9th Annual Latin Grammy Awards Announced

The 9th Annual Latin Grammy Awards nominations were announced today at a press conference attended by national and international media at the House of Blues, Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. Artists reading nominations this morning included Buika, Lila Downs, Flex, Kany García, Esai Morales, Gustavo Santaolalla, and Ximena Sariñana.

In a year that recognized an array of artists and creative professionals across numerous styles, the nominations celebrate and spotlight a unique mix of established and emerging artists. The 9th Annual Latin Grammy Awards, set for Nov.13 at Toyota Center in Houston, will be broadcast live on the Univision Network at 8 p.m. ET.

Café Tacvba leads the nominations with six; Juanes and Gustavo Santaolalla garnered five nods each; Andrés Calamaro, Kany García and Julieta Venegas each received four nominations; 2008 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Gloria Estefan, Victor Manuelle, Soraya Moraes, Ximena Sariñana, and Joan Sebastian are among those who earned three nods apiece.

[ Access Extended: Chris Daughtry Talks Grammys - Play it Now ]

A contingent of long-established artists and emerging music makers — including Pepe Aguilar, Maria Bethânia, Andrea Bocelli, Tego Calderón, Daddy Yankee, Plácido Domingo, Jose Feliciano, Vicente Fernández, Flex, Gilberto Gil, Alejandra Guzmán, Los Tigres Del Norte, Gian Marco, Manu Chao, Sergio Mendes, Molotov, Ednita Nazario, Laura Pausini, Maria Rita, Olga Tañón, Tito El Bambino, Caetano Veloso, and Wisin y Yandel — each earned nominations.

“In its ninth year, the Latin GRAMMY nominations continue to reflect a diverse and eclectic worldwide Latin music community of well-respected artists while bringing fresh new acts and trends to the forefront,” said Gabriel Abaroa, President of The Latin Recording Academy. “With more than 5,000 entries this year, it’s encouraging to see so many music makers and professionals participate in the awards process, and to see so many albums, songs, and creators getting due recognition from peers. The world will be watching on Nov. 13, and there will be much to celebrate.”

This year’s Album Of The Year category features established superstars as well as rising new talent: Spain’s Buika for Niña De Fuego; Mexico’s Café Tacvba for Sino and Vicente Fernández for Para Siempre; Puerto Rico’s Kany García for Cualquier Día; and Colombia’s Juanes for La Vida…Es Un Ratico.

[ All Access: Music - Award Season - Grammy Awards ]

Similar diversity can be seen in the Best MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira) Album category: Maria Bethânia for Dentro Do Mar Tem Rio — Ao Vivo; Chico Buarque for Chico Buarque Carioca — Ao Vivo; Seu Jorge for América Brasil O Disco; Omara Portuondo e Maria Bethânia for Omara Portuondo e Maria Bethânia; Roberta Sá for Que Belo Estranho Dia Pra Se Ter Alegria; and Caetano Veloso for Multishow Ao Vivo Cê.

Café Tacvba’s six nominations include: Album Of The Year and Best Alternative Album for Sino, Record Of The Year and Best Alternative Song for “Volver A Comenzar,” and Song Of The Year and Best Rock Song for “Esta Vez.”

Earning five nods each are: Juanes for Album Of The Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Album for La Vida…Es Un Ratico, and Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Best Short Form Music Video for “Me Enamora;” and musician/songwriter/producer Gustavo Santaolalla with two nominations in Record Of The Year (as producer on Café Tacvba’s “Volver A Comenzar” and Juanes’ “Me Enamora”), two nominations in Album Of The Year (as producer on Café Tacvba’s Sino and Juanes’ La Vida…Es Un Ratico), and a nomination in Best Short Form Music Video (Bajofondo’s “Pa’ Bailar,” as a member of the group).

Andrés Calamaro, Kany García and Julieta Venegas earned four nominations apiece: Calamaro for Best Rock Solo Vocal Album (La Lengua Popular), two nods in Best Rock Song (“Carnaval De Brasil” and “Mi Gin Tonic”), and Best Alternative Song (“5 Minutos Más [Minibar]”); García for Album Of The Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Album (Cualquier Día), Song Of The Year (“Hoy Ya Me Voy”), and Best New Artist; and Venegas for Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year (“El Presente”), and Best Alternative Album and Best Long Form Music Video (MTV Unplugged). 

Five artists garnered three nods each: 2008 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Gloria Estefan for Traditional Tropical Album and Best Long Form Music Video (90 Millas) and Best Tropical Song (“Píntame De Colores,” with Emilio Estefan Jr., Alberto Gaitan & Ricardo Gaitan); Victor Manuelle for Best Salsa Album (Soy), Best Traditional Tropical Album (Una Navidad A Mi Estilo), and Best Tropical Song (“Llegó El Amor”); Soraya Moraes for Best Christian Album (Spanish Language) (Tengo Sed De Ti), Best Christian Album (Portuguese Language) (Som Da Chuva), and Best Brazilian Song (“Som Da Chuva,” with Marco Moraes); Ximena Sariñana for Best New Artist, Best Alternative Song (“Normal”), and Producer Of The Year; and Joan Sebastian for Album Of The Year (producer on Vicente Fernandez’s Para Siempre), Best Banda Album (No Es De Madera), and Best Regional Mexican Song “Estos Celos”).

The 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards will feature 49 categories and will be supported on radio via Univision Radio (the official Spanish-language radio network of the Latin GRAMMY Awards), and highlighted on the Internet by Univision Online (the official online partner of the Latin GRAMMY Awards) at latingrammy.univision.com. For more information, a complete list of nominees, and media credentialing instructions, please visit www.grammy.com. 

Tickets to the 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards will be on sale starting Sept. 16 at 10 a.m. CT, and may be purchased at select Houston area Randall’s locations, via phone by dialing 1.866.4HOUTIX (1.866.446.8849), or via the Internet at www.toyotacentertix.com. Tickets will be available at the Toyota Center box office beginning Sept. 17 at 9 a.m. CT.

The Latin Recording Academy is an international, membership-based organization comprised of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking recording artists, musicians, songwriters, producers and other creative and technical recording professionals. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for Latin music and its makers.

Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
Access At The 2008 Grammys - Check Out the Photos
8th Annual Latin Grammy Awards: Arrivals - Play it Now
Latin Grammys 2007 - Check Out the Photos

Copyright NBCAH - Access Hollywood
Contact Us