Jorge Drexler: The Big Winner at This Year’s Latin Grammys

It’s a moment to remember for Jorge Drexler

The 54-year-old Uruguayan musician, who won an Oscar winner for composing the song “Al Otro Lado del Río” from The Motorcycle Diaries, proved to be the big winner at the 2018 Latin Grammys at Thursday’s awards show, which aired live from the MGM Grand Arena Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Univision.

Jorge Drexler

Drexler, who’d previously won two Latin Grammys in 2015, took home the Song of the Year and Record of the Year awards for his single “Telefonía,” as well as the Best Singer/Songwriter Album for Salvavidas de hielo.

Drexler’s wins in the record and song categories came as a major surprise. He was up against favorites J Balvin — who had eight nominations — and Rosalía, whose captivating single “Malamente” was up for five awards.

The 25-year-old Spanish singer/songwriter, whose full name is Rosalía Vila Tobella, has gained global acclaim with her surprising fusion of flamenco and urban music. And she picked up the first two Latin Grammys of her career, winning Best Alternative Song and Best Urban/Fusion Performance for “Malamente.”

Also taking home two Latin Grammys was Victor Manuelle, who won Best Tropical Song and Best Salsa Album. It was, surprisingly, the first Latin Grammy wins for the 50-year-old Puerto Rican salsa singer, a veteran who has often been nominated.

Mexican superstar Luis Miguel, who’s had an enormous resurgence following the successful mini-series based on his life, also won two awards for his album ¡MÉXICO Por Siempre!  The set won Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album and, surprisingly, Album of the Year, a prize Luis Miguel hadn’t claimed since 2000’s Amarte es un placer.

Karol G is a first-time winner…

The 27-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer-songwriter, who skyrocketed to fame with her hit single “Mi Cama,” was named Best New Artist.

Meanwhile, J Balvin took home the award for Best Urban Music Album for Vibras, while Maluma won the Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album for F.A.M.E.

Here’s a look at this year’s Latin Grammy winners:

RECORD OF THE YEAR
“Telefonía,” Jorge Drexler

BEST URBAN SONG
“Dura,” Daddy Yankee

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
¡MÉXICO Por Siempre!, Luis Miguel 

SONG OF THE YEAR
“Telefonía,” Jorge Drexler, songwriter (Jorge Drexler) .

BEST NEW ARTIST
Karol G

BEST CONTEMPORARY POP VOCAL ALBUM
F.A.M.E. – Maluma 

BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM
Hazte Sentir, Laura Pausini​

BEST URBAN FUSION/PERFORMANCE
“Malamente,” Rosalía

BEST URBAN MUSIC ALBUM
Vibras, J Balvin

BEST SALSA ALBUM
25/7, Víctor Manuelle

BEST NORTEÑO ALBUM
Guerra De Poder, Calibre 50
Los Ángeles Existen, Pesado 

BEST CHRISTIAN ALBUM (PORTUGUESE)
Som Da Minha Vida, Fernanda Brum​ 

BEST PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE CONTEMPORARY POP ALBUM
Noturno – Anaadi 

BEST PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE ROCK OR ALTERNATIVE ALBUM
Lenine Em Trânsito, Lenine 

BEST SAMBA/PAGODE ALBUM
Amor E Música, Maria Rita

BEST MPB (MUSICA POPULAR BRASILEIRA) ALBUM
Caravanas, Chico Buarque 

BEST SERTANEJA MUSIC ALBUM
Elas Em Evidências, Chitãozinho & Xororó 

BEST PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE SONG
“As Caravanas,” Chico Buarque, songwriter (Chico Buarque)

BEST INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM
Identidad, Miguel Siso 

BEST FOLK ALBUM
Musas (Un Homenaje Al Folclore Latinoamericano En Manos De Los Macorinos), Vol. 2, Natalia Lafourcade​ 

BEST TANGO ALBUM
Vigor Tanguero, Pedro Giraudo 

BEST FLAMENCO ALBUM
Al Este Del Cante, Arcángel 

BEST LATIN JAZZ/JAZZ ALBUM
Natureza Universal, Hermeto Pascoal & Big Band 

BEST PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE ROOTS ALBUM
+AR, Almir Sater & Renato Teixeira 

BEST CHRISTIAN ALBUM (SPANISH LANGUAGE)
Setenta Veces Siete, Alfareros 

BEST LATIN CHILDREN’S ALBUM
Imaginare, Claraluna 

BEST CLASSICAL ALBUM
Mágica y Misteriosa, Claudia Montero; José Manuel Domenech & Claudia Montero, album producers 

