Bad Bunny wins album of the year at the 2025 Latin Grammys, capping an
electric night
[November 14, 2025]
By MARIA SHERMAN
It should come as a shock to no one: The 2026 Latin Grammy Awards were
all about Bad Bunny. The Puerto Rican superstar won album of the year
for his landmark release “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” After thanking his
family and all those who worked on the album, he ended his speech with
“Puerto Rico, I love you, thank you.”
Those are powerful words honoring a record that doubles as a love letter
for his island.
The artist born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio was destined to dominate
from the jump. He also won the first award of the night, for música
urbana album. Halfway through the show, the singer found himself back on
stage accepting the música urbana song trophy for “DTmF.” “I never
practice my speeches,” he said in Spanish. And then he showed up for a
third time: to perform “Weltita” with Chuwi.
He wasn't the only one with reason to celebrate: Song of the year went
to Karol G, Andrés Jael Correa Ríos and Édgar Barrera for “Si Antes Te
Hubiera Conocido." And Alejandro Sanz took home record of the year for
“¿Y Ahora Qué?”
Live from Sin City, the 26th annual Latin Grammys were both energetic
and eclectic. Take Raphael, the 2025 Person of the Year, who launched
into an emotive rendition of “Qué Sabe Nadie” and “Mi Gran Noche,"
inviting the crowd to sing along.
That was after Santana kicked things off — specifically, Maluma singing
Santana's 1970 hit “Oye Como Va” with the guitar legend himself.
It was just the beginning of a memorable medley, talents of today
celebrating Santana — Christian Nodal joining in for “Corazón Espinoza"
and Grupo Frontera for their 2025 collaboration with the virtuosic
musician, “Me Retiro.”
Performances hit hard and fast: Aitana brought her dreamy electro-pop,
Sanz delivered a medley of “El Vino De Tu Boca” and “Las Guapas,” Rauw
Alejandro channeled Puerto Rico in Vegas with “Khé?,” the bachata “Silencio,”
“Falsedad” and “Carita Linda.” Then: Danny Lux, Kakalo and Ivan Cornejo
brought contemporary Mexicana sounds. Pepe Aguilar followed, with his
life-affirming mariachi — “El Cihualteco” into “El Fuereño.”
Elena Rose slowed things down with “Me Lo Merezco.” Karol G and the
legendary Mexican singer Marco Antonio Solís dueted the romantic ballad
“Coleccionando Heridas."
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Bad Bunny accepts the award for Album of the Year during the 2025
Latin Grammys on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
 Two of the biggest groups in
regional Mexican music – Grupo Frontera and Fuerza Regida – launched
into their joint hit, “Me Jalo,” before the latter took over for
“Marlboro Rojo.” That’s a cut from their record-breaking 2025 album
“111xpantia.” Carín León’s lovely raspy vocal tone carried
throughout “Ahí Estabas Tú”; then he was joined by Kacey Musgraves
for “Lost in Translation.” Not long after, León took home the trophy
in competitive contemporary Mexican album category for “Palabra De
To’s (Seca)."
Morat brought the pop-rock with “Faltas Tú" and
Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso brought a kind of outsider, artistic
spirit. Joaquina delivered a full-bodied “Quise Quererte.” Any
aspiring artists watching would be wise to take a page out of the
Brazilian singer Liniker's book; “Negona Dos Olhos Terríveis” was
one of the night's most joyful. The same, of course, should be said
about norteño band Los Tigres del Norte.
The coveted best new artist trophy was handed out to Paloma Morphy.
Traditional tropical album went to Gloria Estefan for “Raíces.” Not
long afterward, she hit the stage for “La Vecina” and “Chirriqui
Chirri,” joined by Nathy Peluso for the latter.
Then ranchero/mariachi album went to Christian Nodal for “¿Quién +
Como Yo?”
Most of the evening’s awards were handed out during a pre-televised
Premiere Ceremony. That included: Bad Bunny’s “Voy A Llevarte Pa Pr”
winning for reggaeton performance. Argentinian duo Ca7riel and Paco
Amoroso cleaned house then, too: taking home their first Latin
Grammys for short and long form music video, alternative song, as
well as alternative music album for “Papota,” and pop song for “El
dia del amigo.” That's five wins, making them the most awarded act
at the 2025 show.
The three-hour award show aired live from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand
Garden Arena. It was hosted by the dynamic duo of Maluma and actor,
producer and musician Roselyn Sánchez.
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