Latin
5 Uplifting Moments in Latin Music This Week (July 2)
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. 4 of the Top 5 tracks on YouTube’s Global Top Songs Chart Are in Spanish Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news According to the most recent YouTube Music Charts and trends recap, Puerto Rican hitmaker Bad Bunny takes the first two spots with his chart-topping hits “Titi Me Preguntó” and “Me Porto Bonito,” featuring Chencho Corleono. Both are part of his latest record-breaking album Un Verano Sin Ti. Coming in at No. 3 is Shakira and Rauw Alejandro‘s “Te Felicito.” In fourth place ...
Latin Pride 2022: Joy Huerta on Redefining Her Career as a Queer Artist
In spring 2019, Joy Huerta of the Mexican pop duo Jesse y Joy opened up to her fans, penning a heartfelt letter where she shared, “I never thought that the love of my life would be a woman, 7 years ago we met and love took us both by surprise.” She also announced that she and her partner were expecting their first baby together. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “As a pop artist who started out in Latin America, coming out meant redefining my whole career,” she tells Billboard. “It redefined me as a person and my music as well.” For the 35-year-old Grammy and six-time Latin Grammy winner it’s always been important to empower whoever sings her lyrics — which is why she celebrates Pride Month with songs such as “Love (Es Nuestro Idioma).” “...
Learn to Be a Star: 5 New Latin Acts Get a Shot With Help From Art House Academy and Universal Latin
Marquee producer Julio Reyes Copello (Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Alejandro Sanz) is an educator at heart. Sit with him in his studio and he’ll enthusiastically walk you through the fine points of recording, arrangement and technology. The Colombian-born Reyes Copello, who has long mentored up and coming talent from in and out of the studio, has now formalized his second passion with Art House Academy, a music performance, production and sound engineering school launched in partnership with Abbey Road Studios and housed in Reyes Copello’s Miami studio. On June 23, the program presented its first batch of “graduating” performers: 21-year old Colombian pop songstress Ela; 17-year-old singer/songwriter Joaquina; Riza, a 25-year-old Filipino/Cuban R&B singer; Teo Bok, an 18-year-old half...
Mana Shines in L.A. Residency With Nostalgic Run-Through of Their Timeless Rock-en-Espanol Anthems
It’s show number five out of 10 (and counting) for Maná at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, where the iconic Mexican band is currently playing monthly as part of an ambitious residency. Billboard hasn’t been to any of the other four shows (which took place in March and April), but on Friday (June 24), it seemed as if Fher, Alex, Sergio and Juan were setting foot for the first time ever at a venue that’s seen them make history over and over again. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news At 9:30 p.m. local time, Maná took the stage and their energy was unmatched. Well, maybe the only ones that could match the energy were the fans who patiently waited for the group to appear and, in the meantime, sang along to whatever the house DJ was playing. “You ...
First Stream Latin: New Music From Chayanne, Prince Royce, Ingratax & More
First Stream Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums and videos recommended by the Billboard Latin editors. Check out this week’s picks below. Chayanne, “Te Amo y Punto” (Sony Music Latin) [embedded content] Chayanne is back! The Puerto Rican singer delivers his first song in four years titled “Te Amo y Punto,” which is the first single off his upcoming album. Staying true to his core essence, the song is a striking ballad about love. Injecting heavy emotion into his delivery, Chayanne reignites optimism with the song’s vocals, and hope that not all is lost. “This song was the creation of a great group of professionals and based on the noblest feeling in life: love,” Chayanne says in a statement. “I always want to remind people that despite the speed ...
Karol G Wins Big at 2022 Premios Tu Musica Urbano: Complete Winners List
Honoring the “growing urban movement that is dominating around the world,” a wave of artists such as Lunay, Nio Garcia, Maria Becerra and Miky Woodz came together for the 2022 Premios Tu Musica Urbano on Thursday (June 23). The ceremony’s third edition, which took place at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico and was broadcast live for the first time on Telemundo, awarded artists in 34 categories, including the special premio de la dedicación to Farruko and premio de contribución to Victor Manuelle. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Though Bad Bunny, Rauw Alejandro, and J Balvin led the nominations, with 12, 11, and 10 nods respectively, it was Karol G who was the night’s big winner, sweeping nine awards, including artist of the year, top social artist, to...
