Bad Bunny to Perform on the MTV Video Music Awards from Yankee Stadium

Bad Bunny will be pulling double duty this weekend… 

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican superstar will perform on the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards live from his tour stop at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, August 28.

Bad BunnyThe tour stop is part of Bad Bunny: World’s Hottest Tour.

The 2022 VMAs are set to air from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. at 8:00 pm ET/PT.

This will mark Bad Bunny’s second VMAs appearance. His first, three years ago, was a joint performance with J Balvin of “Que Pretendes.”

The VMAs have a long history of remote performances, dating back to the very first show in 1984 when David Bowie performed his hit “Blue Jean” live from London.

There have even been performances from stadiums before, such as Guns N’ Roses performing their hit cover of Wings’ “Live and Let Die” live from Wembley Stadium in London on the 1991 VMAs and Michael Jackson performing “Black or White” from his “Dangerous World Tour” stop at Wembley on the 1992 VMAs.

Bad Bunny is nominated for four VMAs this year, including artist of the year and album of the year. He would be the first non-English-language artist to win in either of those marquee categories.

His other nominations this year are for best Latin (“Tití Me Preguntó”) and song of the summer (“Me Porto Bonito,” his collaboration with Chencho Corleone).

Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti has topped the Billboard 200 for eight non-consecutive weeks. This year’s other nominees for album of the year are Adele’s 30, Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever, Drake’s Certified Lover Boy and Harry Styles’ Harry’s House.

Last week, Bad Bunny received 23 nominations for the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards. That put him with a tie with Ozuna for the most nods in the show’s history. Ozuna hit that mark three years ago.

Other artists set to perform on the show are Lizzo, BLACKPINK,  Måneskin, Anitta, J Balvin, Marshmello x Khalid, Panic! At The Disco and Kane Brown.

Anitta to Make Main Stage Performance Debut at This Year’s MTV Video Music Awards

Anitta is ready for a special first…

MTV has revealed the first batch of performers for this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, with the 29-year-old Brazilian singer/ songwriter among those set to take the stage.

AnittaIt will be Anitta’s VMAs main stage debut, And she will perform her latest hit single, “Envolver,” for the first-time on television.

“Envolver” recently earned the Brazilian superstar a Guinness Book of World Records certification as the first solo Latin artist to hit No. 1 at Spotify.

Anitta also is up for her first VMA in the Best Latin category, making her the first Brazilian artist to be nominated for a Moon Person.

But Anitta isn’t the only Latinx artist set to perform.

J Balvin will take the stage

The 37-year-old Colombian superstar will return to the show for the television/world premiere of “Nivel de Perreo” with Ryan Castro, back for the first time since his epic on-stage collaboration with Bad Bunny for “Que Pretendes” in 2019.

The 13-time nominee with five wins also is looking to take his sixth Moon Person for Best Latin (“In Da Getto” with Skrillex), which would crown him as the most awarded Latin artist in VMAs history.

Other performers include Marshmello x Khalid and Panic! at the Disco.

The MTV VMAs will take place on August 28, live from the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

Kendrick Lamar, Jack Harlow & Lil Nas X are coming into the show tied for the nominations lead with seven apiece. Next up are Doja Cat and Harry Styles with six each and Billie Eilish, Drake, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and The Weeknd with five.

The 2022 VMAs will air at 8:00 pm ET/PT on Sunday, August 28, across MTV’s global linear and digital platforms in more than 170 countries. For the third straight year, the VMAs will simulcast on the CW, in addition to BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, TVLand and VH1.

Here are MTV’s mini-bios of the performers set so far:

Anitta
The charismatic global pop sensation is slated to make her VMAs main stage debut with a first-time TV performance of her newest hit single, “Envolver,” which recently earned the Brazilian superstar Guinness Book of World Records certification as the first solo Latin artist to hit No. 1 at Spotify. Anitta also is up for her first VMA in the Best Latin category, making her the first Brazilian artist to be nominated for a Moon Person.

