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Latin GRAMMYs/Jul 11, 2019 - 06:00 PM

The Latin Recording Academy celebrates the enduring legacy of Latin music and is preparing for the 20th anniversary of the Latin GRAMMY

It’s 1999, the cusp of a new millennium: The ostensible doomsday of Y2K, chat room trolling and the dot-com bubble are at a pop-culture peak—and so is the arrival of a newly-minted Latin-pop wave. Jennifer Lopez of Selena fame is gearing up to drop On The 6, her breakout solo record; salsa revivalist Marc Anthony is set to go mainstream with his eponymous, first all-English album; and Ricky Martin, a former child star from boy band Menudo, is about to become one of the hottest Latin pop crossover acts of the new millennium.

Equipped with Ken-doll looks and a gigantic smile dazzling enough to send hordes of teenagers into a frenzy, the Puerto Rican heartthrob was among the scheduled performers at the 41st GRAMMY Awards ceremony on Feb. 24, 1999.

Donning sexy leather pants on swiveling hips, Martin burst onstage and belted out a riveting, bilingual performance of “La Copa De La Vida (The Cup Of Life).” His show-stopping, high-energy delivery was welcomed with a roaring ovation, which quickly sparked worldwide media coverage.

The impressive performances and smash hits by a new crop of Latin pop artists were proving the point that the time was right for the launch of The Latin Recording Academy® and the Latin GRAMMY Awards ®, which will celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Biggest Night in Latin Music in November.

“It was now or never,” says Gabriel Abaroa Jr., Latin Recording Academy President/CEO “The Recording Academy™, which had been planning a Latin spin-off, launched the first Latin GRAMMY Awards ceremony in 2000, immediately after the Ricky Martin success.”

"After the success with Ricky Martin, everybody opened their eyes and realized how important it was to bring diversity and multiethnic elements into [mainstream American] music," adds Latin GRAMMY- and GRAMMY-winning musician/producer Emilio Estefan, who helped develop the careers of several Latin artists, including Martin.

The press covered Martin’s breakthrough as an unprecedented feat and credited the relatively unknown new star for kicking off the so-called Latin pop explosion. A CNN headline declared “Ricky Martin Leading The Latin (Music) Revolution.” Three months after his performance at the GRAMMYs, Martin had the No. 1 album and single on the Billboard charts and was on the cover of Time illustrating their story “Latin Music Goes Pop!”

But Latin music had been making its mark on the industry for decades.

“The cultural wave Martin is riding—Latin pop—we must admit, is also not an entirely new phenomenon,” wrote Christopher John Farley in “Latin Music Goes Pop!” “Salsa, rumba, mambo, and other Latin musical forms have made a dent in global pop music—Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, Gloria Estefan, Ritchie Valens, Los Lobos, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Machito, Willie Colón, Tito Puente, and many, many others have, for decades now, scored hits, excited crowds and pioneered new sounds. Time’s discovering Latin pop would be a bit like Columbus discovering Puerto Rico.”

“Latin music has always had a presence, not only in the U.S. market but in worldwide markets,” echoes Abaroa. “What happens is that sometimes there’s a beautiful firecracker here and another firecracker there that create greater attention."

New York-based Mexican and Puerto Rican trio Los Panchos began composing the folkloric sounds of their heritage in the ’40s. They raised baladas and boleros to global grandeur.

“They were unknowns in their countries of origin, so when they returned to their native homelands, their compatriots were like, ‘Oh, Los Panchos have been triumphing in New York and they’ve come back!’ Abaroa explains. “Los Panchos had already done their homework and became a very important trio who opened the door for many other groups to start touring the world.”

Other trailblazing crossover stars of recent memory include Chicano rockabilly pioneer Ritchie Valens who resurrected the music of Veracruz in 1958 with his hit son jarocho cover “La Bamba”; Mexican-American guitar shredder Carlos Santana played a central role in the evolution of Latin rock beginning with his legendary performance at Woodstock in 1969; Puerto Rican singer/songwriter José Feliciano gave classic rock a bolero twist when he landed at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1968 with his cover of the Door’s hit “Light My Fire”; Sérgio Mendes, from Brazil, globalized bossa nova with his timeless 1966 tune “Mas Que Nada”; Cuban vocalist of Fania Records fame Celia Cruz solidified her rep as the Queen of Salsa; and rhythm master Tito Puente internationalized Afro-Cuban jazz in the late ’60s.

