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Get Familiar With The Best New Artist Nominees At The 2022 Latin GRAMMYs

Learn more about the 11 rising stars nominated for Best New Artist at the 2022 Latin GRAMMYs: Angela Alvarez, Sofía Campos, Cande Y Paulo, Clarissa, Silvana Estrada, Pol Granch, Nabález, Tiare, Vale, Yahritza Y Su Esencia, and Nicole Zignago.

GRAMMYs/Nov 17, 2022 - 09:57 pm

The below article is an excerpt from the 2022 Latin GRAMMYs program book, which you can read in full here.

As some of the biggest artists, songs and albums in Latin music are celebrated at the 2022 Latin GRAMMYs, so will its next generation in the Best New Artist category.

This year, there are 11 nominees: Angela Alvarez, Sofía Campos, Cande Y Paulo, Clarissa, Silvana Estrada, Pol Granch, Nabález, Tiare, Vale, Yahritza Y Su Esencia, and Nicole Zignago. Whether you're a huge fan or new to the names, GRAMMY.com has all the info you need to know about each of those artists ahead of the Nov. 17 broadcast.

Below, get to know all of the 2022 Latin GRAMMY Best New Artist nominees. Then, be sure to tune into the 23rd Latin GRAMMY Awards on Univision at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. CT) to see which rising star wins!

The 2022 Latin GRAMMYs will also air on cable channel TNT at 19.00 (MEX) / 20.00 (PAN-COL) / 21.00 (VEN) / 22.00 (ARG/CHI/BRAZIL), and on Televisa Channel 5. The show will also be available on HBO Max in Spanish only.

Angela Alvarez

Angela Alvarez's story is like something out of a movie. At an early age, she was forbidden by her father from pursuing a career singing in Cuban nightclubs. After the Cuban Revolution, she made the harrowing decision to send her four children to the United States. After joining them later and building a life in her adopted homeland for decades, her grandson, composer Carlos José Alvarez, recorded her performing the songs that had entertained countless family gatherings. Condensing an entire life into one powerful hour, her self-titled debut was a sensation. It not only made the 95-year-old bolero singer the oldest Latin GRAMMY nominee, but also a film star, with an acclaimed biographical documentary (Miss Angela) and a role in the latest remake of Father of the Bride. — Andrew Casillas*

Sofía Campos

Sofía Campos, an independent singer/songwriter from Argentina who makes dreamy, inviting and heartfelt music in Spanish and Portuguese, describes it as "a mix of the places I've visited: Brazil, Mexico, Argentina." In 2021, she self-released her sunbeam-filled 10-track sophomore album, Lugares Imaginarios, recorded with producer Matías Cella. It features her beautiful collaboration with Natalia Lafourcade, "Verde Nocturno," as well as one with her brother, Chaco Campos, "Segredos Nossos." She released her first EP, Rosa Laranja, in 2018, followed by her debut album, Salvar El Fuego, in 2019. The prestigious South by Southwest Conference selected her to perform as an official artist at its Austin, Texas, festival in April, her first U.S. show. Campos wears her heart on her sleeve with her music, which is perfect for a walk admiring nature or a laid-back cafecito break. — Ana Monroy Yglesias

Cande Y Paulo

Cande y Paulo embody all that is unexpected and sensuous in a style that blends jazz, the classics and the unflinching daring. One day in 2017 this duo decided to upload to social media their performance of the eternally beloved song by Luis Alberto Spinetta, "Barro Tal Vez." A few months and 10 million views later, many discovered that the Cande Buasso y Paulo Carrizo duo was a force to be reckoned with. Hailing from a valley in the San Juan province of Argentina, they're both tenacious, products of a classical music education and families with diverse tastes in music and rhythms. Paulo impresses with his musical prowess, and Cande bewitches with her velvet voice. The end result is a sound that has already traveled much further than they ever imagined. — Ana Santiago

Clarissa

Going from social media influencer to Latin GRAMMY nominee in the span of a year and a half would be a feat for anyone. But for Brazilian indie pop chanteuse Clarissa Müller, it seems almost expected. She has a versatility that's exceedingly rare these days and that is reflected on her self-titled debut EP. Anyone expecting simple songs about overnight fame will be quickly surprised, however, as Clarissa explores themes like love, desire and empowerment with a startling maturity. Perhaps this is best showcased on the single "Ela," which details a burgeoning same-sex romance and the accompanying fear, anxiety, affection and tenderness that are familiar to anyone who's ever been in love. — Andrew Casillas

