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Mon Laferte has signed a record deal with Sony Music Latin, the company tells Billboard. In this “new phase” of the Chilean singer-songwriter’s career, Sony Music will continue to “enhance” her legacy and international visibility, according to the label. The Grammy-nominated artist is currently on her Live Nation-produced Autopoiética tour in the United States, taking […]
Sony Music México announced on Thursday (Nov. 9) the launch of M4 Records, a label run by music executive Manuel Cuevas, who has helped propel the careers of artists such as Carlos Rivera, Yuridia, Lila Downs, Filipa Giordano, Gilberto Santa Rosa and, more recently, regional Mexican singer Luis Ángel “El Flaco”. “Manuel is an executive […]
After seven years working for regional Mexican indie labels — including DEL Records and most recently AfinArte Music — and helping grow the música mexicana genre, industry veteran Maria Inés Sánchez has been appointed Sony Music Latin’s new vp of West Coast operations.
Based out of Los Angeles, Sánchez, who began her career over two decades ago with stints at Sony and Universal, will report directly to Esteban Geller, general manager of Sony Music U.S. Latin, and oversee a team that includes other new hires such as Gonzalo Herrerias, senior director A&R and label manager Juan Tapia.
With Sánchez’s appointment, the label doubles down on its dedication to support the genre, which has seen extraordinary global growth this past year alone. “Sony Music Latin is really committed on continuing this explosion,” Sánchez tells Billboard. “The commitment being that we have to support a new generations of artists and help develop them because these young artists will only continue to fuse and evolve the sound, which has helped the genre grow.”
With indie labels mainly driving the the genre’s surge, Sánchez says the key to keep pushing the genre forward will be creating key alliances between major labels and indies. Sony Music Latin has already entered partnerships with labels such as Lumbre Music (Yahritza y Su Esencia) and Rancho Humilde (Fuerza Regida).
“We saw Mexican music grow because artists started to collaborate,” explains Sánchez. “It’s the same thing if companies start joining forces. Major labels like Sony, we can reach a broader spectrum of the business in general. We have eyes where indie’s perhaps don’t with offices internationally, which help export the music and work in other key markets such as Latin America and Spain.”
It aligns with how Sony U.S. Latin president Alex Gallardo visualizes the label’s role in regional Mexican music today. “We want to be the best possible partner for any artist, label, manager, or any Mexican music project, for this we have reinforced the West Coast team, and we have a clear vision to take Mexican music as far as possible,” says Gallardo.
Sony U.S. Latin also has an alliance with Sony Music Mexico to work both countries, Mexico and the United States, as a “single market,” Gallardo explains.
Adding that, ultimately, the plan is to break regional Mexican music beyond those two countries and enter new markets throughout Latin America and Spain. “We have already taken steps like getting Christian Nodal to sell out a WiZink Center in Madrid for 15,000 people … In countries like Colombia, Chile or Spain [the genre] is entering little by little and I believe that the strength of Sony in all these markets should be focused on bringing this wonderful music that is coming out of this new wave of artists.”
Naming Sánchez as vp of West Coast operations, a role previously served by Manny Prado (now at Interscope), means having someone who has a “very complete vision of both the business and Mexican music” having experience in both indie and major labels. Plus, having a woman in charge is something that “makes us very happy,” adds Gallardo.
“As a woman, I bring passion and conviction to a genre that I respect and love,” says Sánchez. “I’m committed to keep fueling this música mexicana explosion and impacting on a bigger level.”
Mexican singer, songwriter and producer Edén Muñoz has signed a record deal with Sony Music México in partnership with Sony Music Latin, Billboard Español can exclusively announce today (Oct. 11).
Muñoz, the former leader of the group Calibre 50, has had a fruitful solo career in recent years. His hits include “Chale”, “Consejos Gratis”, “Como Quieras Quiero” and “Mi Caída En Los Excesos,” and his collaborations with rock-pop artists such as Maná and Matisse have demonstrated his versatility to innovate in other areas, where he can also move with ease. Alejandro Fernández, Pepe Aguilar, Christian Nodal, Carlos Rivera, Banda MS, Yuridia and La Arrolladora Banda El Limón are some of the acts who have recorded his songs.
“I am more than happy,” Muñoz, previously signed to Sergio Lizárraga’s Lizos Music, said in a statement. “I am excited about this family that we have formed for a long time and that today we materialize,” “I knew the day would come when my music and my art would find a home where it would be seen with the love it deserves. Today begins one of those stories that rarely happen.”
“The signing of Edén Muñoz fills us with joy and pride,” added Roberto López, president of Sony Music México. “Edén, whom we have always admired, is one of the greatest artists and creators of Mexican music of the moment. With unparalleled enthusiasm and creativity, I am sure he will continue to leave an indelible mark.”
Alex Gallardo, president of Sony Music U.S. Latin, was also pleased to have Muñoz in the company’s ranks. “Eden is a 360 artist, not only does he shine on stage, but he is also an extraordinary musician, producer and composer,” he said. “His work shows that he is a visionary and one of the most versatile artists that Mexican music has known.”
At 33, Muñoz is one of the regional Mexican music figures with greatest presence on digital platforms, with over 1.5 million subscribers on YouTube and videos that together exceed 1.1 billion views. He also has 17.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and 4.6 million followers on TikTok. On the Billboard charts, he’s placed seven albums at No.1 on Regional Mexican Albums, in addition to 22 No. 1s on the Regional Mexican Airplay with songs of his own performed as a soloist and by artists such as Caliber 50, Banda MS, and La Arrolladora.
Currently, Muñoz is on tour with Consejos Gratis, named after his latest album, with shows in Mexican cities such as Mexicali, Oaxaca, Pachuca, Morelos, and dates in the U.S. including Reno, Camarillo, Phoenix, El Paso and Denver.
