Latest news with #NatanaelCano
Los Angeles Times
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Gabito Ballesteros is led by love in new album ‘Ya No Se Llevan Serenatas'
Mexican corrido singer Gabito Ballesteros has always been a hopeless romantic. His newest album, 'Ya No Se Llevan Serenatas,' or 'They No Longer Perform Serenades,' tugs at those delicate heartstrings. Released Thursday, the album pays tribute to romance in the digital era of smartphones and social media. Invoking modern-day references, like sending Instagram DMs and going to Disneyland, he puts his own spin on the traditional serenade, a ballad one typically sings below the windowsill of their lover. It's the kind of profound romance that regional Mexican acts such as Joan Sebastian, Vicente Fernandez and Juan Gabriel honed for decades. 'I like to sing to women, bring them roses, be romantic, and I want to convey this to my audience,' said Ballesteros in a statement to The Times. Sprinkled across the 21 tracks is a roster of star-studded Mexican homegrown talents, including longtime collaborator Natanael Cano, Tito Doble P, Christian Nodal, Neton Vega, Carín León, Oscar Maydon and Luis R Conriquez. Colombian reggaeton superstar J Balvin is also featured in the Latin-EDM fusion track, 'La Troka.' Ahead of its release, the rising star teased his sophomore album on Instagram with a clip of him driving a classic Ford Mustang filled with dozens of red roses. Once parked, Ballesteros pulls out his guitar from the trunk as his joint song with Carín León, 'Regalo de Dios,' begins to unfold in the background — a sign that Ballesteros is ready to pour his heart out to whoever that fortunate soul might be. The song is one of the few pre-released tracks of the album, alongside poetic singles like 'Cleopatra,' which compares a woman's beauty to that of the famed Egyptian queen, and the agonizing track 'Perdido,' which looks to fill the void of true love lost with vice. The already popular, anxiety-riddled '7 Diás,' featuring Tito Double P, is also included in the track list; Ballesteros also performs an acoustic rendition of this heartbreak song on YouTube. 'This is a very important album because it tells a very different story than what [I] have been doing],' said Ballesteros. 'The audience will get to learn more about my love and heartbreak.' Ballesteros, who is originally from Sonora, Mexico, first gained recognition in 2020 with his breakthrough conjunto song 'El Rompecabezas.' After obtaining his degree in industrial engineering in 2023, he joined his longtime friend Natanael Cano and Peso Pluma on the chart-topping hit 'AMG,' which debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 92, marking the trio's first appearance on the chart. Ballesteros later appeared on the chart that same year with the megahit 'Lady Gaga' with Peso Pluma and Junior H,' which remained on the Billboard Hot 100 for 20 weeks, peaking at No. 35. The release of 'Ya No Se Llevan Serenatas' comes a year after Ballesteros launched his critically-acclaimed debut album, 'The GB,' which landed at No. 65 on the Billboard 200. The 25-year-old singer— who is under Natanael Cano's record label Los CT and Peso Pluma's Double P Management— has quickly become a force in the new wave of corridos tumbados, amassing more than 50 million monthly Spotify listeners. 'If you're in love, I would like for you to dedicate a song to your lover [from this album]. If you're going through a breakup, listen to it and heal with the music,' Ballesteros said. 'Everything is guided by love.'
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Natanael Cano Defies Ban on Narcocorridos, Performs Tumbados at Aguascalientes Fair
Natanael Cano, leader and creator of the corridos tumbados genre, defied the ban imposed by authorities in the Mexican state of Aguascalientes against narcocorridos on Saturday (May 3). During his performance at the Feria Nacional de San Marcos, he played a couple of songs with explicit references to figures of drug trafficking and glorification of crime. In response, the event organizers lowered the audio volume and turned off the lights, bringing the show to an end. Videos on social media show the moment Cano responds to the request of some attendees at his concert during the Feria Nacional de San Marcos, who insisted on hearing 'Cuerno Azulado,' a controversial song in which the musician talks about organized crime and its alleged ties to Mexican authorities. More from Billboard Luis R. Conriquez's Show in Mexico Ends in Chaos for Excluding Narcocorridos Bad Bunny Announces Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour: Here Are the Dates Fans Choose Lali & Duki's 'Plástico' as Their Favorite New Latin Music of the Week ''Cuerno (Azulado)' isn't something you need to ask me for, my friend. 'Cuerno' is something you need to ask your government for. If you want it so badly, do something about it,' the singer responded to the crowd. 'With all due respect, we came here to Aguascalientes to sing for you, my friend, and with all due respect to the people who are prohibiting us from singing and showcasing our art, we don't give a damn. Do something about it yourselves, don't come asking me for it here' Natanael Cano's performance, announced as one of the star acts of the legendary fair that has been held for 197 years, began with a series of corridos and ballads that adhered to the list previously approved by local authorities. However, after midnight, the setlist included 'Pacas de Billetes,' a song referencing Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán, the notorious drug lord who is currently serving a life sentence in the United States following his conviction in 2019. The musician continued with 'El de la Codeína,' a song that references substance trafficking, which led the organizers to lower the sound volume in the venue. In response, the artist's technical team activated its own audio system so Cano could keep performing. However, after finishing the song, the organizers turned off the lights, and the singer abruptly left the stage without the concert officially concluding. Billboard Español has reached out to Natanael Cano's representatives as well as festival organizers and the government of Aguascalientes for comment on what happened Sunday, but has not heard back as of press time. The incident with Cano comes three weeks after the concert by corridos superstar Luis R. Conriquez at the Feria de Texcoco in the State of Mexico on April 11 ended in chaos when he refused to perform narcocorridos, complying with restrictions imposed by local authorities on expressions that glorify crime in public spaces. Conriquez revealed in an exclusive interview with Billboard that local authorities had warned him not to perform narcocorridos during his show at the Feria de Texcoco. 