Pesado Signs New Record Deal with Warner Music Latina

Pesado has a new recording contract…

The Mexican norteño group has signed a record deal with Warner Music Latina.

PesadoThe new deal with Warner is a homecoming for the ensemble group, which was founded in 1993 by leading members Beto Zapata and Pepe Elizondo. They’re now returning to the label a decade later.

Most recently, Pesado had been releasing music via Disa, Universal Music Latin Entertainment’s regional Mexican label.

The signing comes ahead of the group’s 30-year anniversary and release of new music.

Pesado’s upcoming single under Warner Music Latina, titled “El Infierno,” is set for release on July 1.

“In this new era with Warner, Pesado comes as one of the best structured, most mature bands, and I think together we will again achieve great things. Pesado’s future is to continue making music, continue to sing, tell stories that people can identify with and keep doing things with a lot of passion,” Zapata, frontman and accordionist, said in a statement.

“This is important step for Pesado,” Elizondo echoed. “This was the label that made us international, that supported us in that moment and we’re back with many more dreams and encouragement to continue to grow and take our joy to all Latin American homes.”

Known for their norteño heartbreak anthems like “Loco”, “Ojalá Te Mueras”, “Dile” y “A Chillar a Otra Parte,” Pesado has placed nearly 50 songs on Billboard‘s Regional Mexican Airplay chart, including 15 top hits and three No. 1 hits.

Additionally, the group from Monterrey, Nuevo León has scored four No. 1 albums on the Regional Mexican Albums tally: Mi PromesaDirecto 93-13, Vol. 1Piensame Un Momento and Abrazame.

Added Delia Orjuela, general manager of Warner Music Latina’s new Música Mexicana division, “[Our] family is proud to welcome Pesado, an iconic group among Mexican music. I feel honored to be able to work with them in this new era.”

Iglesias Releases Dancetastic Music Video for His Latest Single “Bailando”

Enrique Iglesias will be bailando-ing his way into your heart in no time…

The 38-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter has released the official music video for his latest single “Bailando.”

Enrique Iglesias

In the clip, a young Cuban flamenco troupe swirling in red dresses meets up with some talented street dancers with mad soccer skills to create an unforgettable choreographed encounter.

“This video is one of the favorites of my career,” Iglesias said during an appearance Spanish channel Antena 3‘s entertainment show El Hormiguero.

The video features Iglesias with Descemer Bueno – the Cuban singer/songwriter who co-wrote the song with him, and Cuban reggaeton band Gente de Zona.

The video, which premiered on VEVO, was directed by Cuban Alejandro Perez, and includes footage shot in the Dominican Republic and Cuba. The featured dancers are from Havana’s Ballet Litz Alfonso.

Bueno, one of Cuba’s biggest stars, has collaborated with Iglesias on past hits “Loco,” “Cuando Me Enamoro,” “Lloro por ti,” and “No Digas Que No.”

The writing partners composed “Bailando” over a year ago, and Bueno recorded a first version of the song with Gente de Zona and shot a similar video in Havana. Iglesias and the Cuban artists also recorded an English version of the song with Sean Paul.

Iglesias’ Sex & Love is currently No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart.

He’ll next make an appearance at the Billboard Latin Music Conference for the Superstar Q&A on April 23.

Iglesias is a seven-time finalist for the Billboard Latin Music Awards, airing live April 24 on Telemundo.

Mars Named a Finalist in Three Billboard Music Award Categories, Including Top Artist

He’s Billboard’s reigning Artist of the Year… And now Bruno Mars leads the Latino pack of finalists for the 2014 Billboard Music Awards.

The 28-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer-songwriter has been named a finalist in three categories, including the big prize: Top Artist.

Bruno Mars

Mars is up against Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake and Imagine Dragons for the top award.

In addition, the Super Bowl Halftime Show standout is nominated for Top Male Artist and Top Radio Songs Artist.

But Mars isn’t the only Latino artist to be named a finalist in multiple categories…

Romeo Santos, who recently broke Billboard records with his No. 1 single Odio,” is a finalist in three categories, including Top Latin Artist and Top Latin Album. Puerto Rican/Dominican American singer is also a double-finalist in the Top Latin Song category for his collaboration with Enrique Iglesias, “Loco,” and his single “Propuesta Indecente.”

Prince Royce and Marc Anthony, who will perform at the Billboard Latin Music Awards later this month, have both been named finalists in the same three categories:  Top Latin Artist, Top Latin Album and Top Latin Song.

Other Latino finalists include Aloe Blacc, the late Jenni Rivera, Gerardo Ortiz, Pitbull, Alejandro Fernandez and Daddy Yankee.

The awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 18, on ABC from 8:00 –11:00 pm ET.

Billboard Music Awards finalists are based on key fan interactions with music, including album and digital singles sales, radio airplay, touring, streaming and social interactions on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, VEVO, Spotify and other popular online destinations for music. These measurements are tracked year-round by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Entertainment and Next Big Sound. The awards are based on the reporting period of March 11, 2013 through March 9, 2014.

The six finalists will be narrowed down to three finalists, who will be announced on Billboard’s website on April 21. Voting will then continue through the first two hours of the live 2014 Billboard Music Awards broadcast, culminating with the announcement of the award winner during the last hour of the show.

Here’s a look at the categories with a Latino nominee:

Top Artist
Bruno Mars
Miley Cyrus
Katy Perry
Justin Timberlake
Imagine Dragons

Top Male Artist
Luke Bryan
Drake
Eminem
Bruno Mars
Justin Timberlake

Top Radio Songs Artist
Imagine Dragons
Lorde
Bruno Mars
Katy Perry
Justin Timberlake

Top Rap Artist
Drake
Eminem
Jay Z
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Pitbull

Top Latin Artist
Marc Anthony
Gerardo Ortiz
Jenni Rivera
Prince Royce
Romeo Santos

Top Latin Album
Marc Anthony, 3.0
Alejandro Fernandez, Confidencias
Jenni Rivera, 1969-Siempre: En Vivo Desde Monterrey: Part 1
Prince Royce, Soy El Mismo
Romeo Santos, Formula: Vol. 2

Top Radio Song
Avicii feat. Aloe Blacc, “Wake Me Up!”
Lorde, “Royals”
Katy Perry, “Roar”
Robin Thicke feat. T.I. & Pharrell, “Blurred Lines”
Justin Timberlake, “Mirrors”

Top Rap Song
Eminem feat. Rihanna, “The Monster”
Jay Z feat. Justin Timberlake, “Holy Grail”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton, “Can’t Hold Us”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz, “Thrift Shop”
Pitbull feat. Ke$ha, “Timber”

Top Latin Song
Marc Anthony, “Vivir Mi Vida”
Daddy Yankee, “Limbo”
Enrique Iglesias feat. Romeo Santos, “Loco”
Prince Royce, “Darte Un Beso”
Romeo Santos, “Propuesta Indecente”

Top Dance/Electronic Song
Avicii feat. Aloe Blacc, “Wake Me Up!”
Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams, “Get Lucky”
Icona Pop feat. Charli XCX, “I Love It”
Lady Gaga, “Applause”
Zedd feat. Foxes, “Clarity”

Iglesias to Participate in the Billboard Latin Music Conference

Enrique Iglesias will now take your questions…

The 38-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter will make an appearance at the Billboard Superstar Q&A during the upcoming Billboard Latin Music Conference in Miami.

Enrique Iglesias

Iglesias will be interviewed by Billboard‘s Executive Director of Latin Content and Programming Leila Cobo, during an intimate conversation highlighting the singer/songwriter’s career.

“Enrique has spent 19 years on our charts and has placed 24 tracks at No. 1 on our Hot Latin Songs chart, more than any other artist,” says Cobo. “His chart history is unique and he is the perfect artist to celebrate our anniversary with.”

The conference, being held April 21-24 at Miami’s JW Marriott Marquis, will also include the participation of music stars Gloria Trevi, Kat Dahlia, recent Grammy-winner La Marisoul, Laura Pausini and Leslie Grace.

Iglesias, who has sold more than 100 albums worldwide, is a multiple Billboard Latin Music and Billboard Music Awards winner in a career dating back to 1995. Iglesias, whose biggest hits include “Bailamos,” “Hero,” “I Like It” and “Tonight (I’m Loving You),” is the first male performer to have the most No. 1s on Billboard‘s Dance Club Songs chart. He also has seven No. 1s on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart and multiple No. 1s across the Billboard charts.

Additionally, Iglesias has the Billboard record for the most No. 1 singles on the Hot Latin Songs chart with 24, which includes the recent hits “El Perdedor” featuring Marco Antonio Solis and “Loco” featuring Romeo Santos; both songs are featured on his tenth album SEX and LOVE, which was released this week. The new project includes 16 tracks including “I’m a Freak” featuring Pitbull, “Noche y Dia” featuring Yandel and Juan Magan and “Beautiful” featuring Kyle Minogue.

For more information about the 2014 Billboard Latin Music Conference, please visit BillboardLatinConference.com.

Santos’ “Odio” Debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard Latin Airplay Chart

It’s the tying game for Romeo Santos

The 32-year-old Puerto Rican/Dominican American singer’s new single “Odio,” featuring Drake, opens at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Latin Airplay chart.

Romeo Santos

Santos, known as the King of Bachata, ties Enrique Iglesias for the most debuts at No. 1  with three, following Santos’ chart-topping starts with “You” in 2011 and his featured turn on Iglesias’ “Loco,” which opened at No. 1 in September 2013.

Iglesias inked his first two No. 1 beginners in 1997: “Enamorado Por Primera Vez” and “Solo En Ti.” His third, and Santos’ second, arrived 16 years later (“Loco”). Next with two first-week No. 1s is Maná, with “Labios Compartidos” in 2006 and “Lluvia Al Corazon” in 2011.

The anguish-filled Bachata track is the second single from Santos’ album Formula, Vol. 2, due February 25.

Although an official music video for “Odio” has yet to be released, a lyric video and an audio video on his YouTube channels have amassed more than 6 million views worldwide in the song’s first week of availability.

The first single from the new set, “Propuesta Indecente,” spent two weeks at No. 1 on Latin Airplay and 25 weeks in the top 10.

In addition to Drake, the former lead singer of the Bachata group Aventura’s upcoming album will include collaborations with Nicki Minaj, Marc Anthony, Carlos Santana, Tego Calderon and comedian Kevin Hart.

Iglesias Notches His 24th No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs Chart

Enrique Iglesias is definitely not el perdedor when it comes to No. 1 songs on the Billboard charts…

The 38-year-old Spanish singer’s latest single “El Perdedor,” featuring Marco Antonio Solis, has reached the summit on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart.

Enrique Iglesias

Iglesias’ latest chart-topper extends his lead of No. 1s on the chart to a total of 24. Luis Miguel is a distant second with 16 No. 1s.

Iglesias’ new track is his second consecutive No. 1 on the chart, having reached the top with “Loco,” featuring Romeo Santos, in October.

Both songs will appear on his upcoming album Sex+Love, which is due out on March 18. Universal Music Group unveiled the title and album art on Thursday.

Iglesias last achieved successive No. 1s in 2010 when “Cuando Me Enamoro” featuring Juan Luis Guerra, was the last in a string of four straight chart-toppers for the superstar singer. That song followed “Donde Estan Corazon” and “Lloro Por Ti” (both from 2008) and “Gracias A Ti” by Wisin & Yandel (2009), on which he was featured.

The recently released music video for “El Perdedor” has greatly aided the track’s ascent as it received 1.3 million domestic clicks, with 84% of those plays occurring on VEVO on YouTube.

“Perdedor” claims both streaming and digital gainer honors, moving 6,000 digital downloads, a 104% surge, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Prince Royce Earns Fourth Billboard No. 1 with “Darte Un Beso”

Prince Royce is back atop the Billboard charts…

The 24-year-old Dominican American singer rises from second to first place on the Hot Latin Songs chart with “Darte Un Beso,” capturing his fourth No. 1 on the chart and ending Marc Anthony‘s 16-week streak at the helm with “Vivir Mi Vida.”

Prince Royce

Royce’s “Darte Un Beso” sold 6,000 digital downloads (a 24% gain, according to Nielsen SoundScan) and increased 21% at radio (to nearly 14 million audience impressions, according to Nielsen BDS).

A video for the track, launched on August 20, contributes to a 78% increase in U.S. streams to 1.05 million, also according BDS.  94% of those were on YouTube.

Meanwhile, Enrique Iglesias debuts at No. 8 on the Hot Latin Songs chart with “Loco,” featuring Romeo Santos. The Bachata track is Iglesias’s 32nd top 10 on the list, reinforcing his status as the artist with the second most top 10s on the chart. He follows Luis Miguel who leads all acts with 39.

“Loco’s” ranking is a result of less than a week’s worth of airplay and digital sales. The track was released to both radio and digital retailers on Friday, August 23.

In just under three full days, the track sold 3,000 downloads. “Loco” is the second single and first in Spanish from Iglesias’s upcoming album.

Iglesias Releases New Single “Loco,” Featuring Romeo Santos

Enrique Iglesias has teamed up with another Latin music superstar to drive audiences loco

The 38-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter has released his new single, “Loco,” featuring former-Aventura-frontman-turned-solo-artist Romeo Santos.

Enrique Iglesias

The track debuted this morning on iTunes, where it is already No. 9 on the iTunes Latino chart. Iglesias’ new English-language single “Turn the Night Up” is No. 1 iTunes Latino.

The seductive track “Loco” features Iglesias smoothly getting his bachata on with Santos.

The track is the first song in Spanish to be released from Iglesias’ upcoming bilingual album, due in November.

The new album will feature a dream team of Latin stars, with duets with Marc Anthony and Pitbull in addition to the just-released collab with Santos.