“Then you have Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine [making waves in the late ’70s],” adds Abaroa. “Suddenly, [people] start to discover Latin pop and say, ‘Oh, here come the Latinos with their music.’ No! We have been here. The problem was that they never noticed it. No one was connecting the dots that music was already being made with a lot of influence from Latinos.”

If GRAMMY winners such as Estefan, Feliciano, Puente, and Santana helped crack the door to global success for Latin artists, others such as Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, and Selena kicked the door wide open in the ’90s as their music soared on the charts and they gained more mainstream visibility.

The Recording Academy first recognized Latin music in 1975, awarding jazz artist Eddie Palmieri the inaugural Best Latin Recording GRAMMY for The Sun Of Latin Music. Over the years, additional categories were added to the Latin Field, including Best Tropical Latin Performance, Best Salsa Performance, and Best Latin Rock/Alternative Performance, but the Academy was unable to recognize the full breadth of Latin music, which includes hundreds of artists, dozens of musical styles and countries—from South America, Spain, and Portugal, to the United States and any other territory where Spanish- and Portuguese-language music is made.

"We've been very pleased and satisfied to see how the GRAMMY Awards have given recognition to Latin music, yet there was a need to create a space where all Latin music had the opportunity to be awarded," says Alfonso "Poncho" Lizárraga, singer/composer for the multi-Latin GRAMMY-winning ensemble Banda El Recodo from Sinaloa, Mexico.

“Even though the Recording Academy credibly recognized Latin music, it really was ultimately difficult to cover all the bases,” says Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow, who is a member of The Latin Academy’s Board of Trustees and Executive Committee. “The spectrum of Latin music required more detail and diversity than can be addressed within a Field in the GRAMMY Awards.”

Although the market was ripe for the Latin GRAMMY Awards, the Recording Academy's first international venture had a rocky start.

A group of Recording Academy executives—who in the early days handled the daily operations of The Latin Recording Academy—reached out to Univision to broadcast the inaugural Latin GRAMMYs in 2000. But “when you have two 800-pound gorillas—the GRAMMYs and Univision,” as Abaroa explains, “they didn’t get along very well because of their [respected statures] and cultural misunderstandings.”

CBS—which has been airing the GRAMMYs since 1973—then came on board to air the Latin GRAMMYs inauguration, and hosted the show for four years. “This was programming for an English-speaking demographic that featured Latin music in Spanish and Portuguese,” says Abaroa.

“Although everyone had beautiful intentions, the correct steps were not being followed,” he adds. “Part of it was not being wholly familiar with [the bi-cultural sensibilities of] the market, and the other was the Sept. 11 atrocity.”

The 2nd Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards was scheduled to take place on Sept. 11, 2001, but was canceled in the wake of the terrorist attacks. The presentation was rescheduled for Oct. 30 of that year and was scaled back considerably—awards were distributed at a press conference at the Conga Room in Los Angeles.

To get the show back on track, The Latin Recording Academy recruited its first independent Board of Trustees: 12 Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking music professionals. Together, they drafted bylaws, clear rules of integration between the Recording Academy and The Latin Recording Academy, and recruited international members to balance the U.S.-based membership.

“I’ve seen [The Latin Academy] grow from practically nothing, from having very few members and employees, to being a global force today,” says Latin GRAMMY winner Erika Ender, who co-wrote 2017’s smash hit “Despacito” and has been involved with The Latin Academy since 2002. “I’ve closely watched the transparency of Gabriel’s leadership. He’s on top of everything and is always looking for excellence. … He’s always looking for quality and does things with purpose, thus raising the bar for Latin [music].”

In 2003, The Latin Academy moved the Latin GRAMMY Awards from Los Angeles to Miami and then made stops in New York and Houston before settling in Las Vegas (which has a population that's more than 30 percent Hispanic), where the telecast has aired for the past 10 years. In 2005, The Latin Academy made a deal to make Univision its domestic television home, forming a partnership that was expanded last year when the two organizations inked a deal to keep the telecast on the Spanish-language network through 2028. The Latin GRAMMYs are now also broadcast to more than 80 countries.

These key moves have been crucial to The Latin Academy’s success. Exceptional performances on the telecast haven’t hurt either.

