The Latin Recording Academy has unveiled the recipients of its prestigious 2026 Special Awards, celebrating some of the most influential figures in Latin music whose artistic contributions have shaped generations.
The private ceremony will take place on November 9 in Las Vegas during the 27th Annual Latin Grammy Week.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipients include Alaska, Francisco Céspedes, Lila Downs, Daniela Mercury, and Chichí Peralta. Meanwhile, acclaimed Panamanian songwriter Omar Alfanno will receive the Trustees Award for his extraordinary contributions to Latin music beyond performance. The Academy also confirmed that the Latin Music Educator Award will return for a second consecutive year, with this year’s recipient to be announced at a later date.
“It is a great privilege to honor these living legends—an exceptional group whose influence transcends generations and genres—who continue to enrich and redefine our musical heritage,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy, in a statement. “We are delighted to celebrate their extraordinary careers, along with the recipient of the Latin Music Educator Award, during the 27th Annual Latin Grammy Week.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes performers who have made lasting artistic contributions of exceptional significance to Latin music, while the Trustees Award honors individuals whose impact on the industry extends beyond performance. Both distinctions are voted on by The Latin Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees.
Lila Downs: A Voice That Celebrates Mexican Identity
Among the honorees, Lila Downs stands out as one of the most celebrated ambassadors of Mexican culture. Throughout a career spanning more than three decades, the Grammy and six-time Latin Grammy winner has blended traditional Mexican sounds with jazz, cumbia, bolero, and world music, creating a style uniquely her own.
Born in Oaxaca to a Mixtec mother and an American father, Downs has consistently used her music to honor Indigenous traditions while embracing bold artistic experimentation. Her latest album, Cambias Mi Mundo, released in 2026, further showcases her evolving creativity.
Chichí Peralta’s Lasting Legacy
Dominican artist Chichí Peralta is being recognized for over 40 years of innovation in Caribbean music. A percussionist, composer, producer, and arranger, Peralta has become one of the Dominican Republic’s most influential musical ambassadors.
As founder of Chichí Peralta & Son Familia, he developed a signature sound that fuses Afro-Caribbean rhythms with contemporary influences, bringing Dominican culture to audiences across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. A Latin Grammy winner since 2001, his career includes collaborations with the London Symphony Orchestra at London’s iconic Abbey Road Studios.
Daniela Mercury Revolutionized Brazilian Music
Brazilian superstar Daniela Mercury earned her place among this year’s honorees for helping redefine Brazil’s musical landscape. Widely regarded as a pioneer of the axé movement, Mercury burst onto the international scene in the early 1990s with the timeless anthem “O Canto Da Cidade.”
With more than 20 million records sold and a career spanning over three decades, Mercury continues to push creative boundaries while serving as one of Brazil’s most recognizable cultural icons.
Francisco Céspedes: Romance Through Jazz and Bolero
Cuban-born, Mexico-based singer-songwriter Francisco Céspedes built an international reputation with his sophisticated blend of jazz, bolero, and romantic ballads. After leaving a career in medicine to pursue music, he established himself in Mexico, writing songs for artists including Luis Miguel and collaborating with stars such as Alejandro Sanz and Plácido Domingo.
His breakthrough album Vida Loca became a landmark in Latin romantic music, earning him multiple Latin Grammy nominations throughout his career.
Alaska: A Pioneer of Spanish Pop
Born in Mexico City and raised in Spain, Alaska became one of the defining figures of Spanish pop and new wave music. From her early days with Kaka de Luxe and Alaska y los Pegamoides to the iconic Alaska y Dinarama and later Fangoria, she has consistently remained at the forefront of musical innovation.
Songs such as “Ni Tú Ni Nadie” and “A Quién Le Importa” have become enduring anthems across the Spanish-speaking world.
Omar Alfanno Receives the Trustees Award
Panamanian songwriter Omar Alfanno will receive the 2026 Trustees Award in recognition of his remarkable songwriting career.
Alfanno is responsible for some of Latin music’s most iconic songs, including “El Gran Varón,” “A Puro Dolor,” “Y Hubo Alguien,” and “Amores Como El Nuestro.” His compositions have been recorded by more than 500 artists, including Marc Anthony, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Jerry Rivera, and Shakira, making him one of the most influential composers in contemporary Latin music.
Beyond songwriting, Alfanno continues to mentor emerging artists and supports music education through the Fundación Omar Alfanno in Panama.
Celebrating Latin Music’s Living Legends
The 2026 Special Awards recognize artists whose work has transcended genres, languages, and borders, leaving an indelible mark on Latin music and culture. Their collective achievements continue to inspire new generations of musicians while preserving the rich diversity of Latin America’s musical heritage.
The private ceremony on November 9 in Las Vegas will serve as one of the marquee events leading into the 27th Annual Latin Grammy Awards, honoring careers that have helped define the sound and identity of Latin music around the world.
