This year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards, presented by State Farm in association with Pepsi, will honor both the best-known acts and rising stars in Latin music.
Finalists achieve award eligibility based on points of impact with their audiences. Key areas include album and concert ticket sales, radio airplay and the effective use of their social networking opportunities.
The year brings a pool of finalists who have made their way to the top positions on the album sales charts and Billboard Boxscore tallies. The genres–Latin pop, urban, tropical and regional Mexican-have grown in the digital landscape, as evidenced by social media, which has become increasingly important for artists across the board.
In recognition of the fast-changing music industry, the Billboard Latin Music Awards this year introduce the streaming artist of the year and streaming song of the year categories. The streaming artist finalists are Don Omar, Pitbull, Shakira and Wisin & Yandel, while those up for the streaming song award are “Intentalo” by 3BallMTY featuring El Bebeto and America Sierra, “Danza Kaduro” by Don Omar and Lucenzo, “Promise” by Romeo Santos featuring Usher and “Follow the Leader” by Wisin & Yandel and Jennifer Lopez.
The awards honor popular albums, songs and performers in Latin music, as determined by the actual sales and radio airplay data that inform Billboard’s weekly charts during the one-year time frame from the issue dated Feb. 4, 2012, through the Jan. 26, 2013, issue, with data supplied by Nielsen SoundScan and Nielsen BDS.
The finalists and winners reflect the performance of new recordings on Billboard’s album and track sales charts, including Top Latin Albums and Latin Digital Songs, and radio charts, which include Hot Latin Songs.
Those categories that are title-based are mostly confined to songs or albums that didn’t appear on the respective charts prior to the Nov. 12, 2011, issue and exclude titles that were finalists in the prior year.
However, those titles that have reached or maintained their peak position on the respective charts during the awards’ eligibility period are eligible for inclusion regardless of chart debut date or prior finalist appearance.
The Billboard Latin Music Awards will be broadcast live on Telemundo from the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami at 7 p.m. ET on April 25. Coverage can be found on Billboard.biz, Billboard.com, BillboardEnEspañol.com, Telemundo.com and Twitter (hashtag #BBLatin).
Here are highlights of some of the top finalists in multiple categories.
DON OMAR
Known as the “King of Reggaeton,” Don Omar is a leading finalist–up for 18 awards. His popular “Dutty Love” featuring Natti Natasha was No. 1 on Latin Airplay along with “Hasta Que Salga el Sol” and “Zumba.” The digital-savvy entrepreneur is also up for artist, social artist and albums artist of the year, male.
GERARDO ORTIZ
A finalist in several categories, including artist, social artist and streaming artist of the year, Ortiz’s album “El Primer Ministro” reached No. 1 on Top Latin Albums, and he had two top fives on Hot Latin Songs. “Entre Dios y el Diablo” (released Sept. 24, 2011) also reached No. 1 in 2011 and charted in the top 10 in 2012.
PRINCE ROYCE
Former cellphone salesman Royce refused to give up on his dream of becoming a music star, which has come to fruition. In 2012 the bachata singer had two top five sets on Top Latin Albums, including “Phase II,” which reached No. 1. Add to that three No. 1s on Tropical Airplay: “Las Cosas Pequenas,” “Incondicional” and “Te Me Vas.”
JENNI RIVERA
Forever known as “the Diva of Banda,” the late artist will long be remembered for her achievements in regional Mexican music. She had two No. 1s on Top Latin Albums with “Joyas Pretadas: Pop” and “La Misma Gran Senora.” She also had two top 10s on Latin Airplay with “Detras de Mi Ventana” and “La Misma Gran Senora.”
ROMEO SANTOS
The rise of Santos continues. This year the Bronx-born singer, known for his commanding bachata melodies, tied the record for the most No. 1s from a debut album. Five tracks from “Formula Vol. 1” topped the charts: “You,” “Promise” featuring Usher, “Mi Santa” featuring Tomatito, “La Diabla” and “Llevame Contigo.” He had two No. 1s on Top Latin Albums with “Formula” and “The King Stays King: Sold Out at Madison Square Garden.”
3BALLMTY
The three DJs who comprise 3BallMTY–Erick Rincon, DJ Otto and Sheeqo Beat–turned a hobby into a major musical force. Up for best new artist, song and streaming song of the year, the act’s “Intentalo” featuring El Bebeto and America Sierra reached No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs. Its album of the same name reached No. 2 on Top Latin Albums.
JUAN MAGAN
Spanish-born Magan, a finalist for artist of the year (new), has taken his DJ chops to a global audience. His “Bailando Por el Mundo” featuring Pitbull and El Cata reached No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs.
JESSE & JOY
Mexican brother-and-sister act Jesse & Joy are finalists in the Latin pop song, Latin pop songs artist of the year (solo) and Latin pop albums artist of the year (duo or group) categories. Their hit “Corre!” reached No. 1 on Latin Pop Airplay, while “¿Con Quien Se Queda el Perro?” reached No. 2 on Latin Pop Albums.
WISIN & YANDEL
Wisin & Yandel are finalists in 11 categories, including streaming artist, digital album and song of the year (vocal event). The Puerto Rican reggaeton duo’s “Algo Me Gusta de Ti” featuring Chris Brown and T-Pain spent 14 weeks atop Hot Latin Songs.
MICHEL TELO
Telo returns to the Billboard Latin Music Awards as a finalist in seven categories with his popular song “Ai Se Eu Te Pego,” which spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs. He’s a finalist for social artist, airplay and digital song of the year.
