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Bad Bunny Wins Five Latin Grammy Awards, Including Album of the Year

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Bad Bunny is celebrating a special first…

The 31-year-old Puerto Rican superstar was the big winner at Thursday night’s Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas, taking home five trophies, including album of the year for his acclaimed Debí Tirar Más Fotos, a project which embraced his island’s musical heritage – and paved the way for him to be named the performer for next year’s Super Bowl halftime show.

Bad BunnyIt’s Bad Bunny’s first-ever win in the album of the year category.

Dedicating the award to “all the youth of Latin America” he added: “There are many ways of being patriotic and defending our homelands. We chose music.”

Argentinian duo Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso also claimed five awards; with other winners including Alejandro Sanz, Gloria Estefan and Karol G.

The rapidly growing Latin music sector generated a record $1.4bn (£1.06bn) in 2024, making up 8.1% of total U.S. music revenue, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which said it was shaping culture faster than any other genre.

Bad Bunny, real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been at the forefront of that movement. For three consecutive years between 2020 and 2022, he was the most-streamed artist in the world.

Debí Tirar Más Fotos is his sixth album, and fuses live instrumentation with the hip-swaying pulse of reggaetón and traditional Puerto Rican styles like plena.

At the Latin Grammys, the title track earned him best urban song and best urban performance. He also picked up best reggaetón performance for “Voy a llevarte pa PR,” and best urban music album for Debí Tirar Más Fotos.

He’s nominated for six awards at the mainstream Grammys, which take place in February, including the three major categories of album, song and record of the year.

Bad Bunny recently wrapped up a barnstorming concert residency in Puerto Rico; and is about to kick off his world tour in the Dominican Republic.

However, he made headlines when he said the tour would not include any dates on the US mainland because he was concerned his fans might be targeted by immigration raids.

His subsequent booking for next year’s Super Bowl rankled some US conservatives.

President Donald Trump called the decision “absolutely ridiculous” and that he had “never heard” of the star – who has 74 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

The Latin Grammy ceremony kicked off with a star-studded tribute to Mexican-American guitarist Carlos Santana, with Maluma, Edgar Barrera, Grupo Frontera and Christian Nodal playing a medley that began with his hit single “Oye Como Va.”

Karol G and Marco Antonio Solís also took the stage for a sweet duet on “Coleccionando Heridas;” while Gloria Estefan played songs from her latest record Raíces, which went on to win best tropical album.

But Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso were judged to have the stand-out moment of the evening, with a colourful, off-the-wall medley of their hits “El Impostor,” “#Tetas,” “La Que Puede,” “Puede” and “El Día Del Amigo.”

The duo dominated the alternative music categories – winning best alternative album and best alternative song. They also picked up best short-form and best long-form video, and pop song of the year for “El Día Del Amigo.”

Speaking backstage, the childhood friends expressed their gratitude to each other.

“The most important thing here is that we’ve known each other since we were six years old,” said Amoroso.

“All of this wasn’t planned, it just happened. I want to tell Ca7riel that he’s my friend, that I love him.”

Ca7riel then surprised Paco with a long and seemingly passionate kiss.

Elsewhere, Paloma Morphy, a 25-year-old Mexican singer, won best new artist after her debut album, Au, seduced listeners with its catchy melodies and vulnerable stories of heartbreak.

Karol G won song of the year for “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” a lilting love song with a Merengue flavor, from her blockbuster fifth album Tropicoqueta.

And Spanish superstar Alejandro Sanz picked up record of the year for his beautiful ballad “Palmeras en el Jardín” – unexpectedly beating Bad Bunny’s smash hit “Baile Inolvidable.”

Here are the winners of the 26th Latin Grammy Awards:

Record Of The Year
Palmeras En El Jardín — Alejandro Sanz

Album Of The Year
Debí Tirar Más Fotos – Bad Bunny

Song Of The Year
‘Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido’
Edgar Barrera, Andres Jael Correa Rios & Karol G, songwriters (Karol G)

Best New Artist
Paloma Morphy

Best Contemporary Pop Album
¿Y Ahora Qué? — Alejandro Sanz

Best Traditional Pop Album
Bogotá — Andrés Cepeda

Best Pop Song
‘El Día Del Amigo’
Papota — Rafa Arcaute, Gino Borri, CA7RIEL, Ulises Guerriero,
Amanda Ibanez, Vicente Jiménez & Federico Vindver,
songwriters (CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso)

