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The Latin Recording Academy honored and celebrated this year’s Leading Latin Ladies during an intimate luncheon on Tuesday (Nov. 15) that officially kicked off Latin Grammys week.
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Hosted by Gloria “Goyo” Martínez, the emotional event offered a space for both women and men in the industry to applaud the contributions made by the honorees, which included singer-songwriter Kany García; pianist, arranger and musical director Janina Rosado; Amazon Music’s global head of Latin music Roció Guerrero; and Rosa Lagarrigue, CEO of artist management company RLM.
The nearly three-hour ceremony included moving speeches by the honorees who were presented with the award by their mentors, fellow recording artists or executives who’ve supported them along the way.
Rebeca Leon, who was part of the Leading Latin Ladies class of 2017, was the first to take the stage to present the award to Guerrero for her strides in Latin music and for pioneering the first-ever Latin playlist: Spotify’s Baila Reggaeton.
Other executives who took the stage were Afo Verde, chairman/CEO of Sony Music Latin-Iberia, who, along with Sony Music Latin Puerto Rico’s VP, Tuti Bou, presented García. “Kany is intelligent, talented, and I have the honor of working with her for a long time. She defends her flags, opens many roads, and gives voice to the voiceless,” he expressed. Meanwhile, merengue icon Milly Quezada introduced Rosado and Spanish artist Ana Torroja took the stage to present the award to her longtime manager Lagarrigue.
Launched in 2016, the Academy’s Leading Latin Ladies initiative was created to honor and recognize “professional and socially-conscious women within the arts and entertainment fields who have made significant contributions and inspired the next generation of female leaders,” according to the Academy.
Additionally, the Leading Ladies of Entertainment joined forces with She Is The Music for a second consecutive year on their collaborative “Leading Ladies Connect TogetHER” mentorship program, where a former honoree will be invited to mentor a She Is The Music mentee.
The 2022 Latin Grammy Awards ceremony is taking place Thursday (Nov. 17) live from the Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The telecast will air on Univision at 8 p.m. ET, and it will also be available on HBO Max.
Below, check out five best moments from the luncheon:
Rocío Guerrero on her message to the next generation of female leaders: “This is a responsibility I don’t take lightly,” she started her speech. “To the new generations of girls and young women that will be our future: I hope you grow up understanding that anything is possible with hard work, risk taking, ambition and ethics. I mean each of those things. No matter what you look or sound like, you can do it. I hope you can see yourself in women like us. I hope we can be a reminder that there are no limits to your growth.”
Kany García on becoming her own role model: “Why am I shaking? It’s easier to sing than to do this speech,” the “Aguita e coco” singer joked. “Since I was little I’ve felt different and I’m not talking about that moment when you feel ‘special’ but when you feel like you don’t fit anywhere. They told me so many things about my voice, so many no’s accumulated that they made me a woman who was scared and filled with insecurities. I remember that little girl who never found a woman on television who represented her. A woman who didn’t have shake her hips or a woman who liked women but also liked wearing high heels, dresses and putting on makeup. Not the typical stereotype of the women in my community who is supposed to be the opposite of that. So, I had to become my own role model. I owe this to my younger self, who struggled so much to feel represented.”
Janina Rosado on not being mediocre: “I have to start by thanking God because He wanted me to be here and for me to be a musician and to be born into a family where music was our language. We only spoke about music,” Rosado, who’s produced for artists such as Juan Luis Guerra, said. “I come from a family that marked me. They gave me the confidence and my father would tell me, ‘You can do it. Don’t be mediocre. If you’re going to go to school and study, you can’t expect to pass by with mediocre grades. You have to put in all your effort to everything you do.” Which is what I have always done, and it’s gotten me here.”
Rosa Lagarrigue on being an optimist: “I’m so emotional,” said Lagarrigue, who’s managed the careers of artists like Alejandro Sanz and Miguel Bosé, to name a few. “After working in the music industry for 44 years, I feel so proud to be recognized. We’re still missing many women in relevant positions, but I’m an optimist. I want to especially point out the good relationships there are between us and a sort of complicity. We will achieve to fill in those positions. We should give opportunities to women, to diversity and young people.”
