Tag Archives: Latin Grammys

Grupo Firme Announces Plans to Take “La Última Peda” Tour Global

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Grupo Firme is preparing for a global trek…

The Latin Grammy-winning Regional Mexican group, based in Tijuana, Mexico, has announced plans to hit the road in 2024 with their La Última Peda tour.

Grupo FirmeWhile the dates and venues are yet to be revealed, Grupo Firme confirmed they’ll be performing in Mexico, the U.S., Latin America and, for the first time, Europe, becoming one of the few Mexican banda groups to tour in European territory.

“You dictate where you want to see Grupo Firme. The most mentioned cities or countries [in the comments] will be where we will be present,” the group shared on Instagram.

Formed in 2014, they have received nominations for a variety of awards, including Premios Juventud and Premio Lo Nuestro, being the winner in 2021 of the latter in five categories.

Christina Aguilera Signs with United Talent Agency for Global Representation

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Christina Aguilera has new representation…

The 43-year-old half-Ecuadorian American Grammy-winning singer and pop icon has signed with United Talent Agency (UTA) for worldwide representation.

Christina AguileraThe “Genie in a Bottle” and “What a Girl Wants” singer, a multiple Grammy-winning singer-songwriter renowned for her powerhouse vocals, has to date sold more than 75 million records worldwide. She’s also garnered five No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making her the third female artist, and fourth overall, to top the list over three consecutive decades.

The winner of seven Grammys, including two Latin Grammys, Aguilera’s most recent recognition at these award shows came in the form of the 2022 Latin Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album on behalf of her second Spanish-language album, Aguilera. After being recognized with the inaugural Music Icon Award at the People’s Choice Awards in 2021, she nabbed the Spirit of Hope Award at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards, going on to receive the Advocate for Change Award at the GLAAD Media Awards the following year.

In addition to her work as a songwriter and recording artist, Aguilera is well known for her efforts as a producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Since 2009, she’s served as a global spokesperson for Yum! Brands’ World Hunger Relief effort, also helping to raise over $150 million for the World Food Program and other hunger relief agencies, while raising awareness around domestic violence, LGBTQ+ equality and other essential cultural conversations.

Also the co-founder of Playground, a sexual wellness lifestyle brand launched in 2022, Aguilera can currently be found headlining a new show at Volatire at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.

She continues to be represented by Roc Nation and imPRint.

Shakira Honored with 20-Foot Bronze Statue in Her Colombian Hometown

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Shakira has been immortalized in her hometown of Barranquilla, Colombia..

City officials have unveiled a giant bronze statue of the 46-year-old Colombian superstar known around the world for her catchy tunes and exhilarating moves.

ShakiraThe 20-foot-tall monument depicts the multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy winner in one of her famous belly-dancing outfits, with her hips swaying to her right and her arms raised gracefully toward the sky.

A plaque under the statue says that on February 2, 1977, the town of “Barranquilla and the world witnessed the birth of a heart that composes, hips that don’t lie, a voice that moves masses and a pair of bare feet that walk for the good of children and humanity.”

The statue, located on a recently built promenade along the Magdalena River that runs along the edge of the town, was unveiled in a small ceremony on Tuesday attended by Shakira’s parents and the mayor, Jaime Pumarejo.

Shakira StatueHowever, the bronze giant is not the Caribbean town’s first Shakira statue. In 2006, Barranquilla unveiled a Shakira monument that depicts the pop star in her early days, playing an acoustic guitar and wearing jeans and boots. That statues stands near the entrance of the local soccer stadium.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Shakira gave thanks to sculptor Yino Marquez and his students at Barranquilla’s public art academy for the latest statue, which she described as proof of the “enormous talent” of Barranquilla’s citizens.

Shakira won three Latin Grammys earlier this year, and also made headlines in January, when she and Bizarrap collaborated on “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” a fiery rap song about Shakira’s ex-partner Gerard Pique that broke YouTube records.

She also settled a tax-fraud case in Spain with a $7.5 million dollar payment this year, and recently moved to Miami with her two children.

Alicia Villarreal’s Camixes Entertainment Signs Global Distribution Agreement with ADA Worldwide

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Alicia Villarreal is hoping for global reach…

The 52-year-old Mexican singer has signed a global distribution agreement with ADA Worldwide and her label Camixes Entertainment.

