Karol G Performs Colombia’s National Anthem at 2024 Copa America Final

Karol G isn’t afraid to show her patriotism…

The 33-year-old Colombian singer performed Colombia’s national anthem at the 2024 Copa America final on Sunday evening, while Abel Pintos sang Argentina’s national anthem.

Karol GAs tradition holds, the national anthems of each country is performed ahead of the big game.

Karol G rocked a signature Colombian jersey and black leather skirt with knee-high boots as she was accompanied by a roaring crowd.

Meanwhile, Pintos — dressed in a royal blue suit — performed the anthem backed by a passionate and emotional team who sang along.

Pintos and Karol G were not the only music stars present at the soccer tournament.

Maluma, Feid, Ryan Castro and Blessd were also spotted at the stands in support of their national team.

Both the Colombian and Argentine national teams proved to be the best in the field since the soccer tournament began on June 20, eliminating other strong countries like Brazil, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Maluma Partners with Blessd to Release Six-Track EP “1 of 1”

Maluma is getting a special assist on his next musical venture…

The 30-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter and Blessd have released their first-ever joint EP called 1 of 1.

Maluma, Blessd

The six-track production includes the title track, “Call Me,” “Oe Bebé,” “Manrique,” “Sisas Nada” feat. Hades66 and “Goyard/GTA.

The album was co-produced by MadMuscik and The RudeBoyz, and best represents Medellín’s reggaetón, swagger and vibrant culture.

“A full production between two Colombian artists had never been done before,” Maluma said in a press statement. “If it’s the first, it can’t be done twice.”

Maluma and Blessd’s friendship began in 2021 when the two Medellín-based acts released “Imposible (Remix),” a saucy reggaeton song by then-newcomer Blessd that became a viral hit on social media and on local Colombian radio stations and in clubs. Since, and prior to dropping their joint EP, they released bangers such as “La Nueva en el Mapa” and “El Reloj.”

“He [Maluma] wants to raise the flag,” Blessd, a former Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise, previously told Billboard. “There is no other artist like him helping those of us who are emerging so much. He’s doing a job that no one else has done. I respect him as an artist and triple as a person because of that.”

Beyond a collaborative set, the two Colombian artists want to encourage every aspiring artist—especially those who reside in the barrios of Medellín—to dream big and work hard for their dreams.

“This work will have a very positive impact,” both acts affirm. “We’ve had dreams since we were kids and seeing that they can come true is a source of pride for those who see us as role models.”

Blessd & Feid Lead Latest Billboard Latin Airplay Chart with “Si Sabe Ferxxo”

Blessd has another chart-topper on his hands…

The 24-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter and rapper, whose real name is Stiven Mesa Londoño. and Feid combine forces atop Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart, as the pair’s first collaboration “Si Sabe Ferxxo“ climbs from No. 7 to lead the list dated June 1.

Blessd & FeidThe new champ is the second team-up by two Colombian artists to rule the overall Latin radio tally in less than a year, after Shakira and Manuel Turizo united at No. 1 through “Copa Vacía” (one week in charge) in October 2023.

Si Sabe Ferxxo” is one of eight collaborative cuts from Blessd’s 14-track album, Si Sabe, which earned the 24-year-old his first entry on any Billboard albums chart, debuting and reaching No. 29 and No. 15 high on the Top Latin Albums and Latin Rhythm Albums charts dated February 10, respectively.

The song advances to the chart’s summit with a 28% gain in audience impressions, up to 8.5 million, earned in the U.S. during the May 17-23 tracking week, according to Luminate.

With “Si Sabe Ferxxo,” Blessd achieves his second No. 1 on Latin Airplay, following his three-way collab “Medallo,” with Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavarez, in May 2022.

For Feid, “Si Sabe Ferxxo” becomes the hitmaker’s eighth No. 1 on the overall radio ranking, which began with “Porfa,” featuring J Balvin, Maluma, Nicky Jam, Sech and Justin Quiles, climbing to No. 1 in August 2020.

