meta-scriptNew Field & Two Categories Added For The 2025 Latin GRAMMYs: Best Music For Visual Media & Best Roots Song | GRAMMY.com
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New Field & Two Categories Added For The 2025 Latin GRAMMYs: Best Music For Visual Media & Best Roots Song

The Latin Recording Academy announces updates to the 2025 Latin GRAMMYs, including the introduction of a new Visual Media Field, a category honoring Best Roots Song, and revisions across multiple categories to reflect today’s evolving music landscape.

GRAMMYs/Mar 19, 2025 - 01:00 pm

As part of The Latin Recording Academy’s commitment to evolve with the ever-changing musical landscape, and to best serve its membership body of music creators and professionals, several changes, including a new field and two categories, have been added to the 2025 Latin GRAMMYs, officially known as the 26th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards.

New Field & Category

FIELD: VISUAL MEDIA

CATEGORY: BEST MUSIC FOR VISUAL MEDIA

The category of Music for Visual Media recognizes original music created to accompany and enrich the storyline of movies, television series, video games and other visual media.

This includes music that, through its creativity and originality, significantly enriches the narrative and atmosphere of movies, series, documentaries, video games, and other visual media, elevating the viewer's experience. For a project to participate in this category, it must: A) feature Latin rhythms recognized as genres participating in the annual Latin GRAMMY awards; or B) be composed by someone of Ibero-American descent. A fundamental condition is that the music be original and created specifically for the visual media project. To qualify, the total duration of the production must be at least 15 minutes of the original music and not different versions of it, and it can include songs with lyrics and vocals in Spanish, Portuguese, and/or regional dialects, or it can be instrumental. The statuette is presented to: Composer(s) and Artist(s) with significant contributions, Producer(s), Arranger(s), Recording Engineer(s) and Mixing Engineer(s) for 51 percent or more of the total recording time of the album.

New Category

CATEGORY: BEST ROOTS SONG – SINGLES OR TRACKS ONLY (TRADITIONAL FIELD)

This award is given to the songwriters of new, unpublished recordings, both vocal and instrumental, that reflect the traditions and roots of various communities, cultures, or social groups, especially those of Hispanic American origin, whether in Spanish, Portuguese or in indigenous languages or dialects. Eligible genres include tango, folk, flamenco, and other traditional subgenres, excluding tropical music and its derivatives, and must be in Spanish, Portuguese or in indigenous languages or dialects. If another language is included, the recording must contain at least 60 percent of its lyrics in Spanish, Portuguese or in an indigenous language, be completely original, and have been released during the current eligibility period. The recording can be part of an album (tracks) or presented as a single. Covers, remixes, and recordings that use interpolation or samples from other previously released recordings will not be considered.  The award is given to the songwriter(s), and Special Certificates (Publisher’s Certificates) are awarded to the music publishers.

Additional Category Amendments

CATEGORY NAME CHANGES:

  • Best Pop Vocal Album category will now be named Best Contemporary Pop Album (Pop Field).

  • Best Urban Fusion/Performance category will now be named Best Urban/Urban Fusion Performance (Urban Field).

  • Best Latin Children’s Album category will now be named Best Children’s Album (Children’s Field).

AMENDMENT TO CATEGORY NAMES WITHIN THE POP FIELD:

The Pop Field is eliminating the word "Vocal" from the categories within its field, therefore, the album categories names will be as follows:

  • Best Contemporary Pop Album 

  • Best Traditional Pop Album

AMENDMENT TO ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

Eligibility criteria was updated in the Best Urban/Urban Fusion Performance category (Urban Field):

  • Remixes are eligible only if the original version of the song was released within the same eligibility year.

  • The required percentage of urban elements is increasing from 51 percent to 60 percent to qualify in this category.

NEW SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

The Songwriter of the Year category reduced the minimum song threshold from six songs to four. Songwriters with a minimum of four (4) newly written songs will be credited as a songwriter or co-writer, provided they are not also the performer, producer or engineer. 

NEW VIDEO ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

Best Long Form Music Video Category (Music Video Field)

Eligible videos in the Best Long Form Music Video category must have a minimum duration of 12 minutes. Additional eligibility criteria: the duration of the credits will not be counted as part of the video's length unless they contribute to the creative process.

