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Pitbull is always up for a party, especially if it involves people getting down to his music. That’s why Mr. 305 couldn’t help commenting when the new season of Bridgerton used one of its signature instrumental classical takes on his iconic 2011 hit “Give Me Everything” to score a window-fogging make-out carriage scene between Colin […]
On June 26, SESAC Latina will mark its 30th anniversary of representing top-tier songwriters globally with its annual SESAC Latina Music Awards Gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, Billboard Español can exclusively announce.
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The event will recognize the exceptional talent and achievements of its affiliated songwriters and publishers, awarding honors such as song of the year, publisher of the year, and more.
Additionally, the SESAC Legacy Award will be presented to Latin Grammy-winning songwriter/producer Luciano Luna, celebrating his illustrious career and significant contribution to Latin music. “I am very grateful for this distinction; it motivates me to continue dedicating myself to writing stories with my songs and being a good example for new generations of songwriters,” Luna said in a press release.
The Sinaloa creator has recorded over 250 productions, mostly in the regional Mexican music genre, with iconic acts such as Julión Álvarez, Gerardo Ortiz, Banda Los Recoditos, Banda MS, Régulo Caro and more. As a co-author, his collaborations include Joss Favela, Edén Muñoz, and others.
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“We’re thrilled to celebrate the magnificent and vibrant talent within the Latin songwriting community,” remarked SESAC’s CCO, Sam Kling. “The SESAC Latina Music Awards always showcase exceptional songs and songwriters, making it an unforgettable evening.”
Celeste Zendejas, senior vp of SESAC Latina, added, “SESAC Latina’s 30th anniversary is a celebration of continued growth, endless creativity, and the global success of the exceptional talent behind the music. On this milestone year, we honor all our incredible songwriters who continue to inspire us with their profound lyrics and soulful melodies,”
She continued, “We are thrilled to present the Legacy Award to one of the most distinguished songwriters of our generation, Luciano Luna, who has sustained a remarkable career throughout the years.”
The award ceremony is sponsored by City National Bank and Rossi, P.C.
Twenty-five years after leading the list of nominees to the first edition of the Latin Grammys, Carlos Vives will receive the highest honor from the Latin Recording Academy: the Colombian artist has been named the 2024 Person of the Year.
Vives — winner of 18 Latin Grammy Awards, two Grammy Awards and a Billboard Latin Music Awards Hall of Fame inductee — “will be honored for his more than three-decade career as a multifaceted singer and composer, as well as for his continued commitment to environmental and social initiatives,” according to an official statement released Wednesday (May 22) morning.
“Carlos Vives is one of the most prolific and beloved artists of our time, whose commitment to Latin music and support for the new generations truly personifies the values of our Academy,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. “We honor him as our Person of the Year for his vast contributions to our musical heritage and for his many philanthropic initiatives.”
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“It’s still surprising to me,” Vives told Billboard Español this week in an exclusive interview. “It’s like a message that the Academy gives at the end, because 32 years ago I chose a path [that was unconventional]. To be successful, to be commercial, there was one way. This other path that’s cultural or has to do with your identity, that doesn’t work, [they would say].”
In Wednesday’s press release, he added: “I am honored and moved to have been chosen as the 2024 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year. It is the reward for an authentic journey, for a wonderful team and, above all, it is the recognition of the musical spirits of our Latin American diversity. These spirits taught us to love and enrich our language, to take care of it and to respect it in order to exalt humanity with it.”
Born in Santa Marta, Colombia, Carlos Vives is one of the most respected artists in Spanish-language music and a pioneer of a new Latin American sound, redefining traditional Colombian vallenato by incorporating to it pop and rock sounds. With No. 1 hits on the Billboard charts such as “Volví a Nacer,” “Fruta Fresca” and “La Bicicleta” with Shakira, among others, has become an ambassador of Colombian and Latin American culture around the world.
His commitment to good causes transcend the musical realm. In 2015, he created the Tras La Perla initiative to promote the sustainable development of Santa Marta and its ecosystem. In addition, he created the Escuela de Música Río Grande to offer artistic experiences to children and young people, and founded the record label Gaira Música Local to promote new Colombian talent. He’s also been a strong advocate and generous supporter of the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation since its inception, the Latin Recording Academy highlights, and sponsored its annual Prodigy Scholarship in 2018.
