Bad Bunny Celebrates History-Making 1 Billion Spotify Streams for “Tití Me Preguntó”

Bad Bunny is celebrating his the latest streaming hit…

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning superstar recently visited Spotify’s newly launched Billions Club series.

Bad BunnyBad Bunny stopped by the series to enjoy a “Billions Brunch” with some of his closest friends and collaborators.

“The feeling of having 1 billion streams for this song right now is the same emotion I felt when I got 5,000 plays for the first time,” Bad Bunny said. “For me, it’s just as big knowing that there are people who want to listen and want to enjoy what you make.” 

The song in question is “Tití Me Preguntó,” a track from his historic Un Verano Sin Ti album that officially reached 1 billion Spotify streams on January 23.

According to Spotify, Bad Bunny has 12 songs with more than 1 billion streams each on the platform — more than any other artist in Spotify history. He has accumulated 58 billion streams on the service, reigning as Spotify’s most-streamed artist of the year for the past three years.

In the video, Bad Bunny feasted on a lavish meal set on several plaques that commemorated his other songs with over 1 billion Spotify streams, including “Yonaguni,” “Dákiti” (with Jhayco) and “MIA” (with Drake).

In addition to basking in his record-breaking streaming success, the “Después de la Playa” singer also recounted the story behind the creation of “Tití Me Preguntó.” When tasked with telling the story of the song in 10 seconds, he replied, “That’s impossible. That’s a lifetime of love and romance.”

“It’s a song that was born very spontaneously,” he added. “All of the people mentioned in the song exist in real life. Nothing I say in that song is a lie, including the part where I say I want to fall in love, but I can’t.”

Nonetheless, Bad Bunny declined to specify which aunt he was singing about, because “they’ll get jealous and create a mess.”

Toward the end of his Billions Club episode, Bad Bunny made sure to thank his fans for their continued support, as well as his mother and father for believing in him “not just in music, but with every decision [he’s] made” in his life.

Bad Bunny has earned 11 top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including his sole No. 1 single “I Like It” (with Cardi B & J Balvin). On the Billboard 200, he has notched five top 10 projects, two of which have reached the ranking’s summit: El Ultimo Tour Del Mundo (one week) and Un Verano Sin Ti (13 weeks).

Shakira Becomes First Artist to Hold Top Three Spots on Billboard’s Latin Pop Airplay Chart in Single Week

Shakira has earned another mention in the Latin music record books… 

The 46-year-old Colombian superstar has become the first artist to occupy the top three ranks on Billboard’s Latin Pop Airplay chart in a single week.

ShakiraOn the survey dated July 29, “TQG,” with Karol G, holds strong at No. 1 for a 10th week; Shakira’s own “Acróstico” rises 3-2, returning to its best rank; and the Colombian superstar’s latest single “Copa Vacía,” with Manuel Turizo, advances 4-3 for a new high.

The Latin Pop Airplay chart, which began in 1994, reflects weekly audience impressions from a panel of over 150 Latin-formatted U.S. radio stations, as monitored by Mediabase, which provides Luminate data for Billboard charts.)

Despite “TQG” dipping 7% in audience impressions to 8.6 million in the latest tracking week, ending July 20, the team-up’s 10 weeks at No. 1 mark the second-most of 2023 – trailing only another Shakira song: Her Bizarrap collab “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” dominated for 12 weeks beginning in February (and currently holds at No. 7).

As “Acróstico” and “Copa Vacía” ascend to Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, radio airplay continues to grow for the songs. “Acróstico” takes the runner-up slot with a 2% gain in audience impressions, to 5.7 million, while “Copa Vacia” rises with a 33% boost, to 5.4 million, procuring the track the week’s Greatest Gainer honor.

Previously, Shakira and 16 other acts had held the top two on Latin Pop Airplay simultaneously.

The full list of such artists: Rauw Alejandro, Bad Bunny, Camilo, Daddy Yankee, Luis Fonsi, Juan Luis Guerra 440, Enrique Iglesias, J Balvin, Juanes, Karol G, Maluma, Nicky Jam, Don Omar, Ozuna, Pitbull, Shakira and Tainy.

Ozuna Signs with Scooter Braun‘s SB Projects

Ozuna is hoping to build up his music empire with a little extra braun

The 31-year-old Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, and rapper has signed with Scooter Braun‘s SB Projects.

Ozuna

The management deal is a partnership with Edgar Andino, founder and CEO of Andino Marketing Group.

Ozuna joins a SB Projects roster that includes Justin BieberAriana Grande and Demi Lovato, among others.

The company also previously managed Colombian powerhouse J Balvin, who parted ways with SB in June 2022 and is now signed to Roc Nation.

