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The 2024 Heat Latin Music Awards (popularly known as Premios Heat) — which place on Thursday (July 11) in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic — are led by 10-times nominees Karol G and Feid. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news They are followed by top nominees […]
New York Mets’ infielder Jose Iglesias – recording under the moniker Candelita – is just getting started on a chart winning streak as he debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Digital Song Sales survey (dated July 20) with his debut single, “OMG.”
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The Cuban-American baseball player, and now also Latin pop artist, sang “OMG” live for the first time after a 7-2 Mets’ win over the Houston Astros at Citi Field in Flushing, N.Y., on June 28. According to Luminate, the single sold a little over 1,000 downloads in the United States during the June 29-July 4-tracking week.
The high-spirited song, adopted as a Mets anthem, about overcoming hard times, and penned by Iglesias in 2023, has translated into a fastball of positive energy for the Mets (who are now up to 45-45 on the season following a win on July 9), and Iglesias, who captures his first Billboard No. 1 entry on a first try.
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Notably, Iglesias’ new No. 1 matches the uniform number that’s he’s worn over the years; he now sports No. 11 for the Mets. The 34-year-old broke through to the majors in 2011 with the Boston Red Sox and has played for seven Major League Baseball teams. He’s currently hitting .313, having compiled a .279 average in over 1,000 big league games.
Iglesias/Candelita, meanwhile, joins other baseball players-turned artists who have scored hits in the musical field, and on Billboard rankings. Here’s a team of five such notable stars:
Deion Sanders: The former baseball and football player – aka, “Prime Time” – played 14 years in the NFL and nine in MLB. He made his Billboard chart debut in 1995 with Prime Time, his debut album released in 1994 through MC Hammer’s Bust It Records. The 16-track effort hit No. 14 on Heatseekers Albums and No. 70 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Also, an actor and football coach, Sanders won Super Bowls XXIX and XXX and earned eight NFL Pro Bowl selections between 1991 and 1999.
Bernie Williams: The Puerto Rican-born former all-star baseball player and four-time World Series winner for the New York Yankees, secured his first entry on the Billboard 200 as The Journey Within debuted in 2003 and reached No. 57. The 13-track set concurrently took Williams to No. 3 on Jazz Albums. In 2009, he topped Smooth Jazz Airplay with “Go for It” after his LP Moving Forward gave him another No. 3 peak on Jazz Albums. “Ritmo De Otoño,” featuring Dave Koz, marked Williams’ second Smooth Jazz Airplay No. 1, holding strong at the summit for seven weeks in 2010.
Bronson Arroyo: In 2005, the Cuban-American baseball player, a veteran of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks, achieved his first entry on Billboard 200 with the No. 123 debut and peak of his collection Covering the Bases, which also reached No. 2 on Heatseekers Albums. The set capitalized on the pitcher/musician’s popularity after the Red Sox, for whom he won 10 games in 2004, won the World Series that year, ending a famed 86-year title drought.
Barry Zito: The former American baseball player, who pitched for the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants, reached No. 18 on Heatseekers Albums with his EP No Secrets in 2017. He now focuses on producing and writing music. “My dream in music was always to be a writer-producer, even in my early baseball days, when I was able to hang out with some amazing producers in L.A.,” the 2002 American League Cy Young Award winner and 2012 World Series champ told Billboard earlier this year. “After I came to Nashville in 2015, [I] was a little more into the songwriting, which I view now as so necessary. Writing with a lot of great writers and published writers helped me so much in my role now as a producer.”
Yoán Moncada: In 2021, the Cuban-American, and Chicago White Sox infielder since 2017, reached a No. 16 high on the Tropical Airplay chart with “Desastre Personal.” This week, he began a rehab assignment following an injury that has limited him to 11 major league games this year, although he hit .282 when playing. He scored single-year bests of 25 home runs and 79 runs batted in and a .315 average in 2019.
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Grupo Firme took over Miami with its La Última Peda Tour, making a stop at the Kaseya Center on June 1. But before the regional Mexican band even took the stage, Billboard hung out with its members a few days before for exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and a one-on-one interview. “It’s not our last tour,” Firme’s […]
The Latin music landscape is undergoing a bigger transformation where women are not only stepping into the spotlight, but also reshaping the industry through leadership, innovation and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. This was demonstrated by top female executives and industry members at the Wonder Women of Latin Music panel, which kicked off the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) on Wednesday (July 10) morning in New York.
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Moderated by Billboard‘s Griselda Flores, the panel featured Kemelly Figueroa-Mouriz of Loud And Live, Yasmin Muller of Spotify, Fabi Kulick of Live Nation, Rocio Guerrero of Amazon Music, Isabel Paz of the Latin Recording Academy, Gabriela Urquiza of GlamRock Agency and Celia Saez of The Orchard, all female Latin music wonders who took to the microphones at the InterContinental Hotel for a candid conversation about why female solidarity and representation is critical in the music industry.
