Alejandro Sanz

Alejandro Sanz

Photo: Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images

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Alejandro Sanz Reveals New Album Is "Coming Soon"

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The Spanish singer's last studio album was 2015's Sirope, which earned him a Latin GRAMMY and a GRAMMY nod that year
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Feb 22, 2019 - 5:51 pm

GRAMMY- and Latin GRAMMY-winning Spanish ballad singer Alejandro Sanz has revealed more details about his upcoming 12 studio album, titled #ElDisco, set to be released this year.

On the red carpet at the Premio Lo Nuestro Latin music awards last night, Sanz told Billboard that his highly anticipated follow-up to 2015's Sirope, which earned Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album at the 16th Latin GRAMMY Awards, is "coming soon." He also confirmed that a U.S. tour in its support is in the works.

He teased details about an upcoming single from the album, which samples late GRAMMY- and Latin GRAMMY-winning icon Celia Cruz's "Por Si Acaso No Regreso."

"The result has been very beautiful. People have received it very well and they understand the meaning behind the song and what the lyrics are about," Sanz said of his song, which is about those who have to leave their country of origin and eventually feel homesick.

The singer's latest release is "Back In The City," featuring Latin GRAMMY-winning reggaetonero Nicky Jam, and will be featured on Sanz upcoming album. The pair performed the song last night onstage at Premio Lo Nuestro.

Ozuna, J Balvin & More Pay Tribute To Daddy Yankee At Premio Lo Nuestro

Carlos Vives at the 2018 Latin GRAMMYs

Carlos Vives at 19th Latin GRAMMYs

Photo: Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images for LARAS

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Carlos Vives, Elsa Y Elmar & More Celebrate Their 2019 Latin GRAMMY Nominations

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As the monumental 20th anniversary Latin GRAMMYs approaches, share in the excitement with some of this year's nominees
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Sep 26, 2019 - 2:05 pm

On Sept. 24, the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences shared the nominees for the 20th Latin GRAMMY Awards, set to take place in Las Vegas on Nov. 14.

In the day and a half since the big news went live, many of the nominated artists have taken to social media to share their gratitude and excitement for their nods.

GRAMMY- and Latin GRAMMY-winning Spanish singer/songwriter Alejandro Sanz leads as the artist with the most nominations at eight total. His nominations include Album Of The Year and Best Contemporary Pop Album, for his coyly titled 12th studio album, #ELDISCO ("the album"). Two of its singles, "No Tenga Nada" and "Mi Persona Favorita," featuring GRAMMY nominee Camila Cabello, are both nominated for Song and Record Of The Year, marking the first Latin GRAMMY nods for the 22-year-old Cuban-born pop star.

Cabello shared a heartwarming post (switching between Spanish and English) filled with seven exclamation points, while revealing that "Mi Persona Favorita," which she and Sanz co-wrote, was inspired by her younger sister:

"My dear friend Alejandro Sanz, this is so special because this song is with someone I love and admire so much, and was written with so much love! I love you so much, wow!!!!! When we wrote this song I was inspired by my sister, my little Tofi, who is mi persona favorita!"

Sanz, who was honored as the 2017 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, wrote on Twitter, "Celebrating every nomination for each and everyone of the people that are behind every award. Thank you, always. Congratulations to all of the nominees."

Los Angeles-based mixing engineer Jaycen Joshua also received eight nominations, including for his role as album mixer on three Album Of The Year-nominated LPs—Luis Fonsi's Vida, Rosalía's El Mal Querer and Sebastián Yatra's Fantasía.

Speaking of flamenco-fusion queen Rosalía, the Barcelona-based Latin GRAMMY winner, who took home her first two wins at the 19th Latin GRAMMY Awards, was also one of the top nominees, earning five nods this year. 2018's El Mal Querer not only earned her the major Album Of The Year nod, it is in the running for Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album and Best Engineered Album (an award given to the audio engineers). Several of her 2019 singles are nominated for Latin GRAMMYs as well, including "Con Altura," with her co-producer El Guincho and fellow Latin GRAMMY winner J Balvin, for Best Urban Song, and "Aute Couture" for Record Of The Year.

Celebrating her nominations on her 26th birthday, Rosalía tweeted, "A thousand thanks Latin GRAMMYs and everyone else for these nominations!" She also shouted out El Guincho in the post, which included of a video of the creative powerhouse pair each holding big unicorn balloons.

Another multiple nominee is Mexican alt-Latino singer Ximena Sariñana, who, like the two aforementioned Spanish pop stars, also earned Album Of The Year and Record Of The Year nods, for her album ¿Dónde Bailarán Las Niñas? and "Cobarde," respectively. "I feel very honored to be nominated," she posted to Twitter, shortly after the nominations were announced.

