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Yuri Among the Latin Recording Academy’s 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees

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Yuri‘s achievements will be celebrated in November…

The Latin Recording Academy has revealed the list of artists who will receive the special awards at the 2018 Latin Grammys, with the 54-year-old Mexican singer, actress and TV host among the Lifetime Achievement Award honorees.

Yuri

Presented to performers who have made unprecedented contributions of outstanding artistic significance to Latin music, this year’s lifetime achievement award goes to seven artists with reputable music careers: Yuri, Erasmo Carlos, Dyango, Andy Montañez, José María Napoleón, Chucho Valdés, and Wilfrido Vargas.

Record label executives Horacio Malvicino from Argentina and Tomás Muñozfrom Spain will receive the Trustees Award, which is voted on by The Latin Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees and merited to individuals who have made significant contributions, other than in performance, to music during their careers.

“Our 2018 class has made outstanding contributions benefiting Ibero-American music, providing innovation, and a unique vision in favor of all music lovers,” said Gabriel Abaroa Jr., Latin Recording Academy president/CEO in a press statement.

The honorees will be celebrated during a private ceremony on Nov. 13 in Las Vegas. The 19th Annual Latin Grammys will be broadcast live from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas via Univision.

Here are the lifetime achievement award honorees below.

Yuri
The Mexican singer and actress gained fame across Latin America in the ‘80s. Throughout Yuri’s successful music career, she has sung heartfelt songs in many genres including Latin pop, tropical, rancheras, and Christian.

Erasmo Carlos
Erasmo is a Brazilian singer-songwriter, who besides his remarkable solo career in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s is also known for collaborating with Roberto Carlos.

Dyango
Born Jose Gomez Romero, Dyango is a Spanish musician and singer known as “The Voice of Love” for his romantic ballads released in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Andy Montañez
Andy Montañez kicked off his solo career in the ‘80s after gaining international success as part of El Gran Combo. Known as “El Godfather de la Salsa,” the Puerto Rican singer is one of the most soulful and creative vocalists in the Afro-Caribbean genre.

José María Napoleón
Known as “El Poeta de la Cancion,” the Mexican singer-songwriter is a gem from the influential romantic ballad movement in the ‘70s. In additional to his solo career, he’s composed songs for Vicente Fernandez, Jose Jose, Pepe Aguilar, and more.

Chucho Valdés
As a Cuban pianist, bandleader, composer, and arranger, Chucho Valdes’ music career spans more than five decades. In the ’70s he founded the group Irakere, which became known as one of the best-known Latin Jazz bands in Cuba.

Wilfrido Vargas
Dominican singer Wilfrido Vargas kicked off his music career in the ‘70s and has since blessed us with timeless merengue songs such as “El Africano,” “El Jardinero,” and “El Baile del Perrito.”

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Win Four Latin Grammys for “Despacito”

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Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee proved to be the night’s brightest stars at this year’s Latin Grammy Awards.

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican singer and the 40-year-old reggaeton star, the artists behind this year’s global smash single “Despacito,” picked up four awards from the Latin Recording Academy, including two of the biggest prizes.

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee

Fonsi and Daddy Yankee won Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Despacito,” while their remix of the song featuring Justin Bieber was named Best Urban Fusion/Performance.

Not far behind, Vicente Garcia.

The 34-year-old Dominican singer, songwriter and composer picked up three awards, including Best New Artist. He also received the Best Tropical Song prize for his single “Bachata en Kingston,” as well as Best Singer-Songwriter Album for A La Mar.

Latin music veteran Ruben Blades, who won two awards, took home the night’s biggest honor Album of the Year for his album, Salsa Big Band, with Roberto Delgado & Orquesta.

It’s the second Album of the Year trophy for the 69-year-old Panamanian singer-songwriter. He previously took home the award in 2014 for his album Tangos.

Natalia Lafourcade, a Latin Grammy darling, added two more awards to her collection.

The 33-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter won the Best Folk Album award for her album Musas, which was produced in collaboration with the acoustic guitar duo Los Macorinos. The album is a homage to Latin American folk music, coand contains original songs as well as cover versions of other artists’ songs.

