The Latin Grammy Awards are gearing up for their 26th annual bash in 2025, and they’ve just dropped some news that’s got us buzzing. Two brand-new categories are hitting the scene, and they’re proof that Latin music isn’t just holding its own—it’s rewriting the rules of the game. If you’ve been vibing to the way Latin sounds have taken over everything from TikTok to Hollywood blockbusters, these changes are going to feel like a victory lap. Let’s break it down.
Best Music for Visual Media: Where Sound Meets the Screen
First up, there’s a shiny new field and category called Best Music for Visual Media. This one’s all about giving props to the music that powers movies, TV shows, documentaries, and even video games. We’re talking about those tracks that make your heart race during a car chase, or the haunting melodies that stick with you long after the credits roll. It’s the stuff that ties sound and vision together in a way that’s pure magic.
But here’s the twist: to get in on this, the music has to either pulse with Latin rhythms—think salsa, cumbia, or anything the Latin Grammys give a nod to—or be created by someone of Ibero-American descent. That’s a wide-open door for talent from across the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking world. Imagine a composer from Bogotá scoring a gritty crime series with reggaeton beats, or a São Paulo artist layering Latin flair into a video game’s dystopian soundtrack. This category is a big, bold statement: Latin music isn’t just background noise—it’s a global heavyweight shaping what we see and feel onscreen.
Best Roots Song: Tradition Gets a Fresh Beat
Then there’s Best Roots Song, a category that’s all about keeping the past alive while pushing it forward. This one’s for songwriters who take the soul of Hispanic American music—tango, flamenco, folk, you name it—and spin it into something new. The rules are clear: it’s got to be a fresh, unpublished recording, vocal or instrumental, that digs deep into traditional vibes. (Sorry, tropical music fans—this one’s charting its own course.)
What’s cool here is the emphasis on new. This isn’t about dusting off old classics; it’s a challenge to today’s artists to channel their heritage into tracks that feel alive in 2025. Picture a Buenos Aires guitarist dropping a tango that’s both ancient and futuristic, or a folk singer from Oaxaca weaving ancestral melodies into a modern heartbreak anthem. It’s tradition with a pulse, proving that roots don’t just anchor you—they can launch you into the future.
Why This Matters
Zoom out for a sec. The Latin Grammys have always been more than a fancy awards show—they’re a megaphone for a musical universe that’s as diverse as it is unstoppable. These new categories crank that mission up a notch. Best Music for Visual Media shouts that Latin music is everywhere—big screens, small screens, gaming consoles—and it’s not slowing down. Meanwhile, Best Roots Song keeps the heart of the culture beating, honoring where it all began while betting big on where it’s headed.
Come 2025, we’re in for a treat. Maybe a Mexico City composer snags the visual media prize for a sci-fi epic dripping in Latin vibes and neon glow. Or a flamenco master from Seville steals the roots crown with a track that’s equal parts timeless and cutting-edge. These awards aren’t just trophies—they’re spotlights for artists who might otherwise stay under the radar.
The Big Picture
The Latin Grammys are telling us something loud and clear: Latin music is a living, breathing force—always growing, always adapting. With these new categories leading the charge, 2025 is shaping up to be a year where the stage gets bigger, the voices get louder, and the stories hit harder. Whether it’s a soundtrack that rewires how you see the world or a roots song that grabs you by the soul, the Latin Grammys are turning up the volume on the sounds we can’t ignore. And honestly? We wouldn’t have it any other way.
source Variety