“I’m confident that Scooter and his team’s global music expertise will open doors into new markets,” Ozuna said in a statement. “We all share the same strategic vision and direction to keep spreading my music worldwide. I’m truly excited about all the new opportunities the future holds.”

“His music is a true voice of his community, and we look forward to working with him here at Hybe on a global scale,” Braun, CEO of HYBE America, added.

A key figure in Ozuna’s team, Andino has helped the singer-songwriter land global deals that range from NFT collaborations to releasing a song for the Call of Duty video game.

Most recently, he led negotiations for Ozuna’s inclusion in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Soundtrack, performing “Arhbo” with rapper GIMS. The uplifting song, which they performed at the World Cup’s closing ceremony, peaked at No. 1 Billboard‘s Latin Airplay chart.

“Working with Ozuna over these past years, one thing is for certain, we always go big,” added Andino.  “For us, Scooter and SB Projects align with our vision. They are the perfect partners to help in our continued approach and take Ozuna to the next level of his career. We cannot be more thrilled and cannot wait for everyone to see what we have coming next.”

In May, he released Afro, a seven-track EP where he experiments with Afrobeats. It followed his 2022 studio album, Ozutochi, which landed at No. 5 on the Top Latin Albums chart. Ozuna is set to embark on his Afro Tour across Europe this summer, which has 16 confirmed dates, including stops in France, Spain, Italy, Israel and Holland. The monthlong trek kicks off July 7 in France and wraps Aug. 6 in Spain.

“We’ve been following Ozuna’s career for years and we’re excited to be bringing him into the family to work with him and Edgar,” Jennifer McDaniels, president of management at SB Projects, said in a statement.

“Ozuna’s music is unmatched.  His ability to work across genres including reggaeton, Latin pop, and more, is phenomenal. With unique songs offering fresh perspective and beautiful sounds, we’re thrilled to amplify his artistry with this partnership.”

Becky G Makes Cameo Appearance in Tainy’s Just Released “La Baby” Music Video

Becky G is making a Tainy appearance…

One week after surprising he world with “La Baby,” a new single off Tainy’s upcoming studio album DATA, the Latin hitmaker has brought in a host of celebrity women, including the 26-year-old Mexican American singer, rapper and actress, for the summer-friendly track’s official video, released on Monday.

Becky GIn addition the 26-year-old Mexican American singer/atress, the star-studded music video features Camila Cabello, Lali, Elena Rose, Bad Gyal, Evaluna, RaiNao and PaoPao singing along to the verses from Daddy Yankee, Feid and Sech.

In a 90’s-inspired selfie clip, each artist is seen doing their own respective thing, such as getting ready for a night out (Bad Gyal), working out at the gym (Lali), drinking a morning coffee (Evaluna) or enjoying a late-night drive around town (Elena Rose).

“La Baby” sees Tainy opting for infectious reggaeton with hard-hitting drum beats and lyrics meant to empower and motivate the ladies.

“That kitty is lost/ She doesn’t have an owner/ An architect/ She’s building her dreams/ Everyone I show her off to/ Says she’s hot like a jalapeño,” he sings on his verse.

“Thank you to these incredible women for being a part of it,” Tainy expressed on his Instagram account.

“La Baby” is part of Tainy’s debut solo studio album DATA, slated for a June 29 release. The release also comes on the heels of Tainy unveiling its stacked tracklist including Bad Bunny, Rauw Alejandro, Myke Towers, J Balvin, Arcangel, Kany Garcia, Young Miko and many more.

“[DATA] is a representation of who I am as a person, and as a fan of music,” Tainy previously told Billboard Español. “To be able to have my own album is so special. I’m putting my everything into this, all the knowledge I’ve acquired since I started working with the people I admire.”

Anitta Reportedly Taps Rebeca León to Serve as Her New Manager

Anitta has a new manager…

Rebeca León has been tapped as the 30-year-old Brazilian singer, songwriter, acress and television host’s new manager, according to Variety.

AnittaLeón is the CEO and founder of Lionfish Entertainment, an artist management and production company operating in the music, film, TV, and digital businesses.

Representatives for Republic Records, Anitta’s new label, and León did not respond to requests for comment from Variety.

Anitta was formerly managed by Brandon Silverstein, the founder/CEO of S10 Entertainment, who helped build the multi-lingual singer’s career in the United States.

Just a few months ago, Léon amicably parted ways with her longtime client Rosalía, with whom she started a partnership in 2018. As a manager, she’s worked with numerous renowned Latin acts, including overseeing the fruitful career of Colombian superstar Juanes, and the emergence of J Balvin (they amicably split in 2019).

Before Lionfish, León led Latin operations as senior VP for AEG/Goldenvoice.

This shift in Anitta’s team comes as she’s also switched labels: Anitta had signed a new deal with Universal’s Republic Records in late April, just weeks after her highly-publicized split from Warner Music.

