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By Michael Lopez

After 17 years catching for the New York Yankees, Puerto Rican all-star Jorge Posada officially announced his retirement this week. And with five World Series rings under his belt, it's clear he'll leave a lasting legacy.

"I could never wear another uniform," an emotional Jorge told reporters. "I will forever be a Yankee."

Clearly Yankee fans will not soon forget Posada. He spent his entire MLB career playing for New York and is considered to be a "shoe-in" for the Baseball Hall of Fame.

His famous teammates appeared to be choked up at the prospect of him leaving too.

"Jorge has bled the pinstripes for a long, long time, and he played with a passion that certainly rubbed off on his teammates," Alex Rodriguez said. "To play the number of games that he did, at the level he did, year in and year out, at the toughest position on the field, is a credit to his commitment to his craft."

NY mayor Michael Bloomberg made sure to chime in too, saying,

"Jorge Posada is a great Yankee and a great New Yorker. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I congratulate him on his outstanding career and thank him for the invaluable contributions he’s made to our city."

But perhaps the people most proud of Jorge's accomplishments are his wife and two children. They were by his side after throughout the press conference and will certainly be thrilled to now have Papa Posada all to themselves.

Were you a fan of Jorge Posada? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags alex Rodriguez, Baseball, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Jorge Posada, Michael Bloomberg, MLB, new york, Sports, Yankees

By Michael Lopez

There is a very good chance that 2012 could be The Year of the Royce! Oh yea, Prince Royce's next albums are due in just a few short months and he's already prepping his first Spanish single, "Las Cosas Pequeñas."

Featuring all of the tropical sounds that Prince is famous for, "Las Cosas" has already hit the internet (albeit in a shortened preview form). The real single arrives next week and will be followed by a sentimental music video.

People en Español is reporting that Royce shot the vid in his hometown of New York and is very happy with the results. Portions were filmed at NY's iconic Central Park and, according to reports, screaming fans constantly surrounded the set.

Speaking about his hometown, Prince recently said,

"I was born in the Bronx and will always remember writing songs in Central Park. It's a place that brings back fond memories."

You can hear Royce's inspirations come alive again on January 16, when "Las Cosas Pequeñas" officially makes its radio and iTunes debut.

Are you looking forward to Prince Royce's new album? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Central Park, Hot Stuff, Las Cosas Pequeñas, Música, new york, Prince Royce, Videos

By Michael Lopez

Something tells us people from "Jenny’s block" aren't going to be too happy when they hear this story. The Smoking Gun website recently revealed that JLo's new Fiat ad, which shows her returning to her old Brooklyn neighborhood, is a fraud.

Lopez has already taken a bit of heat for her Fiat endorsement during the AMA's. Many said the blatant advertising during her "Papi" performance was insulting and cheapened the broadcast. But now, her critics have even more reasons to be up-in-arms.

Apparently Jennifer's new car commercial features her driving around the Bronx, talking about how much she loves her old stomping grounds. The catch is, Lopez never even set foot in her old neighborhood and filmed the entire ad at a studio in Los Angeles.

The commercial was done via green screens and CGI trickery. And worse yet, the scenes from Brooklyn featured a JLo body double! Her reps are saying she skipped the trip because of time commitments, but we doubt that excuse will fly with her hometown fans.

What do you think about JLo's new Fiat commercial? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Cars, Chisme, Fiat, Jennifer Lopez, new york, popnews, The Smoking Gun

By Michael Lopez

Back in the day, no nightclub got as much press as New York’s legendary Studio 54. Frequented by stars like Mick Jagger, Andy Warhol, and Cher, it reached mythic status during the 1970’s. And this week, Cameron Diaz and a host of modern-day celebs got to experience it for themselves with a one-night reopening hosted by SIRIUS XM Radio.

The party was meant to celebrate a new SIRIUS channel devoted to 54's disco playlist. And keeping with the theme, the night also brought members of The Village People and Keith Richards from The Rolling Stones.

Cameron was spotted hanging with Naomi Campbell and Bar Rafaeli, while other stars like Bethenny Frankel and Ryan Philippe hit the Studio dance floor. It all made for quite an exciting night and generated huge exposure for the channel.

And as far as the music was concerned, the 54 party kept that authentic too. Original 70’s DJ John “Jellybean” Benitez returned for the event and made sure the crowd had plenty of classic disco beats to keep their boogie on.

