The awards show ran late because Mexico's "Divo of Juarez," Juan Gabriel, sang for 40 minutes straight while mariachis stomped on stage and the audience clapped and sang along.Calle 13 won album of the year for its innovative collaborations and politically charged reggaeton. Left with little time to accept the golden gramophone for the top honor, lead singer Rene Perez, who raps as "Residente," dedicated the award to Argentine folk singer Mercedes Sosa, who died in October at age 74. "May she rest in peace. An applause for Mercedes Sosa, please," he said.
Later in the pressroom, Residente explained his admiration for the woman who helped found the "Nueva Cancion" movement, which merged folk traditions and leftist politics in the 1960s. "She is a voice who should never die, and young people should listen to her," he said. "In an era of dictatorship and difficult times, she wasn't afraid. That's why I dedicated it to her."
Residente and his half brother Eduardo Cabra, who goes by "Visitante," also won recording of the year for "No Hay Nadie Como Tu," their collaboration with Mexican rockers Cafe Tacuba, aka Cafe Tacvba. Their album "Los de Atras Vienen Conmigo" also won best album in the urban category, competing against other reggaeton acts.
Italian singer Laura Pausini, who won best female pop vocal album, performed "En Cambio No," to open the show, which was hosted by Mexican comedian Eugenio Derbez and Mexican singer and actress Lucero. Showgirls added Sin City flavor to a hip-shaking salsa jam by Venezuelan Oscar D'Leon and Puerto Rican Gilberto Santa Rosa. They also lent their moves to Los Tucanes de Tijuana's "Se Fue Mi Amor," which won for best regional Mexican song. The "Divo of Juarez" was honored with the Latin Recording Academy's person of the year award the night before.
