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Brazilian singer Ayres Sasaki has died after being electrocuted during a live performance in Brazil. The 35-year-old musician died almost instantly after hugging a soaking-wet fan during a concert on July 13 at the Solar Hotel in Salinopolis. The contact between the two triggered a nearby cable to jolt, causing the fatal electric shock, according […]
From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
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Premios Juventud’s 2024 Lineup
Earlier this week, Univision announced a new wave of artists confirmed for the 2024 Premios Juventud set to take place Thursday, July 25 in San Juan, Puerto Rico via Univision. Farruko, Lenny Tavárez, Joss Favela, Chris Jedi, Gaby Music, and Corina Smith, who will make her PJs debut, will all take the stage at the coveted awards show. This year’s nominations are led by top nominees Maluma, Carin Leon, and Peso Pluma, with seven nods each. Premios Juventud recognizes artists and young people for their “extraordinary accomplishments in society, celebrating music, new artists, community and creators,” according to a press release.
The Good Bunny Foundation
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Bad Bunny’s “Good Bunny Foundation” continues its mission to educate the youth in Puerto Rico through art, music, and sports. For a second consecutive year, the foundation returned with its “Un Verano Contigo” summer camp in San Juan and Ponce. In Ponce, the camp included interactive activities with the Juan Morell Campos Institute, the Charles H. Terry Sports Complex, and the Escuela Libre de Música. In San Juan, the camp included workshops at the Puerto Rico Museum of Art, the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music and the San Juan Sports School / Rebekah Colberg Sports Center, among other destinations.
“For us at the Good Bunny Foundation, it’s a priority to identify talents in our society who can imagine a professional future in their area of interest, whether in the arts, sports or music,” said José “Che Juan” Torres, Director of the Good Bunny Foundation in a press statement. “We want to inspire young people through a fun summer, while continuing to provide them with the support, resources, contacts and connections to continue their development. Even providing them with extracurricular experiences that serve as a reference in a university application.”
Bad Bunny’s “Good Bunny Foundation” offers educational “Un Verano Contigo” initiatives in Puerto Rico
Fundación Good Bunny
Selena Foundation Gives Back
In other positive news, The Selena Foundation has teamed up with the Corpus Christi Police Department to help give school supplies to students of all ages and grades in the community. “The Selena Foundation is honored to be the main sponsor for this amazing program called ‘Operation Safe Return,’” Selena’s sister, Suzette Quintanilla, shared the news on her Instagram account, and in a video message, she encouraged Corpus Christi locals to donate supplies such as paper, crayons, notepads, and pencils. Watch the video below.
Fania Records’ 60th Anniversary
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the iconic Latin label Fania Records, and in celebration, El Museo del Barrio in Manhattan, New York will host a one-day, free community event called “Fania Mania.” On Thursday, July 25, from 6 to 9 p.m., people of all ages will be able to enjoy Afro-Latin and salsa music by DJ Gia Fu. New York City will also declare a special “Fania Day” with a Proclamation presentation in honor of the label’s impact and history. For more information, visit here.
Fania All Stars
Courtesy of Craft Latino
In our Latin Remix of the Week series, we spotlight remixes that the Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors deem to be exceptional and distinct from the rest. We might not publish a review every week. This is our selection today.
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Maintaining its sultry nylon guitar-laden groove and hip-hop beat with a hint of reggaetón, the remix of “Rewind” by Blxst featuring Feid now welcomes Becky G. Her sultry and occasionally hushed, hazy tones blend seamlessly with Feid’s dynamic flow and Blxst’s R&B-infused style.
Blxst teased the collaboration last week on TikTok and Instagram, captivating fans with a preview video featuring both Becky G and the L.A. rapper, captioning the post, “Black & Brown make the world go round @iambeckyg 🤎🖤.”
