espanol
Page: 21
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).
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
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.
It’s officially World Cup month, and Billboard has compiled the ultimate playlist for soccer aficionados around the world.
The playlist is over two hours long and includes 45 jams to celebrate fútbol, including Ricky Martin’s “Cup of Life,” the official song of the 1998 event held in France and Shakira‘s “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” for the 2010 World Cup in Africa. The former peaked at No. 45 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1998, and the latter peaked at No. 38 on the Hot 100 dated July 3, 2010.
Also on the playlist are soccer-related bops by Carlos Vives and Camilo (“Baloncito Viejo”); Jason Derulo and Maluma (“Colors”); Will Smith, Nicky Jam and Era Istrefi (“Live It Up”); and Akon (“Oh Africa”), to name a few. As well a handful of officials songs for the 2022 World Cup released by FIFA such as “Hayya Hayya (Better Together),” featuring Trinidad Cardona, Davido, and Aisha, which fuses R&B and reggae influences, and “Arhbo,” a feel-good collaboration between Ozuna and French-Congolese rapper Gims named after the local slang word for “welcome” in Qatar and embodies the welcoming spirit of the Arabian country.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Nov. 20 with host nation Qatar’s tournament opener against Ecuador. A total of 32 teams, representing different countries, will participate. In the end, one is crowned the World Cup champion on Dec. 18. Below, listen to the playlist. (You can find Billboard‘s updating list of 2022 World Cup songs here.)
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.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Jenni Rivera’s Fashion Store
The Jenni Rivera Fashion store is re-opening in California, offering t-shirts, merch, memorabilia jackets, and more, running from size small to 2XL and ranging from $19.99 to $99.99. Located in Brea Mall in Orange County, the Rivera family hopes to expand to an online store for fans.
“She’s come a long way from the first store that was opened in 2013 and it is a very proud moment for us to be able to achieve this milestone to honor our mother’s legacy”, Jacqie Rivera & Siblings said in a press statement. “I bet she is smiling down remembering the days she used to sell CDs at the swap meets and now she has a whole store in a prime location honoring her music career and legacy. We welcome all her fans to come and celebrate and remember her here with us.”
Courtesy Photo
Chiquis’ Holiday Song
In other Rivera news, Chiquis unleashed her first-ever holiday song this week. Giving the Christmas classic “Jingle Bells” a cumbia and Spanglish twist, the Mexican-American artist released “Jingle Bells (Vamos All The Way)” along with a holiday-themed video. Presented by the Latin dating app Chispa and Cocina, minority-owned production and media company, Chiquis flirtatiously associates Jingle Bells with dating, friendship, family, and even perreo. “This track marks both the first Villancico for our Abeja Reina, to remind us that Navidad is all about felicidad y amor. La magia is in the air so vamos, all the way!” the artist expressed on her YouTube account.
Lupita Nyong’o Embraces her Roots
This week, Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o paid tribute to her Mexican roots by singing a song by the late Juan Gabriel. “Mexico, I’m here! Here’s a song for you,” she shared on TikTok ahead of the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever movie premiere. The Kenyan-Mexican actress is seen wearing her bathrobe and singing “Me Gusta Estar Contigo.”
In other Juanga news, his heirs and team released the last project the prolific Mexican singer-songwriter was working on: the third album of duets of hits, including the singles “Déjame Vivir” with Anahí, “Ya” with Banda El Recodo and La India, and “Mía un Año” with Eslabón Armado, as well as the focus track “De Mí Enamórate” with Danna Paola. Los Duos 3 comes six years after his death.
“Despacito” Makes History
More than five years after its release, Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee‘s “Despacito” extends its reign as the most-viewed music video on YouTube surpassing eight billion views this week. “Who would have 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.”
The Puerto Rican artist 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
Bad Bunny’s Ruling Streak
Apple Music has named Bad Bunny its 2022 artist of the year, marking the first time since the Apple Music Awards launched in 2019 that a Latin artist has been recognized as AOTY, and the first time only one artist is named for the award.
“When I started, I didn’t have a global fan base,” he told Apple Music in an exclusive film. “I’m grateful for everything I’ve accomplished and everything I’ve experienced. The Latin music movement has grown so much. I would never take full credit or say, ‘It’s because of me.’ No, it’s every one of us. A whole generation. Our energy and presence are always felt.”
