Latin
2020 Latin Grammys: Kany García, Mike Bahía, Carlos Vives and More Inspiring Speeches
From Mike Bahía’s sweet message after accepting the best new artist award to Kany García’s purposeful best singer-songwriter album acceptance speech, here are their most memorable speeches of the 21st annual Latin Grammys. Kany García, best singer-songwriter album (Mesa Para Dos): “What a beauty. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to Sony Music and Afo Verde who have always allowed me to do music that is born from my heart. Thanks to my love, Puerto Rico. Sending you all a big hug. And thanks to all these songwriters who not only make music to entertain but also music with purpose. And we have to keep writing songs like those because there is a lot happening in Puerto Rico. I’m sending a hug to those 41 victims of gender-based violence and let’s keep pushi...
Voice, Bass, Vibraphone: The Subtle Beauty of Vocalist Luba Mason’s ‘Triangle’
Luba Mason’s voice is a supple instrument that can traverse many styles: jazz, Broadway, classical, Latin, pop. “I would describe myself as a vocalist,” she says, eschewing the knee-jerk “jazz singer” appellation. “I was classically trained. I also did Broadway. So I’ve learned to adapt to the style of music that I am performing. And as you can see I prefer many.” The daughter of Slovak immigrants, Mason shines a light on her versatility in her new album, Triangle, released Oct. 23 on indie Blue Canoe Records, and so named for the unlikely trio of voice, bass and vibraphone. Mason’s fourth album was recorded live, pre-pandemic, with her unadulterated vocals elegantly playing with the subtlety of the sparse accompanying instruments, featuring Joe Locke on vibraphone and James Genus, who pla...
Maluma Soars to New Hot 100 High With ‘Hawái,’ Thanks to The Weeknd Remix
Maluma bounds to his highest rank on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, as “Hawái,” newly remixed with The Weeknd, surges from No. 60 to No. 12. Maluma, from Colombia, earns his first top 40 Hot 100 hit as a lead artist and second overall, after his featured turn, with Swae Lee, on XXXTentacion and Lil Pump’s “Arms Around You,” which reached No. 28 in November 2018. The Hot 100 blends all-genre U.S. streaming (official audio and official video), radio airplay and sales data. All charts (dated Nov. 21) will update on Billboard.com tomorrow (Nov. 17). {“nid”:”9482508″,”type”:”post”,”title”:”Black Eyed Peas & Maluma\u2019s \u2018Feel The Beat\u2019 Hits No. 1 on Latin Airplay Chart”,”rela...
Ozuna Is All Smiles With Tom & Jerry: See the Photo
Ozuna has made new friends and he took to social media to officially present them to his fans. “Look who stopped by to visit me,” he wrote in Spanish, sharing a photo with the all-time classic cartoon Tom and Jerry. In the picture, the Puerto Rican singer is all smiles in the middle of the popular cat and mouse characters. {“nid”:”9475495″,”type”:”post”,”title”:”Ozuna Secures 25th Top 10 on Latin Airplay Chart With 'Gistro Amarillo'”,”relative_path”:”\/articles\/business\/chart-beat\/9475495\/ozuna-25th-top-10-latin-airplay-chart-gistro-amarillo-wisin\/”,”media”:{“width”:1548,”height”:1024,”extension”:”jpg”,”mime_type...
5 Uplifting Moments in Latin Music This Week (Nov. 14)
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: Ricardo Montaner – Ambassador for Peace Singer-songwriter and humanitarian Ricardo Montaner will be appointed as an ambassador for peace by PeaceTech Lab (PTL) — established by the United States Institute of Peace — for his commitment to social impact and support of the PTL’s peace-building mission. He will be recognized during the inaugural International Peace Honors set to take place Dec. 6. “All my life I have tried to make use of my music and my work as a tool to deliver messages of unity, peace and love,” Montaner said. “I am humbled b...
Inspired by Ana Gabriel and Jenni Rivera, Ivonne Galaz Takes on the Emerging Corridos Tumbados Genre
Corridos tumbados, the emerging regional Mexican music genre led by Gen Z artists, got a major global showcase when 19-year-old Natanael Cano performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! last October. Cano’s record label, Los Angeles-based Rancho Humilde, is also leading the wave with the hip-hop-infused corridos with artists like fellow Mexican singer Junior H and now Cuban-born artist Ovi. Enter Ivonne Galaz, the label’s first female signee, who is looking to represent women in this growing movement with her debut single “A Mi Modo” (My Way),” out today. In the video, Galaz — wearing not the sexy outfits long associated with female singers, but black sweats — comes out guns blazing. “Let’s get it!” she says as the song’s intro, delivering swaggeri...
