Latin

10 Oct 2023

2023 Latin Music Week Photobooth: Maria Becerra, Sebastián Yatra, Carin León & More

Sebastián Yatra, Chencho Corleone, Vico C, RBD, Carin León, Maria Becerra, Young Miko and Eladio Carrión were among the more than 50 Latin music stars that took center stage in Miami for the 2023 edition of Billboard Latin Music Week (Oct. 2-6).

Some of the biggest names in Latin music made their way to Miami Beach for exclusive conversations, performances, panels and to pose for the photobooth — with photographer Mary Beth Koeth behind the lens — as part of the week-long event.

From deep artist conversations to business discussions on catalogs, finances, streaming and publishing, Latin Music Week also included in-depth panels with industry leaders, tour promoters and two editions of The Rock Star Show, reggaetón star Nicky Jam’s talk show, featuring interviews with Ivy Queen and Fuerza Regida’s frontman, Jesús Ortiz Paz.

“Latin Music Week has grown steadily over the past decade, reflecting Billboard’s commitment to Latin music, and Latin music’s unwavering support of Billboard as the main arbiter of Latin music trends and success,” said Leila Cobo, Billboard’s chief content officer for Latin and Español.

The multi-day event, considered the essential destination for the Latin music industry and top and emerging artists, drew over 1,200 fans and industry insiders to three days of panels, presentations and once in a lifetime intimate conversation at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, representing established and emerging genres that encompassed the vast plurality that is global Latin music today.

See some of the best photobooth gems captured backstage throughout Latin Music Week.

10 Oct 2023

Los Tucanes de Tijuana Fined in Chihuahua For Allegedly Singing Narcocorridos

Los Tucanes de Tijuana were fined 900,000 pesos (about $50,000) following a performance the Mexican band gave last Thursday (Oct. 5) in the municipality of Chihuahua, in northern Mexico, where they allegedly performed songs in support of drug trafficking.

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News of the sanction was reported a day after the show by the government of the municipality of Chihuahua in a press release, which states that the fine was imposed “after having detected blatant musical content that advocates crime in 40 percent of the presentation.”

The sanction imposed on the popular regional Mexican music group follows a measure announced by the government of the municipality of Chihuahua last July that sanctions corridos tumbados and reggaeton artists who perform songs that promote gender violence [while performing live] in the municipality, under the argument of “guaranteeing the right of women to a life free of violence.”

In the document, the municipal authorities clarified that during their performance, Los Tucanes de Tijuana did not sing music that “promoted violence against women and favored their denigration, discrimination, marginalization or exclusion” within their repertoire. However, the measure includes sanctions for those who perform music related to drug trafficking, as was allegedly the case.

Billboard Español reached out to Los Tucanes de Tijuana’s press office for more information but did not hear back at press time.

The measure, approved by the local council, prohibits musical content, videos, images or any similar material that promotes violence against women and music related to criminal activities or groups, explains the municipal president of Chihuahua, Marco Bonilla, in a video posted on his social networks.

Penalties range from 674,000 pesos (more than $40,000) to 1.244 million pesos (almost $75,000), according to authorities.

This statute previously impacted corridos tumbados star Natanael Cano, who last September was fined 1.2 million pesos (about $71,610) for allegedly “advocating crime and promoting gender violence,” the municipality of Chihuahua announced in a Sept. 23 press release.

The new ban in Chihuahua came after congressmen in several Mexican states pushed for reforms to prohibit concerts of corridos tumbados, arguing that they “incite violence.” It also comes after Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador published a playlist to confront this genre, led by artists such as Peso Pluma, Natanael Cano and Junior H.

For 15 years, Los Tucanes de Tijuana were banned from performing in the border city of Tijuana for singing narcocorridos. In 2008, the then head of the municipal police, Lieutenant Colonel Julian Leyzaola Perez, indefinitely banned the group from performing there for allegedly saluting two drug traffickers during a concert. The ban was lifted this year by the mayor of Tijuana, Montserrat Caballero, and on July 8 the group was allowed to perform again in that city.

