
Latin Grammys bosses defended this year’s Latin Grammy nominations following social media attacks from urban acts who were shut out of the major categories.
Daddy Yankee (pictured above) and J Balvin led the backlash following the announcement of the nominations on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Critics claimed the Latin Recording Academy voters favored Latin artists for the top prizes, while ignoring urban artists.
These artists weren’t included in the Record of the Year, Song of the Year, or Album of the Year categories – despite the fact they dominated streaming services over the last year.

Balvin (pictured) wrote, in Spanish, “Without reggaeton, there are no Latin Grammys.”
While Daddy Yankee added:
“Despite being nominated, I don’t agree with the way they treated the genre and a lot of my colleagues. Remember one very important thing: Their platform was not the one that created this movement. This goes beyond a prize. This is culture, credibility, relevance, and RESPECT.”
Latin Recording Academy bosses released a statement on Wednesday, denying the allegations:
“We respect and admire all the genres that compose the world of Latin music. In 2004, The Latin Recording Academy led the charge for recognizing reggaeton (urban) in several categories, adapting to the evolution of music. The Latin Recording Academy has followed a strict voting process for the past 20 years. The members, through their votes, select what they believe merits a nomination.
“The Academy has never influenced their decisions, have always honored, and respected their elections, even if there are people who do not agree with the results. Nevertheless, we hear the frustration and discontent. We invite the leaders of the urban community to get involved with the Academy, to get involved with the process, and to get involved with discussions that improve the Academy. At its core, The Latin Recording Academy belongs to its members, from all genres, and our doors are always open. Together we can all make it work. Let’s do it!”
The Latin Grammys will take place in November.
Whet Auntie? Don’t nobody in here watch no Latin Grammys lady…..
Not shocked. Happens at the regular Grammy’s. Keep yall head up and keep making good music.
Maybe I’ll care if they do the same at the black grammies
Why do people keep wanting the validation from these award shows when everyone knows it’s not legit. You can buy your grammy award if you are a big enough star. In Britain they are talking about not doing genders anymore, aka Best Male, Best Female, because singer Sam Smith said he will not attend if they don’t change it to non-binary to do away with gender. The Brits are considering it for next year because of one guy who’s may or may not be a hit next year. Remember, you’re only as hot as your last hit. The fact that Britain is even considering this is a sign of how weak and flexible these award shows are. The awards mean nothing more than bragging rights to the star’s family, friends, and fans. It used to mean that if you got a grammy your record sales would go up, but since everything is streaming, it doesn’t really change things, so stop begging the grammys for THEIR bs award and validation
I’m trying to figure out if I should care about this. When we say urban are we referring to Afro Latinas/Latinos or appropriating regular ones that exploit the music and discriminate against the Black Spanish.
Nevermind, Idc.
Your so right …. Please say it louder for the ones in the back!!!
The layers in this comment. ??????
Thanks, I will.
Without Black people there’d be no “reggaeton”. Their community is so silly. I guess they think we’ve just been making this stuff up and now they have something to say whereas they previously and always will rather side with whites. These Spanish speaking white people are just like white people everywhere, stealing sounds, genre, music, dance styles etc from Black people. On top of most Latinos being the most hateful and racist towards Afro anything. While you feel for inclusion you’re the same ones benefiting from the art form of the Afro Latinos in your community.
I cant stand reggaeton!!!!!
Back in the day if I heard “gasolina” again I was going to go insane.
English Grammys include a Latin category. If the Latin Grammys don’t have an R&B category, or English speaking hip-hop category, then I don’t give a hoot about this story…
That part
The latin grammys never gave a f about urban latin music though this aint new. Idfw reggaeton either tbh its heaux music to me ????
Okay now Im hella confused. I go and do the homework. They have both either won or been nominated before for Best Urban Music Album. Wtf do yall want? Daddy Yankee has been nominated the most times overall.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_Grammy_Award_for_Best_Urban_Music_Album
I think they’re trying to advocate for blacks, essentially. Daddy Yankee is right though, Latin artists were greatly influenced by Reggaeton (black) artists ?????
Folks just come out looking ANY ole kind of way https://media2.giphy.com/media/fijOwz6877l6NJhvHG/giphy.gif
Don’t care. Some Dominican coon recently went on the Breakfast Club and Charlamagne asked him if Haitians were dark-skinned Dominicans and he got offended. The racial hatred of Latin artist is no secret. But they’ll use us as a feature (like Camilla Cabello) or steal our style. ALL of the great Latin artists are Afro Latino. Joe Arroyo, Celia Cruz, to name a few. Cry me a river. And Baby Yankee’s Trump supporting self can have several seats.
So because J Lo. Blasphemized the MoTown tribute, now you’re urban? FOH!!!!
Does praise dance in their river of tears.
Soca, Zouk, Calypso > Reggaeton
God, I love my people.
“keep making good music” Name one song besides Despacito….I’ll wait.
What is a Black Spanish?
I do!
African descendants in Spanish Speaking countries who are overlooked for their contributions, as always.
Blacks may have created the foundation for different forms of music. But Black people don’t own any genre of music. Music is for everyone.
I thought Blacks did not like being put in the R&B category.
Well damn…lol
I do too
We all know why: they’re sound is too black LOL. Anything with “urban” in its title is a clear indicator.
Why is it perfectly fine for others to claim cultural relevance but when Black people do it there’s an expectation to share. That’s our music. Created by our ancestors. Rooted from Afro beat, rhythm and soul.
I am Cuban I don’t call myself a Black Spanish.
hispanic media hates dark people. most of the people you see on hispanic shows are Albanians. on news shows you arent allowed to talk about dark people.
you maybe be a european cuban. you know one of the europeans that moved to cuba in the 1900s. you would be more european than native cuban.