The Latin Recording Academy To Honor Spanish Singer Raphael As Person Of The Year

Raphael, an iconic Spanish singer who has sold dozens of millions of records throughout his illustrious six-decade career, will be honored with one of the Latin Recording Academy’s most prestigious awards. The organization announced Tuesday that it will honor Raphael as this year’s Person of the Year, an honor given to artists who make great contributions to Latin music and philanthropy.

“We feel tremendously proud to pay this well-deserved tribute to Raphael for an exemplary artistic career that has transcended borders and languages,” Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy, said in a statement. “His unmistakable style, resilience, and constant reinvention have kept him relevant throughout the decades, making him a source of inspiration for new generations of Latin music creators.”

The singer hailing from Madrid established himself as an ambassador of Latin music worldwide with his heartfelt ballads, and the Latin Recording Academy will celebrate Raphael with a special gala where artists will perform renditions of his songs. The gala takes place Nov. 12 and will be part of Latin Grammy Week in Las Vegas, Nevada. Net proceeds from the Person of the Year gala will go toward the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, which is the Academy’s charity organization.

“I feel deeply grateful to The Latin Recording Academy for this recognition that I have dreamed of receiving for many years,” Raphael said. “Being named Person of the Year thrills me immensely; it’s the best way to celebrate so many years of dedication and love for music,” said Raphael. “Thank you to the audiences that have always stood by my side, to my dear colleagues, and the entire music industry. It’s an honor I will always carry in my heart. I look forward to reuniting with everyone in November to celebrate together and give back all that affection through songs. A huge hug and my most sincere gratitude.”

Born Rafael Martos in Linares, Spain, in 1943, Raphael was raised in Madrid and developed a passion for music at a young age, winning singing competitions in Europe. He represented his country in the Eurovision Song Contest twice and even performed on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1970.

Raphael overcame a brain lymphoma diagnosis late last year and announced his return to Spanish and Latin American stages with his “Raphaelísmo” tour. He’s a road warrior, consistently performing in arenas and theaters across the globe. The Spaniard visited Mexico City’s Auditorio Nacional on April 17, 2024, and grossed $653,121 off 8,296 tickets sold, according to Pollstar Boxoffice.

In receiving the Latin Recording Academy’s Person of the Year honor, Raphael joins a class that includes Carlos Vives (2024), Shakira (2011), Marco Antonio Solís (2023), Juan Gabriel (2009), Gloria Estefan (2008), Ricky Martin (2006), Vicente Fernández (2002) and many more.