The Latin Recording Academy to honor Eva Ayllón, Joan Baez, José Cid, Lupita D’alessio, Hugo Fattoruso, Pimpinela, Omara Portuondo, and José Luis Rodríguez "El Puma" with The Lifetime Achievement Award

Mario Kaminsky to Receive the Trustees Award

MIAMI (Aug. 22, 2019) – The Latin Recording Academy^® announced today that Eva Ayllón, Joan Baez, José Cid, Lupita D’Alessio, Hugo Fattoruso, Pimpinela, Omara Portuondo, and José Luis Rodríguez "El Puma," will receive this year's Lifetime Achievement Award. Additionally, Mario Kaminsky will receive the Trustees Award. The honorees will be celebrated during a private luncheon ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas on Nov. 13, 2019, as part of the milestone 20th anniversary Latin GRAMMY^® week. Singer, composer and Latin GRAMMY winner Johnny Ventura, and renowned Mexican journalist Paola Rojas will be the hosts of the event.

"I’m delighted to recognize a remarkable and well-rounded group of individuals with this year’s Lifetime Achievement and Trustees Awards," said Gabriel Abaroa Jr., Latin Recording Academy President/CEO. "Each of these legends continues leaving their mark in the Latin music world through their talent, grace, and passion for creating sounds that have vibrated throughout our communities while helping to build our music for decades. We are looking forward to spotlighting their accomplishments during our landmark 20th anniversary Latin GRAMMY week."

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to performers who have made contributions of outstanding artistic significance to Latin music. The Trustees Award is bestowed to individuals who have made significant contributions, other than performance, to music during their careers. The Latin Recording Academy's Board of Trustees is the body that votes on both distinctions.

Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees:

Eva Ayllón (Peru)

Eva Ayllón is one of the most celebrated voices in the Afro-Peruvian tradition. Her career started as a member of the popular group Los Kipus, with whom she recorded a catalog of Peruvian folk gems marked by nostalgic melodies and lilting guitar harmonies, followed by a debut solo album, Esta Noche, six years later. Ayllón performed a series of unforgettable concerts at Lima's Teatro Municipal throughout the '90s. Her fame spread beyond South America, with frequent European tours, performances at Carnegie Hall, and a live DVD recorded in Los Angeles. Besides joining the Peruvian version of "The Voice" as a coach, Ayllón continues to tour while expanding her recorded repertoire with a wide array of Latin styles.

Joan Baez (U.S.)

Folk super star singer-songwriter Joan Baez bravely embraced her Latin roots in times where being Latino in the U.S. would backfire in most cases. By recording luminous versions of classic Latin anthems in the '60s, she helped pioneer the American roots revival, paving the way for like-minded artists such as Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. In 1974, she released her Latin magnum opus, Gracias A La Vida, that framed her never ending context of fighting for the socially abandoned, civic causes and cultural values. With definitive renditions of "Guantanamera," Víctor Jara's "Te Recuerdo Amanda," and even the self-penned "Las Madres Cansadas" Baez has continued exploring an eclectic array of genres and styles across more than 30 albums.

José Cid (Portugal)

José Cid has effortlessly adapted the influence of Anglo popular music into an original style of Portuguese pop-rock. In 1956, the emergence of his cover band Os Babies marked a before-and-after moment for pop-rock in Portugal. His next group, Quarteto 1111, created the foundations of Portuguese rock, with a strong psychedelic tinge and groundbreaking releases such as the massive 1967 hit "A Lenda De El-Rei D. Sebastião." Continuing as a solo artist, in 1978 he released 10000 Anos Depois Entre Vénus E Marte, widely considered a progressive rock masterpiece. As he reached a new stage of musical maturity in the '80s, Cid turned his songbook to the roots of Portugal on the haunting Fado De Sempre. With dozens of hits under his belt, he remains a major concert draw in Portugal, releasing new music and live concert albums.

Lupita D’Alessio (Mexico)

Lupita D’Alessio, also known as "La Leona Dormida" (the Sleeping Lioness) began her career in the early '70s and continues to this day. She has moved effortlessly between slick pop hooks and epic ranchera sessions and has been a key singer in Mexican popular music for the past five decades. In 1971, she released her superb debut, Mi Corazón Es Un Gitano. Boasting ornate arrangements, the album included hit singles such as "Con Amor" and the title track, a cover of an Italian hit. By the mid-'70s, D’Alessio found additional success in the children's music genre and in the '80s she appeared on Mexican soap operas and had a string of radio hits. Since then, she has continued releasing albums and she re-emerged as a key performer after 2010 and in 2017 launched the autobiographical TV series "Hoy Voy A Cambiar."

