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By Elis T. Ortiz

En un género mayormente dominado por hombres, there’s one woman making herself noticed, and
not just for the long nails and female curves. For the fifth consecutive week, el disco más reciente de Ivy Queen titulado Drama Queen, continues to top Billboard’s Latin Rhythm chart at the #1 spot.

The album’s success is largely fueled por el primer sencillo del disco, “La Vida Es Asi,” a catchy track that begins with an upbeat urban rhythm and melds into a melodic bachata. La Caballota rhymes and sings a story of betrayal and moving on from a bad relationship, un tema con el cual muchos se pueden relacionar.

Fans are showing support by accessing her "Drama Line" and either leaving messages or
adding names to her blacklist as payback for their ex's infidelity. You can join in the fun by calling (310) 341-4676 or logging onto Ivy Queen’s official website.

La Diva del género urbano will be headlining the 2010 Machete Music Tour throughout the US, starting this October 14 in Miami. Ivy will perform in 15 major cities, incluyendo a Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Houston, y Las Vegas. Other urban Latino acts joining her on tour are Tego Calderon, Cosculluela, Angel y Khriz, Chino y Nacho, Jowell y Randy, y Flex. Que mujeron entre tanto hombres!

If anyone can hold her own among these guys, we know Ivy can. Suerte y éxito Ivy!

Will you be calling Ivy Queen’s “Drama Line” and putting your ex on blast? Tell us about it in the comments below or @MTV3!

Tags album, Drama Queen, Ivy Queen, latin, MTV NEws, New Musica, Tour, Tr3s

By Elis T. Ortiz

On the afternoon of August 23, 35-year-old businessman Nick Loeb (Sofia Vergara’s boyfriend) perdió el control de su vehículo while driving in Bel Air and went right off a cliff on Beverly Glen Blvd. He was taken to the Intensive Care Unit at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, sufriendo heridas serias en su pierna y pecho.

The Emmy-nominated 38-year-old actress must have been jolted at such scary news about the man
she loves. Pero desde que tuvo noticias, she took to Twitter to share some relief with her followers,
saying, “Thnks everybody, Nick is doing very good. Pelvix fracture, lots of pain but he is going to be ok. Gracias!!!"

Nick remains hospitalized with Sofia at his side, y le deseamos que se recupere pronto

Team Blogamole sends positive thoughts to the couple for a speedy recovery. Hopefully he can accompany Vergara to the Emmys on Sunday, Aug. 29; she is in the running for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy for her role on "Modern Family."

Tags accident, Chisme, Gossip, latin, Nick Loeb, sofia vergara, Tr3s

By Simone Hilliard

Jennifer Lopez might not grace the "American Idol" judging panel this fall, but it looks like Lopez has another project under her belt. 

Jenny teamed up with producer guru Jane Starz to create a Latina teen book series titled Amigas, about four fresh faced entrepreneurial Miami teens.

If you remember correctly, Lopez and Starz inititially intended on making this a TV show back in 2007.  Tentatively titled The Amigas Sweet 15 Club, the duo developed a series chronicling five Miami teens who set out to run their own business as Quinceañera party planners.

Since the project never took off, or hasn't taken off yet, Lopez and Starz added Latina author Veronica Chambers to the group and have turned their tv pilot into a popular book series chronicling the adventures of four Miami teens. The first volume, Amigas: Fifteen Candles, has already been released and the second installment, Amigas: Lights, Camera, Quince!, hits bookstores last week and includes a special Q&A with La Lopez!

The good folks over at Latina gave us the lowdown on the new novel:

"15-year-old protagonist Alicia Cruz tools around South Beach with her amigos mejores, Jamie Sosa, Carmen Ramirez-Ruben, and Gaspar "Gaz" Colón. Upon meeting a 14-year-old chica, Sarita at her summer internship, the ambitious and business-minded Alicia volunteers her friends to organize Sarita's quinceañera. Alicia and co. take on the project as their first endeavor for Amigas, Inc., a quince-planning business. Budget problems, inter-friend romances, and a stress-induced quince-zilla Alicia incite mayhem, and adventure ensues."

Sounds like a libro Lopez can share con su hija Emme someday! We definitely think this is the start of many more kid friendly projects from the diva!

