Show-stopping performances by Prince Royce and Gabito Ballesteros, who took the stage to sing “Cosas de la Peda” – which won tropical song of the year – and Gloria Trevi and Maria Becerra – who joined forces for “Borracha” – made the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards one for the books.
Special awards honorees, Pepe Aguilar, J Balvin and Alejandro Sanz, each gave emotional speeches as they accepted their respective honors. Aguilar was inducted into the Billboard Hall of Fame, and said: “The way to remain relevant has been through my passion for my music and by reinventing when it was necessary. And that’s been possible thanks to the people who’ve been by my side. An artist is as good as the team that surrounds him.”
Meanwhile, Balvin who was bestowed the Spirit of Hope Award spoke on the significance of this recognition. “I’ve always liked to help my people quietly, because those are the awards that one carries forever,” he expressed. “These awards come and go, but the awards of the soul, helping a friend, serving others, those are the ones that are most worthwhile.” Sanz didn’t perform but did take the stage to share special words with fans and fellow hitmakers when accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award. “I want to dedicate to my colleagues who do music, because there was a time when making music in Spanish wasn’t easy. Feel proud for what has been achieved.”
Besides the big winners of the night, it was Lupillo Rivera that perhaps made a massive statement with his outfit choice. The regional Mexican artist wore a t-shirt with Diddy’s face and a big, red X over it. It’s a shirt he designed himself in hopes of getting a very specific message across.
“I wore this shirt because I don’t like people playing with the dreams, feelings, and desires of people who are just starting out in the entertainment world,” Rivera told Billboard Español. “There are a lot of things like that in this world and we have to put a stop to it. I don’t support anything this man does at all, and the truth is that it’s something that shouldn’t happen.”
The ceremony may be a wrap but we’re reliving some of the highlights from the show, which broadcast Sunday (Oct. 20) on Telemundo, and hosted by actors Carmen Villalobos and Danilo Carrera,
Below, find a gallery of photos that show some of the best moments from the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards.