GRAMMYs

Alejandro and Vicente Fernandez

Photo: Victor Chavez/WireImage

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20th Latin GRAMMYs: Alejandro And Vicente Fernandez Announced As Performers

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The Biggest Night in Latin Music has announced their first round of performers, which will include a generational performance by the Mexican icons
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Oct 29, 2019 - 1:27 pm

Alejandro Fernandez, Ximena Sariñana, Bad Bunny and Alessia Cara will hit the stage during the upcoming 20th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards, the Latin Recording Academy has announced.

Pop singer Sebastián Yatra, trap/reggaeton artist Sech, singer/songwriter Draco Rosa, singer/songwriter Paula Arenas, as well as GRAMMY-winning singers Natalia Jiménez and Olga Tañón, are also set to perform at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Nov. 14. But that's not all; a second round of performers will be announced as the show approaches. 

GRAMMY-nominated Mexican regional/pop singer Fernandez will perform alongside his father, legendary ranchera singer Vicente Fernandez and his son Alex Fernandez for the first time.  

"Ready to celebrate #20YearsOf Excellence in the biggest night in Latin music," Alejandro tweeted. 

Stay tuned to GRAMMY.com, as well as @RecordingAcad and @LatinGRAMMYs on Twitter the week of the show to catch the biggest wins and onstage magic.

Ricky Martin To Host The Biggest Night In Latin Music 19 Years After Performing At Inaugural Show

Ozuna

Ozuna

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2019 Latin GRAMMYs: Ozuna, Miguel, Alicia Keys, Residente, Farruko, Fito Páez & More Added As Performers

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The show will open with a special tribute to Latin music and its 20th anniversary, with 20 artists performing together collectively for the first time
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Nov 12, 2019 - 2:20 pm

Yesterday, Nov. 11, the Latin Recording Academy announced the final wave of performers for the upcoming 20th Latin GRAMMY Awards, taking place in two days. Latin GRAMMY and GRAMMY winners Beto Cuevas and Residente, as well as GRAMMY winners Alicia Keys and Miguel, will perform at the historic 20th anniversary show, hosted by Ricky Martin, Roselyn Sánchez and Paz Vega.

Current Latin GRAMMY nominees Calibre 50, Farruko, Leonel García, Ozuna, Fito Páez, Milly Quezada and Tony Succar also join the star-studded musical lineup. Past Latin GRAMMY nominee Prince Royce, along with Carlos Rivera, top off the newly revealed performers list.

These artists join the previously announced acts, which include current Latin GRAMMY nominees Alejandro Sanz, Rosalía—the top nominated artists this year at eight and five nods, respectively—Ximena Sariñana, Anitta, Bad Bunny, Sebastián Yatra, Fonseca, Luis Fonsi, Alessia Cara and Juanes, the Latin Recording Academy's 2019 Person Of The Year, who will perform a special medley of his hits during the show.

Pepe Aguilar, Pedro Capó, Reik, Draco Rosa, Sech, Darell, De La Ghetto, Dimelo Flow, Christian Nodal are also among the artists previously revealed to perform. GRAMMY-nominated Mexican regional/pop singer Alejandro Fernández will sing together with his father, iconic ranchera singer Vicente Fernández, as well as his son Alex Fernández, for the first time.

Read: 2019 Latin GRAMMYs Viewer's Guide: Here's How, When & Where To Watch

The 20th edition of the legendary awards show will, of course, feature "historical moments, reunions, tributes and one-of-a-kind performances from nominees, past winners and legends."

To start things off accordingly, the show will open with a very special tribute to Latin music from 20 artists performing together collectively for the first time. The musical tribute "will interpret multiple iconic songs spanning various genres of Latin music, while commemorating the past 20 years of excellence." The Latin Academy also stated there will be "a special moment" with past nominee Thalía.

Additionally, yesterday's announcement also shared more presenters, who will hand out the prestigious awards during the evening: Ángela Aguilar, Eduardo Cabra, Sofia Carson, Emilio Estefan, Mon Laferte, William Levy, Rudy Mancuso, Luis Gerardo Méndez, Michael Peña and Dayanara Torres. The presenters will be joined by eight of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation scholarship recipients to help deliver the eight televised awards, "symbolizing the next generation of artists fostered through the Foundation's international programs."

Watch Shakira's Fiery Performance Of "Ojos AsÍ" At The First-Ever Latin GRAMMYs | GRAMMY Rewind

In just five years, the Foundation has offered $5 million in scholarships, grants, musical instrument donations and educational events in the United States and Ibero-America. One fun way to help support their work is by purchasing limited-edition 20th Latin GRAMMY merch. In collaboration with Footaction and streetwear designer Guillermo Andrade, the stylish T-shirts feature current nominees Bad Bunny, Greeicy, Christian Nodal and Sebastián Yatra.

Don't forget to tune in to The Biggest Night in Latin Music on Univision this Thurs., Nov. 14 from 8–11 p.m. ET/PST (7 p.m. Central). Check out our viewer's guide here for more info on the events leading up to the show, including where to see the red carpet. Stay tuned to GRAMMY.com for live coverage of all the magic.

Exclusive: Sebastian Yatra Teases 2019 Latin GRAMMY Performances & Reveals His Life's Purpose: "To Share Love With People"

GRAMMYs

Bad Bunny

Photo: Mindy Small/FilmMagic via Getty Images

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The Latin GRAMMYs Add New Categories, Including Reggaeton, For 2020 Show

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Reggaeton, hip-hop and pop/rock get their big day at The Latin GRAMMYs
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Apr 2, 2020 - 4:35 pm

The Latin Recording Academy has added three new categories, including a reggaeton category, ahead of the 21st Latin GRAMMY Awards in the fall.

The Latin Academy sent a letter to members and record labels last week regarding the online entry process that is to begin in April. Winners of the new categories will be announced during the 2020 show later this year.

Two of the categories, Best Reggaeton Performance and Best Rap/ Hip Hop Song, which will include trap, will be under the Urban field. A third category, Best Pop/Rock Song, will be under the Rock field. Previously there was only a Best Pop/Rock Album category.

J Balvin Latin GRAMMY Speech Honors Reggaeton

Additionally, it was announced that submissions will now be accepted via streaming links. 

The Latin Recording Academy said it decided to not send a press release to media due to the current sensitive atmosphere that has emerged due to the coronavirus pandemic. The new additions were made after receiving feedback from members, the Latin GRAMMYS said in a statement:

“Following our mission to nurture and elevate Latin music and its makers, and after multiple meetings and feedback from our members, we are thrilled our Board of Trustees approved some modifications to our Awards Process, including the creation of new categories. While The Latin Recording Academy’s main concern is everyone's health and safety during these extraordinary times, we are excited to announce these new categories in addition to the launch of our Online Entry Process that reduces physical interaction. These changes follow our ongoing commitment to honor excellence in Latin music and, unless there are new health measures to adopt, we look forward to celebrating our 21st Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards® this year."

The announcement is major news for reggaeton and trap artists, who in past award shows could be honored under three umbrella Urban fields: Best Urban Fusion/Performance, Best Urban Music Album and Best Urban Song. 

Artists like Latin GRAMMY winner and GRAMMY-nominated J Balvin, have paid tribute to reggaeton, a genre that has risen in popularity worldwide the last few years, in past shows. During the 2018 Latin GRAMMY Awards show, Balvin sent a message of the genre's reach and power when he accepted his award for Best Urban Music Album.

"Let's not kill the dreams of the new producers that are coming up, the new songwriters that are coming up. Value the young blood that is coming because we are the future of music," he said.

