The biggest Hispanic music celebration is finally here! The 14th Annual Latin Grammy will recognize this year's outstanding achievements in the Hispanic music industry. They are being held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas for the sixth time and will be broadcast on Univision. Lucero is back once again to host the star-studded night where the best in Latin music is awarded. The nominations were announced on September 25, 2013 with Javier Garza, Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas and Carlos Vives leding the nominations with five nods each. Miguel Bosé was honored as the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year on November 20.
Celebrities scheduled to be part of the award ceremony include comedian Omar Chaparro, "Mira Quién Baila" judge Ninel Conde, former Miss Universe winner and "La Tempestad" star Ximena Navarrete and her co-star Iván Sánchez. Also confirmed to present an award at the ceremony in Sin City are "Mentir Para Vivir" couple Mayrin Villanueva and David Zepeda and "Porque El Amor Manda" star Blanca Soto. Musical performers include Marc Anthony, Jesse & Joy featuring Camila's Mario Domm, Natalia Lafourcade, Draco Rosa, Pablo Alborán, Carlos Vives and a special tribute to Miguel Bosé.
Wisin kicked off the celebration with his hit "Que Viva la Vida" pumping up the crowd that was later greeted by Blanca Soto, Omar Chaparro and Lucero. The two Mexican leading ladies stood side by side Omar, ignoring him throughout the beginning of their opening skit. He claimed he felt "More ignored than a comb at Pitbull's house." Roselyn Sanchez and Ivan Sanchez took the stage to introduce the first award. And the first award of the night, Best Pop Album, went to "La Música No Se Toca" by Alejandro Sanz!
Alejandro dedicated his award to Gabriel Abaroa and all his work towards the Latin Grammy and a dear friend he lost today, whose name he didn't reveal. Secong award of the night, Best Banda Album was a tie! "El Free" by Los Recoditos and "La Original y Sus Boleros De Amor" by La Original Banda El Limón de Salvador Lazárraga. After the two Mexican Regional bands gave their acceptance speeches, Jesse y Joy and Mario Domm took the stage and brought us to tears with their new single "Llorar."
Gaby Moreno took the stage to give the award of the "Mejor Interpretación Urbana" or "Best Urban Performance," which went to none other than... Pitbull for his song "Echa Pa'lla (Manos Pa'rriba)" featuring Papayo. The show has taken a more romantic approach, since Carlos Vives took the stage to perform his song "Volví a Nacer," bringing his traditional Vallenato to this music celebration. After the commercial break, Leslie Grace took the stage with Cirque Du Soleil's "Zarkana" to perform her Bachata rendition of the 1963 song "Be My Baby." New "doctor" Alejandro Sanz took the stage with music students from 14 countries to perform his single "La Música No Se Toca."
According to the Berklee University web page, this opportunity for students to perform at the ceremony came after an epic performance with Sanz the night he was awarded a Berklee honorary doctorate. "A few weeks ago, I had the honor to introduce my dear friend Alejandro Sanz to the Berklee community in the best way he deserves. Now the magic continues with this special trip to the Latin Grammys with 30 exceptional students from Berklee," said Javier Limón, artistic director of the Mediterranean Music Institute at Berklee . "These are the kind of initiatives led by the Mediterranean Music Institute."
The night went on and found Carlos Vives the winner of "Best Tropical Fusion Album" with "Corazón Profundo." This performance-filled show continued to amaze us bringing Enrique Iglesias on stage to perform his single "Loco," this time, featuring India Martínez. Laura Pausini took her post-baby body in a loose metallic dress to present the "Best New Artist Award," which went to Gaby Moreno. After her speech, one of the most awaited collaborations of the night took place. Ricky Martin and Draco Rosa excited the fans performing "Más y Más." Pablo Alborán followed with his song "Tanto," and a special appearance by the amazing performers of "Zarkana."
