Universal Music Latin Entertainment is a record label owned by Universal Music Group. The music label was created with the acquisition of Univision Music Group and combining it with Universal's top Latin artists, along with much of the Latin back catalog of UMG.

UMLE includes famous Latin music labels such as Fonovisa and Disa Records.

Labels[link]

Univision Records (2001–2008)[link]

Launched mid 2001, Univision Records already had an impressive artist roster:^{[citation needed]} Anasol, Pilar Montenegro, Anaís, Jennifer Peña, Graciela Beltrán, Iman, Los Forasteros, Daniel René and most recently Mexican Ranchero music icon, Pepe Aguilar.

• In 2003, Jennifer Peña became the only female artist nominated for a Grammy in the "Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album" category.

• The label was dissolved in May 2008 with Univision Music Group being acquired.

Fonovisa Records[link]

Acquired in 2002 back then by Univision Music Group, Fonovisa is the largest Regional Mexican label in the music industry^{[citation needed]} and since 1984 has launched major Latin stars into international markets and mainstream America.

• Fonovisa's impressive roster of over 120 artists include multi-platinum artists Marco Antonio Solís, La Banda el Recodo, Conjunto Primavera, Los Temerarios, and the legendary Los Tigres del Norte.

Disa Records[link]

Disa Records is the second largest Regional-Mexican label after Fonovisa.^{[citation needed]} It was owned by the Chávez family of Monterrey until June 2001, when Univision acquired 50% of Disa from the Chávez family. In November 2006 Univision acquired the other 50% of the label making it a subsidiary of Univision Music Group.

• Disa represents over 50 artists, many of which are household names in Spanish-language music, including Palomo, Los Angeles Azules, Grupo Bryndis, Liberación, El Poder del Norte, and most recently, renowned Mexican actress and singer, Aracely Arámbula.

Machete Music[link]

Machete Music includes the top reggaeton artists from Puerto Rico and Latin artists from all over the world. Artists like Akwid, Wisin & Yandel, Ivy Queen, Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Molotov, and others.

Universal Music Latino[link]

Universal Music Latino includes top artists from the Latin music genre, one of the most important music Lucero, music group Belanova, music artists Luis Fonsi, Enrique Iglesias, Juanes, Olga Tañón, David Bisbal, Paulina Rubio, and recently Dulce María. In 2006 UML with Vene Music started Siente Music. Canadian born artist Nelly Furtado and Miami rapper Pitbull have also joined Universal to release a Spanish album.

Defunct labels[link]

• RMM Records & Video
• PolyGram Latino
  • Rodven Records

List of artists on UMLE[link]

• 24 Horas
• 3BallMTY
• Alacranes Musical
• Alejandro Fernandez
• Alejandro Sanz
• Alerta Zero
• Ana Isabelle
• Angel & Khriz
• Antonio Orozco
• Arthur Hanlon
• Babasonicos
• Banda Carnaval
• Banda El Recodo
• Banda Los Recoditos
• Banda MS
• Belanova
• Beto Zapata
• Calibre 50
• Carlos & Alejandra
• Chenoa
• Chino & Nacho
• Christian Pagan
• Chuy Lizarraga
• Conjunto Atardecer
• Cosculluela
• Cristian Castro
• Cristina
• Danna Paola
• Dareyes de la Sierra
• David Bisbal
• Diego Torres
• Don Omar
• Duelo
• Dulce Maria
• Eddy Lover
• El Bebeto
• El Potro de Sinaloa
• Emmanuel
• Enigma Norteño
• Enrique Iglesias
• Espinoza Paz
• Fanny Lu
• Fidel Rueda
• Frankie J
• German Montero
• Gloria Trevi
• Gustavo Galindo
• Huichol Musical
• Il Volo
• Invasion Del Corrido
• Ivete Sangalo
• Ivy Queen
• Jenni Rivera
• J-King & Maximan
• Joan Sebastian
• Jowell & Randy
• Juanes
• Juan Gabriel
• Juan Velez
• Julion Alvarez
• K-Paz de la Sierra
• La Apuesta
• La Arrolladora Banda El Limon
• La Factoria
• La Original Banda El Limon
• Larry Hernandez
• Los Creadorez del Pasito Duranguense de Alfredo Ramírez
• Los Horoscopos de Durango
• Los Huracanes del Norte
• Los Mas Buscados
• Los Primos de Durango
• Los Tigres del Norte
• Los Titanes de Durango
• Los Tucanes de Tijuana
• Luis Fonsi
• Lupillo Rivera
• Makano
• Marco Antonio Solis
• Margarita La Diosa
• Molotov
• Myriam Hernandez
• Nelly Furtado
• Palomo
• Patrulla 81
• Paulina Rubio
• Pedro Fernandez
• Pesado
• RKM & Ken-Y
• Roberto Tapia
• Rosario
• Saul El Jaguar
• Sergio Dalma
• Trono de Mexico
• Violento
• Voz De Mando
• Wisin y Yandel

