The Biggest Night in Latin Music took over Las Vegas on Nov. 15 for the 19th Latin GRAMMY Awards and celebrated some of its brightest rising and established stars. The evening made some artist first-time winners and gave other artists more awards to add to their collection, with many taking to social media to celebrate with fans.
Several incredibly talented young artists had the excitement of taking home their first Latin GRAMMY wins, including Spain's nuevo flamenco popstar Rosalía, Colombia's reigning queen of reggaeton Karol G and fellow Colombian Maluma, the sensual pop-infused reggaeton singer. Another Colombian reggaetonero, the forefather of the reemergence of the genre, J Balvin, took home his third Latin GRAMMY this year.
Karol G took home the high honor of winning Best New Artist and GRAMMY-nominated pop singer Halsey, who handed the award over to her, could not but help but share Karol G's excitement, reflecting on the joy she felt when receiving her first GRAMMY nod.
"My first Grammy nomination was a massive moment in my life and I was so excited to hand @KarolGmusic her award at the @LatinGRAMMYs tonight," Halsey said. "So well deserved beauty felicidades [congratulations]."
Halsey received her first two GRAMMY nominations at the 59th GRAMMY Awards. Karol G replied to the singer with, "Today was an entire dream."
Another first time Latin GRAMMY winner, Rosalía, was thrilled to take home two awards last night, both for her song "Malamente," which she also performed. During her second acceptance speech, for Best Fusion/Urban Interpretation, she thanked the female musicians, including Lauryn Hill and Björk, that came before her and continue to inspire her. The Spanish star's reaction on Twitter to her second win summed up the excitement perfectly: "SECOND GRAMMY MALAMENTE OMG OMG OMG OMG."
She was unable to make it to her first Latin GRAMMY acceptance, so uploaded a video on Instagram to excitedly tell her fans about it, "Omg, omg they have told me I have just won my first GRAMMY," she said on her way to the event. "I'm flipping out."
Maluma, looking ultra-stylish in a fitted all-black suit, also took home his first Latin GRAMMY, for Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album for F.A.M.E, his third LP released earlier this year. He showed off his GRAMMY and fashionable digs on Instagram with a caption that translates to: "IT WAS NOT BEFORE, IT WAS NOT AFTER. IT WAS TODAY."
J Balvin took home his third Latin GRAMMY this year for Best Urban Music Album for Vibras, his hit-filled fifth studio album released in May 2018. He gave a moving speech about the positive influence of reggaeton and even shouted out fellow category-nominee and Puerto Rican reggaeton star Ozuna. Balvin's recent Instagram post showed him raising the award in the air on stage with a fittingly simple yet powerful caption that translates to: "Latin Grammys. GOD BLESS REGGAETON. AMEN."
