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22 Dec 2022

Latin Artist on the Rise: How Grupo Frontera Went From a Local Band to the Billboard Charts

Earlier this month, Grupo Frontera landed a major collaboration with Carin León, resulting in their latest single, “Que Vuelvas.” Composed and produced by Edgar Barrera, the heartfelt track debuts at No. 15 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart this week — and in less than two weeks since its release, its video has amassed nearly 10 million views on YouTube, and is quickly becoming a popular sound on TikTok.  

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The group is also simultaneously making the rounds with two Fuerza Regida collabs, called “911” and “Bebe Dame,” proving that they are Música Mexicana’s “it” boys right now. 

But this time last year, Frontera — a six-man ensemble comprised of Adelaido “Payo” Solis III (vocalist and bajo quinto player), Juan Javier Cantú (vocalist and accordionist), Julian Peña Jr. (percussionist and animator), Alberto “Beto” Acosta (bajo quinto), Carlos Guerrero (drums), and Carlos Zamora (bass) — was merely a local band from the Texas border town McAllen, creating music as a hobby and performing at family gatherings.

“We all had our own jobs and didn’t really do things as a group,” Cantú tells Billboard, expressing that once they took the project seriously at the beginning of 2022, great things began to happen. 

The indie Mexican group officially launched this March with an independently-released debut EP that contained four cover versions of timeless pop songs, such as Diego Verdaguer’s “La Ladrona.” But it was a one-off released just a month later — their norteño rendition of “No Se Va,” a 2019 single by Colombian folk-pop group Morat — that catapulted them to fame. 

To date, the music video has nearly 170 million views on YouTube, and the sound has hundreds of thousands of creations on TikTok, where it first gained momentum. “No Se Va” debuted on Hot Latin Songs in September, and scored the group their first top 10 hit on the chart, peaking at No. 3. The track also became only the fifth regional Mexican song to hit the Billboard Hot 100 in the chart’s history, and topped Latin Digital Song Sales for one week in October. 

“Honestly, I think it was the seasoning that we put with the congas,” Cantú says of the cover’s runaway success. “It doesn’t sound like your typical norteño song; in fact, it sounds like something fresh with that reggaetón vibe.”

And it’s precisely that — the group’s “fresh Norteño sound” — that’s making big waves in the music industry.   

“The group’s appeal is very easy,” assures Peña Jr. “We’re trending, we’re moving up, and we’re doing great music that everyone likes. We’re creating music for people of all ages. We’re making romantic songs that you can dedicate. I feel that a lot of artists right now want to release love songs as opposed to party songs, and that’s why they want to work with us.” 

Since their popularity skyrocketed earlier this year, Frontera has sold out shows in Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, California, and Mexico, to name a few. They also closed the year with over 125 million streams on Spotify, and established a relationship with the McAllen-based hitmaker (and Latin Grammy winner) Barrera, who’s working on the group’s upcoming music. Frontera is managed by Victor Ruiz (founder of indie record label VHR Music), who also serves as its booking agent. 

“​You’d think we’ve been playing together for 10 years, but we’ve only been out for a couple of months,” Cantú notes. “I still can’t believe everything that’s happening to us.”

Below, learn more about this month’s Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise.

Names: Adelaido Solis III, Alberto Acosta, Carlos Guerrero, Carlos Zamora, Juan Javier Cantú and Julian Peña Jr.

Ages: 19 to 32

Recommended Song: “Que Vuelvas” (with Carin León)

Biggest Achievement: “Up to now, it’s been two [different career achievements],” Peña Jr. says. “A very important one for us was our concert at the Auditorio Citibanamex in Monterrey. This is where artists such as Luis Miguel and Juan Gabriel have performed, and it was a dream come true for us. The other big accomplishment is that we’re managing to break away from being just a ‘one-hit wonder’ group.”

What’s Next: “We plan to go international in 2023, and already have two very big and important collaborations lined up,” he adds. “We’re also going to announce the tour. Hopefully the first week of January, everyone will already know about Grupo Frontera’s first-ever tour.”

22 Dec 2022

Jay Wheeler & Zhamira Zambrano Are Married: See the Sweet Post

Puerto Rican artist Jay Wheeler and Venezuelan newcomer Zhamira Zambrano tied the knot in an intimate civil ceremony on Wednesday.

Wheeler shared the exciting news on his social media with a video of his wife dressed in a baby blue gown and singing “Dicelo,” the collaborative heartfelt track they released in August. “I got married! I got married to the best woman on earth,” he’s heard saying in the background.

