"The first thing that came to mind was whether it was even possible, because I wasn’t born in Spain or Latin America" - Laura Pausini, Person of the Year by The Latin Recording Academy

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"The first thing that came to mind was whether it was even possible, because I wasn’t born in Spain or Latin America" - Laura Pausini, Person of the Year by The Latin Recording Academy

Latin GRAMMYs/Nov 12, 2023 - 07:00 AM

2023 Person of the Year by The Latin Recording Academy

Laura Pausini

By Cata Balzano

With more than 30 years as a singer, songwriter and producer, Laura Pausini is a pop music icon. Her career has made her a citizen of the world, crossing borders with hits in Italian, Spanish and English. And thanks to her charisma and unmistakable voice, she has won over audiences globally, especially in Latin America, where she has become the bestselling non-Hispanic female artist. Her music — known for captivating romantic and melancholy ballads — has served to entertain with relatable messages of love, love lost, joy, union and peace. The mark Pausini has left on Latin music and the success she has enjoyed in the industry have made her work an inspiration. Ever since her career took off back on Feb. 27, 1993, at the Sanremo Festival in Italy, where she performed “La soledad” — an iconic song that took her to multiple stages around the world — Pausini has sold more than 75 million albums, winning four Latin GRAMMYs, one GRAMMY and one Golden Globe. She also received an Oscar nomination for “Io sì (Seen),” the song she wrote with Diane Warren for the Netflix film La vita davanti a sé (The Life Ahead).

Beyond her ever-growing professional achievements, Pausini, 49, is also a mom, and she stands out for her commitment to humanitarian causes. She has channeled her goodwill and fame to support disadvantaged groups, including combating domestic violence and her consistent service to the LGBTQIA+ community. Her active participation in numerous fundraising events makes her a star who uses the power of her position to lift voices and help those who need it the most. With her dedication to her music and on behalf of vulnerable groups, Pausini can now celebrate her three-decade career and being named the 2023 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, the third woman to be recognized by The Latin Academy.

This has been a fantastic year for you. What came to mind when you were told that you would be the 2023 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year?

I must admit that I cried tears of emotion, full of happiness and pride. The first thing that came to mind was whether it was even possible, because I wasn’t born in Spain or Latin America, and I never thought it would be possible for an Italian to receive the recognition. When they told me I had been adopted by the Latinos, those words really affected me because I’ve always thought that. Since 1994, when I started traveling around Spain, Mexico and throughout Latin America, the connection I developed and have today with the entire Latin world is as if I actually had been born there.

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You are the first Italian and also the third woman in the history of The Latin Academy to receive this award. What does that mean to you?

Today, the image of the woman and its meaning are an important issue across all media. When I started my career in 1993, with all the promotion that I was doing elsewhere in Europe, there weren’t many women who were also promoting their work. I remember that I often ran into Celine Dion on TV shows, but it was mostly men. So when they named me Person of the Year, I looked up the list of all previous honorees and said “Wow, I’m the third woman?” It’s beautiful, and a great source of pride. I hope that means there will be many more women, especially because in recent decades a lot of interesting women artists have come to prominence, singer/songwriters I admire greatly and that maybe we can honor someday.

The last time we spoke, you told me that your childhood dream was to sing in a piano bar, and now look at your career development versus that dream.

I believe in God and in destiny, and I think he has chosen people in the world and given them a mission. Sometimes I’m not sure I’m doing my mission well, because you shouldn’t validate yourself that way, based only on prizes and awards, but rather by giving importance to the impact you have with other people. I may have been the biggest dreamer in my hometown. I have always had a lot of dreams, and music was the biggest one, but it was the most difficult one, and I don’t know why \[achieving it\] happened. That’s why I think that after 30 years \[of work\], I don’t feel that I’ve reached any particular goal. I don’t want to have reached all my goals in a 30-year career and feel that my life is over. I think I have built some things, but I’m also very curious to see what else is coming down the road.

Let’s talk about the song that changed your whole life and career: “La soledad.” What comes to mind when you think of the Laura from back then, who had no clue about what her life was going to become?

