Shakira to Receive Video Vanguard Award at This Year’s MTV Video Music Awards

Posted on August 28, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira is being celebrated for leading the way…

The 46-year-old Colombian superstar singer-songwriter will receive the Video Vanguard Award at MTV‘s 2023 Video Music Awards on September 12, becoming the first South American artist to earn the award.

Shakira will accept the award and perform at the ceremony for the first time since 2006.

The “Hips Don’t Lie” singer is a four-time VMA winner and 30-time nominee.

She won her first VMA — the award for International Viewer’s Choice — Latin America (North) — in 2000 for “Ojos Así.” She snagged the same award in 2002 for “Whenever, Wherever/Suerte” and also scooped up the trophy for Best Choreography in a Video for 2006’s “Hips Don’t Lie” as well as Most Earth-Shattering Collaboration for 2007’s “Beautiful Liar” with Beyoncé.

Shakira has also earned three Grammys and 12 Latin Grammys in her career.

The Video Vanguard Award, named after Michael Jackson, went to Nicki Minaj last year. Previous winners include Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Kanye West, David Bowie, Madonna and Rihanna. The Beatles and A Hard Day’s Night director Richard Lester won the award at the first VMAs in 1984.

Shakira is nominated for four VMAs this year: Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration and Best Latin for “TQG” with Karol G, and Best Latin for “Acróstico.”

Earlier this year, her hit collaboration with Bizarrap, “Music Sessions Vol. 53,” set a number of streaming records on Spotify and YouTube.

Shakira first performed at the VMAs in 2002 with her rendition of “Objection (Tango),” and was the first artist to perform a song entirely in Spanish at the ceremony alongside Alejandro Sanz when they sang “La Tortura” in 2005.

Taylor Swift leads this year’s VMA nominations with eight, while SZA comes in second with six nominations. Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat, Miley Cyrus, Sam Smith, Olivia Rodrigo and Kim Petras each have five nominations, and Blackpink and Diddy tie Shakira’s four. Demi Lovato, Karol G, Måneskin, and Stray Kids are confirmed to perform at the ceremony, with MTV announcing more performers soon.

Jennifer Lopez Among Hollywood A-Listers Donating Seven-Figure Checks to SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Emergency Financial Assistance Program

Posted on August 2, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Jennifer Lopez is helping provide financial support to striking SAG-AFTRA performers.

As the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes continue, the 54-year-old Puerto Rican superstar is among a list of some of the most influential names in the entertainment industry who are giving hefty donations to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Emergency Financial Assistance Program.

On Wednesday (Aug. 2), SAG-AFTRA Foundation president Courtney B. Vance announced that the Emergency Financial Assistance Program has raised more than $15 million in the past three weeks. The SAG-AFTRA foundation has served as an independent charity since 1985, and provides relief aid to eligible SAG-AFTRA performers in unexpected financial crises.

Lopez and hisband-actor Ben Affleck are among the top donors who’ve given $1 million or more. Others include are Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness, Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Julia Roberts, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively and Luciana and Matt Damon.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was the first to donate a seven-figure sum, Vance previously announced in late July.

According to Vance, “The entertainment industry is in crisis and the SAG-AFTRA Foundation is currently processing more than 30 times our usual number of applications for emergency aid. We received 400 applications in the last week alone.”

While top-earning actors such as Lopez — who has had a successful career in music and film — and husband Affleck have ample economic security, this is not the case for the majority of working actors, hence their decision to strike. Vance continued, “Our Emergency Financial Assistance Program is here to ensure that performers in need don’t lose their homes, have the ability to pay for utilities, buy food for their families, purchase life-saving prescriptions, cover medical bills and more … For more than 38 years, the Foundation has been a safety net for our community during its most challenging times, and much like the COVID pandemic, this work stoppage magnifies the precarious living conditions and financial distress of many actors living paycheck to paycheck.”

Members of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA are demanding a larger share of streaming residuals, increased job security for writers, larger writers’ rooms and a limit on the use of AI in screenwriting and background acting among other negotiating points.

Chayanne’s “Bailando Bachata” Rises to No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay Chart

Posted on August 2, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Chayanne is back at the summit…

Nine weeks after capturing his first top 10 in more than 14 years on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart, the 55-year-old Puerto Rican Latin pop singer and actor is back in command – with his first No. 1 since 2008 – as “Bailando Bachata” rises 2-1 to rule the August 5-dated list.

The song earns Greatest Gainer honors for the week fueled by an 18% increase in audience impressions, to 8.9 million, earned in the week ending July 27, according to Luminate.

