Latin Grammys
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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