Enrique Iglesias Reclaims Record for Most No. 1s on Billboard Latin Airplay Chart with “Me Pasé,” Featuring Farruko

Posted on September 29, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Enrique Iglesias is back in the lead…

The 46-year-old Spanish singer, songwriter, record producer, philanthropist and actor has recaptured his record for the most No. 1s on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart as “Me Pasé,” featuring Farruko, ascends 4-1 on the October 2-dated survey.

With 32 No. 1s on the almost 27-year list, Iglesias pushes ahead of J Balvin for the most leaders. The latter notched his 31st leader as he locked up the No. 1 spot with “In Da Getto,” with Skrillex, on the September 11-dated tally.

“Me Pasé” takes over atop Latin Airplay thanks to a 26% boost in audience impressions, to 11.3 million, in the U.S. in the week ending September 26, according to MRC Data.

Notably, Iglesias has held the record for the most No. 1s on the Latin Airplay chart almost continuously since 1996, when he achieved his fifth No. 1, then passing Selena (who had a leading four No. 1s at that point).

The Latin Airplay chart began only two years earlier, in 1994. Since then, Iglesias has held the most No. 1s on the list except for a brief time earlier this year, when J Balvin tied with him for the most, when the former notched his 31st No. 1 on the September 11 chart with “In Da Getto.”

With “Me Pasé” at the summit, Farruko reaches his highest Latin Airplay ranking in 2021 as he’s scored two No. 3 high tracks (“Perfecta,” with Luis Fonsi, January 2; and “Pepas,” September 25).

Besides conquering Latin Airplay, Iglesias and Farruko also rule Latin Pop Airplay as “Me Pasé” lifts 2-1. Iglesias improves his career total to 25 No. 1s, extending his lead far ahead of second-place Shakira, with 19. Farruko captures his sixth leader.

Meanwhile, Final (Vol. 1), Iglesias’ 11th studio album, debuts at No. 2 on Latin Pop Albums. It’s his first studio effort since 2014’s No. 1 Sex and Love, and it earns him a 12th top 10. In between, Iglesias secured a No. 2 high with a Greatest Hits (2019) set, which has remained steady in the tally’s top 10 during all but one week of its 103-week run.

The 11-track Final (Vol. 1) includes five tracks that were originally released between 2015 and 2018 but were not previously released on an Iglesias album. Among them are a pair of No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs: “El Perdón,” with Nicky Jam, and “Duele El Corazón,” with Wisin.

“I took a pause in between albums because I was touring and because I wanted to enjoy the success of my previous album,” Iglesias tells Billboard. “I have never stopped writing and going to the studio though. The plan was to release the album at the beginning of last year, but once COVID hit, it delayed everything, obviously.”

Final, released September 17 via Sony Music Latin, starts with 4,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending Sept. 23rd. Out of the 11-track set’s opening sum, 3,000 derive from streaming activity, which equates to 5 million U.S. streams of the set’s tracks. The remaining 1,000-unit sum stems from album sales and track equivalent album units.

“The biggest challenge was not being able to have everyone in the same studio and trying to follow all the precautions,” Iglesias continues. “We were trying to finish all the production aspects of the songs, which we managed to do being careful. Everyone involved wanted to see this bulk of work out and we managed to finish the process during COVID to have it ready so we could put it out now.”

On the overall Top Latin Albums chart, Final arrives at No. 12, also the Spaniard’s first appearance with a studio set since 2014. “When I work on an album, I start with 50 songs!” Iglesias adds. “Then it becomes 30, 20…so on. So, through the process, I relate to every single one in a way. I always say that if I’m going to put any music out, it must be something that I like and be willing to sing every single night, for years if needed. It’s hard to handpick just one, but I really enjoy ‘Chasing the Sun.’ It talks about staying young and staying positive. It’s a song that always puts me in a good mood.”