“Honestly, I always do things because I feel them and since we started working on the album, bachata was considered,” Chayanne tells Billboard. “With the excessive amount of competition these days I wasn’t expecting it, but I am very grateful for this No. 1.”

“Bailando Bachata” is the third single from Chayanne’s forthcoming studio album (released date TBD). It follows two top 10 singles: “Te Amo y Punto” and “Como Tú y Yo” reached No. 6 and No. 7, respectively on Latin Pop Airplay in late 2022.

“Bailando Bachata” tops the list 14 years after Chayanne’s last leader, “Amor Inmortal,” dominated for five weeks in late 2008. The over 14-year window between new rulers is the longest gap by any artist since December 2016, when Jennifer Lopez ended a 17-year wait between No. 1s when “Olvídame y Pega La Vuelta,” with Marc Anthony, topped the list. It was her first No. 1 since “No Me Ames,” also with Marc Anthony, in 1999.

As bachata proliferates on a global level, more artists are basking on its popularity.

Notably, five of the six songs that have arrived at the summit on Tropical Airplay in 2023 belong to the genre. Here’s the recap:

Title, Artist, Peak Date, Total Weeks at No. 1
“Monotonia,” Shakira & Ozuna, Jan. 7 (nine)
“El Pañuelo,” Romeo Santos & Rosalia, Feb. 4 (four)
“La Bachata,” Manuel Turizo, Feb. 11 (14)
“Me EnRD,” Prince Royce, July 8 (four)
“Bailando Bachata,” Chayanne, Aug. 5

About the genre’s craze, Chayanne feels differently: “I love both bachata as much as all tropical rhythms. All the songs on the new album are special, I always surround myself with professionals and I only record what I feel I like, that suits me and that the public may like, not necessarily because there is a trend.”

As “Bailando Bachata” takes charge of Tropical Airplay, it ejects Prince Royce’s “Me EnRD” from its four-week command with a 17% dip in audience, to 8.4 million.

Further, “Bailando Bachata” concurrently delivers extra goods for Chayanne with a 5-3 lift on the overall Latin Airplay list, matching his career-high for almost a decade, as “Humanos a Marte” landed and at an equal No. 3 high in August 2014.

“In my case, inspirations go hand-in hand with rhythm and lyrics,” Chayanne adds. “I like songs that denote joy and invite to dance. This one most certainly will be included on my next tour; I want all to dance it with me.”

Chayanne to Perform at This Year’s “iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina”

Posted on July 18, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Chayanne is preparing for a fiesta…

iHeartMedia has announced that the 2023 iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina will return to Miami at Kaseya Center (formerly FTX Arena) on Saturday, October 21, with the 55-year-old Puerto Rican Latin pop singer and actor among the artists scheduled to perform.

In addition to Chayanne, the one-night event will feature performances featuring Ricardo Montaner, Fonseca, Servando y Florentino, Luis Figueroa, GALE and Menudo.

Enrique Santos, president and chief creative officer of iHeartLatino and on-air talent for iHeartRadio, will host the 10th annual edition.

“We’re honored to once again bring together incredible artists, electrifying music and a vibrant community,” Santos said in a statement. “Here’s to a decade of unforgettable moments, unity and the power of Latin music!”

Besides performing, Chayanne will also receive the iHeartRadio Corazón Latino Award which, according to iHeartMedia, honors an individual who “exemplifies their big heart through their selfless work enhancing the lives of the Latin community and beyond.”

The Puerto Rican icon — known for hits such as “Dejaría Todo” and “Torero” — has teamed up with and supported organizations such as Make-A-Wish Foundation, United Nations Human Rights for Climate Change, Women Refugees Commission and Heroes Por la Vida.

iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina will be broadcasted across iHeartRadio digital stations.

Additionally, Hulu will serve as the official streaming destination of the iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina with performances live-streamed exclusively to Hulu subscribers.

The event launched in 2014 in Los Angeles but has since been taking place in Miami.

Throughout the years, iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina has featured headliners such as Jennifer Lopez, Daddy Yankee, Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull, Ricky Martin and Ozuna.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday (July 21) at 10 a.m. ET via Ticketmaster.com.

Jennifer Lopez Teases That “This Is Me … Now” Album About Ready for Release

Posted on June 30, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Jennifer Lopez’s highly anticipated new album may be released in the near future…

After first teasing her new album in November, the 53-year-old Puerto Rican superstar announced on Instagram that This Is Me … Now is just about ready for release.

