Latin
5 Uplifting Moments in Latin Music This Week (May 1)
“This Covid crisis has taken many of our loved ones from us too soon and is keeping us isolated from our extended families for far too long,” the band members said in a statement. “Thankfully, there is a very clear path for us to move toward that better tomorrow, together again, by getting vaccinated. We know it’s critically important to get the word out that, regardless of any confusion that may have caused some of us to have questions early on, we know that safe and effective vaccines are now available to us all.” According to the CDC, 101,407,318 people in the U.S. (which is 30.5% of the total population) have been fully vaccinated. Gustavo Santaolalla teams up with CORE for COVID-19 vaccine PSA Renowned producer and composer Gustavo Santaolalla ha...
Latin Remix of the Week: Pedro Capo, Nicki Nicole & De La Ghetto Talk Sensual Collab ‘Tu Fanatico’
“It occurred to me to have a girl that can add that feminine energy in the song and a colleague who would add fire,” he says. “It was always clear to me that Nicki and De La Ghetto were it. I sent them the song immediately and I’m grateful that they connected with the song.” It was at the video shoot, helmed by director Daniel Eguren, that both Puerto Rican artists met Nicki for the first time. “I didn’t have much time to talk or hang out with them, everything happened so fast,” the Argentine trap star admits. “But something that I learned from them was their energy and how they see music. They are constantly talking about their culture and I was constantly paying attention because I like to learn about their movement. Being there with Pedro and De La Ghetto was inc...
What New Grammy Rules Mean for Latin Music & The Latin Grammys: Analysis
The notion of a Latin committee was born precisely from the desire to showcase material that was exquisite but perhaps not commercial, and to avoid a default win for big crossover names. But as Latin music has become increasingly mainstream in the United States — and let’s remember that the Grammys honor U.S. releases — the need for a small committee to determine the fate of the music is less urgent. What remains to be seen is how this empowered voting body will act with Latin releases. Will they take the easy way out, voting primarily for those names they recognize? Our hope is that those who end up voting in the Latin categories are those who work within the genre and know its players. The reduction in the number of categories that can be voted on — from 15 to 10 —...
Altafonte Appoints Ricardo Chamberlain to Global Marketing Senior VP
Ricardo Chamberlain has been appointed Altafonte’s global marketing senior vice president, Billboard has learned. As global marketing svp, Chamberlain will be tasked with developing strategic initiatives and opportunities for Altafonte’s artists, including planning, direction, and coordination of multi-territorial marketing campaigns. He will work closely with the directors and teams of each territory. “Ricardo’s passion for music and his creator and tech spirit together with his deep experience in the music industry are an unbeatable combination to make Altafonte the most innovative independent music company on the market,” said Inma Grass CCO and partner in a statement, coining Chamberlain a “wonderful person and a great professional.” You Deserv...
5 Uplifting Moments in Latin Music This Week (April 24)
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. A Montaner Reality Show Multimedia company NTERTAIN, at the helm of Neon16’s Lex Borrero, Tommy Mottola and Range Media Partners, announced earlier this week the start of the development and production for its first original series, Los Montaner. The unscripted docu-series, executive produced by Borrero, will follow the daily life of the Montaner family: Ricardo Montaner, Marlene Rodriguez, Mau y Ricky, Evaluna Montaner, Camilo Echeverry, Sara Escobar and Stefi Roitman. Range Media Partners will co-finance the project, handling global sales of the series....
Myke Towers Breaks Down 5 Ultra-Personal Tracks on ‘Lyke Mike’ Album: Exclusive
The set, which includes collaborations with Miky Woodz, Jon Z, Ñengo Flow, and Sahir, is an ode to basketball, el barrio and, his biggest inspiration, Michael Jordan. “He’s the person that has motivated me the most, not only musically but in my life, overall,” he notes. “He doesn’t sing, but he has a winning attitude. Whenever I have free time, I buy his shoes, his games — he’s always inspired me.” Lyke Mike is also a tribute to his fans, the ones who knew Myke Towers before he was Myke Towers — the ones who followed his career from the underground rap scene, up. “My fans accepted that I had to do what I had to do to continue growing. I couldn’t just stay doing mixtapes and rap,” he says. “Every time people want to hear me rap, they can always return to Lyke Mike.” An ultr...
