Bosé Adds Pablo Alborán, Ximena Sariñana & More to His MTV Unplugged Concert Guest List

Posted on May 12, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Miguel Bosé is unplugging with more Latin superstars…

The Spanish musician and actor has added Pablo Alborán, Maná‘s Alex and Sergio and Ximena Sariñana to the list of special guests slated to take part in his MTV Unplugged concert.

The additions join previously announced Latin superstars Fonseca, Marco Antonio Solís, Natalia Lafourcade and Benny Ibarra for the musical event.

Alborán took to social media to confirm his appearance alongside his fellow Spaniard.

“I have landed in Mexico City where we are ready to shoot Bosé’s MTV Unplugged. It will be a special and magical night and I think everyone will really enjoy it,” said the “Se Puede Amar” singer on Instagram.

The Spanish singer/songwriter’s Unplugged is set to be recorded on Thursday, May 12 in Mexico City and will be aired in the U.S and throughout Latin America in September.

Bosé joins a long list of Latin acts who have recorded an MTV Unplugged including Café Tacvba, Shakira and Los Tigres del Norte.

Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias Win Big at the Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Nicky Jam and Enrique Iglesias have plenty of reason to celebrate…

The 35-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American singer/songwriter and 40-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter were the big winners of the 2016 Billboard Latin Music Awards, propelled by their global hit “El Perdón.”

Nicky Jam and Iglesias collected six trophies each, including Hot Latin Song of the Year, Vocal Event, Airplay Song of the Year, Digital Song of the Year, Streaming Song of the Year and Latin Rhythm Song of the Year. Additionally, Iglesias won Latin Pop Songs Artist of the Year, Solo, while Nicky Jam won Latin Rhythm Songs Artist of the Year, Solo.

After thanking God, his genre Latina, Billboard and the people of Colombia and Puerto Rico, Nicky Jam gave a shout-out to his father, who he was separated from for much of his childhood. “I never brought home to you a medal from school,” he said. “But here is your medal, Papi.”

Right behind in the trophy haul was Mexican singer/songwriter Juan Gabriel, a comeback success story who won Tour of the Year and whose album of duets, Los Duo, won for Top Latin Album of the Year and Latin Pop Album of the Year. Gabriel also won Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Male and Latin Pop Albums Artist of the Year, solo, and was honored with the special Billboard Star Award.

“This doesn’t seem real,” said a giddy Juan Gabriel, the first winner of the night. “I’m amazed. I’m surprised. I am very happy to be here for the first time.”

Other top winners of the evening included Romeo Santos, who won Artist of the Year, Mana, who won Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group, and Shakira, who won Social Artist of the Year.

Here’s a look at the night’s winners:

Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Male: Juan Gabriel
Tropical Songs Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Gente de Zona
Hot Latin Song of the Year: Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias, “El Perdón”
Tropical Song of the Year: Gente de Zona Feat. Marc Anthony, “La Gozadera”
Top Latin Album of the Year: Juan Gabriel, Los Dúo
Tropical Album of the Year: Victor Manuelle, Que Suenen Los Tambores
Regional Mexican Album of the Year: Gerardo Ortiz, Hoy Más Fuerte
Latin Rhythm Songs Artist of the Year, Solo: Nicky Jam
Latin Rhythm Song of the Year: Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias, “El Perdón”
Airplay Song of the Year: Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias, “El Perdón”
Streaming Song of the Year: Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias, “El Perdón”
Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizarraga
Regional Mexican Songs Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizárraga
Latin Rhythm Songs Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Zion & Lennox
Latin Pop Album of the Year: Juan Gabriel, Los Dúo
Tour of the Year: Juan Gabriel
Artist of the Year: Romeo Santos
Artist of the Year, New: Ariel Camacho y Los Plebes del Rancho
Social Artist of the Year: Shakira
Crossover Artist of the Year: Justin Bieber
Hot Latin Song of the Year, Vocal Event: Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias, “El Perdón”
Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Male: Romeo Santos
Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Female: Shakira
Digital Song of the Year: Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias, “El Perdón”
Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Female: Selena
Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Maná
Latin Pop Song of the Year: Maná Feat. Shakira, “Mi Verdad”
Latin Pop Songs Artist of the Year, Solo: Enrique Iglesias
Latin Pop Songs Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Mana
Latin Pop Albums Artist of the Year, Solo: Juan Gabriel
Latin Pop Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Maná
Tropical Songs Artist of the Year, Solo: Romeo Santos
Tropical Albums Artist of the Year, Solo: Romeo Santos
Tropical Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Buena Vista Social Club
Regional Mexican Song of the Year: Ariel Camacho y Los Plebes del Rancho, “Te Metiste”
Regional Mexican Songs Artist of the Year, Solo: El Komander
Regional Mexican Albums Artist of the Year, Solo: Joan Sebastian
Regional Mexican Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda
Latin Rhythm Album of the Year: Pitbull, Dale
Latin Rhythm Albums Artist of the Year, Solo: Pitbull
Latin Rhythm Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Plan B
Songwriter of the Year: Anthony “Romeo” Santos
Producer of the Year: Saga WhiteBlack

Shakira Among Finalists for This Year’s Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame

Posted on March 20, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira is known for her stellar songwriting… And, it could soon land her in the annals of history.

