René “Residente” Pérez Wraps Production in Acting Debut on the Indie Feature “In The Summers”

Posted on July 11, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

René “Residente” Pérez is ready for his close up…

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican rapper, singer, songwriter and filmmaker has wrapped production on the indie feature film In The Summers, in his acting debut.

He stars opposite Sasha Calle, Lio Mehiel and Leslie Grace.

Exile Content Studio, a Candle Media Company produced the project in association with Lexicon Development, alongside 1868 Studios and LUZ Films.

From writer and director Alessandra Lacorazza in her feature debut, In The Summers tells the story of Latine sisters, Violeta (Adult Lio) and Eva (Adult Sasha), who visit their loving but reckless father Vicente (Pérez Joglar) every summer. He creates a world of wonder but under the fun facade, he battles addiction which gradually erodes the magic, culminating in a devastating tragedy. Vicente tries to make up for the past, but wounds aren’t easily healed.

Grace portrays the character of Yenny. The character of Violeta will also be played by Dreya Renae Castillo (young) and Kimaya Thais (teen); young Eva will be played by Luciana Quinonez and as a teen by Allison Salinas. Additional casting includes Emma Ramos as Carmen; Camilla will be played by Sharlene Cruz as an adult and Gabriela Surodjawan as a teen; Indigo Montez plays Natalia.

“Alessandra is a visionary filmmaker and her script for In The Summers profoundly spoke to our mission at Exile to create content that uplifts Latin voices and tells rich, diverse stories,” said Nando Vila, Head of Exile Content Studio. “This is a powerful story, and we are thrilled to partner with Lexicon Development, 1868 Studios and LUZ Films on bringing In The Summers to life.”

“The moment I finished this screenplay I knew that it represented the kind of voice we set out to support with our mission at Lexicon,” added Alexander Dinelaris, founder, screenwriter and producer at Lexicon Development.

Academy Award-winner Alexander Dinelaris and Rob Quadrino are producing the film on behalf of Lexicon Development.

Pitizion Named a Latin Artist on the Rise by Billboard

Posted on July 4, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Pitizion isn’t letting the coronavirus pandemic slow her momentum…

The 28-year-old Colombian singer, whose real name is María del Pilar Pérez, started 2020 with a lot of promise, including a music video with Greeicy and touring with Alejandro Sanz as his opening act.

Despite the pause caused by the global pandemic, Pitizion has kept creating music and getting her name out there, recently being named a Latin Artist of the Rise by Billboard.

Born in the Llanos Region, Pitizion got on the radar with her acting career, making her debut on the popular Nickelodeon Latinoamérica show Grachi. About three years ago, she decided to share her musical talent on social media because her “music never left her room.”

“My passion for music derives from my father’s passing when I was a child,” the now Miami-based artist tells Billboard. “I didn’t know how to express my feelings and my way of doing so was writing lyrics and singing for him.”

Pitizion was ultimately discovered by record producer Andres Saavedra, who not only believed in her project, but also took her music to Universal Music Latin, where she officially signed in early 2019.

“I’ll be honest: I never saw this dream come true. I never imagined myself signing with a record label. I don’t know if that’s good or bad, but I didn’t have a lot of vision back then,” she admits. “It’s incredibly and completely changed my life. The most beautiful part is saying that Universal and Andres have taught me to dream and believe in myself.”

Since joining the Universal family, Pitizion has released her debut single “Ella” on July 5, 2019, dropped an eight-track EP dubbed La Piti, and nabbed collaborations with artists like Greeicy (“No Pasa Nada”) and Rafa Pabon and Big Soto for the remix of “Ella.”

Though she does not like to be boxed in a genre, Piti describes herself as a modern singer-songwriter with pop-urban melodies and hints of rap. Her empowering, witty lyrics and bohemian, global fusions are primarily influenced by artists like Cuban rappers Los Aldeanos, Puerto Rican rapper Rene “Residente” Perez, Spanish artist Bebe and Colombian vallenato stars.

“I grabbed a little bit of what I heard in life and created my own version,” she concludes.

She’s currently making the rounds with her single “Tú,” which sends a powerful message about self-love and diversity.

Gilberto Santa Rosa to Serve as NYC Puerto Rican Day Parade Grand Marshall

Posted on May 11, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Gilberto Santa Rosa is set to have a grand old time at this year’s NYC Puerto Rican Day Parade.

The 54-year-old Puerto Rican singer and bandleader, known as “El Caballero de la Salsa,” will serve as the grand marshall of the annual parade on June 11.

Santa Rosa is a Grammy and Latin Grammy winner, who has been active in the music industry for approximately forty years.

But Santa Rosa isn’t the only superstar participating in this year’s parade.

Iris Chacón, the 67-year-old showgirl who came to fame in the 1970s as “the Puerto Rican bombshell” has been named godmother of the parade.

Ozuna will appear as the parade’s Rising Star, salsa singer Ismael Rivera has been named a Puerto Rican Day ambassador, and Latin alternative duo BuscaBulla will also join the parade.

This year’s Puerto Rican Day Parade marks the 60th time that “la parada” fills Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue with tropical music and Puerto Rican pride. Previous grand marshalls include Marc Anthony and Ricky Martin; Calle 13’s Rene Perez was crowned king of the parade in 2014.

Olympic gold medal gymnast Laurie Hernández, actress Lana Parrilla (Once Upon a Time) and 14-time MLB All-Star Iván Rodríguez will also participate in this year’s parade.

The event will also reference recent politics: it will honor former political prisoner Oscar López Rivera, who was pardoned by President Barack Obama in January after 35 years in federal prison, as National Freedom Hero. And this year’s parade coincides with 100 years since all Puerto Ricans were granted U.S. citizenship by a law enacted by President Woodrow Wilson.

“In this monumental year, we are showcasing our collective achievement and the legacy we have built by working in solidarity,” Puerto Rican Day Parade Board Chair Board Chair Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez said at a press conference. “And we will discuss key challenges that Puerto Rico is facing to help inform and engage our community. We also honor legendary figures and the next generation of stars that are already accomplished in their own right.”

Two music festivals preceding the parade will turn June 9-11 into a full throttle Puerto Rican party weekend.

The 2017 Soulfrito festival will feature a line-up of “club bangers and Latin trap” that includes urban stars Farruko, Zion y Lennox , Bad Bunny, Cosculluela and Ivy Queen starts the party in Brooklyn on Friday, June 9, at the Barclays Center.

Willie Colon, Eddie Palmieri and Tito Nieves lead the incredible line-up of the 33rd New York Salsa Festival, which takes place Saturday, June 10, also at the Barclay Center. Jerry Rivera, Grupo Niche, Fruko y Sus Tesos, Tito Rojas and DLG are also among the artists scheduled to perform.

Becky G to Perform at Univision & Fusion’s Rise Up as One Concert

Posted on October 14, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Becky G is rising up to the challenge…

The 19-year-old Mexican American singer, songwriter and Power Ranger has joined the star-studded lineup for Univision and Fusion‘s Rise Up as One concert, taking place this weekend along the U.S./Mexico border in San Diego, California.

“We are very happy that the beautiful daughter of immigrants has joined our concert,” reads the tweet with the announcement.

Becky G joins a list of performers that includes Miguel Bosé, Juanes, Jesse & Joy, Lila Downs, Los Tigres del Norte, Luis Coronel, Andra Day, Alejandro Sanz, Julieta Venegas, Lupillo Rivera, Carlos Vives, Fonseca, Natalia Lafourcade, Debi Nova, T Bone Burnett and Jorge Drexler.

The free concert will wrap up the historical event, billed as a celebration of music, diversity and unity, taking place on October 15. It will broadcast live on Univision in Spanish and on Fusion in English at 7:00 pm ET.

Co-chairs to the event include Emilio & Gloria Estefan, Calle 13‘s René Pérez aka Residente, Lin-Manuel Miranda, among others.

Coronel to Perform at Univision & Fusion’s “Rise Up as One” Concert

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Coronel is Rise-ing up to the challenge….

The 20-year-old Mexican American singer has joined the star-studded lineup of performers for Univision and Fusion’s Rise Up as One concert, billed as a celebration of music, diversity and unity.

In addition to Coronel, an award-winning regional Mexican singer known for his hit singles “Mi niña traviesa,” “Será más fácil,” and “Escápate,” the show will include performances by Andra Day, Lila Downs, Miguel Bosé, Fonseca, Jesse & Joy, Jorge Drexler, Lupillo Rivera, Alejandro Sanz, Los Tigres del Norte, Juanes, Julieta Venegas, and Carlos Vives.

Staged along the U.S./Mexico border in San Diego, California, the free concert will wrap up the event taking place on October 15. It will broadcast live on Univision in Spanish and on Fusion in English at 7:00 pm ET.

