Latin
J Balvin Breaks His Silence With ‘Black Lives Matter’ Post
J Balvin has broken his silence and declared his support for the Black Lives Matter movement. As the music industry enters “Blackout Tuesday” in response to the death of another unarmed African-American at the hands of police, Balvin adds his voice to the growing calls for racial justice. The Colombian reggaeton star makes a pledge “to do better” and to continue learning, and he calls on his Latino community to do the same. Writing in Spanish and English, Balvin explains: “After taking time to speak to those close with me, I am educating myself on the deep significance and horrifying history that is the root of the #blacklivesmatter movement.” He continues, “I appreciate that it is my responsibility as a leader in the Latino community to educate myself of the ...
5 Uplifting Moments in Latin Music This Week (May 30)
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. Thalia dropped a new children’s album Six years after dropping her Latin Grammy-nominated children’s album Viva Kids Vol.1, Thalia presents part two. Composed entirely by Thalia, Viva Kids Vol.2 is home to 15 colorful and playful songs for kids of all ages. “I have a lot of fun creating music for kids,” Thalia said in a statement. “When I was little, my parents joined me to sing and dance songs that brought me a lot of joy, and that’s what I want to convey with this album. As a mother, I know that, in these times of quarantine, it is difficult to keep children motivated...
Ricky Martin Drops Surprise EP ‘Pausa’: Here’s Every Collaboration Featured
It’s day who knows what in quarantine for Ricky Martin, but today (May 28) takes on a different meaning for the Puerto Rican singer-songwriter. Surprising his fans with a new EP titled Pausa, the first collective set since his 2015 A Quien Quiera Escuchar, features collaborations with Sting, Carla Morrison, Pedro Capó, Diego El Cigala, among others. Packed with introspective, poignant and melancholic lyrics, the six-track set is born from a state of vulnerability and the need to heal through music. “[Through this music] I share my fears, my insecurities, my moments of panic that I’ve felt throughout this quarantine,” the chart-topping artist tells Billboard. In times of turmoil, Martin offers Pausa (Pause) in lieu of a different album slated to be released...
Banda MS: Snoop Dogg Wants Us to ‘Start Working on a Second Song’ Together
While hunkered down in their native Mazatlán [Sinaloa, México], Banda MS‘ Alan Ramírez and Oswaldo Silvas joined Billboard for an Instagram Live Q&A on Tuesday (May 26), during which both spoke about their chart-topping collaboration with Snoop Dogg, “Qué Maldición.” “This song was born in the most organic way,” says Silvas. “It came out when it was supposed to come out and it was a risk we were taking because we didn’t know how our fans would react.” The historical collaboration, uniting two cultures and two genres in one song, debuted at No. 4 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs (chart dated May 14), scoring both acts their first top 10 on the survey. On YouTube, the animated video has more than 30 million videos to date. Furtherm...
Anuel Reveals ‘Emmanuel’ Album Release Date, Plus Track List
Anuel has officially confirmed that his much-expected sophomore album, Emmanuel, will be released at midnight on Friday (May 29). “Are you ready???????? Tomorrow at MIDNIGHT!!!! LET MUSIC SPEAK #Emmanuel,” wrote the rapper on his Instagram account today (May 17). He also unveiled the album’s cover and 22-song track list, which includes collabs with Bad Bunny (two of them), Enrique Iglesias, Travis Barker (on “No Llores Mujer,” a cover of Bob Marley’s “No Woman No Cry”), Tego Calderón, Karol G, Mariah, Lil’ Wayne, Farruko and Zion, and Kendo Kaponi, Yandel and Ñengo Flow. The last song is mega hit “China,” which hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart last year and features Daddy Yankee, Ozuna, J Balvin and Karol G. Stay tuned for Billboard‘s exclusive video interview and in-de...
Rosalía Teases Her New Track ‘TKN’ With Travis Scott Is on Its Way
A second Rosalía and Travis Scott collaboration seems to be on its way, according to the Spanish singer-songwriter’s social media post shared Monday (May 25) with the caption “It’s coming TKN.” While not many details about the song have been revealed — such as when it will be released or what it will sound like — in a previous interview with Apple Music, the “Con Altura” singer said that she initially planned to release a “super aggressive” club song with the rapper, but “didn’t feel like it was right to release, and I didn’t feel like it was connected with what was going on in the world at that moment.” “TKN” follows Rosalía’s feature on Scott’s “Highest in the Room̶...
