Latin
Colombian Producer Bull Nene Launches New Label With Virgin
Colombian songwriter and producer Bull Nene (real name René David Cano) has launched his own record label, called God Willing, and signed a global distribution deal with Virgin Music US Latin. The Medellín-born Bull Nene, known for his work with the likes of J Balvin, Karol G, Maluma and Juanes among others, is known for his more melodic urban sound. His first signing is 23-year old Medellín native Mar Mejía, who sings a blend of soul and pop with urban beats. Mejía’s first single under the label is “Money,” a bilingual track about ambition and dreams, written by Bull Nene with Vibarco, Zenzei and Puerto Rican singer/songwriter Gale. [embedded content] Tapping an artist from Medellín and basing his new label in his hometown was a deliberate decision, says Bull Nene. “I felt it was the righ...
Leading Female Executives and Creatives Gather for WhatsApp/Billboard Mentorship Dinner
A group of influential Latin women creatives and executives in the music industry came together on March 1st for an industry mentorship dinner, with special guest Becky G, to highlight the importance of cultural connectivity, courtesy of Billboard and WhatsApp. The Esúchanos. Míranos (Hear Us. See Us). dinner event — which took place at the indoor-outdoor Casita Hollywood venue space — saw Leila Cobo, Billboard’s VP of Latin, host a special night of connection to celebrate the accomplishments of a guest list of leading women in executive and creative fields, accompanied by someone they’ve had the opportunity to mentor or support professionally within the Latin music business. [flexi-common-toolbar] [flexi-form class=”flexi_form_style” title=”Submit to Flexi” name=&#...
Camila Cabello Performs ‘Bam Bam’ for the First Time on ‘The Late Late Show’
Camila Cabello brought “Bam Bam” live to television for the first time on The Late Late Show with James Corden. “Bam Bam” live had Cabello singing and dancing atop a bar, to the cheers of the crowd, and strumming along to the verse of the single that Ed Sheeran sings (he wasn’t present for the show). The feel-good performance arrived alongside the March 4 release of Cabello’s new song. In a new interview with Zane Lowe, in which she discussed the song’s lyrics and her personal life, the singer said that what she was “trying to get across in the verse is just that things change and things take really unexpected terms.” Explore See latest videos, charts and news “Bam Bam” is on her upcoming album Familia, due out April 8. Watch Cabello’s live debut of “Bam Bam” below. [embedded content]...
5 Uplifting Moments in Latin Music This Week (March 5)
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. Goyo’s En Letra de Otro Last month, Gloria “Goyo” Martinez of the Latin Grammy-winning group ChocQuibTown announced she was going solo with her single “Na Na Na,” coinciding with her new album and HBO documentary En Letra de Otro out Friday (March 4). As the first female artist to form part of the coveted HBO special, Goyo re-imagines classics such as Shakira‘s “Antologia,” Tego Calderón‘s “Pa’ Que Retozen” and Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong‘s “Summertime.” Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Availa...
A Timeline of Residente & J Balvin’s Feud
Residente and J Balvin‘s feud, which initially involved hot dog comparisons, has evolved into a multi-layered back-and-forth event. It all started after the Colombian star called for a boycott of the Latin Grammys last September in response to what he perceived as lack of urban representation in the nominations. Residente quickly responded to Balvin saying, “It’s as if a hot dog cart got offended because he couldn’t earn a Michelin star […] your music is like a hotdog cart. Almost everybody likes it, but when those people want to eat well, they go to a Michelin-starred restaurant.” Since, the feud hadn’t made headlines. Until now. On March 3, the Puerto Rican artist dropped a nearly 10-minute diss track where he not only blasts Balvin but also the industry, including managers who take song...
Bad Bunny Is Aboard the ‘Bullet Train’ With Brad Pitt: Watch the Trailer
Bad Bunny is no fluffy animal. Nope, the Puerto Rican rapper, singer and songwriter is a record-breaking recording artist at the very top of his game. The reggaeton superstar now has his ticket to ride the Bullet Train, an action film in which he’ll appear alongside Hollywood heavyweights Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, Michael Shannon and more. Set for release in theaters from July 15, 2022, Bullet Train will mark Bad Bunny’s acting debut. Explore Explore Bad Bunny See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news In it, the Latin star will play a hitman, part of an ensemble cast of assassins, all with connected, though conflicting objectives. And all of them riding a non-stop bullet train in Japan. Expect the action to come hard and fast in this slick flick, directed by Da...
