Latin
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The September day that Becky G learned she had scored her first No. 1 as a solo artist on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart, with “Bailé Con Mi Ex,” she woke up her fiancé, the soccer star Sebastian Lletget, with tears in her eyes. “He was like, ‘Is everything OK? Why are you crying?’ ” she remembers. “A lot of people like to say I’m only successful because of my collaborations. To be able to prove myself as an artist and carry my own weight was important for me. To show the world that whichever way, collaborations or alone, I’m good.”
That solo feat is just one of many points of pride for the 25-year-old Mexican American artist and businesswoman, born Rebbeca Marie Gomez, these days. In 2022, she earned her first No. 1 on the Latin Pop Albums chart with the 14-track Esquemas, and another album — her first regional Mexican set — is due to arrive later this year. Come April, she’ll have “a huge opportunity to reintroduce myself to the world” when she plays Coachella under her own name for the first time.
Jean Paul Gaultier top, AKIRA jacket, Versace shorts, Giuseppe Zanotti shoes, Moschino earrings, Grace Lee and Yvonne Léon rings.
Martha Galvan
All the while, Becky G has used her platform to help elevate the women around her. “This industry has really tried to condition women to see each other as competition. We’ve had to survive these very male-dominated spaces because of that ‘there’s only one seat at the table’ mentality. So we’re looking at each other like, ‘Who’s going to get it?’ [But] at my table, everyone is welcome,” she says firmly. “When I open the door, I’m going to leave it open and make sure everyone gets in.”
That impulse, she says, comes from her experience growing up in a tight-knit community in Inglewood, Calif., where her grandmother would cook for her grandchildren and, “If Doña Lolita from down the street came over, she would have enough [food] for her kids too,” says Becky G. “My entire being has been inspired by the houses I grew up in, the people that raised me. It really does take a village when it comes to our culture. Where one person eats, everyone can eat. I’ve really lived by ‘sharing is caring.’ ”
Monot dress, Giuseppe Zanotti shoes, Eéera earrings, Vera Belleza ring.
Martha Galvan
And this year’s Impact honoree applies that kind of thinking not only within the music industry but beyond it, including as a co-chair of Michelle Obama’s voter registration nonprofit, When We All Vote. “I want to be a bridge-maker. I want to be a peacemaker,” Becky G says. “I want to be a real model, not a role model, because I know perfection is not real.”
How have you used your position to create change around you?
It’s not about what you identify as but who you are and how you treat other people and the change you want to make after you become the change. Someone told me the other day, “This contract looks like industry standard,” and I really challenged them. I said, “To be honest, that’s offensive because industry standard wasn’t made with people like me in mind.” It wasn’t made for young, brown women who are Latinas; who identify as a boss; who have ideas; who speak two languages. It’s about time that the industry starts to reflect that. And not just in how we’re represented but how we’re treated, how we’re paid, how we’re invited into those spaces. Changing those things is hard and I can’t do that alone, so I’m grateful I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with so many women.
Marine Serre top and pants, Al Zain necklaces, Rainbow K, Yvonne Leon and Grace Lee rings.
Martha Galvan
Which artist made you believe you could have an impact outside of music?
Selena. She was more than just a pretty face. She was a kind person, a good person, and that heart she had for people translated not just into her artistry but how she loved her fans. Being Tex-Mex, speaking Spanglish, someone who took over genres that were very male-dominated, she inspired other people.
How have you chosen which issues matter to you most?
It’s hard to think about being one person and saving the world, but when you think about being one person and making just a small impact in your community, it feels a lot more achievable. There are a lot of trailblazers coming into these spaces, and it’s important to create alliances.
Jean Paul Gaultier top, AKIRA jacket, Versace shorts, Giuseppe Zanotti shoes, Moschino earrings, Grace Lee and Yvonne Léon rings.
Martha Galvan
What does receiving the Impact award mean to you?
There’s nothing more rewarding than knowing that you’re helping others and not expecting anything in return other than seeing people live in their truths, being inspired to be the change, live better lives because of whatever awareness I can bring. That, ultimately, is my version of success.
Miu Miu top, Area NY skirt, Wolford stockings, Marc Jacobs shoes, Grace Lee earrings.
Martha Galvan
This story originally appeared in the February 25, 2023, issue of Billboard.