  Rewind: Watch Jennifer Lopez Crown Marc Anthony 2016 Latin GRAMMY Person Of The Year

GRAMMYs

Nella

Photo: Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images

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2019 Latin GRAMMY Awards: Complete Nominees and Winners List

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The Latin GRAMMYs celebrated 20 years of the Biggest Night In Latin Music. Find out who was nominated and who won big in Las Vegas!
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Sep 24, 2019 - 6:33 am

On Nov. 14, the Latin GRAMMYs celebrate its 20th anniversary of honoring notable artists in Latin music! See below for the complete list of this year's nominees and winners.

General Field

1. Record Of The Year

  1. PARECEN VIERNES
    Marc Anthony
    Marc Anthony & Sergio George, record producers; Carlos Alvarez, Juan Mario Aracil "Mayito", Natalia Ramírez & Julio Reyes Copello, recording engineers; Carlos Álvarez & Juan Mario Aracil "Mayito", mixers; Adam Ayan & Michael Fuller, mastering engineers
    Track from: Opus
    [Sony Music Entertainment US Latin LLC]
     
  2. VERDADES AFILADAS
    Andrés Calamaro
    Gustavo Borner, record producer; Gustavo Borner, recording engineer; Gustavo Borner, mixer; Eric Boulanger, mastering engineer
    Track from: Cargar La Suerte
    [Universal Music Argentina]
     
  3. AHÍ AHÍ
    Vicente García
    Eduardo Cabra & Vicente García, record producers; José Victor Olivier, Daniel Sanint & Harold Wendell Sanders, recording engineers; Fab Dupont, mixer; Diego Calviño, mastering engineer
    [Sony Music Entertainment Colombia]
     
  4. KITIPUN
    Juan Luis Guerra 4.40
    Juan Luis Guerra & Janina Rosado, record producers; Allan Leschhorn & Simon Rhodes, recording engineers; Allan Leschhorn, mixer; Adam Ayan, mastering engineer
    [Universal Music Latino]
     
  5. QUERER MEJOR
    Juanes Featuring Alessia Cara
    Rafa Arcaute, Juanes & Tainy, producers; Alejandro Patiño & Orlando Vitto, recording engineers; Jaycen Joshua, mixer; Dave Kutch, mastering engineer
    [Universal Music Latino]
     
  6. LA PLATA
    Juanes Featuring Lalo Ebratt
    Mauricio Rengifo & Andrés Torres, record producers; Nicolás Ladrón de Guevara, Mauricio Rengifo & Andrés Torres, recording engineers; Jaycen Joshua, mixer; Dave Kutch, mastering engineer [Universal Music Latino]
     
  7. AUTE CUTURE
    Rosalía
    El Guincho & Rosalía, record producers; El Guincho, recording engineer; Jaycen Joshua, mixer; Chris Athens, mastering engineer
    [Columbia Records]
     
  8. MI PERSONA FAVORITA - WINNER
    Alejandro Sanz Con Camila Cabello
    Alfonso Pérez, Julio Reyes Copello & Alejandro Sanz, record producers; Nicolás De La Espriella, Carlos Fernando López, Alfonso Pérez, Natalia Ramírez, Nicolás Ramírez & Julio Reyes Copello, recording engineers; Trevor Lyle Muzzy, mixer; Gene Grimaldi, mastering engineer
    Track from: #Eldisco
    [Universal Music Spain S.L.U.]
     
  9. NO TENGO NADA
    Alejandro Sanz
    Alfonso Pérez, Julio Reyes Copello & Alejandro Sanz, record producers; Nicolás De La Espriella, Carlos Fernando López, Alfonso Pérez, Natalia Ramírez, Nicolás Ramírez & Julio Reyes Copello, recording engineers; Trevor Lyle Muzzy, mixer; Gene Grimaldi, mastering engineer
    Track from: #Eldisco
    [Universal Music Spain S.L.U.]
     
  10. COBARDE
    Ximena Sariñana
    Mauricio Rengifo & Andrés Torres, record producers; Mauricio Rengifo & Andrés Torres, recording engineers; Jaycen Joshua, mixer; Dave Kutch, mastering engineer
    [Warner Music México, S.A. De C.V.]

2. Album Of The Year

  1. VISCERAL
    Paula Arenas
    Julio Reyes Copello, album producer; Nicolás de la Espriella, Carlos Fernando López, Ricardo López Lalinde, Natalia Ramírez & Julio Reyes Copello, album recording engineers; Nicolás Ramírez, album mixer; Paula Arenas & Julio Reyes Copello, songwriters; Antonio Baglio & Robin Reumers, album mastering engineers
    [Art House Society, Inc.]
     
  2. PARAÍSO ROAD GANG
    Rubén Blades
    Luis Enrique Becerra & Rubén Blades, album producers; Luis Enrique Becerra & José Ramón Guerra, album recording engineers; Luis Enrique Becerra & Rubén Blades, album mixers; Rubén Blades, songwriter; Geoff Pesche, album mastering engineer
    [R B Records Corporation]
     
  3. CARGAR LA SUERTE
    Andrés Calamaro
    Gustavo Borner, album producer; Gustavo Borner, album recording engineer; Gustavo Borner, album mixer; Andrés Calamaro & German Wiedemer, songwriters; Gustavo Borner, album mastering engineer
    [Universal Music Group]
     
  4. AGUSTÍN
    Fonseca
    Fonseca, album producer; Andrés Borda, album recording engineer; Iker Gastaminza & Trevor Lyle Muzzy, album mixers; Fonseca, songwriter; Dave Kutch, album mastering engineer
    [Sony Music Entertainment US Latin LLC]
     
  5. VIDA
    Luis Fonsi
    Mauricio Rengifo & Andrés Torres, album producers; Luis Fonsi, Mauricio Rengifo & Andrés Torres, album recording engineers; Jaycen Joshua, album mixer; Luis Fonsi, Mauricio Rengifo & Andrés Torres, songwriters; Dave Kutch, album mastering engineer
    [Universal Music Latino / 2019 UMG Recordings, Inc.]
     
  6. EL MAL QUERER - WINNER
    Rosalía
    El Guincho & Rosalía, album producers; El Guincho, album recording engineer; Jaycen Joshua, album mixer; Antón Álvarez Alfaro, El Guincho & Rosalía, songwriters; Chris Athens, album mastering engineer
    [Sony Music Entertainment España, S.L.]
     
  7. #ELDISCO
    Alejandro Sanz
    Alfonso Pérez, Julio Reyes Copello & Alejandro Sanz, album producers; Nicolás De La Espriella, Carlos Fernando Lopez, Alfonso Pérez, Natalia Ramírez, Nicolás Ramírez & Julio Reyes Copello, album recording engineers; Trevor Lyle Muzzy, album mixer; Alejandro Sanz, songwriter; Gene Grimaldi, album mastering engineer
    [Universal Music Spain, S.L.U.]
     
  8. ¿DÓNDE BAILARÁN LAS NIÑAS?
    Ximena Sariñana
    Juan Pablo Vega, album producer; Daniel Bitrán Arizpe, album recording engineer; Alejandro Patiño, album mixer; Ximena Sariñana & Juan Pablo Vega, songwriters; Alejandro Patiño, album mastering engineer
    [Warner Music México, S.A. De C.V.]
     
