Blogamole › Grammy

By Larry Yepez Jr.

The Colombian salsa leyend died this morning in La Asunción Clinic of Barranquilla, after battling health problems since the end of May. He was in the ICU of the medical center for 29 days.

"El Joe" was one of the most important artists in the tropical music genre and became famous for popular songs like "Tania", "La Noche" (covered by many, including Juanes) and "Rebelión" (also known as "No le pegue a la Neeegra"), which I'm sure most of us have heard, danced and/or sang to the top of our lungs at some point of our lives!

Joe was going through quite a few health problems including lung failure, heart problems, hypertension and diabetes. He died of what is known as multi organ failure.

Alvaro José Arroyo González, El Gran Joe, was born in Cartagena on November 1st, 1955. Soon began the myth of the little boy who's vocal chords were touched by God. At the age of 15, Arroyo was the lead singer of del Súper Combo Los Diamantes in Sincelejo; at 16 he was lead of La Protesta in Barranquilla; at 17 he was the voice of Fruko y sus Tesos, touring all of Colombia, and at 24 his talent went worldwide with La Verdad.

At the time of his passing,  he was still at the top of the game, so much that he had his luggage ready to go on tour in the U.S.. Right now there is a TV series with great ratings in Colombian tv station RCN called "El Joe", based on his life story.

On June 18th, in what would be his last time on stage, he was honored by other great Colombian artists like Fruko y sus Tesos, Checo Acosta, Diomedez Díaz, Wilson Manyoma (famous for his song "El Preso"), Hansel Camacho, Gustavo Rodríguez and Carlos Guerrero, ex singer of el grupo Niche.

Arroyo, a great singer and composer, was not only recognized in his beloved Colombia. On November his career was going to be honored by presenting him with a special Grammy award by the Latin Recording Academy.

As he anticipated in his popular song "...En Barranquilla me quedo..." and so he did. This musical leyend will be greatly missed around the globe and his powerful and unique voice will be heard throughout eternity.

Rest In Peace Gran Joe!

Which is your favorite Joe Arroyo song?

Tags Blogger:Larry Yepez Jr., Colombia, Fruko y sus Tesos, Grammy, Joe Arroyo, Juanes, Salsa

By Simone Hilliard

When Pitbull dropped his debut album M.I.A.M.I (Money is a Major Issue) in 2004, many questioned whether the upstart Cuban-American emcee had the ability to not only win over the dirty south, but transcend audiences nationwide.

After seven years in the game, 6 albums under his belt and a roster of Hot 100 hits, the unlikely success of Mr. Armando Perez has astounded most, but it's safe to say Pit's salsa-infused sounds and bravado-laced Spanglish lyrics aren't leaving our playlists anytime soon.

However, can Mr. 305 really become Mr. Worldwide? With his latest effort Planet Pit, the rapper has seemingly abandoned his hip hop roots in hopes of breaking global barriers, and along the way has picked up his first #1 Billboard Hot 100 hit with "Give Me Everything." The song was also number 1 in the UK's top singles list.

In an interview, Pit shared his global mission for his latest effort.

"Instead of speaking to the block, I rather speak to the globe so the block can go, 'Oh wait a second, there is a whole lot more out there...And that's where the respect and credibility comes into play. You can't buy that and no record can buy that."

The rapper also explained how his sound has evolved during his seven year career.

"I think from M.I.A.M.I. to Planet Pit, how it transitions, what it shows is maturity, growth, evolution, someone that's been learning, applying, observing."

But is one #1 hit enough to solidify international staying power? Arguably, Pitbull hasn't gone platinum out the gate with any of his lps, nor is he a Grammy Award winning artist. However, as one of the most nominated artists at this year's Latin Grammys, Mr. 305 may receive the acclaim to push him over the top.

Do you think Pitbull has the gusto to go global? Sound off in the comments, or @MTV3.

Tags Grammy, Latin Grammys, Miami, Mr. 305, Pitbull, Planet Pit

By Simone Hilliard

Not only is Alicia Keys giving a surprise performance at New York City's Joe's Pub Tuesday (June 28) to celebrate the re-release of her multi-platinum five-time Grammy award winning debut album Songs In A Minor, but the talented mami is also adding a new title to her ever-growing repertoire, Broadway Producer.

