Entertainment
AI Revives Chalino Sánchez on ‘Rigo Campos’ Cover With Los Tucanes de Tijuana: ‘Technology Got Us Together’

Chalino Sánchez, the “King of Corridos,” would have turned 65 on Aug. 30. While his tragic murder in May 1992 ended his life, his musical legacy continues to thrive.
Thanks to technology, some of his timeless recordings are being brought back to life through collaborations with other artists. Fifteen of Sánchez’s tracks, owned by Cintas Acuario — a label based in Long Beach, California — are being reimagined for a new project.
“I bought the songs from him; they’re mine. That’s how we did business,” Pedro Rivera, owner of the label, shared exclusively with Billboard Español. (Rivera is the father of regional Mexican music stars Lupillo Rivera and the late Jenni Rivera.) “We respected each other deeply. Chalino was one of the most loyal men I’ve ever met — he always kept his word.”
The first release from this project is “Rigo Campos,” a song written more than 30 years ago by Mario Quintero, the lead singer of Los Tucanes de Tijuana. Chalino recorded his own version back in the day, but the two never met in person. Now, through the magic of technology, they’re singing together in a music video that premiered on Thursday, Aug. 28.
“It took over three years from the first meeting to today’s release,” Quintero, thrilled by the song’s reception, told Billboard Español. It has already become a trending topic in Mexico. “Unfortunately, I never got the chance to meet Chalino… [But] technology made it possible for Los Tucanes and Chalino to appear together in the video as if he were still here.”
Sánchez rose to fame in the late ’80s and early ’90s with his corridos in the California music scene. His raw, unpolished voice and straightforward style resonated with migrant communities and working-class listeners. Songs like “Nieves de Enero,” “Alma Enamorada” and “Baraja de Oro” became classics.
On May 16, 1992, he was murdered in Culiacán, Sinaloa, after a performance. He was only 31 years old.
Quintero, who as the leader of Los Tucanes heads one of the most respected norteño and corrido groups in the market, spoke to Billboard Español about “Rigo Campos,” the current restrictions on corridos in Mexico, and even a possible World Cup anthem in the works:
Billboard Español: What are the Origins of “Rigo Campos”?
Quintero: The song is based on a well-known event in Tijuana, I think it was around 1991. It was talked about a lot on the news in both Mexico and the U.S. Back then, we were just starting out, and even to this day, I draw inspiration from real-life events. I wrote the song, and it became popular locally. I used to go to record stores to check out new releases and see if anyone had recorded one of my songs. One day, I was surprised to find the song on a cassette by Chalino Sánchez. I remember opening it and seeing that it credited him as the author. My excitement immediately turned to disappointment. Turns out, he had heard it from us, liked it and recorded it with Cintas Acuario. The song was already registered to me, so we cleared everything up.
How did this particular collaboration come about?
Juan Rivera [Pedro Rivera’s son] reached out to invite me to take part in this album they’re producing with Chalino’s songs. I thought it was such an exciting idea, and of course, I was honored to include my song. It took over three years from our first meeting to now releasing “Rigo Campos.” We’re overjoyed with the public’s response. Unfortunately, I never got to meet Chalino. There was this one time he had a press conference in Tijuana, but we were busy working and couldn’t go. I had wanted to thank him for recording my song, but the opportunity never came up. Now, through technology, we were able to bring him back to life in the video, and it’s as if he’s really there with us. It was a huge effort by the teams at Cintas Acuario and Master Q Music to make it happen. The hardest part was bringing Chalino’s essence into the present, but they nailed it.
Why do you think Chalino’s legacy endures so many years after his death?
Chalino had this unique ability to take well-known songs and make them his own with his distinctive style. That’s what made him so successful. Of course, he was also heavily criticized, but people couldn’t ignore his authenticity. He wasn’t trying to imitate anyone — he was born to be an original, and that’s why he’s still such a massive influence in norteño and banda music. Producing this song was such a fulfilling experience. Listening to his voice straight from the original tapes, you realize how powerful it was. He didn’t need backing vocals; he was naturally in tune and simply incredible. Back then, there wasn’t the technology we have now, so hearing him sing was truly special. Recording this duet with him now feels like a dream come true. It didn’t happen before, but it’s happening now — and that’s what matters.
