Camila Cabello to Star in Chiwetel Ejiofor’s “Rob Peace”

Camila Cabello is heading back to the big screen…

The 25-year-old Mexican/Cuban singer/actress will star in Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Rob Peace.

Camila CabelloCabello, who made her acting debut in Prime Video’s Cinderella, will star opposite Jay Will, Mary J. Blige Ejiofor in the drama Ejiofor is directing from his own script, as his sophomore feature effort.

The film, currently in production, is based on Jeff Hobbs’ bestselling biography The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace: A Brilliant Young Man Who Left Newark for the Ivy League.

It follows Robert Peace (Will), a young man who grew up in a crime-ridden section of Newark, NJ and later graduated from Yale with degrees in molecular biophysics and biochemistry earned on scholarship. Peace led a dual life living in the insular world of academia and as a lab researcher of cancer and infectious diseases, while at the same time making six figures from the sale of marijuana. He was killed in a drug-related shooting in 2011.

Cabello will play Peace’s fellow Yale student Naya, with Blige and Ejiofor as his mother and father.

LAMF presents Rob Peace, in association with Hill District Media and Participant, a Sugar Peace production.

Cabello is a Latin Grammy, AMA and Billboard Music Award winner who, before going solo, broke out as a member of Fifth Harmony, one of the top-selling girl groups in history.

In 2021 she emerged as the first Hispanic woman to achieve RIAA Diamond status with her Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 smash “Havana” [feat. Young Thug], and that same year found her first major film role as the lead of Kay Cannon’s Cinderella — a modern, musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale from Prime Video, which had her starring opposite Billy Porter.

Cabello’s career in music has seen her collaborate with everyone from Ed Sheeran to Shawn Mendes and Machine Gun Kelly, with her work thus far amassing streams in the billions. Her most recent studio album, Familia — following 2018’s Camila and 2019’s Romance — was released last year via Epic Records.

Bruno Mars to Co-Chair the Grammy Museum’s Music Education Campaign

Bruno Mars is helping raise money for music education…

The Grammy Museum has announced a campaign for music education, featuring the 37-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer/songwriter, with the goal of raising $3 million to $5 million for their educational programs.

Bruno Mars, Ricky Regal, Lacoste

The funds raised over the 18-month campaign will provide free admission to the Grammy Museum in downtown Los Angeles for everybody up to age 18 and for all college students with ID and expanded access to their music education programs across the country.

In addition to Mars, the campaign is co-chaired by Billie EilishDua LipaShawn Mendes and Rosalía.

Michael Sticka, president and CEO of The Grammy Museum, says the museum’s goal is to raise “anywhere from $3 million to $5 million – and this money goes directly to the education programs. As of [October 7] we’re at about 25% of the top end of that goal, so there’s quite a bit of momentum here.”

That money has come from foundations. The museum is now starting to reach out to labels, publishers, artists, promoters and more for additional funding. “We’ve started some of the conversations with the industry,” Sticka says.

How’s that going? “No one has said no yet,” he replies.

Has anyone in the industry said “You make a lot of money from the Grammy telecast and from the MusiCares person of the year gala. Why don’t you fund your programs yourself?”

“We always hear that,” Sticka acknowledges. “I think there’s a general confusion out there of how everything is structured. The Grammy Museum Foundation is separate from the Recording Academy, so we don’t make any money off of the telecast. We’re separate from MusiCares, so we don’t see any of the money that comes in from person of the year. That goes to their important mission. We’re all part of the same family, but we are a separate entity.

“We do receive funding from the Recording Academy. They provide a healthy percentage of our operating budget, then we go out and we raise money. This money [that we raise] doesn’t go to salaries or overhead because the Academy helps subsidize that. This money goes directly to the education programs.

“Our goal with this campaign is very simple, to do our best to democratize music education by expanding our reach into underserved communities where access to our museum and educational programs could make a huge impact, and ultimately foster the next generation of music’s creators and leaders,” Sticka said in a statement.

