State Champ Radio

by DJ Frosty

Current track

Title

Artist

Current show
blank

State Champ Radio Mix

12:00 am 12:00 pm

Current show
blank

State Champ Radio Mix

12:00 am 12:00 pm


Latin Grammys

Page: 5

It’s official. The Latin Grammys are moving this year to Seville, Spain for its 24th edition, which will take place on Thursday, Nov. 16 at the Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones.
It will be the first time the ceremony is held outside the United States, but not the last: The Latin Recording Academy also announced on Thursday (May 4) a three-year partnership with the Junta de Andalucía, which will sponsor the 2023 awards gala, the Latin Grammy Week and other events of the Latin Academy in the community.

“It is an honor to celebrate our Latin GRAMMY Week in Sevilla and commit to our mission of elevating Latin music and its creators around the world. We are confident that it will be a memorable celebration,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy, in a press release.

“We are thrilled to produce the Latin GRAMMYs for the first time this year in Spain, and in a new partnership with the prestigious RTVE,” added Ignacio Meyer, President of U.S. Networks at TelevisaUnivision. “This is an extraordinary moment for Latin music globally and we are confident that this partnership with RTVE, and the passion and energy that Univision brings to the show, will make history and deliver an unforgettable experience for audiences who love and enjoy music all around the world.”

Given the time difference, the ceremony will not be aired live. It will be broadcasted later that day (Nov. 16) on Univision in the U.S., at its usual prime-time, Meyer told Billboard Español from Seville, where he and Abud made the announcement shortly before at a press conference. “At 7 in the afternoon (ET) Noche de Estrellas will begin and at 8 the gala starts. What we are not totally clear about is at what time it starts live,” he added. In Spain, the event will be broadcast on RTVE.

As in past years, the Latin Grammy Week will include the Person of the Year gala, the Special Awards ceremony, the Leading Ladies of Entertainment luncheon, the Best New Artist Showcase and a reception for the nominees, among other events.

The nominations for the 2023 Latin Grammys will be announced on Tuesday, September 19. Other important dates leading up to the awards ceremony include the first round of voting will be July 27 to August 7, and the final round September 29 to October 23

For more information, click here.

The Latin Grammys are implementing some changes and additions in 2023, including a new songwriting field and categories like best songwriter of the year and best singer-songwriter song, the Latin Recording Academy announced on Tuesday (March 21).

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The adjustments are part of the Academy’s commitment to “evolve with the ever-changing musical landscape and to best serve its membership body of music creators and professionals,” the organization said in a press release.

“Our priority is to effectively represent all the Latin music creators that we serve,” added CEO Manuel Abud.

All updates go into effect immediately for the 24th annual Latin Grammy Awards, which will take place in November. The registration process for this year begins on Thursday (March 23).

Here are the details:

NEW LATIN GRAMMY FIELD AND CATEGORY

Best Songwriter Of The Year: As part of the newly-created songwriting field, this new category recognizes the written excellence, profession and art of songwriting. Songwriters must have a minimum of six newly written songs in which they are credited as a songwriter or co-writer and are not the performer, producer or engineer.

NEW LATIN GRAMMY AWARDS CATEGORIES

Best Singer-Songwriter Song: To be eligible for this new category within the singer-songwriter field, the singles or tracks must contain at least 51% of the lyrics in Spanish, Portuguese or any native regional dialect and must be from a set nominated to Singer-Songwriter Album that year.

Best Portuguese-Language Urban Performance: This new category within the Portuguese language field recognizes the enormous amount of Urban music that is being created in Brazil and Portugal. The singles or tracks can include a fusion mix of Urban styles with other genres as long as the Urban character predominates.

ADDITIONAL CATEGORY AMENDMENTS

Album Of The Year: Albums within the general field must contain at least 51% playing time of newly recorded material. Awarded to the artist, producer(s), engineer(s), mixer(s), mastering engineer(s) and songwriter(s) of 33% playing time on the album if other than the artist will receive the award.

Song Categories: It is now required to include the date of composition when submitting product for all of the song categories.

New Criteria For Best Engineered Album: Award goes to recording engineer(s) and mixing engineer(s) credited with at least 33% of the album and mastering engineer(s) credited with at least 51% of the album within the production field.

For more information click here.

The Latin Grammys will take place in Spain in 2023, likely in the Southern city of Sevilla, according to sources.

