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Billboard celebrated Spain’s music industry leaders at a private event March 18 in Madrid attended by over 100 top executives, artists and creators. Held at the rooftop of Gynko at Hotel VP Plaza España Design, the event celebrated the publication of Billboard’s Spotlight on Spain included in the March 8 issue of Billboard magazine, but […]
On the 10th anniversary of his hit song, “El Perdón,” and as he readies to release new music, reggaetón superstar Nicky Jam spoke with Billboard about quite literally everything.
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We chatted with the Puerto Rican star for over an hour, about his new marriage and his love for his new wife; about the story behind “El Perdón;” quitting alcohol; regrouping mentally and preparing new music — due out at the end of the month — that is rooted in happiness.
He also spoke about the infamous, yet hilarious, Donald Trump introduction at a rally in Las Vegas last September, when the President invited Nicky Jam, who at the time announced he was endorsing Trump, to the stage saying, “Do you know Nicky? She’s hot!”
“You want to know why he said, ‘She’s hot?’” Nicky Jam asked over a brunch of arepas at his restaurant, La Industria, in Miami. “I’ll tell you. I haven’t told this story to anyone.”
Before turning to Trump-Gate, Nicky Jam spoke at length about the history of “El Perdón,” the breakout hit he recorded with Enrique Iglesias, which when released in 2015, spent 30 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart.
“Don’t give that song to anyone. That song is mine!” Nicky Jam recalls Iglesias telling him about the romantic track, which was also released in a bilingual version.
Nicky Jam also spoke about his new record deal with Virgin. And yes, he did get into the details of the Trump faux pas.
Turns out when Nicky Jam went to meet the now-President for the first time at the rally, he allowed his wife to go inside first. “Obviously, I let my wife go first, and when he saw her he said, ‘Wow, she’s beautiful!’” recalls Nicky Jam. “It’s flattering to have the president tell my wife that she’s hot. But when I met him, in his mind she was Nicky Jam.”
“So that’s when he said, ‘Latin superstar Nicky Jam, she’s hot.’ I’m sure when I went onstage he thought, ‘Oh my God.’ Because, what does he know about Nicky Jam? He doesn’t listen to reggaetón.”
Of course, the faulty intro was the tip of the iceberg. Nicky Jam was criticized for endorsing Trump, and just a few days, he rescinded his endorsement after a comedian referred to Puerto Rico as a floating island of garbage at another Trump rally.
“I can’t support your campaign because I have to support my country,” said Nicky Jam. “I learned my lesson.” However, he admits, the onslaught of negativity online was jarring. “Had this happened when I was in my twenties, I’d have gone crazy!” he says.
The one good thing?
“Trump called and apologized” for the “hot” comment. “He said, I never call nobody, but you’re a standup guy.”
Every year, we celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a hits-stacked playlist curated for our readers. For 2024, Billboard went all out, bringing together the best songs from our playlists through the years, including patriotic songs, party anthems, rock, mariachi, pop and banda — to make sure there’s something for everyone. Although many think this much-celebrated […]
Billboard spends the day with its latest cover star and Latin superstar Myke Towers, who takes us around Miami to share his gym routine and leads us behind the scenes of his Billboard cover shoot, how he works in the recording studio and more! Myke TowersHi my people, this is the Young King, Myke Towers […]
Prince Royce talks in depth about his new album Llamada Perdida with Sigal Ratner-Arias, deputy editor of Billboard Español. He explains why he wanted to name his new album Llamada Perdida, being vulnerable and open about his heartbreak while making it, what his favorite songs are, what he learned about himself while making Llamada Perdida, collaborations with Maria Becerra, Ala Jaza, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Luis Miguel Del Amargue, Gabito Ballesteros, Nicky Jam, Jay Wheeler and more.
Prince Royce:These are very in depth questions.
Sigal Ratner-Arias:Look at the happy face.
Prince Royce:When I was young, my slogan was “live life smiling,” and that’s still my email signature. So I try to remind myself to smile. What’s up? It’s Prince Royce and this is Billboard News.
Sigal Ratner-Arias:Hi, welcome to Billboard News. We’re here today with superstar Bachata singer Prince Royce, who brings us his album Llamada Perdida. Welcome, Prince Royce! Last night I listened to the 23 songs from your album Llamada Perdida. I loved it from start to end. Congratulations! I feel I got to know you …
Prince Royce: Really?
Sigal Ratner-Arias:A little better. I thought it was a very personal album, maybe the most personal one of yours. Do you think it is more personal?
Prince Royce:Yes. I think that at a composition level, it’s very personal. I tried not to overthink the album, to have fun, add personality. There are very serious concepts, and at the same time, I find ways to, make a joke, or find the brighter things. This album comes after an album that came out during COVID. My last album Alter Ego came out in 2020. I did four shows, then tour was canceled. It was a strange moment because usually, you release an album and you have your plan. I recorded the album, tours and those things happened. I wasn’t recording much or writing. Many strange things happened in my personal life. It was definitely, a weird time the recording of this new album.
Watch the full video above!
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and if celebrating the romantic holiday is not your thing —especially if you just got out of a relationship — then it’s time to turn to music. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Ahead of Galentine’s Day (held traditionally on Feb. […]
Happy birthday, Shakira! Billboard is celebrating the Colombian artist’s 47th birthday on Friday (Feb. 2) with her biggest hits on the Hot Latin Songs chart. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Last year, Shak made a triumphant comeback to music with her first single of 2023, “BZRP Music […]
Over the years, music has provided an outlet for Latin musicians to address mental health issues through their songs. For example, Puerto Rican rapper Residente released his autobiographical “René” in 2020, where he frankly opened up about depression and the dark moments in his life. Bad Bunny’s 2018 “Estamos Bien,” on the other hand, is […]
Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma continue their Billboard charts takeover as “Ella Baila Sola” debuts at No. 7 on the Regional Mexican Airplay ranking (dated May 6). The new airplay top 10 lands as the song extends its No. 1 domination for a fourth week on Hot Latin Songs.
