juanes, Karol G, Maluma, Nicky Jam, Don Omar, Ozuna, Pitbull, Shakira and Tainy.

Shakira: The Big Winner at This Year’s Premios Juventud with Eight Awards

Posted on July 21, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira is celebrating an impressive award haul…

The 46-year-old Colombian superstar proved to be the big winner of the night at this year’s Premios Juventud, collecting eight awards., including Premios Juventud Female Artist.

Shakira’s hit collaboration with Bizarrap, “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” was named Best Pop/Urban Song and Best Song for My Ex, while her Karol G-collab “TQG”took home the trophies for Girl Power, Best Urban Track, Best Pop/Urban Collaboration and Social Dance Challenge.

“The best luck I’ve had is with my fans. You inspire me to be better and to never give up,” said Shakira, who was there with her two children, Milan and Sasha. “To be honest, when I had self-doubt, you made me believe in myself again. When I feel fragile, you give me strength. You’ve protected me, you’ve been loyal. You celebrate my joy and are with me in my struggles. It’s because of you I want to be a better musician, a better person.”

Shakira was also awarded with the Agent of Change Award. Another recipient of that same award was Camila Cabello, who spoke passionately about climate change and the importance of taking action toward environmental justice.

Colombian singer Karol G and Mexican artist Peso Pluma followed Shakira with both winning five awards each.

This year’s Premios Juventud — which aired live on Univision — debuted 15 new categories that “reflect the latest trends” in Latin music.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

Best Pop Album: Haashtag – Ha*Ash
Best Pop/Urban Song: “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53 “- Bizarrap & Shakira
Girl Power: “TQG” – Karol G & Shakira
Premios Juventud Female Artist: Shakira
Female Artist On The Rise: Danna Paola
Premios Juventud Male Artist: Peso Pluma
Favorite Group or Duo of The Year: Ha*Ash
New Generation – Female Artist: Kenia Os
New Generation – Male Artist: Bizarrap
New Generation – Regional Mexican: Peso Pluma
Male Artist On The Rise: Eladio Carrion
My Favorite Streaming Artist: Karol G
The Best Beatmakers: Bizarrap
Best Song By a Couple: “Beso” – Rosalía & Rauw Alejandro
Best Song For My Ex: “Shakira: BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 53” – Bizarrap & Shakira — SHAKIRA
OMG Collaboration: “Despechá RMX” – Rosalía & Cardi B
Best Urban Track: “TQG” – Karol G & Shakira
Best Urban Mix: “Hey Mor” — Ozuna & Feid
Best Urban Album – Male: Un Verano Sin Ti – Bad Bunny
Best Urban Album – Female: Mañana Será Bonito – Karol G
Best Dembow Song: “To’ Esto Es Tuyo” – Natti Natasha
Best Dembow Collaboration: “Delincuente” – Tokischa, Anuel AA & Ñengo Flow
Best Trap Song: “Coco Chanel” – Eladio Carrión & Bad Bunny
Pop Track Of The Year: “Bailé Con Mi Ex” – Becky G
Pop Mix Of The Year: “Contigo” – Sebastián Yatra & Pablo Alborán
Best Pop/Urban Collaboration: “TQG” – Karol G & Shakira
Best Pop/Urban Album: Motomami+ – Rosalía
Best Regional Mexican Song: “Ella Baila Sola” – Eslabon Armado & Peso Pluma
Best Regional Mexican Collaboration: “PRC” – Peso Pluma & Natanael Cano
Best Regional Mexican Fusion: Un X100to” – Grupo Frontera & Bad Bunny
Best Regional Mexican Album: Sembrando – Peso Pluma
Tropical Hit: “La Bachata” – Manuel Turizo
Tropical Mix: “Monotonía” – Shakira & Ozuna
Best Tropical Album: Fórmula, Vol. 3 – Romeo Santos
Hottest Choreo: “Mayor Que Usted” – Natti Natasha, Daddy Yankee & Wisin Y Yandel
Video With The Most Powerful Message: “La Reina” – Maluma
I Want More: Kenia Os
Couples That Blow Up My Social: Rosalía Y Rauw Alejandro
Best Fandom: Keninis – Kenia Os
Social Dance Challenge: “TQG” – Karol G & Shakira
My Favorite Trendsetter: Bad Bunny

Rauw Alejandro Releases Fourth Studio Album “Playa Saturno”

Posted on July 9, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Rauw Alejandro is embracing the sounds of summer…

The 3-0-year-old Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and actor, known as the “King of Modern Reggaeton,” has released his fourth studio album Playa Saturno.

While Alejandro had hinted at dropping the album in the summer, the actual release was a surprise to fans as the artist had never revealed exactly when he planned to put out the project.

Spanning 14 tracks, Playa Saturno is a “spinoff” of Saturno, which was just released in January.

The LP opens with a gentle intro, hearing Alejandro sing softly over simple guitar chords. Things speed up, however, on the ensuing track “CUANDO BAJE EL SOL.”

Playa Saturno also features a lineup of exciting collaborations, including Ñejo y Dálmata, Jowell y Randy and Ivy Queen.

