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Latin American Music Awards

Dripping in diamonds and donning all-black, Peso Pluma and Arcángel took the stage at the 2024 Latin American Music Awards to perform their joint single “Peso Completo.” Accompanied by 2 dozen black-clad people with their faces covered and standing in two rows amid scaffolding — and exuding mysterious vibes — the Mexican and Puerto Rican superstars […]

At the 2024 Latin American Music Awards, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Yandel delivered an exhilarating show and testified why he’s a genre pioneer. The Latin music icon also accepted the Latin AMA Pioneer Award for his trailblazing contributions in reggaetón.
Clad in a black leather outfit and silver chains, looking straight out of a post-apocalyptic Mad Max setting, the Puerto Rican artist rocked the stage alongside dancers in matching black outfits and several of his genre peers.

He opened his medley with “Caserio,” a savory slow-tempo dancehall tune, and transitioned to “Te Suelto el Pelo” — that’s when the reggaetón rhythm began to set the mood. The momentum started crescendoing as Yandel spun through his hits such as “Permítame,” originally by Tony Dize, and was soon joined by Jay Wheeler.

The superstar then smoothly moved on to sing his banger “Encantadora” alongside Farruko, who delivered sultry vocals. As the light work continued to intrigue, Feid stepped onstage in his signature neon green, and they both began to sing “Fecha” from their latest joint album Manifesting 20-05.

After the nearly 10-minute performance was done, Jay Wheeler, Farruko, Feid, Steve Aoki and Arcángel gathered to offer heartfelt words of why Yandel has created such an impact in Latin music.

Here’s Yandel’s full speech below:

“I have been in this career for a long time, since 1998. I chose to be in this career because of my love for music and the true love of those beginnings, when reggaetón was nothing. You live in moments with many hurdles along the way, but when you don’t lose faith and you set your mind to dedication, effort and passion, there is no one or nothing that can stop you. You are going to make it.

“And these magical moments are unique and I feel very proud to be here. Thanks to my work, my team, and to all the artists and colleagues who have collaborated with me during all this time, all this way of music. Among them my partner of many battles, my brother Wisin, I love you with all my heart, my brother. We have both been blessed as duos and with our new career also as solo artists, so it is a blessing. Brother, I love you with all my heart and we are going to keep breaking.

“To my people at Warner Latino, Alejandro Duque and Roberto Andrade, thank you for believing in me, for supporting me in this beautiful stage of my career. To my support that you give me every day, without you this would not be possible. So much respect. Manifesting is on the street, breaking. Thank you.”

Thalia, Becky G, Alejandra Espinoza and Carlos Ponce co-hosed the award ceremony that presented in a combination of English and Spanish, marking the first time any major U.S. award show featured a bilingual broadcast via Univision.

Marc Anthony presented the world premiere of his newest single “Ale Ale” at the Latin American Music Awards 2024, ahead of the release of his long-awaited album. And with its “ale, ale, ale” hook, it already sounds like a summer anthem. Hands down, the New York Boricua demonstrated once again that he’s the king of […]

Colombian singer/rapper Ryan Castro channeled a candid rendition of Héctor Lavoe’s timeless salsa song “El Cantante,” appropriately titled “El Cantante del Ghetto” at the Latin American Music Awards 2024.

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Sporting a red, snazzy suit with bold glasses and cornrows, the Medellín native showed off his vocal prowess on his heartbreak tribute song.

“Loves like yours can’t be bought, they can’t be compared, they can’t be known/ If I gave my all to make this relationship last/ Look me in the face and tell me you don’t know me,” he crooned against blaring horns a festive rhythm section, enlivening the crowed in attendance, and this viewer. The song is the first single of his upcoming album, set for release May 9th.

The song was a timely choice, especially considering that the original 1978 classic was inducted into the National Recording Registry this year, the song that became emblematic at the height of the 1970s New York City salsa era.

The 2024 Latin American Music Awards took place Thursday, April 25, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas via Univision.

Hitmakers Feid and Peso Pluma lead this year’s list of nominations with 12 nods each. The Colombian singer and Mexican star, who are up for the coveted artist of the year award and album of the year award, are followed by top nominees Bad Bunny (11), Grupo Frontera (11), Karol G (9), Shakira (9), Eslabon Armado (8) and Fuerza Regida (8). 

Thalia, Becky G, Alejandra Espinoza and Carlos Ponce co-hosed the award ceremony that presented in a combination of English and Spanish, marking the first time any major U.S. award show featured a bilingual broadcast.

With high spirts and an energetic presence, Thalia opened up the Latin American Music Awards with the world premiere of the “Te Va a Doler” remix from her upcoming album A Mucha Honra, which releases Friday. Behind the decks was Mexican American DJ Deorro, who gave the song the electronic treatment.

