Latin
Page: 138
Karol G has traveled across Latin America with her Mañana Será Bonito Tour, paying homage to the countries she’s performing in by wearing a special outfit that represents each country’s respective flag colors. It may be a simple wardrobe choice, but it’s thoughtful and attention to detail that really marks the difference. Throughout her sets, […]
Jorge Verdín, artistically known as Clorofila and a former member of Nortec Collective, died on Tuesday (April 16) in Pasadena, Calif. He was 56 years old.
His death was confirmed by Nacional Records Static Discos, two labels Verdín worked with, and his former group Nortec.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in Tijuana, Mexico, Verdín was one of the pioneers of the Tijuana group Nortec Collective, from its inception in the late ‘90s. The ensemble disbanded around 2008, with Verdín and his fellow members opting to pursue individual projects.
“Sad news. Gone is Jorge Verdín member of Nortec Collective Clorofila, we will remember him fondly,” tweeted Nortec Collective. “May he rest in peace. Key track: Olvídela Compa.”
Trending on Billboard
“RIP Jorge Verdín ‘Clorofila.’ One of the founders of the pioneering ‘Nortec Collective’ Padrinos [Godfathers] of electrónica music in Mexico and all of Latin America. The second artist I ever signed to Nacional Records 20 years ago. ‘Olvídela Compa’ was always one of my favorite Nortec songs. Respect!,” posted Nacional Records founder/CEO Tomas Cookman on social media.
“Rest in peace Jorge Verdín a/k/a #Clorofila #TremoloAudio #ColectivoNortec,” tweeted Ejival, founder of Static Discos, with the hashtag #ShineOnYouCrazyDiamond.
Cookman, who discovered the news this morning from another founding Nortec Member, offered Billboard Español a statement: “Nacional Records has been proud to be associated with Jorge Verdin (Clorofila). As a founding member of the Nortec Collective, he and the other members of Nortec were pioneers in electronica music in Mexico and Latin America and were ambassadors of their Tijuana roots around the world. Nortec was the second-ever signing to the label, and I still listen to his classic, ‘Olvidela Compa’ when the mood strikes.”
Comprised initially of Hiperboreal, Panoptica, Plankton Man, Terrestre, Bostich and Fussible (with the latter two maintaining the highest profile as a duo), Nortec achieved critical acclaim with releases such as Tijuana Sessions Vol. 1 (2001) and Tijuana Sessions, Vol. 3 (2005), the later was later released by Nacional Records. Vol. 3 earned them two Latin Grammy nominations, thrusting Nortec into the global spotlight.
In 2010, Clorofila debuted his solo career with Corridos Urbanos, an innovative mix of electronic and norteño (or norteño-techno) elements. This was years ahead of the global trend of corridos tumbados or corridos bélicos, a genre that marries traditional corridos elements with a street-savvy edge. Four years later, Verdín unveiled Ahorita Vengo, a grittier, industrial-infused album heavily reliant on analog sequencers and synthesizers.
Beyond his contributions as a musician and producer, Verdín expanded his creative reach into theater sound design and branding for corporations such as Honda, Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles Magazine, Virgin Records and more, according to his LinkedIn.
His artistic collaborations spanned various projects, including producing remixes for artists such as Beck, Tremor, Matias Aguayo, Rigo Tovar and Radiokijada, both as a member of Nortec Collective and as a solo artist.
Cookman adds: “We were also fortunate enough to release one of his solo albums. The Latin Grammys recently recognizing the genre with its own category is yet another proof of the legacy of electronica music originating in Latin America and pioneers such as Verdín and his Nortec Collective bandmates. Be it as a musician, songwriter or graphic artist, Verdín led a life filled with a love for the arts … and synths.”
The 2024 Latin Grammys are set to take place in Miami on Nov. 14, the Latin Recording Academy announced on Wednesday (April 17) during a press conference. The 25th Annual Latin Grammy Awards will be held in Miami at the Kaseya Center, in partnership with Miami-Dade County and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau […]
After seven weeks on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, Chilean newcomers FloyyMenor and Cris MJ have reached No. 1 on the tally with their viral hit “Gata Only.”
