Carlos Vives Named Latin Recording Academy’s 2024 Person of the Year

Posted on May 26, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Vives is set to receive the highest honor from the Latin Recording Academy.

Twenty-five years after leading the list of nominees for the first edition of the Latin Grammys, the 62-year-old Colombian singer, songwriter and actor has been named the 2024 Person of the Year.

Vives — winner of 18 Latin Grammy Awards, two Grammy Awards and a Billboard Latin Music Awards Hall of Fame inductee — “will be honored for his more than three-decade career as a multifaceted singer and composer, as well as for his continued commitment to environmental and social initiatives,” per the Latin Recording Academy.

“Carlos Vives is one of the most prolific and beloved artists of our time, whose commitment to Latin music and support for the new generations truly personifies the values of our Academy,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. “We honor him as our Person of the Year for his vast contributions to our musical heritage and for his many philanthropic initiatives.”

“It’s still surprising to me,” Vives told Billboard Español this week in an exclusive interview. “It’s like a message that the Academy gives at the end, because 32 years ago I chose a path [that was unconventional]. To be successful, to be commercial, there was one way. This other path that’s cultural or has to do with your identity, that doesn’t work, [they would say].”

In Wednesday’s press release, he added: “I am honored and moved to have been chosen as the 2024 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year. It is the reward for an authentic journey, for a wonderful team and, above all, it is the recognition of the musical spirits of our Latin American diversity. These spirits taught us to love and enrich our language, to take care of it and to respect it in order to exalt humanity with it.”

Born in Santa Marta, Colombia, Vives is one of the most respected artists in Spanish-language music and a pioneer of a new Latin American sound, redefining traditional Colombian vallenato by incorporating to it pop and rock sounds. With No. 1 hits on the Billboard charts such as “Volví a Nacer,” “Fruta Fresca” and “La Bicicleta” with Shakira, among others, has become an ambassador of Colombian and Latin American culture around the world.

His commitment to good causes transcends the musical realm. In 2015, he created the Tras La Perla initiative to promote the sustainable development of Santa Marta and its ecosystem. In addition, he created the Escuela de Música Río Grande to offer artistic experiences to children and young people, and founded the record label Gaira Música Local to promote new Colombian talent. He’s also been a strong advocate and generous supporter of the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation since its inception, the Latin Recording Academy highlights, and sponsored its annual Prodigy Scholarship in 2018.

His latest album, Escalona: Nunca Se Había Grabado Así, earned him his 18th Latin Grammy when it was crowned best cumbia/vallenato album in 2023. This year he was also recognized with the ASCAP Founders Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

Vives will be feted as Person of the Year at a special star-studded gala and tribute concert where an array of artist and friends will perform renditions of his renowned repertoire. Details of the event, to be presented in November during the 2024 Latin Grammy week in Miami, will be announced at a later date.

The Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year honors musicians and their artistic achievements in the Latin music industry as well as their humanitarian efforts.

Past honorees are Laura Pausini (2023), Marco Antonio Solís (2022), Rubén Blades (2021), Juanes (2019), Maná (2018), Alejandro Sanz (2017), Marc Anthony (2016), Roberto Carlos (2015), Joan Manuel Serrat (2014), Miguel Bosé (2013), Caetano Veloso (2012), Shakira (2011), Plácido Domingo (2010), Juan Gabriel (2009), Gloria Estefan (2008), Juan Luis Guerra (2007), Ricky Martin (2006), José José (2005), Carlos Santana (2004), Gilberto Gil (2003), Vicente Fernández (2002), Julio Iglesias (2001) and Emilio Estefan (2000).

Los Ángeles Azules to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on August 29, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Los Ángeles Azules have earned an extra special honor…

The Mexican cumbia group will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

The band, known for songs like “El Listón de Tu Pelo,” “Cómo Te Voy a Olvidar” and “Mi Niña Mujer,” among many other cumbia anthems, will be recognized for their enduring, exceptional career that has expanded the reach of Latin music worldwide.

The award will be presented at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, where they will also hit the stage with a special performance.

