Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy
Rauw Alejandro
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2022 Latin GRAMMYs: Rauw Alejandro Performs A Celestial Medley Of 'Saturno'
With eight nominations, the Puerto Rican singer is among the second most-nominated artists of the night. On the Latin GRAMMY Stage, Rauw Alejandro performed "Desesperados," "Lejos Del Cielo," and "Punto 40" amid UFOs and beams of light.
GRAMMYs/Nov 18, 2022 - 01:29 am
Rauw Alejandro has become a superstar in reggaeton for updating the genre with an electronic twist. The singer is also an accomplished dancer who likes to create music that he can move to. Alejandro gave an out-of-world performance of his hit "Desesperados" with a medley of music from his latest album Saturno.
Alejandro stayed in tune with the futuristic theme of his album Saturno. Among an outer space-themed backdrop, he belted out his songs "Desesperados" and "Lejos Del Cielo." Alejandro also got to flex his dancing skills while performing "Punto 40" with dance troupe the Jabbawockeez. He ended up his explosive performance with the stage in flames.
The Puerto Rican singer is among the second most-nominated artists of the night, with eight nominations. He is tied with his girlfriend, Spanish pop star Rosalía, and Uruguayan rocker Jorge Drexler, who also received eight nominations. Alejandro is competing for Record Of The Year for featuring on Shakira's breakup anthem "Te Felicito," and for Song Of The Year for the Daddy Yankee collaboration "Agua" alongside Chic legend Nile Rodgers.
Alejandro is also competing in the Best Urban Music Album category for his Trap Cake Vol. 2 EP. One of this year's biggest hits, his collaboration "Desesperados" is nominated in both the Best Reggaeton Performance and Best Urban Song category.
Alejandro is no stranger to the Latin GRAMMY Awards, and was nominated for Best New Artist in 2020. At last year’s ceremony his global hit "Todo De Ti" was nominated in both the Song Of The Year and the Record Of The Year categories. Earlier this week, he received his second GRAMMY nomination of his career when Trap Cake Vol. 2 was nominated for Best Música Urbana Album at the 2023 GRAMMY Awards.
Stay tuned for a clip of the performance, and check out the complete list of winners and nominees at the 2022 Latin GRAMMYs.
Arcángel
Photo: Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images
interview
On New Album 'Sentimiento, Elegancia y Más Maldad,' Arcángel Proves He's One Of Reggaetón’s Wittiest Innovators
"You become dexterous at building a reality with words," the reggaetón star says of his inventive flow. Those skills are on full display on Arcángel's brand new album, 'Sentimiento, Elegancia y Más Maldad.'
GRAMMYs/Nov 17, 2023 - 08:19 pm
Earlier this year, rapper and reggaetón star Arcángel collaborated with Bizarrap on one of the Argentine producer’s infamous sessions. A huge global hit, the track — "Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 54" — reminded us all of Arcángel’s devilish sense of humor and the brilliant specificity of his flow: languid, sweetly melodic, loaded with inventive wordplay.
At 37, Austin Agustín Santos is a revered veteran of the urbano genre. Born in New York City, he eventually moved to Puerto Rico and experienced his first brush with fame as part of the reggaetón duo Arcángel & De la Ghetto. His first solo effort, 2008’s El Fenómeno, included the smash "Pa’Que La Pases Bien," heralding his affinity for cutting-edge EDM soundscapes.
Arcángel never lost his Midas touch for generating memorable songs. Last year’s Sr. Santos included "La Jumpa," a kinetic duet with Bad Bunny, and the slick majesty of "PortoBello." Released Nov. 17, his new album, Sentimiento, Elegancia y Más Maldad, boasts high-profile collaborations with Peso Pluma (lead single "La Chamba"), Rauw Alejandro (the EDM-heavy “FP”), Grupo Frontera, Spanish rapper Quevedo, and Feid, among others.
At the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs, Arcángel's "La Jumpa" received nods in the Best Urban Fusion/Performance and Best Urban Song categories; his Bizarrap session and their collaboration, "Bottas" were submitted were submitted as part of BZRP's Producer Of The Year nomination package.
