Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Launches ‘México Canta’ Binational Contest Aimed at Creating Music That Doesn’t Glorify Violence or Drugs

Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum is hoping to change the musical narrative…

The 62-year-old Mexican politician, scientist and academic, the 66th president of Mexico a and first woman to hold the office, is hoping to encourage young artists — especially those in the trending genre of corridos tumbados — to create songs that don’t glorify violence or drugs.

Claudia Sheinbaum,This week Sheinbaum announced México Canta, a binational contest aimed at shifting the focus of Mexican music to themes like “love, heartbreak and peace.” 

This is the first initiative launched by the Mexican government to use music as a way to counteract the glorification of violence and the fascination some young people have with joining criminal groups, drawn by the promise of a flashy, luxurious lifestyle — all happening amid the wave of violence affecting certain regions of the country.

“While the contest won’t solve this issue overnight, and we’re not neglecting the underlying causes — for that, there’s a whole national security program — we felt it was important to create creative spaces through culture for Mexican and Mexican-American youth who are passionate about music,” explains Claudia Curiel de Icaza, Mexico’s Secretary of Culture, to Billboard Español.

In her opinion, many young Mexicans see their dreams of breaking into the music industry crushed, because they don’t have instruments or professional recording equipment.

“Organized crime takes advantage of this situation and starts funding musicians,” says the official. “No one hires you if you don’t have a solid music production to stand out. This program aims to provide that professional support.”

The presidential initiative is backed by a segment of the country’s music industry, including major players like Virgin Music Group and Fonovisa/Universal, the Mexican Society of Authors and Composers (SACM), the Mexican Association of Producers of Phonograms and Videograms (AMPROFON), among others.

Registrations will be open at mexicocanta.gob.mx from April 28 to May 30.

The grand finale will take place on October 5 in the Mexican state of Durango.

Who can participate?
All young Mexican and Mexican-American performers between the ages of 18 and 34.

How can you participate?
With songs or performances in genres like mariachi, norteño, banda, corrido, tropical, duranguense, campirano, bolero, among others, as well as fusions with rap, rock, pop, and hip-hop. Participants can perform in indigenous languages, Spanish, or Spanglish, with original songs up to 3 minutes long.

In which cities will participants be selected?
In the U.S.: Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles.
In Mexico: Tijuana, Mexico City, and Oaxaca. 

Where can the contest be followed?
On the Mexican government’s public channels and official social media platforms.

What are the prizes?
Regional winners will receive mentorship from a group of specialists.
For Best Song, the prize is a contract with a national, international, or independent record label.
The Best Performer will be awarded a record deal and the opportunity to record an album.
The winner of the Jury Prize will receive a record deal and the opportunity to record an EP (6 songs).

Gabito Ballesteros Partnering with Anuel AA for Special Pre-Super Bowl LIX Video on FOX Deportes

Gabito Ballesteros is lending his voice to this year’s Super Bowl coverage…

The 25-year-old Mexican singer, songwriter and record producer – considered a rising star in the corridos tumbados movement – will be part of the Super Bowl LIX broadcast on Sunday, February 9.

Gabito BallesterosBallesteros will appear in a video singing alongside Puerto Rican urban star Anuel AA just prior to the game on FOX Deportes.

“It’s Mexican music and Latin culture within this great event that is seen by millions of people,” Ballesteros tells Billboard Español. “Thank God they will know our music, our history, and it fills us with pride to be here.”

It has not been specified exactly which song they’ll perform.

The video will serve as the opening for the channel’s broadcast of the most anticipated sporting event of the year in the U.S.: the NFL Super Bowl. This year, it’s the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the Philadelphia Eagles at the Caesars Superdome stadium in New Orleans.

According to FOX Deportes, the collaboration between Ballesteros and Anuel AA was recorded in December in Mexico City and “maintains the tradition of connecting with diverse audiences through music, culture and sports.”

In the past, other prominent Mexican figures — such as Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Los Tigres del Norte and Banda MS — have similarly inaugurated the channel’s Super Bowl telecast.

