The program expands access to music education through a donation of instruments to two local schools

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Credit: Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images for the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA (MAY 15, 2026) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®, in partnership with Latin GRAMMY® winner and GRAMMY® nominee Silvestre Dangond, hosted a Latin GRAMMY In The Schools™ program in Bogotá, on Thursday, May 14. The program included a donation of musical instruments to two local schools—Colegio Enrique Olaya Herrera and Fundación Sendero de Acordeones de Riohacha—and students participated in a meet and greet and conversation with Dangond and accordion player, José Juan Camilo.

Dangond continues to support the growth and development of vallenato and previously sponsored two Latin Music Research and Preservation Grants for the Foundation dedicated to funding the folkloric music genre from Colombia.

“I am so proud to be able to support emerging young talent, especially in a country like Colombia, where music is a fundamental part of our identity,” said Dangond. “I see myself reflected in these students—in their dreams, in their passion—and I hope this experience reminds them that, with dedication and a love for music, anything is possible.”

“We thank Silvestre Dangond for his partnership and continued support of our shared mission to nurture future Latin music creators,” said Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. “His generosity today created what we hope is an experience that these students will never forget and further ensures the legacy of Latin music.”

Latin GRAMMY In The Schools is an educational program that inspires students ages five-to-18 through music education and mentorship. The program informs and connects music students with professionals in the Latin music industry, supporting educational music departments that face financial limitations. The Foundation invites renowned musicians, performing artists, and sound engineers to 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.

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ABOUT SILVESTRE DANGOND:

Silvestre Dangond is a world-renowned artist from Colombia, who is especially known for globalizing the vallenato genre. In his nearly 25 years in the industry, Dangond has won multiple Latin GRAMMYs®, including Best Cumbia/Vallenato Album in 2025 for his latest LP El Último Baile, which also earned him a GRAMMY® nomination. Dangond is preparing for his fourth Estadio El Campín show in less than two years in Bogotá, where he will present “El Baile de Todos Tour,” an international production poised to mark another major milestone in his musical journey. With confirmed dates in key markets such as Argentina, Peru, Chile, Spain, and other cities across Europe, Dangond is bringing vallenato to increasingly wider audiences and solidifying himself as one of the leading figures in contemporary Latin music. He has collaborated with artists including Nicky Jam, Natti Natasha, Carín León, Emilia, Sebastián Yatra, Fonseca and Carlos Vives, and he often works with initiatives in support of the next generation of vallenato artists.

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. For over a decade, the Foundation 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 invested more than $15 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 Instagram, and at Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.alberto@grammy.com

The artist will be honored at a special gala on November 11 in Las Vegas, during Latin GRAMMY® Week

Photo credit: Isaac Reyes

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MIAMI (APRIL 7, 2026)— The Latin Recording Academy® announced that multi–Latin GRAMMY® winner and multi-GRAMMY® nominee, Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez, known as Daddy Yankee, will be the 2026 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year™.

Daddy Yankee, a pioneer and driving force behind the globalization of reggaeton music, will be honored for his nearly three-decade career as a singer, songwriter and performer within the urban genre, as well as for his humanitarian efforts. His career represents an example of perseverance, resilience and creativity.

“Daddy Yankee has been a defining force in the global rise of Latin music,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. “His leadership, discipline and vision opened the doors for a genre and inspired an entire generation of creators, and he remains as relevant today as ever. We are proud to honor him as our 2026 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year.”

“This recognition from The Latin Recording Academy is a dream come true. It means a lot because it represents more than just a successful career; it’s recognition of years of discipline, struggle, faith and commitment to our culture,” said Daddy Yankee. “Receiving something like this is to honor Puerto Rico, to honor all Latinos, and specifically to that entire generation that believed in our music when no one else understood it.”

From his humble beginnings in the barrios of Las Lomas and Villa Kennedy in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Daddy Yankee channeled a complex social reality—marked by violence, censorship, and exclusion—into a musical language of his own. In a context where reggaeton music was stigmatized by society, he not only defended artistry but also played a decisive role in its cultural legitimization.