J Balvin
Colombian global star J Balvin returns with a TV/world premiere of “Nivel de Perreo” with Ryan Castro, back for the first time since his epic on-stage collaboration with Bad Bunny for “Que Pretendes” in 2019. The 13-time nominee with five wins also is looking to take his sixth Moon Person for Best Latin (“In Da Getto” with Skrillex), which would crown him as the most awarded Latin artist in VMAs history.

Marshmello x Khalid
Together, Marshmello and Khalid are set to take over the MTV stage for a world premiere TV performance of new chart climbing collaboration “Numb.” Marshmello — a five-time VMAs nominee — will make his main stage debut this year. Khalid returns to the VMAs stage for the first time since his 2017 debut with Logic and Alessia Cara for “1-800-273-8255,” where he also took home Best New Artist.

Panic! at the Disco
Panic! At The Disco returns to the VMAs stage for the first time since 2018 to world premiere new single “Middle of a Breakup,” from the forthcoming album Viva Las Vengeance. The nine-time nominee, who first won in 2006 for Video of the Year, also looks to take home a win for Alternative Video, its first nomination in this category.

Jhené Aiko to Perform at CNN’s “Juneteenth: A Global Celebration for Freedom” Concert

Jhené Aiko is helping celebrate Juneteenth

The 34-year-old part-Spanish and Dominican American Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter will perform as part of CNN’s first-ever Juneteenth: A Global Celebration for Freedom programming, featuring a Hollywood Bowl concert with a lineup of artists.

Jhene AikoThe goal of the program: to inform and educate viewers on the meaning of the new federal holiday.

CNN obtained the rights to the event, from Live Nation Urban and Jesse Collins Entertainment, and the lineup includes Chaka Khan, Khalid, Yolanda Adams, Anthony Hamilton, Billy Porter, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Earth, Wind & Fire, Killer Mike, Lucky Daye, Mary Mary, Aiko, Ne-Yo, Michelle Williams, Mickey Guyton, Robert Glasper and The Roots, among others.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama will deliver taped remarks.

Johnita P. Due, senior vice president and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for CNN Worldwide, said in an interview this week that event  “is really one of the most meaningful things that I have been involved in” at the network.

“The thing that makes it special, of course, is that it was only a year ago that the federal government made Juneteenth a national holiday,” she said. “So how many times in history will we have that opportunity to really shape for the country, and for the world, how a holiday is celebrated, and the meaning of a holiday and the importance of a holiday.”

This is the 157th anniversary of Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. June 19, 1865 was the date that federal troops arrived in Galveston, TX and informed citizens that slavery had been abolished in the state. The anniversary was commemorated the following year with prayers and singing, and it endured as an annual tradition.

“We really feel that with this event, we are able to not only commemorate the holiday, but we’re able to educate people around the meaning behind it, and also to uplift and inspire people to continue to make a difference and continue in the pursuit if freedom for all,” Due said.

The event also will include The Re-Collective Orchestra, a 68-piece all Black symphony orchestra that will be the first time that an all-Black symphony has performed at the bowl. Adam Blackstone and Questlove will serve as the evening’s musical directors.

Earlier in the evening, Don Lemon will anchor a pre-show highlighting African American advocates and creators.

On Thursday, CNN Business hosted a streamed conversation on advancing Black leadership, with correspondent Stephanie Elam sitting down with Walgreens Boots Alliance CEO Rosalind Brewer. Also appearing were Operations Hope Founder and CEO John Hope Bryant and Collab Capital co-founder Barry Givens.

Due said that CNN staff had been brainstorming ideas for coverage of Juneteenth, and went on a tour with curators at the National Museum of African American History and Culture before they connected with Live Nation Urban. She said that artists will give music and spoken word performances that share their experiences of Black America. Interstitial packages will be woven in with the live performances.