Lopez kept things vague in her post, simply sharing a black and white photo of her posing in front of a wall emblazoned with the title This Is Me…Now.

“Album delivery day ✨ #THISISMENOW,” she wrote in her caption.

It’s unclear what she means by “delivery day,” but J.Lo did confirm earlier this year that fans could definitely expect her ninth studio album by the end of the summer season.

“My upcoming album This Is Me … Now is coming out this summer,” she shared in March for Spotify’s new Countdown Pages feature. “Yes, you heard it here first. I’m super excited.”

This Is Me … Now serves as a follow-up to Lopez’s similarly titled 2003 record This Is Me … Then, which was dedicated to her partner at the time, Ben Affleck. The two were engaged in 2002 before parting ways in early 2004 — that is, until 2022, when the couple rekindled their romance. Now married to Affleck, Lopez has confirmed that This Is Me … Now is also inspired by Affleck and their stronger-than-ever relationship.

“The reason we’re here is because I want to capture this moment in time because it is even better than the first time,” the “Jenny From the Block” musician told Zane Lowe last year. “We captured me at this moment in time when I was reunited with the love of my life, and we decided we were going to be together forever. The whole message of the album then is this love exists. This is a real love.”

Jennifer Lopez Launches Colorful Third Collection for Revolve

Posted on June 16, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Jennifer Lopez is stepping things up…

The 53-year-old Puerto Rican superstar has launched her third collection with Revolve, featuring vibrant colors and sky-high heels.

J.Lo’s collection features more than a dozen styles including sculptural heels, platforms, stilettos and more, with prices ranging from $139-$190.

The 18-piece collection is available in sizes 6-10 and in summery shades like tangerine, bright green and hot pink along with denim boots, heels and platforms and more.

Additional styles include a show-stopping, crystal embellished platform; gold and silver heels; fuzzy pink mules and other fancy footwear “perfect” for a night out on the town.

Lopez has had a busy year. The Mother star launched her second collection with Revolve in May and debuted her Delola alcohol brand in April.

Additionally, the JLo Beauty founder has inked deals with Coach, Goli, Intimissimi and other brands.

Yahritza Martinez to Receive Special Recognition at SESAC Latina Awards

Posted on May 18, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Yahritza Martinez is officially breaking through…

The 16-year-old Mexican American Regional Mexican artist, the lead singer of Yahritza y Su Esencia, will receive a special honor at the upcoming SESAC Latina Awards 2023.

SESAC will award Martinez with its breakthrough songwriter award.

Argentine producer Federico Vindver is set to receive special honors at the event. He has worked with artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony and, most recently, Christina Aguilera for her Spanish-language album Aguilera, which was nominated for album of the year at the Latin Grammys 2022.

The ceremony, which will take place on June 27 in Los Angeles, where the song of the year, publisher of the year and songwriter of the year — for both regional Mexican and pop/Latin rhythm — winners will also be announced.

“We love every opportunity to recognize our talented affiliates within the Latin songwriting community and l look forward to bringing everyone together for a night of celebration,” said Sam Kling, chief creative officer, SESAC Performing Rights. “The songs and spirit at the SESAC Latina Music Awards always make it a wonderfully special and unique evening.

“Vindver is a one-of-a-kind versatile producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist that has worked with some of the biggest names in music,” said Celeste Zendejas, VP of SESAC Latina. “Additionally, we are recognizing all that Yahritza has done in her career at such a young age — she has broken several records not only as an artist but as a songwriter as well.”

With “Soy El Único,” Yahritza y Su Esencia’s debut single, Martinez made chart history as the youngest Latin performer to enter the Billboard Hot 100 when the track debuted at No. 20 last year. Subsequently, their seven-track debut EP, Obsessed, peaked at No. 1 on the Regional Mexican Albums chart (dated May 7, 2022). Martinez is just one of the two women (the other being Karol G) who have reached No. 1 on the Latin Songwriters chart.

Roku Expands Slate of Spanish Originals with Six New Unscripted Series, Including Jennifer Lopez’s “Un Millón de Gracias”

Posted on April 20, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Jennifer Lopez is ready to rok(u)…

Roku has expanded its slate of Spanish originals, adding six new unscripted series from Latino voices including the 53-year-old Puerto Rican superstar.

J.Lo appears on the roster of new Spanish-language projects that includes Juanpa Zurita and Jaime Camil.

Lopez’s project, Un Millón de Gracias, will feature several Latino stars, including Wilmer Valderrama, Belinda, Sofia Reyes and Michael Peña.