J Balvin Becomes First Latino Artist to Headline NFL Kickoff Concert

J Balvin has earned a place in NFL history…

The 37-year-old Colombian singer performed at Alamitos Beach in Long Beach, California, on Thursday, September 8 as part of the NFL Kickoff Experience to celebrate the beginning of the 2022 NFL season, becoming the first Latino artist to headline an NFL kickoff concert.

J BalvinJ Balvin performed ahead of the first game of the year, which saw the Buffalo Bills battle with reigning Super Bowl champs, the Los Angeles Rams.

Attendees defied the L.A. heat wave and made their way to the beach for a free day event that featured all sorts of activities and activations, including a beach football field.

Before Balvin took the stage, a local mariachi band serenaded the sweaty crowd before the Alabama State Marching Hornets took over for a riveting number.

Opening for Balvin was West Coast-based DJ and producer Tokimonsta, who was able to get the concertgoers out of the shade and closer to the main stage where they danced to her eclectic set.

Then, an inflatable giant hand appeared onstage holding up an equally large smiling face balloon — Balvin’s signature smiley face— which could only mean that the chart-topping artist was ready to take make his grand entrance. While his set was scheduled to begin at 4:00 pm, Balvin took the stage 10 minutes earlier to perform a nearly one-hour show.

He appeared in a two-piece, army-like outfit styled with a matching balaclava that only exposed his eyes.

“Cómo está la vibra esta tarde, how’s the vibe today?” he asked the crowd.

Balvin kicked off with the fan-favorite “Mi Gente” and went on to perform back-to-back hits like “Reggaeton,” “Nivel de Perreo,” “Con Altura,” “Loco Contigo,” “Blanco,” “Ritmo,” “Amarillo,” “Ginza,” “I Like It” and “In Da Getto.” He also brought out a special guest, Trueno, an emerging rapper from Argentina, to perform their collaboration “Un Paso.”

“My name is Jose but they call me J Balvin,” he added. “Where are all the warriors that fight for their dreams? I see my Latino gang representing here.”

Throughout the years, artists like Shawn MendesMeek MillMeghan Trainor and Ed Sheeran have performed at the NFL Kickoff Concert.

Camilo Earns Third No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay Chart with “Pegao”

Camilo has another chart-topper on his hands…

The 28-year-old Colombian singer, musician and songwriter has notched his third No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart dated Aug. 13 as “Pegao” rises to the top spot in its 11th week.

Camilo“Pegao” climbs from the runner-up rank through a 7% gain in audience impressions, to 5.6 million, earned in the U.S. in the week ending August 7, according to Luminate.

The single ends Manuel Turizo’s one-week command with “La Bachata” (Aug. 6-dated survey), as it drops to No. 2 on the latest chart.

The cumbia villera “Pegao” marks a new career achievement for Camilo’s Tropical Airplay career history, becoming his first champ on a lead role, unaccompanied by any other act. The track was co-written alongside Edgar Barrera with the collaboration of Andres Castro.

“Pegao” follows Camilo’s two-week champ “Baloncito Viejo,” with Carlos Vives (June 11-18-dated lists). Previously, he logged his first champ also through a co-lead collab, “Kesi,” with Shawn Mendes (Aug. 21, 2021).

“Pegao” is the third single from Camilo’s forthcoming third studio album, De Adentro Pa Fuera, set to be released in September. His eponymous worldwide tour, which kicked off on May 26 in Mexico, features some of the set’s already released singles: “Indigo” with Evaluna and “Pesadilla,” both which scored an entry on Latin Pop Airplay (No. 3 and No. 16 high, respectively), and the newly released singles “Nasa” with Alejandro Sanz and “Naturaleza” with Nicki Nicole, which have not yet entered a Billboard chart.

Further, ‘Pegao” moves closer to the top 10 on Latin Airplay, climbing 16-12 in its 10th week.

