Bad Bunny, J Balvin and Tainy are the only Latin artists to break beyond the Latin categories in the 2021 Grammy nominations, which were announced Tuesday morning. Their 2020 collaboration with Dua Lipa, "Un Dia (One Day)," is nominated for best pop duo/group performance.
That distinction prompted some social-media grumblings about how Latin music was shut out of the top categories and relegated to its own fields. There was even talk about the Recording Academy's Latin Grammys show, which aired last weekend.
Said one Twitter user, in a series of tweets: "man that bad bunny's album wasn't nominated for album of the year and instead placed in a separate category because it's a latin album ... the alienation and discrimination is showing ... the fact that they have latin grammys just so they don't have to have to nominate latinos in their main grammys award show."
"How does country music have so many categories but the Latin pop and urban categories have about 5 different genres in them," tweeted another person.
Following ample criticism from those in the Latin music industry, the Grammy Awards' Latin categories have been amended to better reflect the genres. The previous category of best Latin pop album has been converted to best Latin pop or urban album. The previous category of best Latin rock, alternative urban album is now best Latin rock/alternative album.
Best Latin pop or urban album nominees include Bad Bunny for "YHLQMDLG," Ricky Martin for "Pausa," Kany Garcia for "Mesa Para Dos," Debi Nova for "3:33" and Camilo for "Por Primera Vez."
In the category of best Latin rock or alternative album, the nominees include Cultura Profetica for "Sobrevolando," Bajofondo for "Aura," Cami for "Monstruo," Fito Paez for "La Conquista del Espacio" and Lido Pimienta for "Miss Colombia."
The nominees for best regional Mexican music album (including Tejano) are Alejandro Fernandez for "Hecho en Mexico," Lupita Infante for "La Serenata," Natalia Lafourcade for "Un Canto por Mexico, Vol. 1," Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez for "Bailando Sones y Huapangos con el Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez" and Christian Nodal for "Ayayay!"
For best tropical album, the nominees are Jose Alberto "El Ruisenor" for "Mi Tumbao," Edwin Bonilla for "Infinito," Jorge Celedon & Sergio Luis for "Sigo Cantando al Amor (Deluxe)," Grupo Niche for "40" and Victor Manuelle for "Memorias de Navidad."