Bizarrap makes a guest appearance on the previously released “Baby Hello,” while other standout features come from Miguel Bose and Junior H.

Yng Lvcas & Peso Pluma Earn First No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Rhythm Airplay Chart with “La Bebe”

Posted on June 22, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Yng Lvcas is celebrating a bebe-sized hit…

The 23-year-old Mexican reggaeton singer and his “La Bebe” collaborator, Peso Pluma, have achieved their first No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Rhythm Airplay chart as “La Bebe” advances from No. 2 to lead the list dated June 24.

It’s the first team-up where both artists secure their first champ in 2023, and the first since Bizarrap and Quevedo led with “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52” in 2022.

“La Bebe” takes the lead with 9.4 million audience impressions, a 19% gain from the week prior, earned in the U.S. during the June 9-15 tracking period, according to Luminate.

The new champ on Latin Rhythm Airplay arrives after “La Bebe” topped Latin Digital Song Sales for one week on the April 15-dated ranking. Plus, the song previously reached a No. 2 high on the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts, on Hot Latin Songs, and on Latin Streaming Songs.

As “La Bebe” becomes the reigning champ on Latin Rhythm Airplay, it earns both Lvcas and Pluma their first No. 1, who also secured their maiden entry when the song debuted in the upper half of the ranking (at No. 14) in April.

Previously, both Bizarrap and Quevedo completed the feat when “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52” crowned Latin Rhythm Airplay for eight weeks starting the October 29, 2022-dated survey.

Further, Yng Lvcas and Pluma are only the third and fourth acts to capture a first leader on the chart in 2023, following Maldy and Baby Rasta’s prior victories through “Gatubela” with Karol G, and “Punto 40” with Rauw Alejandro on the January 7 and January 28-dated lists, respectively.

Elsewhere, “La Bebe” pushes up the overall Latin Airplay tally, to its No. 3 high.

Bizarrap Announces Rauw Alejandro-Collaboration, “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 56,” Due This Week

Posted on June 21, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Bizarrap is back with another all-star collaboration…

The 24-year-old Argentine DJ and record producer has partnered with Rauw Alejandro on his latest collaboration, “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 56,” due out this week.

The track arrives only three weeks after Bizarrap released “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 55” with Peso Pluma

“What a joy it gives me to finally release music together my brother,” Biza expressed on his Instagram stories, tied to a short video announcement where Biza is seen surprising a select group of fans who are listening to the track for the first time in a booth in Madrid, Spain.

“Rauw Alejandro: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 56″—filmed in Biza’s blue-hued recording studio—is a catchy techno track where the Puerto Rican artist sings about two people who are single and desire each other.

“I’m alone and you’re alone / you want to taste me and I want to eat you all,” he chants in the sensual chorus. At the end of the track, the artists hint that a second collaborative effort is dropping this week.

“Rauw Alejandro x Bizarrap, ‘Baby Hello,’” reads the text with the June 23 date.

The new session comes on the heels of Biza and Peso’s heartbreak corrido that hit No. 1 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart dated June 17 and No. 5 on the Hot Latin Songs chart that same week.

Earlier this year, Biza earned his first No. 1 hit with the Shakira-assisted “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” a powerful EDM track where the Colombian artist didn’t hold back and is as blunt as ever about her ex, Spanish soccer star Gerard Piqué.

The dis track also peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Rauw now joins a star-studded roster of artists who have dropped Bzrp Music Sessions including Arcángel, Nicky Jam, Residente, Nicki Nicole, Nathy Peluso, and Anuel AA, to name a few.

Peso Pluma to Drop New Album “Genesis” in Late June

Posted on June 13, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Peso Pluma is returning with new music this month…

The 24-year-old Mexican singer/songwriter will drop his new album, Genesis, on June 22, the Regional Mexican star has announced.

The “Por Las Noches” singer also unveiled the set’s star-studded tracklist with songs featuring some of his go-to collaborators such as Natanael Cano, Junior H, Luis R Conriquez and Jasiel Nuñez.

While it’s not his debut album — the Guadalajara-born artist released Ah Y Qué? in 2020 and a year later Efectos Secundarios — it feels like a momentous LP given the winning streak that has catapulted him to the top of the charts in the last few months.

Rapidly becoming a household name in the U.S. and beyond, Peso has now become the first artist to dominate both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global 200 Excl. U.S. simultaneously with two different songs: The blockbuster hit “Ella Baila Sola” with Eslabon Armado and his unprecedented “BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 55” with Bizarrap, which dropped in May.

The album announcement comes weeks after his collab with Argentine producer Bizarrap who, thanks to Peso, experiments with regional Mexican music for the first time for one of his music sessions.

The song scored the Mexican singer his ninth top 10 song on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart. Elsewhere, “BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 55” makes its No. 31 debut on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 ranking dated June 17.

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Peso Pluma is currently on his first-ever U.S. tour. The Live Nation-produced stint kicked off in April and will make stops in Nashville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Chicago.