The Puerto Rican artist — whose Un Verano Sin Ti Album is also Apple Music’s most streamed album this year and the biggest Latin album of all time — is acknowledged for his excellence and influence on global culture in 2022.
Bad Bunny
Courtesy of Apple Music
In July, Rauw Alejandro wiped his Instagram account and left one short clip featuring him, his go-to producers Caleb Calloway, Mr. NaisGai, Keno, and his manager Eric Duars. “Take care. I love you. Thanks for the love always. See you soon,” he captioned it.
Suddenly, Rauw went missing from social media only to appear a month later in yet another clip surrounded by aliens in a studio. “Do not believe everything you see and everything you hear on the internet, except that I am in Saturn making the most amazing album of the year and the other year and the other and the other,” he expressed.
Almost three months later, the Puerto Rican artist born Raúl Alejandro Ocasio Ruiz unleashes his new studio album Saturno, home to 18 tracks including the previously-released “Lokera,” “Punto 40,” “Dime Quien????,” and focus single “Lejos Del Cielo,” which all set the tone for his new galactical era.
Rauw Alejandro, “Saturno”
Jora Frantzis
The ever-chameleonic singer steps away from his signature trap and perreo, and continues honing his art with a more experimental sound. Think old-school hip-hop, 80’s and 90’s freestyle, and even punk rock laced with otherworldly, innovative rhythms.
And in true Rauw fashion, he couldn’t escape to Outerspace without edgy reggaeton songs and some of his best collaborators, including veterans Arcangel and DJ Playero.
Saturno (Duars Entertainment/Sony Music Latin) marks Rauw’s third studio album following Afrodisiaco (2020) and Vice Versa (2021), which spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart.
Below, Billboard editors recommend seven essential tracks on the new set.
The 23rd annual Latin Grammys is a week away, where Bad Bunny is the top contender with 10 nods, including album of the year for his Billboard 200-topping Un Verano Sin Ti. The Puerto Rican artist is followed by Mexican hitmaker Edgar Barrera with nine nominations; Rauw Alejandro with eight nominations; Christina Aguilera and Rosalía with seven nods each; and last year’s top winner, Camilo, with six nominations.
But one of the most coveted awards of the night is best new artist. This year, the Latin Recording Academy recognized 11 up-and-coming talents from different regions of the world such as Mexico, Brazil, and Peru, and of ages ranging from 15 to 95 years old.
Cuban singer-songwriter Angela Álvarez, for example, becomes the oldest musician to ever be nominated for best new artist. “It was a very big but very beautiful surprise, and I thought afterward that all my dreams came true. At 95, but that doesn’t matter,” she previously told Billboard.
Meet all of this year’s nominees and vote for who should win below. (Editor’s Note: The poll is solely fan-based and not tied to any award decision.)
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, and will air live on Univision beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
The Latin Grammy Premiere, a non-televised ceremony in which the winners in most categories are announced, will take place before the broadcast.
Apple Music has named Bad Bunny its 2022 artist of the year. This is the first time since the Apple Music Awards launched in 2019 that a Latin artist has been recognized as AOTY, and the first time only one artist is named for the award.
The Puerto Rican artist — whose Un Verano Sin Ti Album is also Apple Music’s most streamed album this year and the biggest Latin album of all time — is acknowledged for his excellence and influence on global culture in 2022. He now joins previous AOTY honorees including Billie Eilish, Lil Baby, Megan Thee Stallion, Taylor Swift and The Weeknd.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate the achievements of Bad Bunny, whose influence on every corner of culture could not be ignored in 2022,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Apple Music and Beats, in a statement. “Watching Bad Bunny ascend from an Apple Music Up Next artist in 2018 to our Artist of the Year this year has been nothing short of extraordinary. We congratulate him on his record-breaking year and for continuing to bring Latin music to a massive global audience.”
In addition to becoming Apple Music’s biggest Latin artist of all time by streams worldwide, Bad Bunny’s “Moscow Mule” holds the record for the biggest Latin song of all time by first-day streams worldwide. He broke the record for most simultaneous entries by a single Latin artist with 22 songs on the Daily Top 100; reached No. 1 on the Daily Top 100 in 34 countries worldwide, more than any other Latin artist; and holds the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 Latin albums by first-day streams, just to name a few milestones.
