Latin Music Conference Chats Up Chayanne.

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Author: Cobo, Leila lcobo@billboard.com

Latin Notas™

How hard is it to stay on top of the heap for nearly 20 years? We'll ask Chayanne, who takes center stage during the Q&A session at the upcoming Billboard Latin Music Conference & Awards.

The Puerto Rican singer will see his "Desde Siempre" (Sony) released March 29. The set is a compilation of romantic hits.

One of Latin music's biggest stars, Chayanne has recorded 11 studio albums as a soloist since 1984. Two of them peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart; four reached the top 10. In addition, he has had eight No. 1s on the Billboard Hot Latin tracks chart.

Beyond his musical accomplishments, Chayanne has been at the forefront of artist endorsements, securing deals through the years with such major brands as Pepsi, Lays and Dentyne. A recent worldwide tour was sponsored by American Airlines and Visa (the latter company provided support outside of the United States) and presented by Vívelo in the States.

Chayanne is also an actor. He has starred in multiple soap operas and made his feature-film debut in the lead role of "Dance With Me," alongside Vanessa Williams.

The Q&A session takes place April 27. Past stars who have sat down with Billboard include Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony, Paulina Rubio and Alejandro Sanz.

For more information on the conference, go to billboardevents.com.

THAT'S DOPE: Warner Music Latina is the latest label to make an overt bid for the urban Latin marketplace. Earlier this month, the company announced a deal with Dope House Records that calls for Warner to distribute and market Dope House releases and also make some of its catalog available for streaming.

Dope House's more hardcore roster, which includes SPM and Juan Gotti, is a departure from the reggaetón and urban regional subgenres that are more commonly associated with urban Latin music.

"Dope House is a label that has street credibility, which is very important for us," says Iñigo Zabala, president of Warner Music Latin America. "What we'll contribute is distribution and marketing to reach mass radio."

Zabala is also banking on the first release under the new deal, the new album by Gotti, due in April. The first single is a remake of Juan Carlos Calderón's "La Incondicional." Another track is a collaboration with regional Mexican band Grupo Pesado.

While Gotti's album is 70% Spanish and 30% English, some releases will tilt in the other direction. In those cases, Zabala says, Atlantic Records will work the releases instead of Warner Music Latina.

Arthur Coy Jr. and his brother Carlos Coy (aka SPM) founded Dope House. Carlos is in jail for sexually assaulting a minor, but he maintains close contact with his label.

WARNER REVAMPS WEST COAST: In other Warner Music Latina news, the label has made some changes in its West Coast operations.

Jorge Sanchez, formally Los Angeles office coordinator, has been promoted to West Coast radio promoter. He will service all pop and regional Mexican radio stations in California, Arizona and Nevada.

Chris Martinez, who was formerly in WEA's sales department, is appointed to the newly created position of label manager/radio promoter for hip-hop. He will be based in Los Angeles.

Hugo Garza will occupy the new post of label manager/radio promoter for regional Mexican, based in Texas. Claudia Sandoval continues as West Coast publicist.

All report to Albert Ramirez III, who is appointed director of promotions and marketing for the West Coast, Texas and Chicago. He reports to marketing VP Angel Kaminski, who is based in Miami.

IN BRIEF: Sources say Mexican media giant Grupo Televisa will probably announce the launch of a music label by year's end. Televisa sold Fonovisa Records to Univision in April 2002. Televisa did not have any comment.

PHOTO (COLOR): CHAYANNE: WILL JOIN Q&A SESSION

PHOTO (COLOR)

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By Leila Cobo, lcobo@billboard.com