On April 15, the Latin Recording Academy held the Latin GRAMMY Celebra: Paco de Lucía event in Cádiz, honoring one of the most influential guitarists in the history of flamenco and music in general.

In keeping with the Latin Recording Academy’s mission of promoting Latin music and building bridges between countries, musical genres and cultures, the event brought together an impressive number of artists and creators, who traveled to Cádiz, Spain to celebrate flamenco master Paco de Lucía.  

The celebration, attended by family members of the late Andalucian icon, witnessed unique and memorable moments beginning with the host and Latin GRAMMY nominee Miguel Poveda, who kicked off the evening with Federico García Lorca’s poem "La guitarra" before introducing de Lucía’s anthem "Entre dos aguas" alongside Juan Manuel Cañizares, José María Bandera, Rubem Dantas, Niño Josele and Abraham Laboriel. 

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From there, the night became a musical voyage around the world, creating opportunities for exposure to sounds beyond city and country of origin. Artists and friends of de Lucia performed some of the most beloved songs composed by the maestro, whose insatiable curiosity was a constant source of musical creation. That curiosity led him to incorporate the cajón into the flamenco genre, an event that artists Antonio Carmona, Rubem Dantes, Ané Carrasco, Tino Di Geraldo, Israel Suárez "Piraña," and Víctor Martínez chose to commemorate with a special performance during the ceremony.

The Gran Teatro Falla, where the very special musical event was held, also welcomed contributions from artists including Latin GRAMMY winners and nominees Oscar D’León, Eliades Ochoa and Berta Rojas as well as Latin GRAMMY nominees Diego Amador, María José Llergo, India Martínez, Maria Toledo y Rosario La Tremendita.  

The program also featured special guests Carlos Grilo, Jesús Guerrero, Juan Habichuela (nieto), Chonchi Heredia, José Heredia "El Gato," David de Jacoba, Jaime Calabuch "Jumitus," Noemí Humanes, the Makarines, Carlos Merino and Juan Parrilla — all of whom paid homage to de Lucía’s music and mastery. 

The evening’s electrifying final performance included young artists, who performed the song "Solo quiero caminar" arranged by Víctor Martínez, showcasing a striking fusion of musical genres and rhythms as they interpreted de Lucía’s musical legacy for future generations.

Also in attendance were Cádiz Mayor Bruno García and Arturo Bernal, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports of the Regional Government of Andalucía. Additionally, important local figures such as Esmeralda Rancapino, Claudia la Chispa, Hamza, Maria Espejo, Lucia Serrano, among others attended the celebration.

During the event an exclusive project was launched by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation in collaboration with the Paco de Lucía Foundation and Berklee College of Music: featuring the recording and video of de Lucías’s "Cositas buenas." The performance included arrangements and instrumentation by artists from the Alalá Foundation and was produced by Salomé Limón, a member of the Latin Academy’s Circle of Producers and Engineers, with the participation of four Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation scholarship recipients.

Proceeds from event ticket sales support the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation and the Paco de Lucía Scholarship. The event was produced by Macarena Moreno and The Latin Recording Academy’s team headed by Ayleen Figueras. Carlos Narea led musical production, under the musical direction of Fernando Illán and Víctor Martínez, who also were part of the band. 

The event was co-financed by the Programa FEDER Andalucía 2021-2027 and the Regional Government of Andalucía, and sponsored by the City of Cádiz and the Enrique Tomás brand of jamón ibérico. 

This was the first live event that The Latin Recording Academy has hosted in the Community of Andalucía in 2024 to continue elevating its culture around the world. On May 16, they will host a new Latin GRAMMY Session at Plaza de Toros (La Malagueta) in Málaga.

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The Latin Recording Academy today announced that 18-time Latin GRAMMY winner and two-time GRAMMY winner Carlos Vives will be the 2024 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year. He will be honored at a star-studded gala leading up to the 2024 Latin GRAMMYs, which this year marks the 25th anniversary of the Latin GRAMMY Awards.

The heartfelt tribute concert will honor Vives' celebrated career, which spans more than 30 years as a multifaceted singer and composer, and will feature renditions of his renowned repertoire performed by an array of notable artists and friends. In addition to his achievements in music, the 2024 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year gala will honor Vives' continued commitment to environmental and social initiatives.

Details about the coveted event, which takes place during the 2024 Latin GRAMMY Week in Miami, will be announced at a later date.

