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Ricardo Arjona, the Guatemalan singer/songwriter who has defined Latin music as much for his signature songwriting permeated in storytelling as for his longstanding history of sell-out tours, has signed an exclusive, worldwide distribution deal with Interscope Capitol Labels Group.
Under the new agreement—signed via his label, Metamorfosis, which he created in 2011—Arjona’s vast catalog of nearly 300 songs, plus his future releases, will fall under Interscope Capitol Labels Group, Billboard can reveal. Likewise, Arjona will now be part of the label’s roster.
Arjona’s move to Interscope Capitol follows stints with Sony Music, which was his longtime label and most recently distributed him, and Warner Music.
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The partnership with Interscope Capitol will launch with Arjona’s new studio album, SECO, slated for release in early 2025. The album was written during a difficult time for Arjona, when he was wheelchair bound after a back injury at the end of his tour last December and thought he would no longer be able to perform.
In that period, he wrote “Todo termina,” (Everything Ends). The song is one of three singles from SECO that will be released in November; the other two are “Despacio que hay prisa” and “Todo termina”. Plans call for two additional singles to be released in December, before Arjona kicks off 2025 with a SECO residency in New York and his native Guatemala.
Arjona, whose chart history dates back 30 years, to 1994, has placed five No. 1s and 18 top 10s on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart. His last entry on the chart was in 2016. On Top Latin Albums, he’s placed five No. 1s and 15 top 10s. His latest album, released in 2022, peaked at No. 46 on the chart.
But Arjona’s musical output continues to be prolific and his touring record continues to be extraordinary. Last year alone, he landed at No. 11 on Billboard’s year-end Latin touring chart, selling 224,341 tickets and grossing $27.3 million, according to Billboard Boxscore. He is currently the No. 15 highest-grossing Latin touring act of all time, according to Boxscore.
“I speak on behalf of the entire Metamorfosis team when I say we are deeply motivated and profoundly appreciative to collaborate with Interscope Capitol Labels Group,” comments Ricardo Arjona Torres, who is Arjona’s son and runs Metamorfosis. “This resilient team not only showcases a curated and dynamic array of artists but also truly understands their vision.”
“We are incredibly honored to welcome Ricardo Arjona to the Interscope Capitol family. As one of the most iconic artists in the Spanish-speaking world, Ricardo has shaped the musical landscape in ways that transcend generations. We are committed to promoting his legendary catalog while partnering with him on the exciting projects he has in the works,” said Nir Seroussi, executive vice president at Interscope Capitol Labels Group.
“This partnership isn’t just a milestone—it’s a testament to our commitment to artistry, passion, and pushing boundaries,” added Jose Cedeño, SVP of Interscope Capitol Labels Group in Miami. “Ricardo Arjona’s music weaves deep connections between people, and together, we aim to amplify that reach,” he added.
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Ingrid Fajardo, Billboard Latin’s Social Media Manager and Staff Writer moderates our now traditional and iconic women’s panel, this year devoted to global stars on the Billboard charts. A conversation between some of the women making waves in the Latin music industry (Bad Gyal, Belinda, Danna, Debi Nova, Mon Laferte and Zhamira Zambrano) at Billboard’s Latin Music Week 2024.
Ingrid Fajardo moderará nuestro tradicional e icónico panel de mujeres, este año con estrellas globales de todas partes del mundo. Una conversación entre algunas de las mujeres que están dando pasos en la industria de la música latina (Bad Gyal, Belinda, Danna, Debi Nova, Mon Laferte y Zhamira Zambrano).
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Isabela Raygoza, Billboard Español associate editor, moderates a conversation with four creatives (Kiko Baez, Omar Courtz, Saiko and Yudy Arias) as they discuss how they are actively leaving their mark to uplift and inspire their community and future generations with their art at Billboard’s Latin Music Week 2024.
Isabela Raygoza moderada una conversación con cuatro creativos (Kiko Baez, Omar Courtz, Saiko and Yudy Arias) cuentan cómo están activamente cambiando el mundo a través de su arte.
