LATIN GRAMMYS: NEW LOCATION, OTHER CHANGES?

With first-round voting in full force, many wonder if the Latin Recording Academy—on the heels of surprising observers by moving the Latin Grammys from the U.S., the ceremony's only home, to Sevilla, Spain—is open to embracing further change.

Much of the biz will be focused on how música Mexicana is represented in the major categories when the Latin Grammy nominations are announced on 9/19. The subgenre has enhanced Latin music’s sizable growth, with a crop of new stars making waves in the U.S. and around the world. Peso Pluma, Fuerza Regida, Eslabón Armado and Grupo Frontera, to name a few such acts, have taken over DSPs and are filling large venues across the globe.

While the ascendant Bad Bunny earned several trophies during the last few years, he did not win in any of the Big 3 categories. Will the Latin Recording Academy show more love to the world’s biggest urbano acts? Karol G, coming off her biggest year yet, should be in line for plenty of Latin Grammy action. Where do Feid and Rauw Alejandro, who’ve become some of the most-streamed artists globally, fit into the mix?

Don’t be surprised if beloved veterans like Juanes, Shakira, Yandel and Marco Antonio Solis appear on the ballot multiple times.

Whether the location change inspires new voting trends remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: The Latin Recording Academy will change things up this year, one way or another.