Latest news with #Reggaeton
Business Wire
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Global Citizen and FIFA Unite Global Audiences Through Music and Action With Inaugural FIFA Club World Cup™ Final Halftime Show Presented by Panini
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The inaugural FIFA Club World Cup™ Final Halftime Show, presented by Panini, made history yesterday, bringing together a truly international lineup of superstars who captivated audiences worldwide while advancing the opportunity for millions of children to receive access to quality education. The first-of-its-kind halftime show, produced by Global Citizen and curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay, showcased the power of music to unite cultures and drive meaningful change, and was viewed live around the world. The spectacular show featured artists representing five continents, all of whom donated their time for free, demonstrating music's unique ability to transcend borders and unify the world. Colombian superstar J Balvin brought Latin energy to the global stage, while Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Tems showcased the vibrant sounds of West Africa. GRAMMY-winning American artist Doja Cat delivered an electrifying performance that had the MetLife Stadium crowd on their feet, and Coldplay joined the show for a surprise performance of the band's hit 'A Sky Full Of Stars', featuring a guest appearance from Australian singer Emmanuel Kelly. Against the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline, the first halftime show at a FIFA event was staged high above the pitch among MetLife Stadium's upper level seats. A dedicated platform and innovative set design built into the stadium's stands provided the impressive crowd with a spectacular show, while also ensuring the pitch remained preserved for the historic match. 'Yesterday we witnessed something truly historic – artists representing the Americas, Africa, Europe and Oceania coming together on football's biggest stage for the first ever FIFA halftime show,' said Hugh Evans, Co-Founder & CEO, Global Citizen. 'This international lineup perfectly embodied the idea that music and football can unite the world, and when we take action together, we can make an outsized impact to help children around the world access quality education.' Major moments from the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup™ Final Halftime Show: J Balvin (Colombia) had the entire stadium dancing along to global hits 'Mi Gente' and 'Reggaeton'. His performance, surrounded by drummers and dancers, celebrated Latin culture on the world stage; had the entire stadium dancing along to global hits 'Mi Gente' and 'Reggaeton'. His performance, surrounded by drummers and dancers, celebrated Latin culture on the world stage; Tems (Nigeria) brought Afrobeats to the forefront with 'Love Me JeJe', highlighting the global impact of African music and culture; brought Afrobeats to the forefront with 'Love Me JeJe', highlighting the global impact of African music and culture; Doja Cat (United States) delivered a high-energy performance of her smash hit 'Woman', giving global audiences an unforgettable performance; delivered a high-energy performance of her smash hit 'Woman', giving global audiences an unforgettable performance; Coldplay (UK) surprised the sold out stadium when they took to the stage to play 'A Sky Full Of Stars'. They were joined by Emmanuel Kelly (Australia), whose inspiring story of resilience, having been found on a battlefield in Iraq and living with the aftereffects of chemical warfare, saw him become the first differently abled pop artist to perform in a halftime show. Broadcast live and for free on the halftime event was created as part of a four-year partnership between FIFA and Global Citizen to help improve access to football and quality education for children through the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. Together, FIFA and Global Citizen aim to raise USD $100 million for quality education access worldwide. So far, $10 million has been raised to support literacy, reading, and writing programs. This funding is expected to reach over 150 communities and impact the lives of 10,000 children. (Using a baseline of $1,000 per student per year – which reflects the typical average cost globally of delivering basic P–12 education1.) 'The first of its kind FIFA Club World Cup Final Halftime Show, produced by Global Citizen and curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay, was an unforgettable celebration of how football and music can unite and positively impact the wider global community way beyond the stadium,' said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. 