Residente Teams Up with Ricky Martin for Epic Single “Quiero ser baladista”

Residente is going the distance with Ricky Martin

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican rapper, singer, songwriter and filmmaker. whose real name is René Pérez Joglar, and the 51-year-old Puerto Rican singer/actor have joined voices to release the new track “Quiero ser baladista.”

ResidenteMore than a song, Residente’s nine-minute, seven-second long single is being called a stream of consciousness on tiradera (diss tracks), music, lyrics, performance art and entertainment value, where the music video –a bona fide short film—is as important as the music.

The black and white flick kicks off with Residente being shot dead in an elevator, as what sounds like a tinkly “elevator music” version of Ricky Martin’s hit “Vuelve” plays in the background. From there, Residente revives, brings down his assailants, and, over sparse chords, delivers one of his signature raps centering on his lyrical prowess and the fact that he’s the best (“I’m the wolf who upsets the henhouse”).

Then, things take a turn. Residente reveals that his tied up captive is actually Sony Music Latin Iberia chairman Afo Verde, auditions as a balladeer, in Ricky Martin’s voice, then shoots Verde.

In turn, Martin shoots Residente and channels the rapper, in a recall of Justin Bieber playing Drake in “Pop Star.”

Marc Anthony’s “3.0” Becomes First-Ever Salsa Album to Earn RIAA’s Diamante Certification

Marc Anthony is shining bright like a diamond…

The 52-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning singer/songwriter, the best-selling tropical salsa artist of all time, has earned a spot in the annals of music history with his 2013 album 3.0, which at the time was his first salsa album in a decade.

Marc Anthony

The album, which was considered a risky release at the time with tropical music beginning to fade in popularity due to the resurgence of reggaeton, has became the first salsa album ever to be certified “Diamante,” the RIAA’s highest certification for a Latin album, for shipments of over 600,000 copies in the U.S. alone.

Anthony announced the major accomplishment on his Instagram page, posting a slideshow of photos that feature him cozying up to the Diamond plaque and grinning from ear to ear.

“Wow 3.0 First Salsa album ever to reach Diamond Status,” Anthony wrote in his caption. “Thanks to my team and everyone that worked on the album y Gracias a mis fans por siempre apoyar mi música y hacer este uno de sus favoritos. God bless!”

This major milestone for the project is only its latest accomplishment.

In 2013, 3.0 became the top-selling release of the year, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The hit single from the album, “Vivir Mi Vida,” also spent 18 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs chart, becoming the first tropical single in a decade to top the chart and the longest-running No. 1 tropical song in the history of the chart.

“It’s a huge honor for us at Sony Music Latin to work with Marc,” Sony Music Latin Iberia Chairman and CEO Afo Verde said as he presented Marc Anthony his RIAA Diamante plaque in a virtual ceremony. “He continues to break records time and time again and creates new ones all on his own. His music is forever. He’s proven that his recordings, from birth and even five, 10, 20 years later, are everlasting and will be sung by everyone for a lifetime.”

Anthony also talked about the milestone, revealing the confidence boost the success of the project gave him all those years ago.

“The arrival of this new achievement in this particular time is truly gratifying and inspiring for me,” Marc said. “3.0 was an album that I considered risky at the time of its release. The Latin music industry was beginning to shift and the main attention was going to other genres. The album was embraced by everyone in such a powerful way. That response gave a boost of reassurance in my career and my instincts as a music creator.”

With this accomplishment under his belt, Anthony is now working on new music.

Gloria Estefan Releases Samba-Flavored Album “Brazil305,” Featuring 14 Reimagined Classics

Gloria Estefan’s changing things up…

The 62-year-old Cuban Grammy-winning singer has released her first album in seven years, the vibrant, samba-flavored Brazil305.

Gloria Estefan

The 18-track Sony Music Latin release will transport listeners not only to the South American country, while giving them a trip to the past.

The album, an homage to Brazil and samba instrumentation, features 14 reimagined versions of Estefan’s classic songs, including a new rendition of her hit “Mi Tierra,” a song dedicated to her native Cuba and to immigrants the world over coping with departing from their homeland.

Gloria Estefan, Brazil305

BRAZIL305, bringing together Brazil and Miami’s 305 area code, the set kicks off with a bang with a new version, titled “Samba,” of her global, seminal 1985 hit “Conga,” which takes a life of its own now with Brazilian rhythms.

Other re-imagined versions of Estefan’s timeless hits included in the concept album are “Get On Your Feet” and “Ayer.”

The first single from the album, “Cuando Hay Amor,” penned by Nicolás Tovar, Emilio Estefan and Andrea López, stands out with a message of unity and a celebration of love.

“I really wanted an original song as the first single,” Estefan previously told Billboard. 

BRAZIL305 was produced by Estefan, Emilio and Afo Verde, chairman and CEO of Sony Music Latin Iberia, and was recorded between Brazil and Miami.