AMENDMENT TO THE SCREENING AND VOTING PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCER OF THE YEAR CATEGORY:

The Producer of the Year category (Production Field), recognized as a craft category, will now be screened and voted on by a specialized committee in addition to the membership screening and voting process. 

Online Entry Process: New Guidelines For Submissions 

REQUIRED INFORMATION

For each entry in the Online Entry Process, the entrant is required to provide the recording date, the UPC or the ISRC number for the recording being submitted for Latin GRAMMY consideration.

STREAMING LINKS

The entrant must provide at least two (2) streaming links, ensuring that the links direct to the specific recording and not to the artist's page.

ENTRY FEES

The Latin Recording Academy has decided to implement the following fee structure:

MEMBERS

The Per-entry fee structure encourages submitters to carefully evaluate the value of each entry and prioritize work they truly believe is worthy of recognition. Under this model, all Associate and Voting Members receive five (5) complimentary entries annually. Starting with the 6th entry members will pay $20 USD per additional entry.

RECORD LABELS

Record labels are currently required to pay a $500 fee to submit entries, with such fee varying based on the timing of the submission, as outlined below: 

THE LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY FEE SCHEDULE:

EARLY ENTRY PRICING STANDARD PRICING
April 1 - April 30 May 1 - May 30
Members $20 (after 5 courtesy entries) $20 (after 5 courtesy entries)
Record Labels $500 $1,000

All updates go into effect immediately for the upcoming 26th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards taking place in November 2025. To view this year’s Awards calendar, visit https://www.latingrammy.com/en/awards/calendar.

A graphic promoting the Recording Academy's celebration of Music In Our Schools Month. The graphic features a photo of a students with instruments in a classroom. The words "March Is" are written in red font and "Music In Our Schools Month" in white.
The Grammy organization is celebrating Music In Our Schools Month this March. The organization provides year-round learning, networking, and professional development opportunities through curated programming, immersive initiatives, mentorship and scholarship programs, and advocacy.

Graphic Courtesy of The Grammy Organization

List

6 Ways The Grammy Organization Champions Music Education & Professional Development Year-Round

From mentorships and scholarships to immersive programming, here's how the Grammy organization supports working professionals and emerging creatives through year-round music education and professional development.

GRAMMYs/Mar 12, 2026 - 10:04 pm

During her acceptance speech at the 2026 Grammys, Laufey delivered one of the most inspiring calls to action in Grammy history. Accepting the Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for A Matter Of Time, the Icelandic singer/songwriter gave a massive thanks to all the music educators around the world.

"I owe everything to my music education, to my arts education," she passionately said from the Grammy stage. "We cannot cut arts funding. It's so important. What you all do here is so important."

Much like Laufey, the Grammy organization strongly champions the power of music education and professional development. To mark Music In Our Schools Month this March, the organization that provides year-round learning, networking, and professional development is spotlighting the life-changing impact of music learning, honoring music educators, and elevating the next generation of creators and industry professionals through curated programs and immersive initiatives. The organization's commitment to music education supports the entire music ecosystem — from classroom to career — and ensures emerging leaders are prepared to shape the future of music.

"For me, both music education and professional development are the same: It all points to continuing education," Dr. Chelsey Green, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Recording Academy, told the Grammy organization in an exclusive interview for the Gramophone newsletter. "Staying on top of your development is the holistic education needed to be as rounded and healthy as an artist as you can, especially as so many independent artists are emerging and sustaining their careers independently."

Here are six essential ways the Grammy organization and its affiliates support working professionals and emerging artists and leaders through year-round music education and professional development.

Investing In The Next Generation Through Mentorship & Career Access

The Grammy organization provides access to mentorship programs, internships, workshops, scholarships, and networking opportunities to ensure that music's next biggest stars and industry leaders are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and networks they need to thrive.

Grammy U & The Grammy U Mentorship Program

Grammy U is the Grammy organization's premier membership program for the emerging music community, designed to help aspiring creators and professionals launch their careers. One of its flagship initiatives, the annual Grammy U Mentorship Program Presented by Amazon Music connects eligible Grammy U members with Recording Academy members for a six-month mentorship session, during which participants build relationships that often extend well beyond the program, with some mentees landing their first industry roles through the Grammy U Mentorship Program.