About his participation alongside Anuel AA, Ballesteros says he was “excited to be able to share this experience with these type of people who are an important part of Latin music” — adding, “I felt a great connection with him, and I look forward to something in the future.”

When asked if he was a fan of American football, he replied that he was a big fan of all sports and the discipline that comes with being an athlete.

“In general, I admire all the teams. I look up to them and I know they will offer a great game,” he says.

Originally from the Mexican state of Sonora, Ballesteros has topped the charts with hits such as “Lady Gaga” with Peso Pluma and Junior H, and “AMG” with Peso Pluma and Natanael Cano, two songs that made it onto the Billboard Hot 100 across all genres in 2023. Last year, he debuted on multiple charts with his album The GB.

Most recently, he signed with George Prajin‘s Double P Management.

Emmanuel Gazmey, better known as Anuel AA, rose to stardom in the reggaetón, rap and trap genres.

Among other chart achievements, four of his albums have reached No. 1 on Top Latin Albums, including Real Hasta la Muerte (2018), Emmanuel (2020), Los Dioses (2021) with Ozuna and Las Leyendas Nunca Mueren (2021).

Gabito Ballesteros Earns First No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay Chart with Prince Royce-Collab “Cosas de la Peda”

Gabito Ballesteros is celebrating a Billboard first…

The 24-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter and record producer’s collaboration with Prince Royce, “Cosas De La Peda” rises to the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart as their first partnership advances from the runner-up slot to lead the February 24-dated list.

Gabito Ballesteros, Prince RoyceThat translates into a 24th No. 1 for Prince Royce, while Ballesteros scores his first champ on first try.

“Cosas De La Peda,” Mexican slang for “drunken times,” lifts 2-1 on the tropical radio ranking with by a 37% gain in audience impressions, to 6.2 million earned in the U.S. during the February 9-15 tracking week, according to Luminate.

The track trades places with Marc Anthony’s “Punta Cana” which drops 1-2 with an 11% dip in impressions, to 5.2 million.

Prior to its release, “Cosas De La Peda” received its fair share of promotion. The Bronx-born singer premiered the song live for the first time, with Ballesteros, during Calibash festival at the Crypto Arena in Los Angeles on January 12. Plus, a performance on ABC’s Good Morning America followed on January 17.

With “Peda,” Royce collects his 24th No. 1 on Tropical Airplay, continuing with the third-most leaders since the chart’s inception in 1994. Only two soloists stand ahead him: Marc Anthony with 36 No. 1s and Victor Manuelle with 29. Here’s an updated look at the artists with the most No. 1 hits on the almost three-decade-old ranking:

36, Marc Anthony
29, Victor Manuelle
24, Prince Royce
18, Romeo Santos
14, Elvis Crespo
14, Gilberto Santa Rosa
13, Jerry Rivera
12, Juan Luis Guerra 440
11, India

Ballesteros, who seasoned “Peda” with his corridos tumbados flair, lands a first No. 1 on the Tropical Airplay —and on any airplay ranking— thanks to the bachata tumbada. The Mexican producer first landed a No. 1 on a Billboard chart as a producer of the two-week champ “Lady Gaga,” with Peso Pluma and Junior H (last September).

Elsewhere, “Cosas De La Peda” flies 26-11 on the overall Latin Airplay tally. It bests Ballesteros’ previous No. 37 entry with “La Pelinegra,” with La Adictiva, last October.

Cosas De La Peda” is one of 23 songs from Royce’s latest seventh full-length album, Llamada Perdida, released February 16 through Sony Music Latin; it has not entered any Billboard charts yet. The song was produced by Edgar Barrera and Luis Miguel Gómez Castaño, better known as Casta.

Junior H to Make Special Appearance at Rolling Loud California Next March

Junior H is rolling along…

The 23-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter has been added to the lineup for the sixth installment of Rolling Loud in California.

Junior HRolling Loud California 2024 will take over Hollywood Park Grounds in Inglewood, California, from March 15 to 17, 2024.

