2015 in Latin music

This is a list of notable events in Latin music (i.e. Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking music from Latin America, Europe, and the United States) that took place in 2015.

Events

January 7 — The Nielsen Media Research releases the 2014 United States music report, showing that Latin music contributed 2.6% of total music sales.^[2]
January 9 — PROMUSICAE introduces a new chart which combines streaming, downloads, and physical sales.^[3]
February 3 — Puerto Rican singer Ivy Queen releases four albums, something "that nobody in the industry ever did before," according to Fox News Latino.^[4]
February 19 — Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias and American singer-songwriter Romeo Santos became the most awarded performers on the 27th Lo Nuestro Awards with both earning six awards each. Guatemalan singer-songwriter Ricardo Arjona is awarded the Excellence Award while Italian singer Laura Pausini received an award for her musical trajectory.^[5]
April 30 — Romeo Santos is the biggest winner at the 2015 Billboard Latin Music Awards with a total of ten awards. Brazilian singer Roberto is given the Lifetime Achievement Award and Mexican-American musician Carlos Santana receives the Spirit of Hope.^[6]
May 13 — Sirope by Alejandro Sanz becomes the best-selling album in Spain on its release week since 2006.^[7]
August 28 — Donald Trump's comments about Mexican illegal immigrants result in a backlash from several Latin artists such as Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony, and Paulina Rubio.^[8]
September 1 — "El Perdón" by Nicky Jam and Enrique Iglesias surpasses "La Tortura" by Shakira and Alejandro Sanz as the second-longest number one song on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart.^[9]
September 9 — Puerto Rican singer Víctor Manuelle becomes the artist with the most number-one songs on the Billboard Tropical Songs chart with 26 songs.^[10]
September 11 — Abraham Quintanilla, Jr., father of Tejano singer Selena, released a previously unreleased song after 20 years of the singer's death.^[11]
September 15 — Sony Music announces its deal with Cuban record label EGREM to distribute recordings internationally which date back to the 1960s.^[12]
September 17 — Emilio Estefan, Myriam Hernandez, Gustavo Santaolalla, Alvaro Torres, Hector Ochoa Cardenas, and Diego Torres are inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.^[13]
September 24 — Mexican singer-songwriter Carla Morrison becomes the first female soloist in 22 weeks to enter the top 10 of Billboard Latin Digital Songs chart.^[14]
September 27
- Mexican singer and reality star Larry Hernandez is arrested in Ontario, Canada, on suspicion of kidnapping, assault and assault and battery causing injury.^[15]
- Colombian singer Shakira performed "Imagine" for Pope Francis at the United Nations.^[16] In her role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, she also urged UNICEF to devote greater efforts toward early child development.^[17]
September 28 — Tejano singer Arnold Martinez sues Freddie Records for $3,000 of unpaid royalties in a Houston courtroom.^[18]
October 8 – The inaugural Latin American Music Awards are held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Enrique Iglesias is the most awarded artist with five wins including Artist of the Year.^[19]
October 26 — Colombian singer J Balvin became the first artist to receive the Latin Digital Diamond award from the Recording Industry Association of America denoting digital sales of 600,000 units for his songs "6 AM" and "Ay Vamos".^[20]
November 9 — After eight years since they separated, Noel Schajris and Leonel Garcia announced they will reunite as Sin Bandera and release one more album together.^[21]
November 18 — Roberto Carlos is honored by the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences as the Person of the Year.^[22]
November 19
- 16th Annual Latin Grammy Awards
  - "Hasta la Raíz" by Natalia Lafourcade wins Song of the Year and Record of the Year.^[22]
  - Todo Tiene Su Hora performed by Juan Luis Guerra wins Album of the Year.^[23]
  - Monsieur Periné wins Best New Artist.
December 9 — Romeo Santos is named Top Latin Artist of the year by Billboard magazine.^[24]
December 12 — Reggaeton singer Yandel becomes the first Latin artist to live stream a concert on the music service Tidal.^[25]

Bands formed

Cidade Dormitório (Brazil)
CNCO (Latin pop)
Ezetaerre (Spain)
Joana Marte (Brazil)

