Virlan García Earns First No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with “Híbrido”

Posted on May 11, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a special first for Virlan García…

The 24-year-old Mexican singer has earned his first No. 1 on a Billboard airplay chart with “Híbrido,” as the banda-sierreño track rises 2-1 on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart dated May 14.

“Híbrido” became the artist’s highest-charting hit on the list two weeks ago, when it jumped 8-3 (April 30 chart), surpassing the No. 4 peak of “Quiero Intentarlo” (February 2019). “Híbrido” is Garcia’s third top 10.

“I’m beyond happy and grateful with my team and label,” García tells Billboard. “We’ve reached the top 10, but never did I score a No. 1, so this is a great satisfaction after so many years. It’s also the result of the support of the people and I hope it’s the first of many No. 1s. I feel blessed and enthusiastic.”

García’s maiden entry on Regional Mexican Airplay arrived in June 2017 with “Cambió Mi Suerte” (No. 24 peak). His first leader lands almost five years later thanks to “Híbrido’s” 10% gain in audience impressions, to 6.6 million, earned in the U.S. in the week ending May 8, according to Luminate.

“Híbrido,” released on Sony Music Latin, arrives at the summit in its 13th week, tying for the third-longest climb to No. 1 in 2022. It matches matching La Adictiva’s “Ya Sólo Eres Mi Ex” and Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga’s “Esta Vida Es Muy Bonita’s” 13-week trek.

Only two other tracks have taken longer to the hit the top this year: Calibre 50’s “Si Te Pudiera Mentir” (24 weeks) and Angela Aguilar’s “Ahí Donde Me Ven” (19 weeks). On the current chart, García evicts Aguilar’s “Ahí” which falls to No. 9 after a one-week lead.

Notably, García joins just two other acts who scored their first Regional Mexican Airplay champ in 2022: Banda Rancho Viejo de Julio Aramaburú with “Me Vale Perderte” (chart dated April 16-dated) and Maluma with “Cada Quién,” with Grupo Firme (Feb. 5-dated survey).

The norteño singer-songwriter concurrently scores his best ranking on Latin Airplay chart, dating back to his first entry in 2018 (“Mi Vida Eres Tú,” No. 24-peak), as “Híbrido” cracks the top 10 mark on all-Latin genre at No. 9.

Meanwhile, the song rises steadily on the all-metric Hot Latin Songs chart (a blend of airplay, streams, and digital sales), where “Híbrido” reaches a No. 27 high mainly on the strength on its radio push.

Kany Garcia Teams Up with Alejandro Sanz on New Single “Muero”

Posted on May 6, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Kany Garcia is dying for a new collaboration…

The 39-year-old has joined voices with Alejandro Sanz for the new single “Muero,” released via Sony Music Latin.

For their first-ever collaboration, Garcia and Sanz’s new single is a soothing ballad where their power vocals harmonize and ooze emotion.

With honest penmanship, the song tells the story of a person who’s silently in love with someone else and dying on the inside.

“It’s a work of art, it is impossible not to break every time I hear it, every time our voices merge and become one,” Garcia said in a statement. “He, who keeps love to himself, who does not verbalize and share the wonders of emotion, is dying in the most difficult way; little by little.”

“Muero” previews Garcia’s upcoming album out on May 27.

Lupita Infante Signs First Major Label Record Deal with Sony Music Latin

Posted on March 29, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Lupita Infante is officially a big deal…

Sony Music Latin has signed the Mexican American mariachi, norteño, and ranchera singer to her first record deal with a major label.

Before signing with Sony, Infante had been releasing music as an indie artist, including her 2019 Grammy-nominated debut album La Serenata.

“I am thrilled to sign with Sony Music, a team that is undoubtedly one of the best in the world. To be on a label with such a deep legacy and to be a part of a roster with such remarkable talent is a dream come true,” Infante told Billboard. “Being an independent artist was very important for me, it gave me the opportunity to grow in so many ways. Now I want to take my work to the next level! The people at Sony Music understand me and my artistry, and together we want to make history in the Mexican music scene!”

Sony Music Latin president Alex Gallardo added, “Mexican-music fans are eager to hear more women’s voices. Lupita Infante has the preparation, the voice, the songwriting skill and the credibility to lead a revolution in the industry, which is long overdue.”

A graduate of UCLA, where she completed a degree in ethnomusicology, the mariachi and norteña singer is the granddaughter of renowned and iconic ranchera singer Pedro Infante.

