Bad Bunny, Karol G, and Alejandro Sanz Score Top Honors; Los Tigres Del Norte Close 26th Latin GRAMMY’s With Cultural Power

The 26th Annual Latin Grammy Awards, hosted by the charismatic duo of Maluma and Roselyn Sánchez, went down Thursday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, turning Las Vegas into the undeniable epicenter of global sound. More than just a glittering showcase of talent, the evening was a potent mix of history-making wins, cultural pride, and passionate statements about community, proving once again that Latin music is both a party and a powerful force. View The Full Winners List | By Cynthia Hernandez | Vanessa Torres

LAS VEGAS (AP) / MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA — The night’s biggest statement arrived when Bad Bunny captured the highly coveted Album of the Year award for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” This historic win marks the Puerto Rican superstar’s first triumph in the top category, validating a truly revolutionary work that the artist highlighted as being deeply rooted in his home. The album, which also saw him secure Best Urban Song for “Dtmf,” was an undeniable cultural force. Despite his monumental success, Bad Bunny’s humility remained intact, with the artist noting in one of his speeches that he still “gets nervous as if it is the first time,” yet he coupled that vulnerability with an activist edge, celebrating a win for Puerto Rico and the Latin community globally.

Other major trophies went to Karol G for Song of the Year with “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” a song she explained to an audience is for you to sing to that person you see, who’s already with someone else, and you say, ‘Hey, María, if it had been us I’m sure if you had met me earlier, things would’ve been different, right? ‘” The enduring icon Alejandro Sanz also received a top honor, clinching Record of the Year for “Palmeras En el Jardín.” Meanwhile, the future of the genre shined with Paloma Morphy taking home Best New Artist.

The ceremony delivered on its promise of high-impact performances, blending genre-defining legends with the next generation of chart-toppers. The show kicked off with host Maluma setting a fiery pace with a tribute to Carlos Santana’s “Oye Como Va.” Later, Karol G surprised the audience by finally presenting her long-awaited collaboration, “Coleccionando Heridas,” with the legendary Marco Antonio Solís. A spectacular moment of cross-genre unity saw Carín León and GRAMMY winner Kacey Musgraves join forces for their bilingual collaboration, “Lost in Translation.” However, the spotlight often focused on the music’s power to connect across eras. Gloria Estefan and Nathy Peluso delivered one of the night’s most celebrated performances, filling the stage with the flavor of salsa in a generational union on “La Vecina” and “Chirriqui Chirri.”

Backstage at the Media Center, artists didn’t shy away from using their platform to address social issues: Bobby Pulido announced his retirement from music after winning Best Album for Tejano Music to pivot his career toward political election. Pulido, who had an interest in political science before music, was unambiguous about his new mission: “He feels that now more than ever it is important to help the Latin community not only through music but in the political system. Especially as a lot of Latino families are going through a very tough time right now.” Paloma Morphy used her win as a platform for transparency, highlighting the pressures of the industry and the importance of self-care. She touched on how critical mental health is, having overcome her own struggles with shyness and anxiety, being “proud that she was able to overcome that by pushing herself to create no matter how nerve wracking it is and noting the importance of doing what you love despite the fear.” Los Tigres del Norte highlighted the importance of speaking in support of the Latin Community, especially given the current social atmosphere in the US. They also highlighted the importance of never forgetting your roots and the upbringsing that brings you forward. Their message, delivered as they closed the night with “La Lotería,” was a powerful reminder that their music has always been the voice of the people.

Morat celebrated their win as a “booster for us especially as we are heading to our next album. So this is a great motivation to get back to the studio to hopefully win another one in the future.” 

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Cynthia Hernandez

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