Best Latin Electronic Music Performance
‘Veneka’
Rawayana Featuring Akapellah

Best Urban/Urban Fusion Performance
‘Dtmf’
Debí Tirar Más Fotos — Bad Bunny

Best Reggaeton Performance
‘Voy A Llevarte Pa Pr’
Debí Tirar Más Fotos — Bad Bunny

Best Urban Music Album
Debí Tirar Más Fotos — Bad Bunny

Best Rap/Hip Hop Song
‘Fresh’
Trueno, songwriter (Trueno)

Best Urban Song
‘DtMF’
Debí Tirar Más Fotos — Bad Bunny, Marco Daniel Borrero, Scott Dittrich,
Benjamin Falik, Roberto Jose Rosado Torres, Hugo Rene
Sencion Sanabria & Tyler Spry, songwriters (Bad Bunny)

Best Rock Album
Novela — Fito Paez

Best Rock Song (TIE)
‘La Torre’
R — RENEE, songwriter (RENEE)
&
‘Sale El Sol’
Novela — Fito Paez, songwriter (Fito Paez)

Best Pop/Rock Album
Ya Es Mañana — Morat

Best Pop/Rock Song
‘Desastres Fabulosos’
Conociendo Rusia, Jorge Drexler & Pablo Drexler,
songwriters (Jorge Drexler & Conociendo Rusia)

Best Alternative Music Album
Papota — CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso

Best Alternative Song
‘#Tetas’
Paco Amoroso, Rafa Arcaute, Gino Borri, CA7RIEL,
Gale, Vicente Jiménez ‘Vibarco’ & Federico Vindver,
songwriters (CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso)

Best Salsa Album
Fotografías — Rubén Blades y Roberto Delgado & Orquesta

Best Cumbia/Vallenato Album
El Último Baile — Silvestre Dangond & Juancho De La Espriella

Best Merengue/Bachata Album
Novato Apostador — Eddy Herrera

Best Traditional Tropical Album
Raíces — Gloria Estefan

Best Contemporary Tropical Album
Puñito De Yocahú — Vicente García

Best Tropical Song
‘Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido’
Edgar Barrera, Andres Jael Correa Rios & Karol G,
songwriters (Karol G)

Best Singer-Songwriter Album
Cancionera — Natalia Lafourcade

Best Singer-Songwriter Song
‘Cancionera’
Natalia Lafourcade, songwriter (Natalia Lafourcade)

Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album
¿Quién + Como Yo? — Christian Nodal

Best Banda Album
4218 — Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda

Best Tejano Album
Bobby Pulido & Friends Una Tuya y Una Mía (Vol.1/En Vivo) — Bobby Pulido

Best Norteño Album
La Lotería — Los Tigres Del Norte

Best Contemporary Mexican Music Album
Palabra De To’s (Seca) — Carín León

Best Regional Song
‘La Lotería’
Luciano Luna, songwriter (Los Tigres Del Norte)

Best Instrumental Album
Y El Canto De Todas — Rafael Serrallet Featuring Lviv Philharmonic
Orchestra

Best Folk Album
Joropango — Kerreke, Daniela Padrón

Best Tango Album
En Vivo 20 Años — Tanghetto

Best Flamenco Album
Flamencas — Las Migas

Best Roots Song
‘Aguacero’
Luis Enrique Mejia, Fernando Osorio & Rodner Padilla,
songwriters (Luis Enrique, C4 Trío)

Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album (TIE)
Hamilton De Holanda Trio – Live In NYC — Hamilton De Holanda
&
Cuba & Beyond — Chucho Valdés & Royal Quartet

Best Christian Album (Spanish Language)
Legado — Marcos Witt

Best Portuguese Language Christian Album
Memóri4s (Ao Vivo) — Eli Soares

Best Portuguese Language Contemporary Pop Album
Caju — Liniker

Best Portuguese Language Rock or Alternative Album
O Mundo Dá Voltas — Baianasystem

Best Portuguese Language Urban Performance
‘Caju’
Caju — Liniker

Best Samba/Pagode Album
Sorriso Eu Gosto No Pagode Vol.3 – Homenagem Ao Fundo De Quintal (Gravado Em Londres) — Sorriso Maroto

