Bad Bunny was the top winner at the 2026 Premio Lo Nuestro on Thursday night (Feb. 19), taking home six awards including Premio Lo Nuestro artist of the year, song of the year for “DtMF,” and album of the year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos.
Though the Puerto Rican artist was not at the ceremony to receive his awards (because he’s in the middle of his world tour), Carín León, the second top winner of the night, was present to nab five of his 10 noms that included Mexican music male artist of the year and Mexican music song of the year for “El Amor de mi Herida.”
The 38th annual awards ceremony—which theme was “honrando lo que somos” (honoring who we are)—celebrated culture, roots, and musical diversity with memorable performances by Maluma and Kany García, Gloria Trevi, Juanes, Xavi, Marc Anthony and Nathy Peluso, and beyond.
Heartfelt tributes also accompanied some of the evenings Special Awards honorees such as a powerful medley of Arcángel’s hits featuring Feid, Jhayco, J Balvin, Jay Wheeler, Mora, Sech and Eladio Carrión in celebration of Arcángel’s Premio Lo Nuestro Urban Icon Award and Paloma San Basilio was accompanied on stage by pianist Arthur Hanlon and young singers Sofía Reyes, Elena Rose, and Yami Safdie before receiving the Premio Lo Nuestro Excellence Award.
In addition to the televised show, Billboard was hosting an almost three-hour-long livestream from the magenta carpet, where we caught up with acts such as Ryan Castro, Yailin La Más Viral, Prince Royce and Maria Becerra
Below, check out some of the things you didn’t see on TV at the 2026 Premio Lo Nuestro.
-
Arcángel’s Celebration
On the eve of Premio Lo Nuestro (Feb. 18), Latin urban stars gathered at an invite-only, intimate dinner in Miami’s Cassadonna restaurant to celebrate Arcángel’s enduring legacy in music. The Puerto Rican artist, who received the Premio Lo Nuestro Urban Icon special award, was accompanied by friends and colleagues, including Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, Maluma, Eladio Carrión, Ryan Castro and Sech, in celebration of his 20-year career, new album La 8va Maravilla, and most recent Billboard Español cover story.
-
The Man Purse Effect
Xavi, Ryan Castro and Beto from Rawayana strutted the magenta carpet with very fashionable man purses: Xavi with a leather clutch, Castro with a traditional carriel bag from Colombia, and Beto with a large tote bag. For the most part, the artists carried their wallet and cellphones. Beto, on the other hand, had matches branded with Rawayana’s latest album ¿Dónde Es El After?
-
Cafecito Time
While some brought purses, Juan Duque — one of Billboard’s Latin Artists to Watch in 2026 — brought coffee from Antioquia. In the midst of his interview with Billboard, the emerging Colombian artist decided it was cafecito time (in true Miami fashion, too) and handed out coffee to co-hosts Ingrid Fajardo and Jessica Roiz, and also to Maluma, who joined the livestream after Duque.
-
The Content Creator
In the media center — where artists gather after winning an award to talk to the press — Esaú Ortiz celebrated his win for best electro corrido with “Triple Lavada Remix” by doing a Reel. Yes, he took the official photos and talked to the press, but first, his own content. “I want to thank God, my family, my team, my girlfriend, and everyone who make this possible,” the Mexican artist, one of Billboard’s Latin Artists to Watch in 2026, said when he posted the clip on Instagram.
-
Jon Z Backstage
Jon Z and his team were caught watching Premio Lo Nuestro from the TVs backstage. The Puerto Rican artist, who won the award for best trap/hip-hop song of the year with “Bum Bum” alongside El Alfa and Alofoke Music, stopped on his tracks to watch the Arcángel special award tribute. He silently expressed admiration for his colleagues who formed part of the tribute, and paid close attention to Arcángel’s heartfelt speech. At the media center, he was also seen hanging out with ROA — also one of Billboard’s Latin Artists to Watch in 2026 and the winner of male new artist of the year.
-
A First for Nando Boom
Also backstage, renowned Panamanian artist Nando Boom could now hold back his tears when accepting the award for best dembow song with “Dem Bow” alongside Natti Natasha and Dímelo Flow. During a casual acceptance speech that he shared with the press, the reggae plena pioneer admitted that in his 40-year career he’s never won an award — and dedicated it to his mother, who’s in heaven. Earlier this year, “Dem Bow” reached No. 1 on the Latin Airplay chart, becoming Nando Boom’s (real name: Fernando Brown) first entry on any Billboard tally.
Leave a comment