The newlywed couple met at the East Hotel in Miami and made their relationship Instagram official in February. Zambrano, who competed in the sophomore season of Univision’s La Banda, later made a cameo on Wheeler’s official music video for “EaZt.” “I imagine you already know to whom I dedicate this song. Zhamira, I’m so fortunate to have you,” he wrote in the caption.

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The lovebirds have since shared tons of sweet moments on social media, including when La Voz Romantica proposed to Zambrano at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in October. “She said yes,” he captioned the post on social media. Waiting for the Venezuelan artist onstage was a towering cake decorated with photos of them together, red roses and sunflowers, a big sign that said “Marry Me” and Wheeler dressed in a dinosaur costume.

Wheeler’s big day comes nearly four months after he earned his first top 10 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart with Emociones (Linked/Dynamic/EMPIRE), on the Sept. 3-dated ranking. The album marked his fourth chart visit, three of which he achieved in 2022. His previous high came with El Amor y Yo when it debuted and peaked at No. 13 on the Feb. 26-dated survey. 

See Wheeler’s adorable wedding announcement below:

22 Dec 2022

Suspect In NYC Aspiring Rapper’s Death Apprehended After Going Into Hiding

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A dangerous man suspected of killing an aspiring rapper is now behind bars after going on the run for almost a month.

As reported by the Daily News a man named Osvaldo Marrero is now under arrest for allegedly ending the life of another man who had dreams of being a rapper. According to prosecutors, he was spotted on Sunday, November 27 pacing with a gun in his hand at the 9 pm mark in the Chelsea area of lower Manhattan. Meanwhile, Anthony “Ant” Holley was buying food at a deli nearby.

It seems the two men had problems in the past as it was on sight when Holley saw Osvaldo prompting him to pistol whip Osvaldo. Holley proceeded to walk away but Osvaldo regrouped and got his bearings together and then shot Holley from about 40 feet away. Holley died on the scene. Since the murder Marrero was on the lam. The 34-year-old did everything in his power to conceal his whereabouts including not showing up to his job, emptying his bank account, discarding his smartphone and using an app to scramble his new number. He was eventually found at his friend’s apartment.

Anthony “Ant” Holley had an 18-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter. His sister explained to the periodical that he was trying to really leave the streets behind and pursue Rap. “He was in the studio saying he wanted to take it serious this time and pursue it, until this happened” she said.

Police are unsure of the motive.

22 Dec 2022

Mary J. Blige To Host New Talk Show ‘The Wine Down’ On BET

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Mary J. Blige is taking the airwaves by storm as she’s poised to have her own talk show on BET next year thanks to a recent partnership deal.

According to reports, the star R&B singer has signed a deal with BET to produce scripted and unscripted content through her company, Blue Butterfly Productions. The first project from this deal coming into fruition is a new talk show called The Wine Down. The synopsis of the unscripted talk show has Blige as the host connecting with various guests from the worlds of entertainment, politics, sports and social media over a good bottle of wine.

“Throughout her legendary career, Mary has blazed trails to become a global superstar. With Blue Butterfly, Mary develops awe-inspiring stories of the Black experience while uniquely using music to set the foundation. Mary has been a vital part of the BET family and we are eager to see our partnership flourish through this partnership,” said Connie Orlando, BET’s executive vice president of specials, music planning, and strategy in a statement.

As part of the deal, BET will have first looks at unscripted projects through Blue Butterfly and second looks at scripted works. The Wine Down will have actress Taraji P. Henson and Yung Miami of the City Girls among its initial guests, with more to be announced at a later date. “BET has been one of my biggest supporters throughout my career,” said Blige in a statement. “Being able to now create together, for them to be so supportive of my vision for the type of content I will create, is something I am grateful and excited for. We already have multiple projects in the works and there is much more to come.”

Mary J. Blige has been steady at work on the small screen, thanks to her role as Cha-Cha in Netflix’s hit series The Umbrella Academy and her current role as the street-hardened matriarch Monet Tejada on the Starz series Power Book II: Ghost. A date for the premiere of The Wine Down hasn’t been announced.

22 Dec 2022

Lea Michele and Darren Criss Go Carpool Caroling for Christmas ‘Carpool Karaoke’

Lea Michele and Darren Criss reunited Thursday (Dec. 22) for a very special Christmas edition of Apple TV+’s Carpool Karaoke.