In celebration of Music In Our Schools Month, the Grammy U Mentorship Program will continue to host virtual programming for mentees this month, as well as Grammy U Mentorship Mixers across Chapters nationwide.

Leading Ladies of Entertainment Mentorship Program & Symposium

Created by the Latin Recording Academy in 2016, the Leading Ladies of Entertainment initiative bridges the gender gap in the music industry by honoring influential women and empowering future leaders. Paying-it-forward and forging opportunities for future generations is a core pillar of this initiative, and in 2021, the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation established its Mentorship Program, where  past honorees and industry professionals provide personalized guidance to selected mentees over three months, offering insights into entrepreneurship, branding, career navigation, and leadership. Applications for the fifth cohort of the Leading Ladies of Entertainment Mentorship Program are open now through Monday, April 6.

In March 2026, the initiative launched its inaugural Leading Ladies of Entertainment Symposium, an inspiring, all-day gathering focused on mentorship, leadership, networking, and the advancement of women in music.

Opening Doors Through Scholarships & Financial Support

The Grammy organization actively works to remove barriers to opportunity via its various scholarship programs, which ensure talented students can pursue their dreams without financial limitations standing in the way.

Your Future Is Now

Presented by Amazon Music and the Recording Academy's Black Music Collective (BMC), the Your Future Is Now scholarship program awards scholarships and hands-on, immersive professional development experiences to students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The program will return for its fifth year in 2026.

Quinn Coleman Memorial Scholarship

Established in 2021 in honor of late music executive and DJ Quinn Coleman, the Quinn Coleman Memorial Scholarship, presented by the Grammy organization and Grammy Museum, provides professional development and resources that prepare students for full-time careers in music; resources include scholarships, stipends, wellness seminars, and internship opportunities at the Recording Academy or Latin Recording Academy.

Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation Scholarships

The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation is a global champion of music education and empowers communities through Latin music and culture. For over a decade, the Foundation has fostered the next generation of Latin music creators through scholarships, education programs and grants that advance Latin music, such as:

  • The Prodigy Scholarship, also known as the 2026 Noel Schajris Scholarship, which offers financial support toward a bachelor's degree at Berklee College of Music for the 2026 fall semester

  • Gifted Tuition Scholarships awarded to students to cover tuition and housing costs, as well as wrap-around services provided by the Foundation, toward a four-year bachelor's degree at the institution of their choice

  • Several Tuition Assistance Scholarships, which offer financial support to students pursuing or starting a degree in music in the 2026 fall semester

Learn more about and apply to the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation scholarship programs.

Immersive Learning: Real-World Industry Experiences

Professional development comes alive when students and rising professionals step into real music spaces and attain real-world experiences from working artists and executives. Here are a few examples the Grammy organization provides:

Grammy Camp

The music industry's only summer camp dedicated to delivering direct, real-world insight from working music makers, Grammy Camp is a national summer program for high school students. Led by Grammy winners, Grammy nominees, and music industry professionals, the program provides hands-on training and insider access across multiple disciplines — from performance and songwriting to production and music business.

Presented by the Grammy Museum, Grammy Camp is expanding to four U.S. cities for the 2026 summer season: Nashville, Miami, Los Angeles, and New York City.

Grammy In The Schools

The Grammy Museum's Grammy In The Schools program is a regional music industry career day, presented in partnership with a local Recording Academy Chapter, that provides insight to high school students about diverse career options in the music industry and direction on how to prepare for them.

The Grammy In The Schools Music Industry Career Day program connects high school students with Grammy winners, Grammy nominees, and working professionals across disciplines, offering candid conversations about what it takes to build a sustainable career in music. The program also features keynote panels as well as hands-on, interactive workshops where students can learn about producing a track, writing a song, and navigating the industry.

For Music In Our Schools Month, Grammy In The Schools 2026, in partnership with the Recording Academy's New York Chapter, heads to New Haven, Connecticut, this month for a day of hands-on learning and interactive sessions.

Professional Development & Networking At Every Stage

The Grammy organization prioritizes professional development for its members, as well as the creative community and the music industry at large, throughout the year, providing hands-on access to career pathways across the industry and helping emerging professionals build the networks and skills that shape long-term careers.

The Los Angeles Chapter's NEXT Class program, founded in 2014, provides real-life experiences and mentorship and networking opportunities for emerging Recording Academy members as they begin their paths as future leaders of the music industry.

