Howie Dorough & His Backstreet Boys Announce Backstreet’s Back at the Beach All-Inclusive Concert Vacation

Howie Dorough is preparing to perform in paradise…

The 49-year-old half-Puerto Rican singer and his fellow Backstreet Boys members are preparing for a little fun in the sun as they continue celebrating their 30-plus years as a group.

Backstreet Boys

Dorough and his boy band mates announced Backstreet’s Back at the Beach on Tuesday (June 27), an all-inclusive concert vacation situated on the beach in Cancún, Mexico.

The inaugural event will feature two shows right on the beach, including their DNA show as well as a 30-for-30 performance in which the group will perform a set entirely chosen by fans, per a press release.

The weekend trip, which will take place at Moon Palace Cancún from April 18 to 21, 2024, will include a full resort takeover, daily pool parties, themed activities and more.

There will also be several events with the boys, including a tequila and guacamole tasting with Dorough, a DJ set by Kevin Richardson, karaoke with AJ McLean, a beach volleyball tournament with Nick Carter, and a special variety show featuring Brian Littrell’s whole family.

To round out the musical portion of the trip, Jason Derulo will be joining the Backstreet Boys as a headliner in addition to daily performances from Eric Cubeecchee and DJ YO-C.

Travel Packages for Backstreet’s Back At The Beach will be available to purchase starting on July 7 at 1:00 pm ET here, with the pre-sale beginning at 12:00 pm ET on July 6.

All event packages include resort accommodations, round-trip airport transportation, bottomless top-shelf drinks, culinary offerings, 24-hour room service, access to private white sand beaches, daily yoga sessions, complimentary WiFi and more.

The full itinerary for the weekend will be announced soon.

Sofia Reyes Releases Sophomore Album “Mal de Amores”

Sofia Reyes is finally back with a new album…

The 26-year-old Mexican pop singer has released her highly-awaited sophomore album Mal De Amores, five years after her debut set Louder! 

Sofia Reyes

On her new set, Reyes not only experiments with new musical approaches but also flaunts her maturity over the years.

She’s unapologetic, and the opening track “MUJER” is proof of that — a saucy cumbia with elegant violins where she simply says “I don’t regret being a woman.”

It follows with the galactic reggaetón banger “Marte,” the set’s focus track, performed in collaboration with Maria Becerra — a friendly reminder that women should never tolerate toxicity.

Reyes also navigates musical styles in Mal de Amores ranging from norteño (“GALLINA”) to corridos (“Amigos” with Adriel Favela, Danny Felix) to her signature pop-urban.

The 17-track set includes previously-released collaborations such as “1, 2, 3” with Jason Derulo and De La Ghetto, “R.I.P.” with Rita Ora and Anitta, “A Tu Manera (Corbata)” with Jhay Cortez, “De Casualidad” with Pedro Capo, and the Becky G-assisted title track.

Reyes also teamed up with Warner Music newcomers Leon Leiden and The Change.

CNCO to Perform on NBC’s New Year’s Eve 2021 Special

CNCO has major plans for the New Year…

The Latin boy band will be ringing in the new year with a performance on NBC’s New Year’s Eve 2021 program.

CNCO

CNCO joins a roster of new additions to the lineup that includes Gwen StefaniBlake SheltonChloe x HalleJason Derulo, Kirstin Maldonado and her Pentatonix group mates.

Carson Daly will host NBC’s New Year’s Eve special live from Times Square in NYC. Amber Ruffin, the star of Peacock’s The Amber Ruffin Show and writer for Late Night With Seth Meyers, and Stephen “tWitch” Boss, DJ and co-executive producer for The Ellen DeGeneres Show, will join him as co-hosts.

The star-studded lineup also includes AJRGoo Goo DollsKylie MinogueBusta Rhymes with Anderson .PaakBebe Rexha with Doja Cat, and Sting with Shirazee.

NBC’s New Year’s Eve 2021 will air on Thursday, December 31, at 10:00-11:00 pm and 11:30 pm-12:30 am. ET on NBC.

Ryan Vasquez to Star in Ross Golan’s Musical “The Wrong Man”

Ryan Vasquez is in the Wrong

The Latino actor/singer has been cast in the world premiere in New York this September of multi-platinum songwriter Ross Golan’s musical The Wrong Man.

Ryan Vasquez

Vasquez will star opposite Tony-nominee Joshua Henry and Ciara Renéein the musical.

The Wrong Man is set in Reno, Nevada, and tells the story of Duran, a man just scraping by, who is accused of a murder he says he didn’t commit.

Golan’s first stage musical was initially conceived as an acoustic solo piece, but over a decade has grown to include a full-length concept album and an animated film.

Previews begin on Wednesday, September 18, with an opening night of October 7, at the Off Broadway MCC Theater.

Golan (book, music, lyrics) has written massive hits for a massive roster of artists including Maroon 5, Justin BieberNicki MinajLady Antebellum, Michael BubléSelena GomezKeith Urban, Ariana GrandeFlo RidaOne Direction, Idina MenzelNellyDemi LovatoJason DeruloMeghan TrainorCee Lo Green, 5 Seconds of SummerPrince RoyceSnoop DoggGavin DeGraw, Colbie CaillatAndy GrammerJames Blunt, Big Sean and Travis Barker.

Vasquez has appeared on Broadwayin Hamilton, Waitress and Wickedand on television in The Good FightCurb Your Enthusiasm and The Code.

