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As música urbana continues to permeate all corners of pop culture — from the charts to Billboard magazine covers and in the global music festival circuit — the genre now makes its way to a TV-competition series as a Netflix Original.
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La Firma (The Signing), the first-ever Latin music competition show on the streaming platform, seeks to sign the next big Latin music star with the support of some big names: Rauw Alejandro, Tainy, Nicki Nicole, Yandel and Lex Borrero.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to give artists from all over Latin America a platform to be heard, [and] what better home than Netflix and in front of some of the biggest names in Latin music,” Borrero tells Billboard Español via email.
In a similar spirit as The Voice and Making The Band, La Firma places 12 hopeful contestants in a mansion, and follows them for the chance to secure a record deal with Neon16 — a talent incubator founded by Borrero and Tainy. Spectators are introduced to budding talent from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Perú, and the U.S.
“What makes La Firma unique is that we are not just looking for talent, but artists with something to say in the world. To stand out, you have to be original,” affirms Borrero in the first episode of the eight-part series which premiered last week (Apr. 4); that’s the premise of La Firma, which you’ll read below.
There are plenty of highlights in the five episodes that are now streaming — the remaining three will premiere on Wednesday, April 12. Here are five things we learned:
“There are many people with talent but few with something to say”
Throughout the series, the all-star cast of judges share valuable industry wisdom with contestants (and spectators). Although Borrero is the first one to be brutally honest with the dozen budding artists, his feedback is always constructive. “Nerves and falsetto don’t go well together,” he offers — or, “There is a big difference between being a good writer and being an artist. Work on your artistic image, because in music you have it.”
Another side of your favorite Latin music superstar
Seeing Tainy, Yandel, Rauw and Nicki Nicole outside of their usual musical persona is appealing. Beyond the celebrity role, the four superstar judges act like coaches, even cheerleaders at times. They share their own experiences to help elevate their contestants. Rauw and Nicki Nicole lighten up the intensity of Lex Borrero’s hard criticism. Yandel and Tainy offer deep insight into a field they’ve seen evolve from its roots in the ’00s. Shots outside of the judging/coaching element are charming too; there’s a scene where Rauw is at the barbershop and Yandel coolly interferes in the fading process and buzzes his hair. “That’s some real Puerto Rican s–t,” said my La Firma viewing partner, who is Boricua himself.
Borrero is intimidating, but it makes for great entertainment
The entertainment mogul knows how to intensify the scene, in a nail-biting kinda way. “You have the best in the industry, and impressing them is not going to be easy,” Borrero says early in the show. His astute criticism and wise one-liners come equipped with advice that’s meant to endure, like good ol’ tough love, the kind that can stick forever in a budding artist.
Then there’s the process of elimination, which will have some at the edge of their seat. Bodyguard Tony isn’t one to mess with; he gives Borrero the unsigned contracts of those who run the risk of losing the round. After all is said and we learn who has lost, Borrero presumes to shred the contract in two with his bare hands, thus building for classic competition-based reality TV sensationalism.
An intimate look at the backgrounds of a diverse casting
The show wastes no time spotlighting their rising stars. As soon as the hopeful crew arrive at their Miami mansion, they are immediately told they’ll be put to the test on day one. That night, they make their way to the E11EVEN club, where we learn the type of style each player is bringing to the table. But beyond their individual talent, the show goes at lengths to shed an intimate light on the dozen, who some come from humble beginnings. We get a glimpse of their world back home, but also the struggles that some of them have faced in their own lives.
As the show evolves, the artists grow on you — and La Firma is able to capture their big transition, especially for those who still remain. Their personalities shine, they become less shy and they begin to write and perform better music. Neon16 had built a rep for developing compelling acts, and they display that on the show.
Key elements that Latin industry heads look for in aspiring artists
Aside from making an entertaining series that highlights the genre in a new light, La Firma offers a deeper look at the Latin music industry. The five star judges take the reins in examining the various components of a contestant’s potential star power: from their artistic image to vocal range, song themes, stage presence and ability to shine even in unfamiliar and perhaps uncomfortable settings.
