Argentina
A court in Argentina dropped charges of criminal negligence against three of the five people indicted in connection with the death of Liam Payne, the former One Direction singer who fell from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires last October, according to a ruling obtained by The Associated Press.
A preliminary autopsy report cited multiple traumas and hemorrhages as the cause of death, while a toxicology report revealed alcohol, cocaine, and prescription antidepressants in Payne’s system.
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The court cleared Esteban Grassi, head receptionist at the CasaSur Hotel, Rogelio Nores, an Argentine-American businessman who accompanied Payne on the trip, and Gilda Martin, the hotel’s manager. Grassi had made two emergency calls prior to the accident, first reporting that a guest was “trashing the entire room” and later expressing concerns that the guest “may be in danger.”
Prosecutors argued that Nores neglected his duty of care by leaving Payne alone while intoxicated, but the court ruled that he had no legal obligation. Martin and Grassi, who had escorted Payne to his room, were also cleared, as the court found insufficient evidence that their actions directly contributed to his fatal fall.
However, two other defendants, Ezequiel David Pereyra, a former hotel employee, and Braian Paiz, a waiter who served Payne at a restaurant, remain in custody. They are charged with supplying narcotics to Payne, an offense that carries a prison sentence of four to 15 years in Argentina. The court justified their continued detention due to the severity of the charges.
In Argentina’s legal system, prosecutors gather evidence for a judge to decide whether a case proceeds to trial.
Payne was laid to rest in November in the U.K., with his funeral attended by his One Direction bandmates, girlfriend Katie Cassidy, and ex-partner Cheryl Cole, with whom he shared a son.
Warner Music Group announced changes to its division overseeing Argentina and Chile on Tuesday (Feb. 11), bringing in Tomás Talarico as the new managing director of Warner Music Southern Cone (née Cono Sur), effective immediately. He succeeds Guillermo Castellani, who will stay on as a consultant during the transition. Talarico will report to Alejandro Duque, president of Warner Music Latin America.
Talarico brings extensive industry experience, having founded MOJO, an independent record label and digital distributor, in 2014. Under his leadership, MOJO expanded across Argentina, Chile and Peru, becoming a key player in the tropical and urban music markets. The company has collaborated with approximately 150 artists and labels, managing audiovisual production and music publishing. According to the hiring announcement, MOJO’s success includes more than 50 Gold and Platinum certified singles and multiple industry awards, including eight Gardel Awards and two Pulsar Awards.
Throughout his career, Talarico has played a significant role in developing emerging artists such as ECKO, Grupo Zumbale Primo, Kaleb Di Masi, Papichamp and Uriel Lozano, among others. He was also a key contributor to the collaborative project Un Poco de Ruido. He’s also a musician, having released five rock and pop albums as a guitarist and singer-songwriter.
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Before founding MOJO, Talarico was a pioneer in digital music distribution, working with companies focused on MP3 and ringtone sales. His early career included a role as a supervisor at Tower Records.
Duque praised Talarico’s entrepreneurial mindset and ability to bridge music and technology “to the service of artists,” also praising Castellani role in developing the careers of major Warner artists such as Maria Becerra and Tiago PZK.
Talarico expressed excitement about joining WMG, highlighting the opportunity to utilize the resources of an international label to support the region.
“To be able to tap into the resources of a major label to superserve the exceptional talent in this region is an incredible opportunity,” he said. “I also want to pay tribute to the remarkable Guillermo Castellani who has nurtured such a strong team and played a huge role in the wider music industry. He leaves big shoes to fill, and I’m looking forward to building on his legacy!”
Castellani reflected on his time at Warner Music, which dates back to early 2002, and lauded the support of Duque and the Warner Music Southern Cone team.
“I am grateful to the family of Warner Music Southern Cone for allowing me to enjoy my work every day: without them it would have been impossible to reach the goals we achieved,” he said. “I wish Tomás success in writing the following chapter in the Southern Cone. I am sure that he will lead Warner Music in its continuous growth so that it will remain a magnet for new music talent in this part of the world.”
Argentinians La T y La M and Malandro de America continue its domination on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart, as “Amor De Vago” adds a third week at No. 1 (chart dated Jan. 25).
The song, released Aug. 23 through Zelaya Producciones/Grace Music, earned both artists their first champ when it jumped 2-1 on the tally (dated Jan. 11), three weeks ago. It also earned Malandro de America his first appearance to date.