Best MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira)/MAPB (Música Afro Portuguesa Brasileira) Album
Um Mar Pra Cada Um — Luedji Luna

Best Sertaneja Music Album
José & Durval — Chitãozinho & Xororó

Best Portuguese Language Roots Album
Dominguinho — João Gomes, Mestrinho e Jota.pê

Best Portuguese Language Song
‘Veludo Marrom’
Caju — Liniker, songwriter (Liniker)

Best Children’s Album
Los Nuevos Canticuentos — Canticuentos, Coro de Ríogrande

Best Classical Album
Kaleidoscope – Contemporary Piano Music By Female Composers From Around The World — Isabel Dobarro; Javier Monteverde, album producer

Best Classical Contemporary Composition
‘Revolución Diamantina – Act I: The Sounds Cats Make,
Act II: We Don’t Love Each Other, Act III: Borders And
Bodies, Act IV: Speaking The Unspeakable’
Gabriela Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina — Gabriela Ortiz, composer (Gustavo Dudamel, Los
Angeles Philharmonic & Los Angeles Master Chorale)

Best Music For Visual Media
Cien Años De Soledad (Banda Sonora De La Serie De Netflix) — Camilo Sanabria (Camilo Sanabria, artist); Camilo Sanabria, composer

Best Arrangement
‘Camaleón’
Cesar Orozco, arranger (Cesar Orozco & Son Ahead)

Best Recording Package
‘Cuarto Azul’
Christian Molina, art director (Aitana)

Songwriter of the Year
Edgar Barrera
‘Atención’ – Ivan Cornejo
‘Contigo Al Cielo’ – Christian Nodal
‘Ese Vato No Te Queda’ – Carin León Featuring Gabito Ballesteros
‘Hoy No Me Siento Bien’ – Alejandro Sanz & Grupo Frontera
‘Milagros’ – Karol G
‘Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido’ – Karol G
‘Soltera’ – Shakira
‘Tommy & Pamela’ – Peso Pluma, Kenia Os
‘Una Noche Contigo’ – Juanes

Best Engineered Album
Cancionera — Jack Lahana, engineer; Jack Lahana, mixer; Bernie
Grundman, mastering engineer (Natalia Lafourcade)

Producer of the Year (TIE)
Rafa Arcaute, Federico Vindver
‘El Día Del Amigo’ – CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso
‘Impostor’ – CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso
‘La Noche De Tu Amor’ – ATGGT, Victoria May
‘Los Ejes De Mi Carreta’ – ATGGT, Victoria May
‘Re Forro’ – CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso
‘#Tetas’ — CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso
&
Nico Cotton
‘Agridulce’ – Bhavi, Duki
‘Carne Viva’ – Blair, Dillom
‘Cuarto Azul’ – Aitana
‘Desastres Fabulosos’ – Jorge Drexler, Conociendo Rusia
‘Latinaje’ – Cazzu
‘Museo Del Prado’ – Manuel Carrasco
‘Perfecto Final’ – Conociendo Rusia, Nathy Peluso
‘Una Noche Contigo’ – Juanes
‘Ya Es Mañana’ – Morat

Best Short Form Music Video
‘#Tetas’
CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso
Martin Piroyansky, video director; Pío Filgueira Risso &
Lula Meliche, video producers

Best Long Form Music Video
Papota (Short Film)
CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso
Martin Piroyansky, video director; Federico Ameglio,
Chino Fernández & Lula Meliche, video producers

Cardi B to Release Sophomore Album “Am I the Drama?” in September, Reveals Cover Art

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Cardi B is preparing to bring the drama this September…

The 32-year-old half-Dominican American Grammy-winning rap superstar has finally revealed plans for her long-awaited sophomore album, Am I the Drama?, which will arrive on September 19.

Cardi BSeven years in the making, Cardi made the announcement official on Monday, June 23, with the LP’s gloomy cover art.

“AM I THE DRAMA? My new album is out September 19th! Preorder LINK IN BIO,” she wrote.

Cardi B hinted at being in album mode on Sunday, June 22, with a post to Instagram, featuring her narrating the arduous journey to reach this point in her decorated career.

“Seven years and the time has come. Seven years of love, light and loss,” Cardi said in the clip. “Seven years I gave them grace, but now I give them hell. I learned power’s not giving, it’s taking. I’m shedding feathers and no more tears. I’m not back, I’m beyond. I’m not your villain, I’m your karma. The time is here. The time is now.”

Cardi put the rap world on notice with her ineffable Invasion of Privacy album in 2018, which netted her two Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s (she now has a total of five) and went on to win best rap album at the 2019 Grammy Awards. Every track from her debut is at least certified platinum by the RIAA.

The album comes on the heels of Cardi dropping her thumping “Outside” single on Friday, June 19, setting the stage for the LP, which also includes smash hits “Up” and “WAP” on the 23-track LP.

Cardi B, Am I the Drama?

It’s been a long road for Cardi B and the Bardi Gang to her sophomore effort. Back in May, she chalked up waiting on verses from guests for the delay.

“I really need these f–king features,” she said in a repost of the Spaces. “And it’s like I’m not really trying to press or go crazy on these artists because I love them down. But it’s like come on now! I need that! I need that right now! Helloooo! Y’all don’t want to miss this opportunity. I’ll sing this s–t myself! But I really need y’all and I need y’all to hurry up and I love y’all. I feel like nobody want to miss being on this album.”

After filing for divorce from Offset last August, Cardi B is entering a new chapter of her life as she’s currently in a relationship with NFL star Stefon Diggs.

With a release date set for Sept. 19, the countdown to Am I the Drama? is on.

Kid Cudi’s “Day ‘N’ Nite” Earns Diamond Certification from RIAA

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Kid Cudi is shining bright like a diamond…

The 40-year-old part-Mexican American singer, songwriter and actor’s 2008 breakout debut hit Day ‘N’ Nite is now a diamond-certified record by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Kid CudiThe diamond certification is given to artists whose songs have moved 10 million units.

Plus, Cudi’s “Pursuit of Happiness,” featuring MGMT and Ratatat, earned a 12-times platinum status in the U.S., accumulating 12 million in equivalent song units.

According to the RIAA, one equivalent song unit is equal to a single digital song sale, or 150 on-demand audio and/or video streams.

“Wow, the blessings keep comin. This is HUGE. Yall did this man, im so thankful to have all the support and love Ive had for the past 16 years, and Im not even thinkin about stoppin no time soon,” he wrote on X. “TO ANYONE WHO BUMPED THIS SONG AND STILL DO TO THIS DAY, I LOVE YOU!!”

Sebastián Yatra to Receive Recording Industry Association of America’s Artist of the Year Award

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Sebastián Yatra is the Recording Industry’s all-star this year…

In honor of Latin music’s explosive growth in the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) will recognize artists, label executives and policymakers, including the 28-year-old Colombian artist, who are “driving this rise across American music, culture and society.”

Sebastian YatraYatra, a Latin Grammy-winner and Grammy-nominee, will be recognized as the RIAA’s Artist of the Year.

Meanwhile, global superstar Gloria Estefan with the icon award; her husband, visionary producer Emilio Estefan, as industry trailblazer;  Maria Fernandez, executive vp/COO of Latin Iberia at Sony Music Entertainment, as executive of the year; and  U.S. Reps. Veronica Escobar and María Elvira Salazar as policymakers of the year.

“As advocates for the music community and fans ourselves, the RIAA is so grateful to acknowledge superstars and leaders who have used their voices and platforms to change the culture and break the creative mold,” said RIAA chairman/CEO Mitch Glazier in a statement. “RIAA Honors is a special moment to stop and acknowledge those forging ahead for future generations and making waves in their own right. Latin music has lit up the charts and filled playlists across the U.S. this year and we are thrilled to celebrate Gloria Estefan, Sebastián Yatra, Emilio Estefan, Maria Fernandez and Representatives Veronica Escobar and María Elvira Salazar.”

In April, it was announced that Latin music revenues in the United States exceeded $1 billion for the first time, with the RIAA reporting that the Latin market grew to $1.1 billion in 2022 — a 24% jump over the previous year’s $881 million and lifting Latin music’s overall share of the total music market from 5.9% in 2021 to 6.9%.