Who will have a big night at the 2022 Latin Grammys? Each year, Billboard offers its analysis of who will win and who should win in the main categories (song of the year, record of the year, album of the year and best new artist).
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This year, leading up to Latin Grammys on Thursday (Nov. 17), we’ve gathered our Latin editorial team and embarked on a lively discussion, with educated guesses based on the marketplace and past voting behavior (not endorsements). Our participants are Leila Cobo, Billboard’s Chief Content Officer, Latin/Español; Jessica Roiz, Billboard‘s Latin assistant editor; Griselda Flores, Billboard‘s senior Latin writer; Ingrid Fajardo, social media manager & Latin’s staff writer; Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard Español’s deputy editor; and Isabela Raygoza, Billboard Español’s associate editor.
The 2022 Latin Grammy Awards ceremony is taking place live from the Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The telecast will air on Univision at 8 p.m. ET, and it will also be available on HBO MAX. See the complete list of nominations here.
Here are our predictions:
Record of the year“Pa Mis Muchachas” – Christina Aguilera, Becky G, Nicki Nicole feat. Nathy Peluso“Castillos De Arena” – Pablo Alborán“Envolver” – Anitta“Pa’lla Voy” – Marc Anthony“Ojitos Lindos” – Bad Bunny & Bomba Estéreo“Pegao” – Camilo“Tocarte” – Jorge Drexler & C. Tangana“Provenza” – Karol G“Vale La Pena” – Juan Luis Guerra“La Fama” – Rosalía feat. The Weeknd“Te Felicito” – Shakira & Rauw Alejandro“Baloncito Viejo” – Carlos Vives & Camilo
Leila Cobo: “La Fama,” in part because Rosalía is a darling of the production community and what she does at a producer level is very highly regarded. She has The Weeknd involved, and she also has these very personal and thoughtful lyrics about the meaning of fame. And it was a clever way of fusing bachata with what she does and The Weeknd singing in Spanish in that genre – all of that is hard to accomplish sonically, and they were able to do it.
Griselda Flores: I don’t think there’s a clear winner here. Many of the songs nominated could easily win — “Provenza,” “La Fama,” “Ojitos Lindos” as examples. But I think “Pa’ Mis Muchachas” will win this category. It’s Christina Aguilera’s comeback in Spanish, and it’s a well-produced track with Rafa Arcaute, who is a Latin Recording Academy darling. Plus, you’ve got these other incredible artists such as Becky G, Nathy Peluso and Nicki Nicole on the guaracha record, and that has made a huge statement.
Jessica Roiz: I would love to see Karol G take this one. “Provenza” is a genre we hadn’t heard Karol G in, and I feel it’s such a universal song. Anyone around the world, whether you like reggaeton or not, will connect. The song is easy to sing, and I feel like it was very refreshing. But there are many Latin Grammy darlings in here, like Juan Luis Guerra and Jorge Drexler, so for all we know they could end up winning.
Sigal Ratner-Arias: Given that “Provenza” is also up for song of the year, I would say “La Fama” or “Tocarte,” because of their production value. I love “Provenza” and I want to see Karol G win, but I think she’ll take song of the year.
Isabela Raygoza: If it were up to me, I’d say “La Fama” because obviously we see Rosalía being exploratory with other genres and enlisting The Weeknd, and it’s a phenomenal song. The way she’s introspective about fame with her lyricism is on point. If I were to not go with my personal favorite and think more objectively, I’d have to agree with “Pa’ Mis Muchachas.” This is Christina Aguilera’s comeback within the Latin space and the people that she enlists, it’s a masterclass in female empowerment. It’s a celebration of Latina resilience.
