Last week, during NBC’s “The Voice” season 12 finale, Mark Isaiah, an eliminated top 10 finalist, was brought back to perform the #1 hit song “Despacito.” He was joined on stage by the original creators of the song, Puerto Rican superstars Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee — and to be honest, Isaiah held his own, vocally and as a performer.
Justin Bieber, who helped catapult a remix of the hit song to the #1 spot in the U.S., couldn’t be there, which is probably best, because he showed that he doesn’t know (or seem to care about) the lyrics. If you haven’t already seen the video, Bieber was recently spotted in an NYC club performing an impromptu version of “Despacito,” where he sang, “blah blah blah Burrito,” when he couldn’t remember the lyrics.
No worries though, the Biebs wasn’t missed, because Isaiah executed the song flawlessly and showed that even though he didn’t win “The Voice” this season, he’s definitely got crossover appeal for the Latino market. Hopefully the Fonsi and Yankee train can get him there — especially if Bieber keeps forgetting his lines.
The 2020 Billboard Latin Music Awards have finally come and gone after being postponed because of the Coronavirus pandemic earlier this year. So many of us were anticipating the night asa chance to escape from all the worldwide drama – even if only for one night. And the awards show definitely delivered.
Going into the night, Bad Bunny and Ozuna were expected to win big with 14 nominations each including Artist of the Year. But it was Bad Bunny and Daddy Yankee who went home with seven awards each. And when the awards weren’t being handed out, Pitbull, Paulina Rubio and Ozuna, along with many others artists, delivered stunning performances.
Much of the show’s success is owed to Venezuelan actress Gaby Espino who served as the show’s host with help from Nicaraguan co-host Nastassja Bolivar.
Reggaetón artists stole the show at this year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards and we couldn’t be more proud.
Although reggaetón artists were expected to win big this year, many were still surprised at just how well some of the biggest artists ended up doing. Both Bad Bunny and Daddy Yankee triumphed with seven trophies each at last night’s Billboard Latin Music Awards.
Of course, the night was about celebrating all the incredible music these artists have brought us this year – perhaps a git more important than ever as we all struggle amid a pandemic and other global issues. But so many artists shined a light on front-line workers, victims of Covid-19 and violence against women – it was a very powerful evening.
One of the first groups to speak out was Wisin y Yandel. The duo sent a powerful message through their acceptance speech, with Yandel ending it with a resounding “no more abuse against women.” Wisin urged Latinos to get out and vote on Nov. 3 with his second message. “Go out and vote because we’re voting for our future. And vote for that person that will actually care about our community.”
And to top it all off, Maluma accepted the Billboard Spirit of Hope Award, in honor of his foundation, El Arte de los Sueños, which protects youth in pursuit of their dreams.
Bad Bunny is our reigning Artist of the Year.
Bad Bunny won 7 awards at the #LatinBillboards 2020 in the following categories:
Artist of the year Songwriter of the year Latin rhythm artist Hot latin songs male artist Top latin album male artist Top latin album — x100pre Latin rhythm album — x100pre pic.twitter.com/XCGGrY9rHn
After last night’s award ceremony, we have a new reigning Top Artist of the Year in Bad Bunny. Although the reggaetónero didn’t attend the award ceremony, he was definitely a highlight of the night.
San Benito took home seven awards (from his 14 nominations) including the top honor, as well as top Latin Album for “X 100PRE” and Songwriter of the Year.
Daddy Yankee, Karol G and several other top artists won big as well.
"Music remains medicine," said @daddy_yankee , who dedicated the first of his awards to those who had lost loved ones to COVID-19. https://t.co/puBooRUmtF
Daddy Yankee won six of his awards for his hit “Con Calma,” which featured the 1990s artist Snow. His honors included the hot Latin song “Aware.” During his acceptance speech, he acknowledged these have been tough times and dedicated his award to those who have lost their loved ones due to COVID-19.
“These have been challenging times and I want to share this award with those who have been perseverant and those who have lost a loved one. Music continues to be the best medicine,” he said.
Karol G also won big with prizes for Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Female, and Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Female.
About an hour into the show, Ozuna and the Black Eyed Peas heated up the stage with their smash hit “Mamacita.” Practicing social distancing, Ozuna sang from one stage while Taboo, apl.de.ap and J. Rey Soul danced away to the catchy tune and will.i.am was in another stage delivering the catchy hook “Mamacita, Mamacita, que bonita.”
In his second performance of the night, Ozuna returned to the stage for an intimate performance of “Gracias.” Surrounded by candles and dressed in angelic white, a thankful Ozuna slowed things down for this stripped-down acoustic track. Making the performance even more special and personal, the superstar’s kids joined him onstage. By far one of the most beautiful performances of the night. “Let’s take care of our families,” Ozuna said. “Let’s take care of women. There are too many femicides around the world and they are the ones who gave us life.”
Another standout moment was the special tribute in honor of Mexican singer-songwriter Armando Manzanero.
Artists Pablo Alborán, Luis Fonsi, Jesús Navarro (Reik) and Joy (Jesse & Joy) sang a medley of Manzanero classics including “Contigo Aprendí” and “No Sé Tu.”
“I have no words to express what my heart is feeling right now after singing with this new generation of artists that is so grand, strong and talented in a special stage like this one,” Manzanero said following his performance.
Meanwhile, the ear worm “Despacito” was named Song of the Decade.
It seems we can’t escape this 2017 hit featuring Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee. We won’t mention the other version that also had an appearance by Justin Bieber – although I guess I just did.
But it was inducted into Billboard Latin Music history as it took home the evenings Song of the Decade award – marking another win for Daddy Yankee.
Did you watch the awards show? What did you think?
Everyone could not stop talking about Joe Biden playing “Despacito” at a recent event. Even Fox News, of course, couldn’t stop talking about it but Sean Hannity made the news on social media. It isn’t because of how he talked about the story. Instead, it was about how he pronounced the song.
Sean Hannity had a real problem with Joe Biden playing “Despacito” at a recent campaign event.
Vice President Biden was in Kissimmee, Florida at a campaign event at the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month when he played “Despacito” in the microphone from his phone. Biden was panned across social media with claims that he was pandering to the Latino community by playing the song. However, it is important to note that Luis Fonsi, the singer of the song, had just introduced him so it seems like a playful moment.
First, some people are really impressed that these are scandals right now for Biden.
Dude, if the worst thing one can say about Biden is this, while Donald is the most corrupt, most anti-democratic president in our history, the choice is clear #BidenHarrisToSaveAmerica
President Donald Trump responded to the moment by tweeting a doctored film. The president found the time to find a video where “Despacito” is replaced by N.W.A.’s “F— Tha Police.” The video feeds into President Trump’s campaign against Biden claiming that the former vice president supports defunding the police. Biden has spoken on the issue and is not in favor of defunding police wanting to add to the law enforcement budget.
Some people are curious about how Hannity made it so long without ever hearing the song.
This song was #1 for 16 consecutive weeks. No song had ever in the history of the Billboard Top 100 been on top longer than that.
It takes an incredible amount of either cultural ignorance or racism to not be familiar with Despacito https://t.co/zfVoAMYWnK
We all remember the times of “Despacito.” The song was on the radio waves on every channel for months. There was no escaping the song because it was everywhere. Somehow, Hannity managed to live during this time and managed to not hear the song as much as the average American.
American truly wants to know how he managed to mispronounce one of the biggest songs in the world.
— The Late Late Show with James Corden (@latelateshow) September 21, 2020
Like, even Justin Bieber learned how to pronounce the song. It is probably one of the most known Spanish words thanks to Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee making it the song of the summer when it was released. The singers even say is slowly and break it down to the syllables.
Of course, this led people to assume how he pronounces other Spanish words that most people know.
We all know people who can’t properly pronounce some Spanish words. Now, there is nothing wrong with mispronouncing a Spanish word. People who really try are often left working on their pronunciation. However, people are surprised that someone could mispronounce such a widely known word.
The moment has reminded some of another famous mispronunciation on Fox News.
In October of 2018, Lou Dobbs was talking to his viewers about the migrant caravan making their way through Mexico heading to the U.S. While reporting on the caravan, Dobbs tried his best to pronounce Huixtla and what came out was definitely not that.
