Wisin & Yandel Scores 16th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with Rosalia-Collab “Besos Moja2”

Posted on March 30, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a Sweet Sixteen for Wisin & Yandel.

The Puerto Rican Grammy– and Latin Grammy-winning reggaeton duo have taken over Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart as the Rosalia-collaboration “Besos Moja2” rises 2-1 to lead the April 1-dated ranking.

The new champ hits the top after the song’s domination on Latin Rhythm Airplay, where it holds strong at No. 1 for a fourth week.

“Besos Moja2” is a contemporary reggaetón version of Wisin & Yandel’s “Besos Mojados” produced by Luny Tunes and originally released as part of the duo’s sixth studio album, La Revolución (No. 1 on Top Latin Albums, May 2009).

The new Rosalía-assisted version stems from the Puerto Rican’s 10th and farewell full-length set as a duo, La Última Misión, which debuted and peaked at No. 14 on Top Latin Albums and reached top 10 on Latin Rhythm Albums last October.

“Besos Moja2,” produced by the same team plus Los Legendarios and Noah Goldstein, stretches to No. 1 on Latin Airplay, after two weeks in the runner-up slot, with a 3% increase in audience impressions, to 12 million, earned in the U.S. in the week ending March 23, according to Luminate.

The collaboration gives Wisin & Yandel their 16th No. 1. The duo extends its record for the most champs among groups, ahead of Maná’s 11 leaders, and Zion & Lennox’s eight No. 1s. Among all acts, J Balvin continues to lead with 35 No. 1s. “Besos Moja2” arrives atop of the chart following Wisin & Yandel’s one week command through “Mayor Que Usted,” with Natti Natasha and Daddy Yankee, in September 2022.

Rosalía, meanwhile, secures her seventh No. 1, and sixth consecutive, after conquering Latin Airplay also for one week with the bachata “El Pañuelo,” with Romeo Santos on the survey dated February 25.

Rosalia & Rauw Alejandro Release Their Highly-Anticipated Joint Project “RR”

Posted on March 24, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

It’s three for three for Rosalia and Rauw Alejandro…

The 30-year-old Spanish Grammy-winning singer and the 30-year-old Puerto Rican singer have released their highly-anticipated joint project RR, featuring three songs to celebrate their three years as a couple.

Rosalia and Alejandro’s project features the single “Beso,” “Vampiros” and “Promesa.”

The EP — which marks the first that the couple recorded songs together — arrives after both artists had hinted at a potential collaboration.

In November, the Spanish superstar teased that they had been in the studio together without revealing much. “We’ll see, we’ll see,” she added.

Meanwhile, Alejandro also talked about collaborating with Rosalía during his panel at Billboard’s MusicCon back in May. “For sure we have a few stuff in the studio already,” he confirmed. “It’s a surprise. Those songs are [under] extra security. We’re planning to do the release, I’m not going to say when, but soon. We’re doing it for the love of the fans and she’s my girl and I did those songs with more love. No. 1 for sure.”

Previously, the couple had subtly collaborated on each other’s previous projects; Rosalía sang backing vocals on “Dile a Él” from the Puerto Rican artist’s first album, Afrodisiaco (2020) as well as “Corazón Despeinado” from Saturno (2022). He also co-wrote some lyrics in Rosalía’s “Chicken Teriyaki” from her Grammy and Latin Grammy-winning 2022 album, Motomami. She also lent her pen on “Caprichoso” from Alejandro’s EP Trap Cake, Vol. 2 (2022).

Alejandro kicked off his Saturno World Tour last month in the Dominican Republic, and will continue his trek in cities such as New York and Chicago. Most recently, Rosalía was recognized as Producer of the Year at the Billboard Women In Music awards. The Spanish idol, who had one of the most successful tours of 2022 with Motomami, will be performing at Coachella in April.

Netflix Releases First Look at “El Amor Después del Amor,” the Biographical Series Based on Fito Páez’s Life

Posted on March 19, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Art will soon imitate Fito Páez’s life…

Honoring a remarkable 30-year trajectory, Netflix has unveiled the first look and release date of El Amor Después del Amor, the biographical series based on the life of the 60-year-old Argentine Grammy-winning popular rock and roll pianist, lyricist, singer-songwriter and film director.

Produced by Juan Pablo Kolodziej and Mariano Chihade of Mandarina Contenidos, the eight-episode series chronicles Paez’s life, from his dramatic and humble beginning to his rise to fame in the 1980s, as well as his legacy in Latin American music.

El Amor Después del Amor will arrive on April 26 via Netflix.

Paez is an 11-time Latin Grammy winner, as well as a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.

