A Historic First: Latin Music Takes the Spotlight

The Juno Awards are officially recognizing the powerful rise of Latin music in Canada. Starting in 2026, the annual awards ceremony will feature a brand-new category: Latin Music Recording of the Year.

The announcement, made by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), marks a pivotal shift toward embracing the multicultural identity of Canadian music and celebrating the richness that Latin artists contribute to the national soundscape.

“This new category is a milestone… a well-deserved recognition of the incredible talent, diversity, and cultural richness that Latin music brings,” said Martín Añón, Argentine-Canadian producer and category co-chair.

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Who’s Eligible?

To qualify, recordings must:

• Contain at least 50% Latin influence (style, structure, rhythm, etc.)
  
  
• Feature lyrics that are at least 50% in Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, or Indigenous/African dialects
  
  
• Include a Canadian citizen or permanent resident as the main vocal artist
  
  
• Not be submitted under the Global Music Album of the Year category
  
  

Celebrated by Canada’s Latin Music Community

The reaction from Latin Canadian musicians was overwhelmingly positive.

Roberto López, a Colombian-Canadian musician and Juno nominee, summed up his reaction in one word:

“Finally.”

López, who’s been releasing Latin music in Canada since 2005, said the global growth of Latin music is undeniable—and it’s about time the Junos reflect that reality.

“Being able to have that category to recognize the importance of Latin music in Canada… is a great step.”

Alex Cuba, a Cuban-Canadian artist and Juno winner, echoed the sentiment, calling it a long-awaited change.

“Let’s put it this way: it’s been a long time coming… I was so happy and excited when I heard the news.”

Cuba recalled past frustrations, like helping Nelly Furtado produce a chart-topping Latin album that didn’t fit into any existing Juno category.

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The Impact: Visibility, Identity, and Cultural Validation

Beyond the award itself, many in the industry say the new category sends a strong message:
Latin artists in Canada are seen. Their identities matter.

“It tells younger artists, ‘You can be you, it’s not a barrier,’” said Felipe Téllez, a TMU professor and Latin music composer.

Téllez emphasized that awards, while not always financially rewarding, are crucial symbols of cultural validation for marginalized voices in the music industry.

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Redefining What “Canadian Music” Means

For many Latino artists, being “Canadian” doesn’t mean erasing their roots—it means expanding them.

“Now, we get to be Canadian and Latin without having to compromise our identities,” Téllez added.

López pointed out that Latin Canadians often hold multiple identities—national, provincial, and cultural—and their music naturally reflects that complexity.

Meanwhile, Alex Cuba believes the category will spark innovation, encouraging artists to blend traditional Latin sounds with Canada’s evolving music scene.

“It’s a new energy into Latin music,” Cuba said. “The result is something fresh and creative.”

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What Else Is Changing at the Junos?

Alongside the new Latin category, CARAS is also:

• Requiring Canadian citizenship or permanent residency for nominees in the Rap Album/EP and Rap Single categories
  
  
• Continuing recent inclusivity efforts, like the South Asian music category (added in 2024) and the split of Indigenous music into traditional and contemporary categories (since 2022)
  

Notably, the Latin music category follows CARAS’ controversial proposal to eliminate several existing categories (like Reggae, Children’s, and Christian/Gospel), which was met with backlash and ultimately reversed.

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Looking Ahead

Submissions for the 55th Juno Awards close on September 22, 2025, with the ceremony set to take place on March 29, 2026, at the TD Coliseum in Hamilton.

With the Latino population in Canada tripling over the past 25 years, the Junos’ new category doesn’t just reflect demographic change — it celebrates the voices shaping Canada’s cultural future.

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