Nicky Jam to Launch Dímelo Europa Tour This Summer

Nicky Jam is heading across the Atlantic…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American urban singer-songwriter is heading to Europe with his Dímelo Europa Tour, which will kick off on June 23 in Switzerland and end August 6 in Italy.

Nicky JamThe tour, produced by CMN together with AP Live (Alexis Peña) and La Industria Inc (the company belonging to Nicky Jam’s manager Juan Diego Medina) will see Nicky Jam playing only festivals during a two months span.

Although Nicky Jam has long toured Europe, this marks his first all-fest tour, which in turn underscores the growing popularity of Latin music in Europe; many of the fests on his itinerary, including Puro Latino in Spain and Vívelo in Switzerland, are Latin music-centric.

Nicky Jam will kick off his trek at stalwart Vívelo in Zurich June 23 and will play a total of 14 European cities.

He’ll stop in Madrid, Milan and the South of France, among others, before ending his stint August 6 at the Rimini Festival in Italy.

Nicky Jam’s latest single, “69” with Feid, is climbing Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart, where it currently sits at No. 41 in its second week on the chart.

He’s also expected to play from a stable of huge hits, including “El Perdon,” “X,” “Te Bote” and “El Amante.”

Across his two-decade-plus career, Nicky Jam has scored a staggering 16 No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart, as well as nine entries on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 — led by the No. 34 peaking “Otro Trago,” alongside Sech, Darell, Ozuna and Anuel AA.

Nicky Jam, Dimelo Europa Tour

Bizarrap Named to Time Magazine’s 2023 Next Generation Leaders List

Bizarrap is leading the next generation through his music…

The 24-year-old Argentine DJ, producer and hitmaker has been named to Time magazine’s 2023 “Next Generation Leaders” list this week, which spotlights 10 global trendsetters and trailblazers.

Bizarrap, Bizarrap can usually be spotted in the background of his videos, back to the camera, shades obscuring his eyes, giving the floor—or, more accurately, the mic—to the artists he invites on the mega-popular YouTube music video series he started four years ago.

In an article titled “Viral Hitmaker Bizarrap Wants His Music to Speak for Itself,” Bizarrap—known for his fiery “BZRP Music Sessions” with Shakira, Nicky Jam, Quevedo and Nathy Peluso, to name a few—opened up to about the importance of people getting to know his music.

“I make music every day,” he told TIME. “I like thinking about ideas for my videos, making teasers. I’m always thinking about the next step.”

His numbers are impressive: 7.2 billion views on YouTube, 41.8 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Several of his videos and songs have hundreds of millions of views and streams. And Bizarrap, real name Gonzalo Julián Conde, has done it all without releasing an album.

 

But Bizarrap isn’t the only Latinx artist to be named to the list…

Rene Silva, a Brazilian journalist, is highlighted for launching his own newspaper covering the entire favela, as Brazil’s informal ­neighborhoods are known, at the age of 11.In 2005,

Silva persuaded teachers at his school in the Complexo de Alemão district to let him join the student newspaper—despite protests from older kids who thought he was too young. Within months he outgrew that gig, recruiting four other children to help him launch his own newspaper.

“I used to look through papers and I didn’t see the favela I knew represented,” he says. “The media only ever talked about drug trafficking, violence, death—so people from outside thought that’s all there is here.”

Eighteen years later, Voz  das Comunidades continues to chip away at those stereotypes. Now formally recognized as an NGO, it has 35 staff members who cover stories on culture, politics, sports, education, and problems of state neglect.

Click here to see the complete list.

MAG Renews Publishing Agreement with Warner Chappell Music

It’s a big renewal for MAG.

The half-Puerto Rican, half-Dominican Grammy-winning producer, whose real name is Marcos Borrero, has renewed his publishing agreement with Warner Chappell Music.

MAG, Marcos Borrero, MAG, a frequent collaborator of Bad Bunny, MAG earned the No. 5 spot on Billboard’s all-genre Year-End Hot 100 Producers chart in 2022.

