Banda MS Announces Upcoming Collaboration with Ice Cube

Banda MS is breakin’ the ice

To celebrate their 20-year career, the Regional Mexican group’s has announced their next international collaboration will be with rapper Ice Cube.

Banda-MSBanda MS and manager Sergio Lizárraga made the announcement via a short video where they simply said “we want to do something special for our 20th anniversary” and then tapped Ice Cube on the shoulder saying “come join us, ready Cube?” to which the hip-hop star said “Listo! I’m ready!”

The upcoming track will follow the group’s second banda-meets-rap collaboration following their Snoop Dogg-assisted “Que Maldición,” which debuted at No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart in May 2020.

Gloria Estefan to Be Inducted Into Songwriters Hall of Fame

Gloria Estefan is entering the Hall

The 65-year-old Cuban Grammy-winning singer/songwriter will become one of the latest inductees of the Songwriters Hall of Fame at the organization’s 52nd Annual Induction and Awards Gala.

Gloria EstefanEstefan, who has been named one of the Top 100 greatest artists of all time by both VH1 and Billboard, will be joined by Sade Adu (better known simply as Sade), Alanis Morrisette’s longtime collaborator Glen BallardSnoop DoggElectric Light Orchestra founder Jeff Lynne, New Jack Swing pioneer Teddy Riley, and Taylor Swift collaborator Liz Rose as part of the Class of 2023.

The event is set for Thursday, June 15 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. Additional special award honorees will be announced soon.

The hall announced the latest inductees today, with Chairman Nile Rodgers saying in a statement, “The music industry does not exist without songwriters delivering great songs first. Without them there is no recorded music, no concert business, no merch . . . nothing, it all starts with the song and the songwriter.”

He added that the 2023 slate of inductees “We are therefore very proud that we are continually recognizing some of the culturally most important songwriters of all time and that the 2023 slate “represents not just iconic songs but also diversity and unity across genres, ethnicity and gender, songwriters who have enriched our lives and, in their time, literally transformed music and the lives of billions of listeners all over the world.”

The songwriters, and their key songs cited by the Hall of Fame, are:

Sade Adu p/k/a Sade: Smooth Operator, No Ordinary Love, The Sweetest Taboo, By Your Side, Is It A Crime

Glen Ballard: Man In The Mirror, You Oughta Know, Hold On, The Voice Within, The Space Between

Calvin Broadus Jr. p/k/a Snoop Dogg: Drop It Like It’s Hot, Nuthin’ But A “G” Thang, Young, Wild & Free, Gin & Juice, Next Episode

Gloria Estefan: Anything For You, Don’t Wanna Lose You, Words Get In The Way, Rhythm Is Gonna Get You, Let’s Get Loud

Jeff Lynne: Mr. Blue Sky, Don’t Bring Me Down, Evil Woman, Livin’ Thing, Telephone Line

Teddy Riley: Make It Last Forever, I Want Her, Just Got Paid, I Like, My Prerogative

Liz Rose: You Belong With Me, Crazy Girl, Girl Crush, All Too Well, White Horse

Gloria Estefan Among Finalists for 2023 Songwriters Hall of Fame

Gloria Estefan is one step closer to entering elite compay…

The 65-year-old Cuban Grammy-winning singer, actress and businesswoman is among the finalist for the 2023 class of inductees into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Gloria EstefanTwelve performing songwriters or songwriting teams and 12 non-performing songwriters or songwriting teams are vying to join the SHOF. Three songwriters or teams in each of these two divisions will be inducted at the SHOF’s 54th Annual Induction & Awards Gala on June 15, 2023, in New York City.

Estefan is among a list includes rapper and entertainer Snoop Dogg, rock poet Patti Smith, Broadway writers Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, and country pros Vince Gill, Liz Rose and Dean Dillon.

The “Rhythm is Gonna Get You” singer previously received the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song three years ago in tandem with her husband Emilio Estefan.

A songwriter with a notable catalog of songs qualifies for induction 20 years after the first significant commercial release of a song.

Eligible voting members have until 12:00 pm ET on December 28 to turn in ballots with their choices of three nominees from the non-performing songwriter category and three from the performing songwriter category.