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This remix is a standout track from Blxst’s debut album, I’ll Always Come Find You, out on Red Bull Records. Spanning four discs and 20 tracks, the album explores a mix of trap, R&B and Afrobeats-tinged rhythms, featuring collaborations with notable artists such as Ty Dolla $ign, Anderson .Paak, Offset, 2 Chainz, Amanda Reifer and more.
Becky G is no stranger to crossing musical boundaries. From her early days as a rapper in Inglewood, Calif., she has seamlessly transitioned into música urbana and embraced música mexicana, as highlighted by her collaborations with Banda MS and Snoop Dogg, for example, and her latest 2023 album, Esquinas.
The original version of “Rewind” released in March spotlighted Colombian star Feid and marked Blxst’s inaugural bilingual collaboration, as well as the rapper’s entry into the Latin music scene. The track is a perfect fusion of his smooth Cali vibes and Feid’s distinctive paisa delivery.
Listen to Blxst’s “Rewind (Remix)” featuring Feid and Becky G below, and further down, check out the original song and music video.
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This week, Billboard’s New Music Latin roundup and playlist — curated by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — features fresh new music from artists such as Domelipa, Ivan Cornejo, Danny Ocean, Sofía Reyes with Lasso and more. Mexican influencer Domelipa, who recently signed to Sony Music Latin, released “Ese Vato” with Puerto Rican hitmaker Ozuna. Produced by Ovy on the Drums, the song […]
New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard’s Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
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Rauw Alejandro, “Déjame Entrar” (Sony Music Latin)
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Returning to the sultry depths of his musical roots, Rauw Alejandro seduces with “Déjame Entrar,” blending tropical beats with longing lyrics reminiscent of his raunchy yet simmering 2020 debut, Afrodisiaco. This second single from his upcoming album showcases the craftsmanship of super producer MAG, musician Mick Coogan, Tyler Spry and additional talents, creating a lush soundscape for Rauw’s melodious pleas.
The track gains a dancehall-inflected intensity as it progresses, illustrating the Puerto Rican star’s plea for a deeper connection. By the four-minute mark, the reggaetón rhythms climax alongside a luminous steel-string guitar. In its accompanying music video, starring Adrian Brody, Rauw (a.k.a. El Zorro) switches from a suave, hopeless romantic lounging in a jacuzzi to dancing in an equestrian field — perfect visuals to complement the song’s passionate, evolving sounds and his consistent, flirtatious essence. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
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Danny Ocean, venequia. (Warner Music Latin)
With just a few days left before the presidential elections in Venezuela — which he had already referred to during his performance at the Latin AMAs with a t-shirt with the date July 28 — Danny Ocean surprises his fans with a seven-song EP dedicated to his native country, from the perspective of an emigrant. Driven by electronic rhythms that merge with reflective lyrics, the album opens with “A Mí También Me Duele,” which according to press notes he wrote thinking about the authorities who are suddenly not on your side, perhaps as seen in the many demonstrations in the South American country over the years.
While some of the tracks can easily pass for love songs, Ocean’s intention runs deeper. He says he made “Por Siempre y Para Siempre,” for example, “thinking that Venezuela will not forget those of us who are outside.” Other titles are more direct: In “Por la Pequeña Venecia” (Venezuela means “little Venice”), he admits he is willing to exchange justice for peace; in “Una Niña de Venezuela” he talks about the women who had to leave their home behind; and in “Dime Tú” he imagines what would be the first thing he would do if there was a change of government in his country. The EP closes with an acoustic version of his 2016 hit “Me Rehúso,” “for all those loves that have been forced to be separated,” as he says at the beginning of the song.
The cover of venequia. is also deeply significant: A broken fragment of Carlos Cruz-Diez’s emblematic work “Couleur Additive” that covers the floor of the Simón Bolívar International Airport lobby, and which has become a symbol of Venezuela’s emigration. It is, from start to finish, a well-produced and thought-out EP. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Ivan Cornejo, Mirada (Zaragoza Records/Interscope Records)
There’s an elegance to Ivan Cornejo’s music, as he meticulously crafts songs that are profound, both lyrically and sonically. Perhaps Cornejo’s best album to date (also his major-label debut), the songs on MIRADA showcase a maturity to the Mexican-American’s songwriting, with lyrics about heartbreak that are more refined, poetic and less trite. It’s been two years since Cornejo’s last album (Dañado), and he’s now 20 years old — so this album totally captures this coming-of-age narrative that Cornejo puts on full display, just as he offers a first-row seat to his display of emotions.