Alicia Villarreal,The deal marks Villarreal’s return to releasing music after a seven-year hiatus.

Her first independent single, “Ojo Por Ojo,” was released last month, while a new album is expected out next year.

Villarreal participated in different bands in Monterrey, Mexico, before becoming the lead singer for Grupo Límite in 1995.

After nearly eight years of success, Villarreal left the band to pursue a solo career.

She released her first solo album, entitled Soy Lo Prohibido, in 2001.[1]

Villarreal’s work has earned her a Grammy nomination and two Latin Grammy Awards, one from her time with Grupo Límite and one as a solo artist.

Villarreal is booked and managed by Apodaca Group.

Maria Becerra Signs with Wasserman Music for Worldwide Representation

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Maria Becerra is expanding her world…

The 23-year-old Argentine singer-songwriter has signed with Wasserman Music for representation worldwide (except Latin America).

Maria BecerraShe’ll be represented by agents Juan Toro and Ryan Soroka.

The deal caps off a significant 2023 for Becerra who in May signed a label deal with Warner Music Latina, in a joint venture with 300 Entertainment, followed by an exclusive administration deal with Warner Chappell Music in August.

In May, Becerra received the visionary award at the inaugural Billboard Latin Women in Music gala.

Becerra — known for fusing pop, cumbia villera, bachata and reggaeton — broke in 2019 with her EP 222.

Two years later, she released her debut album, Animal, featuring collaborations with artists such as Cazzu, Becky G and Tiago PZK. The set earned Becerra a Latin Grammy nomination for best urban music album.

Overall, Becerra has scored three entries on the Hot Latin Songs chart, including her J Balvin collaboration “Qué Más Pues?” She’s also claimed three top 10 spots on Latin Airplay, including two No. 1 hits: “Te Espero,” featuring Prince Royce and “Así Es La Vida” with Enrique Iglesias.

Notably, she holds the record for the most entries by a woman on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 with 43.

Most recently, Becerra sold out her upcoming March 23 show at the River Plate Stadium in her native Argentina in less than 90 minutes, making history in doing so.

Before her show at the fabled venue, which has a capacity of nearly 65,000, Becerra will perform at Viña del Mar in Chile on March 1.

Pitbull Extends Global Publishing Deal with BMG

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Pitbull is extending his global deal…

The 42-year-old Cuban American rapper, singer, songwriter, businessman and actor, born Armando Perez, has extended his global publishing deal with BMG.

PitbullPitbull first signed to the company nearly a decade ago, and under the renewed partnership, his back catalog of hits and future songs will be administered by the BMG team.

Pitbull’s feel-good anthem “Give Me Everything,” featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer, hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated July 9 for one week in 2011, while “Timber,” his collaboration with Kesha, went to No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart on January 18, 2014, leading for three weeks.

Pitbull has sold more than 25 million studio albums and over 100 million singles worldwide. His music video have over 15 billion views on YouTube.

He has won one Grammy, one Latin Grammy, three Billboard Music Awards and nine Billboard Latin Music Awards.

Juan Luis Guerra Earns 12th No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay Chart with “Mambo 23”

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Juan Luis Guerra has returned to the top of the charts…

The 66-year-old Dominican Grammy-winning musician, singer, composer and record producer is back at the summit of Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart as “Mambo 23” advances 3-1 to lead the November 25-dated list.

Juan Luis GuerraThe new champ arrives nine years after he last led through “Tus Besos” in 2014, for one week in charge.

“Mambo 23” climbs to No. 1 with a 9% gain in audience impressions, to 4.45 million, earned during the November 10-16 tracking week, according to Luminate. The song, released September 22 via Rimas, is the first single from Guerra’s recently released EP Radio Güira.

With the new champ, Guerra collects his 12th No. 1 on Tropical Airplay and breaks a tie with India for the eighth-most, a score led by Marc Anthony with 35 champs since the ranking began in 1994.

