Alejandro Sanz
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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 - 5:28 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.

 

Beyoncé on stage at Coachella weekend two

Beyoncé

Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

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Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, Cardi B Light Up Coachella 2018 Weekend Two

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A dominant performance, a surprise appearance and an a chart-topping rapper were the talk of the desert at weekend two in Indio, Calif.
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Apr 23, 2018 - 8:52 am

After an unforgettable weekend one of Coachella 2018, many were left wondering, "What could possibly come next?" Their questions were answered weekend two as #Beychella continued, a pop superstar made a surprise appearance to perform her new single, and the new queen of rap brought the house down.

Beyoncé set a new standard weekend one, reuniting Destiny's Child, featuring surprise appearances by Jay-Z and Solange, and earning the highest YouTube livestream numbers ever. Not to be outdone by anyone, even herself, Bey returned with repeat reunion with Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, saying, "Give it up for my best friends," and her special husband and sister guests. She also added a new surprise with J Balvin joining her for "Mi Gente," resulting in a "more charming and off-the-cuff" performance, according to Rolling Stone, putting #Beychella 2018 to bed. 

But the biggest surprise of weekend two came from an appearance by way of pop superstar Ariana Grande. After releasing "No Tears Left To Cry," the first single from her forthcoming album, Grande surprised the Coachella audience by performing the song after Norwegian DJ Kygo's set, sending her fans into a frenzy and causing them to launch the counter-hashtag #Arichella.

Cardi B played a guest-heavy set, bringing up Balvin and Bad Bunny for "I Like It" and welcoming SZA on stage to sing "I Do." Cardi's Sunday night set featured several selections from her debut album, Invasion Of Privacy, which entered the Billboard 200 at No. 1 upon its release just one week prior.

With Coachella 2018 officially in the books, which must-attend music festival will you be looking forward to next?

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Enrique Iglesias

Enrique Iglesias

Photo: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images

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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.

For The Record: Shakira

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

 

Luis Fonsi

Luis Fonsi

Photo: Victor Chavez/Getty Images

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Beyoncé To Drake: 7 American Artists Who Recorded Songs En Español

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We rounded up some of the biggest English-speaking artists who got on the mic to sing in Spanish
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Sep 25, 2017 - 4:39 pm

For the most popular American artists, the Latin audience represents enticing new markets to tour filled with legions of fans to reach with their music. Considering the data showing Latin Pop as this summer's king of streaming, the desire for many artists to cross over is as understandable now as ever before.

But the draw is also a visceral one. The Spanish language is one filled with passionate cadences, dynamic enunciations and subtle nuances, all elements that great songwriting relies on to convey emotions through music.

In fact, crossing the language barrier in pop music is a phenomenon that has occurred many times over the years.  From pop sensations like Madonna taking the leap with her Spanish infused 1987 single "La Isla Bonita" to today's brightest rapper, Kendrick Lamar jumping on SchoolBoy Q's "Collard Greens" to drop a verse in Spanish, the urge to record en Español knows no era or genre limitations.

Here are seven times American artists recorded in Spanish, from Fifth Harmony joining Colombian Reggaeton singer/songwriter Maluma, to pop's biggest starts re-cutting their hits, and everything in between.

1. Beyoncé, "Irreemplazable"

2. Romeo Santos feat. Drake, "Odio"

3. Christina Aguilera, "Pero Me Acuerdo De Ti"

4. J Balvin feat. Pharrell Williams, BIA, Sky, "Safari"

5. 'N Sync, "Gone (Spanish Version)"

6. Maluma feat. Fifth Harmony, "Sin Contrato"

7. Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber, "Despacito (Remix)"

 

 

Calle 13 at the 15th Latin GRAMMY Awards

Calle 13 

Photo: Rich Polk/Getty Images

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18th Latin GRAMMY Awards: 18 Things You Didn't Know

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From Latin GRAMMY firsts to performers, hosts, and the artists with the most wins and nominations, here are 18 things you should know about the Biggest Night in Latin Music
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Sep 20, 2017 - 11:16 am

The Biggest Night in Latin Music is a big deal worldwide.

Last year's 17th Latin GRAMMY Awards broadcast reached tens of millions of viewers around the globe, while ranking as the No. 1 most social program of the day worldwide.

