The Latin Recording Academy honored six performers on Monday, November 9, in Las Vegas, recognizing their contributions to Latin music over long careers.
Honorees
- Alaska (Spanish-Mexican singer), Lifetime Achievement Award
- Francisco Céspedes (Cuban-Mexican musician), Lifetime Achievement Award
- Lila Downs (Mexican singer-songwriter), Lifetime Achievement Award
- Daniela Mercury (Brazilian artist), Lifetime Achievement Award
- Chichí Peralta (Dominican singer-songwriter), Lifetime Achievement Award
- Omar Alfanno (Panamanian hitmaker), Trustees Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to Latin music, not necessarily through performance
Latin Recording Academy CEO Manuel Abud opened the ceremony by paying tribute to the honorees and the mark they have left on Latin culture. Dominican merengue singer Milly Quezada hosted the event, and Erika Ender was one of the presenters.
Selected remarks
Alaska described herself as a rare artist who is difficult to classify, with one foot in the mainstream and the other in the underground. Omar Alfanno told songwriters that “there is no singer without a songwriter.” Lila Downs, speaking with tears and a trembling voice, thanked Oaxaca and Mexico. Daniela Mercury said her music “stands against discrimination and in favor of joy and the rights of the LGBT community.” Chichí Peralta spoke about the human essence of creativity, calling the capacity to feel, imagine and transform experiences into art “profoundly human.”
Upcoming gala
The 2026 Latin Grammy Awards gala will take place Thursday, November 12, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, and will be broadcast live on Univision at 8 p.m. ET.
See Latin Grammy Awards live
Upcoming Latin Grammy Awards events with tickets available:
- Nov 12, 2026 — MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada · Get tickets
Tickets are sold by GetUrTix. Code GTIX20 takes 20% off the ticket price at checkout — no minimum, no expiry.
Source: Billboard
