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Latin Grammys

Grammy-winning artists Jon Bon Jovi and DJ Khaled, as well as Grammy-nominated artist Joe Jonas, will help celebrate Latin music this month, when they perform at the 25th anniversary of the Latin Grammys.

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The Latin Recording Academy announced on Monday (Nov. 4) additional performers for the Nov. 14 ceremony, including current nominees Ángela Aguilar, Álvaro Díaz, Tiago Iorc, Quevedo, Residente, Myke Towers, Trueno and The Warning, along with previous nominee Leonardo Aguilar.

Ángela Aguilar is nominated for album of the year and Álvaro Díaz earned two nominations for best reggaeton performance and best urban music album. Tiago Iorc scored a nomination for best singer-songwriter song, while Quevedo is nominated for best urban song. Residente has three nominations, including album of the year and song of the year. Myke Towers has two nods in the best urban song category. Trueno is nominated for best urban fusion/performance and best urban music album, and The Warning are nominated for best rock song.

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Previously announced performers include current nominees Anitta, Edgar Barrera, Becky G, David Bisbal, Eladio Carrión, DARUMAS, Emilia, Alejandro Fernández, Luis Fonsi, Leonel García, Grupo Frontera, Juan Luis Guerra, Carin León, Danny Ocean, Silvia Pérez Cruz, Carlos Rivera, Elena Rose, Ela Taubert and Kali Uchis, as well as the 2024 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, Carlos Vives, and previous nominees Pitbull and Reik.

For the second consecutive year, Mexican hitmaker Edgar Barrera leads the list of nominees with nine nods, including songwriter of the year and producer of the year. He is followed by superstars Karol G and Bad Bunny, who got eight mentions each. For a full list of nominations, click here.

The three-hour telecast will be produced by TelevisaUnivision, and will air live on Univision, UniMás, Galavisión and ViX from the Kaseya Center in Miami beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. Central), preceded by a one-hour pre-show starting at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

The Latin Grammy Premiere, where the majority of the categories are awarded, will be hosted by Latin Grammy nominees Maria Becerra, Juliana and Luísa Sonza, and will feature performances by Ale Acosta, Alok, Valeria Castro, Deorro, Fonseca, Leonel García, Grupo Niche, Draco Rosa, Rozalén and Vikina. It will be live streamed across the Latin Recording Academy platforms from the Miami Beach Convention Center beginning at 1 p.m. ET.

Anitta, Edgar Barrera, Becky G, Eladio Carrión, Darumas, Emilia, Leonel García, Grupo Frontera, Danny Ocean, Silvia Pérez Cruz, Carlos Rivera, Pitbull, Reik, and Kali Uchis are expected to perform at the 25th annual Latin Grammy Awards. The Latin Recording Academy announced the new round of performers on Tuesday (Oct. 28) for the upcoming ceremony, which will broadcast from the Kaseya Center in Miami on Thursday, Nov. 14.
The newly announced artists join previously unveiled performers, including David Bisbal, Alejandro Fernández, Luis Fonsi, Juan Luis Guerra, Carín León, Elena Rose, and Ela Taubert, in addition to the 2024 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, Carlos Vives.

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For the second consecutive year, Mexican hitmaker Edgar Barrera leads the list of nominees for the Latin Grammy Awards, with nine nominations, including songwriter of the year and producer of the year. Brazilian superstar Anitta is nominated for record of the year for “Mil Veces,” and best Portuguese language urban performance for “Joga Pra Lua,” featuring Dennis & Pedro Sampaio. Becky G received a nod for best regional song for “Por El Contrario,” with songwriters Barrera, Kevyn Mauricio Cruz & Elena Rose, performed by her with Ángela Aguilar and Leonardo Aguilar.

Other mentions include Kali Uchis, who garnered four nominations, including record of the year for “Igual Que Un Ángel” with Peso Pluma; and Danny Ocean earned two for song of the year (“Caracas En El 2000,” written by Marvin Hawkins Rodriguez, Jerry Di, La Pichu, Danny Ocean and Elena Rose) and best pop song (“Amor” penned by José Andrés Benitez, Christian Bermudez, Richard Bermudez, Rodney Kumbirayi Hwingwiri, Juan Diego Linares, Luis Alejandro Márquez, Anibal Morin Diaz, Danny Ocean and Rafael Salcedo.

For the complete list of Latin Grammy nominations, click here.

The three-hour telecast will be produced by TelevisaUnivision, and will air live on Univision, UniMás, Galavisión and ViX beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

Nominations for the 2024 Latin Grammy Awards were announced Tuesday (Sept. 17) with Mexican hitmaker Edgar Barrera leading the pack for a second consecutive year.   Barrera, who has nine nominations (including songwriter of the year and producer of the year), is followed by eight-time nominees Karol G and Bad Bunny. The former is up for […]

For the second year in a row, Edgar Barrera leads the list of nominees for the Latin Grammy Awards. On Tuesday morning (Sep. 17), the Mexican hitmaker received nine nominations for the 2024 annual ceremony, including songwriter of the year and producer of the year.

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He appears in the main categories of album of the year, as a songwriter on Carín León’s Boca Chueca, Vol. 1; record of the year, as Karol G’s “Mi Ex Tenía Razón” co-producer; and song of the year as co-writer of three hits — Karol G’s “Mi Ex Tenía Razón,” Shakira and Grupo Frontera’s “(Entre Paréntesis),” and Maluma and Carín León’s “Según Quién.” He also has two nods for best regional song as a songwriter.

Barrera is followed by superstars Karol G and Bad Bunny, who got eight nominations each. Benito also competes for record of the year, with “Monaco,” while Karol is also nominated to album of the year for Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season), the follow up to her Latin Grammy winning set of 2023 Mañana Será Bonito.

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On its 25th anniversary, the Latin Grammy Awards are incorporating a new field of electronic music, and two new categories: best Latin electronic music performance, and best contemporary Mexican music album. Nominees for the former include Ale Acosta, Valeria Castro, Vikina, Deorro, Bizarrap and Shakira, among other. For the latter, the contenders are an impressive group of artists and creators who have contributed to the rise of the genre: Natanael Cano, DannyLux, Grupo Frontera, Carín León, Michelle Maciel and Peso Pluma.

The nominees for the coveted best new artist prize are Agris, Kevin Aguilar, Darumas, Nicolle Horbath, Latin Mafia, Cacá Magalhães, Os Garotin, Iñigo Quintero, Sofi Saar y Ela Taubert.

