Alejandro Sanz
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Alejandro Sanz Named 2017 Latin Recording Academy Person Of The Year

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GRAMMY- and Latin GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter will be honored during a prestigious gala on Nov. 15 honoring his musical and philanthropic achievements
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Jun 19, 2017 - 2:00 pm
GRAMMY.com

The Latin Recording Academy announced Spanish singer/songwriter Alejandro Sanz will be honored as the 2017 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year. An 18-time Latin GRAMMY and three-time GRAMMY winner, Sanz is to be honored for his artistry and substantial philanthropic contributions to organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children and Greenpeace, among others.

This year's star-studded gala  will be held Nov. 15 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas and will feature a concert tribute, including renditions of Sanz' repertoire by notable artists and friends. Three-time GRAMMY and nine-time Latin GRAMMY winner Rafa Sardina is the executive producer of the event.

The net proceeds from the gala will go toward the charitable work of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. The Foundation's mission is to further international awareness and appreciation of the significant contributions of Latin music and its makers to the world's culture through scholarships, fellowships, grants, and educational programs.

Sanz earned his first four Latin GRAMMYs during the 2nd Latin GRAMMY Awards in 2001, including Record, Album and Song Of The Year for "El Alma Al Aire." His most recent win came at the 17th Latin GRAMMYs, where he won Best Long Form Music Video for "Sirope Vivo." Sanz has earned three GRAMMY wins for Best Latin Pop Album, including for No Es Lo Mismo (2003), El Tren De Los Momentos (2007) and Paraiso Express (2010).

"Alejandro Sanz initially appeared on the music scene with a guitar hanging on his shoulder, a profound passion for music and amazing talent," said Gabriel Abaroa Jr., President/CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. "After a few years and with the help of his infectious lyrics and harmonies, he enticed our senses for the next few decades and his work has become an essential part of our life's soundtrack. His philanthropic work, his leadership, in addition to his inspiring music, speaks volumes about his many contributions to the Latin community over the years and we are thrilled to be honoring him."

"I'm honored to receive this recognition from The Latin Recording Academy," said Sanz. "I'm happy and excited to be able to experience what is sure to be a thrilling evening in the company of friends and colleagues. I have participated in some of these galas as a guest and it is a very special event within the celebrations surrounding the Latin GRAMMY Awards. I'm very grateful and can't wait for the moment to arrive to discover all the surprises in store."

More from The Latin Recording Academy: Latin GRAMMYs to be held Nov. 16

Alejandro Sanz
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Alejandro Sanz: 13 Stellar Songs From The Spanish Pop Star

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Listen to musical career highlights from the 2017 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Sep 17, 2017 - 9:00 am

Few artists in any genre — or any language — have been as successful and influential as Spanish singer/songwriter Alejandro Sanz. With 18 Latin GRAMMY and three GRAMMY wins to his name, Sanz's worldwide influence is truly massive.

His first recognition from the Latin GRAMMY recognition came in 2001 when he took home Album, Record and Song Of The Year honors for El Alma Al Aire and its title track. Since then, Sanz's star continued to rise, fueled by a prolific output of original music and several high-profile collaborations. He performed on the 44th Annual GRAMMY Awards with Destiny's Child in 2002, and at the Latin GRAMMYs he partnered with Shakira in 2006 on "La Tortura" and with Alicia Keys in 2009 on the English crossover "Looking For Paradise."

Earlier this year, Sanz was named the 2017 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, not only for his unparalleled success as an artist, but for his substantial philanthropic contributions to organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children and Greenpeace, among others. The singer/songwriter will be honored during a prestigious gala on Nov. 15 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

In celebration of his career, we'd like you to take a listen to some of Sanz's biggest hits and finest career moments in this special playlist. ¡Disfrutar!

