Karol G’s Shakira-Collaboration “TQG” Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs Chart

Karol G’s hot streak continues…

The 32-year-old Colombian singer has notched another No. 1 debut to her account, as “TQG” (“Te Quedé Grande”), with Shakira, arrives at No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs chart dated March 11.

Shakira & Karol GIt’s the third pair-up by two female artists in a lead role to debut at No. 1 since the tally launched in 1986 — and they’ve all been Karol G collaborations.

Karol G’s new album Mañana Será Bonito’s large streaming first-week sum spurs 13 debuts on Hot Latin Songs. Those, plus three titles also striding up the list, take over the multimetric ranking.

In total, 16 songs of the 17-track set rank on this week’s chart, while “Provenza,” now off the tally, ruled for one week in May 2022 (Karol G’s only No. 1 as a soloist among six champs).

With 16 tracks on the chart concurrently, Karol G makes history as the woman with the most simultaneous songs since the ranking began. Only two other acts have scored more songs: Bad Bunny with between 17 and 24 concurrent songs throughout different periods and Ozuna with 21 titles in September 2018.

Plus, with five songs in the top 10, Karol G now holds the record for the most simultaneous top 10s among women.

The No. 1 start for “TQG” is powered by streaming activity. It logged 29 million clicks in the U.S., during the February 24-March 2 tracking week, according to Luminate, becoming the most-streamed Latin song of the week.

Karol G first summoned fans to Times Square for the Shakira collab announcement through social media on February 22, where the song was teased on the big screens. The joint effort by the Colombian stars, plus buzz generated about the narrative of the song (heartbreak and moving on after high-profile breakups), have helped “TQG” bow atop Hot Latin Songs.

It becomes just the eighth song by a female act to debut at No. 1 since the chart launched in 1986. Here’s the recap:

Debut Date, Title, Artists
Jan. 14, 2012, “Hotel Nacional,” Gloria Estefan
Feb. 28, 2015, “Mi Verdad,” Mana Featuring Shakira
Nov. 19, 2016, “Chantaje,” Shakira Featuring Maluma
Oct. 13, 2018, “Taki Taki” DJ Snake Featuring Selena Gomez, Ozuna & Cardi B
Nov. 23, 2019, “Tusa,” Karol G & Nicki Minaj
August 8, 2020, “Un Dia (One Day),” J Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny & Tainy
Feb. 26, 2022, “MAMIII,” Becky G X Karol G
March 11, 2023, “TQG,” Karol G & Shakira

Further breaking down the big debut, “TQG” earns multiple achievements:

-It’s the sixth title with a female act in a lead role to debut at No. 1 since the chart launched in 1986.

-It’s the fifth title by a Hispanic female act on a lead role to debut at No. 1 since the chart’s inception. (Hispanic relating to Spanish-speaking countries, especially those in Latin America and/ or artists with Latin ascendancy).

-It’s the third pair-up by two female artists in a lead role to debut at No. 1, all including Karol G.

Here’s a look at all the songs from Mañana Será Bonito on the current Hot Latin Songs chart:

Rank, Title, Artist (if other than Karol G)
No. 1, “TQG,” with Shakira (debut)
No. 4, “X Si Volvemos,” with Romeo Santos
No. 8, “Mientras Me Curo El Cora” (debut)
No. 9, “Gucci Los Paños” (debut)
No. 10, “Tus Gafitas” (debut)
No. 11, “Gatúbela,” with Maldy
No. 13, “Cairo,” with Ovy on The Drums
No. 14, “Per Tú,” with Quevedo (debut)
No. 16, “Ojos Ferrari,” with Justin Quiles and Angel Dior (debut)
No, 17, “Besties” (debut)
No. 19, “Mañana Será Bonito,” with Carla Morrison (debut)
No. 24, “Amargura” (debut)
No. 25, “Karmika,” with Bad Gyal and Sean Paul (debut)
No. 26, “Mercurio” (debut)
No. 29, “Dañamos La Amistad,” with Sech (debut)
No. 33, “Carolina (debut)

“TQG” also records activity in the other two metrics that influence the Hot Latin Songs chart: radio airplay and song sales. On Latin Airplay, it debuts at No. 27 with 4.29 million in audience impressions. It also accrues 7,000 downloads for a No. 1 start on Latin Digital Song Sales and No. 4 on the overall Digital Song Sales.

