Shakira News

(9/19/02, 1 a.m. ET) -- Spain's Alejandro Sanz was the big winner once again at the Latin Grammys, taking home three awards in the four categories he was nominated in.

Sanz dominated last year as well, winning four awards, but that triumph was bittersweet. Last year's show, scheduled for September 11, was postponed because of the terrorist attacks, and subsequently canceled. The awards were finally handed out in a low-key ceremony that was not broadcast on TV.

This year, Sanz's wins included album of the year for MTV Unplugged, as well as song of the year and record of the year for "Y Solo Se Me Ocurre Amarte."

Other multiple award winners included Colombian singer Carlos Vives, and Mexico's Ramon Ayala y Sus Bravos del Notre, who won two Latin Grammy Awards apiece. Vives took home awards for contemporary tropical album for Dejame Entrar and tropical song for "Dejame Entrar." Ramon Ayala y Sus Bravos del Notre picked up best norteno album for El Numero Cien, and best regional Mexican song for "Del Otro Lado Del Porton."

Other winners included Colombian crossover superstar Shakira, who won best video for "Suerte" ("Whenever, Wherever"), and Cuban salsa queen Celia Cruz, who was awarded best salsa album to for La Negra Tiene Tumbao.

Chilean rockers La Ley won for best rock album for their MTV Unplugged, and Cuban-American singer Jorge Moreno, who is signed to Madonna's Maverick Musica label, earned the best new artist award.

The show's performances included salsa star Marc Anthony's dynamic opening number "Celos." Nelly Furtado and Juanes teamed up for a duet on "A Dios Le Pido," and Mexican singer Thalia performed "No Me Ensenaste." In addition, Carlos Santana and San Diego-based P.O.D. rocked the house with "America." The track will appear on Santana's next album, Shaman, due October 15 from Arista Records.

Presenters included *NSYNC's Justin Timberlake, as well as Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, Daisy Fuentes, and Jennifer Love Hewitt, among others. Gloria Estefan and Jimmy Smits hosted the show, which was broadcast on CBS-TV.

Smits and Estefan made reference to last year's canceled ceremony and the terrorist attacks. "This year, we come together at the Kodak Theatre, in Los Angeles, with a new sense of commitment to continuing our way of life," Smits said.

Estefan continued, "We honor those we lost and those that helped us get back on our feet. We love you, New York."

-- Jason Gelman

For more news at LAUNCH, click here.

Got news tips, comments, or questions? Send them to launchnews@yahoo.com.