RICARDO ARJONA
The Guatemalan singer/songwriter known for his poetic and thoughtful verses is a finalist for Latin pop songs artist of the year (solo), Latin pop album and Latin pop albums artist of the year (solo). He had two top 10s with “Fuiste Tu” (No. 2) and “Te Quiero” (No. 2) on Hot Latin Songs.
ENRIQUE IGLESIAS
The pop singer is a finalist alongside Ricardo Arjona, Michel Teló and Shakira for Latin pop songs artist of the year (solo). He reached No. 1 on Latin Airplay with “Finally Found You” featuring Sammy Adams.
LESLIE GRACE
With a soulful voice that can quickly quiet a room, Grace has had a strong year thanks to her musical debut with the bachata adaptation of “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” which was No. 1 on Tropical Airplay along with “Day 1.” The New York-born singer is in good company as a finalist for songs artist of the year (female) along with Jennifer Lopez, Jenni Rivera and Shakira.
JENNIFER LOPEZ
After a year that included a global tour, Lopez is a songs artist of the year (female) finalist and also a streaming song of the year contender for “Follow the Leader” by Wisin & Yandel, which spent two weeks at No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs.
BANDA EL RECODO DE CRUZ LIZARRAGA
Banda el Recodo is celebrating 75 years in the business and received the Icon Award at BMI’s Latin Music Awards in March. The group had three No 1s on Regional Mexican Airplay: “Te Quiero a Morir, “Sin Respiracion” and “La Mejor de Todas.” The band is a finalist for songs artist (duo or group) and regional Mexican songs artist of the year (solo).
CALIBRE 50
Established in 1950, Calibre 50 has become a staple of regional Mexican. It’s a contender for regional Mexican songs artist of the year, duo or group, thanks to two top 10s on Regional Mexican Airplay. The group also scored three top 10s on Top Latin Albums: “El Buen Ejemplo,” “Grandes Exitos” and “La Recompensa.”
LA ARROLLADORA BANDA EL LIMON DE RENE CAMACHO
The Mexican band from the state of Sinaloa was established in the ’60s. It’s a finalist in several categories, including regional Mexican song of the year. The act’s “Irreversible” reached No. 1 on Top Latin Albums and had two No. 1 songs on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart.
ALEJANDRO SANZ
A new label and new album placed Spanish crooner Sanz as a finalist for Latin pop album and Latin pop artist of the year (solo) for “La Musica No Se Toca,” which spent five weeks at No. 1 on Latin Pop Albums.
TITO “EL BAMBINO”
The Puerto Rican artist is a contender for tropical songs artist (solo) and Latin rhythm albums of the year (solo). He had three top five songs on Tropical Airplay: “Me Voy de la Casa” (No. 3), “Dame la Ola” (No. 1) and “Por Que Les Mientes” featuring Marc Anthony (No. 1).
CHINO & NACHO
The Venezuelan urban duo is a finalist for tropical songs artist of the year, duo or group. The pair had three top fives on Tropical Airplay: “El Poeta” (No. 4), “Bebe Bonita” featuring Jay Sean (No. 1) and “Regalame un Muack” (No. 1).
EDNITA NAZARIO
Puerto Rican singer/songwriter Nazario is a finalist for albums artist of the year (female) along with Jenni Rivera, Shakira and Yuridia. Nazario’s “Desnuda” reached No. 1 on Top Latin Albums. She had two top 10s on Latin Pop Airplay.
CAMILA
The Mexican soft-rock band is a finalist for Latin pop albums artist of the year (duo or group) along with Italy’s Il Volo and Mexico’s Jesse & Joy and Maná. Camila had six top 10s on Latin Pop Airplay from “Dejarte de Amar,” including three No. 1s: “Mientras,” “Alejate de Mi” and “Besame.”
LARRY HERNANDEZ
Regional Mexican crooner Hernandez, who now has his own reality program on mun2, is a finalist in the regional Mexican songs artist (solo) and regional Mexican albums artist of the year (solo) categories. He had two top 10s with “Capaz de Todo” (No. 3) and Larryvolucion (No. 6) on the Top Latin Albums chart. He had one top 10 on Regional Mexican Airplay with “Ya Me Canse.”
VICTOR MANUELLE
Puerto Rican singer Manuelle is a finalist for tropical album and tropical albums artist of the year (solo). “Buscando un Pueblo” reached No. 2 on the Tropical Albums chart, and he also had three No. 1s on Tropical Airplay.
DADDY YANKEE
On Hot Latin Songs Daddy Yankee had three top five hits: “Lovumba” (No. 1), “Pasarela” (No. 4) and “Limbo” (No. 1). His album “Prestige” reached No. 1 on Top Latin Albums.
VICENTE FERNANDEZ
About to complete a retirement tour, Fernandez is a finalist for tour of the year along with Mana, Enrique Iglesias and Jennifer Lopez, and the Gigant3s package featuring Marc Anthony, Chayanne and Marco Antonio SolÃs. Fernández toured the United States, Mexico and Venezuela in 2012. A date in Caracas, Venezuela, grossed more than $3.2 million, and a show in Dallas grossed more than $2.3 million, according to Billboard Boxscore.
JESUS OJEDA Y SUS PARIENTES
Jesus Ojeda y Sus Parientes are contenders for artist of the year (new). The regional Mexican act’s “Estilo Italiano” reached No. 2 on Regional Mexican Albums, while the title track reached No. 17 on Regional Mexican Airplay.