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Shakira in 2006 to break the
category’s glass ceiling as a
solo female artist.
“It was more of a year of
hard work,” Rosalía said
backstage, addressing the
press. “When I made that al-
bum I made it from the heart.
I didn’t think about what
would happen later. I can’t
control anything that hap-
pens after the creative proc-
ess because after that it’s not
yours anymore, it’s everyone
else’s.”
Moments later, Sanz also
spoke to the media and sim-
ply said he felt elated that af-
ter all these years, he’s still a
contender. “I feel like a thief,”
the Spanish crooner said, re-
ferring to a career of constant
wins.
Ricky Martin opened the
20th annual awards show in a
sleek white and black tuxedo
with swirl patterns. All-star
group, including Olga Tañón,
Anitta and Calibre 50, among
others, performed songs
from three entertainers who
left undeniable legacies: Cel-
ia Cruz, Juan Gabriel and
Joan Sebastian.
The opening set featured
a diverse ensemble of stars,
including Milly Quezada,
Carlos Rivera, Reik and Na-
talia Jiménez. Draco Rosa,
who during the pretelecast
known as the Premiere won
for best rock album, also per-
formed in the opener with
Fito Páez and Beto Cuevas,
performing Sebastian’s “Se-
creto de Amor.”
Bad Bunny won for urban
album of the year for “X
100Pre” and made it clear in
his acceptance speech that
the perceived Latin Grammy
reggaeton snubs are only go-
ing to trigger more energy in
the Latin urban community.
Addressing his onstage
remarks to “all musicians”
and Recording Academy
members, he said: “With all
due respect, reggaeton is
part of Latin culture and is
representing as much as any
other genre worldwide. To
my fellow reggaetoneros:
Keep giving it your all and we
will continue to bring creativ-
ity and ingenuity. Our genre
has become views, numbers,
and let’s keep going and giv-
ing people new things.
“Reggaeton is part of the
culture,” the Puerto Rican
rapper said. “We are going to
keep working on this and let’s
bring back the creativity and
humanity. Let’s bring differ-
ent things for the people.”
Rosalía delivered one of
the night’s most compelling
performances. Wearing a
cherry-red outfit topped with
a white belt and bow, she per-
formed a medley of her songs,
including “Con Altura,”
which she co-wrote with
Balvin and her longtime
Spanish producer El Guin-
cho.
“Calma” by Puerto Rico’s
Pedro Capó won for song of
the year along with Gabriel
Edgar González Pérez and
George Noriega. He dedi-
cated the song to his children
and his late brother, who in-
spired the song.
During the telecast, three
generations of the Fernan-
dezes performed — Vicente,
Alejandro and Alex — along
with Mariachi Sol de Mexico.
Alex opened with “Te
Amare,” followed by Alejan-
dro performing “Caballero”
and Vicente, the patriarch of
the Fernandez musical dy-
nasty, appearing onstage to
sing “Volver, Volver,” com-
manding a standing ovation,
before being joined by his son
and grandson.
Backstage in the media
center, the volume on the TV
monitors was lowered for a
separate interview, but the
majority of the media ob-
jected and demanded that
the TV remain at full volume.
Onstage, the patriarch and
his brood stood together as
an extended standing ova-
tion continued before Martin
approached Vicente to give
him the presidential award, aspecial Latin Grammy rec-
ognition that also was given
during the telecast to Mexi-
can singer Thalia.
“Time is limited at these
[TV] things,” Vicente jok-
ingly told the audience. “I
want to thank all those radio
people who believed in this
man and all those people
who have listened through
the years. You live in here
[pointing to his heart] until
the day I die.”
The best new artist award
went to soulful singer Nella, a
Berklee College of Music
graduate who was nomi-
nated in the category withnine others. Nella’s Venezue-
lan roots have modern influ-
ences in addition to folklore
sounds.
Similar to previous years,
the Latin Grammy produc-
ers gave a nod to a crossover
theme with a performance
from a non-Latin artist. Ali-
cia Keys joined Capó, Miguel
and Farruko for a medley
that included “Show Me Your
Love” and “Calma.”
Juanes, this year’s person
of the year, performed some
of his biggest hits, appearing
alone on a darkened stage
before being joined by
Alessia Cara and SebastiánYatra. The trio performed
“Fijate Bien,” “Querer
Mejor,” “A Dios le Pido,” “Bo-
nita” and “La Camisa Ne-
gra.”
One of the biggest sur-
prises of the night was the ar-
rival of Metallica’s Lars Ul-
rich, who appeared onstage
to give Juanes his person of
the year tribute.
“Tonight we come full cir-
cle,” Ulrich said. “I proclaim
myself a Juanes fan. My
brother in rock, mi amigo, mi
parcero, I am proud to recog-
nize you as the Latin record-
ing artist of the year.”
Juanes, taken aback by
Ulrich’s arrival, made it clear
that Metallica influenced
him greatly and was one of
the reasons he wanted to be a
recording artist.
“I made music because of
you ... 30 years ago,” Juanes
said. “My heart is full of love.
Colombia, without you I’m
nothing. I love you all.”
In an interview with The
Times in Las Vegas this
week, the Colombian record-
ing artist spoke about his
early days when he had little
money, couch-surfed in L.A.
to survive and relied on one
woman in particular during
those tough times.
“My mom had so much
faith in me,” Juanes said.
“She would tell me to be pa-tient, and that got me
through. I remember being in
L.A. with a motorcycle and
computer, but I sold them
and eventually saved $4,000
to get to the next phase.
Through pain and patience I
learned that things work
out.”
Homage to Puerto Rico
was also a pivotal arc in this
year’s Latin Grammys, with
a performance of “Cántalo”
by Martin, who was joined by
Residente and Bad Bunny.
Young regional Mexican
star Christian Nodal took
home the best ranchera/ma-
riachi album for “Ahora.”
Latin urban superstar
Ozuna gave an electrifying
performance, opening his set
wearing a dark cape at the pi-
ano and then, as the stage
opened up, going into a col-
orful aquatic/sea theme.
As far as the Latin urban
controversy, Juanes said it
may be time for both the Lat-
in Grammy organization and
urban artists to look at how
they can improve future
nominations.
“It’s important for both
the Latin Grammys and
reggaeton artists to see what
they can do better in the fu-
ture,” Juanes said. “It’s not a
good or bad thing. It’s some-
thing that happened, but
connecting is key.”ROSALÍAis the first solo female artist to win the Latin Grammys’ album of the year since Shakira in 2006.Rich FuryGetty ImagesGrammys still
have snubs
to be undone
BAD BUNNYwins for urban album of the year and
says voting snubs will be met with still “more energy.”Rich FuryGetty Images[Grammys, from E1]