Latin
Watch Bad Bunny Make His ‘Narcos: Mexico’ Debut as Preppy Drug Dealer ‘Kitty’ Paez
Wearing gold shades and a red polo shirt, Bunny is on brand as a preppy pusher, following the first reveal of his character over the weekend in a clip in which he tries on a series of pastel Polo shirts and plaid pants to the strains of Los Shain’s cover of the Cure’s “Boys Don’t Cry.” In those pics, the Latin Grammy winner has his hair gelled and his dance moves on point in a closet filled with endlessly colorful country club options. The streamer also posted a series of photos of Bunny’s Paez — a member of Ramon Arellano Felix’s “Narco Juniors” gang — rocking his signature red polo shirt and striped pants in a series of fashion shoot-like poses. The final season of Narcos is set in the 1990s and follows Juárez ca...
Billboard’s Latin Editors Discuss Latin Grammy Nominations: What Went Right & What Needs Work
Jessica Roiz: I would say diverse. I noticed that in the “Big Four” there’s not only a variety of genres but also of generations. We have artists such as Caetano Veloso, Juan Luis Guerra, and Ricardo Montaner who have led long, prolific careers — and we also have Rauw Alejandro, C. Tangana, and Paula Arenas, who are paving the way for the new wave of music artists. Pamela Bustios: The list is varied, but overall, predictable. It lacks presence of world sounds and the amalgam of fusions that have bloomed in the last year such as electronic with Andean rhythms, electronica with Latin American folklore, psychedelic and electro-cumbia and indigenous sounds. Leila Cobo: Diverse, and yes, multi-generational and multi-cultural. That’s important because there are m...
5 Uplifting Moments in Latin Music This Week (October 9)
The collection will be part of the Díaz Ayala Cuban and Latin American Popular Music Collection at the FIU Libraries, CasaCuba — the university’s center for the celebration of Cuban culture and study of Cuban affairs — and the FIU School of Music will use the collection for educational purposes. “Celia’s most fervent wish was to ensure her legacy lives on for generations,” said Omer Pardillo Cid, executor of the Celia Cruz Estate. “Donating her original musical scores will provide future students with a unique way to study her repertoire — the way she would have done it.” Carlos Vives to star in new Disney+ series Carlos Vives has officially joined Disney+’s new series titled El Club de Los Graves, which will be shot ...
Prince Royce Talks Career-Changing ‘Stand by Me,’ Musical Influences & More in ‘Growing Up Dominican (In the Bronx)’
Initially, the 32-year-old artist was part of the Gino Y Royce duo, where he started writing his own songs to the sound of reggaeton but he quickly transitioned into a solo artist as he released his first album, which cost Royce — who was in college and working at a cell phone store — $8,000 to make. “I did not know I was making something special but it felt special.” After meeting with Sergio George, who then signed Royce to Top Stop Music (Royce is no longer signed to that label), he recorded “Corazón Sin Cara” and “it flopped,” says Royce. So they decided on recording Ben E. King‘s “Stand By Me” as a cover with additional Spanish lyrics and as a bachata. “I’m like ‘yo, I think this is wack’ not bec...
First Stream Latin: New Music From C. Tangana & Nathy Peluso, ChocQuibTown, More
First Stream Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums and videos recommended by the Billboard Latin editors. Check out this week’s picks below. C. Tangana & Nathy Peluso, “Ateo” (Sony Music España) An ode to bachata, which C. Tangana first explored on “Tu Me Dejaste de Querer,” the Spanish rapper now teams up with Nathy Peluso for another bachata-fused track titled “Ateo.” The genre-smashing artists first set the tone for the single’s release with a provocative teaser showcasing their bachata skills that stirred up some controversy. At its core, the track is a love song that narrates a love so pure it makes an atheist believe. “I was an atheist but I believe now,” they sing. “All it took was for a miracle like you to come down to earth.” About the song...
Joss Favela Inks Worldwide Co-Publishing Deal With Warner Chappell Music
The 30-year-old Regional Mexican star, who has penned over 100 songs for artists such as Alejandro Fernandez, Banda MS, and Natti Natasha, made history at the 2016 Premio ASCAP as the youngest person ever to win songwriter of the year. He nabbed the title in 2017 and 2018. On the Billboard charts, Favela has entered Hot Latin Songs, Latin Airplay, Top Latin Albums, Regional Mexican Albums, and Regional Mexican Airplay, where he has five top 10’s. “When my love for music started I never thought that I’d get to spend my life writing songs,” he said. “I’m continuously surprised by the beautiful things that happen to me, and joining the Warner Chappell family is one of them. I’m grateful for the songs that life has given me, but I’m even more grateful for the ones ...