The monthly Level Up series, one of the Grammy organization's many exclusive membership programs, engages Recording Academy members through purposeful programming focused on professional development and member networking. For Music In Our Schools Month, the Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Chapters will collaboratively host a special edition of Level Up featuring Education Committee Members discussing music and health spaces.

In 2024, the Grammy organization established the Music Education & Professional Development Committee (MEPD), a hub to centralize its efforts and facilitate collaboration regarding education and professional development initiatives across the Recording Academy and its affiliates. Currently led by Co-Chairs and industry executives Nikisha Bailey and Riggs Morales, the MEPD Committee amplifies the organization's mentorship and education initiatives for its collective +29,000 members across its Chapters, Wings and affiliates, including Grammy U, the Grammy Museum, MusiCares, the Latin Recording Academy, and the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation. The MEPD Committee includes Recording Academy members from across the country and activates locally at each of the Academy's 12 Chapters and on a national level.

Honoring The Educators Who Inspire The Next Generation

Every year, the Grammy organization proudly celebrates music educators through awards that spotlight the changemakers shaping the future of music and ensuring the impact and longevity of music education in the classroom.

Music Educator Award

Presented by the Recording Academy and the Grammy Museum, the Music Educator Award honors current educators who have made a significant contribution to music education while demonstrating a deep commitment to ensuring music education remains a vital part of school communities.

Jennifer Jimenez, of South Miami Senior High School in Miami, Florida, received the 2026 Music Educator Award; she was honored at the annual Special Merit Awards ceremony in January during Grammy Week 2026.

Applications for the 2027 Music Educator Award are now open. Nominations are due March 15, 2026. Applications are due March 31, 2026.

Latin Music Educator Award

In 2025, the Latin Recording Academy, in partnership with the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, launched the Latin Music Educator Award to honor educators from the global music community who are making a significant impact by incorporating Latin music into their curriculum.

Luciana Ortega, of the Instituto Santa María de San Carlos in Chile, was honored with the inaugural Latin Music Educator Award during Latin Grammy Week 2025 last November.

The Impact Of Music Education: By The Numbers

The Grammy organization's commitment to music education and professional development is reflected not only in its programs, but in the thousands of lives they impact every year. Here's a look at the organization's impact on music education and professional development by the numbers:

Grammy Museum (in the last year alone)

  • 18,000: Number of K-12 students who attended a workshop, field trip, or program at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles

  • +38,000: Number of students and teachers who were impacted by 446 music education programs and initiatives at the Grammy Museum and across the country

  • $200,000: The amount awarded in grants for music research and sound preservation by the Grammy Museum

  • In 2025, the Grammy Museum announced free youth admission (17 and under), generously underwritten by the Stengaard Gross Family Education Initiative

Grammy U

  • +8,000: The amount of Grammy U members worldwide

  • +2,000: Participants in the current Grammy U Mentorship Program Presented by Amazon Music

  • +130: Programs in 2025

  • 700: Schools with members represented in Grammy U

Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation

  • +$15 million: The amount the Foundation has awarded to students, schools, music programs, musicologists, and researchers from around the world to date

  • New programs launched by the Foundation in 2025

    • Leading Ladies of Entertainment Fireside Chat  

    • Emerging Talent Spotlight  

    • Latin Grammy In The Schools Learning Session and After School

A photo of Kendrick Lamar and SZA winning the Grammy for Record Of The Year at the 2026 Grammys. In the photo are (L-R) Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, Cher, Kendrick Lamar, Scott Bridgeway, Kamasi Washington, and SZA.
Kendrick Lamar and SZA win the Grammy for Record Of The Year at the 2026 Grammys on Sunday, Feb. 1, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. (L-R) Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, Cher, Kendrick Lamar, Scott Bridgeway, Kamasi Washington, and SZA.

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Acceptance Speech|List

9 Powerful Acceptance Speeches From The 2026 Grammys: Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga & More

From pro-immigrant statements to vocal support for women in music, these moving acceptance speeches from the 2026 Grammys reflected the moments defining music and culture today.

GRAMMYs/Mar 1, 2026 - 01:49 am

At the 2026 Grammys, winning artists took to the stage with much more than gratitude on their minds. Grammy winners such as Lady Gaga and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Cher supported rising artists, particularly women in the music industry. Kendrick Lamar deflected from his own victories to pay tribute to Luther Vandross, namesake of his Record-Of-The-Year-winning tune, and the hip-hop community at large.