BEST CLASSICAL CONTEMPORARY COMPOSITION
“Luces y Sombras. Concierto Para Guitarra y Orquesta De Cuerdas,” Claudia Montero

BEST ARRANGEMENT
“Se Le Ve,” Milton Salcedo, arranger (Milton Salcedo feat. Amaury Gutiérrez, Carlos Oliva y Michel Puche)

BEST RECORDING PACKAGE
“Diferentes Tipos De Luz,” Carlos Sadness, art director (Carlos Sadness)

BEST CUMBIA/VALLENATO ALBUM
Esto Es Vida, Silvestre Dangond 

BEST CONTEMPORARY TROPICAL ALBUM
Vives, Carlos Vives​ 

BEST TRADITIONAL TROPICAL ALBUM
A Mí Qué – Tributo A Los Clásicos Cubanos, José Alberto El Canario & El Septeto Santiaguero 

BEST TROPICAL FUSION ALBUM
Como Anillo Al Dedo, Aymee Nuviola 

BEST TROPICAL SONG
“Quiero Tiempo,” Juan Carlos Luces & Víctor Manuelle, songwriters (Víctor Manuelle feat. Juan Luis Guerra)

BEST SINGER-SONGWRITER ALBUM
Salvavidas De Hielo, Jorge Drexler

BEST RANCHERO/MARIACHI ALBUM
¡MÉXICO Por Siempre!, Luis Miguel 

BEST BANDA ALBUM
Los Gustos Que Me Doy, Banda Los Recoditos

BEST TEJANO ALBUM
Tex Mex Funk, Roger Velásquez & The Latin Legends 

BEST REGIONAL MEXICAN SONG
“Probablemente,” Christian Nodal, songwriter (Christian Nodal)

BEST ROCK ALBUM
Expectativas, Enrique Bunbury 

BEST POP/ROCK ALBUM
Geometría del Rayo, Manolo García

 BEST ROCK SONG
“Tu Vida Mi Vida,” Fito Páez, songwriter (Fito Páez)

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM
Claroscura, Aterciopelados 

BEST ALTERNATIVE SONG
“Malamente,” Antón Alvarez Alfaro, Pablo Diaz-Reixa & Rosalía, songwriters (Rosalía)

BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM
50 Años Tocando Para Ti, Rafa Sardina, engineer; Rafa Sardina, mixer; Eric Boulanger, mastering engineer 

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Linda Briceño

BEST SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO
“Pa Dentro,” Juanes

BEST LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEO
“En Letra De Otro” (Documentarry), Pedro Capó Diego Álvarez, video director; Vicente Solís, video produce

Eduardo Cabra Partners with Vicente Garcia on New Multimedia & Music Fusion Project Called Trending Topics

Eduardo Cabra is trending

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican artist and producer,known as Visitante, has teamed with Puerto Rican singer Vicente Garcia for his first post Calle 13 solo project, called Trending Topics.

Eduardo Cabra

A single is due Sept. 14, with an album to follow later this fall.

The album will be a joint release between Sony Music Colombia and Sony Music Spain, according to Billboard, through a new deal Cabra and Garcia made with the global company that partners the two regional offices for the project.

Cabra, who has produced 13 albums for other artists, in addition to his groundbreaking work with Calle 13, previously told Billboardthat Trending Topics is a collaborative recording whose “common denominator is the production.”

In addition to Garcia, who won the Latin Grammy for Best New Artist in 2017, the album will feature Ana Tijoux, Jorge Drexler, Li Suamet of Bomba Estereo fame, Amayo from Antibalas, Pucho and Guille from Spanish rock band Vetusta Morla, and musician and producer Carlos Alomar, best known as David Bowie’s guitarist.

Sony calls Trending Topics, “an innovative multimedia, music fusion project” with music “born from the traditions of Afro-Caribbean and Caribbean cultures and rhythms – intertwined with the sounds of boundary pushing contemporary/ experimental recording techniques and timely lyrical subject matter.”

Cabra previously told Billboardthat reggaeton, approached “in a different way” will be part of the mix.

In an announcement from Sony, Cabra called Trending Topics, “a project that was made with much love and with a brutal sense of art.”

Becky G to Perform at Univision & Fusion’s Rise Up as One Concert

Becky G is rising up to the challenge…

The 19-year-old Mexican American singer, songwriter and Power Ranger has joined the star-studded lineup for Univision and Fusion‘s Rise Up as One concert, taking place this weekend along the U.S./Mexico border in San Diego, California.

Becky G

“We are very happy that the beautiful daughter of immigrants has joined our concert,” reads the tweet with the announcement.

