Julio Reyes Copello Signs Multiyear Worldwide Deal with Sony Music Publishing

Julio Reyes Copello has a new worldwide deal…

The 53-year-old Colombian producer, songwriter and record engineer has inked a multiyear worldwide deal with Sony Music Publishing.

Julio Reyes Copello I am thrilled to be starting this new phase of my creative life as part of the great Sony Music Publishing family,” says Copello, who won producer of the year honors at the 2022 Latin Grammys. “I am very grateful for the belief, respect and enthusiasm that [Sony Music Publishing president/CEO for Latin America & U.S. Latin] Jorge Mejia and his team have shown, which will be essential in order to find new outlets and homes for my music.”

“I have known and admired Julio for many years,” adds Mejia. “He is widely respected as a musician’s musician, with a deft touch at the piano and a sensitivity as a producer and songwriter, that makes all manner of artists and writers feel right at home whenever they work with him. It is a dream come true, therefore, to finally be able to work directly with Julio, as well as the artists and songwriters he’s developing. I can’t wait for what comes next.”

Reyes is currently working on upcoming releases with Spanish pop star Pablo Alborán, Marc AnthonyAlejandro Sanz, among many others.

The four-time Grammy and seven-time Latin Grammy winner is widely considered one of Latin pop’s most important songwriters, producers and musicians.

Since launching his career in 2001, the Cúcuta alchemist has also penned hits for the likes of superstars Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Thalía, Chayanne, Laura Pausini, Kany García and more.

In total, he has earned 48 Grammy and Latin Grammy nominations; he also has more than 10 ASCAP awards under his belt.

Aside from his songwriting career, Reyes founded Art House Records, a talent incubator where he continues to discover and develop emerging artists, which includes Joaquina, Riza, Ela Taubert and more.

Additionally, he partnered with Abbey Road Institute — the first U.S. music production school, and an extension of the music production education program held at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London.

Together, both parties established the Art House Academy & Abbey Road Institute Miami, where they specialize in music performance, music production and sound engineering to develop and educate “the next generation of singer/songwriters, music producers and sound engineers.”

Selena Quintanilla’s “Moonchild Mixes” Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums Chart

Selena Quintanilla has another No. 1 album to her credit…

Moonchild Mixes, the new posthumous album by the late Mexican American singer, known as la Reina de la Musica Tejana, has debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums chart dated September 10.

Selena QuintanillaIt also debuts at No. 2 on the Regional Mexican Albums chart and No. 8 on the all-Latin-encompassing Top Latin Albums chart with 5,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the August 26-September 1 tracking week, according to Luminate. 

The album earns the late icon her seventh No. 1 on Latin Pop Albums, tying Shakira and Thalia for the most among women.

The album also helps Selena extend her record for the most total weeks spent atop the chart. All seven of her No. 1 albums have spent a combined 173 weeks at No. 1 — Enrique Iglesias trails with the second-most, at 130 weeks.

The set also earns Selena her 18th top 10 on Regional Mexican Albums, the third-most among soloists after Vicente Fernandez (49) and Joan Sebastian (31).

On Top Latin Albums, the LP earns Selena her 16th top 10 album, extending her record for the most among women. Marco Antonio Solis and Vicente Fernandez lead all acts with 25 top 10 albums apiece.

Moonchild Mixes includes 10 previously unreleased songs by the superstar, who died in 1995 at age 23. She recorded the tracks between the ages of 13 and 16. In a recent interview with Billboard, her father Abraham Quintanilla Jr. said releasing the album is a way to keep her memory and legacy alive.

“We as a family had discussed this amongst ourselves that in the future, after Selena’s passing, we were going to maintain her presence through her music and we’ve done that for 27 years. I’m more than sure that the fans are going to love it because if you listen to it, it’ll move you emotionally and take you back to as if Selena was recording it this morning.”

Natti Natasha & Becky G Return to No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with Latest Team-Up “Ram Pam Pam”

Natti Natasha and Becky G are back in top form…

The 34-year-old Dominican singer and the 24-year-old Mexican American singer have returned to Billboard’s Latin Airplay summit with their collaborative single “Ram Pam Pam.” The track hits No. 1 on the July 17-dated chart.

Natti Natasha & Becky G

The pair previously appeared atop the tally when “Sin Pijama,” their first team-up, ruled for one week in August 2018.

