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Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin

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Ricky Martin & Enrique Iglesias Announce Joint World Tour: "This Is A Special Moment In Latin Music"

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The Latin music kings are joining forces and bringing along Colombia artist Sebastian Yatra as a special guest
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Mar 4, 2020 - 5:12 pm

Today, March 4, two of the biggest names in Latin music, Ricky Martin and Enrique Iglesias, have announced a joint world tour. 

The GRAMMY winners will launch the historic tour on Sept. 5 in Phoenix and will stop in more than 20 cities, including Los Angeles, Toronto, Miami, Houston and New York. 

Martin and Iglesias have been friends since the start of Igelsias' career and have thought about going on the road together for some time.

"We always spoke and we always stayed in contact and we thought that this would happen at some point," Iglesias said at a joint press conference in West Hollywood, Calif. "We didn't know exactly when, and I think we are in that point in our lives and our careers. We're going to have fun."

Martin said the two, who have each amassed several awards and number one hits, will go down memory lane and bring audiences together. 

The tour marks the first time Martin, who is currently on his Movimiento tour, has ever toured with another artist. Iglesias, who launched his career in the mid-'90s (shortly after Martin had established himself as a boy band member-turned-soloist), says he knows he will learn a lot from the "La Mordidita" singer. 

"I'm going to sit back watch and learn," he said.

The tour is still in its production stages so Martin and Iglesias did not have much to share about what fans can expect, but they could confirm that it would include new music and even teased a possible duet. (Iglesias is working on the follow-up to 2014's Sex And Love, which will be released later this year, and Martin says he likes to "improvise a lot" in his live shows.) 

"This is a moment in Latin music that is special," Iglesias said. "It's going to happen now. We don't know if it's going to happen again ever, so we want to enjoy it."

Martin said they would be joined by incredible musicians on tour and that fans should get ready to enjoy themselves: "Get ready to have a good time and just forget about all the issues."

The two superstars will have GRAMMY-nominated Colombian star Sebastian Yatra on tour with them. Yatra, who was also at the press conference and will release a song with Martin soon, said they are his biggest idols and visualized a moment like this for a long time. 

Presale for the tour begins March 11. More info here. 

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Jennifer Lopez circa 2000

Jennifer Lopez

Photo: WireImage.com

Feature

1999: The Year Latin Pop Conquered America

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1999 saw an unprecedented dominance of Latin pop sounds in American music, opening the public's ears to multilingual songwriting
Brian Haack
GRAMMYs
Oct 6, 2017 - 3:15 pm

The U.S. music scene in 1999 saw an unprecedented surge in the popularity of Latin pop.

Hispanic artists and various elements of Latin sounds dominated the charts to such an extent that by the end of the year even artists with no Latin heritage to speak of were looking to capitalize on the movement by recording Spanish-language versions of their singles in hopes of activating the crossover market.

Sure, there were prior Latin crossover rumblings — remember Dru's Hill's 1998 Latin-inflected Top 3 hit "How Deep Is Your Love" from Rush Hour? But most argue that it all started with Ricky Martin.

Ricky Martin

"It was completely sudden, and it had a lot to do with Ricky. After his performance at the GRAMMYs, everyone was on alert, so to speak, and expecting his new album. The first hit, of course, was "Livin' La Vida Loca" with that sensational video. I think that was the beginning." — Leila Cobo, executive director of Latin content and programming, Billboard

As a young man, Martin came to prominence between the ages of 12 and 17 as a member of the GRAMMY-nominated boy band Menudo. The Puerto Rico native was also a successful actor and solo recording artist before he burst onto the U.S. music scene in 1999. In the '90s, he acted in TV series such as "General Hospital" and "Getting By," telenovelas and stage plays, and he'd released four successful Spanish-language albums.

Martin won his first career GRAMMY — Best Latin Pop Performance for Vuelve — at the 41st GRAMMY Awards in 1999, but it was his show-stopping performance of "La Copa De La Vida" that same year that made it clear something big was on the horizon.

Martin's "Livin La Vida Loca" was released one month after his spectacular GRAMMY performance, and quickly became his first-ever No. 1 charting single, holding the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks. 

The singer's self-titled fifth solo album — his English debut — was released two months later, and hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 almost immediately. The most successful album of Martin's career, it has gone on to sell well over 15 million copies worldwide. Needless to say, 1999 was a big year for the Puerto Rican pop star.

