Tag Archives: Reggaeton

Grammy Museum Launching Shakira-Themed Exhibit in March

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Prepare for the ultimate Shakira experience…

The Recording Academy Grammy Museum is set to host a special exhibit that celebrates the 45-year-old Colombian Grammy– and Latin Grammy-winning singer and songwriter’s three-decade-plus career.

ShakiraThe “Shakira, Shakira: The GRAMMY Museum Experience” will go live on March 4 at the museum in Los Angeles. The exhibit is on display in the Museum’s permanent Latin Music Gallery.

“It’s an honor to have the journey of my career displayed at the GRAMMY Museum,” Shakira said in a statement. “These pieces are a testament to so many indelible moments that I cherish, and I’m so happy to be able to relive these memories with those who have and continue to support me as an artist.”

Shakira, Shakira explores the artist’s musical evolution, from her origins as a Latin rock-loving singer-songwriter in Barranquilla, Colombia, to a global superstar whose catalog spans multiple genres, from bhangra and bachata to rock and reggaetón. Early in her career, Shakira began fusing elements of her mixed ethnicity and multicultural roots, including the Lebanese heritage on her father’s side, with Arabic dancing and the mainstream pop rock that she grew up with, to construct a richly layered sonic universe that allowed her to grow as a creator while appealing to a worldwide audience. In the process, she achieved international crossover success and broke boundaries for Latin artists.

To deepen visitors’ appreciation and understanding of how these cultural elements have shaped every aspect of her songs, music videos, performances, and world tours, the first museum exhibit about Shakira features interactives that provide fresh insights into her creative process. It also includes artifacts from her personal archive, three original films, and an immersive space that draws inspiration from her El Dorado tour.

“Shakira is the rare superstar who has discovered a way to keep evolving as an artist while growing her expansive audience along with her,” said Jasen Emmons, chief curator & vice president of curatorial affairs at the Grammy Museum. “She’s a serious student of music, and the Grammy Museum is excited to offer a dynamic exhibit that reflects her intelligence and artistry.”

The announcement comes after Shakira hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart dated January 28 with “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” her collaboration with Bizarrap. Shakira now ties with Bad Bunny for the fourth-most No. 1s overall, both with 12.

Justin Quiles Teams Up with Myke Towers for New Single “Whiskey y Coco”

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Justin Quiles is back with new music…

The 32-year-old Puerto Rican singer has joined voices with Myke Towers for the new single “Whiskey y Coco,” which could become this year’s anthem for ladies.

Justin QuilesReleased via Warner Music Latina, the track was produced by BK, Dimelo Flow and Slow Mike.

The new track merges classic reggaeton beats with synthetic sounds, in an anthem that is both vibrant and catchy. The song gets its title from one of Justin’s favorite drink combinations that’s extremely popular in Puerto Rico.

The track also celebrates the beauty of all women as depicted in the visuals.

“Whiskey y Coco” is anchored by Justin Quiles’ singular voice coupled with Myke Towers’ unparalleled flow.

“Last year was such an incredible year for me in many ways creatively and professionally. I can’t think of a better way to start the new year than to release this track that my good friend and collaborator Myke Towers and I have worked so hard on. I’m ready for everyone to see and hear what we have in store for 2023,” said Justin Quiles.

“For me, doing this track with Justin was an honor because he is one of the most respected songwriters in the game, as well as being an artist. We had never been able to collaborate on a song before, so I hope this song will be a classic and a crowd pleaser. It is the first time that El Young King and La Nueva Promesa get together and in the song you can feel the essence of Puerto Rico very strongly!” said Myke Towers.

Filmed in Puerto Rico, the official music video stars both reggaeton superstars in a dynamic visual story set against lush landscapes. The dreamy cinematography transports viewers to green open fields and whimsical beaches. The video features a diverse cast of women in a celebration of female beauty and empowerment. Known also for being a fashion trendsetter, Justin Quiles wears a variety of clothing that enhances the visual storytelling.

“Whiskey y Coco” comes shortly after the release of his rendition of Juan Gabriel’s “Así Fue,” and his tropical Christmas hit “Alegría.”

Bad Bunny to Become Coachella’s First-Ever Latin Headlining Act

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Bad Bunny is set to make history yet again…

The 2023 Coachella Music and Arts Festival lineup has been announced, with the 28-year-old Puerto Rican superstar revealed as one of the headlining acts.

Bad BunnyIn doing so, Bad Bunny – the ultra-hot reggaeton superstar who had the highest-grossing tour of 2022 in North America and internationally – becomes the first Latin act to ever headline the festival.

Coachella is set to take place in Indio, Calif., on two consecutive weekends, from April 14-16 and then again from April 21-23.

Bad Bunny will play Friday on April 14 and 21.

But Bad Bunny isn’t the only Latinx act set to perform…

Becky G will return to Coachella to perform her own set after being Karol G’s special guest last year, where they sang their anthem “MAMIII” in front of a roaring crowd.

Spanish star Rosalía will take the stage on Saturday, April 15 and Saturday, April 22.

Others set to perform include the iconic Argentine rock band Los Fabulosos Cadillacs are confirmed, as well as emerging artists DannyLux and Conexión Divina as the face of a new generation of Mexican music. Kali Uchis and Eladio Carrión are also set to perform.

This year’s lineup doesn’t compare to the number of Latin artists featured last year, which was more than 20 representing a wide-ranging and robust slate of Spanish-language artists. Then, Coachella had doubled the Latin acts on its 2022 roster from 2020, the most ever featured at an edition of the event.

Here’s when the Spanish-language acts are playing at this year’s festival:

Friday, April 14 & 21
Bad Bunny
Becky G
DannyLux
¿Téo? 

Saturday April 15 & 22
Rosalía
Eladio Carrión
Los Fabulosos Cadillacs
The Linda Lindas 

Sunday April 16 & 23
Kali Uchis
Los Bitchos
Conexión Divina

Ozuna Releases New Ovy on the Drums-Collab “Chao Bebe”

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It’s chao time for Ozuna.

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican singer has joined forces with Ovy on the Drums to release the new single “CHAO BEBE” via Warner Music Latina/King Ovy.

OzunaFor their first track together, Ovy on the Drums and Ozuna place all bets on an infectious reggaetón beat fused with electronic elements.

Showcasing both their strengths, Ozuna on vocals and Ovy in the producer seat, this new track marks the new phase of Ovy on the Drums as Dr. Drums, “a genius who has mastered the science of producing and has his own formula for creating the biggest urban hits in his lab,” according to a press statement.

“‘CHAO BEBE’ has all the makings of a global hit,” Ovy says about the song. “When I was in the studio working on the track, I immediately had the idea of calling Ozuna to jump on this song.”

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

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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

Willy Chirino Celebrates Half-Century Spanning Music Career with Release of “Sigo Pa’lante”

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Willy Chirino is celebrating his 50-year music career with new music.

The 75-year-old Cuban singer-songwriter behind salsa classics like “Medias Negras” and “Pobre Diabla” has released Sigo Pa’lante, his first studio album in more than a decade.

Willy ChirinoWith reggaetón becoming more and more popular, Chirino was taking his time to study the landscape before releasing the album in December. 

“There was a transition in music after my last album that was very dramatic,” he explains to Billboard Español about his hiatus. But the 50th anniversary, with all the fanfare and the news surrounding it, was the perfect occasion to release the album he’d been working on for the past three years.

Chirino wasn’t hibernating — in recent years he’d released an album of traditional Latin American songs with his wife Lissette (Amarraditos), two Christmas albums (Llegó la Navidad and Willy & Lissette Navidad En Familia) and other covers sets (My Favorites and My Beatles Heart) — Sigo Pa’lante is his first project of new music since 2008’s Pa’lante.

Composed of 12 tracks, it opens with the joyous “Imagínate” and includes collaborations with Gilberto Santa Rosa (on the first single “La Música”), Leoni Torres (“Para Mi Viejo”), El Chacal (the album’s title track), Lissette (“Mi Corazón Es Un Pueblo”) and his daughter Jesse (“Agua De Marzo,” a cover of the Brazilian classic “Aguas De Marzo” by Antonio Carlos Jobim).

It closes with an anthem of freedom for Cuba, “Que Se Vaya Ya,” a song as energetic as it is emotional, released in September 2021 with contributions from Lenier, Micha, Chacal, Osmani García and Srta. Dayana.