Junior H, a Billboard chart-topping regional Mexican artist, will serve as Friday’s special guest.

But he’s not the only Latinx artist set to appear.

Regional Mexican band Fuerza Regida will act as Saturday’s special guest, while award-winning corridos tumbados trailblazer Natanael Cano will serve as Sunday’s special guest.

Led by superstars Nicki MinajLil Uzi Vert and Post Malone, the sprawling list of performers features more than 90 of the biggest and buzziest names across rap, R&B, pop and Latin music.

Presale for Rolling Loud California 2024 begins Thursday, November 16, at 10:00 am PT, and general onsale begins the following day on Friday, November 17, at 10:00 am PT.

Fans can click here to RSVP for first access to tickets — and a chance to win free tickets before they go on sale — right now.

https://twitter.com/RollingLoud/status/1724411942234624368

Grupo Frontera to Perform in Mexico City’s Zócalo During This Year’s Grito de Independencia

Grupo Frontera will be making a special visit to Mexico’s most iconic plaza…

The Regional Mexican group will perform at Mexico City’s Zócalo — the country’s most important public square — on September 15 for the annual Grito de Independencia event, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has announced.

Grupo Frontera“The members of Grupo Frontera will be there on September 15 at night in the Zócalo,” said the Mexican president at the end of his usual morning conference, where he played Frontera’s cover of “No Se Va,” originally by Colombian group Morat.

López Obrador reiterated his taste for the music of the Regional Mexican group, which he has included in his playlist to challenge corridos tumbados, a musical genre that although he has said he will not prohibit, he considers to glorify drug traffickers.

Grupo Frontera joins a long list of national and international artists who have set foot in the second-largest public square in the world, only behind Tiananmen in Beijing. Musicians such as Paul McCartneyJustin Bieber, Manu ChaoShakira, Café Tacvba and the late icon of regional Mexican music Vicente Fernández, among many others, have performed at the Zócalo.

The attendance record for free concerts held in the so-called Primer Cuadro in the Mexican capital is held by the Argentine rock band Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, which achieved the milestone of gathering 300,000 people on the night of June 3, beating Grupo Firme, who held the record after summoning 280,000 people in September 2022, according to figures from the government of Mexico City.

This week, the sextet scored their first top 10 hit on a Billboard album chart with El Comienzo, which jumped 39-4 on the Top Latin Albums chart on August 19 after its first full week of activity.

El Comienzo also jumped 12-2 on Regional Mexican Albums and debuted at No. 39 on the Billboard 200 all-genre chart.

Natanael Cano Agrees to Worldwide Publishing Deal with Warner Chappell Music

Natanael Cano is going to the Chappell

The 21-year-old Mexican rapper and singer-songwriter has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music, according to Billboard.

Natanael Cano Cano’s signature corridos tumbados first put him on the map with his 2019 anthem “Soy El Diablo,” while a Bad Bunny-assisted remix scored him his first entry on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart. Since, he’s released multiple corridos tumbados albums including A Mis 20 and Corridos Tumbados which topped the Regional Mexican Albums chart.

“I’m excited to join forces with Gustavo [Menéndez] and the Warner Chappell team to share my music on a global scale,” Cano said in a statement. “With our shared vision, I know we’ll accomplish great things together.”

“Nata is a unique talent, who at such a young age, has already secured his legacy in the industry. He has an incredible delivery with an uncanny penmanship as a songwriter, no matter the genre,” added Gustavo Menéndez, WCM’s president, U.S. Latin & Latin America. “I’ve also had the opportunity to spend time with Nata outside of the studio and he’s an incredible and inspiring human being. We are proud that he’s entrusted us to be his publisher and continue to help pave the way.”

The signing with Warner Chappell Music comes on the heels of his debut at Coachella last month and his new partnership with WME. The company signed him for representation in all areas — marking Cano’s first-ever agency agreement. WME will build the singer’s business across touring, acting, fashion and talent ventures.

Most recently, Cano released his half trap and half corridos studio album NataKong, where he reflects on his maturity and growth as an artist.