Becky G joins a list of performers that includes Miguel BoséJuanes, Jesse & JoyLila DownsLos Tigres del NorteLuis CoronelAndra DayAlejandro SanzJulieta VenegasLupillo RiveraCarlos VivesFonsecaNatalia Lafourcade, Debi Nova, T Bone Burnett and Jorge Drexler.

 

The free concert will wrap up the historical event, billed as a celebration of music, diversity and unity, taking place on October 15. It will broadcast live on Univision in Spanish and on Fusion in English at 7:00 pm ET.

Co-chairs to the event include Emilio & Gloria EstefanCalle 13‘s René Pérez aka ResidenteLin-Manuel Miranda, among others.

Coronel to Perform at Univision & Fusion’s “Rise Up as One” Concert

Luis Coronel is Rise-ing up to the challenge….

The 20-year-old Mexican American singer has joined the star-studded lineup of performers for Univision and Fusion’s Rise Up as One concert, billed as a celebration of music, diversity and unity.

Luis Coronel

In addition to Coronel, an award-winning regional Mexican singer known for his hit singles “Mi niña traviesa,” “Será más fácil,” and “Escápate,” the show will include performances by Andra Day, Lila Downs, Miguel Bosé, Fonseca, Jesse & Joy, Jorge Drexler, Lupillo Rivera, Alejandro Sanz, Los Tigres del NorteJuanes, Julieta Venegas, and Carlos Vives.

Staged along the U.S./Mexico border in San Diego, California, the free concert will wrap up the event taking place on October 15. It will broadcast live on Univision in Spanish and on Fusion in English at 7:00 pm ET.

“The U.S.-Mexico border provides the perfect stage for this amazing event and is a way to highlight diversity and inclusion, despite borders,” said Camila Jiménez Villa, Co-President and Chief Content Officer at Fusion Media Group, in a statement. “This location and our incredible lineup of award-winning artists will celebrate, through the power of music, the connectedness of our world and the positivity that occurs when we show empathy, respect and openness to one another.”

Co-chairs to the event include Emilio & Gloria Estefan, Calle 13‘s René Pérez aka Residente, Salma Hayek, Samuel L. Jackson, Ava DuVernay and Lin-Manuel Miranda, among others.

Corea Among the Top Latino 2015 Grammy Award Nominees

There’s no denying Chick Corea is a Grammy darling…

The 73-year-old part-Spanish jazz and fusion musician picked up two nods for the 2015 Grammy Awards, upping his total career nominations to a whopping 63.

Chick Corea

Corea, a 20-time winner, is nominated in the Improvised Jazz Solo category for “Fingerprints.” He’s also up for Jazz Instrumental Album for the Chick Corea Trio
 critically acclaimed Trilogy.

But Corea isn’t the only double-nominee this year…

David Arthur Garcia will actually compete against himself at next year’s Grammy Awards.

The award-winning Latino songwriter-producer, who won his first Grammy this year as a songwriter for co-writing Mandisa’s massive hit “Overcomer,” has picked up two nominations in the Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song category.

Garcia has earned recognition for co-penning Francesca Battistelli’s “Write Your Story” and Mercy Me’s “Shake.”

Roman Pichon Herrera has picked up two nominations in the same category as well.

The Latino music video producer is nominated in the Music Video category for co-producing Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” and Woodkid’s “The Golden Age” featuring Max Richter.

Meanwhile, Kirstie Maldonado has earned the first Grammy nomination of her career.

The half-Mexican American/part-Spanish artist and her fellow Pentatonix group mates – winners of NBC’s The Sing-Off in 2011 – earned the nod in the Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella
category for their acclaimed 
”Daft Punk” medley. Among their competition, Pentatonix will face off against Cuban composer and jazz pianist Alfredo Rodríguez’s “Guantanamera.”

But Maldonado isn’t the only first-time nominee…

Aloe Blacc has picked up the very first Grammy nod of his career in the R&B Album category. The

The 35-year-old Panamanian American singer-songwriter earned the nomination for his impressive album Lift Your Spirit.

Other notable Latino musicians/entertainers earning 2015 Grammy nominations include Christina Aguilera, Ruben Blades, Juanes
, Marco Antonio Solís, Jorge Drexler
, Ana Tijoux
, Pepe Aguilar
, Vicente Fernández
, Ixya Herrera
, Carlos Vives, Sérgio Mendes
 and Louis C.K.


The Grammys are awarded by the Recording Academy, which is made up of 22,000 members of the music industry including musicians, producers, engineers, record company and radio industry personnel and others.

The awards are determined by the academy’s voting membership of about 13,000.

Winners will be announced on February 8 at the 2015 Grammy Awards ceremony to be held at the Staples Center and broadcast live on CBS.