His latest album, Escalona: Nunca Se Había Grabado Así, earned him his 18th Latin Grammy when it was crowned best cumbia/vallenato album in 2023. This year he was also recognized with the ASCAP Founders Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).
Vives will be feted as Person of the Year at a special star-studded gala and tribute concert where an array of artist and friends will perform renditions of his renowned repertoire. Details of the event, to be presented in November during the 2024 Latin Grammy week in Miami, will be announced at a later date.
The Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year honors musicians and their artistic achievements in the Latin music industry as well as their humanitarian efforts. Past honorees are Laura Pausini (2023), Marco Antonio Solís (2022), Rubén Blades (2021), Juanes (2019), Maná (2018), Alejandro Sanz (2017), Marc Anthony (2016), Roberto Carlos (2015), Joan Manuel Serrat (2014), Miguel Bosé (2013), Caetano Veloso (2012), Shakira (2011), Plácido Domingo (2010), Juan Gabriel (2009), Gloria Estefan (2008), Juan Luis Guerra (2007), Ricky Martin (2006), José José (2005), Carlos Santana (2004), Gilberto Gil (2003), Vicente Fernández (2002), Julio Iglesias (2001) and Emilio Estefan (2000).
Café Tacvba officially dropped “La Bas(e)” on Wednesday (May 22), marking their first release in seven years following their eighth studio album, Jei Beibi. The new track was co-produced by the Mexican band and their longtime Grammy-winning collaborator Gustavo Santaolalla.
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The single showcases invigorating Latin rock rhythms paired with a Fender electric and a resonator guitar, creating a unique electric-twangy sound that clashes brilliantly with dynamic drumming. Its socially conscious lyrics voice solidarity with immigrants. “Rolling and rolling/ Looking for some place to work/ Night and day, day and night/ No one is illegal, the world is our home,” frontman Rubén Albarrán sings.
According to a press release, “La Bas(e)” champions themes of “unity, liberty, brotherhood, and a safe way of life for immigrants, eliminating borders,” while it “dreams of a world where all humans are watching out for each other.” The chorus (“1, 2, 3 por ti, 1, 2, 3, por mí”) is inspired by a popular Mexican children’s game.
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Serving as a preview to their forthcoming U.S. tour with Caifanes, the song will lead the band to iconic venues such as the Hollywood Bowl and Central Park SummerStage. For complete U.S. tour dates, click here.
Bassist Quique Rangel shared with Billboard Español the impacting message of the song. “Over the years during our U.S. tours, we have connected with people from our homeland and other Latin countries who sought opportunities to thrive by relocating with their families,” Rangel explains. “Our concerts become a celebration with our music, accompanying them in lands that are no longer so foreign.”
As longstanding advocates for cultural diversity and social justice, band members Albarrán, Emmanuel del Real, Enrique and Joselo Rangel use their music and public presence to fight against inequality and stand up for the marginalized.
This year, they celebrate their 35th anniversary. Stream the song below:
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Singer Ana Gabriel is dealing with pneumonia, which has led her to postpone three shows from her Un Deseo Más tour in Latin America.
On Tuesday afternoon (May 21), the Mexican star, who is celebrating her 50 years in music, provided an update on her health, stating that what started as a flu had worsened and that she would need a few more days to recover.
“Given the medical conditions, I’m returning to Miami to recover from this pneumonia because we don’t see a favorable change,” Ana Gabriel said in a video posted on her Instagram account, where she appears bundled up in bed and wearing a face mask. “I am still on a lot of medication, and it is my life, it is my health, it is my music, it is you. Thank you for understanding. I will keep you updated on how I am doing.”
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Ana Gabriel was diagnosed with the flu on May 14 after her first of two shows at the Movistar Arena in Santiago, Chile. She recently postponed that concert to June 7 and another set for May 22 at the SND Arena in Asunción, Paraguay to June 11. On Tuesday, the artist known for No. 1 hits like “Ay Amor” and “Simplemente Amigos” announced that her May 25 show at the Tokyo Marine Hall Theater in Sao Paulo, Brazil, will be instead on July 26.
The global tour Un Deseo Más began in January and has visited various cities in Mexico and South America. With dates scheduled until the end of the year, it is set to arrive in the U.S. in the fall for a 24-date trek starting on Sept. 13 at the Prudential Center in New Jersey and including stops in Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, and Las Vegas, among other cities, before concluding on Nov. 30 at the Kaseya Center in Miami. (For a complete list of dates, click here).