Thalia and Maria Becerra sat down for a candid conversation about mental health and fame during the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week.
During the 30-minute discussion the Mexican pop diva and Argentine artist—who in the summer took a break from social media to focus on her mental health—got up-close and personal about accountability, haters, and having a positive mindset.
Below, check out some of the best quotes from their conversation:
Thalia on the term “Mental Health”: “Honestly, it’s something new. I didn’t have this in my teenage years when you most need it. This didn’t exist, so you had to kind of like eat it up and move on. You had no choice.”
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Maria on Social Media Exposure: “Social media is very important in everyone’s mental health. This exposure 24/7 and feeling the need or pressure of having to show what you are doing but on top of showing what I’m doing, it has to look nice, look aesthetic. Like you know everyone will talk about it, it’s so much exposure.”
Thalia on Being Yourself: “You go viral when you are yourself. When you are honest, when you are in the moment, you are sharing, you connect with people. When you do it to try and reach a number because a person is doing good and you want that or better and you do it in a similar way, you lose your essence and you lose your way.”
Thalia on Faith: “In terms of the Bible, I am a Christian and I love the word. It’s my strength and what keeps me going in all this madness of this world that we face every day. It’s that. Don’t bring things from the past into the present. I already forgave you, I took it from you, don’t keep on punishing yourself. Nobody should point a finger at you. Live your life in peace doing honorable things, doing things that make you grow spiritually, spreading good vibes to people who cross paths with you, in your career giving out positive things.”
Maria on Discipline: “You can be talented and do a lot of things but discipline will get you there. It’s the hard work. Getting up after three days of work of doing three shows in a row with five hours of sleep… and you miss your family and you feel bad and you eat bad, but you are there giving your 100%. That extra you give, always giving in an extra is what makes the difference. It’s what creates excellence.”
Maria on Ignoring the Haters: “Try to put aside all this pressure that’s so big and understand that maybe it’s other people’s objections that they are projecting on me, and trying to not take things personally. Understanding that this person does not know me, it’s nothing and it will pass.”
Thalia on Finding a Support System: “You can work on your body. Working out, which is wonderful, getting oxygen, breathing, eating well, your nutrition, your water. Spiritually, keeping a line, having faith. You can work on all that but sometimes there’s an unbalance in your brain or hormonal, and you need someone to guide you and tell you it’s going to be ok. You need a support system.”
J Balvin‘s Superstar Q&A at the Billboard Latin Music Week took a turn when a little hand in the audience went up, eager to get the Colombian hitmaker’s attention. Curious to see who it was, J Balvin called on the audience member and staff quickly handed him a microphone so that he could ask his […]
For fans hoping to see Shakira “Whenever, Wherever” they can, the Queen of Latin Music has some good news.
On Monday (Oct. 21), InterPride and the Capital Pride Alliance announced that Shakira would serve as the official headliner for WorldPride 2025. Taking place in Washington, D.C., the official Welcome Concert for the annual festival will take over the city’s Nationals Park on Saturday, May 31.
The headlining concert comes as a part of Shakira’s upcoming Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour. After initially intending to bring her shows to arenas around the globe, the singer and Live Nation recently announced that they would be upgrading the She Wolf’s tour to stadium venues. “The demand for tickets and more shows has reached the point that our tour now requires stadiums in the USA and more dates so I can see as many of you as possible,” Shakira wrote in a statement. “We’re elevating my North America run from arenas to stadiums and the dates will be shifted to May 2025, right after my Latin American tour.”
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Among the new set of stadium dates Shakira announced on Monday is her headlining set for WorldPride 2025. In a statement, Capital Pride Alliance’s executive director Ryan Bos shared his excitement for the upcoming show. “It’s the biggest event of the year and we are thrilled to welcome Colombian pop legend Shakira to D.C. for a truly momentous evening of love, pride, and community – celebrating the final week of extraordinary celebrations,” he wrote.
