Luis Fonsi Joins Voices with Charly Black for “Party Animal” Remix

Luis Fonsi is ready to party

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican singer has joined forces with dancehall artist Charly Black on a new rendition of the dancehall-pop anthem “Party Animal.”

Luis Fonsi

Unlike Fonsi’s global smash “Despacito” and “Kissing Strangers” remix (with DNCE and Nicki Minaj), on this track he sings in English while adding in some Spanish words to keep some Latin flavor.

“Party Animal” was produced by Atella (who as part of the Atellagali duo has made official remixes for Axwell /\ Ingrosso, Imagine Dragons and J Balvin).

It was mixed by Josh Gudwin (Justin Bieber and Juanes among many others).

Maldonado & Her Pentatonix Groupmates to Salute the Bee Gees at Grammy Tribute

Kirsitie Maldonado will be experiencing disco fever…

The 24-year-old half-Mexican and part-Spanish American singer and her fellow Pentatonix members will be helping commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack next month.

Pentatonix

Maldonado’s a capella group will perform at Stayin’ Alive: A Grammy Salute to the Music of the Bee Gees, which will premiere April 16 on CBS.

The event, led by the Recording Academy, AEG Ehrlich Ventures and CBS, will focus on improving music life and culture through the Bee Gees‘ legacy, celebrating the members of the five-time Grammy-winning group and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.

Barry Gibb, the Bee Gees’ co-founder and last surviving member, will make an appearance and perform classic hits from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack.

In addition to Pentatonix, special tributes from musicians will include performances by Stevie Wonder, Keith Urban, John Legend, Nick Jonas, Tori Kelly, Celine Dion, Little Big Town, Thomas Rhett, Jason Derulo, Kelsea Ballerini, Andra Day, Ed Sheeran, DNCE and many more.

Other guest appearances to add to the lineup are John Travolta, Cynthia Erivo and Wilmer Valderrama.

Pentatonix, who earned a Grammy for their collaboration with country legend Dolly Parton on “Jolene,” recently released their cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine,” part of the group’s upcoming album.

Maldonado and the gang previously covered Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” performed a Star Wars-themed medley at the American Music Awards, and performed the Oak Ridge Boys’ “Elvira at the CMA Awards.

Mars to Give Live Debut Performance of “24K Magic” at MTV Europe Music Awards

Bruno Mars is ready to spread the Magic across Europe…

The 31-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer-songwriter is set to perform his brand new single “24K Magic” at this year’s MTV Europe Music Awards.

Bruno Mars

It’ll be the live debut of chart-climbing track from the three-time EMA-winner.

Mars previously performed his single “Gorilla” at the 2013 MTV EMAs, and “Marry You” at the 2012 show.

Mars joins a lineup of performers that includes Shawn MendesZara LarssonDNCE and Lukas Graham — all of whom are nominated in various categories.

Voting for the 2016 MTV EMAs is open until November 5. You can cast your vote here.

The ceremony will take place in Rotterdam, Netherlands on November 6.

Blacc Covers Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” for amfAR’s New AIDS Benefit Compilation, “The Time is Now”

Aloe Blacc is giving one of the King of Pop’s hits a modern makeover… And, it’s all for charity.

The 37-year-old Panamanian American singer-songwriter, who is participating in Netflix’s animated Beatles-themed series Beat Bugs, is one of the featured artists on for amfAR‘s new AIDS benefit compilation, The Time is Now.

Aloe Blacc

The 14-track, 1980s-inspired covers album will be released October 7 via Republic Records and Mass Appeal with proceeds benefiting AIDS research foundation amfAR.

The first track released from the set is Blacc’s bluesy cover of Michael Jackson‘s classic “Billie Jean.”

In addition to Blacc, the compilation album includes tracks by Phantogram, DNCE, LP, Theophilus London and more.

Among the songs featured on the new album are Tina Turner‘s “What’s Love Got to Do With It” revamped by DNCE, Dita Von Teese and Sebastien Tellier taking on Culture Club‘s “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” and New Order‘s “Bizarre Love Triangle” covered by Sugar for Sugar, a band consisting of Scarlett Johansson, Julia Haltigan, Holly Miranda and Kendra Morris.

The 14-track covers album will be released October 7 via Republic Records and Mass Appeal with proceeds benefiting AIDS research foundation amfAR.

Here’s the full track list below.

“Take Me Home” (Phil Collins), Performer: Phantogram
“Bizarre Love Triangle” (New Order), Performer: Sugar for Sugar
“Under the Milky Way” (The Church), Performer: Metric
“Whip It” (Devo), Performer: Brazilian Girls
“Rio” (Duran Duran), Performer: Bebel Gilberto
“What’s Love Got to Do With It” (Tina Turner), Performer: DNCE
“Billie Jean”(Michael Jackson), Performer: Aloe Blacc
“Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” (Culture Club), Performer: Dita Von Teese and Sebastien Tellier
“Maneater” (Hall & Oates), Performer: Lower Dens
“Genius of Love” (Tom Tom Club), Performer: Chaos Chaos
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” (Whitney Houston), Performer: Marian Hill
“Pride (In the Name of Love)” (U2), Performer: LP
“Lovesong” (The Cure), Performer: Yuna
“Dance Hall Days” (Wang Chung), Performer: Theophilus London

Hernandez to Serve as a Presenter at the MTV Video Music Awards

Laurie Hernandez is ready to make music… or at least a music-related announcement.

