Bad Bunny Leads Pack of Latin Grammy Nominees with 12 Nods

Bad Bunny is the artist to beat at this year’s Latin Grammys.

The 31-year-old Puerto Rican superstar has earned 12 nominations for the awards ceremony, including an album of the year nod for his critically acclaimed album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS and double mentions in record of the year and song of the year, in both cases for “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” and “DTmF.”

Bad BunnyBad Bunny’s nominations add to the 40 he has received in the past, of which he has won 12 over the years.

He is closely followed by acclaimed Mexican American musician Edgar Barrera and Argentine duo CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso, each with 10 nominations.

Barrera, who led the list of nominees the last two years, is once again competing for songwriter of the year and producer of the year, and appears in multiple categories for his work with artists such as Karol G, Shakira, Maluma, Fuerza Regida and Grupo Frontera. Similarly to Bad Bunny, CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso are also nominated for album of the year, for Papota, and got double nominations in the record of the year and song of the year categories, for “El Día Del Amigo” and “#Tetas.”

As in previous years, the album of the year category includes artists from a variety of genres, reflecting the diversity within Latin music. In addition to Bad Bunny and CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso, they include Rauw Alejandro, Gloria Estefan, Vicente García, Joaquina, Natalia Lafourcade, Carín León, Liniker, Elena Rose and Alejandro Sanz.

Additionally, this year a new field for Visual Media has been added along with two new categories: best music for visual media and best roots song.

The best new artist award will be contested by Alleh, Annasofia, Yerai Cortés, Juliane Gamboa, Camila Guevara, Isadora, Alex Luna, Paloma Morphy, Sued Nunes, and Ruzzi.

Other contenders with multiple nominations include Rafa Arcaute, Natalia Lafourcade, Roberto Rosado and Federico Vindver, with eight each; MAG, with seven; Liniker and Lewis Picket with six each; and Gino Borri and Vicente Jiménez with five.

Artists with four nominations include Antonio Caraballo, Joaquina, Elena Rose and Alejandro Sanz.

Among those with three are Andrés Cepeda, Karol G and Carín León.

Two-time nominees include Akapellah, Rauw Alejandro, Rubén Blades, Gloria Estefan, Mon Laferte, Maluma, Fito Páez, and more.

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The 26th Annual Latin Grammy Awards will be broadcast live from Las Vegas on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 8 p.m. ET/PT in the U.S. on TelevisaUnivision platforms. Prior to the live broadcast, the Latin Grammy Premiere, a non-televised event where the majority of winners are announced, will take place.

Here’s thw full list of nominees for the 2025 Latin Grammys:

GENERAL FIELD

Record of the Year
“Baile Inolvidable,” Bad Bunny; Big Jay, Elikai, Julito Gaston, La Paciencia & Mag, record producers; Antonio Caraballo, Luis Amed Irizarry, Armando López & Roberto Rosado, recording engineers; Josh Gudwin, mixer; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer

“DTmF,” Bad Bunny; Scotty Dittrich, Hydra Hitz, La Paciencia, Julia Lewis, Mag & Tyler Spry, record producers; Antonio Caraballo, Roberto Rosado & Tyler Spry, recording engineers; Josh Gudwin, mixer; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer

“El Día Del Amigo,” CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso; Rafa Arcaute & Federico Vindver, record producers; Rafa Arcaute, Luis Tomás La Madrid & Federico Vindver, recording engineers; Rafa Arcaute, Felipe Bernal, Lewis Pickett & Federico Vindver, mixers; Lewis Pickett, mastering engineer

“#Tetas,” CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso; Rafa Arcaute & Federico Vindver, record producers; Rafa Arcaute, Luis Tomás La Madrid & Federico Vindver, recording engineers; Rafa Arcaute, Felipe Bernal, Lewis Pickett & Federico Vindver, mixers; Lewis Pickett, mastering engineer

“Desastres Fabulosos,” Jorge Drexler & Conociendo Rusia; Nico Cotton, record producer; Nico Cotton & Julio Gómez Núñez, recording engineers; Nico Cotton, mixer; Fred Kevorkian, mastering engineer

“Lara,” Zoe Gotusso; Cachorro López & Diego Mema, record producers; Demián Nava, recording engineer; César Sogbe, mixer; Javier Fracchia, mastering engineer

“Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” Karol G; Edgar Barrera, Karol G & Sky Rompiendo, record producers; Joel Iglesias, recording engineer; Luis Barrera Jr., mixer; Luis Barrera Jr., mastering engineer

“Cancionera,” Natalia Lafourcade; Adán Jodorowsky & Natalia Lafourcade, record producers; Jack Lahana, recording engineer; Jack Lahana, mixer; Bernie Grundman, mastering engineer

“Ao Teu Lado,” (Liniker); Julio César Gonçalves De Souza, Liniker & Gustavo Ruiz Chagas, record producers; Ricado Camera, Adonias Farias De Souza Júnior, Daniel Mariano Gonçalves, Julio César Gonçalves De Souza, André Malaquias, João Milliet, Gabriel Pinheiro Machado Milliet & Gustavo Ruiz Chagas, recording engineers; João Milliet, mixer; Felipe Tichauer, mastering engineer

“Palmeras En El Jardín,” Alejandro Sanz; Luis Miguel Gómez Castaño, Alfonso Pérez Arias & Spread Lof, record producers; Frank Lozano, Alfonso Pérez & Felipe Trujillo, recording engineers; Lewis Pickett, mixer; David Kutch, mastering engineer

Album of the Year
Cosa Nuestra, Rauw Alejandro; Rauw Alejandro, Jorge Pizarro & Nino Karlo Segarra, album producers; Jorge Pizarro, album recording engineer; Josh Gudwin, album mixer; Rauw Alejandro, Christhian Daniel Mojica, Jorge Pizarro & Nino Karlo Segarra, songwriters

DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, Bad Bunny; La Paciencia, Mag & Tainy, album producers; Antonio Caraballo & Roberto José Rosado Torres, album recording engineers; Josh Gudwin, album mixer; Bad Bunny, Marco Daniel Borrero, Marcos Efraín Masis & Roberto José Rosado Torres, songwriters

Papota, CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso; Rafa Arcaute, Ignacio Cruz, Danny Flores, Jean Rodriguez & Federico Vindver, album producers; Rafa Arcaute, Luis Tomás La Madrid, Josh Newell & Federico Vindver, album recording engineers; Rafa Arcaute, Felipe Bernal, Josh Newell, Lewis Pickett & Federico Vindver, album mixers; Rafa Arcaute, Gino Borri, CA7RIEL, Ulises Guerriero, Vicente Jiménez & Federico Vindver, songwriters

Raíces, Gloria Estefan; Emilio Estefan, Jr., album producer; Carlos Alvarez, Dave Poler & Andres Varona, album recording engineers; Carlos Alvarez, album mixer; Emilio Estefan, Jr., songwriter; Mike Fuller, album mastering engineer

Puñito De Yocahú, Vicente García; Eduardo Cabra & Vicente García, album producers; Eduardo Cabra, Vicente García & Harbey Marín, album recording engineers; Harold Wendell Sanders, album mixer; Vicente García, songwriter

al romper la burbuja, Joaquina; Joaquina & Julio Reyes Copello, album producers; Santiago Borja, Joaquina, Natalia Ramirez, Robin Reumers, Julio Reyes Copello, Daniel Riaño Restrepo & Natalia Schesinger, album recording engineers; Lee Smith, album mixer; Joaquina, songwriter; Ted Jensen, album mastering engineer

Cancionera, Natalia Lafourcade; Adán Jodorowsky & Natalia Lafourcade, album producers; Jack Lahana, album recording engineer; Jack Lahana, album mixer; Natalia Lafourcade, songwriter; Bernie Grundman, album mastering engineer

Palabra De To’s (Seca), Carín León; Alberto De Jesús Medina Velásquez & Antonio De Jesús Zepeda Rivera, album producers; Alberto De Jesús Medina Velásquez, album recording engineer; Alberto De Jesús Medina Velásquez, album mixer; Carín León, songwriter; Alberto Medina, mastering engineer

Caju, Liniker; Marcio Arantes, José Henrique Castanho De Godoy Pinheiro, Julio Fejuca, Liniker, André Murilo Da Silva, Nave Beats, Filipe Pampuri, Iuri Rio Branco, Gustavo Ruiz, Seko Bass & Joel Souza Silva, album producers; Marcio Arantes, Ricado Camera, Julio Fejuca, Adonias Junior, André Malaquias, Dani Mariano, Gabriel Milliet, João Milliet, Nave Beats, Pedro Quiriku, Iuri Rio Branco, Gustavo Ruiz, Vitor Vaughan & Dalton Luiz Vicente, album recording engineers; Rafael Fadul de Assumpção & João Milliet, album mixers; Marcio Arantes, Roberto Dalcom Bastos Barreto, Henrique Castanho De Godoy Pinheiro, Amaro João De Freitas Neto, Julio Fejuca, Liniker, Vinicius Leonard Moreira, André Murilo Da Silva, Roosevelt Ribeiro De Carvalho, Iuri Rio Branco & Gustavo Ruiz, songwriters; Mike Bozzi & Felipe Tichauer, album mastering engineers