Powered mainly by traditional Mexican guitars, which have given Cornejo his signature sierreño sound, he also takes on a corrido tumbado (“Herida Abierta”) fueled by slapping tolocoche strings and wailing trombones. There’s another standout track that totally captures just how innovative Cornejo can be in his genre (música Mexicana). He takes Emmanuel’s brass-driven pop anthem “Quiero Dormir Cansado” from the 1980s, and makes it sound like a completely new song with a riveting electric guitar solo mid-song. Throughout MIRADA, Cornejo’s commanding vocals shine, even when he’s singing in a whisper-like tone he demands attention.
Overall, Cornejo sounds more confident in who he is and can be as an artist in regional Mexican music, a style that’s been generally confined to a sound and an audience. His role today in the genre is more clear than ever with this album — and that’s to keep evolving and revolutionizing a style that’s been a fountain of inspiration for him and a new generation of hitmakers. — GRISELDA FLORES
Lasso & Sofia Reyes, “Siempre Llegas Tarde” (Universal Music Latin)
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Lasso is primarily known for his sometimes feel-good, sometimes thought-provoking lyrics and melodies. With “Siempre Llegas Tarde” (you’re always late), his new collaboration with Sofia Reyes, he’s showcasing his versatility that goes beyond the Latin ballad and pop realms. Produced by Andres “Chano” Guardado, we find the Venezuelan artist immersing himself in the cumbia world — a sound that’s already familiarly linked to Reyes—and ever-so-often flaunting his charismatic lyricism. “You’re always late, tell me where you are?/ Every time that I feel lonely and need you more/ You’re never here,” goes the chorus. The soft-yet-catchy cumbia-pop tune talks about a couple who loves and cares for each other but simply doesn’t understand each other. A playful music video shot in the middle of the desert details the frustration of the “relationship” between Lasso and the Mexican pop artist. — JESSICA ROIZ
DOMELIPA & Ozuna, “Ese Vato” (Lipa Music/Sony Music Latin)
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Domelipa and Ozuna collaborate to release a new track with chill summer vibes. “Ese Vato,” Mexican slang for “that guy,” is about enjoying an uncomplicated relationship without formal commitment: “Let’s make love, but without a contract/ Baby, I’ve liked you for a while.” Produced by Colombian hitmaker Ovy on the Drums, this retro-pop track is driven by smooth drums and groovy bass, while an acoustic guitar adds soft harmonies that connect with the beauty of the long summer sunsets. “This is an incredible opportunity that helps both of us — Ozuna on the influencer side because it’s very popular right now, and me on the music side,” Domelipa previously told Billboard. “It was cool being able to meet him and talk to him. I admire him a lot, and these are things that a young Dome wouldn’t believe yet.” — INGRID FAJARDO
Ela Taubert, “¿Para Qué?” (Universal Music Latino / Art House)
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Pop artist Ela Taubert releases her new single “Para Qué”, the follow-up to her previous theme “Cómo Pasó?” The melody, loaded with acoustic guitars and fusing folk with pop elements, presents a sound that evokes Taylor Swift and Maggie Rogers. In the lyrics, Taubert reflects on a failed relationship, concluding that it is too late to return, even if the other person wants it. “I want my fans to feel the song, to make it their own, to make it their anthem and to accompany them a throughout their journey,” she commented on the release. The Colombian rising star has found her signature sound and stays true to it, bringing a new nuance to the current music scene. — LUISA CALLE
Listen to more editors’ Latin recommendations in the playlist below:
In the past year, the Latin music industry transitioned from a singles-driven market to an albums-focused world, with both new and established artists crafting cohesive sets. The Latin Grammy for album of the year has historically prioritized daring concepts and artistry above popularity when deciding the winner, and while legacy acts have historically dominated the category, recent honorees such as Rosalía tend to return for encores. And Karol G’s triumph in 2023 with her commercial blockbuster, Mañana Será Bonito, may now allow for ultra-popular albums to take home the ultimate artistic prize.
