Berklee Alumni and Faculty Nominated for 2021 Latin Grammy Awards

Fifteen Berklee alumni and one faculty member have received Latin Grammy nominations for performing, songwriting, production, engineering, and mixing across a variety of categories, including Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Latin Jazz Album, and Best New Artist.

The Latin Recording Academy will honor the achievements of Latin music and its creators at the 22nd annual Latin Grammy Awards on Thursday, November 18, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Univision will broadcast the ceremony live at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Javier Limón, artistic director of Mediterranean Music Institute, was nominated for Song of the Year for “Mi Guitarra,” sung by Juan Luis Guerra ’82 and Nella Rojas B.M. ’15, who performs as Nella. Limón’s song “Ahi,” also sung by Nella, received a nomination in the Best Pop Song category. Nella’s 2021 album, Doce Margaritas, was nominated in the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album category. Lewis Pickett ’09, who was nominated in the Best Engineered Album category, also contributed to C. Tangana’s El Madrileño (nominated for Album of the Year), Danna Paola’s K.O. (nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album), and Alizzz, Jorge Drexler, and C. Tangana’s “Nominao” (nominated for Best Alternative Song). 

In addition, Boston Conservatory alumnus Kristhyan Benitez G.P.D. '10, A.D. '15 was nominated in the category of Best Classical Album for Latin American Classics.

Since the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences founded the awards in 2000, 47 Berklee alumni have received 108 Latin Grammy Awards. Guerra and Limón are previous Latin Grammy winners, and Nella took home the award for Best New Artist in 2019.

Below is a full list of Berklee alumni and faculty Latin Grammy Award nominees. Please note the list is subject to change as we receive updated information.

Record of the Year

• “A Tu Lado,” Paula Arenas
  • Sebastián Mejía ’15, record producer and recording engineer
     
• “Suéltame, Bogotá,” Diamante Eléctrico
  • Gavin Lurssen B.M. ’90, mastering engineer
     
• “Amén,” Ricardo Montaner, Mau y Ricky, Camilo, and Evaluna Montaner
  • Michelle Mancini B.M. ’04, mastering engineer
  • Aaron Sterling ’99, mixer
     
• “Dios Así Lo Quiso," Juan Luis Guerra ’82
  • Juan Luis Guerra ’82, artist 

Album of the Year

• Mis Amores, Paula Arenas
  • Sebastián Mejía ’15, album producer and recording engineer
     
• Privé, Juan Luis Guerra
  • Juan Luis Guerra ’82, album producer and songwriter

Song of the Year

• “Agua,” Tainy and J. Balvin
  • Alejandro Ramirez B.M. ’14, songwriter
     
• “Dios Así Lo Quiso,” Ricardo Montaner and Juan Luis Guerra
  • Juan Luis Guerra ’82
     
• “Mi Guitarra,” Javier Limón, Juan Luis Guerra ’82, and Nella B.M. ’15
  • Javier Limón, artist and songwriter

Best New Artist

• Marco Mares B.M. ’17

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

• Privé, Juan Luis Guerra ’82
• Doce Margaritas, Nella B.M. ’15

Best Pop Song

• “Ahí,” Nella B.M. ’15
  • Javier Limón, songwriter

Best Tropical Song

• “Dios Así Lo Quiso,” Juan Luis Guerra 
  • Juan Luis Guerra ’82, artist
     
• “Pambiche de Novia,” Juan Luis Guerra  
  • Juan Luis Guerra ’82, artist and songwriter

Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album

• #Charramillennial–Lady, Nora González
  • Nora González B.M. ’15, artist

Best Regional Song

• “Cicatrices,” Nora González con Lupita Infante
  • Nora González B.M. ’15, artist

Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album

• El Arte Del Bolero, Miguel Zenón
  • Miguel Zenón B.M. ’98, artist

Best Portuguese Language Roots Album

• Do Coração, Sara Correia
  • Sara Correia ’06, artist

Best Latin Children’s Album

• Danilo & Chapis, Vol. 1
  • Christina Abaroa ’91

Best Classical Album

• Latin American Classics, Kristhyan Benitez
  • Kristhyan Benitez G.P.D. ’10, A.D. ’15, album producer

Best Arrangement

• “Ojalá Que Llueva Café (Versión Privé),” Juan Luis Guerra
  • Juan Luis Guerra ’82, arranger

Best Engineered Album

• El Madrileño, C. Tangana
  • Lewis Pickett ’09, mixer
     
• Un Canto Por México, Vol. II
  • Rodrigo Cuevas B.M. ’05, engineer

Best Long Form Music Video

• “Entre Mar y Palmeras,” Juan Luis Guerra
  • Juan Luis Guerra ’82, artist