Ingrid Fajardo: I’m between two: “Provenza” because it’s simple but it can become fascinating. It’s so subtle to the ear that it captivates you easily. I also think that the way they produced “La Fama” and the way they created this bachata in a very modern way, and her being a Spaniard, is also fascinating. I think either of those two songs could win.
Album of the yearAguilera – Christina AguileraPa’lla Voy – Marc AnthonyUn Verano Sin Ti – Bad BunnyDeja – Bomba EstéreoTinta Y Tiempo – Jorge DrexlerYa No Somos Los Mismos – Elsa y ElmarViajante – FonsecaMotomami (Digital Album) – RosalíaSanz – Alejandro SanzDharma – Sebastián Yatra
Cobo: I think we all think Bad Bunny will win, but that doesn’t mean he will. This is, after all, the Academy, and while there are many worthy albums here in many different genres which will have widely varying degrees of appreciation, I think not giving it to Bad Bunny will be an oversight given the moment in music we’re living, and the role he plays in it.
Ratner-Arias: The Latin Grammys have never been a popularity contest, and we’ve seen it over the years when the most popular song or album isn’t the winner. Having said that, I think this is Bad Bunny’s year, and I think he deserves it.
Flores: I think it could really come down to Bad Bunny and Rosalía. Un Verano Sin Ti and Motomami both made huge statements in their own ways. Bad Bunny is the most obvious winner, but I think Rosalía’s album is also deserving. Hearing Rosalía navigate all these different worlds and sounds is truly noteworthy.
Roiz: I’m happy to see artists like Elsa Y Elmar in there. I’d love for her to win, but there are so many artists here that could take it. Bad Bunny… how can he not win? The Internet would break if he didn’t win!
Raygoza: I’d like to see Motomami take this one, because production-wise it’s so avant-garde, she did push the limits of what production looks like especially in Latin music. She never confines herself to one specific sound. What she captures in her songs puts you in a headspace where you’re transported to a fascinating world. It’s an exciting listen and I love the moods she journeys through. Of course, there’s also Bad Bunny, and this is his year. I think his collaborations really stood out on this album: he brought underground artists to the forefront, and it was a brilliant production. It’s an instant earworm at first listen.
Fajardo: Bad Bunny’s album represents a summer that no one will ever forget. This summer will forever be the summer Bad Bunny dropped Un Verano Sin Ti. To also see the impact it had on people’s lives is crazy. It represents so much, and it connects with people in a way I hadn’t seen people connect with songs in a long time.
Song of the year“A Veces Bien Y A Veces Mal” — Ricky Martin ft. Reik“Agua” — Daddy Yankee, Rauw Alejandro & Nile Rodgers“Algo Es Mejor” — Mon Laferte“Baloncito Viejo” — Carlos Vives & Camilo“Besos En La Frente” — Fonseca“Encontrarme” — Carla Morrison “Hentai” — Rosalía“Índigo” — Camilo & Evaluna Montaner“Pa’ Mis Muchachas” — Christina Aguilera, Nicki Nicole, Becky G ft. Nathy Peluso“Provenza” — Karol G“Tacones Rojos” — Sebastián Yatra“Tocarte” — Jorge Drexler & C. Tangana
Leila: I’m a big believer in “Provenza.” It broke the paradigms of what a hit can sound like in the voice of someone who is an urban artist; it’s also a new form of songwriting that is very eloquent. I also very much like “Tacones Rojos,” a perfect pop song. It’s danceable, clever, so many things. Out of this roster of songs, the ones I think are most commendable as pure songs are these two. They are the songs I have on repeat on my playlist and that’s the hallmark of a good song.
Griselda: This one is tough, but there’s just something about “Provenza” that makes it the most enjoyable song ever. Everything, from its liberating lyrics to its infectious beat, works and connects and makes you feel, and it captured the zeitgeist, so I think this song should and will win.
Sigal: “Provenza” and “Tacones Rojos” are the catchiest songs on the list. They get me in a good mood, treats that I don’t get tired of listening to. “Índigo” and “Pa’ Mis Muchachas” could win, but I see it going more for either “Provenza” or “Tacones Rojos.”
