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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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Maluma launches new business
Anyone in the mood for a Maluma-style burger or hot dog? The colombiano has launched his very own delivery-only restaurant called Dembow. Available in four countries (Colombia, Mexico, Brazil and Perú), those who want to place an order can do it directly via WhatsApp or fast-food deliver app Rappi or online. “Another dream come true,” the “Junio” singer wrote on social media. “Taste the greatest hamburgers and hot dogs with Latin flavor.”
J Balvin receives special award
The Colombian star received the “Latino Impact Award” at the United Nations Latino Impact Summit for his work shining a light on mental health. J Balvin was honored on Nov. 3 at the United Nations headquarters in New York City during the summit, which returned to an in-person format for the first time since the pandemic. He was honored for raising awareness on mental health and wellness in the Latin community as well as for the launch of his mental wellness app, OYE.
Latin Grammys announces more performers
The Latin Recording Academy unveiled a new wave of performers set to take center stage at the 2022 Latin Grammy Awards. They include Christina Aguilera, Camilo, Christian Nodal, Elvis Costello, Jorge Drexler, John Legend, and Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández.
The Latin Grammy Awards — which “promise to honor the legacy, celebrate the present and embrace the future of Latin music, with deliberate consciousness, paying-it-forward to the next generations of music creators,” according to a press statement — will be held Nov. 17 at the Michelob Ultra Arena at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The ceremony will air live on Univision beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
Blessd breaks down tracks
Calling all Blessd fans! The Colombian artist released his sophomore album, Siempre Blessd.
Home to 13 tracks, including the previously-released “Instagram (Remix)” with De La Ghetto and Darell, and “Tendendia Global” with Myke Towers and Ovy on the Drums, Siempre Blessd continues to consolidate the artist’s status as Colombia’s breakthrough performer.
The set navigates from songs that will inspire aspiring artists from the barrios to dream big (such as “Barrio Antioquia”), to songs about embracing solitude after a failed relationship (such as the Ñengo Flow-assisted “Solitario”) to songs inspired by him discovering the world (such as “Europa”).
Blessd breaks down five essential tracks from his new set. Read all about them here.
Halloween recap
Billboard compiled a list featuring some of the Latin music stars who understood the assignment this year. The list kicks off with Becky G and her boyfriend Sebastian Lletget, who dressed up as Santanico Pandemonium (Salma Hayek) and Seth Gecko (George Clooney) in the 1996 film From Dusk Till Dawn. The power couple is followed by artists such as Anittam who dressed as Beetlejuice’s wife, and Rauw Alejandro, who dressed up as the blue ranger from the timeless Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, to name a few. See the Halloween costumes here.
Ivan Cornejo is hitting the road in 2023 with his first-ever U.S. tour, which is slated to kick off Jan. 31 in Santa Cruz, Calif.
The 18-year-old, who won best new artist at this year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards, will headline the 11-date stint, dubbed Dañado Tour, which is slated to visit such Latin markets as Los Angeles, Houston and Phoenix, before wrapping up in Dallas on Feb. 17.
“I am super excited to go on my first tour,” Cornejo tells Billboard. “We made sure to put a lot of thought into all the details. We wanted intimate venues because now more than ever, the connection to the fans is super important.”
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Richard Vega, the WME agent who signed Cornejo in all areas, adds, “We feel very proud to represent such a young rising star. His fans have been wanting to see him live for a while and the response from all our partners has been amazing. This will be the first of many.”
Being produced by local promoters was key to making this happen, points out Ximena Acosta, the strategy consultant on the project. “We went with local promoters in each market [because] we wanted to make sure we had the right partners who really understood him and his fan base,” Acosta says.
Cornejo, who broke out in 2021 with his first album, Alma Vacía, has been making a name for himself in the Mexican music space and beyond (he’s collaborated with urban act JhayCo). The Mexican-American teen secured his first entrance on any Billboard chart with his debut album, released through Manzana Records, which arrived at No. 2 on the Regional Mexican Albums chart. On Top Latin Albums, the seven-track set, featuring sad sierreño anthems such as “Está Dañada,” peaked at No. 7. Additionally, Cornejo topped Billboard‘s Latin Songwriters chart dated Oct. 30, 2021.
