As we process the wins and losses from the 2024 Latin Grammys — from Shakira‘s first album in seven years being overlooked, to Juan Luis Guerra‘s “MAMBO 23” winning record of the year, beating out Karol G‘s “Mi Ex Tenía Razón” and Kali Uchis and Peso Pluma‘s “Igual Que Un Ángel” — it’s safe to say that the top categories didn’t go as expected. Or maybe they did?
Year after year, it gets harder to predict who will win the top categories, which makes all the wins even more surprising or shocking. In the categories aforementioned, neither Guerra or Drexler — both super revered by the Latin Recording Academy — were the obvious winners.
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 frontrunner in both, won those two categories. Even Carín León winning the new best contemporary Mexican music album category with Boca Chueca, Vol. 1 went as predicted. While a big name, Peso Pluma’s album in that category, Génesis, was from last year, and he released Éxodo this year, although it didn’t meet the nomination deadline.
At this year’s Latin Grammys, Juan Luis Guerra was the top winner of the night winning four awards in total — including album of the year for Radio Güira, and record of the year for “Mambo 23.” He 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 awards each. Karol G, a big winner at last year’s awards show, took home one award (out of her eight nominations) for Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season), which won best música urbana album.
See the complete list of winners here.
Below, a few snubs and surprises from the 25th annual Latin Grammys:
