Enrique Iglesias Releases “Final, Vol. 2,” The Last Musical Set of His Career

Posted on March 29, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a final bow for Enrique Iglesias.

The 48-year-old Spanish singer and songwriter has released his new studio album Final, Vol. 2 via Sony Music Latin—almost three years after dropping Final, Vol. 1.

Iglesias is assuring everyone the album will be the last musical set of his career.

Comprised of 10 tracks, Final, Vol. 2 finds Iglesias navigating from his signature electronic dance and Latin pop fusions to other genres including bachata (“Así Es La Vida” featuring Maria Becerra), dembow (“La Botella” featuring El Alfa), country (“Space in my Heart” featuring Miranda Lambert), and cumbia (“Llórame Un Río featuring Belinda). His collaboration with Lambert is also available in Spanish with only Iglesias performing it called “Espacio En Tu Corazón.”

In addition to “Space in my Heart,” two other songs on the set are in English: “Love and Pain” and “Be Together”—further stamping the Spanish crooner’s global connection to his fans.

His sensual bachata with Becerra reached No. 1 on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart for eight weeks, starting the December 9, 2023-dated chart, and it reached a No. 12 high on Latin Airplay chart (December 16).

Final, Vol. 2 follows Final, Vol. 1 (2021), his first album in seven years after Sex & Love and that includes hits such as the Nicky Jam-assisted “El Perdón,” “Duele el Corazón” with Wisin, “Súbeme la Radio” with Descemer Bueno and Zion y Lennox, and the Bad Bunny-assisted “El Baño.”

Final (Vol. 1) debuted and peaked at No. 12 on Top Latin Albums and at No. 2 on Latin Pop Albums (charts dated Oct. 10, 2021).

Trueno Signs Record Deal with Sony Music Latin

Posted on March 11, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Trueno has a new record deal…

The 21-year-old Argentine rapper and singer has signed a deal with Sony Music Latin.

Trueno, known for his socially conscious lyrics, is a leading force in the hip-hop scene of Latin America.

“Joining Sony Music US Latin is a big step in my career! I am very excited to be able to share with this great team my next album, an album that is very special to me,” said Trueno, who had been releasing music via indie label Sur Capital Records, in a statement.

Trueno (real name Mateo Palacios Corazzina) first gained momentum in 2019 after being crowned champion of the Red Bull Batalla de los Gallos and the Freestyle Master Series (FMS), and has since dropped two studio albums, Atrevido (2020) and Bien o Mal (2022).

He’s so far scored three entries on the Billboard Global 200, and landed at No. 10 on Billboard‘s 50 Best Spanish-Language Rappers of All Time.

“Trueno is the new head of Latin American Hip Hop,” expressed Sony Music Latin president Alex Gallardo. “Growing up in an environment where the art and culture of Hip Hop predominated, Trueno developed as an artist at a very young age. At only 21 years old he is ready to establish himself as the leader of this genre in Spanish and from Sony US Latin we welcome him and want to offer him the platform to continue to grow and take his music to the whole world.”

“From the day I heard him for the first time when he was just 18 years old, I knew he would be the Argentine artist who would achieve greater transcendence in the world, not only for his music, but for his message, his ethics and his values,” added Damian Amato, president of Sony Music Hispanic South America. “Trueno is a complete artist, owner of a unique talent, incomparable lyrics, an overwhelming live show and above all, a future that I believe has no limits for his growth. I am very happy to have him join the Sony US Latin family and I am always grateful for the trust that Trueno has placed in my team all these years.”

Gabito Ballesteros Earns First No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay Chart with Prince Royce-Collab “Cosas de la Peda”

Posted on February 21, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Gabito Ballesteros is celebrating a Billboard first…

The 24-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter and record producer’s collaboration with Prince Royce, “Cosas De La Peda” rises to the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart as their first partnership advances from the runner-up slot to lead the February 24-dated list.