Farruko Earns First No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Digital Song Sales Chart with Jason Derulo Collaboration “Mamacita”

Farrukohas a mother of a hit on his hands…

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican singer and songwriter’s collaboration with Jason Derulo, “Mamacita,” debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Digital Song Sales chart dated July 20, becoming the first leader on the list for both singers.

Farruko

“The song came from such an honest place, I wasn’t trying to make a hit or catch any trends,” Derulo tells Billboard. “I wanted to make a party song that had a Latin feel, when I got Farruko’s verse I felt like it was going to be fire!” 

The bilingual track, produced by Nuking Uffpop, starts with 3,000 downloads sold in the week ending July 11, according to Nielsen Music.

“I’m from Miami so Latin influence has been very prevalent in my life and that’s where the idea of the song came from and the partnership with Farruko,” Derulo adds. “I didn’t expect it to go No. 1, especially in the first week. I’m shocked, but I’m very thankful.”

“Mamacita” misses charting on the Hot Latin Songs chart (which blends sales, airplay and streaming data), as the track is just getting started with streams (850,000 in the week ending July 11) and garnered minimal airplay in the week ending July 14 (with just one reporting Latin station playing the song).

Farruko scores his best debut week on the tally. “Baila Baila Baila” with OzunaDaddy YankeeJ Balvin and Anuel AA, reached No. 2  on the May 11-dated chart; with 2,000 recorded downloads in its first week.

Sofia Reyes Joins Voices with Anitta & Rita Ora for New Single “R.I.P.”

Sofia Reyesis putting the BS to rest…

The 23-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter has joined voices with Anitta and Rita Ora for the trilingual track, “R.I.P.

Sofia Reyes, Anitta, Rita Ora

The new song follows Reyes’ 2018 one-off single “1,2,3,” which featured Jason Deruloand De La Ghetto.

Kicked off with a cumbia shuffle and infectious hook, the Fliptones-produced song shrugs off negative vibes in English, Spanish and Portuguese. 

“R.I.P. to the bullshit/Brush it off like Cool Whip,” recommends Reyes, who maneuvers a Catholic cross into a dance move. 

Shot in Los Angeles, the sumptuous video, directed by Eif Rivera, sees the international trifecta strut their troubles away amid a lush jungle refuge.

“We all need to be encouraged to walk away from all the bullshit that’s holding us back,” said Reyes in a press release. “It was also incredibly empowering for me to work with these two super women. I loved that we got to mix all of our cultures up with one message that we can all agree on.”

“R.I.P. to boring people, to wasting time!” adds Anitta, who suffused the song with her native Portuguese.

Signed at 16 to D’León Records— Prince Royce’s label under Warner Music Latina— Reyes released her full-length debut, Louder!in 2017. 

She is currently working on new music.

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.

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.

Gomez Earns Triple Threat Trophy at the iHeartRadio Music Awards

Move over Jennifer LopezSelena Gomez is the new Triple Threat

The 23-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress picked up the award for Biggest Triple Threat at this year’s iHeartRadio Music Awards, which were handed out Sunday night.

Selena Gomez

Gomez, heralded as a singer, actor and dancer, beat out Lady Gaga, Hailee Steinfeld, Jason Derulo, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Timberlake, Nick Jonas, Troye Sivan, Usher and Zendaya for the prize.

Bruno Mars continues to Funk things up. The 30-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer won the award for Best Collaboration for his smash hit single “Uptown Funk with Mark Ronson.

Meanwhile, Ally Brooke Hernadez, Camila Cabello and Lauren Jauregui and their fellow Fifth Harmony members, as well as 22-year-old half-Mexican American singer Jasmine V, picked up the award for Best Cover Song for Mars and Ronson’s “Uptown Funk.” They share the award with Jacob Whitesides and Mahogany Lox.

Other winners include Pitbull for Latin Artist of the Year, and Nicky Jam and Enrique Iglesiassmash hit single “El Perdón for Latin Song of the Year.

The awards show aired live on TBS, TNT and truTV from the Forum in Inglewood, California. Jason Derulo served as the night’s host.

Here’s a look at this year’s Latino winners:

Triple Threat: Selena Gomez – Singer/Actor/Dancer
Best Collaboration: “Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
Best Cover Song: “Uptown Funk” – Fifth Harmony, Jasmine V, Jacob Whitesides and Mahogany Lox covering Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
Latin Artist of the Year: Pitbull
Latin Song of the Year: “El Perdón” – Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias
Regional Mexican Artist of the Year: Banda Los Recoditos
Regional Mexican Song of the Year: “Levantando Polvadera” – Voz de Mando

Prince Royce’s Debut English Album “Double Vision” Due July 24

Prince Royce will be a (double) vision this summer…

The 26-year-old Dominican American singer-songwriter’s highly anticipated English-language album debut will be called Double Vision, and will be released July 24 on RCA Records, riding on the momentum of his new single “Back It Up” with Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull.

Prince Royce

The chart-climbing track follows the Bronx-born bachatero’s first single in English, “Stuck on a Feeling.”

The list of collaborators on Royce’s English project reads like a who’s who of pop hitmakers, with names including Illya Salmanzadeh (Ariana Grande); Jason Evigan (Jason Derulo); Toby Gad (Beyoncé); Roccstar (Chris Brown); and more.

“What I put out in English, that’s who most people are going to think I am — that’s why I’m being so careful,” Royce told Billboard for a cover story earlier this year. “I love hip-hop, R&B, techno and Latin. The album’s a combination of everything I grew up listening to.”

It’s shaping up to be a busy summer for Royce, who kicks off his tour with Ariana Grande on July 16 in Tampa, Florida.