Bad Bunny Releases Short Film Linked to Upcoming Record, “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOTos”

Posted on January 4, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Bad Bunny has turned his talents to filmmaking to support his latest musical effort.

In anticipation of his new album set to be released on Sunday, the 30-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning global music superstar has dropped a new short film, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOTos, that’s linked to the record.

Written and directed by Benito A. Martínez Ocasio (Bad Bunny) and Arí Maniel Cruz Suárez, the film stars the legendary Jacobo Morales — a beloved icon of Puerto Rican culture and one of the most influential filmmakers in the island’s history.

The story for the 13-minute film follows Morales’ character as he reflects on his life alongside his loyal companion, Concho, voiced by Kenneth Canales. Through a series of nostalgic photographs, he recalls a bygone Puerto Rico, a time when everything felt familiar. But things have changed. His neighbors are strangers, and his local bakery has a new owner. Despite struggling to recognize the country he once knew, the character clings to hope, cherishing the memories of what once was.

The short film adds a layer of excitement for Bad Bunny’s loyal fanbase, arriving in the midst of an intricate album rollout.

A teaser for the film announced the album’s name and release date.

This announcement comes after fans reached peak anticipation, spurred by cryptic messages and hints from Bad Bunny.

Speculation soared online after he tweeted his signature teaser, eventually unveiling a 17-track lineup with the word “BOMBA” repeated. Bad Bunny also delivered fans a belated Christmas gift with a new song release, “PIToRRO DE COCO.”

Produced by Mag, Tainy and La Paciencia, and written by Bad Bunny, the track perfectly captures the nostalgia often associated with the holiday season — whether it’s missing someone, something or a moment in time.

Fito Páez Reschedules Performance at Mexico City’s Zócalo for January 18

Posted on January 3, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Fito Páez is preparing for a massive concert in Mexico’s capital city.

The 61-year-old Argentine rock & roll musician and filmmaker has set a new date for his free concert in Mexico City’s Zócalo, which was originally postponed due to having an accident in September that resulted in fractured ribs.

Paez will now perform on January 18, Ana Francis López, the Secretary of Culture of the Mexican capital, confirmed on Friday during a press conference.

His presentation at the so-called Primer Cuadro de la Ciudad de México will precede his shows scheduled at the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City, on January 21-22, and his concert in Guadalajara, Jalisco, on January 26.

This series of concerts, including the one in the Zócalo, are part of his El Amor Después del Amor 2025 Tour, with which the award-winning Argentine musician celebrates 32 years of his seventh and most emblematic album.

“With 28 albums, three novels, two films as screenwriter and director, 11 Latin Grammy awards and a Grammy, Fito Paéz is more than a musician: he is a storyteller, an icon who has marked generations with his art,” Mexico City’s ministry of culture wrote in a post on social media.

In September, Páez revealed on his social media channels that he had suffered an accident that resulted in the fracture of five ribs, and that his concerts scheduled for that month in Mexico and Colombia would be rescheduled.

Mexico City’s Zócalo — where international artists such as Roger Waters, Paul McCartney and Rosalía have performed — is the country’s main public square and the second largest in the world after Tiananmen Square in Beijing.

So far, the group with the largest attendance at this venue has been the Argentine band Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, which in June 2023 gathered 300,000 people, according to official figures, taking the record away from the Mexican band Grupo Firme, which in September 2022 gathered 280,000 people.

https://x.com/CulturaCiudadMx/status/1875242682420695405?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1875242682420695405%7Ctwgr%5Ece97f9f2ab7ceb0cbc7c47336dd3514116554f4d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.billboard.com%2Fmusic%2Flatin%2Ffito-paez-new-date-free-concert-mexico-city-zocalo-1235868921%2F

Bad Bunny Reveals Track List for Forthcoming Sixth Studio Album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos”

Posted on January 3, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Bad Bunny is leaving his tracks…

Two days before releasing his sixth studio album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, the 30-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning singer/songwriter and actor has revealed the highly anticipated album’s 17-song tracklist.

