GRAMMY Predictions For The Latin Music Categories By: Lupe Llerenas

 

The biggest night in music is officially here – the 63rd Grammy Awards!

After being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the awards show is finally set to air this Sunday, March 14th at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The show will be broadcast on CBS and is hosted by “The Daily Show’s” Trevor Noah.

Beyoncé is the most-nominated artist this year with nine nominations total. “Black Parade’” earned her nominations in the record of the year, the song of the year, best R&B performance, and best R&B song categories. While ”Savage’” with Megan Thee Stallion is also up for record of the year, best rap performance, and best rap song. Beyonce also tops off her nominations with best music video ”Brown Skin Girl” and best music film, “Black Is King.” Dua Lipa, Roddy Ricch, and Taylor Swift follow close behind at six apiece. While K-pop sensation BTS and Harry Styles each earned their first Grammy nods. BTS is up for best pop duo/group performance for “Dynamite” and Styles has three nominations with the best pop solo performance for ”Watermelon Sugar,” best pop vocal album for “Fine Line,” and best music video for “Adore You.”

So, who will go home with an award on the big night? I gave my best shot at predicting the winners of the four Latin field categories (Best Latin Pop or Urban Album, Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album, Best Regional Mexican Music Album, and Best Tropical Latin Album.)

Take a look at my predictions below and find out who is nominated in each of the 83 categories. Check out the full nominees’ list here.

Best Latin Pop or Urban Album

Who I think will win: Bad Bunny, YHLQMDLG

Bad Bunny’s album peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and became one of the biggest Spanish-language albums in the U.S. ever. “YHLQMDLG” also became Spotify’s most-streamed album globally of 2020, while the rapper was also crowned the music platform’s most-streamed artist of the year, with over 8.3 billion streams globally.

Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album

Who I think will win: Fito Páez, LA CONQUISTA DEL ESPACIO

This one is probably going to Argentinian veteran Fito Páez for “La Conquista del Espacio.” Páez has been promoting the album heavily, it won two awards at the Latin Grammys, and he might be the best known out of the nominees. However, Lido Pimienta’s “Miss Colombia” was highly acclaimed. The album was also a Polaris Music Prize nominee.

Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)

Who I think will win: Alejandro Fernández, HECHO EN MÉXICO

Alejandro Fernández has been a positive force in Mexican music. Whether pushing ranchera forward or successfully branching out into Latin pop, the singer consistently represents his country proudly. This is the same album that also won in the same category during the Latin Grammys in November and in Premios Lo Nuestro 2021.

Best Tropical Latin Album

Who I think will win: Grupo Niche, 40

The legendary Colombian group Grupo Niche celebrates 40 years in the Salsa scene, so they paid homage to their great milestone with their album “40.” However, another artist who head-to-head with Grupo Niche is Victor Manuelle. He did a great job with the song selection on his album, “Memorias De Navidad” with a catchy salsa Navideña vibe. All in all, if I were a Latin Grammy 2021 judge, I would go for either Grupo Niche or Victor Manuelle.

Safe to say, this year’s Latin categories are filled with greatness, making predictions particularly hard. But I do like a nice challenge. So, I want to hear from you too, who do you think will win big in these Latin categories? Let me know in the comments below.

Until then, be sure to tune into the 63rd Grammy Awards on CBS, March 14!