Shakira, who is currently on vocal rest and absent from the ceremony, won Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album for her latest record, El Dorado.

The 2017 Latin Grammy Awards were held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Thursday night. The three-hour show, hosted by Roselyn Sanchez and Jaime Camil, included performances by Fonsi, Steve Aoki, Alessia Cara, J Balvin, Maluma and Person of the Year Alejandro Sanz, among others.

Lin-Manuel Miranda was also honored with the President’s Merit Award for his outstanding and numerous contributions to the Latin community, including his relief efforts for Puerto Rico following the devastation of Hurricane Maria. Upon taking the stage, the Hamilton creator thanked his team and his wife, Vanessa Nadal.

“My people! Thank you, it’s an honor to be here,” Miranda began his Spanglish speech. “No one gets here alone,” he added before expressing how proud he was of the Latino community and dedicating the award to Puerto Rico.

“I know I’m a weird theater kid here, with a weird accent,” he continued. “But let’s keep collaborating and show the world that Latinos can change the world when we collaborate.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

Album of the Year: Salsa Big Band — Rubén Blades con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta
Record of the Year: “Despacito” — Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee
Song of the Year (A Songwriter’s Award): “Despacito” — Daddy Yankee, Erika Ender and Luis Fonsi, songwriters (Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee)
Best New Artist: Vicente García
Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album: El Dorado, Shakira
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: Salón, Lágrimas Y Deseo, Lila Downs
Best Urban Fusion/Performance: Despacito (Remix) Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber
Best Urban Music Album: Residente, Residente
Best Urban Song: Somos Anormales, Rafael Arcaute, Igor Koshkendey & Residente, Songwriters (Residente)
Best Rock Album: La Gran Oscilación, Diamante Eléctrico
Best Pop/Rock Album: Mis Planes Son Amarte, Juanes
Best Rock Song: Déjala Rodar, Juan Galeano, Songwriter (Diamante Eléctrico) & La Noche, Andrés Calamaro, Songwriter (Andrés Calamaro) [Tie]
Best Alternative Music Album: Jei Beibi, Café Tacvba
Best Alternative Song: Amárrame, Mon Laferte, Songwriter (Mon Laferte featuring Juanes)
Best Salsa Album: Salsa Big Band, Rubén Blades Con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta
Best Cumbia/Vallenato Album: Ni Un Paso Atrás, Jorge Celedón y Sergio Luis Rodríguez
Best Contemporary Tropical Album: Bidimensional, Guaco
Best Traditional Tropical Album: To Beny Moré With Love, Jon Secada Featuring The Charlie Sepúlveda Big Band
Best Tropical Fusion Album: Olga Tañón Y Punto., Olga Tañón
Best Tropical Song: Bachata En Kingston, Vicente García, Songwriter (Vicente García)
Best Singer-Songwriter Album: A La Mar, Vicente García
Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album: Las Caras Lindas, Flor De Toloache
Best Banda Album: Ayer Y Hoy, Banda El Recodo De Cruz Lizárraga
Best Norteño Album: Piénsalo, Los Palominos
Best Regional Song: Siempre Es Así, Juan Treviño, Songwriter (Juan Treviño Featuring Aj Castillo)
Best Instrumental Album: Spain Forever, Michel Camilo & Tomatito
Best Folk Album: Musas (Un Homenaje Al Folclore Latinoamericano En Manos De Los Macorinos, Vol. 1), Natalia Lafourcade
Best Tango Album: Solo Buenos Aires, Fernando Otero
Best Flamenco Album: Memoria De Los Sentidos, Vicente Amigo
Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album: Dance Of Time, Eliane Elias
Best Christian Album (Spanish Language): Momentos, Alex Campos
Best Portuguese Language Christian Album: Acenda A Sua Luz, Aline Barros
Best Portuguese Language Contemporary Pop Album: Troco Likes Ao Vivo: Um Filme De Tiago Iorc, Tiago Iorc
Best Portuguese Language Rock Or Alternative Album: Jardim – Pomar, Nando Reis
Best Samba/Pagode Album: + Misturado, Mart’nália
Best Mpb (Musica Popular Brasileira) Album: Dos Navegantes, Edu Lobo, Romero Lubambo, Mauro Senise
Best Sertaneja Music Album: Daniel, Daniel
Best Brazilian Roots Album: Ao Vivo – Melodias Do Sertão, Bruna Viola
Best Portuguese Language Song: Trevo (Tu), Ana Caetano & Tiago Iorc, Songwriters (Anavitória Featuring Tiago Iorc)
Best Latin Children’s Album: Marc Anthony For Babies, Varios artistas
Best Classical Album: Música De Compositores Costarricenses Vol. 2, Eddie Mora, Directing The Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional De Costa Rica; Winnie Camila Berg, Solista; Carlos Chaves, Album Producer
Best Classical Contemporary Composition: Sonata Del Decamerón Negro, Leo Brouwer, Composer (Mabel Millán)
Best Recording Package: El Orisha De La Rosa, Carlos Dussán, Juliana Jaramillo, Juan Felipe Martínez & Claudio Roncoli, Art Directors (Magín Díaz)
Best Engineered Album: Mis Planes Son Amarte, Josh Gudwin, Mixer; Tom Coyne, Mastering Engineer (Juanes)
Producer Of The Year: Eduardo Cabra [A La Mar (Vicente García) (A), La Fortuna (Diana Fuentes Featuring Tommy Torres) (S), La Lucha (La Vida Bohème) (A), Sofá (Silvina Moreno) (A), Somos (Swing Original Monks) (A)]
Best Short Form Music Video: Despacito, Luis Fonsi Featuring Daddy Yankee, Carlos R. Perez, Video Director; Joanna Egozcue & Roxy Quiñones, Video Producers
Best Long Form Music Video: Musas, El Documental, Natalia Lafourcade, Bruno Bancalari, Video Director; Juan Pablo López Fonseca, Video Producer

