Latin music will take center stage to close out the year when CBS and The Recording Academy present “A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music,” airing Dec. 28. The two-hour special, filmed in Miami, brings together artists from across genres and generations to honor the influence of Latin music on the American cultural landscape.
The broadcast airs from 8 to 10 p.m. Eastern and Pacific on CBS and streams on Paramount+, according to the Recording Academy. The special arrives as Latin music continues to dominate charts, tours, and streaming platforms, reinforcing its role as a driving force in the global music industry.
Rather than focusing on awards, the program emphasizes performance, collaboration, and legacy. Organizers say the show aims to highlight how Latin music has shaped popular sound in the United States while continuing to evolve through new voices and cross-genre experimentation.
A Lineup That Spans Generations and Genres
The performer roster reflects that wide-ranging mission. Ángela Aguilar leads a group of artists rooted in Latin traditions while pushing the genre forward. Aguilar has built her career around regional Mexican music, attracting younger audiences without straying from its foundations.
Several Latin music veterans will also take the stage, including Gloria Estefan, Luis Fonsi, and Prince Royce. Estefan remains one of the most influential figures in Latin pop, while Fonsi’s global success helped bring Spanish-language music to mainstream pop radio. Royce adds bachata to the mix, reinforcing the genre diversity represented throughout the night.
Jon Secada and Aymée Nuviola round out the Latin pop and jazz influences, offering performances shaped by decades of experience. Their inclusion underscores the program’s focus on honoring the artists who laid the groundwork for today’s success.
Cross-Genre Collaborations Take Focus
The celebration extends beyond Latin music’s traditional boundaries. Andrea Bocelli and Michael Bublé will appear as part of the special, highlighting how Latin sounds intersect with classical and pop traditions. Country singer Maren Morris also joins the lineup, continuing the show’s emphasis on musical crossover.
Rock influences emerge through collaborations featuring Robin Thicke and guitarist Orianthi, as well as Mexican rock band The Warning, performing alongside Billy Idol and Steve Stevens. Regional Mexican singer Carín León will appear with guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, creating one of the evening’s most unexpected pairings.
The cast of Broadway’s “Buena Vista Social Club” will bring a theatrical element to the broadcast, drawing from Cuban musical history while reinforcing the show’s focus on storytelling through performance.
Hosts and Special Appearances
Actors Wilmer Valderrama and Roselyn Sánchez will host the special. In addition to musical performances, the program includes appearances and interviews with figures such as Daddy Yankee, Emilio Estefan, Carlos Santana, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, according to Billboard. The segments aim to place the performances in a broader cultural and historical context.
By blending established stars, rising talent, and genre-spanning collaborations, “A GRAMMY Celebration of Latin Music” positions itself as both a tribute and a statement. As the year closes, the special serves as a reminder that Latin music does not sit on the margins of pop culture. It drives it, shapes it, and continues to redefine what mainstream music sounds like.
