Jose Feliciano Among This Year’s La Musa Awards Honorees

Jose Feliciano’s biggest hit is being heralded in a special way…

The Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame (LSHOF) has announced its 2022 inductees and La Musa Awards honorees, with the 76-year-old Puerto Rican musician, singer and composer’s “Feliz Navidad” among those being recognized.

Jose Feliciano

Feliciano’s insta-classic holiday single will receive the Song of All Time award.

Mexican artist Emmanuel will receive La Musa Legacy Award; Apple’s Eddy Cue will receive the Desi Arnaz Pioneer Award; Spanish composer Manuel Alejandro will receive the La Musa Living Legend Award; and Venezuelan singer-songwriter Elena Rose will receive La Musa Elena Casals Award.

Meanwhile, Yotuel Romero, Beatriz Luengo, Descemer Bueno, Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, Maykel Osorbo, Alexander Delgado, Randy Malcom Martínez, and DJ El Funky will receive the inaugural La Musa Medal of Freedom for “Patria y Vida.”

Honoring the outstanding songwriters and composers across all genres of Latin music, LSHOF will host its 10th anniversary with the induction and special awards gala held for the first time on October 13 at the Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.

The star-studded guests confirmed for La Musa Awards include Feliciano, Emilio and Gloria Estefan, Draco Rosa, Erika Ender, La India, Luis Figueroa, Yotuel, Gente De Zona, Fofé (Circo), Jesús Molina, Julio Iglesias, Jr., Vannesa Campagna, Simon Dumas, Alexander Acha, Jandy Ventura, and Manny Cruz.

Expected to attend are Emily Estefan, David Bisbal, Alejandra Guzmán, with more guests to be confirmed soon.

The 2022 La Musa Awards, which kicks off the partnership of LSHOF with Hard Rock International & Hard Rock Live, is set to be hosted by Peruvian-American actress and singer Isabela Merced, and promises live music performances, backed by a 35-piece orchestra, laced with personal reminiscences by the presenters and honorees.

2022 INDUCTEES

The 2022 inductees include award-winning songwriters and producers Desmond Child and Rudy Pérez, who co-founded the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame; composer of iconic Latin music standard Tony Renis; and to be inducted posthumously, Dominican merengue pioneer Johnny Ventura.

To be eligible for induction into the LSHOF, the songwriter, composer or lyricist must have had their first published work released at least 20 years prior to the year of induction. All inductees are presented with the silver LA MUSA trophy statuette.

2022 HONOREES

Emmanuel (Mexican artist) to receive La Musa Legacy Award

Eddy Cue (Apple Sr. Vice President) to receive Desi Arnaz Pioneer Award

Manuel Alejandro (Spanish composer) to receive La Musa Living Legend Award

Gustavo Menéndez (Warner Chappell Music President, US Latin & Latin America) to receive the Ralph S. Peer Publisher Award

Walter Kolm (Founder and CEO of Walter Kolm Entertainment) to receive Founders Award

Elena Rose (Venezuelan singer-songwriter) to receive La Musa Elena Casals Award

Puerto Rican musician Jose Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad” to be recognized as Song of All Time

Yotuel Romero, Beatriz Luengo, Descemer Bueno, Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, Maykel Osorbo, Alexander Delgado, Randy Malcom Martínez, and DJ El Funky to receive inaugural La Musa Medal of Freedom for “Patria y Vida.”

Jacqie Rivera Releases Version of Her Mother’s Classic Love Song “Que Ganas De No Verte Nunca Mas”

Jacqie Rivera is paying tribute to her late mother…

The 29-year-old Mexican-American singer, the star of Universo‘s reality show The Riveras, has released a version of a classic love song that her late mother, Jenni Rivera, also recorded, and her version went on to become a fan favorite with millions of views.

Jacqie Rivera

The new rendition of “Que Ganas De No Verte Nunca Mas” was posted to Jacqie’s YouTube channel this week and online followers have voiced their supportive opinions.