Bad Bunny’s new album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, which debuted at No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart, yields new career records. In addition to activity stemming from 12 songs already on the chart, five others debut. “DtMF,” which leads this week’s multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart, also leads the recruits, as it flies 62-3 with the Greats Gainer weekly honors.
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In sum, Benito places 18 songs on the chart, 17 from the Debí Tirar Más Fotos plus a collab with Rauw Alejandro, ““Qué Pasaría…,” at No. 23. With 18 simultaneous titles, he outdoes himself, and sets a new record for the most concurrent songs since the chart launched in 2018.
Here’s Bad Bunny’s collection of songs on the current chart:
No. 3, “DtMF”No. 6, “BAILE INoLVIDABLE”No. 9, “NUEVAYoL”No. 10, VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR”No. 12, “WELTiTA,” with ChuwiNo. 13, “VELDá,” with Omar Courtz & Dei VNo. 21, “EL CLúb”No. 22, “Qué Pasaría…,” with Rauw AlejandroNo. 25, KLOuFRENSNo. 29, PERFuMITO NUEVO,” with RaiNaoNo. 33, “EoO” (debuts)No. 39, “KETU TeCRÉ”No. 50, “TURISTA” (debuts)No. 52, “BOKeTe”No. 59, “PIToRRO DE COCO”No. 61, “CAFé CON RON,” with Los Pleneros De La Cresta (debuts)No. 65, “La MuDANZA” (debuts)No. 80, “LO QUE LE PASÓ a HAWAii” (debuts)
Two other songs bow this week, starting with Danny Ocean and Kapo’s “Imagínate” at No. 89, and Sebastián Yatra and Bad Gyal’s “2AM” at No. 95.
Like a bandage for the heart, Argentine singer-songwriter Yami Safdie teams up with multi-award-winning Colombian artist Camilo to release her new single “Querida Yo,” a sweet pop ballad loaded with incredible performance.
The new ballad is a tribute to personal empowerment and the hope of releasing the vulnerabilities we face by choosing to become our greatest strength, conveying the true message of the meaning of faith.
“It’s like a letter to myself,” Yami Safdie tells Billboard Español during an interview in Miami. “I do this a lot of spoiling songs on TikTok when I don’t even have them finished or recorded.” If I wrote something that I liked, I uploaded it, and that video went quite viral, many people connected.”
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Safdie continues, “Then I uploaded a story, and Cami saw it and told me: ‘What a beautiful song.’ And I’ve been following him for a long time; I admire him a lot; it was like, ‘Well, let’s do it together! It’s for you. “I invited him, and we finished it together.”
As a manifestation, the Argentine singer-songwriter visualized this collaboration in a certain way. For his part, Camilo tells how he connected to join this collaboration. “I found it to be a sincere, unpretentious way to have a conversation with yourself. I saw myself in that song, more than singing it, and as an artist, I was part of the song,” Camilo reveals. “I saw myself, my story, and my life in that song. I saw myself reflected. It is the power of the song, and it is very nice to see how it happened to me.”
For Yami, this collaboration is another dream come true in his career. Camilo also remembers some of the collaborations that he dreamed of at some point and that have occurred in his career. “I remember, for example, when I was in the pandemic, there was one day when Pablo Alborán uploaded a video, and he was singing a song of mine, and he told me, ‘Let’s make this song together,’ says Camilo. “And I was like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe it.’ Or when Shakira sent me a message and said, ‘I love this song,’ to see if I wanted to join in. Suddenly, those kinds of things don’t happen if you plan them. “It’s very nice when things happen in a real way.”
“But if I tell you the truth, my favorite moment in my life and career is this,” the Colombian singer-songwriter confesses. “I love doing this with Yami because it is also very important to see [the] perspective. “I see the future, and I see someone as talented as Yami.”
Five individuals have been charged in connection with the death of Liam Payne, the former One Direction singer who died Oct. 16 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, according to a public notice by Argentina‘s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office.
Those charged include hotel manager Gilda Martin, receptionist Esteban Grassi, and Payne’s friend Roger Nores, all facing manslaughter charges. Additionally, hotel employee Ezequiel Pereyra and waiter Braian Paiz have been charged with supplying drugs. In Argentina’s legal system, prosecutors gather evidence for a judge to determine whether to proceed to trial. Judge Laura Bruniard has moved the case to the next stage, a decision the defendants’ lawyers may appeal. If the appeal fails, the case will proceed to trial.
