This yr guarantees to be probably the most thrilling editions of the Latin Grammys.
Because the Latin Recording Academy prepares to unveil the nominations for the award’s twenty sixth version on Sept. 17, the eligibility interval — from June 1, 2024 to Could 31, 2025 — contains plenty of high-profile albums that not solely contributed to the continued Latin music increase on a world degree, but in addition pushed the motion ahead with their radical selections and genre-defying sounds.
Now a significant a part of the Latin pop DNA, the urbano style continues to redefine and problem itself, whereas the rootsy strains of música Mexicana have deservedly gained a privileged seat on the desk like by no means earlier than. The fields of folks, rock, electronica and tropical are nonetheless increasing, and artists reminiscent of Unhealthy Bunny, Rauw Alejandro, Becky G, Fuerza Regida and Natalia Lafourcade are vying for awards with a few of the most formidable albums of their careers.
De Los assistant editor Suzy Exposito and contributing author Ernesto Lechner focus on their predictions on the songs and albums which can be almost definitely to be nominated. The next dialog has been edited for size.
Ernesto Lechner: This appears to be a straightforward yr when it comes to the 2 apparent candidates for Latin Gammy historical past. Unhealthy Bunny’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” is the type of album that defines not solely the yr it got here out — 2025 — but in addition all the decade. And Natalia Lafourcade’s mystically tinged “Cancionera” finds the perennial Grammy favourite on the apex of her craft. Going again to Benito’s masterpiece, its conceptual gravitas is nearly grander than the songs themselves.
Suzy Exposito: I’m actually gunning for Album of the 12 months for this one. The quantity of thought and intention that he positioned on this document. The cultural significance of the songs, not simply when it comes to the historical past of Puerto Rico, however the best way during which he immediately engages with the Caribbean diaspora at massive by means of salsa.
E.L.: I really like how lovingly he delves past salsa to additionally embody plena. He goes again to Rafael Cortijo — the roots, the very essence of boricua tradition. And the album has this Beatles-like high quality the place it’s extremely business — a No. 1 document, the album that everyone is listening to — however there’s no compromise on the inventive entrance. It’s an formidable, absolutely realized assertion.
S.E.: Is any album by Benito simply one other Unhealthy Bunny album? I don’t suppose he dabbles in filler the best way different artists do.
E.L.: The photograph of the plastic chairs on the quilt might have been taken within the suburbs of Lima, or San Salvador, or Medellín. Benito makes such an inclusive, pan-Latin assertion. Which brings me to appoint the title observe, “Debí Tirar Mas Fotos,” as an ideal contender for Music of the 12 months.
S.E.: After I first heard it, I began to cry. It’s a really sentimental tune. I used to be lately in Puerto Rico and went to a plena jam session. It was taking place on the street, and you might see folks of all ages taking part in collectively, singing conventional songs, drinks in hand. There was one thing actually stunning and timeless about that communal expertise.
E.L.: An analogous ardour for music permeates Lafourcade’s “Cancionera.” Recorded dwell on analog tape, it has a pristine, wooden-floor type of heat. She embodies this mystical character, the cancionera, and it’s a really mature album. I really like “Cocos en la Playa” — a frisky, stunning tropical tune that’s so pretty and genuine. For my cash, it’s going to be a battle between these two albums in all the key classes.
S.E.: I really feel that Natalia Lafourcade is the conservative alternative on the Latin Gammys, and it feels weird to say it. This can be a girl who was making pop-rock within the 2000s. She is a virtuosa, and a grasp of her craft, however her nomination is predictable as a result of now she represents the gold commonplace for the Latin Academy.
E.L.: She’s positively the most secure alternative between the 2. In addition to Benito and Natalia, there are just a few albums that would very properly seem within the main classes, and considered one of them is Cazzu’s “Latinaje.”
S.E.: That album is such an announcement piece. I cherished seeing Cazzu break free from the Latin lure sound that she outlined and mixing it with different issues. She’s a terrific songwriter, and her transformation is fascinating. I feel that is the yr when many younger persons are going again to their roots, after which making one thing new out of it.