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Rocking a metallic outfit channeling the spirit of a sexy space cadet, the Mexican icon showcased her dance moves amid over a dozen dancers who wore similar shiny outfits. “Thalia!” the audience chanted at the end of her lively presentation.

“What a joy to see so many familiar faces, and what a beautiful blend of cultures. We are here because we speak música,” the co-host said at the end of her set.

Thalia recently told Billboard Español, “‘Te Va a Doler’ is a song that despite being regional, has a little bit of both worlds. It has a little more of Thalia’s universe, of my musical and interpretative style, but it still has the power and sonority of the new Mexican regional.’

The 2024 Latin American Music Awards took place Thursday, April 25, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas via Univision. Hitmakers Feid and Peso Pluma lead this year’s list of nominations with 12 nods each.

The Colombian singer and Mexican star, who are up for the coveted artist of the year award and album of the year award, are followed by top nominees Bad Bunny (11), Grupo Frontera (11), Karol G (9), Shakira (9), Eslabon Armado (8) and Fuerza Regida (8). 

Thalia, Becky G, Alejandra Espinoza and Carlos Ponce co-hosed the award ceremony that presented in a combination of English and Spanish, marking the first time any major U.S. awards show featured a bilingual broadcast.

Argentine-Mexican singer Noel Schajris is set to hit the stage at the Latin American Music Awards on Thursday night (April 25), where he’ll be performing a brand new song with country star Jennifer Nettles, “Love’s Still Here.” 

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Billboard Español’s Sigal Ratner-Arias caught up with him to talk all about his busy schedule and how he gets ready for his constant touring and for a performance like the Latin AMAs. “I’ve been exercising daily for three years and the day I don’t exercise my body feels weird,” Schajris said. “And the diet, that’s vital. And I feel much better now that I’m almost 50 than at 40. I don’t know if you’ve seen me in shows, but I don’t stop jumping and I climb the rafters,” he added, laughing.

In addition to his work as a solo artist and businessman through his own record label, Dynamo Productions, the singer of “Lo Mejor de Mí” and “No Veo La Hora” is still part of the chart-topping duo Sin Bandera with Leonel García (under Sony Music), and talked about how he juggles it all. 

“It’s a challenge. The schedules are crazy. In the middle of a tour with Sin Bandera, which we did 80 shows all over the world, owning my own record label and my own music, releasing a new album, having three children, a family, many artists that we are signing on Dynamo Productions who require my time and I am [also] the A&R of the company, so I am involved in all aspects of all the repertoires of all the albums — it is very demanding,” he acknowledged. “But it’s achieved because of the passion I have for doing all these things.”

As for his own music, which includes his most recent album #SiempreLoSupe and a new version of the title track with Alemor, he says he’s enjoying his freedom as an independent artist.

“As a soloist I give myself the luxury of flying and looking for other textures that are a little more rock, more symphonic, as in the case of ‘Silencio’ with Tony Levin,” Schajris explains. “I allow myself to do things that are a little more alternative. I even sing a cumbia with a band from Peru, Grupo 5.”

“There’s definitely more freedom when I work as a soloist,” he adds, “and it’s a lot of fun.”

The Latin AMAs will air live at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 25, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas via Univision, UNIMÁS, Galavisión and ViX. 

The 2024 Latin American Music Awards are taking place this Thursday, April 25, live from Las Vegas via Univision. Before all the glitz and glam, Billboard was backstage at rehearsals catching up with some of the night’s nominees and performers. 

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Under the theme “We Speak Música,” the awards ceremony will broadcast its first-ever bilingual edition co-hosted by Thalia, Becky G, Alejandra Espinoza, and Carlos Ponce. This year’s top nominees are Feid and Peso Pluma with 12 nods each. Meanwhile, Banda MS, Ricardo Montaner, and Yandel will be honored with special tributes and awards. 

The Latin AMAs will air live at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 25, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas via Univision, UNIMÁS, Galavisión and ViX. 

Trending on Billboard

Below, check out some of the best highlights during rehearsals: 

New Albums Galore

Backstage at rehearsals, a handful of artists revealed that they will be releasing new albums this year. Danny Ocean, for example, opened up about his forthcoming Reflexa, which he described as a very personal process where he reflected on his life and the future of his career. Farruko, on the other hand, explained he will be premiering a song with Ky-Mani Marley at the 2024 Latin AMAs, marking the first single of his next studio album dropping soon. 

Meanwhile, Wisin is set to drop his own project dubbed Mr. W this week, where he reeled in colleagues such as Don Omar, Yandel, Pedro Capo, Mora, and Jowell y Randy. “Doing music for me is not a job, it’s pleasure,” he tells Billboard. “I enjoy going to the studio and being able to collaborate. I enjoy breaking barriers in music. I think that’s what my album is all about.” 