Each day, the contestants are put through unique challenges that push them to think outside the box, and how well they handle pressure — even if it’s random, like assuming the role of Borrero’s assistants for a day. Judges test their willingness, discipline and creativity, all while contestants simultaneously write original songs alongside some of the best songwriters and producers in the industry: Elena Rose, Albert Hype, Jota Rosa, Gaby Morales, and The Rudeboyz. They also travel to Puerto Rico to discover reggaetón’s foundations, see iconic venues like El Choli, meet with genre pioneer Luny and more.
Latin trap star Arcángel is set to hit the road this summer with his Just In Time World Tour. The 14-date stint, produced by Live Nation, will kick off Aug. 26 at the Allstate Arena in the Chicago area, making stops across the U.S. in Los Angeles, New York, Miami and more before wrapping up in Orlando at Amway Center on Oct. 1.
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The cross-country tour is preceded by a new album (Sr. Santos), which he dropped late last year, and seven back-to-back nights at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in February, and a hard-hitting collaboration with Bizarrap (“BZRP Music Sessions #54”) that he unleashed in March and has nearly 50 million views on YouTube (so far).
Sr. Santos scored the Puerto Rican hitmaker his sixth top 10 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart when it debuted at No. 3 in December. The set, which includes collaborations with Bad Bunny, Young Miko and Myke Towers, among others, is a tribute to his late brother Justin Santos who died at 21-years-old in 2021.
“Life surprised us with the death of [my brother] so we canceled everything,” Arcángel previously told Billboard En Español. “I built up courage and said, ‘since he loved these songs so much, let’s finish it and make and album that will be dedicated to him.’”
In 2021, Arcángel released Los Favoritos 2.5 — a follow up to Los Favoritos 2 from 2020 — which peaked at No. 15 on the Top Latin Albums chart and No. 11 on the Latin Rhythm Albums.
Tickets for his Just In Time Tour will go on sale April 13 at 10 a.m.
See the complete list of dates below:
Aug. 26 — Allstate Arena, Rosemont, IL
Aug. 31 — Smart Financial Centre, Houston, TX
Sept. 2 — The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, Irving, TX
Sept. 3 — Payne Arena, Hidalgo, TX
Sept. 7 — Oakland Arena, Oakland, CA
Sept. 9 — Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, San Diego, CA
Sept. 10 — YouTube Theater, Los Angeles, CA
Sept. 15 — Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater, Bridgeport, CT
Sept. 16 — Eaglebank Arena, Fairfax, VA
Sept. 17 — Santander Arena, Reading, PA
Sept. 22 — Barclays Center, New York, NY
Sept. 23 — Agganis Arena, Boston, MA
Sept. 30 — Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
Oct. 1 — Amway Center, Orlando, FL
The first Sauce Boyz Fest will arrive with a bang. Conceived by Puerto Rican trap star Eladio Carrión, the event, which promises to be historic, will host some of the most exhilarating acts in the música urbana and rap game.
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Headliners include Argentine giants Bizarrap and Duki, rap superstar Wiz Khalifa, Dominican dembow artist Tokischa, and rising stars like Young Miko, Dei V, Yovngchimi and more, with an expected attendance of 45,000 total. The event sold out weeks before the lineup was even announced.
“We really want [fest-goers] to have the best experience of their life. Musically it’s going to be crazy. I’ve been dying to just announce this lineup,” Carrión tells Billboard Español. Taking place May 18 and 20 in Mayagüez and San Juan, the Puerto Rican festival is the first of its kind, being held at a beer factory on day one and by the beach on day two. At the same time, Carrión will launch his own beer line, La H.
Billboard Español traveled to Puerto Rico to speak with the tremendo cabrón (reference to his newest album 3MEN2 KBRN) to discuss everything about his latest festival endeavor.
This is your first annual Sauce Boyz Fest. What’s the origin story?
My team and I were trying to figure out how to give fans a better show than our past one, which was at El Choliseo (Coliseo de Puerto Rico) [which took place last year]. It was a really good three days, so we had to do something extra special. It started off as something smaller and we just kept building and molding until this big gigantic monster formed. So it’s amazing that it’s going to be something crazy.