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Court documents identify the suspects only by their initials. Payne’s friend, identified as “RLN,” is accused of manslaughter for allegedly neglecting his duty of care and abandoning Payne despite knowing of his impaired state due to substance abuses. Hotel manager “GAM” is also charged with manslaughter for failing to prevent Payne from being taken to his room under circumstances deemed hazardous. Chief receptionist “ERG” faces similar charges for allegedly instructing others to forcibly take Payne to his room instead of ensuring his safety.
“Payne’s consciousness was altered and there was a balcony in the room,” the judge said. “The proper thing to do was to leave him in a safe place and with company until a doctor arrived. The people responsible at the hotel that day were the manager GAM and the head of reception ERG.”
Judge Bruniard emphasized that while these individuals likely did not intend for Payne to die, their actions or inactions posed significant risks to his life. “They were imprudent in allowing him to be taken to the room and taking him there respectively,” he concluded. “They created a legally disapproved risk and Payne’s death is the concretization of that risk.”
If convicted, the manslaughter charges carry sentences of one to five years in prison, while the drug-supplying charges carry much harsher penalties, ranging from four to 15 years, according to the BBC. The judge ordered Pereyra and Paiz, the two individuals accused of supplying drugs, to remain in custody and appear in court within 24 hours.
Payne’s death was attributed to multiple traumas and hemorrhages resulting from a fall from the third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel. Toxicology reports revealed the presence of alcohol, cocaine and prescription antidepressants in his system. Before the fatal incident, the head receptionist made two emergency calls — the first call reported a guest “trashing the entire room,” and the second raised concerns that the guest’s life “may be in danger.” Despite these concerns, the receptionist requested only medical services, not police assistance.
Last month, Payne’s funeral was held in Amersham in the UK. It was attended by his former One Direction bandmates — Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik — as well as his girlfriend Kate Cassidy and ex-partner Cheryl Cole, with whom he shares a son.
In our Latin Remix of the Week series, we spotlight remixes that the Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors deem exceptional and distinct. We might not publish a review every week. This is our selection today.
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Originally a poignant pop ballad, Tiago PZK‘s “Mi Corazón” undergoes a buoyant transformation in its latest remix. Joining forces with Tex-Mex sensations Grupo Frontera, this version not only continues to pay homage to La Mosca Tsé-Tsé’s iconic “Para No Verte Más,” but it also reinvents the wheel by splicing in lively cumbia rhythms, proving yet again that true artistry lies in innovation.
Together, they’ve infused some lyrical tweaks while preserving the original chorus, all while masterfully transforming the track into a cumbia that commands you to dance. Backed by the hallmark sound of güiros, accordion, requinto, and rhythm guitar, the song now pulses with an undeniable vitality.
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Accompanying the remix is a music video that places Tiago PZK and Grupo Frontera in a stark tableau of black cowboy rocker get-ups, boarding a train bound for the unknown. The video captivates with a vintage flair reminiscent of 1940s film noir dipped in warm sepia tones.
Selecting this week’s top remix was tough with contenders like “Mis Amigas (Remix)” by a star-studded roster Brray, Zion, Wisin, Jowell & Randy, Ñengo Flow, Maldy, Jory Boy, Gotay, Ñejo, and Luigi 21 Plus, with classic reggaetón samplings from Tego Calderón, Daddy Yankee, and Chaka Demus & Pliers. Also in the mix was ROA, De La Rose, and Luar La L’s “ETA (RMX)” featuring Yan Block & Omar Courtz, a simmering, seductive take on subtle trap. Elswhere, Dani Flow paired with Veracruz legends Grupo Climax for a fun rendition of “Mesa Que Más Aplauda (Remix).”
Yet, “Mi Corazón” stood out — not just for its deft blending of genres but for its ability to breathe new life into the soul of a song.
Watch the official video for Tiago PZK & Grupo Frontera’s “Mi Corazón” remix below:
Karol G sets a new record on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 as “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” rules for a 12th consecutive week (chart Dec. 7-dated ranking), the longest-leading No. 1 song in 2024. The song breaks from a tie with Valentino Merlo and The La Planta’s “Hoy” which dominated for 11 consecutive weeks, starting the July 6-dated tally.
