Shakira will performWaka Waka (This Time for Africa) at the closing ceremonies of the World Cup. She will be joined by Freshlyground who created the official World Cup video prior to the start of the games.
"While the opening ceremony was more traditional in its approach, in order to do justice to Africa's heritage, the closing ceremony will have more contemporary and youthful themes," said Derek Carstens, chief marketing officer for the organizing committee.
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Viva Espana! Spain semi-final win
MADRID — The whole of Spain erupted with joy as the national side reached the World Cup final for the first time ever with a 1-0 win over Germany -- and the fiesta looked set to last all through the night.
"It's over! We are in the final of the World Cup! It's historic, what joy!" shouted a commentator from the television channel La Cuatro as the final whistle went.
"It's not a dream, Spain is in the final!" the Madrid daily ABC said on its website.
A cacophony of firecrackers, vuvuzelas, car horns and cheers rang out across Madrid, where Spanish red and gold flags adorn balconies, roofs and bars.
Thousands of ecstatic fans sang and waved flags outside Real Madrid's Bernabeu stadium where the match was broadcast on giant screens.
The crowd shouted "Yes, yes, yes, this year, yes!" and "I am Spanish, Spanish, Spanish!" to celebrate the win, which takes Spain into the final against Holland on Sunday.
"We're euphoric, we deserved to win," said Julia, 17.
Spain "opened up the match" and "had far more chances than Germany," said Juan Sierra, 17.
Spain "dominated the match and in the second half the German team was already tired, and with the changes we made we were fresher," said Tomas Vasquez, a 41-year-old father who was watching the game with his son.
Carles Puyol's 73rd-minute goal was greeted with red smoke from firecrackers.
The city was earlier gripped with excitement and anticipation ahead of what sports newspaper AS said was "the match of our lives".
The streets were empty ahead of the game as residents rushed home or into bars to watch the game.
Police also set up barriers around the fountain in the Spanish capital's Plaza Cibeles, where Real fans traditionally celebrate their victories.
Almost all towns and cities throughout the country installed giant screens for people to watch the match.
One notable exception was in Barcelona, the capital of the nationalist-minded region of Catalonia, even though seven players in Spain's starting line-up for Wednesday's game are from the Barcelona team.
"The best team, Spain, qualified for the final," radio Cadena Ser said on its website.
The Catalan daily La Vanguardia said "Spain achieved world glory" by beating Germany so easily.
But while most people in Spain were ecstatic, one corner of the country was in despair, as tens of thousands of German tourists in a Majorcan beach resort were left with broken hearts.
Cries of "Nein!" (No!) erupted throughout Playa de Palma, a traditionally German resort in the Balearic island, as Puyol scored.
But after the final whistle, glum faces and a few moments of stunned silence were quickly followed by music, including a German version of "Viva Espana!", fireworks and more glasses of beer.
"We lost to Spain in Euro 2008, now we've lost to them in the World Cup. Twice in important matches is too much," complained Judith, an 18-year-old German tourist in the Deutsche Eck (German Corner) bar and restaurant.
"Now we have to at least beat Uruguay for third place," she said, a garland in Germany's red, yellow and black colours round her neck.
"If we'd had (suspended player Thomas) Mueller, we wouldn't have lost," said her boyfriend Pierre, also 18, wrapped in a German flag.
In sweltering heat, Germans crammed into overflowing bars and restaurants along the Playa de Palma beach to watch the match.
Majorca is nicknamed 'Germany's 17th Land' because of the millions of tourists from that country who visit every year.
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"It's over! We are in the final of the World Cup! It's historic, what joy!" shouted a commentator from the television channel La Cuatro as the final whistle went.
"It's not a dream, Spain is in the final!" the Madrid daily ABC said on its website.
A cacophony of firecrackers, vuvuzelas, car horns and cheers rang out across Madrid, where Spanish red and gold flags adorn balconies, roofs and bars.
Thousands of ecstatic fans sang and waved flags outside Real Madrid's Bernabeu stadium where the match was broadcast on giant screens.
The crowd shouted "Yes, yes, yes, this year, yes!" and "I am Spanish, Spanish, Spanish!" to celebrate the win, which takes Spain into the final against Holland on Sunday.
"We're euphoric, we deserved to win," said Julia, 17.
Spain "opened up the match" and "had far more chances than Germany," said Juan Sierra, 17.
