LAS VEGAS – The 2021 Latin Grammys was nothing short of spicy as some of Latin music’s biggest stars came together to deliver electrifying performances and to see who would walk away with a coveted gramophone during Thursday night’s live broadcast.
Latin music icon Gloria Estefan, kicked off the show with a vibrant samba medley that featured songs such as “Abriendo Puertos,” “Cuando Hay Amor” and “Magalenha.” She was also joined onstage by a slew of artists including Anitta, Farina, Giulia Be, Pedro Capó, Diego Torres and Carlinhos Brown.
Broadcasting from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the 2021 Latin Grammys had not one but three hosts as Roselyn Sánchez, Carlos Rivera, and Ana Brenda Contreras shared hosting duties for the night.
Reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny, who won the awards for Best Urban Music Album and Best Rap/ Hip-Hop Song, closed out the night with a show-stopping performance of his song “Maldita Pobreza” from his hit 2020 album “El Último Tour Del Mundo.”
Juan Luis Guerra, who has been a well-respected and beloved fixture in Latin music for nearly 40 years, nabbed the first award of the night for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. He would also go on to win the awards for Best Long Form Music Video and Best Arrangement.
Latin pop artist Camilo also had an incredible night as he took home four awards including Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Pop Song, Best Urban Fusion/ Performance and Best Tropical Song.
Christina Aguilera also made quite the splash, as she returned to the Latin Grammys stage for the first time in nearly two decades to perform two new songs. She first performed her new powerful ballad “Somos Nada” and was then joined by Becky G, Nicki Nicole and Nathy Peluso to perform their new female anthem “Pa Mis Muchachas.”
In another powerful performance, Cuban artists Gente de Zona, El Funky, Yotuel and Descemer Bueno joined forces to perform “Patria Y Vida” (Homeland and Life). The song became a protest anthem in early July as thousands of Cubans marched the streets to protest the Communist regime that has been in place for decades.
“Patria Y Vida” would go on to win the awards for Song of the Year and Best Urban Song.
Panamanian salsa icon Rubén Blades, who won the awards for Album of the Year and Best Salsa Album, was also honored as the 2021 Latin Grammy’s Person of the Year.
Blades, who’s become known for his sophisticated lyricism and storytelling, was met with a roar of applause as he walked onstage to perform his 1979 classic “Paula C.”
The show also featured performances from artists including Ozuna, Calibre 50, Alejandro Fernández, Grupo Firme, Juanes, Maná, Myke Towers and more.