In a press conference between the board of Andalucía and the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Andalucía board president Juanma Moreno said the two entities had a “three year sponsorship deal” that included hosting the Latin Grammys and “two major concerts hosted by the Academy in 2023, and another major concert in 2024 and in 2025.”

The location for all events, said Moreno, would be announced “soon, once the Academy finalizes all details.”

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“We are considering Sevilla to celebrate the 24th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards this November, but we are still working through the logistics with our partners TelevisaUnivision. We will share additional details about the date and location of the next Latin GRAMMYs soon,” said Latin Academy Manuel Abud in an exclusive statement provided to Billboard.

Sources confirm the awards will take place in Spain and a formal announcement will be made soon. Since their inception in 2000, the Latin Grammys have always taken place in the United States, mostly in Las Vegas, although the award has also been held in New York and Miami. Rumors about the Academy taking the awards out the U.S. have swirled before, but this is the first time concrete plans have been made to host the awards elsewhere.

Although the Latin Recording Academy and the Latin Grammys were created in the U.S. as a sister organization to the Academy, its membership and its ethos have always been international representing recordings made in Spanish and Portuguese around the world.

While details of the negotiations to move the award show out of the United States were not provided, economic incentives clearly had a role.

Moreno estimated the economic impact of having the Grammys and the events in the region would be “in the nieghborhood of 500 million Euros.”

The Latin Grammys will continue to be broadcast on the Univision network.

Last Thursday (Nov. 17), the 23rd edition of the Latin Grammy Awards was full of exciting moments and surprises. John Legend joined Sebastian Yatra on stage to sing “Tacones Rojos” for the first time live; Rosalía and Rauw Alejandro turned heads at the red carpet with serious power couple looks; and Los Bukis, led by the charismatic person of the year, Marco Antonio Solís, inspired the nigiht’s biggest sing-along with “Tu Cárcel” as the closing number. 

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

In addition, first-time Latin Grammy winners Angela Álvarez and Silvana Estrada, 95 and 25, respectively, tied in one of the most important categories of the night for best new artist, which marked another special moment. 

But beyond receiving a Latin Grammy, the best new artist nominees celebrated their Latin Recording Academy recognition as a victory.

Before the winners were announced, Billboard Español spoke with Estrada, Pol Granch, Nicole Zignago and Sofia Campos about what it means to them to receive the endorsement from one of music’s most prestigious institutions. They also shared some advice for those starting out in the business.

Silvana Estrada

One of the two winners for best new artist searched for her inner voice, recorded it on her soulful Glassnote Records debut, Marchita, and her poetic revolution began instantly. Her voice, often accompanied by the cuatro, is simply a powerful instrument, while her lyrics are at times reminiscent of Latin American greats like Chavela Vargas or Mercedes Sosa.

How does it feel to have your work recognized by the Latin Recording Academy?

It’s beautiful. I have been working on turbo for many years, so this whole experience has been very nice. All the work I do, I do it thinking of my audience, my shows, my music. Sometimes I’m like a horse [with blinders], I don’t look to the sides because I want to concentrate on my own thing, and I don’t pay attention to everything else that happens. These [Latin] Grammys are very nice because I feel very appreciated and recognized by people in the industry, who in the end are the people who really know the work behind things. I feel very grateful to all these people who are paying attention to my work, and who are also recognizing my effort.

What advice would you give to an upcoming artist who dreams of being nominated for a Latin Grammy?

For someone who is just starting out, you have to focus on the music first. It is very easy to get distracted. But if you have a good song, if you put a lot of effort and hard work into [putting together] a solid project, if you have a song that moves you, or a beat that makes you dance — you do it for the quality of the music, and everything else will follow. On the other hand, if the order of these factors is reversed, then it’s not so good.

Pol Granch

Pol Granch has a captivating flamboyance that simply mesmerizes, and when you pair that with his neon-hued provocative electro-pop — as heard in tracks off his 2022 album Amor Escupido — it all comes together and you’re instantly a fan. Although at times he reminds of a young Miguel Bosé, the Madrid artist claims influences by the likes of SoundCloud legends like the late Lil Peep.

How does it feel to be recognized by the Latin Recording Academy?

Complete gratitude because, in one way or another, they have recognized my work and it makes me have more motivation, more self-confidence, and much more desire to move forward.