Hugo Fattoruso (Uruguay)

Iconic Uruguayan keyboardist, singer, and composer Hugo Fattoruso is known for blending rock and roll, electric jazz, and bossa nova with traditional styles and creating his own contemporary sound, which led to a number of key records that span the past six decades of Latin music. Fattoruso began playing the piano professionally at age 12 with his father and brother Osvaldo—a lifelong collaborator—as part of Trío Fattoruso. In the mid-'60s he founded Los Shakers, which became one of the first bands to define the rock en español genre. The band's 1968 album, La Conferencia Secreta Del Toto's Bar, was a definitive masterpiece of the genre, and the next year Fattoruso and his brother released La Bossa Nova De Hugo Y Osvaldo. Fattoruso spent most of the '70s in the United States playing with the trio Opa before moving to Brazil in the '80s, where he worked with a gallery of musical giants, from Milton Nascimento and Chico Buarque to Djavan and Maria Bethânia. In recent years, Fattoruso has performed in a variety of formats and settings, continuing to explore the fusion of jazz and South American folk. His discography includes dozens of albums, rich in innovation and experimentation.

Pimpinela (Argentina)

Argentinian brother-sister duo Pimpinela's novel approach of mixing music with theatrical drama changed the face of Latin pop, generating sales of more than 30 million records. The emotional honesty and rich melodic content of their work struck a chord with the public beginning with their 1984 hit "Olvídame Y Pega La Vuelta." In the '80s they released albums in English, Italian, and Portuguese, and performed at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival, and collaborated with Spanish crooner Dyango. In the '90s they embarked on a change of style, favoring a more relaxed approach and experimenting with traditional Latin formats. Always eager to try new projects, in 2003 they released an album of Italian pop covers titled Al Modo Nuestro, staged the musical comedy Pimpinela, La Familia in 2010, and even published an autobiography in 2017.

Omara Portuondo (Cuba)

Few vocalists have enjoyed a career as dazzling and mercurial as veteran Cuban singer Omara Portuondo. Born in Havana in 1930, Portuondo began her career as a dancer before joining the all-female Orquesta Anacaona in the early '50s. In 1952, she and her sister Haydeé, along with Elena Burke and Moraima Secada, helped form the vocal quartet Cuarteto D’Aida, acclaimed for its refreshing combination of jazz harmonies and traditional Cuban styles. Portuondo remained with Cuarteto for 15 years, performing in Cuba and touring the United States while finding the time to record a stunning debut album, Magia Negra, in 1959. Later, Portuondo remained active as a member of classic charanga Orquesta Aragón, touring in Europe, Africa, and recording a series of solo performances. In 1999, her performance of "Silencio" with Compay Segundo for the Buena Vista Social Club film soundtrack was a highlight of the million-selling album. In 2000, the Social Club presented an exquisite album featuring Portuondo, and in 2009 she received a Latin GRAMMY Award for Best Contemporary Tropical Album for Gracias. At 89, she remains active in the recording studio and on concert stages around the globe.

José Luis Rodríguez (Venezuela)

José Luis Rodríguez, also known worldwide as "El Puma," transcended the boundaries of classic Venezuelan baladas and Latin pop, becoming a cultural treasure for people all over Latin America and in many countries around the world. He began his career singing as a kid with the pop group Los Zeppy, but in 1963, bandleader Luis María "Billo" Frómeta spotted him on a television show and invited him to join Billo's Caracas Boys (Venezuela's great Afro-Caribbean orchestra). Rodríguez spent four years singing boleros, merengues, and other tropical formats, honing the smoldering vocal style that he would later transpose to the balada genre. In 1968, he simultaneously released the album Lo Romántico De José Luis while acting in soap operas. In 1972, he expanded his style with a broader pop repertoire and gained his artistic moniker when portraying the character El Puma in the soap opera "Una Muchacha Llamada Milagros."  International success arrived in the late '70s, with recordings in Spain and the release of major hits such as "Voy A Perder La Cabeza Por Tu Amor," "Pavo Real," and "Dueño De Nada." In 2017, he survived a double-lung transplant and returned to action in 2019 with the appropriately titled Agradecido (Grateful) tour.

