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Latin Grammys 2025 predictions: Bad Bunny, Natalia Lafourcade and Rauw Alejandro among the frontrunners

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This year promises to be one of the most exciting editions of the Latin Grammys.

In preparation for announcing the nominees for the 26th edition on September 17, the Latin Recording Academy is considering albums released between June 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025. Many notable albums from this period have fueled the growth of Latin music worldwide and have been pioneering with their innovative choices and boundary-pushing sounds.

Today, urban genre has become an integral component of Latin pop, consistently reinventing and pushing boundaries. Meanwhile, traditional Mexican music, rich in authenticity, has secured a prestigious position at the table more than ever before. The realms of folk, rock, electronica, and tropical music continue to broaden, and artists such as Bad Bunny, Rauw Alejandro, Becky G, Fuerza Regida, and Natalia Lafourcade are competing for awards with some of the most daring albums they’ve ever produced.

Suzy Exposito, an assistant editor, and Ernesto Lechner, a guest contributor, share their insights about potential nominees for songs and albums. Below is an excerpt from their discussion, which has been condensed for brevity.

(This version attempts to convey the same meaning but with a more conversational tone.)

Suzy Exposito and Ernesto Lechner chat about their predictions on which tunes and records could be up for nomination. Here’s a snippet of their conversation, shortened for your reading pleasure.

In this version, I aimed to make the text sound more casual while still conveying the original meaning accurately.

Ernesto Lechner: It appears that 2025 stands out as a relatively straightforward year for Latin Grammy history, with two clear frontrunners. Bad Bunny’s album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” is so defining of this year and the entire decade that it seems to overshadow the songs themselves with its conceptual weight. Meanwhile, Natalia Lafourcade’s “Cancionera,” infused with mystical undertones, showcases her as a consistent Grammy favorite at the pinnacle of her skill. Looking back at Benito’s work, its heavy concept is nearly more impressive than the songs themselves.

Suzy Exposito: This album is a strong contender for Album of the Year due to the deep thought and meaning behind it. The songs not only reflect Puerto Rico’s history, but also engage directly with the wider Caribbean community through salsa music.

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E.L. admires his ability to explore beyond just salsa music, delving into plena as well. He frequently returns to Rafael Cortijo’s roots, embodying the deep spirit of Puerto Rican culture. Remarkably, the album possesses a Beatles-esque charm, becoming a top-selling record and capturing everyone’s attention. Yet, it maintains its artistic integrity without any compromises, presenting a bold and complete artistic statement.

Is every album by Benito merely a copy of Bad Bunny’s work? I believe he avoids adding unnecessary tracks like many other artists do.

In the photograph gracing the cover, the plastic chairs could easily be from suburban areas in Lima, San Salvador, or Medellín. Benito’s statement encompasses all of Latin America so eloquently. This leads me to propose the title track, “Debí Tirar Mas Fotos,” as a strong candidate for Song of the Year.

Initially, upon hearing it, tears welled up in me. This song is incredibly touching and emotional. Just recently, I found myself in Puerto Rico and attended a plena music gathering on the street. The atmosphere was vibrant, with individuals of all ages participating, singing traditional tunes, while sipping drinks. There was something truly captivating and ageless about that shared moment.

In a natural and easy-to-read manner:

Lafourcade’s album, “Cancionera,” is filled with a similar ardor for music. It was recorded live on analog tape, giving it a pure, cozy warmth that reminds one of wooden floors. She beautifully portrays the mystical figure of the cancionera in this album, and it’s quite mature. One of my favorite songs from it is “Cocos en la Playa,” which is a lively, beautiful tropical tune that feels incredibly genuine and lovely. I believe both these albums will compete fiercely in all major categories when compared.

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It seems to me that Natalia Lafourcade appears to be the conventional pick at the Latin Grammys, which feels odd to say given her pop-rock background in the 2000s. Despite being a prodigious talent and an undeniable master of her craft, her nomination is expected due to her current standing as a symbol of excellence according to the Latin Academy’s standards.

Among the options available, including Benito and Natalia, it’s clear that Cazzu’s “Latinaje” stands as one of the strongest contenders likely to show up in the main categories.

