Multi-platinum artists JAY Z and “The King of Bachata” Romeo Santos have combined forces. Well it looks as if “The King of Bachata” can also add CEO to his list of credentials. Thats right, Santos has officially been named CEO of Roc Nation Latin.
Although Santos has dominated Latin charts for years, he’s actually from the Bronx, New York and is half Dominican and Puerto Rican. His music has featured the likes of Drake, Lil Wayne, Pitbull, Usher and Nicki Minaj.
Roc Nation Latin is supposed to help develop marketing, branding, sponsorship and international expansion for Latin artists. “Romeo has had tremendous success as a composer and producer and can spot true talent,” says JAY Z about the new ventures, which is reminiscent of his earlier foray into this arena, Roc La Familia. “This is a tremendous step for Roc Nation. We recognize there is a huge Latin market that is part of global culture. We’re proud and ready to enter into true partnership with an individual that intimately lives and knows that culture.”
Santos expressed his excitement to work with Jay, whom he said idolizes and looks forward to learning from—especially his business savvy.
Red Bull Batalla 2022, the world’s largest Spanish-language freestyle competition, has unveiled the top 16 MCs competing at this year’s U.S. final round in Miami on October 8. Here are the official finalists that are still on the run.
Out of over 7,000 aspiring MCs that applied, the competition has its final 16 competitors. This list was determined at the qualifiers in Dallas on July 16 and in L.A. on July 30. These names include: El Poeta from Phoenix, AZ, Pailot from Durant, OK, Adonys from New York, NY, Link One from Caguas, Puerto Rico, OneR from Tamarac, FL, Nico B from Miami, FL, Macías from Colorado Springs, CO, and Outlaw from San Juan, Puerto Rico. You can relive the L.A. qualifier show via streaming now.
These 16 MCs will join the 2021 Red Bull Batalla USA National Finalists, and 2022 Red Bull Batalla USA Regional Cup Winners on the national stage in Miami. The Red Bull Batalla USA National Finalists who automatically advanced from 2021 are: Reverse from West Palm Beach, FL, Eckonn from Orlando, FL, McBetho from Irving, TX, and Cuban from McAllen, TX. The other participants are the 2022 Red Bull Batalla USA Regional Cup Winners: Freites from Orlando, FL, Santos from New York, NY, Jordi from Austin, TX, and J Luna from Los Angeles, CA.
What comes after? The winners from Miami will have the opportunity to represent the U.S.A. at the World Final that will take place in Mexico City in December. As reported before, the World Final counts with the participation of nine countries, including the U.S., Mexico, Spain, and Colombia.
Best of luck to all the competitors making their way to this year’s Red Bull Batalla 2022 World Final!
While Nicky Jam and Will Smith gear-up for an epic collaboration to produce the 2018 World Cup’s official song, there was yet another collaboration brewing with Smith Junior (Jaden Smith). The official remix of Jaden Smith’s summer hit song, “Icon” features Nicky Jam.
The duo hit the streets of Cartagena for the music video rapping in both English and Spanish respectively.
“I am not a Mayan, I’m a menace (menace)
It’s wild, you can lie like a professor
I don’t got the time to put you on the stretcher (stretcher)
I am here and I’m still flexing (flexing)
I am just an icon living
Start a record label, MSFTS just did it, woah
I’m Highsnob, cover five minutes, woah
We are so hot in the business (woo),” raps Jaden.
Followed by Nicky’s…”No le tengo miedo a ningún venenoso
He nacido con el todopoderoso (woo!)
Le metimos con un ritmo escandaloso
Ya no estamos en la calle ni ‘tamos vendiendo coso (Icon)
Suéltame el beat, lo destrozo
El dúo latino, so mentiroso
Pa’ to’s los envidiosos pa’ to’s los resentidos y rencorosos
Yo sé que en el fondo ustedes están muy orgullosos”
Earlier this year, Nicky Jam shared with Billboard that Will Smith was responsible for his collaboration Jaden.
The original “Icon” was included on Jaden’s 2017 SYRE album.
The Boston native Nicky Jam has been hinting on an English-language album for some time now, so expect more collabs and mainstream music from him in the months to come.
Join the Museum of the City of New York and El Museo Del Barrio for their FREE summer block party series celebrating East Harlem at the top of Museum Mile. Happening Wednesday August 9th @6PM.
At the Museum of the City of New York:
Celebrate the finale of Uptown Bounce with this sizzling Latin-infused ’70s dance party inspired by the Museum’s exhibition, Rhythm & Power: Salsa in New York.
Legendary instructor Jeff Selbywill offer New Style Hustle dance lessons.
At El Museo del Barrio:
‘Uptown’ is in the house at El Museo! Check out the ‘Puerto Rican Debt Fair’ presented by Occupy Museums at this year’s Whitney Biennial, and special performance by artists La Chiquita Brujitawith DJ Geko Jones.
About Uptown Bounce:
Join the Museum of the City of New York and El Museo Del Barrio for our fourth annual Uptown Bounceseries of free summer block parties. On four consecutive Wednesday evenings, dance to New York DJs, enjoy gallery talks, tours, art workshops, and savor summer drinks and local food.
To register and view all of the events in the series, click here.
This event is free and open to the public but pre-registration is required. Includes Museum admission.
