Bad Bunny Repeats as Billboard’s Top Latin Artist of the Year for Fifth Consecutive Year

Posted on November 26, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a sweet repeat for Bad Bunny…

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning superstar has repeated as Billboard’s Top Latin Artist of the Year for a record fifth consecutive year.

No other artist has been the year-end Top Latin Artist five times since the category began in 2011. Only one other artist has pulled a back-to-back winning streak since the category launched in 2011: Romeo Santos, who took home the first-place trophy in 2014 and 2015.

Unsurprisingly, Bad Bunny also echoes his past four years of achievements on the albums front: Thanks to Un Verano Sin Ti’s stronghold, the album wraps at No. 1 on the year-end Top Latin Albums chart for a second consecutive year.

Adding to his blockbuster year — with seven awards at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, including Artist of the Year, Tour of the Year and Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year — Benito also boasts four songs on the year-end Hot Latin Songs rundown, including “Un X100to” with Grupo Frontera at No. 3. His first foray into Regional Mexican music became the second Regional Mexican track to break the weekly top 10 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Billboard’s year-end music recaps represent aggregated metrics for each artist, title, label and music contributor on the weekly charts from November 19, 2022, through October 21, 2023. Rankings for Luminate-based recaps reflect equivalent album units, airplay, sales or streaming during the weeks that the titles appeared on a respective chart during the tracking year. Any activity registered before or after a title’s chart run isn’t considered in these rankings. That methodology detail, and the November-October time period, account for some of the difference between these lists and the calendar-year recaps that are independently compiled by Luminate.

Grupo Frontera Signs Management Deal with Habibi

Posted on November 21, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Grupo Frontera is under new management…

The Regional Mexican group has signed a management deal with Habibi, Noah Assad’s management firm.

Raymond Acosta, director of talent management at the company — which also includes Karol G on its roster — will lead Grupo Frontera’s management team.

The deal comes seven months after Grupo Frontera and Bad Bunny‘s massive cumbia/norteña track, “Un x100to,” peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also up for song of the year at this year’s Latin Grammys.

Over the past two years, Grupo Frontera — previously managed by Victor Ruiz — went from local McAllen, Texas, band to a música mexicana global force. Composed of Adelaido “Payo” Solis III, Juan Javier Cantú, Julian Peña Jr., Alberto Acosta, Carlos Guerrero and Brian Ortega, the group broke out last year thanks to its Tejano spin on Morat‘s 2019 single, “No Se Va.” The inventive cover scored the norteño group its first entry on any Billboard chart, ultimately peaking at No. 3 on the Hot Latin Songs tally dated November 12, 2022.

According to Raymond Acosta, Habibi was approached by Mexican hitmaker Edgar Barrera — who’s penned and produced for Grupo Frontera — and Alberto (of Frontera) after seeing the impact “Un x100to” had.

“I asked Noah for an opportunity to get to know and study Mexican culture,” Acosta explains. “Because for me, identities are very important. One of my role models is Mr. Angelo Medina, he was the manager of José José and Emmanuel. He was the one who taught me [that] when you’re going to cross the pond, you have to know where you’re going.”

In August, Grupo Frontera released its debut album, El Comienzo, via Barrera’s BorderKid Records label. The set bowed and peaked at No. 3 on the Top Latin Albums chart. In the past year alone, the group has placed eight songs on the Billboard Hot 100 — including “Que Vuelvas” with Carin Leon, “Bebe Dame” with Fuerza Regida and “Frágil” with Yahritza y Su Esencia. They have a distribution deal with Believe and own their masters.

“If you want to be the number one manager, your artists have to be number one,” adds Acosta. “I’m fulfilling my dreams by fulfilling the dreams of others. I think that’s the beauty of the management part. [At Habibi,] we don’t copy-paste marketing plans. That’s why when you see all the projects, none of them look alike. And seeing everything that is behind Frontera, the personality of each one and what they are doing, motivates us a lot.”

Bad Bunny’s “Monaco” Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Global 200 & Billboard Global Excl. U.S. Songs Charts

Posted on October 23, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Bad Bunny rules the roost on the global charts…

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning superstar’s new single “Monaco” has debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. songs charts dated October 28.

Bad Bunny earns his fourth leader on the Global 200 and his third on Global Excl. U.S.

The song is from his new LP, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana, which debuts as his third No. 1 on the U.S.-based Billboard 200 albums chart.

