Epic Records Newcomer Kat De Luna Releases Debut Album 9 Lives on August 7th

“Fiery, young newcomer Kat De Luna is releasing her debut album 9 Lives on Epic Records August 7th 2007. The bi-lingual songstress has already been heating up the summer with her sizzling hit, “Whine Up” featuring dancehall king Elephant Man. The single fast reacted at radio, quickly climbing the Pop Radio charts in a matter of weeks thanks to the early power rotation support from Z100 in NY and Kiss in LA. The song is not only a smash on radio, it’s a dance craze catching the attention of fans everywhere with its infectious video, already featured on MTV’s TRL “First Look” and BET’s “106th and Park.” The “Whine Up” dance has inspired MySpace and YouTube fans all over the country to submit their versions online.

Kat’s album 9 Lives is a “worldly brew” as Kat describes, of pop, reggae dance hall, hip-hop, merengue, R&B and bachata sound of her Dominican roots with hints of her classical training in opera infused throughout the album. She recently made her television debut on Live with Regis and Kelly on July 9th and critics are also taking note. Billboard says “DeLuna’s launch single offers ultimate seasonal sizzle ”” over the airwaves, or the beach, down the highway and across dance floors. A “Whine” to be heard proud the world over.” Entertainment Weekly raved, “Summer Dance Floor Smash of “07’”and Z100 radio claimed Kat’s single as “the song of the summer.”

Her second single, “Am I Dreaming” is a catchy merengue-tinged ballad that is reminiscent of the romantic style of Selena. Kat is set to shoot the video in her homeland of Dominican Republic where she will capture the Caribbean feel of the song.

The 19-year old Dominican beauty, who R. Kelly hailed as a “prodigy” got her start as a classically trained opera singer at the New Jersey School of Performing Arts, known for its famous alumni including Whitney Houston, Sarah Vaughn and Savion Glover. Though financial situations were rough for the Dominican Republic and New Jersey raised singer, Kat found an outlet for her talent, performing at local carnivals, talent shows, and showcases and studying musical greats such as Aretha Franklin and Billie Holiday for inspiration.

After a brief stint in the Latina, hip-hop girl group named Coquette, Kat soon realized her destiny as a solo recording artist and began shopping a deal with several record labels. She caught the attention of Epic Records President, who signed her immediately to a recording contract after she performed an a capella rendition of a Whitney Houston song.

Now with her debut album, 9 Lives, Kat De Luna is ready to show the world the depth and many sides of her talent and personality. She has upcoming appearances at the Teen Vogue “Fashion Live Event” on July 26th, “Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson” on August 8th, CBS Arthur Ashe Kids Day Event on August 25th and WWE’s “Summerslam” event on Pay Per View on August 26th.

9 LIVES, IN STORES AUGUST 7TH”

• Raul Humberto Yzaguirre, 70, a veteran activist in the civil rights struggle of Hispanics in the United States, has been accepted by the Dominican Government as new American ambassador in the country.
• Radio Arte, a community, bilingual and youth-centered radio station owned by the National Museum of Mexican Art, is joining forces with Vocalo.org, founded by Chicago Public Radio, for a year-long collaboration.
• Yanked off the air in July after co-host Don Pryor repeatedly uttered an ethnic slur, “The Todd and Don Show” will return to KLBJ-AM on Dec. 7, according to a statement released jointly by the station’s management and local Hispanic leaders who met earlier today. – Austin
• Eduardo Caballero to receive Medalla de Cortez Award in NYC
• Facing a group of presidents loudly critical of Washington, the U.S. government’s Voice of America broadcast is expanding its audience in Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador and Nicaragua, VOA officials say.
• ESPN Deportes Radio WAMA 1550 AM Launches in Tampa
• American Airlines adds a Santo Domingo-New York flight with Boeing 777
• Charlotte’s classical-music station, Davidson College’s WDAV-FM (89.9), is looking at adding a Spanish channel. – Called “Concierto,” it would be broadcast on one of WDAV’s HD radio channels and streamed on the Web.
• Citadel Media en Espanol Partners with Terra to Develop Online Brand Extensions for Radio Portfolio
• A Spanish-language station belatedly flips radio’s ratings switch – “that Spanish-language station La Invasora came out of nowhere to nearly crack the Top 20.”
• Dominican Tourism offices to open in Atlanta, Las Vegas, Orlando, Boston
• IMF Approves $1.7 Bln Loan To Dominican Republic
• Que Buena Radio’s 11th Annual ‘Los Premios de la Radio’ – The event will be held at the famed NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE, located across the street from the STAPLES Center, on Tuesday, November 10th at 7:15 p.m
• A small Dominican Republic town plagued by birth defects wants to know if a U.S. power company is to blame.
• Border Media, formerly BMP Radio, is ending Spanish-language broadcasts on four Austin stations as of 1 a.m. Sunday – La Ley 98.9 FM, Digital 92.5 and 104.9 FM, and Juan 1490 AM
• Anselmo “Sam” Potter, the business manager for Univision Radio Florida pleaded guilty to 6 counts of wire fraud and embezzling
• As La Kalle prepares to unveil new call letters, Hispanic radio listeners happy with strong signal – WCAA moved from 105.9 FM to 96.3 FM – NYC
• Northern California radio-talk Host and Columnist Roberto Hernandez to receive NLGJA Award
• Diana Delgado, was appointed as the new Vice President of Corporate Sales for Lazer Broadcasting a Spanish language radio station company based out of Oxnard, California.
• Interview: Josh Norek shines a light on alternative Latino music (+ he is a good guy imho)