Here’s a look at the final nominees:

Performing Songwriters       

Bryan Adams – “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You,” “Heaven,” “All for Love,” “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?,” “Summer of ‘69”
Clem Burke / Debbie Harry / Chris Stein (p/k/a Blondie) – “Call Me,” “Heart of Glass,” “Rapture,” “One Way or Another,” “Sunday Girl”
Calvin Broadus Jr. (p/k/a Snoop Dogg) – “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” “Nuthin’ But A “G” Thang,” “Young, Wild & Free,” “Gin & Juice,” “Next Episode”
Tom Johnston / Michael McDonald / Patrick Simmons (p/k/a The Doobie Brothers) – “Listen to the Music,” “Long Train Running,” “What a Fool Believes,” “China Grove,” “Black Water”
Gloria Estefan –  “Anything for You,” “Don’t Wanna Lose You,” “Words Get in the Way,” “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You,” “Let’s Get Loud”
Vince Gill – “Go Rest High on That Mountain,” “When I Call Your Name,” “I Still Believe in You,” “Don’t Let Our Love Start Slippin’ Away,” “Whenever You Come Around”
Ann Wilson / Nancy Wilson (p/k/a Heart) – “Barracuda,” “Crazy on You,” “Dog and Butterfly,” “Straight On,” “Even It Up”
Jeff Lynne (ELO – Electric Light Orchestra) – “Mr. Blue Sky,” “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “Evil Woman,” “Livin’ Thing,” “Telephone Line”
Bill Berry / Peter Buck / Mike Mills / Michael Stipe (p/k/a REM) – “Losing My Religion,” “Everybody Hurts,” “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine),” “Radio Free Europe,” “The One I Love”
Sade Adu (p/k/a Sade) – “Smooth Operator,” “No Ordinary Love,” “The Sweetest Taboo,” “By Your Side,” “Is It a Crime”
Patti Smith – “Because the Night,” “Redondo Beach,” “Dancing Barefoot,” “Frederick,” “People Have Power”
Steve Winwood – “Higher Love,” “Gimme Some Lovin’,” “I’m A Man,” “Valerie.” “Roll With It” 

Non-Performing Songwriters

Lynn Ahrens / Stephen Flaherty – “Journey to the Past” (Anastasia), “Once Upon a December” (Anastasia), “At the Beginning,” “Wheels of a Dream” (Ragtime), “Make Them Hear You” (Ragtime)
Glen Ballard – “Man in the Mirror,” “You Oughta Know, “Hold On,” “The Voice Within,” “The Space Between”
Dean Dillon – “Tennessee Whiskey,” “Ocean Front Property,” “Here for a Good Time,” “The Chair,” “I’m Alive”
Franne Golde – “Nightshift,” “Dreaming of You,” “Don’t Look Any Further,” “Don’t You Want Me,” “Stickwitu”
Bobby Hart / Tommy Boyce – “Last Train To Clarksville,” “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone,” “Come a Little Bit Closer,” “(Theme From) The Monkees,” “I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight”
Sandy Linzer / Denny Randell – “Working My Way Back to You,” “Let’s Hang On,” “Lover’s Concerto,” “Native New Yorker,” “Opus 17 (Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me)”
Roger Nichols – “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Rainy Days and Mondays,” “I Won’t Last a Day Without You,” “Out in the Country,” “Times of Your Life”
Dan Penn / Spooner Oldham – “I’m Your Puppet,” “It Tears Me Up,” “Cry Like a Baby,” “Sweet Inspiration,” “A Woman Left Lonely”
Dean Pitchford – “Footloose,” “Fame,” Holding Out for a Hero,” “All The Man That I Need,” “Let’s Hear it for the Boy”
Teddy Riley – “Make It Last Forever,” “I Want Her,” “Just Got Paid,” “I Like,” “My Prerogative”
Liz Rose – “You Belong With Me,” “Crazy Girl,” “Girl Crush,” “All Too Well,” “White Horse”
Tom Snow – “He’s So Shy,” “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” “Dreaming of You,” “Don’t Know Much,” “After All”

George Lopez to Star in Snoop Dogg’s Sports Comedy “The Underdoggs” for MGM

George Lopez is embracing the underdogg status…

The 61-year-old Mexican American comedian/actor will star in MGM’s Snoop Dogg sports comedy The Underdoggs.

