Snubs & Surprises at 2024 Latin Grammy Awards

 The 2024 Latin Grammys were filled with surprises, snubs, and memorable wins. The top categories were particularly unpredictable, with some big names like Shakira and Kali Uchis missing out on expected victories.

Notable Wins and Surprises:

• Juan Luis Guerra was the biggest winner of the night, taking home four awards, including Album of the Year for Radio Güira and Record of the Year for "Mambo 23." His mambo with merengue influences triumphed over other strong contenders like Karol G's "Mi Ex Tenía Razón" and Kali Uchis & Peso Pluma's "Igual Que Un Ángel." Guerra's "Mambo 23" topped Billboard's Tropical Airplay last year, cementing its place as a fan favorite.

• Jorge Drexler, known for his Grammy success, won Song of the Year for "Derrumbe" and Best Singer-Songwriter Song. Despite his consistent wins, Drexler expressed surprise at the recognition, dedicating his win to his late father.

• Ela Taubert won Best New Artist, a category where the competition was fierce, beating out other notable nominees like Latin Mafia and Íñigo Quintero. Taubert’s victory continues the trend of artists emerging from Julio Reyes Copello’s Art House Academy.

• Rawayana, a Venezuelan group, surprised many by winning Best Pop Song for "Feriado," beating out favorites like Kali Uchis and Peso Pluma's "Igual Que Un Ángel." This win marked a long-awaited recognition for Rawayana, adding a refreshing breeze to the Latin Grammy night.

• Kali Uchis was a major snub, especially with her critically acclaimed album Orquídeas, which was expected to win Best Pop Vocal Album. Despite her commercial success and No. 1 hits, she lost in this category, and her album was also overlooked for Album of the Year, where it lost to Guerra’s Radio Güira.

Shocking Losses:

• Shakira’s comeback album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, was notably snubbed. Despite being a front-runner for Album of the Year, Shakira's project lost to Guerra’s Radio Güira. The album, marking her first in seven years, contained hits like "TQG" and "Te Felicito," and she had a successful stadium tour in the U.S., making her absence from the awards even more pronounced.

Key Takeaways:

• The 2024 Latin Grammys showcased both established stars and emerging talent, with Juan Luis Guerra, Jorge Drexler, and Ela Taubert dominating the night.

• Kali Uchis and Shakira were among the biggest snubs, despite being strong contenders in various categories.

• Rawayana’s win in Best Pop Song was one of the biggest surprises, offering a pleasant shock to many music fans.

These wins and losses reflect the ever-evolving landscape of Latin music, where expectations are often defied, and new stars are constantly rising.