'They said that if I sang a corrido, they would cut off the sound.' The local Congress of Aguascalientes on April 16 approved legislation to penalize 'the dissemination of content, images and artistic or musical expressions that promote activities related to organized crime.' State authorities have not commented on what happened during Cano's show. Aguascalientes is one of 10 states (out of 32) in Mexico that have banned or restricted the dissemination of narcocorridos or expressions that glorify crime. Without a federal law, local governments enforce penalties ranging from hefty fines to up to a year in prison for those who perform music that promotes violence. Grupo Firme, another of the superstar regional Mexican acts that performed at this year's Feria de San Marcos, declined to play corridos during its concerts on April 19 and 20, as previously announced by vocalist Eduin Caz in a social media message saying the band was complying with the new restrictions. Junior H, another leading figure in the corridos tumbados genre, is scheduled to perform at the palenque of the mentioned fair Wednesday (May 7). The new bans implemented in Mexico have expanded to the United States. In an unprecedented move, the U.S. State Department announced on April 1 the revocation of work and tourist visas for the Mexican corridos group Los Alegres del Barranco after it displayed images of the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as 'El Mencho,' during a concert on March 29 at an auditorium at the University of Guadalajara. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum on Whether Narcocorridos Should Be Banned or Regulated
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed questions from Billboard Español this Wednesday (April 16) regarding the controversy surrounding the idea of the federal government potentially banning or regulating the public dissemination of music that glorifies criminal activities, specifically so-called narcocorridos. This is a measure that some state and municipal governments have already begun implementing. Joining the list of regions that have turned down the volume on corridos tumbados and narcocorridos — a genre popularized by artists like Natanael Cano, Peso Pluma, and Junior H — are Mexico City and Michoacán, which recently announced measures to regulate such expressions. Last Friday (April 11), chaos broke out during a concert by singer Luis R. Conriquez at the Feria del Caballo in the State of Mexico when the artist refused to perform corridos glorifying drug trafficking, citing compliance with the entity's new rules. This decision angered some in the audience. More from Billboard Luke Bryan Reacts to Katy Perry's Space Flight: 'It Roped Me In' King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard Preview 'Phantom Island' LP With New Single, 'Deadstick' Adrianne Lenker Details New Live Album, 'Live at Revolution Hall' The debate in Mexico over tightening regulations on songs that glorify drug trafficking has intensified in several parts of the country. But it's also making waves across the border in the United States, where Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau confirmed on April 1, via a post on X, that he revoked the work and tourist visas of the members of the group Los Alegres del Barranco. The decision came after the band projected images of a criminal leader during their March 29 concert at an auditorium at the University of Guadalajara in Jalisco. 'I'm a firm believer in freedom of expression, but that doesn't mean that expression should be free of consequences,' Landau wrote in his post. Here are President Claudia Sheinbaum's responses to Billboard Español during her morning press conference on Wednesday (April 16) in Mexico City. Narcocorridos have become a polarizing topic in Mexico and across the border. On Monday, you mentioned that your government does not ban any music genre. Do you think regulating, rather than banning, this type of expression is a viable option? I'm not really a fan of banning things in this case. There are other things I believe are more important, like the issue of sweets in schools, which are no longer allowed because it's a public health matter. In this case, of course, the way these lyrics are crafted within certain types of music and genres is a phenomenon that happens. I think that if it's banned — even though what they're banning is its promotion in public spaces, not that people can't listen to it at home — that's a decision some municipalities have chosen to make. From my point of view, education and awareness are better approaches, allowing society itself to gradually move away from these kinds of musical content, rather than outright bans. Of course, there are extremes that cross into criminal territory, right? Like what happened at an event where a video of a drug trafficker was shown as if it were something positive. Everything has its pros and cons. We've asked some musicians for their thoughts on the binational contest México Canta, including Natalia Lafourcade just yesterday — an artist who has elevated Mexico's