Daddy Yankee Releases First English Track “This Is Not a Love Song”

Posted on September 10, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Daddy Yankee is switching tongues…

The 37-year-old Puerto Rican reggaeton singer-songwriter and actor has released the uptempo song “This Is Not a Love Song” en ingles.

Daddy Yankee’s new track was produced by the Cataracs, who’ve worked with everyone from Enrique Iglesias to Beyonce. It also features newcomer Duncan.

There are currently no plans for an English-language album, according to a spokesperson for the entertainer, one of the most revered rappers in Latin music.

But Daddy Yankee is releasing the 10th-anniversary edition of Barrio Fino on October 7.

Yankee, who has been working with producers like Diplo and Jim Jonsin, was searching for the right English-language song. When the Cataracs song surfaced, it struck a chord.

“Over these past 10 years I focused on bringing my music to the forefront of the Latin music world, but when I got this track from The Cataracs, I knew I had to run with it,” Yankee said in a statement. “Most people have only ever heard me in Spanish so it shocks everyone to hear me rap all in English. The hook helps bring it to life. Duncan’s voice is one of a kind and he just adds that magic touch to the record.”

A decade ago, Barrio Fino was heard around the world. In the U.S., sales have totaled 1.08 million to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The album debuted at No. 1 on Top Latin Albums on July 31, 2004. It spent 24 weeks at No. 1 and holds more weeks at No. 1 than any other urban album in the chart’s history. Only four other albums have had more weeks at No. 1. The ranking:

Gloria Estefan, Mi Tierra (58 weeks at No. 1)
2. Selena, Dreaming of You (44 weeks)
3. Luis Miguel, Segundo Romance (29 weeks)
4. Ricky Martin, Vuelve (26 weeks)
5. Daddy Yankee, Barrio Fino (24 weeks)

The album peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard 200 on April 16, 2005.

“Ten years ago ‘Gasolina’ introduced me and my music to the mainstream market and helped pave the path for many artists that came after me with a vision and a dream,” Yankee added.

“This Is Not a Love Song” went on sale Tuesday (Sept. 9) through iTunes and other digital platforms.

Iglesias Notches His Record-Extending 25th No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs Chart

Posted on May 8, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Enrique Iglesias is bailando his way to the top of the charts once again…

The Spanish singer is celebrating his 38th birthday this week with another No. 1 single on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart.

Iglesias, who hold the record for the most songs ever to top that chart, scored his 25th No. 1 of his career with his oh-so-catchy single “Bailando,” which features his co-writer on the song, Descemer Bueno, and the Havana-based reggaeton duo Gente de Zona.

Iglesias further extends his lead, leaving the subsequent top No. 1 holders in the dust. Luis Miguel trails with the second-most chart toppers (16), followed by Gloria Estefan (15).

“Bailando” also climbs 6-1 to rule the Latin Streaming Songs chart. To date, the music video has amassed 27 million views worldwide, in the (almost) four weeks since its release.

On the Latin Digital Songs chart, the track lists its third week at the top, selling just under 13,000 digital downloads, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

On Latin Airplay the track bounds 13-5, stretching to 9.5 million audience impressions (a 37 percent increase), according to Nielsen BDS. Iglesias currently holds 25 No. 1s on Billboad’s Latin Airplay chart, also claiming the record for the most to reach the top.

Iglesias has been placing hit after hit at the top of the chart for 19 years, logging his first when he was only 19 years old with “Si Tu Te Vas.” The track spent eight weeks at the peak, and was only the start of his illustrious chart history. Since then, he has ruled with smashes like “Enamorado Por Primera Vez” (12 weeks in 1997), “Do You Know? (The Ping Pong Song)” (11 weeks in 2007), and “Cuando Me Enamoro” (17 weeks in 2010), among a slew of others.

“Bailando” comes off of Iglesias’ latest album Sex & Love, which debuted at No. 1 on Top Latin Albums on April 15, 2014 and is currently in its sixth week at the No. 2 spot, selling 5,000 copies for the May 17 chart date, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

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

Posted on February 1, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

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.

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”

Posted on August 29, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

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.”

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.

Gardel’s “El día que me quieras” Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Gardel’s name will forever be etched into the annals of music history…

The late Argentine singer/songwriter’s Spanish-language single “El día que me quieras” has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

The song – a tango with music by Gardel and lyrics by Alfredo Le Pera – was originally featured in the 1935 film of the same name. It became a heavily recorded tango standard, even by artists outside of the realm of tango.