What's your favorite 70's disco song? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Bar Rafaeli, Bethenny Frankel, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Celebrities, Hot Stuff, Jellybean Benitez, Keith Richards, Naomi Campbell, new york, Ryan Philippe, SIRIUS XM, Studio 54

By Michael Lopez

Saying New York has a lot of Puerto Rican pride is an understatement. Believe it or not, over 80,000 proud Latinos are expected to march in this Sunday’s annual Puerto Rican Day Parade, including some very famous faces. Stars like John Leguizamo, Tito “El Bambino” and Dayanara Torres are all expected to attend.

A tradition for over five decades, the parade celebrates the over four million Puerto Ricans who live in continental US. Within the past several years, proud marchers have included Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, and Marc Anthony (who has previously served as a "National Grand Marshall").

This year Leguizamo is taking over political duties for the event, serving as the parade's World Ambassador of the Arts. Folk singer Cabán Vale has been named Godfather of the Arts and Goya Foods president Robert Unanue is the official 2011 Grand Marshall.

"The thing about the parade is that we're so inclusive," Leguizamo explained. "Puerto Ricans are not an exclusive people. We want everybody to celebrate. We want everybody to be a part of it."

"El Bambino" is sure to leave a major mark as well. He'll be performing his trademark hits atop a customized Coors float. And it's clear from his tweets that Tito is seriously stoked about participating in the event.

"Ya en Puerto Rico todo un exito Jalisco en Vivo este proximo fin de semana para la parada Puertorriqueña en Nueva York Activo #Invencible" he posted.

As with every year, music will be a major part of the parade. Floats devoted to salsa, reggaeton, and folk stylings have already been constructed and legendary El Gran Combo has been listed as the official kickoff band for the festivities.

Starting at approximately 11 a.m on Fifth Ave and 44th St., the parade will travel over 30 blocks and be broadcast on two local New York TV stations. Over one million spectators are expected to watch the floats pass by and, with weather predictions of over 80 degrees, you can bet there will be plenty of sizzling after parties in the streets.

Have you ever participated in the Puerto Rican Day Parade? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Celebrities, Cultura, El Gran Combo, John Leguizamo, new york, Puerto Rican Day Parade, Puerto Rico, Tito El Bambino

By Michael Lopez

Things are definitely moving fast for Blogamole fave Prince Royce. In less than a year, he’s scored a #1 Billboard Tropical Album, gotten a Latin Grammy nomination, and launched an international tour. But now he’s about to hit the big time back home, with his first headlining show at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts in NYC!

Image : AFP/Getty Images

Getting into the bigger venues was a logical next step for Royce. He’d been working the U.S. club circuit all year, but overcrowding and a growing fan base forced his management team to rethink things. Top singles (like “Stand By Me”) and increased ticket demands meant it was time to crossover to headliner status.

So why not start with a massive venue in his hometown? New York’s Lehman Center holds over 2300 seats and has housed hundreds of top music artists. Not only that, it’s centered in the Bronx and is very close to where Royce grew up. And that means there will be plenty of extended fam showing up for support.

As Royce told the New York Daily News, "We had to choose my hometown. It's my first big production outside of the club scene; taking it to the next level ."

Yea we may all know him as Prince, but once the curtain drops we’re sure he’ll be getting plenty of hugs and high fives from locals who still remember little Geoffrey Rojas.

Prince Royce will be headlining the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts November 12-13!

Source: [NY Daily News]

Who’s your hometown music hero? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags bronx, Hot Stuff, Lehman Center, Música, new york, Prince Royce

By Elis. T. Ortiz

There were many great highlights to this year’s Latin Alternative Music Conference in NYC, but one of our favorites had to be getting to chat with Argentinean reggae star Fidel Nadal. Este cantautor es todo un amor! From his easy going demeanor to his love-filled lyrics, Nadal exudes positivity and is more than happy to share the good vibes.

Fidel Nadal performs at 2010 LAMC

Raised within an artistic family has influenced him greatly, from his mother’s anthropology to having a film director for a dad. Nadal told us his father always encouraged him to give his best in everything he does, and he’s kept that advice close to heart. Even with over two decades in his musical profession, he maintains an upmost respect for the positive power of music.

Check out his thoughts on music’s impact in this clip from our interview:

Fidel's mega-hit single “International Love” has been well received all over the world, and even featured on EA Sports’ FIFA 10 fútbol video game soundtrack. We asked Nadal if he’s played the game, he told us his 10 year old son has and enjoys it very much. ¡Hay, que cute!

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Tags 2010 LAMC, Fidel Nadal, International Love, interview, MTV Tr3s, new york, Video, Videos

Que viva la música alternativa! We’ve been reporting on the best from the Latin Alternative Music Conference, so keep it locked to Blogamole for more photos and interviews with artists you may already know, and the ones you’ll want to keep an eye out for.

