Ricky Martin to Perform at the Halftime Show of the 2026 NFL Rio Game in Brazil

Posted on August 17, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Ricky Martin is preparing for a Latin American halftime show…

The 54-year-old Puerto Rican superstar will perform at the halftime show of the 2026 NFL Rio Game in Brazil alongside and Brazilian DJ, singer and producer Pedro Sampaio on September 27, the National Football League’s biggest international season to date.

The Baltimore Ravens will face the Dallas Cowboys that Sunday at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã Stadium, marking the first NFL regular-season game in the city.

The performance will be the second of a record seven halftime shows during the NFL’s 2026 International Games, which will span seven countries and four continents.

The game will begin at 4:25 p.m. ET.

“I grew up in Rio de Janeiro, seeing Maracanã Stadium as a place where history was made,” Sampaio said in a statement. “I never imagined that my first time performing on that field would be alongside Ricky Martin, who has always been a huge inspiration to me. “Maracanã is part of the history of both sports and music, and being part of this moment — especially at the first NFL game in my hometown — is something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.”

The Brazilian funk artist has amassed more than 14 billion audio and video streams worldwide, according to a press release, and more than 11 million monthly Spotify listeners.

He has collaborated with Latin music giants like Anitta, Pabllo Vittar, J Balvin and Nicky Jam, and was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2024.

Martin, who has sold more than 95 million albums worldwide throughout his three-decade career — and achieved a historic Hot 100 No. 1 with “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” among other chart achievements — said the performance will bring him back to “one of my favorite places in the world: Rio.”

“Being part of another historic NFL event alongside Pedro Sampaio is incredibly exciting,” Martin added. “There’s nothing quite like the energy of the Brazilian people, and I can’t wait to reunite with our fans and perform live at the iconic Maracanã.”

In February, Martin joined Bad Bunny during his 2026 Super Bowl halftime show to perform the chorus of Benito’s “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii.”

Tim Tubito, senior director of global game presentation, music and entertainment at the NFL, stated, “Over the past year, the NFL has embraced the global power and cultural influence of Latin music, and Pedro Sampaio and Ricky Martin each have a unique connection with fans across Brazil, Latin America and beyond.”

The performance will be broadcast live in Brazil on Globo’s channels GETV and sportv. Limited-edition merchandise commemorating the halftime show will be available at NFL Shops in Rio.

The announcement follows the previously confirmed performance of the Jonas Brothers at the 2026 NFL Melbourne Game on Thursday, Sept. 10, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the first-ever NFL game in Australia.

Nicky Jam Releases El Shadow-Collaboration “La Foto”

Posted on August 12, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Nicky Jam is flashin’ new music…

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American singer has released the new single “La Foto” in collaboration with El Shadow, with the track premiering exclusively on Billboard on Wednesday, August 12.

Released via Plus Media and EMM, the track blends acoustic guitars with rhythmic Afrobeats, charged with Caribbean breeze and feel-good melodies.

Lyrically, the track composed by El Shadow (real name Raudel Gómez Hernández) is about crushing on someone and finding the courage to make the first move.

“Nothing is impossible here/ I wrote to her that I liked her,” chants the Puerto Rican artist in the opening verse. The chorus further cements that sentiment of infatuation and uncertainty: “You’ve got me liking your photo/ You’ve got me losing my mind.”

Nicky Jam, who has a 30-plus year career with various No. 1 Billboard hits and collaborations with the likes of Enrique Iglesias, Bad Bunny and Romeo Santos, is now supporting up-and-coming talent like El Shadow, a Cuban newcomer who has 15,000 Instagram followers at the time of publishing.

The most curious thing about this collaboration is the way it naturally happened: El Shadow shared a snippet of the track on his Instagram in February and invited his followers to tag Nicky Jam in the comments.

Nicky replied within hours, and the rest is history.

