Latin
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Billboard has unleashed its much-anticipated Year-End Charts, which includes the top five new Latin artists among its many lists. While Bad Bunny finalized 2023 as Billboard’s top Latin artist of the year, five newcomers also made really strong waves. Crowning the year-end “Top Latin Artist – New” chart is Guadalajara-born breakthrough act Peso Pluma (real […]
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. was named the 2023 National League Most Valuable Player last week — and to celebrate, a song named after the Venezuelan athlete’s nickname, “La Bestia,” has been released.
Backed by a catchy dembow beat and lyrics chanted by Dominican artist Niko Eme, “La Bestia” is the perfect sing-along song to hype up fans at a baseball game. “Who am I? Who am I? Who am I? The beast,” says the repetitive chorus in Spanish.
“We wanted something that felt global and to do something we could put a chant to,” award-winning Mexican-American producer Samuel Ash tells Billboard. “I felt that dembow is perfect for that because it’s something you could repeat with a gang of people. We wanted something that was high energy. So that’s just what I felt when we were coming up with ideas of what direction to go in as far as the style of music. I know dembow is a Dominican genre but I felt that it could still feel global and resonate with him as a Venezuelan.”
The song is only the second effort the Atlanta Braves have released as part of a sports-meets-music initiative that launched this year. The first song was “Home of the Braves” by Zaytoven featuring Young Dro to celebrate the launch of the Braves City Connect jerseys.
“Part of it is trying to figure out how we can connect to our audience in unique ways and out-of-the-box ways,” elaborates Eugene Brooks, director of diversity marketing of the Atlanta Braves. “The objective is how do we reach people where they are, especially the younger audiences, through all the different platforms?”
“La Bestia” was created within a week and released the day Acuña was crowned MVP. Both Brooks and Ash admit they kept the song under the radar, hoping — but never doubting — that Acuña Jr. would get the title.
The 25-year-old four-time All-Star won his first career MVP in his sixth major-league season, marking the eighth time a Braves player has nabbed the title after Freddie Freeman (2020), Chipper Jones (1999), Terry Pendleton (1991), Dale Murphy (1982, 1983), Hank Aaron (1957), Robert Elliott (1947) and Johnny Evers (1914). “He was a unanimous selection, receiving 30 of 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. He finished with 420 points, 150 more than runner-up Mookie Betts,” according to a press statement.
As for having his own song, one that will hopefully become his walk-up anthem next year, Brooks assured that Acuña loves it.
“From what I know, he was very shocked that we would create something like this specifically for him,” he says. “As a whole, I think it forces you to look at baseball differently now with how we attract fans and what we want to do. It’s also a way to celebrate our players in a unique manner. So it kind of creates synergies between the player and the organization.”
“This initiative that we’re doing with the Braves is so important for the Latino community,” Ash adds. “I feel that we’re in a season where we’re walking and opening doors so that the people behind us can run. I’m very excited about it.”
Listen to “La Bestia” below:
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It’s been a month since J Balvin and Maluma had the Internet buzzing when they posed for an Instagram photo with Britney Spears at a New York City restaurant. “We told her how proud we are about her,” the Colombian singer revealed to E! News this week of his and Maluma’s time with the pop star. […]
Daddy Yankee is closing out his farewell tour, La Última Vuelta, with a series of four back-to-back shows, dubbed “La Meta,” in his beloved Puerto Rico kicking off Nov. 30. The last show, however, will be live-streamed globally.
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Taking place Sunday, Dec. 3, at the Coliseo, the final concert, which, according to a press release, will be a “totally new show,” will be able to be streamed by fans who purchase a $20 ticket. The live stream event will be powered by streaming company Kiswe with a “state-of-the-art technology will guarantee that fans worldwide experience the passion and thrill of Daddy Yankee’s final show.”
Yankee’s La Última Vuelta trek, which kicked off last year following his retirement announcement, landed at No. 13 on the Top 40 Tours of 2022 with a total gross of over $125 million, according to last year’s Year-End Boxscore charts.