Here’s a complete look at the categories with Latino nominees:

Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Fancy,” Iggy Azalea Featuring Charli XCX
“A Sky Full Of Stars,” Coldplay
“Say Something,” A Great Big World With Christina Aguilera
“Bang Bang,” Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj
“Dark Horse,” Katy Perry Featuring Juicy J

R&B Album
“Islander,” Bernhoft
“Lift Your Spirit,” Aloe Blacc
“Love, Marriage & Divorce,” Toni Braxton & Babyface
“Black Radio 2,” Robert Glasper Experiment
“Give The People What They Want,” Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

Improvised Jazz Solo
“The Eye Of The Hurricane,” Kenny Barron
“Fingerprints,” Chick Corea

“You & The Night & The Music,” Fred Hersch
“Recorda Me,” Joe Lovano
“Sleeping Giant,” Brad Mehldau

Jazz Instrumental Album
“Landmarks,” Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band
“Trilogy,” Chick Corea Trio
“Floating,” Fred Hersch Trio
“Enjoy The View,” Bobby Hutcherson, David Sanborn, Joey DeFrancesco Featuring Billy Hart
“All Rise: A Joyful Elegy For Fats Waller,” Jason Moran

Latin Jazz Album
“The Latin Side Of Joe Henderson,” Conrad Herwig Featuring Joe Lovano
“The Pedrito Martinez Group,” The Pedrito Martinez Group
“The Offense Of The Drum,” Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra
“Second Half,” Emilio Solla Y La Inestable De Brooklyn
“New Throned King,” Yosvany Terry

Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song

“Write Your Story,” Francesca Battistelli; Francesca Battistelli, David Arthur Garcia & Ben Glover
“Come As You Are,” Crowder
“Messengers,” Lecrae Featuring For King & Country; Torrance Esmond, Ran Jackson, Ricky Jackson, Kenneth Chris Mackey, Lecrae Moore, Joseph Prielozny, Joel Smallbone & Luke Smallbone
“Shake,” MercyMe; Nathan Cochran, David Arthur Garcia, Ben Glover, Barry Graul, Bart Millard, Soli Olds, Mike Scheuchzer & Robby Shaffer
“Multiplied,” Needtobreathe; Bear Rinehart & Bo Rinehart

Latin Pop Album
“Tangos,” Rubén Blades
“Elypse,” Camila

“Raíz,” Lila Downs, Niña Pastori And Soledad
“Loco De Amor,” Juanes

“Gracias Por Estar Aquí,” Marco Antonio Solís

Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album
“Multiviral,” Calle 13

“Behind The Machine (Detrás De La Máquina),” Chocquibtown
“Bailar En La Cueva,” Jorge Drexler
“Agua Maldita,” Molotov

“Vengo,” Ana Tijoux

Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)
“Lastima Que Sean Ajenas,” Pepe Aguilar
“Mano A Mano – Tangos A La Manera De Vicente Fernández,” Vicente Fernández
“Voz Y Guitarra,” Ixya Herrera
“15 Aniversario,” Mariachi Divas De Cindy Shea
“Alegría Del Mariachi,” Mariachi Los Arrieros Del Valle

Tropical Latin Album
“50 Aniversario,” El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico
“First Class To Havana,” Aymee Nuviola
“Live,” Palo!

“El Asunto,” Totó La Momposina

“Más + Corazón Profundo,” Carlos Vives

World Music Album
“Toumani & Sidiki,” Toumani Diabaté & Sidiki Diabaté
“Eve,” Angelique Kidjo
“Our World In Song,” Wu Man, Luis Conte & Daniel Ho
“Magic,” Sérgio Mendes

“Traces Of You,” Anoushka Shankar

Comedy Album
“Mandatory Fun,” “Weird Al” Yankovic
“Obsessed,” Jim Gaffigan
“Oh My God,” Louis C.K.

“Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time,” Patton Oswalt
“We Are Miracles,” Sarah Silverman

Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella
“Beautiful Dreamer,” Pete McGuinness (The Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra)
“Daft Punk,” Ben Bram, Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Avi Kaplan, Kirstie Maldonado & Kevin Olusola (Pentatonix)
“Get Smart,” Gordon Goodwin (Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band)
“Guantanamera,” Alfredo Rodríguez (Alfredo Rodríguez)
“Moon River,” Chris Walden (Amy Dickson)

Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals
“All My Tomorrows,” Jeremy Fox (Jeremy Fox Featuring Kate McGarry)
“Goodnight America,” Vince Mendoza (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
“New York Tendaberry,” Billy Childs (Billy Childs Featuring Renée Fleming & Yo-Yo Ma)
“Party Rockers,” Gordon Goodwin (Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band)
“What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?” Pete McGuinness (The Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra)