The festival was sold out before the lineup was announced! Were you surprised?
I kind of wasn’t because I know my fans, they know me, and they know that I’m never going to give them something mediocre. What they don’t know is how hard it’s going to be. They know it’s going to be special, but I don’t think they know it’s going to be this special. We went all out.
Talk to me about the logistics, where it takes place, etc.
We divided it into two events. We have the 18th, which is going to be in Mayagüez. Artists usually never do stuff on the West Side because there are no big venues. But we’re going to use the Cervecera where they make the beers in Puerto Rico. They make Medalla, they make our beer La H that we just came out with. We’re going to put [my] beer out [then]. On the 20th , we have the bigger event with a bigger stage. It’s at [Estadio] Sixto Escobar, an open [air] place. There’s a beach, and it’s humongous.
Let’s talk about the lineup.
As for the lineup, we have a bunch of local talent. We’re getting all the kids that are hot right now. We got Dei V, Yovngchimi, Young Miko… people that are stepping the game up from the younger cast of Puerto Rico. Just to name a few of them. As for headliners, we got Bizarrap, Tokischa, Duki and we got Wiz Khalifa. It’ll be Biza’s first time in Puerto Rico, and if I’m not mistaken, for Duki too.
Wiz, that’s the OG. That’s personally a win for me because I’m dying to see his show. I don’t know how I’m going to do it, but I’m going to try and see his show before I do mine. I’m excited for that one. I know they’re going to love it here, too. I think it’s Wiz’s first time live in Puerto Rico. We wanted to bring that cultural experience, not only for it to be Puerto Rican talent, but let [non-Puerto Rican artists] see [the island] for the first time with people who want to see them.
Bizarrap is in the best moment of his career right now. It’s going to be the first time we’re performing that [session] live together, too. It hasn’t been done yet.
You mentioned you’re launching a beer too at the same time?
We semi-launched it low key on the island. They just distribute it to all the places [in Puerto Rico]. This week, people just started buying it. But the official launch, the first announcement of my beer is going to be towards the festival.
What will make Sauce Boyz Fest a unique experience compared to other festivals in the Latin music circuit?
The experience. We got a crazy lineup, 25 artists confirmed, plus my show at the end. Besides the music, we’re really focusing on the experience, like when [fest-goers] are waiting for their favorite artist or when they arrive to the merch seccion — we really want them to have the best experience of their life. Musically it’s going to be crazy. I’ve been dying to just announce this lineup.
Actor and singer Julián Figueroa, the son of the late Mexican music icon Joan Sebastian and actress Maribel Guardia, died on Sunday (April 9) in Mexico City. He was 28.
“It saddens me to announce the passing of my beloved son Julián Figueroa, who has unfortunately preceded us in parting from this level,” Guardia posted on her Instagram account.
Guardia said Figueroa was found unconscious in his room while she was at the theater. “They called 911 and when the ambulance and police arrived, they found him already lifeless, with no traces of violence. The medical report indicates that he died of an acute myocardial infarction and ventricular fibrillation,” she said.
Guardia added that the funeral services will be held privately, and asked that the family’s privacy be respected at this painful moment.
Just a day before, Figueroa had published a heartfelt tribute to his father, who would have turned 72 on Saturday.
“How slowly 8 years have gone by, since the day you left time tastes more bitter. And people proclaim that time is a fix for everything, but this is a vile lie, it hurts more every day, and this is without fear of hurting sensibilities,” the artist wrote on his social networks, next to a photo of himself as a child, with his father. “The fans cry LONG LIVE THE PEOPLE’S POET, but I don’t give a damn, I ONLY LOVE MY DAD.”
Figueroa was known for songs such as “Pídeme,” “Volaré,” “Cómo Olvidar” and “Necesito de Ti,” among others. According to El Universal newspaper, he had finished recording his first solo album and was preparing its release. His last stint as an actor was in the Televisa-Univision telenovela Mi Camino Es Amarte.