Here’s the scoreboard:

35, Marc Anthony
29, Victor Manuelle
23, Prince Royce
18, Romeo Santos
14, Elvis Crespo
14, Gilberto Santa Rosa
13, Jerry Rivera
12, Juan Luis Guerra 440
11, India

Guerra last landed at the summit with “Tus Besos” in 2014. (He notched seven hits between “Tus Besos” and “Mambo 23,” including six top 10s.)

The nine-year span becomes the longest between No. 1s since Don Omar took an equal nine years (and eight months) to dominate Tropical Airplay with the one-week ruler “Dutty Love,” featuring Natti Natasha (April 2012) and “Se Menea,” with Nio García, (Dec. 2021).

“Mambo 23” rules the tropical ranking as it ejects Chayanne’s “Bailando Bachata” from its 14-week domination; along with Manuel Turizo’s “La Bachata,” the third-longest run this decade, both with 14 weeks atop.

The pair trail Prince Royce’s “Carita de Inocente” with 29 weeks at No. 1, the most in the 2020’s decade, and Daddy Yankee and Marc Anthony’s “De Vuelta Pa’ La Vuelta” (22 weeks in charge).

Elsewhere, “Mambo 23” lifts 25-21 on the overall Latin Airplay, Guerra’s highest rank since “Muchachita Linda” reached No. 15 in October 2015.

Grupo Frontera Signs Management Deal with Habibi

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Grupo Frontera is under new management…

The Regional Mexican group has signed a management deal with Habibi, Noah Assad’s management firm.

Grupo FronteraRaymond Acosta, director of talent management at the company — which also includes Karol G on its roster — will lead Grupo Frontera’s management team.

The deal comes seven months after Grupo Frontera and Bad Bunny‘s massive cumbia/norteña track, “Un x100to,” peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also up for song of the year at this year’s Latin Grammys.

Over the past two years, Grupo Frontera — previously managed by Victor Ruiz — went from local McAllen, Texas, band to a música mexicana global force. Composed of Adelaido “Payo” Solis III, Juan Javier Cantú, Julian Peña Jr., Alberto Acosta, Carlos Guerrero and Brian Ortega, the group broke out last year thanks to its Tejano spin on Morat‘s 2019 single, “No Se Va.” The inventive cover scored the norteño group its first entry on any Billboard chart, ultimately peaking at No. 3 on the Hot Latin Songs tally dated November 12, 2022.

According to Raymond Acosta, Habibi was approached by Mexican hitmaker Edgar Barrera — who’s penned and produced for Grupo Frontera — and Alberto (of Frontera) after seeing the impact “Un x100to” had.

“I asked Noah for an opportunity to get to know and study Mexican culture,” Acosta explains. “Because for me, identities are very important. One of my role models is Mr. Angelo Medina, he was the manager of José José and Emmanuel. He was the one who taught me [that] when you’re going to cross the pond, you have to know where you’re going.”

In August, Grupo Frontera released its debut album, El Comienzo, via Barrera’s BorderKid Records label. The set bowed and peaked at No. 3 on the Top Latin Albums chart. In the past year alone, the group has placed eight songs on the Billboard Hot 100 — including “Que Vuelvas” with Carin Leon, “Bebe Dame” with Fuerza Regida and “Frágil” with Yahritza y Su Esencia. They have a distribution deal with Believe and own their masters.

“If you want to be the number one manager, your artists have to be number one,” adds Acosta. “I’m fulfilling my dreams by fulfilling the dreams of others. I think that’s the beauty of the management part. [At Habibi,] we don’t copy-paste marketing plans. That’s why when you see all the projects, none of them look alike. And seeing everything that is behind Frontera, the personality of each one and what they are doing, motivates us a lot.”

Ozuna Releases New Album “Cosmo”

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Ozuna is back with new music…

The 31-year-old Puerto Rican singer and rapper has released his sixth studio album Cosmo.

OzunaMuch like his previous projects Odisea, Aura and Nibiru, Ozuna’s new album is another out-of-this-world musical journey.

On the 15-track production, Ozuna delivers a new dimension of sounds, where Latin urban music meets innovative rhythms such as traditional Arabian music in “Made in Qatar” and infectious electronica in the David Guetta-assisted “Vocation.”

Ozuna and the renowned French DJ premiered the latter at the 2023 Latin Grammys on Thursday, November 16.