To get ready for the upcoming 18th Latin GRAMMY Awards telecast in Las Vegas on Nov. 16, here are 18 things you might be surprised to learn about the Latin Recording Academy and the Biggest Night in Latin Music.

1. 5 Cities Have Hosted The Latin GRAMMYs
The Latin GRAMMY Awards telecast has taken place in five cities in the United States: Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Houston, and Las Vegas. The inaugural Latin GRAMMY Awards kicked off in Staples Center in Los Angeles in 2000; the upcoming 18th Latin GRAMMYs will mark the tenth show in Las Vegas.

The show has taken place inside 10 different venues: Staples Center, Conga Room (see No. 6), Kodak Theatre, and Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles; American Airlines Arena in Miami, Toyota Center in Houston; Madison Square Garden in New York; and Mandalay Bay Events Center, MGM Garden Arena and T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

2. The Telecast Launched In English
The Latin GRAMMY Awards started on CBS, the longtime home of the GRAMMY Awards, in 2000 and was broadcast in English. In 2005 the Latin Recording Academy secured a deal to televise the show on Univision in Spanish, which has been the home for the show in the United States ever since.

3. Someone From The Block First Appeared On The Latin GRAMMY Stage
Following a brief intro from hosts Andy García, Jimmy Smits and Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez took center stage to introduce the first-ever performance at the 1st Latin GRAMMY Awards on Sept. 13, 2000. Lopez, who arrived with Sean "Diddy" Combs, was fresh from causing one of the biggest fashion splashes in GRAMMY history with her famous green Versace dress at the 42nd GRAMMY Awards on Feb. 23, 2000.

4. A Performance Debut Fit For A Mambo King
Speaking of the first performance, a troupe of all-stars teamed at the inaugural Latin GRAMMYs for an unforgettable tribute to the Mambo King, Tito Puente, who died May 31, 2000. Ricky Martin led with a medley of "Para Los Rumberos" and "Oye Como Va"/ "Guarjira" before giving way to Gloria Estefan and Celia Cruz, who performed "Quimbara" and "La Bobo." Joining in on the fun were Tito Puente Jr., Cachao, Michel Camilo, Arturo Ortiz, Dave Valentin, Arturo Sandoval, Sheila E., and David Sanchez.

5. And The First Latin GRAMMY Went To …
Who did the first Latin GRAMMY Award go to on the first-ever telecast? Juan Luis Guerra Y 440 took home Best Merengue Performance for "Ni Es Lo Mismo Ni Es Igual."

Juan Luis Guerra Wins Best Merengue Performance

6. The 2nd Latin GRAMMY Awards And Sept. 11
The sophomore installment of the Latin GRAMMY Awards was scheduled to take place at the Forum in Los Angeles on Sept. 11, 2001. In light of the tragic events of that day, the Latin Recording Academy canceled the show. The winners were subsequently honored at a special press conference on Oct. 30, 2001, at the Conga Room in Los Angeles. Spain's Alejandro Sanz earned four awards, including Record and Song Of The Year, and Colombian singer/songwriter Juanes won three awards, including Best New Artist.

7. George Lopez Hosted Two Latin GRAMMY Shows
The Mexican-American comedian presided over two consecutive shows: the 4th and 5th Latin GRAMMY Awards in 2003 and 2004. Lopez also got in on the musical fun. He jammed with Ozomatli on guitar on "Esa Morena" at the 5th Latin GRAMMYs. "This group's so ethnically diverse, that they get pulled over no matter who's driving," joked Lopez prior to the performance.

8. Juan Gabriel's Unforgettable Performance
The fabled Mexican composer and showman Juan Gabriel turned in the longest performance in Latin GRAMMY history in 2009. Juan Gabriel, who was set for a seven-minute performance, kept going for nearly 40 minutes, thrilling the audience and viewers alike. That same year, he was honored as the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year.

