Latin music’s biggest young stars are topping the list at this year’s Premios Juventud awards. Global reggaetón icon Bad Bunny and Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean each scored a leading six nominations at the Spanish-language youth awards. It’s a historic first for Ocean – the first time a Venezuelan artist has ever led the Premios Juventud nods alongside an international superstar. Close behind, a wave of other Latin hitmakers earned five nominations apiece, including Brazil’s pop sensation Anitta, Mexican regional phenom Peso Pluma, and Mexican crooner Carín León, among others. This diverse lineup of nominees underscores how Latin music’s landscape is evolving: reggaetón and Latin trap remain dominant, but regional Mexican music and new global fusions are now sharing the spotlight.
Organizers have added eight new award categories this year – from Best Alternative Mexican Music Song to Latin Afrobeat of the Year – reflecting the genre’s expanding horizons. The 22nd annual Premios Juventud will also make history by taking place outside the U.S. for the first time, broadcasting live from Panama City on September 25. In line with the show’s theme of “evolving to the rhythm of music,” the broad mix of nominees and new categories highlights Latin music’s growing diversity and global influence. It’s a year where a Puerto Rican megastar and a Venezuelan balladeer can stand shoulder-to-shoulder, signaling that Latin pop, reggaetón, corridos and beyond are all driving the culture forward.