  9. MAS DE MI
    Tony Succar
    Marc Quiñones & Tony Succar, album producers; Santiago Diaz, Nestor Rigaud & Tony Succar, album recording engineers; Alfredo Matheus, album mixer; Jorge Luis Piloto & Tony Succar, songwriters; Michael Fuller, album mastering engineer
    [Unity Entertainment]
     
  10. FANTASÍA
    Sebastián Yatra
    Mauricio Rengifo & Andrés Torres, album producers; Nicolas Ladrón De Guevara, Mauricio Rengifo & Andrés Torres, album recording engineers; Jaycen Joshua, album mixer; Mauricio Rengifo, Andrés Torres & Sebastián Yatra, songwriters; Dave Kutch, album mastering engineer
    [Universal Music Latino]

3. Song Of The Year

  1. CALMA - WINNER
    Pedro Capó, Gabriel Edgar González Pérez & George Noriega, songwriters (Pedro Capó)
    [Sony Music Entertainment US Latin LLC]
     
  2. DESCONSTRUÇÃO
    Tiago Iorc, songwriter (Tiago Iorc)
    [Universal Music Ltda]
     
  3. EL PAÍS
    Rubén Blades, songwriter (Rubén Blades)
    Track from: Paraiso Road Gang
    [R B Records Corporation]
     
  4. KITIPUN
    Juan Luis Guerra, songwriter (Juan Luis Guerra 4.40)
    [Universal Music Latino]
     
  5. MI PERSONA FAVORITA
    Camila Cabello & Alejandro Sanz, songwriters (Alejandro Sanz Con Camila Cabello)
    Track from: #Eldisco
    [Universal Music Spain S.L.U.]
     
  6. NO TENGO NADA
    Alejandro Sanz, songwriter (Alejandro Sanz)
    Track from: #Eldisco
    [Universal Music Spain S.L.U.]
     
  7. QUÉDATE
    Kany García & Tommy Torres, songwriters (Kany García & Tommy Torres)
    Track from: Contra El Viento
    [Sony Music Entertainment US Latin LLC]
     
  8. QUERER MEJOR
    Rafael Arcaute, Alessia Cara, Camilo Echeverry, Juanes, Mauricio Montaner, Ricardo Montaner & Tainy, songwriters (Juanes Featuring Alessia Cara)
    [Universal Music Latino]
     
  9. UN AÑO
    Reik, Mauricio Rengifo, Andrés Torres & Sebastián Yatra, songwriters (Sebastián Yatra Featuring Reik)
    Track from: Fantasía
    [Universal Music Latino]
     
  10. VEN
    Fonseca, songwriter (Fonseca)
    [Sony Music Entertainment US Latin LLC]

4. Best New Artist

  1. AITANA
     
  2. BURNING CARAVAN
     
  3. CAMI
     
  4. FER CASILLAS
     
  5. CHIPI CHACÓN
     
  6. ELSA Y ELMAR
     
  7. GREEICY
     
  8. JUAN INGARAMO
     
  9. PAULO LONDRA
     
  10. NELLA - WINNER

Field 1 - Pop

5. Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album

  1. MONTANER
    Ricardo Montaner
    [Sony Music Entertainment US Latin LLC]
     
  2. BALAS PERDIDAS
    Morat
    [Universal Music Spain, S.L.U.]
     
  3. EL MAL QUERER - WINNER
    Rosalía
    [Sony Music Entertainment España, S.L.]
     
  4. #ELDISCO
    Alejandro Sanz
    [Universal Music Spain, S.L.U.]
     
  5. FANTASÍA
    Sebastián Yatra
    [Universal Music Latino]

6. Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

  1. VISCERAL
    Paula Arenas
    [Art House Society, Inc.]
     
  2. ROSA
    Cami
    [Universal Music Chile]
     
  3. HACIA ADENTRO
    Camila
    [Sony Music Entertainment México, S.A. De C.V.]
     
  4. AGUSTÍN - WINNER
    Fonseca
    [Sony Music Entertainment US Latin LLC]
     
  5. SENTIMIENTOS
    Pavel Núñez
    [Pavel Corredor Music Group]

7. Best Pop Song

  1. BAILAR
    Leonel García, songwriter (Leonel García)
    [Sony Music Entertainment México, S.A. De C.V.]
     
  2. BUENA PARA NADA
    Paula Arenas, Luigi Castillo & Santiago Castillo,
    songwriters (Paula Arenas)
    [Art House Society, Inc.]
     
  3. MI PERSONA FAVORITA - WINNER
    Camila Cabello & Alejandro Sanz, songwriters
    (Alejandro Sanz Con Camila Cabello)
    Track from: #Eldisco
    [Universal Music Spain S.L.U.]
     
  4. PIENSO EN TU MIRÁ
    Antón Álvarez Alfaro, El Guincho & Rosalía,
    songwriters (Rosalía)
    [Sony Music Entertainment España, S.L.]
     
  5. VEN Fonseca, songwriter (Fonseca)
    [Sony Music Entertainment US Latin LLC]

Field 2 - Urban

8. Best Urban Fusion/Performance

  1. TENEMOS QUE HABLAR
    Bad Bunny
    Track from: X 100Pre
    [Rimas Entertainment]
     
  2. CALMA (REMIX) - WINNER
    Pedro Capó & Farruko
    [Sony Music Entertainment US Latin LLC]
     
  3. PA' OLVIDARTE (REMIX)
    ChocQuibtown, Zion & Lennox, Farruko Featuring
    Manuel Turizo
    [Sony Music Entertainment US Latin LLC]
     
  4. CON CALMA
    Daddy Yankee Featuring Snow
    [UMLE; El Cartel Records]
     
  5. OTRO TRAGO
    Sech Featuring Darell
    Track from: Sueños
    [Rich Music]

9. Best Urban Music Album

  1. KISSES
    Anitta
    [Warner Music]
     
  2. X 100PRE - WINNER
    Bad Bunny
    [Rimas Entertainment]
     
  3. MI MOVIMIENTO
    De La Ghetto
    [Warner Music Latina, Inc.]
     
  4. 19
    Feid
    [Intu Linea/UMLE]
     
  5. SUEÑOS
    Sech
    [Rich Music]

10. Best Urban Song

  1. BAILA BAILA BAILA
    Pablo C. Fuentes, Luian Malavé Nieves, Kedin Maysonet, Ozuna, Héctor Ramos, Vicente Saavedra, Edgar Wilmer Semper Vargas & Xavier Semper Vargas, songwriters (Ozuna)
    [VP Records/Dimelo Vi Dist. By Sony Music Entertainment
    US Latin LLC]
     
  2. CALIENTE
    J Balvin, Rene Cano, De La Ghetto, Alejandro Patiño "Mosty" & Alejandro Ramirez, songwriters (De La Ghetto Featuring J Balvin)
    [Warner Music Latina]
     
  3. CON ALTURA - WINNER
    J Balvin, Mariachi Budda, Frank Dukes, El Guincho, Teo Halm, Alejandro Ramirez & Rosalía, songwriters (Rosalía & J Balvin Featuring El Guincho)
    [Columbia Records]
     
  4. OTRO TRAGO
    Darell, Josh Mendez, Sech & Jorge Valdes, songwriters (Sech Featuring Darell)
    Track from: Sueños
    [Rich Music]
     
  5. PA' OLVIDARTE
    René Cano, ChocQuibtown, Kevyn Cruz Moreno, Juan Diego Medina Vélez, Andrés David Restrepo, Mateo Tejada Giraldo, Andrés Uribe Marín, Juan Vargas & Doumbia Yohann, songwriters (ChocQuibtown)
    [Sony Music Entertainment US Latin LLC]