See also[link]

• List of record labels

External links[link]

• Universal Latin Music Entertainment (Official site)
• Universal Music Latin Entertainment's channel on YouTube
• Universal Music Latin Entertainment on Facebook
• Universal Music Latin Entertainment on Twitter

Cristian Castro
Background information
Birth name	Cristian Sáez Castro
Born	(1974-12-08) December 8, 1974 (age 37)
Origin	Mexico City, Mexico
Genres	Latin pop, bolero
Years active	1992–present
Labels	Orfeón (1982) Fonovisa (1992-1996) Sony BMG (1997-2004) Universal Music Group (2005-Present)
Website	www.christiancastro.net

Cristian Castro (born Cristian Sáez Castro or Cristian Valdez on December 8, 1974 in Mexico City), , referred to as Christian Castro or Cristian is a Grammy Award-nominated Mexican pop singer.

Biography[link]

Born in Mexico City, he is the son of renowned actress and singer Verónica Castro and comedian Manuel "El Loco" Valdes. Castro also has a younger brother named Michelle Sáez Castro, his uncle is José Alberto "el Guero" Castro and his aunt is Beatriz Castro, who both are producers. As a baby, he made his acting debut with her during the telenovela named El Derecho de Nacer. Soon after, he appeared on a television commercial with her, and on the Mexican version of the broadway show Mame alongside the prominent actress Silvia Pinal.

Castro is one of the best selling Latin artists and has worked with renowned Latin producers including Kike Santander, Rudy Pérez, and Richard Daniel Roman.

Beginning career[link]

Castro began his singing career in 1992 with the release of Agua Nueva. After appearing in several telenovelas and recording some albums as a teenager, Castro began his "internationalization" in 1993, starting with concerts in Puerto Rico. Castro dedicated a song to that country in his second album, Un Segundo En El Tiempo, titled "Puerto Rico" as a way of thanking the Puerto Rican public for supporting his career. He also modified his singing voice from the deep voice he employed in Agua Nueva to a softer one that he currently uses. His song, Nunca Voy a Olvidarte (I Will Never Forget You), became his first number-one hit at the Hot Latin Tracks charts in 1993 helped launched his career. Castro became an international teen idol and sex symbol almost instantly after he began touring, and he began what has been a fructiferous international singing career.

In 1994, Cristian released "El Camino Del Alma". The album hit, Mañana, meaning Tomorrow, a song composed by Mexican singer, Juan Gabriel which was titled, Mañana, Mañana. In 1995, He released a stand-alone single, Vuelveme a Querer which hit #2 on the Hot Latin Tracks (held off by Enrique Iglesias' debut single Si Tú Te Vas). In 1996, Cristian released El Deseo De Oir Tu Voz (The Wish To Hear Your Voice) which featured hits such as Morelia, Amor, Amarte a Ti, and the title track.

Cristian has also done opening themes for telenovelas such as Morelia (1994) Angela (1998) and Mujer De Madera (Woman of Wood) (2004)

1997–2005[link]

Singing live.