In 2017, authorities in Chihuahua fined legendary band Los Tigres del Norte for performing narcocorridos live.

10 Oct 2023

Fonseca Talks Returning to the Sound of His Beginnings & the Magic Behind His Songs

To celebrate the first 20 years of a fruitful career and many hits along the way, the tropipop icon Fonseca shared anecdotes about his music and played some of his songs, accompanied by his guitarist Jairo Barón, in an intimate setting Wednesday (Oct. 4) at Billboard‘s Latin Music Week 2023.

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During The Icon Q&A panel — presented by Michelob Ultra and moderated by Sigal Ratner-Arias, deputy editor of Billboard Español — the artist took a musical journey from his beginnings in music, how some of his songs emerged, the role of his children in his compositions and his Latin Grammy-nominated collaboration with Juan Luis Guerra, to details of an upcoming album with which he wants to return to the sound of his beginnings.

The Colombian singer-songwriter remembered his early days as a time of great excitement. He said that during the recording of his self-titled debut album and recorded in Caracas, Venezuela, with the Líderes record label, he spent a lot of time alone walking through the streets of the city, imagining the future and thinking about how he was going to get his music played on radio stations.

After his record label closed in the middle of the promotion process, it took him about two years to free himself from this contract. Bernardo Ossa appeared, with whom he produced “Te Mando Flores.” The song gave him his first entry on a Billboard chart and marked a turning point in his career.

“Overnight we were practically all over Latin America, in the United States, in Europe doing promotional tours, playing,” Fonseca recalled. “It was crazy.”

Now that he is an international reference of Colombian music, Fonseca wants to return to the sounds of his early days on his next album, which he plans to release early next year. “I want to make an album where the instruments are 100% recorded and that’s that phrase of going back to that sound,” he said. “That’s how I recorded that album in Venezuela the first time, and that’s how I recorded my second album, Corazón.”

Additionally, he revealed that at the end of this month, he will release a new song called “Canto a la Vida” as a tribute to Colombian music, with accordion, clarinets and percussion.

He also reflected on the song “Entre Mi Vida y la Tuya” released in 2015, which gave him his first No. 1 on Billboard‘s Tropical Airplay chart. He said that the melody came to him while he was resting in a pool in the middle of a tour through Central America. He quickly found his guitar and recorded it on his phone, where he usually saves song ideas, phrases and feelings.

Among funny anecdotes, Fonseca stated that he shares his songs with his three children — ages 4, 9 and 13 — and they are like his “A&R department: absolutely without compassion.” “They’re like, ‘No, no, no, no, no, that’s horrible.’ [laughs] … They’ve inspired me a lot of songs.”

Regarding his most recent hit “Si Tú Me Quieres” with the Dominican maestro Juan Luis Guerra, who received nominations for the Latin Grammy 2023 for song of the year, recording of the year and best tropical song, he said, “I remember writing the song, arriving at the bridge moment that says ‘like a bee in a honeycomb.’ There I said, ‘Well, this is also like a tribute to Juan Luis’ … and from that moment I began to dream that could happen. It happened two or three years later.”

He also highlighted a special anecdote in his career with the song “Ven,” which he wrote inspired by his daughter Paz and which he said is the fastest song he has ever written. “I started making some chords and literally in an hour and a half, ‘Ven’ landed as if someone was dictating it to me and it was one of the most special intimate moments of my career,” Fonseca said. “I remember singing it after I wrote it so quickly and tears came to my eyes. It was something so personal that it was like a sublime moment by myself.”

Finally, as one of the secrets to staying current in music over the years, the artist stated, “Regardless of the profession one has, one comes to serve through what one does.”

Fonseca also closed Billboard Latin Music Week 2023 with a concert for the En Vivo series at Oasis Wynwood in Miami. Watch a summary of his presentation below, and don’t miss the video of his interview on The Icon Q&A panel above.

