Eric West, Samuel Mancini & Kedward Avilés Earn First U.S. Gold Single With “Tú Eliges”

Rising global superstars Eric West, Samuel Mancini, and Kedward Avilés have officially earned their first Gold-certified single in the United States with the breakout hit “Tú Eliges.”

The trio — representing New York, Pittsburgh, and Puerto Rico — first made headlines after the song debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Sales chart last year. Co-written by legendary hitmakers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis alongside members of Color Me Badd, “Tú Eliges” has now officially been certified Latin Gold (ORO) in the United States, surpassing 30,000 sales-equivalent units.

The group received the surprise honor during an appearance on En La Mañana on TeleOnce, where they were presented with a commemorative Gold plaque on-air.

Already recognized as one of the breakout Latin-pop success stories of the year, the trio also captured the award for Best Indie Act at the 2025 Ritmo Latino Awards.

“Tú Eliges” quickly became an international phenomenon. The single marked the first Latin chart-topper for Jam & Lewis and made history as a rare crossover success, debuting at No. 49 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 48 on the Official UK Downloads Chart. The track also became the first Spanish-language single in nearly seven years to break into the UK Top 50 since J Balvin’s “X.”

In an additional milestone, “Tú Eliges” overtook major releases from Bad Bunny and Rauw Alejandro on the charts, signaling the arrival of a new force in global Latin pop. The song also dominated the UK iTunes Latin Chart, where four separate remixes simultaneously occupied spots in the Top 5.

At the center of the group’s success is Eric West, whose expanding career across music, film, and television has positioned him as one of entertainment’s most closely watched rising talents. West previously received VIBE Magazine’s “Next Award” and was recognized by ESSENCE in its “New and Next: Ones to Watch” feature alongside The Weeknd and Zendaya.

On screen, West starred opposite Katherine LaNasa in the television drama Satisfaction, earning a Shorty Award nomination for Best Actor. He also received acclaim for his role in Labeled, whose cast won Best Ensemble Cast in a Comedy.

His film credits include appearances alongside Bruce Willis and Chad Michael Murray in Fortress, as well as roles in Just for Showmance and The Hurler: A Champion’s Tale. West has also appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Watch What Happens Live, while performing at internationally recognized events including the MTV Video Music Awards.

Meanwhile, Samuel Mancini continues to emerge as one of pop and R&B’s fastest-rising voices. His breakout single “SOAK” topped the U.S. R&B iTunes Chart, reached No. 3 on the UK R&B iTunes Chart, charted in more than 40 countries, and entered Billboard’s R&B Top 10. His mixtape Feed the Fire also reached the Billboard Top 25 Albums Chart. Mancini has additionally expanded into acting, appearing alongside Diane Keaton and Timothée Chalamet.

Kedward Avilés has likewise built a growing international profile through music, theater, and television. The Puerto Rican performer has appeared in productions of West Side Story, Evita, and Into the Woods, while also starring in the hit Puerto Rican series Súper Chef. His performances have included the 2020 U.S. Presidential Inauguration and the 500th anniversary celebration of San Juan, in addition to campaigns for major brands including Honda, Hyundai, and Pepsi.

Industry buzz continues to build around an upcoming remix of “Tú Eliges,” rumored to feature an iconic 1990s group. The new dance version, produced by Lusinate, will reportedly introduce both English and Spanish versions of the track — positioning the single for another global run across radio, streaming, and dance floors worldwide.