Julio Reyes Copello Signs Multiyear Worldwide Deal with Sony Music Publishing

Posted on March 16, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Julio Reyes Copello has a new worldwide deal…

The 53-year-old Colombian producer, songwriter and record engineer has inked a multiyear worldwide deal with Sony Music Publishing.

“I am thrilled to be starting this new phase of my creative life as part of the great Sony Music Publishing family,” says Copello, who won producer of the year honors at the 2022 Latin Grammys. “I am very grateful for the belief, respect and enthusiasm that [Sony Music Publishing president/CEO for Latin America & U.S. Latin] Jorge Mejia and his team have shown, which will be essential in order to find new outlets and homes for my music.”

“I have known and admired Julio for many years,” adds Mejia. “He is widely respected as a musician’s musician, with a deft touch at the piano and a sensitivity as a producer and songwriter, that makes all manner of artists and writers feel right at home whenever they work with him. It is a dream come true, therefore, to finally be able to work directly with Julio, as well as the artists and songwriters he’s developing. I can’t wait for what comes next.”

Reyes is currently working on upcoming releases with Spanish pop star Pablo Alborán, Marc Anthony, Alejandro Sanz, among many others.

The four-time Grammy and seven-time Latin Grammy winner is widely considered one of Latin pop’s most important songwriters, producers and musicians.

Since launching his career in 2001, the Cúcuta alchemist has also penned hits for the likes of superstars Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Thalía, Chayanne, Laura Pausini, Kany García and more.

In total, he has earned 48 Grammy and Latin Grammy nominations; he also has more than 10 ASCAP awards under his belt.

Aside from his songwriting career, Reyes founded Art House Records, a talent incubator where he continues to discover and develop emerging artists, which includes Joaquina, Riza, Ela Taubert and more.

Additionally, he partnered with Abbey Road Institute — the first U.S. music production school, and an extension of the music production education program held at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London.

Together, both parties established the Art House Academy & Abbey Road Institute Miami, where they specialize in music performance, music production and sound engineering to develop and educate “the next generation of singer/songwriters, music producers and sound engineers.”

Alejandro Sanz Announces U.S. “Sanz En Vivo Tour”

Posted on March 14, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Alejandro Sanz is headed to the United States…

The 54-year-old Grammy-winning singer will return to the U.S. for the first time since the pandemic with his Sanz En Vivo Tour, produced by Loud And Live.

The 11-date trek kicks off in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in September and has stops in cities such as Chicago, New York and Houston before wrapping up in Los Angeles in October.

“I expect this comeback will be filled with a lot of love, magic, good energy. Let’s enjoy music,” adds Sanz, who recently wrapped up a 15-date stint in Mexico.

The first time Sanz toured in the U.S. was more than 20 years ago. Much has changed since then.

“I remember the first few times I went to the U.S. on tour, there were very few Latin companies,” the Spanish singer-songwriter tells Billboard. “There was probably a promoter in Miami, another in Los Angeles. But all of us together have been paving this road, we’ve created a world in the U.S. that is now a huge market. It’s now time to go back and celebrate what we’ve been able to accomplish in this country with Spanish music.”

To still be able to tour and do sold-out shows at this point of his decades-long career, is everything, says Sanz. “For an artist, everything is about being on a stage. Everything else is a bonus, even recording. To be able to be on stage is what one dreams when you dream of being a musician. You dream of sharing, to be able to fill spaces with emotions.”

In his shows, Sanz promises to perform the classics, such as “Corazón Partío,” “Amiga Mía” and “Mi Persona Favorita,” plus new music, including songs from his 2021 Latin Grammy-nominated album SANZ.

Tickets are set go on sale March 17 at 10:00 am local time via www.alejandrosanz.com.

Here’s the complete list of dates for Sanz En Vivo:

Sept. 16 – San Juan – Coliseo de Puerto Rico
Sept. 21 – Orlando – Amway Center
Sept. 23 – Miami – Miami-Dade Arena
Sept. 27 – Chicago – Rosemont Theater
Sept. 29 – Washington, D.C. – EagleBank Arena
Sept. 30 – New York – The Theater at MSG
Oct. 5 – McAllen – Bert Ogden Arena
Oct. 7 – Dallas – Texas Trust CU Theater
Oct. 8 – Houston – Smart Financial Centre
Oct. 12 – El Paso – El Paso County Coliseum
Oct. 14 – Los Angeles –Microsoft Theater

Annie Gonzalez to Star as the Late Jenni Rivera in Family-Authorized Biopic “Jenni”

Posted on March 11, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Annie Gonzalez will be portraying a late banda legend…

The Latina actress will star in an authorized biopic about the life of Jenni Rivera has been greenlit at ViX.