Subsequently, over the summer, the singer-songwriter scored his first No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums chart as his sophomore album, Dañado, debuted atop the chart dated June 18.
Tickets to Cornejo’s tour go on sale Monday (Nov. 7). Check out the complete list of his tour dates below.
Jan. 31: Santa Clara, Calif. (The Catalyst)
Feb. 2: Los Angeles (Roxy Theater)
Feb. 3: Riverside, Calif. (Riverside Municipal Auditorium)
Feb. 4: Santa Ana, Calif. (Constellation Room)
Feb. 7: San Diego (VooDoo Room)
Feb. 8: Phoenix (Crescent Ballroom)
Feb. 11: El Paso, Texas (Lowbrow Palace)
Feb. 14: McAllen, Texas (Cine El Rey)
Feb. 15: Austin (Antone’s)
Feb. 16: Houston (HOB Bronze Peacock)
Feb. 17 – Dallas – Cambridge Room
Los40 Music Awards are a wrap.
The 2022 edition of the ceremony took place Friday (Nov. 4) live from the WiZink Center in Madrid. The fan-voted awards, produced by the Los40 radio station, were broken into three categories: Spain, International and Global Latin.
The artists among the top nominees of the night were Rosalía, who was up for best album (Motomami) in the Spain category and Bad Bunny, who was nominated in the Global Latin category for best album (Un Verano Sin Ti) and best song (“Titi Me Preguntó”). The international category was ruled by David Guetta thanks to “Crazy What Love Can Do,” his collaboration with Becky Hill and Ella Henderson, and Adele who was up for best album (30), best song (“Easy On Me”) and best music video (“Oh My God”).
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Below, see Los40 Music Awards complete list of winners.
CATEGORY: SPAIN
Best artist or group: Dani Fernández
Best new artist or group: Leo Rizzi
Best album: Motomami by Rosalía
Best song: “Música Ligera” by Ana Mena
Best music video: “360” by Marc Seguí
Best artist or group in concert: Lola Índigo
Best collaboration: “Formentera” by Aitana & Nicki Nicole
Best urban artist or group: Maikel de la Calle
Best festival, tour or concert: Motomami World Tour by Rosalía
Artist ‘Del 40 al 1’: Chanel
CATEGORY: INTERNATIONAL
Best artist or group: Ava Max
Best new artist or group: Yungblud
Best album: Harry’s House by Harry Styles
Best song: “Enemy” by Imagine Dragons
Best music video: “Maybe You’re the Problem” by Ava Max
Best artist or group in concert: Dua Lipa
Best collaboration: “Crazy What Love Can Do” by David Guetta, Becky Hill & Ella Henderson
Best dance artist or producer: David Guetta
CATEGORY: GLOBAL LATIN
Best artist or group: Anitta
Best new artist or group: Tiago PZK
Best album: Dharma by Sebastián Yatra
Best song: “La Bachata” by Manuel Turizo
Best music video: “Te Felicito” by Shakira & Rauw Alejandro
Best artist or group in concert: María Becerra
Best collaboration: “París” by Morat & Duki
Best urban artist or producer: Bizarrap
Best festival, tour or concert: De Adentro Pa Afuera Tour by Camilo
GOLDEN MUSIC AWARDS
Manuel Carrasco
Pedro Almodóvar
Leiva
Juanes
Rosalía
With riveting performances by artists such as Rosalía, Maria Becerra, Manuel Turizo, Lola Índigo, Marc Seguí, Tiago PZK and many more, Los40 Music Awards was the place to be on a cold Friday night in Madrid.
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The 2022 edition of the award’s ceremony took place Nov. 4 at the WiZink Center near the city’s downtown area. While performances were among the show’s highlights, there were also red carpet interviews and a speech by the legend Pedro Almodóvar that are worth an entry in the best moments of the night.