Further, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” which added a 20th week atop Billboard‘s overall Latin Airplay chart on the current ranking, also enters a tie with Maluma and The Weeknd’s “Hawai” and Pedo Capo and Farruko’s “Calma (Alicia Remix),” for the fifth-most weeks atop the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 since its inception in 2018. Here is the recap of the songs with the most weeks at No. 1:
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Weeks at No. 1, Song, Artists, Peak Date25, “Tusa,” Karol G & Nicki Minaj, Jan. 11, 202016, “Entre Nosotros,” Tiago PZK, Lit Killah, Nicki Nicole & Maria Becerra, July 31, 202115, “La Bachata,” Manuel Turizo, Sept. 10, 202213, “Otro Trago,” Sech, Darell, Nicky Jam, Ozuna & Anuel AA, May 25, 201912, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” Karol G, Sept. 21, 202412, “Hawai,” Maluma & The Weeknd, Aug. 29, 202012, “Calma (Alicia Remix),” Pedro Capo & Farruko, Jan. 12, 2019
Rauw Alejandro adds a second song on the current chart as “Khé?,” with Romeo Santos, arrives as the Hot Shot Debut of the week, at No.55. The Puerto Rican also takes the Greatest Gainer honors with “Qué Pasaría…,” with Bad Bunny, which rallies 28 spots, from No. 56 to No. 28 for a new peak.
Five other songs debut below the top 50, starting with the bilingual “¿Cómo Pasó?” by Ela Taubert and Joe Jonas, at No. 76. It’s the first chart appearance for both the best new artist Latin Grammy winner and the American singer-songwriter.
Maluma adds his 38th entry as “Cosas Pendientes” starts at No. 84. Meanwhile, Argentinians La T y La M secure their 14 career visit with “Un Montón De Estrellas (Gran Rex)” at No. 84.
Lastly, Nicki Nicole breaks from a tie with Emilia for the third-most entries among women with 38 career performances thanks to two new debuts, “Forty” and “Sheite” which open at Nos. 88 and 97, respectively.
Karol G’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” orders an eighth round at No.1 on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart. The song, which became the singer’s fourth leader on the tally in September, extends the third-longest command in 2024, and moves to within three weeks of tying the second-longest domination this year. Only two other […]
As the last rays of sunlight illuminated the facade of CasaSur Palermo Hotel on Wednesday night, the first fans began to arrive. News spread like wildfire on social media: Liam Payne, former member of the boy band One Direction, had died after falling from a third-floor hotel room. The shock was immediate, and within hours, dozens of followers gathered at the makeshift shrine in front of the place where the 31-year-old British singer met his tragic end. Buenos Aires, the city that embraced him in life, was now bidding him farewell in death.
Payne, one of the voices that defined a generation of pop music, had arrived in Argentina to attend former bandmate Niall Horan‘s concert at the Movistar Arena, amid a resurgence of fame following his recent solo musical projects. However, no one could have imagined that this trip would become his final goodbye. The fateful fall from his hotel room left his followers engulfed in collective grief, which most are trying to process from the sidewalk on Costa Rica Street, where candles, flowers and letters have filled the scene.
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A vigil that never ends
“I can’t process it; I’m still in shock. He was a fundamental part of my childhood, he meant everything to me,” says 22-year-old Martina, one of the first fans to arrive at the makeshift shrine. With a trembling voice, she recalls the moment she first heard the British band: “I was in the car with my dad when I heard ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ for the first time, and from that day, I never let them go. From that moment on, their music became an essential part of my life. Every song accompanied me through different stages, from happy moments to the hardest times. It was as if they always had the exact words for what I was experiencing,” she continued. “One Direction was much more than a band for me; they were my refuge.”
The area in front of the hotel transformed into a space of catharsis for Payne’s followers. The pain is palpable, but so is the sense of camaraderie. Twenty-five-year-old Felicitas, wearing a Harry Styles shirt, arrived with flowers to pay tribute: “When I found out, I couldn’t process it. I felt like the world stopped for a moment. Everything he had meant to me crumbled in seconds. The idea that someone so present in my life was no longer here was devastating,” she says, tears streaming down her face. Like her, dozens of young fans gathered to remember the singer’s life, singing his songs and sharing anecdotes that connect them to the British artist.