Silvana Estrada

Silvana Estrada calmly entered the Latin music landscape, and her poetic revolution instantly began. Reared in a family of luthiers in Coatepec, Veracruz, where the son jarocho resonated, the singer and multi-instrumentalist searched her soul to find her voice early on. Her roots, also inspired by jazz, run deep in Latin American folklore, cultivating a powerful, intimate voice that at times channels the spirit of its greats; think Chavela Vargas or Mercedes Sosa. One quality of her raw, hushed voice is that it can turn fiery in an instant. Paired with the pristine fingerstyle of her Venezuelan cuatro, it can evoke the twinkling of a starry night, and the sky's more thunderous moments too. Despite her latest work sprouting from lost love (2022's "Marchita" or "withered"), it flourishes brilliantly like a rose sprouting from concrete. — Isabela Raygoza

Pol Granch

Barely into his teens, Pol Granch (born Pablo Grandjean) began to release songs on social media. In 2018, a TV musical talent contest in his native Spain, Factor X España, opened doors for him. In 2019, he released his first single, "Late," and a self-titled EP. They would be followed by a debut album, Tengo Que Calmarme. Since then, however, the agenda of this pop singer/songwriter, who also claims French heritage, has been anything but calm. Last year, he found widespread recognition with a single and remix, "Tiroteo," featuring Marc Seguí and Rauw Alejandro, respectively. And this year, the twentysomething has another album to his name, Amor Escupido. Spit Love? Well, no one ever said love was easy to understand. — Juan Carlos Pérez-Duthie

Nabález

With his rugged mix of cowboy-pop with an R&B sensibility, up-and-coming Colombian troubadour Nabález is someone to watch. Growing up in Atlanta, Felipe González Abad got immersed in the world of gospel and country, but his heart is clearly in his Colombian heritage as he delves ever deeper into the art of the Latin American ballad. As a producer, the beatmaker started cooking tracks for Latin pop stars like Bebe, Greeicy and Karen Méndez, which elevated his proficiency in contemporary pop. As a solo artist, Nabález set his sights on the regional Mexican music horizon, mastering genres such as ranchera and banda. With a string of successful singles that comprise his ranchera debut and with worthy collaborators such as Majo Aguilar (granddaughter of Antonio Aguilar, an icon from Mexican cinema's golden age), his star will only shine brighter. — Isabela Raygoza

Tiare

Venezuelan-Peruvian newcomer Tiare's aptly titled debut EP Dieciséis is a compositional snapshot with material she wrote between the ages of 13 and 16.

It displays thematic maturity and a knack for songwriting. And her mostly

acoustic guitar-driven pop ballads "La Española," "Líneas De Tu Mano" and "Evaluna" showcase Tiare's songwriting talents and her ability to convey coming- of-age themes in a nuanced and relatable way within a warm, flamenco-tinged vocal delivery and skillful guitar. "Evaluna," produced by Latin GRAMMY-nominated hitmaker Periko (Periko & Jessi León), surpassed one million views on YouTube. It's evidence that Tiare's talents are rooted in her ability to connect with a wider audience through her music. — Lissette Corsa

Vale

Vale, the Colombian duo comprised of twin sisters Valentina and Valeria Pérez, displays a rare combination of voices that are at once diaphanous and strong, and they're causing quite a stir in the Latin indie-pop music scene. Together they float ethereally as they overlap and meld harmoniously against a beguiling blend of R&B and folk-pop. Their latest album, Línea Recta, is a collection of eight tracks described by the sisters as "a tribute to imperfections and real beauty." Vale's otherworldly melodies and minimalist acoustic arrangements connote light effervescence on the surface and something deeper within, draped in heartfelt lyrics and tender poeticism, that explore the many crevices where love likes to hide. — Lissette Corsa