Bad Bunny debuts two other songs from the set in both the Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. top 10: “Perro Negro,” with Feid, and “Fina,” with Young Miko.

“Monaco” begins atop the Billboard Global 200 with 82.3 million streams and 2,000 sold worldwide in its first week (October 13-19), giving Bad Bunny his second No. 1 debut, on the chart, following “Where She Goes,” which led for a week upon its start in June.

He previously reigned with “Un x100to,” with Grupo Frontera, for two weeks in May and “Dakiti,” with Jhay Cortez (now Jhayco), for three weeks in November-December 2020.

Bad Bunny breaks out of a tie with Drake and Olivia Rodrigo for the most Global 200 No. 1s among soloists; overall, only BTS, with seven, has more.

Likewise, “Monaco” launches atop Billboard Global Excl. U.S. with 57 million streams and 1,000 sold outside the U.S. October 13-19. He notches his second No. 1 debut, on the chart, after “Un x100to,” with Grupo Frontera, rose to the top for three weeks in May and “Dakiti,” with Jhay Cortez, began at No. 1 and ruled for five weeks in November-December 2020.

Bad Bunny solely claims the most Global Excl. U.S. No. 1s among soloists and ties BLACKPINK for the second-most among all acts; BTS leads all artists with seven No. 1s.

The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts, which began in September 2020, rank songs based on streaming and sales activity culled from more than 200 territories around the world, as compiled by Luminate. The Global 200 is inclusive of worldwide data and the Global Excl. U.S. chart comprises data from territories excluding the United States.

Chart ranks are based on a weighted formula incorporating official-only streams on both subscription and ad-supported tiers of audio and video music services, as well as download sales, the latter of which reflect purchases from full-service digital music retailers from around the world, with sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites excluded from the charts’ calculations.

Bad Bunny Releases New Single “Un Preview”

Posted on September 26, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Bad Bunny is offering a preview…

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning superstar has released his new single, the reggaetón banger “Un Preview.”

On the track, Bad Bunny is smitten, singing about a girl that has him head over heels.

“Baby, I’m no longer scared of tasting you and falling in love again … we’re crazy at the club, I get closer to you dancing, and I kiss your neck, with you, I’ll deal with fire.”

At the beginning of the music video, which has a cowboy aesthetic, Bad Bunny explains that this song, as its name would suggest, is just a preview of what’s to come. “Ven acá,” he begins. “I’ll give you a preview of what will come after.” He expanded on that message on his WhatsApp channel where he wrote: “This is possibly the last song I release this year. It’s a little preview of what’s to come next year.”

Bad Bunny officially confirmed the release date of his new song on Sunday, when he posted a 17-second snippet and wrote in Spanish, “In case you like it and are interested to know, [the song] comes out tomorrow Monday at 8 p.m. Puerto Rico time.”

“Un Preview,” produced by Tainy and La Paciencia, comes on the heels of Bunny’s “Where She Goes,” which he released in May. The Jersey Club-inspired beat (a hybrid of house and hip-hop) reached No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 and Latin Airplay charts.

Earlier this year, Bunny also teamed up with Grupo Frontera on “un x100to,” which marked his first time dipping his toes in the norteño-cumbia realm. The song earned Grupo Frontera its highest debut on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, entering at No. 3 on the April 29-dated ranking, and later hitting No. 1 on both the Latin Airplay chart and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart.

Bad Bunny is a 15-time finalist at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which are set to take place on Thursday, October 5. He is up for artist of the year, tour of the year, Global 200 Latin artist of the year and Global 200 Latin song of the year for “Titi Me Preguntó.”

Eladio Carrión to Perform at This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on September 5, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Eladio Carrión is headed to the Billboard Latin Music Awards.

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton singer will perform at this year’s awards show, set to take place on Thursday, October 5.

Carrión joins a roster of confirmed performers that includes Calibre 50, Chiquis, El Alfa, Justin Quiles, Los Ángeles Azules, Manuel Turizo, Marshmello, Myke Towers, Peso Pluma, Tini and Yandel.

Billboard and Telemundo announced on Tuesday (September 5) the first round of performers who’ll take the stage at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida. The show will be broadcast live on Telemundo and simultaneously on the Spanish entertainment cable network Universo, on Peacock and on the Telemundo app. Throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, it will be available on Telemundo Internacional.