1. "No Es Lo Mismo"
2. "¿Lo Ves?"
3. "La Tortura" Shakira feat. Alejandro Sanz

4. "La Primera Persona"
5. "Tu No Tienes Alma"
6. "Amiga Mia"

7. "Looking For Paradise" feat. Alicia Keys
8. "Desde Cuando"
9. "El Alma Al Aire"
10. "Te Lo Agradezco, Pero No" feat. Shakira
11. "Corazon Partio"

12. "Deja Que Te Bese" feat. Marc Anthony
13. "A Que No Me Dejas"

 

 

Alejandro Sanz
News

Remember When? Alejandro Sanz, Destiny's Child Perform At The 44th GRAMMYs

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Back in 2002, the Latin GRAMMY winner hit the GRAMMY stage with a little help from the R&B trio
GRAMMYs
Oct 12, 2017 - 4:49 pm

Flashback to Feb. 27, 2002. 

Roughly six months had passed since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and music's biggest names gathered at Los Angeles' Staples Center for the 44th GRAMMYs. The mood — while tempered — was celebratory. Jon Stewart was the show's host. Alicia Keys would go on to be the night's biggest winner with five wins (including the award for Best New Artist), and four-time Latin GRAMMY winner Alejandro Sanz made his GRAMMY stage debut with a little help from GRAMMY-winning R&B trio Destiny's Child.

Sanz, who'd just made headlines for being the first Spanish-language artist to record and release a live album under MTV's Unplugged franchise in November 2001, hit the stage to sing his 2000 hit single "Quisiera Ser," alongside Michelle Williams, Kelly Rowland and Beyoncé Knowles (who was just mere months away from being the solo powerhouse we now have to come to know as simply Beyoncé).

Sang in Spanish, the chorus roughly translates in English to mean: I wanted to be the air escaping from your laughter/I wanted to be the salt to smart your wounds/I wanted to be the blood that you involve with your life/I wanted to be the dream that you'd never share and the garden of your joy in the party of your skin.

While the Madrid native didn't take home any awards that night, he would go on to win 14 more Latin GRAMMY Awards and three GRAMMY Awards. Sanz was recently named the 2017 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year.

 

Enrique Iglesias
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Enrique Iglesias To J Balvin: 15 Longest-Running Hot Latin Songs

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From Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee to Juanes and Nicky Jam, check out the 15 songs with the longest run on the 'Billboard' Hot Latin Songs chart
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Oct 4, 2017 - 2:22 pm

Which of your favorite Latin musicians has had the longest-running song on Billboard's Hot Latin Songs chart? If you guessed Enrique Iglesias featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona and their rendition of "Bailando," you would be correct — the hit stayed at the top of the chart for a long time: 41 weeks in 2014–2015.

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we've gathered the 15 songs with the longest runs on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, including how long each song reigned supreme, and curated a playlist you've got to hear.

1. "Bailando," Enrique Iglesias feat. Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona, 41 weeks

2. "Despacito," Luis Fonsi feat. Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber, 33 weeks

3. "El Perdón," Nicky Jam and Enrique Iglesias, 30 weeks

4. "La Tortura," Shakira feat. Alejandro Sanz, 25 weeks

5. "Ginza," J Balvin, 22 weeks

6. "A Puro Dolor," Son By Four, 20 weeks

7. "Me Enamora," Juanes, 20 weeks

8. "Te Quiero," Flex, 20 weeks

9. "No Me Doy Por Vencido," Luis Fonsi, 19 weeks

10. "Hasta El Amanecer," Nicky Jam, 18 weeks

11. "Cuando Me Enamoro," Enrique Iglesias feat. Juan Luis Guerra, 17 weeks

12. "Vivir Mi Vida," Marc Anthony, 17 weeks

13. "Qué Te Pasa," Yuri, 16 weeks

14. "Rompe," Daddy Yankee, 15 weeks

15. "Danza Kuduro," Don Omar feat. Lucenzo, 15 weeks

 

Juanes, Juan Luis Guerra, Calle 13
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Who Are The Top Latin GRAMMY Winners Of All Time?

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From Calle 13 to Juanes and Carlos Vives, check out the 21 artists and studio wizards who have earned the highest number of Latin GRAMMY Awards to date
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Sep 26, 2017 - 3:26 pm

Whether your interest in top Latin GRAMMY winners begins with "Despacito," curiosity or connoisseurship, there is a lot to enjoy and explore. Like the top GRAMMY winners of all time, the top Latin GRAMMY winners are a collection of esteemed artists, producers, engineers, and more.