Spain "dominated the match and in the second half the German team was already tired, and with the changes we made we were fresher," said Tomas Vasquez, a 41-year-old father who was watching the game with his son.
Carles Puyol's 73rd-minute goal was greeted with red smoke from firecrackers.
The city was earlier gripped with excitement and anticipation ahead of what sports newspaper AS said was "the match of our lives".
The streets were empty ahead of the game as residents rushed home or into bars to watch the game.
Police also set up barriers around the fountain in the Spanish capital's Plaza Cibeles, where Real fans traditionally celebrate their victories.
Almost all towns and cities throughout the country installed giant screens for people to watch the match.
One notable exception was in Barcelona, the capital of the nationalist-minded region of Catalonia, even though seven players in Spain's starting line-up for Wednesday's game are from the Barcelona team.
"The best team, Spain, qualified for the final," radio Cadena Ser said on its website.
The Catalan daily La Vanguardia said "Spain achieved world glory" by beating Germany so easily.
But while most people in Spain were ecstatic, one corner of the country was in despair, as tens of thousands of German tourists in a Majorcan beach resort were left with broken hearts.
Cries of "Nein!" (No!) erupted throughout Playa de Palma, a traditionally German resort in the Balearic island, as Puyol scored.
But after the final whistle, glum faces and a few moments of stunned silence were quickly followed by music, including a German version of "Viva Espana!", fireworks and more glasses of beer.
"We lost to Spain in Euro 2008, now we've lost to them in the World Cup. Twice in important matches is too much," complained Judith, an 18-year-old German tourist in the Deutsche Eck (German Corner) bar and restaurant.
"Now we have to at least beat Uruguay for third place," she said, a garland in Germany's red, yellow and black colours round her neck.
"If we'd had (suspended player Thomas) Mueller, we wouldn't have lost," said her boyfriend Pierre, also 18, wrapped in a German flag.
In sweltering heat, Germans crammed into overflowing bars and restaurants along the Playa de Palma beach to watch the match.
Majorca is nicknamed 'Germany's 17th Land' because of the millions of tourists from that country who visit every year.
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Shakira Waka Waka FIFA World Cup 2010
Shakira Waka Waka FIFA World Cup 2010 Theme Song YouTube Video. Latina singing sensation Shakira sang the song Waka Waka for the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup. The song was a tribute to the African people in addition to those from her native Colombia. Why Colombia?
The chorus of Waka Waka is in Fang, a Cameroonian language. The words come from a song that was made popular during the 1980’s, and those in Colombia and throughout Latin America and the world partied to the song, as it was more or less a dance song.
Not sure what Waka Waka means? The words mean “do it” as in a task. We have more in depth meaning of what the song means available here.
Shakira’s performance was a great way to kick off the multicultural World Cup tournament. There are so many people from so many countries, it’s a great cumulation of thoughts, ideas, and ways of life.
So who will win the World Cup? During the star studded opening ceremony of the World Cup soccer tournament that wasn’t really on anyone’s mind…the music and performances were much, much better.
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The chorus of Waka Waka is in Fang, a Cameroonian language. The words come from a song that was made popular during the 1980’s, and those in Colombia and throughout Latin America and the world partied to the song, as it was more or less a dance song.
Not sure what Waka Waka means? The words mean “do it” as in a task. We have more in depth meaning of what the song means available here.
Shakira’s performance was a great way to kick off the multicultural World Cup tournament. There are so many people from so many countries, it’s a great cumulation of thoughts, ideas, and ways of life.
So who will win the World Cup? During the star studded opening ceremony of the World Cup soccer tournament that wasn’t really on anyone’s mind…the music and performances were much, much better.
source
Don Omar to hit Medellin
Puerto-Rican reggaeton artist Don Omar is set to give an exclusive performance in Medellin, where he will perform at the official opening night of new nightclub Dollhouse International on Friday. The singer - officially known as William Omar Landron - is considered one of the world's leading reggaeton performers. His 2006 release "King of Kings" was the highest-ranking reggaeton album ever in the U.S. music charts, while his debut album earned him a Latin Grammy nomination.
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Aventura: ‘We don’t want to be sell-outs’
A day before the 2010 Billboard Latin Music Awards be held in Puerto Rico for the first time ever tonight, Aventura is clear on one thing: Recording new material in English is not an option.