Raised in Brooklyn, New York but residing in Los Angeles, MAG has also previously worked with Nicky Jam and Rauw Alejandro.

MAG is short for “magnificent.”

Ozuna Notches 29th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Rhythm Airplay Chart with Feid-Collaboration “Hey Mor”

Ozuna has mor to celebrate…

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and rapper has notched his 29th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Rhythm Airplay chart as “Hey Mor,” featuring Feid, leads the February 18-dated ranking.

Ozuna, Feid, Hey MorThe song trades places with Bad Bunny and Rauw Alejandro’s “Party,” which slides 1-2 after two weeks at the top of the chart.

“Hey Mor” was released on October 8 via Aura/Sony Music Latin. It ascends 2-1 in its 10th week with 9.3 million in audience impressions, up 7%, earned in the U.S. in the week ending Feb. 9, according to Luminate.

The song is the sixth single from Ozuna’s fifth studio album OzuTochi which debuted at No. 5 on Top Latin Albums and at No. 4 on Latin Rhythm Albums last October.

“Hey Mor” gives the Latin rhythmic hitmaker his 29th champ on Latin Rhythm Airplay, and steps closer to the lead extending his second-best count of No. 1s among all acts on the 17-year-old chart. Daddy Yankee and J Balvin continue to have the most champs, both with 34 No. 1s.

Here’s the leaderboard:

34, Daddy Yankee
34, J Balvin
29, Ozuna
20, Bad Bunny
19, Maluma
19, Wisin
19, Wisin & Yandel

Feid, meanwhile, captures his third No. 1 among seven career appearances. The Colombian’s first offering arrived with “Porfa,” with an all-star team comprising J Balvin, Maluma, Nicky Jam, Sech and Justin Quiles in August 2020.

Plus, he locked in his first and only champ as a soloist, unaccompanied by any other act, on Latin Rhythm Airplay with “Normal” in January.

Elsewhere, “Hey Mor” doubles its previous peak on the all-genre Latin Airplay chart, rallying 8-4 in its seventh week. Plus, Feid scores a career best on the overall Billboard Hot 100 ranking, as the song climbs 96-88.

Nicky Jam Releases High Octane, New Single “Toy a Mil”

Nicky Jam is bringing it at 1,000

The 41-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American singer-songwriter has released his latest single “Toy a Mil” via Sony Music Latin.

Nicky JamPacked with Caribbean-packed sounds, the track is described as a “full-on summer jam.”

The track fins Nicky Jam meshing Jamaican reggae beats with Dominican dembow, while belting sensual and playful lyrics full of Dominican slang.

An invitation to start the party, the Jorge Milliano-produced track focuses on a girl Nicky Jam was waiting for to be single.

The just-as-vibrant music video captures the veteran hitmaker having a “boys night out” with perreo duo Jowell & Randy — who doesn’t shy away from doing the signature Dembow dance, holding a party foam cup in one hand and swaying the other side to side to the thumping rhythm.

Feid Earns First No. 1 as an Unaccompanied Solo Artist on Billboard’s Latin Rhythm Airplay Chart

Feid is celebrating a solo first

The 30-year-old Colombian singer and songwriter has logged his second No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Rhythm Airplay chart with “Normal.”

FeidFeid’s track rises 8-1 in its 27th week with a 33% gain in audience impressions, to 8 million, earned in the U.S. during the January 6-12 tracking week, according to Luminate.

It’s the longest trek to the penthouse since the chart begun in 2005.

“Normal” becomes Feid’s first champ as a soloist, unaccompanied by any other act.

His first Latin Rhythm Airplay chart-topper landed through “Porfa,” with the all-star team comprising J Balvin, Maluma, Nicky Jam, Sech and Justin Quiles in August 2020.

On the all-genre Latin Airplay recap, “Normal” soars 16-4, Feid’s second top 10 on that chart.

Shakira Partnering with Bizarrap for “BZRP Music Session #53”

Shakira is joining the sessions

The 45-year-old Colombian singer and songwriter is teaming up with Bizarrap for one of the Argentine producer’s hit-producing Music Sessions.