The ceremony will be held Thursday, October 5, and will be broadcast live on Telemundo from the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Fla.

“We are very honored to receive this award,” the group — led by the Mejía-Avante brothers — said in a statement. “It is a recognition to our music, which we have shared with our audiences throughout all these years.”

With a 40-year musical career, Los Ángeles Azules have achieved great success, including 14 entries on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart, with three songs in the top 10. They also have 16 entries on Latin Airplay, of which six reached the top 10, including “Nunca es Suficiente,” with Natalia Lafourcade, which peaked at No. 3 in 2019. Their 2020 album De Buenos Aires Para El Mundo debuted at No. 8 on the Regional Mexican Albums chart, making it the band’s 12th album to reach the top 10 on the tally.

Past recipients of the Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award include Raphael, Paquita la del Barrio, Armando Manzanero, Miguel Bosé, Los Temerarios, Intocable, José José, Marco Antonio Solís, Ricardo Arjona and Maná, among others.

Besides airing live on Telemundo, the Billboard Latin Music Awards will air simultaneously on the Hispanic entertainment cable channel, Universo, Peacock, the Telemundo App, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

Peso Pluma leads the list of finalists with 21 nods across 15 categories including artist of the year, songwriter of the year, Global 200 Latin artist of the year, and Top Latin Album of the year.

Rauw Alejandro Releases Fourth Studio Album “Playa Saturno”

Posted on July 9, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Rauw Alejandro is embracing the sounds of summer…

The 3-0-year-old Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and actor, known as the “King of Modern Reggaeton,” has released his fourth studio album Playa Saturno.

While Alejandro had hinted at dropping the album in the summer, the actual release was a surprise to fans as the artist had never revealed exactly when he planned to put out the project.

Spanning 14 tracks, Playa Saturno is a “spinoff” of Saturno, which was just released in January.

The LP opens with a gentle intro, hearing Alejandro sing softly over simple guitar chords. Things speed up, however, on the ensuing track “CUANDO BAJE EL SOL.”

Playa Saturno also features a lineup of exciting collaborations, including Ñejo y Dálmata, Jowell y Randy and Ivy Queen.

Bizarrap makes a guest appearance on the previously released “Baby Hello,” while other standout features come from Miguel Bose and Junior H.

Raphael to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on September 1, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Raphael is being feted for his extraordinary career…

The 79-year-old Spanish singer and actor will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards, according to Telemundo.

Raphael will be recognized for his “exceptional professional career and his artistic and personal contributions” that have influenced the development of Latin music around the world.

The singer will also perform during the awards show, which will take place on Thursday, September 29, at the Watsco Canter in Miami and will be broadcast live on Telemundo beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards — where Bad Bunny leads the list of finalists with a whopping 23 nods across 13 categories — will be simulcast on Telemundo, Universo, Peacock, the Telemundo App, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

With a musical career that spans more than 60 years, Raphael — known for anthemic songs such as “Yo Soy Aquel,” “En Carne Viva” and “Mi Gran Noche” — has garnered worldwide recognition as a pioneer of Spanish-language romantic ballads.

In 1962, he began his professional career, where he soon earned first, second and third prize at Spain’s Festival Internacional de la Canción in Benidorm. He also performed two consecutive times at the Eurovision Festival, starred in various films and hosted a radio show called The Raphael Show.

To date, he’s recorded more than 60 albums and has sold over 70 million records. Raphael is currently on tour in support of his Raphael 6.0 LP.

He’s slated to release a new album at the end of the year.

Past recipients of the Billboard lifetime achievement award include Paquita la del Barrio, Armando Manzanero, Miguel Bosé, Los Temerarios, Intocable, José José, Marco Antonio Solís, Ricardo Arjona and Maná, among others.

José Pastor to Portray Miguel Bosé in Upcoming Biopic Series “BOSÉ”

Posted on January 11, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

José Pastor is ready to embody a Spanish superstar…

The Spanish actor will take on the role Miguel Bosé alongside Iván Sánchez in the upcoming BOSÉ biopic series, which will stream on Paramount+.