Isabela: Personally, I loved the lyrics of “Tocarte” especially because we’re getting out of a moment in the pandemic where we couldn’t be close to each other and took physical contact for granted. Jorge Drexler is a Latin Grammy darling and C. Tangana is fascinating to me so I’m rooting for that one.
Jessica: I think “Provenza” will probably win record of the year because of the musical arrangements, but what I also love about the lyrics is that Karol feels so empowered and sings messages that, in the past, women weren’t really singing, about calling ex-boyfriends. Before, I feel that female artists were expected to be more submissive, and Karol G is the opposite. But “Índigo” and “Tacones Rojos” could win too, because they are clever songs. Then there’s Carla Morrison’s “Encontrarme” — I mean, that song could save lives.
Ingrid: One of the songs here that I can’t stop listening to is “Índigo,” because that song has so much light and is made with so much love. It’s one of those songs that that you don’t get tired of.
Best new artistAngela ÁlvarezSofía CamposCande y PauloClarissaSilvana EstradaPol GranchNabálezTiareValeYahritza y Su EsenciaNicole Zignago
Sigal: I want Ángela Alvarez to win. She’s waited long enough. She’s been writing songs for 70 years, and she can finally present them to an audience at age 95. People have received her with open arms and her attitude is beautiful. The message she gives as a human being makes her so deserving. She really made an impact on me.
Leila: My vote is for Silvana Estrada. She’s poignant, she knows her music, she takes it seriously, she’s studied it. She’s a complete artist in every sense of the word.
Isabela: I like that Silvana rescues that folk song. She’s very poetic and deep. She’s from Veracruz, she plays the cuatro, she’s involved in everything and has so much control over her music. I love that she can do that.
Griselda: Since I heard Silvana for the first time, I fell in love with her voice and her lyrics. She has a very strong presence, she’s a beautiful artist who takes her craft very seriously and protects it. I respect that. I’d love to see her win.
Ingrid: I have two favorites. Silvana is one of my favorites because to me she represents music. To grow up watching your parents make instruments… I mean, for her it’s just natural. She was born to do this. And there’s also Pol Granch. Both are completely different, but I like Pol a lot. He has a new sound and it’s very European, and it sounds very modern.
Jessica: Silvana Estrada should win this. But I also think that if Yahritza Y Su Esencia wins, it will make a huge statement. These kids don’t come from a musical family – their parents are farmworkers, and they didn’t study music, yet what they create is beautiful. If Yahritza wins, it could motivate many people who are in their shoes.
Karol G is blessing fans with new music. On Sunday (Nov. 13), the singer-songwriter dropped her new track “Cairo,” an infectious track produced by her go-to producer Ovy On the Drums.
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Penned by the team behind “Provenza” — Karol, Ovy and Keityn — “Cairo” is a head-bobbing earworm that thrives on a fusion of dance beats and Afrobeat. In the song, Karol sings about allowing herself to love again, even after swearing she wouldn’t.
“I’m not in love yet, but soon I will be,” she confesses.
“Cairo” follows Karol G’s “Gatubela,” which dropped in August. With the track, in collaboration with Maldy, the Colombian artist banked her 16th top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs with a No. 4 debut on the Sept. 10-dated ranking.
Billboard recently reported that Karol G‘s $Trip Love tour had grossed $69.9 million and sold 410,000 tickets across 33 shows in North America (through the end of October), according to numbers reported to Billboard Boxscore. With those figures, the Colombian star has now earned the highest U.S.-grossing tour by a female Latin act.
With $Trip Love, the “Provenza” singer surpasses Jennifer Lopez‘s $50 million grossing It’s My Party World Tour in 2019. Meanwhile, Shakira grossed $28.2 million in 2018 with her El Dorado World Tour. This year, Rosalía’s Motomami world tour has grossed $28.1 million through the end of October.