Bands disbanded

Number-ones albums and singles by country

Awards

Albums released

First quarter

January

February

March

Second quarter

April

May

June

Third quarter

July

August

September

Fourth quarter

October

November

December

Best-selling records

Best-selling albums

The following is a list of the top 10 best-selling Latin albums in the United States in 2015, according to Billboard.^[27]

Best-performing songs

The following is a list of the top 10 best-performing Latin songs in the United States in 2015, according to Billboard.^[28]

Deaths

January 4 – Sharon la Hechicera, 40, Ecuadorian technocumbia singer^[29]
January 13 – Lincoln Olivetti [pt], 60, Brazilian musician, composer, and musical producer^[30]
January 20 – Canserbero, 26, Venezuelan rapper (murdered by stabbing)^[31]
February 5 – Celina Gonzalez, 85, Cuban singer^[32]
February 12 – Sergio Blanco, 66, Spanish singer (Sergio y Estíbaliz).^[33]
February 25 – Ariel Camacho, 22, Mexican singer (traffic collision)^[34]
March 8 – Inezita Barroso, 90, Brazilian folk singer^[35]
March 30 – Aniceto Molina, 75, Colombian cumbia musician^[36]
April 5 – Claudio Prieto, 80, Spanish composer^[37]
May 13 – Lucy Fabery, 84, Puerto Rican Latin jazz recording artist^[38]
May 19 – Manuel Molina, 67, Spanish flamenco singer^[39]
May 25 – Jorge Massias, 67, Mexican songwriter^[40]
May 30 – Jaime Almeida [es], 65, Mexican journalist and musicologist^[41]
June 12 – Fernando Brant, 68, Brazilian poet, lyricist and journalist^[42]
June 6 – Jorge Galemire, 64, Uruguayan guitarist and composer^[43]
June 12 – José Messias, 86, Brazilian musical producer^[44]
June 14 – Hugo Blanco, 74, Venezuelan musician and composer ("Moliendo Café")^[45]
June 23 – Marujita Díaz, 83, Spanish singer and actress, complications from colon cancer.^[46]
June 24 – Cristiano Araújo, 29, Brazilian singer and songwriter (traffic collision)^[47]
July 5 – Jorge Álvarez, 83, Argentine producer^[48]
July 6 – Julio Ángel, 69,Puerto Rican trio, bolero, rock and pop singer^[49]
July 10 – Rob Fernández, American concert promoter^[50]
July 12 – Javier Krahe, 71, Spanish singer-songwriter, heart attack.^[51]
July 13 – Joan Sebastian, 64, Mexican singer and songwriter, bone cancer.^[52]
July 23:
- Mexicano 777, 42, Puerto Rican rapper^[53]
- Cirilo Vila, 77, Chilean pianist and composer^[54]
July 26 – Pía Sebastiani, 90, Argentine pianist and composer
August 5 – Raphy Leavitt, 66, Puerto Rican composer and orchestra leader, complications of surgery for artificial hip infection.^[55]
August 21 – Daniel Rabinovich, 71, Argentine musician and comedian (Les Luthiers).^[56]
August 28 – Steve Vibert Pouchie, American Latin jazz musician, arranger, and educator
September 7 – Guillermo Rubalcaba, 88, Cuban pianist, bandleader, composer and orchestrator
October 10 – Fernando Echavarría, 62, Dominican Republic singer and songwriter^[57]
October 11 – Jorge Garbett [es], 60, Paraguayan singer and songwriter^[58]
October 23 – Aldo Sarabia, 50, Mexican trumpeter^[59]
October 22 – Gloria van Aerssen [es], 83, Spanish composer and singer (Vainica Doble [es]^[60]
October 25 – Gladys "Havana" Carbo, 80, Cuban jazz vocalist
November 1 – Raul Rekow, 61, American drummer^[61]
November 5 – Benny Sadel [es], 55, Dominican Republic merengue singer
November 6 – José Ángel Espinoza, 96, Mexican singer, composer and actor.^[62]
December 1 – Leoni Franco, 73, Uruguayan musician, composer and guitarist.^[63]
December 19 – Selma Reis, 55, Brazilian actress and singer, brain cancer.^[64]
December 25 – Manuel Agujetas, 76, Spanish flamenco singer.^[65]
December 27 – Syko "El Terror", 33, Puerto Rican songwriter^[66]