The album is due out on Sunday, January 5 and features Puerto Rican musicians from Rainao, Chuwi, Deiv and Omar Courtz to the musical group Pleneros de la Cresta.

In a statement attached to the tracklist, Bad Bunny wrote in Spanish: “This project is dedicated to all of the Puerto Ricans across the world.”

The set includes the already released songs, “El Clúb,” and “Pitorro de Coco,” alongside new titles like “Turista” and “La Mudanza.”

Here’s the full track list for Debí Tirar Más Fotos:

“Nuevayol”
“Voy a Llevarte Pa PR”
“Baile Inolvidable”
“Perfumito Nuevo” feat. Rainao
“Weltita” feat. Chuwi
“Veldá” feat. Dei V, Omar Courtz
“El Clúb”
“Ketu Tecré”
“Bokete”
“KlouFrens”
“Turista”
“Café Con Ron” feat. Pleneros de la Cresta
“Pitorro de Coco”
“Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii”
“EOO”
“DTMF”
“La Mudanza”

Tania León to Receive Trustees Award from the Recording Academy in 2025

Posted on December 20, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Tania León is receiving a special honor…

The 81-year-old Cuban composer, who renowned as a conductor, educator and advisor to arts organizations, is among the artists selected to receive lifetime achievement awards from the Recording Academy in 2025.

León will receive the Trustees Award at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony on February 1 at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles.

During her storied career, she has been commissioned by orchestras worldwide, held Carnegie Hall’s Richard and Barbara Debs Composer’s Chair for its 2023-24 season, and currently serves as composer-in-residence with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

She studied under Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa, and has guest-conducted the New York Philharmonic and Johannesburg Philharmonic, among others.

She has lectured globally and received honorary doctorate degrees from 10 institutions.

In 2010, León founded Composers Now, for which she currently serves as artistic director. She received her only Grammy nomination in 2013 — best contemporary classical composition for “Inura for Voices, Strings & Percussion.”

In 2021, she became the first Latin American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Music.

She received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2022.

Trustees Awards are presented to individuals who have made significant contributions, other than performance, to the field of recording.

Bruno Mars’s Rose-Collaboration “APT.” Notches Seventh Week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Global Charts

Posted on December 9, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

It’s Lucky No. (Week) 7 for Bruno Mars…

The 39-year-old part-Puerto Rican Grammy-winning singer/songwriter’s hit ROSÉ-collaboration “APT.” leads the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts for a seventh week each.

The song debuted as the stars’ second leader on each survey.

“APT.” rules the Global 200 with 149.9 million streams (down 7%) and 18,000 sold (down 13%) worldwide November 29-December 5.

The hit now boasts seven of the top eight global streaming weeks among songs released in 2024:

224.5 million, “APT.,” ROSÉ & Bruno Mars, Nov. 2
207.5 million, “APT.,” Nov. 9
176.8 million, “Fortnight,” Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone, May 4
162.2 million, “APT.,” Nov. 16
160.6 million, “APT.,” Dec. 7
149.9 million, “APT.,” Dec. 14
146.4 million, “APT.,” Nov. 23
132.7 million, “APT.,” Nov. 30

“APT.” concurrently tops Global Excl. U.S. with 132.6 million streams (down 6%) and 12,000 sold (down 7%) outside the U.S. November 29-December 5.

Mars and Lady Gaga’s “Die With a Smile” holds at No. 2 on Global Excl. U.S. following eight weeks at No. 1 starting in September.

The Global 200 and 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.

Bratz! Launching Historic Karol G Doll Based on Her 2023 Latin Grammys Look

Posted on November 25, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Karol G is getting all dolled up!

The 33-year-old Colombian Grammy-winning singer-songwriter is officially a Bratz! doll, the lifestyle and fashion doll brand has announced.Following Karol G‘s 2024 Latin Grammy win for best urban music album, the brand celebrated for its bold self-expression transformed her 2023 Latin Grammy look into a Bratz-inspired version.

The Bratz x Karol G Collector Doll marks Bratz’s first collaboration with a musical artist.

The doll will be available for preorder globally starting December 3, 2024. It will be sold online and in stores in the U.S. (priced at $50 USD), as well as in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile and Spain.

