Behind the Nominations: The Defining Trends of This Year’s Latin Grammys

Mexican songwriter and producer Edgar Barrera is nominated for 10 awards this year.MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images/AFPhide caption

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MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images/AFP

On Wednesday (Sept. 16), the Latin Recording Academy revealed the nominees for the 27th annual Latin Grammy Awards. The roster spans veteran hitmakers, an impressive field of best new artist contenders, and a 19-year-old folk prodigy. Here are five key themes emerging from this year’s nominations:

1. Edgar Barrera dominates once more

The most nominated individual this year is not a household-name pop star but rather a prolific behind-the-scenes force. Mexican-American hitmaker Edgar Barrera leads with 10 nominations — matching his tally from last year — including several nods for his work with Colombian pop star Karol G and regional Mexican singer Carín León. His recognitions span songwriter of the year, producer of the year, and record of the year, along with multiple nominations in album of the year (two), song of the year (two), and best regional song (three).

At 36, Barrera — who has already claimed 29 Latin Grammy wins and been nominated for more than twice that number — continues to dominate Latin pop. Trailing him, artists Karol G, Rosalía, CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso, and Jorge Drexler are each tied with seven nominations.

2. Folkloric traditions take center stage

A striking number of album-of-the-year nominees share a unifying thread: the incorporation of diverse folkloric influences from across Latin America.

Silvana Estrada’s Vendrán Suaves Lluvias pairs the Mexican singer-songwriter’s meditations on grief with gently plucked acoustic guitars, lush orchestration, and her signature Venezuelan cuatro. Jorge Drexler’s Taracá embraces the Afro-Uruguayan tradition of candombe. Milo J’s breakout album, La Vida Era Más Corta, interweaves richly textured Argentinian roots music with the young rapper’s modern sensibilities. Carín León’s Muda pushes Musica Mexicana into unexpected territory, blending in soul, funk, and ska. Even predominantly pop-oriented acts — including Rawayana, Karol G, and Rosalía — weave traditional rhythms and vocal arrangements drawn from varied corners of Latin music.

3. Milo J commands the spotlight

Milo J is only 19, yet the Argentine artist’s introspective meditation on nostalgia and the passage of time has already established him as one of Latin music’s most compelling voices. His third studio album, La Vida Era Más Corta, fuses the teenager’s freestyle and rap battle instincts with traditional instruments such as Andean pan flutes and bombo legüero drums — a refreshing yet deeply rooted tribute to his country’s heritage. The genre-defying project earned Milo J five nominations, including album of the year, song of the year, and record of the year, along with nods in folk and urban categories.

4. Best new artist nominees reflect wide-ranging diversity

This year’s best new artist field covers extraordinary ground: from the indie folk of Mexican singer-songwriter Macario Martínez to the R&B fusion of Brazilian artist Dora Sanches. Aria Vega represents the Colombian coast of Barranquilla through her take on Caribbean music. Venezuelan singer-songwriter maye and Mexican-Swedish artist Sofia Monroy craft dreamy indie pop, while Veracruz native Arath Herce explores alt rock. Notably, two of the nominees — Loulu Gilberto and Zeca Veloso — are the children of legendary Brazilian musicians João Gilberto and Caetano Veloso, respectively.

5. Political voices earn recognition

Where last year’s Latin Grammys ceremony offered scant acknowledgment of the political climate or the growing crackdown on immigrant communities in the United States, this year’s nominations carry sharper commentary. Becky G and Carlos Santana’s “Mi Gran Amor,” written and produced by Edgar Barrera, is up for song of the year. The pan-Latin anthem celebrates hardworking Latinos and stands against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with a chorus translating to “it’s become a nightmare to chase a dream in the United States.“

Bobby Pulido, the Tejano star who launched a congressional campaign in Texas, earned a nomination for best Tejano album for his record Bobby Pulido & Friends Una Tuya y Una Mía (Vol.2/En Vivo). Last year, while accepting the Latin Grammy for best Tejano album, Pulido announced his retirement from music to pursue politics. He is running as the Democratic candidate against incumbent Republican Monica de la Cruz in Texas’s 15th Congressional District, which extends from San Antonio down to the border with Mexico.

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