There may be some people in America who aren’t familiar with Latin music artist Bad Bunny, but the Latin Music world certainly does and during the Billboard Latin Music Awards on October 23 Bad Bunny took home the most awards.
Fellow Puerto Rican and Tony and Oscar Award winning entertainer Rita Moreno presented Bad Bunny with the Billboard Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century Award. The 93 year old entertainer noted that she identified with Bad Bunny saying, “today I see an artist who takes the whole world. That same strength, that same passion, that helped me to never give up.”
Performing his song “BAILE INoLVIDABLE,” Bad Bunny danced a little salsa with Moreno.
In his acceptance speech, Bad Bunny spoke of Moreno’s remarks saying, “thank you very much, you are whole too. It is an honor for me to receive this award from her hands.”
He added, “every time I hear other artists express themselves in that way of me, it gives me the security of being me and doing the things I do with my heart.”
It was unknown whether Bad Bunny would appear at the annual awards ceremony. While he did not walk the red carpet, he did appear in time for the awards presentations.
Setting a record with 27 nominations, he took home eleven awards.
He noted in his acceptance speech for Artist of the Year,“I am grateful for these awards, but at the same time I recognize that, just as I deserve it, Rauw, Fuerza Regida, Peso, Karol could win it. I think we are all doing something incredible in music; our music is reaching more and more places. I think it’s a job that we’re all doing, and that we’re continuing what other artists have been doing for years.”
Karol G was the top female artist with six awards.
Mexican artist Fuerza Regida took home five awards.
Shakira, Óscar Maydon, Netón Vega, Aventura, Baby Rasta & Gringo, Benny Blanco, Elvis Crespo, Kapo, Maná, Romeo Santos, Rubby Pérez and Tito Double P also took home awards during the night.
The Billboard Icon Award went to Laura Pausini in recognition of her “outstanding international career”. She said, “it’s amazing for me to be a part of the history of Latin music. I’m going to do something I’ve never done, I’m going to thank this Laura, the hard-working one, the one who is rude, who hasn’t given up when they’ve said no — which have been many times, by the way — who has followed my path honestly,” pointing to herself.
Daddy Yankee returned after a long absence to perform “Sonríele”. He told the crowd that he had a new message “to tell the world that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.”
A surprised Peso Pluma was presented the Billboard Vanguard Award from his girlfriend Kenia Os. He earned the honour for his contributions for the growth of Mexican music around the world. He said, “this is a crossroads; I didn’t know she was going to give it to me. I’m so glad you gave it to me love… this beautiful woman who has made me a better human being, a better boyfriend, a better boss; a better everything.” He also performed “Apaga la Luz”.
Elvis Crespo gave an emotional speech in acceptance of being inducted into the Billboard Hall of Fame speaking on his “first female manager”, saying, “it was my mother, Irene, who gave me five dollars to take my singing lessons every Friday in Río Piedras. “Irene, this is for you.”
He added, “I heard somewhere that in the music industry you don’t make friends. That’s a lie, you make friends for life.”
Goyo and Javier Poza hosted the Billboard Latin Music Awards that were held in Miami.
Winners of the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards:
Artist of the Year: Bad Bunny
New Artist of the Year: Netón Vega
Tour of the Year: Shakira
Crossover Artist of the Year: benny blanco
Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year: Bad Bunny
Global 200 Latin Song of the Year: “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” by Karol G
Hot Latin Song of the Year: “DTMF” by Bad Bunny
Hot Latin Vocal Song of the Year: “Tu Boda” by Oscar Maydon & Fuerza Regida
Hot Latin Songs Male Artist of the Year: Bad Bunny
Hot Latin Songs Female Artist of the Year: Karol G
Hot Latin Songs Duo or Group of the Year: Fuerza Regidao
Hot Latin Songs Label of the Year: Rimas
Latin Airplay Song of the Year: “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” by Karol G
Latin Airplay Label of the Year: Sony Music Latin
Sales Song of the Year: “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” by Karol G
Streaming Song of the Year: “DTMF” by Bad Bunny
Top Latin Album of the Year: “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” by Bad Bunny
Top Latin Albums Male Artist of the Year: Bad Bunny
Top Latin Albums Female Artist of the Year: Karol G
Top Latin Albums Duo or Group Artist of the Year: Fuerza Regida
Top Latin Albums Label of the Year: Sony Music Latin
Latin Solo Pop Artist of the Year: Shakira
Latin Duo or Group Pop Artist of the Year: Mana
Latin Pop Song of the Year: “Soltera” by Shakira
Latin Pop Album Label of the Year: Sony Music Latin
Top Latin Pop Album of the Year: “Por Si Alguien Nos Escucha” by Kapo
Top Latin Pop Albums Label of the Year: Sony Music Latin
Tropical Solo Artist of the Year: Romeo Santos
Tropical Duo or Group of the Year: Aventura
Tropical Song of the Year: Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” by Karol G
Tropical Airplay Label of the Year: Sony Music Latin
Top Tropical Album of the Year: “Rubby Pérez ¡Grandes Éxitos!” by Rubby Perez
Top Tropical Albums Label of the Year: Sony Music Latin
Regional Mexican Solo Artist of the Year: Peso Pluma
Regional Mexican Duo or Group Artist of the Year: Fuerza Regida
Regional Mexican Song of the Year: “Tu Boda” by Óscar Maydon & Fuerza Regida
Regional Mexican Airplay Label of the Year: Universal Music Latin Entertainment
Top Regional Mexican Album of the Year: “Incomodo” by Tito Double P
Top Regional Mexican Label of the Year: Double P Records
Solo Latin Rhythms Artist of the Year: Bad Bunny
Duo or Group Latin Rhythm Artist of the Year: Baby rasta & Gringo
Latin Rhythm Song of the Year: “DTMF” by Bad Bunny
Latin Rhythm Airplay Label of the Year: Rimas
Top Latin Rhythm Album of the Year: “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” by Bad Bunny
Top Latin Rhythm Albums Label of the Year: Rimas
Songwriter of the Year: Netón Vega
Publisher of the Year: Street Mob Publishing,BMI
Publishing Corporation of the Year: Music Publishing
Producer of the Year: Ernesto “Neto” Frnández