The 31-year-old artist is currently working on her forthcoming album, which will follow her chart-topping, Grammy-nominated 2021 set, KG0516. She’s also slated to headline the 16th annual Calibash, taking place Jan. 21-22 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. She joins a previously billed group of headliners that includes Ozuna, Myke Towers and Farruko.
The song dropped alongside a music video, shot in Cairo, directed by WEOWNTHECITY. Watch it below.
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.
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Juanes, “Amores Prohibidos” (Universal Music Latino)
Colombian rocker Juanes imagines secret lovers separated during the pandemic in this seductive song that fuses cumbia, electro rock/funk rhythms and classic guitar riffs and solos. “There will be some god that blesses forbidden loves, and between ‘I love you’ and ‘I love you’, don’t see a threat,” the rockstar sings in the chorus, en Español. “There will be some god that blesses fleeting loves, I want what you want, you want what I want,” he goes on.
“The song idea began from an article I read during the pandemic on the difficulty of maintaining private relationships, those that could not be known to the world,” Juanes says in a press release. The accompanying music video, directed by José Emilio Sagaró, is an intimate, sensual abstract piece that presents different couples and groups of people in bed, while Juanes strums his guitar and sings. “Amores Prohibidos” is the first single of the rock star’s upcoming album, to be released in 2023. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Sofia Reyes, “Luna” (Warner Music Latina)
Sofia Reyes turns into a goddess in her latest single “Luna.” The pop track thrives on a soothing calypso beat and finds the Mexican singer-songwriter as free and honest as ever not shying away from saying exactly what she wants from her next lover. For an even more magical and divine experience, “why don’t we go to the moon?” she proposes. “Luna” is Reyes’ first single from her forthcoming album, due next year. The new set will follow Mal de Amores, released earlier this year. — GRISELDA FLORES
Pablo Alborán & María Becerra, “Amigos” (Warner Music Spain)
In their first collaborative effort, Alborán and Becerra join forces for a musical love letter. The Spanish crooner and Argentine powerhouse beautifully lace their vocals together to bring to life a story about two friends who have feelings for each other but don’t dare to take the next step. “I can see life in color, the whole neighborhood looks at us/ Drinking the hours as if they were liquor/ I take your hand and we run, in a while, we’ll be back/ Nobody call us, we won’t answer,” they chant in the chorus. Singing about curing each other’s solitude and being each other’s blood in their veins, the metaphorical “Amigos” is a romantic ballad fused with flamenco. — JESSICA ROIZ
Danny Ocean, @dannocean (Part 2) (Atlantic Recording)
Venezuelan artist and producer Danny Ocean releases the highly anticipated second part to his @Dannocean album this week. A quintessential Danny Ocean album, the set thrives on his signature raspy vocals, soft melodies, and bubbly and mellow beats — while, simultaneously, exploring new sounds, such as a romantic salsa. The romantic crooner also experiments with pop, urban and Caribbean rhythms by fusing different genres like bachata, Salsa, reggaetón, and traditional ballads. The album includes collaborations with Mora, for “No es Amor,” and a beautiful collaboration with Elena Rose on “Las Estrellas // si tu me love me,” which is a spiritual and magical song. It’s a reminder to the person you’re with that they’re beautiful and have all that you need! “Si tu me love me” asks: If you love me and I love you, why aren’t we together? — INGRID FAJARDO
Chancha Vía Circuito, La Estrella (Wonderwheel Recording)
Enter La Estrella, a cosmic tropical chasm where warm water drips over undulating beats amid swirling dandelion petals. With his luscious electronic reworkings set somewhere either in outer space, the jungle or the abyss, the Argentine alchemist instantly sets the vibe where you know you’re in for an immersive, sonic experience, à la the 1994 sci-fi film Stargate. On the tribal-laden single “Cometa,” Chancha Vía Circuito enlists fusión-folk act Fémina, where Toti and Wewi deliver powerful chants with gusto; in the middle of “Amor en silencio,” Canada-by-way-of-Colombia artist Lido Pimienta unleashes a euphoric wail that’s like a siren call. Although his seven guests offer plenty of exciting moments throughout the album, Pedro Canale (real name) shines bright on his own in four of them, where his spellbinding alchemy is pushed to the forefront. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Grupo Firme & Joss Favela, “La Bailadora” (Music VIP Entertainment/TuStreams)
Grupo Firme and Joss Favela both step out of their comfort zones on their first-ever collaboration “La Bailadora.” Instead of dropping a Norteño or Ranchera track, Firme and Favela unleashed a captivating cumbia sonidero-style, where they sing about a woman who loves to dance and is the center of attention at every party. “I have a girlfriend who loves to dance and I like that she’s a dancer/ The only bad thing is that I get tired fast and she doesn’t like to dance alone,” belts Eduin Caz in the track. The single is accompanied by a playful, vibrant music video featuring both acts, as well as Mexican actor and comedian Adrián Garcia Uribe. — J.R.
