Uruguay’s Jorge Drexler outshines Bad Bunny at the Latin Grammys
Las Vegas (AFP) –
Paula Ramon, with Maggy Donaldson in New York
Uruguay’s top musical export Jorge Drexler overshadowed the hype of megastar Bad Bunny at Thursday’s Latin Grammys, winning seven trophies including Best Record during the gala where Spain’s Rosalia took home the coveted Best Album award.
Puerto Rican reggaeton phenom Bad Bunny was deemed a favorite with 10 nominations despite not being able to attend the 23rd edition of the awards held in Las Vegas as he continues his hugely popular world tour.
The 28-year-old – currently the highest-grossing and most-streamed artist in the world following the release of his album Un Verano Sin Ti – snagged five trophies but fell short of the night’s most prestigious awards.
“Are you sure?” asked a surprised Drexler as he took the stage to accept the song of the year award for “Tocarte,” a track that also featured Spanish rapper C. Tangana.
Joined by Bad Bunny – whose hit “Titi Me Pregunto” eventually picked up two awards in the Urban category – the 58-year-old went up against stiff competition including Rosalia, who won four awards including for her critically acclaimed album, Motomami”, and the Colombian Karol G.
In his speech, Drexler recognized the tremendous reach of Latin urban music, including reggaeton, and dedicated the award “to everyone who makes urban music in Spanish for taking our music places it’s never been before”.
Drexler was the big winner, but in a way it was Cuban Angela Alvarez who stole the show: At 95, the singer received a gramophone for Best New Artist.
“It’s never too late,” Alvarez said, bringing tears from the audience as she accepted the award, which she shared with Mexican artist Silvana Estrada.
“I want to dedicate this award to God and to my beloved Cuba, which I will never forget. And for those who have yet to achieve their dreams, know that while life is hard, there is always a way out, and that is with faith and love, anything is achievable,” Alvarez said.
“With faith and love you can do it, I promise you.”
– Anitta, Bad Bunny on her way to the Grammys –
Rosalia was visibly surprised when she accepted the top honors of the night for her genre-bending masterpiece Motomami, telling the cheering crowd that it was “the album I had to fight hardest for”.
“But I got it out there and that’s what I enjoyed the most.”
Colombian crooner Sebastian Yatra – who caused a sensation last year with the Oscar-nominated song “Dos Oruguitas” from the film Encanto – has received two awards in the pop categories, including best pop song for “Tacones Rojos”, which he performed during the gala with John Legend.
Brazilian Anitta left the show empty-handed – she had two awards for her hard-hitting reggaeton hit “Envolver” – but delivered a stunning rendition of the hit and a twerk-heavy mashup of Brazilian dance tracks.
The 29-year-old is among the contenders for Best New Artist at February’s Grammys, which are being held in Los Angeles.
Bad Bunny’s work will also be featured at the upcoming Grammy Gala, with “Un Verano Sin Ti” in the running for Album of the Year.
It’s the first time an all-Spanish album has had a shot at this coveted accolade, and the first time the Puerto Rican reggaeton megastar has landed a solo nomination in major Grammy categories.