En Las Nubes – Con Mis Panas, Elena Rose; Héctor Mazzarri & Rafael Rodriguez, album producers; Rafferty Santiago, album mixer; Hector Mazzarri, Daniel Rondon & Elena Rose, songwriters; Orlando Ferrer, mastering engineer

¿Y Ahora Qué?, Alejandro Sanz; Luis Miguel Gómez Castaño & Richi López, album producers; Richi López, Frank Lozano, Alfonso Pérez & Felipe Trujillo, album recording engineers; Lewis Pickett, album mixer; Manuel Lorente Freire, Luis Miguel Gómez Castaño, Ricardo López & Alejandro Sanz, songwriters

Song of the Year
“Baile Inolvidable,” Marco Daniel Borrero, Antonio Caraballo, Kaled Elikai Rivera Cordova, Julio Gaston, Armando Josue Lopez, Jay Anthony Nuñez, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio & Roberto Jose Rosado Torres, songwriters (Bad Bunny)

“Bogotá,” Andres Cepeda, Mauricio Rengifo & Andres Torres, songwriters (Andrés Cepeda)

“Cancionera,” Natalia Lafourcade, songwriter (Natalia Lafourcade)

“DtMF,” Bad Bunny, Marco Daniel Borrero, Scott Dittrich, Benjamin Falik, Roberto José Rosado Torres, Hugo René Sención Sanabria & Tyler Spry, songwriters (Bad Bunny)

“El Día Del Amigo,” Rafa Arcaute, Gino Borri, Catriel Guerreiro, Ulises Guerriero, Amanda Ibanez, Vicente Jiménez & Federico Vindver, songwriters (Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso)

“Otra Noche De Llorar,” Mon Laferte, songwriter (Mon Laferte)

“Palmeras En El Jardín,” Manuel Lorente Freire, Luis Miguel Gómez Castaño, Elena Rose & Alejandro Sanz, songwriters (Alejandro Sanz)

“Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” Edgar Barrera, Andres Jael Correa Rios & Karol G, songwriters (Karol G)

“#Tetas,” Rafa Arcaute, Gino Borri, CA7RIEL, Gale, Ulises Guerriero, Vicente Jiménez & Federico Vindver, songwriters (CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso)

“Veludo Marrom,” Liniker, songwriter (Liniker)

Best New Artist
Alleh
Annasofia
Yerai Cortés
Juliane Gamboa
Camila Guevara
Isadora
Alex Luna
Paloma Morphy
Sued Nunes
Ruzzi

POP

Best Contemporary Pop Album
Cuarto Azul, Aitana
Palacio, Elsa y Elmar
al romper la burbuja, Joaquina
En Las Nubes – Con Mis Panas, Elena Rose
¿Y Ahora Qué?, Alejandro Sanz 

Best Traditional Pop Album
Bogotá, Andrés Cepeda
Cursi, Zoe Gotusso
Lo Que Nos Falto Decir, Jesse & Joy
Natalia Lafourcade Live At Carnegie Hall, Natalia Lafourcade
Después De Los 30, Raquel Sofía 

Best Pop Song
“Bogotá,” Andres Cepeda, Mauricio Rengifo & Andres Torres, songwriters (Andrés Cepeda)
“El Día Del Amigo,” Rafa Arcaute, Gino Borri, CA7RIEL, Ulises Guerriero, Amanda Ibanez, Vicente Jiménez & Federico Vindver, songwriters (CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso)
“Querida Yo,” Camilo Echeverry, Gonzalo Ferreyra, Nicolas Ramirez & Yamila Safdie, songwriters (Yami Safdie Featuring Camilo)
“Soltera,” Edgar Barrera, Bizarrap, Kevyn Mauricio Cruz Moreno & Shakira, songwriters (Shakira)
“Te Quiero,” Juan Ariza, Covi Quintana & Nicole Zignago, songwriters (Nicole Zignago) 

ELECTRONIC

Best Latin Electronic Music Performance
“Orión”, Sistek Remix Boza, Elena Rose, Sistek
“Ella Quiere Techno”, Imanbek & Taichu
“Qqqq”, Ela Minus
“Rulay En Dubai (Extended)”, Mr. Pauer, Villa Electronika & Dj Polin
“Veneka”, Rawayana Featuring Akapellah 

URBAN

Best Urban/Urban Fusion Performance
“Capaz (Merenguetón),” Alleh, Yorghaki
“DtMF,” Bad Bunny
“De Maravisha,” Tokischa Featuring Nathy Peluso
“La Plena – W Sound 05,” W Sound Featuring Beele & Ovy On The Drums
“Roma,” Jay Wheeler 

Best Reggaeton Performance
“Baja Pa’ Acá,” Rauw Alejandro Featuring Alexis & Fido
“Voy A Llevarte Pa Pr,” Bad Bunny
“Dile A Él,” Nicky Jam
“Brillar,” Lenny Tavárez
“Reggaetón Malandro,” Yandel Featuring Tego Calderón 

Best Urban Music Album
DeBí TiRAR MáS FOToS, Bad Bunny
Underwater, Fariana
Nicki, Nicki Nicole
MPC (Música Popular Carioca), Papatinho
Elyte, Yandel 

Best Rap/Hip Hop Song
“El Favorito De Mami,” Noah Assad, José Carabaño, Eladio Carrión, Gustavo Rafael Guerrero Soto, Samuel David Jiménez, Adam Moralejo & Albert Packness, songwriters (Big Soto Featuring Eladio Carrion)
“Fresh,” Trueno, songwriter (Trueno)
“Parriba,” Pedro Elias Aquino, Jesus Fuenmayor & Mateo Palacios Corazzina, songwriters (Akapellah Featuring Trueno)
“Sudor y Tinta,” Samuel Wilfredo Dilone Castillo, Nohelys Jimenez “J Noa” & Manuel Varet “Vakero”, songwriters (J Noa & Vakero)
“Thc,” Arcángel, songwriter (Arcángel) 

Best Urban Song
“Cosas Pendientes,” Édgar Barrera, Kevyn Mauricio Cruz Moreno, Luis Miguel Gómez Castaño, Manuel Lorente Freire & Maluma, songwriters (Maluma)
“DtMF,” Bad Bunny, Marco Daniel Borrero, Scott Dittrich, Benjamin Falik, Roberto Jose Rosado Torres, Hugo Rene Sencion Sanabria & Tyler Spry, songwriters (Bad Bunny)
“En La City,” Young Miko & Trueno, songwriters (Trueno Featuring Young Miko)
“LA MuDANZA,” Luis Amed Irizarry, Marcos Efrain Masis, Jay Anthony Nuñez, Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio & Roberto Jose Rosado Torres, songwriters (Bad Bunny)
“Xq Eres Así,” Alejandro Avila, Jorge Alvaro Díaz, Manuel Lara, Nathy Peluso & Joyce Francue Santana Febres, songwriters (Alvaro Diaz Featuring Nathy Peluso) 

ROCK

Best Rock Album
Legado, A.N.I.M.A.L
Luna En Obras (En Vivo), Marilina Bertoldi
A TRES DÍAS DE LA TIERRA, Eruca Sativa
Gigante, Leiva
Novela, Fito Páez 

Best Rock Song
“La Torre,” RENEE, songwriter (RENEE)
“Legado,” Andrés Giménez, songwriter (A.N.I.M.A.L)
“Sale El Sol,” Fito Páez, songwriter (Fito Páez)
“TRNA,” Ali Stone, songwriter (Ali Stone)
“VOLARTE,” Eruca Sativa, songwriters (Eruca Sativa) 

Best Pop/Rock Album
Vándalos, Bandalos Chinos
Malhablado, Diamante Eléctrico
Malcriado, Lasso
El Último Día De Nuestras Vidas, Dani Martín
Ya Es Mañana, Morat
R, RENEE 

Best Pop/Rock Song
“Ángulo Muerto,” Leiva, songwriter (Leiva)
“Desastres Fabulosos,” Conociendo Rusia, Jorge Drexler & Pablo Drexler, songwriters (Jorge Drexler & Conociendo Rusia)
“Lucifer,” Renzo Bravo, Lasso & Orlando Vitto, songwriters (Lasso)
“no llames lo mio nuestro,” Joaquina & Andry Kiddos, songwriters (Joaquina)
“Tu Manera De Amar,” Julián Bernal & Debi Nova, songwriters (Debi Nova)
“Un último vals,” Leiva, Benjamín Prado & Joaquín Sabina, songwriters (Joaquín Sabina) 

ALTERNATIVE

Best Alternative Music Album
PARA QUIEN TRABAJAS Vol. I, Marilina Bertoldi
Papota, CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso
Bodhiria, Judeline
TODOS LOS DÍAS TODO EL DÍA, Latin Mafia
DAISY, Rusowsky 

Best Alternative Song
“El Ritmo,” Salvador Colombo, songwriter (Bandalos Chinos)
“Joropo,” Javier Fernández Blanco, Pablo Gómez Cano, Roberto Gutierrez Acosta, Andrés De Las Heras, Judeline & Pablo López García, songwriters (Judeline)
“Siento Que Merezco Más,” Latin Mafia, songwriters (Latin Mafia)
“(Sola),” Paloma Morphy, songwriter (Paloma Morphy)
“#Tetas,” Paco Amoroso, Rafa Arcaute, Gino Borri, CA7RIEL, Gale, Vicente Jiménez “Vibarco” & Federico Vindver, songwriters (CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso) 