In particular, many artists reacted to the ongoing campaign of deportations and anti-immigrant violence happening across the U.S. Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish and Olivia Dean all spoke movingly in support of immigrants, while many other artists wore "ICE OUT" pins.

Below, revisit some of the most moving acceptance speeches from the 2026 Grammys.

Watch all the 2026 Grammys acceptance speeches in full.

Kendrick Lamar Makes Rap History & Shouts Out The Hip-Hop Community

After dominating the 2025 Grammys with "Not Like Us," Kendrick Lamar took home five Grammys this year and became the rapper with the most Grammy wins ever. After winning three Grammys earlier in the day during the 2026 Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony, the Los Angeles artist won the first Grammy Award of the telecast for Best Rap Album for GNX. With this Grammy win, he topped JAY-Z's 25 wins to snatch the record for most Grammys won by a rapper.

"Every time I tell you this: Hip-hop is gonna always be right here," Lamar said in his Grammy acceptance speech, dedicating his win to the hip-hop movement. "We gonna be in these suits, we gonna be looking good, we gonna be having our folks with us, we're gonna be having the culture with us."

Kendrick also shouted out Clipse, with whom he won Best Rap Performance earlier in the day for their track "Chains & Whips." He would return to the stage once more before the end of the night to take home the Grammy for Record of the Year for his song "luther" with SZA, bringing his career total to 27 Grammy wins.

Bad Bunny Stands Up For Immigrants

Of the many statements made in support of immigrants at the 2026 Grammys, few felt more powerful and resonant than Bad Bunny's, who twice spoke on the issue on the Grammy stage. Accepting the Grammy for Best Música Urbana Album for DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, the Puerto Rican superstar front-loaded his acceptance speech with a rebuke of the dehumanizing rhetoric faced by immigrants, especially Latin Americans such as himself.

"Before I say thanks to God, I'm gonna say: ICE out," he declared. "We're not savage, we're not animals, we're not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans."

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Later that night, after winning the Grammy for Album of the Year, a visibly shocked and overwhelmed Bad Bunny returned to the stage to deliver another Grammy acceptance speech, though this time mostly in Spanish. It was an appropriate move considering the history-making album is the first non-English-language album to ever win the Grammy for Album Of The Year. But given his stunned reaction, Bad Bunny may have just been too emotional to so quickly translate most of his thoughts. But in a fitting move, he dedicated his Grammy win to "all the people who had to leave their homeland, their country, to follow their dreams."

Olivia Dean Tearfully Takes Best New Artist

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"I never imagined I'd be up here, let alone nominated," Olivia Dean said as she tearfully accepted the Grammy for Best New Artist. Having just performed her U.K. chart-topping single "Man I Need" on the Grammy stage, the British singer used her platform to speak out in support of immigrants, including her own grandmother, who immigrated to the U.K. from Guyana as part of the Windrush generation.

"I'm up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant," Dean said. "I'm a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated."

Lady Gaga Supports Women In Music

As well-known as she is for awards-show spectacles – Remember the meat dress? – Lady Gaga kept things (mostly) low-key and earnest. Following a dynamic performance of "Abracadabra," she returned to the stage to accept the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album for MAYHEM.

Thanking her fiancé, Michael Polansky, and her collaborators, including Cirkut, who won the Grammy for Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical winner, and Gessaffelstein, the latter of whom won the Grammy for Best Remixed Recording for his remix of "Abracadabra," Lady Gaga offered some encouraging words for women in the music industry.

"When you're in the studio with a bunch of guys, it can be hard," she said. "Always listen to yourself and always fight for your ideas, fight for your songs, fight for yourself as a producer."

"Abracadabra" also won the Grammy for Best Dance Pop Recording, bringing her total career Grammy wins to 16.

Lola Young Swears She Didn't Expect Grammy Win

Though Lola Young certainly had stiff competition in the Best Pop Solo Performance Category, including veterans such as Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga, nobody was more shocked at her Grammy win in than Young herself. The singer, also nominated for Best New Artist, had just wrapped an emotional piano rendition of her track "Messy" earlier in the evening, one of her first live performances in four months following a health scare.