Her 2019 Grammy nod was followed by a nomination at the 2020 Latin Grammys where her song “Dejaré” was up for best regional Mexican song.

Most recently, Infante was part of Billboard‘s 2021 Latin Music Week where she was joined by Ana Bárbara, Adriana Rios and Ivonne Galaz in BMI’s “How I Wrote That Song” panel.

There, she spoke about representing a new generation of female artists in the male-dominated genre that is regional Mexican, and she also spoke on inspiration and embracing the duality of her identity.

“I’m bicultural, Mexican-American, but I feel more Mexican and people criticize me saying, ‘You’re not Mexican.’ But when you grow up knowing that your grandfather is Pedro Infante, finding your identity isn’t easy,” she passionately said during the conversation in Miami. “I just remember wanting to have that ranchero style that represented our genre. And because I’m in mariachi, there are so many rules with our outfits.”

The announcement of her new deal coincides with the upcoming release of her first single under Sony titled “Hazme Tuya.” The track is out Friday, April 1.

Leslie Grace Releases New Feel-Good Single “Un Buen Dia”

Posted on March 12, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Leslie Grace is celebrating a good day…

The 27-year-old Dominican American singer/actress, a three-time Latin Grammy nominee, has released the new single “Un Buen Día” via Sony Music Latin.

Grace’s latest track delivers the ultimate feel-good song of the week.

“Un Buen Día” finds the In The Heights actress singing about having a good day in terms of life and love.

“It’s a good day to fall in love, see those eyes, a work of art,” she sings. “If you look at me, nothing is bad. It seems too good to be true, but it’s not.” T

The pop track, fused with rock and hip-hop, was penned by Grace alongside Daniel Rondón, Claudia Prieto and Mr. NaisGai.

Prince Royce Teams Up with Maria Becerra for Sultry Bachata Track “Te Espero”

Posted on March 4, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a waiting game for Prince Royce…

The 32-year-old Dominican American singer/songwriter has teamed up with Maria Becerra in their first-ever collaboration “Te Espero.”

Released via Sony Music Latin, the song is a sultry and romantic bachata single.

The track, which smoothly interpolates Cutting Crew’s “(I Just) Died In Your Arms,” finds the pair grappling with the idea of letting go of each other and their relationship.

“I’ll wait for you in the same place as ever, where we fell in love,” Royce proposes. “You left me alone but now you need me … even if I’d want to go back, this wouldn’t make sense anymore” the Argentine singer responds.

“Te Espero” was produced by D’lesly “Dice” Lora and Royce.

Rauw Alejandro Releases Genre-Bending New Album “Trap Cake Vol. 2”

Posted on February 26, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Rauw Alejandro is bakin’ up new music…

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican singer and rapper has released his new album Trap Cake Vol. 2 via Sony Music Latin.

A follow up to his 2019 Trap Cake, Vol. 1, which featured collaborations with Cazzu, De La Ghetto, and Jon Z, Rauw Alejandro delivers an equally star-studded Vol. 2 that includes songs with Future, Ty Dolla $ign, and Rvssian.

The genre-blurring EP stays in tune with the Puerto Rican artist’s ever-so experimental essence.

Treading between trap, rock, pop, and R&B, Alejandro kicks off the nine-track set with the sentimental heartbreak song “Museo.”

But not all is heartbreak on Trap Cake Vol. 2, a standout track is “Wuepa” with Ankhal, a bonafide party anthem.

Ricky Martin Releases New Single “Otra Noche en LA”

Posted on January 28, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s another night for Ricky Martin…

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican superstar has released his latest single “Otra Noche en L.A.” via Sony Music Latin.

The evocative ballad, which features a hint of a shuffle beat that invites you to dance, is a love note to both a lover gone and the city of Los Angeles that binds him to them.

For those of us who’ve lived in LA, the allure is irresistible. For those who haven’t, the beat and the lyrics (“I’ll admit, I haven’t written to you in a long time, perhaps because I’m a coward; but today I woke up, with you in my mind”) will do the trick.

With the help of writers like Keytin, Martin veered from the stereotypical reggaetón beat and gave his ballad movement with a soft rock beat and almost doo-wop background vocals for an overall cool/retro vibe that stands out from other releases and is impregnated with emotion.

