In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Latin GRAMMYs, the Latin Recording Academy has announced a series of exhibits for 2024 at the Paley Museum in New York City, the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles, and the Gary Nader Art Centre in Miami.

"For 25 years we have had the immense privilege of celebrating excellence in Latin music, accompanying our music creators in their successes worldwide. These exhibits are a magnificent opportunity to bring the magic of the Latin GRAMMYs to the public," said Manuel Abud, CEO of the Latin Recording Academy. "We invite all music lovers to join us in New York City, Los Angeles and Miami to enjoy these exhibits, which are filled with unforgettable moments and important achievements that have marked our history."

The 2024 Latin GRAMMYs, officially known as the 25th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards, will air live from the Kaseya Center in Miami on Thursday, Nov. 14. The three-hour telecast, produced by TelevisaUnivision, the world's leading Spanish-language media and content company, will broadcast live on Univision, Galavisión, and ViX on Thursday Nov. 14, beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. CT), with a one-hour pre-show starting at 7 p.m. ET/PT. This year’s nominees will be announced on Tuesday, Sept. 17.

This year, the Latin GRAMMYs will debut a new Field and two new Categories: Best Latin Electronic Music Performance, housed within the new Electronic Music Field, and Best Contemporary Mexican Music Album (Regional-Mexican Field). Ahead of the 2024 Latin GRAMMYs, the Latin Recording Academy will host the official Latin GRAMMY Week 2024, which includes multiple events throughout Miami-Dade County including the 2024 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year gala, which this year honors 18-time Latin GRAMMY winner and two-time GRAMMY winner Carlos Vives.

Learn more about the new Latin Recording Academy exhibits taking place in New York City, Los Angeles and Miami below:

The Paley Museum, New York City

Sept. 13 - Nov. 3

The Latin GRAMMYs kick-off exhibit at the Paley Museum showcases the remarkable 25-year history of Latin music, celebrating the vibrant cultural tapestry that has shaped the awards show into a global phenomenon. Visitors can explore priceless artifacts, glamorous costumes, and iconic instruments from music superstars like Ricky Martin, Rosalía, Carlos Santana, and Shakira — all Latin GRAMMY and GRAMMY winners — as well as celebrated New Yorkers such as Celia Cruz and Rúben Blades, whose influence has left an indelible mark on the music world. The exhibit will highlight some of the most unforgettable moments from the Latin GRAMMY Awards telecast, trace the show’s incredible evolution, and demonstrate why Latin music has become an essential part of our culture.

"It is a tremendous honor to partner with the Latin Recording Academy and to have the privilege of hosting this historic 25th anniversary celebration of the Latin GRAMMY Awards at the Paley Center," said Maureen J. Reidy, President & CEO of The Paley Center for Media. "This must-see exhibit will honor the indelible impact of Latin music and its visionary artists, whose innovative rhythms, poignant lyrics, and extraordinary contributions have redefined the global musical landscape and have had a profound impact not only on music but on entertainment and culture worldwide."

GRAMMY Museum, Los Angeles 

Sept. 19 - Dec. 18 

Hosted on the 2nd floor of the GRAMMY Museum as part of its permanent Latin Music Gallery, this exhibit will enhance the museum's extensive Latin aisle by featuring artifacts from global Latin superstars like Shakira, Carlos Santana, Karol G, and Rosalía, among others. The exhibit will explore the last 25 years of Latin GRAMMY history and the diverse musical genres and cultures that have graced its stage. 

At its core, the exhibit underscores how Latin music has evolved into a powerful commercial force in the international music landscape over the past quarter-century, with the Latin GRAMMYs playing a pivotal role in its global rise. The exhibit will also explore the history of the institution and its most significant moments, highlighting Latin music's creative complexity and enduring cultural impact.

"The Latin GRAMMYs have undeniably established themselves as a cultural landmark and a powerful influence in global music over the past 25 years," said Michael Sticka, President and CEO of the GRAMMY Museum. "This fall, we eagerly anticipate commemorating more than two decades of musical excellence, memorable highlights, and extraordinary moments from the Latin GRAMMYs at the GRAMMY Museum."