By Elis T. Ortiz

NYC’s Central Park Summer Stage was filled with a sea of Latinos on Saturday night (July 10), mayormente Mexicanos who came to rock out with Maldita Vecindad as part of this year’s LAMC extravaganza. And rock out they did!

Ocote Soul Sounds opened up with their Mexican, Colombian, and African inspired world music. But it was The Pinker Tones that really warmed up the rock loving crowd with their reinvented style.

The Pinker Tones at Summer Stage

Manso y Furia’s new Modular set takes them away from the electro pop genre, and moves the Spanish duo into the rock scene. No longer behind their DJ consoles, they brought a band on stage and played live instruments, taking turns on the microphone and getting the crowd’s approval with songs like “Viaje,” which touches on the theme of immigration.

The Pinker Tones at Summer Stage

When Maldita Vecindad finally took the stage, it was clear to see what had brought this particular tattooed audience to Central Park. With a trajectory spanning over two decades, the Mexican rockeros have a strong following that transcends generations.

Maldita Vecindad

Families came with their kids to pass on the musical tradition, and friends came in groups to join in the mosh pits. First cans, then sneakers, then people went flying in the air, celebrating the lyrics and love filled messages of La Maldita.

Maldita Vecindad fans rock out

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Tags 2010 LAMC, Maldita Vecindad, new york, photo, Photos, Summer Stage, The Pinker Tones

Que viva la música alternativa! We’ll be reporting on the best Latin Alternative Music Conference concerts throughout the week, so keep it locked to Blogamole for interviews with artists you may already know, and the ones you’ll want to keep an eye out for.

By Elis T. Ortiz

Last night (July 9), we crossed over to the Prospect Park Bandshell in Brooklyn, NY for some amazing performances. Crowded with people of all ages and backgrounds, it was the perfect setting for the night’s event. Trayendonos su ritmo desde Mexico, Toy Selectah warmed up the crowd with his masterful skills at the turntables.

The audience was loving it, but it was Argentina’s Fidel Nadal who got the masses out of their seats and dancing towards the stage. Se sentía el amor por todo el lugar as he sang his reggae melodies, sending out the “good vibes for the people,” as he likes to say.

Fans and first timers alike swayed to the reggae rhythms, even joining him in the chorus of his mega hit, “International Love.”

After that, it was time for the night’s headliners! Returning to Prospect Park after five years, el grupo Ozomatli came representing Los Angeles. This motley band of rockeros took up the whole stage, bringing their usual blend of cumbia, funk, hip hop, rock and all the other beats one might hear in a melting pot city. Their East coast fans were loving every second!

When it comes to bringing a little something for everybody, nobody does it like Ozomatli!

We have more hot pics and videos from LAMC, after the jump!

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Tags 2010 LAMC, Fidel Nadal, latin, Locos Por Juana, Maleco Collective, MTV Tr3s, new york, Ozomatli, photo, Photos, Prospect Park Bandshell, The Pinker Tones, Toy Selectah

Team Blogamole was in the mix at VICE & Intel's The Creators Project launch event in NYC this past weekend, where a swarm of artists, hipsters, celebs and industry folks enjoyed free food and booze — plus 8 floors of art, film, design, and live performances from a slew of hot artists.

The evening ended with a not-so-secret show by M.I.A., who made the at-capacity crowd go crazy with her thumping beats and psychedelic hair. Opening her set with controversial hit, "Born Free," M.I.A.'s fans crowd surfed and flung beers with wild abandon. It was so packed that — until we were able to push to the front — we watched half her set through cell phones and digital cameras held high in the air!

photo credit: The Creators Project

The Creators Events series kicked off in New York City with a collection of curated artworks and installations, screenings, a panel discussion and dozens of performances by creators from all over the world. The series then moves to London, Sao Paulo, and Seoul, and culminates in Beijing with a huge 3-day Creators exposition in September.

Talk about stimulation overload; there was so much to see! Before sweating it out with other music fans, we had to watch Spike Jonze's short film about robot love, "I'm Here."

"I’m Here" will be screened at The Creators Project events all summer. You can pre-order the book and DVD for the film here.

As a result of attending the screening, we are now instant fans of Aska Matsumiya. The artist, who scored Spike's film, gave the audience a delightful live performance by "magically" appearing behind the screen with her band ASKA during the closing credits.

photo credit: Bashira Webb for MTV Tr3s

photo credit: Bashira Webb for MTV Tr3s

ASKA began their set with the hypnotically chill single from the film, "There are Many of Us." We were feeling her Latina bass player! That chica had skills.

photo credit: Bashira Webb for MTV Tr3s

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Tags ASKA, Interpol, M.I.A., New Musica, new york, Photos, random cool, Sleigh Bells, The Creators Project