The New York urban group of Dominican origin — dubbed “The Kings of Bachata” and last year’s biggest-selling tropical act (according to Nielsen Soundscan) — said on Wednesday that it is not interested in making a crossover into the Anglo mainstream market with English material because it wants to keep its winning musical formula intact and genuine.
“If we ever decide or have the chance to collaborate with, say, Justin Timberlake or Usher, I would like them to sing bachata in Spanish and step into our Latin culture first so they can appreciate our Hispanic traditions and way of life and not the other way around,” said the group’s lead singer Anthony “Romeo” Santos on Wednesday during a one-on-one interview with Leila Cobo, Executive Editor of Latin Content and Programming for Billboard, on the second day of the Billboard Latin Music Conference being held at a Condado hotel.
“We don’t want to be sell-outs,” he added.
The group of two brothers and two cousins — all with the last name Santos — broke into New York’s underground music scene 14 years ago, but it wasn’t until some five years ago that it burst successfully onto the international music scene, becoming the best-selling tropical act today for its infectious fusion of romantic bachata, R&B, hip hop and pop.
In 2005, the band signed a distribution deal with Sony Music, and since then its music has reached the far corners of the world, including Holland and Dubai, among other European and Middle Eastern countries.
Among its most popular hits are “Hermanita,” “La Guerra” and “Obsesión.”
But the road to success was all but a walk in the park for Aventura.
“When we started, we took our music to several multinational record labels (which I’m not going to mention), but no one was interested in it,” recalled “Romeo,” who has become a sex symbol for legions of female fans throughout the US and Latin American markets.
“With ‘Obsesión,’ we became an underground hit, but we really never entered the mainstream market. It was tough . . . we began with nothing, and we never imagined we would be where we are today. It was hard work, but we eventually pulled it off,” he added.
With its 2009 concert tour titled “The Kings: Live,” the band played a record-breaking, five-concert series at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in Hato Rey, and a four-night gig at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
“Even Marc Anthony had a hard time bursting onto the mainstream music scene when he started . . . music execs would say that he was not singing salsa,” said “Romeo,” adding that it would be interesting to collaborate with Daddy Yankee.
“And look who’s Marc Anthony today,” he added.
Although Aventura members — Mikey, Lenny, Henry and Anthony — will continue working as a team, they also said that this year they plan to embark on solo careers as well.
“The most important thing for us is Aventura, but we also want to record solo albums as well and do our own thing,” said “Romeo,” who’ll begin recording songs for his upcoming record as a soloist in four months.
“None of us ever thought that we would pack Madison Square Garden, much less four nights,” he said.
“But I think that having chemistry as artists and musicians has helped us a great deal.”
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“If we ever decide or have the chance to collaborate with, say, Justin Timberlake or Usher, I would like them to sing bachata in Spanish and step into our Latin culture first so they can appreciate our Hispanic traditions and way of life and not the other way around,” said the group’s lead singer Anthony “Romeo” Santos on Wednesday during a one-on-one interview with Leila Cobo, Executive Editor of Latin Content and Programming for Billboard, on the second day of the Billboard Latin Music Conference being held at a Condado hotel.
“We don’t want to be sell-outs,” he added.
The group of two brothers and two cousins — all with the last name Santos — broke into New York’s underground music scene 14 years ago, but it wasn’t until some five years ago that it burst successfully onto the international music scene, becoming the best-selling tropical act today for its infectious fusion of romantic bachata, R&B, hip hop and pop.
In 2005, the band signed a distribution deal with Sony Music, and since then its music has reached the far corners of the world, including Holland and Dubai, among other European and Middle Eastern countries.
Among its most popular hits are “Hermanita,” “La Guerra” and “Obsesión.”
But the road to success was all but a walk in the park for Aventura.
“When we started, we took our music to several multinational record labels (which I’m not going to mention), but no one was interested in it,” recalled “Romeo,” who has become a sex symbol for legions of female fans throughout the US and Latin American markets.
“With ‘Obsesión,’ we became an underground hit, but we really never entered the mainstream market. It was tough . . . we began with nothing, and we never imagined we would be where we are today. It was hard work, but we eventually pulled it off,” he added.
With its 2009 concert tour titled “The Kings: Live,” the band played a record-breaking, five-concert series at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in Hato Rey, and a four-night gig at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
“Even Marc Anthony had a hard time bursting onto the mainstream music scene when he started . . . music execs would say that he was not singing salsa,” said “Romeo,” adding that it would be interesting to collaborate with Daddy Yankee.