Shakira, MonotoniaAfter teasing a new track on Monday, January 9), Shakira and Bizarrap both took to social media to confirm their collaboration.

Initially, the new single had been teased with release date of Wednesday, January 11 and a one liner: “a wolf like me doesn’t have time for men like you.”

Subsequently, they announced the collab, simply writing, “Tomorrow, BZRP Music Session #53.”

It’s the first time the pair has teamed up for a track. Shakira joins a number of artists — including Nicky Jam, Residente and Paulo Londra — who’ve jumped on one of Bizarrap’s zealously streamed music sessions.

His session with Spanish act Quevedo scored both their first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. Currently, it has more than 400 million views on YouTube.

This new song will follow Shakira’s Ozuna-assisted “Monotonía,” which peaked at No. 3 on Billboard’Hot Latin Songs chart dated November 5. It currently sits at No. 1 on the Latin Airplay chart, where it’s ruled for four weeks.

Recently, Shakira shared a heartfelt message of hope to start off the new year. “Even if our wounds are still open in this new year, time has a surgeon’s hands. Even if someone’s betrayed us, we must continue to trust others,” wrote the Colombian singer. “When faced with contempt, continue to know your worth. Because there are more good people than indecent ones. More people with empathy than indifference.”

She continued: “The ones who leave are fewer than the many who stay by our side. Our tears are not in vain, they water the soil our future will spring from and make us more human, so that even while suffering heartache we can continue to love.”

The message came after a difficult year due to her separation from Spanish soccer player Gerard Piqué, the father of her children. The singer has spoken openly about the breakup since it was confirmed in June, and has posted material — including releasing the heartbreak song “Monotonía” — alluding to her pain.

Maldy Earns First No. 1 on Any Billboard Airplay Chart as a Solo Artist with Karol G-Collab “Gatúbela”

Maldy is celebrating a special first…

The Puerto Rican artist is starting off the new year with a new career success as “Gatúbela,” with Karol G, captures first place on Billboard’s Latin Rhythm Airplay chart dated January 7.

MaldyThe song gives the reggaetón singer his first champ as a soloist on any airplay chart.

“Gatúbela,” produced by DJ Maff, reaches the summit with a 3-1 jump, generating 7 million in audience impressions, up 1%, earned in the U.S. in week ending December 29, according to Luminate.

The track was released on August 26 via Universal Music/UMLE and reaches a No. 1 in its 18th week.

Maldy, one-half of veteran reggaetón duo Plan B, scores his first chart-topper on any airplay ranking a decade after he earned a first Latin Rhythm Airplay entry. He reached a No. 21 high prior with “La Formula Sigue,” with Zion, Arcangel, Lennox, Chencho, and RKM & Ken-Y, in 2012.

During his Plan B era, Maldy went as high as No. 4 with “Mi Vecinita” in 2014.

Karol G, meanwhile, enters a tie for the eighth-most No. 1s on Latin Rhythm Airplay.

She matches Don Omar, Nicky Jam and Yandel, all with 14 leaders.

Here’s the scoreboard since the list begun in 2005:

34, Daddy Yankee
34, J Balvin
28, Ozuna
19, Bad Bunny
19, Maluma
19, Wisin
19, Wisin & Yandel
14, Don Omar
14, Karol G
14, Nicky Jam
14, Yandel

Nicky Jam to Finance Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation’s Next Four-Year ‘Prodigy Scholarship’

Nicky Jam is providing a financial assist to the music world’s next prodigy

The 41-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American artist will finance the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation’s next four-year Prodigy Scholarship, which will fully fund a student’s bachelor’s degree in music at Berklee School of Music starting in the fall 2023.

Nicky Jam“I’ve always wanted to help and I don’t have my own foundation,” Nicky Jam tells Billboard. “My publicist knows that this is something I’ve been wanting to do and when the opportunity came with the Grammys, I was very excited. I see myself in this type of project because music saved my life. Music gave me everything I needed.”