Howie Dorough & Fellow Backstreet Boys Release Claymation Video for “Christmas in New York”

Everything’s a-oclay for Howie Dorough

The 49-year-old half-Puerto Rican singer and his fellow Backstreet Boys have released a new music video for their holiday track “Christmas in New York.”

Howie Dorough, BSB, Backstreet BoysThe sweet and sentimental visual sees the quintet — Nick Carter, Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson — passionately singing the holiday track while their claymation counterparts explore a twinkling New York City during Christmas time.

The claymation dolls of the boy group witness and participate in classic scenes.

One features a dressed up Santa with an elf at his side ringing a bells and asking for donations with a big red bucket. The dolls head down to the TV-decorated intersection of Times Square, take a horse-drawn carriage ride in Central Park, view the holiday windows at Macy’s 34th street and go ice-skating in Rockefeller Center.

“All the elves are busy/ On Macy’s eighth floor/ It’s good to know there is still a miracle on 34th/ But what I love the most/ Is holding you this close/ This is what they made the Season for/ Oh, spending Christmas in/ Oh, another Christmas in/ Oh, yes, another Christmas in New York,” Littrell closes out the song with the rest of the members.

“Christmas in New York” hails from the boy band’s A Very Backstreet Christmas. The LP — which marked the group’s first collection of yuletide songs and its first studio effort in three years — was released on October 14 via BMG. The set charted at No. 17 on the Billboard 200 following its release.

In addition to “Christmas in New York,” other holiday tracks like “White Christmas,” “Silent Night,” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” are included on the album.

“Christmas in New York” is one of three original Christmas songs on the album; the others are titled “Together” and “Happy Days.”

Karol G to Perform During ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest”

Karol G will be ringing in the New Year in the Big Apple

The 30-year-old Colombian singer is set to perform at this year’s 50th anniversary edition of ABC’s holiday staple Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest

Karol G

Karol G will perform from Manhattan, alongside new additions to the bill Rock Hall of Famers Journey and R&B singer Chlöe.

LL Cool J will play a pre-midnight set in Times Square, and Emmy-winning Pose alum Billy Porter with perform a medley aboard the riverboat Louis Armstrong on the Mississippi River as part of the annual NYE show.

They join previously announced performers including Daddy Yankee in Puerto Rico and a Los Angeles bill that includes Ciara, Avril Lavigne & Travis Barker, Big Boi, OneRepublic and French Montana.

Ryan Seacrest will host New Year’s Rockin’ Eve for a 17th year from Times Square, joined by rookie co-hosts Porter from New Orleans, Liza Koshy in NYC and Roselyn Sanchez in Puerto Rico — the inaugural destination for the show’s first Spanish-language countdown.

ABC’s 50th annual Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest starts at 8:00 pm on December 31.

Anitta Getting Her Own Wax Figure at Madame Tussauds in New York City’s Times Square

Anitta is waxin’ nostalgic…

The 28-year-old Brazilian singer/songwriter will soon get her own wax figure at Madame Tussauds in New York City’s Times Square.

Anitta x Madame Tussauds

Anitta shared the news to her more than 55 million followers via Instagram, stating: “I’m so honored! Can’t wait to have my wax figure at @MadameTussaudsUSA, in NYC!”

A short video preview shows the “Girl From Rio” singer rocking ripped jeans, a bedazzled thong, and a cutout top as artists get her exact measurements, hair color, eye color, and skin tone.

Anitta x Madame Tussauds

Anitta’s wax figure — which will take nearly six months and 20 studio artists in London to create — will soon arrive at Madame Tussauds New York.

Anitta x Madame Tussauds

This week, the museum revealed behind-the-scenes photos of Colombian superstar Maluma also posing for his own wax figure, which will arrive at Madame Tussauds in Orlando.

Anitta and Maluma join other Latin music stars to get their own wax figures, including Selena, Romeo Santos, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, to name a few.

Jennifer Lopez Ends 2020 with Powerful & Emotional “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” Performance

Jennifer Lopez has ended the year as the belle of the (crystal) ball…

The 51-year-old Puerto Rican superstar closed out 2020 with a powerful and emotional performance on Thursday night, while taking the stage in New York’s Times Square.

Jennifer Lopez

Lopez, who headlined the 49th annual Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2021 on ABC. began by standing on a 20-foot tall column with a white coat covered in six large white feathered layers that cascaded all the way to the ground. JLo donned a glittery diamond head mask before taking it off, tossing off the massive coat, and showing off a glittering tight pants and a blazer with dramatic shoulders.