Shakira graced the inaugural Latin GRAMMY Awards in 2000 with a sizzling performance of “Ojos Así” and her enthralling belly dancing. In 2002, salsa queen Celia Cruz closed the show with a divine “La Negra Tiene Tumbao”; ranchero master Vicente Fernández along with his son Alejandro Fernandez paired for an unforgettable duet that same year. Juan Luis Guerra and Maná joined forces in 2006 for a heartrending delivery of “Bendita Tu Luz.” In 2009, the late, great Latin pop icon Juan Gabriel ran through the highlights of his multidecade career with a medley of legendary proportions. Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez built maddening tension as they oozed chemistry during their Pimpinela-inspired performance of "Olvidame Y Pega La Vuelta," which was followed by a much-talked-about kiss onstage in 2016. The following year, Residente opened the Latin GRAMMYs with a spine-chilling tribute to Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria that empowered Latinos worldwide.  

Then there was “Despacito,” the 2017 record-breaking megahit by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee. In addition to garnering four Latin GRAMMYs and three GRAMMY nominations, including Record and Song Of The Year, “Despacito” was the first predominately Spanish song to top the Billboard Hot 100 since “Macarena” in 1996.

Forbes wrote, “[‘Despacito’] solidified Latino influence in popular music and culture in the U.S. and around the world across all musical genres—from reggaeton to pop and more.”

There is one fundamental difference, however, between the Latin pop boom of the ’90s and today, according to “Despacito” co-writer Ender. “Previously, to cross over, one had to write in English. We never thought that ‘Despacito’ was going to take these wings, or that it was going to make it in Spanish. I believe that everything from the past paved the way. The song came with a force that none of us expected.”

From the beginning, the Latin GRAMMY Awards has served as a vehicle to showcase the power of Latin music. Truly The Biggest Night in Latin Music, the telecast’s ratings continually position Univision in the top three broadcast networks during the night of its airing and maintain a strong attraction to Hispanic viewers in the demographic groups of total viewers 2+, and adults 18–34.

Today, the Latin GRAMMYs award statues in categories showcasing the diversity of The Latin Academy’s membership as well as the diversity of Latin music. Genres recognized span salsa, cumbia, mariachi, and samba, to alternative, children's music, urban, classical, Christian, and everything in between. And today, there are more than 3,500 Latin Academy members representing 36 countries.

“Our voters are flamenco experts in Andalucía, tango experts in Buenos Aires, mariachi experts in Guadalajara—people who feel the love and have passion for those genres. We are a much more authentic composition of experts in every Field,” explains Abaroa.

"[The Latin GRAMMY] Awards are given by members who have knowledge of what Latin music means; who understand the process of an album—from the recording, the mixing, the nuances, the arrangements, the design––all types of details," says Lizárraga.

Through its Best New Artist award, The Latin Academy has helped catapult brilliant newcomers toward crossover stardom.

“If every year we can help at least one single act break through, then this organization has fulfilled a big part of its mission,” says Abaroa. “We were able to give great artists like Rosalía, Mon Laferte, Natalia Lafourcade, Jesse & Joy, David Bisbal, Calle 13, and others that recognition,” whether as winners or nominees.

Besides spotlighting prodigious upstarts, The Latin Recording Academy annually distinguishes Latin legends who’ve embodied great philanthropy and creative excellence through its Person of the Year honor. Recent honorees include Marc Anthony, Miguel Bosé, Roberto Carlos, Gloria Estefan, Maná, Alejandro Sanz, Joan Manuel Serrat, Shakira, and Caetano Veloso, among others. The Latin Academy also awards Lifetime Achievement and Trustees Awards to notable Latin artists who have created Latin music's legacy.

In addition, The Latin Academy has also built its Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation into a viable organization aimed at promoting the awareness and appreciation of the significant contributions of Latin music as well as preserving its legacy and heritage. To date, the Cultural Foundation has awarded more than 200 scholarships, totaling $4.3 million, to students from diverse backgrounds who have a passion for Latin music.

"The generosity of our donors, supporting artists, and sponsors has been so substantial that we have been able to make hundreds of dreams a reality every year. Dreams that may have simply stayed as dreams and nothing more, if not for the ever-growing work of our team and of those who want to enhance Latin music," says Manolo Díaz, Senior Vice President of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®. "I am proud and moved by the large strides made by our young Foundation which, in such a brief period, has profoundly impacted so many lives. I am in awe of how significantly we are affecting the lives of future Latin music makers."