Here’s his collection of champs:

Peak, Title, Artist, Weeks at No. 1
Aug. 29, 2020, “Porfa,” with J Balvin, Maluma, Nicky Jam, Sech & Justin Quiles, one
March 4, 2023, “Hey Mor,” with Ozuna, one
April 15, 2023, “Yandel 150,” Yandel, four
Aug. 19, 2023, “Niña Bonita,” with Sean Paul, one
Jan. 13, 2024, “Bubalu,” with Rema, two
April 20, 2024, “Perro Negro,” with Bad Bunny, one
May 4, 2024, “Luna,” with Atl Jacob, two
June 1, 2024, “Si Sabe Ferxxo,” with Blessd, one

As “Si Sabe Ferxxo” rises to No. 1, it unseats another Warner Latina song from the summit: Myke Towers’ “La Capi” dips 1-5 with a 25% decrease in audience impressions, to 7.71 million.

Elsewhere, thanks to its radio haul, “Si Sabe Ferxxo” rises 36-31 with the Greatest Gainer/Airplay honors of the week on the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart, which combines airplay, digital sales and streaming data.

Bad Bunny Leads Pack of Latin American Music Awards Nominees with 11 Nods

Bad Bunny is the artist to beat at this year’s Latin American Music Awards.

The nominations for the 2023 Latin AMAs have been revealed, with the 29-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and singer leading the pack with 11 nominations, including artist of the year, song of the year and album of the year.

Bad BunnyBad Bunny is still riding high off his Billboard 200 chart-topping album Un Verano Sin Ti and hit single “Me porto bonito.”

Bad Bunny is followed by Becky G and Daddy Yankee, each with nine nominations; and with eight nods each are Grupo Frontera, Karol G, Rauw Alejandro, Romeo Santos and Rosalía, to name a few.

Additionally, Bizarrap, Blessd, Edén Muñoz, Grupo Frontera, Los Lara, Luis Figueroa, Luis R Conriquez, Quevedo, Santa Fe Klan and Yahritza y Su Esencia are nominated in the best new artist category.

TelevisaUnivision also revealed that Carlos Vives and Pepe Aguilar will be recognized as 2023 Latin AMAs Legacy honorees.

Co-hosted by Galilea Montijo and Julián Gil, the eighth edition of the Latin AMAs will take place on Thursday, April 20, at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, and for the first time — since its debut on October 8, 2015, on Telemundo — the ceremony will be broadcast live simultaneously on Univision, UNIMÁS and Galavisión (starting at 7:00 pm ET), after TelevisaUnivision acquired the rights from dick clark productions last September.

This year’s nominations are based on streaming, sales, radio airplay, tours and even social media interactions data provided by Billboard and Luminate during the eligibility period (February 12, 2022, through February 4, 2023).

Fans can vote for their favorite artists on Univision.com/LatinAMAs through Sunday, March 26.

Here’s the complete list of nominees:

Artist of the Year
Bad Bunny
Becky G
Daddy Yankee
Eslabón Armado
Farruko
Ivan Cornejo
Karol G
Rauw Alejandro
Romeo Santos
Rosalía

New Artist of the Year
Bizarrap
Blessd
Edén Muñoz
Grupo Frontera
Los Lara
Luis Figueroa
Luis R Conriquez
Quevedo
Santa Fe Klan
Yahritza y Su Esencia

Song of the Year
“Bebe dame” – Fueza Regida & Grupo Frontera
“Despechá” – Rosalía
“Dos oruguitas” – Sebastián Yatra
“Está dañada” – Ivan Cornejo
“La bachata” – Manuel Turizo
“MAMIII” – Becky G & Karol G
“Me porto bonito” – Bad Bunny & Chencho Corleone
“Quevedo: BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 52” – Bizarrap & Quevedo
“Sus huellas” – Romeo Santos
“Te felicito” – Shakira & Rauw Alejandro