The Puerto Rican hitmaker announced March 2022 that he was retiring and would culminate his decades-long career with a world tour and his new album Legendaddy, which he dropped that same month. The set peaked at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart (dated April 9, 2022).
“This career, that has been a marathon, I finally see the finish line. Now I get to enjoy what you all have given me. They say that I made this genre global but it was you guys that gave me the key to open the doors to make this the biggest genre in the world,” Daddy Yankee said in a statement then. “I confess that it’s the biggest treasure I can have in my career. I always worked so I didn’t fail you, so I didn’t get into problems, with much discipline, to inspire the new generation to be leaders. Today, I’m announcing my retirement from music by giving you my best production and my best concert tour.”
Born Raymond Ayala, his career exploded with 2004’s breakthrough hit “Gasolina,” launching a genre that altered the sound and business of Latin music and became a global phenomenon.
“This historic night will mark the end of a three-decade journey for one of the most iconic Latin American artists of our time,” said Glenn Booth, CEO of Kiswe. “We are thrilled that we have been chosen to help millions of fans experience Daddy Yankee’s final performance on a touring stage and witness his heartfelt farewell.”
When Bad Bunny dropped his debut album, X100PRE, in 2019, he established a league of his own: The Puerto Rican’s winning chapter endures effortlessly as he caps 2023 as Billboard’s Top Latin Artist for a record fifth consecutive year. No other artist has been the year-end Top Latin Artist five times since the category began in 2011.
Benito jubilantly navigates through a championship he now owns for half a decade. Only one other artist has pulled a back-to-back winning streak since the category launched in 2011: Romeo Santos, who took home the first-place trophy in 2014 and 2015.
Explore All of Billboard’s 2023 Year-End Charts
Unsurprisingly, Benito also echoes his past four years of achievements on the albums front: Thanks to Un Verano Sin Ti’s stronghold, the album wraps at No. 1 on the year-end Top Latin Albums chart for a second consecutive year. Adding to his blockbuster year — with seven awards at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, including Artist of the Year, Tour of the Year and Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year — Benito also boasts four songs on the year-end Hot Latin Songs rundown, including “Un X100to” with Grupo Frontera at No. 3. His first foray into regional Mexican music became the second regional Mexican track to break the weekly top 10 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Regional Mexican music, however, also fired up the fruitful Latin music narrative. The genre had a sizzling year, unlocking achievements and making notable contributions across Billboard charts with compositions by artists who married the traditional color of the format with unconventional aesthetics. The result is eight regional Mexican acts on the year-end Top Latin Artists chart, with six of them in the top 10.
Peso Pluma, Mexico’s breakout artist, commands the movement. The Zapopan-born singer-songwriter gave a different voice to the underdog format, which has been historically marginalized in the mainstream world. Born Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija, Pluma modernized the culture with a different level of regional diversity, thus crosses the finish line atop the 2023 year-end Top Latin Artist – New survey. When his album Génesis launched at No. 3 on the all-genre Billboard 200 in July, Pluma made history, achieving the highest charting regional Mexican album ever. Plus, it marked the biggest week, by units earned, for a regional Mexican album ever (dating back to when the tally began ranking by units in December of 2014). On the weekly Top Latin Albums chart, it set spent 15 weeks at No. 1, leading to a bronze medal on the year-end Top Latin Albums ranking.
Eslabon Armado also became a strong regional Mexican player on the charts in 2023, tracing its successes to global achievements. The group’s “Ella Baila Sola” with Pluma, which comfortably rests at No. 1 on the year-end Hot Latin Songs chart, became the first regional Mexican song to dominate the Billboard Global 200 chart (for six weeks). Further, as it scored a top 10 entry on the Hot 100, it became the first regional Mexican tune to achieve the feat in the chart’s 65-year-old history. “We didn’t expect for the song to make so much noise!” Pedro Tovar, lead singer for Eslabon, told Billboard. The group can thank TikTok for helping the song gain traction, the track quickly became a viral hit on the app two days after Tovar previewed it on his Instagram account stories.