Ahead of the release of his new album, Arcángel spoke with GRAMMY.com about his sophisticated rhymes, the trappings of fame, and the occasional bouts of self-doubt.
The rhymes on your Bizarrap session reference the Tower of Pisa, the shields of the gladiators in the Roman empire, Argentine soccer and luxury cars. How do you come up with this stuff?
It’s something that I’ve been developing since I was a kid. Here in Puerto Rico, we’re big fans of what we call palabreo (non-stop talk.) It’s also my Dominican blood, because people in the Dominican Republic are always making up things.
When I was growing up, my mother fostered a love for reading in me, so I have a lot of information in my head that I can draw from. For instance, no one had referenced the Tower of Pisa in reggaetón before. I’d say a good 80 percent of reggaetoneros may not even know what the Tower of Pisa is. My mother worked hard so that I could get a good education.
Would you say the uniqueness of your style stems from those early years?
I grew up in a highly competitive environment. In the barrio, it was normal for us to improvise and mock each other in a friendly way. If you showed up with dirty sneakers, someone would rap about it. With so many years of practicing, it became a skill. There was a time when I wouldn’t come up to the barrio if I wasn’t well dressed, because I knew what I had to face.
You become dexterous at building a reality with words — like an architect. I like everything to make sense in my rhymes. I become obsessive about it. The words don’t necessarily have to rhyme — as long as they have flow, style, and they make sense.
On the video of the Bizarrap session, we also get to witness your hilarious sense of humor. How did that part of your artistic identity develop?
I was raised in an environment marked by poverty, but there was also a lot of joy. We had nothing except for each other. Incredibly, I was happier then. I grew up feeling comfortable in uncomfortable situations, and that’s where my sense of humor comes from. I saw my Mom working two or three jobs so that she could put some food on the table. The only recourse I had to escape that reality was to make jokes and try to have a good time.
When fortune and fame arrived, they provided a better lifestyle. But they also took away many things that I now miss — things that will never come back.
The last two albums contain some of your best material yet. Would it be fair to say that you’re enjoying a creative high?
The process of making music has become extremely hard for me during the past couple of years. I’m experiencing great success, but it also works as a kind of emotional torture, because my mental health is not the best. My own mind is the most formidable rival. I’m overwhelmed by the fear of not fulfilling the expectations that my fans may have. I’ve felt self-doubt, something that is entirely new to me.
With all the experience I’ve amassed, I’m now at my most vulnerable. The act of creating felt so easy to me. Now, when the muse departs, it’s difficult to bring her back. Also, I’ve always preferred quality over quantity. Some of my peers are releasing three albums per year. I need to do some living in order to write new songs.
On the new album, the track with Rauw Alejandro (“FP”) is incredibly lush, seeped in atmosphere and EDM texture.
I sing about love because I’m a romantic. And I sing about partying because I definitely did a lot of that — too much, perhaps. [Laughs.] I used to be the kind of person who couldn’t stay home more than three hours. I harbor fond memories of that time — spending days away from home, the ambiance of it all, having a great time.
When I write songs, I can definitely convince people that I’ve enjoyed all of that. In reality, these days I’m even a bit boring when it comes to partying.
Photo: Michael Tran/FilmMagic
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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
Leon Leiden, Natascha Falcão and Paola Guanche perform onstage during The 24th Annual Latin Grammy Awards on November 16, 2023 in Seville, Spain.
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Latin Recording Academy
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10 Incredible Moments From The 2023 Latin GRAMMYs: Rosalía, Shakira, Peso Pluma & More
The 2023 Latin GRAMMYs were truly international, embracing sounds of flamenco, norteño, reggaetón, and everything in between. Read on for 10 of the most exciting moments from the Biggest Night In Latin Music.
GRAMMYs/Nov 17, 2023 - 03:27 pm
It is not a coincidence that the 24th annual edition of the Latin GRAMMYs took place in Sevilla, Spain — far away from the traditional epicenters of Latin music production. More than ever before, the sound of the Latin GRAMMYs are truly international, embraced by fans all over the world.