The September day that Becky G learned she had scored her first No. 1 as a solo artist on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart, with “Bailé Con Mi Ex,” she woke up her fiancé, the soccer star Sebastian Lletget, with tears in her eyes. “He was like, ‘Is everything OK? Why are you crying?’ ” she remembers. “A lot of people like to say I’m only successful because of my collaborations. To be able to prove myself as an artist and carry my own weight was important for me. To show the world that whichever way, collaborations or alone, I’m good.”
That solo feat is just one of many points of pride for the 25-year-old Mexican American artist and businesswoman, born Rebbeca Marie Gomez, these days. In 2022, she earned her first No. 1 on the Latin Pop Albums chart with the 14-track Esquemas, and another album — her first regional Mexican set — is due to arrive later this year. Come April, she’ll have “a huge opportunity to reintroduce myself to the world” when she plays Coachella under her own name for the first time.
All the while, Becky G has used her platform to help elevate the women around her. “This industry has really tried to condition women to see each other as competition. We’ve had to survive these very male-dominated spaces because of that ‘there’s only one seat at the table’ mentality. So we’re looking at each other like, ‘Who’s going to get it?’ [But] at my table, everyone is welcome,” she says firmly. “When I open the door, I’m going to leave it open and make sure everyone gets in.”
Read Becky G’s full Billboard Women in Music profile here.
La Maquinaria Norteña starts off 2023 strong, as the quintet’s “Eres Ese Algo” advances 3-1 to lead Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart dated Feb. 25.
“Eres Ese Algo” arrives just six months after La Maquinaria claimed its first radio No. 1 during its 10-year-plus charting career on Regional Mexican Airplay, which launched with the No. 40 debut and peak of “Ayer y Hoy” in 2011. Before “Eres Ese Algo,” “50 y Cincuenta” earned the norteño ensemble its maiden champ on any airplay chart last August. In between the band scored a No. 38 high through “Mejor Ni Me La Nombren,” with Neto Bernal (Aug. 27).
“Eres” shoots to No. 1 on Regional Mexican Airplay in its 14th week on the chart. It takes the lead boosted by 28% gain in audience impressions, to 10 million, earned in the U.S. in the week ending Feb. 16, according to Luminate. The increase secures the track the Greatest Gainer honors of the week.
The song is the second single of Al Derecho y Al Reverso, the seven-track set released Oct. 14 via Azteca/Fonovisa/UMLE, which reached No. 10 high on Regional Mexican Albums on the Jan. 21-dated ranking.
In addition to bringing La Maquinaria its second airplay No. 1, “Eres” also secures the Azteca label its third ruler on Regional Mexican Airplay, among its 72 chart entries spanning 12 years. Prior to “50 y Cincuenta” and “Eres” by La Maquinaria, Azteca scored its first leader, also last August, through La Fiera de Ojinaga’s “Luna de Miel.”
Beyond its Regional Mexican Airplay coronation, “Eres” ascends the all-genre Latin Airplay list, rallying 10-4, besting La Maquinaria Norteña’s previous peak of No. 9 with “50 y Cincuenta.”
“Eres” was written by Keith Nieto, founding member of the Chihuahua-based band.
“We know what you’ve all been waiting for and here we are,” Karol G and Shakira jointly posted on social media on Tuesday (Feb. 21) announcing their highly anticipated collaboration.
The pair will join forces for “TQG,” which will be part of Karol’s upcoming new album, Mañana Será Bonito, set to drop Feb. 24. It’s the first time the Colombian superstars unite for a track. The photo of them side-by-side kneeling on a dirt-like surface doesn’t reveal much about the actual song, but fans are already predicting it will be a hit. Fellow artists such as Anitta and Becky G reacted by writing “wow” or commenting two crown emojis.
Shakira is just one of a handful of collaborations featured on Karol’s album. Mañana Será Bonito will also include collabs with Quevedo, Carla Morrison, Sean Paul, Sech, Bad Gyal, Justin Quiles and Angel Dior. It also includes previously released hit singles “Provenza,” “Cairo” with Ovy on the Drums, “Gatubela” featuring Maldy, and the Romeo Santos-assisted “X Si Volvemos.”
