In Spain, the Latin Grammys Recognize Powerful Women

The 24th annual Latin Grammy Awards were broadcast worldwide from the Fibes convention center in Seville, marking the first time the ceremony has taken place outside of the United States. The event aimed to highlight the cultural influence of Spain’s former colonies and celebrate the music of Latin America.

Despite the trans-Atlantic move, the top awards were dominated by women from Latin America. Karol G from Colombia won album of the year for “Mañana Será Bonito,” while Shakira, also from Colombia, shared the song of the year award for her collaboration with Argentine producer Bizarrap. This marked Shakira’s first Latin Grammy for her songwriting. Other notable winners included Natalia Lafourcade from Mexico, who won record of the year for “De Todas las Flores.”

This year’s awards also recognized Joaquina from Venezuela as the best new artist, and Italian singer Laura Pausini as the person of the year, despite her Spanish-language performances.

The Latin Grammys’ venture to Spain was supported by a $24 million grant from the European Union and the government of the region of Andalusia, the cradle of flamenco. This move underscored Spain’s influence on Latin music and celebrated the annual International Day of Flamenco, which commemorates UNESCO’s recognition of flamenco as an “intangible cultural heritage.”

The main awards ceremony featured performances from Spanish artists like Rosalía and Alejandro Sanz, highlighting Spain’s collaborative contributions to Latin music. The show also recognized regional Mexican music, showcasing the growing international influence of the genre.

Overall, the Latin Grammys’ excursion to Spain allowed for cross-genre, cross-border collaborations, showcasing the diverse and evolving world of Latin music. The event was a celebration of cultural exchange and artistic innovation.