The historic turning point came in 2004 with Barrio Fino, an album that redefined Latin music in the 21st century, selling over eight million copies and spending 24 consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart. With the global phenomenon of “Gasolina,” Daddy Yankee opened the international doors to reggaeton and popularized it among new generations. He became the first reggaeton performing artist to embark on an international tour, visiting more than 29 countries and bringing urban music to stages worldwide. Among his international hits are “Limbo,” “Con Calma,” and “Dura,” which reached number one in multiple countries.

His impact on the charts is both historic and sustained. “Despacito,” written in collaboration with Erika Ender and Luis Fonsi, marked a turning point in the music industry: 16 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, 56 weeks atop Hot Latin Songs, and more than 8.9 billion streams, establishing itself as one of the greatest musical phenomena of all time.

In 2022, Daddy Yankee announced his retirement from professional music, stating that Legendaddy would be the last album of his career, and subsequently, “La Última Vuelta World Tour” became one of the highest-grossing Latin tours in history. In his most recent phase, Daddy Yankee has developed a new creative direction focused on purpose-driven music, incorporating spiritual reflection, ethical values and personal transformation. His latest album, Lamento En Baile, includes the song “Sonríele,” which reached number one on Billboard Latin Airplay.

Daddy Yankee’s social impact is equally powerful. He is an agent of change in Puerto Rico, offering meaningful and timely social and educational programs through his foundation, and demonstrating a genuine and consistent commitment to the most vulnerable communities. In recent years, his strategic investment in sports—from the baseball team Cangrejeros de Santurce to the NBA Basketball School in Puerto Rico—confirms a legacy-driven vision focused on developing future generations of athletes.

The Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year honors musicians and their artistic achievements in the Latin music industry, as well as their humanitarian efforts. Daddy Yankee will be celebrated at a private gala on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in Las Vegas, as part of Latin GRAMMY® Week. The tribute concert will feature renditions of his renowned repertoire performed by an array of international artists and close friends. To purchase tickets, please contact: lgticketing@grammy.com.

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ABOUT THE LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY:

The Latin Recording Academy® is an international 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 CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Iveliesse Malavé

ive@grammy.com

305.576.0036

For Artist Inquiries:

Nevárez Communications

mayna@nevarezpr.com

Nominations will be announced on Sept. 16, and streamed across all social channels

MIAMI (MARCH 25, 2026) – The Latin Recording Academy® announced several category and eligibility changes for the 27th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards®, taking place on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, with nominations set to be announced on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026.

These changes to the Awards Process, from the music creators and professionals that make up its membership body, are part of The Latin Academy’s commitment to evolve with the ever-changing musical landscape, and to best serve its approximately 7,000 members from 62 countries around the world. All updates go into effect immediately for the upcoming 27th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards.

“As our Academy continues to evolve, our focus remains firmly on our membership and the integrity of our Awards Process,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. “These updates are driven by our members, whose participation each year ensures the Latin GRAMMY Awards continue to stand as a benchmark for excellence in Latin music.”

CATEGORY CHANGE

• Best Portuguese Language Urban Performance category will evolve to an album category as Best Portuguese Language Urban Album (Portuguese Language Field).

CATEGORY NAME CHANGES

• Best Latin Electronic Music Performance category will evolve to Best Electronic Music Performance (Electronic Field)

• Best Urban/Urban Fusion Performance category will evolve to Best Urban Performance (Urban Field)

• Best Classical Contemporary Composition category will evolve to Best Classical Composition (Classical Field)

AMENDMENTS TO ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SEVERAL CATEGORIES

Eligibility requirements for Producer of the Year category:

• A minimum of five (5) total producer credits, achieved through any combination of album credits, single/track credits or co-production percentage credits. Alternatively, a producer credit on 100% of at least five (5) singles or tracks.

• Co-production rule: credits are divided evenly among all producers. Example: four (4) producers = 0.25 credits each per track.

Eligibility requirements for Best New Artist category:

• An artist is not eligible for consideration if they have released more than three (3) albums, or 25 singles, or a combination of albums and singles that surpasses these limits. Singles that are subsequently included as tracks on an album shall not be counted towards the single total.

Eligibility requirements for Best Instrumental Album category:

• Vocals can be used in up to 40% of the total playing time, while requiring that at least 60% of the work remain instrumental. If vocals are present, 60% of the vocal content must be performed in one of The Latin Academy’s accepted languages.