References

^ "Top Latin Artists - Year-End: 2017". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
^ "2014 Neilsen Music Report" (PDF). Neilsen.com. Nielsen Media Research. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
^ Cantor-Navas, Judy (January 9, 2015). "Spain's Promusicae Debuts Chart Combining Streaming, Downloads & Physical Sales". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
^ Espejo, Elena. "Ivy Queen 'Vendetta' Album 2015: Singer Releases Four-In-One Project". Latin One. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
^ Tinoco, Armando (February 19, 2015). "Premio Lo Nuestro 2015 Winners List: Enrique Iglesias, Romeo Santos Take Top Awards!". Latin Times. IBT Media. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
^ "Romeo Santos and Enrique Iglesias sweep with 10 and nine awards each, respectively". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. April 30, 2015. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
^ Cobo, Leila (May 13, 2015). "Sanz's 'Sirope' Debuts at No. 1 in the U.S., Tops Nine-Year-Old Sales High in Spain". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
^ Urra, Susana (August 28, 2015). "#LatinosUnite: Ricky Martin starts online crusade against Donald Trump". El País. PRISA. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
^ Mendizabal, Amaya (September 1, 2015). "Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias' 'El Perdon' Earns Historic 26th Week at No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
^ Mendizabal, Amaya (September 9, 2015). "Victor Manuelle Reclaims Record for Most No. 1s on Tropical Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
^ Hamilton, Jessica (September 15, 2015). "The Quintanilla family drops a never-before-heard Selena single and we love them for it". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
^ "Sony to distribute Cuban music to world". Business Insider. September 15, 2015. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
^ "Latin Songwriters Hall Of Fame to Induct Emilio Estefan, Myriam Hernandez, Gustavo Santaolalla, Alvaro Torres, Diego Torres and Hector Ochoa Cardenas at the LA MUSA AWARDS. Presented by WorldArts". PR Newsire. September 16, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
^ Mendizabal, Amaya. "Farruko's 'Sunset' Shines in Top Five on Hot Latin Songs Chart". Billboard.com. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
^ Serna, Joseph (September 28, 2015). "Star of Spanish-language show 'Larrymania' arrested at Ontario airport". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
^ Cobo, Leila (September 27, 2015). "Watch Shakira Perform 'Imagine' for the Pope at the United Nations". Billboard. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
^ "Shakira and UNICEF call for Leaders to Join the early childhood revolution". unicef.org. September 22, 2015.
^ George, Cindy (September 28, 2015). "Copyright case pits Tejano musician and South Texas record label". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
^ Cobo, Leila (8 October 2015). "Latin AMAs Winners List: Enrique Iglesias & Nicky Jam Win Big at Inaugural Awards Show". Billboard. Prometheus Globla Media. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
^ "J Balvin Earns First-Ever RIAA Latin Digital Diamond Honor". RIAA. October 26, 2015. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
^ "Leonel García y Noel Schajris confirman que Sin Bandera regresa a los escenarios". Telemundo (in Spanish). November 9, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
^ a b (ABC News)
^ (The Miami Herald)
^ Mendizabal, Amaya (December 9, 2015). "The Year in Latin 2015: Romeo Santos & Juan Gabriel Dominate the Charts". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
^ Romero, Angie (September 25, 2015). "Yandel Is First Latin Artist to Live Stream Concert on Tidal; Boxing Champ Miguel Cotto to Produce". Billboard. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
^ Rocha, Alex (22 May 2016). "Project Black Pantera faz campanha para levar som de Uberaba a Paris". G1 (in Portuguese). Grupo Globo. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
^ "Year End 2015: Top Latin Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