On the eve of the 20th Annual GRAMMY Awards, the future of The Latin Recording Academy is brighter than ever.

"I couldn't be more proud of what The Latin Academy has accomplished, especially while my colleague Gabriel has been at the helm. At Board meetings, educational events, and of course the telecast, I'm always so impressed by the talent, dedication, and energy of everyone involved," Portnow says.

"We've become a pillar of the Latin music world. We're respected by artists, fans, and the media, with an extraordinary and dedicated membership—frankly, because we've earned it," Abaroa proudly reflects. "In the beginning, everything was against us. However, we never doubted ourselves because we have three beautiful things. Number one: passion. Number two: a strong worth ethic; many of us come from Latin countries to live in the states, and we either succeed or go back—there is no other way. And number three: our amazingly beautiful music. We're fortunate that we reflect and honor an art form that so proudly represents our culture."

Isabela Raygoza is a New York-based Chicana journalist and musician from the borderlands of San Diego and Tijuana. She specializes in rock and Latin music with bylines at Rolling Stone, Noisey, The Village Voice, and more.

The Latin Recording Academy Announces Latin GRAMMY® Celebra: La Música De Andalucía, Honoring The Musical Legacy Of The Region

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The Latin Recording Academy Announces Latin GRAMMY® Celebra: La Música De Andalucía, Honoring The Musical Legacy Of The Region

Latin GRAMMYs/Jul 28, 2025 - 02:00 PM

This event will honor legends such as Rocío Jurado, Lola Flores, Camarón de la Isla, and Enrique Morente; as well as icons like Raphael, Joaquín Sabina, Alejandro Sanz, Manuel Alejandro, and Miguel Ríos

It will also celebrate contemporary artists with special appearances by David Bisbal, Manuel Carrasco, Vanesa Martín and India Martínez, among others

Tickets go on sale today, and the funds raised will support musical development in the region

MIAMI (JULY 28, 2025) — On Wednesday, September 10, The Latin Recording Academy®, in collaboration with la Junta de Andalucía, continues its calendar of events in the Andalusian community—which began in 2023—by hosting Latin GRAMMY® Celebra: La Música de Andalucía, in Sevilla.

The event, which will take place at the Cartuja Center CITE, will honor Andalucía and some of its most influential musical artists. From timeless voices and exceptional artists that reflect the region’s rich musical legacy, like the legends Rocío Jurado, Lola Flores, Camarón de la Isla, or Enrique Morente, to icons like Raphael, Joaquín Sabina, Alejandro Sanz, Manuel Alejandro, and Miguel Ríos. The event will also include special appearances by David Bisbal, Manuel Carrasco, Vanesa Martín and India Martínez, among others.

“We are proud to return to Sevilla to honor Andalucía’s musical legacy and the extraordinary artists who have emerged from this land, whose influence has been pivotal in the global impact of Latin music,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of the Latin Recording Academy.

With over 30 artists on stage, the event—co-financed by the Programa FEDER Andalucía 2021-2027—will showcase the diversity of genres from Andalucía, from traditional flamenco to contemporary Latin music rhythms, and is presented by la Junta de Andalucía and sponsored by the Iberian ham brand Enrique Tomás. Spanning centuries of creativity and innovation, the event will recognize Andalucía’s enduring influence on global music, celebrating both the legends who have passed away and today’s unparalleled icons.

Macarena Moreno and the team from The Latin Recording Academy, led by Ayleen Figueras, oversee executive production; Carlos Narea will handle musical production under the direction of Pablo Cebrián. Tickets go on sale today via the Cartuja Center CITE website, and funds raised will support the region’s musical development.

The Latin Recording Academy and la Junta de Andalucía continue to celebrate Latin music in Andalucía, following the success of last year’s Latin GRAMMY® Celebra: Paco de Lucía event, in Cádiz, and the Latin GRAMMY® Session, in Málaga.