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Recognized as a Living Legend at Billboard’s inaugural Latin Women in Music in 2023, the revered raspy-voiced singer has been sharing messages with her fans about the tour and, more recently, about her health, apologizing “for this inconvenience I am causing you.”
“Thank you for your prayers,” she added in her Tuesday post. “You all are in my heart!”
Check out Ana Gabriel’s latest statement (in Spanish) below:
The Bésame Mucho Festival unveiled its 2024 lineup on Tuesday (May 21), featuring Colombian global star Shakira as one of the headlining acts.
Returning Dec. 21 to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles for its third year, other confirmed headliners include Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull, Los Tigres del Norte, Juanes, Banda MS, Carlos Vives, Gloria Trevi, Paulina Rubio and more.
Bésame Mucho has established itself as a popular multi-generational event thanks to the variety of artists who perform across different stages.
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For its 2024 edition, Latin rock lovers will be able to enjoy acts such as Elefante, Belanova and Enanitos Verdes. Música Mexicana fans can catch Ana Barbara, El Fantasma, Grupo Pesado and Alicia Villarreal. The tropical junkies can dance the night away to Elvis Crespo, Bacilo and Proyecto Uno.
This will mark Shak’s second appearance at the festival: Earlier this year, she made a surprise announcement via a video message during Grupo Frontera’s set at the first inaugural Bésame Mucho Festival in Austin, Texas, in March.
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The artist used the festival grounds to tease fans with a preview of her Frontera collaboration “(Entre Paréntesis)” ahead of the release of her seventh studio album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran.
“Hola mi gente de Bésame Mucho, I leave you with my friends from Grupo Frontera and a preview of our next song ‘(Entre Paréntesis),’” Shakira said in Spanish. The group then went on to play around half a minute of the norteño track.
Early access to presale tickets begins at 10 a.m. PT on Friday, May 24 via BesameMuchoFestival.com.
See the complete 2024 Bésame Mucho Festival lineup below:
Besame Mucho Festival 2024 Lineup
Ten years after its conception, the Bottle Rock festival in Napa Valley, California, will have a sister in 2024. Its name is La Onda, a new annual event focused entirely on the Latino audience.
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On June 1 and 2, with a multigenerational lineup headlined by Maná, Fuerza Regida, Alejandro Fernández y Junior H, attendees will enjoy two days of music, food and celebration from another cultural perspective: the Mexican culture.
Until now, Northern California, despite its growing Latino population, did not have an event of this type and magnitude, which is why the company Latitude 38 Entertainment took on the task of planning and developing a new challenge with the same proven foundations of the Bottle Rock festival.
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“As promoters [of Bottle Rock] we are celebrating 10 years,” says Dave Graham, CEO of Latitude 38 Entertainment, to Billboard Español. “In the beginning, like everything, we didn’t know what was going to happen when we started with the company. However, everything has turned out better than we could have thought, wished, or expected. Now we are ready to do something for our Latino community.”
The eclectic lineup of La Onda by BottleRock, which will offer pop, rock, cumbia and regional Mexican on three stages, also includes Farruko, Eslabon Armado, Mon Laferte, Los Ángeles Azules, and many others. (For more details, click here). Maná, in fact, is also headlining Bottle Rock, which will be held just a week earlier, from May 24 to 26.
Both festivals are already sold out, and Graham said they expect a total of 150,000 people for the three days of Bottle Rock and 70,000 for the two of La Onda.
Below, Graham answers questions about the planning, production deployment, the challenge of holding both festivals with just a few days apart, and the expectations for La Onda’s first edition.
Why did you decide to create a Latin music festival?
It’s very important for us. We have been thinking about doing this for a long time. The percentage of Latinos who go to Bottle Rock is 14%, and every year they had been asking us to do one.
Was there a need for such an event in the area?
If you live in Northern California, to go to a festival you have to travel to Tijuana, Rosarito, Los Angeles, or even Las Vegas. Moreover, the population here in Napa is 40% Latino, mostly Mexicans, and the rest of the Bay Area is 30% [Hispanic], so it’s time to celebrate Latin music, Latin food, and that culture in general.
Why the name La Onda?
Most of the people who will come to La Onda are Mexicans, and although everyone in Latin America knows what “onda” means, it is more identified with Mexicans. Everyone has their own meaning for the word “onda,” but in the end, it has to do with movement, with something fun, and ultimately when we got to that point there was no discussion about what we wanted to convey.