As Final arrives, one track launches on the all-metric Hot Latin Songs chart: “Pendejo” at No. 33. The set, however, was preceded by five songs, one of which ruled the tally for 30 weeks in 2015. Here’s the recap:

Title, Artist (if other than Iglesias), Peak Date, Peak Position
“El Perdón,” with Nicky Jam, March 21, 2015, No. 1 (30 weeks atop)
“Duele El Corazón,” with Wisin, May 14, 2016, No. 1 (14-week lead)
“Súbeme La Radio,” featuring Zion & Lennox and Descemer Bueno, April 22, 2017, No. 2
“El Baño,” featuring Bad Bunny, Jan. 27, 2018, No. 8
“Me Pasé,” featuring Farruko, Oct. 2, No. 15

Ally Brooke Recording First-Ever Spanish-Language Album

Posted on August 16, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Ally Brooke is switching tongues…

The 28-year-old Mexican American singer and former Fifth Harmony member is currently recording her first Spanish-language album.

Ally Brooke, who appeared on Dancing With the Stars and launched a 2020 U.S. tour, has signed a joint record deal with indie labels Duars Entertainment, founded by Eric Duars, and with AMSI, launched by entertainment attorney Simran A. Singh, becoming the first female artist signed to either company.

Brooke is working with producers Luny Tunes, Dimelo Flow and Mr. NaisGai, among others on the album, which will feature collaborations with Latin and mainstream artists.

The San Antonio native met Singh –who also reps Daddy Yankee, Ozuna and Anuel AA, among others—through mutual friend Suzette Quintanilla, Selena’s sister.

Singh, who initially came onboard as her attorney, was impressed with both Ally Brooke’s personality and her voice.

“We began working and I said, ‘What do you think about doing a Spanish album?'” says Singh. “She said she’d love to and we instantly clicked.”

Singh reached out to Duars, another longtime client and friend, and they decided to jointly sign Ally Brooke to an unusual joint label deal instead of shopping her to another label.

“Eric and I know this business very well and we have the capital. So rather than knock on doors, we’re going to build it up ourselves,” Singh told Billboard.

Ally Brooke is the latest mainstream female artist to record in Spanish in the past year. Selena Gomez released her first Spanish-language EP earlier this year and Camila Cabello has forayed into Spanish in singles as well.

Fans will get a first listen to Ally Brooke’s new music during a showcase hosted by Duars Entertainment and slated to take place during Billboard Latin Music Week in Miami the week of September 20 with a line-up that will also includes Rauw Alejandro. Singh says he plans to release a first single immediately after.

No stranger to the charts, Ally Brooke has scored previous hits alongside collaborators like Tyga and Afrojack.

Anitta Getting Her Own Wax Figure at Madame Tussauds in New York City’s Times Square

Posted on August 15, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Anitta is waxin’ nostalgic…

The 28-year-old Brazilian singer/songwriter will soon get her own wax figure at Madame Tussauds in New York City’s Times Square.

Anitta shared the news to her more than 55 million followers via Instagram, stating: “I’m so honored! Can’t wait to have my wax figure at @MadameTussaudsUSA, in NYC!”

A short video preview shows the “Girl From Rio” singer rocking ripped jeans, a bedazzled thong, and a cutout top as artists get her exact measurements, hair color, eye color, and skin tone.

Anitta’s wax figure — which will take nearly six months and 20 studio artists in London to create — will soon arrive at Madame Tussauds New York.

This week, the museum revealed behind-the-scenes photos of Colombian superstar Maluma also posing for his own wax figure, which will arrive at Madame Tussauds in Orlando.

Anitta and Maluma join other Latin music stars to get their own wax figures, including Selena, Romeo Santos, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, to name a few.

Maluma Getting Own Wax Figure at Orlando’s Madame Tussauds

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Maluma is getting waxed…

The 27-year-old Colombian superstar will have his own wax figure at Madame Tussauds in Orlando.

Maluma, who’s currently making the rounds with his heartfelt pop-reggaeton single “Sobrio,” shared the exciting news on NBC’s Today show by sharing images and videos of his wax figure in the making.

