As we look back at the wins and losses of the 2024 Latin Grammy Awards, from Shakira’s first album in seven years being overlooked to Juan Luis Guerra beating Karol G’s “Mi Ex Tenía Razón” and Kali Uchis’ award-winning record of the year “MAMBO 23” and Peso Pluma’s “Igual Que Un Ángel” – it’s safe to say that the top categories didn’t quite live up to expectations . Or maybe they did?
Year after year, it becomes increasingly difficult to predict who will win the top categories, which makes any victory more surprising or shocking. Neither Guerra nor Drexler—both highly regarded by the Latin Recording Academy—are clear winners in the aforementioned categories.
Perhaps the only two categories that hit the mark on Thursday (November 14) were Songwriter of the Year and Producer of the Year. Mexican-American hitmaker Edgar Barrera led the way in both categories, winning both categories. Even Carín León won the new Best Contemporary Mexican Music Album category Boca Chueca, Volume 1 As expected. Although Peso Pluma’s albums are renowned in this category, Genesislast year, he released exodus This year, though, the nomination deadline was not met.
At this year’s Latin Grammy Awards, Juan Luis Guerra became the top winner of the night, taking home four awards in total, including Album of the Year radio gueiraand Record of the Year for “Mambo 23”. He also won Best Merengue and/or Bachata Album and Best Tropical Song, respectively, for the same works. Colombian singer-songwriter Ela Taubert won best new artist, while Edgar Barrera and Nathy Peluso won three awards each. Karol G was the big winner at last year’s ceremony, picking up one award (out of her eight nominations) Tomorrow will be beautiful (Bhikkhu Tower Season)won the award for Best Urban Music Album.
See the full list of winners here.
Here are some snubs and surprises from the 25th Annual Latin Grammy Awards:
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Surprise: Yellow
Venezuelan band Rawayana won the Latin Grammy for Best Pop Song for “Feriado,” beating out Kali Uchis and Peso Pluma’s “Igual Que Un Ángel,” which was the clear favorite for many. Given the song’s commercial success (it topped the Hot Latin Songs chart earlier this year), some may view this as a snub to Kali and Peso, but we think it’s a surprise. After all, “Feriado” is a breezy cool song and Rawayana’s long-overdue Latin Grammy win.
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Snubbed: Kaliuchis
Considering Luis Fonsi’s journey It also deservedly won the award for Best Pop Vocal Album. But Kali Uchis is considered the frontrunner in this category orchid. The record, which received critical and commercial acclaim, earned the Colombian-American her first No. 1 billboard’Top latin albums chart. The album also competed for Album of the Year, but also lost to Juan Luis Guerra’s EP radio gueira.
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Surprise: Juan Luis Guerra and 4.40
Of course, everything created by the great Juan Luis Guerra is a masterpiece, and “MAMBO 23” is no exception. The uptempo mambo with a merengue flair won record of the year. This is a tough category, to say the least. The song faces strong radio-friendly competition such as Karol G’s “Mi Ex Tenía Razón” and Kali Uchis and Peso Pluma’s “Igual Que Un Ángel.” But it’s worth noting that “MAMBO” tops the list advertising billboardLast year’s “Tropical Airplay” allowed Guerra to top the charts again after nine years.
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Surprise: Ella Taubert
Best New Artist is perhaps the most unpredictable category. Any nominee can easily take home the award. The Colombian singer-songwriter won, beating out nominees such as Latin Mafia, Inigo Quintero and Darumas. Like last year’s Best New Artist winner Joaquina, Ela Taubert graduated from producer Julio Reyes Copello’s art school (Art House Academy).
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Surprise: Jorge Drexler
It was a surprise, but not really a surprise. It’s no secret that Jorge Drexler is a Grammy darling, and when one of his songs is nominated for a Latin Grammy, it’s almost guaranteed to win. His song “Derrumbe” is no exception, which was nominated for Song of the Year. The song not only won Song of the Year, but also Best Singer-Songwriter. Even Drexler, who dedicated his victory to his father who passed away 11 days ago, seemed surprised during his acceptance speech. “How could a sad little song come out among so many people I admire? Thank you to the Latin Recording Academy for eliminating imposter syndrome,” he said.
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Snubbed: Shakira
Shakira’s comeback album, Woman, stop cryingwas completely ignored at the Latin Grammy Awards. The album, which featured her Bizarrap-produced compositions such as “TQG” and “Te Felicito” and other hits, lost out to Juan Luis Guerra’s EP in the race for Album of the Year. radio gueira. Guerra also won Record of the Year for “MAMBO 23.” Shakira is the frontrunner in the category, tied with Karol G in contention Tomorrow will be beautiful (Bhikkhu Tower Season) and Karin Leon’s Boca Chueca, Volume 1. Considering the importance of the album, her first in seven years and the one that sparked a US stadium tour, her loss was huge. Shakira did not attend the 2024 Latin Grammy Awards.