Gary Nader Art Centre, Miami

Sept. 26 - Dec. 20

Miami will host a first-of-its-kind collection of 25 years of Latin GRAMMY official art, featuring original paintings by renowned artists including Romero Britto, Walter Goldfarb, Michael V. Rios — who also designed the cover of Carlos Santana’s multi-GRAMMY-winning album Supernatural —and Patssi Valdez, among others. From mixed media to collage, murals and oil paintings, the collection includes renowned visual artists from several countries. In  addition,Brazilian muralist Aline Bispo, the official artist for the 24th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards, will unveil a new piece to inaugurate the festivities. 

"It is a profound honor to host the art exhibition commemorating the Latin GRAMMYs at our gallery in Miami. This city, with its vibrant culture and deep Latin roots, is the perfect setting to celebrate the rich heritage and artistic achievements of Latin music. We are thrilled to bring together art and music in such a dynamic fashion, highlighting the synergy between these two powerful expressions of creativity," said Gary Nader, founder of the Gary Nader Art Centre.

A capacity crowd filled the Martha's Vineyard Performing Arts Center for a screening of Luther: Never Too Much, a new documentary chronicling the life and career of soul and R&B icon Luther Vandross. The event, held last week at the 2024 Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival and presented by the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective and Cîroc Limonata, was a celebration of Vandross' legacy in music and culture as well as the Academy's impact in underrepresented communities across the music industry.  

Award-winning filmmaker Dawn Porter, who directed the film, kicked off the screening with a heartfelt memory: "When I first came here in 1998, never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that a film that is so special to me, I would be able to share with you on this island that I love." 

She also gave the audience, which included former Chair and CEO of BET Networks Debra Lee and Universal Music Group executive Jeff Harleston, permission to release. "You are free to sing, dance, and we will be back for you after this," she said. 

Not skipping a beat, Luther takes things all the way back to the beginning. It details Vandross' early influences including the Supremes, the Temptations and the Sweet Inspirations, as well as Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin, the latter of whom both became collaborators. As Vandross' many hits — "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now," "Bad Boy/Having A Party," "Stop To Love," "Til My Baby Comes Home," title track "Never Too Much," and more — weaved in and out of the comprehensive doc, the audience moved and grooved.  

Vandross' decades-long career unfolds in full scope across Luther, highlighting his own group, Shades of Jade; the musical ensemble Listen My Brother, a one-time Apollo Theater fixture that also appeared in early "Sesame Street" episodes; his work on David Bowie's legendary Young Americans album, which boosted Vandross' solo career; his many jingles; his days as a backup singer for Bette Midler and Roberta Flack; and much more. The film's use of amazing archival footage tracing these eras wowed the audience. 

In addition to penning his own hits like "Give Me the Reason" and other classics, such as "Everybody Rejoice/A Brand New Day" from the Broadway musical "The Wiz" and Aretha Franklin's Jump To It, Vandross was a vocal perfectionist and a showman, which Porter reflects in the film through rehearsal footage and sketches of the costumes he designed for his tours. Luther producer and fan Jamie Foxx even offers his own testimony to the vital assist Vandross gave his early romantic life. 

Porter does not shy away from Vandross' dark points in Luther. At the height of his fame, for example, he was involved in a car accident that killed a friend. Insightful interviews with lifelong friends and music peers dating back to high school, including folks like Carlos Alomar, Fonzi Thornton, Robin Clark, Valerie Simpson, Dionne Warwick, Mariah Carey, Nile Rodgers, his niece Seveda Williams, and longtime assistant Max Szadek uncover Luther Vandross, the person. Some of the most heartbreaking personal revelations revolve around his weight and the emotional toll that media scrutiny took on him as well as persistent rumors about his sexuality, which his closest friends continue to guard, even in death. 

Patti LaBelle, to the dismay of Vandross' friend and writing partner Richard Marx, who considers such acts a betrayal, did speak publicly on the topic via a clip. Vandross' inability to find love, as detailed in "Any Love," a song he once described to Oprah as his most autobiographical track, is most heartbreaking. 

In a Q&A panel following the film, Porter shared how she pulled off such a wonderful tribute to Vandross in Luther. 

"What really works for this movie is having all that music," she said. "I watched this movie like a fan. I want to hear those songs. I want to sing those songs. So having the ability to let them play out, having the archive, having the estate images and rehearsal footage" was invaluable, she stressed. "When you have all those elements, you feel like you can do justice to a story. And if anybody deserves justice to his story being done, it's this man." 

The panel — which also featured guest Ryan Butler, Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for the Recording Academy, and author, professor and radio host Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey as moderator — also highlighted the notable steps and initiatives the Academy has launched to advance a diverse, inclusive music community. 