In true “waxed” fashion, studio artists took hundreds of measurements and captured photographs from every angle, and color-matched all the singer’s features.

The singer/songwriter was decked out in an all-white Versace double-breasted jacket and black Bottega Veneta shoes for his session.

“I’m a big dreamer,” he said in an official statement. “I remember when I was in high school saying that I wanted to be here at the museum and everything is happening; nothing is too big to make it happen.”

Maluma’s wax figure — which will take nearly six months and 20 studio artists in London to create — will arrive at Madame Tussauds Orlando in 2022.

He now joins other Latin music stars to be “waxed” including Selena and Romeo Santos.

Joe Ojeda Launches Solo Career with New Single “Dueña de tu Cama”

Posted on June 2, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Joe Ojeda proves it’s never too late to kick start your career…

The Latino singer, who kicked off his music career in the ‘80s as part of Texas-based duo The Bad Boyz alongside Pete Astudillo, kicks off his solo music career with his debut single “Dueña de tu Cama” in collaboration with Victoria La Mala, Yorch, and former Los Dinos guitarist and Grammy-winning artist, Chris Perez.

After being discovered by Abraham Quintanilla Jr., both Ojeda and Astudillo officially formed part of Selena y Los Dinos in 1988. The self-taught musician was Selena’s keyboard player until her untimely death in 1995.

“It’s been a while but I’m happy to be doing my solo project,” he tells Billboard of his edgy hip-hop-infused cumbia track.

“I always carry music in my heart and what inspires me is my family, my two daughters, my wife, and my good friends,” he notes. “I’ve always been a fan of cumbia. It’s a contagious rhythm that you can fuse with different elements so that a new sound is born.”

In “Dueña de tu Cama,” Ojeda married traditional cumbia melodies with a touch of urban-pop and rock. The track comes on the heels of all four artists teaming up for the powerful corrido, “Nuestra Tierra,” part of Victoria La Mala’s EP Soy Mala.

“The chemistry is amazing,” he admits. “Everybody brings something different to the table and that works out in a good way. When you get different ideas, you know something good is bound to happen. ‘Dueña de tu Cama’ came out better than I envisioned.”

But Ojeda didn’t exactly disappear after Selena’s passing.

He actually co-wrote and co-produced songs for many artists including Veronica Castro, Chris Perez, and Jennifer y Los Jetz, to name a few. Most notably, he co-penned Astudillo’s heartfelt “Como Te Extraño,” which peaked at No. 2 on both Hot Latin Songs and Latin Airplay charts dated January 13, 1996. On the Regional Mexican Airplay chart, it was No. 1 for 10 weeks starting Nov. 18, 1995.

“It was such an honor to be onstage with Selena. I’m very grateful and fortunate,” he says. “It’s a huge inspiration that I take with me. Being one of Los Dinos taught me a lot and how to go about my own music career. I know she would be so proud of me and my No. 1 fan. I can imagine her big charismatic smile, asking me to join ‘Dueña de tu Cama.’ I feel that she’s always supporting me.”

Ojeda, who still keeps in touch with all of Los Dinos members, says his new career venture will be inspired by artists like Los Angeles Azules, Ricky Martin, Maná, Los Intocables, and even Post Malone and Bad Bunny.

“I was born on the border, so I connect with mariachi, rock, and romantic ballads,” he explains. “I can get a piece of each genre and create a fresh sound. It’s time to bring cumbia back!”

Up next, Ojeda will drop the official music video for “Dueña de tu Cama” and plans on releasing more collaborations. “Thanks to all of Selena’s fans who support my career and motivate me to continue making music,” he concludes.

Netflix Releases Teaser for Part Two of Christian Serratos’ “Selena: The Series”

Posted on April 5, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

May the fourth be with Christian Serratos…

Netflix has revealed a new date for part two of Selena: The Series, starring the 30-year-old half-Mexican American actress as the late Tejano music icon. It will now be released on May 4.

Along with the new date for the final part of the two-part series, Netflix also released a teaser featuring Selena in her signature sparkly criss-cross purple pantsuit singing “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” at the Houston Astrodome in Texas, where she performed her last televised concert.

Part 1 of the series, which “explores Selena Quintanilla‘s journey from singing small gigs to becoming the most successful female Latin artist of all time,” made its Netflix debut on December 4, starring Serratos as singer.

“[Selena] created a path for herself when it was arguably difficult for Latinas,” Serratos previously told Billboard. “Being a woman in the industry is super tricky, but she managed to be incredibly powerful, strong, and resilient and [to] be a pioneer while being incredibly gracious, and I always thought that was so beautiful.”

Other cast members include Ricardo Chavira, who co-stars as Selena’s father, Abraham; Gabriel Chavarria as her brother A.B.; Noemi Gonzalez as her sister Suzette; Seidy Lopez as her mother, Marcella; and Madison Taylor Baez as young Selena.

https://twitter.com/contodonetflix/status/1379082648690171910

The two-part series was released 23 years after the Gregory Nava-directed and Oscar-nominated film Selena starring Jennifer Lopez made its debut on the big screen.

E! Kicking Off “True Hollywood Story” Reboot with Cardi B Episode

Posted on March 5, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Cardi B is kicking off E!’s iconic docuseries…

The entertainment network’s television docuseries True Hollywood Story will officially return on Monday, March 15, starting with an in-depth look at the 28-year-old half-Dominican American Grammy-winning rapper.

The first episode will track how the “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)” rapper built herself from the ground up, including interviews with television producer Mona Scott-Young (VH1‘s Love & Hip Hop), “Bodak Yellow” music video director Picture Perfect and fellow New York rapper Maino.

The rest of the second season’s episodes will focus on the tragic deaths of Selena and Christina Grimmie at the hands of those obsessed with them (“Death of Innocence” will air March 29); the sisterhood bond that withstands the celebrity spotlight between Beyoncé and Solange Knowles, Britney and Jamie Lynn Spears, and Miley and Noah Cyrus (“Star Sisters” will air on April 10); trail-blazing billionaires like Jay-Z (“Billionaires: Fierce, Fearless & Filthy Rich” will premiere this summer); and Hollywood’s most talked-about and mysterious cases including Whitney Houston‘s death (“Hollywood Mysteries” will premiere in the fall).

Selena’s husband Chris Perez and Grimmie’s brother Marcus will share intimate stories during the “Death of Innocence” special.

Season two of E! True Hollywood Story will debut on Monday, March 15 at 10:00 pm ET.

Angela Aguilar Becomes Youngest Act on a Lead Role to Earn No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with Christian Nodal Collab “Dime Como Quieres”

Posted on January 31, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

She’s only 17, but Angela Aguilar is already making her mark in the Latin music world…

The collaboration between Christian Nodal and the 17-year-old Mexican American singer, “Dime Como Quieres,” has risen 2-1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart dated January 30.

In the process, Aguilar becomes the youngest female act on a lead role to achieve the feat. She concurrently picks up her first No. 1 on any Latin airplay chart while Nodal captures his 10th on Latin Airplay.

“The truth is that I received the news in the most quotidian way,” Aguilar tells Billboard. “I was having breakfast with my family, huevos en salsa, surrounded by many dogs. It was a very nice surprise, a great privilege, a great honor that I was not expecting to receive at such a young age.”

“Dime Como Quieres” jumps from the runner-up slot with 13% increase in audience impressions, to 8 million, earned in the week ending January 24, according to MRC Data. The song, which debuted in the top 20 in November and earned Aguilar her first entry, leads the list in its 10th frame. It’s Nodal’s fourth consecutive No. 1 and 10th overall.

“Chris and I had worked together on the Jaripeo Sin Fronteras tour, my father invited him to open the concert for us,” Aguilar remembers. “We have known each other for four or five years now so it was a genuine experience: a friend asking a friend to record a song. He sent my father a song telling him that something was missing from his album and that he believed that something was me. So, we got in touch, changed a few arrangements but always respecting his expectations. I think it changed how people of this generation see music.”