“The deep engagement we have seen within the Spanish-language content category on The Roku Channel in the U.S., as well as the exceptional growth of the service in Mexico, are all signs of the strong appetite for free ad-supported streaming amongst Spanish-speaking and bilingual audiences,” said David Eilenberg, head of content, Roku Media. “We’re committed to delivering high-quality, culturally relevant original programming to tens of millions of viewers, and we are thrilled to welcome such an exceptional new group of on-camera and off-camera creative voices to our Roku Originals lineup.”

In addition to J.Lo’s Un Millón de Gracias, the other five new original series include “Carpe DM with Juanpa,” “Desde la Raíz,” “Serenata De Las Estrellas,” “La Divina Comida” and “Batalla en Abuela’s Kitchen.”

Here’s Roku’s slate of Spanish originals:

“Un Millón de Gracias”
Executive produced by Jennifer Lopez, “Un Millón de Gracias’” third season will be shot entirely in Spanish for the first time. The series returns with 10 celebrities — Chiquis, Gina Torres, Camil, Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, Lauren Jauregui, Peña, Michelle Rodriguez, Pau Gasol, Reyes, Valderrama — who will each give away $100,000 to someone who has inspired them. But the recipients must give half away to someone they’re grateful for, and continue the chain of kindness. The 10-episode series is executive produced by Lopez, Rhett Bachner, Brien Meagher, Aliyah Silverstein, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Larry Del Sant and showrunner Alex Davies. The series will air on August 11 on The Roku Channel in the U.S. and at a later date in Mexico.

“Carpe DM with Juanpa”
Mexican actor Juanpa Zurita invites audiences to join him as he faces challenges that push his body and mind to the limit as he steps outside of his comfort zone and treks across the U.S. The bilingual series will have six episodes. “Carpe DM with Juanpa” is executive produced by Eric Day, Mark Koops, Sarah Davies, Brenda Tubilla, Dave Lingwood and Zurita.

“Desde la Raíz”
In this four part docu-series, actor Jaime Camil (Jane the Virgin) will explore origins and meaning of Mexican products like coffee, chile, corn, and mezcal. Camil describes the series as “a love letter to México and some of the country’s richest heritage and legendary commodities.” “Desde la Raíz” is produced and directed by Paulina Gamiz and Gus Sánchez, with Ray Jimenez and Camil serving as executive producers.

“Serenata De Las Estrellas”
Hosted by Julissa Bermudez, Serenata De Las Estrellas enlists Latin musicians, Chiquis, Snow Tha Product, Los Lobos and Ozomatli to surprise participants with a performance and a life-changing gift. The four-episode series is executive produced by Greice Santo, RJ Cipriani, Jesse Ignjatovic, Evan Prager, Jared Morell, Jordan Barrow and showrunner Gil Lopez.

“La Divina Comida”
“La Divina Comida” is a 16 episode series featuring Latin celebrities who open their homes to fellow celebrities and face off to prove who is the best dinner party host. The winner will be judged on their culinary skills as well as their hosting skills. Featured celebrity dinner party hosts include Alex Lora, Belinda, Carlos Gatica, Dulce María, Emmanuel, Erik Rubín, Faisy, Itatí Cantoral, José Ángel Bichir, Karol Sevilla, Manu Nna, Margarita The Cumbia Goddess, María León, Michelle Rodríguez, Rafa Márquez and Verónica Toussaint.

“Batalla en Abuela’s Kitchen”
Hosted by Colombian influencer Mario Ruiz, Batalla en Abuela’s Kitchen is a cooking competition show that challenges Gen-Z chefs to develop twist on traditional Latin dishes. In each episode, three young chefs face off against each other before the final two contestants compete against an experienced Abuela chef. The featured Abuela chefs include Carla Dawkins from Panama, Eneida Mascetti from Puerto Rico and Patty Lavalle from Mexico. The competing chefs are judged by Chef Margarita Bernal, Chef Adolfo Cavalie and Chef Octavio Ortega. Executive produced by Mari Urdaneta, Liliana Moyano, Luis Balaguer and showrunner Moira Noriega. The series will air on June 9 on The Roku Channel in both the U.S. and Mexico.

Peso Pluma & Eslabon Armado Make Billboard Hot 100 Chart History with “Ella Baila Sola”

Posted on April 17, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Peso Pluma and Eslabon Armado are making Billboard Hot 100 history…

The 23-year-old Mexican singer and the American Regional Mexican group have each logged their first Top 10 on the Hot 100 with “Ella Baila Sola” on the chart dated April 22, 2023.

Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma’s “Ella Baila Sola” soars 17-10, led by 24.4 million streams, up 30%, as it wins the Hot 100’s top Streaming Gainer trophy, and jumps 6-3 on Streaming Songs.

Quartet Eslabon Armado, from California, and Peso Pluma, from Mexico, each reach the Hot 100’s top for the first time – as “Ella Baila Sola” makes history as the first regional Mexican song ever to hit the Hot 100’s top 10.

The genre has surged this decade, due in part to exposure on TikTok and other social media, with Gera MX and Christian Nodal’s “Botella Tras Botella” having become the first regional Mexican Hot 100 hit in May 2021, peaking at No. 60.

After “Ella Baila Sola,” Peso Pluma also has the second-highest-charting regional Mexican Hot 100 hit: “La Bebe,” with Yng Lvcas, rises to a new No. 17 best on the latest, April 22-dated chart.

The next-highest-peaking such hits: Yahritza y Su Esencia’s “Soy El Unico” (No. 20, April 2022 – it debuted at that rank, the highest entrance for a regional Mexican song) and Fuerza Regida and Grupo Frontera’s “Bebe Dame” (No. 25, this January).

Among Latin genres, regional Mexican’s arrival in the Hot 100’s top 10 follows that of Latin pop, which, after English-language hits by Gloria Estefan in the 1980s (plus Los Lobos’ “La Bamba,” in Spanish) surged in the late ‘90s and beyond thanks to songs (in varying degrees of English and Spanish) by Enrique Iglesias, Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin, among other stars.

At the same time, Marc Anthony helped tropical break through on the chart. In more recent years, Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi’s pop-centered, mostly-Spanish-language “Despacito,” featuring Justin Bieber, spent a then-record-tying 16 weeks at No. 1 in 2017, while, this decade, Bad Bunny, with Spanish-language songs, has carried the torch for Latin rhythm in the top 10.

As for Latin music overall, Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma earn the Hot 100’s third Spanish-language top 10 this year, following two Latin pop hits: Bizarrap and Shakira’s “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” (No. 9, January) and Karol G and Shakira’s “TQG” (No. 7, March).

“Ella Baila Sola” was released on Prajin Parlay/DEL Records, both of which likewise appear in the Hot 100’s top 10 for the first time.

The collaboration concurrently achieves a second week at No. 1 on the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart, where it became the first leader for both Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma.

“We didn’t expect for the song to make so much noise!” Pedro Tovar, lead singer for the former act, and the song’s sole author, told Billboard upon its coronation. “I really liked the song when I first wrote it, but I didn’t really expect it to be such a big hit. I previewed it on my stories on Instagram and, two days after, it went viral on TikTok, and that’s when I knew that the song was going to do big numbers.”

“Normally I don’t expect to chart with songs,” Peso Pluma marveled. “We just enjoyed the process of doing it.”

The Hot 100 blends all-genre U.S. streaming (official audio and official video), radio airplay and sales data.

Yandel Earns 15th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with Feid Collaboration “Yandel 150”

Posted on April 13, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a special quinceañera for Yandel…

The 46-year-old Puerto Rican singer and songwriter has notched his 15th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart as “Yandel 150,” his collaboration with Feid, rises to the top spot on the chart dated April 15.

In addition, the song also rises from 2-1 on the Latin Rhythm Airplay chart.

Yandel returns to the summit following the one-week lead of “Déjà Vu,” with Tainy, in 2021. His longest-leading champ was “Encantadora,” which held atop the chart for three weeks.

Feid, meanwhile, claims his third No. 1 just a month after his featured turn in Ozuna’s “Hey Mor” ruled the March 4-dated list.

The collaboration ousts another pairing, Myke Towers and Daddy Yankee, after one week in charge for “Ulala.”

“Yandel 150” is the fourth single from Yandel’s Resistencia, his seventh studio album as a soloist, released Jan. 13 via Sony Music Latin. The 17-track set, jam-packed with reggaetón vets and newcomers alike, including his longtime collaborator Wisin, earned the Puerto Rican an eighth straight top 10 on Latin Rhythm Albums (March 23-dated list).

Further, “Yandel 150” leads in its ninth week on Latin Airplay, tying with “Hey Mor” as the third song to rise to the summit in nine weeks or fewer among Yandel’s 15 champs. Only two other tracks climbed faster: “Como Antes,” featuring Wisin, led in its second week, while “Se Acabó El Amor,” with Abraham Mateo and Jennifer Lopez, conquered in its sixth week.

Elsewhere, Yandel also takes his 15th No. 1 on Latin Rhythm Airplay, while Feid picks up his fourth champ.

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