Erika Ender Among the Latin Recording Academy’s Inaugural “Leading Ladies of Entertainment”

Erika Ender is a leading lady…

The Latin Recording Academy will honor the accomplishments of women working in the Latin music industry, including the 42-year-old Panamanian and Brazilian singer, songwriter and actress, with a ceremony recognizing “The Leading Ladies of Entertainment.”

Erika Ender

Considered one of the most prolific composers in the Latin music market today, Ender is the woman behind Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s global hit “Despacito,” having co-written the song with the Puerto Rican superstars.

Last month, Ender was inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Billboard’s Leila Cobo, Executive Director of Content and Programming for Latin Music and Entertainment, will also be honored during the inaugural event, which will take place on Tuesday (November 14) at Mastro’s Ocean Club in Las Vegas.

Recording engineer Marcella Araica, Rebeca Leon, CEO and Founder of Lionfish EntertainmentGabriela Martinez, General Manager Warner Music Latina and SVP Marketing Warner Music Latin America; and Univision’s Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Jessica Rodriguez will also be honored as 2017’s “Leading Ladies.”

The new Latin Grammy week event will precede the 18th annual awards, which will be broadcast live on Univision from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday (November 16).

“It is my pleasure to welcome this new event to Latin Grammy Week, where we will have another opportunity to celebrate talented and inspiring individuals,” said Gabriel Abaroa Jr., Latin Recording Academy President/CEO, said in a statement. “Women face a myriad of difficulties in the entertainment industry, but despite those obstacles, the women we are honoring have continually demonstrated perseverance, fortitude, and grace under pressure.”

Davina Aryeh, Chief Marketing Officer of The Latin Recording Academy, pointed out that the gender gap in the music industry “is more pronounced for Latinas.”

“We want to empower and inspire women,” she added. “Not only through the symbolic importance of the event…but also through the tangible financial contribution it will have as we donate proceeds back to our Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation in the form of scholarships for young women interested in studying music.”

Luis Fonsi Releasing New Music in Two Weeks, A Possible Demi Lovato Collaboration

Luis Fonsi is ready for life after “Despacito”…

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican singer, one of the men responsible for this summer’s massive hit, is getting ready to make new music.

Luis Fonsi

Fonsi will be releasing a new song in two weeks, according to Billboard.

The rumors about a possible collaboration between Demi Lovato and Fonsi have been driving fans crazy for a few weeks now. Especially after both Lovato and Fonsi took to Instagram to exchange messages in regard to a music video they were filming.

“It’s a fun song, a fun record,” he admitted without revealing whether he was referring to the rumored collaboration or without mentioning any more details. But as his and Lovato’s Instagram’s hinted, “We already filmed the video.”

During the interview, Fonsi also details how he has been helping “La Perla” neighborhood, the place where the “Despacito” music video was filmed, and it’s progressing after Hurricane Maria hit the island.

Bad Bunny to Perform at This Year’s Latin Grammys

Bad Bunny is ready to take the stage at this year’s Latin Grammys

The 23-year-old Puerto Rican Latin hip-hop/trap singer and rapper, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is set to perform at this year’s awards show, airing live on November 16.

Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny, a nominee this year, joins a roster of performers that includes J Balvin, Flor De Toloache, Luis Fonsi, Juanes, Mon Laferte, Natalia Lafourcade, Maluma, Residente and Sofía Reyes.

Also slated to perform is person of the year honoree Alejandro Sanz and guest artists Steve Aoki, Alessia Cara, Logic and French Montana.

The Latin Grammys will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will air live on Univision, as well as around the world.

Jaime Camil and Roselyn Sanchez will host this year’s awards show.

The announced performers include the top nominees this year. Residente leads with nine — including record, album and song of year — while Maluma has seven, including three for record of the year. Juanes and Mon Laferte have five nominations each.

Ricky Martin to Perform at This Year’s iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina: Celebrating Our Heroes Concert

Ricky Martin is honoring our unsung heroes… and, being honored in return…

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican superstar has joined the lineup for the 2017 iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina: Celebrating Our Heroes, hosted by Enrique Santos and Telemundo’s Jessica Carillo, taking place on Saturday, November 4.

Ricky Martin

Martin joins a roster that includes Luis Fonsi and Diplo, NachoGente De ZonaDon OmarCNCOReikJesse y JoyCamila Cabello and Pepe Aguilar.

Telemundo will air this year’s event live from the American Airlines Arena, as a four-hour television special, which will include special tributes to first responders and communities impacted by the natural disasters in Texas, Florida, Mexico, Puerto Rico and other Caribbean nations like Barbuda and Dominica.

The event will also provide information on how attendees and viewers can support the local communities directly impacted by those events.