Leila Cobo, executive director of Latin content and programming for Billboard, was working as Miami Herald's pop music critic at the time, recalls one event that served as an interesting tell sign.

"I went to cover [the signing] and found a line of hysterical girls at 11 a.m. on a school day that went on for blocks," she says. "I had never seen anything like this, ever."

Writing for Billboard roughly a month after "Livin La Vida Loca" hit store shelves, Michael Paoletta, now executive producer, A&R and music supervision for Comma Music, commented prophetically, "In the weeks since [the GRAMMYs], it seems like every record label exec has been in a heated search for the next Latin hottie."

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez had worked as a successful dancer and actress during the '90s, notably appearing as a Fly Girl on Keenan and Damon Wayans' sketch comedy and variety show "In Living Color." In 1997 Lopez earned a huge breakthrough in the leading role as GRAMMY-winning Tejano singer Selena in the titular biopic about her life and tragic death. The Bronx native's performance in the film was lauded by critics and fans alike, putting her in the entertainment spotlight and at the same time making her ripe to become the breakout female star to help propel the Latin pop movement.

Lopez's debut single, "If You Had My Love," was released in May 1999, just a week before Martin's self-titled album hit the shelves, arriving at the perfect time to sate the appetites of stateside listeners. The single climbed to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the best-selling singles in the U.S. for 1999. Lopez's first studio album, On The 6, released a few weeks later, also skyrocketed, debuting at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and ultimately earning triple-platinum status.

"Waiting For Tonight," the second radio single from On The 6, would go on to be nominated for Best Dance Recording at the 42nd GRAMMY Awards.

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The same month that saw Lopez release On The 6 also saw another well-established Latin pop star blow up in the U.S.

Enrique Iglesias

Enrique Iglesias had previously won his first GRAMMY for Best Latin Pop Performance for his first self-titled 1995 studio album. The Spanish singer also came from an impressive musical pedigree, being the son of GRAMMY-winning Latin pop crooner Julio Iglesias.

"Bailamos," the junior Iglesias' inaugural English language release, was selected for the 1999 blockbuster action flick Wild Wild West, thanks in part to a request from GRAMMY winner Will Smith. The single would top the Billboard Hot 100 and become an immense success, eventually selling more than 5 million copies worldwide.

Almost certainly the biggest success story of the 1999 Latin pop explosion, however, was to be the eponymous band led by then-52-year-old guitar god Carlos Santana.

Santana

"We connected with hip-hoppers. … We connected with middle white America, we connected with Latin America, Africa, Asia, Australia. It's like the Champs-Elysées in Paris: This CD is connected to all the streets." — Carlos Santana on Supernatural, 1999

When Santana's 17th studio album, Supernatural, was released in 1999, the group had been playing live together for longer than the likes of Martin, Lopez and Iglesias had been alive. The album's lead single, "Smooth," featuring Matchbox 20's Rob Thomas, was an absolute phenomenon that year. It spent an astonishing 12 weeks in the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Santana's first chart-topping song.

For The Record: Carlos Santana

Supernatural would net Santana a total of eight GRAMMYs at the 42nd GRAMMY Awards, including Album Of The Year and Best Rock Album, with "Smooth" taking home Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals. Commercially, Supernatural would eventually sell more than 30 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time. Due to its equally strong chart performance, "Smooth" would be the final song of the decade to stand atop the Hot 100.

The Latin GRAMMY Awards

Following the incredible explosion of Latin pop music in 1999, the year 2000 heralded the inception of the Latin GRAMMY Awards, hosted by the Latin Recording Academy, which was established in 1997 as a counterpart to the Recording Academy.

Nuyorican Marc Anthony would become the first artist to take home the inaugural Latin GRAMMY for Song Of The Year, Record Of The Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "I Need To Know (Dímelo)," from his Top 10 1999 self-titled album.

While some later argued that the 1999 Latin explosion was a brief high-gloss blip on the pop culture radar, its impact cannot be underestimated. The 2000s and beyond have seen a steady stream of Latin artists dent the Billboard charts — including Shakira, Juanes, Luis Fonsi, J Balvin, and Nicky Jam, among others. The past year has seen the continuing dominance of Latin sounds in the modern pop scene, with crossover hits such as Fonsi and Daddy Yankee's "Despacito" serving as but one example.

And the Latin GRAMMY Awards has emerged as The Biggest Night in Latin Music, honoring top Latin music talent and featuring top-shelf performances that thrill millions worldwide — a testament to the staying power of Latin music.