Edén Muñoz with part of the team of Sony Music México, management and A&R.
Courtesy of Sony Music Mexico
Urbano star and reggaeton veteran Chencho Corleone has launched a “new musical phase” by signing a global record deal with Sony Music Latin, the company tells Billboard. The agreement comes on the heels of Chencho’s upcoming debut album as a solo artist; he was previously one-half of the duo Plan B, who rose to fame in the early 2000s.
“I’m very happy with what we’ve been creating and what’s coming up,” said the Puerto Rican hitmaker in a statement. “I’m sure my fans will enjoy this new musical phase, adding another milestone in my career.”
Corleone is set to drop the first single from the set, “Un Cigarrillo,” on Thursday (May 4) along with a music video directed by Jessy Terrero. “I had the opportunity to sit down with production and the team to create a visual concept that projects and marks the new solo path at the beginning,” Chencho added in his statement.
The deal comes amid a career spike for Corleone. Last year, he scored his first No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart thanks to “Me Porto Bonito” with Bad Bunny, which ruled the tally for 20 weeks. He also notched his first No. 1 on Billboard‘s Latin Airplay chart with his feature on Rauw Alejandro‘s “Desesperados.”
About the signing, Sony Music U.S. Latin president Alex Gallardo, added, “We’re extremely happy to welcome Chencho Corleone to the Sony Music family. Chencho has proved to be one of the leaders in his genre with his distinctive style and powerhouse collaborations, reaffirming his position worldwide. We are committed alongside his team to take his career to new levels and establish him as one of the biggest names in the music.”
Chilean singer-songwriter Polimá Westcoast signed a global deal with Sony Music U.S. Latin, Billboard has learned. With this agreement, the up-and-coming artist expands his relationship with the label after previously singing with Sony Music Entertainment Chile in 2019.
Born Polimá Ngangu Eduardo Miguel Orellana, the Santiago-born act entered the music industry in 2018 with his edgy “Trap Star,” which captured his trap star-meets-rock star attitude. Polimá Westcoast gradually made a name for himself as a local artist performing at the important Lollapalooza Chile Festival last year and at Viña del Mar International Song Festival in February.
“This is something fundamental for me that not only I worked on, but also along my great team,” the singer said in a statement. “A lot is happening with my career at the international stage. We are ready and determined to take the necessary steps to achieve the next level.”
Although Polimá has been making music for some time now, it was his Pailita-assisted track “Ultra Solo” released last year that really put him on the map. It peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Excl. U.S. chart (dated July 2, 2022). He later landed a remix alongside Paloma Mami, Feid and De La Ghetto. In the past, he’s also collaborated with J Balvin and Quevedo.
“We are very happy to continue working with Polimá Westcoast, who has proven to be one of the most talented and creative artists of his generation,” added Alex Gallardo, president of Sony Music U.S. Latin. “We are confident that together we can bring his music to new audiences worldwide. Today, we welcome him to Sony U.S. Latin, where we are committed to helping him continue to grow his name internationally and become one of the biggest names in Latin music.”
Maria “Mechas” Mercedes Montejo has joined Sony Music Latin-Iberia as managing director of the Andean region (which includes Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela), Billboard has learned. She replaces Adriana Restrepo, who has joined the leadership team of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, or IFPI.
Montejo will report directly to Damián Amato, who is overseeing Sony Music Latin’s now unified South American operations. The Buenos Aires-based executive, who’s been with Sony Music for the past two decades, was previously general director for the southernmost cone of the regional including Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay.
“This new structure is part of our ongoing transformation efforts to make Sony Music the most dynamic, efficient and nimble organization that can respond quickly to the needs of a dynamic and ever-changing industry”, Afo Verde, chairman & CEO of Sony Music Latin-Iberia, said about the leadership shakeup.
Verde added: “I am very grateful to Adriana for all her efforts and contributions to this important part of our region, both artistically and commercially. Fortunately, we have a strong successor in Mechas, who has broad experience in the industry and the Andean region. I am confident that she will build upon the success and trajectory of the region. I’m also grateful to Damian for taking on this broader role. Without a doubt the artists, Mechas and the incredible Andean team will enjoy and benefit from his leadership.”
Before joining Sony Music, Montejo was the general manager for Warner Music Latin, where she “leveraged her experience and insight” of the Latin American music industry, according to a statement.
Sony Music US Latin has officially opened its new headquarters in Puerto Rico, Billboard can confirm today (Dec. 8).
The multinational record label, which has had its facilities on the island since 1980 (formerly CBS Records), is relocating to the modern office complex Ciudadela in Santurce, where the label’s artists will have access to a press room, recording studio, content creation room for networks, and other benefits.
“These new offices are a tangible demonstration of what Puerto Rico represents for Sony and for Latino culture,” Alex Gallardo, president of Sony Music US Latin tells Billboard via email. “In addition, this expansion will allow us to provide a better service and support our current artists even more.”
Reaffirming its commitment to Boricua talent, Victor Manuelle, Pedro Capó, and Luis Figueroa were some of the Sony artists present at the inauguration, alongside Gallardo and Tuti Bou, vp and general manager of Sony Music US Latin (Puerto Rico Branch).
“After 42 years of having founded our company in Puerto Rico, today we celebrate this new stage,” Bou adds. “At Sony Music PR we are proud to be the only established multinational committed to the development of our music and culture. The space is modern, and spacious, and in which we have our own recording studio to continue developing, promoting, and discovering new talent. Sony Music Puerto Rico will continue to be ‘The House of Artists.’”
In addition, the label has commissioned a mural from the renowned artists of The Stencil Network in support of the urban development in Santurce.
Sony Music Latin offices in Puerto Rico
Dianeris Nieves/Sony Music Latin
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