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Officials are alerting those who attended Shakira‘s May 15 concert at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey of possible exposure to measles. The New Jersey Department of Health announced on Tuesday (May 20) that a person who was infected with the disease attended the show. The statement warned that anyone present at the stadium from […]
As the debate over narcocorridos heats up, the original masters of the genre, Los Tigres del Norte, are back with a new EP that’s slyly more provocative than anything currently under scrutiny.
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La Lotería, dropping May 22, features five songs that tackle topics like the effects of divorce on kids, and the title track, “La Lotería,” a corrido with biting social commentary where the devil card in the video bears the face of President Trump.
For Los Tigres—brothers Jorge Hernández, Hernán Hernández, Luis Hernández, Eduardo Hernández, and their cousin Oscar Lara—this is about staying true to their roots. “We’ve always tried to raise awareness with our music, and our goal has been to make songs that stand the test of time. That’s why “La Reina del Sur” is still relevant. That’s why “Jefe de Jefes” is still relevant,” says Luis Hernández, referencing two of their most iconic corridos from their over 40-year career. “One thing Arturo Pérez Reverte [author of the novel La Reina del Sur] said: ‘If you want to understand Mexico’s history, you need to take a look at Los Tigres del Norte’s discography.’”
The songs on La Lotería (Fonovisa) come with cinematic music videos directed by filmmaker Sergio Arau, who brings a visual storytelling flair to Los Tigres’ stories. The release coincides with Los Tigres’ concert at Madison Square Garden in New York on May 24, as well as the naming of a street in the city in their honor. Ahead of the EP’s launch, Billboard sat down with Los Tigres in Miami for an exclusive interview where they opened up about pretty much everything.
Here are three key takeaways. Watch the full interview above.
On the ban of narcocorridos in Mexico
“We’ve always told stories through our corridos. We don’t focus on the characters,” says Jorge Hernández. “We talk about the events that happen, the realities. With the younger generations, they have a completely different language and imagination when it comes to corridos. For us, corridos are about expressing yourself naturally—like delivering the news. Their language is more about imagination, but it means something to their generation. That’s why the government intervenes and all this controversy exists. We’re not for or against what any musical group does. But the most important thing is that, banned or not, you have to stay within the bounds of the law.”
On Trump and his immigration policies
“When [songwriter Luciano Luna] wrote ‘La Lotería,’ what’s happening now hadn’t even started,” says Hernán Hernández of the spicy single. “For people who don’t have the means to live in another country, they want to come to the U.S. That’s the reality. And every president—not just this one, though he’s the most infamous—has tried to crack down on immigration. But laws aside, you’ve got to have a heart. Trump uses laws from as far back as the 1800s to justify his policies. But being a leader isn’t just about laws—it’s about compassion. If the world’s powers don’t lead with love, the world’s going to fall apart.”
Their message to immigrants
“The message is simple,” says Luis Hernández. “Most people who come to this country are just trying to find a better life. For years, Latinos have been the backbone of this country’s growth because the work we do here, no one else does. And as generations have progressed, we’ve gotten educated and moved forward. We need to keep improving, especially now that the minority has become the majority. We need to focus on education, teach those coming after us to vote, and remind them of their roots. This generation, as they say, isn’t from here or there. But once you understand your roots, it’s much easier to understand the message.”
Watch the full video here.
Los Tigres del Norte have enjoyed a career spanning over 57 years. The renowned regional Mexican group sat down with Leila Cobo to share their thoughts on some of their biggest hits, including “Contrabando y Traición.” They also discussed their thought process behind their new track, “La Lotería,” their decision to include an image of Donald Trump as “el diablito,” their opinions on narcocorridos and the ongoing efforts to ban them, immigration issues in the U.S.. and more.
What do you think of the “La Lotería” music video? Let us know in the comments!
Leila Cobo:
Los Tigres del Norte, welcome to Miami.
Los Tigres del Norte:
Thank you.
It’s so great to have you, like always, I always have to go to other places to find you, but today you guys came to the tropics. On top of that, I really appreciate you guys being dressed up like Miami.
Thank you so much.
Apart from that fact that we’re at a Mexican restaurant-
We’re here at our Mexican restaurant.