"To have a song in Spanish, and to be in the top of the Hot 100, that's something that rarely happens," Fonsi told CNN regarding "Despacito." "I'm just very proud that Latin music has grown so much and people are just really connecting to it."

News

12th Annual Latin GRAMMY Nominations Announced

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Calle 13 leads diverse field with a record 10 nods, followed by producer/engineer Rafa Arcaute with six nominations and Franco De Vita with five
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2014 - 4:06 pm

Nominations for the 12th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards were announced today at a press conference attended by national and international media at the Avalon in Hollywood, Calif. The event was streamed live on LatinGRAMMY.com.

The 12th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards, set for Nov. 10 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, will be broadcast live on the Univision Network from 8–11 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. Central).

"For more than 10 years now, the Latin GRAMMY nominations continue to bring together the worldwide Latin music community by recognizing excellence and impact in recorded Latin music," said Gabriel Abaroa Jr., President/CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. "It is always encouraging to see creative professionals acknowledging their peers and highlighting a varied and wide-ranging group of Latin music makers that reflects emerging talent as well as established artists. We look forward to another year of celebrating the best and brightest in Latin music, and to presenting another great telecast in Las Vegas on Nov. 10 with our friends and partners at Univision."

In another year that recognized a diverse array of music makers across numerous genres, the nominations highlight an eclectic mix of well-known and rising performers and creative professionals. Ten-time Latin GRAMMY and two-time GRAMMY winners Eduardo Cabra and René Perez of Calle 13 lead this year's Latin GRAMMY nominations with a record 10 nods: Album Of The Year (with Edgar Abraham, Rafa Arcaute, James Cruz, Iván Gutiérrez, Ramón Martínez, Edgardo Matta, Daniel Ovie, and Carlos Velázquez) and Best Urban Music Album for Entren Los Que Quieran; Album Of The Year, as producers, for Shakira's Sale El Sol (with Eduardo Bergallo, Michael Brauer, Lukas Burton, Gustavo Celis, Dave Clauss, John Hill, Alex Leader, Stephen Marcussen, Lester Méndez, Mark Needham, Joel Numa, Luis Fernando Ochoa, Andros Rodríguez, Jonathan Shakhovskoy, Shakira, and Ed Williams); Record Of The Year (with Felipe Alvarez, Rafa Arcaute, David Cárdenas, Iván Gutiérrez, Ramón Martinez, Edgardo Matta, Daniel Ovie, and Carlos Velázquez) and Song Of The Year (with Rafa Arcaute) for "Latinoamérica"; Best Urban Song for "Baile De Los Pobres" (with Rafa Arcaute); Best Alternative Song (with Rafa Arcaute) and Best Short Form Music Video (with Alejandro Santiago) for "Calma Pueblo"; Best Tropical Song for "Vamo' A Portarnos Mal"; and Producer Of The Year (with Rafa Arcaute).

Producer/engineer Rafa Arcaute has six nods: Album Of The Year for Calle 13's Entren Los Que Quieran (with Calle 13, Edgar Abraham, James Cruz, Iván Gutiérrez, Ramón Martinez, Edgardo Matta, Daniel Ovie, and Carlos Velázquez); Record Of The Year (with Calle 13, Felipe Álvarez, Rafa Arcaute, David Cárdenas, Iván Gutiérrez, Ramón Martínez, Edgardo Matta, Daniel Ovie, and Carlos Velázquez) and Song Of The Year (with Calle 13) for "Latinoamérica"; Best Urban Song for "Baile De Los Pobres" (with Calle 13); Best Alternative Song for "Calma Pueblo" (with Calle 13); and Producer Of The Year (with Calle 13).

Franco De Vita received five nominations: Album Of The Year (with David Cabrera, Mike Couzzi, Juan Pablo Falluca, and Sebastian Krys); Best Male Pop Vocal Album and Best Long Form Music Video (with Diego Alvarez and Vicente Solis) for En Primera Fila; and Record Of The Year (with David Cabrera, Juan Pablo Falluca, Alejandra Guzmán, and Sebastian Krys) and Best Short Form Music Video (with Diego Alvarez, Alejandra Guzmán and Vicente Solís) for "Tan Sólo Tú."

