Latin
Selena Gomez ‘Blown Away’ As Rauw Alejandro Collab ‘Baila Conmigo’ Debuts in Hot Latin Songs Top Five
“I knew I wanted a male voice on ‘Baila Conmigo’ and I love Rauw’s voice; I think he brings the right amount of sexiness to the song,” Gomez tells Billboard. “I have to say I am blown away by the response to the first two songs. I put my heart and soul into the music and wanted it to be perfect, so I am very grateful.” “Baila” earns both 28-year-olds their third top 10 on Hot Latin Songs, which blends airplay, streaming and sales data. Prior to her latest two entries, Gomez spent 13 weeks at No. 1 in 2018-19 as featured, with Ozuna and Cardi B, on DJ Snake’s “Taki Taki.” Alejandro, meanwhile, nabs his highest Hot Latin Songs career rank, besting “La Nota” with Manuel ...
From Celia Cruz to Rafa Pabón, 10 Emblematic Afro Latin songs to Discover
Celebrating Black History Month, here are some of our favorite tracks celebrating Afro Latino heritage As we enter week two of Black History Month, we’ve rounded up some of our all-time and current favorite Afro Latin tracks, classics that were not only performed by Black Latin artists, but that also celebrate Afro Latino culture. From Celia Cruz’s “Quimbara” to Danay Suárez’s “Yo aprendí;” from Grupo Niche’s quintessential “Cali Pachanguero” to “Rafa Pabón’s” “Sin Aire,” here are 10 tracks you need to add to your playlist. Celia Cruz, “Quimbara” Live in Zaire, Africa, with Fania, 1974 So many songs by Cruz could and should be on this list. This time, we settled on her seminal “Químbara,” performed live with the Fania All Stars in Zaire in one of the most exhilarating performan...
Jazmine Sullivan, H.E.R., and Maluma Talk Memorable 2021 Super Bowl Moments: Watch
Notably, Sullivan and Church’s performance marked the first Super Bowl duet in over a decade. H.E.R. also shined with her rocking rendition of “America The Beautiful.” “I was super nervous but I wanted to bring my flavor to it,” the Grammy winner said. “To be alongside someone like Jazmine, for two black women to be up there, was a powerful message.” Though he was not physically present at the 2021 Super Bowl, Maluma was also spotted as part of Michelob Ultra’s Super Bowl LV commercial. “I’m in Miami. That was one of my biggest dreams to be at the Super Bowl and I understand, The Weeknd had to do his thing and the whole show was on fire but of course, I wanted to be there,” the Colombian artist said. “I wanted to perform [the] ‘Hawai’ remix, I’m not gonna lie.” He continued: “I would love ...
5 Uplifting Moments in Latin Music This Week (February 6)
A Pablo Alboran Anniversary Pablo Alborán celebrated the 10-year anniversary of his self-titled debut studio album on Feb. 2. “I’d never thought that this day would change my life,” the Spanish crooner tweeted. “Thank you for so many emotions. I never forget the effort and work of all the people who have believed and believe in me. For 10 more years !!” Alborán’s album dropped in 2011 and includes his breakthrough single “Solamente Tú.” A Premio Lo Nuestro Surprise Selena Gomez will make her debut at the 2021 Premio Lo Nuestro, where she will premiere “Baila Conmigo” next to Rauw Alejandro. “Baila Conmigo” is Gomez’s second Spanish-language single released in 2021, following “De Una Vez.” Both f...
Wisin & Los Legendarios Say New Joint Album Is ‘Full of Emotions & Great Music’
Los Legendarios, who have been in the scene since 2008, are behind many reggaeton hits, including “Vacaciones,” “Escapate Conmigo” and “Me Niego.” Their superpowers also come out to play on this album, home to 19 tracks, including La Base’s newest talents: Chris Andrew, Abdiel and Linares. “It’s always a fun and different experience working with new talents, especially when they are hungry to learn, very talented and humble,” Ramirez says. But Wisin, Los Legendarios, and the entire squad at La Base were not alone on this journey: Their collaborators included Nicky Jam, Myke Towers, Sech, Reik, Rauw Alejandro and Lunay, to name a new. “It’s a great blessing,” Wisin says to Billboard. “I think that one of the keys to success in this genre are collaborations. Receiving an honest ‘ye...
PTF: Nigeria has over 100 molecular laboratories
Nigeria can now boast of over 100 molecular laboratories for the testing of COVID-19 in the country, the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF), Boss Mustapha, has said. This is just as the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, flayed the non challant attitude of people in his home state, Kwara, to the pandemic. The SGF who spoke Tuesday at the commissioning of State House Clinic Special Care Centre (COVID-19 Isolation Centre) stated that the number of molecular laboratories grew from two last year to more than 100 as at today and are spread across the 36 states of the federation. His words: ‘‘From just two molecular laboratories for the testing of COVID-19 in Nigeria, we now have over 100 molecular laboratories, public and private, across the 36 States of the Feder...