“I’ve done all my releases almost completely solo, but that day I wanted to upload a reel and tag an artist I know fits the song perfectly,” El Shadow tells Billboard. “Nicky popped into my head, and I knew he could hear it because he already had Cubans in his algorithm.” (Nicky previously collaborated with Cuban duo Charly y Johayron.)

He continues: “A week later, he called me to say he was laying down the vocals, and I thought, ‘Wow, it’s actually happening!’ It’s amazing — especially considering the situation on the island. Our country is facing so many problems — there’s no power, no internet connection, everything is a struggle, but Nicky showed his humility and his value to me.”

Residing in Camagüey, Cuba’s third-largest city, El Shadow is a 26-year-old artist who kicked off his career when he was only 15, creating urban music. In recent years, the Billboard On The Radar Latin artist has found his lane in the Latin Afrobeats realm, lacing it with his husky yet crisp and dulcet vocals.

“My idol is Kapo,” he expresses of the Colombian hitmaker. “I watched his interviews and was really inspired by his story, and that’s the same message I try to convey to new talent: that it is possible. If you focus and do things with love and passion, you can make it.”

Jay Wheeler Earns First No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Airplay Chart with Morat-Collab “Sin Ti”

Posted on December 17, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a special first for Jay Wheeler…

The 31-year-old Puerto Rican singer and songwriter has earned his first No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Airplay chart with “Sin Ti,” his collaboration with Morat.

The track leaps from No. 4 to the top spot, earning the week’s Greatest Gainer honors, which recognize the song with the largest increase in audience impressions.

“Sin Ti” advances after a 56% gain across U.S. Latin pop radio, to 7.1 million, earned during the tracking period.

This marks Wheeler’s maiden No. 1.

Previously, the Puerto Rican came closest through “Extrañándote,” with wife Zhamira Zambrano, which peaked at No. 3 in 2024.

Colombian group Morat, meanwhile, claims its second chart-topper, four months since the pop band earned its first with “Me Toca a Mí,” with Camilo, in August.

The song flies 18-6 on other overall Latin Airplay chart, the highest rank for Wheeler since “Si Te Preguntan,” with Prince Royce and Nicky Jam, in 2022.

Feid Earns 12th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with “Se Lo Juro Mor”

Posted on December 17, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Feid is back atop the Billboard charts…

The 33-year-old Colombian singer, songwriter and record producer has added a 12th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart as “Se Lo Juro Mor” jumps 3-1 on the chart dated December 20.

“Se Lo Juro Mor” – and its music video – debuted on August 20 via Universal Music Latino/UMLE.

Produced by Medellín, Colombia-based producer and engineer Wain, the song became the highlight of Feid’s 33rd birthday celebration, when the Colombian took over Tokyo’s vibrant Shibuya commercial center, where more than 500 fans attended, all dressed in his signature green.

“Se Lo Juro Mor” leaps 3-1 on the December 5-11 tracking week, fueled by 9.1 million audience impressions in the United States, as reported by Luminate. That’s a 22% surge from the previous week, during which the song garnered 7.4 million impressions.

The new chart-topper brings Feid his 12th No. 1 on Latin Airplay, just three weeks after he claimed his first chart leader through a Karol G collab with her single “Verano Rosa,” one of 15 tracks on her No. 1 album Tropicoqueta.

With this achievement, Feid ties Daddy Yankee and Rauw Alejandro for the sixth-most No. 1s among all acts on Latin Airplay in the 2020s decade, when the Colombian secured his first champ through “Porfa,” with J Balvin, Maluma, Nicky Jam, Sech and Justin Quiles, in August 2020.

Here is that list of winners:

Bad Bunny, 23
J Balvin, 21
Ozuna, 19
Myke Towers, 16
Karol G, 15
Daddy Yankee, 12
Feid, 12
Rauw Alejandro, 12
Maluma, 11
Shakira, 10

Silvestre Dangond Earns Third No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with Emilia-Collab “Vestido Rojo”

Posted on June 9, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Silvestre Dangond is a man on top…

The 45-year-old Colombian singer’s collaboration with Emilia, “Vestido Rojo,” rises 8-1 to rule Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart dated June 14.

