The Latin Recording Academy celebrated Monday afternoon (Nov. 9) the contributions of six outstanding performers who have left their mark in Latin music throughout their fruitful careers.
Spanish-Mexican singer Alaska, Cuban-Mexican musician Francisco Céspedes, Mexican singer-songwriter Lila Downs, Brazilian artist Daniela Mercury and Dominican singer-songwriter Chichí Peralta received Lifetime Achievement Awards for their creative contributions of outstanding artistic value to Latin music. Meanwhile, Panamanian hitmaker Omar Alfanno received the Trustees Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to Latin music, not necessarily through performance.
“Today, we pay tribute to a group of extraordinary artists, timeless artists with their work, their great talent and their legacy, who have left an indelible mark on our culture,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of the Latin Recording Academy, as he opened the ceremony in Las Vegas.
The event was hosted by Dominican merengue singer Milly Quezada and featured Erika Ender as one of the presenters. It preceded the 2026 Latin Grammy Awards gala, which will take place on Thursday (Nov. 12) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be broadcast live on Univision at 8 p.m. ET.
Below are the best quotes from the honorees as they received their Special Awards:
Alaska, on being an artist full of contradictions: “I understand that I am a rare artist, difficult to classify, with one foot in the mainstream and the other in the underground, who knows what it’s like to have a No. 1 hit and what it’s like to release her own albums, and who has one foot in America [despite being Spanish], because I was born in Mexico.”
Omar Alfanno, on the importance of songwriters: “Songwriters are the fuel of this industry. There is no singer without a songwriter. That’s why I ask you to create songs that endure, not just ones that are hits.”
Francisco Céspedes, on the ultimate purpose of his music: “If you ever had a romantic or intimate moment while listening to my songs, that was my goal.”
Lila Downs, with tears and a trembling voice, on fulfilling her childhood dream: “Today, as I receive this recognition, I think of that 6-year-old girl who sang in the mountains of Oaxaca and I want to tell her: ‘Yes, it was worth dreaming.’ Thank you, Oaxaca, for giving me roots. Thank you, Mexico, for giving me identity, strength and so many stories to sing.”
Daniela Mercury, on making inclusive music: “We sing for our people, to see our people dance, celebrate and love each other… My music stands against discrimination and in favor of joy and the rights of the LGBT community. Long live freedom and democracy. No more authoritarianism.”
Chichí Peralta, on the human essence of creativity: “Sometimes you have to try, fail and start over, and maybe that’s the most beautiful part of creating: discovering that there’s always another possibility. But creativity isn’t just about producing something that previously only existed in our imagination. And that capacity to feel, imagine and transform our experiences into art is profoundly human. No technology will ever replace its essence.”