He is the third of Sebastian’s eight children to pass away. The first was Trigo Figueroa, who was murdered in 2006 by fans of his father who insisted on entering the singer’s dressing room; and the second was Juan Sebastián, also murdered in 2010 outside a bar where he apparently had an argument with local security staff.
In addition to his mother, Julián Figueroa is survived by his wife, Ime Garza; his 6-year-old son, José Julián; and his siblings José Manuel, Juliana, Zarelea, Marcelina and Joana.
Read Maribel Guardia’s full statement below:
Chilean singer-songwriter Polimá Westcoast signed a global deal with Sony Music U.S. Latin, Billboard has learned. With this agreement, the up-and-coming artist expands his relationship with the label after previously singing with Sony Music Entertainment Chile in 2019.
Born Polimá Ngangu Eduardo Miguel Orellana, the Santiago-born act entered the music industry in 2018 with his edgy “Trap Star,” which captured his trap star-meets-rock star attitude. Polimá Westcoast gradually made a name for himself as a local artist performing at the important Lollapalooza Chile Festival last year and at Viña del Mar International Song Festival in February.
“This is something fundamental for me that not only I worked on, but also along my great team,” the singer said in a statement. “A lot is happening with my career at the international stage. We are ready and determined to take the necessary steps to achieve the next level.”
Although Polimá has been making music for some time now, it was his Pailita-assisted track “Ultra Solo” released last year that really put him on the map. It peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Excl. U.S. chart (dated July 2, 2022). He later landed a remix alongside Paloma Mami, Feid and De La Ghetto. In the past, he’s also collaborated with J Balvin and Quevedo.
“We are very happy to continue working with Polimá Westcoast, who has proven to be one of the most talented and creative artists of his generation,” added Alex Gallardo, president of Sony Music U.S. Latin. “We are confident that together we can bring his music to new audiences worldwide. Today, we welcome him to Sony U.S. Latin, where we are committed to helping him continue to grow his name internationally and become one of the biggest names in Latin music.”
Jamie Lee Curtis is applauding Karol G for calling out her GQ Mexico magazine cover that the Colombian star alleges was photoshopped.
“Today my GQ magazine cover was made public, a cover with an image that does not represent me,” Karol G had posted on Instagram Thursday (April 6), with the cover image shown next to a selfie. “My face doesn’t look like that, my body doesn’t look like that and I feel very happy and comfortable with how I look naturally. I understand the repercussions this can have, but beyond feeling it’s disrespectful to me, it’s disrespectful to women who wake up looking to feel comfortable with themselves despite society’s stereotypes.”
On Sunday, Curtis shared the magazine cover and the singer’s comments on her own Instagram account, bringing the conversation over to her fans.
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“I’m so happy that @karolg is bringing awareness to an issue I have been concerned about for a long time,” Curtis. “We are human beings. We are not AI and this genocide against what is naturally beautiful is alarming and needs to be talked about.”
The Everything Everywhere All at Once actress added that she, Justine Bateman and Andie MacDowell have been vocal about this issue previously, and that she’s “very encouraged that a younger person is joining the chorus of disapproval. The cosmeceutical industrial complex wants you to look in the mirror and hate yourself and then buy their bulls—.”
Karol G’s history-making Mañana Será Bonito debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 last month. It became the first No. 1 for her on the chart, and it marked the first time that an all-Spanish-language album by a woman topped the list.
See Jamie Lee Curtis’ post below.
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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Yahritza y Su Esencia & Grupo Frontera, “Frágil” (Lumbre Music/Columbia Records)
In a first collaborative effort, Yahritza y Su Esencia and Grupo Frontera release “Frágil,” a captivating norteño track charged with unanswered questions, soul, and emotion. “Sorry, I don’t know the reason and I put my heart where I shouldn’t have/ I didn’t see the sign,” Yahritza starts off, backed by weeping guitars. “It was I who got their hopes up and though it didn’t work out, I gave you my life,” responds Payo in the first 28 seconds.
