Kaylah Walton
This Thursday, November 14, marks the 25th Latin Grammy Awards, celebrating excellence in Latin music. This year, the event will introduce new award categories and a diverse lineup of artists.
This year’s ceremony will return to the United States after being hosted in Seville, Spain in 2023, taking place at the impressive Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, starting at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT.
Esteemed guests will include: producer Edgar Barrera, along with artists like Residente, Myke Towers, DJ Khaled, Jon Bon Jovi, Joe Jonas, Anitta, Becky G, Eladio Carrion, Grupo Frontera, Kali Uchis, Pitbull, Luis Fonsi, Juan Luis Guerra, and Carin Leon.
Performers for the evening will feature Pepe Aguilar, Chiquis, Goyo, Mon Laferte, Nathy Peluso, and Rauw Alejandro, alongside previous nominees Alejandro Sanz, Gloria Estefan, Juanes, and Julieta Venegas. Colombian artist Carlos Vives, who will receive the 2024 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Award, will also be performing.
Leading Nominees
For a second consecutive year, producer and composer Edgar Barrera leads with nine nominations, following his work with stars including Madonna, Karol G, Peso Pluma, Shakira, and Grupo Frontera. Last year, he garnered 13 nominations, winning three awards.
Hot on his heels are Karol G and Bad Bunny, each securing eight nominations.
This year’s awards include two fresh categories: Best Latin Electronic Music Performance and Best Contemporary Mexican Music Album.
Understanding the Latin Grammy and Grammy Connection
Manuel Abud indicates that the Latin Recording Academy and the Recording Academy share a close relationship.
“They are like sister organizations, with shared foundations focused on celebrating music creators and professionals,” he explained, noting their similar voting processes, though adapted for international aspects in the Latin Grammys.
While the Grammy Awards cater primarily to the US audience, the Latin Grammy Awards emphasize Spanish-language music globally.
Artists can belong to both academies if they are Latin artists working in the U.S. The awards are similar in appearance but differ in color; the base of a Latin Grammy is wine-colored compared to the black base of a Grammy.
Abud stated, “The Recording Academy is a guiding force, providing four members on our board, including its president and CEO.”
The inaugural Latin Grammy Awards were held in Los Angeles in 2000, with subsequent ceremonies in various cities including Miami, New York, Houston, Seville, and Las Vegas.
Originally, the show was broadcast in English, which proved unpopular among artists who felt it disrespected their language preferences. A shift to Spanish was made as the large Mexican audience preferred viewing in their native language.
