Karol G Receives Two Wax Figures from Madame Tussauds

Posted on October 8, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Karol G is waxing nostalgic…

The 33-year-old Colombian Grammy-winning singer-songweriter has officially received two of her very own wax figures at the renowned Madame Tussauds wax museum.

Karol G was present at the recent grand reveal in New York City, where she reacted to her two figures: one that captures the Colombian-inspired outfit and signature blue hair that she rocked during her 2022 Coachella performance; the other is one of her looks from the “TQG” music video with Shakira, where she had her striking red locks.

“Wow, how impressive!” Karol said in a press statement. “My first impression was I love my smile, and the color of my eyes […] I hope when my fans meet the figures that it’s a manifestation for them that one day they will meet me.”

Her Coachella wax figure will remain at the Madame Tussauds in Times Square, whereas her “TQG” wax figure will be relocated to the Madame Tussauds in Las Vegas at the end of October.

“Karol G is one of our generation’s greatest living Latina performers,” added Eliza Rose, marketing manager at Madame Tussauds New York. “Her figure is a beautiful addition to our museums, and a testament to her talent, influence and the love her fans have for her.”

The “Bichota” singer—who’s a 17-time finalist at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards and whose “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” has spent 12 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart—joins Maluma, Anitta, Selena, Bad Bunny, Shakira and other Latin acts with their own wax figures.

Pipe Bueno Signs Deal with Warner Music Latina

Posted on July 25, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Pipe Bueno has a new deal…

The 32-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter has signed a deal with Warner Music Latina, becoming the label’s latest signee deriving from Colombia’s música popular scene.

The agreement was made with Bueno’s management companies Ocesa Seitrack, where he’s represented by Alex Mizrahi and Octavio Padilla, and JB Management, where he’s represented by Juan Guillermo Ballesteros.

He signed with both companies last year. Campaigns for Bueno will be managed and operated from the Warner Música Mexicana division in Los Angeles, with the support of Warner Music Mexico.

“At some point, I envisioned being backed by one of the best record labels in the world, and without a doubt, Warner Music is one of them,” said Bueno in a statement. “I am excited to know that today I am signing with a company that has begun to believe in Colombian regional music, and has its eyes set on our genre. I have high expectations, and Warner Music’s support will be crucial in achieving everything I have in mind.”

“For us, making this signing happen was very important,” added Ballesteros. “We have achieved an incredible partnership with a total focus on everything that surrounds Pipe Bueno…his music and all his projects as a brand. We want to elevate the Colombian genre to another level, and we are confident we have found the best way to do it with Warner Music.”

Under the new deal, Bueno announces his upcoming album. According to a press release, it “promises a unique fusion, showcasing his Colombian regional music while honoring and celebrating Mexican regional music.” His debut single under the label, “Una Pregunta” featuring Gerardo “El Jerry” Coronel, premieres Thursday (July 25).

“We are delighted to welcome Pipe Bueno to the Warner Music family,” said Roberto Andrade Dirak, MD of Warner Music Latina. “His dedication and passion for Colombian popular music are inspiring, and we are proud to be part of this new stage in his career.”

Rubén Abraham, GM of Mexican music at Warner Music Latina, added: “He’s an artist who respects and deeply understands the essence of Mexican regional music. His upcoming album is a great opportunity to continue boosting Pipe’s career in Mexico and the United States; it features high-level collaborations that reinforce Pipe’s credibility and respect in Mexican music.”

The artist born Andrés Felipe Giraldo Bueno launched his self-titled debut album in 2008 and has since risen to pioneer “la música popular Colombiana,” a musical genre that fuses traditional folk music from the Paisa Region with Regional Mexican elements, such as mariachi and ranchera.

The genre is locally known as “música de cantina” and is played at every parranda, parties that feature local music and food.

Bueno has since laced the genre with urban and pop rhythms by teaming up with artists such as Wisin, Zion and Darrel. He has also collaborated twice with his good friend and colleague Maluma on the tracks “La Invitación” (2014) and “Tequila” (2020). The former track peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard Latin Rhythm Airplay chart in 2017.

Karol G Performs Colombia’s National Anthem at 2024 Copa America Final

Posted on July 15, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Karol G isn’t afraid to show her patriotism…

The 33-year-old Colombian singer performed Colombia’s national anthem at the 2024 Copa America final on Sunday evening, while Abel Pintos sang Argentina’s national anthem.

As tradition holds, the national anthems of each country is performed ahead of the big game.

Karol G rocked a signature Colombian jersey and black leather skirt with knee-high boots as she was accompanied by a roaring crowd.

Meanwhile, Pintos — dressed in a royal blue suit — performed the anthem backed by a passionate and emotional team who sang along.

Pintos and Karol G were not the only music stars present at the soccer tournament.

Maluma, Feid, Ryan Castro and Blessd were also spotted at the stands in support of their national team.

Both the Colombian and Argentine national teams proved to be the best in the field since the soccer tournament began on June 20, eliminating other strong countries like Brazil, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Karol G performs the Colombian national anthem at the Copa America final 💛💙❤️

Watch 📲 https://t.co/29P7FK9do1 #CA2024 #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/tm7Zz9NRLL

— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) July 15, 2024

Karol G’s “Provenza” Music Video Becomes Ninth to Enter YouTube’s Billion Views Club

Posted on June 26, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Karol G is on Cloud Nine.

The 33-year-old Colombian Grammy-winning singer/songwriter has achieved yet another career milestone as herher “Provenza” music video surpasses one billion views on YouTube, just two years after it was released.

Filmed by Pedro Artola on the island of Lanzarote, the beachy music video marks Karol G’s ninth clip to enter the coveted “Billion Views Club” as a lead, featured artist or collaborator.

She also ranks No. 17 on the Global Top Artists chart.

On the Billboard charts, “Provenza” hit No. 1 on both the Hot Latin Songs and Latin Airplay charts in 2022.

“Provenza” follows her other one-billion titles: “China” with Anuel AA, Daddy Yankee, Ozuna & J Balvin; the Nicki Minaj-assisted “Tusa”; “Secreto” in collaboration with Anuel AA, as well as “Culpables”; “Bichota”; “TQG” with Shakira; “El Makinon” in collab with Mariah Angeliq; and the Bad Bunny-assisted “Ahora Me Llama.”

Climbing up the list with more than 750 million views each are “Mi Cama,” “A Ella,” and the heartfelt “Creéme” with Maluma.

The news comes on the heels of Billboard’s 2024 Woman of the Year and Latin Woman of the Year unleashing her summer-friendly tropical tune “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido.”

The feel-good track, produced by Edgar Barrera, Sky Rompiendo and Karol, is a flirty merengue inspired by her love and admiration for the Dominican Republic.

“Its culture, its music, its colors, the hospitality, the energy … everything feels very authentic and special there,” she expressed of the Caribbean island in Instagram an post. “Its people have embraced me in a way that fills my heart and inspires me all the time.”

Maluma Partners with Blessd to Release Six-Track EP “1 of 1”

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Maluma is getting a special assist on his next musical venture…

The 30-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter and Blessd have released their first-ever joint EP called 1 of 1.

The six-track production includes the title track, “Call Me,” “Oe Bebé,” “Manrique,” “Sisas Nada” feat. Hades66 and “Goyard/GTA.”

The album was co-produced by MadMuscik and The RudeBoyz, and best represents Medellín’s reggaetón, swagger and vibrant culture.

“A full production between two Colombian artists had never been done before,” Maluma said in a press statement. “If it’s the first, it can’t be done twice.”

Maluma and Blessd’s friendship began in 2021 when the two Medellín-based acts released “Imposible (Remix),” a saucy reggaeton song by then-newcomer Blessd that became a viral hit on social media and on local Colombian radio stations and in clubs. Since, and prior to dropping their joint EP, they released bangers such as “La Nueva en el Mapa” and “El Reloj.”

“He [Maluma] wants to raise the flag,” Blessd, a former Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise, previously told Billboard. “There is no other artist like him helping those of us who are emerging so much. He’s doing a job that no one else has done. I respect him as an artist and triple as a person because of that.”

Beyond a collaborative set, the two Colombian artists want to encourage every aspiring artist—especially those who reside in the barrios of Medellín—to dream big and work hard for their dreams.

“This work will have a very positive impact,” both acts affirm. “We’ve had dreams since we were kids and seeing that they can come true is a source of pride for those who see us as role models.”

Blessd & Feid Lead Latest Billboard Latin Airplay Chart with “Si Sabe Ferxxo”

Posted on May 28, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Blessd has another chart-topper on his hands…

The 24-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter and rapper, whose real name is Stiven Mesa Londoño. and Feid combine forces atop Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart, as the pair’s first collaboration “Si Sabe Ferxxo“ climbs from No. 7 to lead the list dated June 1.

The new champ is the second team-up by two Colombian artists to rule the overall Latin radio tally in less than a year, after Shakira and Manuel Turizo united at No. 1 through “Copa Vacía” (one week in charge) in October 2023.