What do you think of Jenny's book venture? Weigh in below or @MTV3.

Tags Amigas, author, Books, Chisme, Gossip, Jennifer Lopez, latin, Tr3s

By Elis T. Ortiz

La reina del “Waka Waka” could be in some trouble with officials in Barcelona, Spain. It seems that Shakira broke some rules while filming the music video for the first single release of her highly-anticipated new album Sale El Sol.

Este primer sencillo se llamará “Loca,” and apparently, that’s exactly what Barcelona’s city council members think of our Shaki. She hopped on the back of a Harley Davidson motorcycle without a helmet and into the famous Pla de Palau fountain para bailar con sus fans.

These artistic antics could have her facing some fines, since she didn’t have the city’s permission beforehand. Barcelona’s health and safety council prometen estudiar las fotos y videoclips that were taken during the filming of Shakira’s music video in order to issue a “propuesta de sanción.” For the motorcycle helmet infraction, the fine would usually be around $300.

Cueste lo que cueste, we’re sure she can afford it. And for a music video que nos vuelva locos? Well, it may just be worth getting fined!

Source: [Mail Online]

Was Shaki just being irresponsible or do you support her artistic abandon? Dejennos saber en los comments or @MTV3!

Tags album, Chisme, Gossip, latin, Loca, Sale El Sol, Shakira, Tr3s

By Simone Hilliard

Those of us who thought Jay-Z's prolific lyrics were the only mirror we'd ever get into his world will receive a pleasant surprise when his memoir Decoded hits bookstores November 16th, 2010. 

Written several years ago by The Source editor Dream Hamtpon, Decoded traces Hov's life from his childhood in Brooklyn's infamous Marcy Projects to his life as a teen drug dealer and later becoming a hip-hop mogul. 

In a June interview with Rolling Stone, Hov discussed why he was reluctant to release the memoir:

"It's too much. For the book, I was interviewed, people close to me were interviewed. So I was learning a lot of things I didn't know as a child. It's not anything I haven't said in the past, in songs. It's just more detailed. A song is three minutes long. A book doesn't have to rhyme, and it has no time limit, so you can say exactly how everything went."

Jay-Z also candidly confessed to being the most affected by parts of Decoded that concerned his absentee father, who abandoned the family when he was 11.

"It was still wrong, at the end of the day, but he did stick around at a time where it wasn't particularly cool or popular. He married my mom at a time when guys were just leaving, and you'd never even meet your dad. So it made me ease up a little bit in how I felt about him."

The 336 page novel interviews Jay-Z's family and friends, and mixes first-person memoir with detailed discussions of his most famous and provocative lyrics.

Since Decoded was completed several years ago, whether an addendum that includes his most recent lps, marriage to Beyoncé, or his stock in the Nets, has been added is unclear.  But if Jay reveals the tight lipped secrets of his relationship, we're sure this book will sell millis! Agree?

Are you more interested in old or new Jay? Weigh in below or @MTV3.

Tags Chisme, decoded, Gossip, Jay Z, latin, memoir, Tr3s

By Michael Lopez

Say ain’t so! Just after winning the La Super Copa Tr3s, could bachata superstars Aventura actually be breaking up?! Don’t worry, we’re just trying to scare you. According to their camp the group is fully intact, although Max Santos is breaking away for a quick solo album.

Listen to any Aventura track and you can recognize Max’s bass-playing immediately. Thunderous, funky, and fused with his own hip-hop leanings, Santos is planning to expand on his musical tastes greatly with his new untitled album.

Interestingly, he’s planning to record in English and possibly recruiting some top talent to help bring the project to life. He’s recently worked very closely with Latin singing duo Miguel & John Q (you can hear Max’s raps in their debut single, “Vida de Rockero”) and there’s a good chance they’ll be on board.

And with rumors swirling about possible collaborations with Prince Royce and Toby Love, we wouldn’t be surprised to hear some “bachatero” hollers mixed into that first Max single. No official word yet on when Santos’ solo album is set to debut, but we imagine it’ll be a major contender for the next La Super Copa!

