Juanes, Sanz Lead Latin Grammys

Colombian rocker Juanes and Spanish crooner Alejandro Sanz walked off with the major honors at the 6th annual Latin Grammy Awards ceremony November 3rd at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium.

Juanes, who won five Latin Grammys in 2003, was honored with best rock song for “Nada Valgo Sin Tu Amor,” best music video for “Volverte a Ver” and best rock solo vocal for “Mi Sangre.” He now has a record 12 Latin Grammy trophies on his mantle.

Sanz picked up song of the year and record of the year for Tu No Tienes Alma, bringing his lifetime total to nine.

The show, broadcast for the first time on Spanish cable channel Univision, showcased genres of Latin music including pop, salsa, reggaeton and rock.

Italy’s Laura Pausini – one of the few non-Latin artists nominated – beat out Spain’s Bebe for best female pop vocal album. Bebe, who entered the competition with a leading five nominations, took home the best new artist honor for her album Malo.

Dominican merengue and salsa musician Juan Luis Guerra collected two trophies: best Christian album and best tropical song for ” Las Avispas.” Puerto Rican-born Elvis Crespo took home the best merengue album award for Saborealo.

Marc Anthony‘s Valio La Pena earned the singer the best salsa album award.

Puerto Rican singer Obie Bermudez picked up his first Latin Grammy ever for best male pop artist, while Los Angeles-based Ozomatli was honored with best alternative album for Street Signs.