At Tacology.
It’s so pretty.
Yes, very pretty. I only take you guys to pretty places.
Everytime you invite us, you always take us to wonderful places.
How many years has it been?
We have many years under our belt. We have recorded-
40?
CDs since 1968.
1968?
Many years already. I think that the first song that people knew us by was “Camelia, la Texana.”
It’s one of the corridos that got people to notice Los Tigres del Norte. It’s already been many years.
Well, Jorge told me the story about “Camelia, la Texana.” I’m trying to remember, but weren’t you under age when you recorded that song?
Practically.
And you were there hiding yourself in bars to sing it no?
Exactly, I told you the story of how the song was born because they brought me to a place in Los Angeles because I was underage and the didn’t let me enter the place.
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Fuerza Regida celebrates a dual win this week, as 111XPANTíA, the group’s ninth studio album, moves 2-1 on the Top Latin Albums chart (dated May 24) in its second week. The set also earns a second week at No. 1 on the Top Regional Mexican Albums chart, plus, it becomes the eighth album of the 2020s to simultaneously top both charts.
111XPANTíA rises to No. 1 on Top Latin Albums despite slipping to 43,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. (from 76,000 the week prior), that’s a 43% decline during the May 9-15 tracking week, according to Luminate. Of the set’s second-week sum, album sales contribute 6,000 units, down 85%, which prompts a 2-12 drop on the overall Top Album Sales chart.
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Things look brighter in the streaming sector, as the album generated 38,000 units, up 6%, representing 53.4 million official on-demand U.S. audio and video streams of the album’s tracks. That figure yields a 5-4 jump on the overall Top Streaming Albums chart, becoming Fuerza Regida’s highest-charting title there.
Thanks to 111XPANTíA landing at the summit, Fuerza Regida dethrones Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos’ 18-week run at No. 1. Plus, the group earns a second champ on Top Latin Albums, which began in 1993. It joins Pa’ Las Baby’s y Belikeada (three consecutive weeks at No. 1 in 2024).
111XPANTíA was released May 2 on Street Mob/Rancho Humilde/ Sony Music Latin. A deluxe version of the album followed immediately on May 5. The latter includes three new songs, two of which debut on the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart: “Como Tú” at No. 13 and “Lokita,” with Anuel AA, at No. 43. Meanwhile, “Marlboro Rojo,” from the original album, climbs 14-4 with the Greatest Gainer honors in streaming, after a 56% gain, to 7.4 million clicks in the U.S.
With the new dual coronation on Top Latin Albums and Top Regional Mexican Albums, 111XPANTíA becomes the eighth album of the 2020s to simultaneously claim the No. 1 spot on both charts. Alejandro Fernández was the first to achieve the feat, placing Hecho En México, his 16th studio album, at the summit on both rankings for one week in February 2020.
Here’s a recap of all the albums with concurrent reigns on Top Latin Albums and Top Regional Mexican Albums, at least for one week, this decade:
Album, Artist, Peak DateHecho En México, Alejandro Fernández, Feb. 29, 2020Vibras de Noche, Eslabon Armado, Aug. 1, 2020Desvelado, Eslabon Armado, May 13, 2023Génesis, Peso Pluma, July 8, 2023Pa Las Baby’s y Belikeada, Fuerza Regida, April 27, 2024Éxodo, Peso Pluma, Sept. 6, 2024Incómodo, Tito Double P, Oct. 5, 2024111XPANTIA, Fuerza Regida, May 24
The season finale of The Last of Us is approaching, and in honor of the popular post-apocalyptic drama series, Billboard is highlighting its season two star, Isabela Merced, who in addition to acting, leads a music career of her own.
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Isabela was cast as the last major addition to the show, joining series stars Pedro Pascal (Joel Miller) and Bella Ramsey (Ellie). In season two, Isabela portrays Dina, a freewheeling and loyal spirit who serves as Ellie’s romantic interest and Jesse’s ex.
“Dina is warm, brilliant, wild, funny, moral, dangerous and instantly lovable,” said Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, The Last of Us‘ co-creators, writers, executive producers and directors, according to Deadline. “You can search forever for an actor who effortlessly embodies all of those things, or you can find Isabela Merced right away. We couldn’t be prouder to have her join our family.”
