1 week Ago By Julyssa Lopez
Álvaro Díaz’s nominations at the 2024 Latin Grammy Awards are proof that the grind pays off. The rising Puerto Rican rapper was joined by a 13-piece band for a rendition of his heart-wrenching breakup single “Quien Te Quiere Como El Nene.” The singer strutted across the stage, clad in a futuristic leather outfit and a new cropped hairstyle, while melancholic visuals of blue skies hovered on the screen behind him.
Díaz then gave it up for Danny Ocean , who added more romance to the performance with his track “AMOR.” As flames blazed on the screens in the background, live instrumentals and the back-up vocals of the band accompanied Ocean’s yearning chant for a true, life-altering love. Ocean is up for two Latin Grammys for the Elena Rose-led hit “Caracas en el 2000,” which also features Jerry Di.
The performance then closed with Argentine rapper Trueno . He brought retro funk to the Latin Grammys with his rendition of “Tranky Funky.” Dressed in an old school-inspired sweat suit, braids, and a sweatband, he fired off verses to booming percussions and synths.
The stage design included a giant wall of loudspeakers reminiscent of street parties and tricked-out cars from the Nineties and early 2000s. The singer took home the Latin Grammy award for a Best Urban Fusion/Performance for the track. Díaz’s performance capped off a busy year: He completed a successful Latin American and Spanish tour run while jumping on several collaborations with fellow indie artists and global stars alike.
(He teamed up with Karol G as songwriter for her hit single “Gucci Los Paños,” and co-wrote “Panties y Brasieres,” on Rauw Alejandro’s Playa Saturno collab with Daddy Yankee. )The singer also worked with longtime collaborator NSQK on the raunchy dance track “MUBI,” off of NSQK’s summer album, ATP . Díaz is nominated for Best Urban Music Album for SAYONARA and Best Reggaetón Performance for “BYAK” with Rauw Alejandro.
Since the release of SAYONARA , Díaz made his debut performance on NPR’s Tiny Desk series, completed a sold-out North American tour , and released alternate endings for SAYONARA which includes a collaboration and music video with Argentinian singer, Nathy Peluso for “Xq Eres Así.”.
