Latin
The Big Boss Talks: Daddy Yankee Is Teaching Reggaetón’s Stars How to Own Their Careers
Yes. When I’ve had to pay someone for the respect, I’ve done so. “I’m worth so much” — OK. I’ve always understood an artist’s value. If we collaborate and you charge me X, that’s fine. Most of my collabs are exchanges, but remember, there’s a very fine line there. What if my song works, but yours doesn’t? Hopefully both tracks work, but that’s not always the case, and I get that. I get that you have a value that you need me to cover so that in the end, we’re all in a good place. But the business is flexible, and I’m flexible in many areas. I understand that sometimes, we’re talking about cultural moments rather than simply chart position. “China” [Anuel’s hit featuring Karol G, J Balvin, Ozuna and Yankee] is a good example. I saw it as a song that was important for the genre. Whe...
5 Uplifting Moments in Latin Music This Week (September 11)
Natti Natasha’s New Album This week, Natti Natasha surprised fans with the cover, title and tracklist of what would become her sophomore studio album. NattiVidad, which is a combination of her artistic name and her daughter’s name, Vida, is home to 16 songs including previously released singles “Noches en Miami,” “Las Nenas” and “Ram Pam Pam,” to name a few. On the all-rose gold album cover, we see a baby carriage, flowers and a microphone, all representing Natti’s new motherhood stage. NattiVidad, which follows her 2019 release, Illuminatti, will be released Sept. 24. Justin Quiles’ Late-Night TV Debut In celebration of his third studio album, La Ultima Promesa, Justin Quiles made his late-night television debut on...
‘Touring In a Post-Covid World’ Panel Set for 2021 Latin Music Week
The “Touring In a Post-Covid World” panel is set to take place at Billboard‘s Latin Music Week, which returns to Miami with a weeklong (Sept. 20-25) event that unites the top Latin hitmakers, influencers and industry leaders, and features live performances and conversations with superstars. Moderated by Bruno Del Granado, agent and head CAA’s Miami office, the in-depth conversation — with panelists Pablo Mejia and David Escobar of Piso 21, Alfredo Alonso (Bizarro Live Entertainment) and Nelson Albareda (Loud and Live) — will explore the Latin touring landscape post pandemic as every Latin artist, so it seems, is either touring or about to go on tour. Recently announced panels include the “Mano a Mano” with Rauw Alejandro and Myke Towers, ...
First Stream Latin: New Music From Bomba Estereo, Kany Garcia, Sofia Reyes & 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. Bomba Estereo, Deja (Sony Music Latin) Bomba Estereo’s first album in four years, Deja, is divided conceptually into four sections that correspond to the four elements: water, air, earth and fire. The Colombian electro-folkloric band describes the album as the connection and disconnection of the human beings — from the planet, from one’s own self, lead singer Li explained in a statement. Their recent single “Conexión Total” is a collaboration with Nigerian superstar Yemi Alade that mixes African drums, marimbas and indigenous flutes. On “Como Lo Pedi,” they reel in iconic Mexican songwriter...
Essential Tracks on Natalia Jiménez’s ‘México de Mi Corazón, Vol. 2′: Staff Picks
Two years since her México de Mi Corazón (Mexico of My Heart) album, Spanish singer-songwriter Natalia Jiménez has released a second volume, equally packed with tangible emotions as Jiménez takes on some Mexico’s most treasured regional Mexican anthems. “I put all my effort and affection into making this record for Mexico, which is the country of my artistic birth,” the chart-topping artist said in a statement. “I hope my audiences embrace this album as much as they did the first volume, and that they enjoy it a lot at home. It’s a really lovely and moving album.” Home to 15 tracks, the set is wide-ranging as Jiménez dabbles in regional Mexican styles such as mariachi, banda and ranchera. Out of the 15 songs — which feature collabs with artist...
J.J. Cheng Named President of Latin-Focused Digital Service TuStreams
J.J. Cheng has been named the new president of all-Latin digital distribution company TuStreams, Billboard can exclusively announce. Cheng’s appointment to the Los Angeles-based position, which oversees global business strategies, was announced by TuStreams founder and CEO Tony Larios and is effective immediately. Calling her a passionate and “impactful global Latin music leader,” Larios said in his announcement that Cheng’s “cool demeanor and mastery of digital monetization, new strategic technology models to increase royalty profits, and data analytics in publishing and sound recordings are unmatched as a top authority in the space of public performance.” In her new role, Cheng, an award-winning music executive with a more than 20-year trajectory, and who wa...
