LAS VEGAS, NV. (Top40 Charts/ BMI) - BMI, the U.S. performing rights organization, held its 14th annual Latin
Music Awards Friday, March 23rd, with top honors going to BMI Icons Los Tigres del Norte; Songwriters of the Year Juan Luis Morera Luna and Llandel Veguilla Malavé of duo
Wisin & Yandel, songwriter/producer Francisco Saldaña "Luny" of producing duo Luny Tunes and corrido master Manuel Eduardo Toscano (SACM); Song of the Year "
La Tortura" written by
Shakira and Luis F. Ochoa; and Publisher of the Year EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. Hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Assistant Vice President, Latin Music,
Delia Orjuela, the awards were held at the Venetian Resort Hotel in Las Vegas. The black-tie dinner honored the writers and publishers of the past year's 50 most performed Latin songs on U.S. radio and television.
A highlight was the presentation and musical tribute to legendary norteño group Los Tigres del Norte. The longest-running and most influential Norteño music group in the history of the genre, "Los Jefes de Jefes," "the bosses of the bosses," is the nickname affectionately given to them by their loyal fans. They join an elite list of previous BMI Icons that includes Juan Luis Guerra, Carlos Santana, Crosby, Stills & Nash, James Brown, Dolly Parton and Brian Wilson.
The all-star tribute featured Mexican pop singer Reyli, who performed "La Puerta Negra," Regional Mexican singer-songwriter Mariano Barba covered "Ya Te Velé" and Latin pop singer Christian Castro belted out "Golpes En El Corazón." Los Tigres themselves also jumped up onstage to perform a medley of their songs.
BMI's Songwriter of the Year title was a four-way tie, shared by Wisin & Yandel's Juan Luis Morera Luna and Llandel Veguilla Malavé; Francisco Saldaña "Luny" of production duo Luny Tunes; and Manuel Eduardo Toscano. The four-way tie represents the first BMI Latin Award for each member of this elite cross-section of Latin hit-makers. To earn this honor, all four writers contributed three songs to the top 50. The Puerto Rican Reggaetón duo Wisin & Yandel and acclaimed producer "Luny" of Luny Tunes co-wrote "Llamé Pa' Verte 'Bailando Sexy,'" "Mayor Que Yo" and "Rakata," which were all hits for Wisin & Yandel. Premier Mexican songwriter Manuel Eduardo Toscano's award-winning corridos - "La Sorpresa," "Señor Locutor" and "Socios."
"La Tortura" took home BMI Song of the Year and the inaugural BMI Latin Ringtone of the Year honors for its two songwriters - Shakira and Luis F. Ochoa.
With nine songs among the year's top 50, EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. nabbed its first Latin Publisher of the Year award for songs including "Algo Está Cambiando," "Enséñame A Olvidar," "Llamé Pa' Verte 'Bailando Sexy,'" and "Rakata."
The ceremony also featured the presentation of the BMI Foundation's fourth annual peermusic Latin Scholarship to Berklee College of Music student Daniel F. Díaz. The 23 year-old Mexico native will receive a $5,000 scholarship for his song "Todo Lo Que Necesito."
Other winners included songwriters Josias De La Cruz "Nely," Don Omar, Ramón Ortega Contreras (SACM), Martha "Ivy Queen" Pesante, Shakira and Ricky Vela, all boasting two awards each. "No Me Queda Más," written by Ricky Vela, took home its third BMI Latin Award, while "¿Qué Me Vas A Dar?," composed by Alfonso García Santillana (SACM) and Ramón Ortega Contreras (SACM), took home its second honor.
A complete list of the 2007 BMI Latin Awards is available on www.bmi.com.