Trustees Award Honoree:

Mario Kaminsky (Argentina)

The enjoyment, promotion, and preservation of music has been at the core of Mario Kaminsky's professional life for over 60 years. The Argentine executive who was a native of Chile has been involved in every possible aspect of the business, including the intersection of music, film, and television. Kaminsky founded Microfón Argentina, a record label in 1959. It was through the management of this label that Kaminsky's strength as an eclectic tastemaker shone through, effectively changing the landscape of Latin music by recording pioneering artists such as singer/guitarist Atahualpa Yupanqui, folk groups Los Chalchaleros and Los Fronterizos, and iconic rock stars Charly García and Luis Alberto Spinetta. After tremendous efforts and not less success, Microfón and Mario became considered the home and father of rock en español. The Microfón catalog was sold to Sony in 1995, as Kaminsky continued to explore new creative avenues. From 1997 to 2000, he was president of the Argentine branch of Fonovisa Records. He has also played a prominent role in radio, television, music publishing, and film production.

Latin GRAMMY Week will culminate with the 20th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards^®, which will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Nov. 14, from 8–11 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. Central) on Univision.

For more information and the latest news, please visit the official Latin Recording Academy website at: LatinGRAMMY.com (#LatinGRAMMY).

Facebook: LatinGRAMMYs | Twitter: @LatinGRAMMYs | Instagram: @LatinGRAMMYs

### 

ABOUT THE LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY:

The Latin Recording Academy is an international, membership-based organization comprised of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking recording artists, musicians, songwriters, producers, and other creative and technical recording professionals. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for Latin music and its makers. In addition to producing the Latin GRAMMY Awards to honor excellence in the recorded arts and sciences, The Latin Recording Academy provides educational and outreach programs for the Latin music community either directly or through its Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation^®. For more information about The Latin Recording Academy, please visit LatinGRAMMY.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

The Lippin Group on behalf of The Latin Recording Academy:

Elina Adut: EAdut@lippingroup.com

323.965.1990

The Latin Recording Academy:

Soledad Estrella: Soledad.estrella@ grammy.com

305.576.0036

For images, click here

MIAMI (NOVEMBER 12, 2025) — The Latin Recording Academy® celebrated its 2025 Person of the Year Gala honoring Raphael, with moving renditions of some of the singer’s renowned repertoire, featuring past and current Latin GRAMMY® nominees including Aitana, Pepe Aguilar, Susana Baca, David Bisbal, Enrique Bunbury, Willy Chirino, Ivan Cornejo, Kany García, Myriam Hernández, Eddy Herrera, Jesse & Joy, Carín León, Pablo López, Víctor Manuelle, Vanesa Martín, Víctor Martínez, Mestrinho, Gaby Moreno, Kiki Morente, Café Quijano, Fito Páez, Silvia Pérez Cruz, Carlos Rivera, Elena Rose, Rozalén, Ángeles Toledano and Néstor Torres.

Raphael was honored for his more than six-decade career as a multifaceted singer and performer, which has established him as a true ambassador of Latin music worldwide. The evening featured tributes from artists who have shaped his repertoire, alongside others who came to honor his lasting impact and celebrate his remarkable career.

The evening opened on a high note with a breathtaking performance by Enrique Bunbury of “Yo Soy Aquél” and was then joined by Carín León, electrifying the stage together with a medley of “Toca Madera” and “Ahora”— the latter a song Bunbury himself wrote for Raphael. Café Quijano and Gaby Moreno followed with a bolero-infused rendition of “Qué Tal Te Va Sin Mí”. David Bisbal raised the energy with a duet alongside Elena Rose on “En Carne Viva,” and then captivated the audience with a heartfelt homage performance of “Como Yo Te Amo.” Jesse & Joy joined Ivan Cornejo for an emotive tribute to “Cierro Mis Ojos.”

Pablo López kept the momentum alive with a passionate delivery of “De Tanta Gente,” followed by his intimate piano rendition of “Lo Saben Mis Zapatos.” Aitana later joined López for a moving performance of “Si No Estuvieras Tú.” Latin rock icon Fito Páez and Rozalén delivered a stirring version of “La Carta,” while Susana Baca and Rozalén offered a folkloric interpretation of “Chabuca, Limeña.” Kiki Morente, Ángeles Toledano and Víctor Martínez on the guitar offered a passionate rendition of “Digan Lo Que Digan,” fusing flamenco textures and thundering Latin percussion. Vanesa Martín and Kany García shared the stage for “Cada Septiembre,” featuring García’s debut solo cello performance, and Martín later returned with Carlos Rivera for an intimate acoustic take on “A Que No Te Vas.”

