Karol G & Natti Natasha Honor Selena at Premios Juventud

In the year of the 25th anniversary of Selena’s death Natti Natasha, Ally Brooke, Danna Paola, and Greeicy Rendon came together for a special tribute to the Queen of Cumbia at the 2020 Premios Juventud. Danna Paola performed ”Como Me Duele,” Natti Natasha sang ”Carcacha,” Ally Brooke sang ”Amor Prohibido,” and Greeicy Rendón did ”Baila Esta Cumbia” before they all came together for ”Fotos Y Recuerdos.” Karol G presented the special and spoke about the influence and importance of Selena’s legacy and showed off her tattoo dedicated to the Queen of Tejano music.

“She changed the world with music, with immense talent and with her undeniable identity as a Latina. She became a star that dazzled her fans, that constantly inspires and that always shines,” Karol said. “She is our queen, the one and only Selena.”

She then presented A.B. Quintanilla with two Musical Legacy awards for him and his late sister.  He dedicated the trophies to their parents and thanked the world for keeping her memory alive.

The Premios Juventud aired live from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. Thursday night which was set up to be a safe environment for some of the artists who were present. Many artists and the audience itself were virtual. The awards show kicked off with a version of Bob Marley’s “One Love” performed by The Wailers, Cedella and Skip Marley, Pedro Capó, Rauw Alejandro, Farruko, Camilo, and Kany García promoting inclusion and justice.

Social activism was evident throughout the show with Becky G dedicating her Agent of Change award to Black Lives Matter activist Tamika Mallory and Vanessa Guillen. “Their campaigns are more than a hashtag on Instagram. They are life or death. I invite you to take this time to reflect and I ask you to vote with me in November.” Other Agents of Change honorees included Pitbull, who spoke of the importance of education, and Ricky Martin who encouraged young viewers to be the change they want to see.

The night’s top winners included Bad Bunny who won eight awards and Karol G and J Balvin with five awards each.

J Balvin was awarded for video with a purpose for his“Rojo,” which empathized the importance of not texting and driving. In a pre-recorded message, he shared that he tested positive for Covid-19 and is recovering. “These have been very difficult days, very complicated. Sometimes we won’t think that we’ll get it but I got it and I got it bad,” he said. “My message to those that follow me, young fans and people in general is to take care. This isn’t a joke. The virus is real and it’s dangerous.”

Mucha fuerza @JBALVIN, te mandamos un fuerte abrazo. ¡Gracias! ❤️️ #PremiosJuventud pic.twitter.com/3jM1Sb1V03

— Premios Juventud (@PremiosJuventud) August 14, 2020

Some of the performances included Ozuna who sang “Caramelo” and “Mamacita”  along with a live band wearing their face masks and a set of animated dancers. Mau y Ricky  sang“Papás” while Jhay Cortez performed the censored version of ”Medusa”, ”Como Se Siente and “Dime a Ve.” Karol G performed “Ay, DiOs Mío!” and Cali y El Dandee shared the stage with Sebastián Yatra to sing ”Locura” and Gloria Trevi gave a memorable performance of “Demasiado Fragiles,.

The show wrapped with a tribute the legendary singer Celia Cruz performed by Sabana Music Group’s concept KYEN?ES? which centers around the experience of music and live performances. They sang “La Vida es Un Carnaval,” “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” and “Ríe y llora.”