“Si Sabe Ferxxo” is one of eight collaborative cuts from Blessd’s 14-track album, Si Sabe, which earned the 24-year-old his first entry on any Billboard albums chart, debuting and reaching No. 29 and No. 15 high on the Top Latin Albums and Latin Rhythm Albums charts dated February 10, respectively.

The song advances to the chart’s summit with a 28% gain in audience impressions, up to 8.5 million, earned in the U.S. during the May 17-23 tracking week, according to Luminate.

With “Si Sabe Ferxxo,” Blessd achieves his second No. 1 on Latin Airplay, following his three-way collab “Medallo,” with Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavarez, in May 2022.

For Feid, “Si Sabe Ferxxo” becomes the hitmaker’s eighth No. 1 on the overall radio ranking, which began with “Porfa,” featuring J Balvin, Maluma, Nicky Jam, Sech and Justin Quiles, climbing to No. 1 in August 2020.

Here’s his collection of champs:

Peak, Title, Artist, Weeks at No. 1
Aug. 29, 2020, “Porfa,” with J Balvin, Maluma, Nicky Jam, Sech & Justin Quiles, one
March 4, 2023, “Hey Mor,” with Ozuna, one
April 15, 2023, “Yandel 150,” Yandel, four
Aug. 19, 2023, “Niña Bonita,” with Sean Paul, one
Jan. 13, 2024, “Bubalu,” with Rema, two
April 20, 2024, “Perro Negro,” with Bad Bunny, one
May 4, 2024, “Luna,” with Atl Jacob, two
June 1, 2024, “Si Sabe Ferxxo,” with Blessd, one

As “Si Sabe Ferxxo” rises to No. 1, it unseats another Warner Latina song from the summit: Myke Towers’ “La Capi” dips 1-5 with a 25% decrease in audience impressions, to 7.71 million.

Elsewhere, thanks to its radio haul, “Si Sabe Ferxxo” rises 36-31 with the Greatest Gainer/Airplay honors of the week on the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart, which combines airplay, digital sales and streaming data.

Grupo Frontera Announces 38-Date “Jugando A Que No Pasa Nada” North American Tour

Posted on May 16, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Grupo Frontera is ready to take North American by storm…

Less than a week after releasing their sophomore studio album Jugando A Que No Pasa Nada, the Mexican American Regional Mexican group has unveiled dates for its upcoming tour, set to kick off on August 2 in Las Vegas.

Grupo Frontera, known for megahits such as “No Se Va” — the Morat cover that catapulted them to stardom — “Tulum” and “un x100to” will embark on a 38-date trek across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The arena tour, also titled Jugando A Que No Pasa Nada, will visit major U.S. cities including New York (Barclays Center), Dallas (American Airlines Center), Los Angeles (Intuit Dome) and Nashville (Bridgestone Arena).

After wrapping the U.S. leg on October 5 at the Bert Ogden Arena in their hometown of Edinburg, Texas, the band will head out to Mexico for 10 dates.

After having breakout year in 2022, the six-member has since placed eight songs on the Billboard 100, including top 10 hit “un x100to” with Bad Bunny.

The norteño/tejano band’s debut album, Un Comienzo, peaked at No. 4 on the Top Latin Albums chart dated August 19.

Along with the release of their new album — which includes collaborations with acts such as Nicki Nicole, Maluma and Morat — Frontera recently nabbed its eighth No. 1 on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart thanks to the Christian Nodal-assisted “Ya Pedo Quien Sabe.”

The Jugando A Que No Pasa Nada U.S. Tour general onsale will begin on Friday, May 17, at 10 a.m. local time at LiveNation.com.

Here are the tour dates:

Aug. 2 — Las Vegas — T-Mobile Arena
Aug. 3 — Phoenix — Footprint Center
Aug 4 — El Paso, Texas — Don Haskins Center
Aug. 9 — Dallas — American Airlines Center
Aug. 10 — Houston — Toyota Center
Aug. 15 — Laredo, Texas — Sames Auto Arena
Aug. 16 — Austin — Moody Center
Aug. 17 — San Antonio — Frost Bank Center
Aug. 18 — Oklahoma City — Paycom Center
Aug. 21 — Nashville — Bridgestone Arena
Aug. 22 — Atlanta — State Farm Arena
Aug. 24 — Orlando, Fla. — Kia Center
Aug. 25 — Sunrise, Fla. — Amerant Bank Arena
Aug. 27 — Greensboro, N.C. — Greensboro Coliseum
Aug. 29 — Brooklyn, N.Y. — Barclays Center
Aug. 31 — Washington, D.C. — Capital One Arena
Sept. 4 — Montreal, Quebec — Place Bell (Canda)
Sept. 7 — Chicago — Allstate Arena
Sept. 8 — Milwaukee — Fiserv Forum
Sept. 11 — Kansas City, Mo. — T-Mobile Center
Sept. 13 — Salt Lake City — Maverik Center
Sept. 15 — Tacoma, Wash. — Tacoma Dome
Sept. 20 — Los Angeles– Intuit Dome
Sept. 22 — San Francisco — Chase Center
Sept. 26 — Sacramento, Calif. — Golden 1 Center
Sept. 27 — Fresno, Calif. — Save Mart Center
Oct. 2 — San Diego — Viejas Arena
Oct. 5 — Edinburg, Texas — Bert Ogden Arena
Oct. 24 — San Luis Potosí — El Domo (Mexico)
Oct. 26 — León, Guanajuato — Mega Velaria (Mexico)
Oct. 31 — Torreón, Coahuila — Coliseo Centenario (Mexico)
Nov. 2 — Guadalajara, Jalisco — Arena VFG (Mexico)
Nov. 7 — Monterrey, Nuevo León — Arena Monterrey (Mexico)
Nov. 9 — Tijuana, Baja California — Plaza de Toros (Mexico)
Nov. 15 — Mexico City — Palacio de los Depoartes (Mexico)
Nov. 20 — Mérida, Yucatan — Foro GNP Seguros (Mexico)
Nov. 22 — Puebla — Auditorio GNP Seguros (Mexico)
Nov. 23 — Veracruz — WTC (Mexico)

Arcangel to Perform on This Year’s Latin American Music Awards Show

Posted on April 18, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Arcangel is preparing to take to the Latin AMAs stage…

The 38-year-old Dominican American rapper and singer has been added to the performers list for the ninth annual Latin American Music Awards.

Arcangel appears on the roster of recently added performers that includes Jennifer Nettles, KY-Mani Marley, Mora, Noel Schajris, Sech, Silvestre Dangond and Wisin.

The gala will take place on April 25 live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Actors Danny Pino and Michael Mando in addition to superstars Christian Chávez, Eslabon Armado, Joss Favela and Kali Uchis are all set to present awards.

DJ Steve Aoki and Victoria Justice will also make appearances.

This long list of talent joins previously announced performers: Peso Pluma, Farukko, Jay Wheeler, Justin Quiles, DJ Deorro, Yng Lvcas, Gabito Ballesteros, Marc Anthony, Carin León, Chino Pacas, Lenny Tavárez, Milo Beat, Nacho, Sergio George, Venesti and Zhamira Zambrano.

Anthony is set to premiere his new single “Ale Ale,” from his upcoming album Muevense, which is set to be released on April 26. He has won two Latin AMAs, and this year is nominated for best tropical artist and best tropical collaboration for “La Fórmula” with Maluma.

“I am really excited to have the opportunity of presenting the global premiere of my new song ‘Ale, Ale’ on live television at this year’s Latin American Music Awards, and on that same evening release my new studio album Muevense,” said Anthony in a statement. “The Latin AMAs stage has seen many of my firsts and I am ready to introduce this one to audiences everywhere.”

Mexican music’s big year will be well represented at the awards show this year with appearances by bubbling acts including León, Pacas, Ballesteros and Peso, who returns to the Latin AMA stage after making his TV debut there last year.

Peso, along with reggaeton star Feid, is the most nominated artist of the night with 12 recognitions, including nods in coveted categories like artist of the year, new artist of the year, song of the year, album of the year, and collaboration of the year, among others.

Behind Peso and Feid, Bad Bunny and Grupo Frontera lead the nominations list with 11 each. Karol G and Shakira each tout nine nominations, and Eslabon Armado and Fuerza Regida have eight.

There are 27 categories, with a total of 76 nominees that span all musical genres including pop, urban, música Mexicana and tropical.

The awards show will be hosted by Latin pop phenom Thalia, along with presenter Alejandra Espinoza, and singer-songwriter and television personality Carlos Ponce.

The show will broadcast live from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Eladio Carrión Earns First No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with “TQMQA”

Posted on April 14, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Eladio Carrión is celebrating a first…

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton rapper and singer has earned his first No. 1 on Billboard‘s Latin Airplay chart as “TQMQA” climbs 4-1 to lead the April 13-dated list.

Carrión crosses off a new achievement with the dembow-pop tune — whose title stands for “Te Quiero Más Que Ayer — as it tops the overall Latin radio ranking. “TQMQA” lands at the summit seven weeks after it earned the Latin rapper his maiden champ on any Billboard chart (hit No. 1 on Latin Pop Airplay in March).

