Latin Grammy Winner Mariana Vega Takes a Different Route, J Balvin to Speak at 2015 Billboard Latin Conference, and More in This Week's Latin Digest

TOP STORIES Latin Grammy Winner Mariana Vega Takes a Different Route  Mariana Vega, winner of the Latin Grammy for best new artist, on her plans for 2015. Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson Salsifies 'Smooth Criminal': Watch It Here  An album of Latin music versions of Michael Jackson’s hits? Could be really bad, like MJ “Bad.” Or it could just be really bad. "Smooth Criminal," the first cut off of the April tribute album, is a salsa celebration. Pitbull Celebrates His Birthday at Miami School Event  Armando Pérez, aka Pitbull, celebrated his 34th birthday with balloons, hundreds of schoolchildren and dignitaries during a celebration announcing the expansion of SLAM! (Sports Leadership and Management Academy), the Miami charter school for which he’s an ambassador. J Balvin to Speak at 2015 Billboard Latin Music Conference  J Balvin, the Colombian urban act who became the breakout Latin story of 2014, will headline a panel during the 2015 Billboard Latin Music Conference, taking place April 27-29 at the Ritz Carlton Miami Beach. Balvin will join other urban music acts who’ve had memorable impact in this year’s charts during the “New Latin Urban Movement” panel. Narcis Rebollo Promoted to President of Universal Music Iberian Peninsula  Narcís Rebollo gets a big promotion at Universal Music, while veteran biz reporter Andy Fixmer joins the group. Juan Gabriel's 'Querida' Video, Yesterday & Today  Watch the video of the new recording of Juan Gabriel’s “Querida” by the famously flamboyant Mexican singer and Juanes, and the classic campy clip for the original 1984 version of the song. Why Mexico's Music Stars Are Revving Up Their Videos With American Muscle Cars  When 19-year-old rising regional Mexican star Kevin Ortiz made enough money to buy the car of his dreams, he didn't waffle on picking a model. J Balvin Bounds To No. 1 on Latin Pop Airplay  J Balvin continues his climb up the charts with his latest single "Ay Vamos," as it rises to become his first No. 1 on Latin Pop Airplay. Radio Host Eddie 'Piolin' Sotelo to Release Inspirational Memoir  After a tumultuous two years in which he was laid off from Univision Radio then hired by Sirius only to leave barely a year later, popular Spanish-language radio host Eddie "Piolín" Sotelo is releasing a memoir titled Speak Up!: Finding My Voice Through Hope, Strength, and Determination.