Los Del Río Receive Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Recording Academy

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Holy Macarena! Los Del Río are getting some love more than 20 years after gaining international acclaim…

This week, the Spanish Latin pop and dance duo behind the smash-hit dance single “Macarena” received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Recording Academy.

Los Del Rio

Los Del Rio, comprised of Antonio Romero Monge and Rafael Ruíz Perdigones, joined a list of honorees that includes Lucecita Benítez, João Bosco, Ilan Chester, Víctor Heredia, Guadalupe Pineda and Cuco Valoy..

The Lifetime Achievement award is presented to performers who have made unprecedented contributions of outstanding artistic significance to Latin music and the Latin community.

Los Del Rio, who saw “Macarena” reach No. 1 in 15 countries, including the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., accepted their award with a lot of emotion, saying it was the first time they’ve received this kind of recognition in their 53-year music career.

Benitez accepted the honor given by her friend, Puerto Rican singer Olga Tañon. The 75-year-old Puerto Rican singer dedicated her recognition to her native island, emphasizing that she would never leave Puerto Rico even now that people needs help.

Pineda was presented her award from Pepe Aguilar. The 62-year-old Mexican singer had a political tone in her speech saying: “Music is a universal language. Music not only builds bridges but also breaks down walls. And, the walls fall.”

Meanwhile, Jon Fausty and Lalo Schifrin received the Trustees Award, which is given to individuals who have made significant contributions, other than performance, to Latin music during their careers. All the honorees are chosen by vote by the members of The Latin Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees.

The 18th annual Latin Grammy Awards will broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on November 16, from 8:00 – 11:00 pm ET/PT on Univision.

Erika Ender Among the Latin Recording Academy’s Inaugural “Leading Ladies of Entertainment”

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Erika Ender is a leading lady…

The Latin Recording Academy will honor the accomplishments of women working in the Latin music industry, including the 42-year-old Panamanian and Brazilian singer, songwriter and actress, with a ceremony recognizing “The Leading Ladies of Entertainment.”