Below, highlights from this year’s Los40 Music Awards.
Morat on “No Se Va” Going viral
The Colombian band’s 2019 single “No Se Va” is currently having a moment — thanks to a cover by emerging regional Mexican ensemble Grupo Frontera. Their norteño rendition of the their norteño the track “No Se Va” became only the fifth regional Mexican song in Hot 100 history, reaching a No. 57 high after entering the all-genre songs chart in early October. About Frontera breathing fresh air into their single, Morat told Billboard this on the red carpet: “When we heard about it, it wasn’t that surprising. This has happened to us with many of our songs. We’re happy for them, and we’re happy for the song. It’s great that the song is transcending.”
Rosalía fangirls over a soccer player
When Rosalía picked up her award for best album for Motomami in the Spain category, she expressed her admiration for Alexia Putellas, who plays for Barcelona’s women’s fútbol team and won a Balón de Oro this year. “Wow this is crazy,” she said as she giggled her way to the stage. “I am such a big fan of Alexia and I had no idea that she would be the one handing this award to me. I’m a huge fan!”
Ricky Montaner on “Llorar, Llorar” being a gift that keeps on giving
“It’s one of my favorite songs that we’ve done in our entire career,” Ricky, of duo Mau Y Ricky, said about their collaboration with Carin Leon. “It’s a song that’s given us joy and has evolved organically with time. We released it a few months ago and just new we’re seeing it go up on the charts. It’s a blessing and I’m so proud of it.” The singer-songwriter also said he and his brother wrote the song while living in Mexico when they were recording the show La Voz México. “I needed a Mexican singer who would give it the seal of approval of someone from Mexico and we had so much chemistry with Carin. I love him and I’m so grateful.” Ricky also teased the the duo’s next album is due next year.
Tiago PZK takes a moment to reflect
The Argentine’s debut album, Portales, was a game-changer for him. “I learned so much about myself and how it is to have a more clear vision. It gave me identity,” he told Billboard. “I learned to work under pressure. Now, that I’ve released my first I have to start thinking about the next album. There’s no break in between.”
Pedro Almodóvar urges fans to watch movies … in a theater
The legendary film director, screenwriter and producer, Pedro Almodóvar, took the stage at Los40 to accept one of the Golden Music Awards that night. During his speech, he asked fans to go watch movies in theaters. “I know that you all don’t go out to the movies often,” he said confidently. “I’m not sure if you all know that movie theaters are going through an enormous crisis. My advice to you is go back and experience what it is to go watch a movie in a screen that’s way bigger than the one in your home. If you haven’t experience that yet, it will change your life. It’s hypnotizing. And for that hypnosis to happen, you have to become small and be surrounded by strangers in a dark place.
Sebastián Yatra danced the night away
If there’s anyone who hands down had the most fun on Friday, it was Sebastián Yatra. The Colombian star danced the night away as he cheered on his colleagues who took the stage such as María Becerra and Manuel Carrasco. He was the ultimate fan who also took the stage to accept the award for best album (Dharma) in the Global Latin category.
Another red carpet in the books. This time, in Madrid for Los40 Music Awards, which took place Friday (Nov. 4) at the WiZink Center.
Before heading into the awards show ceremony, artists such as Rosalía, Manuel Turizo and Pol Granch, among others, strutted the alfombra roja with their stunning and high-fashion looks that were captured on camera.
Spain’s very own Rosalía turned heads with a classy long black dress with a twist: a cutout on the top part of the outfit that semi-exposed her left side (including arm and stomach) that was covered with mesh-like fabric. Meanwhile, Turizo was dressed in a modern-vintage three-piece that was composed of oversized burgundy slacks, a bicolor vest that was paired with a sweater-like blazer. To add another layer of coolness, he accessorized his outfit with black platform shoes and a silver chain with a pendant.
