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:
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Surprise: Rawayana
Venezuelan group Rawayana won the Latin Grammy for best pop song for “Feriado,” beating out Kali Uchis and Peso Pluma’s “Igual Que Un Ángel,” which, for many, was the clear favorite. While some may qualify this as a snub for Kali and Peso given the song’s commercial success (it topped the Hot Latin Songs chart earlier this year), we’re taking it as a pleasant surprise. After all, “Feriado” is a breezy cool song and it’s a long overdue Latin Grammy win for Rawayana.
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Snub: Kali Uchis
This could’ve easily fallen under surprise, given that Luis Fonsi’s El Viaje was so deserving of the best pop vocal album award as well. But Kali Uchis was considered the front runner in this category with Orquídeas. The critically and commercially acclaimed LP scored the Colombian American her first No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart. The set was also up for album of the year, where it also lost to Juan Luis Guerra’s EP Radio Güira.
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Surprise: Juan Luis Guerra y 4.40
Of course everything the great Juan Luis Guerra creates is a masterpiece and “MAMBO 23” is no exception. The fast-paced mambo with merengue flairs won record of the year. It was a tough category, to say the least. The song was up against strong radio-friendly contenders, like Karol G’s “Mi Ex Tenía Razón” and Kali Uchis and Peso Pluma’s “Igual Que Un Ángel.” But it is worth noting that “MAMBO” topped Billboard’s Tropical Airplay last year, taking Guerra to the top of the tally once again after nine years.
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Surprise: Ela Taubert
Best new artist was perhaps the hardest category to predict. Any of the nominees could’ve easily taken the award home. Colombian singer-songwriter was victorious and won over Latin Mafia, Íñigo Quintero and Darumas, among other nominees. Like last year’s best new artist winner, Joaquina, Ela Taubert is a graduate of producer Julio Reyes Copello’s Art House Academy.
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Surprise: Jorge Drexler
It’s a surprise that isn’t really a surprise. It’s known that Jorge Drexler is a Grammy darling, and when one of his songs is nominated at the Latin Grammys, it’s almost certified it’ll win. His song “Derrumbe,” up for song of the year, was no exception. The track not only won song of the year but also best singer-songwriter song. Even Drexler, who dedicated the win to his father, who passed 11 days ago, sounded surprised in his acceptance speech. “How can a sad, small song be among so many people I admire? Thank you Latin Recording Academy for taking away the imposter syndrome,” he expressed.
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Snub: Shakira
Shakira’s comeback album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, was completely overlooked at the Latin Grammys. Up for album of the year, the set — home to hits like “TQG,” her Bizarrap-produced music session and “Te Felicito” — it lost to Juan Luis Guerra’s EP Radio Güira. Guerra also won record of the year for “MAMBO 23.” Shakira was a front runner in this category, alongside Karol G, who was up for Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season) and Carín León’s Boca Chueca, Vol. 1. Her loss is resounding, given the album’s significance, her first in seven years, and that the album led to a U.S. stadium tour. Shakira did not attend the 2024 Latin Grammys.
