BILLBOARD LATIN MUSIC AWARDS to Explode with Star-Studded Line-Up

The 2016 Billboard Latin Music Awards "Billboard Duets" will feature performances by the "Queen of Rock" Alejandra Guzman, reggaeton duo Alexis y Fido, pianist Arthur Hanlon, DJ, producer and rapper DJ Snake, regional Mexican singer and "El Vato" lead actor El Dasa, Colombian singer Fanny Lu, reggaeton artist Farruko, Cuba's rhythmic music duo Gente de Zona, leading corrido singer Gerardo Ortiz, pop duo Ha*Ash, Colombian urban music star J Balvin, actor and singer Jencarlos Canela, Mexican pop duo Jesse & Joy, Puerto Rican recording star Kany Garcia, regional mexican music artist Luis Coronel, Venezuela's Papayo singer-songwriter Paty Cantu, "Golden Girl" Paulina Rubio, and reggaeton duo Zion & Lennox. They join previously announced performances by Alejandro Fernandez with Camila Fernandez, Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizarraga, Daddy Yankee with Don Omar, Juanes, Juan Gabriel, Lucero, Marc Anthony, Marco Antonio Solis, Natalia Jimenez, Nicky Jam, Victor Manuelle and Yandel. Renowned corrido singer Roberto Tapia, actor comedian Andy Samberg and "Today Show" news anchor Natalie Morales are the latest to confirm their participation as presenters. For the first time in its history, the Billboard Latin Music Awards will be presented in a special edition titled "Billboard Duets," and all musical performances will feature an exclusive duet or a collaboration between performers made possible only by TELEMUNDO, which will broadcast the longest-running and most prestigious awards show in the Latin music world on Thursday, April 28 at 8pm/7c live from the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami in Florida.

On the urban music genre, the show will boast performances by reggaeton singer J Balvin, whose polished singles and best-selling albums have made him a top tier Latin artist. Currently in the middle of his highly successful "J Balvin La Familia" tour, the artist is an eight-time finalist this year. His song "Ginza" spent 22 weeks at No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs. The song made history as the longest-leading No. 1 by a single act, unaccompanied by another artist. Alexis y Fido recently released the song "Una en un millon," which is currently climbing the Hot Latin Songs chart and has amassed more than 23 million global views online. The duo is finalist this year for Latin Rhythm Songs Artist of the Year, Duo or Group. They have had a steady presence on the charts for over 11 years, placing 15 top 10 hits on the Billboard Latin Rhythm Airplay chart, including three No. 1s. By making collaborations a staple of his young career, Farruko has been recognized by THE EXPERTS as a musical phenomenon because of his versatility and adaptability to any genre he delves into. He is a three-time finalist this year and most recently earned his third No. 1 on the Billboard Latin Airplay chart with "Obsesionado." He scored his second No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart in November 2015 when "Visionary" debuted at the top of the chart. DJ Snake is a world renowned French DJ, record producer and rapper who mixes hip hop and electronic dance music. He has placed two top 10 Hot 100 hits: "Turn Down for What" with Lil Jon and alongside MAJOR LAZER with "Lean On," featuring Mo. DJ Snake currently claims a top 20 hit on the Hot 100 with "Middle," featuring Bipolar Sunshine. Hugely popular in their native country of Cuba, Gente de Zona combined reggaeton with traditional rhythms such as son and mambo. Last year they shot to international stardom when the group was featured on Enrique Iglesias' "Bailando," which claimed 41-weeks as No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, earning the record for longest-running No. 1. As a lead act, the duo has three No. 1s on the Tropical Songs chart, most recently with "Traidora," which spent three weeks atop the chart. They are four-time finalists this year for their single "la Gozadera," which featured Marc Anthony. Zion & Lennox are one of reggaeton's most recognizable duos. They have appeared 14 times on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. Their song "Embriagame" reached a new peak (No. 15) on the most recent chart. The duo is up for three awards this year. Venezuelan urban singer Papayo has been touring as a recording percussionist with Pitbull and earning the industry's respect in the process. Papayo hit the top 10 of the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart in 2015 with "Que Lo Que."

Pop music fans will also get a treat with performances by Paulina Rubio, who is back on the music scene with the release of her latest single "Si Te Vas." With more than 20 million albums sold worldwide, Rubio has had 15 top 10s on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, including 5 No. 1s. Her song "Te Quise Tanto" spent 13 weeks at No. 1 on the Latin Pop Airplay chart, the second-most weeks at No. 1 for a song on that chart by a female artist. Rubio has also hit No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart with three titles: "Paulina" in 2001, "Pau-Latina" in 2004 and "Ananda" in 2006. Mexican pop duo Jesse & Joy is up for two awards this year. The act, which is in the midst of its "Un Besito Más" tour, has seven top 10s on the Billboard Latin Pop Songs chart, including its latest single, "No Soy Una De Esas," which peaked at No. 3 in February. Jesse & Joy scored its first No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart in December of 2015, when "Un Besito Más" bowed atop the chart. With an acting career that has taken him to winning roles in Hollywood and English-language television, Jencarlos Canela continues to make equally successful music. His single "Baby," featuring Lennox has spent four weeks on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, peaking at No. 38. Canela has tallied two No. 1s on the Latin Pop Albums chart with "Buscame" and "Un Nuevo Día". Mexican pop duo Ha*Ash is finalist this year for Latin Pop Songs Artist of the Year, Duo or Group. The pair has five charting songs on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart dating back to 2004, most recently with "Lo Aprendi de Ti." They have scored two top 10 hits on the Latin Pop Songs chart. Former lead singer of Mexican pop duo LU, Paty Cantu has continued her successful career as a solo artist and is one of the most promising young female voices and songwriters in pop music. Her most recent charting song, "Valiente" reached No. 20 on the Latin Pop Songs chart.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards stage will also shine with regional Mexican music acts including corrido singer Gerardo Ortiz, one of the architects of the alternative corrido movement and one of the most award-winning singers of regional Mexican music this decade. A five-time finalist this year, Ortiz has scored more No. 1s than any other solo act on the Billboard Regional Mexican Songs chart since 2010. He has scored six No. 1s on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart since his debut in 2010, including with his latest set "Hoy Mas Fuerte," which spent three weeks atop the chart in 2015. After an array of sold out concerts and loyal online followers, Luis Coronel went from a social media sensation to a respected artist in the regional Mexican music genre. He has placed five songs on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart since his debut in 2013. His first two albums have debuted at No. 1 on the Regional Mexican Albums chart; "Con La Frente En Alto" spent three weeks atop the chart in 2013, while "Quiero Ser Tu Dueño" seized two weeks in 2014. Regional Mexican singer El Dasa currently stars on NBC Universo's scripted drama series "El Vato." El Dasa topped the Billboard Regional Mexican Albums chart in 2014 with "Alegre Y Enamorado", which contained the act's top 10 Regional Mexican Airplay hit "Mi Amiga, Amante, Amor."