TROPICAL

Best Salsa Album
Big Swing, José Alberto “El Canario”
Fotografías, Rubén Blades y Roberto Delgado & Orquesta
Mira Como Vengo, Issac Delgado
Infinito Positivo, Los Hermanos Rosario
Debut y Segunda Tanda, Vol. II Gilberto Santa Rosa 

Best Cumbia/Vallenato Album
SON 30, Checo Acosta
El Último Baile, Silvestre Dangond & Juancho De La Espriella
De Amor Nadie Se Muere, Karen Lizarazo
Baila Kolombia, Los Cumbia Stars
La Jerarquía, Peter Manjarrés & Luis José Villa 

Best Merengue/Bachata Album
El Más Completo, Alex Bueno
Novato Apostador, Eddy Herrera
Milly Quezada – Live Vol. 1 Desde El Teatro Nacional De República Dominicana, Milly Quezada 

Best Traditional Tropical Album
Malena Burke Canta A Meme Solís, Vol. 1, Malena Burke & Meme Solís
Raíces, Gloria Estefan
Caminando Piango Piango, Orquesta Failde 

Best Contemporary Tropical Album
Calidosa, Mike Bahía
Puñito De Yocahú, Vicente García
Ilusión Óptica, Pedrito Martínez
Bingo, Alain Pérez
Fiesta Candelaria, Puerto Candelaria 

Best Tropical Song
“Ahora O Nunca,” Juan José Hernandez, songwriter (Gilberto Santa Rosa)
“Cariñito,” Techy Fatule, songwriter (Techy Fatule)
“La Foto,” Larry Coll, Luis Enrique & Marcos Sánchez, songwriters (Luis Enrique)
“Nunca Me Fui,” Rubén Blades, Andy Clay, Fonseca, Felipe González Abad & Yoel Henríquez, songwriters (Fonseca & Rubén Blades)
“Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” Edgar Barrera, Andres Jael Correa Rios & Karol G, songwriters (Karol G)
“Si Volviera Jesús,” Jorge Luis Piloto, songwriter (Víctor Manuelle)
“Venga Lo Que Venga,” Andy Clay, Fonseca & Alberto Montenegro, songwriters (Fonseca, Rawayana) 

SINGER-SONGWRITER

Best Singer-Songwriter Album
Dos Hemisferios, Alejandro y María Laura
el cuerpo después de todo, Valeria Castro
Cancionera, Natalia Lafourcade
Cosas Que Sorprenden A La Audiencia, Vivir Quintana
Relatos, Ale Zéguer 

Best Singer-Songwriter Song
“aeropuerto”, Joaquina, songwriter (Joaquina)
“Amarte sin que quieras irte”, Camilú, songwriter (Camilú)
“Cancionera”, Natalia Lafourcade, songwriter (Natalia Lafourcade)
“Como Un Pájaro”, Silvana Estrada, songwriter (Silvana Estrada)
“Quisqueya”, Vicente García, songwriter (Vicente García) 

REGIONAL MEXICAN

Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album
Mi Suerte Es Ser Mexicano, Pepe Aguilar
Alma De Reyna 30 Aniversario, Mariachi Reyna De Los Ángeles
¿Quién + Como Yo?, Christian Nodal 

Best Banda Album
4218, Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda
25 Aniversario (Deluxe), Luis Ángel “El Flaco”
Edición Limitada, Banda Ms De Sergio Lizárraga 

Best Tejano Album
Imperfecto, Vol. 2, El Plan
Yo No Te Perdí, Gabriella
Reflexiones, Grupo Cultura
El Siguiente Paso (Live Session), Marian y Mariel
Bobby Pulido & Friends Una Tuya y Una Mía (Vol.1/En Vivo), Bobby Pulido
6, Juan Treviño 

Best Norteño Album
El Plan & Manuel Alejandro, El Plan & Manuel Alejandro
Pasado, Presente, Futuro, La Energía Norteña
La Lotería, Los Tigres Del Norte
“V1V0”, Alfredo Olivas
Frente A Frente, Pesado 

Best Contemporary Mexican Music Album
Mirada, Ivan Cornejo
Leyenda, DannyLux
Evolución, Grupo Firme
Palabra De To’s (Seca), Carín León
Incómodo, Tito Double P 

Best Regional Song
“Hecha Pa’ Mí,” Edgar Barrera, Iván Gamez, Alex Hernandez & Adelaido Solis, songwriters (Grupo Frontera)
“La Lotería,” Luciano Luna, songwriter (Los Tigres Del Norte)
“Me Jalo,” Miguel Armenta, Edgar Barrera & Jesús Ortiz Paz, songwriters (Fuerza Regida, Grupo Frontera)
“¿Seguimos o No?,” Fernanda Díaz, Daniela García Rosso, Lupita Infante & Mauro Muñoz, songwriters (Lupita Infante)
“Si Tú Me Vieras,” Edgar Barrera, Kevin Mauricio Cruz Moreno, Carín León & Maluma, songwriters (Carín León, Maluma)
“Tierra Trágame,” César Gonzales & Kakalo, songwriters (Kakalo, Carín León)

INSTRUMENTAL

Best Instrumental Album
Alma En Cuba, Ariel Brínguez & Iván “Melon” Lewis
Saga, Yamandu Costa, Martín Sued e Orquestra Assintomática
Ida e Volta, Yamandu Costa
Havana Meets Harlem, Harlem Quartet Featuring Aldo López Gavilán
Y El Canto De Todas, Rafael Serrallet Featuring Lviv Philharmonic 

TRADITIONAL

Best Folk Album
Conjuros, Susana Baca
Joropango, Kerreke, Daniela Padrón
Lentamente, Sílvia Pérez Cruz & Juan Falú
Candombe, Julieta Rada
#Anonimas&Resilientes, Voces del Bullerengue 

Best Tango Album
Colángelo… Tango, José Colángelo
Piazzolla Para Orquesta Típica, Orquesta Típica Daniel Ruggiero
Milonguín, Giovanni Parra Quinteto
Shin-Urayasu, Richard Scofano, Alfredo Minetti
La Inevitable Tentación De Ir A Contramano, Sexteto Fantasma
En Vivo 20 Años, Tanghetto 

Best Flamenco Album
KM.0, Andrés Barrios
Flamencas, Las Migas
Azabache, Kiki Morente
Sangre Sucia, Ángeles Toledano 

Best Roots Song
“Aguacero,” Luis Enrique Mejía, Fernando Osorio & Rodner Padilla, songwriters (Luis Enrique, C4 Trío)
“Cómo Quisiera Quererte,” El David Aguilar & Natalia Lafourcade, songwriters (Natalia Lafourcade Featuring El David Aguilar)
“El Palomo y La Negra,” El David Aguilar & Natalia Lafourcade, songwriters (Natalia Lafourcade)
“Ella,” Tato Marenco, songwriter (Anita Vergara, Tato Marenco)
“Jardín del Paraíso,” Catalina García Barahona, William Martínez, Juan Carlos Mindinero Satizabal & Julio Reyes Copello, songwriters (Monsieur Periné Featuring Bejuco)
“Lo Que Le Pasó A Hawaii,” Bad Bunny, Marco Daniel Borrero, Luis Amed Irizarry, Marcos Efrain Masis, Flor Morales Ramos, Jay Anthony Nuñez & Roberto Jose Rosado Torres, songwriters (Bad Bunny) 

JAZZ

Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album
Hamilton De Holanda Trio – Live In NYC, Hamilton De Holanda
La Fleur De Cayenne, Paquito D’Rivera & Madrid-New York Connection Band
Luces y Sombras, Iván “Melon” Lewis Trio
Cuba & Beyond, Chucho Valdés & Royal Quartet
Golden City, Miguel Zenón 

CHRISTIAN

Best Christian Album (Spanish Language)
Exaltado, Marco Barrientos
La Novia, Christine D’clario
Coritos Vol. 1, (Israel & New Breed)
Aquí Estamos, Marcos Vidal
Legado, Marcos Witt 

Best Portuguese Language Christian Album
Ton Carfi 20 Anos (Ao Vivo), Ton Carfi
Razão Da Esperança, Paloma Possi
Onde Guardamos As Flores?, Resgate
Memóri4s (Ao Vivo), Eli Soares
A Maior Honra, Julliany Souza 

PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE

Best Portuguese Language Contemporary Pop Album
No Escuro, Quem É Você?, Carol Biazin
Fugacidade, Janeiro
Caju, Liniker
Maravilhosamente Bem, Julia Mestre
Coisas Naturais, Marina Sena 

Best Portuguese Language Rock or Alternative Album
O Mundo Dá Voltas, Baianasystem
Colinho, Maria Beraldo
Reações Adversas / Ao Persistirem Os Sintomas, Tó Brandileone
Quanto Mais Eu Como, Mais Fome Eu Sinto!, Djonga
Big Buraco, Jadsa 

Best Portuguese Language Urban Performance
“Só Quero Ver,” BK’ & Evinh”
“Demoro A Dormir,” Djonga Featuring Milton Nascimento
“Caju,” Liniker
“A Dança (Ao Vivo),” Mc Hariel & Gilberto Gil
“Barbie,” Mc Tuto Featuring Dj Glenner 