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ABOUT THE LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY:

The Latin Recording Academy® is a nonprofit dedicated to nurturing, celebrating, honoring and elevating Latin music and its creators. Established as the global authority on Latin music, the membership-based organization composed of music professionals, produces the annual Latin GRAMMY Awards®, The Biggest Night in Latin Music®, which honors excellence in the recording arts and sciences, in addition to providing educational and outreach programs for the music community through its Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®. For more information, please visit LatinGRAMMY.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS / EQUIPO SINGULAR:

María García: maria.garcia@equiposingular.com

Victoria Alonso: victoria.alonso@equiposingular.com

Erika Ender Joins Latin GRAMMY In The Schools™ Benefiting Panama’s Ciudad De Las Artes

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Erika Ender Joins Latin GRAMMY In The Schools™ Benefiting Panama’s Ciudad De Las Artes

Latin GRAMMYs/Jul 22, 2025 - 07:30 PM

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® and Fundación Puertas Abiertas joined forces to offer a live educational program

Click here to download image

Credit: Luis González.Heif/Fundación Puertas Abiertas

MIAMI (JULY 22, 2025) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® and Fundación Puertas Abiertas, established and presided over by the renowned songwriter Erika Ender—Latin GRAMMY® winner, GRAMMY® nominee, and a member of The Latin Recording Academy®’s Board of Trustees—hosted an educational experience at Panama’s Ciudad de las Artes to inspire a new generation of Latin music creators.

This marked the 43rd Latin GRAMMY In The Schools™ program organized by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, which included a donation of musical instruments to young students, performances, and a special appearance by Ender, along with a Q&A session with Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation.

Ciudad de las Artes is an arts and training facility that is home to the Network of Choirs and Orchestras, the National Symphony Orchestra, and the National Ballet of Panama, among others, promoting music, inspiration, and learning while uniting art with social engagement.

“It's a pleasure to celebrate the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation event in Panama, joining forces with my foundation, Fundación Puertas Abiertas, and work together, hand in hand to support youth,” said Ender. “Supporting education, music, and Panamanian talent is both a duty and an honor, and I am proud to be able to make this donation of instruments to the Network of Choirs and Orchestras and connect generations through music in a place as magical as Ciudad de las Artes.”

“Creating spaces to provide opportunities to promote Latin music and its culture is key to our mission,” said Egusquiza. “We are grateful to Fundación Puertas Abiertas and Erika Ender for welcoming us to Panama and for allowing us to work together to empower the future generation of Latin music creators.”

Since its inception, the Latin GRAMMY In The Schools program has benefited educational institutions in various cities across the United States, including Aransas Pass, Dallas, Detroit, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Antonio, as well as internationally in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Mexico City, Mexico; Panama City, Panama, Arecibo, Humacao, Yauco, and San Juan in Puerto Rico; and Sevilla, Spain.

Latin GRAMMY In The Schools is an educational program that informs and connects music students with professionals in the Latin music industry, supporting educational music departments that face financial limitations. The Foundation invites professional musicians, artists, and sound engineers to visit middle and high schools, universities, or music education institutions and share their personal stories and experiences with students, highlighting the effort it takes to overcome career obstacles. The goal is for students to learn to optimize the educational opportunities presented to them, giving them an advantage and strong academic preparation to be able to compete in the music industry.

Among the artists who have participated in this program are: Ángela Aguilar, David Bisbal, Marilina Bertoldi, Miguel Bosé, Calle 13, Pedro Capó, Camilo, Chino & Nacho, Chiquis, Luis Coronel, Silvestre Dangond, Joss Favela, Fonseca, Luis Fonsi, El Fantasma, Becky G, Karol G, Kany García, Gente de Zona, Leslie Grace, Carlos Jean, Jesse & Joy, Natalia Lafourcade, Poncho Lizárraga, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mau y Ricky, Claudia Montero, Ednita Nazario, Christian Nodal, Laura Pausini, Ángel "Cucco" Peña, Mireya Ramos, Prince Royce, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Noel Scharjris, Olga Tañón, Thalía, Christian Serratos, Diego Torres, Carlos Vives, Wisin, and Sebastián Yatra.

