Latin Recording Academy gala honors Raphael in 2025

Latin Recording Academy’s 2025 Person of the Year Gala honors Raphael with tributes and performances.

Raphael honored for six decades of artistry

The Latin Recording Academy celebrated in Miami the 2025 Person of the Year Gala honoring Raphael, recognizing more than six decades of his career as a multifaceted singer and performer. The evening brought together current and past Latin GRAMMY nominees for emotional renditions of his most iconic songs.

Artists included Aitana, Pepe Aguilar, Susana Baca, David Bisbal, Enrique Bunbury, Willy Chirino, Ivan Cornejo, Kany García, Myriam Hernández, Eddy Herrera, Jesse & Joy, Carín León, Pablo López, Víctor Manuelle, Vanesa Martín, Víctor Martínez, Mestrinho, Gaby Moreno, Kiki Morente, Café Quijano, Fito Páez, Silvia Pérez Cruz, Carlos Rivera, Elena Rose, Rozalén, Ángeles Toledano and Néstor Torres.

Performances marked the celebration

The night opened with Enrique Bunbury performing “Yo Soy Aquel”, followed by Carín León joining him for a medley of “Toca Madera” and “Ahora”. Café Quijano and Gaby Moreno brought a bolero version of “Qué Tal Te Va Sin Mí”. David Bisbal paired with Elena Rose for “En Carne Viva” and returned for “Como Yo Te Amo”. Jesse & Joy joined Iván Cornejo in “Cierro Mis Ojos”.

Pablo López performed “De Tanta Gente” and an intimate piano version of “Lo Saben Mis Zapatos”. He stood alongside Aitana in “Si No Estuvieras Tú”. Fito Páez and Rozalén offered a stirring version of “La Carta”, while Susana Baca and Rozalén delivered a folkloric interpretation of “Chabuca, Limeña”. Kiki Morente, Ángeles Toledano and Víctor Martínez added flamenco textures to “Digan Lo Que Digan”.

Vanesa Martín and Kany García shared “Cada Septiembre”, with García debuting on solo cello. Martín returned with Carlos Rivera for an intimate acoustic take on “A Que No Te Vas”. Pepe Aguilar and Myriam Hernández delivered a powerful “Procuro Olvidarte”, while Silvia Pérez Cruz presented “Somos” accompanied by Brazilian accordionist Mestrinho.

The celebration reached its peak when Eddy Herrera, Víctor Manuelle, Néstor Torres and Willy Chirino brought Caribbean rhythms to “Escándalo”. Raphael closed the night with a medley of “Que Sabe Nadie”, “Mi Gran Noche” and “Como Yo Te Amo”.

Event sets the stage for the Latin GRAMMY

The gala preceded the 26th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards, broadcast live from Las Vegas by TelevisaUnivision. Musical direction was by Carlos Fernando López, with production led by Danny Flores. The Orquesta Filarmónica Project accompanied all performances.

Live Nation served as the official sponsor for the second consecutive year, supporting the multi-year partnership with the gala.

Support for music education

Funds raised will support the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, which empowers communities and fosters new generations of Latin music creators through scholarships, educational programs and grants. The institution has donated more than US$13.9 million with the support of members, sponsors and donors.