Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year

Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year
Awarded forArtistic achievement in the Latin music industry and dedication to philanthropy[1]
Presented byLatin Recording Academy
First awarded2000
Currently held byCarlos Vives (2024)
Websitewww.latingrammy.com

The Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year is an award presented annually by the Latin Recording Academy, the same organization that distributes the Latin Grammy Awards, to commend musicians for their "artistic achievements in the Latin music industry as well as their humanitarian efforts".[1] Award recipients are honored during "Latin Grammy Week", a string of galas just prior to the annual Latin Grammy Awards ceremony.[2] Until 2023, the award was only presented to artists of Ibero-American heritage, when Laura Pausini became the first Italian artist to be presented with the honor.[3]

The award was first presented to Cuban American musician and producer Emilio Estefan in 2000 for increasing public awareness of Latin music.[4] Eight years later his wife, singer Gloria Estefan, became the first female award recipient.[5] She had previously received the MusiCares Person of the Year award in 1994, a similar honor presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the same organization that distributes the Grammy Awards.[6]

Spanish singer Julio Iglesias received the second award in 2001. Ranchera singer Vicente Fernández won the award in 2002 for donating ticket proceeds to the National Hispanic Scholarship Fund.[7] Brazilian singer Gilberto Gil received the award the following year. The 2004 award went to Carlos Santana, who founded the Milagro Foundation in 1998 with his wife, which "supports young people involved in the arts, health and education".[8] Mexican singer José José, known as the "Prince of Song", received the award in 2005.[9] Puerto Rican entertainer Ricky Martin received the award in 2006 after his foundation launched the People for Children project, which works to eliminate human trafficking.[10] Juan Luis Guerra, known for popularizing merengue and bachata music, received the award the following year for founding a non-profit organization that has helped build hospitals, churches and recreation centers in the Dominican Republic.[11][12] The 2009 award recipient, Juan Gabriel, is known for donating concert proceeds to his favorite children's foster homes and for founding Semjase, an orphanage for approximately 120 children.[2] Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo received the 2010 award for founding Operalia, The World Opera Competition (an annual international voice competition), for raising millions of dollars through benefit concerts for disaster victims, for helping to establish a hospital in Lerma, Mexico State, and for additional goodwill efforts.[13] The Person of the Year gala, along with the Lifetime Achievement and the Trustees awards, was not presented in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[14]

Since its inception, the award has been presented to musicians originating from Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain, Panama, Italy, and the United States.

  1. ^ a b "Laura Pausini Named 2023 Latin Recording Academy Person Of The Year". Latin Grammys. May 31, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Juan Gabriel is the 2009 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year" (Press release). Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. September 15, 2009. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  3. ^ "Marco Antonio Solís Named 2022 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year". Latin GRAMMYs. 26 April 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  4. ^ "Emilio Estefan honored as pioneer producer". CNN. September 18, 2000. Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  5. ^ "Juanes scoops five Latin Grammys". BBC News. November 14, 2008. Archived from the original on September 2, 2009. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  6. ^ Rule, Sheila (March 1, 1994). "The Pop Life; Stars Count Down To Grammy Night". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 16, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  7. ^ Burr, Ramiro (August 11, 2002). "Siggno's Turner says he wrote away grief for his dad". Houston Chronicle. Hearst Corporation. p. 7. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  8. ^ "Latin honours for Carlos Santana". BBC News. May 25, 2004. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  9. ^ "Latin Grammys to air in Spanish". Dominican Today. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. November 3, 2005. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  10. ^ "Martin to get person of the year award". USA Today. Gannett Company. August 17, 2006. Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  11. ^ Moreno, Jose (November 8, 2007). "Juan Luis Guerra honored as Person of the Year". Daily News. New York City, New York: Mortimer Zuckerman. Archived from the original on November 17, 2010. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  12. ^ Veiga, Alex (November 8, 2007). "Guerra wins 5 trophies at Latin Grammys". USA Today. Gannett Company. Archived from the original on October 11, 2008. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  13. ^ "Placido Domingo to be Honored as the 2010 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year" (Press release). Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. September 14, 2010. Archived from the original on September 18, 2010. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference 2020awards was invoked but never defined (see the help page).