Best Samba/Pagode Album
Alcione, Alcione
Manual Prático Do Novo Samba Tradicional, Vol. 2: Tia Darci, Marcelo D2
Pagode Da Mart’nália, Mart’nália
Zeca Pagodinho – 40 Anos (Ao Vivo), Zeca Pagodinho
Sorriso Eu Gosto No Pagode Vol.3 – Homenagem Ao Fundo De Quintal (Gravado Em Londres), Sorriso Maroto 

Best MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira)/MAPB (Música Afro Portuguesa Brasileira) Album
Sentido, 5 A Seco
Um Mar Pra Cada Um, Luedji Luna
Pique, Dora Morelenbaum
Divina Casca, Rachel Reis
Beleza. Mas Agora A Gente Faz O Que Com Isso?, Rubel 

Best Sertaneja Music Album
Let’s Go Rodeo, Ana Castela
José & Durval, Chitãozinho & Xororó
Obrigado Deus, Léo Foguete
Transcende (Ao Vivo / Deluxe), Lauana Prado
Do Velho Testamento, Tierry 

Best Portuguese Language Roots Album
Casa Coração, Joyce Alane
Ao Vivo No Ccb: Homenagem A José Mário Branco, Camané
Universo De Paixão, Natascha Falcão
Transespacial, Fitti
Dominguinho, João Gomes, Mestrinho e Jota.pê 

Best Portuguese Language Song
“Maravilhosamente Bem,” Julia Mestre, songwriter (Julia Mestre)
“Ouro De Tolo,” Marina Sena, songwriter (Marina Sena)
“Transe,” Zé Ibarra, songwriter (Zé Ibarra)
“Um Vento Passou (Para Paul Simon),” Marcio Borges & Milton Nascimento, songwriters (Milton Nascimento & Esperanza Spalding Featuring Paul Simon)
“Veludo Marrom,” Liniker, songwriter (Liniker) 

CHILDREN’S

Best Children’s Album
Los Nuevos Canticuentos, (Canticuentos, Coro de Ríogrande)
Aventuras De Caramelo, Antonio Caramelo, Malibu
Cenas Infantis, Palavra Cantada
Buscapié, Luis Pescetti, Juan Quintero
Jirafas, Rita Rosa 

CLASSICAL

Best Classical Album
Brouwer, Erena & Others: Guitar Works, Ausiàs Parejo; José Luis Ruiz Del Puerto, album producer
Gabriela Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina, María Dueñas; Gustavo Dudamel, conductor; Dmitry Lipay, album producer (Los Angeles Philharmonic; Los Angeles Master Chorale)
Kaleidoscope – Contemporary Piano Music By Female Composers From Around The World, Isabel Dobarro; Javier Monteverde, album producer
Radamés, São Paulo Chamber Soloists; São Paulo Chamber Soloists, producer
Sisters Of The Moon, Susana Gómez Vázquez; Gonzalo Noqué, album producer 

Best Classical Contemporary Composition
“Guitar Concerto. I: The Spirit Within, II. Le Tombeau de Viola Liuzzo, III. Devil’s Rag,” Giovanni Piacentini, composer (Eduardo García Barrios, Eliot Fisk, Orquesta Escuela Carlos Chávez)
“I Movimiento: La Visita, II Movimiento: Ritual Chamánico, III Movimiento: Introspección, IV Movimiento: Federico Alma Gitana,” Marvin Camacho, composer (Marvin Camacho & Orquesta Sinfónica De La Universidad De Costa Rica)
“Revolución Diamantina – Act I: The Sounds Cats Make, Act II: We Don’t Love Each Other, Act III: Borders And Bodies, Act IV: Speaking The Unspeakable,” Gabriela Ortiz, composer (Gustavo Dudamel, Los Angeles Philharmonic & Los Angeles Master Chorale) 

VISUAL MEDIA

Best Music for Visual Media
“Cada Minuto Cuenta (Banda Sonora De La Serie Original De Prime Video),” Pedro Osuna (Pedro Osuna, artist); Pedro Osuna, composer
“Cien Años De Soledad (Banda Sonora De La Serie De Netflix),” Camilo Sanabria (Camilo Sanabria, artist); Camilo Sanabria, composer
“El Eternauta (Banda Sonora De La Serie De Netflix),” Federico Jusid (Federico Jusid, artist); Federico Jusid, composer
“In The Summers,” Cabra (Eduardo Cabra, artist); Eduardo Cabra, composer
“Pedro Páramo (Banda Sonora De La Serie De Netflix),” Gustavo Santaolalla (Gustavo Santaolalla, artist); Gustavo Santaolalla, composer 

ARRANGING

Best Arrangement
“Sapato Velho”, Rafael Beck & Felipe Montanaro, arrangers (Rafael Beck e Felipe Montanaro)
“Te Deseo Muy Felices Fiestas (Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas)”, Cheche Alara, arranger (David Bisbal)
“Procuro Olvidarte – Versión Sinfónica”, Edy Lan, arranger (Brava Featuring Yaneth Sandoval)
“Bach’s Cuban Concerto For Piano And Tres”, Joachim Horsley, arranger (Joachim Horsley Featuring Olivia Soler & Boston Public Quartet And Friends)
“Camaleón Cesar”, Orozco, arranger (Cesar Orozco & Son Ahead)
“Flight 962”, Cassio Vianna, arranger (Cassio Vianna Jazz Orchestra) 

RECORDING PACKAGE

Best Recording Package
Cuarto Azul, Christian Molina, art director (Aitana)
Cuba And Beyond, Ana Gonzalez, Patricia Nunez, Francisco Pinero, Chucho Valdés & Jourdan Villarroel, art directors (Chucho Valdés, Royal Quartet)
Gigante, Boa Mistura, art director (Leiva)
Masters Of Our Roots, Ana Gonzalez, Patricia Nunez, Francisco Pinero & Jourdan Villarroel, art directors (Albita & Chucho Valdés)
Por Esas Trenzas, Daniela Tomas, art director (Lourdes Carhuas) 

SONGWRITER

Songwriter of the Year
Edgar Barrera
João Ferreira
Pablo Preciado
Mónica Vélez
Ale Zéguer 

PRODUCTION

Best Engineered Album
Bodhiria, Isidro Acedo, Rob Bisel, Pablo Gómez Cano & Pablo López García, engineers; Lewis Pickett, mixer; Lewis Pickett, mastering engineer (Judeline)
Caju, Marcio Arantes, Iuri Rio Branco, Ricardo Camera, Júlio Fejuca, Pedro Henrique Ferreira Rodrigues, André Malaquias, Daniel Mariano, João Milliet, Vinicius Leonard Moreira, Gabriel Pinheiro, Gustavo Ruiz, Adonias Souza Júnior, Vitor Vaughan & Dalton Luiz Vicente, engineers; Mike Bozzi, Rafael Fadul de Assumpção & João Milliet, mixers; Felipe Tichauer, mastering engineer (Liniker)
Cancionera, Jack Lahana, engineer; Jack Lahana, mixer; Bernie Grundman, mastering engineer (Natalia Lafourcade)
Enquanto Os Distraídos Amam, Tó Brandileone & Matheus Stiirmer, engineers; Pedro Peixoto, mixer; Fili Filizzola, mastering engineer (Pedro Emílio)
Love Cole Porter, Leo Alcantara & Marcelo Saboia, engineers; Marcelo Saboia, mixer; Andre Dias, mastering engineer (Antonio Adolfo) 

Producer of the Year
Rafa Arcaute, Federico Vindver
Edgar Barrera
Nico Cotton
Mauricio Rengifo, Andres Torres
Matheus Stiirmer 

MUSIC VIDEO

Best Short Form Music Video
“Diamantes, Lágrimas e Rostos Para Esquecer (Dlre),” Bk’; Felipe Vellas, video director; Renata Dumont, video producer
“EL CLúB,” Bad Bunny; Matias Vasquez, video director; Noah Assad, Sigfredo Bellaflores, Juan Vasquez & Esteban Zuluaga, video producers
“#Tetas,” CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso; Martin Piroyansky, video director; Pío Filgueira Risso & Lula Meliche, video producers
“Cura Pa Mi Alma,” Vera Grv; Willy Rodriguez, video director; Grayskull, video producer
“Full Time Papi,” Guitarricadelafuente; Albert Moya, video director; Philipp Ramhofer, video producer 

Best Long Form Music Video
Papota (Short Film), CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso; Martin Piroyansky, video director; Federico Ameglio, Chino Fernández & Lula Meliche, video producers
Iradoh – 3 Atos De Irmandade: A Música, O Crime E A Justiça, Hodari; Kaique Alves & Thiago Eva, video directors; Marcelo Campana, Konrad Dantas, Thiago Freire, Kako & Bruno Pappa, video producers
Mon Laferte, Te Amo, Mon Laferte; Camila Grandi & Joanna Reposi Garibaldi, video directors; José Antonio San Miguel García, Diana Rodríguez, Simran Singh & Jaime Villarreal, video producers
Lamento (Extended Cut), Gaby Moreno; Diego Contreras, video director; Andrew Petersen, video producer
Milton Bituca Nascimento, Varios Artistas; Flavia Moraes, video director; Ricardo Aidar, Caio Gullane, Fabiano Gullane, Rafael Langoni, Flávia Moraes, Augusto Nascimento, Andre Novis, Victor Pozas & Larissa Prado, video producers

Rosalia Makes History with Grammy Nomination for Best New Artist

It’s a brand new (artist)day for Rosalia

The 26-year-old Spanish singer/songwriter has earned the first two Grammy nominations of her career, including a historic nod for Best New Artist.

