How To Get Nominated for the 27th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards

As you watch the Latin GRAMMYs each year, it seems as though the only people who win are always the Karol Gs and Peso Plumas of the industry. What you may not know is that there are tons of other winners not shown on TV, most of whom are talented independent artists who have been working just as hard as you are now. If you’re a talented Latin musician, it certainly is possible to win as an independent artist.

Want to get yourself on the list of nominees? The Online Entry Process (OEP) 27th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards starts on April 1st, 2026! Here’s how to get involved…

Your Guide To Submitting Music for Latin GRAMMY Consideration

Being able to flex your GRAMMY win is not only a personal flex, but a major win in the eyes of this competitive industry we call home. Adding this accomplishment to future press releases, EPKs, and more is a huge selling point that can secure more interest in your work as you move through your career than you would without it.

Even now, the landscape of this business is continuously changing, but the legitimacy and prestige of a GRAMMY will always be impressive.

To be eligible for submission, your release must meet these requirements:

• Release Date: The recording must have been released during the eligibility period, which runs from June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026, for the 2026 Latin GRAMMY Awards.
• Language: The recordings must contain at least 60% of their playing time of newly recorded material in Spanish, Portuguese, or any of the recognized Ibero-American dialects.
• Commercial Availability: The recording must be commercially available either through physical sales or digital download/streaming during the eligibility period.
• Originality: The recording must be an original work, not previously released or substantially similar to previous works by the same artist.
• Genre-Specific Criteria: Different categories may have specific criteria that need to be met, such as length, format, or content type.

*To see the official calendar for this year’s Latin GRAMMY considerations, click here.

How are entries submitted for the Latin GRAMMYs?

The Latin GRAMMYs focus on music recorded in Spanish, Portuguese, or recognized Ibero-American dialects, celebrating a wide array of Latin music genres. To be submitted for Latin GRAMMY consideration, a recording must be entered by members of the Latin Recording Academy who are either Voting or Associate members, or by registered media companies and labels. (It’s important to note that membership in the Latin Recording Academy consists primarily of professionals specifically from the Latin music industry, while the US Recording Academy includes professionals from various sectors of the global music industry.)

Regardless, each member or registered company should have an account through the Latin Recording Academy’s Online Entry Process portal, where they can log in and submit entries during the submission periods.

📌 NOTE: Before submitting, make sure your metadata and credits are accurate across DSPs and distribution platforms. Incorrect songwriter, producer, featured artist, or ISRC information can create issues during the screening and nomination process. Double-check everything before entries are submitted.

How does the Latin GRAMMY voting process work?

The process begins with members and record companies submitting entries, which are then screened for eligibility and category placement.

The Latin Academy’s voting members, all involved in the creative and technical processes of recording, then participate in (1) the nominating process that determines the finalists and (2) the final voting process.

The voting process consists of two rounds:

• ROUND ONE: Voting Members vote on the entries they believe should receive a nomination in their respective categories.
  • Each specific category only has a limited number of nominee slots, which is why even being nominated for a Latin GRAMMY is a major accomplishment. The nominees have already been selected from a field of dozens of submissions in each category.
• FINAL ROUND: Once the nominees in each category are set, the final voting round begins. Voting Members vote on the nominee in each of their eligible voting categories that they believe should win the Latin GRAMMY. The nominee with the most votes wins the award.
  • On the night of the ceremony, the awards for the categories with broader popular appeal are televised. The Latin GRAMMYs have categories specific to Latin music genres, including categories like Best Salsa Album and Best Banda Album.

📌 NOTE: Submission alone does not guarantee a nomination. The Latin GRAMMYs are peer-voted, meaning visibility, category placement, and industry support can all play a role in the process.

Some Final Thoughts…

You have nothing to lose from shooting your shot.

Independent artists get nominated and win GRAMMYs every year. If you’re working hard every day to improve your craft, put out great music, and consistently shape your artistry, your work deserves to be recognized at the highest level.

At the end of the day, whether you win awards or not doesn’t define the quality of your work… but boy does it feel good.

🗓 To ensure you don’t miss any important dates, we recommend you frequently check this official Latin Recording Academy calendar for all the deadlines you need to know this year. 

Best of luck!