Los40 Music Awards, produced by the Los40 radio station, are fan-voted awards. They were launched in 2006 in celebration of the station’s 40th anniversary. This year, the awards were broken into three categories: Spain, International and Global Latin.
The artists among the top nominees of the night were Rosalía, who was up for best album (Motomami) in the Spain category and Bad Bunny, who was nominated in the Global Latin category for best album (Un Verano Sin Ti) and best song (“Titi Me Preguntó”). The international category was ruled by David Guetta thanks to “Crazy What Love Can Do,” his collaboration with Becky Hill and Ella Henderson, and Adele who was up for best album (30), best song (“Easy On Me”) and best music video (“Oh My God”).
First Stream Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums, and videos recommended by the Billboard Latin editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
Jenni Rivera, “Misión Cumplida” (Jenni Rivera Enterprises/Sony Music Latin)
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The song was written in 2008 by Jenni Rivera but it isn’t until now that fans can listen to “Misión Cumplida,” one of the last songs penned by Rivera before her untimely death in 2012. Produced by Sergio Lizárraga, the track is a quintessential Jenni Rivera song. A Sinaloan banda at its core, “Misión” finds an emotional Jenni who sings about falling head over heels for someone who she had rejected in the past. “My mom was very picky with musical arrangements,” Johnny Rivera, said of why Lizárraga was the perfect hitmaker to helm his mother’s project. “She loved la banda sinolasense and Sergio’s a master of that. He was able to maintain her essence not only in her voice but also in the music.” The song is part of Rivera’s forthcoming album, set to be released before end of the year. — GRISELDA FLORES
Paulo Londra feat. Feid, “A Veces” (Warner Music Latina)
Paulo Londra has been releasing new music left and right since his comeback earlier this year. Following eight singles, including collaborations with Ed Sheeran and Duki, the Argentine artist presents “A Veces,” for which he reels in Colombian artist Feid. A surprising yet much-needed collaboration, the single meshes Londra’s dulcet, raspy vocals with Feid’s Medallo swagger, bringing to life lyrics about a man who’s unsure of his relationship status with the girl he’s dating. “Sometimes you ask me to stay until the morning/ Other times I call and you disappear,” says the chorus. A music video shot by Ballve oozes the bromance between Londra and Ferxxo in the studio. — JESSICA ROIZ
Mora, PARAISO (Rimas Entertainment)
If paradise was indulging our forbidden dreams and setting off into nights of revelry and excess, then we’ve come to the right place. Welcome to the unabashed EDM-laden euphoria of PARAISO, Mora’s third full-length album, where the Puerto Rican provocateur explores the different facets of pleasure. Mora unleashes his wanderlust and steers further away from reggaetón reliance, while never quite abandoning the formidable rhythm. Instead, he invites spectators to enter a world of ecstasy against hard-hitting electronic music galore.
Although Mora mostly shines on his own, he invites a few peers. He teams up with Spanish rapper Quevedo on “Apa’,’ where they turn on their location for their debaucherous encounters; gets lusty with upcoming singer paopao; and journeys to Ibiza with Danny Ocean on “Eivissa,” over minimal techno beats. Hypnotic synthwave (“Malafama”) and chill Afro beats (“Como Has Estau?”) make delightful appearances. As if releasing two full-length albums this year (coupled with a Bad Bunny cosign) wasn’t enough, the rising and flirtatious star is sure set on amplifying the demanding and dominating sounds of música urbana, while reimagining the promised land where temptations are embraced. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Thalía, “Psycho B**ch” (Sony Music Latin)
Thalía shows her playful and irreverent side in her new pop single, “Psycho B**ch” (Sony Music Entertainment.) With a catchy beat, a short rap segment, and a chorus that goes “Oops I warned you / I’m a bit hit or miss / Half psycho bitch / Psy Psyco Bitch / Oops what’s up here? / How do you control me when you have me like this / I’m crazy, I’m crazy”, the English-sprinkled Spanish song will surely make you dance. Its music video shows the Mexican star in a disco club setting, complete with mirror balls and neon lights, accompanied by a group of dancers. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Paola Jara, “Ve y Dile” (YT Rocket)
In Sin Ti (Without You), a three-track EP, Paola Jara narrates the emotions after a heartbreak. The set opens with the original single “Ve y Dile,” produced by Ricardo Torres, where the Colombian artist has a deep conversation with the moon. “With tearyed-eyes and looking at the sky, I asked the moon about your whereabouts,” she sings backed by a live mariachi. “Tell him that he took my soul/ Tell him that he took my peace/ Tell him that he took my desire to love again,” she continues in the chorus. In the other two tracks, Jara performs a pair covers: a Caribbean-cumbia fusion for “Después de Ti” by Alejandro Lerner, and a ranchera version of Vanessa Martí’s “No Te Puedo Retener.” — J.R.
