Reggaetón, long under-represented or downright overlooked in the main classifications of the Latin Grammys, appears to lastly be seeing its day of numeration, with three reggaetón stars– J Balvin, Bad Bunny and Ozuna— leading the list of elections.
Balvin’s 13 nods for the 21 st annual Latin Grammys, that make him the lead nominee, reflect a category where collaborations flourish. He is chosen two times in record of the year (for his solo track “Rojo” and as a highlighted artist on Anuel’s “China”); twice in album of the year and best urban album (for his own Colores and for Sanctuary, his joint album with Bad Bunny); and twice in best reggaetón efficiency (for his own “Morado” and for “Loco contigo” with DJ Snake, featuring Tyga).
Bad Bunny, who follows in variety of elections with 9, likewise has double nods in the album of the year and finest urban album categories (for his YHLQMDLG and for Sanctuary with Balvin) and in best metropolitan combination performance (for “Cántalo” together with Ricky Martin and Residente, and “Hablamos Mañana” with Duki and Pablo Chill-E).
And Ozuna, up for 8 awards, is nominated twice in the new finest reggaetón performance category (for his solo “Te soñé de nuevo” and “Si te vas” together with Sech) and in best city fusion/performance, for collabs with Rosalía (” Yo X Ti, Tu X Mi”) and Anuel (” China”).
Latin Grammys
As for Anuel, who in 2015 slammed the Latin Grammys after being shut out of the elections, this time is up for seven awards, including best metropolitan music album for his soul-baring Emmanuel
Reggaetón and urban music permeated the elections overall. In addition to taking advantage of 2 brand-new categories (best reggaetón performance and best rap/hip-hop tune) the category even dominated in the generally more alt-oriented best new artist classification. This year, the list of 10 acts is led by Anuel, and likewise consists of well-known contenders like Rauw Alejandro, Mike Bahía, Nicki Nicole and Cazzu.
Aside from finally extending an olive branch of recognition to reggaetón and city music in general, the Latin Grammys got a lot right in this batch of nominations.
Beyond the super star reggaetón acts, influential pop voices like Kany García, and increasing pop/fusion star Camilo– who appears to be improving the art of tactical yet musical collaboration– are popular nominees with 5 and six nods, respectively.
García’s beautiful duets album, Mesa Para Dos, is up for album of the year while her single “Lo que en ti veo” with Nahuel Pennisi is nominated for record and song of the year.
Camilo
On his end, Camilo, who last year got neglected in the best new artist classification, is this time up for album of the year for Por Primera Vez, record of the year for “Tutu” featuring Pedro Capó; and song of the year for “Tutu” and “El mismo aire.” Likewise up for 6 awards is Carlos Vives, whose lovely Cumbiana is up for album of the year while the single “For Sale” featuring Alejandro Sanz is nominated in record of the year.
While reggaetón is not represented in the all-important manufacturer of the year classification, it’s impossible to find fault with the names there: Rafa Arcaute (Nathy Peluso, Draco Rosa); Eduardo Cabra “Visitante” (Cuarteto de Nos, Sotomayor); Pablo Díaz-Reixa “El Guincho” (Rosalía, Paloma Mami); George Noriega (Ednita Nazario, Yuridia); and the production duo of Andrés Torres and Mauricio Rengifo (Luis Fonsi, Andrés Cepeda, Sebastián Yatra).
They represent not just different nationalities, but the eclectic and truly amazing mix of music originating from all corners of Latin America and Spain, in every category imaginable.
The Latin Grammys will air Nov. 19 on the Univision network.
See below for a partial list of candidates.