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Held in different locales each year, WorldPride 2025 will help honor the 50th anniversary of D.C.’s first-ever pride celebrations. Taking place over two weeks (starting on May 23 and ending June 8), the annual celebration will feature multiple concerts, parades, parties and other events to commemorate the occasion.
Tickets for Shakira’s headlining performance at WorldPride 2025, along with the rest of her Las Mujeres tour dates, go on sale Friday, Oct. 25, at 12 p.m. local time on her website. Fans can register for the presale until Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Shakira announced a run of 2025 stadium and arena dates across North America for her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, produced by Live Nation, on Monday (Oct. 21). The unveiling of new dates follows Shakira’s update from last week when she announced that the 2024 North American leg would be rescheduled to spring 2025, going from […]
Egidio Cuadrado, an icon in Colombia’s music scene and Carlos Vives’ longtime accordion player, is dead at the age of 71. The vallenato star passed away due to health complications related to pneumonia on Monday (Oct. 21) in Bogota.
“With deep sorrow, the Clínica Universitaria Colombia wishes to inform the public that vallenato artist Egidio Cuadrado has passed away in our institution,” an official press release by La Clínica Universitaria Colombia noted.
“Today we say goodbye to him, paying tribute not only to his career, but to the humble man who, with his accordion, made us part of his family by calling us all ‘compadres y comadres, compadritos y comadritas,’” Vives expressed in a statement to Billboard. “Egidio Cuadrado, the same one who never left his vueltiao hat, his Arhuaca backpack and his 12 accordions, will remain forever in our hearts; longing for that vallenato song that permeated his noble heart and telling the world that life has the greatest meaning when the accordion of a Vallenato King like him plays.”
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Cuadraro was born in Villanueva, La Guajira, and learned to play the accordion at the age of six. In the early ‘90s, he formed part of Vives’ tropical orchestra La Provincia, giving life to the tropipop sound that blends the spirit of vallenato music with contemporary pop-rock melodies.
Embodying Colombian folk music, Cuadrado’s artistry gave life to some of Vives’ biggest albums including 1995’s La Tierra del Olvido. In 2021, The Latin Recording Academy honored him with the Trustees Award, bestowed on individuals who have made significant contributions to Latin music during their careers in ways other than performance.
“An artist is made by his audience — without you this award would have no value, to Latin Grammys for reminding us today of the importance of our local music and our Colombian identity and finally to my accordion, my first friend and an extension of my body,” Cuadrado wrote on his Instagram account when he received the award.
Earlier this year, Cuadrado formed part of Vives’ “Regreso a Escalona” documentary made available through ViX’s premium streaming plan.
“His passing leaves a deep void in the music and lives of those who knew him,” Vives continued in his heartfelt statement shared with Billboard. “With his accordion, he wove melodies that resonated throughout the world, at Colombian parties and at family gatherings, creating a bond between generations. His warm smile and generous spirit transformed each chord into a sonorous embrace, and his words, always full of affection, made everyone feel like part of his family. Today, as we remember him, we celebrate not only his immense talent, but also the legacy of love and joy he left in every note. Egidio, your music will live on in every corner where the echo of your accordion is heard.”
In a groundbreaking collaboration, global music phenom Bad Bunny and soccer legend Lionel Messi join forces to introduce a pioneering Adidas shoe line that epitomizes the golden juncture of sport and music: the Bad Bunny x Messi collection, scheduled to launch on Saturday (Oct. 26).
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Bad Bunny — whose dynamism has vaulted him from top-tier festivals to the upper echelons of global music icons — shared how their initial meeting was imbued with mutual insight and enthusiasm for this collection. “That first encounter with Messi was incredible. From the moment we got together, the vibe was good,” revealed the Puerto Rican superstar in an exclusive interview with Billboard Español. “We talked about our visions and what we wanted to achieve with the collection. Both of us are passionate about what we do, and that shows in every idea we shared. It was a smooth and natural process, and I will never forget it.”