After being the lead vocalist of norteño act Grupo Arranke for four years, Carin León is certain that going solo in 2018 was the best thing to happen in his career. “There’s a time to make those kinds of decisions,” he says. “I made it when I felt capable. I felt that I could dominate a stage. I felt that I could compose, produce [and] make my product by myself … And I didn’t have to deal with people who didn’t have the same vision as me.”
To help launch his solo career, the regional Mexican artist born Óscar Armando Díaz de León Huez signed to Tamarindo Rekordsz, the independent label owned by his manager, Javier “El Tamarindo” González. He found quick success, scoring his first entry on Billboard‘s Regional Mexican Airplay chart in 2019 with “Me La Aventé” and since collecting eight top 10 hits, two of which reached No. 1 (“El Tóxico” with Grupo Firme in 2021 and “Ojos Cerrados” featuring Banda MS in March).
Starting next year, León will expand his independence with the launch of his own label, through which he will sign and develop new talent — primarily from his hometown of Hermosillo, Mexico. He also plans to release a new studio album (his first under his own label), where he will experiment with other genres such as vallenato, bachata and bluegrass, but with, as he says, “a lot of soul.”
“The moment you have the freedom to make the music that you like, it gives you a very strong power called ‘sincerity,’ ” adds León. “When your essence is really there and you are not satisfying the needs of the industry and you are the owner of your image, people feel it and connect with it.”
Most of your Billboard hits are collaborations. As an independent regional Mexican artist, why is this beneficial?
I’ve always noticed it in the urban market, but in our genre, a lot of artists are territorial with their work. After I began collaborating, I realized that I can progress a lot and I could solidify my audience. It’s not so much that collaborations have benefited me, but it’s simply the model of the music that is being used now.
As you’ve gained momentum, why did you remain independent?
I was never open or closed to the possibility [of signing a major-label deal]. I think things began to happen in my solo career, and I don’t know why, but no record company paid attention to what I was doing at the time. Then I began to see that the path could be achieved independently. I personally think that being independent is the best thing that can happen to any artist because it means developing your art in the freest way possible and not depending on many things.
What is key for indie artists when building a team?
It’s letting the artist develop, taking care of them to a certain point and always trying to polish and exploit the best things about them. In the end, there are many people who can influence the final product but might not really trust or love it the way that you do. Make sure that the interests are not only for business or numbers but that there is also chemistry for making art. Everyone on your team has to like how the music and the product are being made and feel proud of it.
What’s your advice for emerging indie artists?
Learn from the opportunities that life gives you, and pay attention to what the music industry is lacking. I feel that looking within, you’ll realize what type of music fans want to listen to. But truthfully, be sincere with your music. Learn how to express yourself and discover what makes you different. Regardless, after any good deal or promo plan, I believe that when you make good music, there is no human power that can prevent something from working.
This story will appear in the Nov. 5, 2022, issue of Billboard.
Managers Federico Lauria and Pepo Ferradas, whose client list includes Nicki Nicole, Duki and Bizarrap (Lauria) and Camilo, Evaluna Montaner and Lali Esposito (Ferradas), have teamed up to co-manage rising Spanish artist Rels B.
