Musical Alternatives

Did you know that the "little sister" in J-Lo's new video "Get Right" is actually played by Lopez' stepdaughter, Arianna Muniz (Marc Anthony's daughter)? In other Lopez news...her infamous pink 6.1 carat engagement ring (from the Bennnifer hook up) is now up for resale through Harry Winston. Only serious bidders need inquire! Ray Rodriguez has been named President and COO of Univision Communications group. Rodriguez was previously the head of Univision Television Networks.

Congrats to rapper Pitbull, whose debut album M.I.A.M.I, featuring the breakout hit "Culo", has sold 400,000 copies in the US and spent 22 weeks on the Billboard Top Independent Albums Chart. Now Pitbull has a new single, Toma, a track featuring Lil Jon, and is also collaborating with Cuban rap group Orishas on their new album, Kilo. Up next for the rapper...he'll be playing himself in the upcoming "Scarface" videogame featuring Tony Montana.
Eva Longoria (Desperate Housewives) is headed for the big screen. The actress is currently in talks to join the cast of the upcoming political thriller, The Sentinel, also starring Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland and Kim Basinger.

The National Television Academy (NATAS) will premiere the first Emmys En Espanol on June 3rd in Texas, recognizing the leading Latinos in the Spanish-language TV business in the US. The Organizing Committee for the awards includes Gilbert Davila, Walt Disney & Co; Antoinette Zel, Telemundo Networks Group; Manolo Vidal, Vidal Partnership; Jacqueline Hernandez-Fallous, People en Espanol; Raul Mateu, William Morris Agency; Lisa Quiroz, Time Warner & Founding Publisher of People en Espanol; Noelia Rodriguez, Univision Communications; and Daniel Villanueva, Bastion Capital Corporation.

Mexicana and Aeromexico Airlines are up for sale by Cintra, Mexico's state-owned holding company. Initially, the plan was to sell both airlines in combination, but now will be offered for sale separately.
Judges for Emilio Estefan's new reality tv talent search show, The New Voices of America, include Rabanes singer Emilio Rugueira and Alejandra Guzman. The series begins this Sunday on Telemundo, and features 20 young Latinos competing to win a record deal and other prizes.

Did you know that Latina women make less money than any other workers in the US? Although the pay rate for women in general is rising, Latinas still come in last, averaging only $419 weekly in 2004, up from $410 in 2003. Source: US Labor Department Congrats to Juan Carlos "JC" Gonzales, who has been named National Director of Sales for DLN Distribution. Gonzales was previously head of national sales at Universal Music Latino and the national Latin music buyer at Musicland/Sam Goody. DLN Distribution is dedicated to the distribution of independent labels and artists ranging from a variety of genres such as Reggaeton, Rock, Ska, Reggae, Hip Hop and World.

Miguel Bose is hitting the road with a Latin America tour in support of his new album, Velvetina. The singer will be performing 8 dates in Guatemala, El Salvador, Chile, Venezuela and Colombia throughout February and March.

The urban Latino lifestyle show, Strictly Raza, debuts Friday February 11th at 8:00 pm on KJLA/LATV. The show highlights music and culture, and showcases inspirational and motivational stories of Latino entrepreneurs and community leaders.

Venevision International and FonoLibro, a producer and distributor of audio-books, have signed an agreement under which Venevision, the distributing company of the Cisneros Group, will become FonoLibro's majority shareholder. The purpose of the agreement is to develop the audio books category of products in the US, Latin America and European markets.

Molotov's "Amateur" has been #1 on R&R's Latin Rock chart for 5 weeks in a row. The single is from the band's new covers album "Con Todo Respeto", featuring Molotov-style remakes of 80's classics such as "Rock Me Amadeus" by Falco, The Beastie Boys' "Girls", Da Da Da and other greats. You can check out Molotov live on LA's The Red Zone radio show, this Tuesday 2/15 at 10:30 pm or live online at www.indie1031.fm

Mexican Regional artist, Jenni Rivera, will launch a line of cosmetics tailored for Latinas, called Divina Cosmetics. The singer is also releasing a new single, Amiga Si Lo Ves, her foray into the Latin pop music genre.

New Jersey Latina & African American women are being targeted in a $2 million advertising and public awareness campaign to get more people tested for HIV. A new, free test called Rapid HIV is being offered, which allows you to get your test results in 20 minutes, rather than having to wait the normal 2-week period previously required.
Miami teen rocker JD Natasha is all over the place! The singer will join Kanye West, Mark McGrath and Earth, Wind & Fire this weekend at the Staples Center in Los Angeles for The Recording Academy's "What's the Download" program - www.whatsthedownload.com. She will also appear as a presenter on this Sunday's GRAMMY Awards. Then, starting February 14th, MTV/MTV2 will feature a special look at JD Natasha with the premiere of a new episode of Discover and Download which includes a performance by the singer in the MTV Times Square studio.
Benjamin Bratt will star in the TV drama E-Ring on NBC, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. The series is a behind-the-scenes look at what really goes down at the Pentagon during a war.
The 25th Annual Tejano Music Awards Show will be held March 19th in Texas at the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino. Musical performances will include GRAMMY award winners and nominees Jimmy Gonzalez y Mazz, Jay Perez, Ram Herreira, Stephanie Montiel and Grupo Vida.