This album truly stands out as a remarkable expression. It’s captivating to witness Cazzu venturing beyond the Latin trap style she’s known for and merging it with various other elements. She’s an exceptional songwriter, and her journey towards transformation is intriguing. I believe this year is seeing many young artists reconnecting with their roots and then creating something fresh from that foundation.

Recently, I chatted with Cazzu, and shared with her that the song “Latinaje” resonated deeply, giving me a sense of validation. As fellow Argentines, I’ve long believed we are an essential piece of Latin America. She beautifully illustrated this sentiment in her heartfelt tribute to various key genres. From salsa and merengue, to South American folk, and “Dolce,” a captivating corrido tumbado about the viral red dress, she authentically paid homage to them all.

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It could be challenging for her, given that she’s an MC by origin. I’m curious if the Latin Academy can classify her appropriately, as this album spans multiple genres. After all, she’s a global artist.

Certainly!

Rubén Blades has just released a new album titled “Fotografías,” and it’s as beautiful as ever. This latest release is another impressive salsa session led by a big band, blending fresh compositions with songs he originally composed for fellow Fania artists in the ’70s and now records himself.

What an excellent decision he made! By the way, don’t you remember those songs? Well, it turns out I was the one who penned them! Now, speaking of Rubén, he might not be the most groundbreaking pick, but he certainly fits comfortably across all major categories. This brings me to another artist, Rauw Alejandro, who released an album heavily influenced by salsa – “Cosa Nuestra.

In my opinion: I’m really into the Afro-Caribbean feel and the smooth duet with bachata sensation Romeo Santos on “Khé”. It seems that this song hasn’t received as much attention as Benito’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” However, my favorite album from Rauw Alejandro is still 2021’s “Vice Versa”, which includes the fantastic, ’80s-inspired megahit “Todo De Ti”.

The track I love most from “Cosa Nuestra” is “Se Fue,” the duet with Laura Pausini, which has a melancholic ’80s feel to it. Raúl takes care to refine his affection for vintage music styles. Michael Jackson is one of his significant musical influences.

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By the way, let’s take a moment to bring up Fuerza Regida and their ninth studio album, “111XPANTIA.” Despite never being nominated for a Latin Grammy, I’m hoping they’ll get recognition this time because they have taken some daring creative risks. Their frontman, Jesús Ortiz Paz, demonstrates thoughtful intent behind his artistic choices, moving beyond the repetition of traditional corridos or relying on ’90s rap influences. Their music is playful and pushes musical boundaries.

You won’t have a single dull moment listening to the latest generation of Mexican music stars, given the incredible lyrical depth and catchy tunes they create.

Now, it seems fitting that Ivan Cornejo should receive recognition from the Latin Grammys for “Mirada”. The song has a haunting, mature, and innovative vibe that pushes the boundaries within its genre. Additionally, I’d like to give a round of applause to DannyLux for his daring creation “Leyenda”, which offers a psychedelic interpretation of sierreño music, reminiscent of George Harrison’s style.

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How about rephrasing it as: Last year, I was tasked with writing about “Encounters,” and I couldn’t help but be captivated by the refined charm of this flawless Mexican music gathering. Becky G’s voice is incredibly powerful on this album.

I sincerely hope they won’t pigeonhole her into just the Mexican music genres, as this album showcases a level of maturity that suits her well. Given her background of growing up performing mariachi music with her family, it’s a touching and fitting culmination for her career.

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Becky’s album, titled ‘Encuentros’, is a strong contender for Album of the Year due to its unique blend of celebrating her grandparents’ music while also pushing beyond it. Becky expressed that she has no plans to revisit the past after recording her two traditional albums of rancheras and rich Mexican pop.

This leads me to make a broader point: I think we’re living in an extraordinarily vibrant period, and the Latin Grammy nominations are a testament to that. It’s as if every Latin American country has flourished, adorning its finest garments and hosting spectacular events. The abundance and diversity of music being produced across the continent is simply incredible.

Absolutely! The past few years, particularly 2020 and onwards, have brought an unprecedented wave of creativity to Latin music. It’s my belief that this decade will stand out as a daring one in our musical history.

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2025-07-29 00:31

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