Estefan to be Inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Gloria Estefan’s name is being added to the annals of Latin music history…

The 56-year-old Cuban singer-songwriter and seven-time Grammy Award winner has been named as a Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee.

Estefan, one of the top 100 best selling music artists with an estimated 100 million records sold worldwide, rose to acclaim as the lead singer of the Miami Sound Machine.

But the “Conga” singer, the female artist with most No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, earned critical acclaim for penning some of her biggest solo hits in English and Spanish, including “Cuts Both Ways,” “Always Tomorrow,” “Coming Out of the Dark,” “No Llores” and “Oye Mi Canto (Hear My Voice).”

Estefan also co-wrote Shakira’s hit single “Whenever, Wherever” with the Colombian superstar and Tim Mitchell and co-wrote Jennifer Lopez’s signature song “Let’s Get Loud.”

In addition to Estefan, Ricardo Arjona, Juan Luis Guerra, Panamanian composer Omar Alfanno, Spanish pop songwriter Rafael Pérez Botija and Mexican singer/songwriter Lolita de la Colina will also be honored at this year’s induction ceremony — known as La Musa Awards — taking place on October 18 at Miami Beach’s Ritz Carlton hotel.

The Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame debuted in 2013 with a black tie gala honoring well-known Latin music figures including Jose Feliciano, Julio Iglesias and composer Armando Manzanero.

Founded by songwriters and producers Desmond Child and Rudy Perez, the goal of the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame is to “honor the world’s greatest Latin songwriters and their music in every genre.”

Arjona Releases His Latest Single “Apnea”

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Ricardo Arjona is sharing his Apnea with the world…

The 50-year-old Guatemalan singer-songwriter has released his new single “Apnea,” a powerful ballad from his upcoming studio album Viaje.

Arjona debuted the single after revealing it in pieces throughout the past week by posting clues surrounding the track to his fans, including his 12 million Facebook followers.

On March 3, fans were given the chance to unlock the first minute of the song through a campaign on his website by reaching 50,000 clicks to access the content.

With more than 100,000 visits the preview was quickly obtained by followers a day prior to the official release. An official lyric video for the full track was uploaded on YouTube the following day, along with its delivery to digital retailers distributed by Sony Music Latin.

“Apnea,” meaning the inability to breathe, holds a special meaning to Arjona, who expressed, “There are personal events that made me write this song. The lyrics, word for word are what I lived and breathed with those around me.”

The song has Arjona’s distinct sound, telling the heartbreaking tale of of trying to cope with the end or a relationship.

The singer added “I couldn’t find another word in the dictionary to reflect the feeling of this abandonment more accurately than Apnea.”

Arjona’s extensive Billboard chart history spans over 20 years and includes five No. 1 songs on the Hot Latin Songs chart, most recently with “Te Quiero,” which spent two weeks at the top in September 2012. He’s had 12 top 10 albums on the Top Latin Albums list, including four No. 1s.

With more than 2 million albums sold in the United States alone, according to Nielsen SoundScan, he is a symbolic figure in the industry with a vast presence in Latin America as well.

Arjona’s upcoming album Viaje will be released on April 29 through his independent label, Metamorfosis.

Don Omar Leads the Pack of Billboard Latin Music Awards Finalists

Posted on February 9, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It’s no wonder he’s called Don Omar…

The 34-year-old Puerto Rican reggaeton singer/actor, born William Omar Landrón Rivera, is the don of this year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards, earning 18 finalist nods, including Artist of the Year; Social Artist of the Year and Streaming Artist of the Year. Last year, Don Omar was the leader of the pack with 16 finalist nods.

In addition, Don Omar is nominated as Songs Artist of the Year, Male; Albums Artist of the Year, Male and Songwriter of the Year. His album Don Omar Presents MT02: New Generation competes for Latin Rhythm Album of the Year and Digital Album of the Year. Three of Don Omar’s hit songs — “Dutty Love,” featuring Natty Natasha, “Hasta Que Salga El Sol” and “Danza Kuduro” — are finalists in various song categories.

Romeo Santos comes in second, with the bachata star earning 12 nods. Wisin & Yandel and the late Jenni Rivera tied with 11 nods each. Prince Royce and Pitbull, major finalists last year, also returned with 10 and nine nods respectively, while newcomers 3BallMTY earned eight.

Meanwhile regional Mexican acts La Arrolladora Banda el Limón de René Camacho and Gerardo Ortiz nabbed seven and six nods, respectively, while rockers Maná with five and pop act Ricardo Arjona with three.

The 2013 Billboard Latin Awards will be broadcast live on Telemundo on April 25 from the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami in Florida.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards honor the most popular albums, songs, and performers in Latin Music, as determined by the actual sales, radio airplay, streaming and social data that informs Billboard’s weekly charts during a one-year period from the issue dated February 4, 2012, through this year’s January 26, 2013, issue.

Click here for the full list of nominees.

Juanes to Perform at Sunday’s Grammy Awards…

Posted on February 8, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Juanes won’t just be attending this year’s Grammy Awards as a nominee; he’s also a scheduled performer…

The 40-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter will perform at Sunday’s Grammy Awards (February 10) ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, according to Universal Music, his record label.