The goal also was to have a diversity of music genres, including rap, R&B, country, soul, hip hop and gospel. Viewers also will be directed to ways they can get engaged in organizations and volunteer activities.

Due said that they “want people to be uplifted and we want people to be motivated.”

“We want people to walk away with a renewed commitment to make a difference in society as it relates to racial and social justice and equity,” she said.

Mariah Carey Teams Up with McDonald’s for Special Holiday Menu, The Mariah Menu

Mariah Carey will be mealin’ and dealin’ this holiday season…

The half-Venezuelan American Grammy-winning singer, the self-proclaimed Queen of Christmas, is planning to spread holiday cheer with some help from McDonald’s.

Mariah CareyThe fast food giant and the “All I Want For Christmas Is You” singer revealed a collaboration not in the form of a special meal like J Balvin, Saweetie and BTS have done previously, but an entire menu with goodies for 12 days leading up to Christmas.

“This holiday season at @McDonalds, you’re not getting the Mariah meal… you’re getting a whole menu!” the singer wrote on Twitter. “Introducing The Mariah Menu: get free daily deals w/ $1 min purchase December 13 to 24, only in the app dahhling!”

The free items include a variety of classic sandwiches like the Big Mac, cheeseburger or McChicken as well as popular breakfast items, sweet treats and McNuggets. The promotion is limited to one per day so fans everywhere can experience holiday cheer. The promo is available only at participating McDonald’s nationwide.

“Some of my favorite memories with my kids are our family trips to McDonald’s, and of course, each of us has our go-to order. Mine is the Cheeseburger, and I get it with extra pickles,” Carey said in a press release for the announcement. “Bringing together some of our favorite food from McDonald’s with my all-time favorite season is a holiday wish come true.”

“Mariah goes with the holidays like ketchup and fries, so we couldn’t think of a better partner to help us celebrate the upcoming season,” said Jennifer Healan, vice president, U.S. marketing, brand content and engagement of McDonald’s USA. “Just like McDonald’s brings people around the table with their favorite orders, Mariah’s music connects us all during this time of the year. We’re so excited to team up to bring even more holiday cheer to our fans.”

This is Carey’s most recent effort to get her fans ready for Christmas — she released a new Christmas single, “Fall In Love at Christmas” featuring Khalid and Kirk Franklin, 50 days before Christmas’ arrival last week. Fans voted in a poll published Friday (November 5) on Billboard, and chose the track as their favorite new music release of the past week.

Mariah Carey to Return to AppleTV+ with New Christmas special, “Mariah’s Christmas: The Magic Continues”

Mariah Carey is bringing more magic to the holidays…

The half-Venezuelan American Grammy-winning songstress and Queen of Christmas is returning for an AppleTV+ Christmas special for a second year in a row.

Mariah Carey

Moreover, Carey is set to perform the new single Fall In Love At Christmas exclusively alongside Khalid and Kirk Franklin.

Mariah’s Christmas: The Magic Continues follows last year’s Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Specialwhich is still available on the SVoD platform. That special also featured Jennifer Hudson and Ariana Grande and was directed by Roman Coppola.

Carey will use the show to perform brand new single Fall In Love At Christmas with Khalid and Franklin for the first time.

She is executive-producing alongside Tim Case, Charleen Manca and Matthew Turke of factual and music video producer Supply & Demand, along with renowned music director Joseph Kahn, who is also directing.

Earlier this year, Carey left Jay-Z’s Roc Nation to join Melissa Ruderman at Range Media Partners for management.

J Balvin Earns 30th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with “Otra Noche Sin Ti”

J Balvin is back on top…

The 36-year-old Colombian singer’s latest single “Otra Noche Sin Ti,” featuring Khalid, has landed at No. 1 on BillboardLatin Airplay chart dated July 10.

