The voices of Puerto Rico, Spain, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, and Mexico shine this year in the Song Of The Year category at the 2025 Latin GRAMMYs. The 10 nominated works navigate between nostalgia and celebration, highlighting a diverse musical landscape where salsa, pop ballads, jazz, merengue, and reggaeton coexist.

Bad Bunny and CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso stand out with two nominations each in the category. The Puerto Rican singer competes with the salsa of "BAILE INoLVIDABLE" and the reggaeton of "DtMF" while the Argentine duo is recognized for "El Día del Amigo" and "#Tetas."

Completing the list are the intimate textures of Natalia Lafourcade’s "Cancionera," Mon Laferte’s melancholic "Otra Noche de Llorar," the personal memories in Andrés Cepeda’s "Bogotá," and the reflective "Palmeras en el Jardín" by Alejandro Sanz. The selection also embraces the delicacy of MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) with Liniker’s "Veludo Marrom" and the merengue of "Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido" by Karol G.

Song Of The Year recognizes the songwriters, not just the performers. It highlights the creative minds who shape the melodies and words that become part of the collective memory.

Below, explore the songs nominated for Song Of The Year, as well as the composers and voices that bring them to life. The 26th Latin GRAMMYs will take place on Thursday, Nov. 13 in Las Vegas and will be broadcast at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. CT) on Univision. 

Bad Bunny - "BAILE INoLVIDABLE" 

Songwriters: Bad Bunny, Antonio Caraballo, Julio Gaston, Armando Josue Lopez, MAG, Jay Anthony Nuñez, Kaled Elikai Rivera Cordova & Roberto Jose Rosado Torres

Proud of its reception, Bad Bunny has said that "BAILE INoLVIDABLE"  marks the fulfillment of a long-held dream: creating an original salsa track from scratch. After more than a decade in the industry, he finally brought it to life, turning one of his earliest musical ambitions into reality.

The music was performed by this new generation of Puerto Rican talent, with lyrics penned by Bad Bunny himself. While working in New York, Benito's team came across percussionist Julio Gastón on TikTok and was captivated by his bongo playing. Together with arranger Jay Anthony, Gastón invited fellow musicians from the Escuela Libre de Música de Puerto Rico and the Pablo Casals School in Bayamón to join the project. This collaboration culminated in the recording of "BAILE INoLVIDABLE" in San Juan — a track directly inspired by salsa greats such as the Lebrón Brothers.

The song is part of DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, Bad Bunny's sixth studio album, considered his most personal project to date and conceived as a love letter to Puerto Rico — its traditions, its culture, and its people. Bad Bunny continued to pay tribute to Puerto Rico during his history-making 30-date residency at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in Puerto Rico. In addition to its immersive stage design and legions of international stars, Bad Bunny’s message of inclusion and solidarity resonated with sold-out audiences. Each night, he spoke of unity, love, and resistance against hate, while denouncing immigration raids in the United States — a stance that led him to exclude the country from his subsequent world tour.

With this work, the 12-time Latin GRAMMY winner and 40-time nominee continues to expand his legacy, using music as a bridge between his personal story and the collective identity of his island. 

Andrés Cepeda - "Bogotá" 

Songwriters: Andres Cepeda, Mauricio Rengifo & Andres Torres

"Bogotá" appears on the album Bogotá (Deluxe), a project rooted in Andrés Cepeda’s personal experiences, and is one of the most intimate pieces in his catalog. The pop ballad is dedicated to his mother, and the four-time Latin GRAMMY winner evokes childhood memories, his family home, the streets of the Colombian capital, and the Teatro Colón — the stage she once dreamed of seeing him perform on. The track was recorded during months-long studio sessions, a process designed to capture its delicate essence and translate it into a warm, heartfelt sound. 

For Andrés Cepeda, that meticulous search for honesty in music mirrors the journey of an artist who has learned, over time, that true connection comes from vulnerability. For Andrés Cepeda, that meticulous search for honesty in music mirrors his own artistic journey and understanding that true connection comes from vulnerability.