"I don't have any speech prepared," a visibly shocked Young said. "I don't know what to say. Thank you so much!" Utterly overwhelmed and searching for words, Young dropped a few less-than-TV-appropriate words before thanking her friends and mother and fleeing the stage while in a state of pure ecstasy.

Billie Eilish Gets Serious During Song Of The Year Speech

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Winning the Grammy for Song of the Year for "WILDFLOWER," her 10th Grammy, didn't seem to weigh heavily on Billie Eilish's mind as she took the stage to accept the award. Flanked by her brother and creative partner FINNEAS, both wearing "ICE OUT" pins, as were many of the other attendees, the pop star weighed in on the current anti-immigration policies being carried out in the U.S.

"No one is illegal on stolen land," Eilish said. "It's just really hard to know what to say and what to do right now … I feel really hopeful in this room, and I feel like we just need to keep fighting and speaking up and protesting, and our voices really do matter, and the people matter."

The more serious tone of the speech contrasted with Eilish's previous wins, but it felt more than appropriate given the current climate.

Cher's Audacious Return To The Grammy Stage

Cher is always a class act. With dozens of hits across a decades-spanning career, she earned the Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award deservedly. Her acceptance speech on the Grammy stage quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the night.

First, she gave a stirring speech reflecting on her storied yet tumultuous time in show business. "I was famous at 19 and had a top-rated show in my 20s, actually, but it didn't occur to me how rough my career was going to be," she said. "I was either a loser or winning an Oscar. I'm sure a lot of you in the audience know what I'm talking about."

Cher also reflected on her stint in the "elephant graveyard" of Las Vegas in the '80s and her pioneering use of AutoTune on her Grammy-winning hit single "Believe." She closed out her speech by encouraging the audience: "Never give up on your dream, no matter what happens. Live it, be it, and if it's not happening now, it will happen soon."

Then things got a little bit … whacky. Apparently unclear that she would be presenting the Grammy for Record of the Year, the singer nearly walked off the stage before the crowd and host Trevor Noah coaxed her back. Then she mistakenly declared the late Luther Vandross the winner, in reference to the winning song, "luther" by Kendrick Lamar and SZA. Oh Cher, don't you ever change!

Jelly Roll Goes Full Country Music

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Jelly Roll had already won two Grammys earlier in the day for collaborations with Brandon Lake and Shaboozey, but it wasn't until the evening that he got to ascend the Grammy stage solo. Winning the Grammy for Best Contemporary Country Album for Beautifully Broken, he made his acceptance speech into a sort of country song in its own right, thanking his wife, referencing his Christian faith, and describing the troubles that led him to turn to music.

"I didn't think I had a chance, y'all," he said. "There were days that I thought the darkest things. I was a horrible human … There was a moment in my life that all I had was a Bible this big and a radio the same size and a six-by-eight-foot cell. And I believed that those two things could change my life."

The singer wrapped his speech by once again invoking religion: "Jesus is for everybody. Jesus is not owned by one political party. Jesus is not owned by no music label."

"luther" Wins Record of the Year

Cher may have been a bit off when she confidently misread that the Grammy for Record of the Year was going to "Luther Vandross." But the actual winners, Kendrick Lamar and SZA, made it clear that their chart-topping tune "luther" was a spiritual victory for the legendary R&B star who inspired the song, which prominently samples Vandross' and Cheryl Lynn's 1982 cover of "If This World Were Mine."

"First and foremost, let's give a shout-out to the late, great Luther Vandross," co-producer Sounwave began. "It was very, very, very important to keep the integrity of his record."

Lamar echoed the sentiment. "It's one of my favorite artists of all time, and they granted us the privilege to do our version of it. When we got that clearance, I promise you we damn near all dropped a tear.

"Being able to put our vocals on it, it proves that we were somewhat worthy to be just as great as them individuals," he continued. "They granted us that. They said, 'No cursing,' though."

Finally, SZA struck a note of hopefulness at the end of the speeches. "I know that right now is a scary time. I know the algorithms tell us that it's so scary, and all is lost," she said. "We can go on. We need each other. We need to trust each other and trust ourselves, trust your heart. We're not governed by the government, we're governed by God."