"[Around the] last GRAMMYs, we launched Academy Proud, which is what we call a membership resource group for LGBTQ artists, creators, [and] professionals, so that they also have a safe space," Butler, who is openly gay, reflected. "I think that a lot of times, the Academy felt unapproachable. It felt like it was the castle on top of the hill behind the gate. So I think what I really do, as the leader of our diversity efforts, is come out of the castle and go into the communities where people are."  

Porter regretted that Vandross, whose health challenges as a diabetic and stroke survivor contributed to his early death in 2005 at the young age of 54, never got to experience today's industry. "Don't we all wish Luther lived now?" she lamented to the audience. 

Vandross' fight to cross over and expand his audience features prominently in the film. He achieved some of that goal with his very personal, chart-topping single "Dance with My Father," which he penned with Marx; the song won the GRAMMY for Song Of The Year at the 2004 GRAMMY Awards while he was recovering from a stroke he suffered in 2003. (Earlier, the crowd gasped upon learning that Vandross won his first GRAMMY after nine previous nominations.) 

"In 2020, a group of us at the Recording Academy got together [and] we created the Black Music Collective, which is really about honoring and celebrating the contributions of Black creatives," Butler said in response. 

"As soon as I saw the film," he continued, "I thought, 'What if the Black Music Collective existed when Luther was here? Would he have been nominated nine times before he won? Or would he have enough Black voters in the [Recording Academy voting] membership?' When I arrived at the GRAMMYs, Black representation in voting membership was around 9%, which was indexing lower than U.S. census data. We set an aggressive goal of 33% and we're [now] at 22%," he announced to applause.  

Porter closed out the panel by announcing that Luther: Never Too Much would hit select theaters in October before its official premiere in 2025 on CNN, OWN and Max. 

Attendees at the Luther: Never Too Much private reception | Photo: Corey Fletcher 

Elsewhere throughout the festival, the Recording Academy's DEI team participated in multiple panels and events, including the DEI is Alive panel, which discussed the impact and importance of DEI work in the entertainment industry; a screening of and conversation about Billy Preston: That’s The Way God Planned It, a new documentary celebrating GRAMMY-winning R&B, rock, soul, funk, and gospel legend Billy Preston, which Butler moderated; and a welcome and toast celebration for Oscar nominee Colman Domingo. 

Diageo, who partnered with the Recording Academy's DEI team to produce the Luther: Never Too Much screening, conversation and private reception, has supported the Black Music Collective and the Academy's DEI initiatives on an ongoing basis. 

Learn more about the Recording Academy's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, recent DEI achievements, and year-round work to support artists, creators and music professionals of all backgrounds. 

On July 29, a diverse, talented group of over 200 Recording Academy New York Chapter members filled Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg to mingle, network, and talk shop. 

The special occasion was the New York Chapter Member Celebration — its first summer event — and the attendees were eager to make new friends and connections, while embracing old ones over free food and drinks.

Held inside Brooklyn Brewery's spacious wooden tasting room, where guests could try any of the local brewer's beers on draft and bites from Shake Shack — the official burger partner of the New York Chapter Member Celebration As members milled about the space, New York-bred DJ Morsy — who's also a music producer, audio engineer and proud member of the Class of 2024 — provided upbeat grooves to make Monday feel like a full-on party.

An hour or so into the lively event, Nick Cucci, the Senior Executive Director of the New York Chapter, and Lee Dannay, the new NY Chapter President, briefly paused the music and conversation to share their gratitude for their community — which grew by 600 members to 3501 this year — and the many sponsors that made the evening possible. "We can’t do this without our partners and our sponsors," Dannay said. 

The Connect Lounge, located among large, shiny vats of beer still in the brewing process, provided opportunities to network with many of the event's community partners. Daniel's Music Foundation, GRAMMY Go, MusiCares, Music Managers Forum US, Platinum Academy, The Mechanical Licensing Collective, Sound Royalties, RAMPD, Queer Capita, and She Is The Music all had tables set up to showcase their important work and how to get involved. 

Inside the Connect Lounge, attendees could watch clips from GRAMMY Go — the Recording Academy's creator-to-creator learning platform —featuring useful courses on music production, songwriting and audience building from a star-studded cast of GRAMMY-winning and nominated artists including Victoria Monét, Janelle Monáe and Hit-Boy. 