“This sustained expansion speaks to an openness to new artists, music and ways of listening,” said RIAA senior vp of state public policy & industry relations Rafael Fernandez Jr. “It’s also perfect timing to salute Latin Music champions during the first week of National Hispanic Heritage Month. RIAA Honors’ epic music-filled celebration adds to the excitement as other festivities and recognitions continue throughout the coming weeks.”

The RIAA Honors, will take place on September 19 in Washington, D.C.

Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca” Among Recordings Being Preserved as Part of Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry

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Ricky Martin’s breakthrough single will be livin’ for eternity…

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican superstar’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca” will be preserved as part of the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry.

Ricky MartinMartin’s hit single, released in 1999 as part of the former Menudo singer’s English-language debut album, is part of the 2022 list of additions to the registry. 

“Livin’ La Vida Loca” reached No. 1 in more than 20 countries, and it’s considered one of Martin’s biggest hits and best-selling singles of all time.

In the United States, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for five consecutive weeks, becoming Martin’s first number one single on the chart. Additionally, it broke several records on Billboard charts.

At the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards, it won a total of five awards and was nominated for several other categories, including Video of the Year, making Martin the first Latin artist in history to receive a nomination in this category.

Linda Ronstadt’s Spanish-language album Canciones de Mi Padre is also being preserved.

Released in 1987, it was the 75-year-old half-Mexican American Grammy-winning singer’s first album of Mexican traditional mariachi music. The canciones were a big part of Ronstadt’s family tradition and musical roots.

At 2.5 million copies sold in the US, the album stands as one of the biggest selling non-English language albums in American record history. It has been RIAA certified double-platinum (for over 2 million US copies sold) and also won Ronstadt the Grammy for Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album.

The Buena Vista Social Club’s self-titled album has also been earmarked for preservation.

The ensemble of Cuban musicians, established in 1996, recorded the album in March 1996 and released it in September 1997. It quickly became an international success, which prompted the ensemble to perform with a full line-up in Amsterdam and New York in 1998. German director Wim Wenders captured the performance on film for a documentary—also called Buena Vista Social Club—that included interviews with the musicians conducted in Havana. Wenders’ film was released in June 1999 to critical acclaim, receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary feature and winning numerous accolades including Best Documentary at the European Film Awards.

The Library of Congress said its National Recording Preservation Plan provides a blueprint to implement a comprehensive national sound recording preservation program. The National Recording Preservation Board and members of the public have nominated recordings to the National Recording Registry every year since 2002. The depth and breadth of nominations received highlights the richness of the nations” audio legacy and underscores the importance of assuring the long-term preservation of that legacy for future generations.

Here’s the list of 2022 additions to the National Recordings Registry, in chronological order:

“Harlem Strut”, James P. Johnson (1921)
Franklin D. Roosevelt: Complete Presidential Speeches (1933-45)
“Walking the Floor Over You”, Ernest Tubb (1941, single)
“On a Note of Triumph” (May 8, 1945)
“Jesus Gave Me Water”, The Soul Stirrers (1950, single)
“Ellington at Newport”, Duke Ellington (1956, album)
“We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite”, Max Roach (1960, album)
“The Christmas Song”, Nat King Cole (1961, single)
“Tonight’s the Night”, The Shirelles (1961, album)
“Moon River”, Andy Williams (1962, single)
“In C”, Terry Riley (1968, album)
“It’s a Small World”, The Disneyland Boys Choir (1964, single)
“Reach Out, I’ll Be There”, The Four Tops (1966, single)
Hank Aaron’s 715th Career Home Run (April 8, 1974)
“Bohemian Rhapsody”, Queen (1975, single)
“Don’t Stop Believin’”, Journey (1981, single)
“Canciones de Mi Padre”, Linda Ronstadt (1987, album)
“Nick of Time”, Bonnie Raitt (1989, album)
“The Low End Theory”, A Tribe Called Quest (1991, album)
“Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)”, Wu-Tang Clan (1993, album)
“Buena Vista Social Club” (1997, album)
“Livin’ La Vida Loca”, Ricky Martin (1999, single)
“Songs in A Minor”, Alicia Keys (2001, album)
WNYC broadcasts for the day of 9/11 (Sept. 11, 2001)
“WTF with Marc Maron” (Guest: Robin Williams, 2010)

Cardi B Makes Recording Industry Association of America History with “Invasion of Privacy” Album

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Cardi B has earned a spot in RIAA’s history books…

The 29-year-old half-Dominican American Grammy-winning rap superstar’s debut album, 2018’s Invasion of Privacy, has officially made Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) history once again.