The 16-year-old Puerto Rican gymnast, a member of the gold-winning Final Five and a silver medalist on the balance beam at the 2016 Rio Games, is heading to the MTV Video Music Awards.

Laurie Hernandez

Hernandez and her teammates, Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas and Madison Kocian, will present awards at Sunday’s show in New York City.

Jimmy Fallon, Kim Kardashian, Alicia Keys and Puff Daddy will also present awards, while attendees at Madison Square Garden will include Kanye West, Bryson Tiller, 2 Chainz, DNCE, Desiigner and Troye Sivan.

Britney Spears, Rihanna, Future, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Nick Jonas and the Chainsmokers will perform during the live show.

Beyonce is the leading nominee with 11, followed by Adele with eight nominations.

Beyonce, Adele, West, Justin Bieber and Drake will compete for video of the year.

Gomez Among 24 Artists Featured on Orlando Shooting Charity Single “Hands”

Selena Gomez is lending her hands to help the victims of the Orlando Shooting.

The 23-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress is among 24 artists featured on a new recording to raise money for the victims of the Pulse nightclub massacre.

Selena Gomez

The all-star release, entitled “Hands” — a charity single from Interscope Records with support from GLAAD — was conceived by hit songwriter Justin Tranter, co-writer of Justin Bieber’sSorry” and hits for Gomez, DNCE, Fall Out Boy and Gwen Stefani.

In addition to Gomez, the single also features Jennifer Lopez, who has worked on her own charity single with Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, Stefani, Jason Derulo, Meghan Trainor, Juanes, Pink, Mary J. Blige and Britney Spears.

The June 12 shooting at the gay nightclub in Orlando, which killed 49 people and injured 53, is the most deadly mass shooting in American history and the deadliest act of violence against the LGBT community.

Funds from the song will aid families with medical care, counseling and will also be used for education.

“Like the rest of the world I woke up to the news that morning and was horrified and sad and scared,” says Tranter, who has raised money and awareness for LGBT causes since coming out at age 14.

“Hands” is available on iTunes.

Proceeds will be distributed by Equality Florida Pulse Victims Fund, the GLBT Community Center of Central Florida and GLAAD.

The idea for the all-star project came together one day after the shooting.

L.A.-based Tranter and songwriting partner Julia Michaels had been on the road with Gomez writing songs aboard her tour bus in Miami the weekend of June 11 when news of the bloodshed prompted Tranter to switch course. That afternoon he signed on as a volunteer at The Center Orlando, the region’s chief LGBT community center.

“I called them and said, ‘If I fly up is there something for me to help with?'” he tells Billboard. “They say, ‘We need as many hands as we can possibly get.'”

“Hands” took hold the next day when Tranter met GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis who had arrived at the center from New York.

Beyond their immediate efforts — distributing food and water and GLAAD’s work with media — both were looking to make contributions that would have ongoing benefits. They point out that the massacre was also a profound attack on people of color, as that Saturday evening had been a popular “Latin Night” at Pulse. Most of the victims were of Latin heritage and Ellis says she does not want that point forgotten.

“When you hear the song it talks about hate being the driver here,” she says, “and that’s important because we have to be able to identify what’s driving these cruel acts in order to stop them. Artists using their platforms to accelerate acceptance is very powerful.”

Aligning with Interscope for the release, Tranter, GLAAD and Interscope president of A&R Aaron Bay-Schuck put the word out that a fundraiser was in the works. Within days artists from all spheres of the business had lined up — also among them Halsey, Ty Herndon, Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons, Adam Lambert, The Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, MNEK, Alex Newell, Mary Lambert, Prince Royce, Jussie Smollett, Nate Ruess and RuPaul — all recording separately from their homes, local studios, touring locations or wherever they happened to be at that moment.

“We assigned everybody what we thought would be the best part for their voice,” Tranter says, “and we asked them all to sing an additional part, just in case. But everybody got it done in time so we ended up with extra vocals.”

In Los Angeles “Interscope let us use their studio,” he notes. “Mary J. Blige recorded in New Orleans. Britney Spears in Thousand Oaks, I think. Pink in Santa Barbara. MNEK recorded at home in London. Selena recorded in her studio bus. Dan Reynolds recorded in his home. Adam Lambert was in Luxembourg. Ty Herndon the country star was in Spain. Kacey Musgraves, Nashville. Everyone just got it done.”

Another goal of the record, according to GLAAD, is to fund educational programs.

