Latin
Karol G Feeling ‘Joy & Motivation’ Over Her First Top Latin Albums Chart-Topper ‘KG0516′
KG0516 was released March 26 on Universal Music Latino/UMLE. The 16-track set is a follow-up to two runner-up efforts: Unstoppable, Karol G’s album debut (Nov. 2017; 4,000 equivalent album units in its first week) and Ocean (May 2019; 12,000 units). “As the name of the album is a flight number and everything in it revolves around that trip, my challenge was to find a direction for each song,” Karol G says. “Each one should take you to a different destination, be it love, heartbreak, or celebration, including the sounds, the mix, the fusion of the genres. In reality it was full of challenges, but I had the time and disposition, since we were in quarantine, to work on it calmly, to work with love and be able to find that perfect balance between each song.” Second Female Solo Act To Debut At ...
Kelly Clarkson Reveals the One Song She’s ‘Afraid to Cover’
Fonsi echoed what we were all thinking, responding, “Oh, come on, you have to cover it now!” “I have practiced so hard, because I love singing in Spanish as well, or just in different languages,” Clarkson said. “And it’s, like, the biggest song of all time. You’re kind of like, ‘You know what? I’m gonna leave that alone,'” she laughed. She’s right about “Despacito” being a massive song: The song’s bilingual remix, featuring Justin Bieber, spent 16 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, tying the then-record (Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day”) for longest stay at the top. Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, has since spent 19 weeks at the...
5 Uplifting Moments in Latin Music This Week (April 3)
Previous guests have included T-Pain, Julia Michaels, Tank and the Bangas, Adrianne Lenker, Michael Franti, and others. Read more about Juanes’ virtual visit here. Alejandro Fernández’s special award Alejandro Fernández is set to receive the Icon Award during the sixth edition of the Latin American Music Awards, Telemundo has announced. The Icon Award is given to an artist who interprets our life in their songs, forms an important part of Latin America’s history, and is considered a musical hero whose name exceeds all generations, according to statement by Telemundo. The Jalisco-born star will also perform at this year’s Latin AMAs, which will take place April 15 and will be broadcast live from the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida. Fernández joins the previous...
Sony Music Acquires Top Brazilian Indie Label Som Livre For $255 Million
Founded in 1969 by music producer João Araújo, Som Livre initially focused on releasing soundtracks for Globo’s soap operas and continued to specialize in compilations. A decade ago, the label shifted its strategy to developing and managing artists and became the largest producer of music in Brazil, where local music represents almost 70% of total consumption. Today, the label is home to more than 80 artists, including massive sertanejo act Jorge & Mateus, forró star Wesley Safadão and Latin Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Maria Gadú. Som Livre artists had five out of the top 10 songs in Brazil in 2020, according to the IFPI 2021 Global Music Report. They included Henrique and Juliano’s “Liberdade Provisória,” the No. 1 streaming track in Brazil in 2020. With the acquisition, Sony b...
New Live Music Platform ¡LatinUp! Offers ‘Cutting-Edge’ & ‘Innovative’ Content For Latinos: Exclusive
¡LatinUp! is a free streaming channel created by Cardenas Marketing Network (CMN), Amazon Music LAT!N, and Twitch. Cardenas Marketing Network (CMN), Amazon Music LAT!N, and Twitch have teamed up for the launch of the new content platform ¡LatinUp!, Billboard can exclusively announce today (April 1). The free streaming channel, which is marketed as a “premier live music destination to elevate Latin music, culture, and voices,” will offer music fans bilingual content including interviews and live performances of genres such as urban, pop, regional Mexican, and more, via Twitch. “What sets ¡LatinUp! apart is the cutting-edge and innovative real-time engagement opportunities on the Twitch platform between artists and fans globally,” Erik Bankston, head of branded entertainment, CMN, tells Bill...
A New ‘Location’ for Karol G, Anuel AA & J Balvin: No. 1 on Latin Pop Airplay Chart
As “Location” leads, Karol G joins a select group of female acts who have secured at least five Latin Pop Airplay No. 1s or more; Shakira has 19 No. 1s and Gloria Estefan and Paulina Rubio also have five each. Here is a recap of Karol G’s winning titles: Song Title, Artist (if other than Karol), Weeks at No. 1, Date Reached No. 1 “Créeme,” with Maluma, one, March 2, 2019“China,” with Anuel AA, Daddy Yankee, Ozuna & J Balvin, two, Oct. 12, 2019“Tusa,” with Nicki Minaj, 15, Feb. 15, 2020“Ay, Dios Mío!” one, Oct. 10, 2020“Location,” with Anuel AA & J Balvin, April 3 On the all-Latin-genre Latin Airplay chart, “Location” gets closer to the lead with a 6-2 push. On the airplay-, digital- and stream-blended Hot Latin Songs chart, the track remains at No. 10 for a third week af...