In celebration of the vibrant heritage of Latin music awarded through the Latin GRAMMYs each year, here are the top Latin GRAMMY winners of all time, through the 17th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards.

Eduardo Cabra, 22
René Pérez, 22
Calle 13, 22
Taking the Puerto Rican tradition of reggaetón in unexpected clever directions, Eduardo Cabra — aka Visitante — and René Pérez — known as Residente — perform together as Calle 13. They won Latin GRAMMY recognition with their debut self-titled album and recognition from both the Latin GRAMMYs and the GRAMMYs for their four subsequent albums, including two Latin GRAMMY wins for Album Of The Year. The duo made history at the 12th Latin GRAMMY Awards when they hauled in a total of nine awards, including Album, Record and Song Of The Year, in one night.

Juanes, 21
Refreshing authenticity helped lift Juanes from teen success with his band Ekhymosis in Colombia to global success as a solo pop-rock icon. Bursting on the scene with his 2000 debut, Fijate Bien, he won his first three Latin GRAMMYs and received his first GRAMMY nomination for 2001. He's earned Latin GRAMMY Album Of The Year honors three times, for Un Día Normal (2003), La Vida … Es Un Ratico (2008) and MTV Unplugged (2012).

Juan Luis Guerra, 18
Returning home to the Dominican Republic in the '80s, having left to attend Boston's Berklee College of Music, Juan Luis Guerra reinvigorated the tropical and merengue traditions. At the 1st Latin GRAMMY Awards, he had two wins in tropical/merengue categories, having already won his first GRAMMY nine years prior. He's won the esteemed Album Of The Year award four times to date, the most in the category's history to date.

Alejandro Sanz, 18
Alejandro Sanz grew up with music in Spain and established himself as a pop hitmaker/songwriter long before his 2000 album, El Alma Al Aire, netted him his first four Latin GRAMMYs. Branching out stylistically with 2003's No Es Lo Mismo, he won another four Latin GRAMMYs and his first GRAMMY, for Best Latin Pop Album, a category he went on to win another two times. The Spaniard has earned the Latin GRAMMY Album Of The Year award three times: El Alma Al Aire (2001), MTV Unplugged (2002) and No Es Lo Mismo (2004).

Gustavo Santaolalla, 15
Rooted in Argentine tango, Gustavo Santaolalla has an extraordinary wingspread of talents. As a producer, he earned the Latin GRAMMY for Album and Record Of The Year twice with Juanes. As a singer/songwriter and instrumentalist with the rock-tango collective Bajofondo, he won the Latin GRAMMY for Best Alternative Song for 2013 "Pena En Mi Corazón."

Sergio George, 15
New York salsa maestro Sergio George earned his first GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY wins as the producer of Celia Cruz's La Negra Tiene Tumbao for 2002. His Latin GRAMMY wins include three for producing Marc Anthony and George has won the Producer Of The Year Latin GRAMMY four times and the Best Salsa Album Latin GRAMMY eight times.

18th Latin GRAMMY Awards: Full Nominations List

Carlos Alvarez, 13
A producer/engineer best known for his mixing and mastering, Carlos Alvarez won Latin GRAMMYs for his finishing touches on albums by Anthony, George, Guerra, Alejandra Guzmán, India, and Sanz. Alvarez has also won three GRAMMYs, and is not to be confused with the GRAMMY-winning opera baritone who shares his name. His Latin GRAMMY wins include engineering and mixing 2013's Sergio George Presents Salsa Giants.

Thom Russo, 13
On the engineering teams behind Latin GRAMMY-winning albums by Juanes and Maná, Thom Russo has also won GRAMMYs and engineered for English-language artists, including Johnny Cash and Michael Jackson. He's earned Album Of The Year honors twice for his work with Juanes.

Álvaro Alencar, 12
An engineer/mixer, Álvaro Alencar has won Latin GRAMMYs for his work with Bacilos, Gilberto Gil, Lenine, Lobão, Maria Rita, Skank, and Suricato. Although he is best known for his work with Brazilian acts, for example Sergio Mendes, he has worked with artists from various backgrounds.