Juanes, nominated for a gilded gramophone from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in the Best Latin Pop Album category for Juanes MTV Unplugged Deluxe Edition, will join a list of performers that includies Bruno Mars, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Mumford & Sons and The Black Keys.

Juanes, the winner of last year’s Latin Grammy for Album of the Year for the same project, which was recorded in early 2012 before a live audience at the New World Symphony Center in Miami, is competing against Ricardo Arjona, Fonseca, Kany Garcia and Jesse & Joy for the prize.
In all, Juanes – who will be releasing his memoir in April – has earned 19 Latin Grammys and one Grammy award during his career.

Prince Royce Ties Romeo Santos for Most Premio Lo Nuestro Nods

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Call it a “battle of the bachateros”

Romeo Santos and Prince Royce will battle it out for top honors at Univision’s Premio Lo Nuestro during the show’s 25th anniversary on February 21, 2013.

The 31-year-old Dominican/Puerto Rican singer, the former front man for Aventura, and the 23-year-old Dominican singer tied for most nods, at seven each. Santos and Prince Royce will battle it ou for Tropical Album of the Year, Tropical Male Artist of the Year, and Tropical Song of the Year.

Reggaeton superstar Don Omar, meantime, received six nods, including Artist of the Year, Collaboration of the Year for his mega duet with Natti Natasha, “Dutty Love,” and Album of the Year for his Don Omar Presents Meet The Orphans 2: New Generation.

Barcelona-raised urban artist Juan Magan is up for Best New Artist, along with four other awards. He faces stiff competition from 3Ball MTY, who cleaned up at this year’s Billboard’s Mexican Music Awards.

Mexican rock group Maná earned six nominations, and will compete against with Don Omar, Jenni Rivera, La Arrolladora Banda el Limon de Rene Camacho and Santos in the Artist of the Year category.

Sibling duo Jesse & Joy, the big winners at the Latin Grammys, are up for five awards, including Song of the Year and Video of the Year for “¡Corre!” as well as Album of the Year for ¿Con Quién Se Queda el Perro?.

Juanes was recognized for his critically acclaimed MTV Unplugged album with four nods, tied with Beto Cuevas and Victor Manuelle.

Daddy Yankee, Alejandro Sanz, Paulina Rubio, Ricardo Arjona, Chino y Nacho, Gerardo Ortiz, La Original Banda El Limón, La Banda El Recodo and Wisin y Yandel each earned three nods.

View the full list of 130 nominations in 33 different categories here and cast your vote until December 23, then tune into Univision on February 21 for the awards show.

Torres Releases Latest Album, 12 Historias

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Tommy Torres is back with new music…

The 40-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter has just released his fourth album, 12 Historias, which includes collaborations with Ricardo Arjona and Nelly Furtado.

Torres, a Grammy-winning music producer says the 12 subjects of his new album are anecdotes “of love, of friends, of acquaintances, about some very personal things,” as well as other stories from his Twitter account about happenings and feelings.

In particular, Torres notes the song “El Abrigo,” in which he worked with Juanes on guitar, deals with the problems of young college students after they take their degree and try to get a job in the field they studied.

“It’s a reality that many are going through right now,” Torres told EFE. “Going to college used to guarantee getting a job, now it’s about growing and learning.”

The first single to be released to promote the new disc, “Querido Tommy,” was inspired by a Chilean follower who told him on Twitter that he was madly in love and asked the artist to help him declare his love to the girl of his dreams.

While he considers himself a fan of social media, when he has to compose new music Torres disconnects from them entirely. He did say, however, that he uses them to get a little “relief.”

Torres was named “#1 Hot Latin Tracks Producer” of 2007 by Billboard magazine and Composer of the Year at 2010 ASCAP‘s Latin Music Awards.

Guerra Leads Pack of Latin Grammy Nominees

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

He’s one of the most internationally renowned Latin artists in the world… And, now Juan Luis Guerra is this year’s most recognized Latin musician, at least when it comes to receiving Latin Grammy love.

During a special press conference at the Belasco Theater in downtown Los Angeles, it was announced that the 55-year-old Dominican singer, songwriter and producer has earned six nominations for this year’s Latin Grammy Awards, receiving the most nods of any of the artists nominated for the awards show’s thirteenth installment.

Guerra—a 12-time Latin Grammy winner for his distinctive blend of merengue, bolero, bachata and rock—is nominated for record and song of the year for his gospel-tinged single “En El Cielo No Hay Hospital.”

The veteran music star also scored a nod in the Producer of the Year category for his work on Juanes’ MTV Unplugged album, among other musical projects.

Meanwhile, Mexican brother-sister pop duo Jesse & Joy, winners of the best new artist Latin Grammy in 2007, earned five nods heading into Latin music’s biggest night.

The duo earned nods in the big three categories — album, record, and song of the year — for their third studio set ¿Con Quién Se Queda El Perro? and their song “Corre!”

Guatemalan singer Ricardo Arjona, Colombian rocker Juanes, Cuban musician Arturo Sandoval, Brazilian singer-songwriter Ivete Sangalo and Brazilian singer-composer Caetano Veloso joined music engineer Edgar Barrera and Mexican pop singer Carla Morrison with four nominations each.

The Latin Grammy Awards will take place on November 15 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The show will be broadcast live on Univision from 8:00 – 11:00 pm ET.

Click here for a complete look at this year’s Latin Grammy nominees.

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