The Latin Recording Academy paused to celebrate the profound and enduring contributions of six legendary
performers and creators who have helped shape the landscape of Latin music throughout their illustrious careers. Gathered in Las Vegas on Monday afternoon, November 9, industry leaders, peers, and fans came together to honor a diverse group of artists whose creative footprints span decades, genres, and borders.
The intimate yet emotionally charged ceremony served as a prestigious curtain-raiser for the upcoming 2026 Latin Grammy Awards gala, scheduled to take place on Thursday, November 12, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The main ceremony is set to broadcast live on Univision starting at 8 p.m. ET, bringing global attention to the biggest night in Latin music. Monday’s afternoon event, however, provided a more reflective space to honor the foundational figures whose lifetime achievements have built the bridge for contemporary artists.
Celebrating Lifetime Achievements and Trustees
During Monday’s ceremony, five iconic artists received Lifetime Achievement Awards for their creative contributions of outstanding artistic value to Latin music. The honored class included Spanish-Mexican singer Alaska, Cuban-Mexican musician Francisco Céspedes, Mexican singer-songwriter Lila Downs, Brazilian superstar Daniela Mercury, and Dominican singer-songwriter Chichí Peralta.
Additionally, the Academy presented the prestigious Trustees Award to Panamanian hitmaker Omar Alfanno. The Trustees Award specifically recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to Latin music throughout their careers, though not necessarily through performance, highlighting the vital behind-the-scenes work of master composers and producers.
Manuel Abud, CEO of the Latin Recording Academy, officially opened the ceremony with an address that underscored the cultural significance of the honorees.
“Today, we pay tribute to a group of extraordinary artists, timeless artists with their work, their great talent and their legacy, who have left an indelible mark on our culture,” Abud told the audience in Las Vegas.
The afternoon event was expertly guided by Dominican merengue singer Milly Quezada, who served as the host of the ceremony, while renowned singer-songwriter Erika Ender took the stage as one of the event’s distinguished presenters.
Voices of the Honorees: Reflections on Art, Struggle, and Legacy
As each honoree took the stage to accept their respective award, they delivered moving speeches that offered deep insights into their artistic journeys, personal philosophies, and the realities of dedicating a life to music.
Alaska, known for her trailblazing career spanning the European and Latin American scenes, reflected on her unique positioning as an artist who has consistently defied easy categorization. Accepting her award, she spoke candidly about her multifaceted identity in the music world.
“I understand that I am a rare artist, difficult to classify, with one foot in the mainstream and the other in the underground, who knows what it’s like to have a No. 1 hit and what it’s like to release her own albums, and who has one foot in America [despite being Spanish], because I was born in Mexico,” Alaska remarked.
Omar Alfanno turned his acceptance speech into a passionate advocacy for the often-overlooked architects of the music industry—the songwriters. Drawing from his decades of crafting timeless hits that have been interpreted by salsa and pop legends alike, Alfanno emphasized the indispensable nature of songwriting.
“Songwriters are the fuel of this industry. There is no singer without a songwriter. That’s why I ask you to create songs that endure, not just ones that are hits,” Alfanno urged the room.
Francisco Céspedes brought the focus back to the intimate, emotional connection that music fosters between an artist and a listener. Known for his romantic ballads and deeply soulful delivery, Céspedes shared the simple yet profound ambition that has driven his entire musical path.
“If you ever had a romantic or intimate moment while listening to my songs, that was my goal,” Céspedes said.
Lila Downs offered one of the most emotional moments of the afternoon. Speaking with tears in her eyes and a trembling voice, the celebrated Mexican-American artist connected her current international acclaim back to her modest beginnings in her home country.
“Today, as I receive this recognition, I think of that 6-year-old girl who sang in the mountains of Oaxaca and I want to tell her: ‘Yes, it was worth dreaming.’ Thank you, Oaxaca, for giving me roots. Thank you, Mexico, for giving me identity, strength and so many stories to sing,” Downs shared.
Daniela Mercury used her platform to champion the social, political, and inclusive power of Brazilian music. Throughout her legendary career, Mercury has consistently used her voice to advocate for human rights, joy, and equality.
“We sing for our people, to see our people dance, celebrate and love each other… My music stands against discrimination and in favor of joy and the rights of the LGBT community. Long live freedom and democracy. No more authoritarianism,” Mercury declared.
Chichí Peralta concluded the reflections by addressing the philosophical and human essence of creativity, touching upon the timeless nature of artistic expression in an increasingly automated world.
“Sometimes you have to try, fail and start over, and maybe that’s the most beautiful part of creating: discovering that there’s always another possibility. But creativity isn’t just about producing something that previously only existed in our imagination. And that capacity to feel, imagine and transform our experiences into art is profoundly human. No technology will ever replace its essence,” Peralta stated.
With the conclusion of Monday’s special awards ceremony, attention now pivots fully toward the grand gala on Thursday night, where the global music community will gather once again to crown the best and brightest achievements of the current era at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
