As we process the wins and losses at the 2024 Latin Grammys — from the total snub for Shakira‘s first album in seven years, to the record of the year award for Juan Luis Guerra’s “MAMBO 23,” beating out “Mi ex fue bien” ” by Karol G and “Just like an angel” by Kali Uchis and Peso Pluma — we can say that the main categories were not what was expected. Or maybe yes?
Year after year, it becomes more difficult to predict who will win the major categories, making every victory even more surprising or shocking. In the aforementioned categories, Drexler, super revered by the Latin Recording Academy, was not the obvious winner.
Perhaps the only two categories that went as expected on Thursday (Nov. 14) were Songwriter of the Year and Producer of the Year. Mexican-American hitmaker Edgar Barrera, a clear favorite in both categories, won both awards. Even Carín León won the new category of best contemporary Mexican music album with Boca Chueca, Vol. 1 as planned. While it’s a big name, Peso Pluma’s album in that category, Genesiswas from last year, and launched Exodus this year, although not within the deadline for nominations.
At this year’s Latin Grammys, Juan Luis Guerra was the night’s top winner with four awards, including album of the year for Radio Güira and record of the year for “Mambo 23.” It also won best merengue and/or bachata album and best tropical song, for the same productions, respectively. Colombian singer-songwriter Ela Taubert won best new artist, and Edgar Barrera and Nathy Peluso won three trophies each. Karol G, a big winner at last year’s awards show, took home one award (out of her eight nominations) for Tomorrow Will Be Beautiful (Bichota Season)which won best urban music album.
See the full list of winners here.
Below, some surprises and snubs at the 25th annual Latin Grammys:
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Sorpresa: Yellow
The Venezuelan group Rawayana won the Latin Grammy for best pop song for “Feriado”, beating “Igual que un Ángel” by Kali Uchis and Peso Pluma, which, for many, was the clear favorite. While some may call this a snub towards Kali and Peso given the song’s commercial success (it topped the Hot Latin Songs chart earlier this year), we take it as a pleasant surprise. After all, “Feriado” is a fresh and happy song and it is an award that Rawayana should have won a long time ago.
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Desire: Kali Uchis
This might also have been a surprise, given that The Journey by Luis Fonsi also deserved the award for best pop vocal album. But Kali Uchis was considered the favorite in this category because Orchids. The LP, acclaimed by critics and fans, gave the Colombian-American her first No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart. Billboard. The set was also nominated for album of the year, where it lost to Radio Güira by Juan Luis Guerra.
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Surprise: Juan Luis Guerra 4.40
Of course everything that the great Juan Luis Guerra creates is a masterpiece and “MAMBO 23” is no exception. The fast-paced mambo with touches of merengue won the award for recording of the year. It was a close category, to say the least. The song faced strong radio contenders, such as “My Ex Was Right” by Karol G and “Igual que un Ángel” by Kali Uchis and Peso Pluma. But it is worth noting that “MAMBO” topped the Tropical Airplay chart of Billboard last year, taking Guerra to the top once again after nine years.
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Sorpresa: Ela Taubert
The best new artist category was perhaps the most difficult to predict. Any of the nominees could have easily taken home the award. The Colombian singer-songwriter emerged victorious and beat Latin Mafia, Íñigo Quintero and Darumas, among other nominees. Like last year’s winner for best new artist, Joaquina, Ela Taubert is a graduate of producer Julio Reyes Copello’s Art House Academy.
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Sorpresa: Jorge Drexler
It’s a surprise that it really isn’t. Jorge Drexler is known to be a Grammy favorite, and when one of his songs is nominated for a Latin Grammy, it is almost guaranteed that he will win. “Desrumble” was no exception. He not only won the award for song of the year but also for best singer-songwriter song. Even Drexler, who dedicated the victory to his father, who died 11 days ago, seemed surprised in his acceptance speech. “How can a little sad song be among so many people I admire? Thank you Latin Recording Academy for taking away the impostor syndrome,” he said.
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Snub: Shakira
Shakira’s comeback album, Women Don’t Cry Anymorewas completely overlooked at the Latin Grammys. Nominated for album of the year, the set — home to hits like “TQG,” his Bizarrap-produced jam session, and “Te felicito” — lost to the EP Radio Güira by Juan Luis Guerra (Guerra also won record of the year for “MAMBO 23”). Shakira was the favorite in the category along with Karol G, who competed for Tomorrow Will Be Beautiful (Bichota Season)and Carín León with Boca Chueca, Vol. 1. Her loss is resounding, given the relevance of her album, her first in seven years, and which will take her on a stadium tour in the United States. Shakira did not attend the 2024 Latin Grammy ceremony.
