The Grammy nominations are out today, and for Latin music, it’s another year that sees language artists left out of most major categories. That’s a bummer because in 2023, it seemed briefly like the rides were turning when Bad Bunny’s massive LP Un Verano Sin Ti made history as the first Spanish-language album nominated for Album Of The Year.
Since then, though, most Latin artists have been relegated back to specific categories, like Best Latin Pop Album, Best Música Urbana Album, Best Latin Rock or Alternative, and Best Música Mexicana Album. Those are pretty varied this year, with major stars like Bad Bunny, Shakira, Peso Pluma, Anitta, Feid and Marc Anthony filling up the list. A few great surprises, like a first-time nod for Young Miko and Rawayana plus continued recognition for Cimafunk, brighten up the races.
One silver lining has to be that Latin music mastermind Edgar Barrera — the most-nominated artist at next week’s Latin Grammys — is up for Songwriter of the Year against Amy Allen and Raye and country songwriters Jessi Alexander and Jessie Jo DIllon. (It’s his second time up for the award.) Could Latinos get their moment outside of the genre-specific categories with Barrera?
Here’s a guide to who else was nominated — and who might take home a trophy next year.
Best Latin Pop Album
Anitta, Funk Generation
Luis Fonsi, El Viaje
Kany García, García
Shakira, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran
Kali Uchis, Orquídeas
Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran stands out as a clear favorite to win for Best Latin Pop Album, after the LP’s massive success compared to the other albums in the category. The Colombian pop star is also a trailblazer in the category: She became the first female artist to win the award twice: for MTV Unplugged in 2001 and El Dorado in 2018. If Anitta were to win the trophy for Funk Generation, she’d be the first Brazilian solo artist to win in the category, and only the second overall after Bacilos bassist André Lopes took it home for Caraluna in 2003. – T.M.
Best Música Urbana Album
Bad Bunny, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana
J Balvin, Rayo
Feid, Ferxxocalipsis
Residente, Las Letras Ya No Importan
Young Miko, Att.
Bad Bunny has been a mainstay in this category for a few years now, taking home the trophy in 2022 and 2023. People won’t be surprised to see his album Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana here, where he’s joined by his past collaborators and reggaeton peers J Balvin and Residente. A few newcomers spice things up, though: The Colombian powerhouse Feid is enjoying his first Grammy nod for Ferxxocalipsis, while Young Miko’s debut album att. has officially made her a Grammy-nominated artist. A few names are sadly missing from the list: Álvaro Díaz had one of the year’s most impressive sonic thrill rides with SAYONARA, and Eladio Carrion’s Sol María deserved a nod for the wordplay alone. – J.L.
Best Latin Rock or Alternative
El David Aguilar, Compita Del Destino
Cimafunk, Pa’ Tu Cuerpa
Mon Laferte, Autopoiética
Nathy Peluso, Grasa
Rawayana, ¿Quién Trae Las Cornetas?
The two least surprising — and perhaps most deserved — names on this list have to be Mon Laferte and Nathy Peluso, who poured everything into their respective releases this year. Though they’re the likely inners here, there are some seriously happy surprises, too: Cuban lightning rod Cimafunk cinched a third Grammy nomination for Pa’ Tu Cuerpa, just after his album El Alimento got him his first nod in 2023. And then there’s the Venezuelan band Rawayana, who got everyone dancing with their bright breakthrough record ¿Quién Trae Las Cornetas? – J.L.
Best Música Mexicana Album
Chiquis, Diamantes
Carin León, Boca Chueca, Vol. 1
Peso Pluma, Éxodo
Jessi Uribe, De Lejitos
2023 and 2024 were arguably the biggest years for música mexicana, like ever… and there are only four, not five, nominees in this category? If he wins for Éxodo, Peso Pluma would become the first artist to win the award consecutively after he took the trophy for his breakthrough album, Génesis, last year. But it could be Carin León’s year after he successfully brought música mexicana to Nashville with Boca Chueca, Vol. 1. – T.M.
Best Tropical Latin Album
Marc Anthony, Muévense
Sheila E, Bailar
Juan Luis Guerra 4.40, Radio Güira
Tony Succar, Mimy Succar, Alma, Corazon y Salsa (Live at Gran Teatro Nacional)
Kiki Valera, Vacilón Santiaguero
This year’s nominations make this category feel like a little treasure trove: Kiki Valera’s Vacilón Santiaguero is an ode to Cuban traditions, centered on Valera’s expertise with the cuatro, while Tony Succar and Mimy Succar’s Alma, Corazon y Salsa is an uplifting family affair. Marc Anthony’s Muévense is a deservd nominee, but the favorites here might be Juan Luis Guerra’s delightful and ultra-playful Radio Güira, and Sheila E’s inspired, first-ever salsa celebration Bailar. – J.L.
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