El Fantasma & Pepe Aguilar, “Enseñanza de los Viejos” (Afinarte Music)
It’s not the first time that El Fantasma and Pepe Aguilar have joined their powerful vocals for a banda anthem. Following “Tus Desprecios,” which they released last year, the pair is now back with “Enseñanza de los Viejos” — an ode to parents, grandparents and those who’ve taught or passed on valuable lessons. “From my mother I learned to be a good person, my father taught me not to be ordinary/ With pride, I come from the schooling of my tata and because of my nana today I’m a decent person,” both sing. — G.F.
This week, Sofia Reyes is blessing fans with a new pop anthem titled “Luna.” The track thrives on a soothing calypso beat and finds the Mexican singer-songwriter as free and honest as ever, not shying away from saying exactly what she wants in her next rendez vous with a lover. “Luna” is Reyes’ first single from her forthcoming album due next year.
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Meanwhile, Colombian star and rocker Juanes imagines secret lovers separated during the pandemic in the seductive song “Amores Prohibidos,” which fuses cumbia, electro rock/funk rhythms and classic guitar riffs and solos. “The song idea began from an article I read during the pandemic on the difficulty of maintaining private relationships, those that could not be known to the world,” Juanes says in a press release.
Grupo Firme and Joss Favela have both stepped out of their comfort zones on their first-ever collaboration “La Bailadora.” Instead of dropping a Norteño or ranchera track, Firme and Favela unleashed a captivating cumbia sonidero-style, where they sing about a woman who loves to dance and is the center of attention at every party.
Another first collaborative effort? Pablo Alborán and María Becerra join forces for the musical love letter “Amigos.” The Spanish crooner and Argentine powerhouse beautifully lace their vocals to bring to life a story about two friends who have feelings for each other but don’t dare to take the next step
Also in the poll are new releases by El Fantasma and Pepe Aguilar, Julieta Venegas, Nathy Peluso and Danny Ocean.
What’s your favorite new Latin music release this week? Vote below!
Karol G‘s $Trip Love tour has grossed $69.9 million and sold 410,000 tickets across 32 shows in North America (through the end of October), according to numbers reported to Billboard Boxscore. With those figures, the Colombian star has now earned the highest U.S.-grossing tour by a female Latin act.
With $Trip Love, the “Provenza” singer surpasses Jennifer Lopez‘s $50 million grossing It’s My Party World Tour in 2019. Meanwhile, Shakira grossed $28.2 million in 2018 with her El Dorado World Tour. This year, Rosalía’s Motomami world tour has grossed $28.1 million through the end of October.
The AEG-produced $Trip Love stint, which kicked off Sept. 6 at Chicago’s Allstate Arena and wrapped up Oct. 29 at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena, followed Karol’s Bichota Tour in 2021 — her first-ever headlining trek in the U.S. — which grossed $13.4 million and sold 192,000 tickets across 26 shows in North America.