Erika Ender

Considered one of the most prolific composers in the Latin music market today, Ender is the woman behind Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s global hit “Despacito,” having co-written the song with the Puerto Rican superstars.

Last month, Ender was inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Billboard’s Leila Cobo, Executive Director of Content and Programming for Latin Music and Entertainment, will also be honored during the inaugural event, which will take place on Tuesday (November 14) at Mastro’s Ocean Club in Las Vegas.

Recording engineer Marcella Araica, Rebeca Leon, CEO and Founder of Lionfish Entertainment; Gabriela Martinez, General Manager Warner Music Latina and SVP Marketing Warner Music Latin America; and Univision’s Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Jessica Rodriguez will also be honored as 2017’s “Leading Ladies.”

The new Latin Grammy week event will precede the 18th annual awards, which will be broadcast live on Univision from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday (November 16).

“It is my pleasure to welcome this new event to Latin Grammy Week, where we will have another opportunity to celebrate talented and inspiring individuals,” said Gabriel Abaroa Jr., Latin Recording Academy President/CEO, said in a statement. “Women face a myriad of difficulties in the entertainment industry, but despite those obstacles, the women we are honoring have continually demonstrated perseverance, fortitude, and grace under pressure.”

Davina Aryeh, Chief Marketing Officer of The Latin Recording Academy, pointed out that the gender gap in the music industry “is more pronounced for Latinas.”

“We want to empower and inspire women,” she added. “Not only through the symbolic importance of the event…but also through the tangible financial contribution it will have as we donate proceeds back to our Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation in the form of scholarships for young women interested in studying music.”

Tommy Torres to Host This Year’s Latin Grammy Premiere Ceremony

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Tommy Torres will be put on his hosting hat…

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter and producer, a three-time Latin Grammy-winner, will host this year’s Latin Grammy Premiere ceremony, during which approximately 85 percent of the categories will be awarded, according to the Recording Academy.

Tommy Torres

The “biggest night in Latin music” will kick off with performances by nominees Tiago Iorc, Las Migas, Debi Nova and Sig Ragga.

Additionally, the first Latin Grammy awards of the day will be presented by nominees Paula Arenas, Eduardo Cabra, Cesar Camargo Mariano and Miranda, and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Guadalupe Pineda.

The Latin Grammy Premiere 2017 will be held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas on Thursday (Nov. 16); live streaming will begin at 4 p.m. EST on LatinGrammy.com and Univision.com/LatinGrammy.

The premiere ceremony will be followed by the 18th Annual Latin Grammy Awards, live on Univision from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas from 8:00 – 11:00 pm EST.

Viewers can watch the Latin Grammys 2017 red carpet — “Night of the Stars” — beginning at 7:00 pm EST, featuring live interviews and commentary on the stars and their glamorous attires.

Bad Bunny to Perform at This Year’s Latin Grammys

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Bad Bunny is ready to take the stage at this year’s Latin Grammys…

The 23-year-old Puerto Rican Latin hip-hop/trap singer and rapper, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is set to perform at this year’s awards show, airing live on November 16.

Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny, a nominee this year, joins a roster of performers that includes J Balvin, Flor De Toloache, Luis Fonsi, Juanes, Mon Laferte, Natalia Lafourcade, Maluma, Residente and Sofía Reyes.

Also slated to perform is person of the year honoree Alejandro Sanz and guest artists Steve Aoki, Alessia Cara, Logic and French Montana.

The Latin Grammys will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will air live on Univision, as well as around the world.

Jaime Camil and Roselyn Sanchez will host this year’s awards show.

The announced performers include the top nominees this year. Residente leads with nine — including record, album and song of year — while Maluma has seven, including three for record of the year. Juanes and Mon Laferte have five nominations each.

Mana to Celebrate Mexican Independence Day with Two Las Vegas Concerts

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Maná is preparing for a grito in Nevada…

The legendary Mexican rock band will celebrate Mexican Independence Day with two concerts at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Mana

The just-announced shows will take place September 15 and 16, celebrating Mexicans’ revolt against Spanish rulers — not be confused with Cinco de Mayo, which celebrates the Mexican victory over French troops in the Battle of Puebla.