What do you think of the current bands and restrictions of corridos in Mexico?
We love corridos, but we also respect the rules in every place we perform. We understand the situation. The problem isn’t with corridos themselves; there are broader social issues at play. I think the authorities have good intentions, and we always follow any rules or restrictions. For example, at our recent show at the Auditorio Telmex in Guadalajara, we weren’t allowed to perform any corridos. Of course, some fans wanted to hear them, but we respect the law. At the end of the day, the law is the law, and we have to follow it as citizens. Where we’re allowed to perform corridos, we will. Where we’re not, we’ll just play “La Chona” three times, or “El Tucanazo,” or “Me Gusta Vivir de Noche.” We’ve got plenty of songs in our repertoire.
Speaking about “La Chona,” it’s become a major hit and played in many sporting events. Any plans to use it during the World Cup?
As the composer of “La Chona,” it’s such an honor and a privilege to see it still going strong. Every day, we get videos from all over the world of people dancing and singing along to it. When we first recorded it, I didn’t even like the song that much — I preferred others. But it carved out its own place, and now, more than 30 years later, new generations are still loving it. For the World Cup, we’re working on a project that I think fans are going to love. In the meantime, we’re heading to Chile, Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala and Bolivia this year, and next year we’ll be taking our music to Spain. Europe is becoming such an important market for regional Mexican music.
A few days ago you played for over 100,000 people. Why do Los Tucanes still draw big crowds?
I think we’ve earned the love of our fans through our music and the way we are. Los Tucanes are one of those groups that can do it all — romantic songs, corridos, cumbias — we mix norteño music with other genres. I think that’s why we have such a special place in people’s hearts. There are also people who grew up listening to our music but never got to see us live, so they come to our shows now. And it’s so touching to see multiple generations at our concerts — parents, kids, even grandparents. It’s such a blessing.
Entertainment
No ‘Good’ Deed Goes Unpunished for Ariana Grande’s Glinda in Final ‘Wicked: For Good’ Trailer

In the final trailer for Wicked: For Good, Ariana Grande‘s character learns that a big price comes with being Glinda the Good.
Released on Wednesday (Sept. 24) — about two months before the Wicked sequel finally premieres in theaters on Nov. 21 — the preview shows how the blonde leading lady wrestles with her new role as Oz’s spokeswoman, as Cynthia Erivo‘s Elphaba attempts to expose the Wizard’s evil agenda while living in hiding. At first, Glinda is “obsess-ulated” with the gorgeous gown, tiara and mechanical flying bubble her public-facing life affords her — but everything quickly comes crashing down when she realizes that she’s on the wrong side of history, and that she just might be too late to save her former schoolmate from the wrath of Oz’s brainwashed citizens.
“I’m a public figure now, people expect me to …,” Glinda tells Elphaba at one point, with Dorothy’s fallen house and the Yellow Brick Road visible in the background.
“Lie?” the green-skinned witch cuts in, to which Glinda says defensively, “Be encouraging.”
Grande’s character is less sure of herself when she is confronted by Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero, who accuses, “You can’t resist this.”
“Who could?” Glinda asks, to which the Winkie prince replies, “You know who could.”
Arriving one year after the first Wicked hit theaters and shattered movie-musical box-office records, For Good will serve as the film adaptation of the second act of the Broadway musical on which the live-actions are based. The soundtrack will also drop on Nov. 21, complete with two brand new songs sung by Grande and Erivo.
As revealed when the tracklist dropped a week prior to the new trailer, the title of Glinda’s bonus song is “The Girl in the Bubble,” while Elphaba’s added balled is called “No Place Like Home.”
Watch the final trailer for Wicked: For Good above.
Entertainment
Priscilla Presley Says That Leaving Elvis Presley Was ‘The Only Way to Survive’ in New Memoir ‘Softly, As I Leave You: Life After Elvis’

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Priscilla Presley was with Elvis Presley for around 14 years before they split; however, the pair had known each other for years before they wed in 1967.