Deorro Drops New Spanish-Language Single “Ponte Pa’ Mi” With Jon Z
Deorro is gearing up for the release of his massive forthcoming Latin-dance crossover album, ORRO. Fans have already been treated to the Spanish-language singles “Me Siento Bien” and “Si Tú No Estás Aquí,” and now he’s now ready to unveil the third single off the highly anticipated album. Enter “Ponte Pa’ Mi” featuring Jon Z. Yet another showcase of Deorro’s diverse production skill set, the track is a bouncy fusion of electro and Cumbia, beckoning for hips to be moved. Jon Z’s effortless flow floats over the kinetic beat, picking up speed and reeling it back around every corner. Deorro’s new single “Ponte Pa’ Mi” featuring Jon Z is the third single off the forthcoming “ORRO” album.&nb...
Executive of the Week: CMN CEO Henry Cárdenas
“Never, no one expected that,” Cárdenas tells Billboard. “In fact, Noah [Assad, Bad Bunny’s manager] called me like three days before and said, ‘How many tickets do you think we’ll sell [in presale]?’ He thought it’d be around 150,000. I told him 200,000…. If Bad Bunny puts 50 dates more on sale today, he’ll sell them. In Miami, we sold out his three shows and there were 97,000 people waiting online to buy tickets.” Bad Bunny is arguably the hottest artist in the world right now, and ended 2020 as the most streamed act on Spotify. That he would sell was not in question. But, how did the Chicago-based CMN capitalize on the potential, and how did Cárdenas land the deal? Here, he explains what went into booking this tour when live music still seems so far away for so many. I have to thi...
J Balvin & Khalid’s ‘Otra Noche Sin Ti’ Debuts Top 10 on Hot Latin Songs Chart
“Otra Noche” joins another Balvin track on Hot Latin Songs. His recently released “Tu Veneno” (March 19), which is also part of Balvin’s forthcoming album, holds at No. 9 for a second week after its No. 6 debut and peak (April 3-dated tally). Khalid, who secured his first Billboard Hot 100 chart entry with “Location” in 2017, makes his Hot Latin Songs chart debut with “Otra Noche Sin Ti.” He’s one of a number of primarily English-language recording artists to make their Hot Latin Songs debut straight into the top 10 in the past 12 months. He follows Snoop Dogg, Travis Scott, 6ix9ine, Dua Lipa, The Weeknd, Doja Cat and Sia. (All but 6ix9ine scored their debuts through a collaboration with an established Spanish-language recording artist.) “Otra Noche” concurrently debuts on both Billbo...
Wisin & Jhay Cortez Are Crushing on Independent Women in ‘Fiel’ Lyric Translation
While the TikTokers around the world sway their hips and wave their hands to the beat, Billboard has translated the full lyrics to English below. [Pre-Chorus: Jhay Cortez & Wisin]Time flies byI have you today but perhaps you’ll leave tomorrowWhat are we playing? If weBoth fell and there’s no looking back [Chorus Jhay Cortez & Wisin]Nobody does it like you know how to do itThat body’s not mine but I’m faithful to itIf you don’t want to go out, I don’t want to drinkBut when you’re hungry, we can eat each otherNobody does it like you know how to do itThat body’s not mine but I’m faithful to itIf you don’t want to go out, I don’t want to drinkBut when you’re hungry, we can eat each other [Verse 1: Jhay Cortez & Wisin]You look good without going to the gym, Louboutin heelsSephora ma...
Steve Aoki and Farruko Drop Collaborative Single “Aire” Just Ahead of 4/20
Steve Aoki has teamed up with Puerto Rican superstar Farruko for a new reggaeton single called “Aire.” Out on Ultra Music, the uplifting tune provides a pleasant poolside ambience. Released just ahead of the celebrated cannabis holiday 4/20, the lyrics praise the plant, stating “the atmosphere is good and it smells like marijuana” in Spanish. Using dembow rhythms, steel drums, and the dancehall vocals of Farruko, this song is ideal for summer. A blend of Spanish and English, the lyrics discuss a party that “doesn’t end until tomorrow,” and has hemp aplenty. In July 2020, Aoki launched his Dim Mak En Fuego imprint as an evolution of his Dim Mak label founded in 1996. This new banner gives a spotlight to Latin culture and experiences, and challenges the old ways of traditional Latin mus...
Reykon Talks First-Ever Professional Fight: ‘I’m Ready for Anything That Comes My Way’
Besides training twice a day – once in the morning and again at night – Reykon has been consuming more calories and drinking lots of water. “My routine hasn’t changed drastically because I’ve played soccer all my life,” he says. “My training begins with a warmup of jumping rope, which I learned to do because I’ve never jumped rope before, and then you start, then gradually we go into boxing routines with and without the gloves.” Reykon, who spoke to Billboard three days before the big fight, is already feeling like a winner regardless of the outcome. “Boxing has really helped me connect with myself and focus on my life and career. The discipline I’ve learned is like no other. If this process has taught me anything, it’s that ...