“As we approach the 25th edition of the Latin Grammys our awards process is more robust than ever, with our membership evaluating over 23,000 entries this year,” says Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy, in a press release. “The Latin Grammys have grown in an amazing way to become a fundamental platform for music and culture. We are proud to share this year’s nominees, an international and diverse group of creators representing the richness and vastness of today’s Latin music.” 

Other big contenders this year: Keityn, with six nods; Juan Luis Guerra with five; and Feid, Kany García, Carín León and Kali Uchis with four each. Among those with three nominations are Camilo, Jorge Drexler, Fonseca, Mon Laferte, Nathy Peluso, Residente, Peso Pluma, Shakira and Elena Rose. While with two are Pepe Aguilar, Anitta, Marc Anthony, Rubén Blades, Mau y Ricky, Danny Ocean, Nicole Zignago and more.

The 25th annual Latin Grammy Awards will air live from Miami on Thursday, Nov. 14 beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. Central) on Univision, Galavisión and ViX. Preceding the telecast will be the Latin Grammy Premiere, where the winners in most categories will be announced.

Check out the complete list of nominees for the 2024 Latin Grammys below.

Record of the year

“Mil Veces,” Anitta

“Monaco,” Bad Bunny

“Una Vida Pasada,” Camilo & Carín León

“Catalina,” Cimafunk & Monsieur Periné

“Derrumbe,” Jorge Drexler

“Con Dinero y Sin Dinero,” Fonseca & Grupo Niche

“Mi Ex Tenía Razón,” Karol G

“Mambo 23,” Juan Luis Guerra y 4.40

“Tenochtitlán,” Mon Laferte

“Igual Que Un Ángel,” Kali Uchis & Peso Pluma

Album of the year

Bolero, Ángela Aguilar

Cuatro, Camilo

Xande Canta Caetano, Xande De Pilares

Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season), Karol G

García, Kany García

Radio Güira, Juan Luis Guerra 4.40

Autopoiética, Mon Laferte

Boca Chueca, Vol. 1, Carín León

Las Letras Ya No Importan, Residente

Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, Shakira

Song of the year

“A Fuego Lento,” Daymé Arocena & Vicente García, songwriters (Daymé Arocena & Vicente García)

“A La Mitad” (Banda Sonora Original De La Serie “Zorro”), Julio Reyes Copello & Mariana Vega, songwriters (Maura Nava)

“Caracas En El 2000,” Marvin Hawkins Rodriguez, Jerry Di, La Pichu, Danny Ocean & Elena Rose, songwriters (Elena Rose, Danny Ocean & Jerry Di)

“Derrumbe,” Jorge Drexler, songwriters (Jorge Drexler)

“(Entre Paréntesis),” Edgar Barrera, Kevyn Mauricio Cruz, Manuel Lorente Freire, Lenin Yorney Palacios & Shakira, songwriters (Shakira, Grupo Frontera)

“Mi Ex Tenía Razón,” Edgar Barrera, Andres Jael Correa Rios, Kevyn Mauricio Cruz Moreno, Karol G & MAG, songwriters (Karol G)

“Según Quién,” Edgar Barrera, Kevyn Mauricio Cruz, Luís Miguel Gómez Castaño, Maluma, Lenin Yorney Palacios & Juan Camilo Vargas, songwriters (Maluma & Carín León)

“Te Lo Agradezco,” Rafa Arcaute, Kany García, Carín León & Richi López, songwriters (Kany García & Carín León)

“313,” Leo Genovese, Residente & Silvia Pérez Cruz, songwriters (Residente, Silvia Pérez Cruz & Penélope Cruz)

Best new artist

Agris

Kevin Aguilar

Darumas

Nicolle Horbath

Latin Mafia

Cacá Magalhães

Os Garotin

Iñigo Quintero

Sofi Saar

Ela Taubert

Best pop vocal album

Tofu, Caloncho

.mp3, Emilia

El Viaje, Luis Fonsi

Hotel Caracas, Mau y Ricky

Orquídeas (AOP), Kali Uchis

Escrita, Nicole Zignago

Best traditional pop vocal album

Obras Maestras, Diego El Cigala

García, Kany García

Mar Adentro, Juliana

Aún Me Sigo Encontrando, Gian Marco

Almas Paralelas, Laura Pausini

Best pop song

“A La Mitad” (Banda Sonora Original De La Serie “Zorro”), Julio Reyes Copello & Mariana Vega, songwriters (Maura Nava)

“A Las 3,” Paty Cantú, Ángela Dávalos, León Leiden & Saibu, songwriters (Paty Cantú & León Leiden)

“Ahora,” David Bisbal, Pablo Preciado & Carlos Rivera, songwriters (David Bisbal & Carlos Rivera)

“Amor,” José Andrés Benitez, Christian Bermudez, Richard Bermudez, Rodney Kumbirayi Hwingwiri, Juan Diego Linares, Luis Alejandro Márquez, Anibal Morin Diaz, Danny Ocean & Rafael Salcedo, songwriters (Danny Ocean)

“Dime Quién,” Lagos, songwriters (Lagos)

“Feriado,” Rawayana, songwriters (Rawayana)

“Igual Que Un Ángel,” Carter Lang, Manuel Lorente Freire, Kali Uchis & Dylan Wiggins, songwriters (Kali Uchis & Peso Pluma)

Best Latin electronic music performance

“La Ceniza,” Ale Acosta, Valeria Castro

“Drum Machine,” Alok

“Pedju Kunumigwe,” Alok, Guarani Nhandewa

“Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53 (Tiësto Remix),” Bizarrap, Shakira

“BAMBOLE,” Vikina Featuring Deorro

Best urban/fusion performance

“Nadie Sabe,” Bad Bunny

“Corazon Vacío,” Maria Becerra

“Young Miko: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 58,” Bizarrap Featuring Young Miko

“S91,” Karol G

“Tranky Funky,” Trueno

Best reggaeton performance

“Perro Negro,” Bad Bunny Featuring Feid

“Un Preview,” Bad Bunny

“Triple S,” J Balvin Featuring Jowell & Randy & De La Ghetto

“Byak,” Alvaro Diaz Featuring Rauw Alejandro

“Qlona,” Karol G Featuring Peso Pluma

“Labios Mordidos,” Kali Uchis Featuring Karol G

Best urban music album

Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va A Pasar Mañana, Bad Bunny