Eligibility requirements for Singer-Songwriter categories:

• A singer-songwriter may compose and perform some songs with a colleague, provided the required participation percentages are met.

• For a singer-songwriter album to be eligible, the artist(s) must both write and perform together on at least 75% of the album.

• In cases where two singer-songwriters collaborate, eligibility applies only when both artists jointly write and perform the same material; artists who perform together but do not write together are not eligible. “Live” albums may be eligible if they contain at least 51% new material.

• The statuette is presented only to eligible singer-songwriter artists, with eligibility strictly requiring both songwriting and performance contributions, ensuring consistent interpretation.

Eligibility requirements for Best Contemporary Tropical Album category:

• Category now includes and accepts recordings influenced by or belonging to Kompa Haitiano.

Eligibility Requirements for Best Music for Visual Media category:

• Category now requires eligible submissions to include supporting video materials.

USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The Latin GRAMMY Awards® recognize creative excellence. Only human creators are eligible to be submitted for consideration for, nominated for, or win a Latin GRAMMY®. A work that contains no human authorship is not eligible in any category. A work that features elements of A.I. material (i.e. material generated by the use of artificial intelligence technology) is eligible in applicable categories, however: (1) the human authorship component of the work submitted must be meaningful and more than de minimis; (2) such human authorship component must be relevant to the category in which such work is entered (e.g. if the work is submitted in a songwriting category, there must be meaningful and more than de minimis human authorship in respect of the music and/or lyrics; if the work is submitted in a performance category, there must be meaningful and more than de minimis human authorship in respect of the performance); and (3) the author(s) of any A.I. material incorporated into the work are not eligible to be nominees or Latin GRAMMY recipients insofar as their contribution to the portion of the work that consists of such A.I material is concerned. De minimis is defined as lacking significance or importance; so minor as to merit disregard.

LABEL COPY CREDITS AND UPDATED FEES

All requests for label copy credit corrections must include the following:

• A formal statement detailing what information was inaccurately submitted or omitted.

• Updated (final) label copy.

• Call sheets or studio logs confirming that the additional individual(s) worked on the recording and specifying their roles.

• Confirmation that credits have been updated across all applicable DSPs.

• All requests must be submitted in writing by the person who made the entry.

Changes or corrections to credits will be accepted from the time of submission until the announcement of nominations. If a nominated recording or video requires a credit correction after nominations are announced, a fee will be implemented. New fees and payment requirements are as follows: Record labels: USD $5,000 per label copy and Latin Recording Academy members: USD $1,000 per label copy.

ENTRY PROCESS UPDATED FEE

Early bird entry pricing model for record labels will now be replaced with a single,

set entry fee of USD $2,000 that applies regardless of submission date within the eligibility period.

For complete category descriptions and eligibility requirements, please refer to the new Rules & Guidelines document. And to view this year’s Awards calendar, visit https://www.latingrammy.com/en/awards/calendar.

Key dates for this year’s Awards Process include:

June 1, 2025 - May 31, 2026: Product Eligibility Period

April 1 - May 31, 2026: Online Entry Process (OEP)

July 27 - Aug. 10, 2026: First Round of Voting

Sept. 16, 2026: Nominees announced for the 27th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards

Oct. 1 - 12, 2026: Final Round of Voting

Nov. 12, 2026: 27th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards airing live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Univision. Additional broadcasting partners will be announced in the Fall.

For the latest news, visit the official Latin Recording Academy site at LatinGRAMMY.com. Follow us on Facebook (LatinGRAMMYs), X (@LatinGRAMMYs) or Instagram (@LatinGRAMMYs), and join the conversation using our official hashtag #LatinGRAMMY on all popular social media platforms.

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ABOUT THE LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY:

The Latin Recording Academy® is an international 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 CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Iveliesse Malavé

ive@grammy.com

Presented by Open Society Foundations, the event united industry leaders to champion mentorship and the advancement of women in music

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Credit: John Parra and Desiree Navarro/

Getty Images for the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation

MIAMI (MARCH 5, 2026) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® hosted its first- Leading Ladies of Entertainment Symposium at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Davie, FL, on March 4, convening more than 200 industry professionals for a day dedicated to leadership, mentorship and the advancement of women in music.

