American Music Awards: JLo, Maluma Performed and Cardi B and Becky G Won Big
The power of Latin music is undeniable which is why the American Music Awards introduced three new Latin categories: favorite male artist, favorite female artist, favorite album, and favorite song
Photo: Instagram/@jlo
The power of Latin music is undeniable which is why the American Music Awards introduced three new Latin categories: favorite male artist, favorite female artist, favorite album, and favorite song. Latin music didn’t have any categories until 1998 when they introduced favorite Latin artist which first went to Julio Iglesias. Last night, Becky G made history when she became the first artist to win favorite female Latin artist and during her speech, she thanked immigrants including her own family referencing the lyrics from her 2013 track, “Becky from the Block”: “When I first got signed at 14, I did a cover and I said, ‘It all started when my grandpa crossed over / Now one day I’mma be a crossover.”
She added, “It’s insane because today I still carry that same sentiment, except I don’t have to do the crossover because we are the crossover.” She went on to say she proudly represents both Mexico and America and “Like many children and grandchildren of immigrants — no matter where they’re from — we have learned from the ones before us what sacrifice and hard work looks like. I dedicate this award to all of our immigrant workers in this pandemic.” Becky added, “It’s because of my family, my abuelitos that I stand here today.”
The original girl from the block, Jennifer Lopez and Maluma weren’t nominated but they did perform their collaborative singles together on stage for the first time. The hits, “Pa Ti” and “Lonely,” will be featured in their upcoming rom-com, Marry Me set to premiere on May 14, 2021.
Meanwhile Bad Bunny — who virtually presented Becky G with her award — won favorite male Latin artist and favorite Latin album for “YHLQMDLG“. While Karol G and Nicki Minaj won favorite Latin song for “Tusa”. Bad Bunny was scheduled to perform but dropped out at the last minute after testing positive for the coronavirus. He was scheduled to hit the stage with Jhay Cortez for a world premiere performance of their duet “Dákiti”.
Fans were disappointed to tune in and discover he wasn’t performing and this morning his representative confirmed the Puerto Rican Reggaeton artist, 26, contracted Covid-19 but according to his publicist he wasn’t showing any major symptoms today. During his speech for favorite Latin album he dedicated the award to all his fans: “To all my fans, to all the people who listen to me, who support me, who always believe in my music, I always do it all for you. Latinos rule the world. I love you”.
Congratulations, @sanbenito! 🎉 He's taking home the #AMAs for Favorite Album – Latin for YHLQMDLG! pic.twitter.com/lZCftKJRGs
— American Music Awards (@AMAs) November 23, 2020
Cardi B made history when she became the first artist in history to win favorite song in the Rap/Hip Hop category twice. First in 2018 for her hit single “Bodak Yellow,” and this year she won for her the controversial megahit “WAP” with Megan thee Stallion. She tweeted in response to the win saying if she’d known she would have rescheduled her dental appointment but because she was so swollen she recorded audio thanking her fans. The Dominican/Trinidadian rapper posted saying: “Me and Meg really appreciate all the love from fans, celebs everybody that supported the song. Also thanks for voting.”