10 Oct 2023

Reservoir Acquires Rudy Perez’s Catalog, Signs Publishing Deal With Songwriter-Producer

Reservoir Media has signed a publishing deal with Latin songwriter and producer Rudy Perez, the company tells Billboard. According to Reservoir, the deal includes the acquisition of Perez’s catalog as well as a publishing deal for his future works.

Throughout his career, Perez has collaborated with artists such as Christina Aguilera, Julio Iglesias, Luis Miguel and Marc Anthony. Perez’s hits include “Pero Me Acuerdo de Ti” and “Si No Te Hubiera Conocido,” both of which are included on the Latin Grammy-winning album Mi Reflejo by Aguilera, which spent 19 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart. Also among his credits is Anthony and La India‘s salsa anthem “Vivir Lo Nuestro,” which peaked at No. 10 on the Hot Latin Songs chart in 1994.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of the Reservoir family. I look forward to collaborating on new projects with their entire team as I embark on the next phase of my career,” Perez said in a statement.

“Rudy is a trailblazer. He and Latin music are so deeply intertwined, and his fingerprints are all over so many of the genre’s biggest hits” added Reservoir executive vp John Ozier. “I’ve been talking with Rudy and his team for five years, which makes closing this deal a big moment for me personally. I am so proud to welcome Rudy to Reservoir and help support his legacy and the legacy of the genre moving forward.”

Perez co-founded the Latin Recording Academy in 1997 and the Latin Grammys in 2000. He also co-created the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013 to further recognize and honor Latin songwriters.

“It is remarkable what Rudy has done to uplift Latin music through his songwriting, producing, and overall championing for the genre,” said Reservoir founder/CEO Golnar Khosrowshahi. From day one our intention has been to meaningfully diversify Reservoir’s catalog with the highest quality music possible. Rudy is the best of the best, and we are thrilled to partner with him to bring his music to Reservoir.”

Based in New York and founded in 2007, Reservoir — which represents over 150,000 copyrights and 36,000 master recordings — reported $122.3 million in revenue for its fiscal year 2023 ending March 31, driven by a 9% increase in music publishing revenue and an 18% increase in recorded music revenue.

09 Oct 2023

Billboard Latin Music Week 2023 Attendees Share Their Joyful Memories, Presented by Michelob ULTRA

During Billboard Latin Music Week 2023, in between panels, we asked attendees at the Faena Forum, “What Brings You Joy?” and to “Share a Joyful Memory with Music and a Cold Beer?” presented by Michelob ULTRA. Check out some of their responses!

09 Oct 2023

Luis Miguel ‘El Sol de México’ Lights Up New York City: 5 Things to Know

Luis Miguel is, indisputably, one of the top voices of our generation, and his unmatched showmanship was on full display on Thursday (Oct. 8) at the sold-out, 19,500-capacity Madison Square Garden.

El Sol de México is midway through his ambitious Luis Miguel Tour 2023 of 65 shows, produced by CMN, which kicked off August 3 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His upcoming dates include Miami (Oct. 13), Oklahoma City (Oct. 26), Austin (Nov. 5), before Miguel makes his way across plenty of cities in his beloved Mexico; he will complete his tour on Dec. 17 in Guadalajara, Jalisco. 

Backed by an orchestra composed of string and brass sections, three backup singers and a band complete with guitar, percussion and bass, Luis Miguel was quite dapper in his elegant black suit — but still full of energy. Although the Mexican icon did not speak to the crowd, he did extend his arms to the front row attendees (Bad Bunny was also in the audience, along with rumored girlfriend Kendall Jenner). Yet, his on-stage dynamism was in full effect, while he delivered 40 years of hits, moments of vocal raspiness aside. 

Amid a sea of neon-colored lights that adorned the scene — via bracelets that elated concert-goers wore on their wrists — and a screen behind the stage showing images of galaxy clusters, aurora borealis, and majestic forests, the nearly two-hour set was nothing short of spectacular. The bonafide hitmaker’s spanned whirling romantic songs (“No Sé Tú,” “La Incondicional,” “Hasta Que Me Olvides”), energetic pop (“Ahora Te Puedes Marchar,” “La Chica Del Bikini Azul,” “Isabel”) and even one number featuring a troupe of invigorated mariachi players (“La Bikina”).

