Grupo Firme Earns Second No. 1 in a Week on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with “El Beneficio De La Duda”

Posted on July 9, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Grupo Firme is replacing itself…

A week after the Mexican band scored its first career No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart, the Regional Mexican group replaces itself at the summit with new single “El Beneficio De La Duda,” as the song flies 24-1 on the July 13-dated list.

The new leader follows the one-week reign of “Te Va a Doler,” the group’s first collab with Thalia.

“We are grateful to our audience for supporting each one of our crazy ideas,” Eduin Caz, lead singer for Grupo Firme, tells Billboard. “Both songs are completely different and the fact that they have accepted them as such, to take them to No. 1 one after the other is incredible and only motivates us to keep going.”

“El Beneficio De La Duda” scores 6.2 million audience impressions, up 56%, earned during the June 28-July 4 tracking week, according to Luminate.

Thalia’s “Te Va a Doler,” with Grupo Firme, meanwhile, falls to No. 26 with a 48% decline in audience (down 48%) after one week on top.

Thanks to the 56% gain in audience, “El Beneficio De La Duda” takes home the Greatest Gainer trophy, a weekly award for the song with the largest increase in audience among the 50-title radio ranking.

A pair of California stations lead the way with the most plays, KLAX in Los Angeles and KRZZ in San Francisco, in the latest tracking week, while KFZO in Dallas, rounds up the top three.

“El Beneficio De La Duda,” composed by singer-songwriter Joss Favela and released May 28 via Music VIP, grants the label its first ruler on the overall Latin radio ranking. Music VIP came close when “Que Onda Perdida,” another Grupo Firme song, with Gerardo Coronel, reached No. 3 in July 2023.

“For us, it is wonderful to continue to represent our Mexican music in the highest possible way,” Isael Gutiérrez, founder and CEO of Music VIP Entertainment, tells Billboard. “Every achievement and every record we break drives us to keep innovating and creating music that continues to break boundaries.”

As “El Beneficio De La Duda” lands at the summit on the overall Latin radio tally, Grupo Firme replaces itself at No. 1, the second act to achieve the feat in 2024, following Myke Towers whose “Borracho y Loco” with Yandel ceded the throne to his own “La Falda,” after the latter’s one week in charge (Feb. 24-dated list).

Beyond its Latin Airplay coronation, “El Beneficio De La Duda” takes the lead on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart, for the group’s 10th No. 1 there, tying with Christian Nodal for second-most champs this decade, both trailing only Calibre 50’s 11 No. 1s since 2020.

“When Joss Favela sent me the first take of the song, he simulated the accordion with his voice because the song wasn’t produced yet,” Caz adds. “I still liked how his voice hummed the melody and decided to incorporate it, and that is one of the most special details of the song.”

Grupo Firme, comprising Eduin and Johnny Caz, Abraham Hernandez, Joaquin Ruiz, Christian Gutierrez, Jose Rubio and Dylan Camacho, celebrates its second No. 1 on the heels of the group’s La Última Peda Tour 2024, the 32-date run that launched in San Antonio, Texas on May 10 and will wrap up November 2 at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

Thalia Earns First No. 1 in 11 Years on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with Grupo Firme Collab, “Te Va a Doler”

Posted on July 3, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Thalia has returned to the summit…

The 52-year-old Mexican singer, songwriter and actress and Grupo Firme have each scored a career milestone on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart as their collaboration “Te Va a Doler” reaches No. 1 on the list dated July 6.

With the new champ, Thalia returns to No. 1 after more than a decade, while Grupo Firme visits the summit for the first time.

The track is from Thalia’s A Mucha Honra album, which includes another version of the song, without Grupo Firme, remixed by Deorro.

“I’m really thrilled with all the love and support my fans and radio are giving ‘Te Va a Doler’ with Grupo Firme and the remix with Deorro,” Thalia tells Billboard. “Working alongside them was a real treat! This album is really special to me and knowing that the music is connecting with audiences means the world to me!”

“Te Va a Doler” stems from Thalia’s A Mucha Honra project, her 21st studio album released April 26 via Sony Music Entertainment.

“Te Va a Doler” rolls into the top spot with no pain on the overall Latin Airplay chart with a 10% gain in audience impressions, to 7.2 million, earned in the U.S. during the June 21-27 tracking week, according to Luminate.

Last week’s No. 1, Kali Uchis and Peso Pluma’s “Igual Que Un Ángel,” falls to No. 4, after the latter’s one week reign, with an 18% dip in audience, to 6.5 million.

