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Juanes

Photo: John Parra/WireImage

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Juanes Named 2019 Latin Recording Academy Person Of The Year: "I'm Grateful And Deeply Honored"

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The 23-time Latin GRAMMY winner will be honored for his creative artistry, humanitarian efforts, support of rising artists and philanthropic work
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Jun 13, 2019 - 11:37 am

The Latin Recording Academy has announced its 2019 Person Of The Year: Juanes! The Colombian singer, composer, musician and philanthropist will be celebrated at a special star-studded gala featuring a heartfelt tribute concert, including renditions of his renowned repertoire performed by an impressive array of notable artists and friends on Nov. 13, 2019, at the MGM Grand Convention Center in Las Vegas.

A 23-time Latin GRAMMY winner and two-time GRAMMY winner was chosen for the honor, which celebrates its milestone 20th anniversary, for his, "creative artistry, unprecedented humanitarian efforts, support for rising artists, and philanthropic contributions to the world," according to a statement from The Latin Recording Academy.

"Juanes is young, but legendary, an artist who has inspired us through his amazing music for many years and—while doing so—he vigorously campaigned for political, social, and positive change around the world," said Gabriel Abaroa Jr., President/CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. "His leadership and his philanthropic work, in addition to his positive messages that transcend music, speak volumes about his many contributions to the community and we are truly honored to recognize him as this year’s Latin Academy Person of the Year."  

Juanes' philanthropic efforts include his work with his organization Fundación Mi Sangre (My Blood Foundation). Also, he is a co-founder of Paz Sin Fronteras (Peace Without Borders), where he continues to raise awareness for the power and importance of peacebuilding with extraordinary credibility and consistency. He spoke to what this distinguished honor from the Latin Recording Academy means to him and his career.

Juanes Relives When He First Became A Solo Artist

"I remember attending the Latin GRAMMY nominations announcement after my first solo album was released, and becoming so overcome with emotion from the shock of hearing my name called seven times, that I had to step outside for a moment to process how my life had just changed forever," shared Juanes in a statement. "I was blessed to win three awards that year, and The Latin Recording Academy has been a fundamental part of bringing my music to a global audience ever since. Now, I am grateful and deeply honored to learn that I will get to join such illustrious artists as Juan Luis Guerra, Carlos Santana, Caetano Veloso and more, as the Person of the Year honoree, while also helping The Latin Academy's efforts to support future generations of new Spanish-speaking artists."

For information on purchasing tickets to the Person of the Year gala, please contact The Latin Recording Academy's ticketing office at 310.314.8281 or ticketing@grammy.com.

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Jesse & Joy

Jesse & Joy

Photo: Jason Koerner/Getty Images

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Jesse & Joy, Pablo Lopez, Fito Paez & More To Perform At Latin Recording Academy Person Of The Year

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On the eve before the 20th Latin GRAMMYs, Rosalía, Alejandro Sanz, Sebastián Yatra, Ozuna and many more will celebrate Juanes as the Latin Recording Academy's Person Of The Year, with special performances of the Colombian icon's music
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Nov 7, 2019 - 1:08 pm

Today, the Latin Recording Academy announced the performers for their prestigious Person Of The Year gala, which will be held next week, Nov. 13, in honor of 23-time Latin GRAMMY winner and two-time GRAMMY winner Juanes, who was previously announced as their POTY.

The star-studded, pre-Latin GRAMMY Awards show event will feature performances by current Latin GRAMMY Awards nominees Rosalía, Alessia Cara, Ozuna, Fonseca, Juan Luis Guerra, Mon Laferte, Alejandro Sanz—who was their 2017 POTY!—and more.

All of the musical guests will perform songs from Juanes' rich, three-decades-long musical catalog. Other artists announced in today's announcement include fellow current Latin GRAMMY nominees Sebastián Yatra, Cami, Morat, Draco Rosa and Paula Fernandes.

Past Latin GRAMMY- and GRAMMY-winning Mexican pop duo Jesse & Joy, past Latin GRAMMY-winning and GRAMMY-nominated rock pianist Fito Páez and past Latin GRAMMY nominated singer/songwriter Pablo López will also serve up their best renditions of Juanes hits. Australian guitar slayer Orianthi will also take the stage, as well as Colombian comedian Andrés López.

This year's event will also showcase the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation scholarship recipients, featuring the Foundation's global ambassador Sofia Carson. Net proceeds from the sold-out gala will support the Foundation, "whose 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, grants, and educational programs. The Foundation's primary charitable focus is to provide scholarships to students interested in Latin music with financial need, as well as grants to scholars and organizations worldwide for research and preservation of diverse Latin music genres."

A portion of these proceeds will also benefit Juanes' Colombia-based nonprofit, Fundación Mi Sangre. Founded in 2006, the organization aims to help young people heal from and overcome violence, to help them "exercise their powers as builders of peace" and create more peaceful, connected communities.

The Ricky Martin-hosted 20th Latin GRAMMY Awards is just one week away, on Nov. 14, the evening after POTY. Juanes is up for three awards, including Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year for "Querer Mejor," his 2019 duet with Cara—the first time the GRAMMY-winning pop star recorded in Spanish. For his third nomination, Juanes is also up for Record Of The Year for his upbeat track with Lalo Ebratt, "La Plata."

To catch all the excitement of the Biggest Night In Latin Music, tune into Univision on Nov. 14 at 8-11 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. CT).

 Stay tuned to GRAMMY.com, as well as @RecordingAcad and @LatinGRAMMYs on Twitter next week, to find out what went down at POTY and to catch the biggest wins and onstage magic from the show itself.

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Juanes

Juanes

Photo: Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images

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Juanes, Luis Fonsi, Residente Among Latin Artists Sharing Support For People Of Venezuela

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As the South American country battles social and political turmoil, the Latin music community rallies in support of its people
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Jan 25, 2019 - 3:40 pm

As Venezuela endures economic crisis, widespread shortage of basic goods and a presidential controversy, Latin music artists have taken to their social platforms to voice support for the county's people in this difficult time.

"Today I am a little Venezuelan," said Puerto Rican megastar Luis Fonsi. "Today and always, I join a country that I love so much. To a country that has suffered a lot and its people deserve to live in peace and tranquility." 

"Today's commitment as citizens of the world is to go out on the streets for the freedom and future of our Venezuelan brothers," said Spanish singer/songwriter Alejandro Sanz.

Many other artists shared sentiments of support, including Ricardo Montaner, Mau and Ricky, and Residente, who recalled his Latin GRAMMY performance backed by the Simón Bolivar Orchestra, a Venezuelan musical institution named after national hero Simón Bolivar.

Legendary Columbian singer/songwriter Juanes also offered, "Stay Strong Venezuela!! Always with you."

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Alejandro Sanz

Alejandro Sanz

Photo: JB Lacroix/WireImage.com

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Alejandro Sanz: Stars Honor Latin Academy Person Of The Year

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A cluster of Latin stars paid tribute to the Spanish singer/songwriter with a concert for the ages
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Nov 16, 2017 - 10:47 am

On Nov. 15, esteemed GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY winner Alejandro Sanz was honored as the Latin Recording Academy's 2017 Person of the Year for his significant artistic and philanthropic contributions to the world.

Hosted at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, the centerpiece of the star-studded celebration was a concert tribute, which featured renditions of Sanz' repertoire by notable artists and friends, including Natalia Lafourcade, Juan Luis Guerra, Mon Laferte, Jesse & Joy, Luis Fonsi, Residente, and more. The sold-out gala benefits the year-round education and preservation initiatives of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation.

On to the amazing performance highlights:

Lafourcade and Manuel Medrano kicked off the evening with a performance of "No Es Lo Mismo," which earned Sanz not only Record and Song Of The Year at the 5th Latin GRAMMY Awards, but the album of the same named earned Album Of The Year honors.

Guerra graced the stage next with a cover of "Desde Cuando," which earned a Record Of The Year nod at the 11th Latin GRAMMY Awards for 2010.

This was followed by a performance of "El Alma Al Aire" by David Bisbal. El Alma … earned Sanz not only the Latin GRAMMY for Album Of The Year for 2001, but the title track also took home Record and Song Of The Year honors that year.

Niña Pastori delivered a lovely rendition of "La Fuerza Del Corazon," which was followed by a passionate version of "Mi Soledad Y Yo" by Laferte.

Guitarist Jose Antonio Rodriguez and dance company Siudy Garrido with El Carpeta brought a little flamenco flare to the stage with their performance of "Manhattan De 2 Frontera."

Rosalía took on the Latin GRAMMY-nominated hit "Cuando Nadie Me Ve" with expert pizazz.

Brother and sister duo Jesse & Joy hit the stage next for a version of Sanz' "Siempre Es De Noche."

Santiago Cruz, Gian Marco and accordionist Jimmy Zambrano gave an excellent performance of "La Musica No Se Toca."

Fonsi, of "Despacito" fame, took on a version of "Amiga Mia" to honor Sanz.

Next up, Nick Jonas Calle 13's Residente and Anitta had a blast performing "Looking For Paradise." Sanz' original performance of the hit song features GRAMMY winner Alicia Keys.

Alejandro Fernandez brought to life Sanz's 1997 hit "Y ¿Si Fuera Ella? "

Juanes and Camila Cabello teamed for an exquisite rendition of "Quisiera Ser," leading into the big finale.

To close out the night, Sanz, along with guitarist Jose Antonio Rodriguez, gave an emotional performance of his 1997 smash "Corazón Partío" — the perfect finish to an amazing celebration.

GRAMMYs

Armin Van Buuren

Photo: Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images

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Armin Van Buuren Teams Up With World Wide Fund For Nature As Global Oceans Ambassador

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The legendary DJ will play an integral role in the organization's worldwide #BeatPlastic campaign
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Dec 16, 2019 - 1:20 pm

GRAMMY-nominated DJ Armin Van Buuren has joined forces with the World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) as their new Global Oceans Ambassador. The international superstar will play an integral role in the WWF's new #BeatPlastic campaign and movement to stop plastic waste that is being dumped in the oceans around the world. 

In the video clip above, you can watch Van Buuren visit WWF projects on Bali to get a first-hand look at the damage. "There I could see with my own eyes how beautiful animals like turtles are affected by plastic pollution," he said of the experience. 

According to Digital Journal, eight million tons of plastic are dumped into the oceans every year. Van Buuren hopes to inspire, inform and empower his millions of fans to join the #BeatPlastic movement.  

As a father, Van Buuren has an additional vested interest in the planet's condition, adding he wants his children to have, "A world that not only they can appreciate, but one that can be enjoyed by many generations to come."

For more information on Van Buuren and the #BeatPlastic campaign, visit his website.

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