Latin Music: Reggaeton, Corridos and the Grammys — 2026-09-11
Peso Pluma has overtaken Bad Bunny as the top contender for the 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards with 17 nominations, signaling a major shift in industry power toward Regional Mexican music. Meanwhile, the Latin Recording Academy is preparing to honor legacy artists at the upcoming Latin Grammys, while corridos tumbados continue to spark political debate in Mexico despite government pressure.
Latin Music: Reggaeton, Corridos and the Grammys — 2026-09-11
Top developments
Peso Pluma Leads 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards Finalists
On September 10, 2026, finalists for the 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards were announced, with Peso Pluma leading the pack with 17 nominations. This marks a significant change from the previous year, when Bad Bunny held the record with 27 nominations. The shift highlights the continued dominance of música mexicana and regional Mexican genres in the mainstream Latin music landscape. Other top contenders include Tito Double P, Fuerza Regida, and Karol G.
Legacy Artists Honored at Upcoming Latin Grammys
The Latin Recording Academy has confirmed that this year’s Latin Grammy Awards will pay tribute to iconic figures including Alaska, Lila Downs, Daniela Mercury, Chichí Peralta, Francisco Céspedes, and songwriter Omar Alfanno. These "Lifetime Achievement" recognitions aim to highlight the historical depth of Latin music beyond current urban trends, ensuring that the foundational genres of the Americas are celebrated alongside reggaeton and corridos.
Natanael Cano Defies Government Pressure on Corridos Tumbados
In a defiant move following the release of his new album Natanael Cano Vol. 1, singer Natanael Cano stated he would continue performing corridos tumbados "until they kill me," criticizing government efforts to restrict the genre in Mexico. The album, released in late August but dominating news cycles this week, includes tracks that reference criminal organizations, reigniting the debate over "apology of crime" in Mexican music. This stance has intensified scrutiny from local authorities, particularly in Coahuila, where officials have debated banning such performances.
Free Patriotic Fiestas Concerts Feature Regional Mexican Stars
As part of Mexico’s Independence Day celebrations on September 15, free concerts will be held in the Gustavo A. Madero district of Mexico City. The lineup includes a mix of generations and genres, featuring La Sonora Santanera, Luis R. Conriquez (a key figure in the corridos tumbados scene), and La Maldita Vecindad. This event underscores the integration of regional Mexican music into national cultural festivities, despite ongoing controversies surrounding its lyrical content.
Local view
Local media outlets are closely monitoring the political friction surrounding corridos tumbados. Estrella Digital México published an analysis on September 7 discussing how the genre is being used as a political tool in Coahuila, with critics arguing it glorifies violence while fans defend it as cultural expression.
In Venezuela, El Diario reported on September 8 that the "Legends Reggaeton Concert" has been rescheduled to November 14, 2026, at the Estadio Universitario in Caracas. The event, organized by CP Producciones, features major urbano stars and reflects the sustained demand for live reggaeton experiences in South America.
Context & numbers
- Billboard Nominations: Peso Pluma leads with 17 nominations; Tito Double P follows closely, often collaborating with Peso Pluma. Karol G remains the top female contender.
- Streaming Trends: Música mexicana continues to be the most streamed Latin genre in the U.S., maintaining its lead over reggaeton in domestic consumption, though Bad Bunny remains the most streamed Latin artist globally on Spotify.
- Awards Calendar: The 27th Annual Latin Grammy Awards online entry process is currently active for recordings released between June 1 and May 31, setting the stage for the November ceremony.
On the radar
- Premios Juventud 2026: Carín León leads the nominations for the upcoming Premios Juventud, followed by Beéle, Kany García, and Rauw Alejandro. The ceremony will take place later this year.
- Paulo Londra’s Buenos Aires Show: Argentine rapper Paulo Londra announced a final show for 2026 in Buenos Aires, scheduled for late December, capitalizing on his successful year of releases.
- Harry Styles’ Madrid Dates: While not a Latin artist, Harry Styles’ announcement of two shows at Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium in 2027 signals high demand for stadium-level events in Spain, potentially influencing tour routing for Latin stars like Bad Bunny or Karol G who also target these venues.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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