In a bonus clip shared to YouTube, Criss takes the wheel as his former Glee co-star delivers her single “Christmas in New York,” from her 2019 holiday album Christmas in the City. “Rockefeller’s covered in the lights/ Families are playing on the ice/ From Harlem to the Battery/ Every corner’s bustling/ Suddenly it’s Christmas in New York,” she sings over her pal’s hilarious commentary (“You’re flat, you’re flat… I sounded better”).

Next, Criss dusts off “Christmas Dance,” an original tune from his own holiday album, 2021’s A Very Darren Crissmas. “So play a song that makes us make out when it snows/ A holly jolly one that everybody knows/ It goes, ‘Get up, get down, well come on it’s Christmas’/ Rocking around, well come on it’s Christmastime/ Time to really take a chance/ Can I ask, may I have this Christmas/ May I have this Christmas dance?” he croons before teaching Michele the step-by-step dance moves on the song’s bridge.

While filming the episode, Michele and Criss jammed out between takes to the Glee favorite “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey, which they posted in an adorable video on the former’s TikTok. In October, the American Crime Story actor also visited his pal backstage at Funny Girl on Broadway, where she’s currently breaking box-office records as leading lady Fanny Brice.

Watch Michele and Criss go caroling around New York City in Carpool Karaoke below.

22 Dec 2022

Philly Judge Meek Mill Called Out Has Criminal Cases Reassigned, Legal Battle Unfolding

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Meek Mill wasn’t capping when he said his judge was doing him dirty, allegedly. . The same Philadelphia judge who jailed the rapper, and who he essentially accused of having a vendetta against him, has had her criminal cases reassigned, and now she’s suing.

The Philadephia Inquirer reports that Common Pleas Court Judge Genece Brinkley has been transferred to civil court and all of the pending criminal cases she was initially tasked with have been reassigned. Brinkley is the same judge who jailed Meek Mill for a parole violation in 2017.

The judge’s behavior while she was overseeing Meek’s case had most anyone taking a look at the details saying she was holding a grudge. For example, in 2018, the Philadelphia District Attorney recommended Meek’s 2008 conviction, for which the rapper at the time was sitting in jail for because of the aforementioned parole violation, should be dismissed. However, Brinkley refused to toss the charges despite the DA noting Meek had already served time for the charges.

“Like many who are currently incarcerated, I was the victim of a miscarriage of justice — carried out by an untruthful officer, as determined by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office, and an unfair judge,” said Meek in New York Times op-ed in 2019.

Meek was eventually released on bail, but only after much outcry at the audacity of his treatment by the justice system (the old criminal case was dismissed after he pled guilty to a misdemeanor firearm charge). Flash forward to 2022, and Brinkley’s behavior on the bench is still looking funny in the light, and she’s now claiming that she is the actual victim.

Per the Philadelphia Inquirer:

The unfolding legal battle is the latest chapter in a months-long conflict between Common Pleas Court Judge Genece Brinkley and judicial leadership, a feud that began in part over questions about whether Brinkley was showing up to the courthouse on time or managing her caseload effectively. Since the reassignment, lawyers and judges who have reviewed dozens of Brinkley’s cases have discovered a history of her appearing to impose illegal sentences, allow sentences to run past their maximum date, or failing to swiftly address cases remanded to her by higher courts.

This summer, Brinkley, who is Black, filed a gender and racial discrimination complaint against two supervising judges on the court, both of whom are also Black women. And earlier this month, she turned to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court seeking to reverse the decision to reassign her cases, saying in a petition that it “raises unwarranted suspicions about [her] integrity and performance.”

A judge coming under question is a big deal due to the power they wield, deciding to imprison or free someone through what’s supposed to be a lens of justice. Since Brinkley’s transfer, her past cases have come under review by lawyers and judges to see if there are more examples of unseemly judicial behavior. What has been found so far, are numerous cases of lengthy prison terms for suspect parole violations, with many now being outright dismissed, or cases of parolees getting his with the jig.

In the weeks since the reassignment of Brinkley’s cases, lawyers and other judges have been reviewing dozens of matters she presided over and discovered a range of issues. At hearings this month addressing her open probation cases, for example, one lawyer called the situation a “mess.” And Common Pleas Court Judge Mia Perez — who presided over the hearings — was visibly bewildered by some matters that crossed her desk.

In one, Brinkley had sentenced Jeremy Speedling to three years’ probation for a 2019 simple assault and theft. But after Speedling moved to New York, his public defender said, Brinkley sent a letter to his probation officer there changing the terms of his supervision — and then found him in violation and ordered him jailed for 11½ to 23 months.

