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By Michael Lopez

Eli Jas likes to fashion herself as much more than a musician. This bachata up-and-comer prefers the term "storyteller" and hopes to open millions of listeners to her unique style of cinematic songwriting. This month, we've added her to our Descubre & Download list. Listen to her track "Tú Me Haces Volar" and it's easy to see why.

"I'm so grateful that I have the chance to show my talent," Eli told us in an exclusive interview. "I can't wait for more people to hear 'Tú Me Haces Volar.' I think of it like the beginning of a love story where everything is flourishing."

Jas confessed to us that "Tú Me Haces" is just a portion of what's to come on her debut album. Set to arrive this summer, the untitled record will be broken down into lyrical chapters.

"My album is basically a love story," she explained. "It will be different chapters of different moments in time of a relationship. I want my fans to picture this album as a movie."

And you can expect to hear quite a few musical influences in Eli's sound too. She told us she's incorporating elements of pop, hip-hop, techno, and rock into each of the tracks. And Jas is also delivering the story with a signature "Spanglish" touch.

"Every single you hear from this album will be in Spanglish," she said. "I'm hoping to record some English songs next, most likely in the genre of R&B, which is what I grew up with."

Born in New York, Eli’s proud to incorporate pieces of her Chilean, Dominican, and Panamanian heritage into her sound. She also received quite a bit of input from her producer Chris Hierro, who helped craft the "Tú Me Haces" single.

"Chris is an amazing collaborator," Jas said. "We wrote 'Tu Me Haces' together in less than an hour! I think we have a great musical connection."

And it seems like Eli has been connecting with her audience as well. She's already built a very sizable Twitter and Facebook follower base and, as she told us, it’s those fans that motivate her behind the mic.

"I've been getting a fantastic amount of positive feedback," she said. "All of this support just makes me want to push harder and reach out more."

You can keep up with all of Eli's happenings by checking in to her official website.

Are you looking forward to Eli's debut album? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags bachata, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Chris Hierro, Descubre & Download, Eli Jas, Exclusive Entrevistas, Hot Stuff, Música, Tr3s Exclusives, Tu Me Haces Volar

By Larry Yepez Jr.

If you haven’t heard of JBalvin yet, remember the name, because you will be hearing quite a bit from this Colombian music phenomenon. The talented Colombian is on a mission to conquer the world! JBalvin just signed an international recording contract with EMI/Capitol Latin, which is putting Balvin on its roster of artists. The record company also named him Ambassador of the Latin Urban Movement , putting him in the perfect path to achieve his global dream.

Balvin came onto the music scene in Colombia with fresh beats and seductive lyrics that instantly captivated audiences. His music videos have surpassed 35 million views on YouTube and he's on the verge of reaching two million followers in Twitter and Facebook.

Balvin gained notice Latin America when he was given the highest industry awards in Colombia. He got 3 SAYCO Awards (Sociedad de Autores y Compositores de Colombia) for the song Sin Compromiso in the categories of National Songwriter, Urban Song and Most Voted. He also got several Shock Awards and this year is nominated in the most prestigious categories: Artist or Group of the Year, Best Song on Radio and Best Urban Artist or Group. A Shock Award represents the highest level of recognition an artist can receive in Colombia.

A couple of weeks ago Balvin got a Gold Record for the sales on his album REAL. Balvin is the first Colombian Urban Artist to ever get this honor! So at the top of his game, Tr3s had a one on one with Balvin and here is what he had to say:

Tr3s:  You just signed a contract with Capitol/EMI, that's a pretty big deal! How are you taking this in?

JBalvin: I’m very happy with this honor. There's a lot of responsibility with this title of Ambassador of the Latin Urban Movement. But I'm excited about what's to come. The idea we had was to globalize the JBalvin image and after several meetings at different record labels, I can say like my song, "EMI me cautivó". I saw that we had the same vision  as to the direction I want to take my career.

I see a lot of work ahead of us with this alliance. I have been 9 years as an independent artist with a lot of discipline and now I am part of the EMI roster,  I am very happy to be part of this family.

Tr3s: What do you plan to achieve through this deal both in the U.S. and in the rest of the world?

JBalvin: I want to be part of the new school of great artists of the Urban Genre!

Tr3s: Starting your career you were compared to Daddy Yankee and recently you mentioned that you wanted to be the Jay Z of Latin Urban Music. What’s this all about?

JBalvin: Every artist has his Muse, and I have always been a fan of Daddy Yankee and also have always admired Jay Z. These artists show strong character and a lot of discipline and I like that, I like for people to see that in myself as well, I think these characteristics make strong artists.

Tr3s: Which other artists would you like to do collaborations with?

JBalvin: Whew.. We'd probably be here all afternoon if I told you all of them, but just to name a few, I'd love to work with Drake, Jay Z, Alicia Keys, Daddy Yankee and Bruno Mars.

Balvin's new production will show his versatility as he dares to mix up rhythms like reggae, salsa, rap, bachata and electronica without losing his essence nor abandoning the genre that put him on the map. He did give the scoop that he will be doing a duet with Don Omar and a collaboration with Zion y Lennox.

Check out JBalvin as our featured artists on this month's Descubre & Download!

Tags Alicia Keys, Blogger: Larry Yepez Jr, Bruno Mars, Capitol Latin/EMI Music, Daddy Yankee, Descubre & Download, Don Omar, drake, JayZ, jBalvin, SAYCO Awards, zion y lennox

By Michael Lopez

We know you've heard the album, but have you REALLY experienced the power of Prince Royce? Seeing bachata's newest kingpin live is an absolute must for every Tr3s fan. That's why we want to make it that much easier, with the opportunity to score FREE tix via our Descubre & Download contest. Log in, sign up, and start memorizing every lyric to "Stand By Me", because you know he's all about audience participation.

How hot is Royce right now? Well Billboard just reported that his self-titled debut topped Juan Luis Guerra and Aventura for the third straight week on the Tropical Album Charts!

Could Prince kick off Enrique’s "Euphoria" as the #1 Latin Album of late September? He’'s getting pretty darn close! Positioned at #6 on the Latin charts, "Prince Royce" is now six months old and proving it has massive staying power.

We’re also thinking he's cooking up something special for November's Latin Grammys. With a nom for Best Tropical Album and tons of continued hype, it would be great to see him tear it up in a live setting.

Have you entered the Royce Descubre & Download sweepstakes yet? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Bachatero, Descubre & Download, Latin Grammys, Música, Prince Royce, Tropical Albums

Tr3s and Blogamole have been letting you know all Summer long about la rapera chilena que está causando gran sensación en el mundo de la música. But now it's time to really let you have it. Así es gente, Descubre & Download is hooking you up with the latest from one of the baddest divas in Latin hip hop, la única Ana Tijoux! Tr3s is giving you two FREE downloads of her latest single, the title track of her new album, "1977" as well as the "1977 (Tee Remix)" version!

(Download Anita Tijoux's hot new single '1977' HERE)

Nacida en Francia de padres Chilenos and later raised in Chile, Ana found her niche in the rhythmic beats of hip hop. It's been an interesting uphill musical ride for her thus far, being well-received at American festivals like SXSW, as well as rocking the iTunes charts. When we spoke to her at this year's LAMC, she talked with us about her welcome reception with the U.S. American audience, y como el idioma de la música is really all about flow. She also talked about her planes para el futuro, and wanting to collaborate with other artists in other genres of music.

(Click to see more behind-the-scenes pics from Ana's Descubre & Download entrevista)

Ana Tijoux's album 1977, el año en que nació, has been hailed by the LA Times as one of the year's most noteworthy records. We couldn't agree more! So go check out Ana's free music, and Descubre & Download some flavor for your ears!

Descubre & Download: Ana Tijoux Get new music videos and MTV show videos on Tr3s.com. www.tr3s.com More from Watch MTV Shows Watch New Music Videos | Music News
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What's your take on Ana Tijoux's latest single? Love it or hate it, let us know in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags 2010 LAMC, Ana Tijoux, Descubre & Download

By Elis T. Ortiz

What happens when some cats from Fresno, California combine Latin rhythms with R&B, hip hop, soul, y un vocalista bilingüe? You get the electrifying and unique sounds of the new Tr3s Descubre & Download artist 40 Watt Hype.

From humble beginnings at a backyard party, to playing venues across the U.S., these guys have been creating a buzz all along the way. They’ve been conquering critics and audiences with a universal appeal, y música que refleja la diversidad de una sociedad multicultural.

A full instrumental band backs lead man Aaron Wall, la voz de esta banda, both in English and Spanish. But this composer, instrumentalist, and vocalist producer is not a bicultural Latino. Wall is second generation Dutch, with a family hailing from Holland, quien desarolló un aprecio y afinidad for the Latino community and music he was surrounded by as he was growing up.

40 Watt Hype’s lyrics range from fun-loving to socially conscious, but always showcase the persona of this group. In their salsa-infused song “La Sombra,” Wall rhymes, “Yo no soy guajiro, ni campesino. Yo entiendo la tierra a través de este ritmo.” As gringo as he may seem on the outside, when it comes to music, there’s no denying que tiene alma de Latino.

Now, Tr3s is giving you the chance para descubrir y descargar la música of 40 Watt Hype for free! As the featured Descubre & Download artist, Tr3s offers you la oportunidad de conocer este grupo by downloading three of their hottest tracks: “La Sombra,” “Tu Bien Sabes,” and “Más y Más.”

Este es un grupo que ya ha logrado cierto éxito and recognition, playing alongside established groups like The Roots and Ozomatli, as well as being featured on ABC's "Lincoln Heights" and the video game "Our World." Complex Magazine says 40 Watt Hype creates “a fresh and commanding sound with tremendous crossover appeal.”

Ahora puedes escuchar sus canciones and find out just what all the hype is about!

Mas y Mas Get new music videos and MTV show videos on Tr3s.com. www.tr3s.com More from 40 Watt Hype Watch New Music Videos Watch New Music Videos | Music News
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So what are you waiting for? Descubre & Download 40 Watt Hype and let us know what you think in the comments below or @MTV3!

Tags 40 Watt Hype, Descubre & Download, download, Free Latin Music, latin, Tr3s

By Simone Hilliard

2010 officially belongs to Latina rappers, according to the Los Angeles Times. As Latin music continues to overlap mainstream markets, three noteworthy albums have a female MC at the helm, and Team Blogamole is happy to report we've been cheering these ladies on for some time.

Are you ready to be inspired? Sit back, relax, and enjoy some exclusive clips and highlights from our latest interactions with three talents on the rise.

Meet our upcoming (August 30!) Descubre & Download Artist and LAMC favorite, Ana Tijoux! Tr3s took notice after her collabo con Julieta Venegas on "Eres Para Mi" - but we've been all about her sound since her days as a member of Chilean hip-hop group Mazika.

We fell in love with Bomba Estéreo's Liliana Saumet at 2009's SXSW, and newcomer Goyo Martinez of Chocquibtown is definitely worth following. All thee musical powerhouses are signed to Nacional Records, an L.A. based Latin alternative label.

1977 Get new music videos and MTV show videos on Tr3s.com. www.tr3s.com More from Ana Tijoux Watch New Music Videos Watch New Music Videos | Music News
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Tijoux - who recently won the most most coveted spot on the iTunes charts for "1977" - has also received props from Radiohead's Thom Yorke and describes her style as complex and contradictory:

"There isn't a logic or theory to what I do. I taught myself how to rap and eventually reached a fortuitous moment when I discovered my own style, or signature."

When Tr3s caught up with Ana at 2010's LAMC, she shared what she envisions for the future:

“I would like to make an album with African musicians. I would like to write a book, make documentaries, and do other stuff that interests me. Hip hop is an amazing music [style], but I think we’ve got to be more free in our creations.”

As fas as her next album, Tijoux has already kicked off her writing process.

Ana Tijoux is Writing Her Next Album Get new music videos and MTV show videos on Tr3s.com. www.tr3s.com More from Watch MTV Shows Watch New Music Videos | Music News
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Tags 2010 LAMC, Anita Tijoux, Bomba Estereo, ChocQuibTown, Descubre & Download, Exclusive, Goyo Martinez, photo, Photos, Video, Videos

Prince Royce, our latest MTV Tr3s Descubre & Download artist, has got the freshest urban bachata sound to come out of the Bronx since Aventura and Xtreme!

El cantante has been taking over the airwaves with his his updated take on "Stand By Me." Download the original version gratis ahora! Do it quick, as it will only be available for 2 weeks!

Read more...

Tags Descubre & Download, Prince Royce, Stand By Me

SXSW may be long over, but mtvU's 'Ahead of the Curve' has got some more goodies from Austin to share with us.  Which one in particular caught our eye?  Our very own Descubre & Download artista, Maluca, was caught performing at an Austin power plant with remix DJ extraordinaire Diplo.  Hot!

La dominicana from the Heights has been rocking the air waves with "El Tigeraso," which fuses hip-hop with merengue and other afro-Latin beats.  Nos encanta!  And we're happy to see that our buddies at mtvU are into it too.  Watch the newly-released clip from their 'Ahead of the Curve' SXSW coverage below!

Are we the only ones left wanting más?! We are diggin' on that remix, and lovin' Maluca's edgy look against that industrial backdrop!

Can't get enough of Maluca? Head over to her Descubre & Download page to get a free download of "El Tigeraso," watch videos and more!

Tags Ahead of the Curve, Descubre & Download, Diplo, download, El Tigeraso, Maluca, mtvU, Video

Want a pick me up antes del fin de semana?  Nuestros amigos at Nacional Records are offering up some weekend goodies to pump up your party!

Check it out: for a limited time, you can download the Nacional Records Sampler 2009 | The New Sounds Of Latin Music for free.  The sampler features canciones by some nuestros artistas favoritos, like our current Descubre & Download artists Bomba Estereo, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Manu Chao, y Hello Seahorse!  Cool, we love getting free new music!

Photo via Amazon

Tags Bomba Estereo, Descubre & Download, Free Music, Hello Seahorse!, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Manu Chao, nacional records, sampler

Newcomer to the urban scene Mexia, who you may recognize from the recent MTV Tr3s Descubre & Download promotion, was criminally assaulted last week after celebrating su cumpleaños is San Jose, CA.  A group of unidentified people were responsible for the random attack on el artista Mexicano, which resulted in visible wounds and minor fractures to his face.  Qué horror!!!

A consecuencia del ataque, Mexia had to cancel his upcoming promotional trip to Miami, FL, where he was set to appear on various TV shows to support his debut album, 'Past Present Future.'  El cantante, whose padre is none other than legendary Los Tigres Del Norte performer Hernán Hernández, has said he is on the mend, but will not be able to fully recover until mid-November.  In a press release today, he thanked his fans for their support.

"Only a nation of millions can hold me back."

We wish Mexia a quick recovery!!

Tags assault, attack, Descontrol, Descubre & Download, Mexia, Tour, Video