“The intention behind ‘TQMQA’ was to give my parents the recognition that they deserve,” Carrión said. “It’s an honor for me that the track landed at No. 1, but when I make music, I’m never thinking about what numbers or awards I’m gonna get. My main intention is always to be authentic to myself and share that with my fans. Everything else that comes after that is just a bonus that I’m extremely grateful for. It never gets old.”

“TQMQA” advances to the lead with a 26% gain in audience impressions, to 9.5 million, earned in the U.S. during the March 29-April 4-tracking week, according to Luminate.

“TQMQA” is the first cut from Carrión’s fifth studio album, Sol María (released via Rimas Entertainment). The 17-track set, an ode to his mother, debuted at Nos. 6 and 3, respectively, on Top Latin Albums and Latin Rhythm Albums (February 3-dated rankings).

“When I first told my parents about the concept for ‘TQMQA,’ they were taken aback by how personal the song and video were,” Carrión shares. “But it was special to us because we pieced together all these old clips from our home movies to make this time capsule of my upbringing. It’s emotional to see how far we’ve come and how they’ve been there for me every step of the way. But none of us were prepared for how many people the song would resonate with.”

Carrión breaks the No. 1 barrier on Latin Airplay as a soloist and on his fourth try.

Plus, he bests his first and only top 10: “Nunca y Pico” with Yandel and Maluma, which took the Puerto Rican-American to No. 6 in November 2022.

Carrión has charted two other times on Latin Airplay: “Alejarme De Ti” with Jay Wheeler (No. 22 in March 2022) and “Coco Chanel” with Bad Bunny (No. 42 in June 2023).

Of the 15 songs that have been No. 1 on Latin Airplay in 2024, a third of them were credited to a singular artist with no accompanied acts, including Carrion’s new No. 1. Here they are:

Peak Date, Title, Artist, Weeks at No. 1
Jan. 27, 2024, “Monaco,” Bad Bunny, one
Feb. 10, 2024, “La Diabla,” Xavi, two
Feb. 24, 2024, “La Falda,” Myke Towers, one
March 30, 2024, “Baccarat,” Ozuna, one
April 13, 2024, “TQMQA,” Eladio Carrión

Elsewhere, “TQMQA” rebounds to its No. 1 high on Latin Pop Airplay for its third week in charge (rising 2-1).

Further, thanks to its radio gain, it re-enters at No. 44 on the multimetric Hot Latin Songs chart, which blends airplay, digital sales, and streaming data.

Shakira Reveals Star-Studded Tracklist for New Album “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran”

Posted on February 29, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira is making tracks…

Ahead of the release of her upcoming new album Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran on March 22, the 47-year-old Colombian superstar has unveiled the album’s tracklist.

The 16-track album includes eight new tracks, plus previously released singles like “TQG” with Karol G, the Rauw Alejandro-assisted “Te Felicito” and “El Jefe” with Fuerza Regida.

A remix to her Bizarrap-produced “Music Sessions Vol. 53” featuring Tiesto will also be included on the set.

Shakira recruits Bizarrap and Alejandro again for new songs, while tapping new collaborators, including Cardi B and Grupo Frontera.

“Making this body of work has been an alchemical process,” Shakira previously said in a statement. “While writing each song, I was rebuilding myself. While singing them, my tears transformed into diamonds, and my vulnerability into strength.”

Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran is Shakira’s first new album in seven years. It also marks her debut release on vinyl, featuring four distinct artwork editions, each paired with an exclusive colored vinyl variant.

Shakira’s new album follows her 2017 set El Dorado, which spent five weeks at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart. It spawned the hit songs “Chantaje” with Maluma, “La Bicicleta” with Carlos Vives and the Prince Royce-assisted “Deja vu.”

Overall, the hitmaker has placed eight top 10 albums on the Top Latin Albums chart, six of those hit No. 1, including Dónde Están Los Ladrones? (1998), Fijación Oral: Vol. 1 (2005) and Sale El Sol (2010).

Here’s the tracklist for Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran:

“⁠⁠Puntería” x Cardi B
⁠”La Fuerte” x Bizarrap
”Tiempo Sin Verte”
”Cohete” x Rauw Alejandro
⁠”(Entre Paréntesis)” x Grupo Frontera
”Cómo Dónde y Cuándo”
”Nassau”
”Última”
”Te Felicito” x Rauw Alejandro
“Monotonía” x Ozuna
”Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53″
“TQG” x Karol G
”Acróstico” x Milan + Sasha
”Copa Vacía” x Manuel Turizo
“⁠El Jefe” x Fuerza Regida
”Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53 (Remix Tiësto)”
“Punteria” (Vinyl Version)

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