Here’s How to Watch Nicky Jam’s Billboard Live At-Home Performance
With many people continuing to shelter in place during the global coronavirus pandemic, Nicky Jam will provide some entertainment as one of this week’s Billboard Live At-Home guests. The Puerto Rican reggaeton star will go live at 1 p.m. EST from his own home on Thursday (May 28) via Billboard’s Facebook page to connect with fans during these challenging times. Jam is the latest guest to perform aspart of the Billboard Live At-Home series since its launch in late March. Previous Latin performers include Manuel Turizo, Feid, Natanael Cano, and Ximena Sariñana, to name a few. Each performer chooses a nonprofit partner to support with their live stream. Some of the non-profits have included My Friend’s Place, American Red Cross, Center for Disaster Philanthropy, Meals on...
5 Uplifting Moments in Latin Music this Week (May 23)
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: Shakira’s Return to The Voice Colombian superstar Shakira joined past and present coaches on The Voice for an epic performance of Pete Townshend’s “Let My Love Open the Door.” Alongside CeeLo Green, Nick Jonas, Blake Shelton, Bebe Rexha, John Legend and Kelly Clarkson, the group number was part of The Voice‘s season 18 finale where fellow Colombian Karol G and the Jonas Brothers performed their new collab “X.” Residente’s Hidden Heart A slowed-down version of Residente‘s new single “Antes Que El ...
FBI Executes Search Warrant at DEL Records
FBI agents were seen at label DEL Records’ headquarters in Bell Gardens, Calif. during the early hours of Friday (May 22) where a federal search warrant was executed, Billboard can confirm. “The FBI executed multiple search warrants today, one of the locations was DEL Records,” said FBI media coordinator/spokeswoman Laura Eimiller. A search warrant is typically conducted early on in an ongoing investigation based on allegations of criminal activity, according to Eimiller. It’s worth noting that no arrest warrants have been issued at this time. On the search warrant, DEL Records issued the following statement: “We are able to confirm that the Federal Bureau of Investigation came to the offices of Del Records today and took a number of materials that we understand relate to the FBI...
First Stream Latin: New Music From Carlos Vives, Morat, Lali & 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. Carlos Vives – Cumbiana (Sony Music Latin) Carlos Vives’ extraordinary recording career reaches a new milestone with Cumbiana (released May 22), his foray into the indigenous roots of Colombian music. At its best, the 10-track album is Vives at his finest: exuberant, soulful, beautiful and important without ever sounding overbearing, a very difficult balance to achieve. Marrying Colombia’s past with the future, Cumbiana has already delivered a chart hit with “No te vayas.” But the best is yet to come. Opener track “Hechizera,” begins with the sounds of Colombia’s countryside, then Jessie Reyez’s wel...
Long Holiday Weekend? Vote for the Latin Artist You’d Virtually Hang Out With
Memorial Day is approaching, meaning that many people in the U.S. will have a much-needed long weekend. The U.S. federal holiday, which takes place on the last Monday in May, commemorates and honors all the fallen heroes while serving in the country’s armed forces. Associated with family gatherings, parades, a beach day, or even a day of relaxation, the holiday festivities also marks the “unofficial” start of summer. With so many people in quarantine and social distancing due to the global health crisis, Billboard is curious to know: which Latin artist would you like to have a virtual hang out with on Memorial Day weekend? The list includes CNCO, Daddy Yankee, Karol G, Ozuna, Thalia, and many more Latin music stars who will surely be a fun virtual company. Vote below! You Deserve to ...
Anuel, Ozuna Hitmaker Gaby Music Is BMI’s Latin Contemporary Songwriter of 2020
If you’ve listened to any of the top names in Latin music today –Bad Bunny, Anuel, Ozuna, Lunay– you’ve listened to the work of Gaby Music and Chris Jeday. The songwriting/production duo are the sonic brains behind major hits like “Vaina Loca” (Ozuna), “China” (Anuel) and “Bad Con Nicky” (Bad Bunny and Nicky Jam). The partnership began as a grade school friendship in Puerto Rico that became a professional alliance when Jeday and Gaby Music met again years later in Yandel’s house. By 2013, they were officially a team. “We work practically on everything together,” says Gaby. “Sometimes Chris comes with a fully developed idea, sometimes I do. I’d say most songs start with Chris’ ideas, and I’m a little bit more technical, more into the recording and the mix. But the final product is a j...