Eternal Colombian musical icon Carlos Vives celebrated his nomination for Best Long Form Music Video for "Déjame Quererte" ("Let Me Love You"). The song and video celebrates the rich beauty of his home country along with a diverse group of fellow Colombian artists: Cholo Valderrama, Cynthia Montano, Elkin Robinson, Kombilesa Mi and Velo De Oza. The multiple GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY winner marked the nomination with a thoughtful post. "I never miss the opportunity to continue looking to my country through music and to show the world a more inclusive Colombia. Thank you to the Latin Academy for the nomination and for honoring this."

He also shared his excitement (with three exclamation marks) for another nominee and fellow GRAMMY- and Latin GRAMMY-winning musical vanguard. "Congratulations dear Rubén Blades!!!" Vives wrote along with a retweet of the Panamanian Latin jazz/salsa heavyweight's tweet about his three nominations this year. Blades, whose many Latin GRAMMY wins to date include Album Of The Year in 2017, is up for Album Of The Year again, for his 2019 collaborative project Paraíso Road Gang. For this project, the musician/activist/actor featured artists that share his Panamanian roots, including Horacio Valdés and Kansas City-based alt-rock group Making Movies.

GRAMMY winner Alessia Cara, who is nominated for Record and Song Of The Year for "Querer Mejor," her first release in Spanish, shared a simple yet stoked: "YEAAAHHHHH," complete with three star emojis. She also tagged her duet partner in the song, GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY winner Juanes, who retweeted her post.

The longtime Colombian alt-rock artist is also up for a third award for "La Plata," featuring Colombian rapper Lalo Ebratt, and is also up for Record Of The Year. Additionally, Juanes has been named the Latin Recording Academy's 2019 Person Of The Year, which will be celebrated with the special show held annually during Latin GRAMMY Week.

Brazilian tri-lingual (she sings in Portuguese, Spanish and English) pop star Anitta added her joy to the online celebrations, as her fourth studio album, Kisses, earned a nod for Best Urban Music Album. The reggaeton princess wrote, "I'm so so happy to be nominated…for my album "Kisses"! Thank you to the Latin GRAMMYs, thank you to all of my friends who helped me make this project that I love so much"

Arguably one the most exciting parts of the annual Latin GRAMMY and GRAMMY nominations is meeting the class of first-time nominees, including the recipients of Best New Artist nods. One of these Latin GRAMMY Best New Artist nominees is rising Venezuelan Latin jazz artist Chipi Chacón. Like Rosalía, he celebrated both his Libra birthday (Sept. 23) and his nomination. The 31-year-old shared a long, heartfelt post on Instagram, writing "What an incredible birthday present. I'm thankful for the Latin GRAMMYs for taking my music into consideration. This nomination is completely for Venezuela. Thanks to all of the incredible musicians and engineers who participated in my album Transparente."

Another Best New Artist nominee, Colombian Elsa Carvajal, shared in that special first-time nom feeling. The Berklee College of Music graduate, who makes dreamy alt-pop as Elsa y Elmar, shared a teary-eyed video reflecting on the nomination. In the post she wrote, "I thought these things were not for me… Thank you for being part of this reminder that the hard work is worth it… Thank you to the academy, Latin GRAMMYs, for considering me worthy of a nomination. Like this, punk as I am."

Make sure to tune in to Univision on Nov. 14 to catch all the magic of the Biggest Night in Latin Music live from Las Vegas. Also, stay tuned to GRAMMY.com—and @RecordingAcad on @LatinGRAMMYs on Twitter—for timely updates on all the big winners and lively Latin GRAMMY Week events.

The 20th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards Nominations Are Here

J Balvin at Lolla 2019

J Balvin at Lolla 2019

Photo: Josh Brasted/FilmMagic/Getty Images

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J Balvin Brings Out Wisin Y Yandel & All The Vibras For Historic Lollapalooza Set

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The Colombian reggaetón champ offered positivity, gratitude, inclusiveness and infectious energy during his headlining show
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Aug 4, 2019 - 11:06 am

Four songs into his history-making Lollapalooza headline set last night, J Balvin paused as he finished his Nicky Jam collab, "X," took off his sunglasses and looked out at the massive crowd. "I want to see you guys, I want to see your energy out there," the Colombian Latin GRAMMY winner said, hyping up the already hyped audience.

"It took us 28 years to be on this stage…and I'm so happy and so grateful to be headlining, for the first time a Latino act." His gratitude, along with a level of humbleness typically not reserved for a headline act, was present throughout J Balvin's 75-minute set.