“The U.S.-Mexico border provides the perfect stage for this amazing event and is a way to highlight diversity and inclusion, despite borders,” said Camila Jiménez Villa, Co-President and Chief Content Officer at Fusion Media Group, in a statement. “This location and our incredible lineup of award-winning artists will celebrate, through the power of music, the connectedness of our world and the positivity that occurs when we show empathy, respect and openness to one another.”

Co-chairs to the event include Emilio & Gloria Estefan, Calle 13‘s René Pérez aka Residente, Salma Hayek, Samuel L. Jackson, Ava DuVernay and Lin-Manuel Miranda, among others.

Miranda Joins Univision & Fusion Media’s “Rise Up as One”

Posted on September 20, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Lin-Manuel Miranda is ready to Rise and shine…

The 36-year-old Broadway star, the creator of the Tony Award-winning musical Hamilton, has joined Univision and Fusion Media‘s star-studded two-day event Rise Up as One taking place on October 14 and 15.

Miranda was announced as co-chair joining other Latin superstars including René Pérez aka Residente and Emilio and Gloria Estefan. In a touching video, Miranda announces his participation in the event being billed as a celebration of music, diversity and unity.

“Music is one of the most mysterious things we make as a human race. It connects both hemispheres of our brains, it connects our reasoning side with our emotional side. And it also allows for connections between people, that sometimes languages divides us, sometimes interests divide us, but music always unites us. Music always brings us together. And I’m happy that I make something that brings people together.”

Estefan to Serve as Honorary Co-Chair of Univision & Fusion Media Group’s “Rise Up as One” Event

Posted on September 10, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Gloria Estefan is ready to rise up…

The 59-year-old Cuban singer-songwriter and her husband, Emilio Estefan, have been named as honorary co-chairs of Univision and Fusion Media Group‘s “Rise Up as One” event — a two-day celebration of music, diversity and unity, taking place on October 14 and 15.

The Estefans will serve as co-chairs alongside Calle 13‘s René Pérez aka Residente.

Also attached to the project are Junot Díaz, Ava DuVernay, America Ferrera, Salma Hayek, Samuel L. Jackson, Quincy Jones, Mía Maestro, Jonathan Olinger, Robert Rodriguez and Forest Whitaker, among other artists, thought leaders and influencers.

“We’re honored to have such a diverse group of inspiring and talented individuals joining us to celebrate who we are and the way we live through this unprecedented event. Their passion and commitment will help us put a spotlight on the power of inclusivity in a changing America,” said Camila Jimenez Villa, Fusion Media Group Co-President and COO.

The two-day event will wrap up with a free ticketed concert headlined by artists and musicians that are yet to be announced.

The concert will broadcast live on October 15 on Univision and Fusion at 7 p.m. ET.

Perez Records ESPN Deportes’ Pan American Games Anthem “Respira El Momento”

Posted on April 14, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

René Perez is having a moment…

The 37-year-old Puerto Rican singer and Calle 13 member, better known by his stage “Residente,” has recorded the track “Respira El Momento,” ESPN Deportes’ anthem for the 2015 Pan American Games.

The sports network premiered a promo video on Monday featuring Perez singing in New York’s Electric Lady studio, intercut with scenes of athletes training.

“Respira el Momento” is a track from the Grammy-winning 2014 album Multi_Viral, but it seems tailor-made for the international sporting event.

“It’s a song about life and about seizing the moment and the momentum to achieve something,” Pérez tells Billboard. “It seemed like the perfect song for the games.”

ESPN will broadcast over 270 hours of the Pan American Games in Spanish and English. Coverage will include the opening ceremonies, which have not been show on English-language television since the 1970s. ESPN has exclusive U.S. rights to the games.

Santa Brito, director of consumer marketing for ESPN Deportes, says that coverage of the 2015 Pan Am Games is a priority. The network is increasing its broadcast hours of the event on its Spanish and English-language stations after its coverage of the 2011 Games in Guadalajara received notably high ratings. The video promos featuring the music, the athletes, and Pérez himself, will be used in- and off-channel, across Pan Am programming and multiple platforms.

The Pan American Games have historically been crucial for athletes in Latin America, and a must-see event for audiences there, and by extension for U.S. Hispanics. The games were first held in Buenos Aires in 1951.

In preparation for the promo campaign, called “Yo Digo Presente,” ESPN Deportes crews traveled through the U.S. and Latin America interviewing athletes.

“There was a common theme,” Brito says. “In their training, the athletes were visualizing themselves in the Pan American games. They were breathing the moment.”