5 Uplifting Moments in Latin Music This Week (October 2)
From career milestones and new music releases to major announcements and more, Billboard editors highlight the latest news buzz in Latin music every week. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week. J Balvin Radio For SiriusXM, J Balvin has curated an exclusive two-week, limited edition channel featuring anecdotes from the making of his album Jose. He’s also flaunting his radio host abilities with two original shows, “Head Bang with Jose,” where he will feature some of his favorite rock tunes, and “La Hora Rumbera,” where he will feature classic tropical tunes. Part of SiriusXM and Pandora’s Small Stage Series, an exclusive Balvin performance will air at 10 p.m. ET on Oct. 13 via satellite and on the SXM App. J Balvin Radio will b...
Ozuna Hints That Blackpink, Megan Thee Stallion & DJ Snake Collab is ‘97%’ Complete
A few weeks after debuting his new single “La Funka” at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards, Ozuna is ready to drop his next major collaboration. On Thursday (Sept. 30), the award-winning Puerto Rican artist took to Twitter to let fans know that his next song, alongside Blackpink, Megan Thee Stallion and DJ Snake, is “97 percent” complete. “BKP + MTS + SNK + [teddy bear emoji],” the Latin superstar wrote. Fans on Twitter, however, are wondering if the song is with the entire South Korean girl group or just group member Lisa, who although still part of the K-pop phenomenon, debuted her solo project Lalisa earlier this month. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with giving you back power. Get to meet Beautiful ...
Gloria Estefan Says She Was Sexually Abused as a Child by a Music Teacher
Gloria replied, “I have,” and continued: “He was family, but not close family. He was in a position of power because my mother had put me in his music school and he immediately started telling her how talented I was and how I needed special attention, and she felt lucky that he was focusing this kind of attention on me.” She added that abuse “starts little by little and then it goes fast.” “I told him, ‘This cannot happen, you cannot do this.’ He goes, ‘Your father’s in Vietnam, your mother’s alone and I will kill her if you tell her,’” Estefan recalled. The singer said she knew she was not responsible for her abuser’s actions, but she worried he would hurt her mother. She feigned sickness to get out of going to music classes. Emily asked if Gloria’s mother was aware of the abuse. “N...
What’s Your Favorite Latin Collaboration of September 2021? Vote!
The year is flying by so fast, but before we enter October, we want to know: What was your favorite Latin collaboration released in September? Every month, Billboard highlights all the collaborations featured on our weekly First Stream Latin and compiles them in a fan-based poll. The new poll includes Sofia Reyes and Becky G’s heartbreak cumbia “Mal de Amores,” Christian Nodal and Banda MS’ long-overdue collab “La Sinverguenza,” and Tokischa’s flamenco-dembow “Linda” featuring Rosalia, to name a few. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with giving you back power. Get to meet Beautiful people, chat and make money in the process. Earn rewards by chatting, sharing photos, blogging and help give users back th...
Gloria Estefan Reflects on Being Called Out During ‘In the Heights’ Colorism Controversy
The singer and Cuban American icon said it can be assumed she isn’t Latina due to her lighter skin, but says she understands why someone would point to her as an example. “I understood it, completely. I understood it because I am a very well-known Latina, and I look a certain way. My skin is white, you know,” she said. “Although to a lot of people, they might assume that I’m not white because I’m Latina! So, it may have nothing to do with your genetics; the bottom line is labeling and putting people in boxes.” “OK, even though I go, ‘Hey, I’m just as Latina as anybody else,’ I understood where that was coming from,” she added. Emily — who is proud the show is “bringing up and opening the door to the conversation of colorism and racism within the Latin community” — says women like the Estef...
‘The Bodyguard’ Remake Writer Says Whitney Houston’s Role Will Now Be Latina
The remake of the 1992 romantic thriller The Bodyguard, which originally starred Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, will feature a brand-new storyline about an overnight Latina sensation, according to the new film’s screenwriter. Matthew López, the Tony Award-winning playwright of The Inheritance who will be writing the new film, told Variety in an interview published Tuesday (Sept. 28) that he wants a Latina to front the project. Unlike Houston, who portrayed Oscar-nominated actress and high-profile singer Rachel Marron dodging death threats and a stalker in the film, the new female lead of The Bodyguard will play an up-and-coming singer who realizes how much she needs protection after growing into her fame. “It’s so much fun. When Warner Bro...