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In addition to the lovable character on the hit HBO series, Isabela has also portrayed roles in films including Transformers: The Last Knight; Sicario: Day of the Soldado; and Dora and the Lost City of Gold, where she portrayed Dora.
But beyond her remarkable screen work, Isabela is also a promising music star. Below, check out some fun facts about the actress and singer.
Her Artist Name
The actress was born in Ohio to a Peruvian mother and a father from Louisiana. Her real name is Isabela Yolanda Moner, and was formerly known as Isabela Moner when she kicked off her acting career. However, when she launched her career as a solo musician in 2018, she changed her artist name to Isabela Merced as a tribute to her grandmother, Yolanda Merced, and her Peruvian heritage.
Her Music Career
In 2019, Isabela officially launched her music career, and has already collaborated with artists including Sebastian Yatra, Matt Hunter, and Danna (formerly known as Danna Paola), to name a few. Her 2020 EP The Better Half of Me features five tracks —in English and Spanish — navigating from reggaetón to R&B rhythms, and best putting on the map her fresh bilingual pop sound. Isabela has also recorded songs for the Instant Family and Spirit Untamed movie soundtracks, and has two Christmas songs: “Caliente Navidad” and “Cuffing Season.” Billboard can confirm that she’s currently working on new music.
Her Latin Roots
Isabela is a proud Peruvian-American, and the official music video for her single “Papi” is proof of that. The clip included a modern twist to the traditional Peruvian dance called Marinera and the devil masks worn by her dancers, which represent the Diablada. “Different elements of my Peruvian culture, from the coast to the Amazons, are incorporated into every aspect of my music, wardrobe, dancing, and storytelling of my videos,” she previously said to Billboard. She’s also a UNICEF ambassador in Peru and has visited communities in the Amazon.
The season two finale of The Last of Us will air at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 25 on HBO and stream on Max.
Disney released the first trailer for Zootopia 2 on Tuesday (May 20), with Shakira reprising her role as the voice of Gazelle.
It was revealed last November that the Colombian superstar would once again lend her vocal power to the fiercely independent antelope who dazzled audiences with her shimmering, belly-dancer-inspired coin skirt and upbeat anthem “Try Everything” from the 2016 release.
Directed by Oscar-winning duo Jared Bush and Byron Howard, Zootopia 2 reunites the “Whenever, Wherever” singer with actors Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman, who reprise their roles as detectives Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. Together, they’re ready to uncover secrets in new corners of the sprawling animal metropolis.
In the new teaser trailer, Nick, Judy, and Gary — a new snake character portrayed by Ke Huy Quan — flee from the police through various parts of Zootopia, encountering a mysterious hooded figure with glowing eyes. The montage also introduces new characters Nibbles the beaver (Fortune Feimster) and Dr. Fuzzby, a quokka therapist (Quinta Brunson).
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With her signature blonde mane and “hips that don’t lie” (yes, Shakira famously worked with Disney to give Gazelle more curves in the original film), the beloved character is expected to bring even more excitement — and heart — to the sequel.
And with Shakira currently dominating world stadiums with her record-breaking world tour Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, also the name of her latest album, her star power now shines even brighter, making Gazelle’s return all the more exciting for fans of all ages.
The Colombian musician recently celebrated 20 years of “Hips Don’t Lie”on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and performed her beloved 1996 ballad “Antología” on the late-night show on Monday (May 19). She’s also going to be making stops in Montreal, Chicago, Boston, Phoenix, and San Diego as part of her U.S. trek before wrapping up in San Francisco on June 30.
Zootopia 2 hits theaters on Nov. 26. Check out the trailer below:
Bad Bunny is set to break records across Latin America, Europe and Australia with his Debí Tirar Más Fotos tour after generating hundreds of millions of dollars from 2.6 million tickets sold, according to data provided to Billboard by promoter Live Nation.
