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Surrounded by striking pyrotechnics, amid apocalyptic-like trap and drill beats — punctuated by occasional machine gun sounds — Eladio Carrión made a grand entrance at New York’s Theater in Madison Square Garden. He was decked out in an outfit reminiscent of Mad Max, rocking a tactical vest and black cargo jeans, with a glimmering B.B. […]
Chicago’s gloomy Friday the 13th was the perfect setup for Junior H’s Sad Boyz Tour stop at the Allstate Arena. The Mexican corridos singer returned to Chicago five months after he performed at the city’s Sueños Festival in May in Grant Park. This time, he sang at the venue — located northwest of Chicago — with a capacity of nearly 20,000 people.
“Ese grito de mis niños tristes esta noche (I want to hear from all my sad boys tonight),” Junior H said throughout his sold-out show. The sad boy lifestyle has become a brand for the artist who first delivered his $ad Boyz 4 Life album two years ago. Since, Junior H’s career has catapulted to chart success and massive tours in the U.S. and in Mexico.
On this particular night in Chicago, he was clad in sporty black slacks, a hoodie that read on the back, “enjoy the ride through the neighborhood,” and crisp white Air Force sneakers — but his accessories were anything but that. Besides his gold-accentuated dark sunglasses, a diamond-heavy chain adorned his neck.
“Are we drinking or are we not drinking?” he asked a crowd that was ready to kick off their fin de semana (weekend) with Junior H. Throughout his two-hour set, he performed songs such as “Lady Gaga,” “Tronando Ligas,” “El Azul,” “Luna,” “Disfruto Lo Malo,” “Bipolar,” “Fin De Semana” and “Abcdario.” He was backed by a full banda, a norteño ensemble and his corridos band, which includes a tololoche and a requinto. His ability to navigate regional Mexican music subgenres such as norteño, banda and corridos on the stage is what makes Junior H a standout act among a crowded field of young artists.
Signed to Rancho Humilde, Junior H rose to stardom four years ago alongside labelmate and corridos tumbados pioneer Natanael Cano. Most recently, Junior H released his new album, $ad Boyz 4 Life II, on Oct. 6. A sequel to $ad Boyz 4 Life, which peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Album. The new album is just as moody and personal with songs powered by prickly requintos and brassy instruments such as a trombone, a trumpet or tuba.
Throughout his short but fruitful career, Junior H has scored three No. 1 albums on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart. He’s also entered five songs on the Hot 100 this year alone. All are collaborations with fellow música mexicana hitmakers such as Peso Pluma, Gabito Ballesteros and Oscar Maydon.
Junior H continues his trek in New York with a show at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn on May 15. He’ll then make stops Texas cities such as El Paso, San Antonio and Irving before wrapping up Dec. 2 in Hidalgo.
From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little, important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
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The Estefans’ New Musical
Gloria Estefan announced that she will be penning the music and lyrics for an upcoming original musical alongside her daughter, Emily Estefan. In a recent Instagram post, the award-winning Cuban-American artist said she will be the music supervisor of the forthcoming “Five Notes,” a musical inspired by Paraguay’s Orquesta De Reciclados De Cateura, and which is written by Karen Zacarías and directed by Michael Greif. Based on the “Landfill Harmonic” documentary, “ this is a story that celebrates the power of music, resilience and community,” reads Estefan’s post. Dramaturg Ken Cerniglia and Alex Lacamoire will also form part of the project.
Britney Meets Los Colombianos
To everyone’s surprise, Britney Spears was spotted hanging out with two of Colombia’s biggest acts, J Balvin and Maluma, this week. The latter shared a photo on his Instagram account, where Spears and Balvin are hugging tight and he’s off to the side with an annoyed smirk. “Who’s like me when it comes to love?” he jokes in the caption. Also joking about their encounter, Spears shared a recap reel on her account, and wrote: “Quick trip to NY…I had no idea who these boys were at this restaurant.” Not much has been said about the meet-up (could a collaboration be in the works?) but check out the photo below:
A Charro at The Capitol
This week, Alejandro Fernandez visited The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. to receive a House Resolution recognition by Representative Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC). “Yesterday was one of those days that stay in memory. Not only for the pride of walking dressed as a charro through one of the most important buildings in the world, but for receiving this recognition from the hands of my Latin brothers,” the Mexican artist expressed on his Instagram. “Generations of struggle, growth, and love culminate in one of the greatest honors of my life.”
Honored for his contributions to Mexican music and Latino culture, as well as humanitarian, Barragán expressed in a statement: “Alejandro not only creates music that millions of people enjoy across the globe, but he’s using his platform and robust following to empower the Latino community through his artistic talents. He’s also been a strong advocate of our continued work to establish the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall. The CHC applauds Alejandro for his lifetime commitment to uplift Latino culture through music, and I look forward to his continued support of our efforts to serve Latinos across the country.
Bad Bunny’s Back!