^ "Year End 2015: Hot Latin Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
^ "Sharon la Diva y Karen Minda discuten por su edad". Farandula Ecuatoriana (in Spanish). 23 February 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
^ G1, Do; Paulo, em São (2015-01-14). "Lincoln Olivetti, maestro, arranjador e compositor, morre aos 60 anos". Música (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2018-12-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ AK Canserbero Dead: Rapper Tirone González Cause of Death Reportedly Suicide Following Alleged Murder of Zion TPL Bassist
^ Cantor-Navas, Judy. "Cuban Country Queen Celina Gonzalez Dead at 85". Billboard.com. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
^ Sergio Blanco fallece a los 66 años (in Spanish)
^ Ariel Camacho Dies in Car Crash; Mexican Singer Was 22
^ Morre em SP, aos 90 anos, a dama da música caipira, Inezita Barroso (in Portuguese)
^ Fallece Aniceto Molina tras una complicación pulmonar (in Spanish)
^ "Muere el compositor palentino Claudio Prieto"
^ Casiano, Patricia (13 May 2015). "Fallece la cantante Lucy Fabery". Elnuevodia. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
^ "Andalusian Rock and Flamenco Icon Manuel Molina Dies at 67 - World Music Central.org". worldmusiccentral.org. 21 May 2015.
^ "Fallece el compositor chiapaneco Jorge Macías Gómez a los 67 años". planoinformativo.com. 26 May 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
^ Sánchez Medel, L. (20 ago 2015). En Paraíso, homenaje a Jaime Almeida: será entregado un doctorado honoris causa post mórtem. Milenio, sección Cultura, p. 34.
^ "Morre Fernando Brant, escritor e compositor mineiro - O Tempo" (in Portuguese). Retrieved June 13, 2015.
^ "Falleció el músico Jorge Galemire". El País (Uruguay). 6 June 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
^ Dicionário da Música Popular Brasileira: José Messias
^ Falleció el músico y compositor venezolano Hugo Blanco (in Spanish).
^ Marujita Diaz: Singer and actress whose sentimental patriotism saw her promoted by Franco as a representative of the ideal Spain
^ Cantor Cristiano Araújo morre após acidente de carro em GO, diz hospital (in Portuguese)
^ «A los 83 años, falleció el productor musical y editor literario Jorge Álvarez Archived 2015-07-13 at the Wayback Machine»
^ "Fallece el cantante Julio Ángel" (in Spanish). Univision. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
^ Mason, Kerri (10 July 2015). "Rob Fernandez, Legendary New York Promoter, Dies". Billboard. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
^ Muere Javier Krahe (in Spanish)
^ Joan Sebastian Dies: 'El Rey Del Jaripeo' Dead At 64, Loses Battle With Cancer
^ "Mexicano 777 perdió la batalla contra el cáncer - ELESPECTADOR.COM". ElEspectador.
^ "A los 78 años fallece el compositor Cirilo Vila « Diario y Radio U Chile".
^ Muere Raphy Leavitt (in Spanish)
^ Adiós a uno de los pilares de Les Luthiers: murió Daniel Rabinovich (in Spanish)
^ "Muere Fernando Echavarría, creador de la música "fusón"". Chicago Tribune (in Spanish). 11 October 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
^ "Falleció Jorge Garbett". ABC color paraguay. 11 October 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
^ "Banda El Recodo trumpeter Aldo Sarabia found dead, wife and alleged lover suspected of murder". Daily News. 23 October 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
^ "Muere Gloria Van Aerssen, cantante de Vainica Doble". El País. 22 October 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
^ Pertout, Alex (24 November 2015). "Raul Rekow obituary: Santana's star drummer inspired percussionists across the world". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
^ Muere el compositor y actor José Ángel Espinoza 'Ferrusquilla' (in Spanish)
^ Fallece en Guatemala Leonardo Franco, uno de los fundadores de los Iracundos (in Spanish)
^ Atriz e cantora Selma Reis morre em Teresópolis, no RJ Archived 2015-12-22 at the Wayback Machine (in Portuguese)
^ Celebrated Flamenco Singer Manuel Agujetas Dies at 76
^ "Reggaeton Music Stars Mourn Death of Boricua Rapper Syko 'El Terror'". Latin Post. Retrieved 22 January 2024.