The coronation on the overall Latin radio tally follows a 39% surge in audience impressions in the United States, which translates to 8.3 million, during the May 29-June 5 tracking week, according to Luminate.

It’s the third No. 1 for Dangond and second for Emilia.

“Vestido Rojo” was released on February 6 on Sony Music Latin. It lands at the summit in its eighth week on the chart, and after three weeks in the top 10.

Three Univision radio stations become the single’s main supporters. San Jose, Calif’s KVVF-FM registered the biggest gain in the period, with Phoenix’s KQMR-FM and Houston’s KAMA-FM landing in second and third place, respectively.

Thanks to the 8.3 million radio haul, “Vestido Rojo” marks Dangond’s return to the top of the ranking in over six years.

He last secured a No. 1 through another female team-up: “Justicia,” with Natti Natasha, ruled for one week in November 2018.

Among other placements, his first No. 1, “Cásate Conmigo,” with Nicky Jam, reached No. 1 that same year, in February 2018.

For Emilia, before ‘Vestido Rojo” unlocked the penthouse, the Argentinian singer earned her first chart-topper on Latin Airplay with “Perdonarte ¿Para Qué?” with Los Ángeles Azules, in July 2024. The song earned the family group its first coronation after nine top 10s.

“Vestido Rojo” also dresses up the top spot on Tropical Airplay, where Emilia achieves her first No. 1 through her first chart appearance on the list. Dangond, meanwhile, secures his third chart-topper on Tropical Airplay, likewise, his first since 2018, when “Cásate Conmigo,” with Nicky Jam, monopolized the top slot for eight consecutive weeks.

Beyond its Latin Airplay and Tropical Airplay coronations, “Vestido Rojo” rises to a new peak on the multi-metric Hot Tropical Songs chart, climbing 9-4.

J Balvin Logs 37th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with Feid-Collaboration “Doblexxo”

Posted on March 10, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

J Balvin has extended his chart-topping record…

The 39-year-old Colombian superstar and Feid’s “Doblexxo” rises to the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart as the song climbs 6-1 for its first week atop the March 15-dated list.

The song lands at the summit in its 13th week.

“I feel super excited to know that our fans have embraced this song in such a way,” Balvin tells Billboard. “Feid’s talent is undeniable and our chemistry when it comes to making music has always been amazing. I can’t wait to sing ‘Doblexxo’ live during my upcoming Rayo tour.”

In the tracking week ending March 6, “Doblexxo” pulled 8.4 million audience impressions earned in the U.S., according to Luminate; that’s a 32% gain from the week prior when the song generated 6.1 million.

With “Doblexxo,” Balvin achieves his record-extending 37th No. 1s since the Latin Airplay chart began in 1994, opening a wider gap from his next competitor (Ozuna, 34 champs). Feid bags his ninth ruler. The latter last reached the top with “Si Sabe Ferxxo,” with Blessd, which spent a week at No. 1 in June 2024.

Except for 2024, Balvin has placed at least one champ every year during his decade-long No. 1 chart career, dating back to “6AM,” featuring Farruko (May 2014). He completed his most lucrative period in 2022, placing nine No. 1 hits between February and October then. The year before, Balvin reached his second-best run, with six No. 1s in 2019.

Good reception across Latin rhythmic stations also spurs its coronation on the Latin Rhythm Airplay chart, where “Doblexxo” jumps 3-1.

There, Balvin also stands firmly ahead of the rest, with 37 No. 1s. (Daddy Yankee follows with 35.)

The song’s 13-week climb to No. 1 marks a longer stride to the top than Balvin and Feid’s past pair-up, “Porfa” — where Maluma, Nicky Jam, Sech and Justin Quiles are also part of the billing — as it ruled after eight weeks in August 2020.