This year, Mexican music sensation Peso Pluma leads the list of finalists with 21 nods across 15 categories, including Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year and Top Latin Album of the Year. His collaboration with Eslabon Armado, “Ella Baila Sola,” is up for six awards, including Hot Latin Song of the Year, Global 200 Latin Song of the Year and Sales Song of the Year. And his hit with Yng Lvcas, “La Bebe,” competes in five categories, including Hot Latin Song of the Year and Latin Rhythm Song of the Year.

Following Peso Pluma are Bad Bunny and Grupo Frontera with 15 nods each, including four together for their collab “un X100to,” while Karol G has 13, and Shakira and Fuerza Regida 12 each.

Los Ángeles Azules will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Latin Billboard Music Awards 2023, while Ivy Queen will be recognized with the Icon Award.

Bad Bunny Earns 22nd No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with “Where She Goes”

Posted on August 9, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Bad Bunny is celebrating another crowning achievement…

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning superstar has logged his 22nd No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart with “Where She Goes.”

The single rises from No. 2 on the overall Latin airplay tally with 9.22 million audience impressions earned in the week ending August 3, a 2% gain from the week prior, according to Luminate.

With “Where She Goes” Bad Bunny becomes the seventh artist overall with as many or more champs on Latin Airplay. Plus, he enters a tie with Maluma and Wisin for the fifth-most since the chart’s inception in 1994.

Here’s the recap:

35, J Balvin
22, Enrique Iglesias
32, Ozuna
28, Daddy Yankee
22, Bad Bunny
22, Maluma
22, Wisin

“Where She Goes” takes the lead a month after “Un X100to,” with Grupo Frontera, capped its six-week reign (July 8-dated list). The track took over Latin Airplay in its third week, the fastest journey to the top spot among Bad Bunny’s 22 No. 1s.

Latin Airplay is one of nine charts where “Where She Goes” has reached the top 10.

In addition to topping Latin Airplay, it has hit No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200, Latin Digital Song Sales and Latin Rhythm Airplay; No. 2 on Hot Latin Songs; No. 3 on Global Excl. U.S., Streaming Songs, and Latin Streaming Songs; and No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Grupo Frontera Releases Debut Album “El Comienzo”

Posted on August 4, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Grupo Frontera is starting something…

The Regional Mexican band has officially released their debut studio El Comienzo.

Grupo Frontera originally gained virality with their Morat cover of “No Se Va” and then took advantage of the momentum to release original music — which has earned them seven titles on the Billboard Hot 100, and 10 on the Hot Latin Songs chart (including a No. 1 hit).

Home to 11 tracks, the Rio Grande Valley-based group delivers a traditional norteño-cumbia set with some very heartfelt and relatable lyrics — mostly about love and heartbreak.

Most notable are the star-studded collaborations. For “Alta Voz,” Grupo Frontera brings back Junior H in his sad boy era, singing about missing someone and calling them despite the hour; in “Las Flores,” the band and Yahritza y Su Esencia’s second collaborative effort, we find an upbeat, ‘90s-inspired grupero melody backing a vocal about regretting falling in love; and on focus single “El Amor de Su Vida,” with Grupo Firme, a man makes his peace that the love of his life is with another person.

El Comienzo also includes previously released collabs “Que Vuelvas” with Carin León, “Ojitos Rojos” with Ke Personajes, and the Bad Bunny-assisted “Un X100to,” which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 earlier this year.

Eslabon Armado & Peso Pluma’s “Ella Baila Sola” Rises to No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart

Posted on June 14, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma continue finding combined success on the Billboard charts.

The Regional Mexican group’s team-up with the 24-year-old Mexican singer/songwriter continues to pay dividends as “Ella Baila Sola” commands yet another Billboard chart: It rises 3-1 to lead the Latin Airplay list dated June 17.

The song adds a sixth chart domination after leading Billboard’s Global 200, Hot Latin Songs, Regional Mexican Airplay, Latin Streaming Songs and Latin Digital Songs Sales charts.

“Ella Baila Sola” locks its No. 1 spot on the overall Latin Airplay chart with a 1% gain in audience impressions, to 10.4 million, logged during the June 2-8 tracking week, according to Luminate.

The collab ousts another pair-up from the lead: Marshmello and Manuel Turizo’s “El Merengue” ruled the June 10-dated survey, and falls to No. 3 on the current chart.

As “Ella Baila Sola” hits No. 1 on Latin Airplay, Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma both cement the Regional Mexican genre’s authority across Latin radio stations in the U.S.