Notably, Aguilar is just the sixth female act on a lead role to rule Regional Mexican Airplay since the chart’s inception in 1994. She joins Selena, Pilar Montenegro, Alicia Villarreal, Jenni Rivera and Graciela Beltrán.

Aguilar, likewise, takes the baton as just the second female act on a lead role to pick-up her first No. 1 with first entry. Pilar Montenegro captured her first leader on a first try with “Quítame Ese Hombre” in March 2002.

At 17-years-old, she concurrently is the youngest female act in a lead role to reach No. 1 on Regional Mexican Airplay. The late Selena secured her first Regional Mexican No. 1 with the five-week leader “No Me Queda Más” in 1994, she was 23, three months prior to her death.

Here’s a look at the female leaderboard:

Artist, Title, Debut/Peak Date, Age
Selena, “No Me Queda Más,” Dec. 3, 1994, 23-years-old
Pilar Montenegro, “Quítame Ese Hombre,” March 23, 2002, 29-years-old
Alicia Villarreal, “Soy Tu Mujer,” August 14, 2004, 32-years-old
Jenni Rivera, “De Contrabando,” June 3, 2006, 37-years-old
Graciela Beltrán, “Es Cosa De El,” May 5, 2007, 32 -ears-old
Ángela Aguilar, “Dime Como Quieres,” with Christian Nodal, Jan. 30, 2021, 17-years-old

About the collaboration Aguilar adds: “Not being able to see each other or record together and brainstorm ideas about the video was a bit challenging. Due to the current situation, I was in Zacatecas and he was in Guadalajara. It was a bit difficult because, especially for a collaboration, one wants to have that energy, that vibe, and feel that the job is well done, and at a distance it was defiant.”

Netflix Releasing Part 2 of Christian Serratos’ “Selena: The Series” in May

Posted on January 17, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Christian Serratos is returning to the stage in May…

The 30-year-old half-Mexican American actress will continue to portray the legendary Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla in Netflix’s Selena: The Series on May 14.

“When Selena Quintanilla burst onto the Tejano music scene in the ‘80s, her dream was to make music that celebrated both her Latin roots and her Mexican-American upbringing. She ultimately brought these two worlds together, leaving behind a timeless legacy that still resonates with generations of fans around the world,” said Francisco Ramos, VP of Latin American Originals. “We had the same hopes when we released Selena: The Series in December on Netflix. We wanted to pay tribute to the young girl with big dreams and an even bigger voice, and honor her incredible rise from performing local gigs with her family to gracing some of the world’s biggest stages.”

Along with the date for part 2, the streaming platform tweeted that in its first four weeks, “25 million households sang ‘Como La Flor‘ along with Selena: The Series – and half of those fans came from the U.S.”

The show also reached Netflix’s Top 10 list in 23 countries including the U.S., Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Peru. Half of the fans came from the U.S., where it spent its first week in the #1 spot on the Top 10 list.

Part 1 of the series, which “explores Selena’s journey from singing small gigs to becoming the most successful female Latin artist of all time,” made its Netflix debut on December 4 starring Christian Serratos as the late Mexican-American singer.

“[Selena] created a path for herself when it was arguably difficult for Latinas,” Serratos previously told Billboard. “Being a woman in the industry is super tricky, but she managed to be incredibly powerful, strong, and resilient and [to] be a pioneer while being incredibly gracious, and I always thought that was so beautiful.”

Other cast members include Ricardo Chavira, who co-stars as Selena’s father Abraham; Gabriel Chavarria as her brother A.B.; Noemi Gonzalez as her sister Suzette; Seidy Lopez as her mother Marcella; and Madison Taylor Baez as young Selena.

The two-part series was released 23 years after the Gregory Nava-directed and Oscar-nominated film Selena starring Jennifer Lopez made its debut on the big screen.