Mañana Será Bonito will be her fourth studio album. It will follow her 2021 Grammy-nominated KG0516, which scored Karol her first No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums. The set earned the biggest week for a Latin album by a woman since Shakira‘s 2017 El Dorado.
Meanwhile, Shakira is currently making the rounds with her Bizarrap Music Session, “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53.” The diss track, released in January, peaked at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart. With her music session, Shakira ties with Bad Bunny for the fourth-most No. 1s overall, both with 12.
See the collaboration announcement below:
Alejandro Fernández took the stage Tuesday (Feb. 21) at the Quinta Vergara for his highly anticipated performance at Chile’s Viña del Mar International Song Festival.
Accompanied by a live band that included mariachi and norteño musicians, the ranchera superstar — who wore an elegant black and gold charro suit — delivered an impressive performance where he belted out anthems such as “Tantita Pena,” “Estuve,” “Hoy Tengo Ganas De Ti” and “Mátalas.” Fernández received silver and gold gaviota trophies for his riveting 90-minute set. “Let’s celebrate, campeones (champs),” he said.
Here are some highlights from his Feb. 21 headlining set at Viña del Mar:
EL POTRILLO RETURNS TO VIÑA
“Chile, Viña,” he said at the beginning, vividly emotional as he made his return to Viña del Mar after last performing there in 2015. “Ahí te va charrito (here you go, charrito),” he added as he walked toward one side of a stage to give a little fan in the audience — who wore a charro outfit — a part of his very own suit. “I always feel great excitement to be on this stage, from the very first time I had the opportunity to be part of this important festival to this day. I promise to leave my soul and heart here. Let music always unite us. Viva Chile! Viva México!”
A SWOON-WORTHY PERFORMANCE
After more urban-leaning sets by Karol G and Tini on the first two days of Viña, Fernández brought romanticism to the festival. Occasionally blowing kisses to his fans — who would scream at the top of their lungs after one of his many charming gestures toward them — the charro sang the classics, or as he called them “viejitas pero bonitas,” that made it seem like the entire Quinta Vergara was either in love or going through a heartbreak that night. The crowd sang along in unison to “Hoy Tengo Ganas De Ti,” “Si Tu Supieras,” “Te Voy a Perder,” “Qué Voy a Hacer Con Mi Amor,” “Como Quien Pierde Una Estrella,” “Me Dediqué a Perderte” and “Canta Corazón.”
NEW MATERIAL
The last time Fernández performed at Viña del Mar was eight years ago. “Every single time, the response from the Chile audience only gets bigger,” he said mid-set when he received the silver gaviota. Since he last performed there, he’s released new albums and new singles and he took this opportunity to play his new material, which included “Hecho En México,” “Caballero,” “Decepciones” and “Inexperto En Olvidarte.”
A TRIBUTE TO VICENTE FERNÁNDEZ
One of the most special moments of the night, and definitely a highlight, was when El Potrillo paid tribute to his father, the Mexican icon Vicente Fernández, who died in December 2021. “My father would be so happy to see the response I’ve gotten at Viña this year,” he said. “But, you know, I think he’s here with me. I feel him, he’s probably here on my shoulder.” He went on to perform a medley of Chente’s greatest hits, including “Por Tu Maldito Amor,” “Mujeres Divinas,” “Las Llaves de Mi Alma,” “De Qué Manera Te Olvido” and “El Rey.”
For the first time in its more than six-decade history, the Viña del Mar International Song Festival is being livestreamed in the United States, exclusively on Billboard.com, Billboard’s YouTube channel, and via Twitter @Billboard. The six-day festival continues with Fito Páez on Feb. 22; Christina Aguilera on Feb. 23; and ending with Camilo on Feb. 24. All headliners will perform at 8 p.m. ET.
Find the rest of the week’s schedule below.
Wednesday, Feb. 22: Fito Páez
Thursday, Feb. 23: Christina Aguilera
Friday, Feb. 24: Camilo
Following the inaugural edition of Bésame Mucho in Los Angeles last December, the music festival announced on Tuesday (Feb. 21) the lineup for its second edition.
With headliners Maná, Los Bukis and Gloria Trevi, Bésame will return to Dodger Stadium as a one-day event on Dec. 2. Like last year, it will consist of stages representing different genres. Rock, classics and pop will get their own stage again.