This Grammy win for "luther" puts Lamar in elite territory as a back-to-back Record Of The Year Grammy winner, joining fellow winners like Billie Eilish, U2, and the late Roberta Flack, the latter of whom was tributed in the annual In Memoriam celebration led by Ms. Lauryn Hill earlier in the ceremony.

A graphic promoting the "A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music" special, presented by The Recording Academy and CBS. The words CBS Presents, A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music, and Sunday December 28 are written next to an image of performing musicians.
"A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music" airs Sunday, Dec. 28, at 8-10 p.m. ET/PT on the CBS Television Network and streams on Paramount+.

Graphic courtesy of the CBS

Music News

The Recording Academy & CBS Announce "A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music" Featuring Performances By Ángela Aguilar, Michael Bublé, Gloria Estefan, Luis Fonsi, Carín León, Maren Morris & More: Airing Dec. 28

"A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music" celebrates the lasting impact and widespread influence of Latin music in the United States. Additional performers include Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, Prince Royce, Jon Secada, Robin Thicke, and many others.

GRAMMYs/Dec 2, 2025 - 05:00 pm

The Recording Academy and CBS are closing out the year with "A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music," a star-studded special highlighting the lasting impact and widespread influence of Latin music in the United States. Airing Sunday, Dec. 28, at 8-10 p.m. ET/PT on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+, the two-hour special features performances by Ángela Aguilar, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Gloria Estefan, Luis Fonsi, Carín León and Nuno Bettencourt, Maren Morris, and many more.

Filmed in Miami, "A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music" will include covers of classic songs, tributes to various Latin artists, performances of top hits by Latin superstars, and performers across musical genres, with interviews and features throughout. 

Learn more about the "A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music" special and see the full list of performers and special guests below.

How Can I Watch "A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music"?

"A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music" airs Sunday, Dec. 28, at 8-10 p.m. ET/PT on the CBS Television Network and streams on Paramount+.

Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on-demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs.

Who's Performing At "A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music"?

The full list of performers at "A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music" includes:

Who Are The Special Guests At "A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music"?

"A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music" will also feature interviews with and appearances by:

Who Is Hosting "A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music"?

"NCIS" star Wilmer Valderrama and singer/songwriter and actress Roselyn Sánchez will co-host "A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music."

José Tillán and Harvey Mason jr. executive-produced the special. The POPGarage and GRAMMY Studios produced the special.

Recording Academy staffers and guests attend the Crear Música: Elevating Culture, Empowering Community event on Nov. 12, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Recording Academy staffers and guests attend the Crear Música: Elevating Culture, Empowering Community event on Nov. 12, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Photo: Monica Schipper/Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy

Event Recaps

How The Recording Academy's Crear Música Network Is Empowering Latin Creators & Elevating The Global Latin Music Industry

Officially launched during Latin GRAMMY Week 2025, the Recording Academy's Crear Música network is expanding opportunity, access, and visibility for Latin creators across the global music landscape.

GRAMMYs/Nov 25, 2025 - 07:16 pm

This month, the Recording Academy reached a groundbreaking milestone with the official launch of Crear Música, the newest wing of the Academy's DREAM (Diversity Reimagined by Engaging All Music-People) Network, which uplifts and connects Latin creators across the music industry.

Held at CHICA at the Venetian Resort Las Vegas during Latin GRAMMY Week 2025, the launch event marked a landmark celebration that brought together artists, executives, community leaders, and Latin GRAMMY nominees for a morning that blended connection, conversation, and live performance all centered on one idea: music as a bridge between cultures.

Part of the Recording Academy's DREAM Network, an inclusive network of member resource groups spotlighting the contributions and initiatives of creators and professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds, Crear Música reflects the Academy's ongoing commitment to inclusion and cultural representation. Developed in partnership with the Recording Academy's Los Angeles Chapter, the Latin Recording Academy, and SESAC Latina, the program underscored a shared goal: expanding opportunity, access, and visibility for Latin creators across the global music landscape.

During his opening remarks, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. spoke about the importance of this collaboration — ensuring that Latin music is not only celebrated during GRAMMY season, but supported year-round through meaningful engagement and equitable opportunity.

"Our goal has always been to make sure the Academy reflects the world of music it represents," Mason jr. said in his speech. "That means amplifying Latin creators, building bridges with our partners at the Latin Recording Academy, and continuing to grow a membership that's as diverse and dynamic as the music itself."