Album of the Year
Ahora Me Da Pena EP – Buena Vista Social Club
Dañado – Ivan Cornejo
Esquemas – Becky G
Fórmula, Vol. 3 – Romeo Santos
Jose – J Balvin
La 167 – Farruko
Legendaddy – Daddy Yankee
Motomami – Rosalía
Nostalgia – Eslabón Armado
Un Verano Sin Ti – Bad Bunny

Collaboration of the Year
“Bebe dame” – Fueza Regida & Grupo Frontera
“El incomprendido” – Farruko, Víctor Cárdenas & DJ Adoni
“MAMIII” – Becky G & Karol G
“Mayor que usted” – Natti Natasha, Daddy Yankee & Wisin y Yandel
“Me porto bonito” – Bad Bunny & Chencho Corleone
“Medallo” – Blessd, Justin Quiles & Lenny Tavárez
“Que vuelvas” – Carin León & Grupo Frontera
“Quevedo: BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 52” – Bizarrap & Quevedo
“Te espero” – Prince Royce & Maria Becerra
“Te felicito” – Shakira & Rauw Alejandro

Collaboration Crossover of the Year
“Arhbo (Music from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Soundtrack)” – Ozuna, Gims,
Redone & FIFA Sound
“Borracho” – Sech & DJ Khaled
“La fama” – Rosalía & The Weeknd
“Sigue” – J Balvin & Ed Sheeran
“Sin fin” – Romeo Santos & Justin Timberlake

Best Crossover Artist
DJ Khaled
DJ Snake
Ed Sheeran
Fatman Scoop
Gims
Justin Timberlake
Lil Jon
Megan Thee Stallion
Mr. Vegas
The Weeknd

Streaming Artist of the Year
Bad Bunny
Chencho Corleone
Grupo Frontera
Ivan Cornejo
Karol G

Tour of the Year
Enfiestados y Amanecidos Tour – Grupo Firme
La Última Vuelta World Tour – Daddy Yankee
Papi Juancho World Tour – Maluma
$trip Love Tour – Karol G
World’s Hottest Tour – Bad Bunny

Best Duo or Group – Pop
Jesse & Joy
Los Enanitos Verdes
Maná
Mau y Ricky
Reik

Best Artist – Pop
Anitta
Becky G
Camilo
Enrique Iglesias
Kali Uchis
Luis Fonsi
Ricky Martin
Rosalía
Sebastián Yatra
Shakira

Best Album – Pop
@dannocean – Danny Ocean
De Adentro Pa Afuera – Camilo
Dharma – Sebastián Yatra
Esquemas – Becky G
Motomami – Rosalía

Best Song – Pop
“Bailé con mi ex” – Becky G
“Junio” – Maluma
“Provenza” – Karol G
“Tacones rojos” – Sebastián Yatra
“Te amo y punto” – Chayanne

Best Artist – Urban
Anuel AA
Bad Bunny
Daddy Yankee
Farruko
J Balvin
Jhayco
Karol G
Natti Natasha
Ozuna
Rauw Alejandro

Best Album – Urban
Jose – J Balvin
La 167 – Farruko
Legendaddy – Daddy Yankee
Saturno – Rauw Alejandro
Un Verano Sin Ti – Bad Bunny

Best Song – Urban
“Desesperados” – Rauw Alejandro & Chencho Corleone
“Envolver” – Anitta
“Remix” – Daddy Yankee
“Sensual bebé” – Jhayco
“Tití me preguntó” – Bad Bunny

Best Collaboration – Pop/Urban
“Buenos días” – Wisin, Camilo & Los Legendarios
“El incomprendido” – Farruko, Víctor Cárdenas & DJ Adoni
“Hot” – Daddy Yankee & Pitbull
“MAMIII” – Becky G & Karol G
“Mayor que usted” – Natti Natasha, Daddy Yankee & Wisin y Yandel
“Me porto bonito” – Bad Bunny & Chencho Corleone
“Medallo” – Blessd, Justin Quiles & Lenny Tavárez
“Punto 40” – Rauw Alejandro & Baby Rasta
“Quevedo: BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 52” – Bizarrap & Quevedo
“Te felicito” – Shakira & Rauw Alejandro