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The “Rockero Stage” will feature sets by artists such as Natalia Lafourcade, La Ley, Ska-P, Aterciopelados and Maldita Vecindad. The “Las Clásicas Stage” roster includes Alejandro Fernández, Pepe Aguilar, Los Tucanes de Tijuana and Conjunto Primavera. Meanwhile, the “Te Gusta El Pop?” stage’s lineup includes Reik, Camila, Belinda, Emmanuel and Jesse & Joy. Returning artists from last year include Café Tacvba, Hombres G, Enanitos Verdes, Ramon Ayala and Banda El Recodo.
Last year, the inaugural Bésame Mucho festival edition sold out in 12 minutes, according to sources, when the 2000s-inspired lineup was announced. At the actual event, thousands of fans had to sprint across the stadium’s parking lot to catch whichever act was on their must-see list. The literal back-to-back sets were 35-50 minutes in length, which fans weren’t too crazy about, especially with technical difficulties that impacted the sound leaving artists to deal with the situation onstage and, ultimately, left them with a shorter set. This year’s lineup isn’t as packed as last year, which could lead to more efficient set transitions and overall production quality.
Tickets for Bésame Mucho 2023 will go on sale Friday, Feb. 24 at 10am PT.
Veteran executive Yvette Medina has been appointed head of Latin music at YMU, the global management company tells Billboard.
Medina joins YMU’s Los Angeles office after launching her own artist management company, Creative Management Firm (CMF), in 2018 with clients such as Paloma Mami and Ecko. According to an announcement, she will continue to manage her current roster (Ecko, De La Cruz and Latenightjiggy) alongside the global YMU team, across all divisions, while overseeing the company’s activities for Latin America and with the wider Latin music community.
“YMU’s global resources and commitment to continue driving Latin music forward on a global scale aligned with my vision and passion, making them a perfect partner,” Medina said in a statement.
With over 18 years of experience in the music industry, Medina has held senior level positions at companies such as CAA, WME and Sony Music Latin. Before launching her own management firm, she was appointed general manager of Roc Nation Latin in 2016.
“Yvette’s experience and reputation speaks for itself. We have been looking for the right partner to establish our presence in the Latin music space for some time as it has exploded in popularity and mainstream visibility,” added Matt Colon, global president at YMU, which represents clients in music, entertainment, sports, publishing and business management. “Yvette’s combination of experience at a talent agency, and as a manager and label executive, has given her a unique skill set perfectly suited to the YMU Music management approach, offering marquee clients a full set of services from a global perspective.”
02/21/2023
The Argentine star was all energy for 90 minutes.
02/21/2023
After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the popular Viña del Mar International Song Festival kicked off Sunday night (Feb. 19) with Karol G as its headliner.
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Wearing a baby pink, sweetheart dress, ankle-high socks, white sneakers, and her bright red locks, the Colombian artist delivered a “Bichota”-packed one-hour and 30-minute set in front of 15,000 people.
“Hey Chile, what’s up?” she asked the audience after kicking off the set with “Gatubela” and “El Poblado (Remix).” “What energy so chimba (cool). I was very nervous and excited for this day to come.”
Singing completely live, accompanied by a group of 12 co-ed dancers, and her all-female girl band, Karol performed hits such as “Bichota,” “200 Copas,” “Ocean,” “Tusa,” and “MAMII,” before wrapping with the EDM version of “Provenza.”
But this was far more than just another Karol G concert—it had special guests, meaningful fan moments, and more. See the highlights below:
SPECIAL GUESTS
Though Karol G performed many of her collaborations alone, such as “Gato Malo” with Nathy Peluso, she invited two special guests to her Viña set. First, she called Chilean newcomer Criss MJ, with whom she performed the unreleased “Noche de Medellin (Remix)” for the first time. “Unfortunately, this song never came out,” she said before the two acts sang it together. She was later joined by renowned Chilean singer-songwriter Myriam Hernandez to sing a potent duet of Hernandez’s 1988 hit “El Hombre Que Yo Amo.” “It’s been 17 years since I’ve been here [Viña]. Thank you for inviting me,” Hernandez said after the song.
DEBUTS NEW SINGLE
During her set, Karol G also surprised fans by singing the opening track of her upcoming album Mañana Sera Bonito called “Mientras Me Curo del Cora.” She dedicated the Hawaiian-inspired song to her older sister who just had a baby.