“Te Va a Doler” gives both acts a reason to celebrate. Thalia scores her first No. 1 in 11 years, and Grupo Firme achieves its first leader.

Thalia returns to No. 1 for the first time since “Te Perdiste Mi Amor,” featuring Prince Royce, took over Latin Airplay for one week on May 4, 2013. In between, she placed three other songs below the top 15.

Thalia adds a sixth No. 1 to her account. Plus, she expands her span of champs to 24 years, dating back to first week at the apex on June 17, 2000, when “Entre El Mar y Una Estrella” seized the crown.

As Thalia’s collection of champs grows, here’s a look at the singer’s Latin Airplay chart-toppers:

Peak Date, Title, Artist, Weeks at No. 1
June 17, 2000, “Entre El Mar Y Una Estrella,” one
July 20, 2002, “Tu Y Yo,” one
Oct. 26, 2002, “No Me Enseñaste,” two
Feb. 28, 2004, “Cerca De Ti,” one
May 4, 2013, “Te Perdiste Mi Amor,” featuring Prince Royce, one
July 6, 2024, “Te Va A Doler,” with Grupo Firme

Further, when “Te Va A Doler” debuted at No. 39 in May, Thalia made her first chart appearance since “No Me Acuerdo,” with Natti Natasha, in Sept. 2018.

Grupo Firme, meanwhile, captures its first No. 1 after missing the throne with the No. 2-peaking “El Amor De Su Vida,” with Grupo Frontera, in Oct. 2023.

The Tijuana-based band becomes just the third regional Mexican ensemble to rule Latin Airplay in 2024, following Fuerza Regida with its Marshmello collab, “Harley Quinn,” and Grupo Frontera through “(Entre Parentesis),” with Shakira, both for one week in charge, on the Feb. 3- and May 18-dated charts, respectively.

“Te Va A Doler” additionally reaches No. 1 on Latin Pop Airplay. Thalia secures her first ruler since the three-week champ “Entre El Mar y Una Estrella” in June 2000, and Grupo Firme claims a first No. 1 on the Latin pop radio ranking with its first entry.

Grupo Firme Announces Plans to Take “La Última Peda” Tour Global

Posted on January 6, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Grupo Firme is preparing for a global trek…

The Latin Grammy-winning Regional Mexican group, based in Tijuana, Mexico, has announced plans to hit the road in 2024 with their La Última Peda tour.

While the dates and venues are yet to be revealed, Grupo Firme confirmed they’ll be performing in Mexico, the U.S., Latin America and, for the first time, Europe, becoming one of the few Mexican banda groups to tour in European territory.

“You dictate where you want to see Grupo Firme. The most mentioned cities or countries [in the comments] will be where we will be present,” the group shared on Instagram.

Formed in 2014, they have received nominations for a variety of awards, including Premios Juventud and Premio Lo Nuestro, being the winner in 2021 of the latter in five categories.

Gerardo Coronel Earns First Solo No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with “Se Buscan Borrachos”

Posted on November 29, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Gerardo Coronel has scored his first solo No. 1.

The 27-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter, known as “El Jerry,” crosses has earned his first No. 1 without any other acts on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart as “Se Buscan Borrachos” ascends to the top of the December 2-dated ranking.

Coronel’s second No. 1 overall takes the lead with 8.7 million audience impressions in the U.S. Nov. 17-23, according to Luminate.

The song is a “journey alongside my great team,” Coronel tells Billboard. “It invites us all to get drunk, cure the hangover and become an expert at the subject, because if we were looking for drunks, it was to make them sing about what’s coming next year!”

“Se Buscan Borrachos” was composed by Salvador Aponte and Meño Segovia and appears on Coronel’s album CHSM el Hígado!

The track arrives at the Regional Mexican Airplay summit after Coronel notched his first leader on any Billboard chart with “Que Onda Perdida,” with Grupo Firme, for three weeks in July.

The Regional Mexican corrido singer-songwriter has since debuted two other tracks on the ranking: “Alguien De Aquí,” with Nathan Galante, up to No. 19 on the latest list, and “Al Menos Indicado,” with Cuisillos, concurrently new at No. 40.

Further, Coronel claims the sixth Regional Mexican Airplay No. 1 of 2023 by a soloist with no billed collaborators. Seven such songs led in 2022, after four did in 2021 and three reigned in 2020, with the genre largely the domain of groups historically.