“When I started, I didn’t have a global fan base,” he told Apple Music in an exclusive film. “I’m grateful for everything I’ve accomplished and everything I’ve experienced. The Latin music movement has grown so much. I would never take full credit or say, ‘It’s because of me.’ No, it’s every one of us. A whole generation. Our energy and presence are always felt.”
In celebration, the “Me Porto Bonito” singer curated a “La Fórmula” playlist with tracks from Myke Towers and Rauw Alejandro, among others, and fans can tune in to Apple Music 1, where it’s Bad Bunny Day with exclusive programming, specials, and more.
Watch Bad Bunny’s exclusive Apple Music short film below:
Jessie Reyez, Snow Tha Product and Adriel Favela gathered to talk about the ways in which they disrupt gender roles and why it matters in the Latin music space in a new episode of Billboard’s Cultura Clash (watch above).
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“I didn’t really fit in most of the times in my 10-year music career until now,” regional Mexican singer Favela says. “I felt lost all the time but it’s just having that Mexican-American culture and being proud of it. There was a moment when I was the first one tatted in regional Mexican and it was a bad thing. It wasn’t until I decided to be myself and have fun with it that people got attached to it.”
Mexican-American rapper, Snow, could also relate.
“I was raised very traditional Mexican. They take your biggest insecurity and make that your nickname. So, they definitely did that to me,” she notes. “They tugged in a lot on the type of person I was or what I did. It made me want to be very true to myself and that’s how I ended up putting everything into music. I learned to love myself because of the way the fans loved me for becoming myself.”
When it comes to defending their art, Colombian-Canadian singer-songwriter Reyez assures that it’s “a given in this industry.”
“I feel that my skin has gotten a little bit thicker throughout the years,” she elaborates. “Sometimes you just have to have fun. I have to be careful that I don’t become a character of myself for the sake of going against the grain. I just need to do whatever I want to do, regardless of whether I’m getting cheered on or not because the cheers have to come internally for them to be valid.”
On this week’s episode, hosted by YouTube’s A.J. Ramos and presented by Capital One, the three artists also opened up about receiving backlash on social media, the artist they most admired growing up for breaking gender norms, and much more.
“The simple fact of being human beings deserves respect,” Favela proudly states.
Now in its second season, Cultura Clash — hosted by Latin executive AJ Ramos — spotlights Latin artists and influencers who discuss trending topics within Latin culture and music. A new episode airs every Wednesday on Billboard.com, social media, and Billboard‘s YouTube channel. Watch this week’s episode above.
A different kind of beat was heard at the 15th annual Live in the Vineyard event in Napa Valley: Salsa, Latin percussion and acoustic ballads in Spanish, performed by the likes of singer/songwriter Kany García, salsa star Luis Figueroa, alt/popsters Monsiuer Periné, pop trio Reik, mariachi singer Lupita Infante, Costa Rican songstress Debi Nova and pianist Arthur Hanlon. Nearly 20 Latin artists took part in Live in the Vineyard’s first ever Latin edition, programmed in response to the surge in Latin music’s popularity and visibility.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The event, which allows rising and established acts to showcase new music in front of top tastemakers in synch and licensing, DSPs, radio and press, has had some 500 acts perform throughout the years in private showcases in Napa Valley vineyards. The long list includes the likes of Carrie Underwood, Jason Derulo, Alanis Morissette, Adam Lambert and Fergie, and the pay-off from performances has been strong enough that in 2017 Jacobs also launched a country-only event. Through it all, Latin acts had been far and in-between. But this year, organizers launched a Latin-only edition, and invited more than 25 music supervisors and executives who are specifically looking to place Latin music.
“I’ve had Latin acts here and there, but never officially launched a full-on Latin event,” says Bobbii Jacobs, the founder and president of FF Entertainment, which puts together Live in the Vineyard in partnership with experiential and entertainment agency Forefront. “But I’ve always followed my heart and taken time to listen to pop culture. I had this feeling in my gut with Latin.”
