The I Color Radio team, which includes correspondents in the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and Spain, and is coordinated from its facilities in Atlanta, Georgia, is launching a series of articles to discover and recommend some of the works vying for a nomination at the upcoming Latin Grammy Awards.
In this first installment, we feature artists from the United States, Puerto Rico, and Colombia in various genres, including Salsa/Tropical, Cumbia/Vallenato, Urban/Rap, and Regional Mexican music.
By Staff
The Latin Recording Academy® announced several category and eligibility changes for the 27th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards®, taking place on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, with nominations set to be announced on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026.
These changes to the Awards Process, from the music creators and professionals that make up its membership body, are part of The Latin Academy’s commitment to evolve with the ever-changing musical landscape, and to best serve its approximately 7,000 members from 62 countries around the world. All updates go into effect immediately for the upcoming 27th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards.
CATEGORY NAME CHANGES
Best Latin Electronic Music Performance category will evolve to Best Electronic Music Performance (Electronic Field)
Best Urban/Urban Fusion Performance category will evolve to Best Urban Performance (Urban Field)
Best Classical Contemporary Composition category will evolve to Best Classical Composition (Classical Field)
AMENDMENTS TO ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SEVERAL CATEGORIES
Eligibility requirements for Producer of the Year category:
A minimum of five (5) total producer credits, achieved through any combination of album credits, single/track credits or co-production percentage credits. Alternatively, a producer credit on 100% of at least five (5) singles or tracks.
Co-production rule: credits are divided evenly among all producers. Example: four (4) producers = 0.25 credits each per track.
Eligibility requirements for Best New Artist category:
An artist is not eligible for consideration if they have released more than three (3) albums, or 25 singles, or a combination of albums and singles that surpasses these limits. Singles that are subsequently included as tracks on an album shall not be counted towards the single total.
Eligibility requirements for Best Instrumental Album category:
Vocals can be used in up to 40% of the total playing time, while requiring that at least 60% of the work remain instrumental. If vocals are present, 60% of the vocal content must be performed in one of The Latin Academy’s accepted languages.
Eligibility requirements for Singer-Songwriter categories:
A singer-songwriter may compose and perform some songs with a colleague, provided the required participation percentages are met.
For a singer-songwriter album to be eligible, the artist(s) must both write and perform together on at least 75% of the album.
In cases where two singer-songwriters collaborate, eligibility applies only when both artists jointly write and perform the same material; artists who perform together but do not write together are not eligible. “Live” albums may be eligible if they contain at least 51% new material.
Eligibility requirements for Best Contemporary Tropical Album category:
Category now includes and accepts recordings influenced by or belonging to Kompa Haitiano.
Eligibility Requirements for Best Music for Visual Media category:
Category now requires eligible submissions to include supporting video materials.
USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The Latin GRAMMY Awards® recognize creative excellence. Only human creators are eligible to be submitted for consideration for, nominated for, or win a Latin GRAMMY®. A work that contains no human authorship is not eligible in any category.
FIVE ARTISTS YO WATCH IN THE UPCOMING LATIN GRAMMY NOMINATIONS: PART 1
RAFU WARNER
One of the great and legendary stars in the history of Salsa. A triumphant return that has delighted fans all over the world.
ALBUM: CUESTE LO QUE CUESTE
SINGLE: CUESTE LO QUE CUESTE
CATEGORIES:
Best Tropical Song
Best Traditional Tropical Album
Best Salsa Album
LA ETNNIA
Recognized as one of the most influential Rap/Hip Hop groups in Latin America by Rolling Stone magazine. It’s time for the Academy to finally award the trio of brothers.
ALBUM: LA TRINIDAD
SINGLE: CAMERINO feat AKAPELLAH
CATEGORIES:
Best Urban Music Album
Best Rap/Hip Hop Song
DUQUES DEL VALLENATO
Driven from the United States by Colombian executive producer Julian Velazquez, this group is emerging as the leaders of the next generation of vallenato.
ALBUM: LA REALEZA DEL VALLENATO
CATEGORIE:
Best Cumbia/Vallenato Álbum
ABLACK
A young artist born in Cali, Colombia, whose music transcends borders. His style encompasses Urban and Regional Mexican music in an explosive fusion called Urban Corridos.
ALBUM: MI PRIMER MILLON
ALBUM: PORQUE NO DANCEHALL?
CATEGORIES:
Best New Artist
Regional Mexicano
Urban
ANGEL HUELLAS
The Spanish website Made Of Music Latino claims that Huellas will be the next Salsa star in the Americas. His music is rooted in traditional Salsa but incorporates strong contemporary urban elements.
ALBUM: HUELLAS
SINGLE: TU TENTACION
CATEGORIES:
Best Salsa Album
Best Tropical Song
Key dates for this year’s Awards Process include:
June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026: Product Eligibility Period
April 1 – May 31, 2026: Online Entry Process (OEP)
July 27 – Aug. 10, 2026: First Round of Voting
Sept. 16, 2026: Nominees announced for the 27th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards
Oct. 1 – 12, 2026: Final Round of Voting
Nov. 12, 2026: 27th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards airing live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Univision. Additional broadcasting partners will be announced in the Fall.
