Rosalía opened the 24th annual Latin Grammy Awards which were held at the Conference and Exhibition Centre (FIBES) in Seville, Spain for first time in a night that saw Women women winning in all the major categories.
The Catalan singer delivered a soul-stirring flamenco ballad, backed by an orchestra of percussionists, as she paid homage to the revered Spanish singer Rocío Jurado with a rendition of “Se Nos Rompió El Amor” from 1985.
The evening unfolded with surprise performances and collaborations such as Jaunes and Rauw Alejandro. The “Vida Cotidiana” singer added an electric guitar touch to Alejandro’s “Baby Hello” in a medley that included a cover of Person of the Year Laura Pausini’s “Se Fue.” Rauw Alejandro’s emotive delivery of the lyrics fueled speculation about his recent breakup with ex-fiancé Rosalía.
Shakira, who won a total of three awards used the stage to celebrate breakups as she claimed the Song of the Year award alongside Bizarrap for their post-breakup anthem “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53.” The Colombian Hitmaker later performed the award-winning single with the Argentine producer, creating a memorable moment during the ceremony.
She also won Best Pop Song and Best Urban Song with BZRP Music Sessions #53 with Bizarrap.
“Latin America, half of the universe! You twitch in the globe like a gesture of God, and I feel you shake with the divine haste of an infinite muscle that is going to tarnish the sun!” read a quote by Peruvian poet, César Vallejo, before the Argentine super producer Bizarrap appeared in stage.
Other performances at the 2023 Latin Grammy Awards came from Andrea Bocelli, Alejandro Sanz, Borja, Camilo, Carin León, Christian Nodal, David Guetta, DJ Premier, Édgar Barrera, Eslabón Armado and Peso Pluma.
The leading nominee of the night, singer-songwriter, and producer Edgar Barrera, took home the Latin Grammy for Songwriter of the Year. Barrera, also nominated in the same category at the upcoming 2024 Grammys, graced the stage for his first televised performance, playing the keytar for Camilo’s “Pegao” alongside the Colombian singer, IZA, and Manuel Carrasco.
Laura Pausini, crowned Person of the Year, delivered a breathtaking set encompassing her most significant hits, including “Durar,” “La Soledad,” “Viveme,” and “En Cambio No.” The Italian singer received a surprise award from Karol G, who acknowledged Pausini’s impactful lyrics that have left an indelible mark on the world of music.
The Latin Grammys also spotlighted emerging talent, with best new artist nominees contributing backup vocals for Juanes’ performance. Maria Becerra, an Argentine artist, showcased her versatile vocals, participating in a captivating musical moment when she performed “Amigos” with top nominee Pablo Alborán before transitioning into her own hit, “Ojalá.”
Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma joined forces for the first televised performance of their chart-topping “Ella Baila Sola.” Despite a rocky relationship following the song’s success, the Mexican artists appeared united and joyful on stage, putting past differences behind them.
The grand finale of the night came with Karol G winning her third and most significant award, Album of the Year, for her record-breaking album “Mañana Será Bonito.” The album, also snatched the Best Música Urbana category, making her the most awarded female artist in category on the Latin Grammys history with 5 wins. Karol G, fought back tears and expressed gratitude for the life-changing impact of the album on both her life and many others. She took home all seven awards she was nominated for including Record of the Year for Mientras Me Curodel Cora, Best urban/fusion performance and Best Urban song for her duet with Shakira “TQG” and Best Reggaeton Performance for “Gatúbela!”
The curtains fell on Latin music’s grandest night around 2:00 a.m. in Spain, leaving a lasting impression on the audience. In the United States, viewers awaited the premiere of the three-hour-long ceremony at 8 p.m. ET on Univision, UniMás, and Galavisión.