The magic continued as Pepe Aguilar and Myriam Hernández united their powerhouse vocals in a sweeping version of “Procuro Olvidarte.” Spanish songstress Silvia Pérez Cruz offered a mesmerizing “Somos” with Brazilian accordion virtuoso Mestrinho, weaving Iberian and tropical tones into one. The celebration reached its peak as Eddy Herrera, Víctor Manuelle, Néstor Torres, and Willy Chirino — who wrote the song for Raphael — took the stage with all the infectious rhythms of the Caribbean, filling the room with “Escándalo.”

The evening wouldn’t be complete without the 2025 Person of the Year stepping on stage; he wowed the audience with a medley of “Que Sabe Nadie,” “Mi Gran Noche,” and “Como Yo Te Amo.”

The highly anticipated gala preceded the 26th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards®, which will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, Nov. 13. The three-hour telecast will be produced by TelevisaUnivision, the leading Spanish-language media company in the world, airing across TelevisaUnivision’s U.S. platforms, beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. Central), preceded by a one-hour pre-show starting at 7 p.m. ET/PT (6 p.m. Central).

Latin Academy head of Production Ayleen Figueras, along with Macarena Moreno, served as executive producers of the gala. Latin GRAMMY and GRAMMY® winner Carlos Fernando López served as musical director, and the musical production was led by Danny Flores, also a Latin GRAMMY and GRAMMY nominee. The Philharmonic Orchestra Project (“POP”) accompanied all artists.

Live Nation served as presenting sponsor for the second consecutive year, as part of the first multi-year presenting sponsor partnership for the Person of the Year Gala.

Net proceeds from the 2025 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Gala will go toward the charitable work of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®, whose mission is to be a global champion of music education and empower communities through Latin music and culture. 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, and to date has donated more than $13.9 million with the support of Latin Recording Academy members, artists, corporate sponsors and other generous donors.

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 CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Iveliesse Malavé

Ive@grammy.com

The exclusive event, hosted by 2019 Best New Artist Nominee, Aitana, was held in partnership with Mastercard during

Latin GRAMMY® Week in Las Vegas

Click here for images

Credit: Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy

MIAMI (NOVEMBER 11, 2025) — The Latin Recording Academy®, in partnership with Mastercard, presents the 2025 Best New Artist Showcase, an initiative that provides exposure for the new generation of music creators during the prestigious Latin GRAMMY® Week.

“Three years ago, we held the first Best New Artist Showcase, and we are proud to continue opening doors for the next generation of Latin music creators,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. “Year after year, this showcase has become an important platform for our Best New Artist nominees to share their talent and creativity with our Academy members, industry leaders and special guests.”

The private event took place on Tuesday, November 11, at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, and was hosted by 2019 Best New Artist nominee Aitana. The evening featured performances from Best New Artist nominees for the 26th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards®: Alleh, Annasofia, Yerai Cortés, Juliane Gamboa, Camila Guevara, Isadora, Alex Luna, Paloma Morphy, Sued Nunes and Ruzzi.

Multiple Latin GRAMMY winner and GRAMMY winner Edgar Barrera, Latin GRAMMY winner Lena Burke, previous Latin GRAMMY winners in the Best New Artist category Joaquina (2023), Gaby Moreno (2013), Monsieur Periné (2015), as well as previous nominees in the category Natascha Falcão (2021), Zoe Gotusso (2021), Beto Montenegro (Rawayana 2017), Raquel Sofia (2015), also joined the showcase as presenters.

The Best New Artist Showcase kicked off in 2022 during Latin GRAMMY Week in Las Vegas. Over the last three years, the initiative has hosted showcases in several cities around the world, in collaboration with Mastercard, including Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Miami, San Juan, São Paulo and Seville. This year, Espolòn® Tequila joined the celebration as the Official Sponsor.

The Best New Artist Showcase was produced by The Latin Academy’s production team, led by Ayleen Figueras, with Ana Maria Daza as executive producer and Gisela Gonzalez as producer. Musical production was led by Roberto Trujillo, forming a nine-piece band of musicians who are members of The Latin Recording Academy.

With over twenty years of experience, Trujillo has collaborated with some of Latin music’s top artists and has served as the musical director for some of the world’s most renowned shows, including the GRAMMYs and the Latin GRAMMY Person of the Year.