“I can’t believe I’m celebrating another significant milestone in my career with my very first doll — and I’m incredibly proud that it’s with Bratz, a brand I’ve always been a superfan of since childhood!” said Karol G in a statement. “It’s surreal to think that just over a year ago, I was celebrating my first Latin Grammy win, and now I have the chance to share a doll inspired by that pivotal moment in my career. Bratz are “Bichotas” in their own right — they’re independent, bold and powerful trendsetters who have been part of our lives since the early 2000s. This collaboration is a true labor of love and a celebration for fans across Latin America and beyond.”

The Bratz x Karol G doll’s fashion is inspired by the stunning rose gold dress that the artist wore at the 2023 Latin Grammys, celebrating her remarkable life and achievements. The doll includes a second outfit based on Karol’s real-life merchandise, featuring a “Bichota” season tee, along with fun accessories like mini awards and a hyperrealistic replica of a Karol G LP.

The doll’s custom packaging showcases illustrations of Karol G in the iconic Bratz style, complete with an iridescent barbed wire display.

Lila Downs Signs Management Deal with Cosmica Artists

Posted on November 23, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Lila Downs has new out-of-this-world representation…

The 56-year-old Mexican Grammy– and Latin Grammy-winning singer-songwriter has signed a management deal with Cosmica Artists.

The indie record label and company represents Latin talent from alternative genres across Los Angeles, Miami, Austin and Mexico City.

“Reaching our 20 year anniversary at Cosmica Artists is such a proud moment for me as I started this as a one person company, stuffing manilla envelopes with burned promo CDs, xeroxed bios and EPK’s,” Gil Gastelum, founder of Cosmica, tells Variety. “Our new signings usher in a new chapter for Cosmica Artists, as we begin to navigate the future with confidence and pride. Looking at distribution, marketing, publishing, sync, and touring partners future and present has us all ready for the next 20 years.”

Downs incorporates indigenous Mexican influences and has recorded songs in many indigenous languages such as Mixtec, Zapotec, Mayan, Nahuatl and Purépecha.

Downs recently won best folk album at this year’s Latin Grammy Awards for her latest record, Balas y Chocolate.

The Cosmica team spearheaded the return of Mexican singer/songwriter Carla Morrison and her sold out show at the Hollywood Bowl. Most recently, Guatemalan artist Gaby Moreno won a Grammy for best Latin pop album, and claimed multiple Latin Grammy wins.

Cosmica also supported Mexican-American producer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, David Garza on his pair of Grammy wins for co-producing Fiona Apple’s “Fetch the Bolt Cutters”(best alternative album and song).

“It’s been an amazing journey filled with ups and downs, exhilarating highs and thrown under the bus lows,” said Gastelum “We’ve taken it all in and we keep going. I take great pride in working with an amazing staff and roster of talent as we work hard to create a safe and creative space for all of us.”

Other signings include up-and-coming artists Victor Internet and Loyal Lobos.

Bruno Mars Earns 10th No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Airplay Chart with Lady Gaga-Collaboration “Die With a Smile”

Posted on November 16, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Bruno Mars has another reason to die with a smile…

The 39-year-old part-Puerto Rican Grammy-winning singer’s Lady Gaga-collaboration “Die With a Smile” has risen four spots to No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart dated November 23.

The ballad, on Streamline/Atlantic/Interscope/ICLG, reigns with Greatest Gainer honors, up 10% in plays at the format for the week of November 8-14, according to Luminate.

The song drew an average of 77 plays per reporter playing it in that span (translating to a play roughly every two hours).

The Pop Airplay chart ranks songs by weekly plays on over 150 mainstream top 40 radio stations monitored by Mediabase, with data provided to Billboard by Luminate.

Mars last led the Pop Airplay chart with “Finesse,” with Cardi B, in 2018.

Gaga now boasts eight career Pop Airplay No. 1s and Mars, 10 – tying him with Justin Bieber for the most among solo males.