J Balvin

“Otra Noche Sin Ti” rises 5-1 with 9.7 million in audience impressions, a 43% gain, earned in the week ending July 4, according to MRC Data. For Khalid, it’s his first chart appearance since 2018 when Marshmello’s “Silence,” on which he is featured, debuted and peaked at No. 50. J Balvin, meanwhile, picks up his 30th No. 1 dating back to his first, “6 AM,” featuring Farruko in 2014.

Khalid, meanwhile, earns his first No. 1 on any Latin chart.

With the song’s ascent, Balvin gets closer to beating Enrique Iglesias’ all-time record of 31 leaders since the chart’s inception in 1994.

Here are the Latin Airplay winners:

31, Enrique Iglesias
30, J Balvin
24, Daddy Yankee
24, Ozuna
20, Maluma
19, Wisin
19, Romeo Santos

Beyond its Latin Airplay coronation, “Otra Noche Sin Ti” pushes up Hot Latin Songs with a 20-17 jump and takes the Greatest Gainer/ Airplay honors. It concurrently grants Khalid his first Latin Rhythm Airplay No. 1 as the song lifts 4-1.

J Balvin Teams Up with Khalid to Release New Single “Otra Noche Sin Ti”

It’s another night for J Balvin

The 35-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer has joined voices with Khalid to release the joint single, “Otra Noche Sin Ti,” along with a music video directed by Colin Tilley.

J Balvin x Khalid

The song, produced by Lexus and Keityn, is the third single from Balvin’s upcoming new album.

The track pairs Balvin’s Spanish lyrics with Khalid’s English verses, with Khalid crooning, “Been a while since I’ve seen your face/ When you know it gets lonely in L..A/ Thinking of you every day/ Say the word I’m on a one-way.”

The monochrome music video, set in a foggy forest, brings the singers together for the soulful song.

Ahead of the video’s premiere, Balvin and Khalid appeared on YouTube series Released to discuss their creative process and how the two originally met via Twitter.

In February, Balvin shared his single “Ma’ G.” Then, in March, Balvin released a new song called “Tu Veneno.”

Camila Alves to Host “We’re Texas” Fundraiser with Husband Matthew McConaughey

Camila Alves is helping her fellow Texans with a little help from their musical friends…

The 39-year-old Brazilian-born model and designer, who resides in the Lone Star State, and her actor-husband and Native Texan Matthew McConaughey, have roped in a slew of stars for the power couple’s “We’re Texas” fundraiser on Sunday, March 21 for Texans impacted by devastating winter Storm Uri.

Camila Alves & Matthew McConaughey

The storm, which left thousands of Texans without heat, water and electricity, will be hosted by Alves and McConaughey, with performances by Post Malone, Kelly Clarkson and Kacey Musgraves.

The event will also feature performances from native Texans Willie Nelson, Miranda Lambert and George Strait, as well as Gary Clark Jr., Khalid, Don Henley, Kirk Franklin, Leon Bridges, Lukas Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Charlie Sexton, Clint Black, Los Lonely Boys, Parker McCollum and Randy Rogers.

The show will kick off at 7:00 pm CT on McConaughey’s YouTube channel, with 100% of funds raised going to the Just Keep Livin’ Texas Relief Fund.

Earlier this week McConaughey made news when he teased a potential run for Texas governor. The state’s next gubernatorial election is in 2022 and in an interview with The Today Show the 51-year-old Uvalde native said, “Am I considering that? Sure, it’s a great thing and an honorable thing to be able to consider. What I’ve gotta choose for myself is, I want to get into a leadership role in the next chapter of my life. Now, what role am I gonna be most useful in? I don’t know that that’s in a political position, or if that’s me as a free agent. It might be me as a free agent. So that’s something I’m personally working on is what is my position of most use in a leadership role.”

https://twitter.com/iamcamilaalves/status/1371944048164937730

The massive winter storm that killed more than 70 people in the U.S. while leaving more than 4.5 million Texans in the dark due to a massive power grid failure is predicted to have a significant financial impact as well, potentially costing anywhere form $195-$295 billion from lost income, reduced economic output and infrastructure damage.