Rocking lime-green hair, Balvin shone brightly onstage, filling Grant Park with his shimmering energy and smooth voice. But it wasn't just about him—Balvin's show was about representing fellow Latinos proudly—including the reggaetoneros that paved the way for him.

As he reflected on the historic moment, he added "From Medellín, Colombia to the world, pa' la vi' Latino (short for para la vida, aka for the Latino life), this is our time. This is our moment. It's our time to make our dreams come true. Like I'm making my dream, you can make your dream too." Based on the echoing cheers and applause alone, it's safe to say the other attendees also found his words, presence and overall performance deeply inspired and ridiculously fun.

As the crowd cheered, he continued through his impressive catalog of massive Spanish-language bops. He went into his perreando-ready "Reggaeton," checked in with the crowd—"How's the energy?"—and followed with "Safari," his 2017 Pharrell Williams-assisted track. Balvin's equally energetic dance crew, who rocked pieces from his Guess x J Balvin Vibras collection and sometimes dressed as clouds and other playful characters from Balvin's colorful FriendsWithYou collab, brought his smooth lyrical flow and his DJ and band's big beats even more life as they tore up the stage.

The crowd fed from and added to the energy of the experience, enjoying every moment, but no one was prepared for the surprise that came next.

"I'm so grateful to be here, gracias...but I wouldn't be here without the reggaeton OGs...that's why we gotta pay homage to the OGs," Balvin said as the music went into N.O.R.E. and Daddy Yankee's 2004 reggaeton classic hit, "Oye Mi Canto." The crowd, of course, got down to the old-school club track as Balvin rapped along.

The energy levels went from a 10 to a 12 as GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY winners Wisin y Yandel took the stage to rap with Balvin for another reggaeton classic, their 2005 debut single, "Rakata." It felt like the most lit Latin music club in your city was popping off, except it was happening on Lollapalooza's main stage, and the songs were being performed by three of the biggest heroes of the first and second waves of the genre. 

Related: Daddy Yankee To Give First-Ever Spanish-Language Performance On The Late Late Show With James Corden

As Wisin Y Yandel left the stage, Balvin ended the epic three-song tribute with Yankee's Latin GRAMMY-nominated 2004 banger, "Gasolina." Balvin closed the tribute with, "Dios bendiga el reggaetón (God bless reggaetón)," a line from his own song "Reggaeton," which in itself is a tribute to the OGs.

He continued the set with more of his own songs and features, including Cardi B's massive GRAMMY-nominated bilingual Hot 100 No. 1 hit with Balvin and Bad Bunny, "I Like It." The song got its own Balvin show-that-feels-like-the-best-Latin-club-night-treatment, opening with the original version of boogaloo song sampled on the track—"I like It Like That," released by Bronx-born Latin jazz artist Pete Rodriguez in 1967—as his squad salsa-danced together.

More: J Balvin & Bad Bunny Drop Surprise Album 'Oasis,' Release Sensual Single "Que Pretendes"

Balvin checked in with the crowd again, asking, "Where are my people from Mexico, Colombia, Puerto Rico…," celebrating the diverse, lively crowd and the various Latin-culture influences of "I Like It." Cheers erupted from around the crowd as the fans, like Balvin, proudly identified with their Latino roots, as much of the audience grabbed their friends' or lovers' hands and salsa-ed along with the dancers on stage. As the music progressed into the 2018 song, the crowd jumped to the beat. Fireworks shot up from the stage and it was impossible not to feel chills with the power of the moment. The vibras were very real.

As the set neared to a close, the audience was still vibing and grooving hard with Balvin. As he finished 2014's "Ay Vamos"—yes, he's been dropping big bops for awhile now, beginning with his 2013 debut album, La Familia—he announced the next song would be his last and thanked everyone one more time.

J Balvin at Lolla 2019

The ridiculously catchy extended club cut "Mi Gente" featuring Willy William would wrap the powerful show on a high note. The bouncing track was huge single for Balvin and introduced him to an even bigger fanbase when he dropped the hit in 2017, spawning countless remixes including one bringing on Beyoncé, but somehow it didn't feel like he had missed it earlier during the show.

He asked the crowd to jump with him and to shine their lights, los luzes, together and everyone did. As the song slowed down, you could hear "otra, otra!" (meaning another/one more) echoing through the joyful crowd; they were not ready to end this massive moment. Thankfully, Balvin and his touring DJ/hype-man took "Mi Gente" into an extended, EDM-esque version of it, which they played much earlier during his Coachella 2019 set.