What advice would you give to an emerging artist who is starting their career in music?

I always say this, but it’s the truth: If this is your dream, if you can imagine such a thing, you can become it 100%. To keep pushing forward despite any negative thing that can happen along the way. You have to know from the very first moment that if you want to work in this, you will face the opinions of everyone, and well, that’s what it is. But always go forward, like a racehorse.

Nicole Zignago

Zignago went from being a behind-the-scenes creator to becoming her own spotlight. She began making a name for herself co-writing hits for Sofia Reyes and Mariah Angeliq. As a solo artist, the Peruvian singer-songwriter caused hype with her 2022 debut EP, Así me siento hoy, a deliciously sensual slice of electro-pop.

What went through your head when you heard about your nomination? 

What can I say? It was crazy. I was literally in bed, it was early in the morning and I was watching the nominations. They called my name right at the end of the category. So it was a huge surprise. I cried. My family called me, my friends, and my head exploded. It’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was very little. The fact that I was nominated in this category is super important, because it is a nomination that only happens once in a lifetime — once you are nominated for another category, you can no longer be nominated for best new artist. The fact that my first nomination is in this [category] is a huge blessing, and I’m super-happy.

What advice would you give to an artist who is just starting out and wants to make music as a career?

I would tell them to have a very clear north, to know very well what they want to do. I know that this may change over the years. The way to reach that north can always change but have a purpose. That will always make them find their core, and it will guide them to where they need to go in this career.

The heart and instinct are also very important. To surround themselves with good people — people who really love them and want to see them succeed. To have a lot of patience and discipline. To know that this is a 25/8 job, not 24/7. Remember to be present and grateful, because this road goes by very fast and if they choose this career, it will go by even faster because it is a lot of work. To give themselves time to rest. To give it their all, like jumping into a swimming pool without knowing what is going to happen. That’s how I describe it: like jumping into the void, but with a lot of conviction, knowing that this is for you.

Sofía Campos

When listening to her gorgeous blend of lackadaisical yet joyful pop, it’s clear that the Argentinian singer-songwriter is not afraid to bare her heart. Her second 2021 release, Lugares Imaginarios, is the kind of album that sparks curiosity with inquisitive musings, accompanied by her beautiful acoustic guitar strumming.

How does it feel to receive this recognition from the Latin Recording Academy?

It feels like a gift from music and for my effort. I always wanted to make songs with a lot of love, and suddenly the [love] comes right back. It feels very special, like something that will never be repeated.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in music? 

I don’t feel like I’m in the position of giving someone advice. But I can share things that I say to myself, like trying not to lose focus. I think it’s important to remember why you’re doing things, like why you’re making songs, why you want to sing, why you want to upload this song to [music] platforms, why you want to do this concert. It’s good to connect with the important reasons, like why you enjoy singing. Because it’s what makes you happy. 

To not get lost in some of the colder things of the industry, like numbers — whether it’s the number of listeners, money, tickets, and whether it’s sold out or not. I feel like those will make you frustrated or stressed, but they are a good way to guide your decisions. Focus your frustrations on the things that are worthwhile, and not on what’s not worthwhile. Connect with the essence of why you do things, and the real reason. 

All interviews were originally conducted in Spanish.

A total of 18 musical performances took center stage at the 2022 Latin Grammys on Thursday night (Nov. 17) including from heavy hitters such as Romeo Santos, Karol G, and Rosalia, to name a few.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Thalia, Luis Fonsi, Laura Pausini, Sin Bandera, Carin Leon, Gente de Zona, Goyo, and Aymee Nuviola joined forces on stage for the evening’s grand opener, a tribute to person of the year Marco Antonio Solis.

An eclectic medley by Rauw Alejandro followed with his bangers “Lejos del Cielo,” “Mas de Una Vez,” “Desesperados,” and “Punto 40;” Christina Aguilera and Christian Nodal wowed the crowd with their power-vocals in “Cuando Me Dé la Gana;” and Karol G had the entire venue on their feet with her certified club bangers “Gatubela,” “Provenza,” and “Cairo;” to name a few.

In a soulful performance that united two generations of musicians, Carlos Vives, Camilo, Nicole Zignago and Silvana Estrada — who shared the best new artist win with Ángela Álvarez — gave the audience a new, more instrumental version of “Baloncito Viejo” that marked Vives’ and Camilo’s first-ever collaboration.