Ilya Kuryaki and The Valderramas won their first Grammy tonight after coming together following a decade of focusing on their own musical projects. They took the award for "Best Urban Song" with their summer hit "Ula Ula," which became extra famous after being featured in a Target commercial that went viral. Right after, the new promise of Regional music, El Dasa, performed his song "Casi Perfecto" animating the cheering crowd. Maluma and Becky G followed with a collaboration of Maluma's "La Temperatura," and after the two young stars finished their modern performance, Paquita la del Barrio received a standing ovation after her interpretation of "Romeo y Su Nieta," in which she targeted Don Francisco, driving the crowd wild! Carlos Vives took yet another Grammy for "Song Of The Year," with his hit "Volví A Nacer," which he wrote with Andrés Castro.
And the moment everyone was waiting for. Marc Anthony performing "Vivir Mi Vida" and pouring his heart and soul on stage, making the audience stand up, creating a ginormous dance party at the Mandalay Bay. Celebrities and other invitees were dancing even in the halls because how could you not move when Marc Anthony is singing? Even Don Francisco was singing along and even dancing a little, proving that he's far from dead, following the horrible hoax he was a victim of earlier this week. At the end of his song, Marc received a standing ovation that lasted for about a minute. "Es un buen día para celebrar!" Since "Sergio George Presents: Salsa Giants" won "Best Salsa Album." And to continue with the celebration, Pitbull performed his Grammy-winning single "Echa Pa'lla (Manos Pa'rriba)" to later invite El Cata and turn up the heat at the Latin Grammy's with their collaboration "Cotorra y Voli." But that wasn't it for Pitbull. He thought it would be a great idea to invite his other friends on the stage, and "baby I like it!" because Enrique Iglesias joined him to perform their hit "I Like It," driving the audience crazy.
And we're back live from the Latin Grammy's and this is the tribute to this year's "Person of the Year," Miguel Bosé. He started singing "Te Amaré" with Laura Pausini. Miguel sported a modern black blazer with silver details over a white shirt, black tie and black vest. After his moment with Laura was over, he kissed her, and walked to another stage where Juanes was waiting for him to sing "Nada Particular." After thanking Juanes with a "gracias, socio," Miguel Bosé moved on to sing "Bambú" with no other than Ricky Martin. The two kissed goodbye, Ricky left and Miguel shined on his own while performing "Amante Bandido." Ricky Martin returned to hand Bosé the biggest award by the Latin Music Academy, where the honoree joked that years ago he was the one handing that same recognition to Ricky, and he was glad he had the honor of receiving it from him. He added that he loved this special award because it not only acknowledged his journey as an artist, but also as a human being concerned about the world and social causes to make this earth a better place.
Continuing with the awards, the "Best Norteño Album" went to En Peligro de Extinción, followed by Natalia Lafourcade and Gianmarco singing the classics "María Bonita" and "La Flor De La Canela." The show surprised us once again with Carlos Santana and Juanes performing a little bit of Jarabe de Palo's "La Flaca" before announcing the winner of "Album of the Year" that went to "Vida" by Draco Rosa. Emotional moments at the Mandalay Bay to see Draco receive this award for this album, that was a celebration of his life after overcoming an almost deadly cancer. Yandel took the stage after to perform his hit "Hasta Abajo," and as soon as he finished, Wisin joined, making this one of the best moments of the nights as people were speculating whether or not the reggaeton duo would reunite one more time for their fans. The pumped the crowd with their song "Algo Me Gusta de Ti."
Natalie Cole filled the stage with her grace and elegance to perform "Acercate Más," featuring a recording of her dad, legend Nat King Cole, in what could be the sweetest moment of the whole show. To contrast her adorable performance, Calibre 50 and Banda Carnaval followed on stage, to pump up the crowd as the show seems to be arriving to an end. Don Francisco proved again he is alive and kicking when he joined former NCIS star Cote de Pablo to introduce the "Record of the Year" award, one of the biggest of the nights, that went to Marc Anthony with "Vivir Mi Vida." Salsa sure took over after Marc gave his acceptance speech, and Oscar de León, Willy Chirino, Tito Nieves, José Alberto El Canario, Ismael Miranda and Sergio George celebrated on stage with their hit "Para Celebrar" in an amazing performance that put together these six Salsa Giants to end this big fiesta.
For the complete list of all the Latin Grammy 2013 winners, click here.
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