“And look who’s Marc Anthony today,” he added.
Although Aventura members — Mikey, Lenny, Henry and Anthony — will continue working as a team, they also said that this year they plan to embark on solo careers as well.
“The most important thing for us is Aventura, but we also want to record solo albums as well and do our own thing,” said “Romeo,” who’ll begin recording songs for his upcoming record as a soloist in four months.
“None of us ever thought that we would pack Madison Square Garden, much less four nights,” he said.
“But I think that having chemistry as artists and musicians has helped us a great deal.”
source
Oscar De La Hoya To Receive Award:
For Achievement in Hispanic Television At The 8th Annual Hispanic Television Summit
Acknowledgement for De La Hoya's Contribution To Television Targeted To Hispanic Viewers
NEW YORK, May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading television industry publications Broadcasting & Cable and Multichannel News have announced that the 2010 recipient of their coveted Lifetime of Achievement in Hispanic Television Award will be Oscar De La Hoya, the Olympic gold medalist (1992), 10-time boxing world champion, author, Latin Grammy-nominated recording artist, entrepreneurial businessman, and philanthropist.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100503/NY96843 )
The award will be given in acknowledgement of De La Hoya's outstanding contribution to television targeted to Hispanic viewers. Among his many achievements are record-setting pay-per-view bouts, which have traditionally attracted a large base of Hispanic fans. One of the most notable events was the fight against Felix Trinidad in 1999, which broke the previous record for pay-per-view revenues. Another was the bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr, in 2007, which generated hundreds of millions of dollars from 2.4 million pay-per-view buys. The 2007 fight set the current record for the greatest number of orders ever for a boxing event. De La Hoya continues to make his contribution to Hispanic television through his boxing business, Golden Boy Promotions, and ventures like the Major League Soccer team, Houston Dynamo.
"Oscar De La Hoya has had a remarkable impact on the television business, especially with Hispanic viewers. We feel strongly that he deserves to be recognized for the role he has played, and continues to play, in helping to generate significant revenues for the industry," said Larry Dunn, Group Publisher for Broadcasting &
Cable and Multichannel News.
The two TV trade publications annually present the Hispanic Television Summit during which they collectively bestow the award for a Lifetime of Achievement in Hispanic Television. There is only one recipient per year. This year, the award will be presented at a luncheon ceremony during the Summit, on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at the Hilton New York Hotel.
Previous recipients of this award include Sabado Gigante host, Don Francisco; sportscaster Andres Cantor; host of Al Rojo Vivo, Maria Celeste Arraras; talk-show personality and host of El Show de Cristina, Cristina Saralegui; network news journalist and anchorman, Jorge Ramos and General Manager of North America Marketing at Procter & Gamble, Edgar Sandoval.
"We at Golden Boy are proud that Oscar will join the esteemed ranks of the previous Award honorees", said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. Schaefer went on to say, "The Hispanic viewer is to be credited for much of Oscar's success. Now, through his philanthropic ventures, Oscar has been "giving back" to the audience that has given so much to him. We are pleased to see that Oscar is being acknowledged for what he has achieved so far, both in the ring, and out."
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Award To Be Presented by Broadcasting & Cable and Multichannel News Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at the Hilton New York
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100503/NY96843 )
The award will be given in acknowledgement of De La Hoya's outstanding contribution to television targeted to Hispanic viewers. Among his many achievements are record-setting pay-per-view bouts, which have traditionally attracted a large base of Hispanic fans. One of the most notable events was the fight against Felix Trinidad in 1999, which broke the previous record for pay-per-view revenues. Another was the bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr, in 2007, which generated hundreds of millions of dollars from 2.4 million pay-per-view buys. The 2007 fight set the current record for the greatest number of orders ever for a boxing event. De La Hoya continues to make his contribution to Hispanic television through his boxing business, Golden Boy Promotions, and ventures like the Major League Soccer team, Houston Dynamo.
"Oscar De La Hoya has had a remarkable impact on the television business, especially with Hispanic viewers. We feel strongly that he deserves to be recognized for the role he has played, and continues to play, in helping to generate significant revenues for the industry," said Larry Dunn, Group Publisher for Broadcasting &
Cable and Multichannel News.
The two TV trade publications annually present the Hispanic Television Summit during which they collectively bestow the award for a Lifetime of Achievement in Hispanic Television. There is only one recipient per year. This year, the award will be presented at a luncheon ceremony during the Summit, on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at the Hilton New York Hotel.