Natalia Lafourcade - "Cancionera"

Songwriter: Natalia Lafourcade

What would life be without songs? For Natalia Lafourcade, it simply would not be the same. From that reflection was born "Cancionera," a piece that pays tribute to the songbooks and songwriters she has encountered along her path — those "sacred stones" that have taught her and inspired her throughout her artistic journey. 

"Cancionera" belongs to the album of the same name, created during the pandemic at a family ranch, where her mother’s piano became the starting point for the project. In "Cancionera," Lafourcade shapes an alter ego that embodies her many artistic dimensions. With flowing cadences, poetic lyrics, and arrangements that blend Mexican folklore with Latin folk traditions, she presents herself as "a songbook that sings to the wind and sings her truth."

The Mexico City-born artist has become one of the most influential voices in Ibero-American music, moving effortlessly between alternative pop, folk, and the vast richness of traditional Mexican sounds. She has performed in major concert halls and iconic venues such as Carnegie Hall, and has earned 18 Latin GRAMMYs and 34 nominations

Bad Bunny - "DtMF"

Songwriters: Bad Bunny, Scott Dittrich, Benjamin Falik, MAG, Roberto José Rosado Torres, Hugo René Sención Sanabria & Tyler Spry, songwriters

Since the beginning of his career, Bad Bunny has written the vast majority of his own songs, and "DtMF" is no exception. In this track, the Puerto Rican artist reflects on the importance of living in the present, loving with intensity, and valuing both personal and collective history.

Bad Bunny's travels around the world have given him new perspectives on how others view Puerto Rico, a theme that also resonates in his writing. With "DtMF," he delivers a message that life is fleeting and that it is never too late to love, create memories, and embrace joy. This idea is crystallized in his call to "take more photos" as a reminder to capture and celebrate everyday moments.

The single, which has surpassed 180 million views on YouTube as of writing, fuses Latin trap with R&B. The result is a piece that highlights a more contemplative side of Bad Bunny, adding depth to a repertoire often defined by energy and experimentation.

CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso - "El Día Del Amigo" 

Songwriters: Rafa Arcaute, Gino Borri, CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso, Amanda Ibanez, Vicente Jiménez & Federico Vindver

For Ca7riel, the standout track on PAPOTA, his album with artistic brother Paco Amoroso, is "El Día del Amigo." He has said that the song is built around friendship and captures "the essence and key" of the entire production. Musically, it blends Latin pop with electronic synthesizers, reinforcing the duo’s distinctive aesthetic.

Their journey began in 2011 with the band Astor y las Flores de Marte, where they explored Argentine rock with echoes of Luis Alberto Spinetta. Years later, they redefined themselves as Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso, and by 2018-2019 had consolidated the partnership that propelled them to the forefront of the Latin urban scene.

Since then, they have described themselves as yin and yang — a complementary pair whose experimental sound fuses trap, funk, R&B, electronica, and alternative pop. Their originality quickly drew attention, earning praise from peers and even international artists like Kendrick Lamar, who highlighted them as part of a new wave of Latin American voices expanding the boundaries of hip hop and urban music.

On stage, the duo have built a reputation for high-energy performances and genre-bending sets. They have played in Argentina, Mexico, Spain, Colombia, Chile, and Uruguay, and reached global audiences at festivals such as Coachella, Glastonbury, Roskilde, and Lollapalooza. With "El Día del Amigo," Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso reaffirm the chemistry and innovation that have made them one of the most original and dynamic acts in contemporary Latin music.

Mon Laferte - "Otra Noche De Llorar"

Songwriters: Mon Laferte

"Otra Noche de Llorar" is the prelude to Mon Laferte's upcoming album, a project shaped by confessions and experiences that show life is not always about happiness. The song speaks to sadness and vulnerability from a human perspective, reminding us that not everything is a fairy tale. Built as a ballad with jazz influences, the five-time Latin GRAMMY winner draws on vocal techniques that recall Whitney Houston and Rocío Dúrcal.

In an interview, she described it as a "very Mon" song: a return to the intimacy of her own repertoire from more than a decade ago, with a nod to Christmas, the time of year when she finished writing it. This sentiment is captured in lyrics like "I want to stop thinking, but Christmas makes me sentimental." Through it, she conveys feminine sensitivity and the resilience of a woman navigating heartbreak.

Alejandro Sanz - "Palmeras En El Jardín"

Songwriters: Luis Miguel Gómez Castaño, Manuel Lorente Freire, Elena Rose & Alejandro Sanz

"What now?" That simple but powerful question gave birth to "Palmeras En El Jardín," a song that captures the familiar pang of longing. 

Part of Alejandro Sanz’s new EP ¿Y ahora qué?, it holds a special place in his catalog: the Spanish artist was determined it would not be just another entry in his long career. This pop ballad mirrors his inner struggle to reconnect with the desire to create, a cathartic journey that reaffirms how creativity and vulnerability are inseparable parts of the artistic process.

"There are always options," Sanz reflected. "Staying still, breaking down, moving forward, climbing... or even jumping out of a balloon. But there is always a future to enjoy."

Recognized with 22 Latin GRAMMYs, Sanz also uses his music to highlight the importance of mental health. For him, being an artist does not mean being immune to pain. On the contrary, acknowledging fragility and embracing authenticity are part of his message — reminding us that art resonates most when it is as vulnerable as it is honest.

Karol G - "Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido"

Songwriters: Edgar Barrera, Andres Jael Correa Rios & Karol G 

With "Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido," Karol G showcases her versatility by stepping confidently into the world of merengue. Released with a vibrant music video filmed in the Dominican Republic, the track quickly became a global hit, reaffirming her ability to conquer any rhythm she embraces.

Karol G released this song in June 2024, drawing inspiration from the vibrant energy of the Dominican Republic. The track pays homage to its musical culture by blending merengue with touches of mambo, shaping a fresh, summer anthem. Its lyrics imagine a hypothetical scenario—how life might have been different if love had arrived earlier. Between nostalgia and joy, Karol G turns an intimate reflection into a universal story about love, time, and missed chances. 

Karol G has earned critical recognition. She has been honored with six Latin GRAMMYs, awards that highlight not only her popularity but also her artistry and influence. With "Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido", she adds a new chapter to her story, one where tradition and innovation meet on the dance floor.

CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso - "#Tetas"

Songwriters: Rafa Arcaute, Gino Borri, CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso, Gale, Vicente Jiménez & Federico Vindver

Another track from Papota, "#TETAS" blends humor with sharp critique. Built on a mix of urbano genres, electronic textures, modern beats, and touches of pop, the song goes beyond entertainment. It delivers an ironic commentary on the music industry, calling out beauty standards, body worship, and the constant pressure to look perfect, go viral, and conform to the formulas of success.

Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso have been reshaping the sound of Latin urban music since the late 2010s. Known for their experimental spirit and genre-crossing energy, they use "#TETAS" to push boundaries once again. What at first seems like a provocative, playful anthem reveals itself as layered social commentary — masked beneath a beat designed for the dance floor.

Liniker - "Veludo Marrom" 

Songwriters: Liniker

"Veludo Marrom" unfolds as a sonic experience in which Liniker blends the warmth of her voice with arrangements rooted in MPB, enriched by soul and Afro-Brazilian rhythms. The result is an intimate and immersive atmosphere. The metaphor of "brown velvet" becomes a symbol of something precious, warm, and deeply emotional.

What gives the song an even deeper resonance is its origin. Liniker explained to Brazilian journalist Fernanda Catania that she wrote it almost as a premonition, before living the passion it describes. Later, she reinterpreted its meaning, realizing it spoke of how she imagines and longs to experience love: as something epic, intense, and harmonious.

Born in Araraquara, São Paulo, Liniker began her professional career in 2015 with the band Liniker e os Caramelows, releasing acclaimed albums like Remonta and Goela Abaixo. In 2021, she embarked on a solo path with the album Índigo Borboleta Anil, a work that confirmed her as one of the most vital voices in contemporary Brazilian popular music. In 2022, she became the first transgender artist to win a Latin GRAMMY — a recognition that transcended music and placed her at the center of cultural conversations in Latin America. With "Veludo Marrom," Liniker offers not only a finely crafted song, but also a testament to her sensitivity and authenticity, reaffirming her place as one of the defining figures of Brazilian music.