The Recording Academy received praise when it announced the most diverse list of nominees to date in November. Seven of the most-nominated artists are all people of color and for the first time since 1999, no white man was nominated in the Album of the Year category.
Coincidentally, 1999 was also the last time four Latino performers took the stage at the Grammy Awards. Nearly 20 years later, four Latino artists will again perform at this year’s historic ceremony. Chart-topper Cardi B is set to sing Bruno Mars’ remix of his 90’s-inspired track “Finesse,” while Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee plan to kill it with their 2017 megahit “Despacito.”
The last time four Latino acts fired it up the dance floor at the Grammys was when Marc Anthony, Poncho Sanchez, Ibrahim Ferrer, and Ricky Martin performed in honor of the Recording Academy’s inaugural Latin Grammy Awards the following year. The inspiration for the Latin-focused awards show was the overwhelming popularity of breakout stars like Martin, Anthony and Jennifer Lopez.
Latin talent won’t just be lighting the stage up with musical acts. Many could be leading the wins at this year’s extravaganza: Fonsi and Yankee nabbed nominations in some of the most coveted categories. The record-breaking duo of hit “Despacito” got nods in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Record of the Year and Song of the Year categories. (If “Despacito” wins in the either of the latter two categories it will make history as the first Spanish-language song to do so.) Bronx native Cardi B is competing for the Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song trophies for “Bodak Yellow.” And Bruno Mars, born Peter Gene Hernandez to a Puerto Rican and Jewish father, won six nominations, including one for Record of the Year and Album of the Year for 24K Magic.
The 60th Annual Grammy Awards will air Jan. 28 (7:30 p.m. ET) on CBS.