Record Of The Year
” China”– Anuel AA, Daddy Yankee, Karol G Featuring Ozuna & J Balvin
” Cuando Estés Aquí”– Pablo Alborán
” Vete”– Bad Bunny
” Solari Yacumenza”– Bajofondo Featuring Cuareim 1080
” Rojo”– J Balvin
” Tutu”– Camilo Featuring Pedro Capó
” Lo Que En Ti Veo”– Kany García & Nahuel Pennisi
” Tusa”– Karol G & Nicki Minaj
” René”– Residente
” Contigo”– Alejandro Sanz
Album Of The Year
YHLQMDLG– Bad Bunny
Oasis– J Balvin & Bad Bunny
Colores– J Balvin
Por Primera Vez– Camilo
Mesa para Dos– Kany García
Aire (Versión Día)– Jesse & Happiness
Un Canto Por México, Vol. 1– Natalia Lafourcade
Pausa– Ricky Martin
La Conquista del Espacio– Fito Páez
Cumbiana– Carlos Vives
Tune Of The Year
” ADMV”– Vicente Barco, Edgar Barrera, Maluma & Stiven Rojas, songwriters (Maluma)
” Bonita”– Juanes, Mauricio Rengifo, Andrés Torres & Sebastián Yatra, songwriters (Juanes & Sebastián Yatra)
” Codo Con Codo”– Jorge Drexler, songwriter (Jorge Drexler)
” El Mismo Aire”– Edgar Barrera, Camilo, Jon Leone, Richi López & Juan Morelli, songwriters (Camilo)
” For Sale”– Alejandro Sanz & Carlos Vives, songwriters (Alejandro Sanz & Carlos Vives)
” #ELMUNDOFUERA (Improvisación)”– Alejandro Sanz, songwriter (Alejandro Sanz)
” Lo Que En Ti Veo”– Kany García, songwriter (Kany García & Nahuel Pennisi)
” René”– Residente, songwriter (Residente)
” Tiburones”– Oscar Hernández & Pablo Preciado, songwriters (Ricky Martin)
” Tusa”– Kevyn Mauricio Cruz Moreno, Karol G, Nicki Minaj & Daniel Oviedo Echavarría, songwriters (Karol G & Nicki Minaj)
” Tutu”– Camilo, Jon Leone & Richi López, songwriters (Camilo Featuring Pedro Capó)
Best New Artist
Anuel AA
Rauw Alejandro
Mike Bahía
Cazzu
Conociendo Rusia
Soy Emilia
Kurt
Nicki Nicole
Nathy Peluso
Pitizion
Wos
Best Pop Singing Album
Spoiler– Aitana
Prisma– Beret
Por Primera Vez– Camilo
Más Futuro Que Pasado– Juanes
Pausa– Ricky Martin
Finest Reggaeton Efficiency (New Category)
Yo Perreo Sola– Bad Bunny
Morado– J Balvin
Loco Contigo– Dj Snake & J Balvin Featuring Tyga
Porfa– Feid & Justin Quiles
Chicharrón– Guaynaa Featuring Cauty
Te Soñé de Nuevo– Ozuna
Si Te Vas– Sech & Ozuna
Finest Contemporary/Tropical Fusion Album
Energía Para Regalar– El Caribefunk
Mi Derriengue– Riccie Oriach
Mariposas– Omara Portuondo
Change Ego– Prince Royce
Cumbiana– Carlos Vives
Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album
Antología de la Música Ranchera– Aida Cuevas
Hecho en México– Alejandro Fernández
A Los 4 Vientos Vol. 1 “Ranchero”– Eugenia León
Bailando Sones y Huapangos con El Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández– Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández
AYAYAY!– Christian Nodal
Best Portuguese Language Song
” A Tal Canção Pra Lua (Microfonado)”– Vitor Kley, songwriter (Vitor Kley & Samuel Rosa)
” Abricó-De-Macaco”– Francisco Bosco & João Bosco, songwriters (João Bosco)
” Amarelo (Sample: Sujeito de Sorte – Belchior)”– Dj Duh, Emicida & Felipe Vassão, songwriters (Emicida Featuring Majur & Pabllo Vittar)
” Libertação”– Russo Passapusso, songwriter (Elza Soares & BaianaSystem Featuring Virgínia Rodrigues)
” Pardo”– Caetano Veloso, songwriter (Céu)