It’s the third regional Mexican song to top the tally in 2023, after Fuerza Regida and Grupo Frontera’s “Bebe Dame” (one week, March 25) and Grupo Frontera and Bad Bunny’s “Un x100to” (three weeks starting the May 20-dated list).

Those three champs join Alejandro Fernández’s “Caballero” and La Adictiva Banda San José de Mesillas’ “Escondidos,” which ruled for one week each in 2020, making a total of five No. 1 hits on Latin Airplay this decade. With just three years in, the ‘20s might match or outperform the ‘90s, when 18 regional Mexican tracks coronated Latin Airplay — six in 1997 alone — the largest provider of No. 1-charting titles stemming from the genre since the chart launched in 1994.

As “Ella Baila” arrives at the summit, both Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma score their first No. 1 there.

Eslabon Armado secured a No. 6-high through the Ulices Chaidez-collab “Te Encontré” in June 2021. Meanwhile, Peso Pluma’s “La Bebe,” with Ynv Lvcas, rises 8-6 on the current ranking.

“Ella Baila Sola” has now commanded six Billboard charts.

Here’s the leaderboard:

Peak Date, Chart, Weeks at No. 1
April 1, Latin Streaming Songs, 12
April 15, Hot Latin Songs, 10
April 22, Latin Digital Songs Sales, five
April 29, Billboard Global 200, five
May 27, Regional Mexican Airplay, three
June 6, Latin Airplay

Manuel Turizo’s “El Merengue” Collaboration with Marshmello Reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart

Posted on June 6, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Manuel Turizo is hip-shaking his way to the top of the charts…

The 23-year-old Colombian singer’s Marshmello collaboration “El Merengue” has risen to No.1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart dated June 10.

“El Merengue” jumps from No. 2 despite a 5% dip in audience impressions, to 10.4 million, earned in the U.S. in the week ending June 1, according to Luminate.

It ousts Grupo Frontera and Bad Bunny’s “Un x100to” after its three-week command, sending it to No. 2, likewise with a decline on weekly impressions (falls 11% to 10.36 million).

“El Merengue” is just the second tropical tune to lead the overall tally this year, after Romeo Santos and Rosalia’s “El Pañuelo” headed the February 25-dated ranking.

Turizo, meanwhile, cements his airplay No. 1 growth with six champs spanning almost six years. Previously, he topped Latin Airplay with another tropical track: “La Bachata” (one week in October 2022).

As “El Merengue” tops Latin Airplay, Marshmello becomes the first artist unfamiliar to the Latin genre to occupy the top slot in 2023. Congolese French singer and rapper Gims (born Gandhi Alimasi Djuna) last completed the deed as “Arhbo (Music From The FIFA World Cup Quatar 2022),” with Ozuna, took over Latin Airplay for three weeks last December.

Beyond its Latin Airplay coronation, “El Merengue” wins a second term at its No. 5 high on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs in its 13th week in the top 10, encompassing its entire run in the chart so far.

Bad Bunny Earns Third No. 1 on Billboard Global 200 with “Where She Goes”

Posted on May 30, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

There’s only one place Bad Bunny goes… the top of the charts.

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning superstar’s “Where She Goes” has debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 chart dated June 3.

“Where She Goes” launches atop the Billboard Global 200 with 71 million streams and 3,000 sold worldwide May 19-25, following its May 18 release.

The Spanish-language song arrives as his third No. 1 on the chart, after “Un x100to,” with Grupo Frontera, for two weeks earlier in May, and “Dakiti,” with Jhay Cortez (now Jhayco), for three weeks in November-December 2020.

Bad Bunny becomes the first soloist with three Global 200 No. 1s; overall, he’s second only to BTS, with six. Justin Bieber, BLACKPINK, Drake, Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift each boast two.

“Where She Goes” marks Bad Bunny’s first Global 200 entry with no accompanying artists since he released his LP Un Verano Sin Ti, which dominated the U.S.-based Billboard 200 for 13 weeks in May-October 2022.

Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma’s “Ella Baila Sola” dips to No. 2 on the Global 200 after three weeks at No. 1, having become the chart’s first leader for the regional Mexican genre.

The Billboard Global 200, which started in September 2020, ranks songs based on streaming and sales activity culled from more than 200 territories around the world, as compiled by Luminate. The Global 200 is inclusive of worldwide data.

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