The iHeartRadio family will also present Ricky Martin with the second annual iHeartRadio Premio Corazon Latino award, which honors an individual for “their selfless work in enhancing the lives, heritage and future of the Latin community.” Martin is being feted for his efforts in providing relief and support to his native Puerto Rico, following hurricanes Irma and Maria, through the Ricky Martin Foundation.

Fans can watch the festivities live at 8:00 pm.EST across iHeartRadio’s Spanish-Pop,Tropical, regional Mexican and Spanish Adult Hit radio stations, or livestream it on iHeartRadio’s Official YouTube channel.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit here.

 

Erika Ender Inducted Into the Latin Song Writers Hall of Fame

She’s the woman behind the song of the summer… And, now Erika Ender has earned her place in Latin music history.

At the fifth annual La Musa Awards gala last week — hosted by Jane the Virgin‘s Jaime Camil – the Panamanian-Brazilian singer/songwriter was inducted into the prestigious Latin Song Writers Hall of Fame, the youngest inductee in the hall’s history.

 Erika Ender

Along with Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, Ender is co-writer of the biggest hit of the year, “Despacito,” featuring Justin Bieber, which spent 16 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100.

Born in Panama to a Brazilian mother and a U.S.-born father of German ancestry, Ender speaks fluent Portuguese and Spanish, and moves easily between cultures.

Before “Despacito,” she had written hits for ChayanneGilberto Santa RosaGloria TreviEdnita Nazario and Los Tigres del Norte. She also is a TV personality in Latin America, where she has been a judge for a Latin version of American Idol.

Along with Ender, Ana GabrielRoberto LiviMartin UrietaCarlos Vives and Camilo Sesto were also inducted into hall of fame.

Each was presented at the James L. Knight Center with the coveted hand-crafted trophy, originally inspired by “the muse” of the late Cuban songwriter and poet, Elena Casals.

Additionally, Vives was presented with the Icon Award, while Wisin, the late Julio Jaramillo and “La Bamba” garnered the Victory Award, Legacy Award and Song of All Time, respectively.

Amid a political climate currently riddled with anti-immigrant rhetoric, as well as the devastating aftermaths of hurricanes Irma and Maria throughout the Caribbean, Urieta offered words and sentiments in support of immigrants, while  Nazario performed a brilliant tribute to the island of Puerto Rico.

The Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame is dedicated to educating, preserving, honoring and celebrating “the lives and music of the world’s greatest Latin songwriters, composers and lyricists in every genre while developing and inspiring new generations of music creators through master classes, workshops, scholarships and digital initiatives.”

Marc Anthony Among Artists to Perform at “Unidos Por Puerto Rico” Concert & Telethon Event

Marc Anthony is ready to unite for a cause…

Puerto Rico’s First Lady, Beatriz Rosselló, announced the resumption of “Unidos Por Puerto Rico” concert and telethon event, with the 49-year-old Puerto Rican salsa singer among the featured artists.

Marc Anthony

The charitable initiative was originally organized in early September to help those affected by Hurricane Irma and now joins the effort to raise funds for damages caused by Hurricane Maria.

In addition to Anthony, the concert-telethon will feature Luis FonsiJuan Luis Guerra, Ednita Nazario, Olga TañónGilberto Santa RosaZion & LennoxCarlos Vives, Maluma, La SectaTito el Bambino, Vico C, Nicky JamJowell & Randy, Pirulo y La Tribe, Víctor Manuel, Wisin, Ozuna and Yandel, among others.

The artists will also unite for a song and video titled “Isla Bendita“, which will honor the event.

“United for Puerto Rico” will air on October 22 directly from Puerto Rico through more than 20 Spanish Broadcasting System radio stations and on television through Telemundo, Univision and Mega TV in the U.S.

“Puerto Rico needs us now more than ever after suffering the scourge of two consecutive hurricanes,” said the Rosselló in a statement.

To make a donation for the victims of Irma and Maria visit www.unidosporpuertorico.com for more information.

Residente Leads Pack of Latin Grammy Nominees with Nine Nods

It looks like Residente will be the artist to beat at this year’s Latin Grammys

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and founding member of Calle 13, whose real name is. René Juan Pérez Joglar, leads the list of nominees this year with nine nods.

Residente

Residente, who has won 24 Latin Grammy awards in his career, making him the Latin artist who has won the most gold-plated gramophones, picked up nods in the three main categories. He’s up for album of the year for Residente, his first solo album, and song and record of the year for “Guerra.”

In a departure, particularly for an album that had no radio singles, Residente also has different tracks up for best urban/fusion performance (“Dagombas en tamale”) best urban song (“Somos anormale”) and best tropical song (“Hijos del cañaveral”), while the ethereal music video to “Desencuentro,” a rare love song, is up for best short form music video.