Anuel AA & Ozuna Celebrate ‘Los Dioses’ Debuting at No. 1 on Top Latin Albums Chart
“It was a process in which we had a lot of fun,” Ozuna tells Billboard. “We supported each other with the lyrics and the creative process. When you are comfortable and enjoy what you do, time passes, and great things happen like this album.” Los Dioses was released Jan. 22 via Aura/Real Hasta La Muerte/Sony Music Latin. It starts with 29,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending Jan. 28, according to MRC Data. Out of the set’s opening sum, 6,000 derive from sales and the bulk of the remainder from streaming activity. The Top Latin Albums chart ranks the most popular Latin albums of the week in the U.S. based on multimetric consumption as measured in equivalent album units. Units comprise album sales, track equivalent a...
20 Questions With Guaynaa: Puerto Rican Artist on Paying Homage to Mexico in ‘Monterrey’
In the Old West-style music video, filmed at the estate of Spanish Conquistador Hernán Cortés in Mexico, Guaynaa notably references Pancho Villa. “I think Pancho Villa is an interesting man,” the artist says. “He symbolizes resistance and revolution. For me, he’s an icon.” Below, check out Billboard’s 20 questions with Guaynaa. 1. Describe your new single “Monterrey” in one word: Astonishing. 2. In celebration of your new song, what do you like most about Mexican culture? Its resistance. 3. What’s so special about Monterrey? The people, the tacos al pastor, the Cerro de la Silla mountain. There’s a lot of things I can say. 4. What was Lele Pons’ reaction when she heard your single? She LOVED the song and the music video. She said it looks like a movie. 5. What are you most look...
Fans Choose Selena Gomez & Rauw Alejandro’s ‘Baila Conmigo’ as This Week’s Favorite New Music
The Tainy-produced track, which translates to “Dance With Me,” arrived two weeks after “De Una Vez,” a rhythmic pop song about healing and self-worth. It marked the singer’s first Spanish single in more than a decade. Both songs will appear on Gomez’s all-Spanish EP, Revelación, which is scheduled for release on March 12. Placing second on the past week’s tally with 9% of the vote was the “other” category, followed by Weezer’s latest album, OK Human, in third with almost 5% of the vote. “OK Human was made at a time when humans-playing-instruments was a thing of the past,” the rock band tweeted in mid-January when announcing its 14th album. “All we could do is look back on ancient times when humans really mattered and when th...
5 Uplifting Moments in Latin Music This Week (January 30)
Latin Artists to Watch in 2021 From regional Mexican singer Junior H to Argentine sensation Nathy Peluso and promising reggaetonero Jay Wheeler, Billboard editors combed far and wide to gather the 22 artists who we think will have a major impact in 2021. Our selections are informed by chart achievements, streaming totals, overall quality, and gut instinct. Check out the exclusive list here. Selena Gomez announces Spanish EP Calling all Selenators: Earlier this week, Selena Gomez officially announced that her first-ever Spanish-language EP is set to drop March 12. Titled Revelación (Revelation), the album follows Gomez’s recently-released Spanish singles “De Una Vez,” which arrived Jan. 16, and the Rauw Alejandro-assisted “Baila Conmigo.R...
How Fran Rozzano Landed a Record Deal With Pina Records in a Pandemic
A music video, directed by Fernando Lugo in Miami, features Natti Natasha as the star with a cameo from Pina. But before making the rounds with his new bop and landing on YouTube’s Trending page, Rozzano was chasing his dream. One that he was able to reach thanks to the power of social media and in the midst of a pandemic. He was discovered in October of last year during Raphy Pina’s “Tienes Un Minuto” competition on Instagram, where he encouraged aspiring artists from all over the world to remix Natti’s “Que Mal Te Fue.” Rozzano ultimately won the competition and landed a record deal with Pina Records. “It changed my life,” he tells Billboard. Below, read our Q&A with Rozzano. How did you find out about Raphy Pina’s “Tienes Un Minuto” dynamic? I come from doing covers and my fam...
Leslie Grace & Meek Mill Revamp Gloria Estefan’s ’80s Party Hit ‘Conga’: Here’s A Comparison
Calling the process “innovative,” Grace explained that the project originally began at the end of 2019 but was put on pause because of the Coronavirus pandemic. “I went into the studio pre-Covid with Boi-1da. We immediately hit it off. I had written the first verse and the pre onto a loop he had sent me,” she notes. “Everything else was basically done remotely. Meek Mill jumped on the track later on after listening to the structure we built.” The Estefans were also part of the process “every step of the way.” Grace adds: “Everyone was really focused on maintaining the essence of this iconic track. Having their support and suggestions was beautiful. They approved every single thing on the project. This was really a labor of love and really intentional every step of the way with the original...