Field 3 - Rock

11. Best Rock Album

  1. UNA RAZÓN PARA SEGUIR
    A.N.I.M.A.L
    [Sony Music]
     
  2. ARAWATO
    Arawato
    [Musicmarketing Plans]
     
  3. BASADO EN HECHOS REALES
    Carajo
    [Independiente]
     
  4. MTV UNPLUGGED: EL DESCONECTE
    Molotov
    [Universal Music Group]
     
  5. MONTE SAGRADO - WINNER
    Draco Rosa
    [Sony Music Latin]

12. Best Pop/Rock Album

  1. CARGAR LA SUERTE - WINNER
    Andrés Calamaro
    [Universal Music Group]
     
  2. MANUAL DE VIAJE A UN LUGAR LEJANO
    Jumbo
    [Universal Music Group/Discos Valiente]
     
  3. LEBÓN & CO.
    David Lebón
    [Sony Music / Columbia]
     
  4. NUCLEAR
    Leiva
    [Sony Music Entertainment España, S.L]
     
  5. MADAME AYAHUASCA
    Taburete
    [Voltereta Records]

13. Best Rock Song

  1. CONECTAR
    Rodrigo Crespo, songwriter (Rodrigo Crespo)
    Track from: Careta
    [Che Robot Records]
     
  2. GODZILLA
    Leiva, songwriter (Leiva Featuring Enrique Bunbury y Ximena Sariñana)
    Track from: Nuclear
    [Sony Music Entertainment España, S.L]
     
  3. NIRVANA
    Arawato, songwriters (Arawato)
    [Music Marketing Plans]
     
  4. PUNTA CANA
    Roberto Musso, songwriter (El Cuarteto De Nos)
    [Sony Music Entertainment Argentina S.A.]
     
  5. VERDADES AFILADAS - WINNER
    Andrés Calamaro & German Wiedemer, songwriters (Andrés Calamaro)
    Track from: Cargar La Suerte
    [Universal Music Group]

Field 4 - Alternative

14. Best Alternative Music Album

  1. LATINOAMERICANA
    Alex Anwandter
    [Nacional Records]
     
  2. DISCUTIBLE
    Babasónicos
    [Sony Music Entertainment México, S.A. de C.V.]
     
  3. BACH
    Bandalos Chinos
    [Casete]
     
  4. PRENDER UN FUEGO
    Marilina Bertoldi
    [Pelo Music S.A.]
     
  5. NORMA - WINNER
    Mon Laferte
    [Universal Music Group / Discos Valiente]

15. Best Alternative Song

  1. CAUSA PERDIDA
    El David Aguilar, songwriter (El David Aguilar)
    [EMI / Universal Music México S.A.]
     
  2. CONTRA TODO
    Ismael Cancel & Ile, songwriters (Ile)
    Track from: Almadura
    [Sony Music Latin]
     
  3. CUENTAS CLARAS
    Kevin Johansen, songwriter (Kevin Johansen)
    [Sony Music Entertaiment Argentina S.A.]
     
  4. LA PREGUNTA
    Adrián Dárgelos Rodríguez, songwriter (Babasónicos)
    [Sony Music Entertainment México, S.A. de C.V.]
     
  5. TÓCAMELA - WINNER
    David Julca, Jonathan Julca, Los Amigos Invisibles,
    Silverio Lozada & Servando Primera, songwriters (Los
    Amigos Invisibles)
    [Gozadera Records]

Field 5 - Tropical

16. Best Salsa Album

  1. CUBA LINDA
    Maite Hontelé
    [Merlín Producciones/Egrem]
     
  2. 55 ANIVERSARIO
    Mario Ortiz All Star Band
    [All Star Music Productions Inc.]
     
  3. MI LUZ MAYOR
    Eddie Palmieri
    [Uprising Music]
     
  4. NUESTRO HOGAR
    Quintero's Salsa Project
    [Quintero's Record]
     
  5. MAS DE MI - WINNER
    Tony Succar
    [Unity Entertainment]

17. Best Cumbia/Vallenato Album

  1. CHECO ACOSTA 30 (EN VIVO)
    Checo Acosta
    [Codiscos]
     
  2. ESTO QUE DICE!
    Diego Daza y Carlos Rueda
    [ONErpm]
     
  3. PARA MIS MAESTROS CON RESPETO
    Juan Piña
    [Vibra Entertainment S.A.S]
     
  4. YO ME LLAMO CUMBIA - WINNER
    Puerto Candelaria & Juancho Valencia
    [Merlín Producciones/Peermusic]
     
  5. RAÍCES (Varios Artistas)
    José Gaviria & Fernando Tobón, producers
    [Babel Discos]

18. Best Merengue/Bachata Album

Due to the low number of entries received this year, these entries were combined with
Category 20.

19. Best Traditional Tropical Album

  1. ANDRÉS CEPEDA BIG BAND (EN VIVO) - WINNER
    Andrés Cepeda
    [Sony Music]
     
  2. VEREDA TROPICAL
    Olga Cerpa y Mestisay
    [Ediciones Mestisay/Egrem]
     
  3. LO NUESTRO
    Yelsy Heredia
    [Bis Music]
     
  4. A JOURNEY THROUGH CUBAN MUSIC
    Aymée Nuviola
    [Top Stop Music]
     
  5. LA LLAVE DEL SON
    Septeto Acarey
    [Septeto Acarey S.A.C]

20. Best Contemporary/Tropical Fusion Album

  1. BARRIOS DE MI TIERRA (CANCIONES DE RUBÉN BLADES)
    Iván Barrios
    [Hb Music Corp]
     
  2. CANDELA
    Vicente García
    [Sony Music Entertainment Colombia S.A]
     
  3. LITERAL - WINNER
    Juan Luis Guerra 4.40
    [Universal Music Latino]
     
  4. TROPICALIA
    Ilegales
    [Dotel Productions Inc]
     
  5. MILLY & COMPANY
    Milly Quezada
    [Los Vecinos Enterprises, SRL]

21. Best Tropical Song

  1. EL AFORTUNADO
    Luis Enrique & Jorge Luis Piloto, songwriters (Septeto Acarey Featuring Luis Enrique)
    Track from: La Llave Del Son
    [Septeto Acarey S.A.C]
     
  2. KITIPUN - WINNER
    Juan Luis Guerra, songwriter (Juan Luis Guerra 4.40)
    [Universal Music Latino]
     
  3. MAS DE MI
    Jorge Luis Piloto & Tony Succar, songwriters (Tony Succar Featuring Angel López)
    Track from: Mas De Mi
    [Unity Entertainment]
     
  4. SUBIENDO Y BAJANDO
    Bobby Allende, Waddys Jáquez, David Maldonado & Adan Pérez, songwriters (8 y Más Featuring Rubén Blades)
    Track from: Otra Ruta
    [Unity Entertainment]
     
  5. VIVIR ES COMPLICADO
    Jorge Luis Piloto, songwriter (Andrés Cepeda & Dayhan Díaz)
    [Sinfonic LLC / Cortesía De Sony Music Entertainment Colombia]

Field 6 - Singer-Songwriter

22. Best Singer-Songwriter Album

  1. ACÚSTICA
    Albita
    [Innercat Music Group]
     
  2. CONTRA EL VIENTO - WINNER
    Kany García
    [Sony Music Entertainment US Latin LLC]
     
  3. AMOR PRESENTE
    Leonel García
    [Sony Music Entertainment México, S.A. De C.V.]
     
  4. ALGO RITMOS
    Kevin Johansen
    [Sony Music Entertainment Argentina S.A.]
     
  5. INTUICIÓN
    Gian Marco
    [Enjoymusic Records]

Field 7 - Regional-Mexican

23. Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album

  1. MI PERSONA PREFERIDA
    El Bebeto
    [Disa Records / Universal Music Entertainment / Latin Power Music]
     
  2. SIGUE LA DINASTÍA...
    Alex Fernández
    [Sony Music Entertainment México, S.A. de C.V.]
     
  3. MÁS ROMÁNTICO QUE NUNCA
    Vicente Fernández
    [Sony Music Entertainment México, S.A. de C.V.]
     
  4. INDESTRUCTIBLE
    Flor De Toloache
    [Flor De Toloache / One RPM]
     
  5. AHORA - WINNER
    Christian Nodal
    [Fonovisa Records / Universal Music Entertainment]

24. Best Banda Album

  1. PARA QUE NO TE LO IMAGINES
    Saul El Jaguar Alarcón
    [Fonovisa]
     
  2. A TRAVÉS DEL VASO - WINNER
    Banda Los Sebastianes
    [Fonovisa Records / Universal Music Latin Entertainment]
     
  3. 25 AÑOS VOL 1
    El Mimoso
    [Cielo Music Inc.]
     