An architect of Latin music's ongoing evolution and global expansion, Carlos Vives is one of the most respected artists in Spanish-language music around the world. He helped pioneer a new Latin American sound, redefining traditional Colombian vallenato by incorporating pop and rock. The first Colombian to win a GRAMMY Award, he boasts more than 10 billion streams on digital platforms, 20 million albums sold, and enduring hits like "La Gota Fría," "Pa' Mayte," "La Tierra Del Olvido," "Fruta Fresca" and "Volví A Nacer."

Vives has become an ambassador of Colombian and Latin American culture around the world, and his commitment also transcends the musical realm. In 2015, he created the Tras La Perla initiative to promote the sustainable development of Santa Marta and its ecosystem.

In addition, he created the Escuela de Música Río Grande to offer artistic experiences to children and young people and founded the record label Gaira Música Local to promote new Colombian talent. As part of his ongoing commitment to music education, Vives has been a strong advocate and generous supporter of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation since its inception and sponsored its annual Prodigy Scholarship in 2018.

"Carlos Vives is one of the most prolific and beloved artists of our time, whose commitment to Latin music and support for the new generations truly personifies the values of our Academy," Latin Recording Academy CEO Manuel Abud said in a statement. "We honor him as our Person of the Year for his vast contributions to our musical heritage and for his many philanthropic initiatives."

"I am honored and moved to have been chosen as the 2024 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year. It is the reward for an authentic journey, for a wonderful team, and, above all, it is the recognition of the musical spirits of our Latin American diversity," Vives said in a statement. "These spirits taught us to love and enrich our language, to take care of it, and to respect it in order to exalt humanity with it."

The Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year honors musicians and their artistic achievements in the Latin music industry as well as their humanitarian efforts. The past honorees are Laura Pausini (2023), Marco Antonio Solís (2022), Rubén Blades (2021), Juanes (2019), Maná (2018), Alejandro Sanz (2017), Marc Anthony (2016), Roberto Carlos (2015), Joan Manuel Serrat (2014), Miguel Bosé (2013), Caetano Veloso (2012), Shakira (2011), Plácido Domingo (2010), Juan Gabriel (2009), Gloria Estefan (2008), Juan Luis Guerra (2007), Ricky Martin (2006), José José (2005), Carlos Santana (2004), Gilberto Gil (2003), Vicente Fernández (2002), Julio Iglesias (2001), and Emilio Estefan (2000).

Net proceeds from the Latin Academy Person of the Year Gala will go toward the charitable work of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation.

The 2024 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year gala will take place days ahead of the 2024 Latin GRAMMYs, which take place Thursday, Nov. 14, in Miami at Kaseya Center, in partnership with Miami-Dade County and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB). The nominations for the 2024 Latin GRAMMYs will be announced Tuesday, Sept. 17.

This year, the Latin Recording Academy will introduce two new Latin GRAMMY categories and a new field: Best Latin Electronic Music Performance, housed within the new Electronic Music Field, and Best Contemporary Mexican Music Album (Regional-Mexican Field). These additions also include several changes, including additional category amendments, to be added to the 2024 Latin GRAMMY Awards Process.

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Flamenco is undergoing a sweeping transformation. Propelled not by a single artist, but by a wave of creative talents, a new generation of artists are injecting fresh life into this storied genre. 

Six years after Rosalía's 2018 release, El Mal Querer, catalyzed a wider renaissance in the flamenco world with an approach inspired by the legendary Romani flamenco singer Camarón de la Isla a new wave of artists are rushing in to redefine the landmark Latin sound.  

A new generation of Spanish musicians draw deep inspiration from flamenco's rich traditions while redefining its contemporary form. Rooted in the flamenco traditions cherished by their ancestors, today's artists are innovating this heritage with a new set of sensibilities. Flamenco itself, with its diverse array of styles or palos, offers a unique medium of expression, characterized by distinctive rhythmic patterns, melody and emotional intensity. 

Discover the vibrant future of flamenco through the innovative works of trailblazers like La Plazuela, Queralt Lahoz, Mëstiza, C. Tangana, Maka, and María José Llergo. From Maka's trap-fueled infusions of reggaeton to Lahoz's innovations on traditional guitar-playing techniques, each of these artists, with their unique contemporary take on traditional styles, is reimagining flamenco and captivating audiences around the world. 

