Blessd Earns First No. 1 on Any Billboard Chart with “Medallo,” Featuring Justin Quiles & Lenny Tavarez

Posted on May 18, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a big first for Blessd.

The 22-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter and rapper has secured his first No. 1 on a Billboard chart as “Medallo,” with Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavarez, rises 4-1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay ranking-dated May 21.

It’s also Tavarez’s first leader on the all-Latin genre tally, Quiles captures his third among a collection of 14 entries.

“I’m really excited!” says Stiven Mesa Londoño, better known as Blessd. “When I received the news that we were No. 1 on Billboard, I was very emotional. This only makes me work harder for many more wins.”

“Medallo” hits No. 1 in its 16th week with 11 million audience impressions (up 49%) earned in the U.S. in the week ending May 12, according to Luminate.

It evicts Rosalía’s “La Fama,” with The Weeknd, down to No. 5 after its one-week on top (7.6 million, down 29%).

“Medallo” is the fifth title of 2022, which has landed at the summit in at least 16 weeks or more. The other four comprise Karol G’s “Sejodioto,” Rauw Alejandro’s “Cúrame,” and Marc Anthony’s “Mala,” all with 17 weeks to the top, and Jhay Cortez and Sech’s “Ley Seca” (19 weeks).

Further, Blessd and Tavarez join a crew of five other acts who have secured their first champ on the all-Latin genre Latin Airplay chart in 2022. Here’s a recap of the leaderboard:

Artist, Title, Artists, Peak Date
Victor Cárdenas, “El Incomprendido,” with Farruko & DJ Adoni, Jan. 29
DJ Adoni, “El Incomprendido,” with Farruko & Victor Cárdenas, Jan. 29
Lis, “SG,” with Ozuna & Megan Thee Stallion, April 2
Megan Thee Stallion, “SG,” with Ozuna and Lisa, April 2
Ed Sheeran, “Forever My Love” and “Sigue,” both with J Balvin, April 9 and April 16, respectively
Blessd, “Medallo,” with Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavarez, May 21
Lenny Tavarez, “Medallo,” with Justin Quiles and Blessd, May 21

The Ovy on the Drums-produced track, concurrently lands atop Latin Rhythm Airplay after its third week at No. 3.

“At first, the idea of ‘Medallo’ was intended to be produced together with another artist who is also well positioned in Colombia,” the 22-year-old Blessd adds. “But in the end, it did not happen. In our counter plan, Lenny and Justin joined in and the song became a global hit.”

Among the trio, “Medallo” finds its home in Blessd’s roster. The tune is one of 10 tracks on the rapper’s Hecho en Medellín album, which has not entered the charts.

“The collaboration with Lenny and Justin was incredible,” Blessd concludes. “We went from making a song to becoming very good friends, the song transcended into my personal life.”

Karol G Claims New Career Milestone on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs Chart with “Provenza” & “MAMIII”

Posted on May 4, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a one-two punch for Karol G.

The 31-year-old Colombian singer/songwriter has claimed a new career milestone on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart as her latest single, “Provenza,” debuts at No. 2 on the May 7-dated ranking.

Still holding the No. 1 spot with “Mamiii,” with Becky G, Karol G becomes only the second woman, after Selena, to hold Nos. 1 and 2 at the same time since 1995.

“Provenza,” Karol G’s 15th Hot Latin Songs top 10, begins with 11 million U.S. streams in the week ending April 28, according to Luminate. It opens as her fifth No. 1 on Latin Streaming Songs and her second top 10, at No. 10 (after “Mamiii”), on the overall Streaming Songs chart.

“Provenza” also sold 2,100 downloads and becomes her fifth No. 1 on Latin Digital Song Sales. It additionally jumps onto Latin Airplay at No. 18 with 5.3 million in audience.

Produced by Karol G’s longtime collaborator Ovy on the Drums, “Provenza” is a fusion of sounds with tropical and rhythmic elements peppered with afro-dance beats that pays tribute to a neighborhood in her native Medellín.