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ABOUT ERIKA ENDER:

A pioneer in the global music industry, Erika Ender stands as one of the most decorated and versatile creators of all time. As a songwriter, artist, producer, communicator, and philanthropist, she has penned over 40 #1 hits across a broad spectrum of genres, including the most globally successful song in history, “Despacito.” With more than 200 albums featuring her compositions and nearly 400 prestigious awards—including Latin GRAMMYs® and Billboard Awards—she ranks among the most honored Latin songwriters of all time. Her catalog has earned 16 Diamond certifications, 177 multi-Platinum, and 181 Gold awards across multiple countries, cementing her legacy as both an artistic and commercial powerhouse. A member of the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame, recognized by Forbes as one of Central America's Most Powerful Women, and honored with a Guinness World Record™ for her innovative philanthropic initiative “TALENPRO”—the flagship project of her Fundación Puertas Abiertas, established in 2009—she has transformed over 50,000 lives through educational programs, renovated learning environments, university scholarships, early childhood nutrition programs, and more. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, Erika Ender transcends music: she is a visionary who shapes the world with every note, word, and action. For more information: www.erikaender.com.

ABOUT THE LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION:

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established by The Latin Recording Academy® with the vision of becoming a global champion of music education and empowering communities through Latin music and culture. In 2024, the Foundation celebrated its 10-year anniversary, and during the last decade, it has fostered the next generation of Latin music creators through scholarships, education programs and grants that advance Latin music and celebrate its rich cultural heritage. To date, the Foundation has donated more than $12.5 million with the support of The Latin Recording Academy’s members, artists, corporate sponsors and other generous donors. For additional information or to donate, please visit latingrammyculturalfoundation.org or our Facebook page. And follow us @latingrammyfdn on X and Instagram, and at Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.alberto@grammy.com

Fundación Puertas Abiertas

Ilka Ender

ilka@funpaee.org

Intocable will support the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® with sales from their ‘Antologia Tour 2025’

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Intocable will support the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® with sales from their ‘Antologia Tour 2025’

Latin GRAMMYs/Jul 17, 2025 - 01:00 PM

Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2026 inductees and GRAMMY® and Latin GRAMMY® winners Intocable will donate $1 from every ticket sold on their Antología Tour 2025 to support the Foundation

Miami, FL. (July 17, 2025) — GRAMMY® and Latin GRAMMY® winning band and inductees of the Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2026, Intocable, will be donating $1 from every ticket sold during their North American tour, Antología Tour 2025, to benefit the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®. The donation, which will be collected in at least 18 cities across the United States, will support the Foundation's programs dedicated to promoting music education through scholarships, grants, and other programs focused on supporting the next generation of Latin music creators.

"For us, music has been a way of life. If we can help talented young people receive an education and better opportunities, then each concert will have even more meaning," said Ricky Muñoz, lead vocalist and co-founder of Intocable.

“We are grateful to Intocable for their generosity in providing opportunities for future generations of Latin music creators through this donation,” said Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. “Their support makes educational opportunities, scholarships, and grants possible for students, and serves as an example and inspiration for young musicians following in their footsteps.”

This important announcement comes after the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced that Intocable, led by Ricky Muñoz and Rene Martínez, will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as part of the illustrious Class of 2026. This prestigious honor places the iconic Tejano/Norteño group among 35 prominent figures in music, film, television, and sports, including Miley Cyrus, Shaquille O’Neal, Demi Moore, among others.

With over three decades of musical trajectory, Intocable has marked a turning point in Latin music, recognized not only for their musical success and international tours, but also for their unique fusion of traditional Mexican sounds and modern narratives. They have also been recognized with multiple GRAMMYs and Latin GRAMMYs, Billboard awards, as well as lifetime achievement honors, celebrating their influence and role in bringing Tejano and Norteño styles to a global audience.

On July 6th, frontman Ricky Muñoz participated as an Honorary Official at the NASCAR Cup Series Chicago Street Race. The event, held in Grant Park, highlighted Intocable's reach and recognition beyond the music world. As Honorary Official of the event, Muñoz lived the NASCAR experience to the fullest and took the opportunity to connect with Daniel Suárez, a Mexican NASCAR national series winner and Intocable fan.

