At a time when streaming defines the commercial success of Latin music, Manuel Abud, CEO of the Latin Recording Academy, insists that the Latin Grammy awards do not reward popularity or sales figures. Speaking from Bogotá, Abud clarified that these accolades seek to recognize pure musical excellence, regardless of plays on platforms like Spotify or YouTube.
Defense of a pure artistic criterion
Abud argued that in an industry saturated by algorithms and viral hits, the Latin Grammy maintain a focus on artistic quality. “It is not a popularity or sales contest,” he pointed out, highlighting rigorous selection processes with expert juries that evaluate composition, performance, and production.
Historical context of the Latin Grammy
Since their creation in 2000, the Latin Grammy have awarded figures such as Shakira, Bad Bunny, and Rosalía, often rewarding less commercial but innovative works. In 2023, for example, reggaeton dominated with 10 nominations, but winners like Karol G stood out for vocal quality over massive streams, which exceed 10 billion annually in the region according to IFPI.
Industry debate: Streams vs. art?
Abud’s stance generates controversy. Critics argue that ignoring streaming disconnects the awards from reality, where urban artists like Feid or Grupo Frontera lead with billions of plays. However, experts like Colombian producer Bernardo Ossa back Abud: “The Grammys preserve the Latin artistic legacy, not just the ephemeral.”
- In 2024, the Latin Grammy included new categories such as Best Electronic Music Song to balance tradition and modernity.
- Statistics: 70% of Latin music revenue comes from streaming, per RIAA, but only 20% of top winners coincide with playlist leaders.
- Background: Cases like that of J Balvin in 2021, who withdrew his candidacy criticizing biases, highlight internal tensions.
Impact on Dominican artists
For talents from the Dominican Republic, such as El Alfa or Tokischa, the Latin Grammy represent validation beyond TikTok. Abud emphasizes that this fosters diversity, rewarding urban genres without yielding to digital metrics.
Manuel Abud‘s vision reaffirms the Latin Grammy as a bastion of quality in times of big data. This philosophy, tested over 24 editions, continues to shape the Latin musical landscape with an emphasis on the enduring.