While the band’s announcement did not mention anything about Donald Trump, the choice of celebrating Mexican Independence Day in a U.S. venue may be a jab at the current U.S. president from the band, particularly frontman Fher Olvera, who has frequently spoken out against Trump’s immigration policies and his statements about Latinos.

“Sometimes the results disappoint us or worry us, but they should never get us on our knees,” the singer said the day after the election. “Us Latinos will continue to keep our head up high and work to change what we don’t like, to have the life, country and world we want.”

The Las Vegas shows, which will be Maná’s only U.S. arena concerts in 2017, can be expected to rival the energy of the most fervent political rally.

Tickets go on sale Friday, March 31, at 10 a.m. PST.

Hernandez to Write Paramount Pictures’ “The Villas,” Inspired by Neil Simon’s “Plaza Suite”

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Dan Hernandez is livin’ the suite life…

Paramount Pictures has selected the Cuban American writer and Benji Samit to pen The Villas.

Dan Hernandez & Benji Samit

The project, produced by Atlas Entertainment, is loosely inspired by Neil Simon’s play and 1971 film Plaza Suite.

Similarly, the film centers on several relationship stories all taking place in a hotel. This time, though, the location is a group of neighboring high-roller villas in Las Vegas, similar to The Mansion at the MGM Grand.

Hernandez and Samit recently wrote and produced on the first season of Netflix’s One Day At A Time, and are currently writing on the ABC/Sony Television pilot Come Together.

The scribes started writing together as undergraduates at Brown University.

Valdez KOs Matias Adrian Rueda to Win Featherweight World Title

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Oscar Valdez is officially a world champion…

The 25-year-old Mexican boxer, who always dreamed of being a world titleholder like his idols Erik Morales, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. and Jose Luis Castillo knocked out Matias Adrian Rueda in the second round to win a vacant featherweight world title Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Oscar Valdez

“This was my dream since I was 8 years old,” Valdez said, holding back tears. “It is the dream we shared, me and my father. I just work hard in the gym. We got to accomplish our dream. Now I want to fight the best. Whoever it is, let’s do it.”

Valdez won the 126-pound world title vacated last month by Vasyl Lomachenko after he moved up in weight and won a junior lightweight title. And Valdez did it in explosive fashion.

He repeatedly rocked Rueda in the first round with left hooks to the head and then destroyed him in the second round.

Valdez (20-0, 18 KOs), Mexico’s only two-time Olympic boxer (2008 and 2012), began the round by rocking Rueda with a right hand to the head. Then he landed a left hook to the body that forced Rueda to take a knee.

Rueda (26-1, 23 KOs), 28, of Argentina, beat the count, but it was only a matter of time. Valdez went on the immediate attack and lashed him with punches. He put together a five-punch combination, four clean head shots followed by another powerful left hook to the body that dropped him again. As soon as Rueda went down referee Russell Mora waved off the fight at 2 minutes, 18 seconds.

“He caught me with a real good body shot and that was it,” Rueda said through an interpreter. “I could never recover. He really hurt me with that [first] body shot.”

Although Valdez was born in Mexico and still lives there, he spent most of his childhood living in Tucson, Arizona, where he went to school. A delegation of city officials were in Las Vegas for the fight to meet with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum about scheduling Valdez’s first defense in the city on November 26 pending a victory.

Carrie Underwood Frocks Out in Diaz’s Cage Bodice at ACM Awards

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Manuel Diaz knows why the caged American Idol sings…

During this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM Awards), country superstar and former AI winner Carrie Underwood performed her latest single “Church Bells” in one of the Mexican designers fashion-forward dresses.

Carrie Underwood in Manuel Diaz

Underwood sparkled in the silver cage bodice by Diaz over a Sanyae Semure dress, as well as gladiator-style heels, Graziela Gems earrings, and a Mariana Harutunian bracelet and rings.

The ACM Awards were held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday (April 3) in Las Vegas.

Click here to see Diaz’s website.