E.L.: I had a dialog with Cazzu just a few months in the past and informed her that “Latinaje” made me really feel vindicated. As a fellow Argentine, I’ve all the time felt that we’re an integral a part of Latin America. She proved it with this stunning love letter to so many important genres. There’s salsa, merengue, South American folks, and “Dolce,” a beautiful corrido tumbado about that notorious purple costume that went viral. And she or he did all of it so genuinely.
S.E.: It could be laborious for her, as a result of she got here up as an MC. I’m wondering if the Latin Academy will know in what classes to put her, since that is such a multi-genre album. I imply, she’s a global lady.
E.L.: And naturally, Rubén Blades has a brand new album out, and it’s stunning as all the time. “Fotografías” is one other luxurious, huge band salsa session. It combines new compositions with songs that Rubén had given to fellow Fania artists within the ‘70s, and now recorded them himself.
S.E.: That’s a terrific transfer on his half. “Hey, remember those songs? Yeah — I wrote them!” It sounds ridiculous to say that Rubén is one other secure alternative, however I can see him in all the large classes. Which brings me to a different artist who made a salsa-influenced album: Rauw Alejandro and “Cosa Nuestra.”
E.L.: I really like the Afro-Caribbean vibe on “Cosa Nuestra” and the silky duet with bachata star Romeo Santos on “Khé?” I really feel this one has been overshadowed a little bit by Benito’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” My favourite Rauw Alejandro album stays 2021’s “Vice Versa” with the superior, ‘80s influenced mega-hit “Todo De Ti.”
S.E.: My favorite song on “Cosa Nuestra” is “Se Fue,” the duet with Laura Pausini, which is also like a moody ‘80s song. Raúl has made it a point to polish up his nostalgia for old forms of music. Michael Jackson is one of his most influential artists.
By the way, we should mention Fuerza Regida and their ninth studio album, “111XPANTIA.” They have never been nominated for a Latin Grammy, so I’m rooting for them as a result of they’ve experimented in a very daring approach. Their lead singer, Jesús Ortiz Paz, has proven loads of intention behind his inventive choices past making the identical corridos or mining from the identical previous ‘90s rappers. Their music is cheeky; sonically, it pushes boundaries.
E.L.: You’re by no means gonna have a foul time with this new wave of música Mexicana stars, contemplating the staggering melodic richness of their songs and the immediacy of the lyrics.
S.E.: On that be aware, I feel it’s time for Ivan Cornejo to get a Latin Grammy nod for “Mirada” — the manufacturing has this ethereal high quality that sounds so mature and progressive for the style. I additionally wish to applaud DannyLux for his formidable “Leyenda,” which is a psychedelic tackle sierreño music, à la George Harrison.
E.L.: What about Becky G? Final yr I used to be requested to jot down about “Encuentros,” and I simply needed to give up to the magnificence of this pristine música Mexicana session. Her voice sounds big on this document.
S.E.: I actually hope they don’t silo her within the música Mexicana classes, as a result of this can be a very mature album for her. She grew up singing mariachi music together with her household, so it’s a phenomenal full circle second for her.
E.L.: “Encuentros” can be an ideal Album of the 12 months candidate as a result of it celebrates the music of her grandparents however on the identical time transcends it. I really like that Becky stated she’s by no means trying again after recording her two conventional albums of rancheras and plush Mexican pop.
This brings me to a extra normal statement: I consider we’re experiencing an period of absolute splendor, and the Latin Grammys nominations are certain to replicate that. It’s like each single Latin American nation has blossomed, sporting its most elegant garments and throwing some wonderful events. The richness and breadth of the music being recorded all through the continent is off the charts.
S.E.: I agree. Creatively, the final couple of years have been probably the most thrilling for Latin music in a very very long time. I feel we’re going to recollect the 2020s for the daring decade that it’s.