The 39-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter appears on the list of nominees in the performers (singer/songwriters) category to the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame 2016.

Shakira, who penned several of her hit singles, including “Inevitable,” “She Wolf,” and “Whenever, Wherever,” joins a list that includes fellow performers Juanes, Marco Antonio Solis and Draco Rosa.

Shakira won the Latin Grammy for Song of the Year in 2006 for her massive international hit “La Tortura.”

Non-performer (composers) finalists include Kike Santander, Carlos Lara, Chico Navarro and Alejandro Jean.

The final list of artists and composers chosen to be inducted into the LSHOF will be announced at the 2016 Latin Billboard Music Conference taking place in April.

The selected six winners will then be inducted into the esteemed hall during the fourth annual La Musa Awards at the Filmore Miami Beach Jackie Gleason Theater on October 13.

Here’s the full list of LSHOF 2016 nominees:

PERFORMERS
Alejandro Lerner (Argentina)
Caetano Veloso (Brazil)
Juanes (Colombia)
Shakira (Colombia)
Chucho Valdés (Cuba)
Joaquín Sabina (España)
José Mara Cano (España)
Marco Antonio Solís (Mexico)
Los Temerarios (Mexico)
Ruben Blades (Panama)
Draco Rosa (Puerto Rico)
Vico C (Puerto Rico)

NON-PERFORMING
Claudia Brant (Argentina)
Chico Novarro (Argentina)
Erasmo Carlos (Brazil)
Kike Santander (Colombia)
Jorge Luis Piloto (Cuba)
Alejandro Jaen (España)
Jose Enrique (Chelique) Sarabia (Venezuela)
Carlos Lara (Mexico)
Miguel Luna (Mexico)
Cheo Zorrilla (República Dominicana)
Luis Fernando Ochoa (USA)
K.C Porter (USA)

The non-profit organization was founded by songwriters/producers Desmond Child and Rudy Perez in 2012 to celebrate and honor Latin music creators.

J Balvin’s ‘Ginza’ Makes History on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs Chart

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

J Balvin makes Billboard chart history…

The 30-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer spends a 21st consecutive week at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart with “Ginza.”

With its latest frame at the top of the charts, the song makes history as the longest-leading No. 1 by a single act, unaccompanied by another.

“It’s amazing how dreams are limitless, and how discipline, along with good music, can bring you to live the unimaginable,” said Balvin in an interview with Billboard.

“Ginza” passes three other 20-week No. 1s by acts unaccompanied by other artists: Flex‘s “Te Quiero” (2008), Juanes‘ “Me Enamora” (2007-08) and Son by Four‘s “A Puro Dolor” (2000).

Overall, “Ginza” is the fourth-longest-leading No. 1 in Hot Latin Songs history (which dates to 1986) but rules as the only non-collaborative track to spend as many as 21 weeks atop the tally (which shifted from solely airplay audience measurement to a blend of airplay, sales, and streaming in October 2012). Enrique Iglesias leads with 41 weeks at No. 1 with “Bailando,” featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona (2014-15), followed by Nicky Jam and Iglesias’ “El Perdon” (31 weeks, 2015) and Shakira‘s “La Tortura,” featuring Alejandro Sanz (25 weeks, 2005).

Sustained streaming has helped to keep “Ginza” atop Hot Latin Songs, with 1.9 million U.S. streams logged in the week ending Feb. 18, according to Nielsen Music (an 8 percent hike), lifting it to No. 1 on Latin Streaming Songs for the first time. YouTube and Vevo on YouTube views account for 58 percent of overall clicks, including views stemming from the official music video (which has amassed more than 420 million worldwide streams since its July 2015 premiere). At its height, “Ginza” was streamed 2.4 million times in the U.S. during a single tracking week (reflected in the Oct. 31, 2015 chart week).

The reign of “Ginza” is also propelled by continued airplay on Latin stations, as it steps 3-2 on Latin Airplay with 12 million audience impressions in the tracking week. It previously dominated for 12 weeks on the airplay chart, peaking in September. Meanwhile, downloads of the song are up 14 percent to 3,000 downloads, earning it the No. 3 spot on Latin Digital Songs (following its No. 2 peak on the chart). The track has sold 153,000 downloads to date.

Balvin debuted the reggaeton track via a live performance on Univision‘s Premios Juventud awards show July 17, 2015, and it rose to No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs (in its 11th chart week) Oct. 17. “Ginza” is his second No. 1 on the chart, following a week atop the ranking with “Ay Vamos” earlier in the year (March 7).

