An international lineup of Latin acts will join Colombian rocker Juanes at his controversial "Paz Sin Fronteras" (Peace Without Borders) concert, scheduled for Havana, Cuba Sept. 20.
The free concert, which coincides with the United Nations' International Day of Peace, will also feature Spanish pop act Miguel Bosé and Puerto Rican tropical star Olga Tañón in addition to Cuban artists Amaury Perez, X Alfonso, Carlos Varela, Los Van Van, Silvio Rodriguez and Orishas. CuCu Diamantes and Yerba Buena, Italian artist Jovanotti, Puerto Rico's Danny Rivera, Ecuador's Juan Fernando Velasco, and Spain's Victor Manuel and Luis Eduardo Aute are also on the bill.
In contrast to Juanes' last "Paz Sin Fronteras" concert, staged last year to defuse an imminent conflict between Colombia and Venezuela, this year's lineup is shorter on major, internationally commercial Latin acts. The concert has raised the hackles of some Cuban exiles, who perceive the concert as a show of support for the Castro regime. Juanes has repeatedly defended the concert -- often via his Twitter feed -as an apolitical expression of peace and a desire to bring nations together through music.
The Sept. 20 concert will be staged at the city's Jose Marti Revolution Plaza between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. local time. There will be no presenters, and organizers have requested that both the performers and the audience wear all white as a symbol of peace.
According to a news release from Juanes' camp, local production costs for the sponsor-free event will be covered by the Cuban Institute of Music, part of Cuba's Ministry of Culture. Juanes has also said that he, Bosé and Tañón are covering production costs themselves. None of the artists performing are being paid to perform.
Spanish composers' society SGAE, Air Europa, A&C Charters and Aerosur are pitching in as well to cover rehearsals and airfare. Over 160 journalists have been credentialed to cover the concert, which will be aired via satellite through Cuban TV. The feed for the concert will be made available to any TV, online or radio outlet.
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Liza Rios (Big Pun's wife) was living in a homeless shelter
I was very surprised to hear this, so i figured i would share this video of Lisa Rios (Big Pun's wife).
check it out!
check it out!
Shakira Added To ALMA Awards Line-Up
'She Wolf' singer Shakira is the latest performer added to the 2009 ALMA Awards (American Latino Media Arts), staged next week.The Columbian pop star will join the previously confirmed line-up of Sean Kingston, Nelly Furtado, Pitbull and David Archuleta, by providing live entertainment on the night.
The ceremony will be held on September 17 at Royce, and broadcast the following night on ABC (8pm-10pm EST).
'Desperate Housewives' hottie Eva Longoria will be hosting the event, alongside TV funnyman George Lopez.
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Wisin Y Yandel Call Their Video Music Award Nomination A 'Blessing'
Duo are up against Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Cobra Starship and Lady Gaga.
The MTV Video Music Awards celebrate the best of the best in music, but this year brings a major first: Latin duo Wisin y Yandel scored a Best Pop Video nomination for their video for "Abusadora," from their recent LP La Revolución. What's the big deal? The Puerto Rican duo are the first Latinos in the 26-year history of the Video Music Awards to score a nomination with a song written completely in Spanish. They're up against some stiff competition in the category: Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Cobra Starship (featuring Leighton Meester) and Lady Gaga.
The duo, phoning in from Argentina, told MTV News, "To be the first [Spanish-language song] to be nominated is truly a blessing," Yandel said. (Note: This interview was conducted in Spanish.) "We were recently sitting down, taking a quick break, and I turned to Wisin and we look at each other with amazement because we still can't believe all of the good blessings that have come our way. It's truly a blessing."
It's also become a reason for the pair to take English lessons.
"Never, never would we have thought this was going to happen," Yandel continued. "I told Wisin, 'Yo, we need to learn to speak speak English!' We are actually in talks of getting a tutor who will travel with us to start learning, because I always said that English is a language you really need to know, especially now."
When asked how Wisin y Yandel plan to handle the red carpet at the big show, Yandel said, "Our manager, Edgar Andino, and our bodyguard, Ray, are fluent in English so I'm sure they will have our backs. Regardless, I think the people want to hear our own language. But I also have to say that when we perform in New York everybody who attends our concerts is from every ethnicity and they sing to our songs — so if they put in the effort to learn our songs in Spanish, why can't we return the favor, right? But I truly believe that we will learn. We are troopers and we can do anything."
The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards will take place September 13 at 9 p.m. ET. Additional celebrity presenters and performers will be announced in the coming weeks. To be the first to find out the inside scoop, follow the Inside MTV Twitter account at Twitter.com/InsideMTV.
