Shakira swept the Latin Grammy awards in New York City November 2nd, locking in album of the year and female pop vocal album of the year honors for Fijación Oral Vol. 1 and song and record of the year wins for “La Tortura,” her breakup duet with Alejandro Sanz.
In all, the Colombian songstress picked up five out of the six awards for which she was nominated (including a best engineered album honor) and used some of her stage time to voice support for illegal immigrants working and trying to gain citizenship in the U.S., asking for “recognition from the government for those who have come here to work.”
Puerto Rican duo Calle 13, another multiple winner, took home trophies for best new artist and best urban music album for the self-titled Calle 13, and best short-form music video for the song “Atrevete Te, Te.” Apparently, the honors were too much for one member of the group, Eduardo Cabra, or Residente, to bear.
“I’m wetting myself,” Residente said, “I had something prepared but can’t read it. I’m way too nervous.”
This was the second year in a row that a reggaeton act won the best urban music category, supporting the argument that the genre is a lasting force on the U.S. Latin music industry.
Shakira’s fellow Sony BMG artists, Argentine rocker Gustavo Cerati and Mexican singer and accordionist Julieta Venegas won for best rock vocal album, Ahi Vamos, and best alternative album, Limón y Sal, respectively.
The ceremony featured Shakira, Thalia, Mana, Ricky Martin and many others in performances that played tributes to salsa, mariachi, opera, merengue, rock and reggaeton.
Madison Square Garden played host to this year’s Latin Grammys, marking the first time in the show’s seven-year history it was held in NYC. Broadcast by the Univision network, the ceremony was conducted entirely in Spanish for the second straight year.