'Having artists from five different continents come together at MetLife Stadium perfectly captured the universal language of football and music, and we're proud to partner with Global Citizen, led by Hugh Evans, the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise USD 100 million to provide access to quality education and football for children worldwide.' This historic performance marks the beginning of an innovative FIFA-Global Citizen partnership that will extend to produce the first-ever FIFA World Cup™ Final Halftime Show in the New York New Jersey stadium on July 19, 2026. The show was produced by Global Citizen in partnership with Live Nation, Done+Dusted, and DPS. It was directed by Hamish Hamilton with executive producers Guy Carrington, Hamish Hamilton, and Dave Meyers. PRESS KIT: Click HERE to download assets About Global Citizen Global Citizen is the world's leading international advocacy organisation on a mission to end extreme poverty NOW. Powered by a worldwide community of everyday advocates raising their voices and taking action, the movement is amplified by campaigns and events that convene leaders in music, entertainment, public policy, media, philanthropy and the corporate sector. Since the movement began, USD 49 billion in commitments announced on Global Citizen platforms has been deployed, impacting 1.3 billion lives. Established in Australia in 2008, Global Citizen's team operates from New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Berlin, Geneva, Melbourne, Toronto, Johannesburg, Lagos and beyond. Join the movement at download the Global Citizen app, and follow Global Citizen on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, X and LinkedIn. 1 Based on publicly available data from the World Bank, UNESCO, and OECD, which show that average annual education spending per primary and secondary student typically ranges from $300–$15,000 depending on income level. A $1,000 figure reflects a conservative global average across low- and middle-income contexts. Expand
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
Cuban rapper Chocolate MC arrested after robbing fan who asked for a photo: MDSO
An avid Reggaeton listener got a rare opportunity when he noticed well-known Cuban rapper Chocolate MC just feet away from him at a Miami grocery store Tuesday. Unbeknownst to him, he would get more than he bargained for when a quick picture quickly turned to the music artist pointing a gun at him, deputies say. Around 8 a.m., the fan, who was not identified, was pulling into a Chavez Supermarket, 101 Opa-locka Blvd., when he noticed Yosvanis Sierra-Hernandez, better known as Chocolate MC, an arrest report detailed. He waved hello to the artist and called him over to take a picture of him. Sierra-Hernandez obliged and walked to his car, but when he got there, he pulled out a gun, pointed it at the man's chest and demanded the vehicle. That's not all he wanted, as he would soon demand the man give him cash too, the report read. When the fan showed Sierra-Hernandez his cashless wallet, he then demanded the man send him money through Zelle — the fan also did not have Zelle. Not getting any money, Sierra-Hernandez forced the man to drive to several places for the next two hours before eventually releasing him unharmed. Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office detectives combed through surveillance video, which showed the attempted robbery at gunpoint. After putting up wanted fliers throughout the county, authorities arrested Sierra-Hernandez late Tuesday. As of Thursday night, he still remained in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Miami Herald
06-06-2025
- Miami Herald
Cuban rapper Chocolate MC arrested after robbing fan who asked for a photo: MDSO
An avid Reggaeton listener got a rare opportunity when he noticed well-known Cuban rapper Chocolate MC just feet away from him at a Miami grocery store Tuesday. Unbeknownst to him, he would get more than he bargained for when a quick picture quickly turned to the music artist pointing a gun at him, deputies say. Around 8 a.m., the fan, who was not identified, was pulling into a Chavez Supermarket, 101 Opa-locka Blvd., when he noticed Yosvanis Sierra-Hernandez, better known as Chocolate MC, an arrest report detailed. He waved hello to the artist and called him over to take a picture of him. Sierra-Hernandez obliged and walked to his car, but when he got there, he pulled out a gun, pointed it at the man's chest and demanded the vehicle. That's not all he wanted, as he would soon demand the man give him cash too, the report read. When the fan showed Sierra-Hernandez his cashless wallet, he then demanded the man send him money through Zelle — the fan also did not have Zelle. Not getting any money, Sierra-Hernandez forced the man to drive to several places for the next two hours before eventually releasing him unharmed. Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office detectives combed through surveillance video, which showed the attempted robbery at gunpoint. After putting up wanted fliers throughout the county, authorities arrested Sierra-Hernandez late Tuesday. As of Thursday night, he still remained in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
New York Times
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Karol G's Ode to Curves, Plus 7 More New Songs