Longtime friends, Lauria (CEO of DalePlay) and Ferradas (CEO of FPM Entertainment) have collaborated in multiple tours and projects, but this marks the first time the two executives team up to jointly work in developing an artist’s career.
Rels B, also known as Skinny Flakk, began recording as a rapper but has evolved into more R&B and urban/pop territory with highly relatable lyrics and memorable melodies. To date, he has amassed 4.5 million subscribers on his YouTube channel and has 15.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
After scoring multiple hits in his native Spain, Lauria and Ferradas are making a concerted effort to focus on the U.S. Latin and Latin American markets. This summer, Rels B finished playing a 27-date tour of the U.S. and Latin America, and in August, he put out his first single, “Cómo dormiste?,” under Lauria and Ferradas’ management. The track garnered Rels B his first top 10 on the Billboard Argentina charts and the music video has over 38 million Youtube views. Today (Nov. 4) he released the alt/pop-leaning “pa quererte.”
Lauria and Ferradas have long worked together in different projects, most recently in Esposito’s sold-out Argentina tour, which Lauria promoted, and includes a grand finale at Velez stadium, with 45,000 tickets sold. Both men have also scored big management wins in the past 12 months, Lauria with Duki and Bizarrap, and Ferradas with Camilo and, prior to that, Nathy Peluso.
But this is the first time they formalize a management alliance. Rels B releases music under his own Flakk Records and Dale Play, Lauria’s label. He is signed for publishing with Sony Music Publishing.
Manuel Turizo’s “La Bachata” spends an eighth week at No. 1 on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart (dated Oct. 29). The song enters a tie with Bizarrap and Quevedo’s “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52” for the second-most weeks at No. 1 in 2022, trailing only Tiago PZK’s “Entre Nosotros,” with LIT Killah, Nicki Nicole and Maria Becerra, which ruled for nine weeks this year (16 weeks overall).
Shakira and Ozuna earn the highest debut of the week as their first partnership, “Monotonía,” debuts at No. 7. While the former earns her second top 10, the latter collects his ninth. Meanwhile, Wisin & Yandel clock their first top 10 as a duo with their latest single “Besos Moja2” with Rosalía, which lifts 11-8. The Spaniard adds a sixth top 10 to her career board.
Argentinians DJ Tao and Callejero Fino earn their highest debut since both scored their first entry in 2021 as “DJ Tao Sessions #723” bows at No. 21.
Taylor Swift scores six debuts on the current chart, all stemming from her latest No. 1 album, Midnights. It’s the most simultaneous entries for a non-Spanish-speaking artist since the chart launched in 2018 (among all acts Bad Bunny continues to lead with a mammoth 17 entries on the same week). Swift’s “Anti-Hero” leads the pack at No. 40. Meanwhile, “Lavender Haze” starts at No. 70, “Snow on The Beach,” with Lana Del Rey, follows at No. 84, “Midnight Rain” at No. 94, “You’re on Your Own, Kid” at No. 98, while “Maroon” arrives at No. 100.
Back up the tally, Negro Dub claims his first entry as “El Último Romántico,” with L-Gante and Dt.Bilardo, opens ta No. 43.
Further, Maluma takes the Greatest Gainer honor of the week as “Junio” rallies 67-49.
Elsewhere, two South Korean groups score their first entry: (G)i-Dle’s “Nxde” bows at No. 52, while girl group Le Sserafim arrives at No. 74 with “Antifragile.” Plus, Estelares notch its second chart entry as “Encantan, featuring Enjambre,” opens at No. 79.
Meanwhile, Coldplay benefits from its Buenos Aires tour dates with a debut and a re-entry: “Yellow” arrives at No. 81, while “My Universe”, with BTS, rebounds at No. 86, after its No. 36 high in Oct. 2021.
The week’s other debuts include Coral’s “Mejor Que Tu Amor,” featuring Jorge Serrano, at No. 91, and Ozuna’s “Hey Mor,” featuring Feid, at No. 96.