Best Artist – Regional Mexican
Ángela Aguilar
Carin León
Chiquis
Christian Nodal
Edén Muñoz
Gerardo Ortiz
Ivan Cornejo
Junior H
Luis R Conriquez
Pepe Aguilar

Best Duo or Group – Regional Mexican
Banda Los Recoditos
Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga
Calibre 50
Eslabón Armado
Fuerza Regida
Grupo Firme
Grupo Frontera
Intocable
Los Ángeles Azules
Yahritza y Su Esencia

Best Album – Regional Mexican
Dañado – Ivan Cornejo
Del Barrio Hasta Aquí, Vol. 2 – Fuerza Regida
Mi Vida En Un Cigarro 2 – Junior H
Nostalgia – Eslabón Armado
Obsessed Deluxe – Yahritza y Su Esencia

Best Song – Regional Mexican
“Chale” – Edén Muñoz
“La boda del huitlacoche (Live)” – Carin León
“No se va (En vivo)” – Grupo Frontera
“Que te vaya bien” – Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda
“Si me duele que duela” – Intocable

Best Collaboration – Regional Mexican
“Billete grande (En vivo)” – Fuerza Regida & Edgardo Nuñez
“Brindo” – Mario Bautista & Banda El Recodo
“Calidad” – Grupo Firme & Luis Mexia
“Con un botecito a pecho” – Adriel Favela & Carin León
“Hay que hacer dinero” – Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga & Edén Muñoz
“Jugaste y sufrí” – Eslabón Armado & DannyLux
“Que vuelvas” – Carin León & Grupo Frontera
“Se acabó (En vivo)” – Lenin Ramírez, Fuerza Regida & Banda Renovación
“Si ya hiciste el mal” – Luis R Conriquez & Jessi Uribe
“Ya acabó” – Marca MP & Becky G

Best Artist – Tropical
Carlos Vives
Marc Anthony
Prince Royce
Romeo Santos
Víctor Manuelle

Best Album – Tropical
Ahora Me Da Pena EP – Buena Vista Social Club
Cumbiana II – Carlos Vives
Fórmula, Vol. 3 – Romeo Santos
Pa’lla Voy – Marc Anthony
The Ultimate Bachata Collection – Héctor Acosta “El Torito”

Best Song – Tropical
“Despechá” – Rosalía
“Después de la playa” – Bad Bunny
“La bachata” – Manuel Turizo
“Pegao” – Camilo
“Sus huellas” – Romeo Santos

Best Collaboration – Tropical
“Baloncito viejo” – Carolos Vives & Camilo
“El pañuelo” – Romeo Santos & Rosalía
“Monotonía” – Shakira & Ozuna
“Soy yo” – Don Omar, Wisin & Gente de Zona
“Te espero” – Prince Royce & Maria Becerra

Rosalia Added to Headliners Roster for Los Angeles’ Calibash

Rosalia is Bash-ful

The 30-year-old Spanish singer/songwriter has been confirmed as a headliner for the annual Calibash, taking place January 21 and 22 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

RosaliaIn a display of women’s increasing clout in the Latin urban landscape, Rosalia will be joined by Karol G as a headlining act.

They join a previously billed group of headliners that also includes OzunaMyke Towers and Farruko.

The Latin urban megafest, widely known as the pioneer and still the most storied in a crowded Latin urban festival landscape, will also feature performances by Ivy Queen and Becky G, as well as Jhayco, Nío García, Zion & Lennox, Blessd, Sech and Feid.

Rosalía and Karol G will both perform one-offs, as their U.S. tours will have concluded by January. Tickets are already on sale.

All told, seven artists will perform per night at Calibash, a departure from the fest’s early years of dozens of acts on the bill, and also a departure from more crowded rosters. It’s part of an effort to more carefully curate Calibash, says Alessandra Alarcón, president of SBS Entertainment, which created and promotes the show.