Source: [Examiner]

Which Aventura solo album would you be the most excited about? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Aventura, Chisme, Gossip, latin, Max Santos, Música, Miguel & John Q, Prince Royce, Toby Love, Tr3s

By Elis T. Ortiz

Si eres fan de la música electro-norteña que nos brindan Bostich & Fussible of Nortec Collective, we have great news for you! On September 14 they’ll release their follow-up to their Grammy-nominated Tijuana Sound Machine, which will be titled Bulevar 2000.

The new album follows Bostich & Fussible’s tale of the Tijuana sound machine, a car driving through this ciudad mexicana, this time through a newly constructed avenue, Bulevar 2000. Esta avenida is a direct route through and out of the city, but it’s also very notoriously dangerous. As is their trademark theme, Bostich & Fussible strive to share multiple perspectives de las experiencias de la vida en Tijuana.

Nortec Collective at 2010 LAMC
photo credit: Bashira Webb for Tr3s

El primer sencillo será “I Count The Ways," a very lyrical track featuring vocals by Kylee Swenson of San Francisco-based electro pop band Loquat. The album also features a rare acoustic track by Fussible called “Last Night in Slussen,” about a neighborhood in Stockholm where Nortec has been very well received.

When we caught up with the guys at this year’s LAMC, they already had an idea about what was coming in the near future. They teased us with news of the new album (el cual todavía estaban grabando en el momento), and also talked about their new upcoming world tour.

Read more...

Tags 2010 LAMC, Bulevar 2000, interview, latin, New Musica, Nortec Collective, Nortec Collective presents Bostich and Fussible, Tr3s, Video, Videos

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

We may not know who the father is (aunque hay rumores de que sea un psicólogo argentino), and we may not know the name of the baby… yet. But one thing’s for sure: Julieta Venegas dió a luz a una niña este 12 de Agosto!

Reps from her music label, Sony Music México, said, "She is the mother of a precious baby girl. They are perfectly well and there were no complications.”

Julieta had taken some time off work to care for her pregnancy, giving her last live performance in May, adecuadamente en la ciudad de México. This is the 39-year-old singer’s first child, and she has kept the whole experience muy en secreto.

Escuchamos que fué un parto natural, and the baby girl was born either in Buenos Aires, or in the States in the city of Los Angeles.

De todas maneras, we’re very happy for the four-time Latin Grammy winner, and wish her, the baby, and the proud papá (whoever he is) all the best! Congrats, Julieta!

Source: [Latina]

Tags baby, Chisme, Gossip, Julieta Venegas, latin, Música, Motherhood, Tr3s

By Simone Hilliard

2010 ignited the 3-D phenomenon for Television, but have you ever heard of an interactive concert? When Shakira takes her Tour of Earthly Delights across the pond this December, fans can look forward to an experience like never before!

La Loba has teamed up with Punchdrunk theatre's director Felix Barrett to design one of the first ever interactive concerts!

Aimed at achieving a closer level of initimacy with fans, Barrett's immersive productions are known to allow the audience to choose what they watch and where they go.

Shaki told the The Daily Star what would happen behind the scenes:

“I’m going to be in the UK this December working with Felix. He’s one of those golden minds so I’m designing the show with him.  It’s going to have themes and there’ll be a lot of audience interaction.”

Barrett's previous theatre productions have allowed the audience to walk around the stage freely. Barrett explained: 

“It is important to make the audience the most important aspect of theatre. They should have much more power than they have ever experienced before.”

The She Wolf seems to agree with Felix, adding:

“My live show will have a lot of that, a lot of dancing, a joie de vivre. I feel such freedom on stage. It’s such a rush to be performing. I like to see everybody’s faces on stage, to see the reaction. Normally you can only see the front row because of the lights. So you’ll see see a lot of the energy you saw during my Glastonbury Festival  appearance, but there are also going to be other moments that I hope are artist­ically energetic. I want people to feel things up close. My vibe is to gather different influences from all over and put them together with my own style.”

We love the sound of that!

What do you think of an interactive tour? Think it will catch on? Let us know below or @MTV3.

Tags Chisme, Concert, Gossip, interactive tour, latin, Música, MTV NEws, Shakira, Tour of Earhtly Delights, Tr3s