The 26th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, Nov. 13. The three-hour telecast will be produced by TelevisaUnivision, the leading Spanish-language media company in the world, airing across TelevisaUnivision’s U.S. platforms, beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. Central), preceded by a one-hour pre-show starting at 7 p.m. ET/PT (6 p.m. Central).

For the latest news, visit the official Latin Recording Academy site at LatinGRAMMY.com. Follow us on Facebook (LatinGRAMMYs), Instagram (@LatinGRAMMYs), the Latin GRAMMYs WhatsApp Channel, and use #LatinGRAMMY on all popular social media platforms. The official Latin GRAMMY app is also available on iOS (Apple) and Android (Google Play).

###

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 CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Iveliesse Malavé

ive@grammy.com

Click here for images

MIAMI (NOVEMBER 10, 2025) — The Latin Recording Academy® announced presenters for the 26th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards®. The lineup includes Enrique Bunbury, Eduin Caz and Jhonny Caz (Grupo Firme), Silvestre Dangond, Fariana, Daisy Fuentes, Kany García, Lupita Infante, Mon Laferte, Richard Marx, Nicki Nicole, Carlos Rivera, Miguel Rojas, Trueno and Yandel.

Confirmed presenters include the following artists nominated this year: Eduin Caz and Jhonny Caz from Grupo Firme (Best Contemporary Mexican Music Album), Silvestre Dangond (Best Cumbia/Vallenato Album), Fariana (Best Urban Music Album), Lupita Infante (Best Regional Song), Mon Laferte (Song Of The Year and Best Long Form Music Video), Nicki Nicole (Best Urban Music Album), Trueno (Best Rap/Hip Hop Song and Best Urban Song) and Yandel (Best Reggaeton Performance and Best Urban Music Album).

The 26th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, Nov. 13. The three-hour telecast will be produced by TelevisaUnivision, the leading Spanish-language media company in the world, airing across TelevisaUnivision’s U.S. platforms, beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. Central), preceded by a one-hour pre-show starting at 7 p.m. ET/PT (6 p.m. Central).

The Latin GRAMMY Premiere®, where the majority of the categories are awarded, will precede the telecast. Additional details about this long-established afternoon full of unforgettable performances, heartfelt acceptance speeches and Latin GRAMMY® moments will be announced soon.

For the latest news, visit the official Latin Recording Academy site at LatinGRAMMY.com. Follow us on Facebook (LatinGRAMMYs), Instagram (@LatinGRAMMYs), the Latin GRAMMYs WhatsApp Channel, and use #LatinGRAMMY on all popular social media platforms. The official Latin GRAMMY app is also available on iOS (Apple) and Android (Google Play).

###

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 CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Iveliesse Malavé

ive@grammy.com

The Program Empowers the Next Generation of Latin Music Creators, Further Advancing the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation’s Mission to Preserve Latin Music and Its Legacy

For additional images, please click here

Credit: David Becker/Getty Images for the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation

LAS VEGAS (NOVEMBER 10, 2025) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®, in partnership with Latin GRAMMY® and GRAMMY® winning producer and composer, Edgar Barrera, Latin GRAMMY nominated artist, Luis Ángel “El Flaco” and Música Mexicana recording artist, Oscar Maydon students hosted an educational experience that included a musical instrument donation to Las Vegas High School and SLAM Nevada. The session featured student performances as well as a Q&A among students and the artists in attendance, moderated by renowned journalist Grecia Lopez.

Celebrating its centennial anniversary, Las Vegas High School in Sunrise Manor, Nevada, is recognized as the longest-standing high school in the state. The school boasts a rich arts program centered on showcasing the diversity of storytelling through various mediums including the music program featuring an internationally recognized mariachi band. The investment will further enable the school to develop its music program and acquire new instruments, offering more students the opportunity to pursue the arts.

SLAM Nevada is a tuition-free, public charter school for K-12 students. The investment will allow the music program, launched five years ago, to continue flourishing, with the vision of introducing novice elementary students to music education and building enthusiasm through the curriculum as they approach middle and high school. The program will further enable the school to acquire more instruments, allowing students to take them home during the season for continued practice, thus generating added opportunities for performances.

The program was presented in partnership with the Dr. Simi Foundation and Sony Music Group, as part of the company’s Beyond The Instrument initiative. In addition, Dollar Tree joined the celebration as an Official Sponsor, with additional support from Gibson Gives and Sweetwater.

