On Sunday (July 9), reggaeton superstar Daddy Yankee became the first Latin artist to reach the No. 1 spot on Spotify’s worldwide chart with 44.7 millions of monthly listeners and dethroning Ed Sheeran.
Yankee’s ascend to No. 1 is likely in part thanks to his Luis Fonsi collaboration “Despacito” (and the Justin Bieber remix that has held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks straight) — although the number of streams counts for both Daddy Yankee and Fonsi, who is close behind at the No. 3 spot globally. But in addition to “Despacito,” Yankee has an extensive catalog of songs like “Shaky Shaky” (which has 187 million streams to date) and “La Rompe Corazones” (128 million), also attributing to his rise.
There are countless versions and parodies of the Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “Despacito” up on YouTube in every language. But this instrumental version by 2Cellos may be the most impressive yet.
The duo’s Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser covers the Latin hit with no accompaniment whatsoever, alternating their cellos through the melodic lines, rhythmic bass and percussion patterns of “Despacito” effortlessly. The video, shot in what appears to be a storage room, ends with a rousing sing-along with Sulic and Hauser showing off their vocal chops after killing it on the strings.
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“It’s Summer time and we just had to do a video of this song for you guys!!! ENJOY!!” wrote 2CELLOS wrote after posting the video, which garnered 3 million views in the first three days it’s been online.
Before going onstage, veteran Latin singer Gloria Trevi focuses on the fans. “I believe that a show must encompass all the senses, and I want the fans to taste the salt of their tears and the adrenaline of joy,” she tells Billboard. “So for me, everything is important, including the costumes.”
And for Trevi’s VERSUS World Tour, a 35-stop Latin America and U.S extravaganza billed alongside fellow Mexican diva Alejandra Guzman, the music and costumes are anything but ordinary. The two women, who have often drawn comparisons since the inception of their solo careers in the ’80s, are now co-headlining to churn out a melody of hits from their respective catalogs while also promoting solidarity.
“It’s been a beautiful experience to see Alejandra’s and my fans come together and unite for the love of music,” says Trevi. “Every night we break barriers, and it’s been wonderful to see all the things we can accomplish when we unite.”
Between shows, Billboard spoke exclusively with both Trevi and four of the designers behind a few of the embellished, eye-catching and one-of-a-kind ensembles the Latina icon rocks throughout her tour.
Look 1: Show-Opener
Courtesy of Gloria Trevi
To open the show, Trevi wears a silver asymmetrical leather bodysuit with fringe detailing and sexy cutouts designed by Nicolas Jebran, signifying the “Cinco Minutos” singer’s resilience. “Through working with Gloria, I have become a fan and learned her story; she has persevered so much, and I wanted to design a piece that showcased her inner strength,” Jebran says (exclusive sketch below).
Courtesy of Nicolas Jebran
Look 2: “Mas Buena” With Tiger Embellishments
When she hits the stage with Guzman to perform their single “Mas Buena,” the designer incorporated a dramatic cape with two large crystal embellished tigers and industrial-grade zippers to assist with quick changes. “Gloria is fearless just like a tiger; I really feel like it’s her spirit animal.” The singer agrees, adding that this “badass” statement piece — which took two months to complete from start to finish — also “embodies female empowerment.” “His designs are extra special, and his blinged-out bodysuit with matching tiger cape brings out my inner-feline,” she adds.
Courtesy of Gloria Trevi
Look 3: “Eternamente Bella”
During her stop at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, Trevi sported a red bodysuit covered in matching Swarovski crystal embroidery by Labourjoisie for her performance of “Eternamente Bella” with Guzman.
Although the outfit’s reference point was a “kick-ass superhero,” the pair also incorporates a feminine and sexy aesthetic for her custom look, which is inspired by the song’s amorous meaning. “She wanted a piece that oozed seduction and romance but also left a lasting impression, so the color red seemed appropriate,” Antoine Salameh, the founder and designer of LaBourjoisie, said (exclusive sketch below).
Courtesy of Labourjoisie
“It’s the perfect look to sing ‘Eternamente Bella,'” Trevi says of her outfit, which took two weeks to create. “Labourjoisie’s designs are always very detailed and look great under the stage lights. We worked together on my last tour, and I had no doubt they would be able to create an amazing look for this section of the show.”
Courtesy of Gloria Trevi
Look 4: The Ballad
For the ballads portion of the show, Trevi was looking for an elevated outfit with a sophisticated edge, so she collaborated with Dubai-based designer Michael Cinco. Her black bodysuit with brocade accents and crystals throughout has a detachable floor-length skirt and gives the illusion of a majestic all-black gown. “The outfit is designed for a stunning reveal,” Cinco says of the custom look that found inspiration in a gown from one of his previous collections that Gloria “loved” and wanted to recreate for her tour. The “Cuando un hombre te enamora” singer is a fan of Cinco’s “classy” and “elegant” designs, adding that “Michael Cinco is the perfect combination of glamor and avant-garde.”
Courtesy of Gloria Trevi
Look 5: Rocker Vibes
The fourth creative Trevi collaborated with on her Verus tour wardrobe is Indian design duo Falguni & Shane Peacock, who says Gloria’s rocker vibe makes her the “perfect” FSP girl. “The inspiration came from Gloria’s extensive song catalog; her songs often have a rebellious edge that fits perfectly within our brand,” says co-founder Shane Peacock who co-designed two bodysuits accented with a blend of intricate beading–the phrase “rebel” is embroidered on the torso–and feathers. “It’s the perfect outfit to wear for the song “La Papa sin Catsup,” says Trevi, who first got a taste of FSP’s craftsmanship, when she rocked an embellished, long sleeve gold mini dress for the “Mas Buena” music video.
Courtesy of Gloria Trevi
Rounding out her Versus tour wardrobe is a quirky, ’90s-inspired look from The Blonds, who previously outfitted Gwen Stefani for her This Is What the Truth Feels Like Tour. The final result: a black bodysuit with the faces of two dolls tied together with a red crystal heart on the torso, which according to Trevi represents the message of love and unity, paired with a black feather miniskirt. “I have an awesome connection with The Blonds; their aesthetic is very similar to my performance costumes of the 90’s. I love their creativity,” she adds
Trevi is also rocking custom pieces by Yousef Al-Jasmi, Shady Zeineldine, Victor & Jesse, as well as Jesus and Jesus and Antonio Estrada. The Versus World Tour has stops in both Central America and the United States, and Guzman and Trevi will continue touring together until 2018.
Alejandro Sanz performs at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Nov. 18, 2015 in Las Vegas.
Alejandro Sanz has been named the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year. The 18-time Latin Grammy and three-time Grammy winner will be honored by artists and industry members at a Nov. 15 gala dinner, the night before the 2017 Latin Grammys. Sanz will be recognized for his nonconformist and highly successful career in Latin pop, and his social activism with Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children, Greenpeace and other organizations.
Proceeds from the dinner and concert will benefit the charitable work of the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation.
“Alejandro Sanz initially appeared on the music scene with a guitar hanging on his shoulder, a profound passion for music and amazing talent,” Gabriel Abaroa, president/CEO of the Latin Recording Academy said in a statement. “After a few years and with the help of his infectious lyrics and harmonies, he enticed our senses for the next few decades and his work has become an essential part of our life’s soundtrack. His philanthropic work, his leadership, in addition to his inspiring music, speaks volumes about his many contributions to the Latin community over the years and we are thrilled to be honoring him.”
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Alejandro Sanz ‘Más es Más’ Concert to Be Streamed Worldwide
The Person of the Year honor coincides with the twentieth anniversary of Sanz’s breakthrough album Más. Sanz is celebrating the milestone with a one-time concert at Madrid’s Vicente Calderón Stadium on June 24, where he will be joined by special guests. The sold-concert will also be offered as a pay-per-view streaming event on the Spanish platform Feel the Live.
At the November Person of the Year gala, a line-up of what LARAS describes as “an impressive array of notable artists and friends” will perform Sanz’s songs. Grammy and Latin Grammy-winning producer and engineer Rafa Sardina is the executive producer.
“I’m happy and excited to be able to experience what is sure to be a thrilling evening in the company of friends and colleagues,” Sanz said via the LARAS announcement. “I have participated in some of these galas as a guest and it is a very special event within the celebrations surrounding the Latin Grammy Awards. I’m very grateful and can’t wait for the moment to arrive to discover all the surprises in store.”