Latin GRAMMY winner Marco Antonio Solís scored four nominations: Song Of The Year and Best Regional Mexican Song for "¿A Dónde Vamos A Parar?"; Best Male Pop Vocal Album for En Total Plenitud; and Best Regional Mexican Song for "Tú Me Vuelves Loco."

Pablo Alborán, Desmond Child, Paquito D'Rivera, Sebastian Krys, Maná, Ricky Martin, Joan Sebastian, Shakira, and Zoé each garnered three nominations, and an eclectic mix of established and emerging music makers are among those with two nods each, including: Alex, Jorge Y Lena; Aureo Baqueiro; Rubén Blades; Gustavo Borner; Claudia Brant; David Cabrera; Doctor Krápula; Don Omar; Paula Fernandes; Alejandra Guzmán; Il Volo; La Vida Bohéme; Los Tigres Del Norte; Pitbull; Sie7e; Caetano Veloso; and Wisin Y Yandel.

This year's Album Of The Year nominees feature some of the most prominent names in Latin music: Alex, Jorge Y Lena for Alex, Jorge Y Lena; Calle 13 for Entren Los Que Quieran; Franco De Vita for En Primera Fila; Enrique Iglesias for Euphoria; and Shakira for Sale El Sol.

The race for Record Of The Year features a diverse array of musical styles and artists: "Latinoamérica" by Calle 13; "Tan Sólo Tú" by Franco De Vita with Alejandra Guzmán; "Gritar" by Luis Fonsi; "Golpes En El Corazón" by Los Tigres Del Norte; and "Lo Mejor De Mi Vida Eres Tú" by Ricky Martin featuring Natalia Jiménez.

The Best New Artist category highlights some of the brightest newcomers from around the Latin music world: Pablo Alborán (Spain), Max Capote (Uruguay/Argentina), Paula Fernandes (Brazil), Il Volo (Italy), and Sie7e (Puerto Rico).

Artists reading nominations this morning included Lena Burke and Jorge Villamizar of Latin pop trio Alex, Jorge Y Lena; urban/hip-hop duo Calle 13; Latin GRAMMY-winning producer Desmond Child; singer/songwriter Myriam Hernández; pop singer Merche; Norteño band Los Tucanes de Tijuana; Latin pop singer Reyli; and Ángel Mosqueda and Rodrigo Guardiola of alternative rock band Zoé.

The 12th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards will feature 46 categories and will be supported on radio via Univision Radio (the official Spanish-language radio network of the Latin GRAMMY Awards), and highlighted at www.latingrammy.com and www.latingrammy.univision.com, featuring video interviews and behind-the-scenes footage from today's nominations announcement. Additionally, the telecast will be distributed internationally to more than 100 countries.

A limited number of tickets to the 12th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards will be available for sale to the public starting Sept. 15, and may be purchased at the Mandalay Bay Events Center box office or through Ticketmaster.

For a complete coverage, media credentialing instructions and more information, please visit www.latingrammy.com. For updates and breaking news, please visit The Latin Recording Academy's social networks on Twitter and Facebook.
 

News

Who's Performing On The Latin GRAMMYs?

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From Ricky Martin and Pitbull to Natalie Cole and Jesse & Joy, view a complete list of 14th Latin GRAMMY performers
Crystal Larsen
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2014 - 4:06 pm

With the 14th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards quickly approaching, it's time to think about finalizing your to-do list for your official Latin GRAMMY party. Snacks? Check. Favorite beverage? Check. Dessert? Check.

Now, all you have to do is tune in to the Univision Network on Nov. 21 from 8–11 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. Central). To help you get Latin GRAMMY-ready, we've compiled a handy alphabetical guide to artists who will be taking the Latin GRAMMY stage.

And the performers for the 14th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards are:

Pablo Alborán

Marc Anthony

Banda Carnaval with Calibre 50

Miguel Bosé

Willy Chirino, Oscar D'Leon, Jose Alberto "El Canario," Sergio George, Ismael Miranda, and Tito Nieves in a special segment celebrating salsa

Natalie Cole

El Dasa with Wisin (of Wisin Y Yandel)

Leslie Grace with Zarkana by Cirque du Soleil

Enrique Iglesias featuring India Martínez

Jesse & Joy featuring Mario Domm

Juanes, Ricky Martin and Laura Pausini paying tribute to 2013 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Miguel Bosé

Natalia Lafourcade

Maluma with Becky G

Gian Marco with Yandel (of Wisin Y Yandel)

Paquita La Del Barrio with Mariachi Sol De México De José Hernández

Pitbull with El Cata

Draco Rosa

Alejandro Sanz with 29 students from Berklee College of Music

Carlos Vives

For updates and breaking news, visit The Latin Recording Academy's social networks on Twitter and Facebook.

