The Latin Grammys festivities officially kicked off with The Latin Recording Academy’s Special Awards gala held Sunday (Nov. 10) at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami, Fla. 

Hosted by Gloria Estefan, the intimate ceremony gathered industry leaders and artists celebrating this year’s Trustees and Lifetime Achievement honorees. The former award is voted on by The Latin Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees and merited to individuals who have made significant contributions, other than in performance, to music during their careers. The latter is presented to performers who have made unprecedented contributions of outstanding artistic significance to Latin music.

Trustees honorees were prolific hitmakers Ángel “Cucco” Peña and Chucho Rincón; while Albita, Alejandro Lerner, Draco Rosa, Lolita Flores, Los Ángeles Azules and Lulu Santos were honored with this year’s Lifetime Achievement titles. Other artists present at the coveted Special Awards gala included Carlos Vives, Maria Becerra, and Edgar Barrera.

See some of the evening’s memorable highlights below:

Ángel “Cucco” Peña

Reflecting on his more than 60-year career, the Puerto Rican composer and artist talked about the impact of music in his life and the desire to continue in the industry. “Music has been universal, connecting me with different generations and cultures,” he said during his speech. “This award is a reflection of the collective efforts of those who have believed in me. It motivates me to continue creating music. My passion for art never fades. I hope to continue contributing to Latin music and inspiring the new generation.”

Chucho Rincón

Credited for discovering Joan Sebastian and helming some of Vicente Fernandez’s biggest hits, Rincón, 87, highlighted how a career in music “changes lives, creates magic, and has made me feel loved and special,” he stated. Notably, he shared an anecdote about working with the late Mexican icon José Alfredo Jiménez. “You were the start of my career when I was 20. You gave me access to the industry. Being able to sing with you was my first path. With you, I met our country and the roots of our music. You showed me the concept of loyalty and bohemianism. I am your only living musician… a witness of your greatness,” he said. 

Albita

Cuban singer-songwriter Albita dedicated her award to Emilio Estefan Jr. for opening her the doors in the music industry; her loved ones in heaven and on earth; her entire work team; as well as her fans for “dancing, getting married, and getting drunk with my music.” During her speech, she honored her native Cuba, saying: “My beautiful island, my sad island — and with all the faith that one day I can say, it’s my free island.” She also thanked herself for never quitting, for falling and always getting up.

Alejandro Lerner

Carlos Vives had the honor to present the award to Argentinean singer-songwriter, Alejandro Lerner, who has worked with music giants such as Celine Dion, Luis Miguel, and Santana. Deeply moved by the presentation, Lerner thanked those who forged his path in music, including the late Armando Manzanero as well as Claudia Brant and Luis Enrique, who were in the audience. Topping off his speech, Lerner crooned the room with a powerful a cappella performance of 1983’s “Todo A Pulmón.” “I composed this song when I couldn’t even buy my own place,” he said. “It represents effort and being honest with our heart and language.” 

Draco Rosa

Ahead of Draco Rosa receiving his award, his longtime colleague and friend Desmond Child got on stage to share a nostalgic audio of the day they created Ricky Martin’s “Living La Vida Loca.” A cancer survivor, Draco’s heartfelt speech included anecdotes of his beginnings in Menudo but mainly about having another chance at life. “I’m grateful for waking up today. I’m on the winning side of life,” he expressed. “This award is beautiful, being alive… so many times I asked God for one more album. Music has been my travel companion, a friend, and I owe a lot to my colleagues, to my fans, and my father’s passion for good salsa and classical music. Everything has shaped my musical career. Music is felt in the soul beyond. Thank you for making my music part of your journey. Here is a man with a joy for living.”

Los Ángeles Azules

With their cumbia sonidera revolutionizing the music industry since the ‘80s, Los Ángeles Azules reminisced about the days we would travel up to 48 hours by car to do shows in various towns in Mexico. “It was important for us to be with our people,” they said during their speech. The Mexican group has had 32 different vocalists and collaborated with artists such as Natalia Lafourcade, Maria Becerra, and Belinda. “We are renovating songs, making music, and we’re thankful to the academy for recognizing the 44 years of Los Ángeles Azules,” they added. 

Lolita Flores

Spanish singer and actress Lolita Flores — sister of Rosario Flores — admitted that altough she captivated with her music, worked with big artists, and filled stadiums, she felt really small. She explained that she made the decision to retire from music because many doors were closed for her, and instead, she created a fruitful career in theater, where she was able to grow. “Even if I stopped singing, I still have music inside me,” she elaborated. “This Grammy gave me back the desire to keep singing. Get ready, I don’t need a record label, I’m going to produce it myself, and I want to record with all of you here. Rosario, I have a Grammy!”

Lulu Santos

“It’s a huge honor to be part of the community and one of the honorees,” Santos, a Brazilian LGBTQ singer, said during his speech. The artist and guitarist born Luiz Maurício Pragana dos Santos is the founder of progressive rock band Vímana, and has carved a path in Brazilian music for the past five decades. To wrap the night, Santos made a clever joke after the fire alarm went off at the venue earlier in the event. “The alarm went off because when all of these great honorees come together in one room, fire comes out,” he said.