Telemundo and Billboard announced the recipients of its discretionary awards to be bestowed during the 2013 Billboard Latin Music Awards presented by State Farm, produced and broadcast live Thursday, April 25 at 7PM/6c from BankUnited Center at the University of Miami in Florida. Maná, the most influential Spanish rock band of all time, will receive the Billboard Spirit of Hope Award in recognition of their environmental conservation and social development efforts supported through their non-profit organization Fundacion Selva Negra (Black Forest Foundation). Renowned Mexican icon Jose Jose, affably called the "Prince of Song," will receive the Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award for a successful career that spans 50 years, and which has contributed to the development and expansion of Latin music around the globe.
Long before being green was popular, global warming became a household term and recycling was mandatory in many communities, the members of Mexican rock group Maná had shown their concern for the environment and for education around its preservation. That concern turned into a major commitment in 1995 when they launched their Selva Negra (Black Jungle) ecological foundation as the social branch of their popular band. Maná's work in the environmental arena through Selva Negra
Made them the recipient of Billboard's Spirit of Hope Award in 2000. Now, more than a decade later, Maná will once again be honored with this award in recognition of Selva Negra's ongoing work, which has gone beyond its original scope of saving endangered sea turtles, to also include the environment, social development and the well-being of the
Community as a whole. Over the past decade, Selva Negra has visibly transformed the environment of the communities it is vested in, through programs of reforestation, conservation and ecological responsibility, working directly with over 3,000 families. This, in addition to Maná's unwavering support of immigration reform as well as to the individual group members' independent philanthropic endeavors, make them the ideal recipient for this coveted award.
Known in the entertainment world as El Príncipe de la Canción (The Prince of Song),
Jose Jose is recognized for his romantic ballads with distinct vocals that have garnered acclaim from musical peers and media worldwide. Jose Jose's musical career began when he formed a music trio in 1963, singing the romantic hits of the time, influenced by the sounds of Frank Sinatra and Johnny Mathis. It was a course that would take him to the top of Latin music, selling more than forty million albums worldwide and performing at the most important stages, including sold out shows at venues such as Madison Square Garden and the Radio City Music Hall. He has starred in seven blockbuster films, and has received countless awards for record sales and philanthropic endeavors, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contribution to the recording industry. During the last 50 years, Jose Jose's unique
Style has truly impacted the development and expansion of Latin music around the globe, which makes him the perfect recipient of this year's Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award.
The awards ceremony will also feature thrilling performances by Marc Anthony, Tito "El Bambino," Mana, Draco Rosa, Juan Luis Guerra, Romeo Santos, Carlos Vives, Michel Telo, Paulina Rubio, Wisin y Yandel, Il Volo, Roberto Tapia, Don Omar, Daddy Yankee, Gerardo Ortíz and La Arrolladora Banda El Limón, during a three-hour musical extravaganza hosted by the beautiful and talented Queen of Grupero music, Ana Barbara, beloved telenovela leading man, Juan Soler and accomplished TV personality, Daniel Sarcos.
For a complete list of finalists, in addition to exclusive content about this year's event, visit
www.Telemundo.com/PremiosBillboard.
The Awards show caps off the 24th annual Billboard Latin Music Conference, presented by State Farm, taking place on April 23 - 25 at the JW Marriot Marquis in Miami, Florida. For details on The Billboard Latin Music Conference, visit:
www.BillboardLatinConference.com. Follow the conference on @Billboard with #BBLatin and
facebook.com/Billboard.
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