Latin American Music Awards Address Political Climate

The Latin American Music Awards were held last night and many of the speeches given addressed the current political climate. Here are some of the highlights.

Introduction

The Latin American Music Awards (LAMA) show, which was held in Miami on October 9th, addressed the current political climate in Latin America. The event, which was hosted by actress/singer Roselyn Sánchez and actor/producer Jamie Camil, featured musical performances by some of the biggest names in the Latin music industry.

The show began with a powerful performance by Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello, who sang her hit song “Havana” while standing in front of a giant Cuban flag. The performance was followed by a speech from Cabello, who said that she was “proud to be Cuban” and spoke out against the “oppression and injustice” that people are facing in her home country.

Other highlights from the show included a moving performance by Colombian singer Shakira, who dedicated her song “Me Enamoré” to Venezuelan refugees, and a powerful speech by actor Wilmer Valderrama, who spoke about the need for Latinos to stand up and unite in these divisive times.

The LAMA show ended with a joint performance by all of the night’s performers, including Cabello, Shakira, Valderrama, Ricky Martin, Ozuna, and Gloria Estefan. The group sang Estefan’s classic song “We Are All One,” which served as a reminder of the unity and strength of the Latino community.

The Awards Show

The Latin American Music Awards show took place on Thursday night and it addressed the current political climate. The show began with a speech from host, Nancy Alvarez. She said, “Our country is going through a very tough time right now. We’re divided, we’re angry, and we’re afraid. But tonight, we’re going to put all of that aside and we’re going to celebrate Latin music and its ability to bring us all together.” The speech was met with cheers and applause from the audience.

The Performances

The night’s big winner was Maluma, who took home five awards, including Artist of the Year. He also gave a powerful performance of his song “El Préstamo,” which addresses the struggles of working-class people in his native Colombia.

Other standout performances included J Balvin and Bad Bunny, who performed their hits “I Like It” and “Mia”; Ozuna, who sang his emotional ballad “Adrenalina”; and Shakira, who closed the show with a medley of her greatest hits.

These artists used their platform to address the political climate in Latin America, with many of them speaking out against the oppression of indigenous people and calling for social justice. It was a powerful reminder that music can be a force for change.

The Winners

The Latin American Music Awards were held on Thursday night, October 17, and the show did not disappoint. The annual awards show, which celebrates the best in Latin music, was full of scintillating performances, powerful speeches and one very important message: Latinx unity in the face of adversity.

This year’s show addressed the current political climate head-on, with host Becky G kicking things off by declaring that “we are all human beings regardless of what our immigration status is.” She went on to say that the Latinx community is “not going to be silenced” and urged viewers to vote in the upcoming midterm elections.

Other highlights included a tear-jerking tribute to the late Selena Quintanilla by her sister Suzette and a show-stopping performance by Jennifer Lopez, who took home the award for Artist of the Year.

In a nod to the importance of voting, several of the evening’s winners used their acceptance speeches to encourage viewers to go to the polls. “We have to vote because our voices matter,” said Ariel Camacho y Los Plebes del Rancho singer Mario Quintanilla. “If we don’t vote, we can’t complain about anything.”

The complete list of winners is as follows:

Artist of the Year: Jennifer Lopez
New Artist of the Year: Mau y Ricky
Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock: Ozuna
Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock: Shakira
Favorite Album – Pop/Rock: Shakira, El Dorado
Favorite Song – Pop/Rock: Luis Fonsi feat. Daddy Yankee “Despacito”
Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock: Zoé
Favorite Artist – Urban: Bad Bunny
Favorite Album – Urban: Bad Bunny, X 100PRE
Favorite Song – Urban: J Balvin feat. Willy William “Mi Gente”

The Politics

The Latin American Music Awards (LAMAS) were held on Tuesday night, and though the show itself was a celebratory affair there were several moments that addressed the current political climate. The show opened with a performance from Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, and Justin Bieber for their megahit “Despacito.” The trio performed the track in Spanish, with a backdrop that read “Unidos Somos Mas Fuertes” (“United We Are Stronger”).

The Protests

The Latin American Music Awards (LAMAs) took place on Thursday night, and though the event is typically a celebration of music, this year’s show addressed the current political climate head-on. The night began with a performance from Jesse & Joy, who sang their new song “Espacio Sideral” in front of a backdrop of images ofLatino activists, many of whom have been detained or deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Before they began their performance, Jesse & Joy delivered a powerful speech in which they denounced the Trump administration’s treatment of immigrants. “We are here to celebrate our culture, our music, and our community, but we cannot do that without acknowledging the reality that we are living in today,” Joy said. “The past few months have been especially hard for our community. Families have been torn apart, friends have been lost, and there is a lot of fear and uncertainty about what the future holds. But we cannot let hate win. We have to stand up for what is right and fight for our voices to be heard.”

The rest of the show continued in a similarly political vein, with several artists using their platform to address the current situation at the U.S.-Mexico border and call for social justice. In one particularly moving moment, Luis Fonsi dedicated his performance of “Despacito” to the children who have been detained in ICE detention centers. “This song is about harmony and unity, two things that we need today more than ever,” he said.

Other performers included Daddy Yankee, who also spoke out against the Trump administration’s immigration policies; Bad Bunny, who wore a shirt that said “They Killed Alex Nogales” in reference to a Mexican journalist who was recently assassinated; and Becky G, who closed the show with a cover of Selena Quintanilla’s “Como La Flor.”

The speeches

The Latin American Music Awards (AMAs) were held last night, and the show was full of powerful speeches from some of music’s biggest stars.

The night started with a speech from host Eva Longoria, who spoke about the current political climate in the United States and how Latino musicians are using their platforms to address social issues.

“We are living in a time where our voices are needed more than ever,” Longoria said. ” Latin music has always been a voice for social change.”

She went on to cite examples of how Latin musicians have used their platform to address issues like immigration, police brutality, and women’s rights.

“Tonight, we celebrate Latin music, but we also stand in solidarity with all those who are fighting for a better world,” she concluded.

Many of the night’s performances also addressed political issues. Shakira performed her new single “El Dorado,” which includes references to the migrant crisis and the struggles of immigrants seeking a better life.

In one of the night’s most emotional moments, Jennifer Lopez performed her new song “Ain’t Your Mama,” which addresses gender inequality and calls on women to stand up for themselves. Lopez was joined onstage by a group of female dancers, all of whom were dressed in white as a symbol of unity.

Conclusion

The 2017 Latin American Music Awards (LAMAS) were held last night in Hollywood, and in addition to celebrating the biggest names in Spanish-language music, the show also took a stand against the current political climate.

Host Francisca Lachapel used her opening monologue to address the anti-immigrant rhetoric that has been coming from the Trump administration. “We are doctors, we are lawyers, we are teachers, we are entrepreneurs,” she said. “We are not criminals, we are not rapists.”

Many of the night’s performers also used their time on stage to send a message of solidarity and acceptance. Residente, who won Artist of the Year and Song of the Year, dedicated his acceptance speech to “all the immigrants around the world.” And during their performance of “Despacito,” Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee switched up the lyrics to reference DACA and Dreamers.

Overall, it was a powerful night filled with political statements and calls for unity—and a much-needed reminder that Latinx voices will not be silenced.