Latin music award nominees
For more than two decades, the Billboard Latin Music Awards have honored legendary artists, rising stars and songs that have reigned supreme in record sales and radio play. Telemundo is broadcasting the 22nd annual Billboard Latin Music Awards from Miami (find out when to watch). Check out our rundown of the top finalists and some curious facts about them.
Career: This reggaeton duo first began gaining popularity in 2000 with the release of their debut, "Reyes del Nuevo Milenio," which translates to "Kings of the New Millennium." They've collaborated with several popular U.S. artists, including a socialite-turned-pop singer, a troubled R&B singer, a rocker and many others.
Career: A native of Puerto Rico, Don Omar, 33, (what’s his birth name?) was one of the first international superstars of reggaeton. His debut album came out in 2003, just as the reggaeton movement was beginning to make inroads into the lucrative U.S. market.
Career: Ricky Martin, 39, got his start as the lead singer of a popular boy band (which one?) and is now an internationally acclaimed artist who has sold millions of albums. (Find out how many.)
Career: Born in Barranquilla, Colombia (what’s her birth name?), this singer known for her hip-shaking belly-dance moves released her first album when she was 13. Shakira, 34, has sold millions of albums worldwide (how many?) and has collaborated with multiple U.S. artists, including Beyoncé (watch their “Beautiful Liar” video).
Career: A native of Puerto Rico, (what’s his birth name? ), Daddy Yankee, 34, was a leading force in establishing reggaeton as a marketable music style.
Career: This Puerto Rican heartthrob (what’s his birth name?), has been a hit-making balladeer since the late 1980s. Chayanne, 42, got his start in the music business at age 11 as a member of a boy band (which one?). He has released numerous solo albums (how many? ) and sold millions of records (find out how many).
Career: Enrique Iglesias, 34, started his music career while attending a prestigious private school in Miami. His 1995 self-titled debut album was a smash hit. He holds a record with 22 No. 1 Spanish-language singles on Billboard’s Hot Latin Tracks.
Career: A native of Puerto Rico, Marc Anthony (what’s his birth name?), 42, has been electrifying the salsa dancing masses for years. He got his start as a background singer, and one of the early songs he wrote became a Top 40 hip-hop hit. He has won numerous awards and has sold millions of records (find out how many).
Career: Her debut release was a smash hit, but she didn’t become a full-fledged international pop star until her third album. Rihanna (what was her birth name?), 23, struck a decidedly dark tone with a controversial single written with an R&B soul artist.
Career: Lady Gaga (what’s her birth name?), 25, learned to play piano at age 4, wrote her first ballad at age 13 and began performing soon after. Known for her flamboyant attire (see a gallery of her outfits), she won multiple awards for her 2008 debut album. Her highly anticipated second album is set to be released soon (find out when).
Career: This multi-talented Mexican artist (what’s her birth name?) has sold millions of albums worldwide (how many?), singing in multiple languages. Thalía, 39, also is an award-winning soap opera star.
Prince Royce
Career: Prince Royce (what’s his birth name?), 21, started writing poetry at age 13 then turned his talents toward songwriting. His self-titled debut album soared to the top of Billboard’s Tropical Albums chart.
Career: Pitbull (what’s his birth name?), 30, sought his shot at stardom when a Southern flavor of party rap (what’s it called?) started gaining some mainstream traction in the early 2000s. One of Pitbull’s freestyle tracks landed in a platinum-selling record by this exuberant rapper in 2002. His latest record is an all-Spanish album.