Sofia to Perform at This Year’s Latin Grammys

Posted on October 24, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Raquel Sofia is ready to make a big splash at the Latin Grammys…

The Puerto Rican singer-songwriter has been added to the roster of artists scheduled to perform at the annual awards show.

Sofia, who is nominated for Best New Artist at this year’s Latin Grammys, joins a list of performers that includes Juan Luis Guerra, J Balvin, Cho Quib Town, Natalia Jimenez, Will Smith and Bomba Estereo, and fellow best new artist nominees Matisse.

Sofia’s debut album, Te Quiero los Domingos, was released in July.

Sofia, who recently received a Vevo Lift nomination, previously performed backing vocals for Juanes, Shakira and Jean Carlos Canela, before making a name for herself.

Smith and Bomba Estereo will perform their version of “Fiesta,” which is nominated for record of the year in its original version. Balvin is nominated for best urban performance and best urban son for his hit “Ay Vamos” while Guerra is up for four awards, including album and record of the year.

The 16th annual Latin Grammys will air live on Univision on November 19 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Sofia Receives Vevo Lift Nomination

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a special is Lift off for Raquel Sofia…

The Puerto Rican singer-songwriter, nominated for Best New Artist at this year’s Latin Grammys, has received a nomination in Vevo’s artist development program, Lift.

Launched in 2011, the program lends promotional support to a handful of emerging artists per year, giving them a special landing page on Vevo with exclusive content including interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, video premieres and more to expose their music to a broader audience.

Jessie J, Sam Smith, Lorde, and Tori Kelly are among the famous artists who make up part of the Vevo Lift alumni.

In this current round, Sofia is up for the Vevo Lift slot with Canadian R&B singer/songwriter Alessia Cara and Swedish pop singer Zara Larsson.

Online fan voting determines the winner, but if Sofia — who herself has a love affair with jazz, blues, folk, rock and pop — does anywhere near as well as she’s done on Spotify (17 million total streams and counting), she stands a good chance.

And then there’s the fact that she’s learned from the best, having performed backing vocals for Shakira and Juanes, among others.

“They’re so professional and so talented and they’ve worked so hard, so you get to see why they are at the top,” she recently told Billboard of working with major artists. “So I guess more than advice I learned just from being around them, like osmosis, just absorbing everything that they did, watching them perform. It’s just incredible.”

“I just remember listening to a lot of Bob Marley, the Beatles, Juan Luis Guerra and Shakira. Wanting to do that, especially the songwriting part,” she told us when discussing her childhood in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico and the influences around her debut album, Te Quiero Los Domingos.

Fans can vote for Sofia here until October 19.

Aguilera Returning for Season 10 of NBC’s “The Voice”

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Christina Aguilera will be spinning again soon…

The 34-year-old part-Ecuadorian American singer will join fellow coaches Adam Levine, Blake Shelton and Pharrell Williams for Season 10 of The Voice, NBC has confirmed.

Aguilera, who helped launch the reality singing competition as the sole female coach, appeared in the first three seasons before taking a break for Season 4, with Shakira filling her seat.

The Burlesque star returned in Season 5, but then took a long hiatus for Seasons 6 (Shakira) and Season 7, with Gwen Stefani replacing Shakira.

Aguilera then returned for Season 8, before taking yet another break for the current installment (Season 9).

The Voice is currently averaging a 3.5 rating, 11 share in adults 18-49 and 12.6 million viewers overall in L+3 in weeks 1 and 2 of the current season, according to Nielsen and the network.

The Emmy-winning reality series also debuted with six-month time-period highs for NBC on both Monday and Tuesday.

The Voice hails from United Artists Media Group, Talpa Media USA and Warner Horizon Television. The series was created by John de Mol, who serves as executive producer along with Mark Burnett, Audrey Morrissey, Lee Metzger and Jay Bienstock.

“The coaches on The Voice continue to bring incredible energy, unrivaled musical expertise and a want-to-win attitude that makes for the perfect ingredients of a two-time Emmy-winning show,” said Paul Telegdy, President, Late Night and Alternative Programming, NBC Entertainment. “We can’t wait to see what season 10 will bring.”

The 10th season of The Voice will begin in February.

Shakira to Get Her Own Bird as Part of Rovio’s “Angry Birds Pop” Mobile Game

Posted on September 20, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira is flying high…

The 38-year-old Colombian singer will become an Angry Bird in the new Angry Birds Pop mobile puzzle game.

The new “Shakira Bird” is yellow and has long, flowing blonde hair. In addition to Angry Birds Pop, she’ll also appear in the coming months to two other Angry Bird games: Angry Birds Friends and Angry Birds 2.

