The vibrant landscape of Latin music is once again illuminated by the announcement of the 2025 Latin Grammy nominations, with global superstar Bad Bunny leading the charge. In a significant shift, the Puerto Rican artist has secured a remarkable 12 nominations, dethroning prolific producer and songwriter Édgar Barrera, who had held the top spot for the past two years. The nominations, unveiled during a livestream by The Latin Recording Academy, set the stage for what promises to be a compelling celebration of the year’s finest Latin music achievements.
Bad Bunny’s Dominant Return
Bad Bunny’s extensive list of accolades includes nominations in some of the night’s most prestigious categories, such as Album of the Year and Urban Music Album of the Year for his critically acclaimed 2025 release, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” His influence is further recognized with multiple nods in Record of the Year and Song of the Year for his tracks “DTmF” and “Baile Inolvidable.” He also earned nominations for Urban/Urban Fusion Performance, Reggaeton Performance, Roots Song, and Short Form Music Video. This prolific showing underscores his continued reign as one of the most impactful artists in contemporary latin music.
Barrera and Emerging Talents Vie for Recognition
Édgar Barrera, a name synonymous with Latin music success, is recognized this year with 10 nominations, tying him for second place with the acclaimed Argentinian hip-hop duo CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso. Barrera, known for his extensive work with a diverse roster of artists including Madonna, Karol G, Peso Pluma, and Shakira, previously led the nominations in 2023 and 2024. His continued presence among the top nominees highlights his enduring impact on the industry. CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso also garnered significant attention, earning nominations in Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year, marking them as key contenders.
A Glimpse at Top Categories and New Voices
The Album of the Year category features a diverse array of talent, including Rauw Alejandro, Gloria Estefan, Vicente García, Joaquina, Natalia Lafourcade, Carín León, Liniker, Elena Rose, and Alejandro Sanz, alongside Bad Bunny and CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso. The Record of the Year category also sees strong competition, with both Bad Bunny and CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso securing two nominations each, while artists like Natalia Lafourcade, Alejandro Sanz, Jorge Drexler & Conociendo Rusia, Zoe Gotusso, Karol G, and Liniker are also recognized. The Best New Artist category continues to spotlight emerging talent, with nominees such as Alleh, Annasofia, Yerai Cortés, Juliane Gamboa, Camila Guevara, Isadora, Alex Luna, Paloma Morphy, Sued Nunes, and Ruzzi poised to make their mark.
Expanding Horizons with New Categories
This year’s Latin Grammy Awards introduces two new categories, reflecting the evolving nature of the music industry and the expansion of latin music’s reach. A new field for Visual Media has been established, encompassing the Best Music For Visual Media category. Additionally, the Best Roots Song category has been added, further diversifying the recognition of traditional and contemporary musical expressions. These additions signify The Latin Recording Academy’s commitment to celebrating the full spectrum of creativity within latin music.
Las Vegas Set to Host the 26th Annual Latin Grammy Awards
The 26th Annual Latin Grammy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the iconic MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. This marks the 15th time the prestigious event will be held in the city, which has become a familiar and celebrated home for the celebration of latin music and its creators. The eligibility period for nominated works spanned from June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025, ensuring that the awards reflect the most recent and impactful releases. The telecast will be broadcast live on Univision, with additional Latin Grammy Week events taking place throughout the city.
A Testament to Latin Music’s Global Ascendancy
Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy, commented on the significance of the nominations, stating, “The impact of Latin music continues to grow on a global level, and all of the nominated artists encompass its diversity and richness while continuing to preserve the iconic sounds that make our music unique”. The nominations for the 2025 Latin Grammy Awards serve as a powerful testament to the dynamism, innovation, and widespread appeal of latin music, promising an exciting night of recognition and celebration for artists across the globe. These stories of achievement continue to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide, solidifying the genre’s place at the top of the global music conversation.