A lifelong baseball fan, Pérez grew up playing the game in a field across the street from his house in Puerto Rico. Last year, he drafted the great Willie Mays to appear in the clip for “Adentro,” another song from Multi_Viral.

“I thought I was going to be playing in the major leagues,” says the rapper, singer and songwriter, who currently lives in Brooklyn. “But in the end I had to decide between baseball and art. And I chose art.”

Calle 13’s “Multiviral” Named Best Latin Album by Apple/iTunes

Posted on December 9, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

René Pérez and Eduardo Cabra have a multiviral hit on their hands…

Calle 13, formed by the Puerto Rican stepbrothers, has earned a spot on iTunes’ year-end charts.

The duo’s fifth studio effort MultiViral, which was released on March 1, 2014, was declared the Best Latin Album by Apple and iTunes.

Last month, Calle 13 picked up the Latin Grammy award for Urban Music Album for Multi_Viral, one of two prizes the duo picked up that night as they set the record for the most Latin Grammys with an astonishing 21 career wins.

Earlier this month, the album earned a Grammy nomination in the Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album category.

Check out the full best-selling list from iTunes, as well as Apple‘s best-ofs below:

Top Songs:
01. “Happy,” Pharrell Williams
02. “All Of Me,” John Legend
03. “Dark Horse,” Katy Perry, feat. Juicy J
04. “Talk Dirty,” Jason DeRulo, feat. 2 Chainz
05. “Fancy,” Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX
06. “Problem,” Ariana Grande feat. Iggy Azalea
07. “All About That Bass,” Meghan Trainor
08. “Let It Go,” Idina Menzel
09. “Turn Down for What,” DJ Snake & Lil Jon
10. “Rude,” MAGIC!

Top Albums:
01. Frozen Soundtrack
02. 1989, Taylor Swift
03. Ghost Stories, Coldplay
04. In the Lonely Hour, Sam Smith
05. Guardians of the Galaxy Soundtrack
06. Beyoncé, Beyoncé
07. Pure Heroine, Lorde
08. x, Ed Sheeran
09. The Outsiders, Eric Church
10. 5 Seconds of Summer, 5 Seconds of Summer

Apple’s Best-Ofs:
Best Artist: Beyoncé, Beyoncé
Best Album: 1989, Taylor Swift
Best Song: “Fancy” Iggy Azalea, feat. Charli XCX
Best New Artist: Sam Smith
Best Pop: 1989, Taylor Swift
Best Rock: Lazaretto, Jack White
Best Alternative: Lost in the Dream, The War on Drugs
Best Hip-Hop/Rap: Under Pressure, Logic
Best Country: Pain Killer, Little Big Town
Best R&B/Soul: JHUD, Jennifer Hudson
Best Dance: New Eyes, Clean Bandit
Best Singer/Songwriter: Utah, Jamestown Revival
Best Latin: MultiViral, Calle 13
Best Electronic: Our Love, Caribou
Best Jazz: Time and Time Again, The Cookers
Best Classical: John Luther Adams: Become Ocean, Ludovic Morlot & Seattle Symphony Orchestra

Iglesias’ Hit “Bailando” Nabs Three Awards at the Latin Grammys

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Enrique Iglesias is bailando with good reason…

The 39-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter picked up three awards at this year’s Latin Grammys for his platinum hit “Bailando.”

Iglesias and his collaborators on the inescapable track, Descemer Bueno and Gente De Zona, took home the trophies for Song of the Year, Urban Performance and Urban Song during Thursday night’s live broadcast from Las Vegas.

Iglesias accepted his awards from Paris, where he was touring, and a taped performance of his hit song closed the show.

Meanwhile, Calle 13 – comprised of stepbrothers Rene Perez and Eduardo Cabra – picked the awards for Urban Music Album (for Multi_Viral) and Alternative Song (for “El Aguante”).

With the two wins, Calle 13 set the record for the most Latin Grammys with an astonishing 21 career wins.

“We are happy. We have 21 (Latin) Grammys and it is a dream. We never thought we would have this in our lives,” said Perez backstage to reporters after the show.

Other winners included Paco de Lucia – the iconic Mexican guitarist who died earlier this year – who won album of the year and best Flamenco album for Canción Andaluza. Colombian singer Juanes won best pop/rock album for Loco De Amor, Marc Anthony won best salsa album for 3.0, and Carlos Vives won for best contemporary tropical song and album.

