The 2023 Latin American Music Awards took place yesterday (April 20) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. Besides delivering well-deserved awards to today’s popular artists and emotional speeches from stars, the exciting award show also brought together a diverse roster of performances. Each energetic and thrilling performance was aired through Univision, UNIMÁS, and Galavisión.
This year’s award show featured more than 30 talented performers, ranging from re-imagined song tributes to the greatest icons of all time, like the Mexican-American figurehead Pepe Aguilar to shining the spotlight on the hottest newcomers like trap and reggaeton’s Young Miko and the corrido tumbado enthusiast Peso Pluma.
The stunning performances ranged from Regional Mexican music, pop, reggaeton, and more–giving a glimpse of what’s being heard in mainstream music today. Other performances included Anuel AA and Wisin’s newest collaboration, “Mi Exxx,” and an electrifying performance of Danna Paola’s hit track “XT4S1S.” It also included a tribute performance to Carlos Vives by Lele Pons, Guaynaa, Jesse & Joy, Ryan Castro, and Emilia.
From Young Miko’s bass-heavy performance of banger “Lisa” to Grupo Frontera and Carin León’s joint performance, here are five of our favorite musical moments from the 2023 Latin American Music Awards.
Becky G & Peso Pluma
One of the hottest collaborations of the month is Becky G and Peso Pluma’s “Chanel,” and the artists are embracing the moment. Not only did they debut it at Becky G’s Coachella performance last Friday (April 14), but the charismatic duo also sang it on national television for the first time. In the pink-lit stage, Peso grinned and said, “Y viva Mexico, viejo,” showing off his Mexican pride. Once Becky G appeared on stage, the two delivered a heart-wrenching performance of the breakup anthem. During the performance, the duo danced together, with Becky mirroring Peso’s signature dance moves as the stage filled with hazy fog.
Young Miko
Young Miko is one of trap and reggaeton artists of the moment, and she’s not changing for anyone. For her national television performance, the openly lesbian rapper sang “Lisa,” a catchy song about having a problem enamoring women. Decked in black-and-pink attire, the emerging Puerto Rican star unapologetically sang verses of her wanting to have quickies, being a gentleman, and how different she likes her women. As far as her event production goes, Young Miko covered the stage with her signature pink hues, all while showing graphics of her as an anime figure and pink hearts in the show’s background. We love to see it!
Natti Natasha
Not only was Natti Natasha a stellar co-host of the evening, but she also delivered one of the most emotional performances this year. The Dominican singer took this opportunity to debut her newest single, “La Falta Que Me Haces,” a touching tribute to her fiancé Raphy Pina. The performance started with the track’s sentimental acoustic guitar-driven melody, showing Natti alone with only a visual of the moon in the background. In a two-piece dark blue outfit, the singer showed a different side from her usual upbeat and provocative artistry, demonstrating a more serious and tender glimpse of what she’s personally going through after Pina’s prison sentence. Chills!
Pepe Aguilar’s Tribute
The Latin American Music Awards honored Pepe Aguilar with a legacy award this year. After accepting his award, which his daughter Ángela Aguilar presented him with, Pepe’s tribute continued featuring Carin León, Banda El Recodo, and Rubén Blades. León performed a version of Pepe’s “Perdóname” alongside the Mexican-American icon himself and accompanied by a mariachi, of course. The singers harmonized seamlessly, and then León stunned by reaching the higher notes in the song. For Banda El Recodo’s part, the group sang “Son Las Dos de la Mañana” with a more upbeat banda feel Afterward, Blades wrapped up the musical accolade with a completely reimagined salsa version of “Por Mujeres Como Tú.” One word to sum the tribute up? Iconic.
Grupo Frontera & Carin León
It’s clear that Grupo Frontera is currently living a highlight of their musical trajectory. Last Monday (April 17), the Mexican-American group dropped their surprise collaboration, “Un x100to,” with Bad Bunny. Though they didn’t perform this song yet, Grupo Frontera graced the Latin American Music Awards stage with other smash hits. The band sang “No Se Va” in a minimalistic warm-colored lit stage before sharing it with “their compa” Carin León. Once León was on stage, the two artists performed “Que Vuelvas.” The stage then lit up with white lights as the two vocalists danced and vibed to the heartfelt cumbia track.