The original six-episode series, currently filming in Miami and Spain, will be based on the life of the chart-topping Spanish singer-songwriter, and is produced by VIS in collaboration with Shine Iberia (Banijay Iberia), Elefantec Global and Legacy Rock.

Newcomer Pastor — who has worked in musicals like La Bella y la Bestia and Peter Pan — will portray the “Amante Bandido” singer in his younger years.

Spanish actor Sánchez, known for his breakout role in La Reina del Sur, will play Bosé in his older years.

According to the series’ official description, the biopic will be “a rare piece of art in and of itself, transporting viewers to different parts of the singer-songwriter’s career that began in the late 1970s, revealing the stories behind the inspiration, composition, and recording of some of his most iconic works and how this success affected his personal life.” The release also noted that the series will “reveal unknown secrets, give us an inside look at his circle of friends, demonstrate the extraordinary relationship between Miguel and his parents.”

A force in Latin pop, Bosé — who in 2013 was named Person of the Year by the Latin Recording Academy and boasts of a career that spans more than four decades — has placed five top 10 albums on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart, including the star-studded duets album Papito, which peaked at No. 2 on the tally (dated April 7, 2007).

As an agent of change through his foundation Paz Sin Fronteras (Peace Without Borders), he fights for the right for all people to live in peace, and he’s also helped raise funds for the foundation Fight Against AIDS.

BOSÉ is slated to premiere later this year.

Juanes to Finance Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation’s Next Prodigy Scholarship to Berklee School of Music

Posted on December 16, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Juanes is supporting the Latin industry’s next musical prodigy…

The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation has revealed that the 48-year-old Colombian musician and singer-songwriter is set to finance the next four-year Prodigy Scholarship that will fully fund a student’s bachelor’s degree in music at Berklee School of Music starting in the Fall 2021.

“When the Latin Recording Academy reached out with this opportunity, I felt great joy,” said Juanes. “It took me back to when I was just getting out of high school and I was obsessed with music but I didn’t have the money to study music. Actually, studying music wasn’t even a thing and back then, I didn’t really think studying music would do anything for my future. But now I understand the importance of a music education and that’s why it’s so beautiful to be able to give back.”

The scholarship, created six years ago, holds a maximum value of $200,000 and the application period will be open from December 14 through April 10, 2021. It’s traditionally awarded to an outstanding music student between the ages of 17-24, who demonstrate a passion for Latin music but face severe financial hardships while pursuing a college education.

“This next musical prodigy should be exceptional and I don’t mean that they have to extremely virtuoso but they should have special something,” Juanes adds. “But most importantly they have to love music and be passionate about the craft. Whether you’re studying, practicing, wiring songs, you have to be dedicated 100 percent.”

In addition to the Juanes scholarship there will be 43 other scholarships; three Gifted Tuition scholarships and and 40 Tuition Assistance scholarships for music students admitted to universities of their choice.

In previous years, the Prodigy Scholarship has been co-sponsored by Latin stars including Enrique Iglesias, Juan Luis Guerra, Miguel Bosé, Carlos Vives, Emilio and Gloria Estefan, and Julio Iglesias.

Mau y Ricky Renew Publishing Deal with Sony/ATV

Posted on December 6, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Mau and Ricky Montaner’s music won’t be finding a new home…

The Venezuelan brothers, better known as Mau y Ricky, have renewed their publishing deal with Sony/ATV, according to Billboard.

“We are happy to remain part of the Sony/ATV family where our songs have a house and are well maintained,” Mau and Ricky tell Billboard. “It’s been many years now. [President and CEO, Latin America and U.S. Latin] Jorge Mejia trusts in our talent and we trust him.”

The Latin Grammy-nominated duo, sons of music icon Ricardo Montaner, officially joined Sony/ATV in 2014 and since then have been working with many stars including Thalia,Karol G,Sofia Reyes,Lali,Ednita Nazario and Miguel Bosé, to name a few.