In the female realm, Karol G repeats as the only woman to make it to the year-end Top Latin Artists ranking, closing the year at No. 3. While her Mañana Será Bonito album takes the runner-up slot on the year-end Top Latin Albums chart.
Karol G Unmatched: Karol G has become a staple of Latin music since she first broke into Billboard charts in 2016. Although her career-spanning trek is somewhat short, her outsized impact makes her the only Latin woman to snatch a spot on the top 25 of the overall year-end Top Artists list, at No. 23 (the only Latin female artist on the all-genre overall survey), while finishing at No. 6 on the Top Artists-Female ranking. Plus, she snags the highest honor for a woman on the year-end Top Latin Artists tally for a fifth consecutive year, restating her 2021 finale, at No. 3. The Colombian has placed 29 songs on the multimetric Hot Latin Songs chart during the year-end eligibility period, including “TQG,” with Shakira: The song’s No. 4 finish is the highest charting title by a female artist on the year-end Hot Latin Songs chart. The team-up, which also earned both Colombians their first Global 200 No. 1, stems from Karol G’s No. 1 album Mañana Será Bonito, the first all-Spanish-language leader by a woman in the history of the Billboard 200, which dates to 1956.
Shakira’s Radio Support: The year-end radio tallies see Shakira return in a big way, thanks to a strong push across stations throughout the year, most notably at the pop format. The Colombian becomes the only artist to place three songs in the top 10 on the year-end Latin Airplay Songs chart, starting with “TQG” with Karol G at No. 1. “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53”, her partnership with Argentinian Bizarrap, caused plenty of social media chatter about its content, enough to take the pair to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to perform the song in March. The track’s radio uptick puts it at No. 2 on the year-end radio ranking, while “Monotonía” with Ozuna closes at No. 4. Both songs ruled Latin Airplay for four weeks in 2023, the second-most after Frontera & Bad Bunny’s “Uno X100to” (six weeks atop).
Fresh Faces, New Rewards: Grupo Frontera: Despite placing the highest charting song for a regional Mexican group on the Hot 100 with Bunny’s push (“Un X100to,” No. 5 high in May), the Edinburgh, Texas-based group buoyed its success on cumbia hits “No Se Va” and “Bebe Dame,” with Fuerza Regida. With the latter the group claims a No. 5 finish on the year-end Hot Latin Songs chart and a No. 16 high on the year-end Latin Airplay Songs. The ensemble has become a heavyweight at the format, taking the No. 2 on both, the year-end Top Latin Artist-New and the year-end Latin Airplay-Artists rundown.
Yng Lvcas: Mexico’s trap and reggaetón interpreter Yng Lvcas made his first appearance on a Billboard albums chart when LPM debuted at No. 8 on Top Latin Albums in April, picking up his first top 10 there. The set’s cut “La Bebe,” with Peso Pluma, flourished swiftly on TikTok reaching global audiences with a No. 2 high on both Global charts in April. The song’s staggering popularity gives the 24-year-old a silver medal on the year-end Hot Latin Songs chart and a No. 3 finish on Top Latin Artists-New.
Bizarrap: Aside from his “Vol. 53” with Shakira taking center stage, the popular Latin producer spins another entry on the year-end Latin Airplay Songs chart: “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52” with Quevedo at No. 20. The partnership with the Spaniard rapper earned him a first top 10 on Hot Latin Songs in Nov. 2022. Further, Bizarrap unveiled three more “Music Sessions” on the multimetric tally, enough to become the only Argentinian to score an entry on the year-end Hot Latin Songs Artist recap, at No. 13. All in all, Bizarrap’s bona fides speak for themselves, and nabbing the No. 4 slot on the year-end Top Latin Artists-New is proof.
