Tainy Discusses Upcoming Solo Debut Album, “DATA”

He co-produced Bad Bunny’s history-making album Un Verano Sin Ti, and now Tainy is preparing to release his solo debut LP.

The 33-year-old Puerto Rican record producer and songwriter, whose real name is Marcos Efraín Masís Fernández, will release the star-studded DATA, in early 2023.

Tainy“[DATA] is a representation of who I am as a person, and as a fan of music,” Tainy tells 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.”

In addition to established hitmakers like J Balvin, Wisin & Yandel and Arcángel, the album will also feature brilliant upstarts like Young Miko, Ankhal and Kris Floyd.

To date, the 2022 Latin Grammy winner for producer of the year has unveiled the wildly successful “Lo Siento BB:/,” featuring Bad Bunny and Mexican singer-songwriter Julieta Venegas, as well as “Sci-Fi,” co-starring Rauw Alejandro.

“I’ve been 100% focused on my project, and “Lo Siento BB:/” is the first single. We will be releasing the final product at the top of the year. I’m so excited for it. I’ve been dreaming of doing this album before I even got into music, because these types of projects are what inspired me to get into music,” says Tainy. “As you might imagine, I’m working with most of the people that I’ve already worked with for a long time, and who I have a great relationship with: Benito, Jhayco, Rauw, Feid, Balvin, Wisin & Yandel, Arcángel…They have been a huge part of my career, so I wanted them to be a part of this, because they were a part of my journey. At the same time, I wanted to combine two worlds and merge this with the up-and-coming artists that I’m a fan of: Young Miko, Ankhal, Kris Floyd … all these guys, and how I brought in Julieta Venegas. [The album] shows more of who I am, and who my musical influences are.”

No exact date has been announced for the release of Tainy’s Data album.

Julieta Venegas Releases New Single “La Nostalgia”

Julieta Venegas is waxin’ nostalgic

The 51-year-old Mexican American Grammy-winning singer/songwriter has released the new single “La Nostalgia.”

Julieta VenegasVenegas knows her way around a perfect tune, the kind that instantly seeps into your soul.

But above all, Julieta Venegas knows just how to capture those special moments in only three minutes.

“La Nostalgia” quintessentially embodies that feeling.

The song came to fruition as she reminisced about her native bordertown, Tijuana — she’s now based in Argentina.

Whether it’s her serene voice and whimsical wordplay (“I see you singing an old melody, the one you sang in another life,” she coos in Spanish), or the dusty acoustic guitar strums in the background, the single, off her upcoming album Tu Historia (due Nov. 10th), harkens back to another time.

Julieta Venegas Releases New Single “Mismo Amor”

It’s the same ‘ol love for Julieta Venegas

The 51-year-old Mexican-American singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and producer has released her new single “Mismo Amor” via Lolein Music.

Julieta VenegasThe single offers a preview of her upcoming new album, which will be her first in seven years.

Penned by Venegas and Chilean singer-songwriter Alex Anwandter (who also produced the track), Venegas sings about the inevitable transformation of a relationship.

“You’re here but I’m not sure if I’m happy/ You tell me things I don’t think are true,” she sings over a bouncy pop groove.

In October, Venegas returned to the top 10 of Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart after 14 years, thanks to “Lo Siento BB:/,” her collaboration with Tainy and Bad Bunny.

Los Tigres del Norte to Co-Headline First-Ever Bésame Mucho Festival at LA’s Dodger Stadium

Los Tigres del Norte are puckering up

The legendary Mexican norteño band will co-headline the first-ever edition of Bésame Mucho, taking place on Saturday, December 3 at Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium.

Los Tigres del NorteLos Tigres del Norte will headline alongside Julieta VenegasCafé Tacvba, ZoéSin BanderaJuanes and Banda El Recodo, among many other Latin acts who will perform.

The festival featured a head-turning, multigenerational lineup, featuring pop, Regional Mexican, merengue, cumbia and rock artists.

According to the Need Pastel-designed flyer, the Tropicália and La Tocada-organized event will be a one-day festival with three separate stages: Rockero stage, Las Clásicas stage and Te Gusta El Pop? stage.

