Spanish singer Rosalía won album of the year at the 27th edition Latin Grammy Awards Thursday night, capping an electrifying evening full of stellar performances across genres.
In tears, she began her speech in Spanish. “This is the third time I have won this prize and, just like “The Evil Querer” it was like a dream, or ‘Motomami’ It was a gamble – ‘Lux’ was, for me, a leap into the void,” she said, referring to her 2018, 2022 and 2025 albums respectively. “I believe it’s very important to speak your own truth and for others to speak theirs; this album is my truth.
In many ways, it was the Spanish singer’s night from the start.
She opened the show live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, hosted by actress, producer and musician Roselyn Sánchez. Rosalía launched into a moving medley of his pieces “Lux” “La Rumba Del Perdón,” “La Perla,” and “Dios Es Un Stalker,” joined by angelic dancers adorned with halos atop a stage meant to resemble celestial clouds.
It was a reminder of the scale of his album: a quirky, heart-filled embrace of his classical training through immense orchestral movements, inspired by the lives of saints.
Some critics have argued that Rosalía, a white Catalan, should not be eligible for the Latin Grammys because she is originally from Spain and therefore not Latina. It clearly wasn’t top of mind for voters: her song “La Perla” also won song of the year.
During her speech for the award, she thanked Mexico and invited her collaborators on the song, the Sierraño American urban trio Yahritza Y Su Esencia, to join her on stage.
A big party also for Daddy Yankee
They call him the “King of Reggaeton” for good reason. Daddy Yankee, the 2026 Latin Grammy Awards Person of the Year and the first Latina urbano artist to receive the honor, revealed his biggest hits an hour into Thursday’s awards show, treating the stage like a stadium floor.
It was one for the history books: there were outfit changes, scenery changes and his native Puerto Rico always at the forefront as he ran through “Ella Me Levantó”, “Con Calma”, “BOTZ”, “Despacito”, “Lo Que Pasó, Pasó”, “Sonríele”, “Rompe”, “Pokito” and, of course, “Gasolina” – joined by Bizarrap, Bad Gyal, Feid, Jay Wheeler, French Montana, LL Cool J and Diljit Dosanjh.
When it came time for Daddy Yankee to receive his honor, it was presented to him by Janet Jackson “with admiration and respect”, as she said in her speech. When he accepted the award, he concluded by saying “Puerto Rico, recuerda. …Puerto Rico no es pequeño. Pequeño el mapa”. In English: “Puerto Rico, remember. …Puerto Rico is not small. The map is small.”
An evening of next-level performances
The performances were of a high level: Karol G. was joined by a full orchestra and 12 Mariachis for her Mexican music ballad “Ese Hombre es Malo.” My Laferte broke hearts with his moving “Femme Fatale”. Silvana Estrada’s “Dime” bridges culture and heritage with its iconic Venezuelan cuatro, a four-stringed instrument similar in structure to a ukulele.
Brazilian superstar Anitta made a medley of his successes “Equilibrium” – Among them are “Desgraça,” “Choka Choka” and “Meia Noite,” an eclectic mix of Brazilian funk, samba, bossa nova, semba, reggae and electronic pop performed in Portuguese, Spanish and English.
Shortly after, she was back on stage to accept the trophy for Portuguese-language contemporary pop album. She used her speech to shine a light on the black culture of her native Brazil.
There was a moving tribute to Ranchera icon, Mexican singer-songwriter José Alfredo Jiménez, produced by Edgar Barrera: The Warning covered “Te Solté la Rienda”, Reik did “La Media Vuelta”, Sofía Reyes and Yami Safdie did a duet “Si Nos Dejan” and Camila Fernández brought it home with a big “El Rey”. Shortly after, she returned to the stage to perform a full-throated “Serpente De Cascabel.”
Barrera made history Thursday night: His career Latin Grammy Awards now total 30 after Thursday night, making him the most awarded person in the show’s history. He surpassed the records set by René Pérez with 29.
That’s not all: Thursday evening there was also a tribute to Willie Colón, social activist and Grammy-nominated architect. urban salsa musicWHO died in February this year. His son, Miguel Colón, as well as Nathy Peluso and Luis Figueroa and others performed.
Feid was also thrilled, as was Kany García, who stunned with his flamboyant, acoustic single “La Niña Que Fui.” The Uruguayan Jorge Drexler the performance of “Las Palabras” felt like theater. And Argentine rapper Milo J performed “Solifican12” and “Gil,” joined by Latin American folk icon Gustavo Santaolalla. Regional Mexican music stars Grupo Frontera launched into “Bye” and “Ojitos Bellos.”
Carín León brought the house down with “Desde Que Te Tengo”, as did Juanes and Vivir Quintana with “Humano”. Elena Rose was joined by sword-wielding dancers for “Alma.” Venezuelan band Rawayana brought the party with “Bendito” and “Inglés En Miami.”
A celebration of winners of all genres
The first award of the evening came shortly after Rosalía’s first set: Pablo Alboran and Howie D of the Backstreet Boys presented Juanes with Best Pop/Rock Album for “Juanesteban.”
It was from there that the trophies were distributed quickly. Milo J’s “Niño” was named record of the year. Karol G won the urban music album trophy for “Tropicoqueta.” Xavi won Mexican Contemporary Album for “Dosis,” his first Latin Grammy. His performance of “Dosis” and “No Capeã” closed the evening. Fonseca received the contemporary tropical album trophy shortly after for his album “Antes Que El Tiempo Se Vaya”.
Best New Artist went to Colombian singer Aria Vega, who delivered her acceptance speech in tears. This year, the Latin Recording Academy changed the category so that only artists who have released fewer than three albums or 25 singles are eligible to win.
Most of the evening’s awards were presented in a pre-televised premiere ceremony. This included Bobby Pulido winning the Latin Grammy for Best Tejano Album for his release “Bobby Pulido & Friends: Una Tuya y Una Mía (Vol. 2/En Vivo)”. Days earlier, Pulido made history in the United States midterm elections by securing a seat in the House of Representatives for the Democrats flipping a Texas district seat.
“I want to tell you that I am retiring from music and I am leaving with great gratitude,” he said in his acceptance speech.
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