Becky G last appeared atop the tally with “Sin Pijama,” while Natti Natasha was last at No. 1 in April with “Antes Que Salga El Sol,” with Prince Royce.

It’s the third No. 1 for Becky G on Latin Airplay, and the eighth for Natti Natasha on the 50-deep tally.

“Ram Pam Pam” takes the lead (6-1) with a 48% gain in audience impressions, to 9.6 million, earned in the week ending July 11, according to MRC Data. As Natti establishes her eighth chart-topper, she continues to have the fifth-most No. 1s among female artists since the chart launched in 1994.

Here’s a recap of female acts with the most Latin Airplay No. 1s:

15, Shakira
11, Gloria Estefan
11, Karol G
10, Jennifer Lopez
8, Natti Natasha
5, Paulina Rubio
5, Thalia

“Ram Pam Pam” becomes the second female pairing to lead Latin Airplay in 2021, after Karol G and Mariah Angeliq’s “El Makinon” reigned for one week on the June 5-dated list. The new collaboration is just the fourth joint effort by two women in a lead role to hit No. 1 since the chart’s inception.

Here are the four winners:

Artists, Title, Peak Date
Becky G & Natti Natasha, “Sin Pijama”, August 11, 2018
Karol G & Nicki Minaj, “Tusa,” Feb. 15, 2020 (five weeks)
Karol G & Mariah Angeliq, “El Makinon,” June 5
Natti Natasha & Becky G, “Ram Pam Pam,” July 17

 

Beyond its Latin Airplay coronation, “Ram Pam Pam” also lands at No. 1 on Latin Rhythm Airplay: a seventh win for Natti and a fourth lead for Becky.

Thalia Releases Sexy Music Video for New Track “Mojito”

Thalia is getting her drink on…

The 49-year-old Mexican singer, businesswoman and former actress has taken to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to officially release the music video for her latest single “Mojito.”

ThaliaAs the special guest on Wednesday night, Thalia talked about her upcoming studio album, fame on TikTok and more before premiering the clip for her new track.

“It’s super sexy. It has real music with guitar and bongos,” she said. “It’s the perfect summer song because it’s refreshing.”

“Mojito” is part of Thalia’s upcoming studio album, desAMORfosis, a play on words for heartbreak, love, and morphosis.

“Love is an adventure and this is a very honest album,” she said, expressing that she really opened up on this set for the first time. “It’s like going to therapy and it was amazing.”

Beatriz Luengo’s “Havana Street Party Presents” Concert Special Streaming on HBO Max

Beatriz Luengo has bared it all…

The 38-year-old Spanish singer, songwriter and actress appeared in an intimate concert special filmed in Havana, Cuba, that premiered on HBO Latino on Friday, February 12.

Beatriz Luengo

The second installment of the HBO concert series “Havana Street Party Presents” — filmed before the global pandemic — not only includes live performances of Luengo’s Cuerpo y Alma album, but also taps into personal stories and empowering anecdotes as told by Luengo.

“Prior to the tour that was expected to start in 2020, I started making this documentary as a way to show my fans what my show would be like and as a presentation for those who don’t know me,” Luengo tells Billboard.

Of her 2018 album, she explains “cuerpo” are the songs she composes on top of beats, for artists like Daddy Yankee, Ozuna, Wisin, Yandel. “Alma” are the songs she pens for organic instruments, for artists like Reik, Thalia, Ha*Ash, Alejandra Guzman, and Ricky Martin.

“This concert is an opportunity to show how a woman has managed to become a songwriter in such a difficult industry,” she says.

Filmed at the doors of an ancient castle in Habana for a select group of local fans, Luengo’s special guests include Manuel Medrano, Farina, Blas Cantó, and Orishas. She’s accompanied by a gospel choir, string quintet, and live DJ throughout the show.

For Luengo, it was important to bring her concept to life, fusing melancholy with modernity, the past with the future.

“We created a very special ambiance,” she says. “I feel that it is a way of projecting and giving hope, showing the Cuban youth all the advanced technology, such as mapping. The entire production has a very strong message for me. Cuba deserves the best.”