Brinkley “found [Speedling] in violation for terms he wasn’t aware of,” said the public defender, Elisa Downey-Zayas.

Bruh…

Read the full, disturbing and maddening story right here. Meek picked an inopportune time to leave Twitter, eh?

22 Dec 2022

Rihanna, SZA & More: What’s Your Favorite R&B Song of 2022? Vote!

2022 is swiftly coming to a close, so now’s a great time to reflect on the biggest and brightest R&B songs of the year. But which one was your favorite?

Rihanna made her long-awaited return to music after a five-year break by contributing not one, but two tracks to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The first, “Lift Me Up,” serves as a stunning and serene ballad for the pop star, as well as a tribute for late star Chadwick Boseman, who died at age 43 in 2020 after a battle with colon cancer. The track, co-written by Tems, made Billboard‘s list of 10 best R&B songs of 2022.

SZA also made the list. She released “Shirt” as the third single from her critically acclaimed — and currently No. 1 on the Billboard 200 — sophomore album, S.O.S. The sultry track sees the star waxing poetic about a toxic love affair, and recalls hits from her debut LP CTRL.

No one on Billboard‘s list had a bigger breakout year than Steve Lacy, who was named our Rookie of the Year after “Bad Habit” entered the stratosphere by going viral through TikTok. The singer’s album Gemini Rights went on to secure the top spots on several charts following its July release.

The Weeknd, Chris Brown, Beyoncé and more round out Billboard‘s 10 Best R&B Songs of 2022 list, but which was your favorite? Vote in our poll below.

22 Dec 2022

Rex Orange County Reacts to Sexual Assault Charges Against Him Being Dropped: ‘I Have Always Denied These Allegations’

Rex Orange County has had all six counts of sexual assault dismissed in his native U.K. following an investigation by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

“Today, all charges against me have been dropped,” the British singer-songwriter (born Alexander O’Connor) tweeted on Thursday (Dec. 22). “The Crown Prosecution Service reviewed the evidence and decided that there is no merit in this case going to trial. I have always denied these allegations and am grateful that the independent evidence has cleared me of any wrongdoing. I have never assaulted anyone and I do not condone violence or abusive behaviour of any kind.”

In early October, O’Connor was charged with assaulting a woman in London on six separate occasions in June 2021. O’Connor had pleaded not guilty, and was set free on unconditional bail ahead of a provisional trial date set for Jan. 3, 2023.

The CPS concluded that the evidence “no longer met” its test for a prosecution, the BBC reported.

O’Connor reaffirmed his innocence in his statement on social media, saying that the only evidence against him was the accuser’s account, which was refuted by CCTV camera footage and testimony from another witness.

The singer-songwriter also addressed what he called “inaccuracies” surrounding the six charges.

“I was wrongly accused of touching someone one evening on their leg, neck, back, and bottom,” he wrote. “That led to 6 charges of sexual assault. The only evidence against me was the individual’s account. However, CCTV footage obtained by the police contradicted their version of events. Their partner was also present throughout the evening in question and gave a statement to the police which did not support the allegations against me.”

O’Connor concluded by noting that it’s “been a difficult time for everyone involved and I’d like to thank the people who have helped me through it as well as my family and loved ones for their continued support.”

O’Connor rose to prominence as Rex Orange County after being featured on Tyler, the Creator‘s 2017 album, Flower Boy, including the single “Boredom.” The English artist has released four studio albums, the last two — 2019’s Pony and 2022’s Who Cares? — on RCA Records in the United States. Both albums reached the top five on the Billboard 200, while Pony hit No. 1 on Top Alternative Albums. He has also tallied three singles in the top 10 of Billboard‘s Hot Rock Songs chart with “Pluto Projector,” “10/10” and “Face to Face.”

See O’Connor’s full statement on Twitter below.

22 Dec 2022

The Asteroid Is On The Way: Candace Owens Defends Megan Thee Stallion, Twitter Is Stunned

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Candace Owens Defends Megan Thee Stallion, Twitter Is Shocked

Source: Jason Davis / Getty / Candace Owens

The Tory Lanez criminal trial is underway and about to wrap up. As reporters feed information to those intrigued by the spectacle this court case has become, allowing them to form opinions, primarily false, Megan Thee Stallion, the apparent victim in all of this, has gained an unlikely supporter in Candace Owens.

A broken clock is right twice a day.

Edgeless coonservative Candace Owens, who in the past has criticized Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion for their raunchy hit record “WAP,” is putting on her cape for the Houston rapper.