Previous recipients of this award include Sabado Gigante host, Don Francisco; sportscaster Andres Cantor; host of Al Rojo Vivo, Maria Celeste Arraras; talk-show personality and host of El Show de Cristina, Cristina Saralegui; network news journalist and anchorman, Jorge Ramos and General Manager of North America Marketing at Procter & Gamble, Edgar Sandoval.
"We at Golden Boy are proud that Oscar will join the esteemed ranks of the previous Award honorees", said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. Schaefer went on to say, "The Hispanic viewer is to be credited for much of Oscar's success. Now, through his philanthropic ventures, Oscar has been "giving back" to the audience that has given so much to him. We are pleased to see that Oscar is being acknowledged for what he has achieved so far, both in the ring, and out."
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Enrique Iglesias - New Music Featuring Pitbull
The song is a first single off his next to be released album. He has been writing new material for the effort for the last four years apparently. Enrique had the following to say about the process: "I can’t wait to finish making this album. It’s like nothing I’ve ever done before. It taps into so many different styles of music - it’s been really exciting for me to experiment and explore new territory."
Check out the new single by Enrique Iglesias below. What do you think? Do you like it?
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Flex Releases Third 'Romantic Style' Album
Unlike most reggaeton artists, his songs avoid social dilemma and egocentric tones to instead, concentrate on heart-warming pieces. This variation in the genre is noticeable when comparing the urban sounds coming out of Panama, to those coming out of Puerto Rico. His first album was so successful it's hard to imagine Flex surpassing it. While the reactions to his sophomore album 'La Evolucion' were lukewarm to say the least, it's hard to deny the advancement in production, lyrics and visual offerings.
Flex recruited Kumbia All Starz member Ricky Rick for the album's first single titled 'Besos de Amor.' Both artists had collaborated before when A.B. Quintanilla III invited Flex to take part of Kumbia All Starz's enormous hit 'Por Ti Baby.' Judging from the single, Flex will continue to drop hits on the radio, reinforcing his accessible and adolescent appeal.
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Watch the video 'Besos de Amor' after the jump.
Selena's death still stings 15 years later
During her rapid rise to fame, Selena maintained an admirable social conscious: While on tour in Houston, the singer donated time to civic organizations such as D.A.R.E. and planned a fund-raising concert to help AIDS patients.
It was 15 years ago today that Selena passed away. On March 31, 1995 in a Corpus Christi Days Inn, the Queen of Tejano fell victim to a violent murder by Yolanda Saldivar, former president of the Texas fan club and the Selena-brand boutique manager (Saldívar had embezzled from Selena's successful franchise). Selena died two days before her 24th birthday.
Since then, the fallen star has received a stream of tributes that attest to her talent and infectious personality. Two weeks after her death, on April 12, Texas Governor George W. Bush declared Selena's birthday, April 16, as Selena Day in Texas. In 1997, a biopic film starring a little-known actress, Jennifer Lopez, met critical acclaim and catapulted JLo's own career.
Houston's Reliant Stadium hosted a memorial concert, Selena ¡VIVE! on April 7, 2005, a week after the 10th anniversary of her death. Once again, over 65,000 fans poured into a stadium to enjoy Selena's celebrated repertoire, performed by such high-profile artists as Gloria Estefan, Thalía and Paulina Rubio. The event was broadcast across the nation and became the most-viewed Spanish-language program in American television history.
Despite her untimely death, Selena's iconic melodies still incite joy for listeners. Her loyal Houston fan base speaks to the city's rich Latino heritage and passion for culture.
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Baby Rasta Shot Outside Studio
The singer, whose real name is Wilmer Alicea Curras, was hit in the abdomen, right arm and leg, and in the back.
He was taken to a hospital in Carolina.
The 33-year-old musician began his singing career performing with Gringo on “MC Non Stop Reggae” and “The Noise,” which were the creation of veteran Puerto Rican producers Playero and DJ Negro.
The singer is in stable condition after undergoing surgery, Baby Rasta’s representative, Waldo Diaz, told Efe.
Two other men were also shot outside the recording studio.
Raymond Fuentes Echevarria, whose age is not known, was shot in the mouth and right thigh, and Ivan Nuñez Cotto, 34, was shot in the right hand.
Police found more than 100 bullet casings at the crime scene.
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