Meanwhile, Luengo is making the rounds with the Yotuel and Omar Montes-assisted “Rebelde,” which has become a viral sensation on TikTok with its vogue-meets-flamenco dance. “It exploded!” she expresses. “The TikTok videos are giving me life, all the outfits, and concepts. I love to see how your music can generate a person’s creativity or simply have fun.”

“Havana Street Party presents Beatriz Luengo” is currently streaming on HBO Max.

Thalia Releases Catchy “Tick Tock” Single, Featuring Farina & Sofia Reyes

The clock is tickin’ for Thalia..

The 49-year-old Mexican singer/actress has joined voices with Farina and Sofia Reyes for the catchy new single “Tick Tock.”

Thalia, Farina, Sofia Reyes

The collaboration between Thalía, Reyes and Farina is a well-strategized culmination of their Facebook reality show Latin Music Queens, which came to an end this week.

So titled because the clock is ticking for a guy who gets an ultimatum from his girl, “Tick Tock” is unpretentious, light, catchy bubblegum pop that’s plain fun (down to the video, where the outfit changes are eye candy). Ostensibly, the twist is the fact that the guy is getting said ultimatum, not as a result of philandering or misbehavior, but because he can’t keep up with the girl.

“I put everything, you put nothing; you gotta pull your weight to get in the Mercedes,” the song’s lyrics go.

But the real value lies in putting together three very different female singers into one song where they all get equal play.

Thalía has led the way as a veteran act willing to champion younger names and the final result is three girls who just wanna have fun.

Thalia Teams Up with Myke Towers for New Pop/Urban Single “La Luz”

The light’s shining bright on Thalia

The 49-year-old Mexican superstar has returned with a brand new single, “La Luz,” featuring Puerto Rican rapper/singer Myke Towers.

Thalia

The hypnotizing track, released by Sony Music Latin, sees Thalia striking a perfect balance between pop and urban. It will appear on forthcoming album.

With an assist from hitmakers  Towers and Tainy, the new party anthem provides an escapism to a realm where only Thalia and Towers have access to and music never stops.

“I recorded ‘La Luz’ thinking about my people and the opportunity that music gives us to raise our level of positivism and joy,” Thalía said about the song. “Which is what is most needed today.”

The video, shot between New York and Puerto Rico finds the artists in a rustic set full of neon lights.

In it, Thalia shines bright in a yellow jumpsuit in one scene and later changes into a bedazzled angelic white bodysuit as she exchanges rap verses with Myke Towers.

“Getting to collaborate with one of the biggest female names in Latin is an honor for me. ‘La Luz’ was fun to jump on because we’re bringing a new flow with Thalía,” added Towers.

Daddy Yankee Wins Big at the Premio Lo Nuestro Awards

Daddy Yankeeis celebrating a massive haul…

The 43-year-old Puerto Rican singer/rapper was the big winner at this year’s Premio Lo Nuestro awards, taking home seven awards, including the top prize Artist of the Year.

Daddy Yankee

Daddy Yankee’s other prizes include Urban Male Artist of the Year, SongSingleUrbanand Crossover Collaboration of the Yearfor his track “Con Calma” featuring Snow and Remix of the Yearfor “Soltera (Remix)” featuring Lunay and Bad Bunny.

J Balvinand Bad Bunny‘s Oasis won Album of the Yearand Rosaliawon New Artist FemaleLunay took home New Artist Male.

J Balvin was also honored with the Icon Awardwhile Raphaelreceived the Excellence Awardand Alejandro Fernandezwas honored with the Legado Mariachi Award.

Karol G won Urban Female Artist of the YearRomeo Santoswon Tropical Artist of the Yearand Los Rivera Destino‘s “Flor” featuring Benito Martinezwon Video of the Year.

ThaliaPitbulland Alejandra Espinosahosted the event, which took place at the AmericanAirlines Arenain Miami.