name to great heights without relying on trends or narratives that glorify anything controversial… Yes, there are Mexican women — singer-songwriters, true artists in every sense of the word — with incredible talent and creativity. Natalia Lafourcade is one of them. Julieta Venegas, Ximena Sariñana — these are young women with immense creativity. And of course, Lila Downs as well. It's truly a generation of men and women, but especially women, with remarkable creativity who elevate Mexico's name without resorting to glorifying violence. On the contrary, they create highly creative musical content, along with their own unique music. So, this contest (México Canta) has that goal: to inspire young people to participate with different kinds of content, and for the music that emerges throughout the contest to start resonating within society. Some say the main issue is ending violence and reducing organized crime in Mexico, and that's true — we're working on that as well. But I think building a culture of peace is also a task for the government, using creative methods like this that involve young people, and I believe it will be very positive. And what's really great about this contest, México Canta, is that many producers got involved and joined in. It wasn't something they organized, but rather an initiative that emerged, and they decided to participate—music producers who will be part of this process. I think it's a great initiative, and we'll be sharing some of the pieces that come out of this process on Fridays. Just like former President López Obrador had his playlist without 'corridos tumbados,' is there a chance you'll have your own playlist? Yes, of course. We'll share it soon. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
AXE Ceremonia: How the Mexican Festival Redefines Youth Culture With ‘Balance Between Past and Present'
Some call it 'the festival of the future' due to its eclecticism and bold approach to creating lineups aimed at a multigenerational audience. For others, AXE Ceremonia brings together major alternative music shows in inclusive spaces, where the distinction from other festivals is evident — from the outfits attendees choose for the occasion to the sonic acts showcased during the marathon event. But for Diego Jiménez, director and co-founder of the festival, it's the place that provides the opportunity to host the creator of the popular corridos tumbados genre, Natanael Cano, as a headliner one night — and the next day, the two-time Grammy-winning American rapper Tyler, Tyler The Creator. Amidst all that, attendees can hear trip-hop veterans Massive Attack, British sensation Charli XCX, South Korean boy band Tomorrow X Together, and Argentine experimental trap duo Ca7riel y Paco Amoroso. More from Billboard Charli XCX, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, Natanael Cano & More to Headline 2025 Axe Ceremonia Festival Hailee Steinfeld Opens Up About Josh Allen Engagement & Singing In Front of Elton John Rob49 & His Friends Kept Saying 'WTHELLY,' Now It's a Viral Song 'We like to differentiate ourselves from other festivals by focusing on youth culture rather than a specific genre or musical style,' Jiménez tells Billboard Español about the festival, whose 12th edition will take place this Saturday and Sunday (April 5 and 6) at Parque Bicentenario in Mexico City. 'Seeing Tyler, The Creator on a lineup at major festivals around the world is more common, but seeing him one day and Natanael Cano the next doesn't happen often elsewhere. That gives AXE Ceremonia a very strong personality,' adds the organizer. Produced by the company ECO Live, this year's festival lineup is rounded out by a diverse group of international bands and solo artists — including Parcels, Gesaffelstein, Nathy Peluso, The Marías, Meme del Real, pablopablo, Lil Yachty, Artemas, Hanumankind, A.G. Cook, NSQK, The Dare, Simpson Ahuevo, Brutalism 300, and Luisa Almaguer — making it one of the most innovative offerings of the spring festival season. The 12th edition of the festival will mark the return of Natanael Cano to Mexico City, who previously performed as an emerging artist in 2022. This time, he will take center stage as a headliner after becoming one of the stars of Mexican regional music and delivering a sold-out concert at the Estadio GNP Seguros in August 2024. 'Watching an artist grow like that is very exciting, and it speaks to this dialogue that exists between this city and the rest of the world — of becoming a cultural capital — and how the vision of culture and music from a Mexican perspective has an international impact,' Jiménez observes. Additionally, this year the festival introduces K-pop to its musical offerings for the first time by inviting South Korean boy band Tomorrow X Together, allowing it to cater to another segment of the audience —Generation Alpha, or those born in the early 2010s. 'We like to seek balance, those connections between the past and the present, to create a snapshot of what's happening today,' Jiménez notes. The organizer also highlighted the introduction of a new space dedicated to tropical music, salsa, merengue, bachata, and cumbia in this year's edition of the festival, which will feature two iconic dance halls from Mexico City: Miki's and Barba Azul. 'Speaking of the present and the past, if you listen to Bad Bunny's album (Debí Tirar Más Fotos), it's based on sounds from the past — that distinctly Latin sound. How does youth interact with these sounds? You create a new space,' he explains. The festival's organizers expect to gather 55,000 people per day, totaling 110,000 attendees over the weekend. In past editions, the festival's stages have hosted prominent figures in music such as Björk, Rosalía, Kendrick Lamar, LCD Soundsystem, Travis Scott, James Blake, Wu-Tang Clan, A$AP Rocky, Aphex Twin, Snoop Dogg, Animal Collective, Underworld, Nicolas Jaar and Fuerza Regida. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