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The infectious reggaetón track — about going after an attractive girl — has been gaining traction on social media, where on TikTok alone, it has garnered more than three million video creations.
“I was performing some shows in another region of the country when I wrote this song,” FloyyMenor, who’s an 18-year-old rising act from La Serena, Chile, previously told Billboard. “I knew it was going to be a hit, and it feels amazing that people are supporting it.”
“Gata Only” marks the first time a Chilean artist enters the chart’s top 10 in 25 years, after La Ley and Ednita Nazario’s “Tu Sabes Bien” peaked at No. 8 in 1999. Prior, it was Myriam Hernández’s “Huele a Peligro,” which peaked at No. 5 in 1998.
Trending on Billboard
Below, check out the “Gata Only” lyrics translated into English:
[embedded content]
Baby, I feel you far, tell me where are youI want to have sex with you, I’m going to kidnap youLet loose and turn off your phoneNothing’s going to happen to you if you’re with meJust let loosePay attention to the getawayI want to be with you and you want to be with meLet me know if it’s going to happen
Baby, let’s go, be mine, follow meYou’re for me and I’m for youBaby, you’re alone, send me your locationShe moves her cheeks to the TikTok rhythmThat baby escaped with meAnd nobody noticed in her homeShe had a great time with me tonightBaby, put your phone on airplane modeYou’re my crazy and I’m your crazyYou’re made for meAnd I’ll go on a mission for you
Baby, I feel you far, tell me where are youI want to have sex with you, I’m going to kidnap youLet loose and turn off your phoneNothing’s going to happen to you if you’re with meJust let loosePay attention to the getawayI want to be with you and you want to be with meLet me know if it’s going to happen
Let’s go, get activatedDress up, I want to see youI’ll pick you up, I’ll make you my womanI’ll make you my woman, I’ll make you my womanWe’re having a great time tonightThey don’t want to see you with meTell me what you want to doBaby, I’m going to break youWe’re having a great time tonightThey don’t want to see you with meTell me what you want to doBaby, I’m going to break youThen we’re going to the afterparty
Mexican star Ana Bárbara is set to celebrate her three decades in music with a 30-plus dates tour that will kick off Aug. 2 in Reno, Nev. Called the Reina Grupera Tour 2024, produced by Reventon Promotions and EDIM Talent in a joint effort, the stint will make stops in Houston, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Atlanta and other major cities across the United States before wrapping up in Chicago on Nov. 16.
“To be able to celebrate my 30th anniversary with the real protagonists, my fans, is special because I can be an artist, composer, singer, but if I don’t have them, then I might as well just celebrate at home,” she tells Billboard. “Those who were there at the very beginning have passed this musical taste to their children, to new generations, so it is a family celebration because Ana Bárbara’s music has always been very familiar, I feel very excited.”
Known as the Grupera Queen (La Reina Grupera), last year, Bárbara became the first regional Mexican songwriter to ever receive a BMI Icon Award, the highest honor presented by the society of composers and publishers. Born Altagracia Ugalde Motta in San Luis Potosí, she is one of the most consequential female artists in regional Mexican music, which has for many years been dominated by men.
Trending on Billboard
Since launching her career in the ’90s, she’s racked up 16 hits on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart and 12 on Hot Latin Songs. Earlier this year, Bárbara was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at Premio Lo Nuestro, where she dedicated her award to Mexican women and Mexican music.
“The idea for this production is to have a great impact because it takes us back to this era where the woman with boots and sombrero was not the common denominator, but from day one I felt very proud of my roots and that pride is what is going to be projected in the production along with the music,” she said.
