The 38th edition of the Premio Lo Nuestro, held this Thursday, February 19th in Miami, was characterized by being a complete spectacle. In this edition, the biggest winners of the night were Bad Bunny, Carin Leon, and Karol G. Additionally, five awards were presented during the ceremony, paying tribute to the careers of iconic figures in Latin music. In an evening broadcast live on Univision and hosted by Thalia, Clarissa Molina, and Nadia Ferreira, the stage became a journey through generations of music, celebrating those whose vision and contributions have transcended borders. Juanes's Speech: Colombian rocker Juanes was the winner of the Premio Lo Nuestro Lifetime Achievement Award, a recognition of a "career marked by authenticity, constant evolution, and a deep connection to his roots." The celebration began with a powerful medley of his greatest hits, where the singer, true to form, appeared wearing a t-shirt that read “Se speaking Spanish” (Spanish is spoken here), a symbolic gesture he had already used at the 2003 Latin Grammys. The Morat group presented the award, confessing that Juanes has been an “inspiration and a support” in their careers. Upon receiving the award, the 53-year-old musician reminisced about the moment when, at nine years old, he knew that music was his path. “It has brought me so much joy, as well as heartfelt tears,” he expressed with a broad smile. In an emotional speech, he dedicated the award to Colombia and his family, and made a thoughtful request to the audience: "Let's learn to play an instrument. There is a lot of artificial intelligence, but we have emotional and human intelligence. Let's stay alert to that!" Hours earlier, Juanes had confirmed his ambitious Juanes World Tour 2026, which will include more than 50 concerts, and he arrived on the magenta carpet accompanied by his family.

Arcangel Receives His Award

Puerto Rican reggaeton artist Arcangel received the Premio Lo Nuestro Urban Icon Award, recognizing him as one of the “key figures in the history and evolution of Latin urban music.”

The award came after a spectacular performance in which Jhayco, J Balvin, Jay Wheeler, Mora, Sech, and Eladio Carrion performed a medley of his hits.

It was J Balvin who, upon presenting him with the award, defined him as a “living legend.” “Your height doesn't measure your greatness. Greatness is measured by the impact you've had, and your impact has touched many lives,” the Colombian artist stated.

Surrounded by friends and colleagues, Arcangel dedicated the award to his loved ones, with a heartfelt message for his late mother, Carmen Rosa Santos.

“You were both mother and father to me, and everything I have, everything I achieve, I owe to you, my mother,” the singer expressed. The gala also witnessed other unique moments, such as when Spanish singer Paloma San Basilio, honored with the Excellence Award for her more than 50-year career, offered a delicate performance alongside pianist Arthur Hanlon and young singers Sofia Reyes, Elena Rose, and Yami Safdie. Upon receiving the award, the artist reflected on the meaning of “Lo Nuestro” (Our Own): “We are Hispanics, we are people who love, who feel, who make music, who unite, who respect, who tolerate. “We will continue to be a benchmark, a beacon, a light, and a color.” One of the most magical moments of the night was the presentation of the Visionary Award to producer and composer Manolo Diaz. His old friends Manuel Alejandro, Juanes, and Carlos Vives took to the stage to surprise him.

For their part, the iconic Mexican band Los Bukis, led by Marco Antonio Solis, sent a pre-recorded message from Los Angeles to thank the organizers for the Musical Legacy Award.

“Thank you to Bukimania, to all those fans who have supported us for so many years. This award was unexpected; we receive it with hearts full of gratitude,” Solis expressed on behalf of the group.

The ceremony, which also featured performances by Romeo Santos, Prince Royce, Maria Becerra, and Cristian Castro, solidified Premio Lo Nuestro 2026 as a platform to honor the legacy of Latin music for the future.