The fest will also feature sets by Bronco, Banda Machos, Caifanes, Enanitos Verdes, Panteón Rococó, Los Ángeles Azules, Sonora Dinamita, Kabah, Fey and Aleks Syntek with additional headliners to be announced later this year.

Giving When We Were Young vibes featuring a packed lineup, the logistics of how the festival will pan out throughout the day are yet to be outlined by its producers.

But just hours after the event was announced, Latin music fans took to social media to comment on the nostalgia-provoking lineup while also confirming their attendance to a festival that’s 10 months away.

“I’m there,” someone tweeted. “The lineup is absolutely insane,” another Twitter user wrote.

Tickets for the Bésame Mucho festival will go on sale Friday, February 18 at 5:00 pm ET. General admission tickets will start at $199.99 with VIP tickets starting at $324.99.

Visit besamemuchofestival.com for more information.

Tainy Tops Billboard’s End-of-Year Hot Latin Songs Producers Chart

Tainy is a producer on top…

The 32-year-old Puerto Rican record producer and songwriter comes in at No. 1 on Billboard’s end-of-year Hot Latin Songs Producers chart.

TainyIn all, Tainy placed 25 tracks on the chart during the eligibility period of November 21, 2020, through Nov. 13, 2021 to rank at the summit.

The list includes hits like Bad Bunny and Jhay Cortez‘s “Dákiti,” Selena Gomez‘s “De Una Vez” and one of his most recent hits “Lo Siento BB:/” with Julieta Venegas and Bunny.

Other top 10 producers on the chart include Edgar Barrera. He boasts a wide-ranging list of tracks that go from a salsa anthem, “De Vuelta Pa’ La Vuelta,” to an urban smash hit such as “Imposible Amor.”

In addition to Tainy and Barrera, Ovy on the Drums, Mora and Sky Rompiendo have made this year’s 10 Latin producers list after ruling the charts this year.

Billboard’s year-end music recaps represent aggregated metrics for each artist, title, label and music contributor on the weekly charts dated Nov. 21, 2020, through Nov. 13, 2021. The rankings for MRC Data-based recaps reflect equivalent album units, airplay, sales or streaming during the weeks that the titles appeared on a respective chart during the tracking year. Any activity registered before or after a title’s chart run isn’t considered in these rankings. That methodology detail, and the November-November time period, account for some of the difference between these lists and the calendar-year recaps that are independently compiled by MRC Data.

Here’s a look at the Top 10.

  1. Tainy

Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez’s “Dákiti” — The song debuted and peaked at No. 1 on the chart dated Nov. 14, 2020. Has spent a total of 27 weeks atop the chart, 20 in 2021, the most for any Latin track.

  1. Ovy on the Drums

Karol G, Anuel AA & Bad Bunny’s “Location” — Part of her chart-topping album KG0516, this Western-inspired, country-tinged empowering anthem peaked at No. 6 on Hot Latin Songs.

  1. MORA

Anuel AA’s “Dictadura” — one of Anuel’s newest songs, the reggaeton hit peaked at No. 12 on the tally in November. The track was the first single off the singer’s new album, Las Leyendas Nunca Mueren, which launched at No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart (dated Dec. 11).

  1. MAG

Bad Bunny’s “Maldita Pobreza” — The alternative track may not be one of Bunny’s highest charting titles, but it is part of his history-making album El Último Tour del Mundo. On Hot Latin Songs, “Maldita Pobreza” peaked at No. 12.

  1. Sky Rompiendo

J Balvin & Sech’s “Una Nota” — In September, Balvin and Sech’s collab peaked at No. 11 on Hot Latin Songs.

  1. Edgar Barrera

Gera MX and Christian Nodal’s “Botella Tras Botella” — In May,  Nodal and newcomer Gera MX’s “Botella Tras Botella” debuted at No. 60 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (dated May 8), becoming the first regional Mexican title to enter the list in its almost 63-year history. On the Hot Latin Songs chart, the track peaked at No. 3.

  1. Mr. Naisgai

Rauw Alejandro’s “Todo De Ti” — A No. 2 peak (Sept. 11-dated tally), it’s Rauw’s highest-charting title.

  1. Albert Hype

Selena Gomez & Rauw Alejandro’s “Baila Conmigo” — One of the first single’s off Gomez’s first-ever Spanish-language album titled Revelación, the track debuted and peaked at No. 4 on the tally.