That translates into a 24th No. 1 for Prince Royce, while Ballesteros scores his first champ on first try.

“Cosas De La Peda,” Mexican slang for “drunken times,” lifts 2-1 on the tropical radio ranking with by a 37% gain in audience impressions, to 6.2 million earned in the U.S. during the February 9-15 tracking week, according to Luminate.

The track trades places with Marc Anthony’s “Punta Cana” which drops 1-2 with an 11% dip in impressions, to 5.2 million.

Prior to its release, “Cosas De La Peda” received its fair share of promotion. The Bronx-born singer premiered the song live for the first time, with Ballesteros, during Calibash festival at the Crypto Arena in Los Angeles on January 12. Plus, a performance on ABC’s Good Morning America followed on January 17.

With “Peda,” Royce collects his 24th No. 1 on Tropical Airplay, continuing with the third-most leaders since the chart’s inception in 1994. Only two soloists stand ahead him: Marc Anthony with 36 No. 1s and Victor Manuelle with 29. Here’s an updated look at the artists with the most No. 1 hits on the almost three-decade-old ranking:

36, Marc Anthony
29, Victor Manuelle
24, Prince Royce
18, Romeo Santos
14, Elvis Crespo
14, Gilberto Santa Rosa
13, Jerry Rivera
12, Juan Luis Guerra 440
11, India

Ballesteros, who seasoned “Peda” with his corridos tumbados flair, lands a first No. 1 on the Tropical Airplay —and on any airplay ranking— thanks to the bachata tumbada. The Mexican producer first landed a No. 1 on a Billboard chart as a producer of the two-week champ “Lady Gaga,” with Peso Pluma and Junior H (last September).

Elsewhere, “Cosas De La Peda” flies 26-11 on the overall Latin Airplay tally. It bests Ballesteros’ previous No. 37 entry with “La Pelinegra,” with La Adictiva, last October.

“Cosas De La Peda” is one of 23 songs from Royce’s latest seventh full-length album, Llamada Perdida, released February 16 through Sony Music Latin; it has not entered any Billboard charts yet. The song was produced by Edgar Barrera and Luis Miguel Gómez Castaño, better known as Casta.

Marc Anthony’s “Punta Cana” Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay Chart

Posted on January 31, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Marc Anthony continues his reign on the tropical charts…

The 55-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter’s impressive dominance on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart adds yet another chapter this week as his latest single, “Punta Cana,” debuts at No. 1 on the ranking dated February 3.

The arrival extends his record for the most No. 1s in the chart’s history.

“Punta Cana” storms in atop Tropical Airplay with 4.6 million audience impressions earned in the U.S. during the January 19-25 tracking week, according to Luminate.

“Punta Cana’s” arrival at the summit secures Marc Anthony his unprecedented 36th No. 1 on the list, the most among all acts; a record he’s held since 1996, one year after Tropical Airplay launched. Victor Manuelle remains in second place, with 29 No. 1s.

The bachata single, coproduced by MAnthony alongside Sergio George, was released Jan. 26 via Sony Music Latin and unseats another label mate from the lead: Enrique Iglesias and Maria Becerra’s “Así Es La Vida” drops to No. 2 with a 19% decrease in impressions, to 4.3 million.

Notably, out of the 36 champs on Marc Anthony’s Tropical Airplay account, “Punta Cana” becomes the third song to premiere at No. 1, following the six-week champ “Se Me Sigue Olvidando” (1995) and nine-week ruler “Ahora Quien” (2004). (Only 16 songs overall have debuted on at No. 1 on the chart.) Plus, “Punta Cana” is Marc Anthony’s first No. 1 in two years (since “Mala Santa” ruled for one week in March 2022) and his 27th No. 1 without any accompanying acts.