Farruko’s “La 167” Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums Chart

Posted on October 12, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Farruko is back on top…

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican singer and songwriter has returned to No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart after nearly six years, as La 167 debuts atop the October 16-dated list.

The 25-track set, released via Carbon Fiber/Sony Music Latin on October 1, starts with 17,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending Oct. 7, according to MRC Data.

It secures Farruko his third win on the overall Top Latin Albums chart dating back to his first champ Farruko Presents Los Menores (No. 1 start in November 2014). In between, he’s placed one more leading album: Visionary in November 2015.

“I don’t work to get a No. 1, but it’s incredible that people like what I’m doing and that they are enjoying it,” Farruko tells Billboard.

La 167 is a nod to a highway that passes through his homeland in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, and a gas station once owned by his late grandfather. The 100-minute set is stacked with Latin artists, including Myke Towers, Ñengo Flow, O’Neill, Pedro Capó, Jay Wheeler and more, and each has rendered a variety of Latin styles ranging from perreo and reggae, to pop, hip-hop and reggaetón.

“The most challenging aspect of the production was structuring an album that didn’t bore,” Faruko adds. “Where the production, lyrics and everything were different, varied; where I allowed myself to explore other genres which were not necessarily mine.”

As La 167 arrives at the summit, Farruko now has a total of six top 10s on Top Latin Albums, three of which, as previously mentioned, hit No. 1 for at least one week. Here’s a recap:

Ranking, Title, Debut Date
No. 1, Farruko Presents Los Menores, Nov. 15, 2014 (two weeks atop)
No. 8, The Ones, Sept. 19, 2015
No. 1, Visionary, Nov. 14, 2015
No. 3, Trapxficante, Oct. 7, 2017
No. 2, Gangalee, May 11, 2019
No. 1, La 167, Oct. 16

La 167 concurrently debuts at No. 1 on Latin Rhythm Albums, also his third No. 1 there. Farruko also captures his highest album yet on the overall Billboard 200, clocking in at No. 26 (Gangalee’s No. 80 start in 2019 earned him his highest debut, and peak, until now).

La 167 was preceded by only two tracks on the all-metric Hot Latin Songs chart: the No. 4-peaking “La Tóxica” (November 2020) and the now eight-week champ (and counting) “Pepas,” which takes the Greatest Gainer/ Digital honors of the week despite a 6% dip in sales (3,000 downloads sold for the tracking week ending in October 7).

“I connect with many of the tracks on the album, for instance the opening track ‘Ki,’ ‘$,’ and ‘Helicóptero’,” Farruko continues, “all based on personal experiences from a particular chapter in my life.”

In addition to “Pepas” holding strong at the penthouse, “El Incomprendido,” with Víctor Cárdenas and DJ Adoni, another rhythmic/EDM club banger, bows at No. 14. The latter interpolates Alice Deejay’s “Beter Off Alone,” the ’90s Eurodance hit that reached the top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 2000.

Enrique Iglesias Reclaims Record for Most No. 1s on Billboard Latin Airplay Chart with “Me Pasé,” Featuring Farruko

Posted on September 29, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Enrique Iglesias is back in the lead…

The 46-year-old Spanish singer, songwriter, record producer, philanthropist and actor has recaptured his record for the most No. 1s on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart as “Me Pasé,” featuring Farruko, ascends 4-1 on the October 2-dated survey.

With 32 No. 1s on the almost 27-year list, Iglesias pushes ahead of J Balvin for the most leaders. The latter notched his 31st leader as he locked up the No. 1 spot with “In Da Getto,” with Skrillex, on the September 11-dated tally.

“Me Pasé” takes over atop Latin Airplay thanks to a 26% boost in audience impressions, to 11.3 million, in the U.S. in the week ending September 26, according to MRC Data.

Notably, Iglesias has held the record for the most No. 1s on the Latin Airplay chart almost continuously since 1996, when he achieved his fifth No. 1, then passing Selena (who had a leading four No. 1s at that point).

The Latin Airplay chart began only two years earlier, in 1994. Since then, Iglesias has held the most No. 1s on the list except for a brief time earlier this year, when J Balvin tied with him for the most, when the former notched his 31st No. 1 on the September 11 chart with “In Da Getto.”

With “Me Pasé” at the summit, Farruko reaches his highest Latin Airplay ranking in 2021 as he’s scored two No. 3 high tracks (“Perfecta,” with Luis Fonsi, January 2; and “Pepas,” September 25).