While Cosmo is also home to hard-hitting reggaeton tracks (“El Plan,” “Brabus,” “100 Squats”), it showcases Ozuna’s romantic side and admiration for women on songs such as “Mar de Lagrimas,” “La Chulita” and “Clase Azul.”

The set, which follows his 2023 EP Afro, “is the cosmic experience, where the vibrant essence of reggaeton prevails,” includes collaborations with De La Ghetto, Chencho Corleone, Anuel AA, Jhayco and Maldy among others.

Karol G Wins Three Latin Grammy Awards, Including Album of the Year for “Mañana Será Bonito”

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Karol G is the leading (Latin Grammy) lady…

Women proved to be the big winners at the 2023 Latin Grammys in Seville, Spain, on Thursday night (Nov. 16), with the 32-year-old Colombian superstar taking home one of the night’s top prizes.

Karol GKarol G and her Colombian compatriot Shakira tied Mexico’s Natalia Lafourcade with three major awards each. The best new artist award also went to a woman, young singer/songwriter Joaquina.

Karol G took home the coveted album of the year award for her historic chart-topper Mañana Será Bonito, which became the first Spanish-language album ever by a Latina to top the Billboard 200. The set also won best urban album, and “TQG,” her collaboration with Shakira, won best urban/fusion performance.

On top of her win with Karol G for “TQG,” Shakira also won song of the year and best pop song along with Argentine DJ Bizarrap for their chart smash “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53.”

Earlier in the evening, Mexican singer/songwriter Natalia Lafourcade, who has won multiple Latin Grammys through the years, won best singer/songwriter album for De Todas Las Flores and best singer/songwriter song for the track of the same name. During the telecast, she also won record of the year for “De Todas Las Flores,” but wasn’t there to pick up her award, which was collected by her producer.

Venezuelan singer/songwriter Joaquina, who performs highly personal songs and has been opening shows for the likes of Juanes and Fonseca, broke down in tears as she collected her best new arist award. “I’ve been writing since I was 8 years old. … They told me I wouldn’t make it if I recorded my own songs, but here I am.”

Hitmaker Edgar Barrera, the lead nominee for the 2023 Latin Grammy Awards, also won three awards, for producer of the year, songwriter of the year and best regional song for “un X100to,” the Bad Bunny and Grupo Frontera hit.

Here’s the full list of winners of the 24th annual Latin Grammy Awards:

General Field

Record of the year: “De Todas Las Flores,” Natalia Lafourcade
Album of the year: Mañana Será Bonito, Karol G
Song of the year: “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” Santiago Alvarado, Bizarrap, Kevyn Mauricio Cruz & Shakira, songwriters (Bizarrap Featuring Shakira)
Best new artist: Joaquina

Field 1: Pop

Best pop vocal album: Tu Historia, Julieta Venegas
Best traditional pop vocal album: Décimo Cuarto, Andrés Cepeda
Best pop song: “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” Santiago Alvarado, Bizarrap, Kevyn Mauricio Cruz Moreno & Shakira, songwriters (Bizarrap Featuring Shakira)

Field 2: Urban

Best urban/fusion performance: “TQG,” Karol G Featuring Shakira
Best reggaeton performance: “La Receta,” Tego Calderón
Best urban music album: Mañana Será Bonito, Karol G
Best rap/hip hop song: “Coco Chanel,” Bad Bunny & Eladio Carrión, songwriters (Eladio Carrión Featuring Bad Bunny)
Best urban song: “Quevedo: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52,” Santiago Alvarado, Bizarrap & Quevedo, songwriters (Bizarrap Featuring Quevedo)

Field 3: Rock

Best rock album: Sólo D’ Lira, Molotov
Best rock song: “Leche De Tigre,” Juan Galeano, songwriter (Diamante Eléctrico Featuring Adrián Quesada)
Best pop/rock album: Vida Cotidiana, Juanes
Best pop/rock song: “Ojos Marrones,” Luis Jiménez, Lasso & Agustín Zubillaga, songwriters (Lasso)

Field 4: Alternative

Best alternative music album: Bolero Apocalíptico, Monsieur Periné
Best alternative song: “El Lado Oscuro Del Corazón,” Dante Spinetta, songwriter (Dante Spinetta)