As Marc Anthony continues to beat the competition, here’s the recap of the artists with the most No. 1s on the 28-year-old chart:

36, Marc Anthony
29, Victor Manuelle
23, Prince Royce
18, Romeo Santos
14, Elvis Crespo
14, Gilberto Santa Rosa
13, Jerry Rivera
12, Juan Luis Guerra 440

Beyond its Tropical Airplay coronation, “Punta Cana” gives Marc Anthony his 59th career entry on the overall Latin Airplay ranking, as the song debuts at No. 19. With the new entry, he continues to hold the record for the most chart appearances among tropical acts, and the sixth-most among all artists. Here’s the leaderboard:

85, Daddy Yankee
68, Ozuna
64, Intocable
63, Los Tigres del Norte
60, J Balvin
59, Marc Anthony
58, Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga

Enrique Iglesias Earns Eighth No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay Chart with Maria Becerra-Collab “Así Es La Vida”

Posted on December 7, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

That’s life! Enrique Iglesias has made a triumphant return to the top of the charts…

The 48-year-old Spanish superstar’s “Así Es La Vida” collaboration with Maria Becerra tops Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart as the single advances from No. 2 to lead the December 9-dated ranking.

The move brings Iglesias back to the summit after a nine-year break, for his eighth champ. Becerra captures her second No. 1.

“Así Es La Vida” leads Tropical Airplay with a 14% improvement in audience impressions, to 4.8 million, earned in the U.S. in the week ending Nov. 30, according to Luminate.

The song was released on September 28 via Sony Music Latin and lands at No. 1 on Tropical Airplay in its ninth week. It unseats Chayanne’s “Bailando Bachata” from the penthouse after 15 weeks in charge, the third-most this decade and the longest-leading song in 2023.

“Así Es La Vida” propels Iglesias back to the top spot after “Bailando,” featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona, hit No. 1 in 2014. With over nine years to take over Tropical Airplay, it becomes the third-longest gap between No. 1s.

Chayanne holds the second-longest span with a 15-year break between “Amor Inmortal” (2008) and “Bailando Bachata” (August 5-dated list). Jennifer Lopez continues to lead with the longest-break between champs — both Marc Anthony collaborations — with a 17-year wait between “No Me Ames” (1999) and “Olvídame y Pega La Vuelta” (2016).

With the new champ, Iglesias collects his eighth No. 1 on Tropical Airplay. Here’s his collection:

Peak, Title, Artist, Weeks at No. 1
May 31, 2003, “Para Que La Vida,” one
June 2, 2007, “Do You Know? (The Ping Pong Song),” one
Dec. 19, 2009, “Gracias A Ti,” with Wisin & Yandel, one
Sept. 11, 2010, “Cuando Me Enamoro,” featuring Juan Luis Guerra, six
Dec. 31, 2011, “Ayer,” one
March 22, 2014, “El Perdedor,” featuring Marco Antonio Solis, one
July 5, 2014, “Bailando,” featuring Descemer Bueno & Gente De Zona, four
Dec. 9, 2023, “Así Es La Vida,” with Maria Becerra

For Becerra, the new achievement gives her a second No. 1 on the tropical ranking. The Argentinian earned her No. 1 in her first chart visit through another bachata, “Te Espero,” with Prince Royce, in May 2022.

Beyond its Tropical Airplay coronation, “Vida” makes progress on the overall Latin Airplay tally, pushing 24-17.

Luis Figueroa’s “Bandido” Rises to No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay Chart

Posted on October 21, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Figueroa is celebrating another chart-topper…

The 34-year-old Puerto Rican singer and songwriter has notched his second No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart as “Bandido” lifts to the top of the October 21-dated ranking.

“I am so excited with the reaction from everyone with this song … it has become a fan favorite!” Figueroa tells Billboard. “I am also proud to represent this new salsa movement. Salsa es lo que hay!”

“Bandido” rises to the summit with a 23% gain to 5.7 million audience impressions on reporting radio stations during the October 6-12 tracking week, according to Luminate. The song was released on August 17 via Magnus Media/Sony Music Latin, with Figueroa one of its six writers.