Taking to Elon Musk’s Twitter, Owens blasted the obvious misogynoir Thee Stallion is receiving and shared a clip from her podcast calling it out.

In the caption for the tweet, she wrote, “Megan Thee Stallion has credibly accused Tory Lanez of shooting her in the foot. She turned down hush money and has been stabbed in the back by her friends. Instead of getting showered with support, Megan was mocked. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be in her position.”

Twitter, Of Course, Can’t Believe What They Saw

It’s a safe bet to assume no one foresaw Candace Owens coming to the defense of Megan Thee Stallion.

The reactions to the tweet from other Twitter users are a clear indication of that. “I promise you, I PROMISE YOU, Candace Owens speaking truth to power in the year of our Lord 2022 was not on my bingo card,” one woman wrote on Twitter.

“Wasn’t expecting this but there are some valid points. Megan Thee Stallion deserves a lot more than the laughs, jeers, hate & suspicion she’s receiving as a domestic violence victim. The way she’s being treated by the culture, hip-hop/rap community and the media is vile,” another Twitter user wrote in response to the clip.

Owens is a notorious hater; honestly, if you closed her eyes and heard her taking, you would think she’s a white woman. With this surprising turn of events, her melanin is still present, and she recognizes a fellow Black woman’s pain.

The conservative talking head also claims this is not the first time she has put on a cape for Black artists.

“I actually defend a lot of black artists on my platform. The media just never covers it when I do,” she wrote in reply to a tweet.

“Notice that despite this going viral, there are no headlines about me defending Megan,” she added.

Well, Candace, here is your headline for saying something right.

You can see more reactions in the gallery below.

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Photo: Jason Davis / Getty

1. Lol, true

2. Felt this

22 Dec 2022

Martin Garrix & JVKE Debut on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs Chart With ‘Hero’

Martin Garrix and JVKE jump onto Billboard‘s multi-metric Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart (dated Dec. 24) with “Hero” at No. 13. The track earned 1.1 million U.S. streams in the Dec. 9-15 tracking week, according to Luminate.

“Hero” marks the 51st charted title for Garrix (and the second for JVKE), tying him with The Chainsmokers for the fourth-most among all acts, dating to the chart’s January 2013 inception, after only David Guetta (73), Kygo (61) and Marshmello (53).

At No. 14, another pairing debuts, as Mallrat (aka Australian singer Grace Shaw) and The Chainsmokers start with “Wish on an Eyelash 2.” Mallrat’s first appearance, “Wish,” as noted above, ups The Chainsmokers’ career count to 51.

The song, in keeping with The Chainsmokers’ recent lo-fi sound highlighted on its October release So Far So Good (Lofi Remixes), opens with 1 million streams. The track is a newly recorded, collaborative version of Mallrat’s “Wish on an Eyelash,” released on her Butterfly Blue LP. (The set started at No. 6 on the Australian Albums chart in May.)

Additionally on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, Kx5 (Kaskade and Deadmau5) and Elderbrook enter at No. 25 with “When I Talk.” Kx5’s fourth charted title is its second-highest ranking, after “Escape,” featuring Hayla (No. 11, June). Also Elderbrook’s seventh chart hit, “Talk” took in 575,000 streams, with Kx5 having performed at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Dec. 10.

Shifting to the Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart, David Guetta and Bebe Rexha return to the top (after three weeks below) for a sixth total frame with “I’m Good (Blue)” (2-1). The song ties Guetta’s 2009 No. 1 “Sexy Chick,” featuring Akon, as his second-longest-leading hit; only his “When Love Takes Over,” featuring Kelly Rowland, spent more weeks at the summit (nine, 2009). Guetta is tied with Calvin Harris and Rihanna for the most No. 1s — 12 each — since the list began in August 2003.

“Good” is garnering core-dance attention at outlets including SiriusXM’s BPM, Music Choice’s Dance/EDM channel and KMVQ-HD2 San Francisco. (The Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart measures radio airplay on a select group of full-time dance stations, along with plays during mix shows on around 70 top 40-formatted reporters.)

The track also continues at No. 1 on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs for a 13th week and Dance/Electronic Streaming Songs and Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales for a 14th frame each, as it drew 68.8 all-format million radio airplay audience impressions and 10 million streams and sold 4,000 downloads.

Revisiting Dance/Mix Show Airplay, Rêve rides to her first top 10 on any U.S.-based Billboard chart with “Whitney” (15-10). The more pop-leaning original version of the song, which references Whitney Houston’s cover of Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman,” received a dance radio-friendly remix from Essel Nov. 18.