George LopezLopez joins a roster of cast additions that includes Tika SumpterMike Epps and Andrew Schulz.

Meanwhile, the kid team of actors added to the cast include Jonigan Booth, Adan James Carrillo, Kylah Davila, Caleb Dixon, Alexander Michael Gordon and Shamori Washington.

Billed as The Bad News Bears in the world of Youth Football, The Underdoggs tells the story of Jaycen Jenning, “2J’s” (played by Snoop Dogg), a former NFL superstar who, after a run in with the law, agrees to coach a youth football team in lieu of prison in the hopes of relaunching his fledgling career.

Charles Stone directs off a script by Danny Segal and Isaac Schamis based off a pitch by Snoop Dogg and Schwartz-Morini.

The film is produced under Snoop Dogg’s Death Row Pictures banner, with Kenya Barris and Mychelle Deschamps for Khalabo Ink Society, Snoop Dogg’s longtime producing partner Constance Schwartz-Morini of SMAC Entertainment and Jonathan Glickman for Panoramic Media.

Production is underway for an October 20, 2023 theatrical release.

Lopez is currently shooting his upcoming multi-camera comedy series Lopez vs. Lopez, featuring his real-life daughter Mayan Lopez, and is performing stand-up in arenas across the country on his OMG Hi! Comedy Tour, through October.

Lopez will join the DC Extended Universe in the upcoming superhero film Blue Beetle, releasing in-theaters August 2023.

His extensive film credits include Walking with Herb, the modern-day Western No Man’s LandThe Tax CollectorEl Chicano, the romantic comedy box-office hit Valentine’s DayThe Spy Next DoorThe Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, and Spare Parts, which he also produced. Lopez has produced and starred in the series Lopez, co-created and starred in the series Saint George, hosted TBS’ inaugural late night talk show, Lopez Tonight, and co-created, wrote, produced and starred in the hit sitcom George Lopez.

Carrillo began his career at the age of nine and has shared the screen with Robert DeNiro in About My Father, appeared in David E. Kelley’s Lincoln Lawyer, as well as As We See It from creator Jason Katims, and Mayans M.C. from creator Elgin James.

Davila appeared in the pilot episode HBOMax’s Gordita Chronicles, and the short film Troop InvadersThe Underdoggs reps her first feature film role. An actor and gymnast, Davila hails from Manhattan Beach, California.

Gerardo Ortiz to Perform at Los Angeles’ First-Ever LA3C Festival

Gerardo Ortiz is helping celebrate culture and creativity…

The 33-year-old Mexican American Regional Mexican singer has been added to the lineup for the first-ever LA3C culture and creativity festival.

Gerardo OrtizSponsored by Penske Media, the event is set for December 10-11.

In addition to Ortiz, new additions to the main stage performance lineup include Free Nationals, Fonseca, Marc Segui, Shawn Wasabi, Monogem, Shea Diamond, and Chicocurlyhead.

The festival will take place at the Los Angeles State Historic Park in Los Angeles.

The name, LA3C, stands for Los Angeles the Capital of Culture & Creativity.

The diverse lineup of performers join previously announced headliner and three-time Grammy-winner Megan Thee Stallion and Latin chart-topper Maluma, with performances by K-Pop stage-breakers Seventeen and Snoop Dogg.

Tickets are on-sale now at LA3C.com.

“We are thrilled to share our full music lineup today,” said Juan Mora, CEO of LA3C. “Our goals were to create a lineup that celebrates the range of musical genres Los Angeles offers including Pop, Hip-Hop, R&B, K-Pop, Regional Mexican Music, EDM and more and for attendees to discover new artists while enjoying names they know and love.”

LA3C has also announced its partnership with HIN Events LLC, Hot Import Nights Brand, the world’s largest indoor/outdoor automotive lifestyle event producer.

As part of the partnership, HIN Events will host a second stage featuring headliner Mustard and performance sets from AJ Hernz, ARIUS, Cam Girl, Freya Fox, Kill Bambi, Kim Lee, LOLO, Lucky Light, Madds, MEIRLIN, Peach, Rose Gold, Soda and Vice.

Additional talent for the two-day culture and creativity festival will be announced in the coming weeks including chefs, restaurants and artists.