“Bad Bunny is having incredible success without crossing over [musically]. In fact, it’s the audience — millions of people across the world, who are crossing over [to] him,” says Hans Schafer, senior vp of global touring for Live Nation, which is co-promoting the 54-date tour with Rimas Nation. Schafer notes that the superstar will be the first Spanish-language artist to perform a stadium concert in seven of the countries he’s visiting on the tour, which kicks off Nov. 21 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and ends July 22 in Brussels, Belgium.
The new tour is set to break the records Bad Bunny first broke in 2022 when he became the first Latin act to earn the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Year-End Boxscore Top Tours chart, grossing $373.5 million from 1.8 million tickets across 65 shows.
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Thanks to a massive demand for tickets, what began as a 24-date tour early last week has blossomed into a 54-show run across 18 countries. Bad Bunny expanded his Mexico City visit from two shows at Estadio GNP to eight shows. In South America, he grew his stops in Medellin, Colombia; Santiago, Chile; and Buenos Aires from one show to three shows in each market. And in Madrid, he expanded his plans for two shows to a staggering 10 concerts at the 70,000-person Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium.
Bad Bunny is playing two-night engagements at almost every stop on his tour and is breaking new records in nearly every market. He is the first and only Latin act to sell out a stadium concert in Australia and became the only artist in Colombia’s history to sell out three stadium concerts in 24 hours. He broke the record for the fastest-selling concert in the history of Costa Rica, and in Mexico, he broke the record for the most tickets sold in a single day by any artist.
The superstar now holds the record for the most tickets ever sold by a Latin artist in France, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Sweden. And with 12 stadium shows booked for Spain — including two in Barcelona — he now holds the record for the biggest concert run ever for an artist in the country with 600,000 tickets sold.
He’s also become the top-selling Latin artist in the U.K., breaking the record previously set by Karol G.
“Bad Bunny is a true global artist and this tour is testament to his power as an international superstar,” Schafer says. “We’ve never seen anything quite like it.”
Soccer, music and community came together on Monday (May 19) at the Tenple field in Villaviciosa de Odón, Madrid, Spain, where Myke Towers’ Young Kingz Foundation and David Villa’s DV7 Academy officially kicked off their global partnership. The event marked the start of a series of joint initiatives aimed at creating real opportunities for young people in vulnerable situations.
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Towers, one of the most influential voices in Latin urban music, and Villa, the all-time top scorer for Spain’s national soccer team and a 2010 World Cup champion, share the same vision: transforming lives through talent, discipline and social commitment.
“I’m not doing this expecting it to blow up like a song,” Towers tells Billboard Español. “It’s more about leaving a legacy. Creating a habit. Inspiring those who can help to do so, in their own way.”
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“I feel good because this brings together two things I’m passionate about: music and sports,” he adds. “And if I can do something for others through that, even better.”
For Towers, giving back is essential. “When you’re blessed, it’s only natural to want to bless others,” he shares.
Although Villa couldn’t attend the event in person as he was in the Dominican Republic visiting one of his academies, he connected with Towers via video call, where both reaffirmed their commitment to joining forces to provide real resources to young people. Towers took the opportunity to thank Villa for his earlier visit to the Quintana Club in Puerto Rico, a gesture that marked the beginning of the bond between their two foundations.
Villa, on the other hand, celebrated the collaboration with the Young Kingz Foundation. “Soccer is a powerful tool for building community and well-being,” he tells Billboard Español, and reveals that his favorite song by Towers is “Lala.”
The partnership is already underway, with projects in Puerto Rico, New York, Colombia and Spain that include free sports clinics, exchange programs, urban space revitalization and educational support for vulnerable youth. For Villa, the most rewarding part is seeing the immediate impact on the daily lives of young people. “When I visit the academies and see them happy, sharing, and enjoying themselves, that’s the most beautiful thing,” he says. “You can win or lose, but the important thing is that they have a meaningful experience.”
The Young Kingz Foundation was established in July 2024, but Myke Towers’ community commitment had been developing long before that. “Michael had already been consistently supporting his community. The foundation allowed him to organize that effort and amplify its impact,” Derick Luna, president of the board of directors and the artist’s business manager, tells Billboard Español.