Venezuelan singer-songwriter Mariana Vega won best new artist and legendary singer Joan Manuel Serrat, who performed, was named person of the year.

Here’s a complete look at this year’s Latin Grammy winners:

Record of the year: “Universos Paralelos” — Jorge Drexler, featuring Ana Tijoux
Album of the year: “Canción Andaluza” — Paco de Lucía
Song of the year: “Bailando” — Descemer Bueno, Gente De Zona and Enrique Iglesias
New artist: Mariana Vega
Contemporary pop vocal album: “Elypse” — Camila
Traditional pop vocal album: “Fonseca Sinfónico” — Fonseca Urban performance: “Bailando” — Enrique Iglesias, featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente De Zona
Urban music album: “MultiViral” — Calle 13
Urban song: “Bailando” — Descemer Bueno, Gente De Zona and Enrique Iglesias
Rock album: “Agua Maldita” — Molotov
Pop/Rock album: “Loco De Amor” — Juanes
Rock song: “Cuando No Estás” — Andrés Calamaro
Alternative music album: “Romantisísmico” — Babasónicos
Alternative song: “El Aguante” — Calle 13
Salsa album: “3.0” — Marc Anthony
Cumbia/Vallenato album: “Celedón Sin Fronteras 1” — Jorge Celedón and various artists
Contemporary tropical album: “Más + Corazón Profundo” — Carlos Vives
Traditional tropical album: “Grandes Exitos De Las Sonoras, Con La Más Grande, La Sonora Santanera” — La Sonora
Tropical song: “Cuando Nos Volvamos A Encontrar” — Andrés Castro and Carlos Vives
Singer-songwriter album: “Bailar En La cueva” — Jorge Drexler
Ranchero album: “Lástima Que Sean Ajenas” — Pepe Aguilar
Banda album: “Haciendo Historia” — Banda El Recodo De Don Cruz Lizarrag
Tejano album: “Forever Mazz” — Jimmy González and Grupo Mazz
Norteño album: “Amor Amor” — Conjunto Primavera
Regional song: “De Mil Amores” — Marco Antonio Solís, songwriter (Marco Antonio Solís)
Instrumental album: “Final Night At Birdland” — Arturo O’Farrill and The Chico O’Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra
Folk album: “Raíz” — Lila Downs, Niña Pastori y Soledad
Tango album: “Tangos” — Rubén Blades
Flamenco album: “Canción Andaluza” — Paco de Lucía
Latin jazz album: Tie: “The Vigil” — Chick Corea, “Song For Maura” — Paquito D’Rivera & Trio Corrente
Christian album (Spanish language): “La Carta Perfecta – En Vivo” — Danilo Montero
Christian album (Portuguese language): “Graça” — Aline Barros
Brazilian contemporary pop album: “Multishow Ao Vivo – Ivete Sangalo 20 Anos” — Ivete Sangalo
Brazilian rock album: “Gigante Gentil” — Erasmo Carlos
Samba/pagode album: “Coração A Batucar” — Maria Rita
MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira) Album: “Verdade, Uma Ilusão” — Marisa Monte
Sertaneja music album: “Questão De Tempo” — Sérgio Reis
Brazilian roots album: “Amigo Da Arte” — Alceu Valença
Brazilian song: “A Bossa Nova É Foda” — Caetano Veloso, songwriter (Caetano Veloso)
Latin children’s album: “Coloreando: Traditional Songs For Children In Spanish” — Marta Gómez & Friends
Classical album: “Verdi” — Plácido Domingo; Christopher Alder, album producer
Classical contemporary composition: “Concierto Para Violín y Orquesta De Cuerdas” — Claudia Montero, composer (Claudia Montero)
Recording package: “Wed 21” — Alejandro Ros, art director (Juana Molina)
Engineered album: “De Repente” — Juber Anbín, Johnnatan García, Rodner Padilla, Eduardo Pulgar, Vladimir Quintero Mora, Jean Sánchez & Alexander Vanlawren, engineers; Germán Landaeta & Darío Peñaloza, mixers; Germán Landaeta, mastering engineer (C4 Trío y Rafael “”Pollo”” Brito)
Producer of the year: Sergio George
Short form music video: “Flamingo” — La Vida Bohème | Leonardo Gonzalez, Pablo Iranzo & Carl Zitelman, video directors; Debbie Crosscup & César Elster, video producers
Long form music video: “El Objeto Antes Llamado Disco – La Película” — Café Tacvba | Gregory Allen, video director; Café Tacvba, video producers

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