With “Provenza” arriving at No. 2 on Hot Latin Songs as “Mamiii” reigns for a 10th week, Karol G achieves a feat that no other woman had in over a quarter-century.

The last solo female with no accompanying artists to claim the top two spots together was the late Selena, when “Tú Sólo Tú” and “I Could Fall in Love” ranked at Nos. 1 and 2 respectively, on the September 9, 1995-dated tally (when Hot Latin Songs, now a blend of airplay, streaming and sales data, was based on monitored audience totals among Latin radio stations). Selena logged a total of six weeks at Nos. 1 and 2 with those titles beginning that July.

Previously this decade, Bad Bunny (two weeks) and The Black Eyed Peas (five) doubled up at Nos. 1 and 2 simultaneously on Hot Latin Songs, both in 2020.

Elsewhere, “Provenza” bows at No. 36 on the all-genre, multi-metric Billboard Hot 100, marking Karol G’s highest start as an unaccompanied act. It’s her fourth top 40 entry; “Mamiii” ranks at No. 20, after launching at a personal-best No. 15 in February.

Karol G Lands Fifth Music Video on YouTube’s Billion Views Club with “Bichota”

Posted on May 3, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Make that five music video hits for Karol G…

The 31-year-old Colombian singer’s “Bichota” music video has surpassed one billion views on YouTube, marking her fifth title to enter the Billion Views Club.

The latest clip follows “China,” “Secreto,” “Tusa,” and “Culpables.”

Karol G, who won the 2021 Latin Grammy for best reggaeton performance with this single, reached this new milestone over the weekend.

Released on October 23, 2020, the term “Bichota” (linked to the Puerto Rican slang “bichote,” deriving from the English term “big shot”) refers to “a moment of feeling sexy, flirtatious, daring, strong, empowered, and to a certain extent, [it] translates into personal motivation and self-confidence,” Karol G previously told Billboard. “We are all super ‘Bichotas’ inside. It’s about believing and working so that the rest of the world can see it too.”

The Ovy on the Drums-produced single hit the Top 20 on Billboard Global Charts, earning Karol G her ninth No. 1 on the Billboard Latin Airplay chart, and her 10th top 10 on Hot Latin Songs.

This led to her becoming the first female artist to debut in the list’s top 10 without another act in eight years since Gloria Estefan’s 2012 “Hotel Nacional.”

News of “Bichota” reaching one billion views comes on the heels of Karol G’s two-weekend Coachella debut on April 17 and 24, where she performed “MAMIII” with Becky G live for the first time, releasing her new single “Provenza,” and announcing her upcoming new trek dubbed the $trip Love Tour 2022. The trek kicks off on September 6 at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, and wraps up on October 29 at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena.

Nicky Jam’s “Ojos Rojos” Reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart

Posted on April 20, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Nicky Jam doesn’t mind his red eyes…

The 41-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American singer’s has earned another No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart as his single “Ojos Rojos” climbs 5-1 to lead the April 23-dated ranking.

Nicky Jam expands his dominance with 16 leaders, and the first unaccompanied by another act in over five years.

“Ojos Rojos” advances from No. 5 – having previously reached No. 4 for two weeks – in its 11th week, thanks to a 48% boost in audience impressions, to 10.5 million, earned in the U.S. in the week ending April 17, according to Luminate, formerly MRC Data.

WSKQ New York posted the biggest increase among panelists, up 1 million to 1.8 million, followed by WMEG San Juan, P.R. (up 564,000 to 914,000), and KXOL Los Angeles (up 497,000 to 842,000).

The coronation of “Ojos Rojos’” arrives amid Nicky Jam’s Infinity Tour, which kicked off February 3 in Boston.

The song evicts J Balvin and Ed Sheeran’s “Sigue” from its one-week reign and takes home the Greatest Gainer honors of the week.