The set, which was released on April 8 less than a year after A Mis 20, coincided with the launch of his own record label Los CT. Moving forward, Cano will release music under Warner Music Latina, Rancho Humilde and his label Los CT.

Natanael Cano Signs with William Morris Endeavor (WME)

Natanael Cano has major representation…

William Morris Endeavor (WME) has signed the 21-year-old Mexican rapper and singer-songwriter for representation in all areas.

Natanael Cano,Marking Cano’s first-ever agency agreement, WME will build the singer’s business across touring, acting, fashion and talent ventures.

Cano’s signature corridos tumbados first got on the radar with his 2019 single “Soy El Diablo,” while a Bad Bunny-assisted remix earned him his first entry on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart.

Cano released his half trap and half corridos studio album NataKong, where he reflects on his maturity and growth as an artist, earlier this month.

“This album is the separation of the 17-year-old Nata who was just starting. It mirrors who I am now,” Cano told Billboard. “I can no longer pretend I’m a kid because I never really got the opportunity to be a kid so, in reality, I was faking it. I don’t want to seem dumb or get into problems. I want to keep doing music because I love it.”

Cano’s WME signing comes on the heels of his debut at the 2022 Coachella festival on Sunday (April 17), where he performed in front of a full house at the Gobi stage.

Sticking strictly to his core corridos tumbados sound, Cano sang “Soy El Diablo,” “Sin Ti,” “El de la Codeína” and his chart-topping hit “Amor Tumbado” as fans waved Mexican flags. At one point, he wore a flag as a cape.

Cano returns to Coachella next weekend.

Natanael Cano Knocks Himself Out of Top Spot on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums Chart with “A Mis 20”

It’s a knock out for Natanael Cano… against himself.

The 20-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter has knocked himself out of the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums chart as A Mis 20 debuts at No. 1, replacing Corridos Tumbados on the June 12-dated ranking.

Natanael Cano

The latter spent 31 nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 since it bowed atop the list dated November 16, 2019.

Cano’s sixth studio album debuts with 5,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending June 3, according to MRC Data, mostly stemming from streaming activity. It registered 6.9 million on-demand streams of the album’s tracks in its first tracking week.

The Regional Mexican Albums chart ranks the most popular regional Mexican albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units.

Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album.

Mon Laferte Releases New Regional Mexican Album “Seis”

Mon Laferte is changing things up for her next album…

The 37-year-old Chilean singer and songwriter wrote her sixth album, Seis, while hunkered down in the pueblo mágico Tepoztlán, nearly two hours south of Mexico City.

Mon Laferte 

Mon Laferte started writing it a month after the COVID-19 lockdown was imposed.

“I was like everyone else, just filled with uncertainty,” she tells Billboard. “So I clung onto my music and my guitar because I thought, if the world ends, I at least want people to know how I was feeling.”

It’s the first album in which she sings regional Mexican (banda, corridos tumbados, mariachi) music in homage to the country she’s live in for the past 14 years. In it, she doesn’t hold back while singing about toxic relationships, past and future loves, and the love she has for her mother and other women.

“The entire writing process was very solitary, bleak and melancholic … it was nights of just me and my guitar, drinking mezcal, with the crickets in the background,” she adds.

Ozuna Teams Up with Ovi for Hard-Hitting Trap/Reggaeton Single “Envidioso”

Ozuna has a message for the haters…

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton singer has joined voices with up-and-coming Cuban corridos tumbados artist Ovi for the hard-hitting trap/reggaeton track titled “Envidioso.”

Ozuna x Ovi

The song, which marks their first-ever collaboration, finds the pair singing about working hard to get to where they are now. But climbing the ladder comes with envidiosos.

“The jealous one wants to see me do bad … they’re upset because I was able to progress,” they rap.

About the collaboration, Ozuna told Apple Music, “Ovi is a good guy, he’s a humble guy. He told me he wanted to do something with me and I thought if this can help his career go up, why not?”