In addition to starring, Gonzalez will also executive produce the film.

Filming of Jenni (wt) is underway in Bogota, Colombia, and will be completed in Los Angeles.

The project is set to premiere exclusively via ViX and in select movie theaters in the United States and Mexico later this year.

Jenni (wt) will follow Rivera’s journey from her humble beginnings in Long Beach, California, to her meteoric rise to the top of the charts, and her final days before her tragic and unexpected death. The film will also share a look at the struggles she endured in her personal life and how she became the artist fans all know and love today, and how she persevered and found strength from within.

The streamer notes, Jenni is a story of resilience and bravery that shows the building blocks of what made Jenni Rivera—also known affectionately as “La Diva De La Banda”— who she was and the remarkable legacy she left behind.

“My siblings and I are very excited about this biopic and we know our mother’s story will impact generations to come,” Jacqie Rivera, daughter of Jenni Rivera and CEO of Jenni Rivera Enterprises said in a statement. “It has been an uphill battle, but we are happy to see one of our mom’s dreams come to fruition. Although we still haven’t gotten used to seeing someone portray our mother, we have faith Annie will do a great job.”

As a multiple award-winning artist—including multiple Billboard Music Awards, 22 Billboard Latin Music Awards, 18 Lo Nuestro Awards, and four Latin Grammy nominations— Rivera is not only known as one of the best-selling Regional Mexican artists of all time but also for her role in disrupting cultural precedent by crossing into banda, a male-dominated music genre and eventually into pop music, where her presence posthumously continues to shine. Rivera died in a plane crash in 2012.

“I am beyond honored to portray the essence of this phenomenal survivor that is Jenni Rivera who despite adversity at every turn was never a victim and showed her daughters, her family, and her audience what grace, forgiveness, and true authenticity is— liberating us all,” Gonzalez shared. “Jenni’s messages of feminism, civil rights, and nonconformity within her music were well before her time and made space for all of us to feel empowered. With the support of the Rivera family, I cannot wait to help tell the beautiful story and the impactful legacy of what Jenni means to me personally and what it will mean to women and Latinas everywhere.”

Manuel Uriza will star opposite Gonzalez in the role of Pedro Rivera, Jenni’s father, and Regional Mexican entrepreneur. The cast also includes Cinthya Carmona (East Los High) as Jenni Rivera’s eldest daughter, Chiquis Rivera, Jero Medina (Narcos: Mexico) and Miguel Angel Garcia (The Long Game) who will dually portray Trino Marín, Rivera’s first husband and father of her three eldest children at later and earlier stages in his life, respectively.

Additionally, Gabriela Reynoso (Si Nos Dejan) will be portraying Jenni’s mother Rosa Saavedra, J.R. Villarreal (Ultra Violet) will play Juan “Cinco” Lopez, Jenni’s late second husband, and newcomer Tatiana Juarez will portray Rivera during her early years.

“ViX is thrilled to be the official home and distributor of this powerful story about Jenni Rivera. Our commitment to this project is paramount and, along with a fantastic production team and director, we know we will have a film that will captivate our audiences,” stated Augusto Rovegno, Senior Vice President of Content ViX at TelevisaUnivision.

Gigi Saul Guerrero (Culture Shock) directs from a screenplay by Shane McKenzie (Bingo Hell).

Gonzalez is gearing up to promote Flamin’ Hot, the Eva Longoria-directed Searchlight Pictures film about how Frito Lay janitor Ricardo Montañez climbs the ranks at work and creates the spicy Cheeto snack. Flamin’ Hot premieres at SXSW on March 11 followed by a wide release via Hulu in June. The Chicana actress portrays the character of Judy, Montañez’s wife, opposite Jesse Garcia.

She also recently starred in Illegally Brown alongside Jessica Marie Garcia from filmmaker, Gabby Revilla Lugo, which is currently playing on the film festival circuit. Additionally, Gonzalez can next be seen in the upcoming independent thriller Body Language and an untitled Ethan Coen project.

Gonzalez is best known for her portrayal of Lidia Solis in the Netflix comedy series Gentefied and her guest roles in Apple’s Mr. Corman, Starz’s Vida, NBC’s Good Girls, Showtime’s Shameless, and FX’s American Horror Story, among other credits.

Residente Partnering with Alexander Dinelaris to Co-Write the New Film “Porto Rico”

Posted on February 12, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Residente is bringing on the drama…

The 44-year-old Puerto Rican rapper, singer, and songwriter, whose real name is René Pérez Joglar, has teamed up with Academy Award-winner Alexander Dinelaris to co-write the new film Porto Rico.

