Latin
Latin Pride: Javiera Mena on the Importance of Connecting With Your True Self
How did the decision to come out impact your art? I never actually came out of the closet, only when they asked me whether I had a boyfriend, and I said, “No, I have a girlfriend.” That was my coming out. My entire family has known since I was 15 years old, and I’ve always received a lot of love and support from them, so it was great for me to be able to speak up and be who I am without any shame or fear. I think other artists might feel under pressure coming from their family or the people around them. I think my art has obviously been impacted by the times we live in, because, unfortunately, if I say I’m dating a girl, people expect me to be an activist or to represent something. The only reason I say unfortunately is because I’d like to live in a world where this isn’t a pro...
Latin Pride: Pabllo Vittar on Making Art to Help Others Find Their Voice & Identity
Vittar has become a household name in her home country of Brazil with her fierce, unapologetic and empowering tunes. She’s gotten on the international radar by collaborating with artists such as Diplo, Lali, Charli XCX, Anitta and Thalia, to name a few. In celebration of Pride Month, Vittar opens up about how coming out has impacted her art and how she will be celebrating Pride this year. How did the decision to come out impact your art? Did you ever have an LGBTQ+ idol growing up? I was lucky enough to never have to actually come out! I grew up in an open-minded, full of love family. For drag in my teenage years, RuPaul opened so many doors for me as a kid growing up in a small town. So I strive now to make art and provide a message, to help other kids like me growing up, hopefully, do th...
5 Uplifting Moments in Latin Music This Week (June 19)
“We are immensely proud to bring the first live and presidential industry event since the advent of the pandemic last year,” said Leila Cobo, vp, Latin industry lead, Billboard. “Billboard Latin Music Week is the biggest and longest-running Latin music event in the world, and a tentpole for the Billboard brand and the Latin community. Celebrating our Latin culture and music safely alongside fans and artists was our first priority and we are thrilled to be back and in Miami.” NEON16 Recruits New Talent After scouting for new talents on social media, where over 3,700 contestants from all over the world participated, NEON16, alongside NFL en Español and SBS’ La Musica, revealed its grand winner of “El Snap Draft: Search for the Newest Global Urbano Performer” contest. Tainy, Lex Borrero, Pabl...
Myke Towers & Juhn’s ‘Bandido’ Hits No. 1 on Latin Airplay Chart
Song Title, Artist (if other than Myke Towers), Weeks at No. 1, Peak Date “Caramelo,” with Ozuna and Karol G, three, August 8, 2020 “Mi Niña,” with Los Legendarios & Wisin, one, Jan. 16 “La Nota,” with Manuel Turizo & Rauw Alejandro, one, Jan. 23 “Travesuras,” with Nio García, Casper Mágico, Ozuna, Wisin & Yandel, Flow La Movie, one, March 6 “Bandido,” with Juhn, June 19. Beyond its Latin Airplay coronation, “Bandido” pushes 8-1 on Latin Rhythm Airplay. Towers’ fifth leader there and also Juhn’s first. “Bandido” also sees progress on the airplay-, digital sales- and streaming-blended Hot Latin Songs, climbing 10-9 with a 41% gain in sales and 4 million streams (up 1%) earned in the week ending June 10. Despite its streaming gain, the song dips 11-12 on Latin Streaming Son...
Sonora Ponceña Scores First Billboard Top 10 Since 1992: ‘It’s Truly Gratifying’
The eight-track Hegemonía was released June 4 via La Buena Fortuna/Sony Music Latin. It earns the band — co-founded by Lucca’s late father, Enrique “Quique” Lucca Carballo, in 1954 — its fourth top 10 and first in more than 28 years, when Guerreando peaked at No. 10 in 1992. “Although we started recording Hegemonía before the pandemic, we were able to capitalize on and turn the tough episode into something good.” Lucca adds. “We spent too many hours recording differently, with masks and making adjustments. We laughed a lot at the new dynamic, we also cried for our lost brothers and friends, but it’s all a continuous learning experience and we ought to walk forward with optimism.” Sonora earned its first Tropical Albums entry in 1985 — the same year the t...
Latin Pride: David Alvarado Talks an Industry That Thrives From Diversity & Inclusion
In honor of Pride Month, Alvarado opened up to Billboard about his career path being part of the LGBTQ+ community. Read the Q&A below. Billboard: How did the decision to come out impact your art? Alvarado: I’ve been fortunate to work in an industry that thrives from diversity and inclusion. My sexual orientation has never defined me, and I’ve been able to live an open and honest life, including throughout my career. Did you ever have an LGBTQ+ idol growing up? Growing up, any LGBTQ+ visibility I had was limited. TV and film had a huge influence, which is why visibility is so important. I remember when I was an intern at PolyGram, I met a senior executive who was openly gay and that was definitely a positive influence on me. Would you say the industry is more accepting of the LGBTQ+ com...