5 Uplifting Moments in Latin Music This Week (June 18)
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. Advance Change Together (ACT) This week, Ricky Martin, Lin-Manuel Miranda and the Hispanic Federation announced Advance Change Together (ACT), a new initiative to support Latinx-led LGBTQ+ organizations. “Mi gente, we are always more powerful together,” Martin said in a video shared on social media. “We must unite to fight against attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, and speak up for the most marginalized among us.” Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news According to a press release, the initiative “will empower and support org...
The Next Generation of Latin LGBTQ Stars: 10 Artists Blazing New Trails
The future of Latin music is queer. More than a decade since Ricky Martin kicked down the closet door, many artists in Latin music have openly expressed their queer identities in their songs while concurrently owning the charts. Among the biggest Latin acts in the world right now are Anitta, Kali Uchis, María Becerra and Tokischa, who proudly represent for the LGBTQ+ community. About the connection she shares with her LGBTQ+ fans, Anitta tells Billboard, “I think they are so lovely and supportive and at the same time, it’s like a big family. We’re all supporting each other. I feel like it’s all about freedom. It’s all about having the freedom to be yourself, to do what you want, to embrace who you are, and not be afraid or scared or embarrassed of anything because that’s just us.” Being op...
The Story Behind Erika Vidrio’s New Corrido ‘La Niña de la Montaña’
While waiting for a flight at an airport earlier this year, Erika Vidrio went to a bookstore to kill time. While window-shopping, the regional Mexican singer-songwriter spotted a book that caught her attention: Los Sueños de La Niña de la Montaña. “I started reading the description and it described this woman named Eufrosina Cruz as ‘the Zapotec activist who changed the Mexican constitution.’ I was like, wow I’ve never heard of her,” Vidrio remembers. So she bought the book, read almost all of it during her flight and finished it when she got home. Right after, she picked up her guitar and started writing Cruz her very own corrido. “I was inspired by Eufrosina’s story. I finished writing the corrido in 40 minutes,” she says. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest vid...
DEL Records CEO Angel del Villar Arrested for Working With Mexican Promoter Tied to Cartels
DEL Records CEO Angel del Villar was arrested by FBI agents on Tuesday (June 14) and is being charged with “conspiring to violate the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act,” according to an official statement issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Luca Scalisi, CFO of DEL Entertainment, was also arrested. According to the U.S. Attorney, del Villar and Scalisi were charged for “conducting business with a Guadalajara-based concert promoter with ties to Mexican drug cartels.” A third defendant named in the complaint is Mexican music promoter Jesus Perez Alvear, who leads Gallistica Diamente (Ticket Premier) and until March 2019 promoted concerts in Mexico for DEL Entertainment. Perez and Gallistica Diamante are listed as “Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers” under the Kingpin A...
Back for Round 2: Los Bukis Return With New ‘Una Historia Contada’ Tour Dates
Los Bukis have added a new date to their 2022 Una Historia Cantada tour after selling out their upcoming Aug. 18 show in Los Angeles. On Tuesday (June 14), the renowned Mexican group helmed by Marco Antonio Solis, announced a second show at the LA Memorial Coliseum for Saturday, Aug. 20. The last time the Mexican ensemble played the Coliseum was in 1995 in front of 60,000 fans, marking their last show as a group before parting ways. With their two-date stint, they hope to break their own record from 27 years ago. Back by popular demand, the group will hit the road again this summer with its historic stadium tour, which scored the biggest Latin tour of 2021, earning $49.6 million, according to Billboard Boxscore. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts a...
Karol G & Anahi Join Forces for Emotional Performance of RBD’s ‘Salvame’: Watch
In the midst of her “Bichota Reloaded” tour across Latin America, Karol G surprised fans during her Mexico City concert Saturday night (June 11), bringing out Anahi as her special guest. The two powerhouses joined forces for an emotional performance of RBD’s 2004 hit “Salvame,” marking the first time Anahi performed live in 11 years. On stage, the two artists even rocked pink cowboy hats resembling the one Anahi wore in the song’s official music video. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “It was incredible to see how despite many years of absence you still shine with such intensity,” Karol, who’s a big RBD fan, expressed on Instagram. “Eleven years off stage, 11 years of invitations that you rejected because you had other ideals and you accepted mi...