Andres Castro, 12
A multi-instrumental studio musician, Andres Castro has won Latin GRAMMYs for his songwriting collaborations with Carlos Vives and his production work alongside Emilio Estefan Jr. and Sebastian Krys. Most recently, Castro took home the Latin GRAMMYs for Record and Song Of The Year as producer for Vives and Shakira's "La Bicicleta."

Anibal Kerpel, 12
Anibal Kerpel has earned the bulk of his 12 Latin GRAMMYs as an esteemed engineer/mixer. He's won Album Of The Year twice for Juanes' Un Día Normal (2003) and La Vida … Es Un Ratico (2008). On Bajofondo's Latin GRAMMY-winning Presente album, Kerpel shared the win as a producer/engineer/mixer as well as playing keyboards and electric bass on the record.

Sebastian Krys, 12
A winner of two Latin GRAMMYs for Producer Of The Year, Sebastian Krys won his first Latin GRAMMY as an engineer for Thalía's 2000 album, Arrasando. Krys received additional Latin GRAMMYs for his work with Obie Bermúdez, Gian Marco, Rabanes, Sanz, Diego Torres, and with Vives for El Rock De Mi Pueblo.

Allan Leschhorn, 12
As engineer/mixer, Allan Leschhorn has won Latin GRAMMYs for his work with Juan Luis Guerra, Chichi Peralta and Draco Rosa. For Guerra's 2007 album, La Llave De Mi Corazon, Leschhorn shared in four Latin GRAMMY wins, including Record Of The Year and Album Of The Year. He has also engineered for Luis Fonsi, Nelly Furtado and Jesse & Joy.

Cachorro Lòpez, 12
Winner of two Latin GRAMMYs for Producer Of The Year, Argentina's Cachorro Lòpez won both a Latin GRAMMY and a GRAMMY as producer of Julieta Venegas' 2006 album, Limón Y Sal. He's also won Latin GRAMMYs as producer for Natalia Lafourcade and Rosario, including Record Of The Year for 2015 as the producer on the former's "Hasta La Raíz."

Eric Schilling, 12
Engineer/mixer Eric Schilling has won both Latin GRAMMYs and GRAMMYs for his work on Olga Tañón's 2001 album, Yo Por Ti, and on Cachao's 2004 LP, ¡Ahora Si! Other artists Schilling has lent his technical acumen to on their way to Latin GRAMMY wins include Guerra, Sanz and Thalía. He earned a Latin GRAMMY for Album Of The Year for his work on Sanz's MTV Unplugged.

Rafael Arcaute, 11
As a producer/engineer/mixer, Rafael Arcaute won his first Latin GRAMMY as well as a GRAMMY for Calle 13's 2008 album, Los De Atrás Vienen Conmigo. At the 12th Latin GRAMMY Awards in 2011, Arcaute shared in seven wins with Calle 13 related to their smash album Entren Los Que Quieran, including Producer Of The Year. Arcaute also won the Latin GRAMMY for Producer Of The Year again in 2016.

Gustavo Borner, 11
Best known for engineering multiple "MTV Unplugged" sets, Gustavo Borner's GRAMMY wins include work with Vicente Fernández and Los Tigres del Norte, as well as mixing the score for the movie Birdman. His four Latin GRAMMYs for MTV Unplugged were with Juanes, Venegas, Ricky Martin, and Diego Torres.

Caetano Veloso, 11
Brazilian Caetano Veloso has earned the majority of his Latin GRAMMY wins in Brazilian music categories, including four wins for Best MPB (Musica Popular Brasilieira) Album, two wins for Best Brazilian Song and a win for Best Brazilian Rock Album. He's also earned two Latin GRAMMYs for Best Singer-Songwriter Album for Zii E Zie (2009) and Abraҫaҫao (2013).

Carlos Vives, 11
Colombia superstar Carlos Vives has earned many of his Latin GRAMMY Awards in tropical music categories, including Best Contemporary Tropical Album and Best Tropical Fusion Album. Vives earned a Song Of The Year Latin GRAMMY in 2013 for "Volví A Nacer," and Shakira and Vives shared Latin GRAMMYs for the 2016 hit "La Bicicleta" for Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year.