Overview
- The tribute gala was held Wednesday at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas during Latin Grammy week, ahead of Thursday’s ceremony at the Gran Garden Arena.
- A multi-artist concert honored his songbook, with performances by Enrique Bunbury, Aitana, David Bisbal, Fito Páez, Jesse & Joy, Carín León, Rozalén, Kany García and more, as Bunbury opened and presented the award.
- Latin Recording Academy CEO Manuel Abud lauded Raphael’s unique style, cross-border impact, reinvention and staying power across generations.
- Speaking on the red carpet, the 82-year-old advised younger artists to practice patience and wished for more romanticism in Latin music, noting he feels fully recovered after a primary cerebral lymphoma diagnosed in late 2024.
- Raphael is returning to the stage with the Raphaelísimo tour across Spain and Latin America, including planned dates in Mexico in May, and proceeds from the gala support the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation.