The 2012 Billboard Latin Music Awards
Puerto Rican native Don Omar and the Bronx's Prince Royce took top honors at the Billboard Latin Music award ceremony. Each received eight awards. They are among a growing group of Latin artists who mix English and Spanish into their songs.
Bachata and Reggaeton artists Prince Royce and Don Omar were the talk of the Billboard Latin Music Awards on Thursday night.
Puerto Rican native Don Omar and the Bronx's Prince Royce took top honors at the ceremony. Each received eight awards. They are among a growing group of Latin artists who mix English and Spanish into their songs.
Mexico's Maná took home five awards, while Colombian pop star Shakira earned four.
La Adictiva Banda San Jose de Mesillas group won best new artist.
Thursday's live show was hosted was presented by State Farm. Telemundo broadcast the production from the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami in Coral Gables.
Juanes, Pitbull and Marc Anthony — along with the top winners — performed. Anthony received a Billboard Hall of Fame Award for his global, artistic influence.
Billboard winners are selected based on sales and radio airplay.
Prince Royce was ecstatic upon learning he had won artist/songwriter of the year and best tropical album for his self titled album and single “Corazon sin cara.”
“Wow! First of all I want to thank God who has given me everything,” said the Singer. “[Also] my family and the Dominican republic… and my fans I love you all with all my heart.”
Like Prince Royce, Don Omar thanked his mother and God as well as his fans and his fellow colleagues. He took home awards for best Latin rhythm of the year, best songs of the year, best Latin rhythm artist of the year, best album of the year, best song of the year, best song of the year for airplay, and best Latin pop song of the year for his single “Taboo.”
His other hit “Danza Kuduro,” a collaboration with Brazilian artist Lucenzo, won best vocal collaboration of the year as well as best digital song.
“I am so grateful to each and everyone of my colleagues in the music business… and from Puerto Rico,” the reggaeton artist said in Spanish. “It has been 15 years since we decided to start the urban music genre,” Don Omar added.
Maná put on quite a festive performance from Los Angeles of their hit single “Mi reina del dólor" and thanked the fans for making their career be what it is today.
Shakira, who also could not make the event, sent her regards via satellite from Mexico.
The awards ceremony began with an energized performance from Pitbull and his female backup dancers all dressed in red. The Cuban singer performed his single "Echa pa' allá."
Prince Royce performed his song “Incondicional" while Juanes sang "La señal."
Newly single Singer Paulina Rubio performed her new single in English "Boys Will Be Boys" and Don Omar sang alongside Aakon Natti Natasha and Loalwa Braz.
Marc Anthony took everyone by surprise singing with Gilberto Santa Rosa and Olga Tañón.
Brazilian phenomenon Michel Teló closed out the show with his latest single "Ai se eu te pego."
Based on reporting by the Associated Press.
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