Latin Grammys 2025: Bad Bunny wins album of the year for ‘Debí Tirar Más Fotos’

Edgar Barrera almost never leaves the Latin Grammys empty-handed. In the media center on Thursday night, Barrera held three of his latest trophies close to his chest; he won in the categories for tropical song and song of the year for his work with Karol G on “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido;” he also took home the honors for songwriter of the year. As he reveled in his wins, the Texas-born songwriter reflected on moments from his early career.

“I’m a kid from a border town,” said Barrera. “I know what it’s taken me to get where I am. I went to Miami when I was 20 to serve coffee in a studio. I worked my way up from the bottom… Now, almost 13 years since I first arrived in Miami, this is the first time I’ve won song of the year.”

Ten years after they joined Maná in protest at the Latin Grammys — decrying the xenophobic remarks by President Trump — Los Tigres del Norte returned to perform their latest immigrant anthem, “La Lotería.” The screen behind them played scenes from immigrant rights protests across the United States in places where ICE has targeted the Latino community with mass arrests and deportations. For as long as they’ve been a band, Los Tigres could always be counted on to be brave in the face of oppression. But what was stopping anyone else from speaking out tonight? — S.E.

Los Tigres elaborated on their song backstage in the media room. “La Lotería’ speaks precisely to the social problems we experience in our countries of origin,” said Luis Hernandez, the band’s baja sexto player. “But also, once you emigrate to a country, you are seeking that shade of the tree and wanting to progress for those who want equal rights and for those of us who come in search of a better future.” —C.D.

It wouldn’t be a classic Latin Grammys broadcast without somebody apologizing to millennials. On Thursday night it was Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz, who won record of the year for his 2025 ballad “Palmeras en el Jardín.”

Sanz has won record of the year more than any other artist in Latin Grammys history; this year marked his 8th win. “Benito, te he robado, perdóname,” said Sanz to Bad Bunny, who responded with a tight-lipped smile. “Karol, perdóname,” he added for good measure — calling to mind the multiple times when Latin Grammy winning artist Jorge Drexler extended his sympathies to reggaetón artists in ceremonies past.

It’s no mystery that the Latin Recording Academy has long established favorites in its “Big Four” categories. But at this point, it’s not just the viewers who take umbrage with voters’ conservative picks in the general categories; even the LARAs’ own members are fatigued by this cycle.

As soon as Colombian rock band Morat entered the media center, cameras were pulled out to capture the aftermath of the group’s first Latin Grammy win. Their fifth studio album “Ya Es Mañana” won in the pop/rock album category. Drawing on influences from ‘90s rock, the quartet said they are already thinking about their next project.

“Making music motivates us a lot. We’re about to release our sixth album,” said the band’s vocalist and banjo player Juan Pablo Villami. This feels like an extra boost of energy to go back into the studio and trust that this will happen again next year or the year after.”

“Everyone has an opinion [on] what you can do, what you can’t do,” said Karol G, who carried a gift from a fan — a plush red heart that spelled “Te Amo” — as she accepted the honors for song of the year. “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” a pop merengue number she wrote with Edgar Barrera, Alejandro Ramírez Suárez, Andrés and Jael Correa Ríos, is also nominated for record of the year.

“Forget about the world, forget about the noise,” she added during her rapidfire speech onstage. She professed that she nearly lost her magic to bouts of insecurity while making her hit songs, then closed by urging viewers to prioritize their passions — and added a few other words that were spicy enough to get bleeped from the broadcast.

Before introducing Bad Bunny and the Boricua band Chuwi for a heartfelt performance of their 2015 number, “Weltita,” Latin Grammy host Roselyn Sánchez couldn’t help but flaunt her own Puerto Rican pride. Sánchez cajoled Maluma into shouting the enduring motto recited nightly during Bad Bunny’s summer residency in San Juan. Said a very spirited Sánchez, and a very pouty Maluma: “Acho P.R., es otra cosa!” —S.E.

Bad Bunny’s head gear remains top of mind for me. For his performance, he traded his Venice Beach baseball cap for a very snugly fitted plaid hoodie. Perhaps even Bad Bunny has bad hair days? — C.D.

Perhaps I (Suzy) am dating myself with the TLC reference, but Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso are here to say: body image is an issue for men, too!