Bad Bunny Makes History with Artist of the Year Win at the MTV Video Music Awards

Bad Bunny continues etching his name in the music history books…

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican superstar was named Artist of the Year during Sunday’s Video Music Awards, becoming the first non-English-language performer to win the prize.

Bad BunnyBad Bunny was nominated for the honor alongside Drake, Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles, Jack Harlow, Lil Nas X and Lizzo. His hit song “Tití Me Preguntó” also received an MTV VMAs nomination this year for the Best Latin Award.

During the MTV telecast, Bad Bunny performed live from Yankee Stadium in New York as part of his World’s Hottest Tour. Other acts in the VMA performance lineup this year included Harlow, Nicki Minaj, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blackpink, Panic! at the Disco, Anitta, Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Lizzo.

In May, Bad Bunny released his fourth studio album, “Un Verano Sin Ti,” which was the second all-Spanish-language record to debut atop the Billboard 200 chart in the United States, according to MTV. When it came out, Bad Bunny’s latest LP was also Spotify‘s most-streamed album of 2022.

Meanwhile, Anitta also made history at this year’s VMAs as she picked up her first American Moon Person.

The 29-year-old Brazilian singer-songwriter, whose won several MTV Europe Music Awards, won Best Latin for her viral hit song “Envolver,” becoming the first-ever Brazilian artist to take home an MTV Video Music Awards.

It was a highly competitive category, with Anitta competing against Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, Becky G and Karol G.

Here’s a look at the night’s big winners:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) – Republic Records

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Bad Bunny – Rimas Entertainment

BEST ALBUM
Harry Styles – “Harry’s House”

SONG OF THE YEAR
Billie Eilish – “Happier Than Ever” – Darkroom / Interscope Records

BEST NEW ARTIST
Dove Cameron – Disruptor Records / Columbia Records

PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
December 2021: SEVENTEEN – “Rock With You” – PLEDIS Entertainment / Geffen Records

BEST COLLABORATION
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records

BEST POP
Harry Styles – “As It Was” – Columbia Records

BEST HIP-HOP
Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Baby – “Do We Have A Problem?” – Young Money / Cash Money / Republic Records

BEST ROCK
Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Black Summer” – Warner Records

BEST ALTERNATIVE
Måneskin – “I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE” – Arista Records

BEST LATIN
Anitta – “Envolver” – Warner Records

BEST R&B
The Weeknd – “Out Of Time” – XO / Republic Records

BEST K-POP
LISA – “LALISA” – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records

VIDEO FOR GOOD
Lizzo – “About Damn Time” – Atlantic Records

BEST METAVERSE PERFORMANCE
BLACKPINK The Virtual | PUBG – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records

BEST LONGFORM VIDEO
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) – Republic Records

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Harry Styles – “As It Was” – Columbia Records

BEST DIRECTION
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) – Republic Records

BEST ART DIRECTION
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Doja Cat – “Woman” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records

BEST EDITING
ROSALÍA – “SAOKO” – Columbia Records

TikTok Names Anitta its First Official #Rompiendo Artist

Anitta is counting down to a new partnership…

TikTok has announced the launch of a new program dubbed #Rompiendo, with the 29-year-old Brazilian star the first artist to be featured in the new program.

Anitta#Rompiendo is meant to “highlight the success and impact” of Latinx music and artists on the app. According to the social media company, the program includes promotion, playlisting, inclusion on TikTok radio and a feature on @MusicOnTikTok socials.

Anitta is a strong first choice to launch the program.

Her single “Envolver” has been used in more than 2 million videos after the song and its dance challenge went viral on TikTok. A new #Rompiendo artist will be announced every two weeks.

Most recently, Anitta made her Coachella debut with an epic set that brought Brazil to the desert and featured surprise guests such as Snoop Dogg, Saweetie and Diplo.

In mid-April, she dropped her long-awaited album Versions of Me, which includes “Envolver.” The cheeky reggaeton track peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart earlier this month, marking the first leader on the list by an artist from Brazil.

#Rompiendo is TikTok’s latest effort to propel Latinx creators on the app. Last year, during Hispanic Heritage Month, TikTok and MACRO — a media company that represents the voices and perspectives of Black people and persons of color — teamed up to launch a new incubator called TikTok Latinx Creatives in an effort to help further grow the Latinx creative community on the platform. The 10-week program focused on “nurturing and developing” 150 talented Latinx creators and music artists.

