Bad Bunny tops Billboard Latin Music Awards again with 9 awards
By Alicia Civita
Miami, United States, Sep 29 (EFE).- Bad Bunny confirmed his status as the king of Latin music on Thursday night with nine Billboard Latin Music Awards, the most in a night full of emotional moments and surprises.
Benito “Bad Bunny” Antonio Martinez Ocasio won artist of the year, male, tour of the year, album of the year for “Un Verano Sin Ti” and songwriter of the year, while his song “Volví” won tropical song of the year, among others.
Farruko and Karol G were the other big winners with four and three awards respectively.
Among labels and publishing corporations, Sony Music Latin led with nine awards while Rimas grabbed six.
Farruko’s “Pepas” won four awards, including hot Latin song of the year, Latin rhythm song of the year, sales song of the year, and streaming song of the year.
Karol G’s wins included hot Latin song, vocal event, for “Mamiii”, hot Latin song of the year, artist of the year, female, and top Latin albums artist of the Year, female.
Neither Bad Bunny nor Karol G were present at the event, held at the Watsco Center in Miami.
While 18-year-old newcomer Iván Cornejo won new artist of the year and the event included performances by other young singers, it was the veteran artists who produced the most emotional moments of the night.
Spanish icon Raphael received the lifetime achievement award from Cuban singer-songwriter Willy Chirinos and performed a medley of his greatest hits, including “Mi Gran Noche”, “Estar Enamorado”, “Como Yo Te Amo”, “Qué Sabe Nadie”, and “Escándalo.”
Puerto Rican artist Chayanne, who was accompanied by his children Lorenzo and Isadora, received the Billboard icon award.
The Billboard spirit of hope award went to Christina Aguilera, who sang “La Reina.”
In one of the most emotional segments, urban music artist Nicky Jam received the Billboard hall of fame award from his father, Don José Rivera, while José Feliciano was given the first Billboard legend award.
A total of 30 artists took to the stage with several debuting their new work.
Chayanne performed his new single “Como Tú y Yo” while Raphael premiered “De tanta gente”, which is part of his new album “Victoria” due to release in November.
Meanwhile, Maluma presented his track “Junio” from his new album that will be released in the first half of 2023.
Luxury brands and fashion houses shone on the red carpet of the awards, where the most nominated artists were conspicuous by their absence.
Shades of green, turquoise blue and bright pink stood out amidst many black and white outfits and the odd neon yellow, such as the dresses that former Miss Universe Andrea Meza and American singer-songwriter Becky G. EFE
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