La Plazuela

La Plazuela duo Manuel Hidalgo and Luis Abril are both from Albaicín in the Andalusian city of Granada. It's a district infused with rich cultural history, where steep, winding streets are bursting with art and the sounds of flamenco. 

La Plazuela soaks the rhythms of flamenco in a distinctively sunny sound, forgoing the woeful connotations of the genre to explore new, optimistic possibilities. On their new song "Alegrías De La Ragua" the pair teamed up with flamenco singer David de Jacoba and electro producer Texture. The track is an ode to the sugar cane fields of Andalusia, highlighting the region’s agricultural importance and intrinsic relationship with the land — distinctly Granada both in sound and story.

Queralt Lahoz

Born in Barcelona to an Anducian family, Queralt Lahoz was raised on the sounds of flamenco at home where her Granada-born grandmother immersed her in the musical traditions of southern Spain. 

While her soulful, urban style deeply resonates with flamenco, Lahoz has stressed that she is not a purist of the genre and enjoys experimenting with different styles. Stripped back, brutally honest and direct, tracks like "De La Cueva a Los Olivos" is a multifaceted track that opens with rasgueado (percussive guitar technique integral to flamenco) that evolves into a brassy, jazzy chorus, and even includes a rap verse. She cites late flamenco great La Niña de los Peines alongside Wu-Tang Clan among her influences — a testament to her love of musical diversity. 

Mëstiza

Mëstiza envisioned flamenco for the nightclub: The DJ duo Pitty Bernad and Belah were already hot names in the Spanish club scene before they combined forces.  

Pitty hails from the southern region Castilla-La Mancha, and Belah from neighboring Andalucia. The two met in the Madrid DJ scene and shared a love for electronic music steeped in folkloric tradition. They are behind legendary Spanish club night Sacro, an immersive audiovisual experience rooted in ritualistic Spanish folklore. The duo has plans to bring their unique Sacro sound across the globe soon with to-be-announced performances planned for Europe, Asia, and the United States. 

C. Tangana

C. Tangana (full name Antón Álvarez) co-wrote eight songs on former flame Rosalía's El Mal Querer and demonstrates his dexterity and vision in the sounds of flamenco on his 2020 release, El Madrileño. The album explores regional sounds from across Spain and Latin America, employing the finest artists from these genres as collaborators. 

The album's first single, "Tú Me Dejaste De Querer" features flamenco stars Niño de Elche and La Húngara singing in the chorus between Álvarez’s rapped verses. Alvaréz’s tour of the album was based on a typical Spanish sobremesa (post-dinner conversation), with bottles of wine placed on a long table set with tapas, elbow-to-elbow with fellow musicians who clap palmas flamencas, play guitar, and provide backing vocals. El Madrileño earned three Latin GRAMMYs in 2021 and The Tiny Desk performance of the album is among the series’ most-watched concerts. 

Maka

Granada-born Maka has been a pioneer in viewing flamenco through an urban lens. A versatile artist, he is both a skilled rapper and prolific singer/songwriter. In his 2014 release, Pna, Maka combined flamenco singing (canté) over hip-hop beats ("La Dirty Flamenca") and reversed the formula to rap over flamenco rhythms ("Vividor").  

Maka returned to flex his mastery in flamenco in his 2021 album, Detrás de Esta Pinta Hay un Flamenco, which pays homage to the melodic pop-flamenco bands of the 1980s and 1990s with a throwback feel. His latest 2024 single "Amor Ciego'' combines a reggaeton beat with flamenco vocal embellishments, calling back to many of his early reggaeton and trap-fueled releases. 

María José Llergo 

María José Llergo released her debut album Ultrabelleza last October to critical acclaim, sparking an upcoming U.S. tour. As a trained flamenco vocalist, she graduated from the prestigious Escuela Superior de Música de Cataluña (Rosalía is a fellow alum.)

Llergo grew up in the small town of Pozoblanco, on the outskirts of the Andalusian city, Cordoba. Her grandfather, a vegetable farmer, taught Llergo flamenco from a young age, singing with her as he worked the land. 

Llergo’s music combines flamenco with the sounds of nature, reimagined synthetically through electronic experimentation that results in lush, immersive soundscapes. "I turn like the moon in the sky... If I stop moving, I’ll die", she sings in Spanish on the track "Rueda, Rueda," contemplating the rhythm of life. Her lyrics are deeply poetic and metaphorical, tying place to emotion, and nature to feeling. 