If you missed one of his shows, fret not: The “Fría Como el Viento” crooner will resume with part two for Luis Miguel Tour 2024, kicking off in the Dominican Republic (Jan. 20), then hitting Puerto Rico (Jan. 23), before he makes his way throughout several major cities across South America, and eventually returns back to the United States. 

Here are five things to know about his Luis Miguel Tour 2023: 

09 Oct 2023

Bad Bunny Reveals New Album Title and Release Date — and It’s Coming Really Soon

Just two weeks after releasing his latest reggaeton single “Un Preview” — and telling his more than 15 million followers on his WhatsApp Channel that “this is possibly the last song I release this year. It’s a little preview of what’s to come next year” — Bad Bunny announces his new studio album is dropping soon.  

On Monday (Oct. 9), the “Yo Perreo Sola” singer headed to his Instagram account, where he boasts nearly 50 million followers, to share the album title and release date. 

“The most anticipated day by many has arrived,” he captioned the promo video in which he’s seen swarmed by paparazzi before entering a fancy restaurant and being greeted by a gentleman who says, “Don Benito, it’s so nice to see you.” 

Bunny, looking dapper in a black suit, white sunglasses, and showing off his newly shaved head, smiles and shakes his hand, before the album title and date are revealed. 

The global Puerto Rican star — who won seven 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards including artist of the year — first teased fans on his X account on Sunday (Oct. 8), revealing that 22 tracks are on the set. Next to each number is the word “Fuego,” hinting that each song is fire. This was the same strategy he used in May 2022 ahead of his Un Verano Sin Ti album release, when each number had the word “PALO” next to it, which loosely translated to “hit.” 

The set will be called Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va A Pasar Mañana (Nobody Knows What Will Happen Tomorrow) and will come out this Friday, Oct. 13. Fans can already pre-save the album here. 

Nadie Sabe marks Bunny’s fifth studio album. He previously released X100PRE (2018), YHLQMDLG (2020), El Último Tour Del Mundo (2020), Un Verano Sin Ti (2022). 

See his posts teasing his new album below:

09 Oct 2023

Yng Lvcas Signs Management Deal With OCESA Seitrack

Yng Lvcas has signed an alliance with OCESA Seitrack, in partnership with Laele Records,  to manage his career worldwide, Billboard can exclusively announce on Monday (Oct. 9). 

The rising Mexican artist, known for his breakthrough track “La Bebe (Remix)” in collaboration with Peso Pluma, was a six-time finalist at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards. He was up for artist of the year, new; Global 200 Latin song of the year; Hot Latin Song of the year; Hot Latin Song of the year, vocal event; Streaming Song of the year; and Latin Rhythm Song of the year. 

The artist and Peso also shared center stage at the awards ceremony on Thursday (Oct. 5) in Miami to perform their smash hit, “La Bebe,” which peaked at No. 2 on the Hot Latin Songs chart, peaked No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and peaked at No. 2 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts, earlier this year. 

“I’ve collaborated with emerging artists because I have to help other artists, we’re Mexican and we may not be best friends but coming together makes us stronger,” the 23-year-old Guadalajara-born artist expressed during the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Week, where he formed part of the The New Mexican Revolution panel alongside Peso and Grupo Frontera.

In May, Lvcas — a leader of the Mexican reggaeton movement — unleashed his second all-reggaetón album Six Jewels 23, which captured the singer-songwriter his second top 10 entry on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart when it debuted at No. 5 on the June 10-dated ranking. 

The following month, he signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Mexico, and up next, he will perform at the coveted Flow Fest on November 25 in Mexico. 

09 Oct 2023

All the Billboard Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award Winners Since 1994

Powerhouse producer and musician Emilio Estefan was the very first person to ever receive the Billboard Latin Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994. For a short period of time (1995-1998), the award’s name was changed to El Premio Billboard and was awarded to Tito Puente, José Feliciano, Herb Alpert and Ralph Mercado. In 1999, it returned as the Lifetime Achievement Award and was given to norteño artist Leonardo “Flaco” Jiménez.