Most recently, Mexican singer Luis Miguel recorded a cover of the song for his Grammy-winning album Segundo Romance, in 1994. This single peaked at number-one on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart in 1994.

In all, Grammy officials selected 27 recordings from legendary musicians to be added to the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles including works from Paul McCartney, Whitney Houston, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Frank Sinatra and Billy Joel.

The Recording Academy selects musical recordings for the hall of fame from songs and albums in all genres that are at least 25 years old. In addition, the academy chooses songs that show either “qualitative or historical significance.”

Grace: Youngest Female to Reach No. 1 on Billboard Latin Charts

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Call her Amazing Grace…

Leslie Grace has etched her name into the annals of Billboard chart history.

The 17-year-old Dominican American singer has become the youngest female singer to score a Latin radio No. 1, as “Will U Still Love Me Tomorrow” reaches No. 1 on the Latin Airplay chart.

Grace’s debut song moved up from the No. 7 spot after seeing a 57% increase in audience impressions (11 million), according to Nielsen BDS, claiming the list’s Greatest Gainer award. The chart will be refreshed on Thursday (October18) on Billboard.com.

With her rise to the top of the chart, Grace passes Jennifer Pena, whose “El Dolor De Tu Presencia” reached No. 1 on August 24, 2002 when she was 19 years and one month old.

Among all acts, Grace enters a tie as the fourth-youngest artist to post a Billboard No. 1 Latin airplay hit.

Here is a look at the youngest artists to reign (including members of groups):

Age, Artist (No. 1, Date Reached)
14 years, 11 months, Pablo Portillo, of MDO (“No Puedo Olvidar,” March 27, 1999)
16 years, nine months, Florentino Primera, of Servando Y Florentino (“Una Fan Enamorada,” May 9, 1998)
17 years, four months, Luis Miguel (“Ahora Te Puedes Marchar,” Aug. 22, 1987)
17 years, nine months, Leslie Grace (“Will U Still Love Me Tomorrow,” Oct. 27, 2012)
17 years, nine months, Servando Primera, of Servando Y Florentino (“Una Fan Enamorada,” May 9, 1998)

“Will U Still Love Me Tomorrow” also soars to the top of Billboard’s Tropical Songs chart (3-1) with Greatest Gainer honors.

The song is a soulful, bilingual adaptation of the classic love song, co-written by Carole King and made popular in the ’60s by the all-girl group The Shirelles.

De Azlan Releases New Single That Fuses Country & Mariachi

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Star De Azlan is setting her sights on a musical crossover by embracing her Mexican American heritage…

The 27-year-old Mexican-American singer has just released her latest single “Si quieres verme llorar,” which integrates her Hispanic roots into her overall sound by fusing her country music with mariachi.

“My style is country, mariachi and pop; it’s a fusion that can be defined as country in Spanish with Mexican touches that sounds very good,” De Azlan, who was born Esther Gonzalez, told Efe during a promotional stop in Los Angeles.

Produced by Pepe Quintana, known for his work with musical icons such as Maná, Luis Miguel and Sting, De Azlan’s track is a new version of a classic melody popularized by Lisa Lopez.

“It’s a song that has not been done in 25 years and which now with the arrangements that Pepe Quintana put into it sounds fresher,” said the singer, who grew up in Central Texas. “It’s a song that I can sing from my soul and my heart and in which I can project my voice.”

The promotional single forms part of De Azlan’s new album, which contains original compositions like “Desnudate” and “Como una flor.”

De Azlan, who signed to Curb Records in 2007, released her debut single “She’s Pretty” in early 2008. The song peaked at #51 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

Now, the artist is marrying her love of country music while singing in Spanish in her quest to carve out a niche for herself in a segment of the market where she feels right at home.

“Si me quieres ver llorar” is available on iTunes.

Arámbula Lends Her Image to the Got Milk? Campaign

Posted on June 3, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Got milk? Aracely Arámbula does…

The 37-year-old Mexican actress and telenovela star is the latest Latina celebrity to join the Got Milk? campaign.

Arámbula dons the famous milk mustache for the latets advertising campaign, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of the dairy product in your diet.