The track then transitions into a hard-hitting norteño and cumbia fusion — a sound that’s become signature to Frontera but new for the siblings’ group that’s known for their sad sierreño style. Notably are the heartfelt lyrics about having a fragile heart and not knowing how to handle a breakup. “Why don’t I have a heart like that?/ Like the one they gave you because the one I have is fragile, that’s why you easily broke it,” chants the 16-year-old singer-songwriter. “Frágil” comes with a simple yet special music video featuring both acts. — JESSICA ROIZ
Cazzu & Young Miko, “Brinca” (Rimas Entertainment)
Cazzu’s “Brinca” immerses onlookers into the abstract world of Nena Trampa, her Latin drill-driven odyssey. Brimming with equal parts danger and seduction, the Argentine femme fatal teams with Puerto Rican rapper Young Miko, and the incendiary pair presume to unleash their inner beast. They trade verses, play with gender roles, and boast of their malignant side with plenty of intrigue: “Furious, fugitive, bad girl, possessive/ I dedicated “Diva” to her so she can live it alone/ A gangster nena, she’s always screwing with thugs/ She knows it doesn’t suit her and now she likes singers,” spits Cazzu against the ravenous trap beat of Argentine beatmaker Nico Cotton. Meanwhile, Young Miko never lets her guard down as she displays her sly and flirtatious banter, making “Brinca” a highly provocative song for a night out of debauchery. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Peso Pluma & Blessd, “Las Morras” (Prajina Records/Worms Music/Warner Music Colombia)
For his first venture into the regional Mexican world, Blessd has teamed up with rising corridos star Peso Pluma. The unprecedented collab, “Las Morras,” which loosely translates to “the girls,” is a raw and blunt acoustic-led corrido, essentially about being on top of the world. Adapting his vocals to a deeper-than-usual tone, Blessd matches Peso Pluma’s swaggy attitude not only in the lyrics but in the over-the-top music video — where, clearly, both live a lavish lifestyle.
The new song is a testament to Peso Pluma’s efforts to continue globalizing the genre. Blessd is the second urban artist from Colombia who joins him on a corrido. Ovy on the Drums was the first colombiano to collab with the Mexican artist. “I feel like Mexican Music has come close to really going international, but it hasn’t fully happened yet,” Peso Pluma previously told Billboard. “The regional Mexican artist is emerging — we’re growing within the industry, you can’t deny that anymore.” — GRISELDA FLORES
Pablo Milanés & Juanes, “Día de Luz” (Universal Music Spain)
“Día de Luz” is the first single from the posthumous album by renowned singer-songwriter Pablo Milanés, who passed away in November 2022, a few months after celebrating his 80th birthday and launching this project. The album, which will be released on May 26 under the Universal Music Spain label, is called “Amor y Salsa – 80 Aniversario” and will have collaborations with various Latin artists as a tribute to the legacy of the Cuban troubadour.
For this first song, Milanés joins the unmistakable voice of Juanes to create a pleasant traditional Cuban Son that speaks of a lover’s desire to safeguard the harmony of their relationship in the face of the uncertainty of what may be in the outside world. Juanes’ airy voice creates a refreshing contrast to the Milanés maestro’s age-old tone, as they are harmoniously interrupted by a trumpet that carries its melody as a third voice throughout the song. “May the night envelop you, and may you sleep peacefully. I will watch over your dreams while waiting, perhaps, for another cruel and uncertain day” they express in unison. — LUISA CALLE
JENCARLOS & Yotuel feat. Arturo Sandoval, “Sueño” (Alkatraks Music Group)
JENCARLOS and Yotuel join Arturo Sandoval to sing for the freedom of their homeland of Cuba. “I know that we’re about to meet again/ And build what we have dreamed of/ Wait for me in the same place/ Wait for me that there is little left to hug each other,” go part of the lyrics in Spanish, which also includes the line “Patria y Vida” from Yotuel’s Latin Grammy-winning song of the same name. The moving track comes with a music video that combines images of the artists and others clad in white embracing on the beach. “Dream, that’s my dream/ A dream that is our dream/ A dream of freedom,” the song ends. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Below, stream Billboard’s New Music Latin playlist, also featuring other recent releases in Latin.
While Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” continues its rule atop the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts – it’s now up to 10 weeks at No. 1 on each tally – activity throughout the surveys shows a variety of artists making impacts. One of those is Peso Pluma, who blasts into the top 10 of both April 8-dated rankings for the first time.
“La Bebe,” by Yng Lvcas and Peso Pluma, climbs to No. 6 on Global Excl. U.S. and No. 7 on the Global 200. In the week ending March 30, the reggaetón track drew 61 million streams, up 90%, according to Luminate. It’s the first global chart entry for YNG Lvcas. For the latter, it builds upon many months of momentum.
Peso Pluma first reached the global charts with “Siempre Pendientes,” a collaboration with Luis R Conriquez. That song spent three weeks on both lists last September, peaking at No. 155 on Global Excl. U.S. and No. 174 on the Global 200.
The track dropped off both charts seven months ago, but Peso Pluma now counts six songs on each April 8-dated global ranking, none lower than No. 60. And while that haul started just two-and-a-half months ago with the debut of “AMG” with Gabito Ballesteros and Natanel Cano, the best could be yet to come.
Just last week, “Ella Baila Sola” with Eslabon Armando debuted in the top 20 of both charts; it jumps to No. 11 on this week’s Global 200 and No. 12 on Global Excl. U.S. One spot away from becoming his second top 10 in two weeks, rising into either charts’ upper echelon would mark the first time a Mexican act would double-up in the same week.
Further, “El Azul,” Peso Pluma’s collaboration with American producer Junior H, zooms to No. 53 on Global Excl. U.S. and No. 59 on the Global 200. Rising 39 positions on the former chart and 42 on the latter, the song nears each list’s top 40, on track to become Peso Pluma’s sixth title to reach the region.
Peso Pluma has buffed up his global portfolio in 2023 with a wide range of collaborations, but his solo prowess shouldn’t be underestimated. “Por Las Noches” is his first solo chart hit, holding in the top 40 of the Global 200. And even his top 10 duet with Yng Lvcas shows evidence of his contribution to the song’s high rank: “La Bebe” originated as a solo Yng Lvcas track, released in 2021. Picking up momentum at the top of the year, the song hit both global charts, climbing among the lower half of each list last month. The remix featuring Peso Pluma arrived March 17, propelling the song from No. 103 to No. 21, and now to No. 7 on the Global 200, and similarly from No. 74 to No. 6 across two weeks on Global Excl. U.S.
Peso Pluma’s wide-ranging global success can, in part, be attributed to his musical flexibility. Most of his globally charting hits fit the mold of regional Mexican tradition, while “La Bebe,” his first top 10, aligns with reggaetón. Both have become increasingly popular, both globally and in the U.S., where he counts five songs on this week’s domestic-based Billboard Hot 100.
And while reggaetón might first appear to be the more U.S.-friendly genre with its production sharing elements with American pop and hip-hop, it’s one of Peso Pluma’s regional Mexican tracks that leads the way on the Hot 100. “Ella Baila Sola” hangs at No. 31, over “La Bebe” at No. 34. This week, All of his regional Mexican songs skew 27-28% of their worldwide streams from the U.S. and 72-73% international, while “La Bebe” splits 22% U.S. and 78% beyond.
As for Peso Pluma’s global standings, all five of his charting regional Mexican songs rank among the top 10 of Billboard’s Mexico Songs chart, logically enough, but don’t appear on any other Hits of the World tallies. “La Bebe,” however, with its top 10 placement on both global charts, finds itself on rankings for Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, in addition to its No. 1 status on Mexico Songs.
Karol G made it clear that she’s not happy with her latest magazine cover for GQ Mexico.
The Colombian star expressed her disappointment over the image that she says “does not represent me.” The two-photo Instagram post shared on April 6 features a selfie without makeup and the actual magazine cover. “I don’t even know to start this message,” she began her caption.
