Carlos Vives has been tapped as the Latin Recording Academy‘s 2024 Person of the Year.
Touting over 30 years in the Latin entertainment industry, Vives is known for introducing authentic Colombian genres like cumbia and vallenato to a more global audience by incorporating pop and rock rhythms. He is an 18-time Latin Grammy winner and two-time Grammy winner with more than 10 billion streams on digital platforms for hits like “La Gota Fría,” “Pa’ Mayte,” “La Tierra Del Olvido,” “Fruta Fresca” and “Volví A Nacer.”
Vives said, “I am honored and moved to have been chosen as the 2024 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year. It is the reward for an authentic journey, for a wonderful team and, above all, it is the recognition of the musical spirits of our Latin American diversity. These spirits taught us to love and enrich our language, to take care of it and to respect it in order to exalt humanity with it.”
The Academy is also recognizing Vives for his environmental activism, highlighting his Tras La Perla initiative that promotes the sustainable development of Santa Marta — an urban city in northern Colombia — and its ecosystem. In addition, he created the Escuela de Música Río Grande to offer artistic experiences to children and young people, and founded the record label Gaira Música Local to promote new Colombian talent.
Popular on PvNew
As part his ongoing commitment to music education, Vives has been a strong advocate and generous supporter of the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation since its inception, and sponsored its annual Prodigy Scholarship in 2018.
“Carlos Vives is one of the most prolific and beloved artists of our time, whose commitment to Latin music and support for the new generations truly personifies the values of our Academy,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of the Latin Recording Academy. “We honor him as our Person of the Year for his vast contributions to our musical heritage and for his many philanthropic initiatives.”
The past honorees are Laura Pausini (2023), Marco Antonio Solís (2022), Rubén Blades (2021), Juanes (2019), Maná (2018), Alejandro Sanz (2017), Marc Anthony (2016), Roberto Carlos (2015), Joan Manuel Serrat (2014), Miguel Bosé (2013), Caetano Veloso (2012), Shakira (2011), Plácido Domingo (2010), Juan Gabriel (2009), Gloria Estefan (2008), Juan Luis Guerra (2007), Ricky Martin (2006), José José (2005), Carlos Santana (2004), Gilberto Gil (2003), Vicente Fernández (2002), Julio Iglesias (2001) and Emilio Estefan (2000).
The 25th annual show will air live from Miami’s Kaseya Center on Nov. 14. Nominations will be announced on Sept. 17.