Every Friday, pop critics for The New York Times weigh in on the week's most notable new tracks. Listen to the Playlist on Spotify here (or find our profile: nytimes) and at Apple Music here, and sign up for The Amplifier, a twice-weekly guide to new and old songs. Karol G: 'Latina Foreva' The Colombian singer and rapper Karol G cheerfully fends off some unwanted male attention by praising Latin women instead: 'Those curves don't even exist in NASCAR.' The inventive pop-reggaeton production stays light and changeable, with little keyboard blips and string lines making sure the familiar beat is always laced with bits of melody. Alejandro Sanz featuring Shakira: 'Bésame' Husky meets breathy in 'Bésame' ('Kiss Me'), the new duet by Alejandro Sanz, from Spain, and Shakira, from Colombia: a 20-years-later reconnection after their 2005 megahit 'La Tortura.' They trade endearments over a track that connects Latin pop to Nigerian Afrobeats — and, in the bridge, tosses in some flamenco handclaps for more trans-Atlantic fusion. Guedra Guedra: 'Drift of Drummer' Abdellah M. Hassak, the Moroccan electronic producer, records as Guedra Guedra. Guedra is a Tuareg dance that shares its name with a cook pot that becomes a drum when covered with an animal skin. 'Drift of Drummer' mixes field recordings that Hassak gathered in his travels across Africa with hand drum machines and synthesizers. Juggling ever-changing layers of percussion over a brisk implied pulse and a terse bass line, the song is a cauldron of rhythms, humanized by snippets of speaking voices. St. Vincent featuring Mon Laferte: 'Tiempos Violentos' St. Vincent is joined by another high-drama songwriter and singer, Mon Laferte, for a third iteration of 'Violent Times,' which appeared on her 2024 album 'All Born Screaming' and its Spanish-language version, 'Todos Nacen Gritando.' The ominous horns, looming drumbeats and James Bond-theme chords of the original track remain. Where Laferte takes over certain lines, she brings her own sharp-clawed sweetness. Stereolab: 'Melodie Is a Wound' In the 15 years between the band's studio albums — and extensive archival releases in the interim — Stereolab has had ample time to assess and focus its strengths and ambitions. Its new album, 'Instant Holograms On Metal Film,' reinvigorates and concentrates all of Stereolab's best ideas from the 1990s: perky minimalist cycles, odd meters, amiable pop melodies, wavery analog synthesizer tones and calm denunciations of oppressive power structures. In 'Melodie Is a Wound,' Laetitia Sadier warns about, among other things, disinformation that's meant to 'Snuff out the very idea of clarity / Strangle your longing for truth and trust.' The seven-minute track detours into an instrumental coda that starts out breezy, dissolves into noise, reassembles itself and then proceeds to climb through changes of key and texture that cannot contain a rising anxiety. Julia Michaels: 'Try Your Luck' Flirtation can be fraught. Julia Michaels urges a timid suitor to 'Try Your Luck,' offering advice with equal parts nonchalance, encouragement, amusement and exasperation: 'If you want the goal, then you gotta shoot the puck,' she sings, backed by easygoing, guitar-scrubbing R&B. 'I could be into it too, depending on you,' she nudges, waiting for the hint to be taken. Laura Stevenson: 'Honey' Romance is thorny and ill-starred for Laura Stevenson in 'Honey.' 'No one's come close enough to ever love me back,' she sings. 'I'm not enough, I never am.' What starts out modest and folky, with a lone guitar and then a country-ish band, metamorphoses into a psychedelic reverie, at first delicate and then buffeted by distorted guitars as all her troubled longing surfaces. Kieran Hebden and William Tyler: 'If I Had a Boat' In a thoroughly unexpected collaboration, the electronic musician Kieran Hebden (who also performs as Four Tet) joins the meditative guitarist William Tyler for an 11-minute instrumental fantasia on Lyle Lovett's 'If I Had a Boat,' from an album due in September. Tyler fingerpicks the song's cozy, folky chord progression partway through. But most of the track forges electroacoustic hybrids: sustained resonances, metronomic blips, what might be either scraped strings or synthesizer tones. It trades Lovett's verbal free associations for sonic ones.
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Miami's Best of the Best marks the return of dancehall as big artists get U.S. visas
Dancehall artist Vybz Kartel had just made history as the first Caribbean artist to sell out New York's Barclays Center two nights in a row after stepping onto a U.S. stage for the first time in two decades, when the co-host of The Breakfast Club asked the question many had been asking for years: What happened to dancehall? 'The late '90s and early 2000s, dancehall was crazy,' DJ Envy said during the live studio interview. 'Seems like it's slowed down a lot. Why do you think that is?' A provocative and personable Kartel didn't miss a beat. 'Because I was in prison, sir,' the artist, born Adidja Palmer, responded to laughter. 'But now I'm out and we're doing stuff.' Kartel's response may have seemed a bit self-aggrandizing — but it isn't far from the truth. For years, dancehall, reggae's rowdier and more aggressive offspring and the leader of a cultural movement, was grounded in Jamaica. Its biggest stars were unable to tour internationally due to U.S. visa denials or prison sentences. Kartel himself spent 13 years behind bars in Jamaica before his murder conviction and life sentence were overturned by London's Privy Council. Buju Banton, another cultural icon, served a seven-year sentence on a drug conspiracy conviction in the United States before being freed in 2018 from a Miami federal prison. In their absence, hip-hop stars wouldn't collaborate, while others tried to mimic the sound, opening themselves up to accusations of cultural appropriation. U.S. radio airplay dwindled, and genres like Reggaeton and Afro Beats moved in to fill the gap. 