onstage during the 11th annual Latin GRAMMY Awards at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on November 11, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (2010 Getty Images)
The 2011 Latin Music Billboard Awards was a star-studded event, but no one outshone Enrique Iglesias, who took home the most awards including the coveted "Artist of the Year."
The Spaniard started off the ceremony with an energy filled performance of his two newest singles "No me digas que no,” and “Tonight,” -- performed with reggaetonero friends Wisin and Yandel-- as the strobe neon lights lit up the Bank United Center stage on Thursday in Miami.
The "Tonight" star also took home merits in the “Hot Latin Song Artist of the Year,” “Latin Pop Album of the Year,” “Top Latin Album of the Year” categories.
Iglesias, 35, had many to thank as he whipped out a list, which included other celebrities such as Pitbull, Wisin Y Yandel and Juan Luis Guerra.
Nevertheless, Iglesias gave the most expansive thank you to his fans --running, awards in hands, to where they stood yelling his name.
“The Latinos in the United States have always supported my career,” Iglesias said. “I send you a big hug and I hope Latin music continues on. We [Latinos] have to keep having kids so we can keep growing and one day, which we already almost are, we will be the majority.”
Other powerful moments included the adrenaline filled, production that Puerto Rican star Don Omar delivered with Brazilian based singer Lucendo of "Danza Kuduro."
The tune is the anthem for the latest action flick "Fast Five" where the “King of Kings” Don Omar himself stars next to Vin Diesel, Ludacris and Tyrese Gibson, who were also part of Thursday night's performance.
Don Omar showed off his samba skills, as he swayed back and forth to a remix of Brazilian group Kaoma’s 1983 tune “Lambada”—the inspiration for Jennifer López and rapper Pitbull’s number one hit “On the Floor.”
Bachateros Aventura and Daddy Yankee were also big winners.
The sensual male group took home awards for “Tropical Airplay Album for Duet or Group,” “Tropical Airplay Theme of the Year,” and the “Tu Mundo” cyber award given by fans who voted online via Telemundo.com
Despite swirling rumors of a break up, Aventura members are reuniting in 2013 and launching new material. For now, they are focusing on their individual careers.
Daddy Yankee, a.k.a “The Big Boss” gave a shout out to his native hometown Puerto Rico as he received the Billboard award for “Latin Rhythm Album by a Solo Artist” of the year.
“To all of my Latin public, humbly I receive this honor with my colleagues Pitbull, Tito (El Bambino) and Don (Omar),” said Daddy Yankee. “Pa’ Lante! (Forward!)”
Los “meros meros” of the night were Banda el Recodo, winning the award for “Regional Mexican Airplay Group of the Year” stomping on fellow bandas Banda Recodito, El Trono de Mexico and La Original Banda de Limón.
Other big performances included Maná’s debut single “Lluvia al Corazón,” Juanes’“Regalito,” and a blood rushing dance collaboration between Pitbull, Jencarlos Canela and rapper T-Pain.
You can reach Alexandra Gratereaux at: Alexandra.Gratereaux@foxnewslatino.com
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