At a time of unprecedented global turmoil and collective anxiety, the songs of Bad Bunny, Shakira, Peso Pluma and Rosalía — to name a few of many reigning stars — have enough zest, honesty and passion in them to provide comfort. Both Spain and Latin America boast a long standing tradition of healing through rhythm and melody. Not surprisingly, this year's ceremony felt like a casual gathering of friends for an evening of dancing and celebrating.
From the strains of flamenco to the boom of Mexican music and the ongoing permutations of reggaetón, these are the takeaway points from the unforgettable 2023 Latin GRAMMYs.
The Genius Of Rosalía Transcends Her Own Songbook
It was only fitting that Rosalía — one of the most visionary singer/songwriters in global pop — should open up the first Latin GRAMMY ceremony in Spanish territory.
She could have certainly taken advantage of the opportunity to drop a new single or perform one of her many hits. Instead, Rosalía sang an achingly beautiful version of the 1985 classic "Se Nos Rompió El Amor" by the late singer Rocío Jurado. It was a lovely way to deflect the spotlight and focus on celebrating her Spanish roots.
Spain And Latin America Make Beautiful Music Together
From beginning to end, the telecast underscored the organic kinship that unites the music of Spain and Latin America. It took place during the International Day of Flamenco, and the transcendent genre was present in Alejandro Sanz's moving performance of "Corazón Partío." The award for Best Flamenco Album, won by Niña Pastori for Camino, was presented during the main ceremony — a GRAMMY first.
Later in the telecast, Spanish pop singer Manuel Carrasco and Colombian artist Camilo performed an acoustic duet of "Salitre." They were soon joined by Brazilian singer IZA Texas-born producer/songwriter Edgar Barrera, transforming the Sevilla stage with Carnivalesque energy.
Hell Hath No Fury Like A Pop Star Scorned
Since its release in January, “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” the collaboration between Shakira and Argentine producer Bizarrap, has become a global cultural phenomenon. Not only is it a grand pop song with slick EDM accents, but the Colombian diva's lyrics struck a chord with its message of empowerment and fortitude in the face of adversity.
The duo's brisk performance — preceded by a brief intro with Shaki showcasing her tango dancing skills — was an iconic pop culture moment. The track itself won awards in the Best Pop Song and Song Of The Year categories.
Emerging Talent Is The Lifeline That Keeps Latin Music Alive
Watching young artists performing together with the legends that inspired them is a Latin GRAMMY staple. This year was particularly poignant, as Colombian singer/songwriter Juanes performed a moving rendition of the atmospheric rocker "Gris" — about overcoming a relationship crisis — with majestic background vocals provided by six of the 10 Best New Artist nominees: Borja, Natascha Falcão, GALE, Paola Guanche, León Leiden and Joaquina — who ended up winning the award.
For Mexico, The Time Is Now
The moment was ripe for the richness and depth of música Mexicana to shine on an international scale. 2023 was the year when the entire world fell in love with the strains of banda, norteño and corridos tumbados.
The infectious collaboration between Peso Pluma and Eslabón Armado, "Ella Baila Sola" became the emblem of this revolución mexicana. A buoyant rendition of the track was a telecast highlight, as well as the performance by Carín León, who won the award for Best Norteño Album.
Laura Pausini's Artistry Evokes The Elegance Of Decades Past
Introducing herself as "the most [expletive] Latina Italian woman in the world," Laura Pausini seemed overjoyed with her Person Of The Year award. Her medley of career highlights — full of drama and gorgeous melodies — included nods to her first mega-hit, the nostalgic "La Solitudine," and the cinematic "Víveme."
"I thank my father because he chose not to go to the movies with my mom, and instead stayed at home, made love to her and had me, the Person Of The Year," Pausini quipped. Her songbook evokes the golden era of Latin pop, a time of elegance and style.
Radical Genre Bending Never Fails To Intrigue
Latin music is currently experiencing a moment of grace, and this creative apex is frequently expressed through intriguing fusions of seemingly disparate styles. The adrenaline-fueled performance by Puerto Rican neo-reggaetón star Rauw Alejandro gained in electricity when he was joined by Juanes on a rocked-up rendition of "BABY HELLO."