Here’s the list of such leaders this year:

Artist, Title, Date Song Reached No. 1:
Gerardo Coronel “El Jerry,” “Se Buscan Borrachos,” Dec. 2, 2023
Alejandro Fernández, “Difícil Tu Caso,” Nov. 18, 2023
El Fantasma, “La Vida Cara,” Sept. 9, 2023
Carin León, “Indispensable,” Aug. 19, 2023
Alejandro Fernández, “No Es Que Me Quiera Ir,” Aug. 5, 2023
Christian Nodal, “Un Cumbión Dolido,” June 3, 2023

Beyond its Regional Mexican Airplay coronation, “Se Buscan Borrachos” makes progress on the overall Latin Airplay chart, bounding 10-4, having become Coronel’s third top 10 on the tally.

Carin León Signs Exclusive Global Publishing Agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group

Posted on November 6, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Carin León has a new worldwide publishing deal…

The 34-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter and Regional Mexican star has signed an exclusive global publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG).

A leading force in the música mexicana genre, the Sonora-born artist has established himself as one of Mexican music’s most versatile and eclectic artists today recording in norteño, banda, R&B and pop.

“There is no doubt, Carin León is one of the most talented artists currently,” Yadira Moreno, UMPG managing director of Mexico and Central America & vp of new business development for Latin America, said in a statement. “He can blend R&B, Folk, Country and Mexican Music easily and gracefully. We are excited to collaborate with Carin and foster his composing career internationally.”

“I feel deeply honored to embark on this creative journey alongside Universal Music Publishing Group. This partnership marks a thrilling new chapter in my career, and I’m eagerly looking forward to expressing my passion and creativity through the art of music,” added Leon.

Since launching his solo career in 2018, León has helped usher a new era for regional Mexican music. With three career entries on the Billboard Hot 100 and 12 on the Hot Latin Songs tally, he scored his first top 10 on the Top Latin Albums chart with Colmillo de Leche, released in May. It was the first studio album released on the singer-songwriter’s own label, Socios Music, which he launched late last year.

Jody Gerson, UMPG chairman and CEO, said: “Carin León’s career is limitless and transcends Música Mexicana. His soulful voice, songwriting, live shows and ambition goes beyond language. I look forward to working with Jorge Juarez and our entire global team to support Carin as he opens doors creatively across musical genres and geographies.”

León joins UMPG’s roster, which includes other regional Mexican powerhouses such as Juan Gabriel, Espinosa Paz, Horacio Palencia, Grupo Firme, Yahritza Y Su Esencia and Ivan Cornejo, among others.

Calibre 50 Extends Record for Most No. 1s on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with “Vengo de Verla”

Posted on November 3, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Calibre 50 is extending its lead…

The Regional Mexican band has extended its record for the most No. 1s on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart as “Vengo de Verla” crowns the tally dated November 4.

In its 10th week, the single advances from No. 5 with 7.8 million audience impressions, up 19%, earned during the tracking week ending October 26, according to Luminate.

It sends Grupo Frontera and Grupo Firme’s “El Amor de Su Vida” to No. 2 with a 12% drop, to 7.63 million.

With its new champ, Calibre 50 improves its career total on Regional Mexican Airplay to 24 No. 1s.

The group remains atop the leaderboard for the most No. 1s among all acts since the chart’s inception in 1994, opening an even larger gap ahead of its competitors.

Here’s a look at the artists with the most chart-toppers on Regional Mexican Airplay:

24, Calibre 50
19, Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga
18, Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga
18, Intocable
17, La Arrolladora Banda el Limón de Rene Camacho
16, Conjunto Primavera
16, Los Tigres del Norte

“Vengo de Verla” arrives at the summit after Calibre 50 led with “Dirección Equivocada” for two weeks in April. The song required an equal 10 weeks to lead.

In between, the group reached a No. 18 high with “Hablar de Ti” (July 15-dated list).

Further, “Vengo de Verla” climbs to a new peak on the overall Latin Airplay chart, pushing 12-7. There, the Mazatlán, Sinaloa, band collects its 27th top 10, cementing a new record for the most top 10s among any regional Mexican group.

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

Posted on August 25, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

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.

“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 McCartney, Justin Bieber, Manu Chao, Shakira, 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.

Carin León Earns Fourth No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with “Indispensable”

Posted on August 18, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Carin León has another indispensible hit…

The 34-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter has earned his fourth No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart as his latest single, “Indispensable,” climbs 5-1 to lead the August 19-dated ranking.

“Indispensable” is the only song from León’s third studio album Colmillo de Leche to enter Regional Mexican Airplay so far.

