Ryan Castro Channels the Spirt of Salsa Great Héctor Lavoe at the 2024 Latin AMAs

Colombian singer/rapper Ryan Castro delivered a heartfelt rendition of Hector Lavoe's timeless salsa song “El Cantante,” aptly titled “El Cantante del Ghetto” at the 2024 Latin American Music Awards.

Wearing a red, smart suit with bold glasses and cornrows, the Medellín native showed off his vocal prowess in his heartbreaking tribute song.

“Loves like yours can't be bought, can't be compared, can't be known/ If I've given everything to make this relationship last/ Look me in the face and tell me you don't know me,” he sang against horns in a festive rhythm section, bringing the audience to life and this viewer. The song is the first single from his upcoming album, which will be released on May 9.

The song was a timely choice, especially considering that the original 1978 classic entered the National Recording Registry this year, the song that became iconic at the height of New York's salsa era in the 1970s.

The 2024 Latin American Music Awards took place Thursday, April 25, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Univision.

Hitmakers Feid and Peso Pluma lead this year's nominations list with 12 nods each. The Colombian singer and Mexican star, who are nominated for the coveted artist of the year and album of the year awards, are followed by top contenders Bad Bunny (11), Grupo Frontera (11), Karol G (9), Shakira (9 ), Eslabon Armado (8) and Fuerza Regida (8).

Thalia, Becky G, Alejandra Espinoza and Carlos Ponce took part in the awards ceremony which was presented in a mix of English and Spanish, marking the first time any major US awards show had a bilingual broadcast.