Santana Wins 3 Latin Grammys

LOS   ANGELES, Sept. 13 -- Not content with his record eight Grammys inFebruary, legendary guitarist Carlos Santana won three trophiestoday in the inaugural Latin Grammy Awards, including the topprize — record of the year.

The veteran rocker’s duet with Mexican rockers Mana, CorazonEspinado, won record of the year seven months after anotherSantana song, Smooth, won the same honor at the other GrammyAwards. He also won an award for rock performance by a duo or groupwith vocal and for best pop instrumental performance.

Miguel Wins Three

Mexican crooner Luis Miguel also won three awards, includingalbum of the year for Amarte Es Un Placer. Mana won one awardin addition to its two with Santana.

Santana, who alternately dedicated his awards to Africa, to thewomen of the world, bilingual education and Nelson Mandela, saidwinning so often doesn’t make him jaded.

“It feels like the first kiss, when a beautiful woman allowsyou to touch her tongue with your tongue,” he said. “It feelsvery natural and divine and human.”

The awards were started by an offshoot of the National Academyof Recording Arts & Sciences, which produces the Grammys, tocapitalize on a growing interest in Latin music.

Fury Over Definition

With a broad definition of Latin music—anything sung in eitherSpanish or Portuguese—the first nominations caused somecontroversy. The largest Latin record label in the United States,Fonovisa, boycotted, complaining that the Latin Grammys slightedMexican styles such as norteno, tejano and ranchera. Three of itsartists won awards and were not there to accept them.

There also was some grumbling that television producers werefavoring artists who sing in English and are better known amongAmericans. American teen favorites Christina Aguilera, ‘N Sync andRicky Martin performed.

“I hope these awards will unite people,” producer-songwriterEmilio Estefan said. “Latinos were discriminated against for manyyears. I feel now we’re making progress in bringing recognition toour culture.”