Here’s a look at the acts with the most leaders since the chart began in October 1992:

13, Taylor Swift
11, Maroon 5
11, Katy Perry
11, Rihanna
10, Justin Bieber
10, Ariana Grande
10, Bruno Mars
9, P!nk
8, Doja Cat
8, Lady Gaga
8, Justin Timberlake
7, Beyoncé

“Die With a Smile” crowned the Billboard Global 200 chart for eight weeks in September-October, the most for any song this year. It drew 119.6 million streams worldwide November 1-7 and has tallied over 100 million streams globally in each of the last 10 weeks (through the November 16-dated chart), the longest such streak since the survey began in September 2020.

Rubén Blades Signs Global Partnership Deal with Virgin Music Group

Posted on November 12, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Rubén Blades has a new deal…

The 76-year-old Panamanian musician, singer, composer, actor, activist and politician has signed a global partnership with Virgin Music Group.

The indie artist, who releases music under his own label Rubén Blades Production, was previously with AWAL.

This new deal with Virgin sets him up for the “next chapter in his legendary career,” states a press release.

One of the most influential and revered Latin artists of all time, Blades – whose career spans over five decades – is known for music that is both poetic and socially conscious and rooted in storytelling.

A key figure in the New York salsa revolution during the 1970s, Blades has dedicated his career to propelling Afro-Cuban music.

The “Pedro Navaja” singer was honored with the Latin Recording Academy’s Person of the Year award in 2021, he also won album of the year award for SALSWING! at the Latin Grammys that year.

“Rubén Blades has built an incredible legacy in Latin music as a trailblazer, pushing artistic boundaries and cultural change. We look forward to working with him on the next phase of his illustrious career and furthering his legacy with new audiences around the world,” Víctor González, president of Latin America and Iberia for Virgin Music Music Group, said in a statement.

Overall, Blades – also an actor who played the role of Daniel Salazar on Fear the Walking Dead – has won 12 Grammy Awards and 11 Latin Grammys. This year, he’s a two-time nominee at the 25th annual Latin Grammys where “Aún Me Sigo Encontrando,” his collab with Gian Marco, is up for song of the year and his latest album, Siembra: 45° Aniversario (En Vivo en el Coliseo de Puerto Rico, 14 de Mayo 2022), is up for best salsa album. The ceremony takes place Thursday (Nov. 14) in Miami.

Bruno Mars Earns Third Week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Global Charts with ROSÉ-Collaboration “APT.”

Posted on November 11, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Bruno Mars hasn’t left the penthouse just yet…

The 39-year-old part-Puerto Rican Grammy-winning artist’s ROSÉ-collaboration “APT.” remains at the summit on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts for a third week.

Two weeks earlier, the song debuted as each artist’s second leader on each ranking.

“APT.,” released October 18, tops the Global 200 for a third week with 162.2 million streams (down 22% week-over-week) and 14,000 sold (down 21%) worldwide November 1-7.

The week before, the duet logged 207.5 million streams, a frame after it debuted with 224.5 million, becoming the first title since the chart started to have logged at least 200 million streams globally in multiple weeks.

The song introduces ROSÉ’s solo studio album, rosie, due December 6.

Lady Gaga and Mars’ “Die With a Smile” holds at No. 2 on the Global 200, following eight weeks at No. 1, the most for any song this year. It drew 119.6 million streams (down 5%) worldwide Nov. 1-7 and has tallied over 100 million streams globally in each of the last 10 weeks – surpassing The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber’s “Stay” (nine straight triple-digit weeks in August-October 2021) for the longest such streak since the chart began.

“APT.” concurrently rules Global Excl. U.S. for a third week, with 145.1 million streams and 10,000 sold (down 22% in each metric) outside the U.S. November 1-7.

As on the Global 200, “Die With a Smile” holds at No. 2 on Global Excl. U.S. following eight weeks at No. 1.

The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts (dated Nov. 16, 2024) will update on Billboard.com tomorrow, Nov. 12. For both charts, the top 100 titles are available to all readers on Billboard.com, while the complete 200-title rankings are visible on Billboard Pro, Billboard’s subscription-based service. For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.

The Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts, which began in September 2020, 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.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Grammys