“We’re driven to spotlight and support Latinx talent with a platform that amplifies their voices and a community that is moved by them,” TikTok said in a statement at the time of Latinx Creatives’ launch.

According to TikTok, popular Latinx community hashtags — including #Latino, #Latina, #Familia, #Hispanic — generate “significant” community engagement and have accumulated billions of video views.

La La Anthony Upped to Series Regular on Starz’s Drama Series “BMF”

There’s much more BMF in La La Anthony’s future…

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican television personality, author, businesswoman, producer and actress, who recurred in the first season of Starz’s drama series BMF, has been upped to series regular status for Season 2.

La La AnthonyThe series hails from executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and writer/executive producer and Detroit native Randy Huggins.

Anthony will reprise her role as Markisha Taylor, who will have an expanded storyline in the second season. Markisha is the smart, sophisticated and street savvy wife of a powerful Detroit dealer. Despite the risk, Terry begins to pursue her relentlessly and they develop a friendship.

Anthony joins returning cast including Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr., the son of Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory; Da’Vinchi, Russell Hornsby, Michole Briana White, Myles Truitt and Steve Harris. Snoop Dogg, Arkeisha “Kash Doll” Knight, Wood Harris and Serayah recur in the series.

BMF is inspired by the true story of two brothers who rose from the decaying streets of southwest Detroit in the late 1980’s and gave birth to one of the most influential crime families in this country.

The series is executive produced by Jackson, alongside Huggins. Heather Zuhlke joins as an executive producer on Season 2 with Anthony Wilson and Anne Clements who are both set to return to executive produce.

BMF is produced through Jackson’s G-Unit Film and Television in association with Lionsgate Television for Starz.

Las Marías Among the Latinx Acts Set to Compete on NBC’s “American Song Contest”

Las Marías are hoping they have the write stuff…

The Mexican American duo, comprised of twin sisters Maria Isabel Eguino and Maria Teresa Eguino, will represent Arizona in American Song Contest, the US version of the Eurovision Song Contest, which launches this month.

Las MariasLas Marias has already released multiple albums and accumulated a faithful following of fans online. 

The program will see all 50 U.S. states, five territories, and Washington, D.C. compete for the title of Best Original Song. The contest, set to take place between March 21 and May 9, will air on NBC. The show will be hosted by Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson.

Sweet Taboo, a dynamic Los Angeles-based Latina girl group consisting of singers Jen Torrejon, Sami Ramos and rapper ICP Bre, will represent California.

Ale Zabala will represent Florida, while Christian Pagán will compete for Puerto Rico.

The winner of the Contest’s Best Original Song will be decided by audience vote, with the grand final to air live on NBC on Monday 9 May – during the same week of the main European competition.

The contest will feature multiple stages, with three qualifying rounds before the semifinals.

The arrival of the show is a dream come true for executive producer Ben Silverman. He said in a statement: “I’ve spent 20 years trying to pursue this. I just love the format.”

He added: “When America is more fractionalized than ever and we are dealing with so many issues that divide us, the one [thing] that truly unites us is our culture.”

Jhené Aiko to Perform “America the Beautiful” at Super Bowl LVI

Jhené Aiko is preparing for a beautiful moment…

The 33-year-old part-Spanish and Dominican American Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter will perform “America the Beautiful” before the start of the game at Super Bowl LVI on February 13.

Jhené Aiko

Country star Mickey Guyton will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the game, while Sandra Mae Frank, who plays Dr. Wilder on NBC’s New Amsterdamis set to perform both songs in American Sign Language on behalf of the National Association of the Deaf.

Also set to take the pregame stage is veteran gospel duo Mary Mary, who will accompanied by the LA Philharmonic’s Youth Orchestra Los Angeles on “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Zedd will serve as the pregame DJ.

NBC will telecast the Big Game from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The NFL championship will pit the hometown Los Angeles Rams against the AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals.

The game will also air on Telemundo and stream live on Peacock.

Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar will headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show. The quintet, which never have appeared together onstage, have 43 Grammys and 22 No. 1 albums among them.