Cardi BAll 13 songs on the album are now certified platinum or higher by the RIAA, making Cardi B the first female to achieve the feat.

The accomplishment further extends her initial record as the first female artist to have every track on an album RIAA certified Gold.

Her major-label debut LP with Atlantic Records is the gift that keeps on giving for Cardi, earning her a Billboard 200 No. 1, a 2019 Grammy for best rap album, a diamond-certified single “Bodak Yellow” and  two Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles (“Bodak Yellow” and “I Like It” with Bad Bunny and J Balvin), among other milestones for the rapper.

Invasion of Privacy was the top female rap album of the 2010s, according to the Billboard 200 Decade-End chart.

Cardi charted 13 songs (12 from the album, minus “Bodak Yellow” after its three-week stint at the top) on the Hot 100, allowing her to pass Beyoncé for the most simultaneous titles on the ranking by a solo female.

In April 2021, Cardi B celebrated the three-year anniversary of Invasion of Privacy with a sweet message on Twitter.

“Thank you everyone that’s been showing IOP love today .It feels like a birthday lols,” she tweeted. “I get real sweet and bittersweet memories when I listen to the album, I faced many challenges thru the process and after but the outcome was beautiful and successful. Love you forever.”

Karol G to Receive Rule Breaker Award at Billboard’s Women in Music Awards

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Karol G is officially a rule breaker…

Billboard has announced its 2022 Women in Music honorees, with the 30-year-old Colombian singer among those being feted.

Karol G

Karol G, who won the Latin Grammy for Best New Artist in 2018, will receive the Rule Breaker Award.

Her song “Tusa” with Nicki Minaj became an international success and was certified 28× Latin Platinum by the RIAA, staying on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart for 25 weeks.

The annual Women in Music event recognizes music’s top female artists, producers and executives for their contributions to music industry and their communities.

This year’s event, hosted by Ciara, will take place on March 2 at the YouTube Theater at L.A.’s Hollywood Park and for the first time ever, tickets to attend the Women in Music Awards will be available to the public. Tickets will go on sale in February.

Bonnie Raitt will receive the Icon Award, and Gabby Barrett will receive the Rising Star Award.

Phoebe Bridgers is 2022’s Trailblazer Award recipient, and Doja Cat will be honored with the Powerhouse Award.  Saweetie will receive the Game Changer Award and Summer Walker gets this year’s Chartbreaker Award.

Karol G and the rest of the honorees will perform at the annual ceremony.

Additionally, Reservoir Media’s Founder and CEO Golnar Khosrowshahi will receive the Executive of the Year Award.

“We are once again thrilled to recognize a diverse group of incredibly powerful women driving the music business and shaping pop culture,” said Billboard’s editorial director, Hannah Karp. “From legendary acts to those just beginning to make a name for themselves, these are all women pushing the envelope and inspiring fans around the world with their musicality, determination, attitude and style. We are thrilled to bring these influencers together for a night of incredible performances and inspiring conversation about the future of music.”

“Billboard’s Women in Music is an annual opportunity for us to celebrate undeniably influential women from across the industry,” said Julian Holguin, president of Billboard. “From Doja Cat to Karol G, Saweetie and Bonnie Raitt, we couldn’t be more thrilled to honor this diverse group of women pushing limits and breaking down boundaries with a show stopping live event, and for the first time, invite fans to join in on the celebration in-person.”

Cardi B’s “I Like It” Earns Diamond Certification from Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)

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Cardi B is collecting diamonds…

The 29-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar, who raps “I like diamonds, I like stunting, I like shining” on her smash hit single “I Like It,” has been, appropriately, diamond-certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Cardi BThe Latin-trap summer banger, which features J Balvin and Bad Bunny, has moved 10 million units.

According to the RIAA, one equivalent song unit is equal to a single digital song sale, or 150 on-demand audio and/or video streams.

Cardi B became the first female rapper to have a diamond-certified song earlier this year with her major-label debut single “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves).”

“I Like It” is now Cardi’s third diamond-certified smash, following “Bodak Yellow” and “Girls Like You” by Maroon 5, which hit the record on November 29, according to the RIAA’s website.

