Mexican acts dominate awards

Two acclaimed Mexican recording acts -- the veteran rock-rap group Molotov and teenage newcomer Natalia Lafourcade -- dominated this year’s MTV Video Music Awards Latin America, garnering seven of 17 trophies handed out Thursday during a live telecast from the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami Beach.

The Mexican sweep signals a nascent reawakening of the nation’s alternative music scene and symbolizes the diversity within the field, from Molotov’s raw, in-your-face provocation to Lafourcade’s delightful, bossa-nova based introspection.

The incendiary quartet won for best group or duo, best alternative act, best artist Mexico and video of the year for “Frijolero” (Beaner), a scathing, animated dramatization of ethnic hatreds at the U.S. border. Lafourcade, a singer-songwriter and guitarist whose debut album was released last year, took home tongue-shaped trophies for best pop artist, best solo act and best new artist Mexico.

Juanes, Colombia’s best-selling singer-songwriter, won two awards, including the prized artist of the year. International awards went to Canadian rocker Avril Lavigne and Brit-pop group Coldplay.