 

GRAMMYs

Kristen Madsen, Sr. Vice President of the GRAMMY Foundation, speaks at Music In Focus, the 11th Annual GRAMMY Foundation Music Preservation Project, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre on Feb. 4, 2009, in Los Angeles 
 

Rick Diamond/WireImage.com

News

Latin GRAMMYs Light Up Las Vegas

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THE GRAMMYs
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2014 - 3:22 pm

Welcome to The Set List. Here you'll find the latest recaps for many of your favorite artists. In this special installment of The Set List, we're bringing you the scoop from the 11th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards. As always, we'll do our best to provide you with every detail of the show, from which artists performed, to what the artists were wearing and ultimately, who took home the statues. Hey, it'll be like you were there. Feel free to drop us a comment and let us know your favorite moment from the 11th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards.

By Fernando González

Hosted by actor/comedian Eugenio Derbez and actress/singer Lucero, the 11th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards in Las Vegas were marked by spirited performances and a colorful flare.

Taking place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, the evening got off to an energetic start with spectacularly staged versions of "La Guagua" and "Lola's Mambo" by Dominican singer/songwriter Juan Luis Guerra, the latter featuring additional color from trumpeter Chris Botti.

Spanish singer Alejandro Sánz won the first statue of the telecast, taking home Best Male Pop Vocal Album for Paraíso Express. In a brief speech, Sánz recalled the inaugural Latin GRAMMY Awards in 2000 and commented on "how far we have come."

Venezuelan duo Chino y Nacho were exultant after winning Best Urban Music Album for Mi Niña Bonita. Next, singer/songwriter Pedro Fernández turned in a Vegas-worthy ranchero/pop combo of "Celosa" and "Amarte A La Antigua" — the latter of which won for Best Regional Mexican song — featuring violins, traditional instruments and a quartet of dancers.

It was a big night for Camila — Mario Domm, Pablo Hurtado and Samo. The Mexican trio won two awards: Best Pop Album By A Duo Or Group With Vocal for Dejarte De Amar and Record Of The Year for "Mientes." "Mientes" also won Song Of The Year, a songwriters award that went to Domm and Mónica Vélez. After picking up their first award of the evening, Domm said, "We only have had a five-year career and frankly we have dreamed of holding this statuette. Thank you."

Sporting a preppy V-neck sweater and tie, Latin GRAMMY winner Enrique Iglesias performed "No Me Digas Que No" and "I Like It" from his bilingual album Euphoria with help from the duo Wisin y Yandel and a stirring marching band. Iglesias got the audience up and dancing with his performance, which also included sly quotes from Lionel Richie's "All Night Long."

New York-born bachata artist Prince Royce incorporated a theatrical '50s setting with a performance of his bachata-tinged version of "Stand By Me." Standing beside him onstage was R&B legend Ben E. King, the song's original singer and co-writer. The classic, a Top 10 hit for King in 1961 and again in 1986, has proved its universal and timeless qualities in becoming a chart-topping hit for Prince Royce.

Havana-born singer/songwriter Alex Cuba, who moved to Canada in 1999, won the coveted Best New Artist award. Singer Jenni Rivera, nominated in the Best Ranchero Album category for La Gran Señora, her first album consisting completely of mariachi music, performed a medley of "Ya Lo Sé" and "Porque No Le Calas."

Latin GRAMMY winner Ricky Martin presented the 2010 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year award to legendary tenor Plácido Domingo. Clearly moved, the maestro clutched his award and said, "There are so many persons in this community who are deserving of being called Person of the Year and they surely will…. This is so special coming from The Latin [Recording Academy]. I will carry this with me as something very deep. Thank you."

Three-time Latin GRAMMY-winning Nuyorican singer Marc Anthony performed "Y Como Es El" from Iconos, which was nominated for Best Male Pop Vocal Album, joined by José Luis Perales, the song's writer and original performer. Anthony, who can croon one moment and turn into a sonero on a dime, followed the ballad performance with an impeccable salsa reading of "Tu Amor Me Hace Bien," from his 2004 album Valió La Pena.

