Flor de Toloache

Flor de Toloache

Photo: Piero F Giunti

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GRAMMY Museum Reveals Flor de Toloache, Angela Aguilar & More As Special Guests For Opening Of Latin Music Gallery

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Christian Nodal and Ozomatli, with their OzoKids experience, will also be in attendance
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Nov 6, 2019 - 12:54 pm

Today, Nov. 6, the GRAMMY Museum, in partnership with the Latin Recording Academy, announced the performers for opening day of their brand-new Latin Music Gallery. On Nov. 18, two days before the exhibit officially opens to the public, there will be a full day programming, including special performances by Latin GRAMMY-winning mariachi group Flor de Toloache and GRAMMY- and Latin GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Raquel Sofía.

GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY nominee Ángela Aguilar and Latin GRAMMY winner Christian Nodal—two bright, young stars making powerful renditions of traditional Mexican music—will also be in attendance to assist with the gallery's ribbon cutting.

Michael Sticka, President of the GRAMMY Museum, will also participate in the exciting day, along with Gabriel Abaroa Jr., the President and CEO of The Latin Recording Academy, which is celebrating 20 years of excellence in Latin Music this year.

More: GRAMMY Museum To Celebrate 20 Years Of Latin GRAMMY Excellence With New Exhibit

Los Angeles-based GRAMMY- and Latin GRAMMY-winning rock group Ozomatli will also participate, bringing their family-friendly, educational OzoKidz experience to kick off the day. The student program is followed by an invite-only ribbon-cutting ceremony, which begins at 4 p.m., followed by the live performances.

Finally, a free, open-to-the-public evening event will run from 7–10 p.m. (see schedule below and RSVP here).

Monday, Nov. 18 | GRAMMY Museum, 800 W. Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015

11 a.m.–Noon: Education Program for Students with OzoKidz

4–6 p.m.:          Official Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

6–7 p.m.:          Performances by Flor de Toloache and Raquel Sofía

7–10 p.m.:        Free public Museum entry (first come, first served)

Spaces for the public portion of the program on Nov. 18 are given on a first-come, first-served basis. The third-floor exhibit opens to the public on Nov. 20 and will run through spring 2020.

For more info and to RSVP for the Nov. 18 evening event, please click here. For more info on all the fun exhibits and events at the GRAMMY Museum, please visit their website.

And don't forget to catch the Ricky Martin-hosted 20th Latin GRAMMY Awards on Thurs., Nov. 14, live from Las Vegas on Nov. 14, by tuning into Univision around the world from 8-11 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. CT). You can also stay tuned to GRAMMY.com, as well as @RecordingAcad and @LatinGRAMMYs on Twitter next week to catch the biggest wins and onstage magic from the show.

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Ozuna

Ozuna

Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images

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2019 Latin GRAMMYs: Ozuna, Miguel, Alicia Keys, Residente, Farruko, Fito Páez & More Added As Performers

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The show will open with a special tribute to Latin music and its 20th anniversary, with 20 artists performing together collectively for the first time
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Nov 12, 2019 - 2:20 pm

Yesterday, Nov. 11, the Latin Recording Academy announced the final wave of performers for the upcoming 20th Latin GRAMMY Awards, taking place in two days. Latin GRAMMY and GRAMMY winners Beto Cuevas and Residente, as well as GRAMMY winners Alicia Keys and Miguel, will perform at the historic 20th anniversary show, hosted by Ricky Martin, Roselyn Sánchez and Paz Vega.

Current Latin GRAMMY nominees Calibre 50, Farruko, Leonel García, Ozuna, Fito Páez, Milly Quezada and Tony Succar also join the star-studded musical lineup. Past Latin GRAMMY nominee Prince Royce, along with Carlos Rivera, top off the newly revealed performers list.

These artists join the previously announced acts, which include current Latin GRAMMY nominees Alejandro Sanz, Rosalía—the top nominated artists this year at eight and five nods, respectively—Ximena Sariñana, Anitta, Bad Bunny, Sebastián Yatra, Fonseca, Luis Fonsi, Alessia Cara and Juanes, the Latin Recording Academy's 2019 Person Of The Year, who will perform a special medley of his hits during the show.