Camila Cabello to Take Part in Michael Bublé’s Holiday Special “Christmas in the City”

Camila Cabello is spending Christmas in the City

The 24-year-old Cuban-Mexican singer and former Fifth Harmony member will take part in Michael Bublé’s holiday special Christmas in the City next week on NBC.

Camila CabelloIn addition to Cabello, Bublé’s other guests will include Jimmy FallonLeon BridgesTed Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham and Kermit the Frog. They’ll be backed by a 48-piece orchestra.

“I’m especially excited about this year’s show and our phenomenal guests,” Bublé said in a statement. “It will be a night to remember and I can’t wait to celebrate with everyone.”

Michael Bublé’s Christmas in the City, premiering Monday, December 6, at 10:00 pm ET on NBC, will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the crooner’s Christmas album, which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 back in 2011 and just landed at No. 2 on Billboard‘s Greatest of All Time Top Holiday Albums chart.

While this will mark the first time Bublé has performed with Cabello, his now-3-year-old daughter Vida starred in an adorable viral video with the crooner last year singing “Señorita,” Cabello’s Hot 100 No. 1 duet with Shawn Mendes.

Camila Cabello’s “Havana” Music Video Joins YouTube’s Billion Views Club

It’s a repeat billion performance for Camila Cabello

The 24-year-old Mexican and Cuban singer and former Fifth Harmony member’s “Havana” video, featuring Young Thug, has surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube, the video-sharing site has announced.

Camila CabelloCabello’s video was released in October 2017 and the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 in January 2018 — marking Cabello’s first No. 1 on the chart.

Cabello is no stranger to YouTube’s Billion Views Club. Before launching her solo career, Cabello’s all-girl group Fifth Harmony— as of August this year — has racked up a pair of videos with 2 billion views on the site: 2015’s “Worth It” and 2016’s “Work From Home.”

Cabello also racked up 1 billion views with her 2019 Shawn Mendes duet “Señorita,” which joined the club in April 2000. The former couple’s steamy duet also hit No. 1 on the Hot 100.

Jennifer Lopez to Perform as Part of “Global Citizen Live” Concert Event

Jennifer Lopez is going global to defend the planet…

Global Citizen Live has revealed additional names of performers for its worldwide show on September 25, with the 52-year-old Puerto Rican superstar among those taking the stage.

Jennifer Lopez

J.Lo — who also performed as part of Vax Live in Los Angeles a few months ago — Taboo and his fellow Black Eyed Peas and Meek Mill are among the acts just added to the 24-hour eventwhich will feature performances on six continents.

Global Citizen, the international advocacy group behind the Vax Live concert on May 8, said next month’s event is aimed at defeating poverty, Covid and climate change.

The acts revealed today join Adam Lambert, Alessia Cara, Andrea Bocelli, Angélique Kidjo, Billie Eilish, BTS, Burna Boy, Camila Cabello, Christine and the Queens, Coldplay, Davido, Demi Lovato, DJ Snake, Doja Cat, Duran Duran, Ed Sheeran, Femi Kuti, Green Day, H.E.R., Hugh Jackman & Deborra-lee Furness, Keith Urban, Lang Lang, Lizzo, Lorde, Metallica, Rag’n’Bone Man, Ricky Martin, Shawn Mendes, The Lumineers, The Weeknd, Tiwa Savage and Usher.

Global Citizen’s stated goal for the event is call on world leaders, major corporations and foundations to donate at least 1 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses to those most in need by September, help the 41 million people on the brink of famine by contributing enough meals to feed everyone for the next year and combat climate change by developing science-based targets to reach net-zero emissions.

Broadcast and streaming partners for Global Citizen Live include ABC, ABC News Live, BBC, FX, iHeartRadio, Hulu, YouTube, Time and Twitter.