Yahritza Y Su Esencia

They've been called the great new promise of regional Mexican music, even though at the beginning of the year, the vocalist of Yahritza y Su Esencia was still in high school. Along with her instrumentalist brothers, Jairo and Mando, Yahritza Martínez grew up in a working-class family in Yakima, Washington. As a small child, she picked fruit in the fields, and at 13 she composed "Soy El Único," with which she tasted digital fame on YouTube. Today, the three Martínez siblings are with Lumbre Music. The label's directors saw a video of a cover made by the group and became, like the title of the trio's debut EP, Obsessed. No matter what the future holds, these young talents understand that they must preserve what sets them apart them: their essence. — Juan Carlos Pérez-Duthie

Nicole Zignago

This past year, Nicole Zignago has gone from behind-the-scenes hitmaker into the spotlight. The Peruvian singer/songwriter made her reputation co-penning global hits like Sofía Reyes' "1, 2, 3" and Mariah Angeliq's "Taxi." After signing with Warner Music México late last year, Zignago debuted as an artist in May with the EP Así Me Siento Hoy. As the title suggests, she has compiled a collection of six deeply personal songs that showcase her versatility. Soaring ballad "Preguntas" finds her processing her feelings after a difficult breakup. Later, in the flamenco-infused "Feelings," Zignago has shaken off the heartbreak. She also embraces elements of R&B in the funky love song "Me Gusta Que Me Gustes." Zignago, also known for being the daughter of singer Gian Marco, is now making a name for herself. — Lucas Villa

2022 Latin GRAMMYs Nominees Announced: See The Complete List

Christina Aguilera GRAMMY Rewind Hero

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GRAMMY Rewind: Christina Aguilera Celebrates Her Latin Heritage After Winning Her First Latin GRAMMY In 20 Years

In May 2022, Christina Aguilera made a stunning return to Latin music with ‘Aguilera.’ Six months later, she won her second Latin GRAMMY — and she made sure to thank everyone who was part of the journey.

GRAMMYs/Nov 17, 2023 - 06:01 pm

Last year, pop diva Christina Aguilera returned to her Ecuadorian roots with Aguilera, her first full Spanish-language album since Mi Reflejo (2000). By the end of the year, she snagged multiple awards for the LP, including Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 2022 Latin GRAMMY Awards.

In this episode of GRAMMY Rewind, revisit the moment Aguilera took the stage to accept her gramophone for her self-titled project.

"This is so important to me, and it's been amazing to come back to this home," Aguilera shared before expressing gratitude to her collaborators and longtime supporters.

"The fans, the Fighters, thank you so much!" She squealed. "We've been on this journey for so long, so I couldn't thank you more."

It was quite an eventful night for Aguilera. She received seven nominations in total — including Album Of The Year and Record and Song Of The Year for "Pa Mis Muchachas" — and delivered a show-stopping performance of "Cuando Me Dé la Gana" with Christian Nodal.

Press play on the video above to watch Christina Aguilera's complete acceptance speech for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 2022 Latin GRAMMYs, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of GRAMMY Rewind.

10 Incredible Moments From The 2023 Latin GRAMMYs: Rosalía, Shakira, Peso Pluma & More

Kendrick Lamar GRAMMY Rewind Hero
Kendrick Lamar

Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

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GRAMMY Rewind: Kendrick Lamar Honors Hip-Hop's Greats While Accepting Best Rap Album GRAMMY For 'To Pimp a Butterfly' In 2016

Upon winning the GRAMMY for Best Rap Album for 'To Pimp a Butterfly,' Kendrick Lamar thanked those that helped him get to the stage, and the artists that blazed the trail for him.

GRAMMYs/Oct 13, 2023 - 06:01 pm

Updated Friday Oct. 13, 2023 to include info about Kendrick Lamar's most recent GRAMMY wins, as of the 2023 GRAMMYs.

A GRAMMY veteran these days, Kendrick Lamar has won 17 GRAMMYs and has received 47 GRAMMY nominations overall. A sizable chunk of his trophies came from the 58th annual GRAMMY Awards in 2016, when he walked away with five — including his first-ever win in the Best Rap Album category.

This installment of GRAMMY Rewind turns back the clock to 2016, revisiting Lamar's acceptance speech upon winning Best Rap Album for To Pimp A Butterfly. Though Lamar was alone on stage, he made it clear that he wouldn't be at the top of his game without the help of a broad support system. 