The Argentine buddy duo kicked off their performance with their humorous jazz number “Impostor,” a ballad exploring their very human self-consciousness, as they break into an industry that rewards optimized humanoid bodies. They were appropriately flanked by jacked body builders in briefs, who stared them down from behind comically tiny sewing machines. They began to make recreations of the performers’ furry outfits from their viral NPR Tiny Desk. It’s just the kind of absurdity and vulnerability you’d expect from a Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso performance.

Dressed in an Ed Hardy bomber jacket and Japanese-style chopsticks, the Mexico City singer-songwriter and fashionista Paloma Morphy collected her first Latin Grammy on Thursday night. Morphy had little to say besides a quick thanks, plus a hello to Karol G, who was seated in the audience; she has much more to say in her alt-pop debut, “Au,” which she released on Sony earlier this year.

Música Mexicana singer Carin León and country singer Kacey Musgraves got close and personal for their bilingual duet. Both decked out in elegant all-black formal wear, the two displayed the commonalities between the two folk-rooted genres— Musgraves, who regularly performs with mariachis, has previously spoken about her love for música Mexicana and how it shaped her Texas upbringing.

The Person of the Year award typically goes to Latin music’s longtime luminaries. Raphael, a beloved pop singer and actor from Andalusia, would become a blueprint for multiple generations of male pop singers in the Spanish-speaking world. He represented Spain twice in the Eurovision Song Contest, in 1966 and 1967, and these appearances made him an international sensation. In 1970 he famously sang in three languages — Spanish, English and Italian — and romanced new fans in the United States.

Raphael may be known best for his pop melodrama, but on Thursday night he lifted spirits with a rock ‘n’ roll rendition of “Mi Gran Noche:” a number from the 1968 musical movie “Digan lo que digan,” which he starred in as a young man of 25.

“I never practice my speeches,” said Benito of his latest Latin Grammy win. In lieu of giving an additional thanks onstage, he took a page from the Catholic church, and in a very priestly fashion, he instructed every member of the audience to look to the person next to them and offer a hug. —S.E.

Speaking of fashion, notice his hat: Who knew Bad Bunny had a love for Venice Beach Paint & Body Shop? —C.D.

From behind a veiled tejana, Jesus Ortiz Paz (JOP) of Fuerza Regida brought a brooding energy to the stage. Joined by Grupo Frontera for their collaboration “Me Jalo,” the two musica Mexicana bands sang about their complicated love lives, backed by their usual arsenal of requintos and tololoches.

For “Marlboro Rojo,” JOP hopped into the front seat of a pickup truck – recreating the feeling of dramatically staring out of a car window. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Fuerza Regida performance if JOP didn’t punctuate his lyrics with his signature “Fuer-za Regida!” chant.

This year’s show is heavy on cross-generational collaborations, which seems to drive home the ideal mission of the Latin Recording Academy — to both honor Latin music’s legendary trailblazers, while passing the torch to the industry’s rising stars. On Thursday night, Karol G and Marco Antonio Solís made their live debut of the song “Coleccionando Heridas,” or “Collecting Wounds:” a sadly sultry, telenovela-worthy number off Karol G’s 2025 album “Tropicoqueta.” Her 2024 merengue single, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” is in the running for both song of the year and record of the year.

As soon as the “Desvelado” singer entered the media center, wearing a bright yellow velvet suit to match with his golden Latin Grammy in hand, he was greeted with cheers from the room of journalists. Some let out a “Woo!” Others uttered a “Go Bobby!” from under their breaths.

The Tejano singer had won in the Tejano album category for “Bobby Pulido & Friends: Una Tuya y Una Mía,” which featured artists like Majo Aguilar, Alicia Villareal and his father, Tejano music pioneer Roberto Pulido.

Over the summer, the younger Pulido announced his candidacy to run for congress in South Texas to challenge Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz. He says that because of the upcoming race, he’s grateful to have won an award as he exchanges his music career for that of a politician.

“I’ve had the joy of doing this [music] for 30 years now, and finally, I feel that I’ve achieved what I wanted to achieve in music. I sincerely feel that it’s a very important role for us in the country,” said Pulido. “I’m going to fulfill my dream of serving my audience… Right now is a very difficult time in my country, the United States. If you look Mexican, [if] you look Latino – they’re stopping people, they’re asking for papers. It’s not a good time for our people, that’s the reality.”