Brandon Arreaga & His PRETTYMUCH Group Mates Sign with Sire Records

Brandon Arreaga is ready to in-sire

The 20-year-old Latino singer and his fellow PRETTYMUCH pop group mates, which Simon Cowell launched under his label Syco Entertainment in 2017, have signed to Warner Records imprint Sire Records, marking the start of a “new era,” according to the group’s members.

PRETTYMUCH

The five members — Arreaga, Edwin Honoret, Zion Kuwonu, Nick Mara and Austin Porter — were originally pursuing solo careers until Syco founder Cowell approached them about creating a group in 2016.

PRETTYMUCH debuted in 2017 with the single “Would You Mind,” and have since released three EPs with Syco, sold out two headlining tours (also opening for Khalid) and worked with the likes of Ed Sheeran and French Montana.

The new signing follows an announcement in July that Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment would be ending the 11-year joint venture, which created Syco, with Sony Music to retain the JV’s back catalog and roster of artists.

The group has quickly been scooped up by Sire. Label president Rani Hancock tells Billboard that she has always been drawn to PRETTYMUCH because the members are “quadruple threats”: Singers, songwriters, producers and performers. A meeting with the band and their management team at KYN Entertainment, former Syco president Sonny Takhar and Mitch Eisner, sealed the deal.

“I have always admired PRETTYMUCH, so when Sonny reached out I was excited to meet them, and meeting them impressed me even more,” Hancock says. “I knew they were great singers and performers but quickly found out they are also impressive songwriters, producers, photographers, choreographers, and more. They are truly the architects of their own sound and vision and an unstoppable force.”

Arreaga says that the feeling was mutual, since he had “always wanted to be respected as a producer/songwriter.” “At Sire, they’ve shown so much interest in my work and even helped shape small ideas into full songs that I hadn’t seen the potential in,” he adds. “For us, it’s important that we remember to always keep evolving and always keep pushing the boundaries of what we’re capable of.”

With a fresh record deal under their belt, PRETTYMUCH is set to release their first new music since 2019’s INTL:EP in the coming year.

Angel Morales & The Village People to Perform at BottleRock Napa Valley

Angel Morales is ready to (bottle)rock….

The Latino singer and his fellow Village People are set to perform at this year’s BottleRock festival, taking place from May 22-24 at the Napa Valley Expo.

Village People

The 1970s legends join a lineup, one of the strongest and most diverse music-centric programming slates in Bottle Rock’s eight-year history, that includes the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Dave Matthews BandStevie NicksMiley Cyrus, Khalidand Anderson .Paakand the Free Nationals.

“It’s the deepest lineup that we have ever had,” Dave Graham, chief executive of BottleRock Napa Valleytells Billboard. “No matter how you want to measure it, whether it’s ticket sales, per band, the depth of the talent on the seventh or eighth lines of the lineup or on money spent, it’s our strongest lineup to date.

“It’s important to us to have something for everyone, and the decision to have classic hip hop on the lineup was a no brainer — I know every Eric B.& Rakim song by heart,” Graham says. “And then when you see Maren Morrisand Zedd on the lineup, who together had one of the biggest songs on the planet with ‘The Middle,’ we feel this lineup represents the best of what is happening in music right now.”

BottleRock also features the Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage, showcasing a unique mashup of cooking demonstrations with renowned chefs, celebrities, performers and rock stars. Details will be announced at a later date.

https://twitter.com/BottleRockNapa/status/1214215096890798081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1214215096890798081&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.billboard.com%2Farticles%2Fnews%2Ffestivals%2F8547359%2Fbottlerock-2020-lineup-headliners

The past few years of BottleRock have sold out (2018 sold out in a matter of minutes) and tickets for this year’s festival are expected to go quickly. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m. PT GA passes are $359 while VIP passes start at $849. To learn more, see the full lineup and buy tickets visit BottleRockNapaValley.com.