Pepe Aguilar, Pedro Capó, Reik, Draco Rosa, Sech, Darell, De La Ghetto, Dimelo Flow, Christian Nodal are also among the artists previously revealed to perform. GRAMMY-nominated Mexican regional/pop singer Alejandro Fernández will sing together with his father, iconic ranchera singer Vicente Fernández, as well as his son Alex Fernández, for the first time.

Read: 2019 Latin GRAMMYs Viewer's Guide: Here's How, When & Where To Watch

The 20th edition of the legendary awards show will, of course, feature "historical moments, reunions, tributes and one-of-a-kind performances from nominees, past winners and legends."

To start things off accordingly, the show will open with a very special tribute to Latin music from 20 artists performing together collectively for the first time. The musical tribute "will interpret multiple iconic songs spanning various genres of Latin music, while commemorating the past 20 years of excellence." The Latin Academy also stated there will be "a special moment" with past nominee Thalía.

Additionally, yesterday's announcement also shared more presenters, who will hand out the prestigious awards during the evening: Ángela Aguilar, Eduardo Cabra, Sofia Carson, Emilio Estefan, Mon Laferte, William Levy, Rudy Mancuso, Luis Gerardo Méndez, Michael Peña and Dayanara Torres. The presenters will be joined by eight of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation scholarship recipients to help deliver the eight televised awards, "symbolizing the next generation of artists fostered through the Foundation's international programs."

Watch Shakira's Fiery Performance Of "Ojos AsÍ" At The First-Ever Latin GRAMMYs | GRAMMY Rewind

In just five years, the Foundation has offered $5 million in scholarships, grants, musical instrument donations and educational events in the United States and Ibero-America. One fun way to help support their work is by purchasing limited-edition 20th Latin GRAMMY merch. In collaboration with Footaction and streetwear designer Guillermo Andrade, the stylish T-shirts feature current nominees Bad Bunny, Greeicy, Christian Nodal and Sebastián Yatra.

Don't forget to tune in to The Biggest Night in Latin Music on Univision this Thurs., Nov. 14 from 8–11 p.m. ET/PST (7 p.m. Central). Check out our viewer's guide here for more info on the events leading up to the show, including where to see the red carpet. Stay tuned to GRAMMY.com for live coverage of all the magic.

Exclusive: Sebastian Yatra Teases 2019 Latin GRAMMY Performances & Reveals His Life's Purpose: "To Share Love With People"

GRAMMYs

Photo: Harmony Gerber/Getty Images

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Los Angeles' First Permanent Latin Music Gallery Launches At GRAMMY Museum

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"This is a momentous occasion for the GRAMMY Museum and for Los Angeles," said ribbon-cutting ceremony host Giselle Fernandez
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Nov 19, 2019 - 1:15 pm

A new voice representing Latin culture's impact on music history opened its doors Tues., Nov. 18, at the GRAMMY Museum right in the heart of Los Angeles. 

The city's first permanent Latin music gallery brought together Latin music's biggest stars, industry professionals, political figures and community members for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration of the historic event.

In collaboration with the GRAMMY Museum, the Latin Recording Academy unveiled the Latin GRAMMY: 20 Years Of Excellence exhibit, showcasing pieces from Latin GRAMMY show performances and moments, on the museum's third floor. These include an outfit the late iconic Mexican singer/songwriter Juan Gabriel wore during a performance at the 10th Latin GRAMMYs and an outfit worn by "Despacito" singer Luis Fonsi during his performance at the 18th Latin GRAMMYs. 

The Latin Academy is donating more than half a million dollars to expand the museum's Latin-inspired exhibits, including the permanent gallery and the Latin GRAMMY show exhibit. "This is a momentous occasion for the GRAMMY Museum and for Los Angeles," said ribbon-cutting ceremony host, journalist Giselle Fernandez, a former Latin Recording Academy board member. 

GRAMMY Museum President Michael Sticka said the museum was proud to be the home of the first permanent Latin music gallery in the city. "We're very excited to play host to that," he said in his remarks.

In a statement prior to the opening, Sticka touched on how the exhibit would expand the ethos of the GRAMMY Museum. "Latin GRAMMY, 20 Years Of Excellence and our newly renovated third floor will greatly amplify the Museum's mission to educate, inspire, and share the significance of all forms of music," he said.  

