The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) will be honoring Latin music standouts in an upcoming ceremony. Gloria Estefan, along with her husband, Emilio, and Sebastian Yatra will be honored in the said ceremony.
RIAA Honors Gloria, Emilio Estefan
According to Variety, RIAA will be honoring Latin icon Gloria Estefan with an Icon Award along with her partner and longtime producer Emilio Estefan for being an industry trailblazer.
Unbeknownst to many, Emilio has been credited for paving the way for the "explosion" of Latin music in the late 90s. He has also been credited for introducing Latin artists to the US stage like Jon Secada, Ricky Martin, and Shakira.
He has been awarded with 19 Grammy Awards, the BMI Songwriter of the Year, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and even received the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award by the Songwriters' Hall of Fame in 2009.
On the other hand, Gloria Estefan has been well-regarded as one of the most successful Latina singers of all time. She is a recipient of eight Grammy Awards, a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, and named one of the Top 100 greatest artists of all time by VH1 and Billboard.
RIAA Honors Sebastian Yatra, Veronica Escobar, More!
Sebastian Yatra, the Colombian balladeer known for his romantic lyrics, and traditional sound fused with modern reggae beats will also be honored as Artist of the Year. Vice President and COO of Latin Iberia at Sony Music Entertainment Maria Fernandez will receive the Executive of the Year Award while US Representatives Veronica Escobar and Maria Elvira Salazar will be receiving the Policymakers of the Year award.
"As advocates for the music community and fans ourselves, the RIAA is so grateful to acknowledge superstars and leaders who have used their voices and platforms to change the culture and break the creative mold," RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier said in a statement to Variety.
Meanwhile, RIAA Senior VP of State Policy and Industry Relations added that "This sustained expansion speaks to an openness to new artists, music and ways of listening. It's also perfect timing to salute Latin Music champions during the first week of National Hispanic Heritage Month. RIAA Honors' epic music-filled celebration adds to the excitement as other festivities and recognitions continue throughout the coming weeks."
The said ceremony will be held in Washington D.C., on Sep. 19, 2023.
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