On the Billboard charts, Mau and Ricky have also scored hits as songwriters, including Ricky Martin’s “Vente Pa’ Ca,” which debuted at No.1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplaychart in 2016, and “Sin Pijama” by Becky Gand Natti Natasha, which also topped that chart in 2018.

“They are part of our house, composers who are part of the company’s DNA and we trust them,” concludes Mejia.

Netflix Streaming New Documentary About Alejandro Sanz

Posted on August 21, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Here’s your chance to delve deeper into the life of Alejandro Sanz…

Netflix has begun streaming a new documentary about the 49-year-old Spanish singer/songwriter in the United States and Latin American countries.

The documentary, though, is still not available in Sanz’s native Spain.

Netflix had previously announced that Sanz: Lo Que Fui es lo Que Soy would be released last Saturday, August 18.

When it didn’t appear on the streaming site, Sanz’s followers were quick to proteston social media.

On Monday (August 20), the film’s sudden appearance on Netflix was quickly followed by fans expressing their relief.

The documentary captures Sanz’s journey from playing rock songs with friends on the streets of his neighborhood as a teen to playing flamenco guitar with Paco de Lucia, to recording the two biggest-selling albums in Spain and becoming one of Latin music’s biggest stars while remaining “a normal person.”

Shakira, Miguel Bosé and Juan Luis Guerra are among the many other artists who make appearances in the film.

Lo Que Fui es lo Que Soy had a theatrical premiere at the Malaga Film Festival on April 19, and showed in theaters around Spain. But Spanish viewers who have been waiting to watch it on Netflix are still waiting.

Carlos Vives Partners with Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation for Berklee College of Music Scholarship

Posted on December 18, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Vives is helping the next generation of musicians…

The 56-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter has partnered with the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation to provide financial support to an accepted student at Berklee College of Music toward a bachelor’s degree,

“Carlos Vives not only represents musical excellence and achievement, but the equally significant qualities of generosity and altruism,” said Manolo Diaz, the senior vice president of the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, adding “His legacy will also include changing the life of the scholarship recipient.”

The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, which provides support to Latin students at Berklee College, is now accepting applications for the Carlos Vives Scholarship, valued at up to $200,000.

“The ability to support a new generation of Latin musicians brings me great joy,” said the 11-time Latin Grammy and two-time Grammy winner in a press statement.

Vives now joins the list of previous superstars, like Enrique Iglesias, Juan Luis Guerra and Miguel Bosé, who have provided college-level scholarships for Latin music students.

For more information on how to apply, visit LatinGRAMMYCulturalFoundation.com.

Olga Tañon to Receive Legacy Award at the Premios Tu Mundo Awards

Posted on August 17, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Olga Tañon’s legacy is being celebrated…

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican singer will be honored with the Jenni Rivera Legacy Award at the sixth edition of the Premios Tu Mundo, according to Telemundo.

Tañon, a multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy winner, is being recognized for her more than 25 years in music, as well as her philanthropic achievements.

Tañon has used her voice to seek change, serving as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and lending her talent for charitable causes including benefit songs, “Somos El Mundo,” “El Ultimo Ádios” and “Nuestro Himno.”

On the Billboard charts, Tañon holds the record for most top 10 hits (27 to be exact) for a female artist on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart.

But Tañon won’t be the night’s only honoree…

The legendary Panamanian-born Spanish singer Miguel Bosé will receive the El Poder en Ti award to honor his “unlimited fame power” that helps thousands of people through different non profit organizations worldwide, such as Fundacion Patrimonio Indigena MX (of which he is president), his Gala SIDA fundraising event in Spain and the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation to fund a full $200,000 scholarship to a Berklee College of Music student pursuing a career in Latin music.

Telemundo will honor TV host Maria Celeste Arraras with the Estrella de Tu Mundo Award in celebration of her 15 years hosting the news show Al Rojo Vivo.

This year, boy band CNCO leads the nominations for the Premios Tu Mundo awards, that will be broadcast live on August 24, 2017 at 8:00 pm.ET from the American Airlines Arena in Miami.

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