The Univision Television Network’s telecast of the 7th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards reached over 11.3 million viewers. The event garnered more total Hispanic Adults 18-49 than the combined audiences of The Academy Awards, The American Music Awards, The Billboard Music Awards, The Emmy Awards, The Golden Globes, and MTV’s Video Music Awards.
The 3-hour gala extravaganza was co-hosted by internationally acclaimed actress/singer Lucero along with best-selling salsa singer/songwriter and current Latin GRAMMY nominee Victor Manuelle, and featured 12 musical numbers spanning the rich spectrum of Latin music. The evening was punctuated with numerous standing ovations, starting with the night’s first presenter, Adamari López, in her first public appearance since her triumphant battle with breast cancer, and later by Juan Luis Guerra’s surprise appearance joining rock superband Maná for a number.
Musical highlights included reggaeton duo Wisin & Yandel kicked off an electrifying medley that included genre superstars Tonny Tun Tun, Ivy Queen, and Hector “El Father” punctuated by fireworks, smoke effects and an elaborately choreographed group of Urban dancers. Latin music’s biggest night featured a spectacular finale in the form of a Tribute to Salsa featuring a medley of hits performed by some of the genre’s biggest stars including Gilberto Santa Rosa, Andy Montañez, the evening’s co-host Victor Manuelle, and rising star Anais accompanied by New York’s legendary salsa institution, Fania All-Stars.
Best Salsa Album
Directo al Corazon (Norte/Sony BMG Music) – Gilberto Santa Rosa
Best Merengue Album
MQ (J&N Records) – Milly Quezada
Best Cumbia/Vallenato Album
Cien Días De Bohemia (Sony BMG Music Entertainment) – Los Hermanos Zuleta
Best Contemporary Tropical Album
Una Nueva Mujer (Sony Discos) – Olga Tañón
Best Traditional Tropical Album
Lineas Paralelas, AM/PM (Morocho Records) – Andy Montañez & Pablo Milanés
Best Tropical Song
Te Mando Flores, track from: Corazón (Capitol Records/EMI Music) – Juan Fernando Fonseca, songwriter (Fonseca)
Best Singer-Songwriter Album
Como un Campo de Maíz (Universal Music Mexico) – Pablo Milanés
Best Ranchero Album
Historias de Mi Tierra (Norte/Sony BMG Music) – Pepe Aguilar
Best Banda Album
Mas Allá del Sol (Balboa Records/Discos Musart) – Joan Sebástian
Best Grupero Album
En Vivo en el Auditorio Nacional (Balboa Records) – Joan Sebástian
Best Tejano Album
Nuevamente (Univision Records/Urbana Records) – La Mafia
Best Norteño Album
Historias Que Contar (Fonovisa Records) – Los Tigres Del Norte
Best Tropical Regional Mexican Album
Kumbia Kings Live (EMI/Televisa) – A.B. Quintanilla III y Los Kumbia Kings
Best Regional Mexican Song
Aun Sigues Siendo Mia, track from: Algo de Mi (Fonovisa) – Osvaldo Villarreal, songwriter (Conjunto Primavera)
Best Instrumental Album
Bebo (RCA/Calle 54 Records/BMG Spain) – Bebo Valdés
Best Folk Album
Corazon Libre (Edge Music) – Mercedes Sosa
Best Tango Album
Café De Los Maestros (Surco / Seminal / Universal Music Latin/AADI Capif) – Varios Artistas, Gustavo Santaolalla & Gustavo Moz, producers
Best Flamenco Album
Picasso en Mis Ojos (Ariola) – Diego “El Cigala”
Best Latin Jazz Album
Solo (Blue Note) – Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Best Brazilian Contemporary Pop Album
Timeless (Concord Records / Hear Music / Will.i.am. Music Group) – Sergio Mendes
Best Samba/Pagode Album
Universo ao Meu Redor (EMI/Phonomotor Records) – Marisa Monte
Best MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira) Album
Segundo (Warner Music Brasil) – Maria Rita
Best Brazilian Roots/Regional Album
Vida Marvada (Mercury Records/Universal Music) – Chitãozinho & Xororó
Best Brazilian Song (Portuguese Language)
Caminho das Águas, track from: Segundo (Warner Music Brasil) – Rodrigo Maranhão, songwriter (Maria Rita)
Best Recording Package
Café de los Maestros (Surco / Seminal / Universal Music Latin)
Laura Varsky, art director (Café De Los Maestros)
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