Karol G, Daddy Yankee, Camilo & More Latin Artists on Late-Night TV in 2021 (Updating)
Between 2018 and 2020, the demand has grown, with artists such as J Balvin, Nicky Jam, Maluma, Lunay, Natanael Cano, Anitta and Karol G, to name a few, taking the TV stage. In 2021, more and more Latin artists have performed on late-night shows. Below, check out our updating list: March 25: Karol G performs “El Barco” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon March 23: Sebastian Yatra and Guaynaa performs “Chica Ideal” on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert March 19: Chesca feat. De La Ghetto & Offset perform “Como Tu (Dirty)” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! March 18: Camilo performs “Ropa Cara” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon March 9: Daddy Yankee performs “Problema” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! March 4: Nicky Jam & Romeo Santos perform “Fan De Tus Fotos” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimm...
Facebook Makes Official Music Videos Available in Mexico
Facebook has already been hosting videos in Thailand, India and the U.S., which allows artists to post their music videos on their own pages allowing fans to share, react and comment on the post. “With official music videos on Facebook, we are creating new social experiences that are about more than just watching the video, they also intend to connect people and artists through music.” said Adrian Harley, head of music label partnerships for Facebook and Instagram in Latin America. “We are excited to launch in Mexico in partnership with Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Merlin, Believe and other independent labels and distributors. We have also established a partnership with EMMAC-SACM, representing all the songwriters and publisher...
J Balvin’s ‘Tu Veneno’ Hits No. 1 on Latin Airplay Chart
The 40-1 surge marks the fastest ascent in over three years as Yandel’s “Como Antes,” featuring Wisin, was the last leader to arrive at No. 1 in its second charting week in October 2017. With the new No. 1, J Balvin extends his winning streak to 28 leaders maintaining his record as the reggaetón act with the most No. 1s. Among all acts however, Enrique Iglesias continues at the helm with 31 No. 1s on his career board. As “Veneno” arrives at the Latin Airplay summit, it evicts Selena Gomez’s “Baila Conmigo,” with Rauw Alejandro, from the penthouse with a 1-5 dip. “Veneno” concurrently vaults at No. 1 on Latin Rhythm Airplay, earning Balvin his 28th No. 1. The song is Balvin’s first No. 1 without an accompanied act since “Rojo” reigned for one week on July 2020. In between he’s pla...
After Viral Success of ‘Whoopty,’ CJ Is Embracing His Latin Roots With Anuel & Ozuna Collab
“Nothing has really come out of Staten Island since Wu-Tang Clan almost 25 years ago,” CJ tells Billboard. “It’s a blessing that I get the chance to put the local scene back on the map. So, I’m cool with that.” On the mainstream side, CJ has been endorsed by artists such as Cardi B, 50 Cent, French Montana, and Busta Rhymes. Now, he’s getting the same praise on the Latin side, already landing major collaborations with Anuel, Ozuna, Farruko and El Alfa, to name a few. After imprinting his name in the hip-hope scene, he’s ready to conquer the Latin audience with his “Whoopty Latin Remix,” supported by Warner Music Latin. Read our Q&A with CJ below. You launched your career in the middle of the pandemic and already have a Billboard hit. Tell us about your beginn...
5 Uplifting Moments in Latin Music This Week (March 27)
Carla Morrison’s important PSA Carla Morrison has teamed up with PETA for a new campaign, where she’s asking everyone, including her fans, to love and protect dogs, and all animals, as opposed to killing them for fur coats, collars and cuffs. In a video ad, the Mexican crooner is seen performing her hit single “Disfruto” to her two dogs Tino and Chawiwi. “We should all have empathy and just think, ‘OK, maybe I shouldn’t buy this or I shouldn’t wear this,’ because animals . . . feel pain the same way we do,” she says. Watch it below: Karol G’s Tusa Airlines This week, Colombian star Karol G dropped her third studio album, KG0516, home to bangers such as “Tusa,” “Bichota” and “Location.” In celebration, she partnered with Spotify to give fans the ultimate musical experience. In the virt...
Dylan Fuentes Pens Emotional ‘DF’ to Shed Light on Mental Health Issues: Video Premiere
He penned the song at a much-needed time. “We are living at a time that the world is passing by so fast on social media. I know that right now, because of that and because of the confinement caused by the pandemic, many people are suffering inside or feel alone.” Through his heartfelt lyrics and black-and-white music video, which shows Dylan the artist and Dylan the person, Fuentes wants to remind those battling with mental health struggles that they are not alone. “I’m not a psychologist, I’m not a psychiatrist, I don’t know clear concepts, but what I try the most is to get away from stress and dedicate time to myself,” he concludes. Below, watch the video for “DF.” You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating...
