SPANISH music has made its presence felt at the 2020 Grammys, with nationally-famous artists Rosalía and Alejandro Sanz each carrying off an award.
Overshadowed by the sudden death of NBA star Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, 13, in a helicopter crash, the 62nd Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles featured tributes to the basketball legend, with Alicia Keyes, presenting, admitting that everyone was 'literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe built'.
Catalunya-born Rosalía, 26, who became the first Spanish woman ever to win an MTV Award back in August and who won two Latin Grammys in 2018, gave an emotional trilingual speech after picking up her Grammy for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album.
Speaking in Spanish, catalán and English, the flamenco-hip hop sensation – who has barely been on the chart music scene for three years – said her golden gramophone trophy 'meant a lot' to her, and thanked all those who had 'embraced' her project, including her team and her family 'for taking risks all the time'.
Rosalía's album was, in fact, her final-year university project for her degree in music and flamenco studies, and her single Malamente not only became an instant hit, but created a new genre of urban pop overnight.
In the nominations for the Grammy Awards, Rosalía's album was up against X 100PRE by Bad Bunny, Oasis by J. Balvin and Bad Bunny, Indestructible by Flor de Toloache, and Almadura by iLe.
Veteran pop name Alejandro Sanz won Best Latin Pop Album for his #ELDISCO, showing he not only still has plenty of potential more than 20 years on from his début, but is still growing as an artist.
The Voice judge Sanz was not able to be present to pick up his award, but enthused about it on Twitter: “Too much to say and everything to show. Thank you. I'm full of pride for #ELDISCO, for each and every one of you who, every day, pushes me to keep on and to fight for what I love.”