Rosalia

Rosalia, a five-time Latin Grammy winner, is the first all-Spanish language singer to be nominated in the best new artist category. Other Latino artists have been nominated in the category over the years, including Vikki Carr in 1963, and Mariah CareyChristina Aguilera and Esperanza Spalding have won the award. Even José Feliciano won best new artist in 1969, bolstered by his hit version of the Doors’ “Light My Fire.” But the previous nominees and winners were not, however, honored for their work recorded exclusively in Spanish.

Rosalia’s second nomination comes in the Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album category for her second studio album, El Mal Querer. The album took home all the Latin Grammy awards it was nominated for, including Album of the Year, one of the top awards of the night.

Bad Bunny picked up two nominations… in the same category.

The 25-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton singer-rapper is nominated in the Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album category for his Latin Grammy-winning debut album X 100PRE, as well as his collaborative album with J Balvin, Oasis.

Esperanza Spalding, a four-time Grammy winner, including Best New Artist, has picked up two nods this year. 

The 35-year-old part-Latinajazz bassist and singer is nominated in the Best Jazz Vocal Album category for her album12 Little Spells. She’s also up for Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals for serving as the arranger on her own single track “12 Little Spells (Thoracic Spine).”

Vince Mendoza is back in familiar territory…

The 58-year-old Latino music arranger, conductorand composer, a multi-Grammy winner, has picked up four nominations. 

He’s nominated in the Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals category for his work on Trisha Yearwood’s “Over The Rainbow.” 

Mendoza picked up two nods in the Best Instrumental Composition category for conducting Fred Hersch & The WDR Big Band’s “Begin Again,” as well as composing “Love, A Beautiful Force,” his single with Terell StaffordDick Oatts and the Temple University Studio Orchestra.

Emilio Solla is in the running for a Grammy this year…

The Argentine pianist and composer is nominated in the Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella category for arranging “La Novena,” his single with the Emilio Solla Tango Jazz Orchestra.

Diego Figueiredo picked up a nod

The 39-year-old Brazilian musician is nominated in the Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals category for arrangement alongside Cyrille Aiméeon Aimée’s “Marry Me A Little.”

Camila Cabello, a two-time Grammy nominee last year, has earned a nod this year…

The 22-year-old Mexican and Cuban singer and former Fifth Harmony member is nominated in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category for her collaboration with Shawn Mendes, “Señorita.” 

Cardi B has earned a nod this year…

The 27-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar, who picked up her first Grammy at this year’s awards show for her debut album Invasion of Privacy, is up for Best Rap Performance for her work opposite Offset on “Clout.”

Rodrigo y Gabrielahave reason to celebrate…

The Mexican acoustic guitar duo, comprised of Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero, picked up its first Grammy nomination. Rodrigo y Gabriela is nominated in the Best Contemporary Instrumental Album category for Mettavolution.

Jessie Reyez is a first-time Grammynominee…

The 28-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter is nominated in the Best Urban Contemporary Album category for her sophomore album Being Human In Public. The album picked up a Juno Award in her home country of Canada for RnB/Soul Recording of the Year.

Sebastian Plano is celebrating his Grammy nod…

The Argentine composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist is nominated in the Best New Age Album category for his albumVerve.

Melissa Aldana has picked up her first Grammy nomination…

The 30-year-old Chilean tenor saxophone player is nominated in the Best Improvised Jazz Solo category for “Elsewhere.”

The nominees in the Best Latin Jazz Album include Chick Corea & The Spanish Heart Band (Antidote), Thalma De Freitas with Vitor GonçalvesJohn PatitucciChico Pinheiro, Rogerio Boccato Duduka Da Fonse (Sorte!: Music By John Finbury), Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis Rubén Blades (Una Noche Con Rubén Blades), David Sánchez (Carib), and Miguel Zenón (Sonero: The Music of Ismael Rivera)

The Best Latin Pop Album nominees include an eclectic mix of artists: Luis Fonsi (Vida), Maluma (11:11), Ricardo Montaner (Montaner), Alejandro Sanz (#ELDISCO), and Sebastian Yatra (Fantasía).

In addition to Bad Bunny, J Balvin and Rosalia, the nominees in the Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album category include Flor De Toloache (Indestructible) and iLe(Almadura).

The Best Regional Mexican Music Album (including Tejano) include Joss Favela (Caminando), Intocable (Percepción), La Energia Norteña (Poco A Poco), Mariachi Divas De Cindy Shea (20 Aniversario), and Mariachi Los Camperos (De Ayer Para Siempre).

The Best Tropical Latin Album nominees include Marc Anthony (Opus), Luis Enrique + C4Trio (Tiempo Al Tiempo), Vicente Garcia (Candela), Juan Luis Guerra 4.40 (Literal) and Aymée Nuviola (A Journey Through Cuban Music).

The Best Musical Theater Album nominees includeHadestown, with Eva Noblezada as one of the principal soloists, and Moulin Rouge! The Musical, with Karen Olivo as one of the principal soloists. It’s the first Grammy nod for both Noblezada, who is half-Mexican American, and Olivo, who is part Puerto Rican and Dominican American.

Gustavo Dudamelis back in the hunt for a Grammy

The 38-year-oldVenezuelan-Spanish conductor and violinist, who won his first Grammy in 2011, is nominated in the Best Orchestral Performance category for conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonnic’s Norman: Sustain.”

FKA Twigs has picked up her first Grammy nomination…

The 31-year-old part-Spanish singer is up for Best Music Video for her acclaimed music video for “Cellophane.”

Lizzo led the pack with eight nods, while Billie Eillish and Lil Nas Xfollowed close behind with six nominations each. All three musicians are first-time Grammy nominees.

Alicia Keyswill return as host the ceremony for the second year in a row, making her the third womanand the first female musician to host the show twice.

The Grammy Awardswill take place on January 26 at the Staples Centerin Los Angeles. The broadcast will air live on CBSat 5:00 pm PT/ 8:00 pm ET.

Here’s a look at the categories with Latino nominees:

GENERAL FIELD

Best New Artist
Black Pumas
Billie Eilish
Lil Nas X
Lizzo
Maggie Rogers
Rosalía
Tank and the Bangas
Yola

POP FIELD

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:
“Boyfriend” — Ariana Grande & Social House
“Sucker” — Jonas Brothers
“Old Town Road” — Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus
“Señorita” — Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello

CONTEMPORARY INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

Best Contemporary Instrumental Album:
Ancestral Recall — Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah
Star People Nation — Theo Croker
Beat Music! Beat Music! Beat Music! — Mark Guiliana
Elevate — Lettuce
Mettavolution — Rodrigo y Gabriela

R&B

Best Urban Contemporary Album:
Apollo XXI — Steve Lacy
Cuz I Love You (Deluxe) — Lizzo
Overload — Georgia Anne Muldrow
Saturn — Nao
Being Human In Public — Jessie Reyez

RAP

Best Rap Performance:
“Middle Child” — J.Cole
“Suge” — DaBaby
“Down Bad” — Dreamville ft. J.I.D, Bas, J. Cole, Earthgang & Young Nudy
“Racks In The Middle” — Nipsey Hussle ft. Roddy Ricch & Hit-boy
“Clout” — Offset ft. Cardi B

NEW AGE

Best New Age Album:
Fairy Dreams — David Arkenstone
Homage To Kindness — David Darling
Wings — Peter Kater
Verve — Sebastian Plano
Deva — Deva Premal

JAZZ

Best Improvised Jazz Solo:
“Elsewhere” — Melissa Aldana, soloist
“Sozinho” — Randy Brecker, soloist
“Tomorrow Is The Question” — Julian Lage, soloist
“The Windup” — Brandford Marsalis, soloist
“Sightseeing” — Christian McBride, soloist

Best Jazz Vocal Album:
Thirsty Ghost — Sara Gazarek
Love & Liberation — Jazzmeia Horn
Alone Together — Catherine Russell
12 Little Spells — Esperanza Spalding
Screenplay — The Tierney Sutton Band

Best Latin Jazz Album:
Antidote — Chick Corea & The Spanish Heart Band
Sorte!: Music By John Finbury — Thalma De Freitas With Vitor Gonçalves, John Patitucci, Chico Pinheiro, Rogerio Boccato & Duduka Da Fonseca
Una Noche Con Rubén Blades — Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis & Rubén Blades
Carib — David Sánchez
Sonero: The Music Of Ismael Rivera — Miguel Zenón

LATIN

Best Latin Pop Album:
Vida — Luis Fonsi
11:11 — Maluma
Montaner — Ricardo Montaner
#ELDISCO — Alejandro Sanz
Fantasía — Sebastian Yatra

Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album:
X 100PRE — Bad Bunny
Oasis — J Balvin & Bad Bunny
Indestructible — Flor De Toloache
Almadura — iLe
El Mal Querer – Rosalía

Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano):
Caminando — Joss Favela
Percepción — Intocable
Poco A Poco — La Energia Norteña
20 Aniversario — Mariachi Divas De Cindy Shea
De Ayer Para Siempre — Mariachi Los Camperos