Camilo & Karol G Lead 2021 Premios Juventud Nominations: Full List
“We made history as the first live music awards show during the pandemic and now, we are excited to bring back a live audience to our show that will feature Latin music’s hottest stars, emerging artists, and honor remarkable individuals making their mark in the community and around the globe,” said Ignacio Meyer, SVP of Music, Nonfiction and Development at Univision, in a statement. This year, Premios Juventud added 14 new categories, including best regional Mexican collaboration, viral track of the year, girl power (best all-female collab), social dance challenge, and helping the fans, to name a few. Alejandra Espinoza has been confirmed as one of this year’s main hosts, as well as Borja Voces (backstage host) and Gabriel Coronel, Jomari Goyso, Roberto Hernández, Clarissa Molina and Fátim...
Georgel Celebrates Pride Month By Releasing Empowering ‘No Putx’: ‘I’ll Be Singing It ‘Fiercely & Loudly”
“No Putx,” which becomes the first Pride Latin Spotify Exclusive Single, is a new take on Molotov’s 1997 rock anthem “Puto,” in which they use the infamous “p–o” chants to critique Mexican politicians. The new track is Georgel’s gift to his fans for Pride Month, which he tells Billboard he’ll sing “fiercely and loudly!” In honor Pride month, the Mexican singer kicks off our series on how coming out has impacted Latin artists’ art and how they will be celebrating Pride this year. How did the decision to come out impact your art? I came out to my highly unusual Mexican family pretty early on when I was about 17. I showed up holding hands with a boy and my parents said, “Well, I guess we are all going to ...
Marco Antonio Solís and Los Bukis Reunite For First Time in 25 Years For Three Shows
“Una Historia Cantada” kicks off Aug. 28. A livestream in the midst of the pandemic has led to a reunion of one of the most beloved and iconic Mexican acts of all time. Marco Antonio Solís, the Mexican singer-songwriter who is a point of reference for Latin music of all stripes around the globe, is reuniting with his former band, Los Bukis, for a series of three shows in the United States, produced by Live Nation. Slated for Aug. 28 at the SoFi Stadium inLos Angeles, Sept. 4 at Soldier Field in Chicago, and Sept. 15 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, the limited-run tour is titled “Una Historia Cantada (A Sung History).” It will put Solís onstage with his bandmates for the first time in 25 years. The prelude to the tour was “Bohemia En La Pandemia (Bohemian During the Pandemic),” a...
Box Office Upset: ‘In the Heights’ Loses to ‘A Quiet Place Part II’ With Tepid $11.4M Bow
Like all 2021 Warner Bros. titles, In the Heights is debuting simultaneously on HBO Max because of the challenges posed by the pandemic. It is impossible to know exactly how much business that is taking away in terms of box office grosses, but the feel-good pic may be more impacted than other genres since musicals often play to older adults, and especially older females. Consumers over 35 are the most reluctant to return to the multiplex, according to NRG surveys. At the same, musicals have a decidedly mixed track record at the office. The hope now is that glowing reviews and strong exits lead to increased grosses. “We’re incredibly proud of this movie, and hope audiences find it over time,” says Warners president of domestic distribution Jeff Goldstein. Per normal practice, HBO Max isn’t ...
5 Uplifting Moments in Latin Music This Week (June 12)
Dimelo Flow Renews Contract Latin hitmaker Dimelo Flow renewed both his producer and publishing deals with independent label RichMusic. Under the new multi-million dollar deal, RichMusic continues to solidify their relationship with the Latin Grammy and Billboard Latin Music Awards nominee as their leading music producer and DJ. “I’m extremely grateful to be able to further my career alongside RichMusic since they have supported my career and I from early on,” Flow expressed in a statement. “This is a new chapter that I am intrigued as to where it will take me but nonetheless has me very excited.” “His creative vision as a producer and his work ethic go unmatched,” added Joshua Mendez, co-founder and COO of RichMusic Inc. Flow, behind hits of Daddy Yankee, Natti Natasha, Sech and Ozu...
The Players Behind Rauw Alejandro’s ‘Todo de Ti’: See the Full Credits
Artists:Main Artist – Rauw Alejandro Songwriters:Composer Lyricist – Eric “Duars” Pérez RoviraComposer Lyricist – José M. Collazo “Colla”Composer Lyricist – Luis J. González “Mr. NaisGai”Composer Lyricist – Rafael E. Pabón Navedo “Rafa Pabon”Composer Lyricist – Raul Alejandro Ocasio Ruiz “Rauw Alejandro”Performance Arranger – Carlos Orlando Navarro Producers:Executive Producer – Eric “Duars” Pérez RoviraProducer – Luis J. González “Mr. NaisGai”Producer – Raúl A. Ocasio “El Zorro” Engineers:Mastering Engineer – Sensei SoundMixing Engineer – José M. Collazo “Colla”Recording Engineer &#...