Maluma Talks ‘Being Brave’ During Papi Juancho Tour in the Midst of a Pandemic
With a 360-degree stage, Maluma assures his show is “totally new” with great visuals and lighting but that he’s “keeping my dancers who have accompanied me on tour through the years.” It’s also the first time that Maluma will perform his hit single “Hawái” live in concert, calling it the “biggest hit of my career yet.” And he will take the stage with his latest track “Sobrio,” which comes with a star-studded music video featuring Scott Disick, Saweetie, and more. “Maybe in the near future I’ll do a remix with a global star like I did with The Weeknd [on ‘Hawái’],” he says. “The song is just starting to grow. People love it just the way it is.” Up next, Maluma will perform at the SAP Center...
Camila Cabello Brings ‘Cinderella’ to James Corden’s ‘Crosswalk’ for Live Performance
“I can’t believe it,” she says following the cast’s first live number. “That was such a rush. And not dangerous at all. I wasn’t scared. Oh my god, there’s gonna be three more songs.” In the film itself, an updated version of the classic fairy tale filled with modern pop music, Cabello portrays Ella, an ambitious young lady who hopes to one day become a successful businesswoman. “It feels amazing,” the singer (and now actress) told Billboard at the Miami premiere earlier this week. “I’m so proud to be Latina and I’m so proud of my culture. I would’ve been so excited to see a Latina princess when I was growing up, and the fact that I can be that right now and that representation is possible right now, is amazing.” Watch Corden’s “C...
Maluma Serenades L.A. Fans During Papi Juancho Tour Stop: ‘I Give You My Heart’
Working the in-the-round or 360-style stage, which allowed for more interaction with fans from every corner, Maluma went on to perform other chart-topping tracks such as “Corazón,” “Borró Cassette,” “Felices Los 4” and “Chantaje.” Here are five takeaways from Maluma’s sold-out show at The Forum from his Papi Juancho Tour. Heart to Heart Before Maluma took center stage, a pounding heart was projected onto a white rectangular canvas that was erected in the middle of the stage as a narrator told the story of Juan Luis (Maluma’s real name) and his journey that’s been filled with emotion, passion, joy and music: “He’s always been Juan Luis and has given you his heart. Now, it’s time to give him yours.” The...
Enrique Iglesias Says Forthcoming Album ‘Might’ Be His Last One
Although it might be his last album, Iglesias reassured fans that it doesn’t mean he’ll stop making music. “I’m never going to stop writing songs because I love writing songs, but I’m going to do it in a different way — meaning they don’t necessarily have to be packaged as an album — so this project to me is important.” Final Vol. 1 will be Iglesias’ 11th studio album and will follow 2014’s Sex and Love, which peaked at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart (dated April 4, 2014). Most recently, Iglesias teamed up with Farruko for the summer gem “Me Pasé,” which was released in July and became his first single since 2019. The reggaeton-infused rhythmic anthem is the first track off Igles...
Pepe Aguilar’s ‘Jaripeo Sin Fronteras’ Tour Hits the Road With Billboard Chart Hits
The 18-date experience, starting on Friday (Sept. 3), features Aguilar family members, Banda MS & El Mariachi “El Zacatecano.” Pepe Aguilar‘s enthusiasts are in for a treat as the Tejano singer-songwriter returns with the Jaripeo Sin Fronteras 2021 tour, resuming Friday night (Sept. 3) at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., and traveling through 17 other cities before wrapping Dec. 5 in San Jose, Calif. Produced by Live Nation, the tour picks up after its run in the U.S. and Mexico in 2018-19. The 18-date leg sports a crew of 150, including 40 stage musicians, backed by Aguilar’s band El Mariachi “El Zacatecano,” the musical accompaniment of Sinaloa’s Banda MS and his brother Antonio Aguilar, daughter Angela Aguilar and son Leonardo Aguilar. T...
First Stream Latin: New Music From Tokischa & Rosalía, Mike Bahía & Lenny Tavarez And 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. Tokischa & Rosalía, “Linda” (Sony Music Latin) One of the most attractive pairings of the year, Dominican Republic newcomer Tokischa and Spanish star Rosalía teamed up for a certified bop. With ultimate BFF vibes, the pair confess that friends who kiss make for the best company. “You are pretty, I am ruling, we kiss but we are homies,” they sing on the dembow anthem “Linda” with underlying flamenco claps. “She is a great inspiration to me,” the emerging artist Tokischa said in a statement. “Rosalía is a very disciplined, hard-working and lovely person. She i...
