The biggest night in Latin music is almost here. Before the winners of the 2026 Latin Grammy Awards are announced on November 12, it's time to become the expert in your watch party. Here’s a look at the major categories and contenders.
Record of the Year: The Overall Performance
This award honors
the specific recording of a song, celebrating the artist, producers, and engineers. It's about the final product you hear. This year's field is packed with global superstars and critical darlings. The nominees are: 'Ha Ha' by CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso; '¿Como Se Ama?' by Jorge Drexler; 'Dime' by Silvana Estrada; 'O Amor Nos Encontrou' by Loulu Gilberto; 'Coleccionando Heridas' by KAROL G & Marco Antonio Solís; 'Femme Fatale' by Mon Laferte; 'Desde Que Te Tengo' by Carín León; 'Niño' by Milo J; 'La Perla' by Rosalía feat. Yahritza y Su Esencia; and 'Alma' by Elena Rose. The race features a fascinating mix, from the superstar power of KAROL G and Rosalía to the masterful songwriting of Jorge Drexler and Mon Laferte, and the regional Mexican strength of Carín León.
Album of the Year: The Complete Vision
Recognizing artistic achievement for a full album, this is one of the night's most prestigious honors. The 2026 nominees represent an incredible diversity of sounds. In the running are: 'EQUILIBRIVM' by Anitta; 'FREE SPIRITS' by CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso; 'Taracá' by Jorge Drexler; 'Vendrán Suaves Lluvias' by Silvana Estrada; 'Tropicoqueta' by KAROL G; 'FEMME FATALE' by Mon Laferte; 'MUDA' by Carín León; 'La Vida Era Más Corta' by Milo J; '¿Dónde Es El After?' by Rawayana; and 'LUX (Complete Works)' by Rosalía. It's a battle of titans, with Anitta's Brazilian pop, KAROL G's genre-blending 'Tropicoqueta', and Rosalía's expansive 'LUX' all seen as strong contenders in a very crowded field.
Song of the Year: The Art of Songwriting
This award goes to the songwriter(s) for the composition itself—the lyrics and melody. A great recording can elevate a song, but this prize is for its fundamental structure. The 2026 nominees are: 'Coleccionando Heridas' (KAROL G & Marco Antonio Solís); '¿Como Se Ama?' (Jorge Drexler); 'Dime' (Silvana Estrada); 'Femme Fatale' (Mon Laferte); 'Hasta Jesús Tuvo Un Mal Día' (CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso feat. Sting); 'Humano' (Juanes & Vivir Quintana); 'La Perla' (Rosalía feat. Yahritza y Su Esencia); 'Mi Gran Amor' (Santana feat. Becky G); 'Nilo' (Zanna); and 'Solifican12' (Milo J). Several artists, including Drexler, Estrada, and Laferte, are nominated here as well as for Record of the Year, highlighting their dual threat as both performers and writers.
Best New Artist: The Future of Latin Music
This category offers a glimpse into the future, recognizing artists who made a significant breakthrough. With 11 nominees this year, the field is wide open and represents a vibrant mix of genres and nationalities. The nominees are: Delilah, FABIAN, Loulu Gilberto, Arath Herce, Macario Martínez, maye, Sofia Monroy, Kendall Peña, Dora Sanches, ARIA VEGA, and Zeca Veloso. This category is always one of the most unpredictable and exciting. Winning can be a career-launching moment, making it a crucial one to watch for anyone trying to spot the next big thing in Latin music.