“In some parts of the song you remind me of your mom,” one commenter posted. “Take that talent that you have in your veins and launch your singing career.”

In another post a follower said, “I like the way she sings and she has mad swagg… lets not forget she gets it from her mama!”

Jacqie’s version of the romantic ballad, which was written by Spanish composer Manuel Alejandroin the 1980s, comes more than five years after the matriarch died in a plane crash while working in Mexico.

During an exclusive Billboard interview before the start of current season of The Riveras, Jacqie spoke about the possibility of venturing into a career as a recording artist and recalled some of the life lessons she learned from her mother.

“I’ve always liked to sing, but I didn’t want that life,” Rivera said. “I’m not worried about sales or winning awards. I don’t want to have deadlines and feel the pressure, but I think I have something to say.”

Instead of rushing to record music, Rivera has decided to take her time as she releases music online and at her own pace. Additionally, taking vocal lessons has also been key, she said, adding that she has long enjoyed singing genres beyond regional Mexican, including alternative, country, gospel and Christian music.

The finale of The Riveras airs on Sunday and as the Rivera siblings reflect on major life transformations this season, Jacqie’s story has also unfolded in many ways, including the announcement that she and her husband decided to end their relationship.

As she considers expanding her musical aspirations, Rivera has learned a few things about the business thanks to her American-born mother who became one of the most celebrated recording artists in regional Mexican music in the U.S. and Mexico.

“From watching and observing my mom I’ve learned to never do anything that isn’t you,” Rivera said. “Have thick skin, a tender heart and just be yourself.”

Buika to Perform “Besame Mucho” at the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame

Buika will be helping honor one of the most recognizable Spanish-language ballads of all time…

Buika

The 40-year-old Afro-Spanish singer, who earned rave reviews after performing two songs in Pedro Almódovar’s 2011 film The Skin I Live In, will perform “Besame Mucho” at the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame’s first induction gala.

Buika and an orchestra of top musicians will perform the song – which was written by the Mexican composer Consuelo Velasquez in 1940 and performed by artists including the Beatles and Frank Sinatra, in addition to a number of Latin stars – before it receives the Hall of Fame’s La Musa award.

In addition, the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame will induct Manuel Alejandro, Jose Angel “Ferrusquilla” Espinosa, Jose Feliciano, Julio Iglesias, Armando Manzanero and Concha Valdez Miranda as the first-ever songwriters to be added to the recently created hall of fame.

Additionally, Olga Guillot, Draco Rosa, Nat King Cole, Desi Arnaz, Ralph S. Peer and emerging Spanish singer/songwriter Natalia Jimenez will receive recognition for their contribution to the music industry.

Rubén Blades, Cristian Castro, Natalie Cole and Rosa are among the artists set to perform at the black tie event, celebrating the rich past and current popularity of Latin song.

The event will take place on April 23rd at the New World Center in Miami Beach during the Billboard Latin Music Conference.

 

Iglesias to be Inducted into Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame

He’s one of the Top 5 best-selling musicians in history, having sold more than 300 million records worldwide… And now Julio Iglesias is being recognized for crafting some of the most memorable songs.

The 69-year-old Spanish singer is one of the first artists to be inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Julio Iglesias

Iglesias will be joined by fellow Spanish artist Manuel Alejandro, Mexicans Jose Angel EspinozaFerrusquilla” and Armando Manzanero, Puerto Rican Jose Feliciano and Cuba’s Concha Valdez Miranda.

The announcement was made by the directors of the Miami-based Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame, Desmond Child and Rudy Perez, both producers and composers.

In a gallery packed with journalists and people from the music industry, Perez noted the enormous effort that had been made over the years to win the support of the existing U.S. Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The six artists incorporated into the Songwriters Hall of Fame will be honored with the La Muse prize at the gala to be held April 23 at the New World Center de Miami Beach.