News of Nicky’s involvement comes just a month after he performed his hit song “El Perdón” with four former scholarship recipients (Xavier Cintrón, Valentina García, Nicolle Horbath and Sergio de Miguel Jorgequera) at the Latin Grammys.

“First of all just seeing those kids sing my song, that was incredible. To let them use my platform to create their own platform, that’s what it’s all about,” he adds. “There was this one kid who wouldn’t stop smiling when he was performing, so he was making me feel better because I was nervous. I was performing in a format that I don’t really sing in, it wasn’t reggaeton, but it felt so good. I felt more love onstage with these kids that I’ve felt in years with a bunch of people I’ve performed with.”

The scholarship, created eight years ago, holds a maximum value of $200,000 and the application period will be open from now until April 10, 2023.

The scholarship is traditionally awarded to “exceptionally talented music students, with financial needs, to support their educational and musical aspirations,” according to the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation.

“When it comes to pursuing a career in music, finances should not be a deterrent to cultivating talent,” Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, executive director of the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, said in a statement. “We are grateful for Nicky Jam’s generosity, which makes music education a reality for future generations of Latin music creators and preserves our legacy for years to come.”

Nicky Jam, one of the pioneers of reggaetón with more than three decades in music, says this opportunity is special because “low-key” he always dreamed of studying music. As a struggling musician in his early days, receiving a scholarship would’ve had a huge impact on him.

“The fact that I could’ve studied music, that’s already huge. I would’ve gone crazy and studied what I love. No one knew that I’ve always wanted to study music and now people tell me I don’t need it but we could always learn to be better. But I’ll be happy for those kids who do get the opportunity. Maybe the next Nicky Jam, Bad Bunny or Beethoven comes out of this. You never know!”

The foundation is accepting applications for all 2023 scholarships, and alongside Nicky Jam and his manager, Juan Diego Medina (also CEO of La Industria Inc.), is also sponsoring one of the Gifted Tuition Scholarships of up to $100,000.

All scholarships are available to music students between the ages of 17 and 25.

For more details and/or to apply, visit www.latingrammyculturalfoundation.org.

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, Julio Iglesias, Juanes and Sofia Carson.

Boza Signs with Loud and Live & Tesa Entertainment as First Artist of Their Global Partnership

Boza is doubling down…

The Panamanian singer-songwriter has signed with marketing and media company Loud and Live and booking agency Tesa Entertainment.

BozaThe two companies signed a global partnership deal that includes “exclusive touring and booking rights,” according to a press release, with efforts to “elevate the Latin urban genre to the next level.”

Boza, who broke out in 2020 with his hit song “Hecha Pa’ Mí” and was nominated for best new artist at the 2021 Latin Grammys, is the first artist signed under the deal.

“We’re very happy with the evolution we’ve had with Boza, and we believe that this partnership will continue to help develop our artist’s career in a positive way,” said Boza’s managers Alberto Gaitan and Andrés Castro. “We’re proud to become part of the Loud and Live and Tesa family.”

“For me, it’s an honor to become part of Boza’s growth, moving forward,” said Giovanna Pérez, CEO and founder of Tesa Entertainment. “Unity is strength and with this new partnership deal alongside Loud And Live, we’ll complement each other perfectly with resources that will offer the Artist the best live show experience globally.”

Launched in 2017, the Miami-based Loud and Live has enjoyed a strong return to touring in 2021, with more than 400 shows and tours for clients including Carlos VivesRuben BladesCamilo and Prince Royce. Tesa Entertainment was founded in 2021 by Pérez, previously at Rich Music and CMN, after working with artists such as Nicky JamSech and Manuel Turizo.

“Loud And Live is honored to join efforts with Tesa Entertainment under the leadership of Giovanna, who brings unmatched experience in the urban genre booking business,” said Nelson Albareda, CEO of Loud and Live. “This alliance expands the offering of both companies, and we’re proud to be able to offer an added value to the artists with whom we work.”