Just fresh off a Latin Grammy high where he received two nominations — best new artist and best norteño album — Joss Favela is now celebrating a Grammy nomination for his debut album Hecho A Mano.
“I didn’t expect this at all, I don’t think anyone on the team did. It’s a beautiful satisfaction to know that what we do has a positive impact in the music industry,” the 25-year-old singer tells Billboard.
While being nominated is already a huge deal for Favela, it’s even more special for the artist that he shares the Best Regional Mexican Music Album category with veterans like Banda El Recodo and his idol Vicente Fernández.
“It’s a dream come true. I’m still trying to digest all of this. I don’t think I’ll really believe this is happening until the day of the ceremony,” Favela adds.
The Grammy-nominated album was penned, produced and arranged by Favela, “This album is me. It represents who I am,” he says. “A lot of people tried telling me what songs I should add or not add but at the end of the day, it’s my album. There’s no right “formula” to make a good album.”
On the charts, Hecho A Mano debuted (and peaked) at No. 13 on Top Latin Albums and No. 6 on Regional Mexican Albums (on May 28, 2016).
“One day I’ll look back to this special moment and think ‘Wow, with my first album, I was nominated for two Latin Grammys and one Grammy.’ It will definitely have an impact in my career… and it serves as motivation to keep working hard.”