'How are you going to have a genre where pretty much all of its big artists with catalogs — major stars— cannot travel?' said Orville 'Shaggy,' Burrell, the two-time Grammy Award-winning artist who has garnered multiple Billboard chart hits through his 30-year career. Dancehall's only diamond-selling artist with more than 40 million records sold, Burrell went through a list of entertainers whose disappearance from the U.S. stage throughout the past decade led to the genre losing steam internationally. 'With maybe the exception of me and Sean [Paul], the arm of the genre, to defend and represent it on a global scale, could not move,' he said in a Miami Herald interview. 'That's why you see other genres that are going to go around it and its popularity drop. There is not a plane I know that can fly on one wing. That is a major, major part.' In Miami, the effects were particularly visible. Best of the Best International Music Festival, one of the biggest showcases of Caribbean music, was forced on a two-year hiatus before finally returning this year with its 19th edition and a highly-anticipated performance this Sunday by Buju Banton at downtown's Bayfront Park. In addition to Buju Banton, the line up also features Wayne Wonder, Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffiths, and rising stars like 450 and Chronic Law, showing the genre's generational depth and evolution. For soca music fans, there is Skinny Fabulous. 'After two years of canceling, we're back,' organizer Joey Budafuco said, adding that while the line up includes nine solid acts, they are working on getting more visas. Resurgence of dancehall Both the event's return this Sunday and the presence of artists like Kartel and Buju Banton are signs of artists reclaiming lost ground, fans and musicians say, as U.S. visas are being approved again and U.S. stages are reopening to artists. 'You're starting to see the presence of the culture and the dancehall being in people's faces,' said Burrell, who on Wednesday announced his Island Music Conference, which will take place in Feb. 2026 in Kingston, Jamaica. 'You're having coliseum shows...a lot of these artists may be having a moment and it might be a moment, but it's a moment we're going to accept anyway; it's definitely putting a lot of light and a lot of shine on the genre and we're embracing it.' Burrell isn't alone in his excitement about dancehall's resurgence. 'I thought about this for so many years,' Miami's DJ Khaled told the Herald during Best of the Best's launch. 'You see everybody getting their visas. Thank God, for the music, for the families and for the people to come and be able to travel the world and be able to spread their beautiful message and perform their beautiful songs.' 'The music,' he said, 'is such a timeless thing that you have Best of the Best doing its 19th year.' Khaled had dropped by to show his support for the event and for Buju Banton. One of dancehall's biggest stars who had collaborated with artists such as Busta Rhymes and Fat Joe, Buju Banton's career came to a screeching halt in 2009 when he was arrested in Sarasota and convicted in 2011. His release from prison wasn't just met with a crowd of adoring fans but sold out concerts in the Caribbean. His appearance this Sunday is his first show in South Florida since he performed last August at Ameriant Bank Arena in Fort Lauderdale as part of his 'Overcome Tour.' Unlike Kartel, who has spoken about his difficulties in prison and how he recorded albums on an iPhone 5s during his incarceration, Buju Banton, born Mark Anthony Myrie, shuns such discussions. He prefers to discuss where the music is headed. 'We have created a niche market for ourselves,' not just in the region, he said, recognizing the importance of being able to get the music off the island. 'If we're unable to reach the mainland to spread the word and promulgate the culture we can't grow, the culture won't grow,' he said. 'If there is an opening we need to seize the opening and do not fall asleep because the next generation is going to ask what did you do when you got this opportunity.' Veteran artist Wayne Wonder said visa constraints are not the only challenges dancehall faces. 'Our music is so powerful, the higher powers, they are scared, they are afraid,' he said, referencing his own experience and that of other artists such as Vincentian singer Kevin Lyttle and Barbados' Rupee. American record labels treated them like one-hit artists, the singer, who lives in South Florida said, even as they were gaining fans in the Caribbean and its diaspora. 'They try to limit you,' he said. 'But as I always say, our music always finds a way.' This is why, the Jamaican dancehall artist behind the 2003 hit 'No Letting Go,' says he likes events like Best of the Best and the important role it serves. 'This is a platform where every artist is coming with their best,' said Wayne Wonder, born Von Wayne Charles. 'You have artists with longevity, artists with a catalog, artists with performance, artists with delivery so it's just Best of the Best.' For Budafuco, the return of big name artists to the scene isn't just about staging a show—it's about reclaiming cultural space. Based on ticket sales, it appears that fans are ready. The VIP tickets quickly sold out, Budafuco told the Herald, but there are still general admission tickets available. If You Go: What: Best of the Best International Music Festival When: Sunday, May 25 Time: Doors open at 2 p.m.- 10 p.m. Where: Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami Cost: Tickets start at $95, kids under 12 get in free For Tickets: or 305-438-9488 or 955-470-7666