Juan Gabriel performs at the 10th Latin GRAMMYs in 2009

9. Most Performances On The Latin GRAMMYs
Ricky Martin has performed the most on the Latin GRAMMY telecast to date, with 11 performances. Martin was among the performers for the first-ever telecast performance. He's since teamed with the likes of Blue Man Group, Draco Rosa, Miguel Bosé, and Camila for a series of unforgettable duets. Most recently, at the 16th telecast, Martin performed twice: a solo medley of "Disparo Al Corazón" and "La Mordidita" and a duet with Wisin on "Que Se Sienta El Deseo."

10. Which Group Has Won The Most Latin GRAMMYs?
Calle 13 — Eduardo Cabra (Visitante) and René Pérez (Residente) — have won the most trophies in Latin GRAMMY history. The Latin rap duo has won 22 Latin GRAMMYs to date, including a record haul of nine awards at the 12th Latin GRAMMYs on Nov. 10, 2012. That night Calle 13 won Album, Record and Song Of The Year for Entren Los Que Quieran and its title track.

Calle 13 Win Latin GRAMMY Album Of The Year

11. What About The Most Nominations?
As the saying goes, it's an honor just to be nominated. Cabra (Visitante) has been honored 37 times, marking the most Latin GRAMMY nominations to date. The Spaniard Sanz is second with 33 nominations.

12. The General Four Categories Feature 10 Nominees Each
In 2012 the Latin Recording Academy announced an expansion to 10 nominees each for the General Four categories: Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year, and Best New Artist. The move, which was ratified by the Latin Academy Board of Trustees, was due in part to the fact that the Latin GRAMMY Awards process receives nominations from multiple countries around the world.

13. The Latin Recording Academy Has How Many Members?
A member-based organization, the Latin Recording Academy has grown to approximately 4,000 members as of 2017, representing diverse Fields such as Pop, Urban, Rock, Tropical, Classical, Singer-Songwriter, Brazilian, Regional Mexican, Traditional, and more.

14. The Latin Academy Membership Represents Nearly 40 Countries
A true reflection of the variety of Latin music subgenres that spans the globe, Latin Recording Academy members represent nearly 40 different countries worldwide, including Spain, Portugal, Puerto Rico and the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Panama.

15. Millions In Scholarships For The Next Generation Of Latin Music Makers
As the educational arm of the Latin Recording Academy, the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation's mission is anchored by a scholarship program to students of Latin music with financial needs. Since 2015 the Foundation has committed a robust $2.5 million in scholarships. The Prodigy Scholarship program counts artist support from Enrique Iglesias, Juan Luis Guerra and Miguel Bosé.

16. The Latin GRAMMY Awards Receives How Many Entries?
The Latin GRAMMY Awards currently honor recipients in 48 categories, from Record Of The Year to Best Long Form Music Video. In 2017 the Latin Academy received almost 10,000 entries for the Awards process for the 18th Latin GRAMMY Awards.

17. Special Awards For Special Latin Icons
Instituted in 2004, the Latin Recording Academy bestows Special Awards annually to performers and other creative professionals who have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording during their careers. Lifetime Achievement Award recipients include icons such as Armando Manzanero, Mocedades, José Feliciano, Rita Moreno, Los Lobos, Djavan, Angélica María, and Piero; Trustees Awards recipients include notables Rafael Escalona, Yomo Toro, Simón Díaz, and Humberto Gatica. The 2017 recipients, among others, include João Bosco, Ilan Chester, Víctor Heredia, and Los Del Río.

18. The Latin Person Of The Year Represents 10 Countries
A flagship Latin GRAMMY Week event, the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year honors a Latin artist for their significant music and philanthropic contributions. A portion of the proceeds from the event benefit the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. A diverse roster of recipients spanning 10 countries have received the award: Emilio Estefan Jr. (Cuba), Julio Iglesias (Spain), Vicente Fernández (Mexico), Gilberto Gil (Brazil), Carlos Santana (U.S.), José José (Mexico), Ricky Martin (Puerto Rico), Juan Luis Guerra (Dominican Republic), Gloria Estefan (Cuba), Juan Gabriel (Mexico), Plácido Domingo (Spain), Shakira (Colombia), Caetano Veloso (Brazil), Miguel Bosé (Panama), Joan Manuel Serrat (Spain), Roberto Carlos (Brazil), and Marc Anthony (United States). The 2017 honoree is Spain's Sanz.