GIFTS GAVIOTA TO FAN
Karol G made history as the first female urban artist to headline Viña del Mar and along the way, received the coveted silver and gold gaviotas, the seagull-shaped trophies that are the festival’s signature and are decided upon by fans. Toward the end of her set, Karol invited a “mini Bichota” (young fan) on stage, who flaunted her amazing dance moves, to which Karol and the rest of the audience agreed she deserved the gold trophy. It an only-Karol G moment. The hosts then noted they will be sending Karol another Gaviota to her home.
GIRL-POWER SHOUT OUTS
Not only did Karol interact with her fans but at one point she shouted-out Argentine artists Nicki Nicole and Emilia Mernes, who were enjoying the show. She also expressed how proud she is of forming part of this generation of empowered female voices, which includes Paloma Mami, Tini, and more.
For the first time in its more than six-decade history, the Viña del Mar International Song Festival will be live-streamed in the United States, exclusively on Billboard.com, Billboard’s YouTube channel, and via Twitter @Billboard. The six-day festival then continues with Tini on Feb. 20; Alejandro Fernández on Feb. 21; Fito Páez on Feb. 22; Christina Aguilera on Feb. 23; and ending with Camilo on Feb. 24. All headliners will perform at 8 p.m. ET.
Find the rest of the week’s schedule below.
Feb. 20 — Tini Stoessel
Feb. 21 — Alejandro Fernández
Feb. 22 — Fito Páez
Thursday, Feb. 23: Christina Aguilera
Friday, Feb. 24: Camilo
From career milestones and new music releases to major announcements and more, Billboard editors highlight the latest news buzz in Latin music every week. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
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Baby on the Way
Two weeks after tying the knot, newlyweds Marc Anthony and Nadia Ferreira announce they are having a baby. The couple shared the exciting news on Valentine’s Day, sharing a photo of Ferreira’s baby bump. “Best Valentine’s Gift Ever!!! Thank you, God, for this big blessing in our lives,” they captioned the joint post. This will be the Puerto Rican salsa singer’s 7th child and the Paraguan model’s first. See the sweet photo below.
A Grand Piano in Times Square
What happens when you take a grand piano to Times Square? A little bit of magic. Pianist Arthur Hanlon took his Yamaha grand to New York City’s Times Square on Valentine’s Day for a special edition of the Univision morning show Despierta America and performed romantic classics for the swelling crowd in attendance. The moment became an impromptu sing-along, with the crowd chorusing classics like “Besame Mucho.”
A Celebration of Life
Laura Pausini, the Italian songstress whose biggest hits are Spanish-language tracks such as “En Cambio No,” “Viveme” and “Amores Extraños,” is celebrating her 30-year trajectory with a concert marathon. Called #Laura30, the ambitious event will take place “in 2 continents, in 3 cities, in 5 languages, in 24 hours,” she expressed on Instagram. The first recital will begin at 6 p.m. ET on Feb. 26 at the Apollo Theater in New York, the second in Madrid at The Music Station, and will close at Teatro Cercano in Milan. The event is open to the with free admission, based on prior registration, and subject to availability.
Angela Aguilar: The Businesswoman
Mexican singer Angela Aguilar presented her new line of perfumes this week which includes three scents: Caricia (green bottle), Joy (white bottle), and Mexican in Love (red bottle) — the colors of the bottle represent the Mexican flag. The perfumes will be sold at her virtual store and at her concerts, and a large part of the profits will go to the Gilberto AC Association, which “is made up of Mexican women who help, support and make a big difference in housing, education and in areas affected by natural disasters,” according to a press statement.
Billboard Español’s First Cover of 2023
This week, Billboard Español unveiled its first digital cover of the year featuring Latin power couple Lele Pons and Guaynaa. Published on Valentine’s Day, the Venezuelan influencer-turned-singer and Puerto Rican artist revealed new details about their wedding day, set to take place on March 4 in Miami and also a 10-track collaborative album, tentatively titled Capitulations. Spanning a variety of genres from urban pop (“Abajito”) to reggaetón (“Natural”) to reggae (“A Que No”) and bachata (“Todo Sabe Más Rico”), the couple assures us the set will be very relatable to couples.