Young Miko: Puerto Rican Young Miko’s career has been rising with enough velocity that she’s scored four entries on Hot Latin Songs since the top 20 “Classy 101” with Feid in July. The Puerto Rican is the only Latin rhythm female newcomer to conquer the year-end Hot Latin Songs, with the collab at No. 19. Further, the song gives her a top 40 finale on year-end Latin Streaming Songs (at No. 37).
‘Here I Am,’ Says Tropical: Despite a slow takeoff in 2023, Tropical music saw a growth during the year, picking up where it left off with its ever-growing audience. Bachata, especially, made a high-water mark across charts, with songs on the format racking up a spot on Tropical Airplay: Manuel Turizo, Rosalía, Shakira, Ozuna, Prince Royce, Tommy Torres, Chayanne, even Justin Timberlake with his Romeo Santos collab, “Sin Fin,” secured a spot on the list. One artist, however, made a significant achievement among the bachata craze: Luis Figueroa, whose song “Bandido” became the first salsa track to crown Tropical Airplay among the five tropical tunes that notched their first weeks at No. 1 in 2023. The Puerto Rican is the only newcomer to secure two entries on the year-end Tropical Airplay Songs: “La Luz,” at No. 15 and “Fiesta Contigo” at No. 17.
Billboard’s year-end music recaps represent aggregated metrics for each artist, title, label and music contributor on the weekly charts from Nov. 19, 2022, through Oct. 21, 2023. Rankings for Luminate-based recaps reflect equivalent album units, airplay, sales or streaming during the weeks that the titles appeared on a respective chart during the tracking year. Any activity registered before or after a title’s chart run isn’t considered in these rankings. That methodology detail, and the November-October time period, account for some of the difference between these lists and the calendar-year recaps that are independently compiled by Luminate.
Juan Luis Guerra mambos his way to the top of Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart as “Mambo 23” advances 3-1 to lead the Nov. 25-dated list. The new champ arrives nine years after he last led through “Tus Besos” in 2014, for one week in charge.
“Mambo 23” climbs to No. 1 with a 9% gain in audience impressions, to 4.45 million, earned during the Nov. 10-16 tracking week, according to Luminate. The song, released Sept. 22 via Rimas, is the first single from Guerra’s recently released EP Radio Güira (Nov. 3).
With the new champ, Guerra collects his 12th No. 1 on Tropical Airplay and breaks a tie with India for the eighth-most, a score led by Marc Anthony with 35 champs since the ranking began in 1994. Here’s the scoreboard:
35, Marc Anthony29, Victor Manuelle23, Prince Royce18, Romeo Santos14, Elvis Crespo14, Gilberto Santa Rosa13, Jerry Rivera12, Juan Luis Guerra 44011, India
As mentioned, Guerra last landed at the summit with “Tus Besos” in 2014. (He notched seven hits between “Tus Besos” and “Mambo 23,” including six top 10s.) The nine-year span becomes the longest between No. 1s since Don Omar took an equal nine years (and eight months) to dominate Tropical Airplay with the one-week ruler “Dutty Love,” featuring Natti Natasha (April 2012) and “Se Menea,” with Nio García, (Dec. 2021).
“Mambo 23” rules the tropical ranking as it ejects Chayanne’s “Bailando Bachata” from its 14-week domination; along with Manuel Turizo’s “La Bachata,” the third-longest run this decade, both with 14 weeks atop. The pair trail Prince Royce’s “Carita de Inocente” with 29 weeks at No. 1, the most in the 2020’s decade, and Daddy Yankee and Marc Anthony’s “De Vuelta Pa’ La Vuelta” (22 weeks in charge).
Elsewhere, “Mambo 23” lifts 25-21 on the overall Latin Airplay, Guerra’s highest rank since “Muchachita Linda” reached No. 15 in Oct. 2015.
For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram and all charts (dated Nov. 25) will refresh on Billboard.com tomorrow (Nov. 21).