Lali Breaks Down 5 Essential Tracks on New Album ‘Libra’
Lali surprised fans with the release of her fourth studio album Libra, showcasing her musical growth and versatility as an artist, from sensual trap to infectious pop fusions. Libra is home to 11 tracks, including the already-released “Laligera,” “Lo Que Tengo Yo,” “Fascinada,” and “Como Asi” featuring CNCO, in addition to collaborations with Mau y Ricky, Noriel, and the Cazzu-assisted focus track “Ladron.” If naming the album after her zodiac sign is any indication, the Argentine artist is more unapologetic and woke than ever. “This is the first album where all the songs are individual protagonists,” Lali tells Billboard, describing each song as having their own vibe. {“nid”:”9483161″,”type”:”post”,”title”:”20 Latina ...
Jhay Cortez Says New Single ‘Kobe En LA’ Represents His Two Moods: ‘They’ll Get to Know the Real Me’
Still riding high from the success of his and Bad Bunny’s chart-topping collaboration “Dákiti,” Jhay Cortez is maintaining his momentum. The Puerto Rican singer-songwriter released his latest single “Kobe En LA,” an experimental uptempo reggaetón track, which he says showcases his two “big moods.” The song kicks off with a dramatic interlude the 27-year-old calls “el precio de la fama (the cost of fame),” featuring Buscabulla lead singer Raquel Berrios. “The cool thing about this song is that I wasn’t planning on releasing it this way,” Cortez tells Billboard. “Initially, these were two completely separate songs, but then I thought, why not just join them? And I loved how it turned out.” Toward the end of t...
Who Should Win Best New Artist at the 2020 Latin Grammys? Vote!
The 21st annual Latin Grammys, led by 13-time nominee J Balvin, is officially a week away, and one of the coveted awards of the night is best new artist. This year, the Latin Recording Academy highlights 11 up-and-coming artists across the music spectrum, including Anuel AA, Rauw Alejandro, Mike Bahia, Nicki Nicole, Cazzu, Nathy Peluso, Pitizion, Conociendo Rusia, Soy Emilia, Kurt, and Wos. Returning with a “music makes us human” theme that highlights musical excellence and the power of music in times of despair, the event will also showcase diverse stories of hope, community, sense of purpose, and celebration. {“nid”:”9456846″,”type”:”post”,”title”:”Meet the 2020 Latin Grammy Best New Artist Nominees: Anuel AA, Nicki Nicole...
Latin Artist on the Rise: Nicki Nicole Goes From Rapping in the Streets of Argentina to Latin Grammy Nominee
Argentine trap artist Nicki Nicole is up for best new artist at this year’s Latin Grammys, sharing the eclectic category with heavy-hitter Anuel AA and fellow Argentine trap artist Cazzu, among others. The nod puts a spotlight on the 20-year-old newcomer, who has been turning heads for her slick rapping skills and fusion R&B and Latin trap. While she’s not a household name for many, she’s been recording music for the past three years, has charted on the Billboard Argentina 100 chart, and is a standout in Argentina’s trap scene, with songs including the uptempo “Colocao” and her latest single “Mala Vida.” Featured in our On the Rise panel during Latin Music Week, Nicki Nicole started freestyling in the streets of Argentina in her teen year...
13 Best Female/Male Latin Collaborations of 2020: Staff Picks
Ecko & Cazzu, “Cama Vacía” “Cama Vacia” is an infectious and sultry trap song featuring Ecko’s fiery freestyling skills and Cazzu’s dulcet vocals, telling the story of a former couple who is going back-and-forth on what went wrong with their relationship. Thalía & Myke Towers, “La Luz” With the help of hitmakers Myke Towers and Tainy, Mexican superstar Thalía delivered “La Luz,” a hypnotizing track with which she strikes a balance between pop and urban. Reik & Jessie Reyez, “Lo Intenté Todo” “Lo Intenté Todo” is the last song on Reik’s EP 20-21 featuring Jesse Reyez and the pair performed this effortless team up for the very first time during the 2020 Billboard Latin Music Awards. There, they showcased Reyez’s ethereal voice that pairs perfectly with Jes...
Old Danzon Gets Cool Makeover With Latin Grammy-Nominated Orquesta Failde
Failde spoke to Billboard from his home in Matanzas, Cuba. Your great-great-uncle, Miguel Failde, is credited with having created the danzón rhythm. Was that legacy always present in your life? I started dancing the danzón when I was six years old, thanks to a teacher I had at school. But I am the only musician in my immediate family, and I really just found out the whole story of the Failde family a few years ago. In the past, artists were often looked down upon, and music was seen as a hobby. My grandfather Candido, for example, was a great violinist, but all I knew about him was that he was a tailor by profession. When I started studying music, I got to the conservatory and realized I was “a Failde,” that my name was the same as that great Cuban musician. It ignited a passion in me for ...