“Let them take all the bad things/ Let them go, let them go/ We can’t take the beatings anymore/ Let them leave now/ Because the people suffer and keep quiet/ Let them go, let them go/ Let them take the shrapnel/ Let them go now ”, they sing in Spanish.

Chirino, in fact, dedicates Sigo Pa’lante to his fans in Cuba, where he says that people continue to listen to his songs “despite all the mishaps they have suffered to do so.”

“They’ve paid a price that is not monetary, because listening to my music for a long time was totally prohibited,” the artist continues, adding that “when they found them listening, [the authorities] beat them, imprisoned them, took their boomboxes away. In other words, they were mistreated simply for the fact of listening to my music. So that for me has a special recognition”.

Although he clarifies that his songs are not currently banned in his native country, he says that his anti-Castro stance has made him persona non grata, and that his requests to perform in the island have never been answered.

Chirino debuted in 1974 with the album One Man Alone, and has released more than twenty albums since — but his career began earlier, as part of different bands and orchestras. The 50th anniversary dates back to 1972, when he says he began to use his own name when creating music as a solo artist.

On the Billboard charts, he’s scored 13 entries on the Tropical Albums listing, seven of which reached the top 10. He’s also had six entries on the Hot Latin Songs chart, two on Latin Airplay, and two on Top Latin Albums.

Bad Bunny Teases New Single He’ll Release “to Close the Year”

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Bad Bunny is ending the year with a banger…

Just five days before Christmas, the 28-year-old Puerto Rican superstar has unveiled a preview clip of a never-before-heard track on TikTok.

Bad Bunny“OK, now yes, check this out,” he said in the 50-second clip. “Let me play this for you. This is to close the year.”

Bunny’s sultry vocals are heard over a simple beat that soon transitions into a hard-hitting reggaeton track.

“He loves you and gives you everything/ But you’re the devil and you’re crazy for me/ You like the bad boys and are playing fire with me […] although you’re a sin, I’m going to hell following that big a–/ I’m on my way/ Today I’m picking you up after midnight,” he chants in the saucy snippet.

He teased fans some more in the caption. “Let me know if you want another preview,” he wrote, which has fans speculating in the comments that this could either mark the return of “Trap Bunny,” or that he might drop a whole new album before 2022 comes to an end.

As fans patiently wait for El Conejo Malo’s next big move, there’s no denying that Bad Bunny was the year’s biggest music star.

Bad Bunny ruled Billboard’s year-end Top Artists chart for the first time, while his Un Verano Sin Ti made history as the first all-Spanish album to hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 year-end albums chart (and has spent 13 weeks at the top so far), and the album also became the first-ever all-Spanish release to earn a Grammy nomination for album of the year.

He also closed out the year with his record-breaking $435 million in tour grosses that combine more than 80 concerts from two separate tours (El Último Tour del Mundo and The World’s Hottest Tour). That amount became the highest gross for an artist in a calendar year since Billboard Boxscore launched in the late 1980s.

@badbunny

me dicen si quieren otro preview…

♬ original sound – Bad Bunny

The unreleased track he teased on TikTok will follow his Arcangel-assisted “La Jumpa,” which debuted at No. 3 on the Hot Latin Songs chart dated December 10, 2022.

Bad Bunny: Spotify’s Most-Streamed Artist for Third Consecutive Year

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Bad Bunny is (three) ringing in the New Year with a bang…

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican global superstar has generated more than 18.5 billion streams in 2022, landing him the title of Spotify’s top artist for the third year in a row—the first artist ever to claim such an accomplishment.

Bad BunnySpotify celebrated the artist’s success with 1,000 of his biggest fans, collaborators, and supporters in Mexico, the top market to stream his music over the last three years.

Spotify and Rimas (Bad Bunny’s label) joined forces to throw the ultimate after-party at Ragga Club in Mexico City to celebrate the end of his World’s Hottest Tour.

Artists Rauw Alejandro, paopao, Jowell & Randy, Carin Leon, Danna Paola, Kim Loaiza, Juan de Dios Pantoja, Mario Bautista, Buscabulla, and Arcángel were among some of the guests toasting Bad Bunny.

