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By Vanessa Beatriz Soto

We sat down for a chat with Florida-born Puerto Rican singer and songwriter Elijah King to talk about his latest work, his gospel roots, life on stage, and pursuing his dreams.

B. So what inspires you? How do you come up with ideas?

E.K. Well, it just depends on a mood or a vibe, it depends on what's going on that day, I guess. It's just all around. If I hear a beat, and it's slow, or, whatever your mood is, it fits that moment. A lot of the newer stuff has some Caribbean beats, that feel, that energy. ...I mean, what... else are you going to sing to, when you've got so much energy?!

B. How does gospel music influence your work?

E.K. I guess it's the whole R&B, the soulful vibe that just comes naturally for me. That's what I grew up on. I grew up in church, so that was kind of my first taste of music.

B. Is that still an important part of your life?

E.K. Yes! I'm not gonna lie - I don't get to go to church like I used to, but I have a relationship with God. All those things are still close to me, and dear to me.

B. We know you get to perform with a lot of great artists. What's that like? You're coming out! You're meeting all these great people! Tell us a little about that - have you had any really amazing moments?

E.K. Well, of course, I mean, it's always a roller coaster ride. You get to do all these different shows and be on all these different stages with so many people who are looked on as icons all around the world! It's a privilege. I look forward to being one of those people one day myself. It's a fun ride, and I know there's a lot of people out there that wish they could do this. I'm just lucky to be one of the ones who can do it!

B. What is your number-one "Oh my goodness" mind-blower story? Have you ever had an 'oh wow I can't believe this is happening, I can't believe I'm meeting this person' moment?

E.K. Well you know, I think those moments usually happen on stage. Then, you know, bigger the crowd, the bigger the reaction, the crazier it feels. I remember we did a show in Cali a couple of years ago. There were a couple of hundred thousand people out there. When I got an encore to come out there again... that was a pretty great moment!

B. What did you sing?

E.K. Wow, what was I performing around that time. ...I remember I had a song called "Cry No More" it actually made it on the Billboards. That was fun. That was really fun.

B. So where do you see yourself ten years from now? Where would you like to be?

E.K. I would actually like to be doing what I'm doing right now but on another level, on a whole nother scale. And I would definitely like to be more involved on the creative side as far as production. Hopefully by that time I'll be a lot more relaxed and I'll have a lot more say.

B. Interesting! Do you feel like there are a lot of people giving you direction about your sound and your career? Are you able to go off on your own and do your own exploration?

E.K. Of course, you're going to have people that you work with who you have to respect and take in their opinions, because that's the only way you're going to learn. But I do have a lot of liberty to do what I like to do musically. I'm lucky to say it - not a lot of artists get to do that. I can't really complain. I just can't wait for the day when I can say "That's my record label. Those are my artists." Everything comes in its time.

B. Wow! It sounds like you've put a lot of time and energy into making your dreams a reality. You certainly have a pretty clear path mapped out for yourself - how important do you think it is to follow your dreams?

E.K. I'll never forget something that my mother told me when I was applying for colleges. ...Actually it was a little after that. I had already been accepted and I was about a week away from moving out. I told my mom what I was going to study: I was going to do business at the time. You know? That's my backup plan. That'll pay the bills. My mother told me not to do it. She told me not to worry if the money came or not, but to follow my heart, and you know, I've always lived my life by that. I think that if you don't do what you really feel in your heart, you'll never fully feel happy and fulfilled with yourself. I don't want to live, twenty years down the line, with a million dollars in the bank, but miserable because I never got to sing on a stage.

B. Speaking of the future, do you have any new records coming out?

E.K. Definitely. I have an English single coming out with T-Pain called "Handclap." It's actually doing really well, we're getting new fans in Europe. And I have a Spanish single that we're promoting now. The video's on MTV Tr3s. It's called "Nunca te Vuelvo a Ver." Right now all my energy is going to pushing that stuff.

B. Okay, we have one last question for you: If you had one thing to say to young creative people out there who are just starting out, what would you tell them?

E.K. I would say keep on pushing! Never give up! It's always going to take a lot of sacrifice, but if you keep your head right, keep focused, you will see your dreams come true one day.

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So what's your dream? And what are you doing to make it come true? Tell us in the comments!

Tags blogger: Vanessa Beatriz Soto, Elijah King, Free Latin Music

As has been proven over and over again by Sofia Vergara, who dazzled at the 2010 MTV VMAs, few things are as sexy as a confident Colombian woman. Demonstrating this point yet again and bringing a sexy new pop, rap, dance sabor to the music world comes la Colombiana Yahaira and her first studio album named, you guessed it, Sexy.

Yahaira comes well-equipped for her debut, teaming up with NY-based rapper Lil Mama para su nuevo sencillo bilingüe, "Sexiest." The best part of this news? Tr3s is giving you this song de gratis! Since Yahaira is our new Free Latin Music artist, all you dance music lovers can download her latest track for free!

Not only was Yahaira raised within a musical family and writing poetry at a very young age, the singer/songwriter gave her first stage performance a la tierna edad de 6 añitos, before a crowd of 3,000 people. Now that's an impressive little girl! By the age of 9, she was already the lead voice in her church choir, and her schoolmates would dub her "La Cantante" or "La Poeta." Después de sufrir una tragedia familiar, where her father was shot and almost killed, Yahaira learned a lesson of strength and perseverance that she would carry with her, motivating her to move to Bogotá, and then finally come to the United States in pursuit of her dream.

Mucho ha pasado desde esos años inocentes, and Yahaira is all grown up and ready to flaunt her sexiness! So go ahead and check out her naughty bilingual new single "Sexiest" on our Free Latin Music page and hear it for yourselves.

Let us know what you think of Yahaira's music in the comments or sound off @MTV3!

[MySpace]

Tags Free Latin Music, Lil Mama, Sexiest, sofia vergara, Yahaira

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!

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 Elis T. Ortiz

Team Blogamole is happy to announce that multi-faceted artist Fuego is the featured Free Latin Music artist on Tr3s! Download his music for free NOW and let us know what you think!

His musical style can range from hip hop to bachata to rock, but for his latest single, "Ya Te Olvidé,” Fuego turned out a merengue-infused beat that’s sure to get your body movin'!

The video features special appearances by actor Luis Guzman and Chosen Few’s CEO Boy Wonder, and co-stars video vixens Rosa Acosta and Tammy Torres.

Fuego is a rising star who’s already worked with major artists like Don Omar, Rick Ross, Omega, Serani and Pitbull. He’s currently touring throughout the U.S., so be on the lookout for a
Fuego concert near you!

Fuego is performing in Vegas tonight (August 12th) and tomorrow, then he’ll be passing through Los Angeles before swinging over to the East coast para dar conciertos en Tampa, Florida, and end his tour in the Northeast, in Elizabeth, NJ and finally the Bronx, NY by August 27th.

Will you be at one of Fuego’s concerts? Let us know what you think in the comments below or @MTV3!

Tags Free Latin Music, Fuego, Video, Videos, Ya Te Olvidé

We're continuing our "free alternative music" theme, with dos más canciones gratis for your listening pleasure!

First up, in honor of Monte Negro's upcoming new EP, Fugitives Of Pleasure/Pasajeros, we've got a free download de la nueva canción by el grupo rockero, "Loco Por Tu Amor (Tarde o Temprano Se Paga)."  This groovy and darkly romantic track by the Los Angeles-based multicultural and bilingual grupo is sure to claim its very own spot on your iTunes este verano!  Download "Loco Por Tu Amor" ahora on the MTV Tr3s Downloads page! Plus, catch them en vivo all summer long (peep the tour dates on their MySpace page), and stay tuned to MTV Tr3s to catch their all-new music video.

What other treats do we have in store?  How about another free download, this time from singer-songwriter Argentino, Federico Aubele.  His ultra-sexy voz will make your corazoncito melt in the summer heat, we guarantee it, che!  With its sultry Spanish guitar and bolero-inspired beats, su nueva canción "Este Amor" will make you think you're at a streetside café in Buenos Aires sipping some mate.  Download "Este Amor" ahora!

Make sure to check out our Free Latin Music Downloads page para más música gratis from Aterciopelados y Los Amigos Invisibles!

Photo of Monte Negro via MySpace

Tags Este Amor, Federico Aubele, Free Download, Free Latin Music, Latin Music, Loco Por Tu Amor, Monte Negro, Musica Latina, rock en espanol

In honor of the recent Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC), we're going "Alternative" esta semana, by offering you two free downloads by legendary South American alternative rock grupos, Los Amigos Invisibles y Aterciopelados!

Both grupos recently played at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, NY, as part of the LAMC festitividades.  If you missed the show, we're bringing you a small taste of it ahora.  Los Amigos Invisibles de Venezuela are a funky, acid jazz-influenced fusion banda who describe their own sonido as "Jamiroquai meets Santana."  Their nuevo album, "Commercial," is a unique blend of música bailable with traditional Latin music sounds and disco thrown in.  Groovy!  Download "Mentiras" by Los Amigos Invisibles gratis on the MTV Tr3s Downloads page ahora!

As for Aterciopelados, you might remember them from their punkier "Bolero Falaz" and "Florecita Rockera" days, pero Andrea Echeverri y compañía are all grown up now!  Their nuevo album, "Río," is a socially-conscious effort by el grupo alternativo Colombiano, that continues to blend multi-cultural sounds with puro rock.  Get a free download of their nueva canción, "Hijos De Tigre," on MTV Tr3s now!

Stay tuned for more free latin music downloads from MTV Tr3s!

Photo of Los Amigos Invisibles via Fran Beaufrand

Tags 2009, Aterciopelados, Free Download, Free Latin Music, LAMC, Los Amigos Invisibles, MTV Tr3s Downloads, Musica Latina

Ready for something new?

Well get ready, it's a new day in reggaeton. Descubre & Download is presenting you with a new FREE download from Los Vaqueros frontman Franco "El Gorila". A native of Puerto Rico, Franco caught the eye of none other than Wisin y Yandel just being around the neighborhood. The dynamic duo saw 'un ídolo" del vecindario in Franco, someone that would never let his fans down. Ever since, Franco has been flying high under Wisin y Yandel's wings. You might remember him being featured on Wisin y Yandel's album: La Mente Maestra. The rest as they say, is historia.

Download Franco's latest single FOR FREE and see what all the fuss is about on Franco "El Gorila's" MTV Tr3s Artist Page. Then check back in with Blogamole all week for more exclusives including an interview with the man himself AND behind-the-scenes fotos from his D&D shoot.

Tags Descubre & Download, Franco "el Gorila", Free Latin Music, free mp3, La Mente Maestra, Musica Latina, musica latina gratis, Reggaeton, Wisin y Yandel

Enrique Iglesias was recently crowned the pop music rey by earning the most #1 radio hits EVER, but is the "Lloro Por Ti" singer tearing over his nonexistent 2008 Latin Grammy nomination?

The Spanish pop star admits to having one mission in mind: to satisfy his fans. Conquering twenty one hits on the Billboard charts reflects the mutual relationship Enrique has with his público. Simply check out his very intimate performance at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City last week.

You better believe this fan was blown "Away" by his beso! Enrique reveals that his musical career is all about entertaining and not just racking-up awards:

¿Que no estoy nominado? Yo creo que tienen muy mal gusto, no (risas) Entiendo, hay años que te nominan, hay otros que no. Mira, en gran parte lo que he sacado este año ha sido discos de éxitos, aunque tiene canciones nuevas también, canciones inéditas. Pero yo enfoco lo mió en el éxito que ha tenido y mis fans. Al final no me puedo quejar, he tenido un buen año.

Honestly, what does this fly boy have to be bitter about? Absolutamente nada! [MTV Tr3s Radio Noticias]

Photos via Getty Images

Tags Away, Enrique Iglesias, Free Latin Music, Latin Grammy, Latin Music, Latinos, MTV, MTVTr3s, Musica Latina, Tr3s, Tres

Shut the door, dim your lights...

And prepare to be drifted "Away"! MTV News is granting you behind-the-scenes access to Enrique Iglesias' bonus track video off of his "Greatest Hits" album. The Spanish pop star reveals that the storyline has a morbid plot worth saving the date for. MTV Tr3s will premiere the video all-day tomorrow, but be sure to grab your first look right below! Will Enrique's latest video have an epic ending as painful as his "Hero" video? [MTV News]

Photo via Interscope

Tags Enrique Iglesias, Entertainment, Free Latin Music, Gossip, Latin Music, MTV, Musica Latina, Tr3s