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The 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards kicked off at 7 p.m. ET with the traditional red carpet special, followed by the awards show at 8 p.m. Pedro Fernández, Maite Perroni, William Levy, and Gaby Espino hosted one of Latinx music biggest nights.
The star-studded show includes performances by our favorite artists, such as Camila Cabello, Joss Favela, Ana Bárbara, Carlos Rivera, Karol G, Banda MS, Lucy Vives, Maná, and many more.
© Getty ImagesCamila Cabello started the celebration by bringing Cuba to the stage; the singer and actress performed her new song, “Don’t Go Yet.”
The song is from her upcoming third studio album Familia. Cabello, Scott Harris, Eric Frederic, and Mike Sabbath wrote the music released on July 23, 2021. “Don’t Go Yet” is a Latin influenced, Latin pop, and tropical love song. Cabello also took the opportunity to include “Patria Vida,” a song by Yotuel, Gente De Zona, and Descemer Bueno, that has become an anthem for Cuban’s demanding freedom.
Bad Bunny’s “Dakiti,” with Jhay Cortez wins as Hot Latin Song of the year, while Prince Royce won the second award of the night. The Dominican descent star won Canción Tropical del Año (Tropical Song of the Year) for “Carita de Inocente.”
Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga and Christian Nodal performed the world premiere of their song “La Sinvergüenza.” Natti Natasha did the television premiere of her new single, “Noches en Miami.” Juanes later took the stage to sing the rock version of Grupo Niche’s hit “Rebelión.”
Carlos Rivera performed with Reik the world premiere of “Cuántas Veces.” Black Eyed Peas took the stage to present Maná with the Billboard Icon Award. The legendary band will performe the world premiere of their new single, a previously unreleased version of their classic: “El Reloj Cucú”, along with new vocal sensation Mabel.
As of this writing, Maná has been recognized with 24 Billboard Latin Music Awards and is a 2021 finalist for Latin Pop Artist of the Year, Duo or Group. Thirty-two of their songs made it to the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, and 10 of them were chart-toppers, including “Labios Compartidos” and “Lluvia al Corazón,” which spent eight consecutive weeks at No. 1.
Christian Nodal won Regional Mexican Artist of the Year and dedicated the award to his parents and “the love of his life,” Belinda.
Myke Towers continued the musical perfomances with a medley of “Pin Pin” and the world premiere of his new song “Experimento.”
“King of Merengue,” Dominican trumpeter, vocalist, arranger, composer and producer, Wilfrido Vargas took the stage to honor Johnny Ventura nicknamed “El Caballo Mayor.” The musician died at the age of 81 from a heart attack in Santiago, Dominican Republic, according to information confirmed by his son Jandy Ventura.
Karol G won Female Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, after competing against, Kali Uchis, Natti Natasha, Rosalía, and Selena Gomez. The Colombian singer dedicated the award to her country, her dad and all the female artists working hard to succeed.
Later, Guadalupe Pineda, Yuri, and Ana Bárbara commemorated the 5th anniversary of Juan Gabriel’s departure with a medley prepared by Eduardo Magallanes, including “Se Me Olvidó Otra Vez,” “Abrázame Muy Fuerte,” “Te Sigo Amando,” “Me Nace del Corazón” and “Amor Eterno.”
Rauw Alejandro sang his summer hit,“Todo de Ti,” rocking a rainbow-colored hair. Duo of reggaeton music producers, Los Legendarios won Latin Rhythm Duo/Group of the Year.
Carlos Vives continued the fiesta singing with his daughter Lucy Vives for the first time. The father/daughter duo were accompanied by Mau y Ricky in the song “Besos en Cualquier Horario.”
Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga won Duo/Group Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year. And Paquita la del Barrio celebrated her musical career that spans 50 years with the Trayectoria Artística Award. The star got emotional and thank her fans for the support. She later took the stage to sing “Rata de Dos Patas” and “El Consejo” with Ana Bárbara.
Karol G performed a medley of “El Makinon,” “Bichota,” “Ay, Dios Mío,” and “Tusa.” Myke Towers won New Artist of the Year, and suggested aspiring artists to follow their hearts. Marc Anthony kept the sandunga going and made attendees dance salsa with the television premiere of his song “Pa’lla Voy.” While Joss Favela performed a mariachi version of his new hit “Tu Adiós Como Tequila.”
Bad Bunny took home the award for Top Latin Album of the Year for his album YHLQMDLG (abbreviation of “Yo Hago Lo Que Me Da La Gana”, Spanish for “I Do Whatever I Want”). The album‘s music style is heavily influenced by “old-school” reggaeton, and features guest appearances from Daddy Yankee, Nesi, Yaviah, Ñengo Flow, Sech, Mora, Jowell & Randy, Anuel AA, Myke Towers, Kendo Kaponi, Arcángel, Duki and Pablo Chill-E.
Rauw Alejandro changed his outfit and return to the stage to perform “Loquita,” his new song, featuring Reik. Daddy Yankee perfomed his new song “Métele al perreo,” and received the Salón de la Fama Award. Nicky Jam performed “Miami,” and then, Black Eyed Peas and Ozuna won Cancion Latin Pop del Año for “Mamacita.”
Rosalía performed her new song “Linda” with Dominican artist, Tokischa. Prince Royce also performed “Lao a Lao.”
Presenters included Adamari López, Miss Universe and Latina Powerhouse 2021 Andrea Meza, Anitta, Black Eyed Peas, Carolina Miranda, Chiquis, Cristián de la Fuente, Damian Priest, El Fantasma, Elizabeth Gutierrez, Greeicy, Jacky Bracamontes, Julio Vaqueiro, Los Dos Carnales, Luis Figueroa, Mariana Seoane, Michel Duval, Mike Bahía, Rodrigo Garduño, Sofía Reyes, Tainy, and Wilfrido Vargas.
Bad Bunny won Latin Artist of the year. He received the most nominations with 22 across 13 categories, including artist of the year, songwriter of the year, and Hot Latin Songs artist of the year. Maluma, J Balvin, Anuel AA, and Black Eyed Peas follow as other top nominees. A full list of nominees can be found here. Jhay Cortez closed the ceremony with his song “En Mi Cuarto.”
The Billboard Latin Music Awards airs live on Telemundo and Universo in the United States. It will also be available to stream on fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTubeTV, each offering 7-day free trials if you are a new user. These apps are available on Amazon Fire, Apple and Android devices, Apple TV, Chromecast, PlayStation, Roku, Xbox, and more.