  4. UN TRIBUTO AL SOL
    La Explosiva Banda De Maza
    [Warner Music México, S.A. de C.V.]
     
  5. ME HICISTE UN BORRACHO
    Edwin Luna y La Trakalosa De Monterrey
    [Remex Music]

25. Best Tejano Album

  1. SIETE
    El Plan
    [Indepe Music]

  2. TU PRÍNCIPE
    Lucky Joe
    [M Music & Entertainment Group, LLC / Freddie Records]
     
  3. COLORES - WINNER
    Elida Reyna y Avante
    [Freddie Records]
     
  4. ASÍ ME ENSEÑARON
    David Lee Rodriquez
    [VMB Music Group]
     
  5. NUNCA TE RINDAS
    Vidal
    [Freddie Records]

26. Best Norteño Album

  1. POR MÁS
    Bronco
    [Sony Music Entertainment Mexico, S.A. de C.V.]
     
  2. LAS CANCIONES DE LA ABUELA
    Buyuchek y La Abuela Irma Silva
    [Fonovisa Records / Universal Music Latin Entertainment]
     
  3. MITAD Y MITAD
    Calibre 50
    [Disa Records / Andaluz Music / Universal Music Latin Entertainment]
     
  4. PERCEPCIÓN - WINNER
    Intocable
    [Universal Music Latin Entertainment]
     
  5. AMO
    La Maquinaria Norteña
    [Fonovisa Records / Azteca Records / Universal Music Latin Entertainment]

27. Best Regional Song

  1. ALGUIEN MEJOR QUE YO
    Jose Luis Roma, songwriter (Bronco)
    [Seitrack Us]
     
  2. BESOS DE MEZCAL
    Shae Fiol, Camilo Lara & Mireya Ramos, songwriters (Flor De Toloache)
    [Flor De Toloache / One RPM]
     
  3. DE LOS BESOS QUE TE DI
    Edgar Barrera, José Esparza, Gussy Lau & Christian Nodal, songwriters (Christian Nodal)
    [Fonovisa Records / Unviersal Music Latin Entertainment]
     
  4. NO TE CONTARON MAL - WINNER
    Edgar Barrera, Gussy Lau & Christian Nodal, songwriters (Christian Nodal)
    [Fonovisa Records / Unviersal Music Latin Entertainment]
     
  5. TE AMARÉ
    Manuel Monterrosas, songwriter (Alex Fernández)
    [Sony Music Entertainment México, S.A. de C.V.]

Field 8 - Instrumental

28. Best Instrumental Album

  1. BALANCE - WINNER
    Gustavo Casenave
    [Fula Records]
     
  2. SAXOFONES LIVE SESSIONS
    Cuban Sax Quintet
    [Egrem]
     
  3. FOLIA DE TREIS
    Edu Ribeiro, Fábio Peron, Toninho Ferragutti
    [Blaxtream]
     
  4. UNBALANCED CONCERTO FOR ENSEMBLE
    Moisés P. Sánchez
    [Uno Música]
     
  5. YO SOY LA TRADICIÓN
    Miguel Zenón Featuring Spektral Quartet
    [Miel Music]

Field 9 - Traditional

29. Best Folk Album

  1. 48 AÑOS DESPUÉS
    Eva Ayllon
    [Aylloncito Producciones]
     
  2. DE MAR Y RÍO
    Canalón De Timbiquí
    [Llorona Records]
     
  3. ORINOCO
    Cimarrón
    [Independiente]
     
  4. ¡VA POR MÉXICO!
    Luis Cobos Con The Royal Philarmonic Orchestra & El Mariachi Juvenil Tecalitlán
    [Blanco y Negro Music, S.A]
     
  5. TIEMPO AL TIEMPO - WINNER
    Luis Enrique + C4 Trio
    [Chazz Music/ Empire Records]

30. Best Tango Album

  1. MARRÓN Y AZUL
    Daniel Binelli y Nick Danielson
    [Bell Ville]
     
  2. ROTO
    Enrique Campos
    [Acqua Records]
     
  3. ATÍPICO
    Bernardo Monk
    [Independiente]
     
  4. REVOLUCIONARIO - WINNER
    Quinteto Astor Piazzolla
    [East 54 Entertainment, Inc.]
     
  5. RADIOTANGO
    Pablo Ziegler Chamber Quartet
    [Zoho Music]

31. Best Flamenco Album

Due to the low number of entries received this year, these entries were combined with Category 29.

Field 10 - Jazz

32. Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album

  1. TURNING PAGES
    Claudia Acuña
    [Delfin Records]
     
  2. ELEMENTAL
    Branly, Ruiz & Haslip
    [Blue Canoe Records]
     
  3. TERCER VIAJE
    Dos Orientales
    [Montevideo Music Group]
     
  4. RIO - SÃO PAULO
    André Marques
    [Blaxtream]
     
  5. JAZZ BATÁ 2 - WINNER
    Chucho Valdés
    [Mack Avenue Music Group]

Field 11 - Christian

33. Best Christian Album (Spanish Language)

  1. TODO PASA - WINNER
    Juan Delgado
    [Pristine Music Inc.]
     
  2. MI VIAJE (EN VIVO)
    Danilo Montero
    [Sígueme Internacional]
     
  3. LLUVIAS DE BENDICIÓN
    Gabriela Soto & Big Band
    [Gps]
     
  4. PADRE MIO
    Ricardo Torres y Su Mariachi
    [Independiente]
     
  5. ¿QUIÉN CONTRA NOSOTROS?
    Alex Zurdo
    [Az Music]

34. Best Portuguese Language Christian Album

  1. GENTE
    Priscilla Alcântara
    [Sony Music Entertainment]
     
  2. SAGRADO
    Adriana Arydes
    [Universal Music Ltda]
     
  3. GUARDA MEU CORAÇÃO - WINNER
    Delino Marçal
    [MK Music]
     
  4. PRETO NO BRANCO 3
    Preto No Branco
    [Universal Music Ltda/Balaio Music]
     
  5. 360º
    Eli Soares
    [Universal Music Christian Group]