Porto Rico is a historical drama based on the life of Puerto Rican revolutionary, José Maldonado Román, known as Águila Blanca, set on the island in the late 19th century. Maldonado Román fought against colonialism by leading a gang of ex-convicts to vindicate Puerto Rico as it sought its identity as a country.

“It has been amazing to work with Alex,” said Residente in a statement about the screenwriter he was introduced to by Alejandro Gonzalez-Iñarritu. “It took me a while to find a great writer because I was looking for someone who not only is talented but also connects with the subject matter. I found both in Alex, an amazing writer who is highly skilled at dialogues as was evident in Birdman,” he added.

Residente and Dinelaris found they shared a special cultural connection via Puerto Rico, the island where both Residente and Dinelaris’ grandmother were born. Dinelaris’ passion for his ancestral land helped cement the partnership.

“When Rene and I were introduced, I knew about him but wasn’t familiar with his body of work. When he sent me a treatment of his idea for Porto Rico, I was immediately hooked,” Dinelaris said. “My grandmother was from Ponce but I never got to meet my family there. I’ve always felt a connection to Puerto Rico, it’s where I often go to get away— and where I wrote Birdman and Still Life. I relish the opportunity to explore its history, my history.”

Along the way, Dinelaris has familiarized himself with Residente and his music, which helped him make the “easy decision” to partner with the artist. He said, “He and his work are defined by his courage, conviction, and artistry; which is also what I admire about Alejandro, who has been my mentor, brother, and partner.”

He continued, “I think we have an opportunity to tell a unique story and shed light on a corner of history that until now has been undiscovered by a large part of the world. It’s a story about the spectacular courage and resilience of someone unwilling to bend the knee at any price. I think that’s a story that now more than ever deserves to be told.”

The duo is already at work on the screenplay with plans to share bigger development news in the near future. In the meantime, Residente shared an update on how the story is shaping up.

“The writing sessions have been amazing so far, Residente said. “We’ve been taking our time shaping the story and focusing on being not only clever or interesting but also writing dialogue that generates an emotional connection, similar to how I create music.”

Porto Rico will be the first film from 1868 Studios, a multi-year joint venture between Residente and Sony Music Entertainment’s Premium Content Division that creates, produces, and globally distributes original content projects across multiple formats. Residente, who leads all creative aspects, focuses on properly representing cultural narratives on-screen, including Latinx stories, and most importantly for him, behind the camera.

Residente is a multiple award-winning Puerto Rican rapper, writer, filmmaker, and activist who has earned more Latin Grammys than any other artist as of 2022. In addition to music, he has gained recent success as a screenwriter and director. His projects include a self-titled documentary released in 2017 followed by the doc Rubén Blades Is Not My Name a year later.

Dinelaris is best known for his award-winning work as the screenwriter of Birdman, and as co-producer of the Academy Award-winning film, The Revenant. Additional credits include Benjamin Millepied’s film Carmen as well as writing and directing the film adaptation of his play, Still Life.

Grammy Museum Launching Shakira-Themed Exhibit in March

Posted on January 28, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Prepare for the ultimate Shakira experience…

The Recording Academy Grammy Museum is set to host a special exhibit that celebrates the 45-year-old Colombian Grammy– and Latin Grammy-winning singer and songwriter’s three-decade-plus career.

The “Shakira, Shakira: The GRAMMY Museum Experience” will go live on March 4 at the museum in Los Angeles. The exhibit is on display in the Museum’s permanent Latin Music Gallery.

“It’s an honor to have the journey of my career displayed at the GRAMMY Museum,” Shakira said in a statement. “These pieces are a testament to so many indelible moments that I cherish, and I’m so happy to be able to relive these memories with those who have and continue to support me as an artist.”

Shakira, Shakira explores the artist’s musical evolution, from her origins as a Latin rock-loving singer-songwriter in Barranquilla, Colombia, to a global superstar whose catalog spans multiple genres, from bhangra and bachata to rock and reggaetón. Early in her career, Shakira began fusing elements of her mixed ethnicity and multicultural roots, including the Lebanese heritage on her father’s side, with Arabic dancing and the mainstream pop rock that she grew up with, to construct a richly layered sonic universe that allowed her to grow as a creator while appealing to a worldwide audience. In the process, she achieved international crossover success and broke boundaries for Latin artists.

To deepen visitors’ appreciation and understanding of how these cultural elements have shaped every aspect of her songs, music videos, performances, and world tours, the first museum exhibit about Shakira features interactives that provide fresh insights into her creative process. It also includes artifacts from her personal archive, three original films, and an immersive space that draws inspiration from her El Dorado tour.