“It was amazing to work with so many talented musicians and lyricists on this song,” Figueroa adds. “I have been looking forward to putting this record out for a while, so for everyone to finally listen to it, and the reaction it has received, is so gratifying.”

Notably, “Bandido” becomes the first salsa track to crown Tropical Airplay among the five tropical tunes that have notched their first weeks at No. 1 in 2023. Let’s look at the winners, by core style:

Peak Date, Artist, Title (style)
February 4, Romeo Santos & Rosalia, “El Pañuelo” (bachata)
April 8, Marshmello & Manuel Turizo, “El Merengue” (merengue)
July 8, Prince Royce, “Me EnRD” (bachata)
August 5, Chayanne, “Bailando Bachata” (bachata)
October 21, Luis Figueroa, “Bandido” (salsa)

“Bandido” is the first salsa No. 1 on Tropical Airplay since Marc Anthony’s “Mala” in March 2022.

“Bandido” concurrently translates into a new No. 1 for Magnus Media. The label last ruled Tropical Airplay through another Figueroa song, “Hasta El Sol de Hoy,” for one week in July 2021.

Beyond its Tropical Airplay coronation, “Bandido” rebounds to its No. 18 high on the overall Latin Airplay chart. It became Figueroa’s second top 20 entry there, following the No. 15-peaking “Todavía Te Espero” in 2022.

Figueroa’s new achievement follows his first-time nomination for a Billboard Latin Music Award this year, for tropical artist of the year, solo.

Chencho Corleone Earns First Solo No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with “Un Cigarrillo”

Posted on September 30, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Chencho Corleone has a smokin’ hot chart-topper.

The 44-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter and producer has earned his first solo No. 1 (without any other acts) on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart as “Un Cigarrillo” rises 3-1 to lead the chart dated September 30.

Corleone adds a fourth champ to his Latin Airplay chart career.

“Un Cigarrillo” puffs its way to No. 1 after 18 weeks on the list with a 10% gain in audience impressions, to 8.9 million, earned in the U.S. during the tracking week ending September 21, according to Luminate.

The song was released on May 4 via Cerco/Sony Music Latin. It’s Corleone’s first official release after he signed a global record deal with the major label earlier in the year.

As for the Cerco label, “Un Cigarrillo” is its first No. 1 on any Billboard chart.

“Un Cigarrillo” gives Corleone his fourth leader on the overall Latin Airplay ranking.

He claimed his first No. 1 in July 2022 through his co-billed Rauw Alejandro collaboration “Desesperados.” Corleone returned to the penthouse with another co-billed collab, “Me Porto Bonito,” with Bad Bunny, in August 2022, which also gifted him his only No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs (20 weeks in charge). His Don Omar collab “Podemos Repetirlo” followed (one week, September 16-dated list).

Elsewhere, “Un Cigarrillo” jumps 2-1 on Latin Rhythm Airplay, his fifth champ there. Over on the multimetric Hot Latin Songs, which blends airplay, digital sales and streaming activity, the song rebounds from No. 49 to its No. 47 high.

Ryan Castro Teams Up with Peso Pluma for New Track “QUEMA”

Posted on July 14, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ryan Castro is feeling the burn… But he isn’t doing it alone!

The 29-year-old Colombian singer and songwriter has joined voices with Peso Pluma to release the new single “QUEMA” via Sony Music Latin.

Powered by a hypnotizing, head-bobbing beat, the irresistible old-school perreo track is signature Castro, who has a knack for delivering hooky songs — and his new track is no exception.

Add Peso, Mexican music’s biggest star today, and it’s a certified hit.

The song finds the corridos singer returning to urbano following “La Bebe Remix,” his hit song with Yng Lvcas, which has now spent 16 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Quema” — produced by SOG, Castro’s longtime producer — will be part of the Colombian artist’s upcoming new album, El Cantante Del Ghetto.