Here are the winners:

Artista Premio Lo Nuestro del Año: Daddy Yankee
Álbum del Año: Oasis – J Balvin y Bad Bunny
Canción del Año: ‘Con calma’ – Daddy Yankee Ft. Snow
Sencillo del Año: “Con calma’ – Daddy Yankee Ft. Snow
Artista Revelación Femenino: Rosalía
Artista Revelación Masculino: Lunay
Remix del Año: ‘Soltera (Remix)’ – Lunay, Daddy Yankee y Bad Bunny
Canción “Replay” del Año: ‘Yo te amo’ – Los Temerarios
Tour del Año: Bad Bunny: X100PRE Tour
Artista Social del Año: Anuel AA
Colaboración “Crossover” del Año: ‘Con calma’ – Daddy Yankee Ft. Snow
Video del Año: ‘Flor’ – Los Rivera Destino Ft. Benito Martínez (Bad Bunny)
Artista del Año – Pop/Rock: Sebastián Yatra
Canción del Año – Pop/Rock: ‘Un año’ – Sebastián Yatra y Reik
Colaboración del Año – Pop/Rock: ‘Calma (Remix)’ – Pedro Capó y Farruko
Grupo o Dúo del Año – Pop/Rock: CNCO
Artista del Año – Pop/Balada: Luis Fonsi
Artista Femenino del Año – Urbano: Karol G
Artista Masculino del Año – Urbano:Daddy Yankee
Canción del Año – Urbano:‘Con calma’ – Daddy Yankee Ft. Snow
Colaboración del Año – Urbano: ‘Secreto’ – Anuel AA y Karol G
Canción del Año – Urbano/Pop:‘Calma (Remix)’ – Pedro Capó y Farruko
Canción del Año – Urbano/Trap:‘Callaíta’ – Bad Bunny y Tainy
Artista del Año – Tropical:Romeo Santos
Canción del Año – Tropical: ‘Inmortal’ – Aventura
Colaboración del Año – Tropical: ‘Si me das tu amor’ – Carlos Vives y Wisin
Artista del Año – Regional Mexicano: Christian Nodal
Canción del Año – Regional Mexicano: ‘Nada nuevo’ – Christian Nodal
Colaboración del Año – Regional Mexicano: ‘Un año’ – Banda Los Sebastianes Ft. Sebastián Yatra
Grupo o Dúo del Año – Regional Mexicano: Calibre 50
Artista Sierreño del Año – Regional Mexicano: Ulices Chaidez
Canción Sierreña del Año – Regional Mexicano: ‘Cómo no quererte’ – Ulices Chaidez
Canción Banda del Año – Regional Mexicano: ‘Por siempre mi amor’ – Banda Sinaloense Ms de Sergio Lizárraga
Canción Norteña del Año – Regional Mexicano: ‘Simplemente gracias’ – Calibre 50
Canción Mariachi/Ranchera del Año – Regional Mexicano: ‘Nada nuevo’ – Christian Nodal

Mau y Ricky Renew Publishing Deal with Sony/ATV

Mau and Ricky Montaner’s music won’t be finding a new home…

The Venezuelan brothers, better known as Mau y Ricky, have renewed their publishing deal with Sony/ATV, according to Billboard.

Mau-y-Ricky

“We are happy to remain part of the Sony/ATV family where our songs have a house and are well maintained,” Mau and Ricky tell Billboard. “It’s been many years now. [President and CEO, Latin America and U.S. Latin] Jorge Mejia trusts in our talent and we trust him.”

The Latin Grammy-nominated duo,  sons of music icon Ricardo Montaner, officially joined Sony/ATV in 2014 and since then have been working with many stars including Thalia,Karol G,Sofia Reyes,Lali,Ednita Nazario and Miguel Bosé, to name a few.

On the Billboard charts, Mau and Ricky have also scored hits as songwriters, including Ricky Martin’s “Vente Pa’ Ca,” which debuted at No.1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplaychart in 2016, and “Sin Pijama” by Becky Gand Natti Natasha, which also topped that chart in 2018.

“They are part of our house, composers who are part of the company’s DNA and we trust them,” concludes Mejia.

Thalia Among the Artists Featured on Billboard’s Latin Divas Spotify List

Thalia will have you dancing this Hispanic Heritage Month…

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place from September 15-October 15, Billboard has created a special Spotify playlist honoring the Latinas in music, including the 48-year-old Mexican singer.

Thalia

Billboard’s Latin Divasplaylist gathers the best songs from the best Latinas in music, including Thalia, Paulina RubioAnittaShakiraJennifer Lopez, Karol GNatti NatashaCamila CabelloBecky Gand more talented Latin female artists who are proud of their Hispanic heritage.

Check out the playlist below, and let us know who’s your favorite diva on the list: