The 2024 Latin Grammy Awards are here — and it’s a milestone anniversary. This year the event celebrates 25 years of honoring the best of Latin music in Spanish and Portuguese.
Taking place Thursday night at the Kaseya Center in Miami, considered the epicenter of Latin culture in the U.S., the show will be packed with star-studded performances highlighting the explosive growth of Latin music in recent years — it’s now the nation’s fastest-growing streaming genre.
More than 700 artists were nominated across 58 categories this year, according to Manuel Abud, CEO of the Latin Recording Academy.
Shakira, Bad Bunny, Anitta and Karol G are among the more than two dozen artists nominated for the biggest awards of the night — record of the year, album of the year and song of the year.
According to the Latin Recording Academy, more than 30 artists are confirmed to perform and make special appearances, including “Despacito” singer Luis Fonsi, rapper and producer Pitbull, merengue and bachata musician Juan Luis Guerra and many others.
Colombian singer-songwriter Carlos Vives is being recognized as the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year and will deliver a special performance to honor his 30-year career, which has focused on reinterpreting the folkloric sounds of his homeland for a mainstream audience globally.
Latin music icon Marc Anthony will also executive produce a special segment, with salsa great Sergio George, to pay homage to the tropical music genre.
With nine nominations, producer and songwriter Edgar Barrera is the most nominated artist. It is his second year in a row leading the nominations. Barrera is responsible for hits like “Un x100to” by Grupo Frontera and Bad Bunny, as well as “Mi Ex Tenía Razón” by Karol G, just to name a few.
While winners in the top categories will get their awards during the televised show, most winners have already received their gramophone-shaped trophies at the Latin Grammy premiere event Thursday afternoon at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Barrera won three awards: songwriter of the year, best regional song and producer of the year.
“I can’t believe this one,” Barrera, who is Mexican American, said after he won the third award. “Because all the producers with whom I am nominated are an inspiration for me.”
Spanish Argentine singer Nathy Peluso, known for her powerhouse vocals and genre-bending music, also snagged three awards during the pre-show. Her song “El Día Que Perdí Mi Juventud” earned her an award for best alternative song, “Aprender A Amar” won for best rap/hip hop song, and her album “Grasa” got her a win for best long-form music video.
“Art is about putting your heart and faith into it,” Peluso said in accepting the last award. “Thanks to music and ‘Grasa’ for bringing me so many blessings. It made me find myself and create something I am proud of.”
Puerto Rican artist Kany García performed during the pre-show and won best singer-songwriter song with “García.” She is also nominated for album of the year and song of the year.
The Latin Grammys live show will air on Univision, Galavisión and ViX at 8 p.m. ET.