Best Tropical Latin Album:
Opus — Marc Anthony
Tiempo Al Tiempo — Luis Enrique + C4 Trio
Candela — Vicente García
Literal — Juan Luis Guerra 4.40
A Journey Through Cuban Music — Aymée Nuviola

AMERICAN ROOTS MUSIC

Best American Roots Performance:
“Saint Honesty” — Sara Bareilles
“Father Mountain” — Calexico With Iron & Wine
“I’m On My Way” — Rhiannon Giddens With Francesco Turrisi
“Call My Name” — I’m With Her
“Faraway Look” — Yola

MUSICAL THEATER

Best Musical Theater Album:
Ain’t Too Proud: The Life And Times Of The Temptations — Saint Aubyn, Derrick Baskin, James Harkness, Jawan M. Jackson, Jeremy Pope & Ephraim Sykes, principal soloists; Scott M. Riesett, producer (Original Broadway Cast)
Hadestown — Reeve Carney, André De Shields, Amber Gray, Eva Noblezada & Patrick Page, principal soloists; Mara Isaacs, David Lai, Anaïs Mitchell & Todd Sickafoose, producers (Anaïs Mitchell, composer & lyricist) (Original Broadway Cast)
Moulin Rouge! The Musical — Danny Burstein, Tam Mutu, Sahr Ngaujah, Karen Olivo & Aaron Tveit, principal soloists; Justin Levine, Baz Luhrmann, Matt Stine & Alex Timbers, producers (Original Broadway Cast)
The Music Of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child – In Four Contemporary Suites — Imogen Heap, producer; Imogen Heap, composer (Imogen Heap)
Oklahoma! — Damon Daunno, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Ali Stroker, Mary Testa & Patrick Vaill, principal soloists; Daniel Kluger & Dean Sharenow, producers (Richard Rodgers, composer; Oscar Hammerstein II, lyricist) (2019 Broadway Cast)

MUSIC FOR VISUAL MEDIA

Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media:
The Lion King: The Songs — (Various Artists)
Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood — (Various Artists)
Rocketman — Taron Egerton
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse — (Various Artists)
A Star Is Born — Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper

COMPOSING/ARRANGING

Best Instrumental Composition:
“Begin Again” — Fred Hersch, composer (Fred Hersch & The WDR Big Band Conducted By Vince Mendoza)
“Crucible For Crisis” — Brian Lynch, composer (Brian Lynch Big Band)
“Love, A Beautiful Force” — Vince Mendoza, composer (Vince Mendoza, Terell Stafford, Dick Oatts & Temple University Studio Orchestra)
“Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Symphonic Suite” — John Williams, composer (John Williams)
“Walkin’ Funny” — Christian McBride, composer (Christian McBride)

Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella:
“Blue Skies” — Kris Bowers, arranger (Kris Bowers)
“Hedwig’s Theme” — John Williams, arranger (Anne-Sophie Mutter & John Williams)
“La Novena” — Emilio Solla, arranger (Emilio Solla Tango Jazz Orchestra)
“Love, A Beautiful Force” — Vince Mendoza, arranger (Vince Mendoza, Terell Stafford, Dick Oatts & Temple University Studio Orchestra)
“Moon River” — Jacob Collier, arranger (Jacob Collier)

Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals:
“All Night Long” — Jacob Collier, arranger (Jacob Collier Featuring Jules Buckley, Take 6 & Metropole Orkest)
“Jolene” — Geoff Keezer, arranger (Sara Gazarek)
“Marry Me A Little” — Cyrille Aimée & Diego Figueiredo, arrangers (Cyrille Aimée)
“Over The Rainbow” — Vince Mendoza, arranger (Trisha Yearwood)
“12 Little Spells (Thoracic Spine)” — Esperanza Spalding, arranger (Esperanza Spalding)

PACKAGE

Best Recording Package:
Anónimas & Resilientes — Luisa María Arango, Carlos Dussan, Manuel García-Orozco & Juliana Jaramillo-Buenaventura, art directors (Voces Del Bullerengue)
Chris Cornell — Barry Ament, Jeff Ament, Jeff Fura & Joe Spix, art directors (Chris Cornell)
Hold That Tiger — Andrew Wong & Fongming Yang, art directors (The Muddy Basin Ramblers)
i,i — Aaron Anderson & Eric Timothy Carlson, art directors (Bon Iver)
Intellexual — Irwan Awalludin, art director (Intellexual)

NOTES

Best Album Notes:
The Complete Cuban Jam Sessions — Judy Cantor-Navas, album notes writer (Various Artists)
The Gospel According To Malaco — Robert Marovich, album notes writer (Various Artists)
Pedal Steel + Four Corners — Brendan Greaves, album notes writer (Terry Allen And The Panhandle Mystery Band)
Pete Seeger: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection — Jeff Place, album notes writer (Pete Seeger)
Stax ’68: A Memphis Story — Steve Greenberg, album notes writer (Various Artists)

CLASSICAL

Best Orchestral Performance:
“Bruckner: Symphony No. 9” — Manfred Honeck, conductor (Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra)
“Copland: Billy The Kid; Grohg” — Leonard Slatkin, conductor (Detroit Symphony Orchestra)
“Norman: Sustain” — Gustavo Dudamel, conductor (Los Angeles Philharmonic)
“Transatlantic” — Louis Langrée, conductor (Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra)
“Weinberg: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 21” — Mirga Gražinytė-tyla, conductor (City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra & Kremerata Baltica)

MUSIC VIDEO/FILM

Best Music Video:
“We’ve Got To Try” — The Chemical Brothers, Ellie Fry, video director; Ninian Doff, video producer
“This Land” — Gary Clark Jr., Savanah Leaf, video director; Alicia Martinez, video producer
“Cellophane” — FKA twigs, Andrew Thomas Huang, video director; Alex Chamberlain, video producer
“Old Town Road (Official Movie)” — Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus, Calmatic, video director; Candice Dragonas, Melissa Larsen & Saul Levitz, video producers
“Glad He’s Gone” — Tove Lo,  Vania Heymann & Gal Muggia, video directors; Natan Schottenfels, video producer

Vicente Garcia Signs Worldwide Publishing Deal with Warner Chappell Music Colombia

Vicente Garcia is going global…

The 36-year-old Dominican musician has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Colombia, covering his past albums as well as future projects, according to Billboard.

Vicente-Garcia

Garcia debuted his solo album Melodrama in 2011, which includes collaborations with Ximena Sariñana and Cultura Profetica

His sophomore album, A La Mar, nabbed Garcia best new artist, best singer-songwriter album, and best tropical song for “Bachata En Kingston” at the 2017 Latin Grammyawards.

“Vicente is a fearless and dynamic artist whose creativity has no boundaries,” said Gustavo Menendez, president, Warner Chappell Music Latin Americain an official statement. “He is constantly evolving by experimenting across multiple genres all while staying true to his Dominican roots. We have admired his work for a long time and we are thrilled to now welcome him to the Warner Chappellfamily.”

Daniel Mora, managing director, Warner Chappell Music Colombia, added: “I’m extremely proud to count Vicente among our fast-growing Warner Chappell Music Colombia roster. He is one of the most trail-blazing tropical and alternative artists of our generation, with a very unique perspective and writing style.”

García recently toured the U.S., United Kingdom, Colombia, Netherlands, Spain, Costa Rica, Peru, Argentina, and Chile, to name a few, in support of his third studio album Candela released in May.

Eduardo Cabra Partners with Vicente Garcia on New Multimedia & Music Fusion Project Called Trending Topics

Eduardo Cabra is trending

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican artist and producer,known as Visitante, has teamed with Puerto Rican singer Vicente Garcia for his first post Calle 13 solo project, called Trending Topics.

Eduardo Cabra

A single is due Sept. 14, with an album to follow later this fall.

The album will be a joint release between Sony Music Colombia and Sony Music Spain, according to Billboard, through a new deal Cabra and Garcia made with the global company that partners the two regional offices for the project.

Cabra, who has produced 13 albums for other artists, in addition to his groundbreaking work with Calle 13, previously told Billboardthat Trending Topics is a collaborative recording whose “common denominator is the production.”

In addition to Garcia, who won the Latin Grammy for Best New Artist in 2017, the album will feature Ana Tijoux, Jorge Drexler, Li Suamet of Bomba Estereo fame, Amayo from Antibalas, Pucho and Guille from Spanish rock band Vetusta Morla, and musician and producer Carlos Alomar, best known as David Bowie’s guitarist.

Sony calls Trending Topics, “an innovative multimedia, music fusion project” with music “born from the traditions of Afro-Caribbean and Caribbean cultures and rhythms – intertwined with the sounds of boundary pushing contemporary/ experimental recording techniques and timely lyrical subject matter.”

Cabra previously told Billboardthat reggaeton, approached “in a different way” will be part of the mix.

In an announcement from Sony, Cabra called Trending Topics, “a project that was made with much love and with a brutal sense of art.”

Kany Garcia & Fellow Latin Artists Help Raise Money for Puerto Rico with Banco Popular’s annual Christmastime album “Nuestra Isla, Nuestro Encanto”

It looks like Kany Garcia and Ozuna are giving Puerto Ricans a Christmas to remember… 

Banco Popular’s annual Christmastime album Nuestra Isla, Nuestro Encanto, featuring the 36-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter and the 25-year-old Puerto Rican reggaeton and Latin trap singer surges up Billboard’s Top Latin Albums (45-5) and Tropical Albums (9-2) charts.

