The 2024 Latin Grammy Awards are here — and it’s a milestone anniversary. This year the event celebrated 25 years of honoring the best of Latin music in Spanish and Portuguese.
Thursday night’s ceremony at the Kaseya Center in Miami, considered the epicenter of Latin culture in the U.S., was packed with star-studded performances highlighting the explosive growth of Latin music in recent years — it’s now the nation’s fastest-growing streaming genre.
More than 700 artists were nominated across 58 categories this year, according to Manuel Abud, CEO of the Latin Recording Academy.
Merengue and bachata great Juan Luis Guerra was the biggest winner of the night taking home the top award: album of the year for “Radio Güira.”
The Dominican singer electrified the stage with an inventive performance of his hit “Mambo 23,” which also won best tropical song and the prestigious record of the year.
In a win that surprised many, including Jorge Drexler himself, the Uruguayan singer-songwriter snagged the other top award, winning song of the year with “Derrumbe,” a two-minute song he described as a simple and introspective.
Drexler dedicated his award to his father, who died two weeks ago. He is “the one who taught me to understand the complexities of love in all its shades, from the best to the saddest moments,” Drexler said.
Colombian singer-songwriter Carlos Vives delivered a special opening performance honoring his 30-year career, which has focused on reinterpreting “vallenato” and other folkloric sounds of his homeland for a mainstream global audience.
Vives sang some of his biggest hits such as “Fruta Fresca” and “La Bicicleta” and closed his performance accompanied by fellow Colombian singers Camilo, Juanes, Sebastian Yatra and others.
Rock icon Bon Jovi made an appearance to give Vives a special award recognizing him as the Latin Recording Academy’s Person of the Year.
“This is for my country Colombia because I continue to believe that in music are the ideas needed to live united in diversity,” Vives said in his acceptance speech.
Bon Jovi did not leave the Latin Grammys without performing a remixed version of his mega hit “Now Or Never” alongside Cuban American rapper and producer Pitbull.
According to the Latin Recording Academy, more than 30 artists took the stage to deliver show-stopping tributes honoring the memories of key figures who made great contributions to Latin music.
The first epic homage of the night was dedicated to crooner José José, mariachi singer Vicente Fernández and singer-songwriter — all three of them late Mexican cultural icons. The tribute was performed by Reik, Leonel García, Alejandro Fernández, David Bisbal and Carlos Rivera.
Brazilian pop star Anitta sang a stripped down version of her nominated hit “Mil Veces” alongside musician Tiago as well as some of the most recognizable bossa nova tunes made famous by the late Sérgio Mendes.
The show was also intentional about embracing younger artists blazing new trails in the industry — from a medley with up-and-coming urban artists Eladio Carrión, Quevedo, Myke Towers, to a Spanglish performance by Joe Jonas and Ela Taubert, who won best new artist.
Echoing this spirit were also performances by Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean, Puerto Rican experimental musician Álvaro Díaz and Trueno, who already won best urban fusion/performance.
Latina singer-songwriters Elena Rose, Kali Uchis and Emilia Mernes dazzled audiences with their distinct vocal performances and charismatic stage presence.
Latin music icon Marc Anthony performed and executive produced a special segment with salsa great Sergio George to pay homage to the tropical music genre. It concluded with a duet of Anthony’s and La India’s memorable hit “Vivir Lo Nuestro.”
With nine nominations, producer and songwriter Edgar Barrera is the most nominated artist. It is his second year in a row leading the nominations. Barrera is responsible for hits like “Un x100to” by Grupo Frontera and Bad Bunny, as well as “Mi Ex Tenía Razón” by Karol G, just to name a few.
Among the winners who received their awards during the televised show were Carin León’s “Boca Chueca, Vol. 1” for best contemporary Mexican music album, Draco Rosa’s “Reflejos De Lo Eterno” for best pop/rock album and Kany García’s “García” for best traditional pop vocal album.
Karol G won best urban music album for “Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season)” and “Despacito” singer Luis Fonsi won best pop vocal album for “El Viaje.”
Most winners had already received their gramophone-shaped trophies at the Latin Grammy premiere event Thursday afternoon at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Barrera won three awards: songwriter of the year, best regional song and producer of the year.
“I can’t believe this one,” Barrera, who is Mexican American, said after he won the third award. “Because all the producers with whom I am nominated are an inspiration for me.”
Spanish Argentine singer Nathy Peluso, known for her powerhouse vocals and genre-bending music, also snagged three awards during the pre-show. Her song “El Día Que Perdí Mi Juventud” earned her an award for best alternative song, “Aprender A Amar” won for best rap/hip hop song, and her album “Grasa” got her a win for best long-form music video.
“Art is about putting your heart and faith into it,” Peluso said in accepting the last award. “Thanks to music and ‘Grasa’ for bringing me so many blessings. It made me find myself and create something I am proud of.”
Peluso ended the night as the most awarded female artist at this year’s Latin Grammys.