Keys joins the likes of Jay-Z and Bono who have also taken their talents to the great white way; Hov co-producing 2009's "Fela!" and Bono producing the score for the often plagued production of 2011's "Spiderman."

Alicia will co-produce "Stick Fly," Lydia R. Diamond's account of an affluent African-American family's weekend at their Martha's Vineyard home. The premise of the play reads,

"The adult sons, aspiring novelist Kent and golden boy plastic surgeon Flip, have each brought their respective ladies (one black and one white) to meet the parents. Food, drink and Trivial Pursuit tangle with class, race and identity politics in this contemporary comedy of manners."

On why she chose to get involved with Broadway production, Keys admitted that she is passionate about "Stick Fly" because it "portrays black America in a way that we don't often get to see in entertainment".

The 30-year-old singer/ songwriter continued in a statement:

"This is a story that everybody can relate to. I know it will touch all audiences who will find a piece of themselves somewhere inside this house."

"Stick Fly," which has already played and received critical acclaim in Chicago, Boston and D.C., will open on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre in December, with previews beginning on November 18.

Will you attend? Sound off in the comments, or @MTV3.

Tags Alicia Keys, Bono, Broadway, Fela!, Grammy, Jay Z, Songs in a Minor, Spiderman, Stick Fly

By MTV Tr3s Staff

Grammy and Latin Grammy Award winning duo Calle 13 have confirmed their FREE March 23rd concert in Cuba's capital city of Havana. 

This is the first Cuban appearance for the urban rap group; though they've tried unsuccessfully to perform for the island nation for the past two years due to visa denials by the U.S. government.

Rene released the following statement:

"I am very happy because this concert [was] achieved with much sacrifice. We are not collecting and we are taking the entire band along. [We've] wanted to go from some time and we could not connect, but now everything was smooth because we are not doing anything wrong, just music. We are going for the people, because I want them to listen to me and I will listen to them."

While there, Calle 13 will also receive the 2010 International Cubadisco Award 2 months early, the highest honor a recording artist or group can receive at the music festival which takes place on May 15th.

Congrats, Residente and Visitante!

(via Latin Gossip)

Photo via Getty Images

Tags Calle 13, Cuba, Grammy, Havana, Latin Grammy, Residente, visitante

The globe trotting Kanye West took to his blog this morning to announce his return to the studio and making more of those Grammy winning money making hits!

His Rant:

"FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR THEIR CONSTANT LOVE AND SUPPORT OVER THESE PAST 6 YEARS! I'M SO HAPPY TO BE BACK IN THE STUDIO MAKING NEW MUSIC. I WILL BRING YOU THE BEST I HAVE TO OFFER WITH THE SAME DEDICATION THAT KOBE HAS ON THE COURT. IT'S FUNNY HOW SO MANY RAPPERS GET WORSE AS THEIR CAREERS STRETCH OUT BUT TRUE POETS GET BETTER. WE WILL FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MAYA ANGELOU, GILL SCOTT HERRON AND NINA SIMONE. THEIR WORK IMPROVED WITH TIME. THEY DOCUMENTED WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN CULTURE. THAT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS THE MODERN DAY ARTISTS AND POETS, TO ACCURATELY REPRESENT WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW, SO WHEN THE POWERS THAT BE TRY TO REWRITE HISTORY YOU CAN ALWAYS LOOK AT OUR WORKS AND FIND TRUTH AND SINCERITY IN A WORLD OF PROCESSED INFORMATION. LET US SOAK IN POSITIVE FORCES AND LOOK DOWN ON UPON THOSE WHO MASQUERADE AS TRUTH TELLERS AND OBJECTIVE FACT GIVERS WHEN IN REALITY EVERYTHING THAT IS PROJECTED HAS AN AGENDA OF BRAINWASHING US, THE "CONSUMER", THE PUBLIC, TO BELIEVE WHAT THEY WANT US TO. LET US LOOK PAST HEADLINES AND DEAL WITH JUST A BIT OF REALITY IN THIS NEW DECADE. WE HAVE OUR OWN OUTLETS NOW. WE DON'T HAVE TO BELIEVE EVERYTHING ANYMORE. NOW I'LL FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MAKE THAT RYHME LOL!!!"