"First off, all glory to God, that's for sure," he said, kicking off a speech that went on to thank his parents, who he described as his "those who gave me the responsibility of knowing, of accepting the good with the bad."

Looking for more GRAMMYs news? The 2024 GRAMMY nominations are here!

He also extended his love and gratitude to his fiancée, Whitney Alford, and shouted out his Top Dawg Entertainment labelmates. Lamar specifically praised Top Dawg's CEO, Anthony Tiffith, for finding and developing raw talent that might not otherwise get the chance to pursue their musical dreams.

"We'd never forget that: Taking these kids out of the projects, out of Compton, and putting them right here on this stage, to be the best that they can be," Lamar — a Compton native himself — continued, leading into an impassioned conclusion spotlighting some of the cornerstone rap albums that came before To Pimp a Butterfly.

"Hip-hop. Ice Cube. This is for hip-hop," he said. "This is for Snoop Dogg, Doggystyle. This is for Illmatic, this is for Nas. We will live forever. Believe that."

To Pimp a Butterfly singles "Alright" and "These Walls" earned Lamar three more GRAMMYs that night, the former winning Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song and the latter taking Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (the song features Bilal, Anna Wise and Thundercat). He also won Best Music Video for the remix of Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood." 

Lamar has since won Best Rap Album two more times, taking home the golden gramophone in 2018 for his blockbuster LP DAMN., and in 2023 for his bold fifth album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.

Watch Lamar's full acceptance speech above, and check back at GRAMMY.com every Friday for more GRAMMY Rewind episodes. 

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Graphic featuring key art for the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs
Art for the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs

Graphic Courtesy of the Latin Recording Academy

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Latin GRAMMYs 2023: Listen To The Nominees For Best Singer-Songwriter Song

The five nominees for Best Singer-Songwriter Song span genre and country of origin. Listen to the nominated works and tune in to the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs on Nov. 16.

GRAMMYs/Oct 10, 2023 - 02:01 pm

The Latin GRAMMYs have always been about celebrating the diversity of Latin music. This year’s awards ceremony will recognize an even greater diversity of music with three new categories: Songwriter Of The Year, Best Singer-Songwriter Song, and Best Portuguese-Language Urban Performance.

The Best Singer-Songwriter Song must be a single or track from an album currently competing in the Best Singer-Songwriter Album category.

The five artists with songs in the running for Best Singer-Songwriter Song reflect a broad spectrum of songwriting talent from across the Spanish speaking world. The nominees are: Natalia Lafourcade ("De Todas Las Flores"), Valeria Castro ("La Raíz"), Santiago Cruz ("1.200 Kilómetros"), Silvana Estrada ("Si Me Matan"), and Juan Carlos Pérez Soto ("Tu Historia, La Mía y La Verdad").

The 24th Latin GRAMMY Awards will be held on Nov. 16 in Sevilla, Spain. Learn about the inaugural nominees for this new category, then don’t miss the broadcast on Univision at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. CT).

"De Todas Las Flores" – Natalia Lafourcade

Nominated for both Album Of The Year and Singer-Songwriter Album Of The Year, Mexican singer/songwriter Natalia Lafourcade’s De Todas Las Flores was her first collection of original songs since 2015’s, Hasta la Raíz — a hit album that netted her multiple GRAMMY Awards.

Musically restrained and folklorically inspired, De Todas Las Flores has been hailed as a quietly triumphant return. The saudade filled title track is the brightest bloom in the flower crown. "De Todas Las Flores" seems to be blown back and forth by bossa nova and bolero breezes that cushion the song’s bittersweet sentiments.

"La Raíz" – Valeria Castro

Valeria Castro’s music is rooted in the folk songs of her native Canary Islands, but the 23 year-old Spanish singer approaches her craft with a Gen-Z independence that makes it hard to classify under a genre. The songs on her debut full-length Con Cariño y Con Cuidado feature electronic production subtly blended with acoustic instrumentation to create a moody backdrop for her soulful vocals.

Castro’s ability to translate hallowed Iberian musical traditions into the digital present invites comparisons to Rosalía, but the fairytale melody and deeply empathetic lyrics of "La Raíz" make it clear Castro has her own statements to make. Don’t underestimate her delicate vibrato. That’s the sound of a remarkable new talent arriving on the scene.