“Doblexxo” is the fourth radio promoted single from Balvin’s sixth studio album Rayo, which debuted and peaked at No. 5 on Latin Rhythm Albums last August.

Myke Towers Earns 13th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with Darell-Collab “Otra Noche”

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

It’s Lucky No. 13 for Myke Towers.

The 31-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and singer has secured his 13th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart as “Otra Noche,” featuring Darell, surges 13-1 for its first week atop on the chart dated February 22.

It’s the biggest jump of 2025 so far, out of the four songs that have ruled the tally.

“Otra Noche” rallies to the top after a 36% surge in audience impressions, to 7.8 million, earned in the U.S. in the Feb. 7-13 tracking week, according to Luminate.

The recent airplay boost for “Otra Noche” may be due in part to Towers’ upcoming participation at SBS’ Calibash festival on March 7, with SBS’ WSKQ (New York) among the biggest supporters of the song, with the most plays for the tracking week, while Univision’s WXNY (New York), KAMA (Houston) and KDXX (Dallas), and SBS’ WMEG (Puerto Rico) round up the top five stations by spin count.

As “Otra Noche” takes the lead, it ejects Bad Bunny’s “El Clúb” from No. 1 after two weeks in charge. The latter drops 4-1 with a 17% dip in impressions.

“Otra Noche” gives Towers his 13th No. 1 on Latin Airplay. He previously reigned with “La Capi” in May 2024. Darell, meanwhile, returns to the summit after five years; “Otro Trago,” with Sech, Nicky Jam, Ozuna and Anuel AA, ruled for one week in 2019.

As “Otra Noche” surges 13-1, it becomes the largest jump out of the four songs that have ruled Latin Airplay, and the only one to jump more than one slot to the top.

Shakira’s “Soltera,” Bad Bunny’s “El Clúb” and Karol G’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” all rose 2-1. The last song to have a larger jump to No. 1 came on the July 20, 2024, chart, when “Perdonarte Para Qué?” by Los Angeles Azules y Emilia climbed 15-1.

“Otra Noche” was the fourth single from Towers’ fifth studio album, La Pantera Negra, released August 2024 on Warner Latina. The album debuted at Nos. 7 and 2 on Top Latin Albums and Latin Rhythm Albums, respectively, last September.

Nicky Jam Named Ambassador of Fat Joe’s Rewind It 10 Beard Dye Brand

Posted on October 15, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Nicky Jam is adding a little color to his resume…

The 43-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American urban singer-songwriter has been named the latest ambassador for Fat Joe’s Rewind It 10 beard dye brand.

Nicky Jam’s dark brown beard dye coloring package is now available at CVS, Sally Beauty, Amazon and the Rewind It 10 website.

“I’ve been coloring my beard for years and tried all the other brands, but nothing looks more natural than Rewind It 10,” said Nicky Jam in a statement. “I love Rewind It 10. Thank you to Fat Joe and the whole team at Rewind for the opportunity – let’s go.”

Nicky Jam joins a decorated lineup of Rewind It 10 ambassadors, including Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (who is dating Taylor Swift), DJ Khaled, model Tyson Beckford, Tank, television personality Brody Jenner, MMA fighter Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson and more.

“Nicky Jam is truly a global icon in the music industry. He shattered the mold as a musician and now we’re proud to partner together to break new barriers in the hair and beard coloring industry,” Rewind It 10 co-founder Jeff Aronson added. “He embodies the essence of the product and is a perfect addition to our Rewind It 10 family to ensure we’re continuing to reach a wide-ranging array of consumers.”

On the music side, Nicky Jam released his Insomnio album in September, featuring Sean Paul, Ryan Castro, Eladio Carrión and more.

“I’m not going to be a singer for the rest of my life,” he told Billboard as part of his September cover story. “I think I’ll probably retire soon … Well, not retire. Singers never retire. You just tone it down.”