Los Avengers Are Back

In their comeback era, Los Avengers will be performing at the 2024 Latin AMAs. Four of the reggaetón collective’s members—Justin Quiles, Sech, Dalex, and Dimelo Flow—were at rehearsals talking about their new album, The Academy: Segunda Mision, and their highly-anticipated night. 

“We transported 2019 to 2024, a bit more advanced with new music,” Quiles says to Billboard. “The same group. Good energy, good music. Everytime we get together, it’s organic.” Sech, who’s been taking a break from music and social media, could not contain his excitement. “I was working on myself. Life goes by very fast. I was organizing myself but we came to have an incredible time with the boys,” he notes. 

AB Quintanilla’s Sweet Initiative

AB Quintanilla, who will form part of Banda MS’ tribute performance, used his platform to talk about a heartfelt initiative he has going on with his latest single, “El Rey de la Kumbia,” which he worked on over a year ago with the late artist, Lefty SM. “The beautiful thing about this song is that the record label and myself agreed that any financials made from the song, the publishing, anything whatsoever, would go to his wife and kids. So, it’s good giving back,” he expresses.

AB Quintanilla

Courtesy of Univision

Yandel Talks Feid Bromance

Yandel was present at the Latin AMAs, where he’s set to receive a special award for being one of the pioneers of the reggaetón movement on Thursday night (April 25). At rehearsals, he talked about his freshly-released joint EP with Feid, MANIFESTING 20-05. “It called my attention because I never expected it,” he notes. “I always wanted to collaborate with him because I like his talent, how he sings, his energy, how he is as a person. When I met him, I became more of a fan. [The album] was a proposal I made to him after ‘Yandel 150.’ For me, it’s a special project that I’m enjoying because I’m attracting [a] new generation [of fans].”

Becky G’s Co-Hosting Era

Becky G is ready to co-host the award ceremony’s first-ever bilingual broadcast alongside Thalia, Alejandra Espinoza, and Carlos Ponce. “It’s my first time coming to one of these awards shows and not feeling ashamed of being a Pocha, speaking in Spanglish,” the Mexican-American singer exclusively tells Billboard. “I know there are many generations that also identify with their Latin roots and want to participate in celebrating our culture but maybe don’t always feel welcomed to do so, so our hope is to extend a big hug to all the multi-generational families that are going to be watching this show.” Backstage, she also reflected on “Shower,” which was released 10 years ago and has opened so much doors for her since. Watch the full interview below:

Deorro, Farruko, Gabito Ballesteros, Jay Wheeler, Justin Quiles, Peso Pluma and Yng Lvcas are set to perform at the 2024 Latin American Music Awards.
TelevisaUnivision announced its first round of performers on Thursday (Apr. 4) for the upcoming ceremony, which will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas via Univision, UNIMÁS, Galavision and ViX on Thursday, April 25, at 7 p.m. ET.

Trending on Billboard

Peso Pluma will return to the Latin AMAs stage, where he made his first televised performance at the ceremony last year. The Guadalajara native is one of the most nominated artists of the night with 12 entries, including artist of the year, new artist of the year, song of the year (“Ella Baila Sola” with Eslabon Armado) and best album – regional Mexican (Génesis), among others. To see the complete list of nominees, click here.

Música mexicana star Gabito Ballesteros is expected to perform his hit “Lou Lou” and “El Boss” on national television for the first time. The singer has two nominations: new artist of the year and best regional Mexican artist.

Farruko, who is nominated for best song – pop (“Pasa_je_ro”), will perform his latest song, “Confía,” for the first time on TV, and Jay Wheeler will celebrate his upcoming release Música Buena Para Días Malos.

Yng Lvcas — who earned three nods: new artist of the year, collaboration of the year (“La Bebe Remix” with Peso Pluma) and best album – urban (LPM (La Perreo Mixtape)) — will sing “Jimmy Choo.” Meanwhile, DJ/producer Deorro and Justin Quiles will also take the stage.

Co-hosted by Thalía, Alejandra Espinoza and Carlos Ponce, this year’s awards ceremony will celebrate the theme “We Speak Música.” For the latest news, visit LatinAMAs.com.

The 2023 Latin American Music Awards (Latin AMAs) — which aired for the first time on the Univision Network since its debut on Oct. 8, 2015, on Telemundo — reached a cumulative audience of 5.1 million total viewers 2+, Billboard has learned.  

Univision’s inaugural event, which took place April 20 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, averaged 2.1 million total viewers 2+ and 829,000 adults 18-49, drawing in +31% more key adult 18-49 viewers, and +41% more adult 18-34 viewers than the 2022 edition. The red carpet pre-show “Noche de Estrellas” averaged 1.3 million total viewers 2+ and 481,000 adults 18-49, who tuned in to all or part of the three-hour live broadcast across Univision, UniMás, and Galavisión.