The deal between Shakria and the game-maker Rovio came about after she met with Rovio marketing head Peter Vesterbacka in Barcelona this year, according to an article in musically.

“Within five minutes it was very clear that we had to do something together,” said Vesterbacka in a statement

The Shakira-Rovio partnership isn’t the first time they’ve partnered with a major music artist.

Back in 2012, Rovio partnered with Green Day, who got their own episode in Angry Birds Friends.

It wasn’t immediately clear how Angry Birds will link the Shakira Bird to her music.

Shakira is working on a new album but no material has been released yet.

She most recently appeared onstage in Barcelona with Mexican rock band Mana, who featured her in the group’s single “Mi verdad.”

Don Francisco to Receive an All-Star Send-Off as “Sabado Gigante” Ends Its Historic Run

Posted on September 13, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It’s an all-star send-off for Don Francisco…

The 74-year-old Chilean television host will have an A-List roster of talent on hand when his popular Univision program Sábado Gigante airs its final episode on September 19.

The longest-running variety show in history, created and hosted by television icon Mario Kreutzberger (more commonly known as Don Francisco), will draw to a clsoe after an unparalleled 53-year cycle.

The network confirmed to Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter exclusively that the lineup for the finale includes global superstar Shakira, Spanish heartthrob Enrique Iglesias, Colombian rocker Juanes, Mexican pop diva Paulina Rubio, Italian pop singer Laura Pausini, Latin urban king Daddy Yankee, salsa icon Marc Anthony, regional Mexican acts Espinoza Paz and Intocable, pop balladeer Luis Fonsi, bachata idol Prince Royce and the original crossover queen, Gloria Estefan.

Their participation will be a mix of live performances and other surprises, the details of which will be revealed by Univision in the coming days.

Many of those artists have a unique attachment to Don Francisco, who gave them a platform long before they became household names.

Upon hearing the news in April that the show was ending, many prominent members of the music community shared heartfelt messages on social media dedicated to Kreutzberger, who will continue his relationship with Univision by hosting specials.

At the time, Yankee told Billboard, “Don Francisco was the first person who gave me a shot on national television. I’ll always be indebted to him. His contribution to — and influence in — the Latino community has no limit. He is an example and a true leader.”

Likewise, Royce told Billboard, “Don Francisco and Sábado Gigante have been hugely important in my career. It was the first show where I performed on television even before I was known. Mario opened the doors to Chile for me by inviting me to be a part of his beloved telethon and I’ve joined him for two years in that beautiful labor of love which he puts on from the heart for the kids and families of his country. He has a giant heart and that’s why he’s so big, our dear Don Francisco.”

Iglesias, who first visited the show in 1995 when he was still a relative newcomer, reacted to the news by saying, “Fifty-three years on TV is easy to say, but it’s an incredible record. Don Francisco will always be unique and irreplaceable. I am so grateful because I started my career on the show and I’m sure a lot of my colleagues will agree with me that he has been like a father figure to all of us. Thank you Don Mario.”

Promos for the special “Sábado Gigante: Hasta Siempre” started airing on Univision on September 12 leading up to the grand finale.

Jennifer Lopez & Shakira Among the Featured Artists in HBO’s Latin Music-Themed Doc “The Latin Explosion: A New America”

Posted on September 8, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Ready to get a history lesson in Latin music movement in the United States? Then don’t miss a special documentary from HBO.

HBO’s documentary film The Latin Explosion: A New America will debut Monday, November 16 on HBO and HBO Latino and simulcast in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Created and executive produced by music mogul Tommy Mottola, The Latin Explosion: A New America celebrates the artists and visionaries who have exploded onto the U.S. music scene and gone on to become global superstars, from Desi Arnaz to Romeo Santos.

The film shows how those acts have influenced every aspect of American society, from culture to politics to the economy.

The film ranges from the cha-cha and mambo crazes of the ‘50s, with Arnaz and Rita Moreno, and the edgier ‘60s, reflected by Carlos Santana and Jose Feliciano, to the exciting new sound of salsa in the ‘70s and the emergence of superstars Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan in the ‘80s.

The film also spotlights the Latino boom of the late ‘90s, led by Ricky Martin, Shakira, Mark Anthony and Jennifer Lopez, and today’s hottest stars, Pitbull and Santos.

Some of the featured artists discuss how their crossover hits have played a role in defining the American experience, setting the stage for today’s Latin Explosion.

Other artists featured include Eva Longoria, George Lopez, Los Lobos, Cheech Marin, Thalía and Sofía Vergara. John Leguizamo is the narrator.

“We have assembled the largest array of Latino superstars ever in a film telling a powerful story of their history and immigration, politics, and rise from a small minority population to the most critical demographic in the United States,” comments Mottola.

The Latin Explosion: A New America is directed and produced by Matthew O’Neill and Jon Alpert.

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