Rosalía and Karol G Lead 2026 Latin Grammy Nominations with Seven Nods Each

Rosalía and Karol G lead the nominations for the 2026 Latin Grammys with seven nominations each, announced Wednesday (9/16). Both will compete in the Record of the Year category with the songs La Perla (Rosalía) and Coleccionando Heridas (Karol G), while also earning Album of the Year nominations for Lux (Complete Works) and Tropicoqueta.

The dominance of these two musicians marks a shifting map of power in Latin music that is becoming increasingly fluid. Rosalía, known for her flamenco-pop explorations, and Karol G, a reggaeton icon, represent two poles now recognized as equals by the academy. Both are also competing in the Song of the Year category, making their rivalry one of the main highlights of this 27th edition.

However, attention is not focused on them alone. Edgar Barrera emerged as the most-nominated artist with ten nominations, cementing his position as the most influential songwriter and producer behind the scenes in the Latin industry. Meanwhile, Jorge Drexler and the duo Ca7riel Paco Amoroso each secured seven nominations, rivaling Rosalía and Karol G in the three main categories: Record, Album, and Song of the Year.

Latin Recording Academy CEO Manuel Abud said in a statement that this year's nominees reflect the diversity and ongoing evolution of Latin music. He also stressed that the judging process involves academy members who ensure the Latin Grammys remain a benchmark of excellence in the industry.

“We are honored to present this year’s nominees for the 27th Latin Grammys. These artists reflect the extraordinary diversity and constant evolution of Latin music, and our academy continues to adapt to a dynamic creative landscape,” Abud said.

Nominations are selected from recordings released between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026. The requirement is that works must be new and contain at least 60% of lyrics in Spanish, Portuguese, or an original regional language. This rule preserves the linguistic and cultural roots of Latin music amid globalization.

For Indonesia’s music industry, the dynamics of the Latin Grammys can serve as a mirror. The Latin music market, growing rapidly in the U.S. and Europe, shows that linguistic and cultural identity is not a barrier but an attraction. Indonesian musicians who bring local elements to the global stage—as several singers from the country have done recently—can learn from the strategy of Rosalía and Karol G, who remain consistent with their respective roots.

In addition, Edgar Barrera’s success as a songwriter and producer highlights the importance of behind-the-scenes roles. In Indonesia, the ecosystem of songwriters and producers still often receives less attention than singers. Yet their contributions determine the direction of the industry. Domestic awards such as the Anugerah Musik Indonesia (AMI) could strengthen similar categories to encourage professionalism.

With a diverse slate of nominations, the 2026 Latin Grammys have the potential to prove that music in non-English languages can break into the global market without losing its identity. The question is, will this event also inspire Indonesia’s music industry to more aggressively promote works in regional languages on the international stage?