“OMMMMMMGGGGGGG @sanbenito @JBALVIN !!!!!!!!!” Cardi B tweeted in celebration Monday (Dec. 13) when the song officially earned diamond certification.

https://twitter.com/RIAA/status/1470491374978060288

BIA Earns Career-First RIAA-Certified Platinum Single

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BIA is celebrating a significant career milestone…

The 30-year-old half-Puerto Rican rapper/singer and songwriter, whose real name is Bianca Miquela Landrau, has been name to the Recording Industry Association of America’s (RIAA) Class of 2021.

BIA

BIA is among 43 acts to receive their first gold, platinum or multiplatinum certification from the RIAA this year.

BIA’s hit single “Whole Lotta Money” was certified platinum this year, following its gold certification in December 2020.

But BIA isn’t the only Latinx artist to be honored…

CJ is celebrating a mult-plat hit….

The 24-year-old Puerto Rican rapper’s smash single “Whoopty” was certified multi-platinum this year after selling more than two million units.

“These awards celebrate some of the most special moments in our industry – when new voices emerge and find their place on the national stage,” RIAA CEO and chairman Mitch Glazier tells Billboard. “Music never stands still – and these dynamic breakthrough artists and the label teams supporting them are a big part of the reason why.”

A song or album reaches gold status when it achieves combined sales and/or streams of 500,000, platinum status for 1 million and multi-platinum status for 2 million or higher.

For the class of 2021, only titles released in 2020 and 2021 and certified in 2021 are eligible. Last year, 53 artists earned such a designation.

The news follows the September release of the RIAA’s half-year report that showed that recorded music revenues in the U.S. had experienced double-digit growth in the first half of 2021. Revenue grew 27% at retail over the first half of 2020 to %7.1 billion, up from $5.6 billion. Streaming accounted for 84% of all revenues.

RIAA First-Timer 2021 List
347aidan
42 Dugg
Alexander 23
BeatKing
BIA
Big Scarr
BIG30
Capella Grey
carolesdaughter
CJ
Coi Leray
Corpse
Curtis Waters
Dusty Locane
Elvie Shane
Erica Banks
Forest Blakk
Fousheé
Fredo Bang
Hotboii
Jackboy
Jelly Roll
Joel Corry
Joseph Black
jxdn
Kevo Muney
Lil Eazzyy
Lily Rose
Mooski
Morray
Nardo Wick
Nathan Evans
Olivia Rodrigo
Pooh Shiesty
Ritt Momney
Royal & the Serpent
Sada Baby
salem ilese
Sara Kays
SpotemGottem
Tai Verdes
Toosii
Zoe Wees

 

Go here for a full list of titles achieving gold, platinum and multiplatinum status for the first time:

 

Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” Earns Diamond Award from the RIAA

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It’s a perfect 10 (million) for Mariah Carey…

The half-Venezuelan American Grammy-winning songstress had the perfect reaction to her latest career landmark, a Diamond Award from the RIAA.

Mariah CareyIn a celebratory tweet on Friday (December 3), the unofficial Queen of Christmas wrote, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” along with diamond and heart emoji.

In a pair of accompanying photos, Careu clutched the Diamond Award from the RIAA for 10 million in sales and streams for her perennial holiday smash, “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”

MC posed in front of a Christmas tableau for the shot, which was posted just days after “All I Want For Christmas Is You” topped Billboard‘s Holiday 100 ranking of the top seasonal songs of all eras, marking the 46th week it held that No. 1 position in the 51 total weeks since the list launched in 2011.

Mariah’s holiday classic has topped the tally for 31 consecutive weeks, dating to the start of the 2015-16 holiday season.

Carey’s 1994 carol crowned all three Holiday 100 component charts (with all surveys dated December 4): Holiday Streaming Songs (17.5 million U.S. streams, up 57%, in the Nov. 19-25 tracking week, according to MRC Data), Holiday Airplay (15.2 million audience impressions, up 87%) and Holiday Digital Song Sales (3,800 sold, up 42%).

https://twitter.com/MariahCarey/status/1466767168679428097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1466767168679428097%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.billboard.com%2Fmusic%2Fpop%2Fmariah-carey-celebrates-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-diamond-certification-1235005591%2F