“This was an American guy who was born in Queens,” Ellis says of the gunman, Omar Mateen, 29, who was killed by police after a three hour stand-off. “He learned that hate here in America. This happened on American soil, against a particular community.”

While politicians and lobbyists have focused in recent weeks on Islamic terror and familiar narratives about gun ownership, Ellis, Tranter and others in the LGBT community want people to remember that this was a hate crime.

“I’m not educated enough to speak on the political details,” Tranter says. I’m a songwriter, not a politician. It could have been a million things but clearly, 100 percent, this was an attack on the LGBT community and people of color.”

“Hands” grew out of an unfinished piece that Tranter, Michaels and co-writer and producer BloodPop (formerly known as Blood Diamonds) had been working on and then shelved.

“The song didn’t ever finish itself and it didn’t ever feel right,” Tranter says of their initial efforts. “Now we know why.”

Mark Ronson also co-produced, while vocal engineer Benjamin Rice finessed the disparate tracks: “He helped us find the structure and make sense of it all.”

Warner/Chappell publishing executive Katie Vinten brought in numerous artists, among them P!nk, whom Tranter calls “a lifesaver,” adding, “Her vocal on the chorus is like from heaven directly.”

Spears opens the song with the plaintive line, “Can hold a gun or a hold a heart.” RuPaul is heard quietly toward the end, saying “take my hand baby.”

The songwriters had no specific plan as they entered the studio — only that they didn’t want the piece “to ever sound dated.”

“We didn’t want to have any trendy electronic elements,” Tranter notes. “We wanted it to sound classic, timeless and human. We want this anthem of positivity to be played for years to come.”

Download “Hands” here at iTunes.

Pitbull to Perfom on the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular Special

Pitbull is ready to let the sparks fly…

Macy’s annual 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular just got a little more caliente with the addition of the 35-year-old Cuban American rap superstar on the list of performers.

Pitbull

Mr. Worldwide will be performing at the 40th edition of the holiday special aired on NBC.

Pitbull, Sara Bareilles and DNCE join previously announced performers including Meghan Trainor5 Seconds of Summer, the Radio City Rockettes and Kenny Chesney.

The 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular will air Monday, July 4 at 10:00 pm ET, and will be emceed by Today co-hosts Willie Geist and Tamron Hall.

Additionally, Pitbull and Enrique Iglesias will perform at this year’s Premios Juventud. The “Messin’ Around” singers will perform during the awards show ceremony on July 14 at the American Airlines Arena in Miami.

Lovato to Perform at This Year’s Billboard Music Awards

Demi Lovato is ready to cool off at the Billboard Music Awards…

The 23-year-old part-Mexican American singer and actress has been added to the list of performers at this year’s Billboard Music Awards.

Demi Lovato

Lovato is set to perform her smash “Cool for the Summer.”

She joins a packed roster of performers that already includes Justin BieberDNCE, The Go-Go’sShawn Mendes and P!nk.

The Billboard Music Awards, hosted by Ciara and Ludacris, will be broadcast live from Las Vegas on Sunday, May 22 at 8:00 pm ET on ABC.

Pentatonix to Perform on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest”

Kirstie Maldonado is Square-ing up for New Years Eve…

The 23-year-old half-Mexican, part Spanish-American singer and her fellow Pentatonix members have been added to the list of performers for this year’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest in Times Square, New York City.

Pentatonix

It will be Pentatonix’s first appearance on the annual holiday extravaganza.

In addition to Pentatonix, the list of recently added performers includes Nick Jonas, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, and Joe Jonas-fronted DNCE.

Additionally, Alessia Cara, OMI and Nathan Sykes will join the fun of the New Year festivities.

In Los Angeles, there will be the West Coast celebration hosted by Fergie and will feature the last performance from One Direction before their indefinite hiatus.

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve will broadcast live at 8 p.m. EST on Thursday, December 31 on ABC.

Gomez to Perform at KIIS FM’s 2015 Jingle Ball

(Jingle) balls will be ringing for Selena Gomez this holiday season.

Los Angeles’ KIIS FM has officially revealed the lineup for the radio station’s edition of Jingle Ball 2015, with the 23-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress making the list.

Selena Gomez

Gomez will be using her appearance to promote her latest studio album, Revival, which will be released this week.

It’ll be Gomez’s third appearance at Jingle Ball. She first performed with her former band The Scene in 2010. She performed as a solo artist in 2013.

In addition to Gomez, the lineup includes One Direction, The Weeknd, 5 Seconds of Summer, Zedd and Ellie Goulding, along wth newcomers like Shawn Mendes, Tove Lo, Charlie Puth, Hailee Steinfeld and Joe Jonas’ DNCE.

Presented by Capitol One, the show hits the Staples Center on December 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets go on sale October 12 at 10 am PT, but Capitol One cardholders can snag tickets on Tuesday at 10 am PT.

$1 from each ticket goes to the Ryan Seacrest Foundation.