Rosalía was named album of the year at the 27th annual Latin Grammy Awards for “Lux,” with “La Perla” also winning song of the year.
The Story
Rosalía captured album of the year at the 27th annual Latin Grammy Awards on Thursday night for “Lux,” capping a night that included major awards and a string of performances spanning multiple genres.
She began her album-of-the-year speech in Spanish, saying, “This is the third time I’ve won this award, and — just as ‘El Mal Querer’ felt like a dream, or ‘Motomami’ was a gamble — ‘Lux’ has been, for me, a leap into the void,” as she referenced her 2018, 2022 and 2025 albums. She added, “I believe it’s very important to speak your own truth and for others to be able to speak theirs; this album is my truth.”
Earlier in the show, Rosalía opened with a live performance from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena, hosted by actor, producer and musician Roselyn Sánchez. Joined by dancers wearing halo-adorned headpieces, she performed an emotive medley of her “Lux” tracks “La Rumba Del Perdón,” “La Perla” and “Dios Es Un Stalker.”
“La Perla” also earned song of the year. During her speech for that award, Rosalía thanked Mexico and invited the song’s collaborators—American urban sierreño trio Yahritza Y Su Esencia—to join her on stage.
Daddy Yankee was honoured as person of the year, and delivered a performance that treated the stage like a stadium, running through hits including “Ella Me Levantó,” “Con Calma,” “BOTZ,” “Despacito,” “Lo Que Pasó, Pasó,” “Sonríele,” “Rompe,” “Pokito” and “Gasolina.” The finale included appearances alongside him from Bizarrap, Bad Gyal, Feid, Jay Wheeler, French Montana, LL Cool J and Diljit Dosanjh.
When Daddy Yankee received his person-of-the-year award, Janet Jackson presented it “with admiration and respect,” according to her speech. Daddy Yankee’s acceptance included remarks in Spanish, concluding with “Puerto Rico, recuerda. ... Puerto Rico no es pequeño. Pequeño el mapa.”
Other performances and tributes featured a wide range of artists. Karol G performed “Ese Hombre es Malo” with a full orchestra and 12 Mariachis. Mon Laferte performed “Femme Fatale,” and Silvana Estrada sang “Dime” with her Venezuelan cuatro. Brazilian star Anitta delivered a medley including “Desgraça,” “Choka Choka” and “Meia Noite,” and later returned to accept a trophy for Portuguese language contemporary pop album, using her speech to highlight Black culture in Brazil.
There was also a tribute to the late ranchera icon José Alfredo Jiménez, produced by Edgar Barrera, with The Warning performing “Te Solté la Rienda,” Reik performing “La Media Vuelta,” Sofía Reyes and Yami Safdie duetting “Si Nos Dejan,” and Camila Fernández performing “El Rey.” Shortly after, Barrera made history by reaching 30 Latin Grammy career wins after Thursday night’s results, surpassing René Pérez’s total of 29.
The awards programme included additional milestones and categories. The first award of the night went shortly after Rosalía’s opening set, when Pablo Alboran and Howie D presented Juanes with best pop/rock album for “Juanesteban.” Milo J’s “Niño” was named record of the year, and Karol G received urban music album for “Tropicoqueta.” Xavi won contemporary Mexican album for “Dosis,” and Fonseca was presented the trophy for contemporary tropical album for “Antes Que El Tiempo Se Vaya.”
In the new artist category, Colombian singer Aria Vega took home best new artist, with her acceptance speech delivered through tears. The Latin Recording Academy noted changes to the category eligibility this year, stating that only artists with fewer than three albums or 25 singles released were eligible to win.
Most awards were handed out during a pre-televised Premiere Ceremony, including Bobby Pulido’s win for best Tejano album for “Bobby Pulido & Friends: Una Tuya y Una Mía (Vol. 2/En Vivo).” In his acceptance speech, Pulido said, “I want to tell you that I’m retiring from music, and I’m leaving with so much gratitude.”
Thursday’s show also included a tribute to Willie Colón, the social activist and architect of urban salsa music, who died in February this year. His son, Miguel Colón, along with Nathy Peluso, Luis Figueroa and others performed as part of that remembrance, while tributes and performances continued across the night. Xavi’s “Dosis” performance and “No Capeã” closed the evening.
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