What Is 2019 Billboard Latin Music Awards

Overview

The 2019 Billboard Latin Music Awards celebrated the most successful Latin music artists, songs, and albums of the eligibility period, determined by chart performance on Billboard’s Latin music charts. Held on April 25, 2019, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the event brought together top performers from across Latin America and the U.S. for a night of live performances and accolades.

Unlike fan-voted ceremonies, these awards are data-driven, relying on sales, streaming, and radio airplay metrics from February 2018 through January 2019. The ceremony was broadcast live on Telemundo, drawing millions of viewers across the Americas and highlighting the growing global influence of Latin music.

• Daddy Yankee took home the top honor of Artist of the Year after dominating the Latin Rhythm Airplay chart with multiple hits, including 'Dura' and 'Con Calma'.
• The collaboration 'Con Calma' by Daddy Yankee featuring Snow was named Song of the Year and also won Latin Rhythm Song of the Year, reflecting its massive streaming numbers and radio dominance.
• Rosalía made history by winning Latin Pop Album of the Year for 'El Mal Querer', becoming the first Spanish-language flamenco-influenced album to gain major recognition at the awards.
• Bad Bunny earned New Artist of the Year after a breakout year that saw his debut album 'X 100PRE' top the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart for multiple weeks.
• The Latin Rhythm Album of the Year award went to Ozuna for 'Odisea', which spent 20 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart.

How It Works

The Billboard Latin Music Awards are determined entirely by data from Billboard’s Latin music charts, making them one of the most objective major music award shows. Winners are selected based on performance metrics during a fixed eligibility window, ensuring fairness and transparency in the selection process.

• Eligibility Period: The tracking period ran from February 3, 2018, to January 26, 2019, covering 52 weeks of chart data across multiple Latin music genres.
• Chart Sources: The awards use data from Billboard’s Latin Airplay, Latin Pop Airplay, Latin Rhythm Airplay, Top Latin Albums, and Latin Digital Song Sales charts.
• Artist of the Year: This award is given to the artist with the highest cumulative points across all charts during the eligibility period, not based on popularity or votes.
• Song of the Year: Determined by total points from digital sales, streaming, and radio airplay on the Hot Latin Songs chart during the tracking window.
• Album of the Year: Based on equivalent album units, combining physical sales, digital downloads, and streaming equivalents from the Top Latin Albums chart.
• Genre Categories: Awards are divided into Latin Pop, Regional Mexican, Tropical, and Latin Rhythm genres to reflect the diversity of Latin music styles.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares major categories and winners from the 2019 Billboard Latin Music Awards:

This data-driven approach sets the Billboard Latin Music Awards apart from other ceremonies like the Latin Grammys, which include voting academies. The emphasis on measurable success ensures that winners reflect actual audience engagement and industry impact, not just critical acclaim.

Why It Matters

The 2019 Billboard Latin Music Awards underscored the global rise of Latin music, with reggaeton and Latin trap dominating charts worldwide. These awards serve as a barometer for commercial success, influencing industry trends, artist visibility, and international collaborations.

• Global Reach: Winners like Daddy Yankee and Ozuna have toured internationally, helping expand Latin music’s footprint in Europe and Asia.
• Streaming Influence: The awards reflect how Spotify and YouTube have democratized access, allowing artists like Bad Bunny to rise without traditional radio support.
• Genre Evolution: Rosalía’s win signaled a shift toward genre-blending artistry, merging traditional flamenco with modern pop and electronic elements.
• Industry Recognition: Major brands and record labels use award wins to identify emerging talent for endorsements and partnerships.
• Cultural Impact: The success of Spanish-language music at these awards has boosted bilingual content in mainstream media and advertising.
• Artist Longevity: Winning Artist of the Year often leads to increased tour bookings and festival headlining opportunities for recipients.

As Latin music continues to break language barriers, the Billboard Latin Music Awards remain a vital benchmark of success, celebrating artists who shape the sound of a generation.