Come Sept. 17, 10 nominees will be announced — here are five of the most likely.
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Young Miko, att. (The Wave Music Group)
In the world of reggaetón, Miko is an outlier: blonde, petite and openly gay. For a genre steeped in machismo, it’s a remarkable flip of the script. The album balances her party-girl persona with rap lyrics that aren’t afraid to put others in their place with effectively eloquent punches, having fun without ever becoming gratuitous. Plus, Miko has good taste on her side, tapping Jowell & Randy for an old-school reggaetón touch.
Fonseca, Tropicalia (Sony Latin)
Fonseca’s Tropicalia is a labor of love, designed to elevate the artistry of tropical music with its rich palette. The Colombian singer-songwriter introduced his new oeuvre with last year’s “Si Tu Me Quieres,” which won best tropical song at the Latin Grammys and features bachata star Juan Luis Guerra singing Fonseca’s pop-infused brand of vallenato. That accordion-tinged sound is the foundation of an album full of poignant moments, but Fonseca also expands: He collaborates with Gilberto Santa Rosa and Chucho Valdés on a beautiful Cuban bolero, with Alex Cuba on a contemporary song and with Colombian salsa stalwarts Grupo Niche on a jazz-tinged salsa, all united by his ability to make fans swoon with music designed for the dancefloor.
Kany García, García (5020 Records)
García has twice been nominated in this category, but the third time may be the charm with an album that expands and redefines the scope of the traditional Latin singer-songwriter. Her work has twice won her best singer-songwriter album, and her songsmith qualities shine again in her melodic lines and eloquent yet colloquial lyrics. Autobiographical opener “García,” for instance, is a master class in storytelling in under three minutes. But García also digresses, going with gusto into Mexican music territory with Eden Muñoz, Christian Nodal and Carín León on three riveting tracks. “We’re in constant evolution, and as an artist, I love that I can insert what I’m going through in each album I make,” she previously told Billboard.
Peso Pluma, Éxodo (Double P Records)
Peso Pluma continued his hit-making campaign with Éxodo, his second top five album on the Billboard 200. But unlike its predecessor, Génesis, which won the Grammy this year for best Regional Mexican music album, Éxodo is a double album highlighting the two sides of Peso. Side one is full of Mexican music featuring several collaborations with artists of his generation, including Junior H, Tito Double P and Luis R Conríquez; side two is devoted to urban and pop, featuring bilingual collaborations with Quavo and Rich the Kid. While exploration of many genres is a mainstay of Latin music today, it is rarely in these two directions, and much less with this success. And though Génesis is also eligible for this award given its release date, Billboard’s bet is on the newer, more adventurous Éxodo. It’s to be noted that Peso was not nominated in any category at the 2023 Latin Grammys, an omission that can be rectified this time around.
Shakira, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (Sony Latin)
At 47 years old, Shakira refused to be quietly scorned, releasing her retribution of an album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, following a cheating scandal and public split from Gerard Piqué. Instead of wallowing on the full-length, Shakira gets even, famously proclaiming she makes her own money on “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” which won song of the year at the 2023 Latin Grammys. The album is filled with lyrics that double as social media fodder, but it’s also clever and artistic, placing a wickedly funny song like “Puntería” with Cardi B alongside such achingly vulnerable tracks as “Acróstico” and “Ultima.” Backed by an impressive array of collaborators that also includes Karol G, Rauw Alejandro and regional Mexican groups Grupo Frontera and Fuerza Regida, Shakira has managed to stay current and return to the top on her own terms. Should she win, this would be her second album of the year trophy, following her 2006 triumph with Fijación Oral, Vol. 1.