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About Intocable:

For over three decades, Intocable has revolutionized Latin music, blending Tejano, Norteño, pop, rock, and cumbia into a groundbreaking sound that has inspired generations. With over 55 million albums sold, 50+ chart entries, multiple GRAMMYs and Latin GRAMMYs, Billboard awards, and Lifetime Achievement awards, consolidating them as true icons of Mexican-American identity. Intocable celebrated its 30-year milestone in 2024 with their Modus Operandi album, nominated for a Latin GRAMMY® for “Best Norteño Album”, and their 30th Anniversary Tour captivated sold-out audiences in cities like Los Angeles, Houston, and Phoenix, featuring classics and new hits like “Mi Castigo”, which marks their 20th No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart, a record they’d break in 2025 with their 21st Regional Mexican Airplay No. 1 “Me Gusta Mi Vida”, which made them the second artist with most No. 1s entries on the chart. In 2025, they continue celebrating their legacy through their Antologia Tour 2025, which has seen sold-out performances throughout Mexico and U.S. cities, proving Intocable remains at the forefront of Latin music, continuing to make enduring contributions to music and culture, and inspire fans in Texas and beyond. In 2024, Intocable received a Proclamation for their enduring contributions to music and cultural impact from the Governor’s Office and the House of Representatives in Texas, and were named “Emissary of the Muses” by the city of San Antonio, a distinguished title previously awarded to musical icons Bon Jovi, Journey, and Placido Domingo, among others. In 2025, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce confirmed that Intocable will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as part of the illustrious Class of 2026.

ABOUT THE LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION:

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established by The Latin Recording Academy® with the vision of becoming a global champion of music education and empowering communities through Latin music and culture. In 2024, the Foundation celebrated its 10-year anniversary, and during the last decade, it has fostered the next generation of Latin music creators through scholarships, education programs, and grants that advance Latin music and celebrate its rich cultural heritage. To date, the Foundation has donated more than $12.5 million with the support of The Latin Recording Academy’s members, artists, corporate sponsors, and other generous donors. For additional information or to donate, please visit latingrammyculturalfoundation.org or our Facebook page. And follow us @latingrammyfdn on X and Instagram, and at Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook and LinkedIn.

The Latin Recording Academy® In Partnership With The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation Launches The Latin Music Educator Award

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The Latin Recording Academy® In Partnership With The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation Launches The Latin Music Educator Award

Latin GRAMMYs/Jun 26, 2025 - 01:00 PM

The first honoree will be recognized during the Special Awards Presentation at the

26th Annual Latin GRAMMY Week in Las Vegas

Applications now open, deadline to apply is September 5, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET

MIAMI (JUNE 26, 2025) — The Latin Recording Academy ®, in partnership with the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®, is proud to announce the launch of the Latin Music Educator Award.

This new distinction will honor one exceptional educator from the global music community who is making a significant impact by incorporating Latin music into their curriculum. Applications are now open to educators worldwide currently teaching kindergarten through high school in a public, private or charter school, who speak Spanish, Portuguese, English or any native dialect.

The inaugural recipient will be honored at the Special Awards Presentation during the 26th Annual Latin GRAMMY Week in Las Vegas this November. Additional details will be shared in the coming months.

“Educators are pivotal in nurturing and shaping the future of Latin music and its creators,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. “Together with the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, we are proud to honor those who ensure the enduring legacy of Latin music.”

The honoree will receive an all-expenses-paid trip for themselves and a guest to attend the Special Awards Presentation. Additionally, the recipient’s school music program will receive a $10,000 instrument donation to support continued music education.

To apply and view guidelines, click here. Application materials can be submitted in English, Spanish or Portuguese. The deadline to apply is September 5, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. If you have any additional questions, please email LGCF@grammy.com and/or visit http://www.latingrammyculturalfoundation.org/en.

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ABOUT THE LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY:

The Latin Recording Academy® is a nonprofit dedicated to nurturing, celebrating, honoring and elevating Latin music and its creators. Established as the global authority on Latin music, the membership-based organization composed of music professionals, produces the annual Latin GRAMMY Awards®, The Biggest Night in Latin Music®, which honors excellence in the recording arts and sciences, in addition to providing educational and outreach programs for the music community through its Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®. For more information, please visit LatinGRAMMY.com.

ABOUT THE LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION:

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established by The Latin Recording Academy® with the vision of becoming a global champion of music education and empowering communities through Latin music and culture. In 2024, the Foundation celebrated its 10-year anniversary, and during the last decade it has fostered the next generation of Latin music creators through scholarships, education programs and grants that advance Latin music and celebrate its rich cultural heritage. To date, the Foundation has donated more than $12.5 million with the support of The Latin Recording Academy’s members, artists, corporate sponsors and other generous donors. For additional information or to donate, please visit latingrammyculturalfoundation.org or our Facebook page. And follow us @latingrammyfdn on X and Instagram, and at Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.alberto@grammy.com