Besides conquering Latin Airplay, Iglesias and Farruko also rule Latin Pop Airplay as “Me Pasé” lifts 2-1. Iglesias improves his career total to 25 No. 1s, extending his lead far ahead of second-place Shakira, with 19. Farruko captures his sixth leader.

Meanwhile, Final (Vol. 1), Iglesias’ 11th studio album, debuts at No. 2 on Latin Pop Albums. It’s his first studio effort since 2014’s No. 1 Sex and Love, and it earns him a 12th top 10. In between, Iglesias secured a No. 2 high with a Greatest Hits (2019) set, which has remained steady in the tally’s top 10 during all but one week of its 103-week run.

The 11-track Final (Vol. 1) includes five tracks that were originally released between 2015 and 2018 but were not previously released on an Iglesias album. Among them are a pair of No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs: “El Perdón,” with Nicky Jam, and “Duele El Corazón,” with Wisin.

“I took a pause in between albums because I was touring and because I wanted to enjoy the success of my previous album,” Iglesias tells Billboard. “I have never stopped writing and going to the studio though. The plan was to release the album at the beginning of last year, but once COVID hit, it delayed everything, obviously.”

Final, released September 17 via Sony Music Latin, starts with 4,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending Sept. 23rd. Out of the 11-track set’s opening sum, 3,000 derive from streaming activity, which equates to 5 million U.S. streams of the set’s tracks. The remaining 1,000-unit sum stems from album sales and track equivalent album units.

“The biggest challenge was not being able to have everyone in the same studio and trying to follow all the precautions,” Iglesias continues. “We were trying to finish all the production aspects of the songs, which we managed to do being careful. Everyone involved wanted to see this bulk of work out and we managed to finish the process during COVID to have it ready so we could put it out now.”

On the overall Top Latin Albums chart, Final arrives at No. 12, also the Spaniard’s first appearance with a studio set since 2014. “When I work on an album, I start with 50 songs!” Iglesias adds. “Then it becomes 30, 20…so on. So, through the process, I relate to every single one in a way. I always say that if I’m going to put any music out, it must be something that I like and be willing to sing every single night, for years if needed. It’s hard to handpick just one, but I really enjoy ‘Chasing the Sun.’ It talks about staying young and staying positive. It’s a song that always puts me in a good mood.”

As Final arrives, one track launches on the all-metric Hot Latin Songs chart: “Pendejo” at No. 33. The set, however, was preceded by five songs, one of which ruled the tally for 30 weeks in 2015. Here’s the recap:

Title, Artist (if other than Iglesias), Peak Date, Peak Position
“El Perdón,” with Nicky Jam, March 21, 2015, No. 1 (30 weeks atop)
“Duele El Corazón,” with Wisin, May 14, 2016, No. 1 (14-week lead)
“Súbeme La Radio,” featuring Zion & Lennox and Descemer Bueno, April 22, 2017, No. 2
“El Baño,” featuring Bad Bunny, Jan. 27, 2018, No. 8
“Me Pasé,” featuring Farruko, Oct. 2, No. 15

Kany Garcia to Launch U.S. Tour in the Fall

Posted on July 27, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Kany Garcia is bringing her show to the U.S.

The 38-year-old Puerto Rican singer and songwriter will kick off 2022 with two concerts in San Juan’s iconic Coliseo de Puerto Rico, but first, she’ll trek across the U.S. in a newly announced 2021 tour.

“This is the big surprise I had prepared,” Garcia expressed to her fans on social media. “In a bit over a month we’re touring the U.S. How exciting to meet again.”

Garcia will kick off her U.S. tour on September 8 in Atlanta’s Buckhead Theatre and wrap up on October 17 at Los Angeles’ The Belasco.

In between, Garcia will visit fans in New York, Miami, Dallas and Chicago, to name a few.

Presented by La Buena Fortuna and Sony Music Latin, the Latin Grammy-winning artist will perform some of her biggest hits like “Lo Que En Ti Veo,” “Búscame,” “Titanic” and “Nuevas Mentiras.”

Tickets will be available for pre-sale as of Thursday and to the general public on Friday. Fans can find tickets on Ticketmaster, Tickeri or Pietix, depending on the city.

Garcia is confirmed to participate in the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Week returning to Miami from September 20 to 24 with a weeklong event that unites the top Latin hitmakers, influencers and industry leaders, as well as features live performances and conversations with superstars.

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