GRAMMY CHEW: CHEWING ON LATIN
Peso Pluma, KAROL G, Shakira, Bad Bunny
Last year, the Recording Academy didn’t nominate any Latin artists in the Big Four categories. To make matters worse, in Best Música Urbana album—a category that actually made the telecast—there were only three nominees. Following last year’s nominations, Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. acknowledged that he was disappointed by the paucity of nods for Latin acts and declared that the Academy needs to “do more outreach in Latin communities.”
That said, it will likely be tough this year for any Latin artist to earn a Big Three nomination (there are Latin contenders for BNA). Bichota/Interscope’s KAROL G, Sony Latin’s Shakira, Double P’s Peso Pluma and Socios Music’s Carín León have the best shot at getting an AOTY or ROTY/SOTY nod. KG's Bichota Season isn't eligible, but global smash "Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido" could make some noise in song categories. And don’t count out previous AOTY nominee Bad Bunny, who competed in the category in 2023 for Un Verano Sin Ti and has the superstar status to land a major nomination.
Feid, Ivan Cornejo, Young Miko, Myke Towers
Best New Artist
The Latin community’s best shot at being in the Big Four is in Best New Artist. Universal Music Latino’s Feid and Interscope’s Ivan Cornejo lead this season’s slate of Latin breakouts. The former released two albums during the eligibility period, put up huge global numbers on a handful of tracks and packed arenas in North America with his FERXXOCALIPSIS Tour. The latter also sold a boatload of tickets and is creating a bridge from música Mexicana to alternative rock with his acclaimed set MIRADA. One World/Warner Latina’s Myke Towers and The Wave Music Group/Capitol’s Young Miko are also wrapping up banner years, taking leaps creatively and commercially.
One question mark is UnitedMasters’ FloyyMenor. The Chilean newcomer has the year’s biggest Latin song with “GATA ONLY” f/Cris MJ, from his debut EP EL COMIENZO, which has furnished other global hits. Could FloyyMenor sneak in as a BNA surprise?
Anitta, Danny Ocean, Luis Fonsi, Sofía Reyes
Best Latin Pop Album
Latin icon Shakira is a lock in this category with Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, her first full-length album in seven years. Veteran hitmaker Luis Fonsi could also be a strong contender in this category with El Viaje (Universal Music Latino), as well as former BNA nominee Anitta with Funk Generation (Republic/UMLE). Venezuela’s Danny Ocean, Argentina’s Emilia, Mexico’s Sofia Reyes and Brazil’s Luísa Sonza could earn their first Grammy nominations behind regional chart-topping sets.
Best Música Urbana Album
Since its inception in 2022, only Bad Bunny (who won twice) and KAROL G have earned trophies. With KAROL G's blockbuster album missing the eligibility period, that leaves Bad Bunny as the favorite. In this crowded category, Towers, Feid, Young Miko, Álvaro Diaz and Tiago PZK are all worthy of their first Grammy nods.
Pluma, León, Becky G, Fernandez
Best Música Mexicana Album
This category’s reigning champ, Peso Pluma, is primed for a repeat with ÉXODO, which enjoys the most heat going into Grammy season. Pluma’s sophomore double album has been in the Top 20 on the all-genre album chart since it arrived in midsummer. Country-leaning crooner Carín León also has momentum—and arguably the best shot at landing a nom and competing against Pluma, with Boca Chueca, Vol. 1 (Socios/Virgin). Other albums in the mix include Cornejo’s MIRADA, Kemosabe/RCA/Sony Latin’s Becky G with ESQUINAS, Alejandro Fernandez’s Te Llevo En La Sangre and Grupo Frontera’s JUGANDO A QUE NO PASA NADA. It’s also time for the Academy to acknowledge Rancho Humilde’s dominance in the genre by giving Fuerza Regida and/or Junior H some love.