Banda El Recodo, an institution in banda music, performed "Dime Que Me Quieres," a track from their Best Banda Album-winning Me Gusta Todo De Ti. (The award was shared by La Original Banda El Limon De Salvador Lizárraga's Soy Tu Maestro.) It marked a winning return for Banda El Recodo, who won their first award for Banda Performance at the 1st Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards in 2000.

Canadian-born singer Nelly Furtado and rapper Mala Rodríguez joined forces for "Fuerte" and "Bajo Otra Luz," featuring the white-masked and -gloved Jabbawockeez, an all-male modern dance/hip-hop crew from San Diego who has their own live special in Las Vegas, "MÜS.I.C."

Cristián de la Fuentes and the seemingly time-defying "Cuchi-Cuchi" Charo presented the award for Best Regional Mexican Song, which went to Pedro Fernández's "Amarte A La Antigua," written by Yoel Henriquez and Paco Lugo.

Basking in the glow of their Latin GRAMMY wins, Camila performed "Besame," incorporating a mix of the great romantic song tradition in Latin music with imagery and elements (most notably, electric guitar) of rock. The staging included a performance by "Le Rêve," featuring slow-motion acrobatic and aquatic routines that seemed to happen in a cloud.

Spanish singer Rosario, a two-time Latin GRAMMY winner and charismatic performer who was nominated in the Best Female Pop Vocal Album category, performed a salsa-tinged "Cuentame Que Te Paso" amid a cheeky beach scene.

Mexican singer Alejandro Fernández, who can move with ease between pop and traditional styles, turned the huge hall into a living room as he became a smooth crooner and bolerista performing "Vamos A Darnos Tiempo" and "Jurame."

Furtado won the award for Best Female Pop Vocal Album for Mi Plan and was clearly stunned. Speaking in an accented Spanish, she explained, "I didn't prepare anything…this is for my Latin fans. I love you."

Ricky Martin's much-awaited return to the stage followed. Martin, who admitted his hesitation in coming out a gay man because he was scared of rejection, was warmly received in his first major live appearance since his announcement in March. Martin was joined by Spanish singer Natalia Jiménez for his new Spanish-language song "Lo Mejor De Mi Vida Eres Tu," the first single from his upcoming bilingual album to be released in 2011. Instead of the hyper performances that sparked "Ricky mania" in years past, this mid-tempo piece was more subdued, featuring a lilting reggae-like groove with Martin and Jimenez singing seated, side-by-side, before ending with a stroll among the audience and a warm embrace.

Returning from the commercial break afterward, Derbez slyly commented on "how far the Latin GRAMMYs have come." He continued, "Eleven years ago Ricky Martin was the sexual fantasy of many women. Tonight," and here the audience held its collective breath, "Ricky Martin sang wonderfully."

Guerra completed an extraordinary night in winning a third award for Album Of The Year for A Son De Guerra, following wins for Best Tropical Song and Best Contemporary Tropical Album. During his Album Of The Year-winning speech, Guerra said his album had "romantic characteristics," but also carried "social concerns." In the most political speech of the evening Guerra said, "It's time to ask for more justice, more honesty….This [award] is for Latin America."

Colombian hip-hop trio ChocQuibTown, winners earlier for Best Alternative Song, added some spark to the proceedings with a version of their electrifying "De Donde Vengo Yo," a song that blends traditional Afro-Colombian rhythms from the Pacific coast of Colombia with rap and hip-hop. They were followed by Chino y Nacho, who offered a fast-paced medley of "Mi Niña Bonita" and "Lo Que No Sabes Tu."

The 11th Latin GRAMMY Awards ended with a terrific performance by two veterans, the salsero Gilberto Santa Rosa and the great Dominican merenguero Johnny Ventura. The duo sang "Hay Que Dejarse De Vaina," which roughly translates to "We Need To Stop The Jiving."

During the Latin GRAMMY Pre-Telecast earlier in the afternoon, Gilberto Gil won two awards for Best MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) Album and Best Native Brazilian Roots Album. Argentine rocker Gustavo Cerati picked up two Latin GRAMMY Awards for Best Rock Album and Best Rock Song, and his album Fuerza Natural garnered a third win for Best Recording Package. Cerati has been in a coma since he suffered a stroke after a concert in Caracas, Venezuela, in May, so his wins marked one of the more moving story lines from this year's memorable show.

(Photo information: Juan Luis Guerra at the 11th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards | Photo: Michael Caulfield/WireImage.com)