A Latin Grammy Awards show without appearances by Shakira, Maná and Los Tigres del Norte is kinda like Christmas without credit card bills. Theoretically, it could happen, but probably not.
Only an hour into what so far has been a fairly subdued ceremony dominated by soft ballads, those three sets of old pros already have performed and acquited themselves with old-school class and polish. Shakira probably deserves some sort of award simply for managing to quick-change from the ochre ballgown she arrived in into a cream-colored blouse and skirt to perform live onstage. Earlier this week in Las Vegas, the Colombian pop star received the Latin Recording Academy’s award as person of the year, in much-deserved recognition of Shakira’s extensive charitable work as well as her superstar status.
Just a few minutes ago at the awards show, the Puerto Rican reggaeton duo Wisin (a.k.a. Juan Luis Morera) y Yandel (birthname Llandel Veguilla) ramped up the telecast's volume and the intensity with a smoking version of their song "Estoy Enamorado," a nominee for best urban song.
Even more than the Grammys, the Latin Grammys tend to be top-heavy with familiar names, so it's nice to see Sie7e, the Puerto Rican singer, take home this year's best new artist award. Get used to him: You'll likely be seeing him again at future Latin Grammys.
Latin Grammys: Shakira, Maná, Tigres del Norte are class acts
