On Thursday night, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny won big at the Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas. His album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, snagged the prestigious Album of the Year award. Despite already having a dozen trophies, this was the first time he won in one of the top three categories: album, record, or song of the year.
As Bad Bunny took the stage, he initially seemed a bit confused but quickly found his way to the microphone. He expressed gratitude to his family and collaborators, dedicating the award to young people in Latin America, especially Puerto Rico. He emphasized, “There are many ways to show patriotism and defend our land — we choose music.”
Bad Bunny’s victory didn’t stop there; he won four more Latin Grammys in urban and reggaeton categories. This success may set the stage for more wins, as he is also nominated for six awards at the upcoming Grammys and will headline the Super Bowl halftime show in February.
In other major awards, Colombian artist Karol G won Song of the Year for her merengue hit “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” while Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz took Record of the Year for his ballad “Palmeras En El Jardín.” As Sanz humorously noted during his acceptance speech, “Benito, I stole it from you. Forgive me,” referring to Bad Bunny, who laughed along.
The Latin Grammys featured 60 categories, showcasing diverse genres and talent. One standout was the Argentine duo CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso, who won five awards for their lively, satirical album Papota. They delivered an energetic performance filled with props and enthusiasm.
Paloma Morphy, a rising star from Mexico, won Best New Artist. Legendary figures like Gloria Estefan and Rubén Blades also received honors in traditional genres. Liniker, a Brazilian soul artist who made history in 2022 as the first trans woman to win a Latin Grammy, won multiple awards, including Best Portuguese Language Album.
While most winners celebrated their achievements, legendary corrido band Los Tigres del Norte used their platform to address pressing social issues. Their performance of “La Lotería” included imagery from immigrant rights protests, highlighting the political tensions many Latino communities face today.
Overall, the Latin Grammy Awards not only celebrated exceptional talent but also emphasized the significance of culture and identity within the Latin music landscape. For more insights on the Latin Grammys, check out the official Latin Recording Academy site.