“It’s so important to give back to the next generation of music makers and encourage them to follow their dreams the same way I followed mine,” said Barrera. “That’s why I’m truly honored to partner with The Latin Recording Academy on initiatives like this, which help inspire, educate, and empower the future of Latin music.”

“Being here with these students feels special because I see myself in them. I also started dreaming just like they are, without knowing where I could go, but with a strong desire to sing and tell real stories,” said “El Flaco.” “Music taught me that the most important thing is to sing from the heart and never forget where you’re from. If there’s one thing I want them to take away from today, it’s that dreams can come true when you pursue them with passion, discipline, and humility.”

“Estar aquí con estos estudiantes es algo muy especial porque me veo reflejado en ellos. Yo también empecé soñando al igual que ellos, sin saber hasta dónde podía llegar, pero con muchas ganas de cantar y de contar historias reales”, dijo “El Flaco”. “La música me enseñó que lo más importante es cantar con el corazón y nunca olvidar de dónde vienes. Si algo quiero que se lleven hoy, es que los sueños sí se cumplen cuando los trabajas con pasión, disciplina y humildad”.

“It’s an honor to be at Latin GRAMMY In The Schools representing Mexican music,” said Maydon. “Music has given me everything, and being here in front of these students reminds me of my beginnings and the importance of never giving up. Seeing their passion inspires me to keep working and to open more doors for future generations.”

“Las Vegas High School greatly appreciates the support of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation and the instruments the Foundation provided for our students. Without this help, it would be a struggle to provide instruments and equipment for our 700 performing arts students,” said Stephen Blanco, Mariachi Director at Las Vegas High School.

“At SLAM Nevada, we are incredibly honored to receive this generous gift from the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation and its partners. Our community is deeply grateful for this opportunity, which will allow our students to grow musically, find their voices, and express themselves through the power of music. This investment inspires our mission to open doors for every student to discover their talent, creativity, and confidence both inside and outside the classroom,” said the SLAM Nevada Administration Team.

“We’re grateful to all our partners for allowing us to offer this unique opportunity to the students of Las Vegas High School and SLAM Nevada,” said Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. “It’s inspiring to see both institutions’ work in fostering music education at all levels, from elementary through high school. This support not only fuels their passion for the arts but also prepares them for a future in the industry.”

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, Erika Ender, 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.

###

ABOUT EDGAR BARRERA:

As a producer, songwriter, and overall creative force, Edgar Barrera has helped push Latin music into the mainstream. For his work with acts like Bad Bunny, Peso Pluma, Grupo Frontera, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, and Karol G, the Mexican hit-maker has won 26 Latin GRAMMYs®, including the awards for Songwriter of the Year and Producer of the Year. In addition, to collaborating with Anglo artists like Madonna, Ariana Grande, and Shawn Mendes, Barrera has also won a GRAMMY® Award. Though Barrera has crafted hits in many different genres, he has especially been instrumental in the recent explosion of regional Mexican music on a global level.

ABOUT LUIS ÁNGEL “EL FLACO”:

Luis Ángel Franco, who is known by his stage name "El Flaco," is a pioneer and powerhouse in the regional Mexican music scene. The Mexican superstar first rose to prominence as a singer for the group Banda Los Recoditos in 2003. Following sixteen years with the band, Franco successfully launched his solo career. With his albums like Yo Te Extrañaré and 25 Aniversario, he has established himself as a leading and defining artist of the Mexican banda genre. With the former LP, Franco received his first Latin GRAMMY® nomination last year for Best Banda Album. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with fellow Mexican acts like Grupo Firme, Luis Alfonso, Tony Aguirre, and Majo Aguilar.

ABOUT OSCAR MAYDON:

Óscar Maydon is one of today's leading regional Mexican artists. The Mexican superstar has helped reimagine the age-old corrido for a younger generation. In 2021, Maydon signed with top corridos record label Rancho Humilde. Since then, he has scored multiple hits like "Madonna" and "Fin De Semana" with his labelmates Natanael Cano and Junior H. Last year, Maydon broke through the mainstream with his global smash "Tu Boda" featuring Fuerza Regida. The collaboration added to his 7.5 billion total streams on Spotify. In June, Maydon released latest album Rico o Muerte, Vol. 1, which showed off a more romantic side to his spin on regional Mexican music. He also recently wrapped up his first headlining tour across the US.

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 $13.9 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