In true Bad Bunny fashion, the artist surprised fans with a new album, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va A Pasar Mañana, this week. Marking his seventh studio set, following the historic Un Verano Sin Ti, the Puerto Rican act unleashed a 22-track LP that, for the most part, goes back to his trap essence. He also reeled in some of his longtime collaborators such as Arcangel, Mora, and Ñengo Flow, as well as Feid and Young Miko, to name a few. Unlike Un Verano that showcased lyrics of being in love and summer beach days in Puerto Rico, Nadie Sabe is about his priorities, his growth, his wins, and his downfalls.
“I hope you can enjoy this album that I did with a lot of work,” he expressed on his WhatsApp Channel to his over 16 million followers. “All my projects have been done with lots of love for you, but this album, specifically, is 100% for you like no other.” See Billboard’s ranked list of all the songs on Nadie Sabe, here.
The Karol G Scholarships
As part of its “Becas Con Cora” initiative, Karol G’s “Con Cora” Foundation announced the launch of its new program, “Becas Con Cora en Educación Superior” (“Con Cora Scholarships in Higher Education”), to empower the talented female leaders of today and tomorrow. Through the EAFIT Medellín University, the scholarships “will cover 100% of the beneficiaries’ university tuition for the duration of the undergraduate program, in accordance with the requirements established in the scholarship regulations,” according to a press release. The application period is already open and runs until Nov. 19. Though there’s no nationality restriction, applicants must be residents of Valle de Aburrá in Colombia and demonstrate having a social mission. For more information, visit here.
Bad Bunny‘s just-released album, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana, is already setting records. Spotify announced Friday (Oct. 13) that the project is their most-streamed album in a single day in 2023 so far. “We all knew Bad Bunny would break records with this new album,” reads a message on Spotify’s social accounts. […]
Billboard returned to Miami for another year of Latin Music Week! The event continued its ongoing tradition of celebrating Latin music and highlighting the culture’s most impactful players.
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On the opening day, CN Bank’s Vice President and Entertainment Team Lead Rodrigo Nieto-Galvis joined Billboard’s Leila Cobo on stage for a panel discussion called “How to Manage Your First Big Paycheck: Step 1, Don’t Buy That Exotic Car.”
The conversation focused on how to manage and structure music revenue over time. Receiving a massive lump sum of cash can be overwhelming, especially without the proper guidance from entertainment finance experts like CN Bank.
Neito-Galvis said, “You have to balance two elements. First, financial psychology and second financial education. Financial psychology can explain why you want to buy that exotic car. Financial education is really understanding that money you could spend on a car, can better help you achieve professional, and life goals over the long term.”
Rodrigo Nieto-Galvis at the CN Bank Panel held at Faena Theater as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 2, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Melody Timothee for Billboard
It is important to establish a plan before receiving a lump sum of money. Regardless of how large the number on your first music check is, artists are independent workers and often do not receive a monthly paycheck.
Nieto-Galvis said, “Initially when you start as an artist, money is mainly for survival… When you start getting bigger paychecks, your perception of money changes. You’re now able to acquire assets such as the car you are thinking about, or a house, or jewelry.”
CN Bank has a well established history of helping artists manage their finances and offer their clients a variety of solutions & support. Nieto-Galvis stressed the importance of having a financial team specifically dedicated to music and entertainment.
America is a second home for many artists in the Latin community, so dealing with different financial rules and regulations in multiple countries can be tricky. Traditional banking services can only help artists get to a certain point, but partnering with a financial team that specializes in entertainment will help an artist reach their full potential while simultaneously establishing wealth.
If you weren’t able to join us in Miami for this insightful discussion between Rodrigo Nieto-Galvis & Leila Cobo, watch the panel above and stay tuned for more content from Billboard Latin Music Week.
Presented by Michelob ULTRA At the concluding celebration of Billboard Latin Music Week 2023, the Colombian legacy act, Fonseca, commanded the stage at Oasis Wynwood (21+), delivering an electrifying set filled with chart-toppers and superior light beer, courtesy of Michelob ULTRA Related Images:
In an ever-evolving musical landscape where artists are increasingly unveiling their album release dates with plenty of lead time — unlike the unexpected album drops of yesteryear — Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican pioneer of the unpredictable, gave fans only a few days’ notice, and revived the art of the surprise. Today, he once again […]
New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
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Ivan Cornejo, “Donde Estás” (Interscope Records)
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After introducing himself to fans with his sad sierreño ballad “Está Dañada” in 2021, Ivan Cornejo has since evolved his sound, fusing it with alternative rock. The Mexican-American artist, who recently joined Interscope Records’ roster, delivers his new track “Donde Estas” while remaining very much rooted in acoustic and moody guitars, and placing all bets on deep, mature lyrics about love and heartbreak. Cornejo’s raspy vocal delivery only adds to the already sentimental song, which starts with a dreamy synth before soothing harmonies take over. “I even started therapy sessions, I went out with a few [girls] and none of them are like you, they’re not like you, you have me at your feet,” he sings, palpably hurt. Cornejo is currently on the road with his U.S. Terapia Tour, and is set to release a new album next year. — GRISELDA FLORES
