4/19/05 - LatinRapper.com/Four Corners Communications

 

Daddy Yankee joins rap and reggaeton stars on "Urban Warfare: East Meets West Panel: (Wed, April 27 at 2 PM).  Ivy Queen, Akwid, Pitbull to Gather at 16th Annual Billboard Latin Music Conference (April 25-28, 2005) Daddy Yankee, the current #1-selling Latin artist in the country, will join fellow rap and reggaeton stars on a special Latin urban music panel, as part of the Billboard Latin Music Conference, taking place at the Hotel InterContinental in Miami, Florida from April 25 - 28. The “Urban Warfare: East Meets West” session will bring together Daddy Yankee, whose album “Barrio Fino” is currently #1 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart, Ivy Queen, Hector el Bambino, Crooked Stylo, Akwid and Pitbull. The marquee panel will discuss the Latin genres reggaetón and urban regional, and address how the two can find common ground and flourish.

During the one-hour session, the musicians will talk about the similarities and differences between the Latin urban music movements generated from the East and West Coasts. They will also offer ways to best utilize the growing resources that are at their disposal. “Urban Warfare: East Meets West” takes place on April 27 at 2 PM.

Now in its 16th year, the Billboard Latin Music Conference & Awards will bring together over 1000 artists and professionals from the Latin music community for four days of panel discussions, performances and parties. Included will be showcases and concerts by more than 20 artists, educational sessions, roundtable discussions and one-on-one interviews with industry stars. Another highlight of what has been dubbed “Latin Music Week” is the Billboard Bash, which will feature performances by finalists from this year's Billboard Latin Music Awards.

This year’s conference schedule includes: Urban Warfare: East Meets West Billboard’s chart-topper Daddy Yankee, Miami rapper Pitbull, Hector el Bambino and Billboard Latin Music Award nominees Ivy Queen, Crooked Stylo and Akwid will address the similarities and differences between the Latin urban movements from both coasts. The panel will also discuss ways in which these styles can best utilize resources such as radio, TV and major distribution.  Let the Music Play Multiple Billboard Latin Music Award winners A.B. Quintanilla and Cruz Martínez will lead a live production session during which they will turn “hook into song.”  It’s Cinematic: Film Q&A with Fernando Trueba The Grammy-winning and Oscar-winning film director/producer (“Belle Epoque,” “Bebo y Cigala” and “Calle 54”) will discuss how it’s possible to marry quality and commercial success. Trueba will also talk about his company Calle 54 Records and the making of his latest musical film, “El Milagro de Candeal.”  I Want to be Your No.1 - Charts Workshop Billboard’s director of charts and senior analyst Geoff Mayfield and Latin charts manager Ricardo Companioni will offer insight into the nuances of Nielsen SoundScan and Nielsen BroadcastData Systems. They will also explain how charts are compiled and how savvy record companies use them.  Going Mobile Panelists will talk about how labels, artists and publishers take advantage of such trends like ringtones, who gets what and how, and the future prospects for the Latin American market.
Digital Days With downloads making up only 1-3% of sales, panelists will address the record labels and providers position in this market.  Smells Like Teen Spirit A panel of Latin teens will talk about everything from iPods and downloads, to fan clubs and CDs.  ASCAP Presents: The Deal Game A panel will walk-through every step of deal making, with every player in the industry.  Roundtable Discussions Among the topics addressed will be booking and producing the Latin American tour, the new regional Mexican buyer, Sirius Satellite Radio, and music choice.

“Latin Music Week” will be capped off by the Billboard Latin Music Awards, which honors the biggest and brightest stars in the business today. Finalists and winners are the most popular albums, songs, and performers in Latin music as determined by the actual sales and radio airplay data that informs Billboard's weekly charts.

Marketing y Medios, the first-ever business publication covering the Hispanic Marketing industry, will co-host with Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter, VNU’s inaugural conference concentrating on marketing to the fastest growing population segment (and largest minority) in the U.S. This 1 + day conference, co-located with Billboard’s Latin Music Awards, is a must-attend conference and gala for marketing, advertising, entertainment and media executives. For more information, visit www.marketingtohispanics.com

For more information about the Billboard Latin Music Conference & Awards visit www.billboardevents.com