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Gloria Trevi, an enduring figure in Latin music, has lived a life shrouded in controversy and intrigue, a narrative that has been recounted in numerous books, podcasts and movies. “My story is like medusas, it’s always been poorly told,” she tells Billboard Español.
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However, for the first time, the Mexican hitmaker is seizing control of her narrative, through the groundbreaking bioseries Ellas Soy Yo. Premiered in August on ViX, the series chronicles her rise from winning a Lucerito lookalike contest as an adolescent to become Mexico’s biggest pop star, her involvement in the Trevi-Andrade sex scandal, her stint in prison — and, finally, her triumphant return after being found not guilty. Unlike other productions, many of the survivors of the case participate in the series.
“They inspired me to tell my story in a series that managed to connect with audiences and made even more visible several of the problems that millions of women live in our country and that by watching it, they were able to recognize themselves and act,” said Trevi, recognizing the crucial role played by women who fight daily against various forms of violence. Last month, spurred by the success of Ellas Soy Yo, Trevi helped advocate for the passage of a law against human trafficking.
In tandem with these efforts, Trevi delves deeper into her musical career here, now as an independent artist after spending 15 years with Universal. Throughout her prolific career, the singer/songwriter has placed four albums on the Billboard 200, including Gloria (2011) at No. 71 and De Película (2013) at No. 109. She has entered Hot Latin Songs a total of 12 times, including three top 10s with “Con Los Ojos Cerrados” and “Me Siento Tan Sola” from the ’90s, and “Cinco Minutos” from 2008.
She has also been noted as a fashion icon, and here she shares her thoughts on the evolution of her style (check out the exclusive photos below!), and also discusses the release of My Soundtrack, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. Looking ahead, she envisions bringing her three decades of hits to the stage in 2024, promising a celebration of her enduring legacy.
1. What did you have for breakfast today?
I’ll tell you the truth. I’m halfway through breakfast. I have the routine, the discipline, of having half a cup of bone broth for breakfast. According to my nutritionist, everyone should eat that for breakfast on an empty stomach, because it is a collagen bomb. Then I let it sit for a while so that it goes down well in my stomach. Then I have a piece of fruit for breakfast and some protein. After I finish talking to you, I’ll continue with my breakfast, which is going to be eggs with chorizo and nopalitos.
“This is a look designed by me in collaboration with The Blonds. It has been replicated even in China and sold wholesale 😅”, says Trevi.
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2. ¡Provecho! Now you’re independently releasing music. Give me some context?
I had the great fortune that Jesús López [now CEO of Universal Music Latin America & Iberian Peninsula] discovered me as Gloria Trevi. When Jesús López arrived at BMG Ariola, he discovered my album, which had been boxed, and he liked my songs, which were my compositions. He thought my voice was funny [laughs], peculiar, different — and then he sent for me, and that’s when my career as Gloria Trevi began. You can see all of that in my series Ella Soy Yo.
[Years later] I changed record label to Universal, and then the director Jesús López joined Universal. He sees that I’m there in the catalog, and he believes in me again, and we make more albums together. Before he arrived, I had already released “Todos Me Miran” [in 2006], but with Universal I released Una Rosa Blu [in 2007]. I have an immense love and wonderful memories with the record companies I have worked with, especially with Universal.
“Goddess of the Night, one of the public’s and the gay community’s favorite looks to imitate me at parties,” she says.
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3. And after 15 years with Universal, how was that transition?
Times are changing and I like to keep adapting, evolving, and I like to learn from the elders and the youth. I see that people are starting to work independently — for example, Taylor Swift and other artists and colleagues who are their own bosses. If I have so much music, I’m a composer, creative, and I have a team that we work shoulder to shoulder, I think it’s time for me to be my own boss, to release my music, to be the owner of my masters, to be able to leave my family, my children [something]. I had the good fortune that my contract is ending. It was a difficult decision, because I am a chicken at heart. The independent music theme turns me into “Medusa.”
