The 2024 Latin Grammy Awards have arrived, marking a significant milestone as they celebrate their 25th anniversary, honoring the finest in Latin music performed in Spanish and Portuguese.
The ceremony, held on Thursday at Miami’s Caseya Center—often seen as the heart of Latin culture in the U.S.—featured dazzling performances that underscored the remarkable rise of Latin music in recent years, currently the fastest-growing genre in streaming in the country.
This year, the Latin Recording Academy reported over 700 artist nominations across 58 categories, as stated by CEO Manuel Abdo.
Dominican merengue and bachata legend Juan Luis Guerra emerged as the evening’s biggest winner, capturing the prestigious Album of the Year award for his work on *Radio Guira*.
Guerra captivated the audience with a creative rendition of his hit “Mambo 23,” which also clinched the title of Best Tropical Song and was honored as an Honorable Record of the Year.
In a moment that took many by surprise, Uruguayan artist Jorge Drexler claimed the award for Song of the Year for his two-minute track “Derrumbe,” a piece he described as simple yet introspective.
Drexler dedicated this award to his late father, who had passed away just two weeks prior. He expressed gratitude, saying his father taught him to understand the diverse shades of love, from joyful moments to sorrowful ones.
Carlos Vives, the celebrated Colombian singer-songwriter, marked his 30-year career with a standout opening performance that showcased a modern take on “vallenato” to a broader audience.
Vives performed beloved tracks like “Frutta Fresca” and “La Bicicleta,” wrapping up his segment alongside fellow Colombian artists Camilo, Juanes, and Sebastián Yatra.
Rock legend Bon Jovi made a special appearance to present Vives with a distinguished award, recognizing him as the Latin Recording Academy’s Person of the Year.
“This is for my homeland, Colombia, because I keep believing that music carries the messages we need to embrace unity amidst diversity,” Vives declared in his acceptance remarks.
Bon Jovi surprised attendees by performing a remixed version of “Now or Never,” teamed up with Cuban-American rapper Pitbull.
The night also featured performances from over 30 artists who paid tribute to three influential figures in Latin music: José José, Vicente Fernández, and an unnamed singer-songwriter, all of whom left a lasting mark on Mexican culture. This tribute featured heartfelt performances by artists like Lake, Leonel Garcia, Alejandro Fernandez, David Bisbal, and Carlos Rivera.
Brazilian pop sensation Anitta, alongside musician Tiago, delivered a stripped-down rendition of her nominated song “Mil Veses” mixed with classic bossa nova tunes popularized by the late Sergio Mendes.
The show also showcased up-and-coming artists, featuring a medley of emerging urban talents such as Eladio Carrion, Quevedo, and Mike Towers, along with a Spanglish performance by Joe Jonas and Ella Taubert, the winners of Best New Artist. They highlighted the movement of young musicians redefining the genre.
The event also included performances from Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean, Puerto Rican experimental musician Álvaro Díaz, and Treno, who recently took home the Best Urban Fusion/Performance award.
Latin music superstar Marc Anthony closed the show with a special segment honoring the tropical music genre, collaborating with salsa legend Sergio George. The grand finale featured an unforgettable duet between Anthony and La India, performing their classic hit “Vivir Lo Nuestro.”
Producer and songwriter Edgar Barrera led the nominations with nine, marking his second consecutive year at the forefront. He has created numerous hits such as Grupo Frontera’s, Bad Bunny’s “Un x100to,” and Karol G’s “Mi Ex Tenía Razón.”
During the televised event, several winners were announced, including Karin Leung’s *Boca Chueca, Vol. 1*, which earned Best Contemporary Mexican Music Album, Draco Rosa’s *Reflejos De Lo Eterno* for Best Pop/Rock Album, and Cani García’s *García* for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.
Karol G secured the award for Best Urban Music Album with *Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season)*, while Luis Fonsi, known for the hit “Despacito,” won Best Pop Vocal Album for *El Viaje*.
Many winners previously received their gramophone-shaped trophies at a pre-event held at the Miami Beach Convention Center earlier on Thursday.
Barrera collected three awards, including Songwriter of the Year, Regional Song of the Year, and Producer of the Year. “I can’t believe this,” said Barrera, reflecting on his third consecutive win. “All the producers I admire have been my inspiration.”
Spanish-Argentine singer Naci Peluso also snagged three awards during the pre-show. Her song “El Día Que Perdí Mi Juventud” earned her Best Alternative Song, “Aprender A Amar” won Best Rap/Hip-Hop Song, and her album *Grasa* received the award for Best Feature-Length Music Video.
“Art conveys your heart and faith,” Peluso remarked as she accepted her final accolade. “Thanks to music and *Grasa* for presenting me with such wonderful blessings. Through music, I found myself and created something I can proudly stand behind.”
Peluso capped off the night as the most awarded female artist at the Latin Grammy Awards this year.
