STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
The biggest winner at the Latin Grammy Awards was an artist who has dominated the conversation about pop music all year.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "BAILE INOLVIDABLE")
BAD BUNNY: (Singing in non-English language).
INSKEEP: Leila and I are kind of dancing in the studio here. Bad Buddy took home album of the year last night. NPR's Anamaria Sayre was at the awards in Las Vegas, which means she is up ridiculously early. Good morning.
ANAMARIA SAYRE, BYLINE: (Laughter) Good morning, Steve. Good to be here.
INSKEEP: OK. I'm glad you're with us. You know I've been listening to this album, "DeB脥 TiRAR M谩S FOToS" - I should have taken more photos. I love the title. But what's it about?
SAYRE: You know, it's really a coming-home album for Benito. It's set the tone for an entire year of Latin music, and it's basically him saying, everyone stay committed to where you're from. Specifically, in his case, it's Puerto Rico. But generally, it's about fighting for your home in spite of any forces that might be there trying to take it away.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "DTMF")
BAD BUNNY: (Singing in non-English language).
SAYRE: Now, Steve, it's really important to note that this album came out in January, and it has managed to sustain and inform conversations across Latin America around cultural changes in the music. It's also a huge turning point for him, this win that he had last night. I mean, he's arguably one of the biggest artists in Latin America, and maybe in the world right now. He's been one of the three most-streamed artists on Spotify for each of the last five years, to...
INSKEEP: Wow.
SAYRE: ...Give you the picture. But before this year, he'd only taken home trophies in the rap and urban categories at the Latin Grammys. So this was the first time he took something home in one of the big categories. He said something in his acceptance speech that I think really gets at the core of his project and a major trend that's been happening, especially this year in Latin music.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
BAD BUNNY: (Non-English language spoken).
SAYRE: He said that he wants to dedicate this award to all of the young people in all of Latin America, but especially those in Puerto Rico. He goes on to say, never forget where you're from. This has been his message all year, and it's become a rallying cry, really, for all of Latin America. It's something that's really changing the way people see the music and each other.
INSKEEP: Yeah. And, of course, it's - there's a political undertone, given some of the other news this year. What are some of the other winners in the major categories last night?
SAYRE: Well, we saw Karol G - someone who is a well-known artist - take home song of the year, alongside her co-writer Edgar Barrera, who has basically been one of the most decorated Latin Grammy recipients in the last few years. Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz also won record of the year. These are the awards that kind of went to the usual suspects, but there were a lot of really exciting things that happened down the ballot.
INSKEEP: Such as what?
SAYRE: Well, two artists I absolutely have to mention, and they were also the best performances of the night, Argentine duo Ca7riel y Paco. They continued to build major energy, like they have all year long. They took home awards for best pop song and best alternative music album. I would play you some music, Steve. It's pretty profane. But what...
INSKEEP: Darn.
SAYRE: ...You need to know (laughter) is that they have this incredible magnetic energy. The other person I have to mention is Afro Brazilian singer Liniker. Now, it's really important that she was nominated because typically Portuguese artists stay in the Portuguese category, but she was nominated for album record and song of the year.
INSKEEP: Yet another breakout. Anamaria Sayre in Las Vegas. Thanks so much.
SAYRE: Thank you.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "VELUDO MARROM")
LINIKER: (Singing in non-English language). Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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