4. You recently released Mi Soundtrack, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. What was it like to reimagine your classic songs?
It’s amazing. Right now I’m working on Mi Soundtrack, Vol. 3. It’s going to be three volumes. When I say “my soundtrack” it’s because I like people to say, “I’m going to ‘My Soundtrack’ concert,” in other words, to make it their own. [The 2024 tour has the same name]. I am super excited about the reception it has had. You go to the concerts now, [it’s] like in the ’90s. They’re full of kids who are going crazy, who are connecting with that music. You see the uncle, the mom, the nephew, the teenager and the kid screaming, united, jumping to the same song. They get excited and start going wild to “Pelo Suelto”.
“The current version of the ’90s look of the little dolls from the Versus tour. A message of equality,” says Trevi.
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5. Do you have a favorite song to sing live?
I’m also like the audience. It depends a lot on my mood. There are songs that if I’m sad or I’ve just had a fight with my husband, I like to sing, “Vas a recordarme cuando quieras olvidarme…” (“Vas a Recordarme”). And when I’m happy with him, I like to sing… [she sings “Vestida de Azúcar”]. And when I’m being crazy [sings another one], or when I’m attacked and I feel a lot of hate, I like to sing “Medusa” or “Todos Me Miran”. Right now I can tell you that I haven’t gotten tired of listening to the new song, “Inocente.”
6. Tell us more about your new song.
I think people are having a lot of fun with “Inocente,” with the line that says “sé que me mientes, pero me gusta creerte” (“I know you’re lying to me, but I like to believe you”). They are playing it a lot on TikTok. It’s fun.
7. Your story has been told in a variety of ways, from books to movies to podcasts. Now, you were directly involved in telling your life story through the series Ellas Soy Yo. What was important to communicate?
It’s that my story is like the Medusa’s, it has always been poorly told. One way or another, they’ve tried to cast me as the monster, without getting to the bottom of it, and many times with so many contradictions. It’s so weird when I see comments from people who don’t signal [knowledge of the issue] and [display] constant ignorance. They say things they heard that are not true. But notice that with the series, I had no intention of cleaning up my image, nor of showing who had lied, nor of legal situations that I have now in the United States.
Mas Turbada que nunca, or “More troubled than ever…see you then! 😂”, says Gloria Trevi.
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My intention with Ella Soy Yo was born many years ago. I have seen women go out to protest in Mexico for the missing women, for the abused women, and to see so much femicide. There have been so many horrible cases that, honestly, I took a breath and said, “I need to do it” — because, thank God, I’m okay now. I have to tell my story, even if some people stop loving me, because I tell how I was weak, how I was vulnerable, how I was a woman — even if some people stop seeing me as that artist with that glamour. But thinking mainly about the most important thing, which was the message of abuse against women.
8. So what did the series achieve for you?
It achieved things that exceeded my expectations. The deputies [of Mexico] just accepted reforms to a law that had not been modified in 10 years, against human trafficking, giving stronger punishments to abusers and protection to witnesses and victims. The truth is that I never thought that the series would be able to [move people] in such a way as to change laws in Mexico.
“Walking with zapatos viejos (or old shoes) and a broken heart, but always walking,” says Gloria Trevi.
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9. Mary Boquitas has her podcast En Boca Cerrada, where she shares her version of the events you shared together in the so-called Trevi-Andrade sex clan. Could you tell us how is your current relationship with her and what do you think of her podcast?
It is something that really hurts my heart. At this moment I prefer to talk about it with her someday if we see each other again in person, because these are things that I would say to her face. I am not going to make any comments to you, negative or positive, regarding her. I can’t.
10. You are no doubt a fashion icon — how would you define your personal style, and how do you think it has evolved over time?
I can tell you that my fashion was born out of necessity. I didn’t have the money to buy spectacular costumes. My torn stockings, I made them myself. Well, I can’t say that I invented them, because nobody invents black thread. The torn stockings are very punk culture; I liked them and I appropriated them — since I couldn’t buy stockings all the time. They lasted a long time. I would even sew them up and maintain them. The important thing for me has always been to be spontaneous, to be different.
