Rosalía and Milo J Took the Top Latin Grammys as Daddy Yankee Was Honored in Las Vegas

The 27th annual Latin Grammys wrapped up in Las Vegas with a big night for Argentine folk music, a surprise award presenter, and a newly minted U.S. congressman taking home a statuette, NPR reported.

In an industry often dominated by reggaeton beats or polished pop, 20-year-old Argentine vocalist Milo J took Record of the Year for his single "Niño," plus Best Folk Album for "La Vida Era Más Corta," Best Urban/Urban Fusion Performance, and Best Recording Package. Spanish vocalist Rosalía swept several top categories, including Album of the Year and Best Alternative Album for "LUX," Song of the Year, Best Pop Song and Best Short Form Music Video. Colombian vocalist Karol G won Best Urban Music Album and Best Reggaeton Performance.

Reggaeton pioneer Daddy Yankee was named the academy's Person of the Year and was caught by surprise when Janet Jackson walked out unannounced to present the honor. From the stage, he reminded viewers that during the earliest days of the music, the Puerto Rican government tried to criminalize making reggaeton, calling the musicians criminals with no future, NPR reported.

Tejano musician Bobby Pulido, who won the race for Texas' 15th congressional district last Tuesday, picked up his third Latin Grammy, for Best Tejano Album.

A show built around the Spanish-speaking world

Rosalía opened with a medley of tracks from "LUX," with elaborate dancing and stage design. Milo J appeared with members of the colorfully costumed Uruguayan theatrical ensemble who also appeared at his spring Tiny Desk Concert. There was a star-studded homage to Mexican composer José Alfredo Jiménez, punctuated by both mariachi and a three-piece rock band, and a posthumous celebration of salsa pioneer Willie Colón featuring Nathy Peluso, Luis Figueroa and Colón's son Miguel Colón, backed by Colón's original 13-piece salsa band.

NPR said the most impressive performance of the night was Daddy Yankee's medley of past hits. In an elaborately prepared and choreographed set across multiple stages, the Puerto Rican star referenced reggaeton's earliest days as a mix-tape phenomenon and carried the tribute through his global breakaway hit, "Despacito."

The night was heavy with performances of music from throughout the Spanish-speaking world, NPR reported.

The results were a reminder that Latin music's awards night is broader than the charts that usually dominate sales. A folk-driven 20-year-old, a Spanish pop experimentalist, a reggaeton architect, and a Tejano singer who had just been elected to Congress all left Las Vegas with hardware — and with a national audience watching the same stage.