Selena: The Series is produced by Campanario Entertainment and executive produced by Jaime Dávila, Rico Martinez, Suzette Quintanilla, Simran A. Singh, Hiromi Kamata, and Moises Zamora.

Selena to Receive the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award

Posted on December 23, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

There’s no denying Selena’s life, cut too short, has left a lasting impression on the world. And, now the music industry’s learned academy is celebrating her impact.

The late Mexican-American singer, known as la Reina de la Musica Tejana, is among the six artists selected by the Recording Academy to receive 2021 Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Selena, who was shot and killed on March 31, 1995, 16 days before her 24th birthday, by her friend and the former manager of her Selena Etc. boutiques, received two Grammy nominations in 1993-94. She won the 1993 award for best Mexican American album for Live, marking the first time a female Tejano artist had won in the category.

Selena ranks among the most influential Latin artists of all time and is credited for catapulting a music genre into the mainstream market. She has sold around 30 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling female artists in Latin music.

This year’s other lifetime achievement award recipients include Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Salt-N-Pepa, Talking Heads, Marilyn Horne and Lionel Hampton.

The honorees will be recognized on the 63rd annual Grammy Awards on January 31, and at greater length subsequently. For the last five years, the Special Merit Awards honorees were saluted on a PBS special, Grammy Salute to Music Legends.

“As we welcome the new class of Special Merit Award honorees, it gives us a chance to reward and recognize the influence they’ve had in the music community regardless of genre,” Harvey Mason Jr., chair and interim president/CEO of the Recording Academy, said in a statement.

Here’s a detailed look at this year’s honorees:

Lifetime Achievement Awards:

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five: The group was formed in the South Bronx in 1978. The group, which was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, consisted of Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel, The Kidd Creole, Keef Cowboy, Mr. Ness/Scorpio and Rahiem. The group was praised for its use of turntablism, break-beat deejaying, choreographed stage routines, and lyricism. The group’s 1982 classic “The Message” was voted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2012.

Lionel Hampton: The jazz musician started his career as a drummer in Chicago in the 1920s before he played the vibraphone with Louis Armstrong. In the 1930s, he broke barriers with the Benny Goodman Quartet, one of America’s first integrated jazz bands. In the 1940s, he formed his own Lionel Hampton Orchestra, which became one of the longest running orchestras in jazz history. Hampton received five Grammy nominations between 1984 and 1991, but he never won. He received a Kennedy Center Honor in 1992. Hampton and his Orchestra’s 1942 classic “Flying Home” was voted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1996. Hampton died in 2002 at age 94.

Marilyn Horne: The opera star, 86, received four Grammys, including the 1964 award for most promising new classical recording artist. (She has now officially fulfilled that promise!) Horne received 15 Grammy nominations between 1964 and 1993. She received a Kennedy Center Honor in 1995.

Salt-N-Pepa: The trio, consisting of Salt (Cheryl James), Pepa (Sandra Denton) and DJ Spinderella (Deidra Roper), was one of the first all-female rap ensembles. Formed in Queens, New York, in 1985, the group crafted hits such as “Push It,” “Shoop” and “Whatta Man.” The group received five Grammy nominations between 1988 and 1996. It won the 1994 award for best rap performance by a duo or group for “None Of Your Business.”

Selena: The Tejano queen received two Grammy nominations in 1993-94. She won the 1993 award for best Mexican American album for Live, marking the first time a female Tejano artist had won in the category. Selena was just 23 when she was shot to death in 1995.

Talking Heads: The group, formed in 1975 in New York City, helped to pioneer new wave by blending elements of punk, rock, art pop, funk, and world music with an avant-garde aesthetic. The group received two Grammy nominations (in 1983 and 88), but never won. Group member David Byrne went on to win a Grammy and an Oscar on his own for co-scoring The Last Emperor. Byrne also made the cover of TIME in October 1986 in a story titled “Rock’s Renaissance Man.” The other group members were Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz and Jerry Harrison. In 2002, 11 years after the group disbanded, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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