Compared to her last tour, this one boasted a larger production scale. There was a heart-shaped stage, jumbo screens with a heart border, and a floating turquoise Ferrari that, when she rode it to sing “El Makinon,” brought her closer to her fans. On stage, Karol was joined by eight female dancers, four male dancers, two exotic dancers and, of course, her all-girl band.
After wrapping up the tour in North America, Karol G took to social media to write: “Thank you God for the conviction you have given me. Thank you to all the people that worked with me day and night to make this dream possible and to the artists who shared the stage with me during the tour. You made the show shine even more with your presence. We enjoyed this tour like we were little kids, but worked like machines. This is for my home, Colombia.”
Karol G, who is dropping a new song on Sunday (Nov. 13), is currently working on her forthcoming album, which will follow her chart-topping, Grammy-nominated 2021 set KG0516. The album scored Karol her first-ever No. 1 album on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart.
Karol G is also slated to headline the 16th annual Calibash, taking place Jan. 21-22 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. She joins a previously billed group of headliners that includes Ozuna, Myke Towers and Farruko.
Camilo lands his first No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart as “Alaska,” with Grupo Firme, rises from the No. 4 slot to rule the Nov. 12-dated list.
“Alaska” received its official release through Hecho A Mano/Sony Music Latin on Aug. 18. It’s the sixth single from Camilo’s third studio album, De Adentro Pa’ Fuera, which reached a No. 6 high on Latin Pop Albums (Sept. 24).
“Alaska” reaches the No. 1 slot, after a second week in the top 10 (No. 4 high, Nov. 5-dated ranking) and in its eighth week on the chart boosted by a 25% increase in audience impressions, to 7.1 million, earned in the U.S. in the week ending Nov. 6, according to Luminate.
The regional Mexican tune, which was co-written and co-produced by Camilo alongside Edgar Barrera, exists Duelo’s “24 Siete” after it’s one-week command.
With seven No. 1s on its career history, Grupo Firme ties with Christian Nodal and Banda MS for the third-most champs this decade, trailing Calibre 50’s eight leaders. Since the chart launched in 1994, Calibre 50 continues at the helm with 22 No. 1’S in its account.
“Alaska” becomes the first team-up by a regional Mexican group with a core Latin pop act to lead Regional Mexican Airplay since Natalia Lafourcade ruled for three weeks through her featured role in Los Angeles Azules’ “Nunca Es Suficiente” in 2019.
Meanwhile, “Alaska” earns Grupo Firme its fourth No. 1 in 2022, including “Cada Quien,” with Maluma, which topped the chart for two weeks in Feb.
“Alaska” advances 11-7 on the overall Latin Airplay ranking, earning Camilo his 11th top 10 while Grupo Firme adds a sixth top 10 to its scoreboard.
With 8 billion views, Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee‘s “Despacito” extends its reign as the most-viewed music video on YouTube — by a long shot.
The closest competitor to the nearly five-minute clip for the 2017 smash hit is Ed Sheeran‘s “Shape of You,” which has raked in 5.8 billion views.
“Who would of thought that a melody over my guitar that morning in my house would be listened to in so many places, by so many people,” Fonsi wrote on social media celebrating the song’s new milestone. “It’s been almost six years and I still can’t believe it. The words THANK YOU don’t cover it. 8 billion views, sounds so nice.”
Fonsi continued thanking those who made it all possible, including Daddy Yankee, Justin Bieber who jumped on the remix, his co-writer Erika Ender, producers Andrés Torres and Mauricio Rengifo and video director Carlos Pérez, to name a few, and his island of Puerto Rico, where they filmed the video, featuring former Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera.
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“Despacito,” released via Universal Music Latino in January 2017, is the gift that keeps on giving. Four months after the music video made its debut on YouTube, it hit the 1 billion mark back when it got a boost from a bilingual remix that featured Bieber.
Five years ago in May, the remix with Bieber reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and made global history. Furthermore, “Despacito” topped the Hot Latin Songs chart for a record 56 (non-consecutive) weeks, spending the most weeks at No. 1 for any title since the chart’s inception in 1986.