How long did the planning for this first edition take?
We have been working on this first edition for two years, and we estimate it will take 14 months to plan each festival in terms of logistics.
Is the production deployment the same for both festivals?
The production is exactly the same, but the design is totally different. So we will have to change everything from Bottle Rock for La Onda between the Monday after and Thursday, that is, in just four days.
Why was it decided to hold them so close together?
Because the Latino community deserves a high-level production, and if we had decided to do it later, it would not have been possible to have the infrastructure and the type of production that we have for Bottle Rock at La Onda.
Why is Maná a headlining act at both Bottle Rock and La Onda?
There are many people who go to Bottle Rock and who want to see more Latin bands. We have had Juanes, Santana, Rodrigo y Gabriela and Los Lobos. When we talk about Maná, it fits perfectly with the idea we have that the festivals be multigenerational.
The lineup of La Onda brings together artists from various music genres. How were the acts of this first edition chosen?
Again, it has to do with having a multigenerational event. For example, I wanted my son who loves Fuerza Regida to be able to go and, in five minutes walking, to go see Maná. That means, we can go together. That’s what we want: To attract young people and also adults.
I have had to ask for help from experts, but I am learning. I still have a lot to learn about music in Spanish, but I’m working hard on it. Every year we will improve the lineup and give the people what they ask for.
The clothes, photos and objects related to the iconic painter Frida Kahlo that Madonna wears in a series of photographs shared on her social media are not part of the collection of the Frida Kahlo Museum, the Mexico City institution clarified on Monday (May 20) in a press release.
Kahlo’s museum, also knows as La Casa Azul, issued the statement after the pop superstar posted a series of snapshots in which she wears a dress with floral details and an embroidered blouse, a rebozo (a very popular shawl in Mexico) and a white hat, as well as photographs of Kahlo, a pair of old shoes and jewelry that suggest they could be objects of the iconic late painter.
“A Beautiful Souvenir -visiting the family home of my Eternal Muse- Frida Kahlo in Mexico City”, wrote Madonna on her Instagram account Monday. “For me it was magical to try on her clothes and jewelry, to read her journals and letters and to look at photos I’d never seen before.”
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“It is important to clarify that, contrary to what has been mentioned in social media, Madonna, due to scheduling constraints, was unable to visit La Casa Azul during her recent visit to Mexico,” said the museum in a statement. “However, we had the opportunity for her family and staff to enjoy the museum.”
It did not specify, however, whether the Kahlo-related objects were lent during a private visit that the pop icon made to the painter’s family home in El Pedregal neighborhood on April 18.
Madonna has not yet commented on the information provided by La Casa Azul.
The Queen of Pop performed a series of shows at the capital’s Palacio de los Deportes at the end of April as part of her worldwide Celebration Tour, an occasion she used to reiterate her love for Mexican culture and especially for Kahlo. During her visit to the Kahlo family, the star wrote an emotional dedication in the guest book expressing how much the painter had inspired her, and that she considers Kahlo “a soul mate,” according to the newspaper Reforma.
La Casa Azul also expressed on Monday its gratitude toward Madonna for her dedication to celebrating and perpetuating the legacy of the painter of “The Two Fridas” and “Self-Portrait With Monkey”: “The singer’s deep admiration for Frida highlights the ongoing relevance of the artist and also underscores how her influence transcends cultures and borders, inspiring global admirers.”
Madonna expressed her passion for Kahlo furthermore by inviting Mexican actress Salma Hayek to appear on stage during her performance of “Vogue” on April 26 at the Palacio de los Deportes. The actress, who earned an Oscar nod for best actress for her portrayal of the painter in 2002’s Frida, joined the singer as a guest judge of the tour dancers dressed in a costume inspired by Kahlo.
At a fan meet in Fresno, Jay Wheeler was moved by a story of a girl who shared that his music had prevented her from ending her life. This heart-wrenching testimony and others helped inform Música Buena Para Días Malos, his seventh studio album. “The fact that my music is doing that, that’s my grand prize,” he told Billboard Español.
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With 13 tracks exploring themes from love (“14 15 de febrero”) and regret (“Admítelo”) to empowerment (“Maquillaje” ft. Noreh) and self-discovery (“Historia”), the singer’s album acts as a sonic refuge, the singer’s album acts as a sonic refuge, dancefloor-ready in some parts and offering solace and inspiration in others. He extends this therapeutic ethos to his merch, with a sci-fi twist: the aim is to parallel the auditory comfort his music provides with tangible memorabilia from hoodies to t-shirts, stickers and trucker hats.