Sol María, Eladio Carrión

Sayonara, Álvaro Díaz

Ferxxocalipsis, Feid

Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season), Karol G

El Último Baile, Trueno

Best rap/hip hop song

“Aprender A Amar”, Pablo Drexler, Alberto Escámez López & Nathy Peluso, compositores (Nathy Peluso)

“Bendecido”, Eladio Carrión, compositor (Eladio Carrión)

“Blam Blam”, Al2 El Aldeano & Vico C, compositores (Vico C Featuring Al2 El Aldeano)

“La Sabia Escuela”, Akapellah, Leonardo Daniel Díaz, Jose Gonzalez Ollarves, Marlon Luis Morales Santana, Luis Jacinto Muñoz Hernandez & Pedro Elias Querales, compositores (Akapellah Featuring Canserbero & Lil Supa)

“Teléfono Nuevo”, Bad Bunny & Luar La L, songwriters (Bad Bunny Featuring Luar La L)

“Thunder y Lightning”, Bad Bunny & Eladio Carrión, compositores (Bad Bunny Featuring Eladio Carrión)

Best urban song

“Bonita”, Daddy Yankee, compositor (Daddy Yankee)

“Columbia”, Quevedo, compositor (Quevedo)

“El Cielo”, Feid, Nicolás Jaña Galleguillos, Gabriel Mora Quintero, Andres David Restrepo Echavarria, Sky Rompiendo & Myke Towers, compositores (Sky Rompiendo, Feid, Myke Towers)

“La Falda”, Julio Emmanuel Batista Santos, Carlos Alberto Butter Aguila, Orlando J. Cepeda Matos, Ralph Jemar Milln Calderon, Jose Reyes, Myke Towers & Siggy Vazquez Rodriguez, compositores (Myke Towers)

“Luna”, Feid, compositor (Feid Featuring Atl Jacob)

Qlona, Karol G, Daniel Esteban Gutiérrez, Ovy On The Drums & Peso Pluma, compositores (Karol G Featuring Peso Pluma)

Best rock album

El Dorado (En Vivo), Aterciopelados

Diáspora Live Vol. 1, La Vida Bohème

Herencia Lebón, David Lebón

Alicia En El Metalverso, Mägo De Oz

Mi Mejor Enemigo, Viniloversus

Best rock song

“Algo Bueno Tenía Que Tener (Bogotá)”, Diamante Eléctrico & Andrés Kenguan, compositores (Diamante Eléctrico)

“Animal Temporal”, Viniloversus, compositores (Viniloversus)

“Camaleónica”, Ali Stone, compositora (Ali Stone)

“No Me Preguntes (Live)”, Jesús Quintero & Draco Rosa, compositores (Draco Rosa)

“Qué Más Quieres”, Anton Curtis Delost, Shaun Lopez, Kathryn Ostenberg, Monica Velez & The Warning, compositores (The Warning)

Best pop/rock album

Cuando Ella Me Besó Probé A Dios, Bruses

Jet Love, Conociendo Rusia

Jay De La Cueva, Jay De La Cueva

Reflejos De Lo Eterno, Draco Rosa

Adentro, Francisca Valenzuela

Best pop/rock song

“Acapulco,” Emmanuel Horvilleur, Siddhartha & Rul Velázquez, songwriters (Siddhartha Featuring Emmanuel Horvilleur)

“Afilá,” Ali Stone, songwriter (Ali Stone)

“Blanco y Negro,” Christian Mauricio Aloisio Zavala, Lagos & Elena Rose, songwriters (Lagos Featuring Elena Rose)

“5 Horas Menos,” Conociendo Rusia & Natalia Lafourcade, songwriters (Conociendo Rusia Featuring Natalia Lafourcade)

“Diciembre,” Los Mesoneros, songwriters (Los Mesoneros)

Best alternative music album

Por Cesárea, Dillom

Híper, Hello Seahorse!

Nica, Nicole Horts

Autopoiética, Mon Laferte

Pandora, Ali Stone

DESCARTABLE, WOS

Best alternative song

“Cabecear”, J Noa, Jeffrey Peñalva “Trooko” & Skai, songwriters (J Noa)

“Déjalo Ir,” Francisco Rojas & Francisca Valenzuela, songwriters (Francisca Valenzuela)

“El Día Que Perdí Mi Juventud,” Devonté Hynes & Nathy Peluso, songwriters (Nathy Peluso)

“Insomnia,” Goyo, Illmind, Omar Isaiah Lupuku, Don Mills, Carlos Santander & Telly, songwriters (Goyo)

“Lloro,” Nicole Horts, Camilo Velez & Maria Vertiz, songwriters (Nicole Horts)

Best salsa album

Yo Deluxe, Christian Alicea

Muevense, Marc Anthony

Siembra: 45° Aniversario (En Vivo en el Coliseo de Puerto Rico, 14 de Mayo 2022), Rubén Blades and Roberto Delgado & Orquesta

Joyas Que Bailan, Ronald Borjas

Coexistencia, Luis Figueroa

Best cumbia/vallenato album

‘Ta Malo, Silvestre Dangond

De La Uno A La 1000 (Primera Temporada), Omar Geles

Se Agradece, Los Ángeles Azules

Vallenatos Pa Enamorar, Osmar Pérez & Geño Gamez

La Sociedad De La Cumbia (Big Band Live), Puerto Candelaria

Best merengue/bachata album

Radio Güira, Juan Luis Guerra 4.40

Agradecido Live!, Eddy Herrera

Superhéroe Merengue, Magic Juan

Lo Tengo Todo, Oscarito

Llamada Perdida, Prince Royce

Best traditional tropical album

Rodando Por El Mundo, José Alberto “El Canario”

Tengo Algo Que Decirte, Luis Fernando Borjas

Voces De Mi Familia, Alex Cuba

Los Mismos Negros, Yelsy Heredia

A Mis Ancestros, Yeisy Rojas

Best contemporary tropical album

Epílogo: La Clave Del Tiempo, Jeremy Bosch

Cuatro, Camilo

Tropicalia, Fonseca

Monte Adentro, Gusi

La Fiesta, Ilegales

Best tropical song

“Baila y Goza”, Renesito Avich & Rafael “Pollo” Brito, compositores (Renesito Avich Featuring Rafael “Pollo” Brito)

“Con Dinero y Sin Dinero”, Jorge Luis Chacín, Fonseca & Miguel Yadam González Cárdenas, compositores (Fonseca & Grupo Niche)

