The 2025 Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas became a historic night for Latin music, with Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny and Argentine hip-hop duo Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso emerging as the big winners with five awards each.
Dominant Night for Urban Music Star
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, secured the coveted album of the year award for "Debí Tirar Más Fotos," a critically acclaimed project that blended styles from Afro-Caribbean to salsa. The album had earned him an impressive 12 nominations heading into Thursday's ceremony.
The 31-year-old artist also claimed victories in four additional categories: best urban/urban fusion performance, best reggaeton performance, best urban music album, and best urban song. These wins further cement his status as one of the most influential figures in contemporary Latin music.
During his acceptance speech for best urban song, Bad Bunny expressed his continued passion for music, stating: "Brother, this is always a special moment for me. And I get just as nervous as the first time. That means that what I do matters to me." The artist had previously won 12 Latin Grammys before this year's ceremony.
Super Bowl Controversy and Cultural Impact
The awards arrive at a significant moment in Bad Bunny's career, building anticipation for his upcoming halftime performance at Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026. The National Football League announced this groundbreaking decision in September, marking what will likely be the first Super Bowl halftime show performed entirely or mostly in Spanish.
This break from tradition has generated controversy in some circles, most notably from former President Donald Trump, who told Newsmax in October: "I never heard of him. I don't know who he is. I don't know why they're doing it - it's, like, crazy." Trump characterized the selection as "absolutely ridiculous."
Bad Bunny, who has been politically vocal about immigration issues and supported Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, previously made a guest appearance during the 2020 Super Bowl halftime show headlined by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, which helped accelerate his meteoric rise to global fame.
Latin Music's Growing Economic Power
The recognition of Latin artists comes as the genre demonstrates substantial economic growth. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, the Latin music sector generated a record $1.4 billion in 2024, accounting for 8.1% of total U.S. music revenue.
The report emphasized that Latin music is shaping American culture faster than any other genre, reflecting its expanding influence beyond Spanish-speaking communities.
Bad Bunny's crossover appeal continues to grow, with the artist receiving six nominations for the regular Grammys scheduled for February 2. He made history as the first Latin artist to be nominated in all three major categories - record, song and album of the year - in the same year.
Other Notable Winners and Breakout Acts
While Bad Bunny dominated the urban categories, Spanish artist Alejandro Sanz claimed two significant awards: record of the year for "Palmeras En El Jardín" and best contemporary pop album for "¿Y Ahora Qué?" These victories brought his career Latin Grammy total to 24.
Cuban-born Gloria Estefan won best traditional tropical album for "Raíces," while Colombian star Karol G secured song of the year for "Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido," beating out Bad Bunny's title track.
The Argentine duo Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso emerged as the night's surprise success story, converting 10 nominations into five wins, including best pop song, best alternative music album, best alternative song, and both best short form and long form music video categories.
Mexican artist Paloma Morphy, 25, was named best new artist following the success of her debut album "Au," which captivated listeners with its catchy melodies.
The evening also featured a performance by Bad Bunny of "Weltita," a single from his award-winning album, accompanied by backing band Chuwi, showcasing the vibrant energy that has made him a global phenomenon.