  1. Keityn

Maluma’s “Sobrio” — The reggaeton song premiered in July to a star-studded music video that has raked in more than 155 million views on YouTube. “Sobrio” peaked at No. 11 on the Hot Latin Songs chart (dated July 24).

  1. Manuel Lara

Kali Uchis’ “Telepatía” — Peaked at No. 1 on the chart dated May 22, where it remained for eight weeks. Kali Uchis became the first female soloist to reach No. 1 with a song unaccompanied by another act since Paulino Rubio did it in Feb. 2012

Bad Bunny Wins His First-Ever American Music Awards Trophies

Bad Bunny’s America’s choice…

The American Music Awards aired live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, with the 27-year-old Puerto Rican superstar taking home his first-ever AMAs trophies.

Bad BunnyBad Bunny was named Favorite Male Artist – Latin, and he claimed the Favorite Album – Latin prize for his chart-topping album El Último Tour Del Mundo.

Cardi B, who hosted the star-studded awards show, won the award for Favorite Hip Hop Song for her chart-topping single “Up.” It’s her second consecutive win in the category after she took home the same award in 2020 for her single “WAP,” featuring Megan Thee Stallion.

The awards show featured performances from BTS with Coldplay, Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler the Creator, Måneskin, Walker Hayes, Mickey Guyton, Bad Bunny, Tainy with Julieta Venegas, Carrie Underwood with Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, New Edition and New Kids on the Block. Diplo was on DJ duty for the ceremony.

Bruno Mars won the Favorite R&B Song for “Leave the Door Open,” his Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 track “Leave The Door Open,” his single with Silk Sonic co-bandmate Anderson .Paak.

Becky G was named Favorite Female Artist – Latin for the second year in a row, Band MS was named Favorite Latin Duo or Group, and Kali Uchis won her first-ever AMAs trophy for Favorite Latin Song for “Telepatía.”

Here’s a look at the night’s winners:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR: BTS
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Olivia Rodrigo
COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR: Doja Cat ft. SZA “Kiss Me More”
FAVORITE TRENDING SONG: Megan Thee Stallion “Body”
FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO: Lil Nas X “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)”
FAVORITE MALE POP ARTIST: Ed Sheeran
FAVORITE FEMALE POP ARTIST: Taylor Swift
FAVORITE POP DUO OR GROUP: BTS
FAVORITE POP ALBUM: Taylor Swift “evermore”
FAVORITE POP SONG: BTS “Butter”
FAVORITE MALE COUNTRY ARTIST: Luke Bryan
FAVORITE FEMALE COUNTRY ARTIST: Carrie Underwood
FAVORITE COUNTRY DUO OR GROUP: Dan + Shay
FAVORITE COUNTRY ALBUM: Gabby Barrett “Goldmine”
FAVORITE COUNTRY SONG: Gabby Barrett “The Good Ones”
FAVORITE MALE HIP-HOP ARTIST: Drake
FAVORITE FEMALE HIP-HOP ARTIST: Megan Thee Stallion
FAVORITE HIP-HOP ALBUM: Megan Thee Stallion “Good News”
FAVORITE HIP-HOP SONG: Cardi B “Up”
FAVORITE MALE R&B ARTIST: The Weeknd
FAVORITE FEMALE R&B ARTIST: Doja Cat
FAVORITE R&B ALBUM: Doja Cat “Planet Her”
FAVORITE R&B SONG: Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak) “Leave The Door Open”
FAVORITE MALE LATIN ARTIST: Bad Bunny
FAVORITE FEMALE LATIN ARTIST: Becky G
FAVORITE LATIN DUO OR GROUP: Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga
FAVORITE LATIN ALBUM: Bad Bunny “EL ÚLTIMO TOUR DEL MUNDO”
FAVORITE LATIN SONG: Kali Uchis “telepatía”
FAVORITE ROCK ARTIST: Machine Gun Kelly
FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL ARTIST: Carrie Underwood
FAVORITE GOSPEL ARTIST: Kanye West
FAVORITE DANCE/ELECTRONIC ARTIST: Marshmello

Julieta Venegas Teams Up with Tainy & Bad Bunny for New Single “Lo Siento BB:/”

Julieta Venegas is feeling her new collaboration…

The 50-year-old Mexican American singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and producer has joined voices with Bad Bunny and Tainy to release “Lo Siento BB:/,” the first single off the Puerto Rican record producer and songwriter forthcoming debut full-length studio album Data.