With the new champ, Jam collects his 16th No. 1 – among a collection of 39 career entries – and first as a soloist without any other artist since the two-week champ “El Amante” in February 2017. Since then, he’s placed 10 other leaders, all through collaborations.

In addition, the song pushes 3-1 on Latin Rhythm Airplay, Nicky Jam’s first leader in almost a year following “Fan de Tus Fotos” with Romeo Santos (May 2021).

Elsewhere, “Ojos Rojos” makes progress on the all-metric Hot Latin Songs chart, entering the top 20 (24-20) despite a decline in both sales and streams: Hot Latin Songs blends airplay, digital sales and streaming data.

Los Angeles Azules Announce “De Iztapalapa Para El Mundo” Tour Across the U.S.

Posted on April 18, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Los Angeles Azules are preparing to hit the U.S. in a big way…

The six-sibling Mexican cumbia troupe, which found unlikely international success after 40 years together, is launching its biggest U.S. tour to date.

The De Iztapalapa Para El Mundo tour, so named after their Mexican hometown, will feature 34 dates across 33 cities, beginning in Denver, Colorado on August 26, and ending in New Orleans on April 1, 2023.

Tickets for De Iztapalapa Para El Mundo go on sale beginning on Friday, April 22 at 10:00 am local time through www.losangelesazules.com.mx.

The tour is presented by Live Nation Entertainment.

While music from Mexico is increasingly gaining mainstream fans, both Latin and non-Latin, the continued popularity of Los Angeles Azules is one of the most remarkable success stories in Latin music in recent years.

Officially founded in 1980 by the Mejia Avante siblings, the group early on opted to sing its own version of Colombian cumbia, giving it a Mexican twist. Popular at home, Los Angeles Azules were thrust into the international spotlight in 1997, when their heartfelt cumbia “Como Te Voy a Olvidar,” landed the group for the first time ever on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs and Latin Airplay charts, peaking at No. 7 on the February 22, 1997-dated charts.

Three years later, “El Liston de tu Pelo” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart. It would take 19 years for Los Angeles to go to No. 1 again, this time with on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart with “Nunca Es Suficiente,” featuring Natalia Lafourcade.

It was one of many collaborations with artists of other genres that have increasingly raised the group’s profile. In 2018, Los Angeles played Coachella, and last month, the group sold out five nights in Buenos Aires’ legendary Luna Park theater, making them perhaps the first-ever Mexican cumbia group to achieve that level of success in Argentina.

In the U.S., the De Iztapalapa para el Mundo tour marks the culmination of almost a decade of steady touring. In 2013, Los Angeles were averaging a gross of $82,700 per tour stop, selling an average of 4,000 tickets at an average price of $20. Last year, their average gross was $270,000 with an average of over 7,000 tickets sold per stop.

All told, the group sold out 25 U.S. dates in their last tour, including shows in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Chicago and two in Los Angeles.

This time around, their trek is even more ambitious, with first-time stops in cities like New Orleans and Miami, where Mexican cumbia is not popular.

Here are the tour dates:

Los Angeles Azules’ 2022 De Iztapalapa Para El Mundo:
Aug. 26 – Denver, CO – Bellco Theatre
Aug. 27– Salt Lake City, UT – Maverik Center
Sept. 9 – Anaheim, CA – The Theatre Honda Center
Sept. 10 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
Sept. 11 – Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center
Sept. 16 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center
Sept. 17 – Las Vegas, NV – Michelob ULTRA Arena
Sept. 23 – Los Angeles, CA – YouTube Theater
Sept. 24 – Los Angeles, CA – YouTube Theater
Sept. 30– Rancho Mirage, CA – Agua Caliente Casino
Oct. 1 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Federal Theatre
Oct. 7 – Laredo, TX – Sames Auto Arena
Oct. 8 – Edinburg, TX – Bert Ogden Arena
Oct. 9 – Houston, TX – Smart Financial Center
Oct. 13 – Austin, TX – HEB Center at Cedar Park
Oct. 14– San Antonio, TX– Freeman Coliseum
Oct. 15 – Dallas, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Oct. 21 – El Paso, TX – UTEP Don Haskins Center
Oct. 22 – Albuquerque, NM – Kiva Auditorium
Oct. 23 – Dodge City, KS – United Wireless Arena
Nov. 18 – Atlanta, GA – Gas South Arena
Nov. 19 – Miami, FL – FPL Solar Amphitheater
Nov. 23 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro, Coliseum
Nov. 25– Boston, MA – Orpheum Theatre
Nov. 26 – New York, NY – Hulu Theater
Nov. 27 – Fairfax, VA– EagleBank Arena