He said that his path to congress will be tough because of the power that the Republican party has at the moment.

“With the support of the people, if they go out and vote, they can’t beat us,” said Pulido.

The Argentine Latin Grammy darling Nathy Peluso has had her fair share of viral internet moments — many outside Latin America have jokingly referred to the singer as “Nancy Pelosi” — but in all seriousness, she is a long-time student of salsa. She paid her respects to the genre’s innate eroticism in her Latin Grammy-winning album from 2024, “Grasa.” Yet Peluso kept things PG onstage with the Cuban diva Gloria Estefan, who seemed to give Peluso her blessing as they regaled the crowd with a number from “Raíces.”

In back-to-back performances, Danny Lux, who’s sporting his gothic cathedral chain, took the award ceremony to a more somber place with his signature sad-boy sierreno style. Followed by fellow música Mexicana crooner Ivan Cornejo, the Riverside-born singer songwriter keeps it simple with uncomplicated display — just him, the microphone and his perpetually broken heart. — C.D.

Emo Nite arrives at the Latin Grammys! — S.E.

Shortly after a saccharine acceptance speech from the godparents of Latin music in the U.S. — Emilio Estefan and Gloria Estefan, whose 2025 album “Raíces” won the award for tropical album — Rauw Alejandro took the stage to perform his own modernized takes on tropical roots sounds, from bachata to bomba. The Puerto Rican heartthrob’s glittering tribute to salsa, “Cosa Nuestra,” is up for album of the year.

Following the opening performance — a funky Latin rock medley led by Carlos Santana and Edgar Barrera, and featuring guest vocalists Maluma, Christian Nodal and Payo Solís from Grupo Frontera — Bad Bunny received the Latin Grammy for urban album, which was the first broadcasted award of the night. In a casual baseball cap, he said that he still gets nervous.

“It matters to me to be here. I’m very grateful for that. Thanks to God. Thank you to my family, to all the people who have inspired me, to those who worked on this album — and there are so many of us,” said Bad Bunny as he accepted the award for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.”

It’s his third win of the night, as he won for urban music performance (for “DTMF”) and reggaetón performance (for his song “Voy a Llevarte Pa Pr”).

On Tuesday, the Latin Grammys hosted the Best New Artist showcase. De Los spoke with Isadora Figueroa, Alex Luna, Paloma Morphy and Ruzzi about how they’re feeling.

VIDEO | 01:19

2025 Latin Grammys Best New Artists Showcase

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De Los spoke to the Latin Grammy 2025 new artist nominees

Live from the lobby of Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena, the Latin Grammys — despite not officially broadcasting yet — are in full swing. Attendees roam the venue in their red-carpet attire, cocktails in hand and dripping in diamonds. From the extravagant floor-length gowns to a few all-white suits, it’s clear no one spared any glitz and glamour for the Latin music celebration.

The telltale sign that the function is lively? The women’s bathroom line is already stretching far beyond its entrance.

Who’s ready to get loud tonight? Team De Los is back in Vegas to cover the 26th annual Latin Grammys, which is only the biggest night in Latin music.

This year’s class of Latin Grammys contenders is one of the mightiest in recent years. During the preshow Premiere Ceremony, the zany Argentine duo Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso claimed the lead for most Latin Grammy wins so far, clocking five trophies in the following categories: alternative music album (for “Papota”), alternative song (for “#tetas”), best pop song (for “El Día del Amigo”), short-form music video (for “#tetas”) and best long-form music video (for “Papota”).

Tonight they are the second-most nominated act behind Bad Bunny, who is nominated for 12 awards total. So far he has won the Latin Grammys for urban music performance (for “DTMF) and reggaetón performance (for his song “Voy a Llevarte Pa Pr”).

Meanwhile, Brazilian songstress Liniker has claimed three awards so far, for Portuguese-language album (for “Caju”), best Portuguese language urban performance (for “Caju,” the song) and best Portuguese-language song for “Veludo Marrom.”

Stay tuned to our live blog for updates on tonight’s biggest winners and showstoppers. —Suzy Exposito