Chayanne Releases New Tropical Single “Bailando Bachata”

Posted on May 25, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Chayanne is in a bachata state of mind…

The 54-year-old Puerto Rican Latin pop singer and actor has returned to tropical music with “Bailando Bachata,” the third single from his highly-anticipated new album which debuts on Thursday, May 25 at 8:00 pm ET via Sony Music Latin.

Chayanne’s new single follows the previously released tracks:

reggaeton-pop single “Tú y Yo” and ballad “Te Amo y Punto.”

“I love the genre,” Chayanne told Billboard Español ahead of the bachata single’s premiere, noting that he has visited Santo Domingo countless times and that “anywhere in the world, when they play Caribbean music like salsa, merengue, bachata, one enjoys dancing to it very closely, so I am very excited.”

“How lucky I am that I can see you when I wake up every day/ And when I travel I miss you/ I have your photograph in my wallet”, begins the romantic Spanish-language song, co-written by Chayanne, Yasmil Marrufo, Andy Clay Cruz Felipe and Mario Alberto Cáceres Pacheco. “We are like the glass and the wine/ We go together since the moment we saw each other,” says part of the chorus.

Just as romantic is the music video, directed by Katherine Díaz and produced by Guacamaya Films.

Set in the 1970s, the clip stars Venezuelan actress and model Veronica Schneider. Upon arriving home, she lies down to watch her favorite series — starring Chayanne, of course — when she notices that the artist can see her from the screen.

“When I’m on TV, beware, because I’m watching you!”, he warns Billboard Español with a laugh.

“Bailando Bachata” is not Chayanne’s first foray into bachata — he “flirted” with the genre almost a decade ago with his pop-fusion song “Bailando Dos Corazonas.”

The new song, he explains, “is something more faithful, more complete, which makes me very excited.”

The 3-minute track is part of his forthcoming eight-song album. When asked if he’ll include any regional Mexican music — a genre currently enjoying significant global success — Chayanne couldn’t contain himself and revealed eagerly: “Yes! That too!”

“I started flirting with a lot of rhythms without leaving the backbone of pop,” he said. “But yes, the Mexican regional, you guessed right. There is also a song of that genre and it is beautiful”.

As for the release of his highly anticipated new set — his first studio album since 2014’s En Todo Estaré, which reached No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart — he said that he finished recording and hopes to make an announcement very soon. “Right now we are mastering, so it’s a matter of setting a date,” he says.

Chencho Corleone Signs Global Record Deal with Sony Music Latin

Posted on May 3, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Chencho Corleone is entering a new musical phase…

The 44-year-old Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and record producer has launched a “new musical phase” by signing a global record deal with Sony Music Latin, the company tells Billboard.

The agreement comes on the heels of Chencho’s upcoming debut album as a solo artist; he was previously one-half of the duo Plan B, who rose to fame in the early 2000s.

“I’m very happy with what we’ve been creating and what’s coming up,” said the Puerto Rican hitmaker in a statement. “I’m sure my fans will enjoy this new musical phase, adding another milestone in my career.”

Corleone is set to release the first single from the set, “Un Cigarrillo,” on Thursday (May 4) along with a music video directed by Jessy Terrero. “I had the opportunity to sit down with production and the team to create a visual concept that projects and marks the new solo path at the beginning,” Chencho added in his statement.

The deal comes amid a career spike for Corleone. Last year, he scored his first No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart thanks to “Me Porto Bonito” with Bad Bunny, which ruled the tally for 20 weeks. He also notched his first No. 1 on Billboard‘s Latin Airplay chart with his feature on Rauw Alejandro‘s “Desesperados.”

About the signing, Sony Music U.S. Latin president Alex Gallardo, added, “We’re extremely happy to welcome Chencho Corleone to the Sony Music family. Chencho has proved to be one of the leaders in his genre with his distinctive style and powerhouse collaborations, reaffirming his position worldwide. We are committed alongside his team to take his career to new levels and establish him as one of the biggest names in the music.”

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