Field 12 - Portuguese Language

35. Best Portuguese Language Contemporary Pop Album

  1. O TEMPO É AGORA - WINNER
    Anavitoria
    [Universal Music Ltda]
     
  2. TARÂNTULA
    As Bahias e a Cozinha Mineira
    [Universal Music Ltda]
     
  3. TODXS
    Ana Cañas
    [Independente]
     
  4. PARA DIAS RUINS
    Mahmundi
    [Universal Music Ltda]
     
  5. SELFIE
    Jair Oliveira
    [S de Samba/Ditto Brasil]

36. Best Portuguese Language Rock or Alternative Album

  1. VULCÃO
    The Baggios
    [Toca Discos]
     
  2. O FUTURO NÃO DEMORA - WINNER
    BaianaSystem
    [Máquina De Louco]
     
  3. O CÉU SOBRE A CABEÇA
    Chal
    [Toca Discos]
     
  4. GOELA ABAIXO
    Liniker e Os Caramelos
    [Independente]
     
  5. MATRIZ
    Pitty
    [Deckdisc]

37. Best Samba/Pagode Album

  1. CANTA SERENO E MOA
    Nego Álvaro
    [Biscoito Fino]
     
  2. MART'NÁLIA CANTA VINICIUS DE MORAES - WINNER
    Mart'nália
    [Biscoito Fino]
     
  3. DE TODOS OS TEMPOS
    Monarco
    [Biscoito Fino]
     
  4. EM SUA DIREÇÃO
    Péricles
    [Onerpm]
     
  5. ANAÍ ROSA ATRACA GERALDO PEREIRA
    Anaí Rosa
    [Selo Sesc]

38. Best MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira) Album

  1. O AMOR NO CAOS
    Zeca Baleiro
    [Onerpm]
     
  2. CANTA TITO MADI
    Nana Caymmi
    [Biscoito Fino]
     
  3. TUDO É UM
    Zélia Duncan
    [Biscoito Fino]
     
  4. TEMPO MÍNIMO
    Delia Fischer
    [Nomad Música]
     
  5. OK OK OK - WINNER
    Gilberto Gil
    [Biscoito Fino]
     
  6. BESTA FERA
    Jards Macalé
    [Zilles Produções]

39. Best Sertaneja Music Album

  1. HORA CERTA
    Paula Fernandes
    [Universal Music International]
     
  2. FRANCIS & FELIPE
    Francis & Felipe
    [Independente]
     
  3. EM TODOS OS CANTOS - WINNER
    Marilia Mendonça
    [Som Livre]
     
  4. LIVE MOVEL
    Luan Santana
    [Som Livre]
     
  5. AO VIVO EM SÃO PAULO
    Mano Walter
    [Som Livre]

40. Best Portuguese Language Roots Album

  1. AJO
    Foli Griô Orquestra
    [Foli Griô Orquestra/Tratore]
     
  2. MACUMBAS E CATIMBÓS
    Alessandra Leão
    [YB music]
     
  3. HERMETO PASCOAL E SUA VISÃO ORIGINAL DO FORRÓ - WINNER
    Hermeto Pascoal
    [Scubidu Music]
     
  4. O OURO DO PÓ DA ESTRADA
    Elba Ramalho
    [Deckdisc]
     
  5. REI CAIPIRA
    Zé Mulato E Cassiano
    [VBS Produções]

41. Best Portuguese Language Song

  1. ANSIOSOS PRA VIVER
    Mestrinho, songwriter (Mestrinho)
    [Atração Fonográfica]
     
  2. DESCONSTRUÇÃO - WINNER
    Tiago Iorc, songwriter (Tiago Iorc)
    [Universal Music Ltda]
     
  3. ETÉREA
    Criolo, songwriter (Criolo)
    [Oloko Records]
     
  4. MIL E UMA
    Arnaldo Antunes & Claudia Brant, songwriters (Claudia Brant Featuring Arnaldo Antunes)
    Track from: Sincera
    [Brantones Records Inc.]
     
  5. SEM PALAVRAS
    Mário Laginha & João Monge, songwriters (António Zambujo)
    Track from: Do Avesso
    [Universal Music Portugal]

Field 13 - Children's

42.Best Latin Children’s Album

  1. LUCES, CÁMARA, ACCIÓN
    Claraluna
    [Claraluna]
     
  2. ¡ALEGRÍA!
    Sonia De Los Santos
    [Golondrina]
     
  3. BUENOS DIAZ - WINNER
    The Lucky Band
    [Rainy Day Dimes Music]
     
  4. BIM BOM BAM!
    Payasitas Nifu Nifa
    [Nifu Nifa Oficial Llc]
     
  5. CANTA LAS LETRAS
    123 Andrés
    [Salsana Records]

Field 14 - Classical

43. Best Classical Album

  1. AMERICA
    Claudio Constantini; Francisco Moya, album producer
    [IBS Classical]
     
  2. ÁRBOLES DE VIDRIO
    Edith Ruiz; Edith Ruiz, album producer
    [Urtext Digital Classics]
     
  3. CUBA: THE LEGACY
    National Symphony Orchestra Of Cuba; Enrique Pérez Mesa, conductor; Aurelio De La Vega & Yalil Guerra, album producers
    [Rycy Productions, Inc.]
     
  4. REGRESO - WINNER
    Samuel Torres & La Nueva Filarmonía; Ricardo Jaramillo, conductor; Danilo Álvarez, Ricardo Jaramillo & Samuel Torres, producers
    [Independiente]
     
  5. SOLOSH
    Orquesta Sinfónica De Heredia; Eddie Mora, conductor; Jorge Castro, Carlos Pipo Chaves & Eddie Mora, album producers
    [Asociación Sinfónica De Heredia]

44. Best Classical Contemporary Composition
.
Due to the low number of entries, this category will not be awarded this year.

Field 15 - Arranging

45. Best Arrangement

  1. RED WALL (VA A CAER)
    Otmaro Ruiz, arranger (Branly, Ruiz & Haslip)
    Track from: Elemental
    [Blue Canoe Records]
     
  2. MARIACHITLÁN
    Juan Pablo Contreras, arranger (Juan Pablo Contreras, Marco Parisotto & Orquesta Filarmónica De Jalisco)
    Track from: Mariachitlán
    [Universal Music México S.A. De C.V.]
     
  3. SIRENA - WINNER
    Rodner Padilla, arranger (Luis Enrique + C4 Trio)
    Track from: Tiempo Al Tiempo
    [Chazz Music]
     
  4. LOKO DE AMOR
    Pablo Cebrián & Ketama, arrangers (Ketama)
    [Universal Music Spain S.L.U.]
     
  5. IMPREVISTO
    César Orozco, arranger (Raices Jazz Orchestra, Pablo Gil & Tony Succar)
    [Unity Entertainment]

Field 16 - Recording Package

46. Best Recording Package

  1. ANÓNIMAS Y RESILIENTES
    Luisa María Arango, Carlos Dussán, Manuel
    García-Orozco & Juliana Jaramillo-Buenaventura, art directors (Voces Del Bullerengue)
    [Chaco World Music]
     
  2. ASTRONAUTA
    Emilio Lorente, art director (Zahara)
    [G.O.Z.Z. Records]
     
  3. EL MAL QUERER - WINNER
    Man Mourentan & Tamara Pérez, art directors (Rosalía)
    [Sony Music Entertainment España, S.L.]
     
  4. LIÇÃO #2: DORIVAL
    Deborah Salles, art director (Quartabê)
    [Risco]
     
  5. NUCLEAR
    Boa Mistura, art director (Leiva)
    [Sony Music Entertainment España, S.L]

Field 17 - Production

47. Best Engineered Album

  1. ANAÍ ROSA ATRACA GERALDO PEREIRA
    Carlos Lima & Gilberto Monte, engineers; Carlos Lima, mixer; Carlos Lima, mastering engineer (Anaí Rosa)
    [Selo Sesc]
     
  2. BACH
    Zac Hernández & Jerry Ordoñez, engineers; Jack Lahana, mixer; Chab, mastering engineer (Bandalos Chinos)
    [Casete]
     
  3. EL MAL QUERER - WINNER
    El Guincho & Brian Hernández, engineers; Jaycen Joshua, mixer; Chris Athens, mastering engineer (Rosalía)
    [Sony Music Entertainment España, S.L.]
     