Elsewhere, Carín León's duet with Maluma and Bizarrap's foray into electro-tango were fueled by a similar spirit of playful experimentation.
Exquisite Singing & Songwriting Will Never Go Out Of Style
There's something to be said about an album that was recorded live on tape with analog equipment — the singer surrounded by her band, as they perform together in the same space, with no outside guests allowed.
Natalia Lafourcade's "De Todas Las Flores" is all about feeling and warmth, her vulnerable vocals framed by delicate piano notes and supple percussion. A worthy Record Of The Year winner, this exquisitely layered track proposes that some traditional methods of music making are definitely worth preserving. At the Premiere Ceremony, Lafourcade also took home golden gramophones for Best Singer-Songwriter Song and Best Singer-Songwriter Album.
Hip-Hop Is A Natural Component Of The Latin Music DNA
At the tail end of the ceremony, the performance by Colombian vocalist Feid — aided by the stellar skills of producer DJ Premier — included a moody reading of "Le Pido a DIOS" with nods to '90s rap and jazzy keyboard flourishes. Just like EDM, hip-hop has been fully incorporated into the Latin music lexicon, assuming an identity of its own.
KAROL G Is Much, Much More Than Just A Global Pop Star
Just like Rosalía's Motomami, KAROL G's fourth studio LP – winner of the coveted Album Of The Year award — will be remembered for the dazzling quality of its songs and the kind of indelible magic that can only be experienced, not described. The Colombian singer's artistic partnership with producer Ovy On The Drums has resulted in a futuristic sound that leaves ample space for the warmth of her vocals — and it grooves like crazy.
Most importantly, MAÑANA SERÁ BONITO celebrates the small pleasures, the brief glimpses of inner peace, and the decision to embrace self-acceptance even in the wake of emotional storms. In KAROL G's world, optimism is the only pathway out to a better tomorrow.
2023 Latin GRAMMYs: See The Complete Winners & Nominations List
(L-R) Juanes and Rauw Alejandro perform at the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, in Seville, Spain
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Latin Recording Academy
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Watch: Rauw Alejandro Delivers A Fiery Medley Performance With Juanes At The 2023 Latin GRAMMYs
After the Puerto Rican reggaetonero performed show-stopping renditions of Laura Pausini's "Se Fue" and his own "Dime Quien," Rauw Alejandro took the flames higher — literally — with special guest Juanes for "Baby Hello."
GRAMMYs/Nov 16, 2023 - 11:35 pm
Puerto Rican star Rauw Alejandro explored new frontiers for urbano with his 2022 album Saturno, blending dembow with futuristic electropop, R&B and underground dance beats. The boundary-pushing album earned Alejandro a nomination for Best Urban Music Album at the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs — and it also brought him together with Colombian superstar Juanes for an awe-inspiring performance.
Alejandro regaled the audience with a medley of songs: "Se Fue," by Italian superstar and 2023 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Laura Pausini, as well as two tracks from Saturno, "Dime Quien" and "Baby Hello." After taking the first two on his own — initially wearing a white suit surrounded by flames, then with a troupe of dancers — the reggaetonero met with the Colombian superstar for the final tune.
As Juanes offered scorching guitar for "Baby Hello," the two stars were backed by more fire to take the performance home. The pair turned Rauw's electronic collaboration with Bizarrap into stadium rock, bringing the energy to a headbanging crescendo — and even interpolating a bit of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" for a thrilling finale.
Juanes walked into the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs a winner, as his 2023 album, Vida Cotidiana, was awarded Best Pop/Rock Album in the Premiere Ceremony. The LP also received a nomination for Album Of The Year, with the track "Gris" receiving a nod for Best Rock Song as well; additionally, Juanes production work on Fonseca's and Juan Luis Guerra's "Si Tú Me Quieres" earned him a Record Of The Year nomination.
Both Alejandro and Juanes received nominations for the 2024 GRAMMYs as well. Saturno is nominated for Best Música Urbana Album, while Vida Cotidiana is nominated for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album.