“Hasta Que Aguante El Cuerpo”, Jorge Luis Piloto, compositor (Dayhan Díaz & Pupy Santiago)

“Llorar Bonito”, Luis Figueroa & Yoel Henríquez, compositores (Luis Figueroa)

“Mambo 23”, Juan Luis Guerra, compositor (Juan Luis Guerra 4.40)

Best singer-songwriter album

Compita Del Destino, El David Aguilar

Scratch De Versos, El Riqué

Pausa, Leonel García

De Magia Imperfecta, Nicolle Horbath

El Abrazo, Rozalén

Best singer-songwriter song

“Antes Que O Mundo Acabe,” Tiago Iorc, songwriter (Tiago Iorc)

“Derrumbe,” Jorge Drexler, songwriter (Jorge Drexler)

“Entonces,” Rozalén, songwriter (Rozalén)

“García,” Kany García, songwriter (Kany García)

“Luz De Cabeza,” El David Aguilar, songwriter (El David Aguilar)

Best ranchero/mariachi album

Mariachi y Tequila (Deluxe), Majo Aguilar

Que Llueva Tequila, Pepe Aguilar

Te Llevo En La Sangre, Alejandro Fernández

Romances Eternos, Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández

Best banda album

Presente, Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda

Yo Te Extrañaré, Luis Angel “El Flaco”

Diamantes, Chiquis

Best Tejano album

Imperfecto, El Plan

Siempre Gabriella, Gabriella

Ganas (Deluxe), Vilax

Best Norteño album

El Comienzo, Grupo Frontera

Modus Operandi, Intocable

LNDT, Los Nietos de Terán

Te Amaré, Pesado

Terca, Sofi Saar

Best contemporary Mexican music album

Nata Montana, Natanael Cano

Evoluxion, DannyLux

Jugando A Que No Pasa Nada, Grupo Frontera

Boca Chueca, Vol. 1, Carín León

Trastornado, Michelle Maciel

Génesis, Peso Pluma

Best regional song

“Aquí Mando Yo,” Héctor Guerrero, songwriter (Los Tigres Del Norte)

“Canción Para Olvidarte,” Mango, Nabález, Chris Zadley & Nicole Zignago, songwriters (Majo Aguilar)

“El Amor De Su Vida,” Edgar Barrera & Kevyn Mauricio Cruz, songwriters (Grupo Frontera, Grupo Firme)

“Por El Contrario,” Edgar Barrera, Kevyn Mauricio Cruz & Elena Rose, songwriters (Becky G Featuring Angela Aguilar & Leonardo Aguilar)

“Tienes Que Ser Tú,” Salvador Aponte & Yoel Henríquez, songwriters (La Energía Norteña)

Best instrumental album

Impronta, Omar Acosta

Claude Bolling Goes Latin – Suite For Flute And Latin Music Ensemble, Carlomagno Araya, Jose Valentino & The Latin Music Ensemble

Capriccio Latino, Alexis Cárdenas

Encontro Das Águas, Yamandu Costa & Armandinho Macêdo

Tembla, Hamilton De Holanda & C4 Trío

Best folk album

Canto y Río, Martina Camargo

C4 Suena a Navidad, C4 Trío

Raíz Nunca Me Fui, Lila Downs, Niña Pastori, Soledad

Paisajes, Ciro Hurtado

Bullerengue y Tonada, Tonada

Best tango album

El Cantor de Tangos, Guillermo Fernández Featuring Cristian Zarate

Tangos Cruzados, Franco Luciani, Fabrizio Mocata

¿Y El Fin Del Amor?, Mariana Mazú

Apiazolado, Diego Schissi Quinteto

Ya Está En El Aire, Ullmann Cuarteto

Best flamenco album

Andenes del Tiempo, Vicente Amigo

Rumberas, Las Migas

Historias De Un Flamenco, Antonio Rey

Best Latin jazz/jazz album

Collab, Hamilton De Holanda & Gonzalo Rubalcaba

Searching For A Memory (Busco Tu Recuerdo), Sammy Figueroa Featuring Gonzalo Rubalcaba & Aymée Nuviola

My Heart Speaks, Ivan Lins

Pra Você, Ilza, Hermeto Pascoal & Grupo

El Arte Del Bolero, Vol. 2, Miguel Zenón & Luis Perdomo

Best Christian album (Spanish language)

Necesito De Ti, Jesús Israel

No Yo, Sino Cristo, Majo y Dan

Maverick, Redimi2

Kintsugi, Un Corazón

Tu Iglesia, Marcos Witt

Best Portuguese language Christian album

Ele É Jesus – Ao Vivo, Bruna Karla

Deixa Vir – Vol II (Ao Vivo), Thalles Roberto

In Concert (Ao Vivo), Rosa de Saron

Vida (Ao Vivo), Eli Soares

Temporal, Vocal Livre

Best Portuguese language contemporary pop album

Afrodhit, Iza

Super, Jão

Amaríssima, Melly

Os Garotin De São Gonçalo, Os Garotin

Escândalo Íntimo, Luísa Sonza

Best Portuguese language rock or alternative album

Erasmo Esteves, Erasmo Carlos

No Rastro de Catarina, Cátia de França

Me Chama de Gato Que Eu Sou Sua, Ana Frango Elétrico

Ontem Eu Tinha Certeza (Hoje Eu Tenho Mais), Jovem Dionisio

Lagum Ao Vivo, Lagum

Best Portuguese language urban performance

“Joga Pra Lua,” Anitta Featuring Dennis & Pedro Sampaio

“Cachimbo da Paz 2,” Gabriel O Pensador, Lulu Santos, Xamã

“Da Braba,” Gloria Groove Featuring Ludmilla & Mc Gw

“Carta Aberta,” Mc Cabelinho

“Fé nas Maluca,” Mc Carol, Iza

“La Noche,” Yago Oproprio Featuring Patricio Sid

Best samba/pagode album

Alcione 50 Anos (Ao Vivo), Alcione

Xande Canta Caetano, Xande De Pilares

Iboru, Marcelo D2

Tardezinha Pela Vida Inteira (Ao Vivo), Thiaguinho

Subúrbio (Ao Vivo), Tiee

Best MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira)/MAPB (Música Afro Portuguesa Brasileira) album

D Ao Vivo Maceió, Djavan

Se o Meu Peito Fosse o Mundo, Jota.Pê

Portas (Ao Vivo), Marisa Monte

Outros Cantos, Milton Nascimento, Chitãozinho & Xororó

No Tempo da Intolerância, Elza Soares

Best Sertaneja music album

Boiadeira Internacional (Ao Vivo), Ana Castela

Paraíso Particular (Ao Vivo), Gusttavo Lima

Cintilante (Ao Vivo), Simone Mendes

Raiz Goiânia (Ao Vivo), Lauana Prado

Luan City 2.0 (Ao Vivo), Luan Santana

Best Portuguese language roots album

Mariana e Mestrinho, Mariana Aydar, Mestrinho

Aguidavi do Jêje, Aguidavi Do Jêje, Luizinho Do Jêje

De Norte a Sul, João Gomes

Night Clube Forró Latino (Volume I), Marcelo Jeneci

Faróis do Sertão, Gabriel Sater

Best Portuguese language song

“Alinhamento Milenar,” Jão, Pedro Tófani & Zebu, songwriters (Jão)

“Ata-me,” Junio Barreto, songwriter (Alaíde Costa)

“Chico,” Bruno Caliman, Carolzinha, Douglas Moda, Jenni Mosello & Luísa Sonza, songwriters (Luísa Sonza)

“Esperança,” Criolo, Dino D’Santiago, Amaro Freitas & Nave, songwriters (Criolo, Dino D’Santiago, Amaro Freitas)

“Ouro Marrom,” Jota.Pê, songwriter (Jota.Pê)

Best Latin children’s album

Navidad de Norte a Sur: Cantoalegre Big Band (En vivo), Cantoalegre, Orquesta La Pascasia

Cantemos Juntos, Claraluna

¡A Cantar!, Danilo & Chapis

Dun Dun Dara, Payasitas Nifu Nifa

Todos Podemos Cantar 2024, Todos Podemos Cantar

Best classical album

Aire, Aire… No Puedo Respirar, Ricardo Jaramillo, director; Ricardo Jaramillo, Jefferson Rosas & Marcela Zorro, productores

Credo For Orchestra, Choir And Five Soloists, Iván Cardozo, Fernando Escalona, Claudio González, Jhoxiris Medina & Grace Terán; Christian Vásquez, director; Maria Beatriz Cárdenas, Eugenio Carreño & Eduardo Martínez Planas, productores (Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolívar de Venezuela, Coro Nacional Simón Bolívar)

Fandango, Anne Akiko Meyers & Gustavo Castillo; Gustavo Dudamel, director; Dmitry Lipay, productores (Los Angeles Philharmonic)

Fantasies of Buenos Aires, Lincoln Trio; Daniel Binelli & Ted Viviani, productores

The Latin Rites, Josep Vicent, director; Fernando Arias, productor (Adda Simfònica Alicante)

Best classical contemporary composition

“Caribbean Berceuse,” Paquito D’Rivera, composer (Barcelona Clarinet Players, Paquito D’Rivera, North Texas Wind Symphony, Eugene Migliaro Corporon (director))

“Fandango,” Arturo Márquez, composer (Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel, Anne Akiko Meyers)

“La Minerva – III. Himno A La Mujer,” Juan Pablo Contreras, composer (Juan Pablo Contreras, Orquesta Latino Mexicana, Angélica Olivo)

“Meditation No.1,” Julien Labro, composer (Takács Quartet, Julien Labro)

“Sueño Austral,” Daniel Freiberg, composer (Barcelona Clarinet Players, Freiburger Blasorchester, Miguel Etchegoncelay & Daniel Freiberg)

Best arrangement

“Sueño Austral,” Daniel Freiberg, arranger (Barcelona Clarinet Players, Freiburger Blasorchester, Miguel Etchegoncelay & Daniel Freiberg)

“Night In Tunisia,” Hilario Durán, arranger (Hilario Durán And His Latin Jazz Big Band Featuring Paquito D’Rivera)

“Fuego De Noche, Nieve De Día,” Julio Reyes Copello, arranger (Ricky Martin, Christian Nodal)

“Linha de Passe,” Nailor Proveta, arranger (Orquestra Jazz De Matosinhos, Gabi Guedes, Kiko Freitas)

“Rapsodia Aérea,” Andrés Soto, arranger (Andrés Soto, Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Costa Rica, Carl St. Clair)

Best recording package

En Vivo – 100 Años de Azúcar, Nelson Albareda, Sebastian Aristizabal, Kemelly Figueroa-Mouriz, Omer Pardillo-Cid & Albertico Rodríguez, art directors (Celia Cruz)

Figurantes, Boa Mistura, art director (Vetusta Morla)

Karma, Carlos Ortiz, art director (Diana Burco)

Realismo Mágico, Carlos Sadness, art director (Carlos Sadness)

Tekoá, Leonardo Macias, art director (Jair Oliveira)

Songwriter of the year

Edgar Barrera

Yoel Henríquez

Manuel Lorente Freire

Horacio Palencia

Pablo Preciado

Best engineered album

Analu, Tó Brandileone, engineers; Daniel Musy, mixer; André Dias, mastering engineer (Analu Sampaio)

Era Uma Vez, Pedro Peixoto & Matheus Stiirmer, engineers; Pedro Peixoto, mixer; Fili Filizzola, mastering engineer (Mobi Colombo)

Os Garotin De São Gonçalo, Uiliam Pimenta, Julio Raposo & Pepê Santos, engineers; Bernardo Martins, mixer; Felipe Tichauer, mastering engineer (Os Garotin)

Quem É Ela?, Túlio Airold, Alex Dos Reis Silva & Gianlucca Pernechele Azevedo, engineers; João Milliet, mixer; Fili Filizzola, mastering engineer (Mariana Nolasco)

Se o Meu Peito Fosse o Mundo, Thiago Baggio, Will Bone, Leonardo Emocija, Rodrigo Lemos & Felipe Vassão, engineers; João Milliet, mixer; Felipe Tichauer, mastering engineer (Jota.Pê)

Producer of the year

Edgar Barrera

Eduardo Cabra

Nico Cotton

Juan Luis Guerra, Janina Rosado

Julio Reyes Copello

Best short form music video

“Ale Ale,” Marc Anthony; Carlos Pérez, director; Joanna Egozcue, producer

“Baticano,” Bad Bunny; Stillz, director

“Oliveira Dos Cen Anos,” C. Tangana; C. Tangana, director

“Sálvanos,” Leonel García; Nuno Gomes, director; Nuno Gomes, producer

“Glock,” Mau y Ricky; Daniel Duran, director; Alegna Espinoza & Maricel Zambrano, producers