Fútbol fans around the world are counting down the days until the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Nov. 20 in Qatar. To get pumped for the big day, many already have their favorite official World Cup song on repeat.
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In 1990, almost sixty years after the first-ever edition of the World Cup, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) began to adopt songs that would become the official soundtrack of the global soccer event, which happens every four years.
Of course, some have become more memorable than others. There’s Ricky Martin‘s “Cup of Life (La Copa de la Vida),” which in 1998 was the euphoric official FIFA song for the tournament that took place that year in France. It originally peaked at No. 60 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1998 and re-entered the chart at No. 45 in August 1999. The international smash hit also won a Grammy for best Latin pop performance.
Twelve years later, for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Shakira gifted fútbol fans the ultimate soccer song. She released “Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)” in collaboration with Freshlyground. The tournament’s official song was recorded in Spanish and English. With more than 3 billion views on YouTube to date, the track peaked at No. 38 on the Hot 100 chart dated July 3, 2010.
Other World Cup official songs or anthems that made a splash are Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte’s song “Ole Ola (We Are One)” for the 2016 Mundial in Brazil. And don’t forget Nicky Jam, Will Smith and Era Istrefi’s official song titled “Live It Up.”
While we wait for the soccer event to begin, vote for your favorite all-time World Cup song below.
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.
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Maluma launches new business
Anyone in the mood for a Maluma-style burger or hot dog? The colombiano has launched his very own delivery-only restaurant called Dembow. Available in four countries (Colombia, Mexico, Brazil and Perú), those who want to place an order can do it directly via WhatsApp or fast-food deliver app Rappi or online. “Another dream come true,” the “Junio” singer wrote on social media. “Taste the greatest hamburgers and hot dogs with Latin flavor.”
J Balvin receives special award
The Colombian star received the “Latino Impact Award” at the United Nations Latino Impact Summit for his work shining a light on mental health. J Balvin was honored on Nov. 3 at the United Nations headquarters in New York City during the summit, which returned to an in-person format for the first time since the pandemic. He was honored for raising awareness on mental health and wellness in the Latin community as well as for the launch of his mental wellness app, OYE.
Latin Grammys announces more performers
The Latin Recording Academy unveiled a new wave of performers set to take center stage at the 2022 Latin Grammy Awards. They include Christina Aguilera, Camilo, Christian Nodal, Elvis Costello, Jorge Drexler, John Legend, and Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández.
The Latin Grammy Awards — which “promise to honor the legacy, celebrate the present and embrace the future of Latin music, with deliberate consciousness, paying-it-forward to the next generations of music creators,” according to a press statement — will be held Nov. 17 at the Michelob Ultra Arena at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The ceremony will air live on Univision beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
Blessd breaks down tracks
Calling all Blessd fans! The Colombian artist released his sophomore album, Siempre Blessd.
Home to 13 tracks, including the previously-released “Instagram (Remix)” with De La Ghetto and Darell, and “Tendendia Global” with Myke Towers and Ovy on the Drums, Siempre Blessd continues to consolidate the artist’s status as Colombia’s breakthrough performer.
The set navigates from songs that will inspire aspiring artists from the barrios to dream big (such as “Barrio Antioquia”), to songs about embracing solitude after a failed relationship (such as the Ñengo Flow-assisted “Solitario”) to songs inspired by him discovering the world (such as “Europa”).
Blessd breaks down five essential tracks from his new set. Read all about them here.
Halloween recap
Billboard compiled a list featuring some of the Latin music stars who understood the assignment this year. The list kicks off with Becky G and her boyfriend Sebastian Lletget, who dressed up as Santanico Pandemonium (Salma Hayek) and Seth Gecko (George Clooney) in the 1996 film From Dusk Till Dawn. The power couple is followed by artists such as Anittam who dressed as Beetlejuice’s wife, and Rauw Alejandro, who dressed up as the blue ranger from the timeless Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, to name a few. See the Halloween costumes here.