In 1997, Castro left Fonovisa and began contract to BMG with the release of Lo Mejor De Mi. Famous pianist Raúl di Blasio did the piano work for the song "Después De Tí...¿Qué?" (After You...What?). The album was nominated "Best Latin Pop Album of the Year". Following the album's success, Castro sang in duets with other singers such as Olga Tañón, Grupo Limite, and José Alfredo Jiménez. In 1999 he released Mi Vida Sin tu Amor, which won him many credits because it had four singles to go in the Top ten of Billboard's Hot Latin tracks ("Alguna Vez" #2, "Por Amarte Asi" #3, Mi Vida Sin tu Amor #3, Volver a Amar #4). In 2001, he released Azul, which won "Best Latin Pop Album of the Year". In 2005, he released Galltio Feliz, a collection of his childhood songs, Nunca Voy A Olvidarte...Los Exitos, a CD/DVD greatest hit album which features both Fonovisa and BMG songs, and Días Felices with "Amor Eterno" and "Sin Tu Amor" as the album hit.

2006-Present[link]

In 2006, Castro contributed on a tribute work to Victor Yturbe "El Piruli", in which he sung Mil Besos. On June 26, 2007, Castro released his first mariachi album, El Indomable, which was produced by Vicente Fernandez, and released the single from the album, "Tu Retirada". Castro announced that the divorce with Valeria has led him to bankruptcy.^[1] A new album, "El culpable soy yo", was released on April 28, 2009. He sang at the "Latin Grammy Celebra José José" ceremony and is said to have made one of the best tributes to his idol.^[2] On September 28, 2010, he released the single "La Nave del Olvido"and "Amor, Amor" as part of his tribute album to José José, Viva el Principe.^[3] In 2011, a follow-up to Viva el prícipe is being recorded under the title Mi Amigo El Príncipe.^[4] He sang alongside the group Westlife a song called "Flying Without Wings" previously released on their album Where We Are.

In September 2011, Cristian Castro created a hilarious video with mun2 that featured his secret life as a "Metalero."^[5]

Discography[link]

Studio Albums

• Kristian y sus Pollitas (1982)
• Agua Nueva (1992)
• Un Segundo en el Tiempo (1993)
• El Camino del Alma (1994)
• El Deseo de Oír Tu Voz (1996)
• Lo Mejor de Mí (1997)
• Mi Vida Sin Tu Amor (1999)
• Remixes (2000)
• Azul (2001)
• Amar Es (2003)
• Hoy Quiero Soñar (2004)
• Días Felices (2005)
• El Indomable (2007)
• El Culpable Soy Yo (2009)
• Viva el Principe (2010)
• Mi Amigo El Príncipe (2011)

Compilation Albums

• Exitos (1996)
• Mis Mejores Momentos: Para Colecccioni (1997)
• Grandes Exitos (2002)
• Nunca Voy a Olvidarte...Los Exitos (2005)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Website Official Cristian website
• Official MySpace
• Cristian Castro at the telenovela database
• Cristian Castro at the Internet Movie Database
• Cristian Castro on Univision
• Cristian Castro on esmas.com
• Action4Justice re Christian Castro

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Ana Isabel Acevedo Avilés is a Puerto Rican dancer, singer and actress. In December 2007 she released her first album, "Por El Amor". And in 2009, she became the first winner of Univision's Viva el Sueño.

Career[link]

Her professional experience ranges from dancer and backup singer for different Latin artists to acting in various movies. She has worked with artists.Her acting repertoire includes having the lead role in five episodes of Decisiones Puerto Rico and minor roles in the movies Yellow, El Cantante, and Talento de Barrio. She also has participated in musicals such as Fame, A Chorus Line and in High School Musical^[vague]. In December 2007 she released her very first album called "Por El Amor" along with three singles, "Cuando No Estas", the second hit single in Puerto Rico "Quien Dijo Amigos", and "Dime". In 2009, she released a deluxe version of the album, along with a new single "Se Acabo" featuring Juan Velez, that was another radio hit in Puerto Rico.^[1] In November/2009 she won 1st place in Viva el Sueño, a TV reality show in univision. After this, she released her second album in Puerto Rico, but first internationally, "Mi Sueño. The album of covers is a collection of the many hits she sang on the show, Viva El Sueño. The first single released is "Por Amarte Así", featuring Cristian Castro, the original artist of the song.^[2]

On July 4, 2011; Ana Isabelle released her new single "La Vida Es Bella" ft. Chino y Nacho with her family. Then on August 12, 2011 she released the music video which contained some of her family in the last clip.