Field 5: Tropical

Best salsa album: Niche Sinfónico, Grupo Niche y Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Colombia
Best cumbia/vallenato album: Escalona Nunca Se Había Grabado Así, Carlos Vives
Best merengue/bachata album (Tie): Fórmula, Vol. 3, Romeo Santos & A Mi Manera, Sergio Vargas
Best traditional tropical album: Vida, Omara Portuondo
Best contemporary tropical album: 5:10 am, Luis Fernando Borjas
Best tropical song: “Si Tú Me Quieres,” Fonseca, Yadam González & Yoel Henríquez, songwriters (Fonseca & Juan Luis Guerra)

Field 6: Singer-Songwriter

Best singer-songwriter album: De Todas Las Flores, Natalia Lafourcade
Best singer-songwriter song: “De Todas Las Flores,” Natalia Lafourcade, songwriter (Natalia Lafourcade)

Field 7: Regional-Mexican

Best ranchero/mariachi album: Forajido EP2, Christian Nodal
Best banda album: De Hoy En Adelante, Que Te Vaya Bien, Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda
Best Tejano album: Para Empezar A Amar, Juan Treviño
Best Norteño album: Colmillo De Leche, Carin León
Best regional song: “un X100to,” Bad Bunny, Edgar Barrera, Andrés Jael Correa Rios & Mag, songwriters (Grupo Frontera Featuring Bad Bunny)

Field 8: Instrumental

Best instrumental album: Made In Miami, Camilo Valencia & Richard Bravo

Field 9: Traditional

Best folk album: Camino Al Sol, Vicente García
Best tango album: Operation Tango, Quinteto Astor Piazzolla
Best flamenco album: Camino, Niña Pastori 

Field 10: Jazz

Best Latin jazz/jazz Album: I Missed You Too!, Chucho Valdés & Paquito D’Rivera (with Reunion Sextet)

Field 11: Christian

Best Christian album (Spanish language): Lo Que Vemos, Marcos Vidal
Best Portuguese language Christian album: Nós, Eli Soares

Field 12: Portugese language

Best Portuguese language contemporary pop album: Em Nome da Estrela, Xênia França
Best Portuguese language rock or alternative album: Jardineiros, Planet Hemp
Best Portuguese language urban performance: “Distopia,” Planet Hemp Featuring Criolo
Best Samba/Pagode album: Negra Ópera, Martinho Da Vila
Best MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira) album: Serotonina, João Donato
Best Sertaneja music album: Decretos Reais, Marília Mendonça
Best Portuguese language roots album: TecnoShow, Gaby
Best Portuguese language song: “Tudo O Que A Fé Pode Tocar,” Tiago Iorc & Duda Rodrigues, songwriters (Tiago Iorc)

Field 13: Children’s

Best Latin children’s album: Vamos Al Zoo, Danilo & Chapis

Field 14: Classical

Best classical album: Huáscar Barradas Four Elements Immersive Symphony For Orchestra And Chorus, Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra; Ollantay Velasquez, conductor; Huascar Barradas, Maria Cardemas, Eugenio Carreño & Eduardo Martinez Planas, album producers
Best classical contemporary composition: “Concerto Venezolano,” Paquito D’Rivera, composer (Pacho Flores Featuring Paquito D’Rivera)

Field 15: Arranging

Best arrangement: “Songo Bop,” Rafael Valencia, arranger (Camilo Valencia, Richard Bravo Featuring Milton Salcedo)

Field 16: Recording Package

Best recording package: Atipanakuy (Deluxe), Gustavo Ramirez, art director (Kayfex) 

Field 17: Songwriter

Songwriter of the year: Edgar Barrera

Field 18: Production

Best engineered album: Canto A La Imaginación, Érico Moreira, engineer; Érico Moreira, mixer; Felipe Tichauer, mastering engineer (Marina Tuset)
Producer of the year: Edgar Barrera

Field 19: Music Video

Best short form music video: “Estás Buenísimo”, Nathy Peluso; Félix Bollaín & Rogelio González, video directors; María Rubio, video producer
Best long form music video: Camilo: El Primer Tour De Mi Vida, Camilo; Camilo & Camilo Ríos, video directors; Mauricio Ríos, video producer