Tickets will be available for general sale on April 19 at 10 a.m. local time via reventonpromotions.com and anabarbara.com. See Ana Bárbara’s Reina Grupera Tour 2024 dates below:
Aug. 2 — Reno, Nev. — Silver Legacy Resort- Grand Exposition Hall
Aug. 3 — Santa Rosa, Calif. — Luther Burbank Center
Aug. 9 — Seattle — Moore Theatre
Aug.10 – Portland, Ore. — Newmark Theatre
Aug. 17 — Santa Barbara, Calif. — Arlington Theatre
Aug. 18 — San Jose, Calif. — San Jose Performing Arts
Aug. 23 — Bakersfield, Calif. — Fox Theatre
Aug. 24 — Oxnard, Calif. — Oxnard California Performing Arts
Aug. 30 — Anaheim, Calif. — City National Grove
Aug. 31 — Fresno, Calif. — Saroyan Theatre
Sept. 6 — Tucson, Ariz. — Linda Ronstadt Hall
Sept. 7 — Mesa, Ariz. — Mesa Arts Center
Sept.12 — Yuma, Ariz. — Quechan Casino Resort
Sept. 13 — Cabazon, Calif. — Morongo Casino
Sept. 14 — Las Vegas — The Pearl Theatre
Sept. 27 — Houston — Arena Theatre
Sept. 28 — McAllen, Texas — McAllen Performing Center
Oct. 4 — Hadden Township, N.J. — The Ritz Theatre Company
Oct. 5 — New York — United Palace
Oct. 6 — Boston — Lynn Auditorium
Oct. 11 — Charlotte, N.C. — Ovens Theater
Oct. 12 — Atlanta — Center Stage Theatre
Oct. 13 — Raleigh, N.C. — Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
Oct. 18 — San Antonio — Majestic Theatre
Oct. 19 — Austin, Texas — Paramount Theatre
Oct. 24 — Wichita, Kan. — Orpheum Theatre
Oct. 25 — Albuquerque, N.M. — Kiva Auditorium
Oct. 26 — El Paso, Texas — The Plaza Theatre
Nov. 1 — Los Angeles — Youtube Theater
Nov. 2 — San Diego — The Magnolia Theatre
Nov. 8 — San Juan, Puerto Rico — Coca Cola Music Hall
Nov. 9 — Orlando, Fla. — House of Blues
Nov. 15 — Minneapolis — Orpheum Theatre
Nov. 16 — Chicago — Rosemont Theatre
It’s been 60 years since Dominican bandleader Johnny Pacheco co-founded Fania Records with attorney Jerry Masucci. To commemorate the legacy of the Latin label that brought us legends like Willie Colón, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Héctor Lavoe, Ray Barretto, Rubén Blades, and Pacheco himself, Craft Latino announced on Tuesday (April 16) a year-long celebration with special releases, merchandise and events.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The Latin repertoire arm of Craft Recordings, the catalog label team for Concord, Craft Latino will put out over a dozen remastered 180-gram vinyl reissues throughout the year, as well as remastered digital albums, a singles box set and curated playlists. It will also host artist spotlights and live events in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami and London.
Trending on Billboard
A newly remastered reissue for Willie Colón and Héctor Lavoe’s 1970 salsa album La Gran Fuga (The Big Break) is already available. Other vinyl reissues coming in 2024 include Joe Cuba Sextet’s long-out-of-print debut album on Tico Records, Vagabundeando! Hangin’ Out (60th-anniversary edition), and the Fania All-Stars 50th-anniversary edition of the Latin-Soul-Rock album, with live recordings from the band’s 1973 concerts at New York’s Yankee Stadium and Puerto Rico’s Roberto Clemente Coliseum with guest artists Jorge Santana, Manu Dibango, Billy Cobham, Jan Hammer and more.
A Fania singles box set, Fania 45s: the Latin Sound of New York, is planned for the fall, with songs by Johnny Pacheco, Celia Cruz, Joe Bataan, Willie Colón, Héctor Lavoe, Ray Barretto, Ismael Rivera, Pete Rodriguez and Eddie Palmieri. The box will include archival images, ephemera and in-depth liner notes in English and Spanish by New York–based music historian, author and producer Aurora Flores.
“Craft Latino takes pride in being good stewards of this iconic catalog that is a true American story of greatness. Keeping this element of Latin culture alive in the US and abroad is a mission we don’t take lightly as evidenced in the release of the highly curated Salsa repertoire for the 60th anniversary”, Bruce McIntosh, VP of Latin Catalog, Craft Recordings, tells Billboard. “Via our online and consumer-facing initiatives throughout this special year, we are sure that Fania fans old and new will be captivated by the rhythm and significance of this great music.”
