djfrosty

Now in its third year, the Latin Grammy’s Best New Artist Showcase raised the bar for emerging talent, delivering a spectacular evening on Tuesday (Nov. 12) at Miami Beach’s Faena Forum. Hosted by Catalina García of Monsieur Periné, the event spotlighted this year’s contenders for the 25th Annual Latin Grammy Awards best new artist category, each proving why they deserved their place on this prestigious platform.

The event featured a star-studded lineup of nominees, each bringing their own flavor to the stage: Agris, Kevin Aguilar, Darumas, Nicolle Horbath, Cacá Magalhães, Os Garotin, Íñigo Quintero, Sofi Saar, and Ela Taubert.

The performances spanned a gamut of genres and styles. Many artists — who each had the opportunity to sing two songs — chose to cover iconic renditions, a move that, while risky, paid off in some cases by highlighting their vocal prowess and interpretive skills. 

Kany García, who won the best new artist title in 2008, introduced Monterrey’s Sofi Saar, who captivated the audience with her “popteño” swagger, reflecting a much-needed female perspective in the genre. Her performance included her exciting original work followed by a cover of Selena’s “Si Una Vez,” a personal favorite of mine by the late Tejana legend.

Spanish sensation Íñigo Quintero, who previously topped the Billboard Global Excl. US chart, delivered a poignant performance with his trademark soft piano balladry. Brazil’s Cacá Magalhães and Mexico’s Agris both left strong impressions with their potent singing abilities — the latter artist sang the timeless hit “Paloma Negra” with a haunting but thrilling vocal quality.

US-based trio Darumas — comprising Aldana Aguirre, Ceci León and Vedala Vilmond who hail from Argentina, Cuba, and Haiti, respecively — kicked off with their mix of old-school funk, rock-infused R&B, and a dash of riot grrrl attitude. However, one of the standout moments of the show was when they impeccably sang one of the hardest songs to sing by the legendary Whitney Houston, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”

Hands down, a highlight of the night was Os Garotin’s performance. Composed of Anchietx, Cupertino and Leo Guima, the trio from Rio de Janeiro’s São Gonçalo amped up the vibe with their infectuous mix of funk, soul, and rap, which got the crowd to their feet and received a standing ovation. Their dance moves were also contagious which kept all eyes glued to them.

Though Barranquilla’s Nicolle Horbath delivered a competent rendition of 2024’s Person of the Year Carlos Vives’ “Fruta Fresca,” it was a relatively safe choice that nonetheless succeeded in engaging the audience. Missing in action was Mexico’s experimental rock troupe Latin Mafia — a personal disappointment, as they are one of my favorite emerging stars of the year — although an introductory video managed to cover their absence somewhat.

The showcase closed on a high note with the youngest nominee, 13-year-old Kevin Aguilar, whose old-soul voice and invigorating performance belied his young age. Accompanied by an accordion, he delivered an impassioned performance of the corrido “Cuando Te Cambian Por Alguien,” evoking comparisons to a young Christian Nodal at the onset of his career.

In an exhilarating turn, Aguilar then shifted gears to perform Luis Miguel’s “La Incondicional,” infused with a polka-styled norteña beat. His execution was flawless, hitting each note with precision and intensity that captivated and left the audience in awe, confirming his status as a standout performer of the night.

Esteemed past winners and nominees such as Tiago Iorc, Joaquina, Juliana, Manuel Medrano, Nella, Mau y Ricky, and Nicole Zignago also graced the event as presenters of this year’s nominees. 

In the words of the Latin Recording Academy’s CEO, Manuel Abud: “The best new artist category is very special for us, because it is a reflection of the mission of The Latin Recording Academy, to support and promote new talent and open doors for them,” he said from the stage. “The guys are surely going to have several nominations and surely many awards, but nominated for best new artist, just this once. That makes it a very special moment and it’s also one in which we can influence and positively affect the artist’s life in a unique way. It is a turning point in their careers.”

Each performance echoed Abud’s sentiments during an evening that not only celebrated the current crop of new talent but also set a high standard for Latin music’s blooming future.