With most eyes on the Taylors, Beyonces, and GaGas of the night, last night's proceedings also included six stars that are well known in the Latino world; who run the gamut from Woodstock legend, a fourth of a super-popular hip-pop juggernaut and probably the most recognizable - and influential - Latina.

Introducing one of the best acts of the night, Green Day, Jennifer Lopez is likely the most recognizable of last night's Latinos, making herself a household name as far back as her turn as Selena in 1997's Selena. Despite not having won a Grammy thus far, J. Lo looks to score at least a nod with her highly-anticipated sixth album, Love?, featuring the single "Louboutins." In the past few years, Jennifer has immersed herself in philanthropic activities, partaking in production for the film Bordertown, which condemned the murders of women in Juarez, Mexico.
Taboo, born Jaime Luis Gomez, is one of the founding members of six time Grammy-winners The Black Eyed Peas, who performed their hits "Imma Be" and "I Gotta Feeling" in last night's ceremony. Aside from laying down lyrics for some of his group's most successful tracks, Taboo boasts an impressive repertoire of acting jaunts, playing roles in Be Cool, Dirty, and most notably, his turn as Vega in last year's Street Fighter The Legend of Chun Li. Work on a solo album, tentatively titled T.A.B.O.O., has been put on hold until touring and promotion for the Black Eyed Peas' latest and most successful album The E.N.D. is finished. The E.N.D., The Black Eyed Peas as unit, as well as individually, proved a force to be reckoned with last year, spawning the mega-hits "Boom Boom Pow" and "I Gotta Feeling," which broke records as they held the Billboard Hot 100's top spot for an unprecedented 26 weeks. The latter of the tracks took home the honor for "Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group" at yesterday's show.

Best Comedy Album presenter, Colombian rocker Juanes, also boasts a surprising number of accolades to his name - a total of 17 Latin Grammys and one Grammy in his decade -long career. As far as hometown heroes go, his success and impact is only rivaled by fellow Colombian, Shakira. Like the crossover superstar, Juanes has also dabbled in human rights and philanthropy, performing before the European Parliament in protest of land mines, and most recently, fronting the controversial Paz Sin Fronteras concert in Cuba. The show came under fire for extremist undertones from both Cuban natives and Americans alike, but a firm critic of US-Cuba relations, Juanes performed, unscathed.

While certainly not the youngest of the bunch, tenor Plácido Domingo remains a fixture on the Grammys stage, having a combined twelve gramophones on his mantle. Last night the tenor presented the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Award with Mos Def. His accolades extend beyond music though, as the legend of Spanish descent has won prizes in Austria, France, and other countries on top of our own Kennedy Center Honors a decade ago. Domingo also has ten Honorary Doctorates to his name. Currently, he is serving as General Director of both the Washington National Opera and the Los Angeles Opera, with his contracts being renewed through this year till 2011.

Four-time recipient and presenter of the award for Best Female Pop Vocal, Ricky Martin has impressed the world over with highly successful albums in both English and Spanish. A renowned humanitarian, Martin is the head of his own Fundación Ricky Martin, on top of being awarded in a vast number of fields, spanning from his Latino heritage (Alma Award) to a Leadership in the Arts award. Work is also underway for a new album, on track for release this spring. The artist has also been the face of an intense campaign with Habitat for Humanity and the Haiti Recovery Fund to help the country recover from its recent disaster.


Carlos Santana is, of course, a force to be reckoned with at the Grammys, as his 1999 smash Supernatural took home nine statuettes and three prizes at the first annual Latin Grammys. It took home top honors at both shows, winning Album and Record of the Year respectively. Last night he presented the award for Best Album of the Year with John Legend.

Oddly enough, the unspoken separation of culture and language has taken a toll on future winners to come, as well as Latin visibility in an increasingly Hispanic nation - of the seven Latin categories at last nights show, an astonishing six were no shows.

A lone Luis Enrique appeared to take the Tropical Album prize for the album, Ciclos.