Bad Bunny
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The collection reimagines Adidas heritage through two iconic silhouettes: the Adidas Gazelle and the Adidas F50 cleat, each embodying the essence of its muse. The creative infusion is very personal, with references to their roots and triumphs. “I think we brought both my style and Messi’s into it, primarily basing it on the naturalness with which each of us approaches what we do. We were inspired by a 1949 Adidas shoe that featured the natural brown colors of leather,” noted Bad Bunny.
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Lionel Messi, meanwhile, spoke to Billboard Español about the role music plays in his life. “Music is connected to many aspects of life. Not only to soccer, although it is true that there is a special connection between both worlds, but also to moments of leisure, to workouts in the gym, to trips while driving,” he said. “Music is something I like very much and is present in several moments of my daily life,” he added, also mentioning that Bad Bunny is an artist that is “never missing” in his playlists.
Building on the theme of collaboration, Bad Bunny recalled a standout moment during the creative process: “A memorable moment for me was when we started to shape the vision for this collaboration. Working with someone as iconic as Messi and seeing how we each brought ideas and concepts to the table was truly unique.”
This venture’s momentum is fueled by the unwavering support of their global following via Adidas’ La Voz de los Fans campaign. “The fans’ influence has been fundamental in our careers, and this collaboration would not have happened without their passion,” Benito highlighted. “They inspire us to keep evolving and experimenting on every project. This campaign is a reflection of that connection, because without the fans, none of this would be possible.”
On the impact of his worldwide following, Lionel Messi also conveyed a sense of honor coupled with duty. “I am aware that there are a lot of people who follow me and a lot of kids too. For me it is a pride and a great responsibility,” said the Argentine global champion. “I always tried to be myself, but bearing in mind that there are people who notice me, who follow me and support me every day.”
Lionel Messi
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The collection, showcasing designs like the ‘X’ stripe heel and blue accents linking to Adidas’ heritage, transcends traditional sportswear to embody shared greatness and artistic synergy. Each piece is an homage, a collective memory crafted for the pitch and the playlists.
Both megastars see this collection as a symbol for future generations, exemplifying the merger of their realms and standing as a testament to collaborative greatness. “With Bad Bunny x Messi we hope to create a legacy that reflects this unique collaboration, inspiring new generations to follow their passions and work hard to achieve their dreams. We want this collaboration to become a symbol of unity for our Latino community and for the future,” said Bad Bunny.
As Messi and Bad Bunny continue to redefine paradigms in their fields, this collaboration is not just a testament to their stardom but a celebration of the crossroads of culture, music and sports.
The Bad Bunny x Messi collection is set to drop both online and in select flagship stores. For more info, visit adidas.com/badbunny and adidas.com/lionel_messi.
Legendary Dominican trio Proyecto Uno closed the Billboard Latin Music Awards with a flourish, reaffirming their status as merengue-house pioneers with a performance of their iconic 1993 hit, “El Tiburón.” The performance was not only a nod to the group’s origins, but also a celebration of their influence on Latin dance music over the past three decades.
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With their signature party style, the trio, currently comprised of Nelson Zapata, Kid G, and Paolo Tondo, took over the stage wearing bright jackets in shades of red, blue, and yellow, while an entourage of colorful dancers accompanied them as they chanted their iconic “No pares, sigue, sigue” (“Don’t stop, keep going, keep going.”)
This year, Proyecto Uno celebrates 35 years of musical career in which they have given away hits such as “Brinca”, “Latinos” and “Otro Nivel”, fusing tropical genres with hip-hop, house and techno, creating a hybrid sound that has left an indelible mark on Latin music.
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The 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards, hosted by actors Carmen Villalobos and Danilo Carrera, celebrate the most outstanding talents in Latin music. This year’s edition brings together a star-studded lineup that spans a wide variety of genres and generations. This year’s performances include J Balvin, Chencho Corleone, Fuerza Regida, Gloria Trevi and Maria Becerra, Xavi, Grupo Niche, Pepe Aguilar, Prince Royce, Yandel and Proyecto Uno.
For more on performances, special awards and behind-the-scenes action, visit Billboard Español.