A little over two years ago, Jacbos decided to do something about it. She admittedly knew very little about the Latin music scene, but she hit LinkedIn and contacted Darlene Rodriguez, Senior Director of music licensing and merchandising at Sony Music Entertainment Latin.
“I messaged Darlene and I said, ‘Hi, this is who I am, I’m legit and I’d love to talk to you. And she emailed me back.”
In Miami, Rodriguez was intrigued. She called Jacbos back and found out she had booked many Sony artists before, but not from the Latin labels.
“I thought this would be perfect — because in my world, the most important thing is to give exposure to our Latin artists here in the U.S.,” says Rodríguez. “While our artists are big [outside of the] U.S. it’s important to have them establish a presence here in the U.S. with these music supervisors. What really clinched it is, Bobbii said, ‘You need to come and experience it.’”
Last year, Rodríguez went to Jacobs’ country music event and saw first-hand the power of having artists perform for a highly curated and attentive audience whose sole purpose was music discovery. She set to work, mining Sony’s roster to find the right artists, both from the U.S. and other countries, and also contacted colleagues at Sony Music Publishing U.S. Latin and Latin America.
Jointly, they decided that rather than focus on radio and DSPs, where they were well-covered, they needed help connecting with music supervisors and synching and licensing agencies. While the presence of music in Spanish has steadily grown on the Billboard, Spotify and YouTube charts, there is still a lack of Spanish-language music on mainstream TV and streaming service content, and there’s a lack of understanding of the different genres within Latin music.
“Our goal is to expose our artists and see them placed […] There’s a ton of competition and there needs to be a little more education of the Latin genres, so they think of us for all sorts of opportunities, not just the Mexican scene at a restaurant.”
“Our goal is to expose our artists and see them placed,” says Rodríguez. “That includes film, commercial, gaming, Zumba. It’s really just to make sure we place our artists’ music in all these different categories in the U.S. There’s a ton of competition, and there needs to be a little more education of the Latin genres, so they think of us for all sorts of opportunities, not just the Mexican scene at a restaurant.”
At the same time, convincing artists and managers to participate in Live in the Vineyard wasn’t automatic. While the event invites supervisors and executives to Napa and partners with local chefs and wineries to put together lunches, dinners and showcases, artists must pay a fee to participate. But Rodriguez –along with Caroline Abs, Sony Latin’s SVP of strategic market development for the U.S., and Amy Roland, VP of synch & new business for Sony Music Publishing U.S. Latin and Latin America — felt the investment was warranted.
“We want general market supervisors who use Latin music,” says Roland, who also invited artists who are signed to Sony publishing but release music independently, like Alih J. “My direct contacts are more in the Latin world, and this event gives me face time with people I mostly work remotely with. I’m excited.”
In the end, some 25 music supervisors and execs who had expressed interest in including Latin music in their projects attended two Latin artist-only events, and three events that featured both Latin and pop acts. And while Live in the Vineyard can’t compel music supervisors to place anything, “our track record is very successful,” says Jacobs. “We put you in front of influential people in the background of Napa, and the core is to break music no matter how big or small the artist is.”
“People are really here to discover new music,” adds Roland. “And given authentic music, my hope is they are going to consume it more.”
A new wave of artists has been confirmed to take center stage at the 23rd annual Latin Grammys on Nov. 17, including Silvana Estrada, Gente de Zona, Goyo, Los Bukis, Aymée Nuviola, Julio Reyes Copello, Rosalía, Carlos Vives, and Nicole Zignago. Copello, a seven-time nominee, joins the event as musical director of the show’s house band.
At this year’s ceremony, eight-time nominee Rosalía is up for record of the year and album of the year; Vives, a five-time nominee, is up for record of the year and song of the year; Gente de Zona and Nuviola are nominated in the tropical categories; and both Estrada and Zignago, are up for the coveted best new artist.
The newly announced artists set to take the stage join previously announced performers such as Ángela Aguilar, Christina Aguilera, Rauw Alejandro, Marc Anthony, Banda Los Recoditos, Camilo, Elvis Costello, Chiquis, Jorge Drexler, Nicky Jam, Jesse & Joy, John Legend, Carin León, Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández, Christian Nodal, Sin Bandera, Sebastián Yatra, and the 2022 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, Marco Antonio Solís.