With Una Rosa Blu, I started to like wearing feathers, and I started to have a theme. With El Amor [from 2015] I become a man, Mr. Trevi, to sing songs to women. They are my inner personalities. I make my designs many times, and I send them to designers to help me give them reality. There are super iconic costumes that [drag performers use to] imitate me a lot.
“Mr. Trevi… The love of your life,” says the singer.
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11. Which facets do you enjoy most as an artist?
Being on stage. But I also love recording in the studio. I love it when I’m recording a song. That’s something that makes my mouth water. You know, when I’m recording a song, it’s like a child is being born. And when I’m on stage, the child is already walking, playing, living.
12. Great analogy! Let’s also talk about how incredibly fit you are. Well, it seems like you always have been. What’s your workout routine like?
How nice. Right now I’m focusing more on resistance. It’s what I like to do, weights for the arm and for the butt. You have to take good care of your muscles. What I was telling you about nutrition, now I’m following the bone broth routine, and vitamins for everything, for my bones, my skin, and collagen. And above all, I also use treatments, the ones that I get every six months that are specific for the face. But I like the normal treatments, nothing that is not reversible.
13. Green or red chilaquiles?
Divorciados. [Chilaquiles with both green and red salsas.]
“The beginning our story,” says Gloria Trevi.
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14. Tequila or mezcal?
Don’t limit me, eh!
15. Do you have a favorite Mexican dish to cook at home?
Miguitas, [which are] little tortillas with eggs.
16. How do you feel about being nicknamed the “Mexican Madonna”?
Nothing. Zero. I don’t like it. I have a lot of respect for Madonna. I think she’s a badass. I think that’s why they make that comparison. There was a social revolution in the United States, or worldwide, when Madonna came out, and in my case, there was a revolution in the Latin area when I came out. That’s why they make that comparison, but we are both very different. I would like to be “the Gloria Trevi of the United States.” My respects, she is a great artist. I love to see her doing concerts, she is a brave woman.
“Our story has always been like a movie. Me as a ticket seller, a very endearing look,” says Gloria Trevi.
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17. What is the most surprising thing you would find in your bag right now?
The most surprising thing you would find in my bag is that I don’t have a bag. Well, I have a fanny pack. Maybe the most surprising thing for some people who don’t know me would be that I have a rosary that I bought when I went to Jerusalem, with a very typical stone from there. It is a ring that is like a rosary.
18. When you look back on your 30-year career, is there anything you would have done differently? Any advice you would give to your younger version?
Another manager. [Laughs.]
“This costume with crystal snakes is one of the ones my impersonators are currently wearing and they are spectacular,” says Gloria Trevi.
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19. You’ve been through it all. What’s left for you to do? President of Mexico?
We don’t like politics. I once said I wanted to be president, but what I like is social advocacy. I think that in politics there are too many commitments that do not allow people to fulfill them. Physically, I have a lot left. To begin with, the tour of Mi Soundtrack is coming and I have never done that before.
20. What can Gloria Trevi’s fans expect to see live in 2024?
They are going to see their life in music. We are going to get super emotional and excited. We are going to be children, teenagers, we are going to look back at our feelings about first love and first heartbreak. Life is music and together we are going to make a great concert.
“This look from my latest single ‘Inocente’, a design between futuristic and ’70s from the latest collection of The Blonds. I love it because it conveys a feeling of boldness and at the same time innocence,” says Trevi.
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Mexican music star Espinoza Paz has signed a global deal with Virgin Music Group, Billboard has learned. Born Isidro Chávez Espinoza in Sinaloa, Mexico, the prolific singer-songwriter is known for his deep and emotional songs penned for other artists – such as Jenni Rivera and Banda MS – and for himself. Explore Explore See […]
Peso Pluma is already a champ, and at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards, he was victorious once again with a knockout performance of his swaggy corrido “Rubicon.” The Mexican star took the stage — or, rather, boxing ring — alongside heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson, whose robe had “the best ever” written on the back.