  4. ENCONTROS
    Roger Freret, engineer; Marcelo Sabóia, mixer; Ron McMaster, mastering engineer (Antonio Adolfo Featuring Orquestra Atlantica)
    [Aam Music]
     
  5. MONTANER
    Jan Holzner, David Julca, Jonathan Julca, Jon Leone, Carlos Fernando López, Ricardo López Lalinde, Yasmil Marrufo, Darío Moscatelli, Quaz & Tainy, engineers; Jaycen Joshua, mixer; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer (Ricardo Montaner)
    [Sony Music Latin]

48. Producer of the Year

  1. ANDRÉS TORRES, MAURICIO RENGIFO
    • Ay Corazón (Cali y El Dandee) (S)
    • Balas Perdidas (Morat) (A)
    • Cobarde (Ximena Sariñana) (S)
    • Fantasía (Sebastián Yatra) (A)
    • La Plata (Juanes Featuring Lalo Ebratt) (S)
    • Perdón (David Bisbal Featuring Greeicy) (S)
    • Quiero Volver (Tini) (A)
    • Serenata (Mike Bahía) (S)
    • Si Tú Te Vas (Ximena Sariñana) (T)
    • Suave y Sutil (Paulina Rubio) (T)
    • Teléfono (Remix) (Aitana Con Lele Pons) (T)
    • Todo En Mi Vida (Ximena Sariñana) (T)
    • Vida (Luis Fonsi) (A)
    • Volver A Verte (Fonseca Featuring Cali y El Dandee) (T)
     
  2. JULIO REYES COPELLO
    • Back In The City (Alejandro Sanz Con Nicky Jam) (T)
    • #Eldisco (Alejandro Sanz) (A)
    • Libre (Diana Fuentes) (T)
    • Mi Persona Favorita (Alejandro Sanz Con Camila Cabello) (T)
    • No Tengo Nada (Alejandro Sanz) (T)
    • Nostalgia (Daniela Brooker) (A)
    • Oxígeno (Malú) (A)
    • Visceral (Paula Arenas) (A)
    • Yo Te Extraño (Sebastián Yatra) (T)
     
  3. RAFA SARDINA
    • Fandango At The Wall: A Soundtrack For The United States, Mexico, And Beyond (Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra) (A)
    • Indestructible (Flor De Toloache) (A)
    • Volver (Plácido Domingo & Pablo Sainz Villegas) (A)
     
  4. TONY SUCCAR - WINNER
    • Amante Del Amor (Raul Stefano) (S)
    • El Alacrán (Eric Chacón & Tony Succar) (S)
    • El Ritmo De Mi Corazón (Gian Marco Featuring Grupo 5, Tony Succar) (S)
    • Imprevisto (Raices Jazz Orchestra, Pablo Gil & Tony Succar) (S)
    • Mas De Mi (Tony Succar) (A)
    • Tonada De Succar (Eric Chacón & Tony Succar) (S)
    • Vai La Vai La (Tony Succar Featuring Marcelo Amaro, Tuti & Nelson Arrieta) (S)
     
  5. JUAN PABLO VEGA
    • Conexión (Juan Pablo Vega) (A)
    • ¿Dónde Bailarán Las Niñas? (Ximena Sariñana) (A)
    • En Medio De Este Ruido (Kurt) (A)
    • Fuimos Amor (Esteman) (T)
    • Sofía (Mario Bautista) (S)
    • Vida De Mis Vidas (Santiago Cruz y Vicente García) (T)

Field 18 - Music Video

49. Best Short Form Music Video

  1. BOCA DE LOBO
    Criolo
    Denis Cisma & Pedro Inoue, video directors; Beatriz Berjeaut, video producer
    [Saigon Filmes]
     
  2. ME SOLTA
    Nego Do Borel Featuring Dj Rennan Da Penha
    Lucas Romor, video director; KondZilla, video producer
    [Sony Music Brasil]
     
  3. BANANA PAPAYA - WINNER
    Kany García & Residente
    Residente, video director; Stephanie "Tuty" Correa, video producer
    [Redrum Films]
     
  4. LOS ZURDOS MUEREN ANTES
    Nach
    Willy Rodriguez, video director; Willy Rodriguez, video producer
    [Universal Music Spain, S.L.U.]
     
  5. VIVIR LOS COLORES
    Todo Aparenta Normal
    Mariano Dawidson, video director; Eric Dawidson, video producer
    [S-Music]

50. Best Long Form Music Video

  1. ANATOMÍA DE UN ÉXODO
    Mastodonte
    Alfonso Cortés-Cabanillas & Asier Etxeandía, video directors; Jose Luis Huertas & Anibal Ruiz-Villar, video producers
    [Factoría Mastodonte]
     
  2. PIAZZOLLA, LOS AÑOS DEL TIBURÓN
    Astor Piazzolla
    Daniel Rosenfeld, video director; Daniel Rosenfeld, video producer
    [Idéale Audience / Daniel Rosenfeld Films]
     
  3. HOTEL DE LOS ENCUENTROS
    Draco Rosa
    Henry Duarte, José Luis Jiménez, Miguel Jiménez, Draco Rosa, Redamo Rosa & Revel Rosa, video directors; Hector Espinosa, Mio Hachimori, José Luis Jiménez, Miguel Jiménez, Draco Rosa, Revel Rosa & Sadaharu Yagi, video producers
    [Sony Music Entertainment US Latin LLC / Phantom Vox / Sharpball]
     
  4. LO QUE FUI ES LO QUE SOY - WINNER
    Alejandro Sanz
    Mercedes Cantero, Oscar García Blesa, Gervasio Iglesias & Alexis Morante, video directors; Alvaro Agustin, Ghislain Barrois & Gervasio Iglesias, video producers
    [Universal Music Spain S.L.U. / Sacromonte Films]
     
  5. DÉJAME QUERERTE
    Carlos Vives
    Juan Pablo Caballero & Felipe Cortés, video directors; Nathalie Burnside, video producer
    [Sony Music Entertainment US Latin LLC]

Grammys Newsletter

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Photo: Getty Images

News

Independent Publicists Persist Through The Coronavirus Impact On The Music Industry

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A part of the greater fabric that helps the music industry run, indie publicists are re-strategizing their approach while facing financial hardships during this unprecedented COVID-19 "new normal"
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Mar 27, 2020 - 3:43 pm

On the morning of March 16, Loren Medina sent an email very different from the kind she's used to sending. The Los Angeles-based publicist behind Jessie Reyez and Kali Uchis wasn’t running business as usual. She wasn’t sending a new single or album press release announcement. Instead, she found herself sending out a plea to the music industry.

"Dear colleagues and media partners, it is our duty to find creative solutions to keep our industry afloat," she began."With lockdowns enforced and more travel restrictions soon to come, we must not let the current situation paralyze us and/or allow the virus to take up all the space in the media."

By now, there is no doubt the music industry will come out of the coronavirus pandemic as one of the hardest-hit fields worldwide. Live music is gone: Tours and concerts, which serve as both a space for music discovery and the primary source of income for artists, have been universally canceled or postponed. Already, the loss of live music events alone could potentially be in the billions in the U.S.

GRAMMYs

Loren Medina

Other areas have not gone unscathed. Although Medina says her clients are not pausing their record releases, other artists, including Lady Gaga, Haim and Kehlani, have postponed or rescheduled major projects, citing the coronavirus as the reason. Elsewhere, Amazon is prioritizing deliveries of essential goods and has stopped CD and vinyl orders for the time being, a move that could ultimately hurt smaller labels the most. Across the pond, musicians in the U.K. have so far lost 13.9 million pounds (+$17 million) in estimated earnings, according to the Guardian.