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The Latin Recording Academy today announced that the 2024 Latin GRAMMYs, officially known as the 25th Latin GRAMMY Awards, will take place on Thursday, Nov. 14, in Miami at Kaseya Center, in partnership with Miami-Dade County and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB). Additionally, the nominations for the 2024 Latin GRAMMYs will be announced Tuesday, Sept. 17.

The 2024 Latin GRAMMYs celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Latin GRAMMY Awards, a momentous milestone for the Latin Recording Academy. The show's return to Miami is also a homecoming for the Latin GRAMMYs, returning to the place it calls home, where the Latin Recording Academy's journey commenced and where its headquarters remain today. The 2024 Latin GRAMMYs mark the third time that the Latin GRAMMYs will be held in Miami: The first time took place in 2003 and the second time took place in 2020, when the show was closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The three-hour telecast of the 2024 Latin GRAMMYs, produced by TelevisaUnivision, will air live on Univision, Galavisión, and ViX on Thursday, Nov. 14, beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. CT), preceded by a one-hour pre-show starting at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

The 2024 Latin GRAMMYs will see the debut of a new Field and several new Latin GRAMMY Categories, including Best Latin Electronic Music Performance, housed within the new Electronic Music Field, and Best Contemporary Mexican Music Album (Regional-Mexican Field), among other changes.

Ahead of the 2024 Latin GRAMMYs, the Latin Recording Academy will host multiple official Latin GRAMMY Week 2024 events throughout Miami-Dade County, including marquee events like Leading Ladies of Entertainment, the Best New Artist Showcase, Special Awards Presentation, Nominee Reception, Person of the Year, and the Premiere Ceremony preceding the telecast. More details on the official Latin GRAMMY Week 2024 events and calendar will be announced in the coming months.

The news of the 2024 Latin GRAMMYs was announced via a press conference in Miami today. Watch the full press conference, featuring Latin Recording Academy CEO Manuel Abud, below.

"Since our first awards presentation in the year 2000, the Latin GRAMMYs have provided an international spotlight for Latin music second to none and provided iconic performances that have become part of global music and pop culture history.  We are thrilled to celebrate our 25th anniversary in Miami," Latin Recording Academy CEO Manuel Abud said. "Miami has evolved to become the epicenter of Latin entertainment and we are grateful for the community support and enthusiasm we have received."

"Welcome home, Latin GRAMMYs! As the cultural capital for Latinos in the United States, there's no better place than Miami-Dade to host the best of Latin music and entertainment," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. "It's a true honor to host this incredible event once again and welcome people from all over the world to enjoy the vibrant and diverse cultural hub we call home. This event celebrates the very best in music, and we are proud to showcase Miami's unique energy, where music and culture collide in the most spectacular way."

"We are excited to bring to life the landmark 25-year celebration of the Latin GRAMMYs from the city we call home – the city where Hispanic culture has flourished as a driving force of influence and impact globally," said Ignacio Meyer, President of Univision Television Networks Group at TelevisaUnivision. "As the Home of Latin Music, we're excited to deliver yet another unforgettable night of excellence in music, grounded in our passion and unwavering commitment to shining a bright light on the most culture-defining moments for Spanish-speaking audiences worldwide."

"This announcement underscores Greater Miami's status as a global hub at the intersection of multicultural music, entertainment, events and tourism," said David Whitaker, president and CEO of The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. "On behalf of the travel and hospitality industry of Greater Miami, we are absolutely thrilled by the news that the 25th Latin GRAMMYs is returning home to Miami – bringing with it an influx of visitors eager to experience the excitement and energy of this iconic destination."

The Latin GRAMMY Awards are the preeminent international honor and the only peer-selected award celebrating excellence in Latin music worldwide.

Additional key dates for the 2024 Latin GRAMMYs include:

• July 24, 2024 — Aug. 5,2024:  First Round of Voting

• Sept. 17, 2024: Nominations Announcement

• Sept. 27, 2024 — Oct. 10, 2024: Final Round of Voting

Visit the Latin Recording Academy website for more information regarding the 2024 Latin GRAMMY Awards season.

Join the conversation online and share the official hashtags on all popular social media platforms: #LatinGRAMMY #25AñosDeExcelencia. 