2023
March 12 – Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Resort & Casino
March 17 – Kennewick, WA – Toyota Center
March 18 – Seattle, WA – WAMU Theater
March 19 – Portland, OR – Veterans Memorial Coliseum
March 24 – Minneapolis, MN – Orpheum Theatre
March 25– Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena
March 31 – Orlando, FL – Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts
April 1 – New Orleans, LA – Saenger Theater

J Balvin & Ed Sheeran’s “Sigue” Replaces Their “Forever My Love” at No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart

Posted on April 12, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a special follow-up for J Balvin…

The 36-year-old Colombian singer and rapper’s Ed Sheeran-collaboration “Sigue” has replaced the pair’s other single, “Forever My Love,” at No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart dated April 16.

“Forever My Love” rose to the No. 1 spot on last week’s April 9-dated Latin Airplay chart and falls to No. 4 on the latest ranking, making room for Balvin and Sheeran’s other collaboration, “Sigue,” to take over at No. 1.

The song leads with 8.1 million all-format radio airplay audience impressions earned in the April 1-7 tracking week, according to Luminate, formerly MRC Data.

The last act to replace themselves at No. 1 on Latin Airplay with a new song was Farruko.

He led the October 2, 2021-dated chart as a featured act on Enrique Iglesias’ “Me Pase” and then succeeded himself with his solo smash “Pepas.”

“Sigue” earns Balvin his record-extending 35th career No. 1 on the chart, and Sheeran his second.

Of Balvin’s 35 No. 1s, “Sigue” is his third of 2022, following “Una Nota” in January and “Forever My Love” last week.

He tallied five No. 1s in 2021 and nine in 2020 (his personal best).

The only other acts with multiple Latin Airplay No. 1s in 2022 are Jhay Cortez, Karol G and Ozuna, with two apiece.

Here’s an updated look at the acts with the most Latin Airplay No. 1s in the chart’s 27-year history:

35, J Balvin
32, Enrique Iglesias
27, Ozuna
25, Daddy Yankee
21, Maluma
20, Wisin
19, Romeo Santos

Ozuna Earns 27th No. 1 on Billboard Latin Airplay Chart with DJ Snake-Collaboration “SG”

Posted on April 1, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Ozuna is celebrating another massive hit…

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican singer and rapper’s collaboration “SG” with Lisa of BLACKPINK, Megan Thee Stallion and DJ Snake has reached No. 1 on the Billboard Latin Airplay chart.

The track rises from No. 3 to rule the April 2-dated survey.

It’s Ozuna,’s 27th champ and second of the year: “Emojis de Corazones,” with Wisin, Jhay Cortez, which also features Los Legendarios, arrived at the summit on the January 8-dated list.

Lisa of BLACKPINK and Meghan Thee Stallion earn their first No. 1s on the chart.

DJ Snake, who clocks his third straight No. 1, returns to lead the all-Latin genre tally after “Loco Contigo,” with J Balvin and Tyga, reigned for one week in November 2019.