Julieta Venegas, Tainy, Bad Bunny,

The ultra-melancholic song — a modern-day “no strings attached” love story — kicks off as a ballad with Venegas on piano, and ultimately transitions into a soft reggaetón groove with a sparse drum beat, and Bunny in tow.

Initially, the plan was to kick off with Bad Bunny swearing off love and any sort of attachment, and have Venegas’ part come at the end of the song with her response to Bunny’s lyrics.

“The idea was to add an interlude after the song and have somebody do their own version of what this track was — but in a more acoustic way, just a piano and vocals,” explains Tainy. “Right away Julieta came to my mind — because I’m a huge fan and also because she does magic with a piano, and I thought, ‘This is the closest I can get to have her be a part of this.'”

The producer says he originally sent Venegas just the piano melody with Bad Bunny’s vocal part, “because I didn’t want to throw her off thinking she would have to dive into our world. I wanted her to be as authentically herself as possible. And the most basic way was just send her the piano, what he’s saying, and ask her to answer Benito.”

Once Venegas received the song in its original form, she says she “started listening to it like 20 times a day — and thinking, ‘What I would actually answer to what he’s saying?’ The way he invited me seemed so generous. I mean to invite you not only to sing a song but to elaborate the story, it’s really the best invitation ever.”

After adding Venegas’ response to the end, Tainy sent the new version to Bunny. “Benito had no idea I had reached out to Julieta so it was a surprise for him. I sent it to him and he’s like ‘nah, put Julieta in the intro.’ He said it was the perfect buildup to his part and the chorus. And he was right. It was the missing piece we needed for a song that didn’t have an intro. Everything happens for a reason. I’m super happy.”

 

So what did Venegas think about Tainy reaching out to her for the collaboration? “Really, me?” But unbeknownst to Venegas – whose pop-leaning classics like “Lento,” “Andar Conmigo” and “Me Voy” soundtracked the early 2000s – the chart-topping producer is a fan of the Mexican singer-songwriter that helped inspire his career.

“People see me as a reggaetón producer, but growing up, I listened to all types of music,” says Tainy, producer of the year winner at the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards. “Julieta was a huge part of what I was listening to — and her music influenced how I saw melodies, chords and ambiences in my music. When it was time for me to be a producer, I put a little bit of that into my music, hoping and dreaming that some day I could work with her.”

It’s the first time Venegas has teamed up with Bunny and Tainy on a song — and while the collaboration may be unprecedented, now seemed like the ideal moment for them to link up, as genre lines are increasingly becoming blurrier than ever.

“This collab probably didn’t make sense for people on the outside,” says Tainy. “They thought, ‘He would never work with her,’ or ‘She would never work with him.’ I’m so grateful that music is where it is right now, and I was able to find a way to make this happen.”

Venegas adds, “What I like about Tainy is that he’s very intuitive with his collaborations. This was the best possible way for us to meet; through music and working together.”

Soda Stereo’s COVID-19-Postponed “Gracias Totales” Tour Getting an Early 2022 Reboot

Soda Stereo is preparing for a restart…

The Argentine rock band’s long-awaited Gracias Totales tour — which launched on February 29, 2020, in Colombia but was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak – is set to resume with new U.S. dates.

Soda Stereo

Part tribute to the rock band’s late frontman Gustavo Cerati and part reunion of the band’s surviving members Zeta Bosio and Charly Alberti, the tour will resume on February 27, 2022, at Miami’s FTX Arena (formerly American Airlines Arena) and on March 3 at The Forum in Inglewood, California. The Miami show will be presented by Move Concerts and Loud And Live and Live Nation will present the LA area show.

The Gracias Totales tour will feature special performances and state-of-the-art technology that will make it possible for fans to enjoy the voice and image of Cerati.

“It is exciting to hear the whole process of how the band is doing,” the tour’s production manager and the band’s first manager and sound engineer said in a statement. “I think that people are going to be moved, not only because of the technical aspects but also the spirit and energy are impressive.”