“313,” Residente Featuring Penélope Cruz & Silvia Pérez Cruz; Residente, director; Carolina Wolf, producer

Best long form music video

Beautiful Humans Vol 1. Documental, Alemor; Wismer Jimenez, director; Alemor & Wismer Jimenez, producers

Meu Karma, Jovem Mk; Kaique Alves, Gabriel Avelar & Beto Galloni, directors; Rodrigo Castello, Mariê Nunes & Eduardo Saraiva, producers

Hotel Caracas, Mau y Ricky; Daniel Duran, director; Alegna Espinoza & Maricel Zambrano, producers

Grasa (Album Long Form), Nathy Peluso; Agustín Puente, director

Nacimos Llorando, Rubio; Fernando Cattori, director; Luis Betances, Fernando Cattori, Josep Pardo, Jaume Rigual, Ana Laura Solis, Aura Solis & Joe Solis, producers

In the past year, the Latin music industry transitioned from a singles-driven market to an albums-focused world, with both new and established artists crafting cohesive sets. The Latin Grammy for album of the year has historically prioritized daring concepts and artistry above popularity when deciding the winner, and while legacy acts have historically dominated the category, recent honorees such as Rosalía tend to return for encores. And Karol G’s triumph in 2023 with her commercial blockbuster, Mañana Será Bonito, may now allow for ultra-popular albums to take home the ultimate artistic prize.

Come Sept. 17, 10 nominees will be announced — here are five of the most likely.

Trending on Billboard

Young Miko, att. (The Wave Music Group)

In the world of reggaetón, Miko is an outlier: blonde, petite and openly gay. For a genre steeped in machismo, it’s a remarkable flip of the script. The album balances her party-girl persona with rap lyrics that aren’t afraid to put others in their place with effectively eloquent punches, having fun without ever becoming gratuitous. Plus, Miko has good taste on her side, tapping Jowell & Randy for an old-school reggaetón touch.

Fonseca, Tropicalia (Sony Latin)

Fonseca’s Tropicalia is a labor of love, designed to elevate the artistry of tropical music with its rich palette. The Colombian singer-songwriter introduced his new oeuvre with last year’s “Si Tu Me Quieres,” which won best tropical song at the Latin Grammys and features bachata star Juan Luis Guerra singing Fonseca’s pop-infused brand of vallenato. That accordion-tinged sound is the foundation of an album full of poignant moments, but Fonseca also expands: He collaborates with Gilberto Santa Rosa and Chucho Valdés on a beautiful Cuban bolero, with Alex Cuba on a contemporary song and with Colombian salsa stalwarts Grupo Niche on a jazz-tinged salsa, all united by his ability to make fans swoon with music designed for the dancefloor.

Kany García, García (5020 Records)

García has twice been nominated in this category, but the third time may be the charm with an album that expands and redefines the scope of the traditional Latin singer-songwriter. Her work has twice won her best singer-songwriter album, and her songsmith qualities shine again in her melodic lines and eloquent yet colloquial lyrics. Autobiographical opener “García,” for instance, is a master class in storytelling in under three minutes. But García also digresses, going with gusto into Mexican music territory with Eden Muñoz, Christian Nodal and Carín León on three riveting tracks. “We’re in constant evolution, and as an artist, I love that I can insert what I’m going through in each album I make,” she previously told Billboard.

Peso Pluma, Éxodo (Double P Records)

Peso Pluma continued his hit-making campaign with Éxodo, his second top five album on the Billboard 200. But unlike its predecessor, Génesis, which won the Grammy this year for best Regional Mexican music album, Éxodo is a double album highlighting the two sides of Peso. Side one is full of Mexican music featuring several collaborations with artists of his generation, including Junior H, Tito Double P and Luis R Conríquez; side two is devoted to urban and pop, featuring bilingual collaborations with Quavo and Rich the Kid. While exploration of many genres is a mainstay of Latin music today, it is rarely in these two directions, and much less with this success. And though Génesis is also eligible for this award given its release date, Billboard’s bet is on the newer, more adventurous Éxodo. It’s to be noted that Peso was not nominated in any category at the 2023 Latin Grammys, an omission that can be rectified this time around.

Shakira, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (Sony Latin)

At 47 years old, Shakira refused to be quietly scorned, releasing her retribution of an album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, following a cheating scandal and public split from Gerard Piqué. Instead of wallowing on the full-length, Shakira gets even, famously proclaiming she makes her own money on “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” which won song of the year at the 2023 Latin Grammys. The album is filled with lyrics that double as social media fodder, but it’s also clever and artistic, placing a wickedly funny song like “Puntería” with Cardi B alongside such achingly vulnerable tracks as “Acróstico” and “Ultima.” Backed by an impressive array of collaborators that also includes Karol G, Rauw Alejandro and regional Mexican groups Grupo Frontera and Fuerza Regida, Shakira has managed to stay current and return to the top on her own terms. Should she win, this would be her second album of the year trophy, following her 2006 triumph with Fijación Oral, Vol. 1.

This story will appear in the July 20, 2024, issue of Billboard.

At the Latin Grammys, there is perhaps no category as coveted as best new artist, a launching pad for future stars through the years. There’s also no category as confounding. The first winner was Ibrahim Ferrer in 2000 at the age of 72; Joaquina won it last year at 18 years old. In 2022, Angela Alvarez, 95, split the prize with 25-year-old Silvana Estrada.
And while the award has gone to talents who are relatively unknown, as well as those who have more public-facing major-label support, the rules are clear: Contenders must release a minimum of three singles/tracks or one album during the eligibility period. An artist who has previously released more than three albums and/or more than 15 singles is not eligible. Here are five contenders with a strong shot at scoring a nomination this year.

DARUMAS

What do you get when an Argentine bassist, a Cuban singer-guitarist and a Haitian vocalist unite? DARUMAS — an all-women U.S.-based trio comprising Aldana Aguirre, Ceci León and Vedala Vilmond — defies every stereotype of what Latin girl groups sound like. The three expert musicians play a tight mix of old-school funk, R&B and Motown, with Spanish lyrics and plenty of attitude. Named for the traditional Japanese daruma doll, DARUMAS are not cutting corners when it comes to honing their sound, resulting in an act that puts musicianship at the forefront.