Bringing rock to the stage is Alejandra Guzman, who returned to the rock & roll and power ballads that established her reputation with the release of her recent album "A + No Poder," her first studio album in six years. Guzman has had a charting career spanning more than 16 years, with 13 titles making the Billboard Latin Pop Albums chart and five reaching the top 10, including "La Guzman: Primera Fila" which hit No. 1 for two weeks in 2014. Her accolades also include eight top 10s on the Latin Pop Airplay chart and a nine-week stay at No. 1 with "Volverte A Amar" in 2006. Singer and songwriter Kany Garcia emerged in 2007 as her native Puerto Rico's fastest rising pop/rock star. She is in the midst of promoting her new single "Como Decirle". Garcia has had 16 charting titles on the Billboard Latin Pop Airplay chart, including four top 10s.

Finally, setting the tropical tones of the evening is the "Queen of Tropipop" Fanny Lu, who returns with the release of "Lo que Dios Quiera" featuring Gente de Zona. Fanny Lu has placed six top 10s on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart, including three No. 1s. She most recently topped the list with "El Perfume" last November. Irish-American musician Arthur Hanlon has masterfully combined traditional Latin music with jazz and R&B. He has had two top 10s on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart, both peaking in the top five, including the No. 1 hit "La Gorda Linda" in 2005.

Hosted by Gaby Espino and Pedro Fernandez, the awards show will feature presenters: Adriana Lima, Andres Cantor, Andy Samberg, Angelica Vale, Blanca Soto, Carmen Aub, Don Francisco, Dr. Ana Maria Polo, Edith Gonzalez, El Dasa, Fernanda Castillo, Giselle Blondet, Maria Celeste Arraras, Michael Buffer, Natalie Morales, Patricia Manterola, Rafael Amaya, Raul Gonzalez, and Roberto Tapia.

The program will be preceded by the red carpet special "La Alfombra de Premios Billboard" airing LIVE at 7PM/6c. The one-hour show will showcase the glamour and excitement of music and TV stars arriving on the red carpet. The special will be hosted this year by Telemundo personalities Rashel Diaz and Suelta La Sopa's Jorge Bernal; co-hosted by Al Rojo Vivo Entertainment Reporter Jessica Carrillo and featuring Fashion expert Quique Usales.

In addition, to enhance the viewer experience, Telemundo will roll out a comprehensive digital and social media strategy featuring exclusive, highly engaging candid and unexpected moments. The Digital backstage will recreate a custom limousine to create slow motion videos of moments in luxury and style featured on the Latin Billboards and E! Online Style INSTAGRAM accounts. The TeamTelemundo Snapchat account will be the exclusive platform for the backstage show "Snapstage," which will include interviews and use of fun filters and doodles. Additionally, Telemundo will partake in Snapchat's official live story, alongside content from fans, celebrities and influencers. For the first time at the Billboard Latin Music Awards, the red carpet will be streamed via Facebook Live, showcasing hosted video content featuring the hottest stars of the night, with fashion commentary, interviews and live fans participation. Lastly, fans can virtually walk the red carpet along star Sabrina Seara (El Sr. de los Cielos) just like a celebrity in 360 video available on Facebook and YouTube.

Following the awards show, the night will culminate at 11:35pm/10:35c with "Premios Billboard: Acceso VIP," a special that will give audiences an exclusive behind-the-scenes look of the awards ceremony. The program will be hosted by Jessica Carrillo, co-hosted by Titulares y Mas' Karim Mendiburu, with fashion expert Quique Usales and social reporter Erika Csiszer ("Un Nuevo Dia" & "Titulares y Mas").

The 2016 Billboard Latin Music Awards "Billboard Duets" will also broadcast throughout Latin America, and viewers in those countries can tune in to: El Salvador (Canal Dos), Costa Rica (Canal 6), Dominican Republic (Teleantillas), Ecuador (RTS), Guatemala (Canal 7), Nicaragua (Canal 10), Paraguay (SNT Cerro Cora), Peru (ATV), Venezuela (Canal 10), Panama (TV -Max canal 9), Mexico & Latam (Telemundo Internacional), Mexico (CH 52), Colombia (CitiTV), Canada (TLN) and Honduras (Televicentro).

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