Kany Garcia

The album has registered 3,000 equivalent album units earned (up 350 percent) — nearly all from traditional album sales.

The set (which was also released as a separate DVD) celebrates the many festivals, carnivals and events throughout Puerto Rico, and was produced over the last year.

The album includes many guest stars, including Diana Fuentes, Garcia, Vicente Garcia, Ozuna, Rey Ruiz and Olga Tañon.

Some of the proceeds from the sales of the album and DVD will support the Embracing Puerto Rico relief effort, supporting communities affected by Hurricane Maria.

Last year’s Banco popular album, Du Puerto Rico Para El Mundo, spent three weeks at No. 1 on both the Top Latin Albums and Latin Pop Albums charts.

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Win Four Latin Grammys for “Despacito”

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee proved to be the night’s brightest stars at this year’s Latin Grammy Awards.

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican singer and the 40-year-old reggaeton star, the artists behind this year’s global smash single “Despacito,” picked up four awards from the Latin Recording Academy, including two of the biggest prizes.

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee

Fonsi and Daddy Yankee won Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Despacito,” while their remix of the song featuring Justin Bieber was named Best Urban Fusion/Performance.

Not far behind, Vicente Garcia.

The 34-year-old Dominican singer, songwriter and composer picked up three awards, including Best New Artist. He also received the Best Tropical Song prize for his single “Bachata en Kingston,” as well as Best Singer-Songwriter Album for A La Mar.

Latin music veteran Ruben Blades, who won two awards, took home the night’s biggest honor Album of the Year for his album, Salsa Big Band, with Roberto Delgado & Orquesta.

It’s the second Album of the Year trophy for the 69-year-old Panamanian singer-songwriter. He previously took home the award in 2014 for his album Tangos.

Natalia Lafourcade, a Latin Grammy darling, added two more awards to her collection.

The 33-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter won the Best Folk Album award for her album Musas, which was produced in collaboration with the acoustic guitar duo Los Macorinos. The album is a homage to Latin American folk music, coand contains original songs as well as cover versions of other artists’ songs.

Shakira, who is currently on vocal rest and absent from the ceremony, won Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album for her latest record, El Dorado.

The 2017 Latin Grammy Awards were held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Thursday night. The three-hour show, hosted by Roselyn Sanchez and Jaime Camil, included performances by Fonsi, Steve Aoki, Alessia Cara, J Balvin, Maluma and Person of the Year Alejandro Sanz, among others.

Lin-Manuel Miranda was also honored with the President’s Merit Award for his outstanding and numerous contributions to the Latin community, including his relief efforts for Puerto Rico following the devastation of Hurricane Maria. Upon taking the stage, the Hamilton creator thanked his team and his wife, Vanessa Nadal.

“My people! Thank you, it’s an honor to be here,” Miranda began his Spanglish speech. “No one gets here alone,” he added before expressing how proud he was of the Latino community and dedicating the award to Puerto Rico.

“I know I’m a weird theater kid here, with a weird accent,” he continued. “But let’s keep collaborating and show the world that Latinos can change the world when we collaborate.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

Album of the Year: Salsa Big Band — Rubén Blades con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta
Record of the Year: “Despacito” — Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee
Song of the Year (A Songwriter’s Award): “Despacito” — Daddy Yankee, Erika Ender and Luis Fonsi, songwriters (Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee)
Best New Artist: Vicente García
Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album: El Dorado, Shakira
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: Salón, Lágrimas Y Deseo, Lila Downs
Best Urban Fusion/Performance: Despacito (Remix) Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber
Best Urban Music Album: Residente, Residente
Best Urban Song: Somos Anormales, Rafael Arcaute, Igor Koshkendey & Residente, Songwriters (Residente)
Best Rock Album: La Gran Oscilación, Diamante Eléctrico
Best Pop/Rock Album: Mis Planes Son Amarte, Juanes
Best Rock Song: Déjala Rodar, Juan Galeano, Songwriter (Diamante Eléctrico) & La Noche, Andrés Calamaro, Songwriter (Andrés Calamaro) [Tie]
Best Alternative Music Album: Jei Beibi, Café Tacvba
Best Alternative Song: Amárrame, Mon Laferte, Songwriter (Mon Laferte featuring Juanes)
Best Salsa Album: Salsa Big Band, Rubén Blades Con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta
Best Cumbia/Vallenato Album:
Ni Un Paso Atrás, Jorge Celedón y Sergio Luis Rodríguez
Best Contemporary Tropical Album: Bidimensional,
Guaco
Best Traditional Tropical Album:
To Beny Moré With Love, Jon Secada Featuring The Charlie Sepúlveda Big Band
Best Tropical Fusion Album:
Olga Tañón Y Punto., Olga Tañón
Best Tropical Song:
Bachata En Kingston, Vicente García, Songwriter (Vicente García)
Best Singer-Songwriter Album:
A La Mar, Vicente García
Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album:
Las Caras Lindas, Flor De Toloache
Best Banda Album:
Ayer Y Hoy, Banda El Recodo De Cruz Lizárraga
Best Norteño Album:
Piénsalo, Los Palominos
Best Regional Song:
Siempre Es Así, Juan Treviño, Songwriter (Juan Treviño Featuring Aj Castillo)
Best Instrumental Album: Spain Forever, Michel Camilo & Tomatito
Best Folk Album: Musas (Un Homenaje Al Folclore Latinoamericano En Manos De Los Macorinos, Vol. 1), Natalia Lafourcade
Best Tango Album: Solo Buenos Aires, Fernando Otero
Best Flamenco Album: Memoria De Los Sentidos, Vicente Amigo
Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album: Dance Of Time, Eliane Elias
Best Christian Album (Spanish Language): Momentos, Alex Campos
Best Portuguese Language Christian Album: Acenda A Sua Luz, Aline Barros
Best Portuguese Language Contemporary Pop Album: Troco Likes Ao Vivo: Um Filme De Tiago Iorc, Tiago Iorc
Best Portuguese Language Rock Or Alternative Album: Jardim – Pomar, Nando Reis
Best Samba/Pagode Album: + Misturado, Mart’nália
Best Mpb (Musica Popular Brasileira) Album: Dos Navegantes, Edu Lobo, Romero Lubambo, Mauro Senise
Best Sertaneja Music Album: Daniel, Daniel
Best Brazilian Roots Album: Ao Vivo – Melodias Do Sertão, Bruna Viola
Best Portuguese Language Song: Trevo (Tu), Ana Caetano & Tiago Iorc, Songwriters (Anavitória Featuring Tiago Iorc)
Best Latin Children’s Album: Marc Anthony For Babies, Varios artistas
Best Classical Album: Música De Compositores Costarricenses Vol. 2, Eddie Mora, Directing The Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional De Costa Rica; Winnie Camila Berg, Solista; Carlos Chaves, Album Producer
Best Classical Contemporary Composition: Sonata Del Decamerón Negro, Leo Brouwer, Composer (Mabel Millán)
Best Recording Package: El Orisha De La Rosa, Carlos Dussán, Juliana Jaramillo, Juan Felipe Martínez & Claudio Roncoli, Art Directors (Magín Díaz)
Best Engineered Album: Mis Planes Son Amarte, Josh Gudwin, Mixer; Tom Coyne, Mastering Engineer (Juanes)
Producer Of The Year: Eduardo Cabra [A La Mar (Vicente García) (A), La Fortuna (Diana Fuentes Featuring Tommy Torres) (S), La Lucha (La Vida Bohème) (A), Sofá (Silvina Moreno) (A), Somos (Swing Original Monks) (A)]
Best Short Form Music Video: Despacito, Luis Fonsi Featuring Daddy Yankee, Carlos R. Perez, Video Director; Joanna Egozcue & Roxy Quiñones, Video Producers
Best Long Form Music Video: Musas, El Documental, Natalia Lafourcade, Bruno Bancalari, Video Director; Juan Pablo López Fonseca, Video Producer

Residente Leads Pack of Latin Grammy Nominees with Nine Nods

It looks like Residente will be the artist to beat at this year’s Latin Grammys

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and founding member of Calle 13, whose real name is. René Juan Pérez Joglar, leads the list of nominees this year with nine nods.

Residente

Residente, who has won 24 Latin Grammy awards in his career, making him the Latin artist who has won the most gold-plated gramophones, picked up nods in the three main categories. He’s up for album of the year for Residente, his first solo album, and song and record of the year for “Guerra.”

In a departure, particularly for an album that had no radio singles, Residente also has different tracks up for best urban/fusion performance (“Dagombas en tamale”) best urban song (“Somos anormale”) and best tropical song (“Hijos del cañaveral”), while the ethereal music video to “Desencuentro,” a rare love song, is up for best short form music video.

Nipping at Residente’s heels, Maluma, with seven nods…

The 23-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer, who was nominated for Best New Artist in 2013, earned six of his nominations from only two categories.

In what may be a first for the Latin Grammys, Maluma has the same three recordings competing in both record and song of the year. “Felices los 4,” “Chantaje” (where he is featured on Shakira’s track) and “Vente Pa’Ca” (where he is featured on Ricky Martin’s track) are all up for record of the year; because Maluma has co-writing credit in all three tracks, he also garners nods in the song of the year categories, which are given to the songwriters.