Trending on Billboard

Iván Cornejo

Though Cornejo and Xavi espouse a new Mexican sound, Cornejo uses traditional Mexican instrumentation as his foundation and also leans into electric guitar for some rock’n’roll angst. The result is a sound that’s weary — his biggest hit is titled “Está Dañada” (“She’s Damaged”) — but relatable. (Cornejo writes all of his material.) He has placed 15 entries on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, and his second album, Dañado, ruled Regional Mexican Albums for 37 nonconsecutive weeks. In 2022, Cornejo became the youngest act to win new artist of the year at the Billboard Latin Music Awards.

Xavi

At 20 years old, Xavi has been making noise in the new Mexican music scene since last year. In January, “La Diabla” topped Hot Latin Songs for 14 weeks, setting a record so far this year. In May, he scored another No. 1, on Regional Mexican Airplay, with “Corazón de Piedra.” Both songs were co-written by Xavi (real name: Joshua Xavier Gutiérrez), who calls his sound tumbados románticos, a hybrid of corridos tumbados with a twist of romance and heartache. His music has a young, avid fan base that straddles both sides of the border but has the potential to expand much further.

Ela Taubert

Like labelmate (and 2023 Latin Grammy best new artist winner) Joaquina, Colombian singer-songwriter Taubert is a graduate of producer Julio Reyes Copello’s Art House Academy, signaling just how seriously she takes her craft. The 23-year-old writes convincingly about love and loss with immediately relatable lyrics set to catchy, midtempo pop arrangements reminiscent of Miley Cyrus. Following the release of her debut EP last year, Taubert is slowly but steadily gaining steam, as her new single, “Cómo Pasó?,” has reached a No. 12 high on the Latin Pop Airplay chart.

Latin Mafia

Freshly signed to Rimas Entertainment (home to Bad Bunny), Latin Mafia balances fun — with its childlike single covers — and moodiness with R&B and touches of reggaetón. Made up of twin brothers Milton and Emilio de la Rosa and their older brother Mike, the trio grew organically in Mexico as a fully independent act, amassing 6 million monthly listeners on Spotify, playing Coachella and catching the ear of Rimas vp Junior Carabaño. “I can’t wait to write their next chapter together and make history,” he previously told Billboard.

This story will appear in the July 20, 2024, issue of Billboard.

Twenty-five years after leading the list of nominees to the first edition of the Latin Grammys, Carlos Vives will receive the highest honor from the Latin Recording Academy: the Colombian artist has been named the 2024 Person of the Year.
Vives — winner of 18 Latin Grammy Awards, two Grammy Awards and a Billboard Latin Music Awards Hall of Fame inductee — “will be honored for his more than three-decade career as a multifaceted singer and composer, as well as for his continued commitment to environmental and social initiatives,” according to an official statement released Wednesday (May 22) morning.

“Carlos Vives is one of the most prolific and beloved artists of our time, whose commitment to Latin music and support for the new generations truly personifies the values of our Academy,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. “We honor him as our Person of the Year for his vast contributions to our musical heritage and for his many philanthropic initiatives.”

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“It’s still surprising to me,” Vives told Billboard Español this week in an exclusive interview. “It’s like a message that the Academy gives at the end, because 32 years ago I chose a path [that was unconventional]. To be successful, to be commercial, there was one way. This other path that’s cultural or has to do with your identity, that doesn’t work, [they would say].”

In Wednesday’s press release, he added: “I am honored and moved to have been chosen as the 2024 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year. It is the reward for an authentic journey, for a wonderful team and, above all, it is the recognition of the musical spirits of our Latin American diversity. These spirits taught us to love and enrich our language, to take care of it and to respect it in order to exalt humanity with it.”

Born in Santa Marta, Colombia, Carlos Vives is one of the most respected artists in Spanish-language music and a pioneer of a new Latin American sound, redefining traditional Colombian vallenato by incorporating to it pop and rock sounds. With No. 1 hits on the Billboard charts such as “Volví a Nacer,” “Fruta Fresca” and “La Bicicleta” with Shakira, among others, has become an ambassador of Colombian and Latin American culture around the world.

His commitment to good causes transcend the musical realm. In 2015, he created the Tras La Perla initiative to promote the sustainable development of Santa Marta and its ecosystem. In addition, he created the Escuela de Música Río Grande to offer artistic experiences to children and young people, and founded the record label Gaira Música Local to promote new Colombian talent. He’s also been a strong advocate and generous supporter of the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation since its inception, the Latin Recording Academy highlights, and sponsored its annual Prodigy Scholarship in 2018.

His latest album, Escalona: Nunca Se Había Grabado Así, earned him his 18th Latin Grammy when it was crowned best cumbia/vallenato album in 2023. This year he was also recognized with the ASCAP Founders Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

Vives will be feted as Person of the Year at a special star-studded gala and tribute concert where an array of artist and friends will perform renditions of his renowned repertoire. Details of the event, to be presented in November during the 2024 Latin Grammy week in Miami, will be announced at a later date.

The Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year honors musicians and their artistic achievements in the Latin music industry as well as their humanitarian efforts. Past honorees are Laura Pausini (2023), Marco Antonio Solís (2022), Rubén Blades (2021), Juanes (2019), Maná (2018), Alejandro Sanz (2017), Marc Anthony (2016), Roberto Carlos (2015), Joan Manuel Serrat (2014), Miguel Bosé (2013), Caetano Veloso (2012), Shakira (2011), Plácido Domingo (2010), Juan Gabriel (2009), Gloria Estefan (2008), Juan Luis Guerra (2007), Ricky Martin (2006), José José (2005), Carlos Santana (2004), Gilberto Gil (2003), Vicente Fernández (2002), Julio Iglesias (2001) and Emilio Estefan (2000).

The 2024 Latin Grammys are set to take place in Miami on Nov. 14, the Latin Recording Academy announced on Wednesday (April 17) during a press conference. The 25th Annual Latin Grammy Awards will be held in Miami at the Kaseya Center, in partnership with Miami-Dade County and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau […]

The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation announced on Thursday (Dec. 14) that Sebastián Yatra will sponsor the next four-year Prodigy Scholarship that will fully fund a student’s bachelor’s degree in music at Berklee School of Music starting in the fall 2024.
“Joining the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation for their annual Prodigy Scholarship is beautiful because I’m part of something that I would’ve wished for as a young kid. One of my big dreams was to study music at Berklee and although my career took a different path which I’m super grateful for, I would’ve loved to have that kind of preparation and knowledge,” said Sebastián Yatra in a statement. “I hope that the person who gets this opportunity takes full advantage of the scholarship and enjoys it to the max. I’ll be looking out for applicants that share a lot of heart and sincerity in their art.”