Nipping at Residente’s heels, Maluma, with seven nods…

The 23-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer, who was nominated for Best New Artist in 2013, earned six of his nominations from only two categories.

In what may be a first for the Latin Grammys, Maluma has the same three recordings competing in both record and song of the year. “Felices los 4,” “Chantaje” (where he is featured on Shakira’s track) and “Vente Pa’Ca” (where he is featured on Ricky Martin’s track) are all up for record of the year; because Maluma has co-writing credit in all three tracks, he also garners nods in the song of the year categories, which are given to the songwriters.

“Chantaje” is also up for best urban fusion performance, giving Maluma his seventh nod.

Following Maluma with six nominations is Shakira, a 10-time Latin Grammy winner.

Shakira garnered three of her nods for “Chantaje,” her track with Maluma while her album El Dorado is also up for album of the year and best contemporary pop vocal album.

Juanes, Mon Laferte and producer/engineer/songwriter Kevin Jimenez ADG, who works with Maluma, have five nominations each.

Juanes is nominated for album and best pop/rock album of the year for his “visual” album, Mis planes son amarte, which is also up for best long form video.

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, the artists behind the global phenomenon “Despacito,” are up for four awards each for the track: song of the year (as writers), record of the year, best short form music video and best urban fusion performance, where they’re nominated for the “Despacito” remix that features Justin Bieber.

Of more than 500 submissions for best new artist, an award that has tended to shun big successes, the 10 nominees include at least seven signed to major labels: CNCOSebastian Yatra, Sofía Reyes, Martina La Peligrosa, Vicente García, Danay Suárez and Mau y Ricky.

Nominees to the Latin Grammys were chosen in 48 categories from over 10,000 total submissions and are voted upon by members of the Latin Academy who also vote for the winners.

This year’s Latin Grammys will air live on the Univision Network on November 16 and will be produced by a new team that includes Jose Tillan and Terry Lickona, longtime producer of Austin City Limits.

Find key nominations below:

Album Of The Year 
Salsa Big Band — Rubén Blades con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta
Obras Son Amores — Antonio Carmona
A La Mar — Vicente García
Fénix — Nicky Jam
Mis Planes Son Amarte — Juanes
La Trenza — Mon Laferte
Musas (Un Homenaje Al Folclore Latinoamericano En Manos De Los Macorinos, Vol. 1) — Natalia Lafourcade
Residente — Residente
El Dorado — Shakira
Palabras Manuales — Danay Suarez 

Record Of The Year 
“La Flor De La Canela” — Rubén Blades
“El Surco” — Jorge Drexler
“Quiero Que Vuelvas” — Alejandro Fernández
“Despacito” — Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee
“El Ratico” — Juanes featuring Kali Uchis
“Amárrame” — Mon Laferte featuring Juanes
“Felices Los 4” — Maluma
“Vente Pa’ Ca” —  Ricky Martin featuring Maluma
“Guerra” — Residente
“Chantaje” — Shakira featuring Maluma

Song Of The Year (A Songwriter’s Award)
“Amárrame” — Mon Laferte, songwriter (Mon Laferte featuring Juanes)
“Chantaje” — Kevin Mauricio Jiménez Londoño, Bryan Snaider Lezcano Chaverra, Joel Antonio López Castro, Maluma and Shakira, songwriters (Shakira featuring Maluma)
“Desde Que Estamos Juntos” — Descemer Bueno and Melendi, songwriters (Melendi)
“Despacito” — Daddy Yankee, Erika Ender and Luis Fonsi, songwriters (Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee)
“Ella” — Ricardo Arjona, songwriter (Ricardo Arjona)
“Felices Los 4” — Mario Cáceres, Kevin Mauricio Jiménez Londoño, Maluma, Servando Primera, Stiven Rojas and Bryan Snaider Lezcano Chaverra, songwriters (Maluma)
“Guerra” — Residente and Jeff Trooko, songwriters (Residente)
“La Fortuna” — Diana Fuentes and Tommy Torres, songwriters (Diana Fuentes featuring Tommy Torres)
“Tú Sí Sabes Quererme” — Natalia Lafourcade, songwriter (Natalia Lafourcade featuring Los Macorinos)
“Vente Pa’ Ca ” — Nermin Harambasic, Maluma, Ricky Martin, Mauricio Montaner, Ricky Montaner, Lars Pedersen, Carl Ryden, Justin Stein, Ronny Vidar Svendsen and Anne Judith Stokke Wik, songwriters (Ricky Martin featuring Maluma) 