While performing her latest single “In the Morning,” J.Lo took a moment to reflect on the challenging year and remember the people we lost during the pandemic.

“2020 is almost over. We made it. We made it,” she said before getting teary-eyed. “If this year taught us anything, it taught us to be grateful for what we do have — to cherish every moment. We lost too many. Too many.”

Lopez also performed a montage of her hit songs, including “Dance Again” and “Waiting for Tonight,” and delivered a dazzling cover of Aerosmith‘s “Dream On.”

“Tonight we’re going to live, we’re going to love and we’re going to dance again,” she added, referring to her 2012 song “Dance Again.” “And we’re going to keep on dreaming. Twenty years ago, I sang this song, and we never needed it more than tonight.”

In addition to Lopez, the New Years Rockin’ Eve special also featured performances by Miley CyrusBilly PorterCyndi LauperNelly and others.

CNCO to Perform on NBC’s New Year’s Eve 2021 Special

CNCO has major plans for the New Year…

The Latin boy band will be ringing in the new year with a performance on NBC’s New Year’s Eve 2021 program.

CNCO

CNCO joins a roster of new additions to the lineup that includes Gwen StefaniBlake SheltonChloe x HalleJason Derulo, Kirstin Maldonado and her Pentatonix group mates.

Carson Daly will host NBC’s New Year’s Eve special live from Times Square in NYC. Amber Ruffin, the star of Peacock’s The Amber Ruffin Show and writer for Late Night With Seth Meyers, and Stephen “tWitch” Boss, DJ and co-executive producer for The Ellen DeGeneres Show, will join him as co-hosts.

The star-studded lineup also includes AJRGoo Goo DollsKylie MinogueBusta Rhymes with Anderson .PaakBebe Rexha with Doja Cat, and Sting with Shirazee.

NBC’s New Year’s Eve 2021 will air on Thursday, December 31, at 10:00-11:00 pm and 11:30 pm-12:30 am. ET on NBC.

Julee Cerda Lands Recurring Role on NBC’s “Blindspot”

Julee Cerda is focusing on her blind spot

The 41-year-old half-Dominican actress is joining the Season 5 cast of NBC’s Blindspot in a recurring role. 

Julee Carda

Blindspot, from Warner Bros. Television, started off with a beautiful woman (Jaime Alexander) with no memories of her past being found naked in Times Squarewith her body fully covered in intricate tattoos. Her discovery sets off a vast and complex mystery that immediately ignites the attention of the FBI

Cerda will play Ivy Sands. Further character details are being kept under wraps 

Cerda was most recently seen in Showtime’s The Loudest Voice, as Wendi Deng, Rubert Murdoch’s (Simon McBurney) younger wife. 

On the big screen she’ll next be seen in Joker. 

Her other television credits include Orange is the New BlackHouse of CardsKevin Can Wait and Billions.

Jenni Rivera’s Family Releases New Single by the Late Singer “Aparentemente Bien” to Commemorate Her 50th Birthday

Jenni Rivera’s family is commemorating her 50th birthday in a special way…

The Riveras havedebuted a new emotional ballad recorded at the prime of the late singer’s career before she died in a plane crash in 2012. 

Jenni Rivera

Aparentemente Bien” is about a broken heart and shows an emotional side of the regional Mexican star who is heard having a heart-rending moment during the recording of the song.

“I was surprised she was crying,” says Jenni’s sister Rosie Rivera. “To allow herself to be so vulnerable. I think it’s an empowering song and she was living in the moment.”

The song was discovered by sibling Juan Riveraon a hard drive, among several others, about three years ago after his sister died. “It was like a puzzle,” says Rosie, referring to the discovery of the songs. “To hear Jenni’s voice with a new song is a spectacular feeling.”

The Rivera family decided to wait for the right moment before releasing the track, which will be followed by others in a span of about a year before a new album debuts, Rosie said. The new music is part of several projects that were recently announced, including a biopic, among other projects.

“We weren’t sure about releasing this music three years ago,” Rosie said. “We weren’t sure if the world was ready, if the kids were ready. We feel everyone is getting a better place and is ready for her 50th birthday (July 2), the golden year. We want to give her the best.”

The new song was written by “Despacito” co-writer Erica Enderand Alejandro Lerner. Ender met Rivera in 2009 at a Miami after party following the Billboard Latin Music Awardsand both talked about music and working together. Ender sent Rivera music for consideration.