Wow! Looks like the time he took off after the Taylor Swift incident did Kanye some good! We can't wait to see what he delivers in 2010! We hope it's less like 808s and Heartbreak, and more like his Graduation and Late Registration LPs. Which Ye do you prefer? (KanyeUnivercity)

Photo via Getty Images

Tags Grammy, Kanye West, Taylor Swift

The Nominees for the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards were announced this week and Beyoncé leads the pack with 10 nods! Her 'Video Phone' co-star, Lady Gaga walked away with 6 nominations, and country star Taylor Swift grabbed eight!

Other notable Grammy nominees include: Calle 13, Paulina Rubio, Ricardo Arjona, Wisin y Yandel, Katy Perry, Adele, Pink, and Kanye West.

For a full list of nominees, head over to the Grammys Website.

Photos via Getty Images

Tags Adele, Beyonce, Calle 13, Grammy, Kanye West, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Paulina Rubio, Pink, Ricardo Arjona, Taylor Swift, Wisin y Yandel

Grammy and T-mobile hosted a special event last night in NYC's Webster Hall, and had us rocking out a la Mexicana!

Brother-sister duo Jessy & Joy kicked off the night, and warmed up the crowd with hits like "Espacio Sideral" and their latest "Adiós." Jesse wore a mask of green face paint across his eyes... Not sure what that's all about. Hopefully it's just a case of Joy's eyeshadow gone awry and not a new trend.

Y la hermana, who's apparently single and hopeful, looked out at the crowd and asked "No hay solteros para mi en el público?" Awww... A few hands went up from some eligibles, but at the end, the duo left the venue sin noviecito para Joy. Don't worry girl, we're sure he's out there for you!

Pero de todas maneras, they sounded great as always. These two are overflowing with talent!

The fusion rockeros of Kinky were definitely the main event of the night... With hits like "Those Girls" and "Más y Más," they had fans jumping and dancing to every beat. Lead singer y guapisimo Gilberto Cerezo worked the stage, while Ulises Lozano kept his shades on and made both a mullet and the accordion look oh-so-cool. And of course, no podemos olvidar the ever rockin' Cesar Pliego, styling a full grown beard, with his cowboy hat and his guitar. That one surely had some of the chicas swooning.

Photos via Getty Images

Click after the jump to see more exclusive MTV Tr3s photos of the show Read more...

Tags Cesar Pliego, Concert, Gilberto Cerezo, Grammy, Jesse & Joy, Kinky, Ulises Lozano, Webster Hall

President Barack Obama has hand picked Grammy Award winning music producer and songwriter, Emilio Estefan to join the Commision to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino.

Que qué?

Emilio is going to be a part of a group that will help create a museum in Washington, DC that will be dedicated to celebrating the history and achievements of Latinos in America.

A place to celebrate Latinos all year long? Well that can't be too bad.  ¡Que vivan Los Latinos!

[Perez Hilton]

Photo via Getty Images

Tags Cuban, Emilio Estefan, Gloria Estefan, Grammy, Latino, museums, Music, Obama, President Barack Obama, Washington DC

Need a burst of mariposas in your belly?

Anyone that is a true Colby O'Donis fan knows that he is single and available! The Grammy-nominated singer may be hitting the pop charts with Lady Gaga for "Just Dance," but the chemistry is purely professional (más le vale!). Wondering what advice this bachelor has for having a great V-Day? MTV News recently caught-up with Colby to find out. Check out his message right below!

Photos via Getty Images

Tags Colby O'Donis, Grammy, Latin Music, MTV NEws, Musica Latina, Tr3s, Tres

We have all heard the chisme by now...

Several reports are suggesting that Rihanna and Chris Brown canceled their Grammy performances due to an alleged physical altercation. According to TMZ, the "Disturbia" singer was attacked by her novio, but the LAPD refuse to release details found in the police report. Despite tight security on the information, the entertainment site also claims that the crime was reported under Rihanna's real name, Robyn Fenty.

Prior to the Grammy's taking-off, word hit la calle that Chris Brown turned himself in and was charged for felony battery. He was later released in $50,000 bail and reports suggest that he was carrying a lethal weapon. In addition, MTV News reports that the police on the scene noticed that the woman 'suffered visible injuries and identified Brown as her attacker.'

Read the rest of the detalles at MTV News and let us know your take on the headline.

Photos via Getty Images

Tags Chisme, Chris Brown, Gossip, Grammy, MTV NEws, Rihanna, rihanna and chris brown domestic violence, Tr3s, Tres