All of Becky G’s Top Billboard Hot Latin Songs Hits: ‘Mamiii,’ ‘Mayores’ & More
Happy birthday, Becky G! The Mexican-American artist turns 25 Wednesday (March 2), and Billboard is celebrating by highlighting all of her hits on the Hot Latin Songs chart. In total, the singer-songwriter has 21 entries on the chart, including four that entered in the top 10. Her first entry was in 2014, with her Pitbull-assisted “Can’t Get Enough,” which also marked her first top 10 banger. Explore Explore Becky G See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Three years later, after discovering her sound in the Spanish-language market, Becky hit No. 3 with her flirtatious Bad Bunny-assisted “Mayores.” In 2018, her collaboration with Natti Natasha, “Sin Pijama,” peaked at No. 4. Both music videos also surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube. More recently, Becky G is...
LA Phil Conductor Gustavo Dudamel Is the Subject of New Documentary ‘¡Viva Maestro!’: Exclusive Trailer
¡Viva Maestro!, a documentary on Gustavo Dudamel, follows the celebrated Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra conductor around the world on a tour filled with obstacles, but also with the uniting spirit of music. Directed by Ted Braun, Greenwich Entertainment’s ¡Viva Maestro! chronicles Dudamel’s travels as he works with orchestras and young musicians in Los Angeles, Berlin, Mexico City, Hamburg, Vienna and Santiago, but also focuses on the 2017 protests in his native Venezuela and how that strife only deepens his belief in the power of music. Explore See latest videos, charts and news In the exclusive trailer below, Dudamel’s despair is evident as he watches Venezuela collapse. “My country is following a dangerous path that may lead us inevitably to the betrayal of our deepest national...
Calibre 50 Announces New Singer: ‘We Begin a New Era’
After a month of auditions searching for a new lead singer, Tony Elizondo was officially announced Tuesday (March 1) as the new frontman of norteño band Calibre 50. “We begin a new era in our career as we welcome Tony Elizondo,” the group captioned the announcement on social media, which included a photo of the Nuevo León-born artist with his new band mates. Explore Explore Calibre 50 See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Elizondo joins the chart-topping Mexican band following former frontman Edén Muñoz‘s departure back in January when he announced he was leaving the group he founded in 2010 and launching his solo career. Following Muñoz’s announcement, Calibre 50 opened auditions to aspiring singers in search of the next member to join remaining members Arm...
First Stream Latin: New Music From Natti Natasha, Maria Becerra, El Fantasma & 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. Natti Natasha, El Alfa, Chimbala, “WOW BB” (Pina Records/Sony Music Latin) [embedded content] A more fitting title could not exist, as Natti Natasha managed to reel in two pioneers of the dembow movement for “WOW BB.” The flirtatious track, produced by B-One, DJ Luian, Mambo Kingz, and Raphy Pina, is a playful dembow about two men who are trying to swoon the same girl. She, however, is independent and is not impressed by their coquetry. More than a great summer anthem, “WOW BB” flaunts pure Dominican power as the three artists unite their distinct vocals and flow. The three artists officially debuted the song on television at the...
360 Worldwide Entertainment Unveils Vegas Latin Summer Beach Fest Concert Series
The first-ever edition of Vegas Latin Summer Beach Fest, presented by 360 Worldwide Entertainment, will offer a “one-of-a-kind” experience in Las Vegas throughout spring and summer, the company tells Billboard. The concept, dubbed the “Caribbean Edition,” is a concert series composed of 11 shows: nine three-day beach festivals at the Mandalay Bay Beach, and two concerts at the T-Moible Arena. Explore Explore Yotuel See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “As the company that established the Latin music festival format, we are proud to innovate the live music experience once again,” said Lucas Piña, founder, 360 Worldwide Entertainment. “After an exhausting pandemic, we are again the first to advocate and support our Latin culture in general, providing the city...
Christina Aguilera Talks Spanish EP, Motherhood & More During Twitter Space With Billboard
In honor of Billboard‘s upcoming Women in Music celebration on March 2, Christina Aguilera joined us for a candid conversation via Twitter Spaces on Wednesday (Feb. 23) where she talked all things music and motherhood. During her chat with Billboard‘s Leila Cobo, the “Santo” singer also announced her upcoming first-of-its-kind NFT Billboard cover, illustrated by YAM, artist and founder of World of Women, which will be unveiled next week to coincide with the Billboard Women in Music Awards (livestreaming on Twitter starting at 9 p.m. ET on March 2). Explore See latest videos, charts and news “[The cover] is super special,” the chart-topping artist said during the 30-minute conversation. “Combined with Billboard and an incredible artist who does beautiful imagery of women and a really cool t...