This story will appear in the July 20, 2024, issue of Billboard.
At the Latin Grammys, there is perhaps no category as coveted as best new artist, a launching pad for future stars through the years. There’s also no category as confounding. The first winner was Ibrahim Ferrer in 2000 at the age of 72; Joaquina won it last year at 18 years old. In 2022, Angela Alvarez, 95, split the prize with 25-year-old Silvana Estrada.
And while the award has gone to talents who are relatively unknown, as well as those who have more public-facing major-label support, the rules are clear: Contenders must release a minimum of three singles/tracks or one album during the eligibility period. An artist who has previously released more than three albums and/or more than 15 singles is not eligible. Here are five contenders with a strong shot at scoring a nomination this year.
DARUMAS
What do you get when an Argentine bassist, a Cuban singer-guitarist and a Haitian vocalist unite? DARUMAS — an all-women U.S.-based trio comprising Aldana Aguirre, Ceci León and Vedala Vilmond — defies every stereotype of what Latin girl groups sound like. The three expert musicians play a tight mix of old-school funk, R&B and Motown, with Spanish lyrics and plenty of attitude. Named for the traditional Japanese daruma doll, DARUMAS are not cutting corners when it comes to honing their sound, resulting in an act that puts musicianship at the forefront.
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Iván Cornejo
Though Cornejo and Xavi espouse a new Mexican sound, Cornejo uses traditional Mexican instrumentation as his foundation and also leans into electric guitar for some rock’n’roll angst. The result is a sound that’s weary — his biggest hit is titled “Está Dañada” (“She’s Damaged”) — but relatable. (Cornejo writes all of his material.) He has placed 15 entries on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, and his second album, Dañado, ruled Regional Mexican Albums for 37 nonconsecutive weeks. In 2022, Cornejo became the youngest act to win new artist of the year at the Billboard Latin Music Awards.
Xavi
At 20 years old, Xavi has been making noise in the new Mexican music scene since last year. In January, “La Diabla” topped Hot Latin Songs for 14 weeks, setting a record so far this year. In May, he scored another No. 1, on Regional Mexican Airplay, with “Corazón de Piedra.” Both songs were co-written by Xavi (real name: Joshua Xavier Gutiérrez), who calls his sound tumbados románticos, a hybrid of corridos tumbados with a twist of romance and heartache. His music has a young, avid fan base that straddles both sides of the border but has the potential to expand much further.
Ela Taubert
Like labelmate (and 2023 Latin Grammy best new artist winner) Joaquina, Colombian singer-songwriter Taubert is a graduate of producer Julio Reyes Copello’s Art House Academy, signaling just how seriously she takes her craft. The 23-year-old writes convincingly about love and loss with immediately relatable lyrics set to catchy, midtempo pop arrangements reminiscent of Miley Cyrus. Following the release of her debut EP last year, Taubert is slowly but steadily gaining steam, as her new single, “Cómo Pasó?,” has reached a No. 12 high on the Latin Pop Airplay chart.
Latin Mafia
Freshly signed to Rimas Entertainment (home to Bad Bunny), Latin Mafia balances fun — with its childlike single covers — and moodiness with R&B and touches of reggaetón. Made up of twin brothers Milton and Emilio de la Rosa and their older brother Mike, the trio grew organically in Mexico as a fully independent act, amassing 6 million monthly listeners on Spotify, playing Coachella and catching the ear of Rimas vp Junior Carabaño. “I can’t wait to write their next chapter together and make history,” he previously told Billboard.
This story will appear in the July 20, 2024, issue of Billboard.
Selena’s music has endured over the years, and her ’90s classic Amor Prohibido is proof of that — with its remastered version blasting in at No. 1 on Billboard’s Vinyl Albums chart (dated July 20).
