With the continued crossover success of Latin music in the English language market, the Grammys have continued to evolve their Latin awards. This year, the recording academy has divided pop and urban music into their own categories (they were combined last year). So who can we expect to win on January 31? Let’s break down three of the best races.
Best Latin Pop Album
This award could be a close race between the American pop star / actress Selena Gomez and colombian superstar Camilo. On the one hand, this category has its fair share of crossover winners like Ricky martin, Bad bunny, Shakira, and Marc Anthony, which helps Gomez a lot. Additionally, she is very well known to the public at the moment, promoting her new movie “Hotel Transylvania 4” and winning awards for her role in Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building”.
However, Camilo is perhaps better known to Latin music insiders than Gomez, especially after five Latin Grammy wins in the past two years and two hit albums. Camilo is also consistent with previous winners of pop singer-songwriters (see Claudia Brant, Jesse and Joy, Alejandro sanz), which might help him to be considered a more serious musician.
A dark horse in the race could be Ricardo Arjona, who is one of the pop icons of Latin music of the last decades. While his nominated album was by no means his most successful, young artists could divide the voices and allow him to win. Although last year’s winner of the combined pop / urban race was Bad Bunny, I suspect the Latin voting block is not very old-fashioned.
Will win: Camilo, “Mis Manos”
Most likely to disturb: Selena Gomez, “Revelation”
Black horse possible: Ricardo Arjona, “Hecho a la Antigua”
Best Urban Music Album
It should be an easy win for the crossover superstar Bad bunny. His nominated album, “El Último Tour del Mundo”, was aided by the success “Dákiti”, which is his biggest as a lead artist to date, peaking in the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Bad Bunny also won the aforementioned pop / urban category last year with their album “YHLQMDLG”, and their competition here is not so formidable. Plus, with how massive a star he is, racking up several hits since “Dákiti” and being pretty much the quintessential Latin star of the moment, this is truly his reward to lose. It should also be noted that “El Último Tour del Mundo” won this category equivalent to the Latin Grammys, unlike “YHLQMDLG”.
That said, the Grammys love upset, and Kali Uchis would be quite interesting. She also landed great crossover success with “Telepatía”, and although her album, “Sin Miedo (Del Amor y Otros Demonios)”, did not reach the same commercial heights as “El Último Tour del Mundo”, c is still undoubtedly one of the biggest Latin albums of the year. Additionally, voters might want to give Uchis a win here instead of rewarding Bad Bunny twice in a row, especially since this is Uchis’ first full Spanish LP. Likewise, if one of those two doesn’t win, a third act with crossover success this year could dominate: Rauw alejandro.
Will win: Bad Bunny, “El Último Tour del Mundo”
Most likely to disturb: Kali Uchis, “Sin Miedo (Del Amor y Otros Demonios)”
Black horse possible: Rauw Alejandro, “Afrodisiaco”
Best Alternative Latin / Rock Album
A few scenarios could occur here. First, voters could opt for C. Tangana“El Madrileño”, which has been acclaimed and won several Latin Grammys. Tangana’s work is similar to Rosalia‘s, whose album he co-wrote “El Mal Querer” – a former winner in this category. So voters could really be into its brilliant mix of genres including flamenco, reggaeton, and bachata.
However, another alternative genre mixer is Nathy Peluso, whose album “Calambre” also won a Latin Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album. Peluso has had some viral hits this year as well, and his album is one of the best-known of the pack. But there’s yet another possibility: former Grammy winner and Latin Grammy sweetheart. Juanes“Origen”, a collection of iconic covers in English and Spanish. My instinct tells me to go with Tangana, but it’s really anyone’s game.
Will win: C. Tangana, “El Madrileño”
Most likely to disturb: Juanes, “Origen”
Black horse possible: Nathy Peluso, “Calambre”
Make your Gold Derby predictions now. Download our free and easy app for Apple / iPhone or Android (Google Play) devices to compete against legions of other fans as well as our experts and editors for the best prediction accuracy scores. See our latest prediction champions. Can you then surpass our estimated rankings? Remember to always keep your predictions up to date as they impact our latest race odds, which terrify record managers and music stars. Don’t miss the fun. Speak up and share your edgy opinions in our famous forums where thousands of showbiz leaders hide out every day to keep up with the latest awards buzz. Everyone wants to know: what do you think? Who are you predicting and why?