“Ella Baila Sola,” written by Eslabon Armado’s lead singer Pedro Tovar, was released March 17 via DEL/Prajin Parlay. It’s the first single from the sad sierreño group’s album Desvelado, which dropped April 27.
The viral hit debuts in the top 10 on Regional Mexican Airplay with 4.5 million in audience impressions earned in the U.S. in the week ending April 27, according to Luminate. As “Ella Baila” bows at No. 7, it becomes Eslabon Armado’s highest start on the chart among three total entries, all top 10s. The Mexican American group placed a No. 1 through the Ulices Chaidez’ collab “Te Encontré” in June 2021. Prior, the No. 3-peaking “Con Tus Besos” earned the quartet its first top 10 in Sept. 2020.
As “Ella” arrives in the upper region, Peso Pluma captures his first top 10 on his first chart appearance. He joins six other artists who have earned a first top 10 with their maiden entries in 2023. Here’s a recap:
Artist, Title, Collaborator, Peak Date, Peak PositionGrupo Quintanna, “El Final de Nuestra Historia,” with Raymix, March 4, No. 7Grupo Marca Registrada, “Di Que Sí,” with Grupo Frontera, April 29, No. 1Mario Domm, “Un Chingo de Tequila,” with Banda MS, May 6, No. 5Cazzu, “Tú y Tú,” with Los Ángeles Azules & Santa Fe Klan, May 6, No. 3Santa Fe Klan, “Tú y Tú,” with Los Ángeles Azules & Cazzu, May 6, No. 3Kurt, “Prometo,” with Banda Los Sebastianes de Saul Plata, May 6, No. 10
Notably, among the 38 tracks that have ranked in the top 10 on Regional Mexican Airplay so far in 2023, “Ella” becomes the first track to debut in the top 10.
Further, “Ella” also makes its first Latin Airplay appearance, at No. 20, the highest start for both Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma there.
Becky G and Peso Pluma add a new top 10 to their Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart count, as “Chanel” powers from No. 15 to No. 9 on the ranking dated May 6. As the pair’s first partnership advances to the upper region, Peso Pluma places seven simultaneous songs in the top 10 (and 15 across the chart), the most ever for a regional Mexican act. The septenary includes “Ella Baila Sola,” with Eslabon Armado, in its fourth consecutive week in charge.
“Chanel” advances with gains in all metrics that contribute to Hot Latin Songs: streams, sales and airplay. It registered 10.2 million official U.S. streams during the April 21-27 tracking week, according to Luminate. That sum yields a No. 42 debut on the overall Streaming Songs chart and top 10 flight on Latin Streaming Songs, where it pushes 14-10 in its second week, with a 33% increase.
Sales rose 49%, to 1,000, in the same period. That drives “Chanel” 14-6 on Latin Digital Song Sales, jumping 14-6. The song also makes progress on the radio front, up 386% to 1 million audience impressions.
Becky G adds her sixth Hot Latin Songs top 10, and her first in the region since last year’s “Mamiii,” with Karol G, became her first No. 1, having dominated for 10 weeks.
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Peso Pluma notches his seventh Hot Latin Songs top 10 – with all simultaneously in the tier. The feat is historic, as he’s the first regional Mexican artist with as many as seven top 10s in a single frame. Only one other act has charted as many or more top 10 titles together: Bad Bunny grouped between seven and nine songs in the top 10 in 27 distinct weeks in 2020-22.
Prior to Peso Pluma, among core regional Mexican acts Joan Sebastian logged the most concurrent Hot Latin Songs top 10s: four on the Aug. 1, 2015 chart.
Here’s the list of Peso Pluma’s 15 entries on Hot Latin Songs this week:
Ranking, Title, Additional Artist(s)No. 1 “Ella Baila Sola,” with Eslabon ArmadoNo. 3, “La Bebe,” with Yng LvcasNo. 4, “Por Las Noches”No. 5, “PRC,” with Natanael CanoNo. 6, “AMG,” with Gabito Ballesteros & Natanael CanoNo. 9, “Chanel,” with Becky GNo. 10, “El Azul,” with Junior HNo. 16, “Igualito a Mi Apa,” with Fuerza RegidaNo. 23, “Las Morras,” with BlessdNo. 24, “Rosas Pastel,” with Jasiel NuñezNo. 25, “El Tsurito,” with Junior H & Gabito BallesterosNo. 33, “Ando Enfocado,” with Codiciado & Jaziel AvilezNo. 34, “El Belicón,” with Raúl VegaNo. 35, “El Gavilán,” with Luis R Conriquez & Tony AguirreNo. 42, “El Hechizo,” with Ovy on the Drums
Peso Pluma becomes the fifth act with as many as 15 Hot Latin Songs hits in a single week. Bad Bunny boasts 40 such frames, led by a one-week record 24 entries on the May 21, 2022, tally (as his Un Verano Sin Ti made its initial splash on album charts), while Anuel AA, Karol G and Ozuna have also achieved the feat.
Elsewhere, “Chanel” rallies up the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, from No. 88 to No. 56. On the worldwide front, it escalates 85-49 on the Billboard Global 200 and 117-72 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. list.
Meanwhile, Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma’s “Ella Baila Sola” rises to No. 4 on the Hot 100, marking another new high among regional Mexican songs over the chart’s history.