Rosalia wins big at Latin Grammys for 'Lux'
LAS VEGAS, United States — Rosalia took home the coveted Latin Grammy for Album of the Year on Thursday, winning for her sweeping, avant-garde classical pop album "Lux (Complete Works)" at the gala celebrating the best in Spanish- and Portuguese-language music.
The Spanish superstar also took home the Song of the Year prize, which celebrates songwriting, for "La Perla." Argentine Milo J pulled an upset to take home Record of the Year for "Nino," beating the likes of Karol G and Mon Laferte at the 27th annual awards ceremony in Las Vegas.
Rosalia, who opened the show with an ethereal performance blending songs off her acclaimed album, entered the night as among the favorites to win big.
"To all the people who told me I wasn't good enough, or that my music was too weird, I'm thankful I didn't listen to a damn word," she said onstage. "Now I'm winning these prizes," Rosalia added to applause.
It was her third Latin Grammy for Album of the Year, following "Motomami" in 2022 and "El Mal Querer" in 2019.
Critical buzz for "Lux" also has Rosalia tipped as a top contender for major Grammy nominations, which are due to be announced next week.
Milo J's win came as a surprise for the 20-year-old roots rapper who infuses folkloric elements into his music.
He said he considers "Nino" the song "I'm most proud of out of everything I've created so far." "Long live Argentine folk music!"
Argentine duo Ca7RIEL & Paco Amoroso notched three wins. Karol G — who delivered a theatrical performance alongside a mariachi band — scored two, including for best musica urbana album.
Fellow Colombian artist Aria Vega meanwhile won the prize for Best New Artist, a distinction that in years past gave a leg up to the careers of talents including Juanes, Calle 13, and Karol G herself.
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Generation-defining artist Daddy Yankee
The evening also saw a constellation of stars spanning the genres descend on Vegas to celebrate Puerto Rican reggaeton legend Daddy Yankee, who was honored with the Person of the Year award.
The star appeared elated as Janet Jackson presented him with the prize — the two previously worked together on 2018's "Made For Now."
"It takes vision and courage to help change the sound of music, and to create new possibilities for artists who come after you. Daddy Yankee did just that," Jackson said, before offering a few words in Spanish.
"Tu musica ha inspirado a toda una generacion," she said — "your music has inspired an entire generation."
Daddy Yankee was a major force in globalizing reggaeton — a wildly popular genre that blends Latin and Caribbean rhythms with US hip hop and Jamaican dancehall, which was once censored in his native Puerto Rico.
Shortly before accepting the lifetime achievement award, the artist delivered an electric line-up of his hits including "Con Calma" and "Gasolina," appearing onstage with a massive Puerto Rican flag.
He was joined by artists including LL Cool J, French Montana, Bad Gyal, and Bizarrap.
Another moving moment of the evening came as stars belted out salsa anthems in tribute to Willie Colon, the luminary of New York salsa who died in February.
The night's winners also included Edgar Barrera, who won Producer of the Year, and the Brazilian artist Anitta, who took home the Latin Grammy for best Portuguese language contemporary pop album.
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