Discography[link]

"Por El Amor" (2007)

"Por El Amor Deluxe Edition" (2009)

"Mi Sueño" (2010)

Official website[link]

• Ana Isabelle's Official Website

References[link]

Arthur Hanlon is an American pianist, songwriter and arranger widely regarded as the best-known instrumentalist in the Latin music realm. Born to Irish-American parents, he hails from Detroit, Michigan, but found his calling in Latin music and has received widespread recognition in that realm, becoming the first pianist to reach the Billboard Latin airplay charts in more than a decade.^[1] Hanlon is signed to Universal Music Latino and was most recently nominated for a New York Emmy award for his jingle "Esta Navidad" (This Christmas), based on his single of the same name, which was picked up by the Univision Network as its Christmas jingle and spot for 2008. Hanlon again reappeared as the star of Univision's 2010 Christmas campaign, with a Spanish language version of "Jingle Bells" titled "Navidad Navidad" and featuring urban duo Chino & Nacho and Mexican pop star Dulce Maria. Hanlon wrote the Spanish language lyrics and arranged and produced the track, which made it onto Billboard Magazine's Hot Latin Pop Airplay chart. Hanlon also composed and produced "La Gota de la Vida" (The Drop of Life), a song recorded by 46 artists to benefit Cancer Research Center City of Hope and whose video was directed by Simon Brand (www.youtube.com/lagotadelavida).

Also established in the mainstream instrumental realm, Arthur was a featured guest on pianist Jim Birckman's "Beautiful World" CD and PBS special and toured the U.S. with Italian star Laura Pausini in 2009.Most recently, Hanlon was a recurring guest artist on the Univision network's music reality contest "Viva el Sueno," appearing weekly on prime time television alongside the contestants. Hanlon will be a guest on the upcoming album by "Viva El Sueno" winner.

Hanlon is currently promoting his newest album, "Piano Sin Fronteras," released on March, 2009, on Universal Music Latino. The album, written entirely by Hanlon, includes collaborations with the top names in Latin music, including Colombian star Juanes, Italian diva Laura Pausini, Puerto Rican star Luis Fonsi, Venezuelan icon Ricardo Montaner, guitarist Sergio Vallín (lead guitarist for Mexican rock group Mana), Brazilian crooner Alexandre Pires and Chilean superstar Myriam Hernandez. Hanlon was seen performing alongside Cristian Castro at the Billboard Latin music awards in April 2009 and with Luis Fonsi in Madison Square Garden in Aug. 2009. In July, he performed alongside Alejandro Fernandez in his mass concert, "Jalisco en Vivo" before nearly 200,000 people. Most recently, he was a guest artist on Laura Pausini's 2009 U.S. tour. Hanlon also performed a series of intimate acoustic shows with Myriam Hernandez in Chile in October.

With his 2005 hit, “La Gorda Linda,” Hanlon became the first pianist, and the first non-Latin, to reach No. 1 on the tropical airplay chart of Billboard Magazine, according to an article published by Billboard on April 26, 2006, coinciding with the Billboard Latin Music Awards. Hanlon was the first pianist to enter the Billboard Latin charts in more than a decade, according to the magazine. “La Gorda Linda,” which he penned, was also on the top ten of the “Billboard Top Latin Songs” chart and a subsequent remix by DJ Norty Cotto spent weeks on the Billboard dance charts. As a result of “La Gorda Linda,” Hanlon was a double finalist for the 2006 Latin Billboard Music Awards in the Tropical Song of the year and Dance Track of the year categories.^[2]

Hanlon returned to the Billboard charts in the Summer of 2009 with "Ya Te Olvide," a single from "Piano Sin Fronteras" featuring Ricardo Montaner. To date, Hanlon has had four major label releases, all under Latin labels, making him an anomaly in the pop music world. He is currently signed to (Universal Music Latino). Aside from his new album, his history of recorded collaborations includes Gloria Estefan (in her album "Unwrapped"), Arturo Sandoval (with whom he recorded "Marianela," from Hanlon's album "La Gorda Linda"), Crooked Stylo (with whom he co-wrote the track "Don Miguel," from the album "Malhablados"), Tito Nieves (who sings in the track "La Gorda Linda" from Hanlon's album of the same name) and Ana Bárbara (who sings "Estar a Tu Lado," from "La Gorda Linda").