The artist went on to say that she was thankful to the magazine for giving her this opportunity — she was part of the brand’s inaugural Global Creativity Awards — but that after telling them that she was not comfortable with the “many” edits that they made to her cover, the magazine did nothing about it, she alleged.
“Today my GQ magazine cover was made public, a cover with an image that does not represent me. My face doesn’t look like that, my body doesn’t look like that and I feel very happy and comfortable with how I look naturally,” she stated. “I understand the repercussions this can have, but beyond feeling it’s disrespectful to me, it’s disrespectful to women who wake up looking to feel comfortable with themselves despite society’s stereotypes.”
The “Provenza” singer quickly received messages from fellow women artists congratulating her for taking a stand and calling out the magazine. “I love you. You are beautiful. Thank you for doing this for all of us,” Chiquis commented on the post.
Billboard has reached out to GQ for comment.
Karol G recently released her history-making Mañana Será Bonito, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 when it arrived in March. It became the first No. 1 for her on that tally, and the chart’s first No. 1 all-Spanish-language album by a woman artist. Karol G is set to headline Chicago’s Lollapalooza in August, where she will become the first woman Latin artist to top the bill for the festival.
See Karol G’s message about her GQ cover below:
La Usurpadora is hitting theaters in a new musical adaptation presented by Pantelion Films — 25 years after the Mexican telenovela starring Gabriela Spanic and Fernando Colunga aired.
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Directed by Santiago Limón and produced by Matt Walden and Paul Presburger, La Usurpadora: The Musical, similar to the famed 1998 novela, revolves around identical twin sisters Valeria and Victoria who were separated at birth and 28 years later meet and switch lives. The former is humble and kind, the latter is rich and cruel.
A 13-track soundtrack, executive produced by Grammy- and Latin Grammy-winning producer Sebastian Krys, accompanies the original film.
“Matt Walden called me and said he was turning a telenovela into a musical and I said ‘That’s insane, count me in!’” Krys said during a press screening in Miami on Wednesday night. “It makes sense because the way he would point it is that telenovelas are already over-the-top, so the next logical step is to have everyone singing and dancing.”
Though the film is based in the modern day, its soundtrack pays tribute to some of the biggest Latin hits of the ’90s, including Celia Cruz’s “La Vida Es Un Carnaval,” Gloria Estefan’s “Mi Tierra,” Selena Quintanilla’s “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” Ricky Martin’s “Vuelve,” Cristian Castro’s “No Podrás” and many more.
“We’d go back and forth in finding the right fit musically, lyrically, and then getting the rights,” Krys explains of his soundtrack debut that took more than four years to create. “I’ve worked with a lot of those artists in a lot of their records, like with Ricky Martin and Franco De Vita. I’ve worked with Gloria for 12 years, so doing this soundtrack was a little daunting because I didn’t want to screw the original songs up.”
“One of the things that I love the most while recording the songs is that he gave us total freedom of feeling the songs our own way,” adds Isabela Castillo, who portrays Valeria and Victoria in the musical. “It was a process of about four months where he gave us the liberty of playing around and experimenting with the harmony and melodies. That’s what you’re going to see here. We have song mashups, different ingredients, and new musical arrangements that these songs didn’t have back in the day. It’s really mind-blowing.”
Bringing the ’90s hits to life for La Usurpadora: The Musical was an overall joy for the cast, which also includes Alan Estrada, who portrays Carlos Daniel, the love interest of the twins.
“For me, the last 20 minutes of the movie was my favorite to perform,” he says. “I find the mash-up of ‘Vuelve’ and ‘Cosas del Amor’ very exciting and you’ll see many things unfold in that scene. It brings me happiness. At the Los Angeles screening, everyone clapped as if they were watching a play. I’ve never seen that happen in a movie, and I really liked that reaction. As an actor, we want our work to become memorable in some way.”
La Usurpadora: The Musical, whose cast also includes Susana Zabaleta, Jesús Ochoa, Alejandra Guzmán and Spanic, the OG Usurpadora actress, to name a few, premieres Friday in the U.S. and April 12 in Mexico.