Jasiel Nuñez & DannyLux, “Corazón Frío” (Doble P Records)
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Brimming with teary-eyed brilliance, “Corazón Frío” is a poignant ballad by Jasiel Nuñez and DannyLux, resonating through its steely guitar strums and luminescent synth sounds. This emotionally charged breakup song dives into profound heartbreak, using melancholic melodies and introspective lyrics to encapsulate the pain of loss and longing. “I’ve tried everything to make you stay by my side/ And nothing has worked, your heart is colder than ice cream,” the Guadalajara and Palm Springs-raised artists croon in Spanish, as they paint an evocative image of a cold, unresponsive heart. Their laid-back delivery and emotional resonance exemplify the powerful impact of sad sierreños, making “Corazón Frío” a stunning showcase of the duo’s artistic prowess. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Pink Pablo, “no es culpa mía” (Pink Pablo)
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Puerto Rican musician Pink Pablo delivers an electrifying new single in “no es culpa mia,” an infectious track that fuses classic rock elements with DnB. The song, written and produced by the artist and sprinkled with humor and some English, talks about ignoring negative comments and staying true to yourself: “What does it matter to you what I stop doing? They don’t know anything about me, they don’t have anything to do… I was born this way, así fue que yo nací,” goes part of the lyrics. “There are always hostile people that offer backhanded comments and unfounded judgments against us for doing things differently,” Pink Pablo explains in a press release. “As tempting as it is to take things personal and get sidetracked by the noise, situations like this become my muse.” The breakout star, whose most recent releases include “La Vibra” and “Veo Luces,” is currently working on what will be his debut EP. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Sofia Reyes, Beéle, “Cobarde” (Warner Music Latina)
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Instead of unleashing a dulcet pop song in one’s style or an infectious Afrobeat track in the other’s, in their first collaborative effort, Sofia Reyes and Beéle drop a sensual, urban-bachata fusion. In the heartfelt lyrics, the two artists sing about messing up in a relationship, learning from their mistakes and loving each other stronger than before. “I’m going to find you in every life/Like the ocean looks for the sand and salt/You were a coward who knew how to change/Because love is unconditional,” sings Reyes. “Hard to forget like a lunar eclipse/In its natural version it is something spectacular/I failed you so many times, I passed through every street/There I had to get lost to find myself,” responds Beéle. “Cobarde” is part of Reyes upcoming studio album, MILAMORES, expected to drop on Nov. 2. — JESSICA ROIZ
Musiko, Billy (Musiko Music)
Musiko has presented his most recent musical project, which bears his birth name, Billy. “The joy my heart feels is indescribable! After 3 years you will finally be able to hear what is definitely the best musical proposal I have created in my life!!” the Puerto Rican artist wrote on social media. The 11-song set, all collaborations, is a testament to his musical journey, from his life of faith to his collaborative spirit. On Billy, Musiko explores a wide range of musical genres –- from folk on “Si Puedes Creer” with Majo and Dan, to reggaeton dembow on “Malas Promesas” with Jinys, to ska on “Una Locura” with La Feria -– and imprints his characteristic urban style on all of them. He also features songs alongside Gabriel EMC, Omy Alka, CRYS, Kim Richards, Josh Gamez, Averly Morillo, Montesanto, and Funky. As a whole, Billy demonstrates Musiko’s versatility in adapting his voice and sound to different musical genres — and at the same time, it’s an open declaration of his love for God and the mark He has left on his life. — LUISA CALLE
Can an album listening party with 16,000 guests feel cozy? Special? Evidently, yes. Last night, Bad Bunny made that happen as he debuted his new LP, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana. Held at the iconic Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot (a.k.a. El Choli) in San Juan, the event itinerary was a mystery when […]
Oops, she did it again. After getting together with two of the biggest stars in Latin music, Britney Spears took to Instagram to joke that she actually had no clue who they were.
Included in a video of her recent trip to New York City, the 41-year-old pop star shared a photo of her seated at a table with two so-called strangers. “Quick trip to NY… I had no idea who these boys were at this restaurant,” she captioned the since-deleted post Friday (Oct. 13).
But wait, who was she with? None other than J Balvin and Maluma, both of whom Spears tagged in the post.
The surprising trio seemed to have a ball Thursday night (Oct. 12), grabbing drinks and posing for a picture shared to Instagram by Maluma. “Who like me in love?” the “Hawái” musician captioned the snap in Spanish.
Balvin, who hugs Spears in the photo, responded in the comments: “Oh God hahahahahahahaha I can’t get over it.”
The “Toxic” singer is just days away from releasing her hotly anticipated memoir The Woman in Me on Oct. 24, which she made sure to promote in her post with Balvin and Maluma by adding the hashtag, “#TheWomanInMe.” According to a press release from publisher Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, the book is a “brave and astonishingly moving story about freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith, and hope.”
Brit’s night out with the boys comes amid her split from husband Sam Asghari, who filed for divorce in August citing “irreconcilable differences.” The two were married for a year and a half before calling it quits, something Spears opened up about on social media.
“As everyone knows, Hesam and I are no longer together … 6 years is a long time to be with someone so, I’m a little shocked but … I’m not here to explain why because its honestly nobody’s business !!!” she wrote in an Aug. 18 Instagram post. “But, I couldn’t take the pain anymore honestly !!!”
See Maluma’s photo with Britney Spears and J Balvin here.