The artist even took to the stage in a surprise special performance where he thanked everyone for streaming his music and for celebrating this incredible moment with him. He surprised the crowd with an improvised performance of his hit “Despues de la Playa,” and with acoustic versions of “Neverita,” “Callaita,” and “El Apagon” with the backing of a Dahian El Apechao’s live merengue band.

Bad Bunny, Spotify Three RingsKey to the celebration was the Ring Ceremony, where Jeremy Erlich, Spotify’s Global Head of Music Content, joined Bad Bunny for a celebratory moment on behalf of Spotify.

“Congratulations on the three-peat—the first time any artist is the most streamed for three years in a row,” he shared. “An epic showing for a career-defining year.”

Then, Jeremy presented the artist with three championship-style rings, designed by Jason of Beverly Hills, to symbolize each year he was the top-streamed global artist on Spotify.

Spotify also created five plaques, each representing a Bad Bunny track that has passed the one billion stream mark—“Yonaguni,” “Callaita,” “LA CANCIÓN,” “Te Boté – Remix,” “No Me Conoce – Remix”—and Jeremy presented some of these to him as well.

Bad Bunny’s music hasn’t just made an impact for the artist: It’s also contributed to the growth of reggaeton and trap Latino worldwide. Reggaeton listening grew 147% from 2018-2020, and trap Latino listening grew 187% in the same timeframe. Meanwhile, newcomers are still finding and falling in love with Bad Bunny’s music. Over the past 90 days, 95 million listeners played one of his tracks for the first time, with 51% of those plays occurring outside of Spanish-speaking markets.

What’s more, his fourth studio album, Un Verano Sin Ti, topped the world’s most-streamed album list in 2022, and the rest of his albums continue to have staying power. His first album, X 100PRE, is still ranked in the Top 100 most-streamed albums globally, coming in at slot 68. And out of the six Latin albums in the Top 50 most-streamed albums globally this year, three of them were Bad Bunny’s: Un Verano Sin Ti (#1), YHLQMDLG (#8), and EL ÚLTIMO TOUR DEL MUNDO (#21).

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

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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.

Farruko to Perform from Puerto Rico During ABC’s “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” Program

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Farruko will be helping millions ring in the New Year…

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2023 will return to Puerto Rico for its second annual Spanish-language countdown, with the 31-year-old Puerto Rican singer and rapper set to perform.

FarrukoPresented by ABC and dick clark productions, the program will be broadcasting live La Isla del Encanto for the coveted New Year’s celebration at the DISTRITO T-Mobile in the Puerto Rico Convention Center, with the night’s first countdown kicking off at 11:00 pm ET on December 31st.

Roselyn Sanchez will return as co-host and Farruko has been confirmed to perform a medley of hits.

“We will have an enchanting night and are so very pleased to share our beautiful Island and welcome 2023 with a bang!” Sanchez said in a press statement. “What a blessing to be a part of the New Year’s Rockin’ Eve tradition from my home island of Puerto Rico that represents and means so much!” Farruko added.

Last year’s inaugural Spanish-language countdown from Puerto Rico coincided with the celebration of the 500th anniversary of San Juan’s founding and featured global reggaeton star Daddy Yankee with a hometown performance in his native San Juan.

“We are very excited to again host Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve on our Island to lead the countdown in welcoming 2023. Puerto Rico’s participation in this high-caliber event celebration will allow us to continue projecting to the world everything we have to offer as we head into our peak tourism season,” said Pedro Pierluisi, Governor of Puerto Rico. “We will again be front and center on national television to promote Puerto Rico’s beauty, culture and attractions and continue driving our booming tourism industry and economic development”

Sanchez and Farruko join the previously-announced lineup, which includes 18-time host Ryan Seacrest and co-hosts Liza Koshy, Jessie James Decker, Ciara, Billy Porter, and D-Nice, as well as artists Aly & AJ, Armani White, Bailey Zimmerman, Ben Platt, Betty Who, Ciara, Dove Cameron, Finneas, Fitz & The Tantrums, Halle Bailey, Lauren Spencer Smith, Maddie & Tae, Nicky Youre, Shaggy, TXT, and Wiz Khalifa. 

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2023 airs live on Saturday, December 31 starting at 8:00 pm ET on ABC.