Latin Music Beat

Rumors have been circling the net and gossip columns regarding Christopher Uckermann and a possible pregnancy.  The Mexican pop singer is out on tour with his band and apparently involved with the wife of a professional soccer player living in Chile.

Last I heard Uckermann denied he rumors, or so says his mother.  Nothing has been heard from the camp of his supposed romantic interest yet.

RBD is a popular pop group formed on the television show, Rebelde.  The group has been touring for the past few months all over South and Central America to promote their latest album.  

Juanes has been called the Bono of Latin America, and now the Colombian  rocker has paired up with Bono for a peaceful protest in Japan.  The pair flew out to Yokohama, Japan, where the upcoming G8 summit is to be held in order to make a stand against poverty.

Both Juanes and Bono have been recognized and dedicated to humanitarian work.  Juanes set up the Mi Sangre Foundation to aid landmine victims in Colombia, and when tempers flared up this year between Latin American leaders Juanes arranged for a peaceful concert, Paz Sin Fronteras.

I love and totally support musicians who use their celebrity for good, and if you have ever been to a Juanes concert you know his concern is genuine.

Sadly, the father of Marco Antonio Solis passed away this weekend.  The native Mexican singer got his start in the family home as the second member of Los Hermanitos Solis, Joel Solis was the other brother.

The Solis family, Marco Antonio especially, has lived a very quiet public life trying very hard to keep it as private as possible.  Our condolences go out to the Solis family during this sad time.

Just this week Solis was honored with the Composer of the Year award for the second time in a row.  He was also  awarded Regional Mexican Song of the Year.  Solis continues to compose and produce his own music. 

I have had The DEY on my myspace since they first sang on FOX ( I think) a couple years back.  I liked their sound and knew they were going to make it. 

In the last few months I have noticed an increase in press for The Dey. I saw them in Latina, Batanga and a couple other places and then there were all the collaborations they were a part of. 

Needless to say, I have been patiently waiting for their new album to drop.  The new single I Need You was just released earlier this month and you have to hear it, the perfect summer song. 

I think The Dey is going on my top 100 list along with all the other latin greats.  You can buy the new single at iTunes or listen to it on MySpace.

In the meantime here is Give You the World.

There are rumors going around, lots of them, that Thalia is the next Latina to pose for PETA.  PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, launched a national ad campaign years ago getting stars to pose nude for them.  The famous campaign is known as I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur has seen lots of stars shed their clothing in support.

An animal lover myself, I do not agree with what PETA has become.  But, even I have to admit that their ad campaigns pack a punch.  The pictures are pretty provocative without being overly revealing.  In other words, I wouldn’t want my teenage brother looking at them.

Official news of the photo shoot has yet to be released so I guess we will just have to wait and see if this rumor is true.  

In a country where homosexuality is not tolerated, the news that Cristian Castro’s divorce was possibly caused by his relationship with actor Mariano Gaspar Chiapetta has caused a flurry of reporting and rumors. 

The Grammy nominated Mexican cantante has eleven albums under his belt, but has had his run ins with the media in the past.  No one can forget the clip of Castro slapping a rude paparrazi stalker because it, and still is played everytime his name comes up.   And if you think he just hits strangers don’t forget the scandal that errupted when it was reported that he and his mother, Veronica Castro, were no longer talking because he also slapped her.

I don’t think this one is just going to go away though, especially since the media isn’t the only one following this story.  Apparently, Chiapetta is wanted for murder.  Crazy, I know. 

Ok, so maybe he never really left the stage since he has always been performing.  But it is the first time in over ten years that the supertalented musician is heading out on tour. 

After winning five Latin Grammys in 2007, something only he and Juanes have done so far, and winning Person of the Year, Guerra has been busy performing in events like Paz Sin Fronteras and the ALAS lineup.    

Guerra’s La Travesia tour is sure to include hits from his most successful album, La Llave de Mi Corazon as well as merengue, balada, salsa and bachata favorites from other albums. 

Currently there are only six concerts on the tour schedule, but more will be announced in the future.  Here’s the song I will be waiting for.

The Los Angeles based band, Monte Negro, goes out on tour this week.  Stops for the rock band include a concert in Wisconsin and then further north into Canada for the BC Pemberton Festival. 

I only hope at some point they decide to play in Chicago–Viva! Chicago Latin Festival anyone?   Till then Give me Love will remain on my playlist. 

To check out the band’s shows till then visit their webpage at www.http://www.montenegrorocks.com/

Welcome to my Latin Music blog!

Music, in general, has always been a part of my life.   It was there when I was born, there when I was growing up and always been then now.  Some of my best memories involve music, feeling music is a way for me to remember how I felt during many of those moments in my life.

But Latin music is different, for me at least.  I can really feel the stuff and it only gets better.  I’m not exactly sure where to go or start with this blog, but I do know I want to bring you a couple things; latin music news, latin music gossip, but most importantly, latin music.