In a ceremony that blended celebration with poignant tributes, the Catalan singer Rosalía emerged as the undisputed star of the 27th Latin Grammy Awards, held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The artist from Sant Esteve Sesrovires took home five of her seven nominations, including the coveted album of the year for her most ambitious work to date, Lux.
Accepting the award with visible emotion, Rosalía reflected on her artistic journey: “If El mal querer was a dream and Motomami was a gamble, Lux for me has been a leap into the void. I think it is very important to speak your truth, and this record is mine.” She added a note of humility and ambition: “I know I have a lot to learn and I know I probably still haven't done my best work, but I know I have everything it takes to be the best.”
Beyond album of the year, Rosalía also claimed song of the year for La Perla, along with best pop song, best alternative album, and best short-form video. Her sweep underscores the global reach of Spanish-language music, a trend that has been reshaping the industry from Barcelona to Buenos Aires.
Argentine artists shine bright
Argentina had a particularly strong night, with a dozen awards going to its artists. The young rapper Milo J took one of the most prestigious honors—record of the year for the delicate Niño, a track he described as his proudest work. In his acceptance speech, he declared, “Long live Argentine folklore, long live Argentine music.” The urban duo CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso also collected multiple awards, cementing the country's influence in the Latin music scene.
The gala paid tribute to two legends: Willie Colón, the salsa pioneer who passed away recently, and Daddy Yankee, who was honored as person of the year. Daddy Yankee, joined by collaborators such as Bad Gyal and Bizarrap—who won best urban song alongside the Puerto Rican star—reflected on reggaeton's humble origins. “This was a music that started from the bottom,” he said, recalling the genre's early struggles in Puerto Rican neighborhoods.
Colombian artist Aria Vega, born Mariana Padilla in Barranquilla, was named best new artist, a recognition many expected given the success of her single Compa Coleto. Her music fuses Afro-Caribbean rhythms with dancehall and afrobeats, offering a fresh sound that has resonated across the Americas.
In the pop categories, European talent also made its mark. Alejandro Sanz added another trophy to his collection—his 24th Latin Grammy—for best contemporary pop album, while Italian singer Laura Pausini also took home an award. Karol G earned nods for best urban album and best reggaeton performance with Tropicoqueta, and Uruguayan Jorge Drexler was among the night's most decorated artists, winning best singer-songwriter album for Taracá, best alternative song for Ante la duda, baila, and best roots song with Facundo Balta.
This year's ceremony also marked a historic first: a dedicated category for Portuguese and Brazilian music, won by Anitta, with a segment broadcast in Portuguese. The move reflects the growing diversity of Latin music, which now spans two continents and multiple languages.
As the Latin Grammys conclude, attention turns to the upcoming English-language Grammy Awards, where Rosalía's Lux could secure further nominations. The Catalan artist's success is part of a broader European wave in global music, a trend also visible in other fields—such as Europe's dominance of the world's best bars and its strong showing in global safety rankings.
For now, the Latin Grammy stage has been set for a new era, one where European and Latin American artists collaborate and compete on equal footing, pushing the boundaries of genre and language.