Remixed Recording, Non-Classical
“All Of Me (Tiesto’s Birthday Treatment Remix),” Tijs Michiel Verwest (John Legend)
“Falling Out (Ming Remix),” MING (Crossfingers Featuring Danny Losito)
“Pompeii (Audien Remix),” Audien (Bastille)
“The Rising (Eddie Amador Remix),” Eddie Amador (Five Knives)
“Smile (Kaskade Edit),” Ryan Raddon (Galantis)
“Waves (Robin Schulz Remix),” Robin Schulz (Mr. Probz)

Music Video
“We Exist,” Arcade Fire; David Wilson, video director; Jason Baum, video producer
“Turn Down For What,” DJ Snake & Lil Jon; Daniels, video directors; Judy Craig, Candice Ouaknine, Jonathan Wang & Bryan Younce, video producers
“Chandelier,” Sia; Daniel Askill & Sia, video directors; Jennifer Heath, video producer
“Happy,” Pharrell Williams; We Are From LA, video director; Kathleen Heffernan, Roman Pichon Herrera, Jett Steiger & Cedric Troadec, video producers
“The Golden Age,” Woodkid Featuring Max Richter; Chis Clayton & Yoann Lemoine, video directors; Roman Pichon Herrera, Christine Miller, Susan Porche & Annabel Rosier, video producers

Music Film
“Beyoncé & Jay Z: On The Run Tour,” Beyoncé & Jay Z; Jonas Åkerlund, video director; Svana Gisla, video producer
“Ghost Stories,” Coldplay; Paul Dugdale, video director; Jim Parsons, video producer
“20 Feet From Stardom,” Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer & Judith Hill; Morgan Neville, video director; Gil Friesen & Caitrin Rogers, video producers [Tata Vega]
“Metallica Through The Never,” Metallica (Robert Trujillo); Nimród Antal, video director; Adam Ellison & Charlotte Huggins, video producers
“The Truth About Love Tour: Live From Melbourne,” Pink; Larn Poland, video director; Roger Davies, video producer

Molotov to Headline Next Year’s Vive Latino Festival in Mexico City

iVive Molotov! In Mexico City, that is…

The four-time Latin Grammy-winning Mexican rock band is set to headline next year’s Vive Latino in Mexico City.

Molotov

Taking place March 13-15, 2015 at the Foro Sol, the massive annual festival will also feature Robert Plant, Caifanes, Dave Matthews Band and Brandon Flowers.

The Specials, Babasonicos, Interpol, Happy Mondays, Jorge Drexler, Aterciopelados, Nortec Collective and Garbage are also among the artists announced.

In all, more than 100 acts are scheduled to perform at the festival. The lineup includes Vive Latino’s characteristic mix of groups from Mexican groups and other Latin American countries, as well as other well-known international artists, which this year include Mali’s Tinariwen as well as the announced Anglo bands.

Vive Latino, which last year was expanded to four days, has returned to its three day format. 2015 marks the 16th edition of the festival.

 

Tickets for the massive annual festival went on sale Friday morning (Nov. 28).

Visitante Leads the Pack of Latin Grammy Nominees with 10

It’s a perfect ten for Eduardo Cabra

The Puerto Rican reggaetón singer has picked up 10 Latin Grammy nominations to lead the pack of honorees this year.

Eduardo Cabra

Cabra, commonly known “Visitante,” earned nine nominations with his stepbrother and fellow Calle 13 member René Pérez, known as “Residente.” He earned his tenth nod of the year for Producer of the Year his work as a producer on Jorge Drexler’s album Todo Cae.

Calle 13’s nominations include Record of the Year, for their single “Respira El Momento;” Album of the Year for MultiViral; and Song of the Year for their track “Ojos Color Sol” with Silvio Rodríguez.

Since 2006, when they took home the Best New Artist award, Calle 13 has won 19 Latin Grammys.

Meanwhile, Andres Castro earned eight. Tom Coyne received seven, Julio Reyes Copello and Carlos Vives each received six nominations, and Descemer Bueno and Enrique Iglesias were next with five nods each.

In the running for best new artist are Aneeka, Linda Briceno, Caloncho, Julio Cesar, Pablo Lopez, Miranda, Periko & Jessi Leen, Daniela Spalla, Juan Pablo Vega and Mariana Vega.

This year’s Latin Grammy Awards will broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The ceremony will air on the Univision from 8:00 – 11:00 pm ET.

Click here to see the complete list of nominees.