Founded in 1964, Fania Records became a powerhouse label with a signature sound: the apex of tropical music, combined with big band jazz and American R&B, jazz, funk and soul. In 1967, Masucci bought Pacheco’s share of the label, including its subsidiary labels. When Masucci passed in 1997, the label assets remained tied up for years, and in 2005, it was sold to V2 Records and Emusica. In 2018, Fania Records’ assets were sold to Concord, including 1.2K album masters, 15K songs and 7K compositions.
Home to one of the largest collections of Latin music master recordings and compositions, Craft Latino’s repertoire includes artists such as Antonio Aguilar, Joan Sebastian, Pepe Aguilar, Celia Cruz, Héctor Lavoe, Willie Colón, Ray Barretto, La Lupe, Rubén Blades and the Fania All Stars.
After telling fans during her Coachella performance with Bizarrap last weekend that she would be touring this year, Shakira has announced the first leg of her 2024 Live Nation-promoted North American tour.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour — named in honor of her new album of the same name — will play 14 arena shows across North America, beginning Nov. 2 in Palm Desert, California, and ending December 15 in Detroit, Michigan. Tickets for the tour will be available beginning Wednesday (April 17) via a Citi presale, with an artist presale beginning on Friday (April 19) at 10 am. The general onsale begins on April 22 at 10 a.m. local time here.
This is Shakira’s first tour since her 2018 El Dorado World Tour, which took her to stadiums and arenas around the world. Shakira first hinted that she would be touring this year during her Q&A at Billboard Latin Music Week and her Billboard cover story last October. At the time, she said she would “definitely” tour in 2024, but provided no details.
Trending on Billboard
Then, last month, following the release of Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, she performed in New York City’s Times Square for a crowd of more than 40,000 fans. During her new tour, Shakira is expected to perform her new hits, as well as her iconic global chart stoppers. Find all announced dates below:
Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour Dates:
Nov 2 – Palm Desert, CA @ Acrisure Arena
Nov. 7 – Phoenix, AZ @ Footprint Center
Nov. 9 – Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum
Nov. 16 – San Antonio, TX @ Frost Bank Center
Nov. 17 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
Nov. 20 – Miami, FL @ Kaseya Center
Nov. 23 – Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center
Nov. 25 – Washington, DC @ Capital One Arena
Nov. 30 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
Dec. 5 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
Dec. 8 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden
Dec. 10 – Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
Dec. 14 – Chicago, IL @ United Center
Dec. 15 – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena
Luis Fonsi is currently on a promo tour in Argentina, where he’s also celebrating his 46th birthday Monday (April 15).
“I LOVE Argentina,” he expressed on Instagram on the eve of his special day, along with a set of photos with his fans and industry friends. He’s also spending the day reposting birthday wishes he’s receiving on social media from artists such as Laura Pausini, and his wife, Águeda López, to name a few.
Meanwhile, in honor of the Puerto Rican act’s birthday, Billboard has put together a poll with all of his No. 1 hits on the Hot Latin Songs chart.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Fonsi’s first No. 1 title arrived in 2000 with the romantic tune “Imaginame Sin Ti,” which topped the chart for two weeks. In 2008, he unleashed “No Me Doy Por Vencido” — a passionate ballad about resilience and not giving up — which spent 19 weeks at No. 1.
Trending on Billboard
His biggest No. 1 hit to date, however, arrived in 2017 with “Despacito,” in which he delivered a more urban and rhythmic approach in collaboration with Daddy Yankee.
“It was just another song in Spanish,” he told Billboard in 2020. “I’ve been doing this for 21 years. It’s just, I’m putting out an album, let me do a new song. This idea pops to my head, then Daddy Yankee jumps on it, it starts to sound really cool. We release it, it becomes a huge hit.”
The “Despacito” remix featuring Justin Bieber spent 56 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs, and also skyrocketed the track to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
“He opened up a lot of doors for us,” Fonsi noted. “I’m really grateful that things just happened in such a beautiful way and all the stars aligned … The whole world was dancing and singing in Spanish, I’m proud of that.”
Below, check out all of Fonsi’s No. 1 hits on the Hot Latin Songs chart, and vote for your favorite one:
What’s your favorite Luis Fonsi No. 1 hit? / ¿Cuál es tu éxito número uno favorito de Luis Fonsi?
