With two of Latin music’s greatest singers, Bad Bunny and Anitta, competing for two of the night’s most coveted categories, the 65th Annual Grammy Awards this Sunday may be the occasion of another momentous event for the genre.
The U.S. Recording Academy Awards event will begin at 17:00 local time at the Crypto.com arena in Los Angeles, once again hosted by comedian Trevor Noah.
Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, known as Bad Bunny to the world and already the recipient of two gramophones, is gunning for his smash single “Un verano sans ti” to take home the coveted Grammy for Album of the Year, a distinction never previously given to a completely Spanish-language album.
The album, which has received more than 4 billion Spotify streams, as well as his promotional tour, which packed stadiums in Latin America and the US, have broken several records. But the competition for the reggaetonero is fierce; superstars like Beyoncé, Adele, and Kendrick Lamar are vying for the coveted prize.
Bad Bunnyâs triumph âwould mean a lot for Spanish-speaking people and for our culture because it really says âlook, Spanish music is as respected as English music, and there really are no barriers in music,â Colombian Sebastian Yatra told AFP.
Anitta from Brazil, whose irresistible “Envolver” had the entire globe bopping their hips last year, is receiving her first Grammy nomination in an effort to establish herself as a new artist.
When Astrud Gilberto immortalized the enduring “Garota de Ipanema,” it was over 60 years ago that a Brazilian was last nominated for Best New Artist. But the Beatles won, and Anitta now wants to take the phonograph home.
The Carioca, who is competing against, among others, the Italians Maneskin and the singer Omar Apollo, a descendant of Mexican immigrants, might be the first person from Latin America to win this award. Despite having a longer career than ten years, Anitta received the nomination when she was breaking into the worldwide market, which she saw as a fresh start.
âAs a Brazilian and a Latina, a nomination like this means a lot to me, and fills me with pride,â said the âGirl from Rioâ in an interview with AFP.