Here are the full concert lineups for September 25, with more locations and performances to be announced, per Global Citizen:

NEW YORK CITY
Coldplay, Billie Eilish, Camila Cabello, Jennifer Lopez, Lizzo, Meek Mill, Shawn Mendes (with guest performances by Alessia Cara, Burna Boy, Cyndi Lauper, Jon Batiste and Lang Lang)

PARIS
Ed Sheeran, Doja Cat, DJ Snake, H.E.R., Black Eyed Peas, Christine and the Queens (with a guest performance by Angélique Kidjo)

LAGOS, NIGERIA
Femi Kuti, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Made Kuti

Camilo Enlists Shawn Mendes for Bilingual “Kesi” Remix

Camilo’s latest single is getting a major assist…

The 27-year-old Colombian singer/songwriter has joined voices with Shawn Mendes for the newly released bilingual version of Camilo’s ultra tropical love anthem “Kesi.”

Camilo

It’s the first time the pair has worked together, and the moment was made possible after Mendes reached out to Camilo over DM.

“I was like listening to, I heard KESI And I was like, I’m obsessed with this song. I’m just going to, I slid in his DMS and I was like, ‘Please let me do a verse on this song because I’m obsessed with it,'” the “Señorita” singer told Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1.

Camilo said in a statement that he wasn’t planning on releasing a remix of “Kesi,” off his chart-topping Mis Manos album, but when Mendes proposed the idea, it was an immediate yes.

“Being a big fan of his music, the pure idea of hearing him singing in Spanish is something that made me so excited. The fact that he decided to sing in our language for the first time in his career on a song with me is one of the greatest honors I’ve had in my career as an artist.”

The remix stays true to the original sounds rooted in traditional champeta, a genre that originates from the coast of Colombia. The twist comes comes near the remix’s minute-mark with Mendes singing a verse in English, and then transitions to Spanish to sing the chorus: “If you tell me right now that you want me by your side, that would be beautiful … but you don’t tell me kesi (yes).”

This release comes as Camilo embarks on his global Mis Manos Tour, which kicked off in Spain and includes 16 sold out dates in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Camila Cabello Earns iHeart Radio Titanium Award for “Señorita,” Featuring Shawn Mendes

Camila Cabello is a stream queen…

iHeartRadio has announced the winners of its Titanium Awards, with the 23-year-old Cuban & Mexican singer making the list of 29 artists with songs that reached 1 billion spins.

Camila Cabello

Cabello earned her Titanium Award for her chart-topping duet with Shawn Mendes, “Señorita.”

Meanwhile, Selena Gomez picked up a Titanium Award for her single “Back to You.”

Here’s the full list of winners:

Ariana Grande (“thank u, next” and “7 rings”)
Drake (Travis Scott’s “SICKO MODE” and Chris Brown’s “No Guidance”)
Jonas Brothers (“Sucker” and “Only Human”)
Khalid (“Talk” and “Better”),
Lizzo (“Truth Hurts” and “Good as Hell”)
The Weeknd (“Blinding Lights” and “Heartless”)
Post Malone (“Wow.,” “Circles” and “Sunflower” featuring Swae Lee)
Shawn Mendes (“In My Blood,” “If I Can’t Have You” and “Señorita,” featuring Camila Cabello)
Ava Max (“Sweet But Psycho”)
Billie Eilish (“bad guy”)
blackbear (“hot girl bummer”)
Camila Cabello (“Señorita”)
Chris Brown (“No Guidance”)
Dan + Shay (“Tequila”)
Doja Cat (“Say So”)
Dua Lipa (“Don’t Start Now”)
Ed Sheeran (“I Don’t Care”)
Harry Styles (“Adore You”)
Justin Bieber (“I Don’t Care”)
Kendrick Lamar (“LOVE. feat. Zacari)
Lewis Capaldi (“Someone You Loved”)
Maroon 5 (“Memories”)
Normani (“Dancing With a Stranger”)
Sam Smith (“Dancing With a Stranger”)
Selena Gomez (“Back to You”)
Shaed (“Trampoline”)
Swae Lee (“Sunflower”)
Travis Scott (“SICKO MODE”)

Total audience spins are based on Mediabase airplay and is multiplied by the number of persons listening to the radio at the time of those plays, delivering total audience impressions, which is the broadcast equivalent of the number of streams on a streaming service.