Bizarrap Named to Time Magazine’s 2023 Next Generation Leaders List

Posted on May 29, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Bizarrap is leading the next generation through his music…

The 24-year-old Argentine DJ, producer and hitmaker has been named to Time magazine’s 2023 “Next Generation Leaders” list this week, which spotlights 10 global trendsetters and trailblazers.

Bizarrap can usually be spotted in the background of his videos, back to the camera, shades obscuring his eyes, giving the floor—or, more accurately, the mic—to the artists he invites on the mega-popular YouTube music video series he started four years ago.

In an article titled “Viral Hitmaker Bizarrap Wants His Music to Speak for Itself,” Bizarrap—known for his fiery “BZRP Music Sessions” with Shakira, Nicky Jam, Quevedo and Nathy Peluso, to name a few—opened up to about the importance of people getting to know his music.

“I make music every day,” he told TIME. “I like thinking about ideas for my videos, making teasers. I’m always thinking about the next step.”

His numbers are impressive: 7.2 billion views on YouTube, 41.8 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Several of his videos and songs have hundreds of millions of views and streams. And Bizarrap, real name Gonzalo Julián Conde, has done it all without releasing an album.

But Bizarrap isn’t the only Latinx artist to be named to the list…

Rene Silva, a Brazilian journalist, is highlighted for launching his own newspaper covering the entire favela, as Brazil’s informal neighborhoods are known, at the age of 11.In 2005,

Silva persuaded teachers at his school in the Complexo de Alemão district to let him join the student newspaper—despite protests from older kids who thought he was too young. Within months he outgrew that gig, recruiting four other children to help him launch his own newspaper.

“I used to look through papers and I didn’t see the favela I knew represented,” he says. “The media only ever talked about drug trafficking, violence, death—so people from outside thought that’s all there is here.”

Eighteen years later, Voz  das Comunidades continues to chip away at those stereotypes. Now formally recognized as an NGO, it has 35 staff members who cover stories on culture, politics, sports, education, and problems of state neglect.

Click here to see the complete list.

Bad Bunny Earns Second No. 1 on Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. Charts with Grupo Frontera-Collab “Un x100to”

Posted on May 1, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Bad Bunny is back atop the global charts…

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican superstar’s Grupo Frontera-collaboration “Un x100to” rises to No. 1 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts dated May 6.

It’s the second leader for Bad Bunny on each list and the first for Grupo Frontera.

The track is the second Global 200 No. 1 and first Global Excl. U.S. leader for the Regional Mexican genre — as it dethrones the first such No. 1 on the former chart: Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma’s “Ella Baila Sola” jumped to the top of the Global 200 a week earlier.

Meanwhile, thanks to “Un x100to,” “Ella Baila Sola” and Yng Lvcas and Peso Pluma’s “La Bebe,” Regional Mexican (and Spanish-language) songs rank at Nos. 1, 2 and 3 simultaneously on both charts for the first time since the surveys began in September 2020.

Grupo Frontera and Bad Bunny’s “Un x100to” leaps from No. 5 to No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200, with 110.2 million streams (up 64%) and 4,000 sold (down 13%) worldwide April 21-27.

Bad Bunny adds his second, after “Dákiti,” with Jhay Cortez (now Jhayco), led for three weeks in November-December 2020.

It’s also the fifth all-Spanish-language leader on the list, after “Ella Baila Sola”; Karol G and Shakira’s “TQG,” which ruled for a week upon its debut in March; Bizarrap and Quevedo’s “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52” (four weeks, 2022); and “Dakiti.”

“Ella Baila Sola” drops to No. 2 on the Global 100, although up 9% to 104.2 million streams and 5% to 3,000 sold worldwide.

Yng Lvcas and Peso Pluma’s “La Bebe” holds at its No. 3 Global 200 best.

Grupo Frontera and Bad Bunny’s “Un x100to” concurrently climbs 4-1 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart, with 82.3 million streams (up 73%) and 1,000 sold (up 17%) outside the U.S. April 21-27.

Grupo Frontera earns its first Global Excl. U.S. No. 1, while Bad Bunny tallies his second, after “Dakiti” (five weeks, November-December 2020).

“Un x100to” becomes the Global Excl. U.S. chart’s first Regional Mexican No. 1.

It’s additionally the sixth all-Spanish-language leader on the ranking, after Karol G and Shakira’s “TQG,” which reigned for a week upon its debut in March; Bizarrap and Quevedo’s “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52” (six weeks, 2022); Anitta’s “Envolver” (one, 2022); “Dakiti”; and Maluma and The Weeknd’s “Hawái” (one, 2020).

Peso Pluma ranks at Nos. 2 and 3 on Global Excl. U.S.: “Ella Baila Sola,” with Eslabon Armado, holds at its No. 2 high and “La Bebe,” with Yng Lvcas, keeps at No. 3, also after reaching No. 2.

As on the Global 200, thanks to “Un x100to,” “Ella Baila Sola” and “La Bebe,” Regional Mexican, and Spanish-language, songs rank at Nos. 1-3 simultaneously for the first time since the Global Excl. U.S. chart originated.

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

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.

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