It was not forgotten that the gallery opened in one of the country's cities most-inspired by Latin culture and populated by Latinos. According to 2011 Pew Research Center statistics, Hispanics made up 4.9 million of the Los Angeles County population or 9 percent of the country's Hispanic population.

Hilda Solis, First District Los Angeles County Supervisor and former President Barack Obama cabinet member, reminded the crowd of the significance of the gallery's location. "[This is a] long-time coming for us," she said. "We know the musica is our life, it's our culture, it's our livelihood and it brings us so many good things when things are sour and bad."

The expansion is something Latin Recording Academy President Gabriel Abaroa had been dreaming of for years. "This is a day of thank yous," he said. "I want to thank Michael, the board of trustees of the GRAMMY Museum and all the employees and staffers of the GRAMMY Museum because they have opened their hearts and their doors to us since the beginning."

The grand event came just a few days after the Latin Recording Academy celebrated its 20th Latin GRAMMY celebration at the MGM in Las Vegas and was a celebration continuing its 20th anniversary celebrations.



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Aire soy y al aire, el viento no.

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Recent Latin GRAMMY Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album winner Christian Nodal and GRAMMY-nominated singer Angela Aguilar, were two stars invited to represent the next generation of Latin music and help cut the ribbon. 

The Office of L.A. City Council President Herb Abaroa also presented a certificate declaring Nov. 18 as the official Latin GRAMMY day. The night included performances from GRAMMY- and Latin GRAMMY-nominated Puerto Rican singer/songwriter Raquel Sofia and Latin GRAMMY winners Flor de Toloache and gave the public their first look at the exciting new exhibit and gallery. 

The Latin GRAMMY: 20 Years Of Excellence exhibit will be open Nov. 20 until spring 2020; visit the GRAMMY Museum's website to get tickets.

Bad Bunny, Rosalia, Juanes & More: 5 Unforgettable Moments From The 2019 Latin GRAMMYs

Carlos Vives at the 2018 Latin GRAMMYs

Carlos Vives at 19th Latin GRAMMYs

Photo: Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images for LARAS

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Carlos Vives, Elsa Y Elmar & More Celebrate Their 2019 Latin GRAMMY Nominations

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As the monumental 20th anniversary Latin GRAMMYs approaches, share in the excitement with some of this year's nominees
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Sep 26, 2019 - 2:05 pm

On Sept. 24, the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences shared the nominees for the 20th Latin GRAMMY Awards, set to take place in Las Vegas on Nov. 14.

In the day and a half since the big news went live, many of the nominated artists have taken to social media to share their gratitude and excitement for their nods.

GRAMMY- and Latin GRAMMY-winning Spanish singer/songwriter Alejandro Sanz leads as the artist with the most nominations at eight total. His nominations include Album Of The Year and Best Contemporary Pop Album, for his coyly titled 12th studio album, #ELDISCO ("the album"). Two of its singles, "No Tenga Nada" and "Mi Persona Favorita," featuring GRAMMY nominee Camila Cabello, are both nominated for Song and Record Of The Year, marking the first Latin GRAMMY nods for the 22-year-old Cuban-born pop star.

Cabello shared a heartwarming post (switching between Spanish and English) filled with seven exclamation points, while revealing that "Mi Persona Favorita," which she and Sanz co-wrote, was inspired by her younger sister:

"My dear friend Alejandro Sanz, this is so special because this song is with someone I love and admire so much, and was written with so much love! I love you so much, wow!!!!! When we wrote this song I was inspired by my sister, my little Tofi, who is mi persona favorita!"

Sanz, who was honored as the 2017 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, wrote on Twitter, "Celebrating every nomination for each and everyone of the people that are behind every award. Thank you, always. Congratulations to all of the nominees."

Los Angeles-based mixing engineer Jaycen Joshua also received eight nominations, including for his role as album mixer on three Album Of The Year-nominated LPs—Luis Fonsi's Vida, Rosalía's El Mal Querer and Sebastián Yatra's Fantasía.

