Gloria Estefan, Chucho Valdés, and César Orozco: Cuban Triumphs at the 2025 Latin Grammy Awards

The vibrant essence of Cuban music resonated at the 2025 Latin Grammy Awards, held on Thursday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Among the standout winners were Gloria Estefan, César Orozco, and Chucho Valdés with the Royal Quartet, marking a triumphant evening for Cuban artists as they were the only ones from the Island to take home a golden gramophone.

The Cuban-American diva, Estefan, secured the award for Best Traditional Tropical Album with her record "Raíces." She triumphed over fellow Cuban nominees Malena Burke and Meme Solís with their album "Malena Burke canta a Meme Solís, Vol. 1," as well as the Orquesta Failde with "Caminando piango piango."

With this latest accolade, Estefan now boasts her fourth Latin Grammy, complementing the eight Grammy awards she has achieved throughout her illustrious international career.

Meanwhile, Chucho Valdés and the Royal Quartet were honored with the Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album award for "Cuba and Beyond," sharing the limelight with Hamilton de Holanda Trio's "Live in NYC."

César Orozco, who has roots in both Cuba and Venezuela, was awarded Best Arrangement for his work on "Camaleón." The competition in this category included Paquito D’Rivera & the Madrid-New York Connection Band with "La Fleur de Cayenne" and Iván "Melón" Lewis Trio with "Luces y sombras."

The legendary pianist Valdés, with a career spanning decades, has now accumulated 14 Grammy awards across both the English and Latin editions since 1979, solidifying his status as one of the most decorated figures in Cuban music.

Despite the notable presence of over twenty Cuban and Cuban-American artists and producers nominated across ten categories, only Estefan and Valdés managed to ascend the stage as winners.

Some of the prominent nominees who went home empty-handed included Paquito D’Rivera, Alain Pérez, the Orquesta Failde, and young talent Camila Guevara, granddaughter of Pablo Milanés and Ernesto Che Guevara. Also in the mix was Rita Rosa, nominated for Best Children's Music Album with "Jirafas."

Dominating the evening were Puerto Rican sensation Bad Bunny and the Argentine duo Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso, each taking home five awards. They were followed by Mexican-American producer and songwriter Édgar Barrera and Brazilian singer Liniker, both earning three awards.

In an event celebrated for its diversity and homage to Latin American roots, Estefan, Valdés, and Orozco stood out as the only Cubans to win a Latin Grammy, underscoring the enduring influence and excellence of Cuban music on the international stage.