I see a lot of things that are similar about me \[today\] that I also had back then, such as stubbornness and determination. But I remember the naïveté. I never imagined all this would happen to me. I remember that naïveté and innocence with nostalgia, because sometimes not knowing anything in music allows you to be completely authentic, and back then, what people saw of me was undoubtedly a hundred percent the true version of who I was as a person. Like everyone in the world when they grow up, I’ve had to get tougher. I have made a shield. I love being a fighter. I wish the shield weren’t necessary, but sometimes I need it. Even so, I’m still the same person. The thing is, at 18, I was still a child.

Another key moment for you came in 1994, the year you realized what incredible potential you had as an artist in the Spanish-language music industry after your self-titled album hit No. 1 in Spain.

My first trip to Spain … I remember very well that it was the president of Warner himself who made me record the album. He told me, “Let’s see if the people who watch you on TV hear your voice and the song “La soledad” and like it.” When I got there, people already knew me, and it was strange for me to see that. I don’t think that could happen now because of the internet, but back then it wasn’t easy to know if the people who listened to my music in Europe and in Italian actually recognized my face. I had no idea \[that it could happen at all\], much less in Spain or Latin America. It was incredible for me from the first day, and I felt like I was at home. In Spain and Latin America, I feel like an adopted daughter, and when I don’t visit for a long time, I feel an emptiness, like something is lacking.

I saw you on Instagram at a Coldplay concert with your daughter Paola, and it was very emotional. What artists and musicians had an impact on you when you were little?

Obviously, Latin music has always been present at every moment of my life. Gloria Estefan was my biggest influence, and so I’m also excited to be named Person of the Year and join her as one of the women who have been recognized. I think it was thanks to her that I started singing in Spanish. And when I was a teenager, I think I had a Luis Miguel poster. He had sung in Italian, and I was excited. My father bought me some of his albums in Spanish; I learned a lot of words from them. Miguel Bosé, too. Miguel was named Person of the Year in 2013, and I was thrilled, because I was part of the group of artists who sang for him that night.

You have always been very conscious of the struggles of marginalized people and groups, such as the LGBTQIA+ community, and you have used your voice to help make them heard over the years. What feeds your passion for helping people?

I’ve said before that when I write the words to my songs, they’re not just dedicated to heterosexual people. When you talk about love, you talk about your own experiences and about what you love, but songs don’t have flags. When I began my career, the media found it strange that back then the girl from “La soledad” — so timid, so tender — would be talking about that. And yes, some people started saying that it was going too far, but I didn’t care. I want to protect and defend. I’m not the least bit afraid to be a fighter and to speak out, and I also teach that to my daughter. They are human rights and they should be the same for everyone, because we are human beings and we all have to have the same rights. As a child I learned a lot about protection, I learned that we need to protect each other, take care of each other. That’s why I get involved frequently and always try to see and confirm that what I’m doing is something that gets results. I stay very involved in the helping process, and it’s not just about giving money but also seeing that it’s really making a change.

You also shared fragments of your life in an Amazon documentary film, Un placer conocerte, but what would you like the world to know about Laura Pausini, beyond all these professional achievements?

I enjoyed doing it because it’s as if I had lived what I thought my life was going to be if the success at Sanremo hadn’t happened, which was working in a piano bar. The docuseries shows and tells bits about me and what I would have done if I hadn’t become famous. Actually, I don’t remember what my life was like without fame, and I feel that I’m more deserving of this luck that I’ve had if I continue to be transparent and share realities about my life. What I would like a lot more is for people who have known me through my music to know and say that, throughout my life, I have been sincere and transparent, and have never disrespected \[my followers\].

The Person of the Year ceremony includes a tribute concert. Is there anyone in particular you would like to see singing your songs?

The first person I’m going to mention is my brother Alejandro Sanz. I think I need to celebrate with him. He needs to sit down \[with me\] and raise a glass. I owe him a lot, and I love him a lot. I would love for Shakira, Vanesa Martín, Kany García to sing. I love Mon Laferte, Luis Fonsi. I would like to see Olivia Rodrigo and, of course, Ricky Martin. Ricky was the first famous person I met on my first trip to Latin America, and we used to talk all the time.

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You’ve started a new phase in your career, and you’ve just launched your 13th studio album, Almas Paralelas. What stories does Laura Pausini want to tell now?