Since, the tradition has remained, and over the years, renowned and chart-topping Latin artists such Armando Manzanero, Marco Antonio Solís, Miguel Bosé, Emmanuel, José José, Santana, Juan Luis Guerra, among many others, have gone on to receive the prestigious accolade.

The Billboard Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award is an honor that is presented by Billboard to an artist or a group who’s had an “enduring and exceptional career, encompassing artistic and personal contributions that have had a major impact on Latin music worldwide.”

Last year, the honoree was Spanish icon Raphael who accepted the special honor at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards. He was recognized for his “exceptional professional career and his artistic and personal contributions” that have influenced the development of Latin music around the world. With a musical career that spans more than 60 years, Raphael — known for anthemic songs such as “Yo Soy Aquel,” “En Carne Viva” and “Mi Gran Noche” — has garnered worldwide recognition as a pioneer of Spanish-language romantic ballads.

Mexican cumbia group Los Ángeles Azules was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards on Oct. 5. The band — known for songs such as “El Listón de Tu Pelo,” “Cómo Te Voy a Olvidar” and “Mi Niña Mujer” — among many other cumbia anthems, was recognized for their enduring, exceptional career that has expanded the reach of Latin music worldwide.

All of the previous honorees have made a significant contribution to Latin music. In honor of the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards show and Los Ángeles Azules’ special award, here are all the Billboard Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award recipients from over the years.

07 Oct 2023

Musica Mexicana Newcomers Shine at 2023 Latin Music Week Showcase

The 2023 Billboard Latin Music Week welcomed star-studded Q&A sessions, educational panels, and a wave of showcases — all celebrating the biggest acts in the Latin music realm the week of Oct. 2-6. 

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On Wednesday (Oct. 4), Billboard En Vivo hosted “A Night of Mexican Music” presented by Sonidos Mexicanos Promotores Unidos, Zamora Group and Rancho Humilde, featuring rising stars of the genre.

“Thank you for the opportunity on this occasion. We hope to continue growing in the future,” said the host of the night. 

The boutique event, which took place in Miami’s WhiskyLucan Restaurant, kicked off at around 11 p.m. with the acoustic presentation of emerging artist Erre. Wearing shorts, white sneakers and strutting his faithful guitar, the Phoenix-based artist performed his singles “Solo,” which is a collaboration with Eslabon Armado, “Me Olvidaste,” and “Te Extraño.” 

Carlos Sarabia, former vocalist of Banda El Recodo, then took center stage to explain that his band could not travel due to logistics but he crooned the intimate audience with an acapella version of his popular song, “Mi Gusto Es.” 

Wrapping up the night was Monterrey-based newcomer Sebastian Esquivel, and one of Billboard’s On The Radar Latin artists, who proudly represented the new corridos movement with his trap fusions and his Alex Favela-assisted track “RZR Rojo.” It was Esquivel’s first time performing in the U.S.

Celebrated for more than 30 years, the 2023 edition of Latin Music Week included a Superstar Q&A with Shakira; the Legends on Legends chat with Chencho Corleone and Vico C; Making the Hit Live! with Carin León and Pedro Capó; a panel with RBD’s Christian Chávez, Christopher von Uckermann, and Maite Perroni; Superstar Songwriter discussion with Edgar Barrera and Keityn, among many other panels, Q&As and workshops. 

This year’s Latin Music Week ran from Oct. 2-6, and also included showcases by Peso Pluma, Mike Bahía and Greeicy, DannyLux and Fonseca, to name a few. Official partners of the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Week include AT&T, Cheetos, CN Bank, Delta Air Lines, Lexus, Netflix, Michelob ULTRA and Smirnoff.

Billboard Latin Music Week coincided with the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards ceremony broadcast live from the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Fla., on Thursday (Oct. 5)