The Latin music community is buzzing with excitement following a week of events leading up to the 25th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards. Held at Miami’s Kaseya Center on Nov. 14, the 2024 GRAMMYs showcased the best and the brightest in global Latin sounds.
In the lead-up to The Biggest Night In Latin Music, a series of festivities offered a rare glimpse into the heart of Latin music’s vibrant culture. Latin GRAMMY Week brought artists, producers, and fans together on star-studded red carpets and intimate industry events — each of which was electric with anticipation, celebration, and reflection.
Read more: 2024 Latin GRAMMYs: See The Full Winners & Nominations List
Continue celebrating 25 years of Latin Music excellence with a glimpse behind the scenes at some of the unforgettable moments that have made this week in Miami one to remember.
Leading Ladies Got Their Flowers
One of the first events of Latin GRAMMY week was the 8th edition of the Leading Ladies in Entertainment, a heartfelt celebration of women who have made significant contributions to the arts and entertainment world.
The event was hosted by Latin GRAMMY-nominated artist Becky G (who also performed at the 2024 Latin GRAMMYs) and was held inside inside the Loews Hotel. Portraits of honorees Ana Rosa Santiago, Vivir Quintana, Julieta Venegas and Diana Rodríguez were displayed on elegant arches draped in peach and gold. A warmth and intensity buzzed throughout the room, which was amplified by Becky G’s encouragement.
Each honoree’s speech reflected the event’s theme of elevating women and inspiring the next generation of female leaders. Quintana’s powerful speech shared sage wisdom with aspiring music professionals in the room. “You absolutely do not have to change anything about yourself. Just work on your talent, be who you are, and follow your inner compass always,” she told the crowd, sparking a standing ovation.
In a sweet touch to the already outstanding celebration, attendees were invited to create personalized bouquets. The gesture left honorees and guests alike feeling empowered and appreciated, with the evening both symbolically and quite literally giving everyone their flowers for their contributions to Latin music and culture.
Nominees “Swam” With The Big Fish
The Latin GRAMMY Awards do more than recognize artistic excellence — they invite nominees into a circle of industry peers who celebrate each other’s achievements. At the Latin GRAMMY Nominee Reception, this vibrant community bonded over a deep appreciation for the artistry, dedication, and hard work it takes to earn this peer-voted honor.
The crowd at the Frost Science Museum’s Ocean Gallery was a mix of first-time Latin GRAMMY nominees such as Latin Mafia and Carlos Rivera, international stars such as Alok, and recently-announced nominees for the 2025 GRAMMYs. Producers and collaborators who work with J Noa, Peso Pluma, Residente, Anitta and Kali Uchis were also in attendance. Guests represented a range of genres and disciplines: violinists, songwriters, DJs, salsa musicians, and even the singing clowns of Payasitas Nifu Nifa, who make children’s music, mingled energetically.
Nominees proudly donned their medallions, capturing this pivotal career moment on the red carpet and posing in front of a giant, golden GRAMMY. The reception featured a stunning aquarium view, and guests could watch the fish, sharks, and stingrays swimming peacefully above them and snapped more photos. The aquarium was a fitting scene: this year’s class of nominees certainly got here by making waves in the music industry.
The Future Sounded Bright As Rising Stars Hit The Stage
Held at Miami Beach’s Faena Forum and presented by Mastercard and Bank of America, the third annual Best New Artist Showcase brought an exciting spotlight to the future of Latin music. Over a performance-filled day, each of the seven Best New Artist nominees brought their unique flavor to the stage.
From Nicolle Horbath’s fresh popteño style to 13-year-old Kevin Aguilar’s heartfelt mariachi and corridos, every performance showcased a captivating fusion of genres. The crowd was especially energized when the three-piece girl group DARUMAS delivered an electrifying rock cover of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” getting everyone on their feet.
Other standout performances included Agris, Cacá Magalhães, Os Garotins, Íñigo Quintero, Sofi Saar, and Ela Taubert. Ultimately, it was Ela Taubert who took home the Latin GRAMMY on Thursday night, and she closed out the week with an emotional performance of her hit “¿Cómo Pasó?” alongside Joe Jonas at the 2024 Latin GRAMMYs.
This showcase not only highlighted the diverse talent shaping the future of Latin music but also gave attendees an unforgettable opportunity to experience the next generation of superstars up close.
Carlos Vives’ Life & Influence Was Fêted
The annual Latin GRAMMY Person Of The Year Year celebration honored Colombian artist and philanthropist Carlos Vives. The annual event drew a crowd of about 2,000 attendees to the Miami Beach Convention Center, including legends in Latin music and the next generation of stars.
Guests arrived in ornate attire, enjoying drinks and capturing memories with the Glambot’s interactive photo experience. Among the star-studded crowd were Camilo, Grupo Frontera, Rico Love, Aymee Nuviola, AleMor, and many more. The mayor of Miami also took the stage to offer a few heartfelt words of appreciation for Vives’ contributions.
The evening culminated in a historic moment when six previous Latin GRAMMY Person Of The Year honorees gathered to pay tribute to Vives, a powerful salute to his legacy and impact on the Latin music community. Onstage at the 2024 Latin GRAMMYs, Carlos Vives was saluted by 2023 MusiCares Person Of The Year Jon Bon Jovi.
Somos Familia
In collaboration with the Recording Academy’s Florida Chapter, Latin music producers and artists gathered to celebrate in true Miami fashion — with a party.
Attendees filled the venue’s balconies for the best views, while Latin GRAMMY nominees such as Cimafunk, Agris, Latin Mafia, and Trooko were spotted among the crowd. Guests danced and mingled to a mix of ’80s classics and rock, all delivered in a Spanglish blend that had the crowd singing along. But the night truly came alive during a series of energetic performances from the likes of five-time Latin GRAMMY winner Luis Fonsi, The Warning, and Bruses.
Prior to taking the stage, Fonsi and his bandmates shared a sweet moment. The group sang “Happy Birthday” and brought out a cake for their guitarist, exemplifying the tight-knit family bond that defines the Latin music community.
GRAMMY U Gained On The Ground Experience
Throughout the week, over 75 GRAMMY U members volunteered on the talent team escorting artists such as Gloria Estefan and DARUMAS.
Florida Chapter Member Amy Torres shared her experience: “My dream has always been to work in the Latin music industry so this is a dream come true. This week, I’ve seen a lot of artists I’ve admired growing up and made connections both within GRAMMY U and outside of the organization.”
Patience Murray, a non-student GRAMMY U Member and singer/songwriter based in Florida, described GRAMMY Week as a “mind-blowing experience.” “Being able to witness a music event of this caliber and magnitude felt like a once-in-a-lifetime manifestation exercise, and I’m grateful to have seen the stages I dream to one day perform on,” she said, adding that her favorite part of the week was connecting with other GRAMMY U members.
“I have gained so much respect for the talent teams who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that every show looks effortless and enjoyable for the fans,” Murray added.
2024 Latin GRAMMY Week was the definitive celebration of music’s power to connect and inspire. As Latin music cements its place on the global stage, it’s clear that these artists are not only shaping the future of the industry but also fostering a greater sense of shared identity that transcends borders.
