Latin Grammys 2024: Xavi's Zero Nominations and Other Snubs & Surprises

For its 25th anniversary, the Latin Grammys incorporated a few new categories, including best contemporary Mexican music album — a nice surprise for the new generation of artists fueling the movement.

For the inaugural category, the following records are nominated: Natanael Cano's Nata Montana; by DannyLux Development; Grupo Frontera's Jugando A Que No Pasa Nada; Carín León's Boca Chueca, Vol. 1; Michelle Maciel's Tornado; and Peso Pluma's Genesis. Each of the artists behind these scenes has contributed to the rise of the genre of Música Mexicana.

Xavi, who Bulletin board was tipped to earn a Best New Artist nomination, he wasn't nominated… at all.

He may not qualify for the coveted Best New Artist because he's released more than 15 singles, according to the Latin Grammys category definition — but at 20, the artist born Joshua Xavier Gutiérrez is one of the biggest hitmakers today, releasing some of this year's chart-topping songs with his signature tumbados románticos sound.

Last year in December, he earned his first top 10 hit Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart with “La Victima”. In January, “La Diabla” topped the Hot Latin Songs chart for 14 weeks. In May, he scored another No. 1, on Regional Mexican Airplay, with “Corazón de Piedra.” Any of these songs would deserve a nomination.

For the second year in a row, Edgar Barrera is the top contender, with nine nods. While he's very deserving of all his noms, it's a surprise, because it's not often that a producer gets the most nominations — usually, it's an artist. Other producers who have led nominations in the past include Eduardo Cabra and Julio Reyes Copello.

Last year, Barrera won three of his 13 nominations: producer of the year, songwriter of the year and best local song for Bad Bunny and Grupo Frontera's “un x100to.” During his speech, he thanked the Academy “for opening a space for those of us who are dedicated to writing songs but not singing them, who are usually not seen – but once a year, we show our face.”

With six nods, Keityn (real name: Kevyn Mauricio Cruz Moreno) is one of this year's top Latin Grammy nominees. In fact, three of the songs he has written are up for song of the year: “(Entre Paréntesis” by Shakira and Grupo Frontera), “Mi Ex Tenía Razón” by Karol G and “Según Quién” by Maluma and Carin León.

However, the Colombian hitmaker is not up for songwriter of the year, which we consider a notable snub. His colleagues, Edgar Barrera, Yoel Henríquez, Manuel Lorente Freire, Horacio Palencia and Pablo Preciado are this year's nominees.

It's a pleasant surprise to see the new wave of salsa artists dominate the best salsa album category. This year, Latin Grammy favorites Marc Anthony and Rubén Blades are nominated with their respective albums Muevense and Siembra: 45° Aniversario — but also up-and-coming artists Christian Alicea with his album Yo DeluxeRonald Borjas with Joyas Que Bailan and Luis Figueroa with Coexistence. The last of the three is also nominated for Best Tropical Song, with “Llorar Bonito.”

Bulletin board Latin Music Week returns to Miami Beach October 14-18, with confirmed superstars such as Gloria Estefan, Alejandro Sanz and Peso Pluma, among many others. For tickets and more details, visit Billboardlatinmusicweek.com.