Audio By Carbonatix
The never-ending awards show season reaches its apex next week when Univision beams the Premio Lo Nuestro to millions of families all across the Americas.
On Thursday, February 16, the Spanish-language network will honor a cross-section of Latin music artists at the American Airlines Arena. Among them, Miami’s own Pitbull, who’s up for a pair of Urbano awards including both album and artist of the year.
While we would’ve preferred locking down an interview with Armando Christian Perez for this piece, getting the Dr. Pepper spokesman on the phone is incredibly difficult. So here’s Plan B, our arbitrary Premio Lo Nuestro predictions.
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Genre: Pop
Award: Album del Año
Prediction: Ricky Martin’s nominated for three awards that he’ll likely lose. We’re guessing Shakira’s Sale el Sol will win album of the year based entirely on the fact that Crossfade prefers her Top 40 music to that of the Glee guest star’s. That and we’ve never heard of the other three artists nominated.
Genre: Rock
Award: Canción del Año
Prediction: Those Maná dudes have the highest odds of winning because they’re nominated twice. But they’re like the Van Halen of rock en Español, i.e. past their prime and boring. So we’re thinking it’ll be Alejandra Guzman’s lucky day when “Dia de Suerte” wins song of the year.
Genre: Tropical
Award: Grupo o Dúo Tropical del Año
Prediction: If this award was given to the tropical group or duo with the funniest name, Chino y Nacho would win with Limi-T 21 coming a close second, followed by 24 Horas and Los Aviadores. Really, though, the award for Grupo o Dúo Tropical del Año is anyone’s game.
Genre: Regional
Award: Mexicano Album del Año
Prediction: Yes, Chuy Lizarraga y su Banda Tierra Sinaloense’s Pistear, Pistear was one of our favorite party records of 2012. But Joan Sebastian’s Huevos Rancheros is named after the best breakfast dish ever. We’re torn.
Genre: Urbano
Award: Album Urbano del Año
Prediction: Sure, Don Omar went hard on Meet the Orphans and Pitbull’s Armando was pretty dope. But you can’t top Wisin y Yandel’s Los Vaqueros: El Regreso.
Genre: Video
Award: Video del Año
Prediction: Artistically, Belinda’s “Dopamina” video is pretty rad. Unfortunately, the song’s on Katy Perry-level obnoxiousness. Laura Pausini’s flower power-happy “Bienvendio” would make for a great Prius ad, but it’s up for a Premio lo Nuestro award, not a Clio. Based on nothing more than YouTube views, Luis Fonsi’s “Respira” will probably win.
Premio Lo Nuestro. Thursday, February 16. American Airlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets cost $53 to $114 via ticketmaster.com. The will air live on Univision. Check your local listings. Visit musica.univision.com/premio-lo-nuestro.
Follow Crossfade on Facebook and Twitter @Crossfade_SFL.