The 18-track set, a collage of genres that have influenced the Hermosillo-born singer-songwriter, took him to a top 10 on both Top Latin Albums and Regional Mexican Albums charts, at No. 5 high and No. 10, respectively, on charts dated June 3.

“Indispensable” takes the lead on Regional Mexican Airplay with Greatest Gainer honors, thanks to a 22% gain in audience impressions, to 7.7 million, earned in the U.S. during the August 4-10 according to Luminate.

With the leap, the song ejects Yahritza y Su Esencia’s “Frágil,” with Grupo Frontera, from the top slot following a one-week reign. The track falls to No. 5.

With “Indispensable,” León earns his fourth No. 1 on the radio list and first as a soloist, unaccompanied by any other collaborator. He previously ruled with the six-week champ “Que Vuelvas,” with Grupo Frontera (between January-March), and through a guest spot on Banda MS’ “Ojos Cerrados” for three weeks in 2022. His first ruler, though, arrived with “El Tóxico,” with Grupo Firme, which dominated for two weeks in 2021.

Beyond its Regional Mexican Airplay coronation, “Indispensable” rises from No. 11 to its new No. 6 peak on the overall Latin Airplay survey, giving León his sixth top 10 there.

Grupo Frontera Releases Debut Album “El Comienzo”

Posted on August 4, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Grupo Frontera is starting something…

The Regional Mexican band has officially released their debut studio El Comienzo.

Grupo Frontera originally gained virality with their Morat cover of “No Se Va” and then took advantage of the momentum to release original music — which has earned them seven titles on the Billboard Hot 100, and 10 on the Hot Latin Songs chart (including a No. 1 hit).

Home to 11 tracks, the Rio Grande Valley-based group delivers a traditional norteño-cumbia set with some very heartfelt and relatable lyrics — mostly about love and heartbreak.

Most notable are the star-studded collaborations. For “Alta Voz,” Grupo Frontera brings back Junior H in his sad boy era, singing about missing someone and calling them despite the hour; in “Las Flores,” the band and Yahritza y Su Esencia’s second collaborative effort, we find an upbeat, ‘90s-inspired grupero melody backing a vocal about regretting falling in love; and on focus single “El Amor de Su Vida,” with Grupo Firme, a man makes his peace that the love of his life is with another person.

El Comienzo also includes previously released collabs “Que Vuelvas” with Carin León, “Ojitos Rojos” with Ke Personajes, and the Bad Bunny-assisted “Un X100to,” which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 earlier this year.

La Maquinaria Norteña Earns Third No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with “Te Quiero Ver”

Posted on July 19, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

La Maquinaria Norteña is celebrating another chart-topper…

The Regional Mexican band continues its winning streak as its latest single, “Te Quiero Ver,” rises 2-1 to rule Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart dated July 22.

It’s the third No. 1 for the Roswell, N.M.-based group, all of which arrived less than a year ago.

“Te Quiero Ver” rises to the summit on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart with 7.69 million audience impressions, a 7% swell from the week prior, earned in the U.S. during the July 7-13 tracking week, according to Luminate.

The quintet’s new champ follows “Eres Ese Algo,” which commanded for one week in February. With “Te Quiero Ver” in the lead, La Maquinaria picks up its third No. 1 among 29 career entries, and 13 top 10s. Its first came through the one-week ruler “50 y Cincuenta” in August 2022.

“Te Quiero Ver” ousts Grupo Firme and Gerardo Coronel’s “Que Onda Perdida” from the top slot after three weeks in charge.

With “Te Quiero Ver” at No. 1, La Maquinaria solidifies its standing becoming the only act, overall, with dual coronations unaccompanied by any other act on Regional Mexican Airplay in 2023.

Further, the quintet is also the second act to place at least two rulers on the survey in the same period. The only other act to place as many or more is Grupo Frontera with three champs: “Que Vuelvas” with Carin León (six weeks at No. 1, between Jan-Feb), “Bebe Dame” with Fuerza Regida (three weeks at No. 1, March-April) and “Di Que Sí” with Grupo Marca Registrada (April-May).

“Te Quiero Ver” also sees progress on the overall Latin Airplay chart, rising to its No. 5 high.

The northeño tune was composed by Keith Nieto, he group’s saxophonist.

La Maquinaria is comprised of leading vocalist and sixth bass player Sergio “Mosca” Soto, Nieto on sax, Rory Nieto on accordion, Tony Nieto on drums and Iván Gutiérrez on electric bass.

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