The time in between and following Priscilla and Elvis’ divorce was a tough spot for Priscilla, and one she wasn’t super open about — that is, until now. In her new memoir Softly, As I Leave You: Life After Elvis, the actress shares the difficult but inspiring journey beyond the walls of Graceland post-split with the King, choosing to put herself and her daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, first.
A hardcover version of the book is now on sale and can be purchased now on Amazon for $22.38, while paperback will run you $32. A Kindle version retails for $15.99. If you’re a superfan of Priscilla and the Presley family, you can also snag a signed version of the memoir via Barnes & Noble for $32. The piece makes a great gift for the avid Elvis collector in your life. If you’d rather listen to the memoir, we won’t judge, you can do so with Audible via a subscription which costs $7.95 a month, a price tag less than a physical copy.
Softly, As I Leave You: Life After Elvis
A new memoir by Priscilla Presley.
If you didn’t know, Priscilla met Elvis when she was just 14 and he was 24. The singer was serving in the U.S. Army in 1959 in Germany. The pair remained romantically connected for years, even with distance between them and in 1967, they were wed in a simple and very secret ceremony in Las Vegas. While their separation in 1973 was painful for Priscilla, this novel highlights why it was so important for the Naked Gun star to leave.
It seems that Priscilla lost touch with herself throughout her relationship with Elvis. Leaving allowed her to find herself again. Through the book, we are treated to snippets of Priscilla’s life pre- and post-Elvis and how she had to reinvent herself a second time as the single mother after the performer’s death in 1977.
Today, we are taken through how Priscilla was able to transform Graceland into an international destination and helped guide the development of Elvis Presley Enterprises, turning the King’s legacy into a full-on business. If you are an Elvis fan, this gives readers a unique perspective on his life, as told by his ex-wife. It also gives Priscilla’s story more context for those who aren’t too familiar with her life and career.
Entertainment
Calvin Harris’ Ex-Business Manager Denies $22M Fraud Claims: ‘Categorically False’

Calvin Harris‘ former longtime business manager is firing back against bombshell fraud claims, saying he never stole from anybody and that the Scottish DJ willingly agreed to invest in his Los Angeles real estate development project.
Thomas St. John, an entertainment industry-focused accountant who runs the eponymous firm Thomas St. John Group, is currently wrapped up in thorny arbitration proceedings with his former client Harris (Adam Wiles). He’s accused of abusing his access to Harris’ accounts in order to fund his side venture: the construction of a recording studio and office space complex in Hollywood.
Harris claims that St. John tricked him into investing $22.5 million in the project, known as CMNTY Culture Campus, which he says turned out to be a “complete boondoggle” that he “has not received a single penny in return for” — while suggesting that St. John pocketed much of the money for himself.
However, a representative for St. John says in a new statement that the allegations are “categorically false.” The rep denies that St. John engaged in any self-dealing, adding that Harris is one of nine above-board investors who “knowingly signed investment agreements” to get involved in CMNTY Culture.
“Not a single dollar has been misappropriated, all investor entitlements remain intact, and the project continues to advance within the normal entitlement timeline,” says St. John’s rep in the Tuesday (Sept. 23) statement. “We will continue to take every necessary step to set the record straight and to ensure that these malicious, bad-faith attacks are recognized for what they are: entirely without merit.”
While CMNTY Culture was initially designed to house a recording studio and office space, St. John has since shifted the plans and is now developing a residential apartment complex on the same tract of land in Hollywood. According to his rep, the project is proceeding apace and “is expected to approach a $1 billion valuation” upon completion.
“While the entitlement process has naturally taken longer than initially projected due to unprecedented interest, macroeconomic conditions and significant city red tape, it remains firmly within its promised schedule and is now on the verge of securing final entitlements, an important milestone that will unlock substantial value,” adds St. John’s rep.
Thomas St. John Group has offices in Los Angeles, London, Amsterdam and Stockholm. The management firm’s U.S. arm recently filed for bankruptcy, citing hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid rent in L.A. and multiple pending legal actions.
One creditor listed in the firm’s bankruptcy papers is Philip Lawrence, a songwriter and producer who made his name collaborating with Bruno Mars. Lawrence used to be a client of St. John’s and at one point invested $10 million from the sale of his catalog into CMNTY Culture Campus, according to court filings in Lawrence’s own personal bankruptcy case.
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