Billboard Argentina
The Impact of His Death
Payne’s sudden death shook the entertainment world, especially among One Direction fans who had grown up listening to their songs. The group, formed on The X Factor in the U.K. in 2010, quickly became a global phenomenon. Their music became the soundtrack to the adolescence of millions of young people worldwide. According to Spotify, One Direction has more than 40 million monthly listeners on the platform, even years after their breakup. Songs like “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Story of My Life” continue to be anthems defining a generation.
Twenty-three-year-old Ludmilla explains it succinctly: “Every song was part of our story, a reflection of what we were living. They helped us feel understood, find comfort, and above all, connect with each other. They were not just a band; they were the thread that united us and accompanied us as we grew and discovered the world.”
The latest police report revealed disturbing details about the state of the room where Payne died. According to sources, pills, a nearly empty whiskey bottle, and other substances suggesting possible drug abuse were found. Investigations are ongoing, but these details have added another layer of tragedy to an already painful loss. The exact circumstances of his fall remain a subject of debate, but for the fans gathered at the shrine, the details matter less than the void he left behind.
The vigil on Costa Rica Street continues. Television channels broadcast live, but for the young women who remain there, the focus is on remembering the good times and bidding farewell to their idol with the music that united them. “I don’t know how I’m going to get through this,” says 25-year-old Candela, a Chilean fan living in Buenos Aires. With a notebook in hand, she wrote a letter now resting at the makeshift altar alongside flowers and photos. As the candles burn low and the noise of the city begins to envelop the scene once again, the words of one fan resonate in the air: “With his absence, he took a part of our existence.”
Billboard Argentina
While Karol G, Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma dominate the charts — and elevate Colombia, Puerto Rico and Mexico’s music scenes, respectively, to the world stage — a new wave of artists across other Latin American countries is also seeking, and earning, the spotlight.
Earlier this year, Chilean artists scored their first No. 1 Billboard hit since 1991 when newcomers FloyyMenor and Cris MJ’s viral reggaetón hit, “Gata Only,” spent 14 consecutive weeks atop the Hot Latin Songs chart — a feat that would have seemed impossible for the country’s thriving local urban movement just five years ago.
The new generation of Chilean artists has broken out in part thanks to star-studded linkups: Pablo Chill-E on Bad Bunny’s “Hablamos Mañana” (alongside Duki) in 2020; Paloma Mami on Ricky Martin’s “Que Rico Fuera” in 2021; and Cris MJ enlisting Karol G and Ryan Castro for his “Una Noche en Medellín (Remix)” in 2023. All of those tracks made major inroads on Billboard’s Latin charts.
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“We believe a lot in the Chilean market, as it’s experiencing an extraordinary exploitation of music that’s still very young,” says Emilio Morales, managing director of Rimas Publishing, which this year expanded its services to the country through a strategic agreement with Chilean-based label Wild Company, providing A&R services, artist development and more. “Our interest in signing Chilean artists is not just to sign them. We are looking for new horizons for them and for them to be consumed outside of Chile. We want to boost their music to European and international markets.”
Argentina’s music scene has also stretched beyond the country’s borders. Among the speakers during this year’s Latin Music Week, María Becerra recently recorded with Paris Hilton and Enrique Iglesias, and Luck Ra, an emerging act from Córdoba, teamed with Chayanne for a revamped version of his 2003 hit “Un Siglo Sin Ti,” which peaked at No. 15 on the Tropical Airplay chart in September, Luck Ra’s first entry ever on the chart.
“I love collaborating with artists from abroad,” the Argentine newcomer says. “I feel that everyone in their country grows up with different music, everyone has different rhythms in their blood, but the fact that people from different ages and countries listen to you is the most beautiful thing.”
As Chayanne puts it, the song is proof that collaborations across the Latin world help all the artists involved: “The song’s rhythm, so close to Caribbean beats, once again demonstrates the deep brotherhood of all Latinos, reflected in our cultural expressions, especially in music.”
During Latin Music Week, Morales will appear on the “Role of Music Publishers in Cross-Cultural Collaborations” panel, Luck Ra on Billboard Argentina’s “Entre Amigos” panel and Becerra in a conversation with Thalia on mental health.
This story appears in the Sept. 28, 2024, issue of Billboard.