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, and will air live on Univision beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
The Latin Grammy Premiere, a non-televised ceremony in which the winners in most categories are announced, will take place before the broadcast.
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.
Jenni Rivera, “Misión Cumplida” (Jenni Rivera Enterprises/Sony Music Latin)
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The song was written in 2008 by Jenni Rivera but it isn’t until now that fans can listen to “Misión Cumplida,” one of the last songs penned by Rivera before her untimely death in 2012. Produced by Sergio Lizárraga, the track is a quintessential Jenni Rivera song. A Sinaloan banda at its core, “Misión” finds an emotional Jenni who sings about falling head over heels for someone who she had rejected in the past. “My mom was very picky with musical arrangements,” Johnny Rivera, said of why Lizárraga was the perfect hitmaker to helm his mother’s project. “She loved la banda sinolasense and Sergio’s a master of that. He was able to maintain her essence not only in her voice but also in the music.” The song is part of Rivera’s forthcoming album, set to be released before end of the year. — GRISELDA FLORES
Paulo Londra feat. Feid, “A Veces” (Warner Music Latina)
Paulo Londra has been releasing new music left and right since his comeback earlier this year. Following eight singles, including collaborations with Ed Sheeran and Duki, the Argentine artist presents “A Veces,” for which he reels in Colombian artist Feid. A surprising yet much-needed collaboration, the single meshes Londra’s dulcet, raspy vocals with Feid’s Medallo swagger, bringing to life lyrics about a man who’s unsure of his relationship status with the girl he’s dating. “Sometimes you ask me to stay until the morning/ Other times I call and you disappear,” says the chorus. A music video shot by Ballve oozes the bromance between Londra and Ferxxo in the studio. — JESSICA ROIZ
Mora, PARAISO (Rimas Entertainment)
If paradise was indulging our forbidden dreams and setting off into nights of revelry and excess, then we’ve come to the right place. Welcome to the unabashed EDM-laden euphoria of PARAISO, Mora’s third full-length album, where the Puerto Rican provocateur explores the different facets of pleasure. Mora unleashes his wanderlust and steers further away from reggaetón reliance, while never quite abandoning the formidable rhythm. Instead, he invites spectators to enter a world of ecstasy against hard-hitting electronic music galore.
Although Mora mostly shines on his own, he invites a few peers. He teams up with Spanish rapper Quevedo on “Apa’,’ where they turn on their location for their debaucherous encounters; gets lusty with upcoming singer paopao; and journeys to Ibiza with Danny Ocean on “Eivissa,” over minimal techno beats. Hypnotic synthwave (“Malafama”) and chill Afro beats (“Como Has Estau?”) make delightful appearances. As if releasing two full-length albums this year (coupled with a Bad Bunny cosign) wasn’t enough, the rising and flirtatious star is sure set on amplifying the demanding and dominating sounds of música urbana, while reimagining the promised land where temptations are embraced. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Thalía, “Psycho B**ch” (Sony Music Latin)
Thalía shows her playful and irreverent side in her new pop single, “Psycho B**ch” (Sony Music Entertainment.) With a catchy beat, a short rap segment, and a chorus that goes “Oops I warned you / I’m a bit hit or miss / Half psycho bitch / Psy Psyco Bitch / Oops what’s up here? / How do you control me when you have me like this / I’m crazy, I’m crazy”, the English-sprinkled Spanish song will surely make you dance. Its music video shows the Mexican star in a disco club setting, complete with mirror balls and neon lights, accompanied by a group of dancers. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Paola Jara, “Ve y Dile” (YT Rocket)
In Sin Ti (Without You), a three-track EP, Paola Jara narrates the emotions after a heartbreak. The set opens with the original single “Ve y Dile,” produced by Ricardo Torres, where the Colombian artist has a deep conversation with the moon. “With tearyed-eyes and looking at the sky, I asked the moon about your whereabouts,” she sings backed by a live mariachi. “Tell him that he took my soul/ Tell him that he took my peace/ Tell him that he took my desire to love again,” she continues in the chorus. In the other two tracks, Jara performs a pair covers: a Caribbean-cumbia fusion for “Después de Ti” by Alejandro Lerner, and a ranchera version of Vanessa Martí’s “No Te Puedo Retener.” — J.R.