The vibrant landscape of Latin music has a clear frontrunner for the 2025 Latin Grammy Awards, as the nominations announced today reveal Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny at the apex with a remarkable 12 nods. The annual list of contenders, unveiled on September 17, signals a dynamic year for the industry, celebrating both established icons and burgeoning talent. The 26th Annual Latin Grammy Awards ceremony is set to illuminate Las Vegas on November 13, promising a night of high-stakes competition and artistic recognition.
Bad Bunny’s prolific output and undeniable cultural impact have earned him a commanding presence, topping the nomination charts and dethroning producer and songwriter Édgar Barrera, who had held the leading position for the past two years. This significant achievement underscores Bad Bunny’s sustained success and his evolution as a dominant force in the global music scene. The artist, known for pushing boundaries and consistently topping charts, has accumulated a career total of 52 nominations for the prestigious awards.
Bad Bunny’s Unprecedented Nomination Haul
The Puerto Rican artist’s 12 nominations span some of the most coveted categories, reflecting the breadth and depth of his work. His latest album, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” released in January, is a major contender, securing nods for Album of the Year and Best Urban Music Album. Bad Bunny’s prowess extends to individual tracks, with his songs “DTMF” and “Baile Inolvidable” each receiving dual nominations in both the Record of the Year and Song of the Year categories. Further cementing his influence, he also earned nominations in Performance categories such as Best Urban/Urban Fusion Performance and Best Reggaeton Performance, alongside a nod in the newly established Best Roots Song category for “Lo Que Le Pasó A Hawaii.” His nominations for Best Urban Song, including “La Mudanza” and “DTMF,” further highlight his versatility and dominance in contemporary urban music.
Argentine Duo and Veteran Producer Follow Closely
Sharing the spotlight with Bad Bunny is the Argentinian hip-hop duo Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso, who have garnered an impressive 10 nominations. Their experimental and genre-fluid sound has clearly resonated with voters, earning them recognition in major categories including Album of the Year for “Papota,” as well as multiple nominations in Record of the Year and Song of the Year for their tracks “El Día Del Amigo” and “#Tetas.” Following closely with an equal number of nods is Edgar Barrera, a prolific producer and songwriter whose work with a wide array of major Latin artists continues to garner critical acclaim. Barrera’s extensive work solidifies his status as one of the most influential figures in modern Latin music, holding a career total of 72 nominations.
A Look at Key Categories and New Horizons
The Album of the Year category presents a compelling lineup, featuring a diverse array of talent that underscores the evolving nature of Latin music. Alongside Bad Bunny and Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso, the nominees include established artists such as Rauw Alejandro for “Cosa Nuestra,” Gloria Estefan for “Raíces,” Natalia Lafourcade for “Cancionera,” and Alejandro Sanz for “¿Y Ahora Qué?” The field also highlights rising stars like Joaquina, Elena Rose, and Liniker. The nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year similarly showcase a robust mix of established hitmakers and promising new artists.
This year’s Latin Grammy Awards also introduce significant changes to reflect the expanding scope of Latin music. A new field for Visual Media has been established, featuring the inaugural categories of Best Music for Visual Media and Best Roots Song. These additions signal an acknowledgment of how music is consumed and created across various platforms, from film and television to traditional musical expressions. The Best New Artist category, always a highlight, features a fresh cohort of talent poised to make their mark on the music world.
Honoring Icons and the Global Power of Latin Music
Beyond the competitive nominations, the Latin Recording Academy is set to honor several influential figures. Spanish singer and actor Raphael will be celebrated as the 2025 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, recognizing his enduring contributions to music and culture. Additionally, Susana Baca, Enrique Bunbury, Ivan Lins, Pandora, and Olga Tañón will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating their significant and lasting impact on Latin music. Engineer Eric Schilling will be presented with the Trustees Award.
Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy, remarked, “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.” This sentiment resonates throughout the list of nominees, which spans genres, generations, and geographical boundaries, showcasing the expansive reach and creative vitality of Latin music today. The eligibility period for this year’s awards covered recordings released between June 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025.
The Road to Las Vegas
As the voting period commences among the Latin Recording Academy’s 4,600 members, anticipation builds for the November 13th ceremony at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The telecast, airing live on TelevisaUnivision, will undoubtedly highlight the incredible artistry and innovation that define contemporary Latin music. The 2025 Latin Grammy nominations serve as a powerful testament to the genre’s global dominance and its continuous evolution, promising a memorable celebration of the biggest night in Latin music.