“Shakira is the rare superstar who has discovered a way to keep evolving as an artist while growing her expansive audience along with her,” said Jasen Emmons, chief curator & vice president of curatorial affairs at the Grammy Museum. “She’s a serious student of music, and the Grammy Museum is excited to offer a dynamic exhibit that reflects her intelligence and artistry.”

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The announcement comes after Shakira hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart dated January 28 with “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” her collaboration with Bizarrap. Shakira now ties with Bad Bunny for the fourth-most No. 1s overall, both with 12.

Rosalia Releases New Bilingual Track “LLYLM”

Posted on January 27, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Rosalia is switching tongues…

The 30-year-old Spanish Grammy-winning singer has released the bilingual new single “LLYLM.”

“El que quiero no me quiere como quiero que me quiera,” Rosalía sings over her signature handclap beat on the track created in part with Max Martin.

The opening verse of “LLYLM” is almost a tongue twister with lyrics that showcase despair after she realizes that the guy she likes doesn’t like her like she’d like him to like her.

She then effortlessly transitions into English, to get her point across in case something gets lost in translation.

“I don’t need honestly, baby, lie like you love me, lie like you love me,” she sings, soaring over a guitar-led tune fused with magnetic handclaps.

It’s Rosalia’s first single of the year following her 2022 Latin Grammy-winning album Motomami.

Ludmilla Signs New Management Deal with WK Entertainment & Central Sonora

Posted on January 22, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ludmilla has a new management deal…

The 27-year-old Brazilian powerhouse singer-songwriter has signed with WK Entertainment and Central Sonora. The alliance arrives after she won a 2022 Latin Grammy for her album Numanice #2, and after making history as the first Afro-Latina artist to reach one billion streams on Spotify.

“[This deal] is a very important step in my career,” Ludmilla tells Billboard Español. “WK Entertainment/Central Sonora, together with my company Sem Querer Produções, will add structure and they will assist in enhancing my musical work, which is my focus. I am very happy and excited about this partnership and I am sure it will yield many results.”

Together, the teams will work to further amplify Ludmilla’s global artistic development. Central to this growth is Central Sonora’s CEO Cesar Figueiredo, who is leading this new stage in the artist’s career. He’ll oversee all management functions of the project. Walter Kolm, who is the founder and CEO of WK Entertainment and WK Records, will also provide support while helping develop key relations for Ludmilla’s continued growth.

“Ludmilla reflects the true sonority that exists in Brazil today. She is ready to conquer the world by exploring our Brazilian culture,” Figueiredo said in a statement shared with Billboard Español. “Our alliance began a few years ago as a friendship and has since blossomed, giving us the opportunity to finally work together professionally. It is truly an honor for me as a manager to represent a highly regarded and iconic artist such as Ludmilla.”

“This is a phase in my career that is very diverse and different from anything I’ve ever done, a phase that accompanies my current state and the work I propose, which has 100 per cent my truth and [aligned with] my artistic vein,” the artist adds.

With her propulsive pop and funk formula, Ludmilla has become a force to be reckoned with in her native Brazil and beyond. And her ever-expanding fan base further testifies her rise to prominence — she currently has 28.8 million followers on Instagram and 10.5 million on Twitter. The singer-songwriter navigates stylistic configurations with ease, whether she’s soulfully singing an R&B ballad (“Quem é Você”), spitting some funky carioca bars (“Tic Tac”) or charming listeners with sweet samba songs (“Maldivas”). Her gritty trap features equally intrigue, like on “Tanto Faz.”

“I think of funk as an agent of change, especially in the lives of so many peripheral people who don’t have opportunities,” she says. “Funk embraces and elevates, it makes is claim our place in the world.”

Ludmilla is poised to drop her next singles “Sou Má,” featuring funk MCs Tasha and Tracie, as well as “Nasci Pra Vencer” on February 2. “The lyrics [to the latter trap song] tell my story, which is similar to the story of those who come from a place without [economic] gains, but with talent and hard work, we can reach places we never thought possible. It’s about me, but it’s also about others who I hope feel represented,” she says.

Last week, Billboard Español exclusively announced WK Record’s Brazilian operational expansion, which began quietly running last year. It will function to develop the careers of local talent with global appeal, while creating international opportunities for them.

“I am delighted to welcome Ludmilla to our family of artists and join her in this exciting new journey, in partnership with Central Sonora,” Kolm stated. “Our companies look forward to amplifying Ludmilla’s career around the world and to consolidate [her] position as one of Brazil’s top artists.”

Ludmilla is currently working on an eclectic album which, she mentions, will span genres like pop, R&B, funk, trap and more.

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