Bad Bunny and Rauw Alejandro triumph at the 22nd Annual Latin Grammy Awards

In a rock-out celebration of Latin music, Puerto Rico’s very own chart-toppers shined.

Talented Latin artists all over the world showed up and showed out during the 22nd Annual Latin Grammy Awards on November 18, 2021. The three-hour preeminent ceremony returned in-person at the MGM Talented Latin artists all over the world showed up and showed out during the 22nd Annual Latin Grammy Awards on November 18, 2021. The three-hour preeminent ceremony returned in person at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and also aired live on Univision. The Latin Recording Academy presented awards in 53 categories. Puerto Rican superstars took home the coveted recognition in Latin music’s biggest night.

Winners

Bad Bunny

Music icon, global phenomenon and rapper Bad Bunny (AKA Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) won Best Urban Music Album for “El Último Tour del Mundo,” which was also nominated for Album of the Year. Furthermore, he won Best Rap/Hip Hop Song for “Booker T,” on which he collaborated with artist Marco Daniel Borrero. The rapper’s song “Dákiti” was nominated for Best Urban Song, a collaboration with fellow Puerto Ricans Jhay Cortez (a songwriter on the track) and Tainy, as well as other Latin artists Nydia Laner, Gabriel Mora and Egbert Rosa. To end the night, Bad Bunny also bared his soul when performing “Maldita Pobreza” as flames lit up in the front and back of the stage.  

The defining spirit for a generation, Bad Bunny has come a long way from bagging groceries and posting his experimental material on social media. In 2016, at the age of 22, the artist exploded onto the scene and redefined what it means to be a Spanish-speaking musician. From a niche following in Puerto Rico and Latin America, Bad Bunny quickly established himself as a mainstream star. His infectious ballad “Soy Peor”—Cada cual tiene lo que merece (Everyone has what they deserve) ignited the genre, now universal, known as Latin trap. 

Since 2016, he has produced four chart-topping albums. For all his critical success, there’s no place like home for Bad Bunny. He has repeatedly asserted that Puerto Rico remains his true north, his favorite place in the world, and the catalyst for his creativity. 

Rauw Alejandro

With his modern urbano style, signature braids and smooth tenor, Rauw Alejandro (born Raúl Alejandro Ocasio Ruiz) took home Best Urban Fusion/Performance for “Tattoo (Remix)” in a collaboration with artist Camilo. His song “Todo de Ti” was nominated for Record of the Year and Song of Year, along with fellow record producer Luis J. González and José M. Collazo, the recording and mastering engineer as well as mixer. 

Alejandro is one of Puerto Rico’s most talented stars. Born and raised in San Juan, the emerging 29-year-old is known primarily for his R&B and reggaetón, but there’s a gratifying fluidity as he transcends traditional genres with thrilling salsa renditions and artfully choreographed dancing. In 2016, his debut album “Punto de Equilibrio” showcased his ambient, emotive, sultry vocals and dazzling spirit of reinvention. At the 2020 Latin Grammys, he captured the heart of Latin America when he paid homage to the legendary Héctor Lavoe—dubbed the Frank Sinatra of Salsa.

Performing across every genre—with heavy hitters Ozuna, Lunay and Lyanno—Alejandro has consistently demonstrated a rare versatility that captures the mood of the moment. His collaboration with Lenny Tavárez, “Todo Remix,” was viewed on YouTube over half a billion times. Defying categorization, he has worked with a myriad of producers, including Gonzalez and Tainy. In 2020, his debut studio album “Afrodisíaco” was swiftly followed by the critically acclaimed “Vice Versa,” which layered his signature reggaetón with electronica.

Other top Puerto Rican nominees 

Several other prominent Puerto Rican musicians were nominated for the 2021 Latin Grammys general field categories, which include Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Album of the Year.

Jhay Cortez

Jesús Manuel Nieves Cortez is a 28-year-old Puerto Rican singer with the stage name Jhay Cortez. He collaborated with several artists for “Agua,” nominated for Song of the Year, with Tainy and J Balvin writing and singing the hit. Spotify dubbed him the “leader of a new generation of Latin artists,” boasting more than 32 million listeners a month on the platform. Cortez was born in the San Juan barrio of Río Piedras and later relocated to New Jersey. He is no stranger to the big leagues, having composed five songs for Tito El Bambino’s “Invencible (Invincible),” which won Best Tropical Album at the 2011 Latin Grammy Awards. In 2020’s 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, he performed “Dakiti” with fellow Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny.   

Tainy

Record producer and songwriter Tainy, 32, was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as Marco Masís. The talented musician has collaborated with a number of top Latin artists. He worked on Bad Bunny’s album “El Último Tour del Mundo,” which was nominated for Album of the Year. Tainy also worked with fellow Puerto Rican artist Cortez on “Agua,” nominated for Song of the Year. In 2018’s Latin Grammys, his work for J Balvin’s “Vibras” won Best Urban Music Album, in addition to garnering two other Latin Grammys and four previous nominations. His work on “Un Dia” (One Day), sung by Dua Lipa and Bad Bunny, was nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 63rd Annual Grammys. Tainy also achieved mainstream success as a producer for “I Like It” sung by Cardi B with Bad Bunny and J Balvin rapping alongside. The hit song was nominated for Record of the Year.  

Ricky Martin

A household name, Ricky Martin is a Puerto Rican musical superstar who has been in the game for decades after bursting onto the international scene with mainstream hits like “She Bangs” and “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” He released his first self-titled album in 1991 and is still going strong. Already holding four Latin Grammy Awards, Martin is recognized this year for “Canción Bonita,” nominated for Song of the Year. Carlos Vives wrote and sang the hit with Martin.

Additionally, he has held 16 previous Latin Grammy nominations on top of many other accolades. In 2006, he was recognized as Person of the Year for the Latin Grammy Special Awards. Martin also won two Grammy Awards: Best Latin Pop Performance in 1999 and Best Latin Pop Album in 2016. The now 49-year-old, born in San Juan as Enrique Martín Morales, has become known as the “King of Latin Pop.”