The Lounge also boasted more delicious treats; fresh, gooey cookies from Levain Bakery — the official cookie partner of the New York Chapter Member Celebration  — and organic flavored green tea from Saint James. 

Towards the end of the evening, the music was briefly paused once again to reveal the lucky winner of a raffle. NYC-based, Nigerian-born Afrobeats artist Teemanay took home a brand new D'Angelico Premier Brighton electric guitar, donated by the craft NYC guitar company. 

Even after 10 p.m. when the event ended and brewery closed, many guests mingled outside to continue conversations, exchange information and introduce themselves to anyone they might not have had the chance to yet. Recording Academy New York Chapter members are not only talented and driven creators and music industry professionals, they are clearly committed to supporting each other and building community. 

"We haven’t done an all-member celebration, nor have we ever done a program in Brooklyn during my tenure. All the stars aligned for this night. [It was a] great turnout from our members and an iconic New York City venue — Brooklyn Brewery! Perfect all around," Cucci says of the event.

The Chapter extends an extra special thanks to all their beloved partners, especially the Annual New York Chapter partners: Concord Theatricals, Sound Royalties, and the Mechanical Licensing Collective; the Official Burger of the New York Chapter Member Celebration, Shake Shack; and the Official Cookie Partner of the New York Chapter Member Celebration, Levain Bakery.

New York is the Recording Academy's second-biggest chapter. It not only serves New York City but the entire Northeast, eastern Canada, and Western Europe.. The Member Celebration is just one of many gatherings hosted by this East Coast chapter, which also include other networking opportunities , and intimate conversations  with music creators and professional producers  as part of the Community Connections series, to name a few.

If you are an artist or music professional interested in joining your local Recording Academy Chapter, you can find more information here. The Academy also accepts recommendations for new members.

Navigating the multitude of challenges and roadblocks within the music industry can often seem like a herculean feat. Musicians and industry professionals are expected to master the intricacies of creating and performing music while also juggling the economics and business dealings of the industry. These challenges can be even more daunting for creators and industry professionals with disabilities.  

As the leading global community of music professionals, the Recording Academy is acutely aware of these unique challenges, and it's dedicated to supporting creators and professionals from all backgrounds and experiences.  

That's the vision behind RAA+D (Disability + Accessibility), the Recording Academy's new member resource group aimed at supporting artists, creators and professionals with disabilities and advancing their needs and initiatives. Unveiled during the Recording Academy Philadelphia Chapter's inaugural Block Party during Disability Pride Month last month, RAA+D is dedicated to achieving true accessibility for everyone in the music community and going beyond mere compliance.  

Through RAA+D, the Academy is working to ensure that all members can fully engage in the organization's programs by providing elements such as live American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, accessibility ramps at our shows and events, and closed captioning for our programs.  

"In recent years, the Academy has made significant strides to ensure that individuals from all walks of life feel supported and a sense of belonging within the Recording Academy spaces," Ryan Butler, Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for the Recording Academy, said in an interview. "Through the implementation of RAA+D, the Academy aims to create a robust support system for the disability community, providing opportunities for networking and celebrating their contributions to the greater music community." 

Read More: How The Music Industry Must Work To Close The Accessibility Gap: 4 Eye-Opening Takeaways 

RAA+D's initiatives are driven by a commitment to foster an inclusive environment where accessibility and community are priorities. To help accomplish this, the Recording Academy has partnered with RAMPD (Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities), one of the leading organizations supporting music creatives with disabilities, as a community partner to advance the work of RAA+D on a year-round basis. 

RAA+D is part of the Recording Academy's DREAM (Diversity Reimagined by Engaging All Musicmakers) Initiative, an inclusive network of member resource groups spotlighting the contributions and initiatives of creators and professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds.  

Spearheaded by the Academy's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) team, the DREAM Initiative recently launched multiple resource groups, including Gold Music Alliance, which honors and elevates Pan-Asian members and allies within the GRAMMY organization and the music industry, and Academy Proud, which celebrates and honors LGBTQIA+ Academy members and music industry professionals. Other active groups within the DREAM Initiative include Women in the Mix, launched in 2019, which builds community for all women and increases representation within the Recording Academy and in the music industry; the Black Music Collective, launched in 2020, which is a group of prominent Black music creators and professionals focused on advancing Black music and culture; and GRAMMYs Next Gen, which supports and empowers the next generation of music creators and professionals. 