One of the standout stories from the event was that of Mateo Bermúdez, a 13-year-old Puerto Rican soccer player who traveled from Galicia to attend; he was sponsored by the DV7 Academy to continue his training in Spain. Mateo was born in the same community as Towers, Quintana, and represents the kind of talent this project aims to highlight and support.
“He has something special. He adapts, smiles when the group smiles and knows how to push through tough moments. That’s not something you can teach,” Ossie Antonetti, president of JDB Internacional (Young Puerto Rican Athletes) and a partner of the Young Kingz Foundation, tells Billboard Español.
“Mateo is a kid I’ve known since he was little, and I have a lot of love for him. I know he’s going to go far because he has humility, and that will take him very high,” adds Towers.
In a conversation with Billboard, Villa emphasizes the importance of supporting soccer development in communities that often go unnoticed. “We know where we can help, and this partnership allows us to do so with real impact,” he says.
During the event in Madrid, Towers also spent time with students from Villa’s soccer academy and took photos with fans who came to the field.
The event coincided with the kickoff of Myke Towers’ Europe Tour 2025, which will begin with two sold-out concerts at the Movistar Arena in Spain’s capital. In the coming weeks, the artist will perform in Cádiz, Barcelona, Paris, Zurich, London and other cities as part of his tour.
Since launching her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour in Brazil earlier this year, Shakira has surprised attendees by inviting a number of fellow hitmakers to join her onstage. From Grupo Frontera, Carlos Vives and Maluma — all three joined her in Latin America — to Wyclef Jean, Alejandro Sanz, Ozuna and Rauw Alejando […]
Elegance. Showmanship. Unmatched flair. Rauw Alejandro made his triumphant return to New York City on Monday night (May 19), kicking off a three-night takeover at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center as part of his Cosa Nuestra tour.
For the Puerto Rican singer, these performances carry deep significance, blending his personal story with the cultural legacy of the city’s Nuyorican community.
“Rauw Alejandro performing Cosa Nuestra live, where it all began, here in the city of New York,” said the man of the night while commanding the stage with superstar swagger. “New York is very special to me, it’s my second home. It’s where my father was born. My grandfather — they came here to work hard, to earn money for their family. Cosa Nuestra was created right here in New York. Tonight is special. This concert is a little bit different from the others.” And he was absolutely right about that.
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The energy in the arena was electric, with fans dressed to the nines per Rauw’s “dress code” for the night — a glam celebration that felt more Broadway than your typical Latin music show. And Rauw’s performance delivered high-octane drama in four acts, crafted like a theatrical masterpiece, at times invoking West Side Story, in others Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” video, to his own arsenal of hits from his new album — “Revolú,” “Déjame Entrar,” “Mil Mujeres” — and even some Rauw classics such as “Tattoo,” “Todo De Ti,” “Desesperados” and more.
The show was filled with imagery that depicted New York’s iconic landmarks and its Latin roots, with the Brooklyn Bridge and the city skyline as a backdrop. With his impeccably tight choreography, tailored and glitzy wardrobe and the vintage muscle car in one notable scene, his homage to the Boricua diaspora was heartfelt and unapologetically vivid — a tribute to resilience, culture and identity.
“New York is a special place, especially for this show, for Puerto Rican culture — for me being Puerto Rican from New York,” said an attendee who looked dapper in vintage-looking slacks and a flat cap. “There’s a lot of history here, a lot of culture, and it’s good to see all the people come together for a special event like this that celebrates us.”
The city is also the cradle of Puerto Rican salsa, the birthplace of the late ‘60s and ‘70s Latin music revolution defined by legends such as the Fania All Stars. That golden era of big-band artistry sparked the vision for Rauw’s Cosa Nuestra album and the theatrical brilliance of the night’s performance — a seamless fusion of tradition and modernity that felt like a love letter to New York’s Puerto Rican roots.
Rauw’s Cosa Nuestra topped Billboard‘s Best Latin Albums of 2024 (Staff Picks), and reached No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart, where it remained at the top for six weeks.
His next stops include Atlanta, Orlando and several dates in Miami before wrapping up his U.S. tour with a four-night series of shows at the iconic Coliseo de Puerto Rico. This summer, he’ll take his Cosa Nuestra tour to Europe.