Eventually the last beat dropped—the "Mi Gente" club mix was indeed the last song—and Balvin paused for a final grateful look to all the people that moved with him the whole time. He left the stage but much of the crowd held on the moment a bit longer, yelling "otra!" again. Throughout the show, they danced and cheered for him, his killer music and his big moment, but were also very much celebrating with him and a understood their part in it too; his gente, his "Latino Gang" and everyone who comes together with his music as the catalyst.

Matoma On Playing Lolla 2019: "It's All About Spreading Love & Positivity, That's Why I'm Here"

Angela Aguilar

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Watch: Angela Aguilar Covers Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper's "Shallow" For ReImagined

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The GRAMMY- and Latin GRAMMY-nominated ranchera singer, who typically performs in Spanish, offers a powerful one-woman rendition of Gaga and Bradley Cooper's GRAMMY-winning song from 'A Star Is Born'
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Jul 23, 2019 - 10:25 am

15-year-old ranchera singer Ángela Aguilar grew up in the music industry, coming from a long lineage of powerful performers, including her father Pepe Aguilar. She has already grown into a big name herself, with a massive following (1.5 million followers on Instagram alone) but she's admitted that she'd still be star struck if she met Lady Gaga, of whom she's a big fan.

Now, with the latest episode of ReImagined, which you can watch below, Aguilar pays tribute to the pop queen, offering a moving one-woman cover of Gaga and Bradley Cooper's GRAMMY-winning hit "Shallow," from their Oscar-winning film A Star Is Born.

Angela Aguilar Covers Lady Gaga's "Shallow"

Aguilar may be as just as excited about this video as her many fans are. She first teased the performance last month during a news interview with TV Azteca, where she was very thrilled to have permission to offer her take on the emotional song.

"Shallow," released last fall as part of the A Star Is Born Soundtrack, was written by Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt. The song took home two wins at the 61st GRAMMY Awards earlier this year, for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Song Written For Visual Media. 

Also for the 61st GRAMMYs, Aguilar earned her first nomination, for Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano) for her debut solo album, Primera Soy Mexicana. She also, along with Aida Cuevas and Natalia Lafourcade, stole the show during the GRAMMY Premiere Ceremony, with their rendition of the classic Spanish language song "La Llorna." Aguilar also earned her first Latin GRAMMY nominations in 2018, for Best New Artist and Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and visit our video page to watch each ReImagined episode, along with other exclusive content, as it's released.

The Many Faces Of "La Llorona"

Rosalía in "Aute Cuture"

Rosalía in "Aute Cuture"

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Rosalía Channels Tarantino In New Video "Aute Cuture": Watch

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"I wrote this song before going out to tour 'El Mal Querer' and I have taken the time necessary so the song would come out with the best video to accompany it," the Latin GRAMMY winner wrote in a press release
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
May 30, 2019 - 1:20 pm

Continuing to carve out her space as the next global pop star, Rosalía is back with a catchy new track, "Aute Cuture." The accompanying cinematic, Tarantino-esque visual follows her trend of stunning music videos.

Directed by British duo Bradley & Pablo, with a story written by Rosalía and Pili, the fun, colorful video highlights the Latin GRAMMY winner's bold fashion sense—including her ever-fabulous bedazzled nails. It is another offering from of her brand of female empowerment, in which she leads the "Aute Cuture—a 'mystic beauty gang,' as the press release explains.

"Aute Cuture is the title: written incorrectly but with a sense of humor and strength. I wrote this song before going out to tour El Mal Querer and I have taken the time necessary so the song would come out with the best video to accompany it. Filled with claps, nail art, and a Tarantino vibe. Enjoy it and hopefully it'll make you dance and laugh like it does me," Rosalía wrote in the release.

In anticipation of the new track, Rosalía recently shared a note on Twitter celebrating the amazing year she's had since releasing her breakout track "Malamente" as the lead single to her critically acclaimed El Mal Querer.

She wrote (translated from Spanish); "A year ago today I released 'Malamente.' A year ago today my live changed with this song that allowed me to connect to many people." The song earned her two Latin GRAMMY wins in 2018, where she shouted out the bold women in music that came before her during her acceptance speech.

The song is the second non-album single she has released since El Mal Querer. It follows the classic reggaeton inspired track, "Con Altura," which she released late March with fellow Latin GRAMMY winner J Balvin. That single and mile-high-set music video, also featured El Guincho, who co-produces the majority of Rosalía's music with her (including on El Mal Querer and the new "Aute Cuture"). She was also featured on James Blake's latest album, on the beautifully weird "Barefoot in the Park."

How Rosalía Is Reinventing What It Means To Be A Global Pop Star