In the live concert arena, Hanlon has shared the stage with the likes of Ricardo Montaner, Luis Fonsi, Laura Pausini, ALejandro Fernandez, Myriam Hernández and pop star Chayanne, for whom he opened a series of arena dates in 2007. In a memorable moment, Hanlon played "No Me Llames Extranjero," a song about immigrants, with Fonsi and Montaner during the 2006 Billboard Latin Music Awards which aired on Telemundo.

History[link]

The third of seven children, Hanlon started playing the piano at six, and at 15, was already playing professional gigs in Detroit with ensembles that included the Flip Jackson Band. Hanlon would eventually get his masters degree in piano performance from Manhattan School of Music in New York City.

While in New York, he encountered Latin music head-on, and regularly played Latin club gigs while at the same time studying the music of classical composers.

Hanlon’s first album was an independent recording of purely original material, appropriately titled ’’Encuentros.’’ Licensed by Max Music and distributed by Universal, Encuentros brought Hanlon to the attention of Fonovisa, the leading indie Latin label in the country at the time, with whom he signed in 2000.

Hanlon’s first release with Fonovisa was El Piano Amarillo (The Yellow Piano) and eclectic mix of Latin, dance and pop fare produced by Colombian producers Estéfano and Julio Reyes (of Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez fame).

He followed up with 11 Números Uno, a more classically-tinged album of covers of Latin standards plus one of his original compositions.

He consolidated himself as an instrumentalist with 2005’s La Gorda Linda, an album of mostly original material that featured a handful of guest artists, including jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, salsa star Tito Nieves and Mexican singer Ana Bárbara. The album was produced by Grammy winners Sergio George and Kike Santander and was a multiple finalist for the 2006 Billboard Latin Music Awards, in which Hanlon performed.

In 2006, Hanlon was signed by EMI, and released Mecanomanía, an album of covers of Spanish pop trio Mecano, set to chill-out arrangements.

The video for the album’s first single, “Hijo de la Luna,” was shot at the Baldwin piano factory, marking the first time in the company’s nearly 100 year history that a music video was shot in its installations.^[3]

In 2007, Hanlon toured the United States with Puerto Rican pop star Chayanne, opening a series of arena dates for the singer.

Hanlon is currently signed to Universal Music, and released his most recent album, "Piano Sin Fronteras," on March 17, 2009. The album, which Hanlon wrote or co-wrote in its entirety, features collaborations with some of the top names in Latin music, including Colombian rock star Juanes, Italian diva Laura Pausini, Sergio Vallín--guitarist for rock group Maná, Brazilian superstar Alexandre Pires, Venezuelan icon Ricardo Montaner, pop star Luis Fonsi and Chilean singer Myriam Hernandez.

Most recently, Hanlon was a guest artist on the Univision network's reality music show "Viva el Sueno," appearing weekly on prime time.

Discography[link]

• Encuentros, Independent
• El Piano Amarillo, Fonovisa Records (2001)
• 11 Números Uno, Fonovisa Records (2004) Graphic Design & Art Direction by: Adriana Rebold
• La Gorda Linda, Fonovisa Records (2005)
• Mecanomanía, EMI Records (2006)
• Piano Sin Fronteras, Universal Music Latino (2009)
• Esta Navidad (single), Universal Music Latino, 2008
• Navidad Navidad (single), Universal Music Latino, 2010
• Carol of the Bells (single), Universal Music Latino, 2009

References[link]

1. ^ Billboard Magazine, September 21, 2009.
2. ^ Billboard Magazine, April 26, 2006.
3. ^ Gibson/Baldwin official website.

Billboard Magazine, April 26, 2006 Billboard Magazine, Sept. 8, 2010 Billboard Magazine, Sept. 21, 2010 Musico Pro Magazine, Cover Story, Jan. 2010

www.Baldwinpiano.com

External links[link]

• Billboard (Subscription required)
• Billboard Music Charts
• Arthur Hanlon, a MusicWorld story written by Dan Kimpel
• Arthur Hanlon official site
• [1]
• [2]