The Incredible Shrinking Latin Presence at the Grammy Nominations

Latin music may have grown exponentially in consumption at a global scale, but in the 2024 Grammy nominations announced Friday (Nov. 10), it shrank. Quite literally.

Not only were there no Latin artists to be found in the four main categories (album, record and song of the year, as well as best new artist), but the best música urbana album category had only three nominees — a fact the Academy attributes to not enough submissions (“If a category receives between 25 and 39 entries, only three recordings will receive nominations in that year”; best música urbana album just missed that threshold with 37 entries).

In a notable exception, Mexican-American songwriter Edgar Barrera, who has delivered hit upon hit for the past year, scored a nomination in the songwriter of the year, non-classical category, where he will compete against Jessie Jo Dillon, Shane McAnally, Theron Thomas and Justin Tranter. And Gustavo Dudamel, the dynamic Venezuelan conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and soon-to-be conductor of the New York Philharmonic, has two nominations in the classical categories (for best orchestral performance and best classical compendium).

But it’s vexing not to see Karol G’s Mañana Será Bonito — up for best música urbana album — also up for album of the year. Or to not see chart-smasher Peso Pluma nominated for best new artist, even as he’s in the middle of a worldwide arena and stadium tour on his first year out.

The mysteries don’t stop there: While Peso Pluma is up for best música Mexicana album for Génesis, none of his strongest competitors — like Eslabón Armado’s Desvelado or Carin León’s Colmillo de Leche — are in the running, despite having been released during the eligibility period.

In fairness, the Latin categories are otherwise balanced with a mix of at least one commercial success alongside more off-the-beaten-path releases. Colombian indie newcomer Alemor, for example, competes against stalwarts Pedro Capó, Maluma and Pablo Alborán in the best Latin pop category.  Colombia’s venerable Grupo Niche is up against Carlos Vives and Ruben Blades in the best tropical album category.

And, of course, the Grammys are about merit, not quotas or obligation. But given the across-the-board success of Karol G and Peso Pluma, from charts to stage, their absence from the top categories stings.

Here are all the nominees in the Latin music field.

Best Latin Pop Album

For albums containing greater than 75% playing time of new Latin pop recordings.

La Cuarta Hoja
Pablo Alborán

Beautiful Humans, Vol. 1
AleMor

A Ciegas
Paula Arenas

La Neta
Pedro Capó

Don Juan
Maluma

X Mí (Vol. 1)
Gaby Moreno

Best Música Urbana Album

For albums containing greater than 75% playing time of new Música Urbana recordings.

SATURNO
Rauw Alejandro

MAÑANA SERÁ BONITO
Karol G

DATA
Tainy

Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album

For albums containing greater than 75% playing time of new Latin rock or alternative recordings.

MARTÍNEZ
Cabra

Leche De Tigre
Diamante Eléctrico

Vida Cotidiana
Juanes

De Todas Las Flores
Natalia Lafourcade

EADDA9223
Fito Paez

Best Música Mexicana Album (Including Tejano)

For albums containing greater than 75% playing time of new regional Mexican (banda, norteño, corridos, gruperos, mariachi, ranchera and Tejano) recordings.

Bordado A Mano
Ana Bárbara

La Sánchez
Lila Downs

Motherflower
Flor De Toloache

Amor Como En Las Películas De Antes
Lupita Infante

GÉNESIS
Peso Pluma

Best Tropical Latin Album

For albums containing greater than 75% playing time of new tropical Latin recordings.

Siembra: 45º Aniversario (En Vivo en el Coliseo de Puerto Rico, 14 de Mayo 2022)
Rubén Blades Con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta

Voy A Ti
Luis Figueroa

Niche Sinfónico
Grupo Niche Y Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Colombia

VIDA
Omara Portuondo

MIMY & TONY
Tony Succar, Mimy Succar

Escalona Nunca Se Había Grabado Así
Carlos Vives