“Having female leadership has been crucial for my professional development, because we understand each other and know the challenges we face, such as the glass ceiling,” said Saez of The Orchard, for example.
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Here are some of the best and most memorable quotes from the Wonder Women of Latin Music panel at LAMC 2024:
Kemelly Figueroa-Mouriz of Loud And Live on diversity initiatives: “I have a lot of experience in mentorship. I think that has forced me to go outside of my circle and find the solution to allocating voices. Going outside and seeking them has been so amazing — seeing that support, and receiving that support. I think it’s important to see that not only are we all here together to have the conversation but also to celebrate. This generation coming in, it’s important to seek and establish relationships, nurture these student-mentor connections.”
Yasmin Muller of Spotify on artist development: “I’ve been involved in curation and programming, and a big part of our job is to discover new artists and help them gain exposure. We’re always asking, ‘Why are we passionate about this artist, and why should you give them a chance?’ However, I often consider the [flip] side: finding an artist with talent and working with them in a meaningful way, utilizing my experience. Working with artists is incredibly challenging; it’s a job that never stops and requires constant thought. But it would be fascinating to apply all my experience to support a talent I truly believe in, particularly women in challenging industries.”
Fabi Kulick of Live Nation on career resilience: “You should never be afraid to lift yourself up and start from scratch. This industry might look glamorous and indeed, it is fun. You get to support artists, work with talented people, and meet incredible professionals who often become friends. However, I’ve experienced my share of downturns where I’ve had to start over, even with 12 years of experience. At that time, I made an entry-level decision to join a major label. I knew that once I demonstrated my work ethic and experience, I would grow. And here I am today, eight years later.”
Griselda Flores of Billboard on supporting the next generation: “The process is crucial because it teaches you what you want and don’t want in your career, including what’s non-negotiable and what you’re willing to accept. I always advise taking whatever job you can get, because you gain so much experience from it. It’s all part of the process of reaching your goals. An important piece of advice I received, and always think about, is not just to push the door open but to hold it open. Don’t let it shut behind you; hold it for those who are coming next.”
Rocío Guerrero of Amazon Music on the influence of mentorship: “I feel like I have learned from so many people — peers, managers, mentors, team members — and honestly, from every conversation I have, there’s always something to learn. I do want to especially acknowledge my mom. She’s a music professor who not only introduced me to the magic of music but also taught me from a very early age that it is indeed possible to be a good mother while having a rewarding career. This has made me confident in the possibility of achieving both.”
Isabel Paz of The Latin Recording Academy on gender collaboration: “The most beautiful thing is that men and women can work together. When it comes to working with women, instead of competing, let’s add up!”
Gabriela Urquiza of GlamRock Agency reflects on gender challenges in the past: “In 1993, there were not many women working in the industry. I started working in a company, which was up to date for its time, and I was lucky to have bosses who did not make gender distinctions. Even though it was quite a macho industry at the time, these bosses always gave me a place and support, standing out regardless of the prevailing machismo.”
Celia Saez of The Orchard on female leadership: “I was fortunate enough to start my career in a company led by women in 1996 who encouraged female leadership, and where the top management positions were held by women. Fortunately, I had female colleagues who shared the same vision — and, although I have now been here for 12 years, I have always found myself in female-dominated environments. This has been crucial for my professional development, because we understand each other and know the challenges we face, such as the glass ceiling. For me, always being surrounded by women has been a great help. While there have been very influential men in my career, I want to emphasize the impact of this female dynamic.”
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the 2024 edition of the Latin Alternative Music Conference includes a Q&A with Fonseca, moderated by Billboard‘s Leila Cobo; a Q&A with Residente, moderated by Rolling Stone‘s Julyssa Lopez, panels on the Business of Songwriting, Publicity and Social Media, New Releases and Catalogs, Bridging Music and Money, and a talk on 25 Years of LAMC: Latin Music’s Past, Present & Future. To see the full LAMC guide, click here.
Just two weeks after its unveiling by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the Hollywood Walk of Fame star dedicated to the late Jenni Rivera was vandalized with black paint.
Famously known as La Diva de La Banda, the Mexican-American singer was honored with a star on the illustrious walkway in front of Capitol Records on June 27. By Monday afternoon (July 8), Rivera’s daughter Jacquelin Marin Rivera — who serves as CEO of Jenni Rivera Enterprises — reported to her Instagram followers via a series of Instagram Stories that the star had been smeared with black paint, alongside another star dedicated to the late legend Selena Quintanilla.
