Twenty-five years after he led the list of nominees in the first edition of the Latin Grammys, Carlos Vives will receive the highest honor from the Latin Recording Academy: the Colombian artist has been named Person of the Year for 2024.
Vives — winner of 18 Latin Grammy Awards, two Grammy Awards and a Billboard Latin Music Awards Hall of Fame inductee — “will be honored for his more than three-decade career as a versatile singer and songwriter, as well as his continued commitment to environmental and social initiatives,” according to an official statement issued on Wednesday (May 22) morning.
“Carlos Vives is one of the most prolific and beloved artists of our time, whose commitment to Latin music and support for new generations truly personifies the values of our Academy,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. “We honor him as Person of the Year for his enormous contribution to our musical heritage and for his many philanthropic initiatives.”
“It's still amazing to me,” Vives said Billboard Español this week in an exclusive interview. “It's like a message that the Academy gives at the end, because 32 years ago I chose a path [that was unconventional]. To be successful, to be commercial, there was a way. That other path that's cultural or about your identity that doesn't work, [they would say].”
In Wednesday's press release, he added: “I am honored and thrilled to be selected as the Latin Recording Academy's Person of the Year for 2024. It is the reward for an authentic journey, for a wonderful team and, above all, it is the recognition of the musical spirits of our Latin American diversity. These spirits taught us to love and enrich our language, to care for it and to respect it in order to elevate humanity with it.”
Born in Santa Marta, Colombia, Carlos Vives is one of the most respected artists in Spanish-language music and a pioneer of a new Latin American sound, redefining the traditional Colombian vallenato by incorporating pop and rock sounds. With No. 1 hits at Advertising sign charts like “Volví a Nacer”, “Fruta Fresca” and “La Bicicleta” with Shakira, among others, he has become an ambassador of Colombian and Latin American culture around the world.
His commitment to good causes goes beyond the musical realm. In 2015, he created the Tras La Perla initiative to promote the sustainable development of Santa Marta and its ecosystem. In addition, he created the Escuela de Música Río Grande to offer artistic experiences to children and youth and founded the record label Gaira Música Local to promote new Colombian talent. He has also been a strong supporter and generous supporter of the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation since its inception, the Latin Recording Academy notes, and funded the annual Prodigy Scholarship in 2018.
His latest album, Escalona: Nunca Se Hadia Grabado Asíearned him his 18th Latin Grammy when he was crowned best cumbia/vallenato album of 2023. This year he was also recognized with the ASCAP Founders Award from the American Society of Composers, Writers and Publishers (ASCAP).
Vives will be honored as Person of the Year at a special star-studded gala and tribute concert, where an array of artists and friends will perform covers of his famous repertoire. Details for the event, which will be presented in November during the 2024 Latin Grammy Week in Miami, will be announced at a later date.
The Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year honors musicians and their artistic achievements in the Latin music industry as well as their humanitarian efforts. Past honorees are Laura Pausini (2023), Marco Antonio Solís (2022), Rubén Blades (2021), Juanes (2019), Maná (2018), Alejandro Sanz (2017), Marc Anthony (2016), Roberto Carlos (2015) , Joan Manuel Serrat (2014), Miguel Bosé (2013), Caetano Veloso (2012), Shakira (2011), Plácido Domingo (2010), Juan Gabriel (2009), Gloria Estefan (2008), Juan Luis Guerra (2007), Rick Martin (2006), José José (2005), Carlos Santana (2004), Gilberto Gil (2003), Vicente Fernández (2002), Julio Iglesias (2001) and Emilio Estefan (2000).
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/carlos-vives-latin-recording-academy-2024-person-year-1235689587/