She cut ties with Warner after 11 years at the company and a big effort by the company’s Warner Records label to launch the singer’s career in the U.S. with her multi-genre latest album “Versions of Me,” released just over a year ago.

“After eleven years of successful partnership, we’ve agreed to go our separate ways,” read a statement from the label and artist. “Anitta would like to thank the Warner Music team for all their support. And the Warner team wishes Anitta all the best in future.”

Anitta recently announced the incoming release of her first Republic Records single titled “Funk Rave.” She’s also said to be releasing a new project, a “Brazilian album of English and Spanish,” that pays homage to the early beginnings of Brazilian music.

“I think Brazilian funk is opening its room right now and I want to show more about where this was born and it’s my culture, my community, my place so I feel happy to have this in hands with Republic,” Anitta told Variety.

J Balvin Releases Music Video for “Fast X” Film Soundtrack, “Toretto”

J Balvin is feelin’ the need for speed…

The 38-year-old Colombian superstar is going full speed in the music video for “Toretto,” which is part of the Fast X soundtrack.

J BalvinThe three-minute clip starts off with Balvin receiving a set of keys from a man who doesn’t appear on screen, but his deep and hoarse voice gives him away.

“Let me show you how I ride,” the hitmaker tells Vin Diesel. “Buckle up,” the action star responds. “Watch me,” Balvin says before taking off for a ride.

At the end of his drive, the artist boasts to Diesel, “Told you I’m good!” Responds the impressed actor, “Not bad!”

According to a press release, in “Toretto,” Diesel makes his first music video appearance in the 22-year-spanning Fast & Furious films. The video pays homage to the franchise’s history and affinity for cars, speed and family bonds. Balvin’s fast-paced track is part of the soundtrack for Fast X, the tenth film of the series, which is set to arrive in theaters Friday, May 19.

The Fast X soundtrack includes songs by other artists such as Maria Becerra, Myke Towers, Ludmilla, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Jimin of BTS, Kodak Black, NLE Choppa.

The soundtrack will also be available May 19 via Artist Partner Group.

Most recently, Balvin — who in total has 35 top 10 hits on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart — officially joined Roc Nation as a management client, where he will be overseen directly by Jay Brown and Chris Knight.

Over the summer, he’ll kick off a series of European tour dates, mostly festivals, beginning with a June 24 performance at the Solydays festival in Paris.

J Balvin & Bad Bunny Tie Ozuna for Top Spot on YouTube’s Billion Views Club with ““Si Tu Novio Te Deja Sola” Collab

It’s Lucky No. 13 for J Balvin and Bad Bunny

The 38-year-old Colombian urbano singer/songwriter and the 29-year-old Puerto Rican superstar have each notched their 13th video entry in YouTube’s Billion Views Club, according to the video platform.

J Balvin & Bad BunnyBalvin and Bad Bunny have now tied the record Ozuna previously held on his own.

All three reggaeton acts have become the artists with the most entries in the Billion Views Club as lead, featured artist or collaborator.

Balvin and Bad Bunny achieved the milestone with their 2017 collaborative effort “Si Tu Novio Te Deja Sola,” a tropical, groovy, trap fusion with cheeky lyrics that put Bad Bunny on the radar. The vibrant music video, filmed in the captivating landscapes of Puerto Rico, was uploaded to YouTube on March 3, 2017.

In 2022, J Balvin reclaimed his crown after his Black Eyed Peas-assisted “Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life)” video entered the club. He broke the tie he had with Justin Bieber, who currently has 11 titles with more than a billion views.

Earlier this year, however, Ozuna nabbed the crown notching two new entries with “Síguelo Bailando” and “Diles.” The latter — a collaboration with Bad Bunny, Farruko, Árcangel and Ñengo Flow, also became Bad Bunny’s 12th entry in the Billion Views Club.

Ozuna’s next video to hit one billion views will likely be “El Farsante” (977 million views as of press time). Balvin’s next contender is “Say My Name” with David Guetta and Bebe Rexha (982 million views). Bad Bunny’s next potential clip to reach the milestone viewership number is his feature on Nacho and Yandel’s “Bailame Remix” (975 million views).

With the new entry into the Billion Views Club, Balvin is now at No. 37 on YouTube’s Global Top Artists chart, whereas Bad Bunny lands at No. 6.

J Balvin Signs Management Deal with Roc Nation

J Balvin has new management…

The 38-year-old Colombian singer has officially joined Roc Nation as a management client, where he will be overseen directly by Jay Brown and Chris Knight.

J BalvinBalvin was previously managed by Fabio Acosta and Scooter Braun’s SB Projects. He parted ways with the latter on June 30, 2022, after nearly three years together.

He continued working with Acosta and his company, Akela Family Music, through March. Acosta had managed or co-managed Balvin in some capacity for the past decade. Sources say the two parted on amicable terms.

Balvin, one of the biggest Latin stars in the world, has had a series of management shifts over the past five years. In 2019, he parted ways with manager Rebeca León, who had managed him since the onset of his career in the United States, and signed with Braun.

Throughout both deals, Acosta remained part of his management team and worked in partnership with SB Projects, helping bring in groundbreaking deals and partnerships. These included his celebrity menu collaboration with McDonald’s — a first for a Latin act.
7/14 – Tenerife, Spain – Ritmo del Mundo
7/15 – Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal – Meo Mares Vivas Festival
7/21 – Byron Bay, Australia – Splendour in the Grass
7/23 – Melbourne – Margaret Court
7/25 – Sydney – Hordern Pavillion

Keityn Named Songwriter of the Year at ASCAP Latin Music Awards

(Te) Felicito-ciones are in order for Keityn

The Colombian songwriter and musical artist who co-wrote Karol G’s “Provenza” and Shakira and Rauw Alejandro’s “Te Felicito,” was named songwriter of the year at the 2023 ASCAP Latin Music Awards.

Keityn

Me Porto Bonito” — performed by Bad Bunny & Chencho Corleone and co-written by ASCAP songwriter Master Joe — won song of the year, while Universal Music Publishing Music Group took the publisher of the year honor.

Winners at the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers’ annual awards — which recognize the songwriters, producers and publishers behind Latin music’s biggest hits — where announced on May 3 at an invitation-only event in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

A first-time ASCAP winner, Keityn (real name: Kevyn Mauricio Cruz Moreno) has also been behind chart-topping hits such as “Tusa” by Karol G and Nicki Minaj, Maluma‘s “Hawái” and J Balvin and Tainy’s “Agua,” to name a few.

In October 2021, he signed an exclusive deal with Warner Music Latina, and since then, he has released songs as a performer like “El Egoísmo” with Mike Bahía and Dekko, “Anoche” and “Nueva Versión.”

Song of the year honoree “Me Porto Bonito” — a reggaetón track infused with Latin pop and sandungueo, in which two men promise to behave nicely if the woman they’re after asked them to — spent 20 weeks at the top of Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart. It also reached No. 1 on Latin Airplay, peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts, and hit the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.

Universal Music Publishing Music Group was recognized as publisher of the year for hits including “Después de la Playa,” “Efecto,” “La Corriente,” “Me Porto Bonito,” “Moscow Mule,” “Neverita,” “Ojitos Lindos,” “Party,” “Tarot,” “Tití Me Preguntó” and “Un Ratito” — all part of Bad Bunny’s uber-successful Un Verano Sin Ti, the second album in Spanish to ever top the Billboard 200.

Other 2023 ASCAP Latin Music Award-winning songwriters include Daddy Yankee (“Remix”), Jhayco (“Sensual Bebé”), Marc Anthony (“Mala”), Marco Antonio Solís (“Si Te Pudiera Mentir”), GALE (her first ASCAP Latin Award for “Ley Seca”) and Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Dos Oruguitas”).

J Balvin to Perform at Australia’s Splendour In The Grass Festival

Life is a splendour for J Balvin

The 37-year-old Colombian urban superstar is heading to Splendour In The Grass, Australia’s leading mid-year music festival.

J BalvinJ Balvin joins a lineup that includes Lewis Capaldi, Lizzo, Mumford & Sons, Flume, Slowthai, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Sam Fender, Idles and scores more.

Splendour returns to its home at Ngarindjin/North Byron Parklands from July 21-23, with tickets to the camping fest going on sale from this Friday (April 14).

For organizers Secret Sounds, part of Live Nation, this year’s event should feel like a return to normal, following a two-year pandemic which saw Splendour scratched from the calendar, and a comeback event in 2022 which was challenged by Mother Nature.

When its 2021 edition was wiped out, organizers shifted gears and used that timeslot to launch Splendour XR, a two-day virtual music festivals featuring more than 50 artist performances. Splendour XR was built alongside Linden Lab, the American digital entertainment developer that’s best known for building Second Life. But it wasn’t the real thing.

The real thing was established in 2001 in Byron Bay, a stunning beach spot on the most eastern point of Australia, a home to surfers, artists and Australia’s counterculture.

Today, Splendour is the only midwinter camping festival of its kind in Australia, and a place where internationals and homegrown performers have been known to test new cuts live for the very first time.

Three-day event tickets for Splendour are priced at A$447.51 (inclusive of booking fees); add A$197.27 for camping. Single day event tickets cost A$202.37.

Visit splendourinthegrass.com for more.