Speaking of flamenco-fusion queen Rosalía, the Barcelona-based Latin GRAMMY winner, who took home her first two wins at the 19th Latin GRAMMY Awards, was also one of the top nominees, earning five nods this year. 2018's El Mal Querer not only earned her the major Album Of The Year nod, it is in the running for Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album and Best Engineered Album (an award given to the audio engineers). Several of her 2019 singles are nominated for Latin GRAMMYs as well, including "Con Altura," with her co-producer El Guincho and fellow Latin GRAMMY winner J Balvin, for Best Urban Song, and "Aute Couture" for Record Of The Year.

Celebrating her nominations on her 26th birthday, Rosalía tweeted, "A thousand thanks Latin GRAMMYs and everyone else for these nominations!" She also shouted out El Guincho in the post, which included of a video of the creative powerhouse pair each holding big unicorn balloons.

Another multiple nominee is Mexican alt-Latino singer Ximena Sariñana, who, like the two aforementioned Spanish pop stars, also earned Album Of The Year and Record Of The Year nods, for her album ¿Dónde Bailarán Las Niñas? and "Cobarde," respectively. "I feel very honored to be nominated," she posted to Twitter, shortly after the nominations were announced.

Eternal Colombian musical icon Carlos Vives celebrated his nomination for Best Long Form Music Video for "Déjame Quererte" ("Let Me Love You"). The song and video celebrates the rich beauty of his home country along with a diverse group of fellow Colombian artists: Cholo Valderrama, Cynthia Montano, Elkin Robinson, Kombilesa Mi and Velo De Oza. The multiple GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY winner marked the nomination with a thoughtful post. "I never miss the opportunity to continue looking to my country through music and to show the world a more inclusive Colombia. Thank you to the Latin Academy for the nomination and for honoring this."

He also shared his excitement (with three exclamation marks) for another nominee and fellow GRAMMY- and Latin GRAMMY-winning musical vanguard. "Congratulations dear Rubén Blades!!!" Vives wrote along with a retweet of the Panamanian Latin jazz/salsa heavyweight's tweet about his three nominations this year. Blades, whose many Latin GRAMMY wins to date include Album Of The Year in 2017, is up for Album Of The Year again, for his 2019 collaborative project Paraíso Road Gang. For this project, the musician/activist/actor featured artists that share his Panamanian roots, including Horacio Valdés and Kansas City-based alt-rock group Making Movies.

GRAMMY winner Alessia Cara, who is nominated for Record and Song Of The Year for "Querer Mejor," her first release in Spanish, shared a simple yet stoked: "YEAAAHHHHH," complete with three star emojis. She also tagged her duet partner in the song, GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY winner Juanes, who retweeted her post.

The longtime Colombian alt-rock artist is also up for a third award for "La Plata," featuring Colombian rapper Lalo Ebratt, and is also up for Record Of The Year. Additionally, Juanes has been named the Latin Recording Academy's 2019 Person Of The Year, which will be celebrated with the special show held annually during Latin GRAMMY Week.

Brazilian tri-lingual (she sings in Portuguese, Spanish and English) pop star Anitta added her joy to the online celebrations, as her fourth studio album, Kisses, earned a nod for Best Urban Music Album. The reggaeton princess wrote, "I'm so so happy to be nominated…for my album "Kisses"! Thank you to the Latin GRAMMYs, thank you to all of my friends who helped me make this project that I love so much"

Arguably one the most exciting parts of the annual Latin GRAMMY and GRAMMY nominations is meeting the class of first-time nominees, including the recipients of Best New Artist nods. One of these Latin GRAMMY Best New Artist nominees is rising Venezuelan Latin jazz artist Chipi Chacón. Like Rosalía, he celebrated both his Libra birthday (Sept. 23) and his nomination. The 31-year-old shared a long, heartfelt post on Instagram, writing "What an incredible birthday present. I'm thankful for the Latin GRAMMYs for taking my music into consideration. This nomination is completely for Venezuela. Thanks to all of the incredible musicians and engineers who participated in my album Transparente."