With the new No. 1 on Latin Airplay, here’s a look at the acts with the most No. 1s on the 27-year-old survey:

33, J Balvin
32, Enrique Iglesias
27, Ozuna
25, Daddy Yankee
21, Maluma
20, Wisin
19, Romeo Santos

The bilingual “SG” and its music video were officially released on October 22, 2021, via DJ Snake/Interscope. It didn’t, however, make its Latin Airplay appearance until four months later, when the track debuted at No. 37 on the February 19-dated ranking.

The song wraps a steady seven-week trek to No. 1 to lead the current chart with 8.4 million in audience impressions, up 26%, earned in the U.S. in the week ending March 27, according to Luminate, formerly MRC Data.

Both LISA and Meghan Thee Stallion concurrently score their first No. 1 on Latin Rhythm Airplay. Meanwhile, Ozuna captures his 26th champ and DJ Snake returns to the upper reaches with a third No. 1.

Sebastian Yatra Teams Up with John Legend for Bilingual “Tacones Rojos” Remix

Posted on March 23, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a Legend-ary moment for Sebastian Yatra.

The 27-year-old Colombian singer and songwriter has joined voices with John Legend for a new bilingual remix of his track “Tacones Rojos,” which was originally released in fall 2021.

Five months later, Yatra joins forces with Legend on the feel-good dance-pop track that maintains its essence. “When you have a song you love so much, you want to give it to someone who has a stroke of genius like John has, and who will keep the essence instead of just a translation,” Yatra previously told Billboard.

On the new version, Legend begins the track by singing, “There’s a light in my window, a smile on my face/ You’re giving me a new light, a new day/ Your love is like magic/ I feel like I can fly/ I’m kissing the sky.” Yatra then taps in, singing in both Spanish and English. “My piece of sunshine/ The girl of my eyes,” goes the chorus.

“John is miraculously talented and musically, he can go anywhere. He’s someone I admire, and vocal-wise, it’s very intriguing to see how he’s going to sound in a song like this because of his vocal capacity,” Yatra previously said.

“Tacones Rojos,” which marks their first collaborative effort, sweetly references a woman who’s charming and beautiful, especially when she’s wearing her red heels. Legend wrote the English lyrics to the song, which Yatra originally co-wrote with Juan Jo, Lofty, Manuel Lara, and Pablo.

“It has such a beautiful sunny vibe,” Legend expressed in a statement. “It’s about meeting someone new who brings love, light, and wonder into your life. I love that energy and that we were able to create something new together for this lovely song.”

“Tacones Rojos” hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart in February, becoming Yatra’s 10th No. 1 on that chart, and his fifth from his album Dharma.

Becky G & Karol G’s “Mamiii” Track Hits No. 1 on Six Billboard Latin Charts

Posted on March 23, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a hot mami-ment for Becky G and Karol G.

The 25-year-old Mexican American singer/rapper and the 31-year-old Colombian singer’s sew single “Mamiii” has hit No. 1 on two new Billboard Latin charts.

A week after conquering the Latin Pop Airplay chart (dated March 19), their first collaboration takes over the all-genre Latin Airplay chart as it jumps 3-1 on the March 26-dated ranking. It concurrently ascends 2-1 on Latin Rhythm Airplay.

With the move, “Mamiii” now tops six Latin charts concurrently: Hot Latin Songs, Latin Airplay, Latin Pop Airplay, Latin Rhythm Airplay, Latin Digital Song Sales, and Latin Streaming Songs.

The previous instance of that six-chart simultaneous domination occurred almost three years ago when Daddy Yankee’s “Con Calma,” featuring Snow, topped all six of the May 25, 2019-dated tallies and the surveys dated June 15-29, 2019.

“Mamiii” ascends to lead Latin Airplay with an 11% increase in audience impressions, to 8.97 million, earned in the U.S. in the week ending March 20, according to MRC Data.

Karol G adds a 13th No. 1 in her 22nd appearance, the second-most for a woman after Shakira’s 15 leaders. Meanwhile, Becky G captures her fourth No. 1.