"200 Kilómetros" – Santiago Cruz

With his socially aware and always pensive songwriting, Colombian artist Santiago Cruz humbly carries forward the banner of Latin American songwriting once hoisted by Victor Jara and Silvio Rodríguez and netted several Latin GRAMMY nominations.

His nomination for the song "1.200 Kilómetros" from his latest album Nueve brings the total to five. Cruz describes his ninth full-length as "reflective, narrative and nostalgic."  With its gentle acoustic percussion and finger-picked guitar "1.200 Kilómetros" sounds sweet and nostalgic as can be, but in reality the song is a thorough indictment of injustice and inequality in Colombian society.

"Si Me Matan" – Silvana Estrada

"Si Me Matan" from Silvana Estrada’s 2023 EP Abrazos is a quiet song, its theme conveyed entirely through her pure, lilting voice with minimal accompaniment from her finger plucked Venezuelan cuatro made by her father.

The hush is deceptive. It is, in fact, a fearless roar in defiance of femicide and violence against women. Her bold cry of protest has been taken up and heard echoing at 8M marches and other demonstrations for the rights of women.

The singer/songwriter from Vercruz, Mexico took home the Latin GRAMMY for Best New Artist in 2022 – an honor she shared with Angela Alvarez that year. That was the year Estrada released her debut album Marchita.

"Tu Historia, La Mía y La Verdad" – Juan Carlos Pérez Soto

Juan Carlos Pérez Soto earned this GRAMMY nomination for "Tu Historia, La Mía y La Verdad," a standout track from his album El Equilibrista. 

The singer and songwriter from Venezuela was known in the 1980s as one half of the duo Fernando & Juan Carlos, with Fernando Osorio. Since, he’s been a producer and written for other musicians, including Luis Fonsi and Ricky Martin, but he neglected his own music for almost 30 years. 

El Equilibrista is the result of his recent return to the studio as a solo musician to record the tender, reflective songs he wrote many years ago.

2023 Latin GRAMMYs: See The Complete Nominations List

Photo of Maria Rita
Maria Rita

Photo: Filipe Redondo and Mauricio Santana /Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy

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Clarissa, Giulia Be & Maria Rita Performed At The Best New Artist Showcase In São Paulo: See Images & Watch Videos

With musical direction by Wilson Simoninha, the exclusive event was held in partnership with Mastercard and attended by members of the Latin Recording Academy, artists and entertainment industry figures.

GRAMMYs/Jul 13, 2023 - 02:50 pm

The Latin Recording Academy presented its Best New Artist Showcase featuring Clarissa and Giulia Be — both Latin GRAMMY nominees in the Best New Artist category in 2022 and 2021, respectively — and Maria Rita, the Best New Artist winner in 2004.

The event, with musical direction by Wilson Simoninha, was held at Espaço Priceless located in the historic city center of São Paulo.

See images and videos from the event below.

"We are very proud to celebrate the careers of Clarissa, Giulia Be and Maria Rita through the Best New Artist Showcase tour — for the first time in São Paulo —i nspiring the next generation of music creators in Brazil and around the world," Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy, said in a statement.

Added Sarah Buchwitz, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Mastercard Brazil: "Music is a universal passion that inspires, nurtures and unites us. We have sponsored the Latin GRAMMYs for years and support the Best New Artist Showcase to increase visibility and growth opportunities for the next generation of artists, uniting passion and purpose.

"This is the first time that we are bringing the event to Brazil at Espaço Priceless," she continued, "our complex of multisensory experiences."

The Best New Artist Showcase tour of Latin America kicked off last November during Latin GRAMMY Week in Las Vegas. The series — which held its second event in Mexico City last month — is an important element of the partnership between Mastercard and The Latin Recording Academy.

Mastercard, the category sponsor, has a longstanding relationship with the music industry and has played a significant role in driving success and recognition of emerging artists globally.

Keep watching this space for more information about the Latin Recording Academy and Latin GRAMMYs!

2023 Latin GRAMMYs To Host First-Ever International Telecast In Sevilla, Spain, On Nov. 16; Nominations To Be Announced Sept. 19