SIE7E ft Sí Señor Don't Worry Be Happy
There is always time for a positive video. Oh, and it's funny too.
Teen Sensation Selena Gomez Appointed UNICEF Ambassador
The U.S. Fund for UNICEF todayannounced the appointment of actress and singer Selena Gomez as its newestAmbassador. Gomez will use her voice, recognition and commitment tochildren's issues to fundraise, educate and advocate on behalf of UNICEF andsupport the organization's mission to help reduce the number of dailypreventable deaths of children, from 25,000 to zero."Every day 25,000 children die from preventable causes. I stand with UNICEF inthe belief that we can change that number from 25,000 to zero," said SelenaGomez, UNICEF Ambassador. "I know we can achieve this because every moment,UNICEF is on the ground providing children with the lifesaving assistanceneeded to ensure zero becomes a reality."
This month, in her fist official field mission, Gomez will travel to Ghana towitness first-hand the stark conditions of vulnerable children that lack vitalnecessities including clean water, nourishment, education and healthcare. According to a UNICEF endorsed report released earlier this year, Ghana isranked 30 out of 195 countries with the highest mortality rates of childrenunder five. Gomez will also observe how UNICEF is working to address theseissues through its programming and local initiatives to ensure child survival.
"UNICEF Ambassadors have a wide range of talents and achievements, but theyall share a commitment to saving the lives of children worldwide," said CarylStern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "We're very pleased tohave Selena join the UNICEF family, as a longtime supporter, she will continueto capture and engage an audience of millions of young people to help ensurethe health, education, equality and protection of every child."
Gomez is the youngest UNICEF Ambassador in the United States and joins adistinguished roster of beloved celebrities who have embraced UNICEF throughthe years, dating back to Danny Kaye and continuing today with stars such asJoel Madden, Dayle Haddon, Lucy Liu, Clay Aiken, Marcus Samuelsson, AlyssaMilano and Sarah Jessica Parker among others.
About UNICEF
UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarianorganization in the world. Working in over 150 countries, UNICEF provideschildren with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergencyrelief, and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work throughfundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States.
Despite extraordinary progress, 25,000 children still die each day frompreventable causes. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to make that numberzero by giving children the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood.
For more information, visit http://www.unicefusa.org/
Obama sets record pace with Latino appointments
If you're keeping score, President Barack Obama has appointed more Latinos to his administration during his first year in office than any president in history. And there are still four months left in his first year.Obama has nominated, and the Senate has confirmed, a total of 43 Latinos to the many departments in the federal government. That includes more than 20 White House staffers and the historic and highly profiled appointment of Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Latino nominees represent 14 percent of the 304 appointees so far. His immediate predecessors are the ones who come closest to his record. In their first years in office, President Bill Clinton appointed 30 Latinos to his administration; President George W. Bush appointed 34.
Let's make the other easy comparison, the one that's more obvious than it is relevant. While the president's Latino nominations represent 14 percent of the total number of nominees, the Latino population represents 15 percent of the total population of the country. There's a balance that resists the urge to protest. But there's also the danger of falling to the easy and unintelligent reflex of calling the president's nominations a quota.
That's what happens when we begin to draw lines along cultural, racial, gender and religious lines. I'd like to think that the president and his team reached deep into the well of our country's talent to find the brightest persons available. I'd rather give him points for not picking the obvious, low-hanging fruit. And then as an afterthought, looking back on his appointments so far, noting the diversity and deciding to count.
The gratifying news is that there is talent across the nation's diverse population, and the better news is that they are being noticed, tapped and put to do important work. I unapologetically say that America is the better for it.
There will be those who will say that the high number of Latino appointments is in answer to the Latino support that President Obama received at the polls last November. Two thirds of Latino voters chose Obama over McCain. The idea here is that he owed as much to the Latino community.
And if that's the case, there's nothing outstanding about his manner of choice. He chose according to political debts, as every other president has before him. It follows, then, that Latino's may have finally come of public political age. Latino's may have grown politically to the point that their contribution is rendered worthy of prime political posts. And that's not a bad point of growth.
It's also not a bad first step. Part of the advantage of getting the nod for a post in a presidential administration is what comes after. Working for a president of the United States historically leads to plum positions in politics, academia, business, industry and, if all else fails, lobbying.
The point is that this is noteworthy. The fact that there is a record number of Latino appointees in a record amount of time is something to notice, and follow. It means plenty to the Latino community, and even more so to Obama's politics. And there are still another 200 or so positions to be filled.
The point is that this is noteworthy. The fact that there is a record number of Latino appointees in a record amount of time is something to notice, and follow. It means plenty to the Latino community, and even more so to Obama's politics. And there are still another 200 or so positions to be filled.