Best New Artist
Paula Arenas
CNCO
Vicente García
Martina La Peligrosa
Mau y Ricky
Rawayana
Sofía Reyes
Rosalía
Danay Suarez
Sebastián Yatra 

Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album
Hijos Del Mar — David Bisbal
Rompiendo Fronteras — Alejandro Fernández
Flora Y Faῦna — Camila Luna
El Dorado — Shakira
Extended Play Yatra — Sebastián Yatra

Best Urban Fusion / Performance
“Si Tu Novio Te Deja Sola” — J. Balvin featuring Bad Bunny
“Despacito” (Remix) — Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber
“El Amante” — Nicky Jam
“Dagombas En Tamale” — Residente
“Chantaje” — Shakira featuring Maluma

Best Alternative Music Album
Jei Beibi — Café Tacvba
Apocalipsis Zombi — El Cuarteto de Nos
La Trenza — Mon Laferte
La Promesa De Thamar — Sig Ragga
Palabras Manuales — Danay Suarez

Best Regional Song (A Songwriter’s Award)
“Compromiso Descartado” — Espinoza Paz, songwriter (Leonardo Aguilar)
“Ganas De Volver” — Horacio Palencia, songwriter (Horacio Palencia)
“Sentimiento Emborrachado” — Raúl Jiménez E. and Chucho Rincón, songwriters (Santiago Arroyo)
“Siempre Es Así” — Juan Treviño, songwriter (Juan Treviño featuring AJ Castillo)
“Vale La Pena” — Edgar Barrera, Martín Castro Ortega and Alfonso Lizárraga, songwriters (Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga)

Best MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) Album
Dos Navegantes — Edu Lobo, Romero Lubambo, and Mauro Senise
DNA Musical — Alexandre Pires
Silva Canta Marisa — Silva
Até Pensei Que Fosse Minha — António Zambujo
Zanna — Zanna

For a full list of nominations, go to LatinGrammy.com.

 

Luis Fonsi Joins Voices with Charly Black for “Party Animal” Remix

Luis Fonsi is ready to party

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican singer has joined forces with dancehall artist Charly Black on a new rendition of the dancehall-pop anthem “Party Animal.”

Luis Fonsi

Unlike Fonsi’s global smash “Despacito” and “Kissing Strangers” remix (with DNCE and Nicki Minaj), on this track he sings in English while adding in some Spanish words to keep some Latin flavor.

“Party Animal” was produced by Atella (who as part of the Atellagali duo has made official remixes for Axwell /\ Ingrosso, Imagine Dragons and J Balvin).

It was mixed by Josh Gudwin (Justin Bieber and Juanes among many others).

Wisin & Yandel Reunite for Yandel’s New Single “Como Antes”

Wisin & Yandel are reuniting… and it sounds so good!

The Puerto Rican reggaeton duo, who took a hiatus as a duo in late 2013, are back together.

Wisin & Yandel

Wisin & Yandel, winners of two Latin Grammys and one Grammy, have reunited for Yandel’s new single “Como Antes,” released on Friday, September 8, along with a music video.

On the new single — composed by Yandel, Wisin, Víctor Viera Moore and Marco Masis — “el duo de la historia” goes back to their roots, to their unique sound and street lyrics:

Those elements that have been lost with the evolution of the genre, but made them an iconic urban duo back in the early 2000’s.

“Como Antes” is part of Yandel’s new solo album, titled #Update, and definitely can build a new path for Wisin & Yandel.

On the Billboard charts, the duo currently has ten No. 1 songs on the Hot Latin Songs chart (tied with Maná for the most ever for a duo/group), 21 top 10 songs on the Hot Latin Songs chart (the most ever for a duo/group), and even three hits on the Billboard Hot 100.

Besides the new single, Yandel is also ready to debut #Update on Friday. The set features 14 songs, and includes collabs with Luis Fonsi, Maluma, J Balvin, Zion & LennoxOzuna, Becky G, Bad Bunny and Plan B.

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs Chart for 31st Week

It’s 31-weeks down, and 11 to go for Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee… 

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican singer and 40-year-old Puerto Rican rapper’s smash “Despacito” has tallied a 31st week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, passing Nicky Jam and Enrique Iglesias’ “El Perdon” for the second-longest reign at No. 1.

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee

The all-time leader, Iglesias’ “Bailando,” featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona, spent 41 weeks at No. 1 from May 2014 to February 2015.

“Despacito” also logs its 30th week atop the Latin Streaming Songs chart, tying “El Perdon” for second-longest time spent at No. 1. “Bailando” also holds that record, with 66 weeks at No. 1.

The song, which topped Spotify’s Global Top 30 Songs of the Summer list, recently tied the record for most weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, before falling from the summit to Taylor Swift’s latest single.