Recording Academy staffers and guests attend the Crear Música: Elevating Culture, Empowering Community event on Nov. 12, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Recording Academy staffers and guests attend the Crear Música: Elevating Culture, Empowering Community event on Nov. 12, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada | Photo: Monica Schipper/Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy

Event guests enjoyed a Latin-inspired menu curated by Chef Lorena García, whose culinary artistry at CHICA reflected the same vibrancy and storytelling spirit celebrated on stage. Chef Lorena also shared heartfelt remarks about the power of art. She spoke about the deep connection between music and cooking, two creative languages that tell stories. Welcoming nominees and guests with warmth, she reminded the room, "Esta es tu casa y este es tu día" ("This is your home and this is your day"), emphasizing that music "connects us all as Latinos — as artists and as dreamers."

The program featured a moving performance by Nic, whose soulful set embodied the heart of Crear Música: authenticity, emotion, and cultural pride. Her performance transformed the room into a shared space of reflection and joy, reminding attendees that music remains one of the world's most powerful storytellers.

Nic performs at the Crear Música: Elevating Culture, Empowering Community event on Nov. 12, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada

Nic performs at the Crear Música: Elevating Culture, Empowering Community event on Nov. 12, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada | Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy

Before the performance, Qiana Conley, Senior Executive Director of the Recording Academy's Los Angeles Chapter, delivered remarks on the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and the Chapter's role in bridging the Recording Academy and Latin Recording Academy communities, particularly through dual membership and local engagement.

"Crear Música is more than a celebration, it's a commitment," Conley said. "For the first time, all Latin Recording Academy Voting Members were invited to join the Recording Academy, an important step toward a more inclusive and representative membership body."

A Commitment To The Future

As one of the eight DREAM Network groups, Crear Música serves as the Recording Academy's dedicated hub for Latin creators. Its mission is to strengthen ties between the Recording Academy and Latin Recording Academy, build professional pathways, empower and elevate Latin voices in music culture, and celebrate the diversity and excellence that define Latin music today.

The Crear Música event signaled a new chapter, one in which visibility meets action and cultural celebration becomes a sustained commitment.

"This is just the beginning," Ricky Lyon, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) for the Recording Academy, said in his opening remarks. "We're building something that lasts far beyond Latin GRAMMY Week — a year-round movement that ensures every creator feels seen, supported, and part of the story."

Recording Academy staffers and guests attend the Crear Música: Elevating Culture, Empowering Community event on Nov. 12, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada

Recording Academy staffers and guests attend the Crear Música: Elevating Culture, Empowering Community event on Nov. 12, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada | Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy

About Crear Música

Part of the Recording Academy's DREAM Network (Diversity Reimagined by Engaging All Music-People), Crear Música is a community-based initiative designed to connect and empower Latin creators and professionals across the industry through opportunity, mentorship, and storytelling that reflects the depth and impact of Latin music worldwide.

About The DREAM Network

The DREAM Network is the Recording Academy's inclusion engine, designed to amplify underrepresented voices, expand access, and build equity across the music ecosystem. Through eight community networks and emerging leadership programs, the DREAM Network ensures that every creator has space to be seen, heard, and supported. The DREAM Network is composed of eight priority resource groups:

  • Women in the Mix: To build a community for all women and increase representation within the Recording Academy and in the music industry.

  • Black Music Collective: Dedicated to the inclusion, recognition, and advancement of Black music and its creators and professionals.

  • GRAMMYs Next Gen: Supports and empowers the next generation of music creators and professionals.

  • Academy Proud: Positions the GRAMMY organization as the LGBTQIA+ inclusion leader for our members and the music community at large.

  • Gold Music Alliance: Fosters meaningful connections and elevates the impact of Pan-Asian members and allies within the GRAMMY organization and the music industry.

  • Crear Música: Celebrates the Latino culture, develops members, and positively impacts the music community.

  • Indigenous Peoples Network: Develops a global community contributing to the preservation and honoring of Indigenous peoples and their traditions in music.

  • RAA+D (Recording Academy Accessibility and Disability): A commitment beyond compliance by achieving true accessibility for everyone in our music community.

Learn more about Crear Música and the Recording Academy's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, recent DEI achievements, and year-round work to support artists, creators and music professionals of all backgrounds.