“I didn’t hear anything from Jenni,” Ender tells Billboard. “When I recently heard the song I thought it was Jenni’s daughter singing. When her family told me it was actually Jenni it was so emotional. The lyrics of the song also relate to how people feel about her loss.”

Rosie calls this new chapter part of a “takeover year” as a gift to fans who will see and hear different sides of the singer with many surprises along the way. Marlon Villardirected the “Aparentemente Bien” video, which features a substantial cast, including the Rivera family, actors portraying real moments from the Long Beach, Calif.-born singer’s life and stories that fans have lived as well and continue sharing with the Riveras.

Villar conceived and directed Ricardo Arjona‘s first-ever animated music video “El Cielo a Mi Favor” in 2018. The new Rivera music video has aWalt Disneytouch featuring Villar’s vibrant style.

The filmmakers of the new video also traveled to Iturbide, Mexico, where Rivera died. This week’s launch includes a new Jenni Rivera makeup line and a day after Fourth of July, Rivera’s image and new music will be part of a Times Squarebillboard for the day through aSpotifycampaign. The digital music platform will also celebrate Rivera’s birthday with a video series going live on July 2.

“This is a way to feel my daughter again,” said Rivera’s mother Doña Rosa. “She’ll continue singing and we are happy about that, but it’s also bittersweet because I won’t get to see her. But I feel her in my heart.”

Mariah Carey Returning to Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest

Mariah Carey is getting a second chance…

The 47-year-old half-Venezuelan American singer will return to the scene of her infamous major malfunction in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, agreeing to another performance this year for Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.

Mariah Carey 

Carey was the victim of an alleged technical malfunction when she appeared on the globally televised program in 2016-17, though her bizarre off-camera demeanor made others question whether sound was the issue. Carey wound up walking around the stage without singing in what many described as a meltdown.

A representative for Carey blamed Dick Clark Productions. saying “production set her up to fail”; DCP called that claim “absurd.”

This year, Carey will take another stab at performing in the New Year’s Eve celebration, taking the stage at 11:45 p.m.

Carey recently changed managers, and the switch to Roc Nation might have prompted the return.

Other performers scheduled to appear include Camila Cabello, Nick Jonas and Sugarland. Britney Spears will appear for a remote cameo from Las Vegas.

Fifth Harmony to Perform During Good Morning America’s 2017 Summer Concert Series

Ally Brooke Hernandez and Lauren Jauregui are preparing for a televised jam session this summer…

The Latina singers and their fellow Fifth Harmony members, Normani Kordei and Dinah Jane, have been added to the lineup for Good Morning America‘s 2017 Summer Concert Series.

Fifth Harmony

Fifth Harmony will take the stage on the third week (June 2) of the 17-week series, which takes place live from the SummerStage in New York City’s Central Park.

The Summer Concert Series will kick off on May 19 with Green Day performing songs from their latest, Revolution Radio.

Other schedules appearances include Florida George Line, The Chainsmokers, The Lumineers, Little Big Town, Bebe Rexha, Big Sean, Lady Antebellum and many others.

All the concerts are free and open to the public and will take place at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park on Fridays from 7:00 – 9:00 am ET.

Here’s the full lineup:

May 19 – Green Day (#GreenDayOnGMA)
May 26 – Florida Georgia Line & Nelly (#FGLonGMA and #NellyOnGMA)
June 2 – Fifth Harmony (#5HOnGMA)
June 9 – The Chainsmokers* (#ChainsmokersOnGMA)
June 16 – The Lumineers (#LumineersOnGMA)
June 23 – Little Big Town (#LittleBigTownOnGMA)
June 30 – Bebe Rexha* (#BebeOnGMA)
July 7 – Big Sean (#BigSeanOnGMA)
July 14 – Lady Antebellum (#LadyAOnGMA)
July 21 – Zedd featuring Alessia Cara (#ZeddOnGMA and #AlessiaOnGMA)
July 28 – Imagine Dragons (#ImagineDragonsOnGMA)
August 4 – Linkin Park (#LinkinParkOnGMA)
August 11 – Bleachers (#BleachersOnGMA)
August 18 – Eric Church (#EricChurchOnGMA)
August 25 – Paramore (#ParamoreOnGMA)
September 1 – Jason Derulo (#DeruloOnGMA)
Date TBD – Dierks Bentley*

(*The Chainsmokers will require advanced tickets for entry; tickets will be available closer to the show date. Bebe Rexha will perform in GMA‘s Times Square studio and the Bentley show information will be announced later.)