Medina’s home has become a type of ground zero. She now works remotely, just like the possibly millions of other people across the U.S. under the government's direction to stay home in an attempt to flatten the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic curve in the county, which now faces upwards of 86,000 cases. At her newfound home base, she assesses how to move forward day-by-day as the music industry faces such an unprecedented time.

A part of the greater fabric that helps the music industry run, Medina, who owns Guerrera PR, Marketing & Management and also represents acts like Omar Apollo and Cuco, among other artists, has been forced to re-strategize. Other publicists, tour managers, festival organizers and countless more in the music industry ecosystem are on the same boat. The new reality consists of social distancing and quarantining, a scenario that creates a challenge for parts of the modern music industry to function. Beyond it all, the virus is stripping music of its magic; no longer can people from all over the world come together in one place to enjoy it.

Independent publicists and smaller PR agencies now face their own unique challenges. Many run on project-based work focused on touring and album campaigns. With artists now canceling tours and rethinking album releases, the music publicity sector now faces a potential, and significant, loss in income—if not now, then in the future. On top of that, there is no option of severance for many publicists if they lose their jobs or clients.

While Medina isn’t experiencing a loss of work now, because she works on project-based campaigns, future clients might be at stake as some artists are holding off on releasing new music until the current situation is alleviated.

RELATED: How The Global Coronavirus Pandemic Is Directly Impacting Songwriters, Musicians And Artists

For Detroit-based publicist Nathan Walker, tour-related press comprises 50 percent of his work. Nearly every tour date he was working through his boutique PR company Riot Act Media, whose roster includes Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Young Jesus and STRFKR, was canceled last week or was on "the wait" to see what happens. 

Part of his new normal, which also means working from home with his wife and a four-year-old, has been trying to uncrack the new pitching protocol. There is an ongoing conversation among publicists about how to pitch music media during a never-before-lived pandemic that only seems to worsen by the day and continues to dominate headlines. How should they be pitching about music now?

"I'm just trying to be really calculated with my pitches so that I'm not just blanketing people with lots and lots of music," Walker says.

And he isn’t only practicing caution with media, but empathy as well.

"When I pitch an album during this time, I’m including a note sincerely hoping, because these are people I’ve worked with for years. I'm sincerely hoping they're in a good place right now," he says. "I'm just trying to keep the train on the tracks and send them a record that I think they'd love, and if they want me to stop pitching them, that's OK. I will understand."

Walker, who is staying hopeful about the situation and doing what he can for his artists, is not alone. Sarah Avrin of Girlie Action Media, Marketing & Management, home to Bikini Kill, Imogen Heap, Palehound and more, is pitching with thoughtfulness, too.

"I’m really focused on carefully and thoughtfully reaching out to journalists to make sure that they’re in the headspace to be accepting pitches and discussing new art at the moment," she says.

A Desire For Escapism

Artists continue to put out work, whether or not pitches about it are accepted, and publicists will continue to push for their clients. "It may be a little less busy right now," Avrin says. "But I think it’s going to pick up as artists have time on their hands to create and want to get engage, whether it’s livestream performances or just putting out new singles and sharing."

Although initially she felt panic, Medina's email to media partners was one of her first steps toward regrouping her approach to engaging with the media. "I was just like, OK, technology can definitely make us rethink the way we do things and can provide us the opportunities to keep going and not completely stay stagnant,” she says. "We still want to consume content, we want to be distracted, and there's a need for artists to continue to push out content.”

Phoebe Smolin, who owns Locamotive PR and has worked with Caloncho, Mon Laferte, Carla Morrison and more, says culture is needed now more than ever. 

"We can't lose sight of how important [culture] is, and in a time where we’re all connecting in a way that we haven't before, I just think it's necessary," she says.

Smolin spent two days just replying to cancelations and has seen a loss in work in Europe, the U.S. and Latin America. She has also brainstormed with artists and media on how to move forward. 

But Walker says sending pitches to some publications can be tough right now as they face their own troubles. Amid a constantly changing landscape dominated by digital giants like Facebook and Google, the virus has caused even more economic strain on traditional print magazines and newspapers as well as digital publications relying on ads.

Playboy announced its magazine will fold, stating: "the disruption of the coronavirus pandemic to content production and the supply chain became clearer and clearer, we were forced to accelerate a conversation we've been having internally: the question of how to transform our U.S. print product to better suit what consumers want today."

Alt-weeklies, which largely specialize in covering regional music and arts scenes and local live events, across the nation have announced layoffs and staff salary cuts. The cancelation of this year's SXSW greatly impacted the Austin Chronicle. Seattle's The Stranger and the Portland Mercury both announced layoffs, with the Mercury also announcing it would temporarily stop its print edition. Ad sales are cutting back and have affected newspapers like the Chicago Reader.

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“The other biggest challenge is promoting something like music to the press, who are currently worried about losing their jobs and also worried about a global pandemic," Walker says. "It's hard to be a publicist in these times because … It just seems frivolous to try and cheerlead music to people that have been crying, worried and stressed all day."

Change Needs To Happen

Just as the coronavirus has shed light on the weaknesses of governments around the world, this pandemic is highlighting how unfeasible the music industry has become for artists in the age of digital streaming. Music artists still heavily depend on touring and live events as a major income stream. While streaming comprises a majority of the industry's revenue, low royalty rates are not enough to make a living for some—the average musician makes between $20,000 and $25,000, according to a 2018 survey. Ultimately, the coronavirus will change the world and it will change the music industry along with it. How and if it will benefit artists remain the million-dollar questions.

For now, some artists have pivoted to livestream concerts. Erykah Badu, who had concert postponements due to COVID-19 precautions, is doing a series of streaming performances for which she is asking fans to pay $1, essentially sidestepping the middleman. Other artists have used "digital tip jars" to which fans can donate, while some have asked for nothing at all.

The rise of livestreams has become one of the industry's reactions to the pandemic, giving publicists material to help spread the word on what their artists are doing now. But livestreamed sets will never replace a live set, according to Medina, who's also an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California’s Thorton School of Music.

Walker agrees: "Cybersex isn't sex. It's a temporary adjustment. Whether it's something that we can make financially viable during this time, depending on how long this time extends to, I'm not certain," he adds. "It has to come from the fan's heartfelt desire to support the artist."

Everyone in the industry is bracing, day by day, for what the repercussions for the loss of revenue and income will be. The situation has brought Walker to think about what it could mean for publicists specifically. "If I'm being honest, it's made me afraid that my work will no longer be viable," he says.

The uncertainty in the industry is at an all-time high and people are scared, but the situation has brought publicists to find solace in each other. "We're in a music community, so we're trying to be there for other people, even though we're indie publicists at other companies; we’re a friendly company and there are other friendly indies out there, so we're all putting our heads together," Avrin says.

Smolin says she's become a "pseudo- psychologist" for her artists who fear what the pandemic's outcome could mean for them. Ultimately, the situation has caused relationships with her clients to strengthen. 

Medina feels her extensive experience as an indie publicist has made it easier to survive such times of uncertainty. "Last week, I was very worried. I actually felt a little bit depressed," she says. "This week, I'm like, it's fine. I'm going to figure out what else I can do. If I have to put a pause on PR, I'll figure out what else I can do. It's nothing that I've never had to do before."

Avrin is taking things one day at a time. She believes this experience will force everyone in the industry, from artists to media, to get creative while also potentially opening unique opportunities for independent artists. All in all, "It’s hard to say there is a silver lining," she says. "People are in pain and people are dying."

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