Camila Cabello Among the Winners at Inaugural The Lockdown Awards

Camila Cabello has the chemistry on lock with Shawn Mendes

The 23-year-old Cuban & Mexican singer and her boyfriend-singer Mendes’ performance during the One World: Together at Home broadcast won one of the awards at the inaugural LiveXLive Presents: The Lockdown Awards.

Camila Cabello & Shawn Mendes

The awards show is meant to honor “the best of the best who created and entertained the world amidst the pandemic.” 

Cabello and Mendes’ performance of “What a Wonderful World” during the all-star telethon organized by Global Citizen took home the award for Digital Chemistry, Favorite Duet.

Cardi B didn’t have to actually perform to earn her prize.

The 28-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar won the Musicians Not Playing Music prize for her DIY Hair Mask.

Swizz Beatz was named the winner for launching a can’t miss series of music moments…

The 42-year-old part-Puerto Rican artist, producer and DJ and Timbaland took home the The New New, Favorite New Music Series for Verzuz, their weekly, real-time, virtual DJ battles.

Chrissie Fit and her fellow Barden Bellas took home the Way-Off Broadway, Favorite Musical Reunion prize.

The 36-year-old Cuban American actress/singer and her Pitch Perfect cast mates won after reuniting to perform “Love on Top.”

Trey Songz hosted The Lockdown Awards, which included performances by Ally Brooke, Avenue Beat, Wiz Khalifa, Lauv and Conan Gray, Icona Pop and Sofi Tukker, Joss Stone, Johnny Orlando and Monsta X.

Winners were determined by fan voting at livexlive.com/TheLockdownAwards, as well as through Twitter submissions starting October 6.

“The inaugural Lockdown Awards is in the books,” said Garrett English, chief creative officer, LiveXLive, in a statement. “This was an evening celebrating artists, fans, and the enduring power of music.”

YouTube partnered with LiveXLive to distribute and promote the show across multiple YouTube channels.

Here’s a complete list of winners:

MVP Award: DJ D-Nice
Favorite Quaranteam: BTS
Digital Chemistry, Favorite Duet: Camila Cabello & Shawn Mendes – “What a Wonderful World,” Global Citizen One World: Together at Home
The Room Where It Happens, Favorite Home Performance: Will Smith & DJ Jazzy Jeff – “Brand New Funk”
A Quarantine Ditty, Favorite Quarantine Song: Charlie Puth – “Untitled Quarantine Song”
All the Feels, Favorite Song for the Soul: Restless Road & Kane Brown – “Take Me Home,” Pandora Live
Musicians Not Playing Music: Cardi B – DIY Hair Mask
I Heart that Song, Favorite Cover: MGK & Travis Barker – “Misery Business”
Mind = Blown, Favorite Use of Tech: Katy Perry – Tomorrowland Around the World
No Stage, No Problem, Favorite Outdoor Performance: Andrea Bocelli – “Amazing Grace,” Music for Hope
Room With a View, Favorite Creative Direction: Keith Urban – “Higher Love,” Global Citizen One World: Together at Home
Sights & Sounds, Most Like a Music Video: 24kGoldn with Yungblud – “City of Angels,” The Yungblud Show
Stronger Together, Favorite Group/All-Star Performance: Andrea Bocelli, Celine Dion, John Legend, Lady Gaga, & Lang Lang – “The Prayer,” Global Citizen One World: Together at Home
The New New, Favorite New Music Series: Timbaland & Swizz Beatz – Verzuz
The Best Fest, Favorite Virtual Festival: Lollapalooza 2020
Way-Off Broadway, Favorite Musical Reunion: Pitch Perfect Cast / The Barden Bellas – “Love on Top,” Universal Pictures
Zoom Tune, Zoom Performance: SuperM – “With You,” Global Citizen One World: Together at Home