2015 Latin American Music Awards: Absent Enrique Iglesias, Nicky Jam Win Big, Artists Honor Celia Cruz
The first-ever Latin American Music Awards aired live on Thursday on Telemundo to celebrate this year's best acts in Latin music.
The ceremony included a variety of solo performances and duets, some expected winners and a couple of surprising ones.
To kick off the night, Daddy Yankee opened the show. His performance was followed by a duet from Yuri and Reik. Reggaeton musician Farruko was joined on stage by reggae artist Shaggy, who later took the stage again to perform with Yandel.
Other duos and groups to take the stage included Jesse and Joy, Italian vocal sensations Il Volo, who got one of the night's first standing ovations, and CD9, who could be considered Mexico's version of One Direction.
Yandel brought out rapper Lil Jon for a remix of his song "Calentura." Natalie La Rose, who toured with Fifth Harmony this summer, took the stage to sing her hit single "Somebody" with a reggaeton twist featuring De La Ghetto and Kevin Roldan.
Solo performers included Gloria Trevi, Luis Coronel, Fonseca, Gerardo Ortiz and Maluma.
The first award of the night went to teenage regional Mexican music sensation Coronel, who won the Favorite Male Artist in his musical genre. After Coronel's win it was a gentleman's night.
Favorite Urban Song and Favorite Male Urban Artist went to Yankee. Favorite Tropical Song went to new duo Gente de Zona, who also took home the award for Favorite Duo.
Noticeably absent were some of the night's biggest nominees and biggest winners, like Nicky Jam, Enrique Iglesias, J Balvin and Romeo Santos.
Iglesias was the night's biggest winner with five wins, including Artist of the Year and Favorite Male Artist. Nicky Jam had six nominations and won Song of the Year, Single of the Year, Favorite Collaboration and Favorite Streaming Song for his hit "El Perdón" featuring Iglesias.
J Balvin, who was also not present because he is on tour, received the Best New Artist award, which fans were voting for throughout the night. Santos won the award for Favorite Tropical Artist.
The only awards won by female artists were the Favorite Female Artist, which went to Trevi; Favorite Crossover Artist, which was won by Demi Lovato; and Favorite Dance Song, which Zedd and Selena Gomez won for "I Want You to Know."
The night ended on a high note with a dedication to Cuban legend Celia Cruz, which included a video showcasing the singer's life and achievements, followed by a tribute performance by Yuri, India, Maluma, Aymée Nuviola, and Jeimy Osorio, accompanied by Sergio George.
For a full list of the night's winners head to the Telemundo website.
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