What was your favorite performance at the 23rd annual awards? Vote below!

The Latin Grammy Awards — which “promise to honor the legacy, celebrate the present and embrace the future of Latin music, with deliberate consciousness, paying-it-forward to the next generations of music creators,” according to a press statement — were held Nov. 17 in the Michelob Ultra Arena at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, and aired live on Univision. 

While artists graced the red carpet, gave memorable speeches, and took center stage during the televised 2022 Latin Grammys on Thursday night (Nov. 17) via Univision, here’s what Billboard observed behind the scenes.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Check out the things you didn’t see on TV below:

1. A heartfelt moment. Yahritza y Su Esencia, the youngest-nominated best new artist at 15, and Angela Alvarez, the oldest best new artist nominee at 95, interchanged hugs and kisses on the red carpet. Later in the night, Alvarez and Mexican singer-songwriter Silvana Estrada tied for the coveted best new artist award.

2. Also on the carpet, Estrada expressed that one of her best moments of 2022 so far was when Rosalia DM’ed her on Instagram. “I did a poem and tagged her on my stories, and a couple of weeks later, she responded. I totally fangirled! Now I imagine us being the best of friends,” she laughed.

3. Meanwhile, we asked Nicki Nicole to describe the ultimate girl group if she were to be in one with two of her colleagues. “It would have to be Emilia Mernes because she’s a great dancer, and going to think very big here, but I would love it to be Karol G. She’s amazing!”

4. At the media center, best new artist nominee Angela Alvarez crooned the crowd with her powerhouse vocals. “I never took singing lessons. This is my natural voice,” she said to the press. Estrada, who said backstage that she dedicates the award to her mom and women everywhere, felt honored to share the best new artist award with Alvarez. “She reminds me a lot of my mother, who abandoned so many things to become a mom. And this award is a call to hope that there are no limits.”

Silvana Estrada; Angela Alvarez

Mindy Small/WireImage; Frazer Harrison/GI

5. The night’s big winner, Jorge Drexler, expressed backstage how he’s a big admirer of Bad Bunny’s work and even joked about wanting to do a reggaeton album himself. “I like it a lot,” he said of the genre. “We are a continent that has a wide musical record.”

6. Rauw Alejandro was rooting for his girlfriend Rosalia from afar while she talked to the press at the media center. The Spanish singer, who nabbed the coveted album of the year for Motomami, expressed how important it is for her to have the support of her loved ones.

7. The media backstage loudly chanted and sang to Los Bukis‘ “Tu Carcel” as we watched their special closing performance from the media center.

The Latin Grammy Awards — which “promise to honor the legacy, celebrate the present and embrace the future of Latin music, with deliberate consciousness, paying-it-forward to the next generations of music creators,” according to a press statement — were held Nov. 17 at the Michelob Ultra Arena at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, and aired live on Univision. 

Related Images:

Related Images:

Related Images:

Eight months after unleashing their first-ever collaboration, Sebastian Yatra and John Legend debuted the track live for the first time at the 2022 Latin Grammys on Thursday night (Nov. 17).

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Accompanied by 10 female dancers dressed in long blazers and top hats, and with a full-on cabaret stage setting, Yatra and Legend’s bromance oozed as they sang the feel-good Spanglish bop live. Both artists not only flaunted their vocal chemistry on stage but also rocked matching bow ties.

Yatra and Legend performed the track shortly after Yatra won best vocal pop album for Dharma.

“John is miraculously talented and musically he can go anywhere. He’s someone I admire, and vocal-wise, it’s very intriguing to see how he’s going to sound in a song like this because of his vocal capacity,” Yatra previously told Billboard.

Legend wrote the English lyrics to the song, which Yatra originally co-wrote with Juan Jo, Lofty, Manuel Lara, and Pablo.

“When you have a song you love so much, you want to give it to someone who has a stroke of genius like John has, and who will keep the essence instead of just a translation,” adds Yatra.

The Latin Grammy Awards — which “promise to honor the legacy, celebrate the present and embrace the future of Latin music, with deliberate consciousness, paying-it-forward to the next generations of music creators,” according to a press statement — were held Thursday (Nov. 17) in the Michelob Ultra Arena at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, and aired live on Univision.