GAEL GARCIA BERNAL - GAEL GARCIA BERNAL WANTS LEGAL DRUGS
Gael Garcia Bernal has called for drugs to be legalised.The Mexican actor says the trade of illegal substances is the cause of the majority of problems in his home country and believes if they were decriminalised it would reduce crime.
The 'Motorcycle Diaries' star said: "Drugs are illegal - therefore, there's a fight. I hope drugs become legalised in Mexico. If drugs were legal, there would be nothing to fight about."
Gael is not the only actor to call for drugs to be legalised.
Earlier this year, Rhys Ifans admitted he considers marijuana a "beneficial herb" and is adamant it should be freely available.
The Welsh actor - who is currently filming 'Mr. Nice', a biopic of notorious cannabis smuggler Howard Marks - said: "A lot of people like dope in Wales and Howard is its champion. The reason why he sold it is because he thinks, and I agree, that it's a beneficial herb.
"I feel marijuana should be legalised. Not so that people get high all over the place, but so it can be controlled. Drugs have been legal longer than they have been illegal, and it's just hypocrisy to be able to sell alcohol to children while marijuana is illegal."
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Diaz To Reunite With Cruise
CAMERON DIAZ is reportedly set to reunite with her VANILLA SKY co-star TOM CRUISE - in a new spy thriller.
The pair teamed up to star in the 2001 movie alongside Penelope Cruz - and now they are set to go back to the big screen together again in a new untitled project with Walk The Line director James Mangold.
A source tells British newspaper the Daily Express, “Cameron plays a woman on a blind date who ends up being embroiled in a dramatic adventure with Cruise, who portrays a top U.S. spy. With such an A-list duo involved, it’s hoped this is going to be a big hit.”
The thriller is reportedly set to begin filming in October (09).
Pitbull's 'Rebelution' is just a crude awakening
Cuban-American rap star Pitbull's new disc, 'Rebelution,' repeats the heavy-breathing formula in almost every track Latin rappers have been part of hip-hop culture from day one, going back to mid-'70s pioneers like DJ Disco Wiz and Prince Whipper Whip.
While scores of Spanish-speaking cult artists came in their wake — from Kid Frost to the Beatnuts — no Latin American emcee enjoyed a million-selling single until 1989 (Mellow Man Ace). And none managed to sell that many albums until near the end of the '90s (Big Pun).
This decade's boom in Puerto Rican reggaeton helped nudge Latin rap closer to the mainstream, but not even its biggest star, Daddy Yankee, has held onto a solid beachhead on Billboard's top album chart.
Given all this, maybe we can't blame the supertalented Cuban-American rap star Pitbull from sometimes creating music that takes more cues from the charts than from his heart.
Though the hip-hop star can create work of unusual specificity and vulnerability (such as his 2006 CD "El Mariel"), Pit didn't just make the leap to Latin rap's No. 1 star by baring his soul.
He did so by aiming straight at the crotch, in songs like his horndog anthem "I Know You Want Me" and his equally frisky "Hotel Room Service." Such ditties have been locked in a dead heat with the singles of the Black Eyed Peas for the title of "the summer song of '09." "I Know You Want Me," alone has sold more than 1.6 million digital singles since the summer began.
No wonder the full "Rebelution" CD repeats that heavy-breathing formula in almost every track. The titles alone tell the tale: "Girls," "Dope Ball" and the all-too-telling "Give Them What They Ask For."
The music Pit matched to these leer-fests aims solidly at the clubs, though it does have a rare retro quality. The dance music that Pit centered on sounds like it came from the early '90s. Imagine C&C Music Factory, but with Pit subbed for the chesty rapper Freedom Williams.
If such songs and sentiments struck you as corny then, imagine how much more so they will now. Then again, the formula seems to be clicking.
No doubt Pit felt special pressure to deliver commercially, since the new disk is the first on his own imprint. But, then, Pit is no stranger to cynicism. He recorded his first disk with producer Lil' Jon, creator of the eagerly cretinous style known as crunk. Pit significantly upped his game on his second work, 2006's "El Mariel," which addressed the famed 1980 boatlift from Cuba to Florida that changed Miami history. That CD's mix of Afro-Cuban beats, reggaeton, crunk and rock gave Pit a style to be proud of.
While he scaled back on his deceptively titled followup, "Boatlift," at least that disk freshened up its craven commerciality with innovative rhythms — not to mention with Pit's own charm.
Now all that's gone. While Pit has called the new CD a tour of modern Miami, it seems less like an honest view of his city than like some audio version of the new Bravo show "Miami Social," a vain, venal dip into the abyss.
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