The 1991 GRAMMY Awards were a family affair for Latin jazz and mambo star Tito Puente, whose album Lambada Timbales won a GRAMMY for Best Tropical Latin Performance.
The project went head-to-head against albums by Luis Enrique, Willie Colon and Poncho Sanchez, but when he came up on stage to claim his award, he made sure to share his spotlight the sole female nominee in the category: his younger cousin, Millie P., who was nominated for Tito Puente Presents Millie P.
In this episode of GRAMMY Rewind, revisit Puente's heartfelt acceptance speech. Before his special dedication, Puente — dazzling in a silver sequin blazer and grinning ear to ear — quipped, "Muchas gracias, you all."
"I'd like to dedicate this GRAMMY this year to my cousin, who was voted also — conflict of interest," he said with a wink, "her first album recorded on RMM Records and a nominee for the first time, Millie P."
Although it was technically his moment, Puente had Millie P. join him on stage, and even gave her a chance at the mic. She spoke about her love for Puente and his music, and her pride at getting to stand on stage with him while he accepted his trophy.
"I feel like I'm the winner, really. Because if he wins, I win too," she said. "Because I love him very much."
Puente, who passed in 2000, won six GRAMMYs and received 12 nominations overall in his lifetime. Four of his wins were in the Best Tropical Latin Performance category, including the inaugural award in 1984; the category has changed names over the years, and is now known as Best Tropical Latin Album.
Press play on the video above to watch Puente's and Millie P.'s heartfelt speeches, and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com every Friday for more new episodes of GRAMMY Rewind.
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