“The success of this year’s Latin AMAs is a testament to the strength of our network portfolio, and our ability to deliver on what moves our audiences — music, and quality live entertainment,” said Ignacio Meyer,  president U.S. networks, TelevisaUnivision, in a statement. “We are thrilled with the results of what was our first edition of one of the most prestigious events in music, and look forward to continuing to play a vital role in driving fresh and innovative cultural experiences that unite Latinos.” 

Additionally, the awards ceremony that was hosted by Clarissa Molina, Galilea Montijo, Julian Gil, and Natti Natasha became the No. 1 program on all of TV, regardless of language during primetime with U.S. Hispanics among total viewers 2+, adults 18-49 and Adults 18-34. Univision finished as the No. 1 broadcast network and No. 2 overall for the entire night, outperforming ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, The CW, and Telemundo among adults 18-49 and adults 18-34. 

Under the theme “Somos un Movimiento” (We Are a Movement), the 2023 Latin AMAs also had a strong social media presence, ranking as the most social TV program with 6.0 million total interactions across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube combined — nearly doubling figures of the 2022 edition. 

The awards show featured musical acts such as Anuel AA, Becky G, Peso Pluma, Wisin, Carlos Vives, Manuel Turizo, Danna Paola, Grupo Frontera, and Chiquis, to name a few. Karol G was the big winner of the night, taking home eight awards including artist of the year. Bad Bunny, on the other hand, won album of the year for Un Verano Sin Ti, and Bizarrap, won the coveted new artist of the year.

The Latin AMAs are set to take place live on Thursday, April 20, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, airing on the Univision Network for the first time since its debut in 2015, on Telemundo.

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Nominations for this year’s awards — based on streaming, sales, radio airplay, tours and even social media interactions data provided by Billboard and Luminate during the eligibility period (Feb. 12, 2022, through Feb. 4, 2023) — are led by Bad Bunny with 11 nominations. He’s followed by Becky G and Daddy Yankee, each with nine nominations.

On Wednesday (April 19), Billboard caught up with some of the confirmed acts during the rehearsals. Below, check out some highlights. 

A David Bisbal Takeover

During rehearsals, Billboard exclusively spent the day with David Bisbal as he prepared for his big night. The Spanish crooner will receive the inaugural Pioneer Award, celebrating his 20-year trajectory. Joining the celebration are Puerto Rican merengue artist Olga Tañon and Regional Mexican songstress Angela Aguilar, who will sing a medley of Bisbal’s biggest hits. Watch a snippet of their performance below: 

Yahritza y Su Esencia Manifest Collaborations 

After notching collaborations with Ivan Cornejo (“Inseparables”) and Grupo Frontera (“Fragil”), Yahritza y Su Esencia expressed the hope to one day collaborate with Peso Pluma and Natanael Cano (on the Música Mexicana side), as well as with Karol G and Becky G (on the urban-pop side). “We love to listen to corrido music and we’re always jamming to Karol G in the car,” lead vocalist Yahritza Martinez tells Billboard during rehearsals. The sierreño act is nominated for three awards at the 2023 Latin AMAs including the coveted best new artist category. 

Pepe Aguilar Makes Latin AMAs Debut

Pepe Aguilar, who will be recognized as a 2023 Latin AMAs Legacy honoree alongside Carlos Vives, is also making his Latin American Music Awards debut. “This is the first time I’m invited to these awards and it’s an honor to receive this [special] award,” the Mexican artist notes. Backstage, Aguilar was joined by his adorable pug “El Gordo Aguilar” and told the press that he actually found his doggy on a red carpet. Additionally, he revealed his excitement that his grand hit “Por Mujeres Como Tú” will turn 25 years old this year. 

Tips By Noel Schajris

Noel Schajris is making his debut at the Latin AMAs as a presenter. To share his excitement, the Argentine-Mexican pop artist revealed some of his best tips for first-time presenters at an awards show. “First thing’s first, you have to get on stage with a big smile and a great attitude,” he notes, admitting that perhaps he’s not the best person to offer tips. Watch the silly clip below: 

The Talk of the Town: Peso Pluma and Grupo Frontera

At rehearsals, many artists could not hold back about two of the “it” artists in Regional Mexican: Peso Pluma and Grupo Frontera. The former will be performing the Becky G-assisted “Chanel” and the latter is an eight-time nominee. Artists such as Pepe Aguilar expressed how he respects what the new generation is doing for the genre and Mexican actress Galilea Montijo said she was looking forward to seeing them shine at the 2023 Latin AMAs.