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The Latin Recording Academy has announced significant updates to the eligibility guidelines for the 2024 Latin GRAMMYs, officially known as the 25th Latin GRAMMY Awards, introducing a new field and categories, and revising existing Category requirements to better reflect the evolving musical landscape.

To reflect the evolving landscape of Latin music, The Latin Recording Academy has introduced a new Electronic Music Field, highlighting a Category for Best Latin Electronic Music Performance tailored for singles and tracks, and a Best Contemporary Mexican Music Album Category in the Regional-Mexican Field for albums majorly featuring new material while retaining the core of Regional Mexican Music genres. 

Further adjustments include a renaming in the Portuguese Language Field to encompass Música Popular Brasileira and Afro-Portuguese-Brazilian Music, a refined definition for the Best Singer-Songwriter Song category, an update to the Best Long Form Music Video criteria allowing for shorter videos, and a new nominations protocol based on entry numbers, aiming to enhance the representation and recognition of diverse Latin music genres.

New Field & Category

FIELD: Electronic Music

CATEGORY: Best Latin Electronic Music Performance

For singles and tracks only (vocal or instrumental). Recordings must have 51 percent playing time of Latin Electronic music genres (as defined by the Latin Electronic Committee), as well as related emerging genres, and Latin elements, in order to accurately reflect the current trends in Latin electronic music. Recordings containing interpolations/sampling are eligible if the interpolation/sampling does not constitute more than 25 percent of the lyrics and/or 51 percent of the music of the original song. Latin electronic remixes are eligible. Award is presented to solo artists, duos or groups (for groups of more than 10 members, the statuette will be presented to the “leader” of the group). Winner’s Certificates are presented to producer(s), engineer(s), mixer(s), composer(s) and to the original recording artist, if applicable.

New Category

CATEGORY:  Best Contemporary Mexican Music Album (Regional-Mexican Field)

For vocal or instrumental albums of Contemporary Regional Mexican Music, in Spanish, which contain at least 51 percent of the total time recorded with new material, and which maintain at least 60 percent of the essence of the genres of Regional Mexican Music. Award is presented to solo artists, duos or groups, producer(s), recording engineer(s) and mixing engineer(s) of 51 percent or more of the total playing time of the album. Winner’s Certificates are presented to mastering engineer(s) and to producer(s), engineer(s), and mixer(s) of less than 51 percent of the total playing time (if not the artist).

Additional Category Amendments

CATEGORY NAME CHANGE: Best MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) / MAPB (Música Afro Portuguesa-Brasileira) Album (Portuguese Language Field)

For vocal or instrumental Música Popular Brasileira and Afro-Portuguese-Brazilian Music albums containing at least 51percent of total play time of new material.

AMENDMENT TO DEFINITION: Best Singer-Songwriter Song (Singer-Songwriter Field)

For singles or tracks that contain at least 60 percent of the lyrics in Spanish, Portuguese or any native regional dialect. Must be a new song composed and performed 100percent by the singer-songwriter(s). Award is presented to the songwriter(s). Winner’s Certificate presented to the music publisher.

NEW VIDEO ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Best Long Form Music Video Category (Music Video Field)

Eligible videos in Best Long Form Music Category consist of at least 12 minutes of duration (reduced from 20 minutes). 

AMENDMENT TO THE RULE REGARDING NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS: Number of nominations in a category will be based on the number of entries (All Fields)

Each category shall have at least 40 distinct artist entries. If a category receives between 25 and 39 entries, only three recordings will receive nominations in that year. Should there be fewer than 25 entries in a category, that category will immediately go on hiatus for the current year and entries will be screened into the next most logical category. If a category receives fewer than 25 entries for three consecutive years, the category will be discontinued, and submissions will be entered in the next most appropriate category.

Online Entry Process

NEW GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS: Single Submission Round

 All submissions for the Online Entry Process (for recordings released June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024) will occur in one single round of entries, starting on April 1, 2024, and closing on April 30, 2024 at 6 p.m. (PT). Any releases scheduled for May 2024 must be submitted in April, before the Online Entry Process closes, and the streaming link and credits must be submitted by May 31, 2024.

REMOVAL OF FINAL SUBMIT CONCEPT

Submissions can be completed ‘as they go’, there is no need to hold on completion of all entries for a final submit, thus facilitating the submission of entries.

All updates go into effect immediately for the upcoming 25th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards® taking place in November 2024. To view this year’s Awards calendar, visit https://www.latingrammy.com/en/awards/calendar.