Alarcón says that when she took over Calibash, “I thought the audience would be OK with there being less acts but more quality sets. I thought if we could edit this down and give the headliners half hour, 45 minutes, I think people would be stoked to see that. And I’m happy to say I was right.”

Last year, Calibash sold out three nights at Crypto.com Arena, even though the shows took place in the midst of a COVID-19 surge.

Calibash was the first Latin music festival devoted to urban music that not only took place consistently every year and always on the West Coast, but also became known for its performances — planned and unplanned — by mainstream artists like French Montana, Cardi B and memorably in 2016, Justin Bieber, in addition to a slew of other stars.

Both Calibash performances will kick-off with a pre-show fan festival that celebrates Latin music and culture at L.A. Live with surprise performances, experiences and more.

Calibash is owned and operated by SBS Entertainment’s parent company, Spanish Broadcasting System, which owns and operates some of Latin music’s top radio stations in the country, including Los Angeles’ KXOL-FM La Mega 96.3, the event’s official station.

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.

Christina Aguilera to Host Intimate ‘Premiere Party’ at Billboard Latin Music Week

Christina Aguilera is throwing a premiere party

The 41-year-old half-Ecuadorian American singer will take part in this year’s Billboard Latin Music Week, taking place September 26-October 1 at the Faena Forum in Miami.

Christina AguileraDuring the conference, Xtina will be hosting the “Premiere Party with Christina Aguilera,” where she’ll be debut never-before-heard music and answer fan questions in an intimate setting.

But Aguilera isn’t the only new addition to the lineup…

Justin Quiles will take part in an engaging panel about connecting people with music through technology, while Wisin y Yandel will join Nicky Jam for a compelling conversation during The Nicky Jam Rockstar Show Live from Billboard Latin Music Week.

The artists join a star-studded lineup that already includes: Bizarrap, Blessd, Camilo, Chayanne, Cris Chil, Dannylux, Dimelo Flow, Eladio Carrion, Elena Rose, Foreign Teck, Grupo Firme, The Children of Jenni Rivera, Kuinvi, Kunno, Lili Zetina, Luis R Conriquez, Eslabón Armado, Ivy Queen, Maluma, Mariah Angeliq, Ovy On The Drums, Subelo Neo, Tini, Tokischa, Ugly Primo and The King of Bachata Romeo Santos.

More participants will be announced in the weeks leading up to the 2022 Latin Music Week.

Registration is now open here.

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.

Blessd Among Colombian Artists Featured on “Así Es Medellín” Track

Blessd is helping celebrate his hometown in a special way…

The 22-year-old Colombian singer/songwriter and rapper, whose real name is Stiven Mesa Londoño, appears on the new single “Así Es Medellín.”

BlessdThe track, which has been released ahead of Medellín’s annual event Feria de las Flores, also features Llane and Reykon, among others.

The artists sing about the beauty of the Colombian city, its culture and its people. “Medellín is the best city on this planet, the city I represent,” Blessd said in a statement. “I’m proud to be from here and to represent the Antioquia flag.”

The Feria de las Flores is set to kick off on MondayBlessd

Chayanne to Speak During This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Week

Chayanne is ready to talk shop…

The 54-year-old Puerto Rican Latin pop singer and actor will take part in this year’s Billboard Latin Music Week, set to take place on September 26-30 at the Faena Forum in Miami.

ChayanneChayanne, one of Latin music’s most successful pop stars who has crooned to fans for nearly four decades with his ballads, will be releasing new music for the first time in more than six years, and speaking in his first interview in over five years.

But he isn’t the only new addition to the roster…

Ivy Queen, known as the Queen of Reggaeton, will open up about her prolific 25-year career, songwriting process, new music, and struggles as the only woman in a genre dominated by men.

Both Chayanne and Ivy join an already-announced star-studded lineup that includes Romeo Santos, Camilo, Nicky Jam, Eslabon Armado, Bizarrap, Blessd, Yahritza Y Su Esencia, Luis R. Conriquez, Ovy 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.

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.