in Spanish
The 2024 Billboard Latin Awards gala was filled with excitement, surprises and celebrations, such as Maluma and J Balvin’s beautiful on-stage reunion. However, the undeniable star of the night was Karol G, who emerged as the biggest winner, taking home eight awards.
This win was a revenge for the Colombian artist after sharing the spotlight in previous editions with other big names like Peso Pluma and Bad Bunny.
Although none of the top 3 artists attended the ceremony in person, the event that took place last Thursday but was broadcast on Sunday night turned out to be the perfect stage for Karol G to shine brightly. Among the Billboard Latin awards she took home were Song of the Year, Vocal Collaboration of the Year and Streaming Song of the Year.
Peso and Benito each won six awards. In particular, Bad Bunny stood out with his album ‘Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana’, which was recognized as the Top Latin Album of the Year and Latin Rhythm Album of the Year. His song “Mónaco” also won Song of the Year in the sales category, reaffirming his impact on the music industry.
Meanwhile, Peso Pluma continues to establish himself as one of the most influential artists of the moment, especially in the regional Mexican genre, which he has helped elevate to new levels of popularity. in both Latin America and the United States.
Alejandro Sanz and Pepe Aguilar: Remembering two legends
One of the most touching moments of the night was the tribute to two Latin music legends: Alejandro Sanz and Pepe Aguilar. The Spanish singer-songwriter was honored with the Billboard Arts Career Award, recognizing his influential career and leaving an indelible mark on Spanish-language music. Despite not performing, Sanz took the opportunity to thank his fans and announce the release of his new single, ‘Palmeras en el jardín’.
“There was a time when making music in Spanish was not easy. I’m not saying it’s easy now, but I’m saying enjoy it a lot, feel proud of what you’ve achieved to be here for many generations, for many generations.” many different genres,” Sanz said after presenting awards to colleagues and the audience.
On the other hand, Pepe Aguilar was recognized with the Billboard Hall of Fame Award, honoring his legacy in the regional Mexican music scene. During the ceremony, Aguilar delighted the audience with a medley of his greatest hits, accompanied by a mariachi band, proving that his voice is as powerful as ever.
Reflecting on his career that began in 1990, Aguilar said, “The way to stay relevant is through the passion that music evokes in me and by reinventing myself every time it is necessary. An artist Artists are only as good as the team around them. This is dedicated to everyone who believed in me (…) This is dedicated to my team and my audience.”
Heart by J Balvin
One of the most emotional moments of the night was when Maluma suddenly appeared to present the Spirit of Hope Award to his friend José Álvaro Osorio Balvin, the artist’s real name.
“Jose is a great representative not only of our country, Colombia, but also of our genre. He gives without asking for anything in return. That’s who he is”, Maluma said when presenting the award he received two years ago. After thanking the recognition, Balvin said he tries not to publicize his charitable efforts “because I believe the left hand should not know what the right hand is doing”.
However, he mentioned that his foundation works for vulnerable children and adolescents, as well as single mothers, and emphasized that they are fighting against child trafficking.
“Say no to child trafficking,” said Balvin, who earlier performed a new version of the song ‘Cosa de Locos’, part of his latest album ‘Rayo’.
Memorable performances and new talent
The event also featured musical performances that showcased the diversity and richness of Latin music. Fuerza Regida, a popular regional Mexican group, had a moment in the spotlight while performing some of their most famous hits. On the contrary, Xavi, a young Mexican artist who won the New Artist of the Year award, delighted the audience with his performance of “La Diabla”.
Additionally, Yandel and Chencho Corleone, two pioneers of reggaetón music, added an urban flavor to the night with their performances. Prince Royce represented bachata, performing the collaboration “Cosas de la Peda” with Gabito Ballesteros.
Legendary Grupo Niche got everyone dancing with their iconic hit “Cali Pachanguero” while Proyecto Uno closed the ceremony with their classic “Tiburón”.
Tags J Balvin, Maluma, Karol G, Bad Bunny, Latin music