As the Recording Academy continues to establish membership networks that align with our wide-spanning mission and core values, the DREAM Initiative will launch multiple member resource groups spotlighting the diverse music community, including groups celebrating and supporting Latin and Indigenous creators and music professionals. 

"As we look to the future, we are thrilled about the transformative potential of RAA+D," Butler reflected. "This initiative reaffirms our commitment to inclusivity and the recognition of the diverse talents within the disability community. We are excited to see the positive impact it will have on our organization and our members." 

With additional reporting from John Morrison 

On Aug. 7, the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation awarded the Sebastián Yatra Scholarship to Cuban double bass player Leo Luna Roblejo during a special ceremony in Miami.

The event — hosted by award-winning journalist Pamela Silva and sponsored by Loud And Live as part of their $1 million commitment over five years — featured performances by Yatra, a Latin GRAMMY winner and GRAMMY nominee, alongside Luna Roblejo, and additional scholarship recipients and alumni. 

Also known as the Prodigy Scholarship, the Sebastián Yatra Scholarship was created 10 years ago to support music education and Latin music genres. It is sponsored annually by a Latin music icon and holds a maximum value of $250,000. Scholarship funds will allow Luna Roblejo to pursue a bachelor's degree at Berklee College of Music in Boston, beginning this fall.  

In addition, the scholarship supports the costs of tuition, room, board and wrap-around services that include ongoing mentorship and learning opportunities provided in partnership with the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. Previous sponsors include: Nicky Jam (2023), Sofia Carson (2022), Juanes (2021), Julio Iglesias (2020), Emilio and Gloria Estefan (2019), Carlos Vives (2018), Miguel Bosé (2017), Juan Luis Guerra (2016) and Enrique Iglesias (2015).

Luna Roblejo, who resides in Miami, was selected by the Foundation's Scholarship Committee from a highly competitive group of hundreds of applicants worldwide.

"It is with immense pride that we bestow our tenth Prodigy Scholarship as we continue to celebrate a decade of the Foundation’s unwavering mission to support and cultivate the next generation of Latin music creators," said Raquel "Rocky" Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. "We are profoundly grateful for the generosity of respected artists such as Sebastián Yatra that provides these talented musical students the opportunity to follow their dreams and carry forward the rich legacy of Latin music." 

Since its establishment, the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation has committed an extraordinary sum of more than $10 million in scholarships, grants, musical instruments, and educational programs throughout the United States and Ibero-America.      

"Being a part of this incredible initiative alongside the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, which supports young people on their journey to fulfill their dreams in music, is an honor," shared Yatra. "Music has the power to change lives and unite cultures, and I am excited to see how these young people, like Leo, will carry forward the legacy of Latin music with passion and dedication. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to their education and artistic development."

"Music has been my calling and my passion ever since I was a young child, and to have the opportunity to pursue my dream thanks to the support of Sebastián Yatra and the incredible Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation is beyond anything I could have imagined," said Luna Roblejo. "I am committed to making you all proud, and I will take full advantage of this opportunity, working hard every day to make the most of this gift." 

The Foundation also announced the recipients of its annual Gifted Tuition, Tuition Assistance, Bulova and Gibson Gives scholarships — with additional funds from First Horizon and the Arturo Sandoval Institute — that award 43 talented students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to pursue an education at some of the most prestigious music institutions in the world.

Gifted Tuition Scholarship Recipients

The following three students will each receive the Gifted Tuition Scholarship, with a maximum value of $120,000, which will support the tuition costs of four years of study at the university, college or music institution of their choice, including wrap-around services provided by the Foundation. The recipients are:

• Abraham Jiménez Sánchez, pianist from the Dominican Republic

• Marcos Castilla Jiménez, pianist from Spain

• Melany Fiorella Cisneros Fernández, bass player from Peru

Tuition Assistance, Bulova And Gibson Gives Scholarship Recipients

In addition, the 40 students below will each receive the Tuition Assistance Scholarship, a one-time scholarship with a maximum value of $12,500. This scholarship can be used toward tuition costs at the university or college of their choice and includes wrap-around services provided by the Foundation. 

Bulova will sponsor one Tuition Assistance Scholarship, while Gibson Gives — Gibson's philanthropic division — will sponsor three Tuition Assistance Scholarships of up to $12,500 each. Gibson Gives will also gift a Gibson or Epiphone instrument to students pursuing a music education with electric or acoustic guitar as their principal instrument.