As the 24-year-old hitmaker — Mexican music’s biggest star today — made his way to the ring, his superfans cheered him on. He then took to the ring to perform the track that’s part of his history-making album Génesis, and was joined not only by Tyson, but also his seven-piece band.
Following his epic performance, Peso Pluma (born Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija) was honored with the top Latin song award for his and Eslabon Armado’s global smash hit “Ella Baila Sola.” Earlier this year, the track made history as the first regional Mexican song to enter the top five on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart.
“Give it up to the people’s champion, Peso Pluma!” Tyson said as he handed the singer-songwriter his award. Then, it was Peso’s turn to speak.
“Thank you everyone,” he said, speaking in English. “Thanks, Mr. Tyson, for being here. Thank you to all the fans, thank you for all the love and the support. And I’d like to thank the Billboard Awards for having me here. Thank you very much.”
Peso Pluma performs at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards on November 19 at The Mayan in Los Angele
Gilbert Flores
Peso has 22 entries on the Hot 100, and in June, he became the first artist to ever lead both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. lists simultaneously with different songs: “Ella Baila Sola” and “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 55,” respectively. His Génesis album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 (dated July 1) — the highest rank ever for a música Mexicana album on the chart.
Peso was a top winner at October’s Billboard Latin Music Awards, taking home eight awards, including artist of the year, new. He entered Sunday’s awards show as a six-time finalist.
Karol G took center stage at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards to perform a steamy medley over a large stage of water on Sunday night (Nov. 19).
Wearing white linen pants and a white bikini top, the Colombian artist kicked off her sultry showcase with the Peso Pluma-assisted track “QLONA,” for which she was joined by a buff dancer for a stellar choreo display over water. A minute in, Karol surprised fans with “Labios Mordidos,” an unreleased track that is part of Kali Uchis’ upcoming studio album Orquideas — all hinting that it’s the pair’s second collaborative effort following “Me Tengo Que Ir.”
Joined by an energetic group of dancers, Karol continued to make a splash with her euphoric dembow “Ojos Ferrari.”
The artist born Carolina Giraldo Navarro also nabbed two Billboard Music Awards on Sunday: top Latin female artist and top Latin touring artist.
“I have to say that I’m a little more nervous than usual … but it’s the first time I have accepted an award this close to you all,” she said to fans during her acceptance speech. She used the opportunity to thank her fans — or “los de siempre” (the forever ones), as she calls them — for supporting her music and going to her tour.
“These awards mean the connection is there between all of you and me. I think you’re more than fans; you’re part of the team and the family. … I want to thank all the people that were part of the tour. It was one of the most extraordinary things that happened to me this year. In addition to the album I released, that was very special, very intimate, you know the reasons why. I’m very happy, very grateful. … I give you half of all this because nothing would’ve been possible without you. I always say awards are special because they’re an extra validation to what we do, but like I said before, to have your unconditional love, with or without music, with or without a tour, that will always be the best present ever and that’s what I hope will never fail or go away. I love you and thank you for being with me today and always.”
Karol G at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards at Line 204 in Los Angeles, California. The show will air on November 19, 2023 on BBMA.watch.
Gilbert Flores
In December, Karol will embark on her Mañana Será Bonito Tour across Latin America, where she will visit Colombia, Mexico, Brazil and more countries throughout May. She also announced the European leg will come soon.
With five nominations going into the 2023 Billboard Music Awards Presented by Marriott Bonvoy, Karol G stood out as the only female nominee in several categories. La Bichota joins a star-studded lineup of BBMA performers that included Mariah Carey, Bebe Rexha & David Guetta, Peso Pluma, NewJeans, Stray Kids and Morgan Wallen.
Watch Karol’s performance above and speech below.