Vicente García

Vicente García

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

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Vicente García Wins Best New Artist Latin GRAMMY | 18th Latin GRAMMYs

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Dominican singer/songwriter takes home the prestigious award at The Biggest Night in Latin Music
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Nov 16, 2017 - 6:32 pm

Dominican native Vicente García has just earned his third career Latin GRAMMY win of the night at the 18th Latin GRAMMY Awards.

Vicente García Best New Artist | Acceptance Speech

"I feel happy and honored. I feel that with this award, I should celebrate, but I also have a responsibility to make music with dignity — make music that represents our countries, Latin America and above all my Dominican Republic where I'm from. Thank you." — Vicente García

After leaving his role as the lead singer of the Dominican alternative rock band Calor Urbano, he worked with artists such as Juan Luis Guerra, Alejandro Sanz, Juanes, and Maná as he launched his solo career. Now he's reaping the rewards of his efforts.

García took home his third Latin GRAMMY of the night for Best New Artist, a coveted General Field win. In addition, the singer/songwriter took home the Latin GRAMMY for Best Singer-Songwriter Album for A La Mar and Best Tropical Song for "Bachata En Kingston." He is also nominated for Album Of The Year.

The other nominees for Best New Artist were Paula Arenas, Cnco, Martina La Peligrosa, Mau Y Ricky, Rawayana, Sofía Reyes, Rosalía, Danay Suarez, and Sebastián Yatra.

Luis Fonsi, Li Saumet at the 18th Latin GRAMMY Awards

Luis Fonsi and Bomba Estéreo's Li Saumet

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

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"Despacito," Vicente García, Rubén Blades Win Big | 18th Latin GRAMMYs

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Alongside a night of lit performances, Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee's hit collaboration earns four awards while Dominican singer/songwriter García captured three awards
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Nov 16, 2017 - 9:10 pm

"Despacito," Vicente García and Rubén Blades emerged as the big winners at the 18th Latin GRAMMY Awards on Nov. 16 in Las Vegas.

Rubén Blades Album Of The Year | Acceptance Speech

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."

Vicente García Best New Artist | Acceptance Speech

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.

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What was your favorite 18th Latin GRAMMY Awards performance?

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.

Camila Cabello at the 18th Latin GRAMMY Awards
18th Latin GRAMMY Awards | Red Carpet

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."

Residente at the 18th Latin GRAMMY Awards
18th Latin GRAMMY Awards | Winners Backstage

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."

Logic talks about 'Everybody'

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."

Watch Mon Laferte Win First Career Latin GRAMMY

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.

Maluma

Maluma

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

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Vote: What's Your Favorite Latin GRAMMY Performance?

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From Residente and Maluma to Cnco, Mon Laferte and Nicky Jam, vote on your favorite 18th Latin GRAMMY performance
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Nov 16, 2017 - 8:11 pm

The 18th Latin GRAMMY Awards are called the Biggest Night in Latin Music for a reason — one of them being the unforgettable performances. From Maluma's saucy "Felicies Los 4" to Juanes, Alessia Cara and Logic's inspiring versions of "Es Tarde" and "1-800-273-8255" and Luis Fonsi, Bomba Estereo, Victor Manuelle, and Diplo jamming on "Despacito," they all rose to the occasion.

Residente Wins Best Urban Music Album Latin GRAMMY

With more than 15 performances broadcast on the show this evening, we want to know, which one were you most excited about?

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What was your favorite 18th Latin GRAMMY Awards performance?

 

Vicente García

Vicente García

Photo: John Parra/Getty Images

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Vicente García Wins Best Singer-Songwriter Album Latin GRAMMY

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Dominican takes home the singer/songwriter category at The Biggest Night in Latin Music
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Nov 16, 2017 - 2:49 pm

Dominican singer/songwriter Vicente García is having a big night at the 18th Latin GRAMMY Awards.

Vicente García | Best Singer-Songwriter Album

"I am very happy and excited. I want to dedicate this award to my country, [my] fountain of infinite inspiration, [and] also to Juan Luis Guerra who has been for me a constant inspiration. I don't know what to say. I am very excited. Thank you to the Academy, Eduardo Cabra, John Blaze [and] Wendell for working [from] the heart. … And … to all the people that helped me make this record. A million thanks." — Vicente García

Formerly the lead singer of the Dominican alternative rock band Calor Urbano, he left in 2010 to pursue a solo career. He has collaborated with esteemed artists such as Juan Luis Guerra, Alejandro Sanz, Juanes, and Maná. Now that solo career is starting to pay off.

García took home his first career Latin GRAMMYs at the 18th Latin GRAMMYs, including for Best Singer-Songwriter Album for A La Mar and Best Tropical Song for "Bachata En Kingston." He is also up for Album Of The Year and Best New Artist later this evening. [Ed.: García ended up winning Best New Artist, upping his win total to three.]

The other nominees in the Best Singer-Songwriter Album category were Satiago Cruz' Trenes, Aviones Y Viajes Interplanetarios, Alex Cuba's Lo Único Constante, Erika Ender's Tatuajes, and Debi Nova's Gran Ciudad.

Víctor Manuelle

Víctor Manuelle

Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

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18th Latin GRAMMY Performers: Víctor Manuelle, Vicente García & More

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Latest round of Latin GRAMMY performer and presenter announcements adds more talent to an already impressive lineup
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Nov 13, 2017 - 9:42 am

As we march closer to the Biggest Night in Latin Music, the performer and presenter news just keeps coming.

On Nov. 13, the Latin Recording Academy announced that current Latin GRAMMY nominees Alejandro Fernández, Los Macorinos and Rubén Blades have been added to the 18th Latin GRAMMY Awards performance lineup. The lineup will also feature special appearances by Diplo, Bomba Estéreo, Carlos Rivera, and Víctor Manuelle, as well as a special segment featuring Best New Artist Nominees Mau Y Ricky, Danay Suárez, Vicente García, and Sofía Reyes.

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18th Latin GRAMMY Awards: Who do you think voters will choose for Best New Artist?

The Latin Academy also revealed some spectacular special performance collaborations, including Juanes with Logic and Alessia Cara; Carlos Vives and Sebastián Yatra; J Balvin with Bad Bunny; French Montana and Steve Aoki; Lila Downs and Banda El Recodo De Cruz Lizárraga; and Bronco with Ha*Ash.

The diverse lineup of performers are joined by presenters Anavitória, Camila Cabello, Sofía Carson, Erika Ender, Flo Rida, Leslie Grace,  Maribel Guardia, Juan Luis Guerra, Rudy Mancuso, Debi Nova, Marco De La O, Alexandre Pires, Lele Pons, Miguel Ángel Silvestre, Olga Tañón, and Wilmer Valderrama, as well as Best New Artist nominees Martina "La Peligrosa" and Rosalía.

These presenters and performers join the previously announced lineup, including Bronco, Cnco, Lila Downs, Luis Fonsi, Ha*Ash, Nicky Jam, Mon Laferte, Natalia Lafourcade, Maluma, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Residente, Alejandro Sanz, and Flor De Toloache.

The Biggest Night in Latin Music will be hosted by Jaime Camil and Roselyn Sánchez.

Don't miss any of the action, and watch the 18th Latin GRAMMY Awards broadcast live from Las Vegas on Univision on Nov. 16 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

18th Latin GRAMMY Awards: Full Nominations List