You’ve used the right word: “stories.” It is about that. It’s the first time I’ve worked so many years on a single project. Normally I’m very instinctive, and this time, with everything I’ve experienced, I felt I had a bigger responsibility. I see that the world goes on, life goes on, and I say, “But, I mean, I’ve experienced so much! And what can I do to not feel so small facing what’s coming now? After being named Person of the Year, I’m asking myself: “Do I deserve it?” I always ask myself if I deserve it, and what I can do to deserve it. In 30 years, I have made so many songs, but I haven’t changed who I am. Ultimately, my roots are the same. My tree definitely has more branches now, with lots of leaves, but new leaves continue sprouting from the roots. That means they’re strong, and that over the course of this adventure, they weren’t wrong.

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

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® Opens Applications For Its 2025 Latin Music Research And Preservation Grant Program

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The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® Opens Applications For Its 2025 Latin Music Research And Preservation Grant Program

Latin GRAMMYs/Jun 18, 2025 - 01:00 PM

Four talented music institutions, nonprofit organizations, musicologists and researchers will receive a total of $20,000 for research and preservation of Latin music

Latin GRAMMY® winner and GRAMMY® nominee Silvestre Dangond will sponsor two grants in support of research and preservation of the vallenato genre

Deadline to apply is August 27, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET

MIAMI (JUNE 18, 2025) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® announced that applications are officially open for its 2025 Latin Music Research and Preservation Grant Program. This program provides grants that support music institutions, nonprofit organizations, musicologists and researchers around the world dedicated to the research and preservation of Latin music heritage.

A total of four grants—each valued at up to $5,000—will be awarded this year as follows:

  • One (1) Research Grant for a maximum amount of $5,000, funding one project focused on historical research, folklore and anthropology of a Latin music genre.

  • One (1) Preservation Grant for a maximum of $5,000, supporting one project aiming to archive and preserve Latin music heritage.

To support the growth and development of vallenato, Latin GRAMMY® winner and GRAMMY® nominee Silvestre Dangond has pledged a dedicated fund to support the research and preservation of the folkloric music genre from Colombia as follows:

  • One (1) Research Grant for a maximum amount of $5,000, funding one project focused on historical research, folklore and anthropology of vallenato music.

  • One (1) Preservation Grant for a maximum of $5,000, supporting one project aiming archival and preservation of the heritage of the vallenato genre.

Dedicated funds are open to any artist or institution interested in this type of focused giving, as part of the international assistance provided by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation to preserve and promote Latin music and its genres.

“Vallenato is not just my roots; it’s my reason for being. That’s why it fills me with pride to contribute to the preservation and research of this genre, which has told the story of our people for generations. Supporting this cause through the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation is my way of ensuring that the legacy of vallenato remains alive, evolving, and touching hearts around the world,” said Dangond.

“Supporting research and preservation is vital to honoring the rich legacy of Latin music, ensuring that future generations of creators understand its origins and remain inspired by its roots,” said Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors, and Latin music creators like Silvestre Dangond, these grants help fuel the future of Latin music.”

Since its inception in 2015, the program has awarded more than $255,000 in grants to support projects, one of which received both a Latin GRAMMY and GRAMMY.

To apply, view guidelines, and learn about past project winners please click here (the materials can be submitted in English, Spanish or Portuguese). The deadline to apply is August 27, 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 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.

ABOUT SILVESTRE DANGOND:

Colombian superstar Silvestre Dangond, a modern icon of vallenato, has taken the genre to new global heights during his more than two-decade career. With three Latin GRAMMYs® to his name, he has led successful international tours and collaborated with major artists such as Nicky Jam, Natti Natasha, Carin León, Emilia, Fonseca and Carlos Vives. His song “Tú o Yo” with Vives was recognized by Billboard magazine as one of the 24 best songs released in 2024. Following the success of his album ‘Ta Malo and his stadium tour across the United States and Latin America, Dangond is gearing up for the release of El Último Baile, a powerful new project with his longtime accordionist Juancho de la Espriella. For images of Silvestre Dangond, please click here.

MEDIA CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.alberto@grammy.com