Luis Fonsi and Bomba Estéreo's Li Saumet
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
"Despacito," Vicente García, Rubén Blades Win Big | 18th Latin GRAMMYs
"Despacito," Vicente García and Rubén Blades emerged as the big winners at the 18th Latin GRAMMY Awards on Nov. 16 in Las Vegas.
Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee's "Despacito," the 2017 smash that just won't slow down, took home four awards: Song Of The Year, Record Of The Year, Best Short Form Music Video, and Best Urban Fusion/Performance. The song's remix earned the latter award, which netted Justin Bieber his first career Latin GRAMMY win.
Newcomer Dominican singer/songwriter García won his first three career Latin awards: Best New Artist, Best Singer-Songwriter Album for A La Mar and Best Tropical Song for "Bachata En Kingston."
The Panamanian Blades took home Album Of The Year and Best Salsa Album honors for Salsa Big Band — Rubén Blades Con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta. He was previously nominated for Album Of The Year three times.
Though they didn't work as a pair this time around, Calle 13 — Residente and Eduardo Cabra (Visitante) — made their presence known.
Residente earned Best Urban Album honors for Residente and Best Urban Song for "Somos Anormales."
Meanwhile, Cabra took home Producer Of The Year honors.
GRAMMY winner Lin-Manuel Miranda of "Hamilton" fame was feted with special recognition in the form of a President's Merit Award. "No one gets here alone," said Miranda, who referred to himself as the "weird theater kid."
The 18th Latin GRAMMY Awards was all about dazzling performances as well.
Following a moment of silence for Puerto Rico and Mexico and the people affected by the recent natural disasters, Residente opened the show on a poignant note with his "Hijos Del Cañaveral."
Alejandro Sanz, the 2017 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, was honored by fellow Latin GRAMMY winner Juan Luis Guerra. After dedicating the award to his family, Sanz performed a medley of his hits, including "Corazón Partío."
Colombia's Juanes, who won Best Pop/Rock Album for Planes Son Amarte, joined Alessia Cara and Logic for a moving performance of the Spanish version of the latter's suicide prevention anthem, "1-800-273-8255."
Making an impressive Latin GRAMMY stage debut, Miami-based boy band collective — and Best New Artist nominees — Cnco performed their hit "Reggaetton Lento."
Colombian reggaeton singer/songwriter Maluma commanded the stage with verve during a reading of his "Felicies Los 4."
Fresh from winning her first Latin GRAMMY for Best Alternative Song, Chile's Mon Laferte energetically performed her winning song: "Amárrame."
In a raucous finale, Fonsi served up a knock-out punch of "Despacito" alongside special guests Bomba Estéreo, Víctor Manuelle and Diplo. Fittingly, the biggest song in Latin music in 2017 served as an unforgettable coda to The Biggest Night in Latin Music.
