Dominican singer-songwriter Manerra has received his first two career nominations for the Latin Grammy Awards, earning recognition for his recent album Todo llega.
The Latin Recording Academy announced the nominations for the 27th annual ceremony, highlighting artists and creators across the international Latin music industry. The awards are considered the most prestigious honors in Latin music, voted on by professionals within the recording industry.
Manerra told Diario Libre that he would never forget the day he woke up to the news of his double nomination. He noted that the recognition followed years of constant work and long hours spent recording.
The artist mentioned he had been awake late into the night before the announcement, working on new music in his studio.
Meaning of the recognition
The title of his nominated album, Todo llega, translates to everything arrives. Manerra said he was still processing the news and reminding himself not to tire of dreaming because that day had finally arrived for him.
He described his musical career as an essential part of his life and his primary way to express himself. He called his music a gift from God, adding that he works from the depths of his soul and never stops creating.
Manerra blends traditional Dominican sounds with contemporary styles, often fusing genres like jazz and pop with Caribbean rhythms. He said receiving public recognition from the Academy after spending so many hours working alone in the studio was extraordinarily gratifying.
The singer expressed gratitude for the ability to celebrate the moment with his family, his work team, the media and the public who have embraced his music. He also attributed his inspiration and the nominations to his faith, stating that all glory belonged to God.
Dominican representation
The nominations for the 27th Latin Grammy Awards feature significant representation from the Dominican Republic across multiple categories, including tropical music, composition, and urban genres.
Manerra's nomination in the Best Merengue and/or Bachata Album category places him alongside several other prominent artists from the Caribbean nation. Merengue and bachata are the two most recognized traditional musical exports from the Dominican Republic, characterized by their distinct percussion instruments and guitar rhythms.
Other Dominican artists competing in the same album category include Gabriel Pagán for his release No era el plan, Covi Quintana for Oye eta vaina, and Techy Fatule for Chula.
Gabriel Pagán is known for his modern take on tropical music, while Covi Quintana and Techy Fatule have built dedicated followings through their pop and singer-songwriter projects over the past decade.
Further nominations
In addition to her album nomination, Covi Quintana received a second nod in the Best Singer-Songwriter Song category for her track Temblor y réplica.
The country's presence at the awards extends into urban music categories as well. Rapper J Noa secured a nomination for Best Rap and Hip Hop Song for her release Antisistema.
The combined nominations showcase the diverse presence of Dominican artists across multiple generations and varied musical styles at the upcoming awards ceremony.