Another Best New Artist nominee, Colombian Elsa Carvajal, shared in that special first-time nom feeling. The Berklee College of Music graduate, who makes dreamy alt-pop as Elsa y Elmar, shared a teary-eyed video reflecting on the nomination. In the post she wrote, "I thought these things were not for me… Thank you for being part of this reminder that the hard work is worth it… Thank you to the academy, Latin GRAMMYs, for considering me worthy of a nomination. Like this, punk as I am."

Make sure to tune in to Univision on Nov. 14 to catch all the magic of the Biggest Night in Latin Music live from Las Vegas. Also, stay tuned to GRAMMY.com—and @RecordingAcad on @LatinGRAMMYs on Twitter—for timely updates on all the big winners and lively Latin GRAMMY Week events.

The 20th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards Nominations Are Here

Avril Lavigne at the GRAMMY Museum

Avril Lavigne at the GRAMMY Museum

Photo: Alison Buck

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Avril Lavigne Has Always Known Exactly Who She Is

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At the GRAMMY Museum last night, the eternal punk princess reflected on her musical beginnings, unyielding self-confidence and the impact of her music
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Sep 6, 2019 - 3:48 pm

17 years ago, a Canadian teen named Avril Lavigne skated her way into our hearts with her debut album, Let Go, along with unforgettable hit singles like "Complicated" and "Sk8ter Boi." She was just a teenager when the GRAMMY-nominated LP was released in June 2002, but she already knew who she was and felt ready to share her punk-rock style and sensibilities with the music world.

As she recounted to 250 lucky fans at her GRAMMY Museum event last night, Lavigne famously dropped out of high school at 16 to move to Los Angeles and pursue a music career. Clearly things went her way, as she is now one of the most recognizable names in pop—and through all the pressures that come with being a young woman in the music industry, she never lost sight of who she was.

Avril Lavigne at the GRAMMY Museum

Photo: Alison Buck

Speaking to Scott Goldman in the Museum's Clive Davis Theater, the eternal punk princess, rocking all black with punky suspender pants, reflected on her musical beginnings, that unyielding self-confidence and the impact her music has had on the next generation of female alt-rockers. They also discussed her sixth studio album, Head Above Water, which she released earlier this year. To close, she brought out two of her bandmates to share a few songs they've been rehearsing for her upcoming tour, her first one in five years.

Looking back on her initial experience with the L.A. music industry, she explains that they didn't quite get her at first. "The music was too soft and fluffy for me… I just wanted to hear guitars, even though I was only 16," Lavigne said. "The label saw me as a pop star," she added, musing that pop-rock wasn't so much a thing yet, in the early part of the millennium. She knew she had to be clear with who she was in order to prove herself to those who didn't understand it.

"I'd show up to a high-fashion shoot with a book bag of neckties," she explained, a testament to her confident demeanor and edgy style. Sharing some wisdom on how she managed to be so much of herself at such a young age, she said, "You have to love yourself and find your confidence."

When Goldman asked what her early music, specifically her first two albums, sound like to her when she listens now, Lavigne replied that she was proud of what she wrote as a teen and hears "variety and a lot of depth."

Goldman also asked what it felt like to be a role model for the next generation of guitar-loving women, citing rising alt-rockers Soccer Mommy and Snail Mail, who've named those early albums as major influences to their own music. "It's so cool…to know that my music inspired or influenced anyone," the "Complicated" singer beamed.

The much-anticipated performance included two songs from the new album, opening with the title track and closing with the anthemic "Warrior," as well as two of her '00s hits. After serving up a powerful rendition of "Head Above Water," Lavigne went into one of her "favorites to perform," "My Happy Ending," from her second album, Under My Skin. Before breaking into the chorus, she asked the audience to join her. She asked the crowd what they wanted to hear next, and over a dozen selections from her discography were shouted out.

Lavigne gave the audience a chance to be heard, listening, before responding, "'Girlfriend' should be fun." She was right.

Finally, in an epic act of on-stage cuteness, as Lavigne got up from her stool to exit the stage, the suspenders hanging from her pants got stuck, evoking a laugh. This was the perfect time for the crowd to request an encore, and she left everyone on a high note with "Warrior," even getting fan-assistance with a lyric she forgot on the new song.

As the fans filed out of the theater, a teen with hot pink hair and a cutoff plaid shirt turned to her dad and said with wide eyes: "I'm seriously shaking."

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