The Latin Grammys mark 25 years with a showcase of musical power celebrating an entire continent

It is often said that the Latin Grammys are Latin music awards, but in reality, they represent a grand celebration of Latin music — a vibrant party uniting an entire continent that welcomes all rhythms. For 25 years, the awards have cultivated an ever-expanding, increasingly global celebration, and now, as they reach their quarter-century milestone, this lively festivity continues to flourish.

“What a joy that 25 years later we are gathered in Miami to celebrate not only our music, but a legacy that continues to conquer the world,” said Gloria Estefan, joined by Andy García, during their presentation on Thursday night in Miami. Both were present at that inaugural gala at the dawn of the 21st century, and from their privileged viewpoint, they have seen how, year after year, interest and respect for the Latin Grammys has soared. This year, the party drew even more prominent names, including DJ Khaled, Jon Bon Jovi, and Joe Jonas. “This city shelters us all,” Estefan noted, “because the tuba, the bongo, and the guitar coexist.”

The 25th edition of the awards showcased a rich variety of musical elements — tubas, bongos, guitars — alongside genres like salsa, regional Mexican music, reggaeton, and more. There were no political declarations or references to the newly elected president; it was the music of global unity that triumphed. This spirit of global celebration was embodied by Juan Luis Guerra, who claimed the two most prestigious awards of the night: Record of the Year and Album of the Year.

Countries such as Puerto Rico, Chile, Uruguay, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico were represented, with many artists taking home a Grammy or dazzling on stage. The night began with Carlos Vives, who was awarded Person of the Year and performed a medley of his greatest hits, including Fruta Fresca, La Bicicleta, Tierra del Olvido, Volví A Nacer, Robarte Un Beso, and Pa’ Mayte. His Colombian compatriots, including Karol G, Sebastián Yatra, and Camilo, enthusiastically sang along and danced from their seats, with some even joining him on stage. Colombia’s strong presence was notable, thanks to Vives and other winners like Feid, Fonseca, Shakira, Aterciopelados, Ela Taubert, and Karol G, although the latter missed out on the Album of the Year award.

Madrid musician Alejandro Sanz presented the award to Vives, while Jon Bon Jovi, the 2023 Grammy Person of the Year, handed him the honor. “Carlos, for decades you have embodied the spirit of creating a better world through your voice — on and off the stage, in your community, and around the world. It is my privilege, from one Person of the Year to another, to present this award for Person of the Year,” said the New Jersey musician.

Vives, surrounded by family, including his visibly moved mother, expressed heartfelt gratitude: “I am still that kid from Santa Marta, that young man from Bogotá; I come from Colombia, a country at the crossroads of musical paths, where we found our rock and roll within our roots [...] Receiving this award means that music truly has no borders. Music is like trees: they may seem disconnected, but beneath the earth, their roots are intertwined,” he shared.

He continued by expressing appreciation to the Academy for fostering a space that unites artists, and he extended thanks to his parents. “Thank you to my Spanish heritage, to my manager, to my wife, Claudia... She deserves this more than I do, as she has dreamed of it and fought for it more than I have. To my family, my children who are here. To our audience: come hell or high water, they are at our concerts, they never fail to show up. This is for my country, Colombia. I still believe in the diversity of music.”

Sanz brought one of the few social messages of the evening during his presentation of the in memoriam segment. “A round of applause for our people in Spain; a huge hug to them as they go through these terrible days,” said the Madrid-born singer, acknowledging the thousands affected by the flooding that has ravaged the country. “But as I’ve already said, we won’t abandon you. We’re with you, and this show is dedicated to you,” he concluded, drawing applause from the audience.

Sanz then introduced a series of heartfelt tributes, including performances by Reik and Leonel García, who honored Juan Gabriel; David Bisbal and Carlos Rivera, who paid tribute to José José; and Alejandro Fernández, who, dressed as a charro (a Mexican cowboy), honored his late father, Vicente Fernández, complete with mariachi accompaniment.

The evening featured a multitude of performances, showcasing the diverse blend of styles and voices that define the Latin Grammys. Often arranged in groups of three, the first act featured Eladio Carrión, a Kansas-born rapper performing in Spanish with a gospel group; Spain’s Quevedo, dressed in white; and Myke Towers, who energized the audience as soon as he began singing La Falda.

Next came Danny Ocean alongside Trueno and Álvaro Díaz; Kali Uchis with Elena Rose and Emilia; Mexican artist Carín León; the band Darumas; Becky G with siblings Leonardo and Ángela Aguilar; and Anitta, who delivered a rendition of Sergio Mendes’s classic Mais que nada with Tiago Iorc. Other notable performances included the dynamic duo of Pitbull and Jon Bon Jovi; and Grupo Frontera and the Mexican band The Warning. The night concluded with Luis Fonsi performing his 2008 hit No me doy por vencido and his iconic song Despacito.

One of the most memorable highlights of the evening was a tribute to salsa music produced by Marc Anthony. Tito Nieves and Christian Alicea took the stage, joined by Grupo Niche, Luis Figueroa, and Oscar D’León. Anthony himself performed and closed the tribute with Puerto Rican singer La India, performing the classic Vivir lo nuestro. This marked an emotional moment, as it was the first time the former artistic partners had performed together in 29 years.

In addition to numerous performances (and endless commercial breaks), there were also the awards themselves. The three most coveted prizes were for Record, Song, and, most importantly, Album of the Year. Song of the Year was awarded to Derrumbe by Jorge Drexler, who, visibly moved and surprised, dedicated it to his father, who had passed away just 11 days earlier. Juan Luis Guerra claimed a double victory, winning Record of the Year for Mambo 23 and Album of the Year for Radio Güira. Competing alongside Ángela Aguilar, Camilo, Xander de Pilares, Kany García, Karol G, Mon Laferte, Carin León, Residente, and Shakira, Guerra dedicated his wins to the other nominees and to Jesus Christ.

This year’s event was more than just one night; it was, in reality, a full day of awards. With 58 prizes to be distributed (up from 56 in previous years due to the addition of two new categories), a pre-show event known as the Premiere was held earlier in the day, during which 49 awards were presented. Notably, Shakira and Bizarrap won their first award for Best Latin Electronic Music Performance, accepted by Bizarrap, while Chilean artist Mon Laferte secured the Best Alternative Music Album for Autopoiética. Edgar Barrera, the top nominee and an acclaimed Mexican producer, composer, and artist, won three of the nine awards for which he was nominated.

When the main gala commenced, only nine major awards remained to be presented. The first award of the night went to Carín León for Best Contemporary Mexican Music Album with Boca Chueca. Kany García followed, winning Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for her self-titled album, García, which she remarked brought her luck: “An album with my father’s last name brought me luck.”

The award for Best Pop-Rock Album went to Reflejos de lo eterna by Draco Rosa, a New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent. Karol G’s Mañana será bonito won Best Urban Music Album, and she dedicated her win not only to this album but to all her work, saying, “Life, my music, is about this, about the love of all of you. But I want to dedicate this to my family — to my mom, dad, little sisters, nieces; you bring joy to my life. I wouldn’t have mental health or achieve anything if it weren’t for you.”

Ela Taubert from Bogotá was named Best New Artist. Luis Fonsi won Best Pop Vocal Album for El viaje, declaring: “This award goes to the most beautiful place in the world, which is called Puerto Rico.” Fonsi had criticized Tony Hinchcliffe for calling Puerto Rico an “island of garbage” at a recent Trump rally. This reference to Puerto Rico was the only indirect political statement of a night that refused to let politics ruin the party.

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