During a conversation on Billboard TalkShopLive, the Puerto Rican star discussed how he wants to provide a “safe place” for his listeners through his music, his upcoming U.S. TRAPPii tour which kicks off on June 13 at the Madison Square Garden and more. Here are five key takeaways from our discussion with Jay Wheeler, in his own words.
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His music helped save someone’s life
When I was in Fresno, I was gonna be taking pictures with [fans]. This girl came [up] and she was crying and crying. I asked her what happened, and she said that she was gonna commit, you know, and she heard my music on the radio and stopped. Everybody [that was there] stopped to hear her story. I wanted to make that moment special for her. We hugged her and gave her merch. We took a whole bunch of pictures and I know for a fact that she went home happy.
Visually [with my merch and videos], I want you to feel the same way as you’re hearing it. The way I feel when I hear my music is like I’m going to a different world, where my spirit just left my body. This therapy is helping me just to forget the world, forget the problems, and just listen to that good music. That’s why my album is called Good Music for Bad Days [Música Buena Para Días Malos], because that’s all I was trying to focus on, making people feel like they can have a place to escape, or a safe place like music.
Bad Bunny impacted his career
I don’t want to sound like I’m fanboying but I do love Bad Bunny. I love how he merchandises his brand and how he [navigates] the music industry, because he’s very different. I think he opened the door for different people. As soon as he came out, trap [blew up]. 2016 was the era of trap, then Bad Bunny stepped away [from the genre] for a couple of months. Then he came back with something different, “Estamos Bien” and “Si Estuviésemos Juntos,” and sad songs.
I think he opened the door for me — because as soon as he started doing that, I started [rising]. I was already making romantic music, but nobody was listening to it, because trap was the main focus. But as soon as he did [more vulnerable songs], he opened up that door. People started to look at my work. He showed the world that being different is not bad.
Faith, Loyalty and working with DJ Nelson
It’s complicated being a new artist. Everyone sees you as a dollar sign, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing… The people who want to sign you don’t know you; they know the product you are offering. If they want to sign you to make more money with you, it means your product is doing good. At the same time, you have to be very careful, because not everyone has good intentions; some people are just trying to take all the money. Trying to see what type of [contract] we were going to sign was very difficult, because almost every single person wanted me and not my team.
I am a very loyal person — I did not want to let go of my team. And then I met DJ Nelson in his studio. I went with my team and I told him, “This is my team, I don’t want to leave them.” He told me, “If you had come without your team, I wouldn’t have signed you.” So I was like, okay, this is the place. Besides that, I also had asked God, “Father, I want to sign where you are.” And the first thing [DJ Nelson] told me was, “my children are Christians,” so I was like, “This is the way.”
How he overcomes fear for future ambitions
Every time I do these types of tours, the only thing that makes me a little bit nervous or stress — not even the shows — is the traveling. I’m scared of airplanes. Really. I’ve been traveling my whole life. That’s the only part that gets me a little bit stressed out. Mentally, I try to prepare myself. Every time I have to make those sacrifices, I think about my future kids. I’d be like, “You know what, I gotta do it for my future family and the future.” Eventually, I want to have a whole bunch of kids. My wife wants two, but I’m trying to convince her to have more.
He loves performing with his wife Zhamira Zambrano
If I had to choose one [song I enjoy performing live], I would probably say “Dícelo,” with my wife. The fact that people love a song that I have with my wife is beautiful. Sometimes you can do songs with the person that you love, and it probably doesn’t go that well. But every time that song is [performed], people go crazy, people go absolutely wild. Sometimes what people do a lot of songs and then eventually get a hit. It’s funny because the first time we collaborated on a song, it became a hit. People loved it.
She’s an artist too. She’s doing a whole tour on her own. We try to be together everywhere we go, as long as I can and she can. I admire her and I always support her no matter where I am.
Xavi earns his second No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart as “Corazón de Piedra” advances from No. 3 to lead the May 25-dated ranking. “Corazón de Piedra” takes the top spot as the Greatest Gainer of the week, with 7.8 million audience impressions on U.S. reporting radio stations during the May 10-16 tracking week, according to […]