The foundation’s scholarship, created nine years ago, holds a maximum value of $200,000 in financial aid for music students in need. The scholarship is traditionally awarded to “exceptionally talented music students, with financial needs, to support their educational and musical aspirations,” according to the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation. 

The news of the scholarship follows the singer-songwriter’s stint as a host at the 24th Annual Latin Grammys, during which he performed and expressed his passion for the Foundation on-air, encouraging global support for Latin music education. The Colombian superstar initially partnered with the Foundation in 2019 for the Latin Grammy In The Schools program in Miami.

“Our scholarships provide more than just funds for college tuition,” said Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, executive director of the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation. “The ongoing support we receive from artists such as Sebastián Yatra and our generous sponsors allows us to take it a step further and create meaningful educational and mentoring opportunities for the next generation of Latin music creators.”

In addition, Gibson Gives, the charitable division of Gibson, will provide sponsorship for three Tuition Assistance Scholarships. Each scholarship could be worth up to $10,000 and is intended for students who aim to study music, with the electric or acoustic guitar as their main instrument. Applications for all 44 scholarships available in 2024 are now open and available to music students between the ages of 17 and 25.

For more details and/or to apply, visit www.latingrammyculturalfoundation.org.

In previous years, the Prodigy Scholarship has been co-sponsored by Latin stars including Nicky Jam (2023), Sofia Carson (2022), Juanes (2021), Julio Iglesias (2020), Emilio and Gloria Estefan (2019), Carlos Vives (2018), Miguel Bosé (2017), Juan Luis Guerra (2016), and Enrique Iglesias (2015).

At 8 years old, Joaquina wrote her first song. She can’t remember the name, only that it was in English and that she felt so embarrassed at the thought that her parents could see it, that she tore the page out of the notebook, crumpled it and threw it away. “I would love to go back in time and not have done that,” she admits today. This month, at 19, she won the coveted Latin Grammy Award for best new artist. She was also nominated for best singer-songwriter album for her debut EP, Los Mejores Años.

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Joaquina was part of the first class of graduates from producer Julio Reyes Copello’s Art House Academy before signing a record deal with Universal Music Latin. A well-rounded artist who writes her own music, she sings primarily about teenage angst in indie pop/rock songs like “Rabia,” “Niñas de Instagram,” “Los Mejores Años” and her most recent single, “Quise Quererte.” She has already opened for well-known stars such as Alejandro Sanz and Fonseca, and Juanes included a song written by her (“La Versión En Mi Cabeza”) on his latest album, Un Día Normal.

Born in Caracas, Venezuela and raised from the age of 6 in Miami, Joaquina Blavia Canabal (her full name) grew up between music, theater and ballet lessons. There were no instrumentalists or singers in her family, but they were all lovers of the arts in general. “I also always loved reading and reciting poetry,” she tells Billboard Español. “I was always very studious — I always loved school, really. I was always very nerdy.”

A nerd with a rock soul, inspired by singer-songwriters like Avril Lavigne, she began posting Instagram videos of herself singing covers of others at 11. At 13, she began writing her own music while playing in bands with school friends. “I did it very much for fun, but I knew I wanted to do this [professionally] one day. I always knew,” she says.

At the age of 15 she looked for a producer to help her record her first songs, and in El Doral she found the small studio of Eduardo Stambury. “He was very nice to me. I didn’t know anything about recording, I didn’t know anything about the music industry,” Joaquina recalls. In 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, she released “Primer Amor,” a song with which she admits she does not relate to today, but which served as a starting point.

The pandemic was a defining moment for Joaquina’s budding career. In times of quarantine, while she was studying high school remotely from home (or even from the recording studio), she dedicated most of her time to writing songs and continued posting on social media, where others began to notice her work. “That’s how I got my first opportunity to go to a session in Miami to write for another artist, [a 12-year-old girl in Venezuela who I don’t know if she ended up recording the song], but I got many more opportunities from there,” she explains. She was only 16 at the time.

When the time to apply to college arrived, she thought she would study music at an institution like Berklee, UM or USC. But then a friend told her about Julio Reyes Copello, and the new program that the renowned Colombian producer was creating in Miami at the time. “It was like, ‘Obviously,’” she says. “My mom, like a mother hen, wrote to Julio — we sent him some demos and some music links — and Julio replied, saying ‘Hey, how nice, I loved it, come to the studio.’”

Joaquina got the last available spot at Reyes Copello’s academy, and took its two programs simultaneously (for sound production and engineering, and as a music artist), while finishing her last year of high school online. At the end of a very intense year, she signed with Universal and made her debut.

Learn more about our November Latin Artist on the Rise below.

Name: Joaquina

Age: 19

Recommended Song: “Los Mejores Años” — “It’s a song I wrote when I was 17, when I was about to graduate from high school. Although I am very extroverted and I love to socialize, I am also very private and it’s difficult for me to talk about my fears, my thoughts, and ‘Los Mejores Años’ was a big relief song for me. It helped me a lot to understand many things I was feeling in a time of normal transition in everyone’s life. It’s a bit that concept of feeling the fear of growing up for the first time in your life. The title has a double meaning: Everyone tells you to enjoy your teenage years, that they are the best years in life, but the truth is I didn’t have such a good time at school 100% of the time — I had many doubts and I would wonder, ‘But why are these the best years of my life?’ This is what the song is about.”

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Major Accomplishment: “The Latin Grammy. It was one of those moments when time stops and you are in front of so much, and you feel like your head is pounding and everything is like in slow motion. Out of nowhere I started seeing everything in slow motion. I felt like I entered an alternate reality (laughs). The truth is that I didn’t expect it. Seriously, honestly, I didn’t expect it.”

Joaquina poses with the award for Best New Artist in the media center for The 24th Annual Latin Grammy Awards at FIBES Conference and Exhibition Centre on Nov. 16, 2023 in Seville, Spain.

Niccolo Guasti/Getty Images

What’s Next: “Right now I’m working on my album, an upcoming project that will be released around mid-next year. There will be new music in about two months.”