Bon Jovi, the 2024 Person of the Year for the Recording Academy, presented the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year award to Vives.
Miami, FL. (November 15, 2024) – The 25th Annual Latin GRAMMY® Awards, held last night at the Kaseya Center in Miami, marked a historic night for Colombian artist Carlos Vives who was honored as the 2024 Person of the Year. This prestigious recognition from the Latin Recording Academy® highlights his more than three-decade career as a multifaceted singer and composer, as well as for his continued commitment to environmental and social initiatives.
Vives kicked off the 2024 Latin GRAMMY® Awards, dazzling the audience with a powerful performance of his greatest hits. His set featured a medley including “La Gota Fría,” “Pa’ Mayte,” and other songs that have been essential to his career and continue to resonate with millions worldwide. His performance ignited the stage and marked the beginning of an evening full of surprises and memorable moments.
One of the most thrilling moments of the night came when the legendary Bon Jovi, recognized as the 2024 Person of the Year by the Recording Academy (GRAMMY Awards), presented the award to Carlos Vives. With words full of admiration, Bon Jovi highlighted Vives’ impact on Latin music and on a global scale.
“Music unites and brings people from around the world together. I am honored to be here today as the Recording Academy’s 2024 Person of the Year to congratulate you on your much deserved honor from the Latin Recording Academy. One of the greatest joys of my career has been the chance to travel through Latin America, experiencing the warmth, passion, and incredible spirit of its people. Carlos, for decades you have embodied this spirit and used your voice for more than creating music. Your legacy reaches far beyond the stage, making an impact not only in your community but around the world, and that is one of the many reasons you are so deserving of this award. It is a privilege to acknowledge you as this year’s Persona del Año of the Latin Recording Academy,” said Bon Jovi as he presented the 2024 Person of the Year Award to Carlos Vives.
Visibly emotional, Carlos Vives accepted the award with a message of gratitude to his family, his fans, and the music community that has been part of his journey, expressing the following:
“Receiving this award from you, Jon, means so much. You are a music legend, a rock legend. And here I am, still that kid from Santa Marta, the young man from Bogotá, a person from that musical crossroads called Colombia, who has been searching for his own rock sound rooted in our traditions. Having you here tonight, Jon, proves that music knows no boundaries. It shows that rhythms and genres are like the trees in a forest—seemingly separate, but deeply connected by their roots. Just as the Academy has brought us together today, creating this beautiful space to celebrate and live united in diversity. My deepest thanks to the Academy for letting me experience this moment with all of you—friends and fellow travelers whom I admire so much and who have given me so much life and wonderful music. In these unforgettable days, I’ve been thinking of my parents, who gave me the gift of music and passed on the magic of our province, which I honored by naming my band after it. I’ve transformed that inspiration into sounds to share with all of you, so we can journey together into new times. Thank you, my dear Walter, for believing so passionately and professionally in our essence, for making our dreams come true, and for always bringing the best team to work for us. Thanks to our president Afo Verde and my Sony family. Thank you to my band, La Provincia, to Team Vives, and to all the planets that align in the Vives Universe to make this moment possible. To the entire Cumbia House team, our label Gaira Música Local, our music school Río Grande, our Fundación Tras La Perla, and our film company Mestiza Films. Thank you to my children, whom I love and hold close in my heart. And a special thanks to my friend and partner, Claudia. You know you deserve this award more than I do. Most importantly, thank you to our fans, who come to our concerts no matter the rain, wind, or storms. Finally, I dedicate this award to my country, Colombia, because I continue to believe that music holds the key to living united in our diversity. Thank you.”
This past Wednesday November 13, The Latin Recording Academy® celebrated its 2024 Person of the Year Gala honoring Carlos Vives, with moving renditions of some of Vives’ renowned repertoire, featuring past and current Latin GRAMMY® nominees including Edgar Barrera, María Becerra, David Bisbal, Rubén Blades, Martina Camargo, Camilo, Pedro Capó, Silvestre Dangond, Emilia, Emilio Estefan, Gloria Estefan, Fonseca, Luis Fonsi, Kany García, Vicente García, Gente De Zona, Goyo, Grupo Frontera, Juan Luis Guerra, Juanes, Carín León, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Víctor Martínez, Niña Pastori, Antonio Rey, Arturo Sandoval, Alejandro Sanz, Tato, Tonada, Julieta Venegas, Wisin and Sebastián Yatra.
The star-studded gala and tribute concert — which marked the 25th anniversary of the recognition — was held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, where six previous Person of the Year honorees kicked off the festivities with exhilarating opening numbers: Rubén Blades (2021) and Juan Luis Guerra (2007) performed “Déjame Entrar”; Gloria Estefan (2008) sang “Mil Canciones,” accompanied by Emilio Estefan (2000) on the conga; Alejandro Sanz (2017) performed “Un Pobre Loco,” accompanied by Arturo Sandoval on the trumpet; and Juanes (2019) performed a version of “La Gota Fría”.
Without a doubt, this historic recognition by the Latin GRAMMY® further solidified Carlos Vives’ importance in Latin music and his legacy as an ambassador of Colombian culture.
