LATIN GRAMMY PREVIEW: ALBUM OF THE YEAR

The 25th Latin Grammys will mark the awards extravaganza’s first fully fledged Miami week since 2003. While the event was held there in 2020, COVID-19 restrictions were still in place and social gatherings were limited. This unhindered return to the epicenter of the Latin music biz should serve as a victory lap for a genre that, in the last five years, has grown enormously.

It seems appropriate that superstars Bad Bunny and KAROL G lead the pack with eight nods each. The two headliners have blazed a trail for the future of Latin music with record-setting concert grosses and streaming numbers, not to mention crossover appeal.

Bichota/Interscope’s KAROL G is the reigning Album of the Year winner and a contender in that category again—this time with 2023 champ MAÑANA SERÁ BONITO’s companion piece, BICHOTA SEASON—as well as in Record and Song of the Year for “Mi Ex Tenía Razón.” Could she repeat in Album? The last back-to-back AOTY winner was Alejandro Sanz in 2002. Colombian queen KG’s winning streak shows no sign of abating.

Facing off against KAROL is an array of Latin Recording Academy favorites. Juan Luis Guerra is among the most-decorated Latin artists, with three AOTY wins. The Dominican legend’s first new project since 2020, Radio Güira (Rimas), sparked five nominations, including ROTY for “Mambo 23.”

It would not be surprising to see Latin standard-bearer Shakira take home AOTY with Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran. The Sony Latin star will have started her Las Mujeres world tour come Latin Grammy night and is coming off a SOTY win in 2023. Shak has 14 Latin Grammy wins, so she’s dangerous wherever nominated. Residente, who’s coming with Las Letras Ya No Important (5020), is also frequently honored, counting two AOTY wins among his 28 trophies, most of which were bestowed upon his group Calle 13.

Critical sensations Carín León and Mon Laferte have sufficient momentum to garner their first wins in the Big Three categories. Could it be a huge night for these groundbreaking artists, both of whom color outside genre lines? León’s Coachella, Stagecoach and Opry plays prior to the release of Boca Chueca, Vol. 1 (Socios) brought much-deserved attention to the Mexican singer’s soulful repertoire. For her part, Laferte delivered a typically inventive and edgy set with her ninth album, Autopoiética (Universal Mexico). A previous Best Alternative Album and Best Singer-Songwriter Album winner, Laferte has not competed in AOTY since 2017.

However it plays out, odds are that a legend or two will exit the Latin Grammy stage with some hardware.