Home to 11 tracks, including the timeless hits “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” “No Me Queda Más,” “Si Una Vez,” and the title track, Amor Prohibido was originally released March 22, 1994 under Capitol Latin/UMLE, and ultimately made history as the first Tejano album to hit No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart.
Now, in honor of its 30th anniversary, the history-making album was released on CD, cassette, and for the first time, vinyl. A special remastered 2024 edition, released under Universal Music Latino, is also available on all streaming platforms.
Selling 10,000 vinyl copies in the U.S. during the July 5-11 tracking week, according to Luminate, the album scores the Latin legend her second No. 1 on the 13-year-old Vinyl Albums tally, following her No. 1-peaking Ones, which spent one week in charge in 2020.
“I’m excited about us even celebrating 30 years of this album of ours,” Suzette Quintanilla, Selena’s sister and Los Dinos drummer, previously said to Billboard. “Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that people would still be jamming to our music and dancing to our songs. I think my brother [A.B. Quintanilla III], Ricky Vela, and Pete Astudillo did an incredible job in writing these songs, and my brother arranging and producing them just shows a part of who we were growing up and what we listened to. It was a different [musical] vibe going on. There’s a little bit of everything mixed in that album—what we all used to listen to and it definitely comes across. It was also a time when our record company let us be us, and do what we wanted to do with our music and this album.”
Below, Billboard ranks all 10 songs on the remastered Amor Prohibido album:
“Ya No”
It’s been two years since Ivan Cornejo dropped Dañado, the album that peaked at No. 1 on Regional Mexican Albums for 37 nonconsecutive weeks, the fourth-most since the chart launched in 1985. Today, he’s unleashed his highly-anticipated MIRADA, his first major-label debut (via Interscope Records), after offering previews like “Intercambio Injusto,” “Dónde Estás” and “Baby Please,” which […]
Promusicae has released the third edition of its annual report on the state of the recorded music industry in Spain. The report reveals that revenue from recorded music in Spain saw a significant increase of 12.33% in 2023, earning 520 million euros (about $567 million) and surpassing the average growth rate seen in neighboring countries. This increase was driven primarily by streaming, which accounted for nearly 77% of the sector’s total revenue.
“The positive figures of 2023 should not distract us from the significant challenges we face, including improvements in gender equity and support for local production,” said Antonio Guisasola, president of Promusicae, in a press release. “It’s crucial to capitalize on the boom in Spanish music to properly position our music on a global scale.”
Carried out in collaboration with the Department of Audiovisual Diversity of the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, an exhaustive analysis is made using the data published by the Spanish recording industry through Promusicae and the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).
Other key data from the Spanish market includes:
19 million Spaniards use audio streaming services, with 6 million subscribed to premium accounts.
The average music consumption is 22.1 hours per week per person, above the global average of 20.7 hours.
Recorded music exports contributed 41 million euros (about $45 million) in 2023, growing 17.2% compared to 2022, and accumulated 154% compared to 2018.
For Guisasola, it is key to “take advantage of the good moment of Spanish music to position our music in the place it deserves through all the possibilities it has per se or together with other forms of entertainment.”
The report also highlights the need to enhance the profitability of music consumption in Spain and emphasizes the importance of a sustainable streaming consumption model that promotes premium usage. Additionally, it underscores the necessity of public and institutional support to encourage the production, marketing and development of Spanish musical talent both domestically and internationally.
The presentation was given by Guisasola, Nacho Gallego (professor of the Department of Audiovisual Communication and Director of the Master’s Degree in Music Industry and Sound Studies at Charles III University of Madrid), and managing director of Promusicae Soco Collado who explained the main data and conclusions of this report.
The president of Promusicae concluded by adding that “from the sector and the organization we represent, we maintain the maximum disposition to defend the interests of all the Spanish record companies that are developing so much talent.”
The complete report is available for download on the Promusicae website, offering a more detailed look at the trends and strategies needed to sustain and expand the impact of Spanish music worldwide.
Radiografía Del Mercado De La Música Grabada En España 2023
PROMUSICAE