Gustavo Lopez has launched a new “full service” multimedia entertainment company, Globalatino Music Partners, Billboard can announce. The venture will offer label services, artist management, publishing, distribution and touring, according to a press release.
Globalatino launches with in-house new record label, ReLo-Co Music, in association with Alejandro Reglero (previously Saban Music Latin‘s executive vp/GM), GUAU Talent Connect, a division in the company that will specialize in brand partnerships, led by Augusto Mendoza, and Strat-Viz, which will oversee strategic marketing and content creation with Rodolfo Rodriguez at the head of that division.
Lopez has also entered partnerships with TuStreams and Warner Music Latina for distribution and marketing strategies for selected artists. And he acquired a “majority” stake in Cigol Music, the label home to Colombian hitmaker Blessd.
Trending on Billboard
“Over the years, I’ve been privileged to work with some of the most important artists in Latin music, enjoying tremendous success in diverse genres from reggaetón to música mexicana. Everything I’ve learned has now come together at Globalatino,” Lopez said in a statement. “Most recently working alongside entertainment visionary, Haim Saban, added to my lifelong commitment to artist development. At Globalatino we’re 100% dedicated to superserving our artists.”
The announcement comes three months after Virgin Music Group acquired Saban Music Latin’s catalog. For five years, Lopez served as the company’s CEO since Saban Music Group launched in 2019 by entertainment mogul Haim Saban, and later oversaw the creation of Saban Music Latin in 2022.
Prior to joining Saban, Lopez was the longtime GM and executive vp of Universal Music Latin, where he launched Latin urban label Machete Music, home to artists like Wisin & Yandel and Don Omar, and also ran Universal Music Latin Entertainment’s regional Mexican labels, Fonovisa and Disa. After leaving Universal in 2017, he launched indie music company Talento Uno, which was acquired by Saban.
About Globalatino, Lopez added, “We have the executive team, the expertise, the relationships, and the funding to help artists accomplish their dreams.”
J Balvin‘s Coachella 2024 set on Sunday night (April 14) was nothing short of a spectacle, blending sci-fi visuals, infectious beats, and surprise guest appearances into an unforgettable experience for fans.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Emerging from a brief hiatus since 2022, the Colombian superstar returned to the global stage with a bang, reminding everyone why he reigns as the king of Colombian reggaetón.
As the clock struck 8:30 p.m. Pacific time, Balvin took the stage amidst the eerie sight of a UFO hovering overhead, setting the tone for a night of otherworldly entertainment. Rocking cornrows and a Vetements leather jacket adorned with alien-like patches — and later changing to a sparkly stardust get-up — the Medellín native opened with his signature hit “Mi Gente,” instantly captivating the audience with his magnetic presence and electrifying energy.
Joined by collaborators Jowel & Randy and De La Ghetto, Balvin’s performance seamlessly blended old-school reggaetón vibes with futuristic EDM beats, keeping the crowd on their feet with hits recent hits like the Tainy-produced “Colmillo” and “Dientes.” But the night took a thrilling turn when Balvin surprised fans with a special appearance by none other than Will Smith, who delivered a nostalgic rendition of “Men In Black,” dressed as his iconic character from the movie.
Trending on Billboard
Throughout the night, Balvin’s stage presence and visuals were nothing short of awe-inspiring, backed by extraterrestrial visuals and dancers in costums, and even a mechanical space praying mantis adding to the sci-fi atmosphere. From his breakthrough hit “Ginza” to collaborations like “Con Altura,” the superstar showcased the breadth of his catalog, leaving fans lit with every song.
Taking a moment to express gratitude to his fans, he acknowledged the love and support that had fueled his journey back to the stage. “Y si el pueblo pide Reggaeton!” he shouted. As the night came to a close with “Qué Calor,” Balvin left the audience buzzing with excitement, proving once again why he’s one of Latin music’s biggest stars.
Other Latino artists performing at Coachella this year included Young Miko, Bizarrap, Santa Fe Klan, Ludmilla and Hermanos Gutierrez.
Watch the “Men In Black” moment below.