With the latest success, ‘Mamiii” joins a group of four other tracks which have ruled all six Latin charts concurrently in the last five years. Here’s a recap of the champs:

Title, Artist, Date Reached No. 1
“Chantaje,” Shakira featuring Maluma, Jan. 14, 2017
“Despacito,” Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, featuring Justin Bieber, March 25, 2017; April 8, 2017, April 22 – July-1, 2017
“Mi Gente,” J Balvin and Willy Williams, featuring Beyoncé, Oct. 21, 2017; Nov. 4-25, 2017
“Con Calma,” Daddy Yankee, featuring Snow, May 25, 2019; June 15-29, 2019
“Mamiii,” Becky G & Karol G, March 26, 2022

Thanks to its growing airplay across Latin stations in the U.S., “Mamiii” holds strong at the summit on the all-metric Hot Latin Songs chart despite a dip in both streams and digital sales for the tracking week ending in March 17. On the former, it registered 11.3 million U.S. clicks with a 2% decline, which removes it from the top 10 on the overall Streaming Songs survey (9-17) but enough to continue at the lead on Latin Streaming Songs. On the latter, it likewise holds steady at the penthouse with a little over 1,000 downloads sold.

Adding to Karol G’s triumph “Mamiii” becomes the first song to rule the hybrid Hot Latin Songs chart and three airplay charts (Latin Airplay, Latin Pop Airplay, and Latin Rhythm Airplay) in over two years. Who did it prior? Well, herself, as “Tusa,” with Nicki Minaj, led all four rankings on the Feb. 15, 2020-dated list.

Daddy Yankee Announces Retirement with Final Album & Tour

Posted on March 20, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Daddy Yankee is officially retiring from music.

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican rapper, singer and songwriter, known as the “King of Reggaetón,” will culminate his musical run with Legendaddy, his first new studio album in 10 years, and a world tour.

Born Raymond Ayala, Daddy Yankee’s career exploded with 2004’s breakthrough hit “Gasolina,” launching a genre that altered the sound and business of Latin music and became a global phenomenon.

Daddy Yankee had hinted at retirement and a last album and tour during an interview at Billboard’s Latin Music Week last year, but had yet to make an official announcement.

“Today, I’m announcing my retirement from music by giving you my best production and my best concert tour,” Daddy Yankee said in a statement in a press release issued on Sunday, March 20. “I will say goodbye celebrating these 32 years of experience with this new collector’s item, the album Legendaddy. I’m going to give you all the styles that have defined me, in one single album.”

Daddy Yankee’s Legendaddy will be released on May 24 at 8:00 pm ET.

His La Última Vuelta World Tour, a five-month trek, is set to kick off on August 10 in Portland, Oregon and run through December. Pre-sale tickets will go on sale on March 25, with a general public sale to follow on March 30. A full set of current tour dates is available on his official website.

Daddy Yankee has had six No. 1s on the Top Latin Albums chart, starting with 2004’s Barrio Fino, the first-ever reggaetón album to hit that spot. As of March 2022, he’s seen 76 entries on Latin Airplay and 86 on Hot Latin Songs, including the record-shattering “Despacito” alongside Luis Fonsi.

“I like to say I took the bullets,” he told Billboard in 2021 of bringing reggaetón to the mainstream music market. “I wanted people to understand my essence, where I come from, what I represent. But at the same time, I wanted to take my culture to the very top. I can’t tell you there was a formula. Reggaetón was initially only known on the East Coast. When I released Barrio Fino, the West Coast didn’t get it. I’d go to Los Angeles or Mexico and people knew Daddy Yankee, but they didn’t know what reggaetón was. I had to take the culture with me everywhere so it became permanent instead of fizzling out like other genres where artists simply promote themselves. When I did promotion, I talked about all the artists in my album: ‘This is me. But this album also features Zion & Lennox, Plan B, Ivy Queen.’ I had to play their music and say, ‘This is them. This is reggaetón.’”

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