“Through a fan from Texas, I found out they vandalized my mom’s star in Hollywood,” Rivera said in Spanish via her stories. “They went to visit and when they got there, it was completely covered in black paint. Obviously I was angry, I was pissed off. But they sent me pictures and videos, and the fans started cleaning up the stars. It was not only my mom’s star that was vandalized, but also Selena’s, and they cleaned both stars as best they could. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce who are in charge of taking care of the stars are already cleaning them professionally.”
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Both artists proudly showcased their Mexican-American heritage through their music, and largely contributed to the global reach of Latin music. Selena Quintanilla was murdered in 1995, and Jenni Rivera died in a plane crash in 2012.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame Instagram account stated that they have dispatched Terrazzo star maker Vince to conduct repairs. They expressed gratitude towards fans who attempted to clean the star and reported the incident. They also noted that the area is under surveillance with numerous cameras and that a police report has been filed.
“I cannot with this. Smh,” commented Chiquis Rivera, Jenni Rivera’s other daughter, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Instagram post. “Thank you for my momma’s fans that took the time to help clean it up. Shame on the person/people who did this.”
Jenni Rivera entered more than 30 songs on the Regional Mexican Airplay, 15 of those hit the top 10. On the Hot Latin Songs chart, she placed a total of 25 songs, two hit the top 10: “Ahora Que Estuviste Lejos” and “La Misma Gran Señora.”
See the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s post below:
Premios Juventud 2024 has revealed its first round of performers set to take the stage on July 25. Confirmed artists include Camila, Darell, DJ Adoni, Emilia, Los Ángeles Azules, Luar La L, Lunay, Prince Royce, Wisin and Yovngchimi. The awards show will take place at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot, under the theme […]
Adrian Olivares, an ex-member of famed Latin boy band Menudo, died at the age of 48 on Monday (July 8). The news was confirmed by fellow bandmate Robert Avellanet, who shared a photo carousel on Instagram of the time they were both part of the group. “I’m still in shock! Strength for your family,” he […]
Shakira will perform at the Copa América final Sunday (July 14), CONMEBOL announced on Tuesday (July 9). It will be the first time that the Colombian hitmaker will perform at the oldest national soccer tournament. The artist will sing during halftime of the match, scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at the Hard Rock Stadium in […]
On July 6, Colombia’s national team scored a stunning 5-0 victory over Panama in the quarterfinals of the Conmebol Copa América 2024. Now, the Colombian team will face Uruguay on July 10 at 8pm ET at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC for a berth in the final and a chance to win the […]
Domelipa launched her music career in June with debut single “La Foto,” which will be followed by “Ese Vato,” her collaboration with Ozuna, Billboard can exclusively announce.
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The soon-to-be-released single, produced by Colombian hitmaker Ovy on the Drums, marks the first collaborative effort between the Mexican influencer-turned-singer and renowned Puerto Rican star. “Ese Vato” is a flirtatious, retro pop-rock tune that narrates the story of two people who really like each other but don’t want any titles. “I didn’t want anything, but you’re that guy I run to immediately when he calls,” goes the chorus.
“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 tells 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.”
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“Ese Vato” is accompanied by a summer-inspired music video showcasing both artists navigating the waters of Miami in a yacht. It also marks Dome’s sophomore single following the captivating urban-pop track “La Foto” — both released under Sony Music Latin, her new record company.
“I’ve been creating music since two years ago, but this year just felt like the right timing to release it,” she explains. “Two years ago, I didn’t know how the music industry worked. I simply thought it was recording the music and uploading it on the internet, but it’s more complex than that. I needed a great team behind me and I’m happy that Sony supports me in my craziness.”
“Her ability to connect with younger generations and her impressive social media presence make her a formidable force in the music industry,” Alex Gallardo, president of Sony Music US Latin, notes in a press statement. “With her talent and dedication, we are confident that her music career will be as successful as her reach on digital platforms.”
Domelipa signing with Sony Latin Music.
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Born Dominik Elizabeth Reséndez Robledo in Monterrey, Mexico, Domelipa (a combination of her first name and Dua Lipa, whose music career she admires) has been building a solid fanbase on social media since her teen years; she currently boasts more than 75 million followers on TikTok and nearly 25 million on Instagram.
Now, at 22 years old, she’s ready to demonstrate her talents that go beyond being a social media presence.
“[My team at] Sony always tells me not to worry about the process or the numbers, but to enjoy the moment,” she notes. “Coming from the influencer world, I’m very concerned about the numbers, but now I have to focus on the people who follow me, follow me for my content and my music.”
As she prepares to launch her single with Ozuna and continues to discover her sound alongside producers such as Ovy on the Drums, Domelipa — who’s managed by Westwood Entertainment’s Jorge Juárez, who currently also manages Carin León — has the vision of her new musical era clear.
“I’m not only doing music to do music,” she shares. “The music that I’m creating has a significance in my head. I know that how I feel, many people might feel the same way and don’t know how to express it. My plan is that people can identify with my lyrics.”