The program featured former Leading Ladies of Entertainment honorees including Róndine Alcalá, founder of RondenePR, María Elisa Ayerbe, Latin GRAMMY®-winning sound engineer, Goyo, Latin GRAMMY-nominated artist, Maricarmen “Tuti” Bou, Vice President of Sony Music Entertainment Puerto Rico, Rocío Guerrero, Global Head of Latin Music for Amazon Music, Paula Kaminsky, Managing Director at Global Talent Services US, and Ana Rosa Santiago, Senior Vice President of Latin Music for Universal Music Publishing Group.

Additionally, trailblazing women in the industry including Brenda Carrasco, Senior VP of Marketing and Artist Strategy, Warner Music Latina, Thatiana Díaz, award-winning Editor in Chief at Remezcla and Hip Latina, María Fernández, Chief Operating Officer, Latin Iberia at Sony Music Entertainment, Mary Nuñez, Vice President, Head of Sync US Latin & Latin America, Warner Chappell Music, Evelyn Suero, Founder & attorney at Suero Law, and Vicky Van, Univision reporter and radio host, joined the event as guest speakers.

Award-winning journalist Maity Interiano served as master of ceremonies. Sessions focused on entrepreneurship, branding and the evolving music industry, complemented by curated networking opportunities. The event concluded with a special performance by Latin GRAMMY and GRAMMY®-nominated artist Elena Rose.

Paying-it-forward and forging opportunities for future generations is a core pillar of this initiative. Applications are now open for the Foundation’s fifth cohort of the Leading Ladies of Entertainment Mentorship Program through Monday, April 6, 2026, at www.latingrammyculturalfoundation.org.

The symposium and mentorship program are presented by Open Society Foundations, the world’s largest private funder of independent groups working for rights, equity and justice.

The Leading Ladies of Entertainment initiative was created by The Latin Recording Academy® in 2016 to honor and recognize professional and socially conscious women within the arts and entertainment fields who have made significant contributions and inspired the next generation of female leaders. To learn about previous honorees click here.

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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. For over a decade, the Foundation 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 invested more than $15 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 Instagram, and at Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.alberto@grammy.com

Open Society Foundations joins as Presenting Sponsor of the mentorship program and symposium to be held on March 4 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Davie, FL

Apply to the Leading Ladies of Entertainment Mentorship Program by April 6, 2026

MIAMI (FEBRUARY 19, 2026) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® announced it will host its inaugural Leading Ladies of Entertainment Symposium on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, bringing together influential voices to inspire leadership, mentorship and the advancement of women in music at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Davie, FL.

Throughout the day, guests will hear from former Leading Ladies of Entertainment honorees as well as trailblazing women in the industry who will speak on topics ranging from entrepreneurship, branding and the future of the industry, as well as participate in networking opportunities. Panelists will be announced over the coming weeks. For more event details and to secure tickets click here.

The Foundation also announced that applications are now open for its Leading Ladies of Entertainment Mentorship Program. Paying-it-forward and forging opportunities for future generations is a core pillar of this initiative, and the program is now accepting applications for its fifth cohort of mentees looking to follow a career in the music and entertainment industry. To apply visit www.latingrammyculturalfoundation.org by Monday, April 6, 2026.

This year, Open Society Foundations, the world’s largest private funder of independent groups working for rights, equity and justice, joins as Presenting Sponsor of the inaugural Leading Ladies of Entertainment Symposium as well as the Mentorship Program.

“At the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, we believe access creates opportunity, and the Leading Ladies Symposium and Mentorship Program are powerful reminders of what happens when women come together with purpose and commit to ensuring that future generations have access to resources and opportunities,” said Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Executive Director, Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. “We thank Open Society Foundations for sharing our vision to bring together such an inspiring group of women who are generously sharing their stories, insights and leadership to help create pathways for the next generation of women in entertainment.”

The Leading Ladies of Entertainment initiative was created by The Latin Recording Academy® in 2016 to honor and recognize professional and socially conscious women within the arts and entertainment fields who have made significant contributions and inspired the next generation of female leaders. To learn about previous honorees click here.

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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. For over a decade, the Foundation 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 invested more than $15 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 Instagram, and at Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.alberto@grammy.com