“Chantaje” is also up for best urban fusion performance, giving Maluma his seventh nod.

Following Maluma with six nominations is Shakira, a 10-time Latin Grammy winner.

Shakira garnered three of her nods for “Chantaje,” her track with Maluma while her album El Dorado is also up for album of the year and best contemporary pop vocal album.

Juanes, Mon Laferte and producer/engineer/songwriter Kevin Jimenez ADG, who works with Maluma, have five nominations each.

Juanes is nominated for album and best pop/rock album of the year for his “visual” album, Mis planes son amarte, which is also up for best long form video.

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, the artists behind the global phenomenon “Despacito,” are up for four awards each for the track: song of the year (as writers), record of the year, best short form music video and best urban fusion performance, where they’re nominated for the “Despacito” remix that features Justin Bieber.

Of more than 500 submissions for best new artist, an award that has tended to shun big successes, the 10 nominees include at least seven signed to major labels: CNCOSebastian Yatra, Sofía Reyes, Martina La Peligrosa, Vicente García, Danay Suárez and Mau y Ricky.

Nominees to the Latin Grammys were chosen in 48 categories from over 10,000 total submissions and are voted upon by members of the Latin Academy who also vote for the winners.

This year’s Latin Grammys will air live on the Univision Network on November 16 and will be produced by a new team that includes Jose Tillan and Terry Lickona, longtime producer of Austin City Limits.

Find key nominations below:

Album Of The Year 
Salsa Big Band — Rubén Blades con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta
Obras Son Amores — Antonio Carmona
A La Mar — Vicente García
Fénix — Nicky Jam
Mis Planes Son Amarte — Juanes
La Trenza — Mon Laferte
Musas (Un Homenaje Al Folclore Latinoamericano En Manos De Los Macorinos, Vol. 1) — Natalia Lafourcade
Residente — Residente
El Dorado — Shakira
Palabras Manuales — Danay Suarez 

Record Of The Year 
“La Flor De La Canela” — Rubén Blades
“El Surco” — Jorge Drexler
“Quiero Que Vuelvas” — Alejandro Fernández
“Despacito” — Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee
“El Ratico” — Juanes featuring Kali Uchis
“Amárrame” — Mon Laferte featuring Juanes
“Felices Los 4” — Maluma
“Vente Pa’ Ca” —  Ricky Martin featuring Maluma
“Guerra” — Residente
“Chantaje” — Shakira featuring Maluma

Song Of The Year (A Songwriter’s Award)
“Amárrame” — Mon Laferte, songwriter (Mon Laferte featuring Juanes)
“Chantaje” — Kevin Mauricio Jiménez Londoño, Bryan Snaider Lezcano Chaverra, Joel Antonio López Castro, Maluma and Shakira, songwriters (Shakira featuring Maluma)
“Desde Que Estamos Juntos” — Descemer Bueno and Melendi, songwriters (Melendi)
“Despacito” — Daddy Yankee, Erika Ender and Luis Fonsi, songwriters (Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee)
“Ella” — Ricardo Arjona, songwriter (Ricardo Arjona)
“Felices Los 4” — Mario Cáceres, Kevin Mauricio Jiménez Londoño, Maluma, Servando Primera, Stiven Rojas and Bryan Snaider Lezcano Chaverra, songwriters (Maluma)
“Guerra” — Residente and Jeff Trooko, songwriters (Residente)
“La Fortuna” — Diana Fuentes and Tommy Torres, songwriters (Diana Fuentes featuring Tommy Torres)
“Tú Sí Sabes Quererme” — Natalia Lafourcade, songwriter (Natalia Lafourcade featuring Los Macorinos)
“Vente Pa’ Ca ” — Nermin Harambasic, Maluma, Ricky Martin, Mauricio Montaner, Ricky Montaner, Lars Pedersen, Carl Ryden, Justin Stein, Ronny Vidar Svendsen and Anne Judith Stokke Wik, songwriters (Ricky Martin featuring Maluma) 

Best New Artist
Paula Arenas
CNCO
Vicente García
Martina La Peligrosa
Mau y Ricky
Rawayana
Sofía Reyes
Rosalía
Danay Suarez
Sebastián Yatra 

Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album
Hijos Del Mar — David Bisbal
Rompiendo Fronteras — Alejandro Fernández
Flora Y Faῦna — Camila Luna
El Dorado — Shakira
Extended Play Yatra — Sebastián Yatra

Best Urban Fusion / Performance
“Si Tu Novio Te Deja Sola” — J. Balvin featuring Bad Bunny
“Despacito” (Remix) — Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber
“El Amante” — Nicky Jam
“Dagombas En Tamale” — Residente
“Chantaje” — Shakira featuring Maluma

Best Alternative Music Album
Jei Beibi — Café Tacvba
Apocalipsis Zombi — El Cuarteto de Nos
La Trenza — Mon Laferte
La Promesa De Thamar — Sig Ragga
Palabras Manuales — Danay Suarez

Best Regional Song (A Songwriter’s Award)
“Compromiso Descartado” — Espinoza Paz, songwriter (Leonardo Aguilar)
“Ganas De Volver” — Horacio Palencia, songwriter (Horacio Palencia)
“Sentimiento Emborrachado” — Raúl Jiménez E. and Chucho Rincón, songwriters (Santiago Arroyo)
“Siempre Es Así” — Juan Treviño, songwriter (Juan Treviño featuring AJ Castillo)
“Vale La Pena” — Edgar Barrera, Martín Castro Ortega and Alfonso Lizárraga, songwriters (Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga)

Best MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) Album
Dos Navegantes — Edu Lobo, Romero Lubambo, and Mauro Senise
DNA Musical — Alexandre Pires
Silva Canta Marisa — Silva
Até Pensei Que Fosse Minha — António Zambujo
Zanna — Zanna

For a full list of nominations, go to LatinGrammy.com.

 

Juanes Launches Monthly Radio Show on SiriusXM

There’s no doubt Juanes is Sirius about music… And now he’s part of the first artist-hosted show for bilingual listeners.

The 40-year-old Colombian singing superstar officially launched Juanes: Fijate Bien on SiriusXM‘s Caliente channel 150 and La Kueva channel 540.

On his exclusive monthly show, the Grammy and seventeen-time Latin Grammy-winning guitarist, singer and songwriter, will feature new music and showcase spontaneous, live jam sessions with special guests, as well as share personal stories and anecdotes from life on the road.

During the first broadcast, Juanes shared stories and music from one of his earliest inspirations, Colombian singer and songwriter Octavio Mesa. Juanes also welcomed his first guest, Dominican singer-songwriter, Vicente Garcia, who deliveres a special performance.

“I am excited to launch Fijate Bien on SiriusXM this Sunday,” said Juanes. “I look forward to hearing from listeners all over the country and sharing stories, inspiring live music and life experiences from the road.”

“Juanes: Fijate Bien is our first show for the bilingual listener,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM. “As one of the most recognizable Latin stars today, Juanes will have his own platform to share his thoughts and musical tastes with SiriusXM bilingual listeners nationwide.”

Named after the Colombian superstar’s groundbreaking first album, Juanes: Fijate Bien debuted Sunday, September 23, 2012 at 8:00 pm ET.

The special replays on SiriusXM’s Caliente channel 150 Wednesday, September 26, and on La Kueva channel 540 Friday, September 28 at 12:00 pm ET.

Vicente Garcia: Future Star!

He’s had the opportunity to tour with Latin superstar Juan Luis Guerra… And, now Vicente Garcia is hoping to reach the same level of success as his fellow Dominican mentor.

Vicente-Garcia

“I had the opportunity to visit many countries while touring with Juan Luis Guerra during his tour La Travesia,” says the 28-year-old Garcia, who was taken under his wing by Guerra when he was only 13 and a member of the band Calor Urbano “It made me realize the power of Dominican music. It made me want to express my own music.”

Garcia’s music isn’t filled with traditional Dominican beats. Instead it’s a fusion of reggae, rhythm & blues and Motown-inspired soul.

“His songs are new and really beautiful,” says Guerra about Garcia’s music in an interview on Garcia’s YouTube channel.

Garcia experimented in the studio with bachata, soul and salsa sounds for an entire year while working on his latest album Melodrama, a project that his mentor says has achieved an innovative and unique sound.

“We were in Brooklyn in a studio with a lot of old equipment that allowed us to obtain that old school feel to the music,” says Garcia. “I love incorporating Dominican elements into my music, that has a lot of value to me.”

But Guerra isn’t the only musician who has inspired his latest studio effort…

Garcia has worked with artists like Mana and Shakira, who’ve incorporated Merengue beats into their own project. He even caught the eye of another rising star, Mexican singer Ximena Sariñana, after sending her two of his demos in hopes that she’d collaborate with him.

“Working with her was so gratifying, it was such a surprise because I wasn’t even signed yet,” remembers Garcia. “I flew out to her home in Guadalajara and we recorded songs for four days straight. It was very cool of her to sing with me.”

So what has Garcia learned about working with some of his idols? The importance of staying true to yourself and having a strong work ethic when creating music.

“In order to reach a unique sound this has to come from the heart. You have to do this based on your identity and to me that lies in my home country. Know who you are,” says Garcia. “I write songs almost every day, and now, I’m taking the time to fine-tune my songs.”