“Milk is an essential part of my breakfast. I love milk, in my cereal, my morning latte or just an ice cold glass,” said Arámbula. “I believe breakfast to be the most important meal of the day because it’s what helps you to get going, to be active, and especially when I have a long day of work ahead of me, breakfast is a very, very important.”

As part of the campaign, Arámbula will record a series of videos in which she will speak about her own memories as a child and mother, as well as give advice on how children, among others things.

The actress is a mother of two children, Miguel and Daniel, with Mexican singer Luis Miguel.

Arámbula’s Got Milk? ad will launch in national Hispanic magazines this month.

Other Latinas who have lent their image to the Got Milk? campaign include Sofia Vergara and Salma Hayek.

Estefan Makes Billboard History on Latin Songs Chart

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Wepa! It looks like Gloria Estefan can still break records…

The 54-year-old Cuban-born singer has become the first woman in the 25-year history of Billboard‘s Latin Songs chart to debut at No. 1 with her latest single, “Hotel Nacional.”

The second single from Estefan’s latest album, Miss Little Havana—her first album in four years—was serviced to radio stations with new mixes the week of December 26 and storms onto the radio airplay survey with 12.3 million in audience, according to Nielsen BDS.

The debut of “Hotel Nacional” at the chart’s summit was spurred by massive first-week airplay at six stations in the Spanish Broadcasting System chain: WPAT (115) and WSKQ (96) New York; KXOL (121) Los Angeles; WXDJ (130) Miami; and, WODA (138 plays) and WMEG (124) San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Estefan’s “Wepa,” the lead single from the new album peaked at No. 28 on Latin Songs two weeks ago.

“Hotel” is the first song by a female artist and just the 11th overall to bow at No. 1 in the Latin Songs chart’s archives. Here’s a look at the tracks that have debuted atop the chart:

Title, Artist, Chart Date
“El Palo,” Juan Gabriel, July 15, 1995
“Enamorado Por Primera Vez,” Enrique Iglesias, Feb. 1, 1997
“Solo En Ti,” Enrique Iglesias, May 3, 1997
“La Venia Bendita,” Marco Antonio Solis, Oct. 11, 1997
“Por Que Te Conoci,” Los Temerarios, Feb. 7, 1998
“Tal Vez,” Ricky Martin, April 12, 2003
“Labios Compartidos,” Mana, Aug. 5, 2006
“Me Enamora,” Juanes, Sept. 29, 2007
“Lluvia Al Corazon,” Mana, March 21, 2011
“You,” Romeo Santos, May 28, 2011
“Hotel Nacional,” Gloria Estefan, Jan. 14, 2012

Meanwhile, “Hotel” is Estefan’s 15th No. 1 on the Latin Songs No. 1. Only Enrique Iglesias (22) and Luis Miguel (16) have more.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Gloria Estefan…

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

Cuban singing sensation Gloria Estefan is commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month in a big way with the help of Sirius XM Radio…

Now through Saturday, October 15, the “Queen of Latin Pop” will host a series of performances, interviews and specials with some of today’s hottest Latin estrellas like Pitull, Jon Secada and Juanes on Sirius XM’s Caliente, channel 150.

The month’s special programming will include an entire weekend devoted to the 54-year-old bilingual singer/songwriter and her numerous musical contributions. The content will include an exclusive interview with the seven-time Grammy-winning artist, as well as a preview of her new album, “Miss Little Havana.” She’ll even talk about her all-time favorite collaborations, share her thoughts on today’s biggest Latin artists and the artists who contribute to the thriving Latin arts community. The exclusive interview and album preview is slated to air on Friday, September 23 at 4:00 pm ET.

Meanwhile, Estefan’s most recent Las Vegas concert will be broadcast in its entirety on Sunday, September 25 at 4:00 pm ET.

But that’s not all…

Caliente listeners will also have the opportunity to hear special, intimate concert performances by Latin Grammy winners and nominees including Pitbull, Jon Secada, Tito Nieves, and Juanes every Thursday at 4:00 pm ET during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Caliente spins the best in salsa, pop, merengue, bachata and reggaeton music. Listeners can hear the exceptional music by artists like Marc Anthony, Juan Luis Guerra, Aventura, Shakira, Daddy Yankee, Paulina Rubio, Victor Manuelle, Luis Miguel, Wisin y Yandel and Camila.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

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