Nicky Jam to Perform as Part of Good Morning America’s Annual Summer Concert Series

Posted on June 26, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Nicky Jam is helping to wake up America this summer…

Good Morning America‘s annual Summer Concert Series is returning in July, with the The 43-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American urban singer-songwriter part of the lineup.

Nicky Jam will appear from Central Park on the ABC morning show on Friday, August 9.

This year’s genre-spanning lineup also includes rockers Green Day celebrating the 30th anniversary of Dookie and the 20th anniversary of “American Idiot,” country star Carrie Underwood and more.

The annual concert series kicks off its run of eight shows on July 19 with Kane Brown in New York City’s Central Park, and includes rapper G-Eazy on August 16 at the show’s Times Square studio, and closes September 6 with country band Old Dominion, also at GMA‘s studio.

Here’s the full list of GMA‘s Summer Concert Series shows:

July 19: Kane Brown, Central Park
July 26: Green Day, Central Park
Aug. 2: Carrie Underwood, Central Park
Aug. 9: Nicky Jam, Central Park
Aug. 16: G-Eazy, Times Square studio
Aug. 23: Sofi Tukker, Times Square studio
Aug. 30: Megan Moroney, Times Square studio
Sept. 6: Old Dominion, Times Square studio

The performances set for Central Park will take place at Rumsey Playfield. For those interested in the shows in the park — which will be free and open to the public — information on how to attend is available on Good Morning America‘s website.

The concerts held at the Times Square studio will not have a live audience.

All of the performances will air between 7:00 and 9:00 am ET during the morning show’s broadcast, though some will air at 1:00 pm ET on GMA3: What You Need to Know, as well as 4:00 pm ET and 6:00 pm ET during ABC News Live.

Last year’s concert series kicked off with BTS superstar Jung Kook in Central Park. Carly Rae Jepson; Fat Joe with Busta Rhymes, Remy Ma and Bia; Tim McGraw and more also performed for the morning show.

DJ Luian to Make Feature Debut in Indie Horror Film “You Lose You Die”

Posted on June 12, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

DJ Luian is readying for his feature film close-up.…

The 33-year-old Puerto Rican DJ and producer is set to make his feature debut in Carlos “Spiff TV” Suarez’s indie horror film You Lose You Die.

DJ Lujan joins previously announced stars Freddy Rodriguez, who also executive produces, Ashley Elizabeth Fliehr (WWE star Charlotte Flair) and Anuel AA, who will also be making his feature debut.

Shooting is due to wrap imminently in the Dominican Republic and the project will be shopped following post-production.

You Lose You Die follows sociopathic tech expert Mr. Fantastik (Rodriguez), who runs a popular show on the dark web with two other sociopathic tech experts, Ms. Perfect (Fliehr) and Mr. Creep (Anthony Alvarez). On the show, thousands of viewers vote on games and challenges for prisoners to participate in. If the prisoners lose, viewers vote on the weapons the sociopaths use to kill them.

In addition to DJ Lujan, who plays Ice Pick, the cast includes Josh Bredl as Mr. Large, Sophia Zimba as Kara, Ashley Hernandez as Julie, Alejandro Duran as Alfonso, Noah Crider as Chase, Marcella Acuña as Christie, Mercy Grant as Darling and Lydia Faith Gomez as Jamie.

Rodriguez, Josue “Sway” Mendez and Ulysses Terrero serve as executive producers, with Mendez also producing.

Michael Patti is director of photography.

DJ Luian has collaborated with Daddy Yankee, Nicky Jam, J Balvin and Ozuna.

His notable songs include “La Ocasión, “Mia” featuring Drake and Bad Bunny and “Sensualidad.”

With “Mia,” he reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 2015, DJ Luian co-founded the music label Hear This Music with Mambo Kingz and is credited with discovering and signing global superstar Bad Bunny, whose breakthrough hit “Diles” was released under the label.

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