Los Grammys de 2024
An analysis of representation, language, and recognition in the U.S. music industry through the treatment of Latin artists at the American Grammys
This project explores the growing influence of Latin music in the United States and the disconnect between that success and its recognition at the Grammy Awards. As part of my Spanish minor, I developed this paper as an academic opinion piece, using Spanish to engage critically with contemporary cultural issues. After seeing the historic impact of Spanish-language music in recent years, I became interested in how institutions like the Grammys respond to cultural and linguistic shifts within the industry. This paper examines the lack of representation of Latin artists in major Grammy categories, despite their commercial success and cultural influence, and considers how language, bias, and institutional structures shape recognition. Drawing on specific examples from recent Grammy cycles, I argue that the marginalization of Latin music reflects broader questions about what is considered “mainstream” or “American” within the music industry.This work reflects my interest in how art, culture, and media connect and how systems of power influence whose voices are recognized and celebrated.