Fourteen invited artists were set to appear during the previous U.S. dates including Gustavo Santaolalla, Draco Rosa, Julieta Venegas, Richard Coleman and AterciopeladosAndrea Echeverri, to name a few. No word yet on the final guest lineup.

The previously announced shows in New York and Houston will not be rescheduled according to a “lack of availability of adequate venues because of the post-COVID concert schedule.” However, promoters will fully refund those who purchased their tickets.

Tickets for the Miami and LA shows are already on sale via ticketmaster.com.

Melissa Barrera to Star in “Scream 5”

Melissa Barrera is ready to Scream…

The 30-year-old Mexican actress, who recently ended her three-season run on Starz’s Vida, has landed akey role in Scream 5.

Melissa Barrera

Barrera is the first new cast member to be announced for the anticipated Spyglass Media and Paramount Pictures relaunch.

Friends alum and legacy cast member Courteney Cox will be reprising her role in the franchise as dogged reporter Gale Weathers alongside David Arquette, who is coming back as Dewey Riley. Neve Campbell, who portrayed Sidney Prescott in the slasher film, told press in May that she was in talks to join the movie.

Cameras are due to roll in Wilmington, North Carolina, this fall and the project is due to wrap by year’s end. Additional casting is underway on the ensemble horror.

Scream 5 is being directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett from a screenplay by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick.

Creator Kevin Williamson and Chad Villella are executive producing.

The Scream franchise, through four films dating back to 1996, has grossed more than $600M at the global box office. The late Wes Craven directed all four movies. Williamson wrote the original film as well as Scream 2 and Scream 4.

Barrera, who was named to Variety’s 10 Latinxs to Watch list earlier this year, will next appear in Warner Bros.’ film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning Broadway musical hit In The Heights. That film is due for release next year.

This fall she’ll star as the title character in the film Carmen, the modern-day reimagining of the classic opera. The movie will mark the feature debut of Black Swan choreographer Benjamin Millepied and will feature music from composer Nicholas Britell and Grammy winner Julieta Venegas.

Julieta Venegas to Take Part in Soda Stereo’s Gracias Totales Tour

Julieta Venegasis helping Soda Stereogive Gracias.

The 49-year-old Mexican American singer and Grammy winner will serve as a special guest on Soda Stereo bassist Zeta Bosio and drummer Charly Alberti’s Gracias Totales tour, which will be making stops in New York, Miami, Los Angeles and Houston. 

Julieta Venegas

Soda Stereo and their guests will take the stage to sing some of the band’s greatest hits and honor the legacy of late frontman Gustavo Cerati.

In addition to Venegas, other special guests include Soda Stereo’s first vocalist and the Cerati’s great friend Richard ColemanAterciopeladosAndrea EcheverriDraco Rosa; and Gustavo Santaolalla

More than 10 years after Cerati last hit the stage at Miami’s AmericanAirlines Arena in 2007, Soda Stereo’s members – joined by their special guests via in-person or audiovisual format – will perform some of their timeless hits, like “De Musica Ligera,” “Persiana Americana,” “Tratame Suavemente” and more.

Coleman, Draco, Santaolalla and Venegas will join Zeta and Charly at their shows in New York and Miami. Echeverri will then take over Venegas’ spot at the Los Angeles and Houston shows.

Joining via video are Rubén Albarránfrom Café Tacvba; Cerati’s son BenitoBabasonicos’ Adrián DárgelosLos Tresand Pettinellis’ Álvaro HenríquezJuanesMon LaferteLeón LarreguiFernando Ruiz Díazfrom Catupecu Machu; and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin

The tour, presented by Loud and Live and Move Concerts, will honor the late Argentine frontman and guitarist Gustavo Cerati, who died on September 4, 2014, after suffering a stroke. According to an official statement, technology will allow Cerati’s voice and image to be part of the show.

The Gracias Totales tour marks Soda Stereo’s farewell trek. Tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.

Here are the dates:

April 14 — New York @ Barclays Center
April 17 — Miami, FL @ American Airlines Arena
April 22 — Houston, TX @ Smart Financial
April 25 — Los Angeles, CA @ Forum