Latin
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 ...
Jennifer Lopez Couldn’t Hold Back Her Tears Over Biden-Harris Victory: ‘It’s a New Day’
First she was dancing, and then she was crying. Jennifer Lopez experienced a range of emotions upon hearing the news that Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. “So happy this morning,” a teary-eyed J. Lo, who previously showed her support for Biden while encouraging the Latino community to vote, said on Instagram Saturday (Nov. 7). “Echoing the words of everyone saying that we are headed toward a better day, a more united country. I’m just crying tears of joy. I hope that we can all come together and love each other and appreciate each other. It’s a new day.” She continued, “They’re saying it’s time to heal deep wounds and come together. We are the United States of America, the greatest country on this planet.” You Deserve to Make ...
Shakira, Becky G & More Latin Artists React to Joe Biden Winning the Presidency
Joe Biden was officially announced the president-elect of the United States Saturday (Nov. 7) after winning Pennsylvania, putting him just over the 270 electoral votes he needed to win the presidency. Biden defeats incumbent Donald Trump in this historical election and, with this victory, Sen. Kamala Harris becomes the first women to be elected as vice president. Latin artists including Shakira, Becky G and Prince Royce took to social media to reflect and celebrate. Shakira, who had urged her fans to get out the vote, posted, “Celebrating with my children this new phase of unity and healing that begins now with Biden as new president elect.” You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with g...
Michigan State Music Professors Say Latin Grammy-Nominated Project Is ‘Bridging the Gap’ Between Cultures
It’s not often college music students get recognized by the Latin Recording Academy, much less the Wind Symphony ensemble, which means this type of recognition “legitimizes what we do,” says Sedatole. But more than that, adds Lorenz, “we’re bridging the gap [between cultures], especially in a state like Michigan where the Latino voice is not heard, although I know it’s there. It shows the world that the Latin culture is alive and well, even here in the middle of Michigan.” MSU is located in East Lansing, Mich., where there’s a population of a little over 48,000, according to the census, and 4.8 percent of the population is Latino. At least five out of the 50 members in the ensemble are Latino, says Lorenz, so for most of the musicians, “...
The Weeknd Sings in Spanglish on Fiery ‘Hawái’ Remix With Maluma: Watch the Video
Co-written by Maluma alongside Keityn, Edgar Barrera, and Bull Nene and produced by Rude Boy, the romantic urban bop, originally released in July, is about a relationship that couldn’t work out and one of the exes “moved on” but it’s all an act. The original music video, filmed in Miami by Jessy Terrero of Cinema Giants, shows Maluma arguing with his girlfriend, breaking up, a confrontation at her wedding with another man, and a surprising plot twist. The remix video, also at the helm of Terrero, was filmed in Los Angeles and features both artists. “Hawái” is currently in its ninth week at No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs chart. The song earned Maluma just his second No. 1 on the list among his 40 chart entries Watch the music video for the “Hawái” remix below. You Deserve to Make Money Even W...
Cardi B, Jennifer Lopez, Kanye West and More Artists Who Voted on Election Day
“¡Yo voté! ¡Vamos America! #Vote #LetsGetLoud #BidenHarris2020,” J. Lo, showing off her “I Voted” sticker in a selfie, tweeted Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 3). Kanye West, who put himself on the presidential ballot this year, acknowledged that he voted for himself. “Today I am voting for the first time in my life for the President of the United States, and it’s for someone I truly trust…me,” he tweeted. “I didn’t vote for a Democrat or a Republican. I voted for character, decency, justice, TRUTH and TRUST in the leader of our nation,” Camila Cabello, who said she voted for Biden, wrote on Instagram. “I voted for a President that believes in goodness, who will protect the morals and values of this country, and not betray them...
La Doña’s ‘Chuparrosa’ Honors Sean Monterrosa Who Was Killed by Police: Exclusive Premiere
Bay Area singer-songwriter La Doña premieres exclusively on Billboard her new single “Chuparrosa” honoring Sean Monterrosa who was killed at the hands of police on June 2 in the Bay Area. The title, which translates to hummingbirds, was inspired after “both mine and other people’s experiences of seeing hummingbirds when Sean passed,” La Doña (real name Cecilia Peña-Govea) tells Billboard. “There was a wounded hummingbird at his memorial, just hummingbirds all over the place. It’s like he’s visiting us and I couldn’t get it out of my head.” Monterrosa, an unarmed 22-year-old man, was shot and killed by a police officer of the Vallejo Police Department who fired at him through the window of an unmarked car outside of a Walgreens in Vallejo, ...
