The 26th Annual Latin Grammy Awards, held in Las Vegas on November 13, 2025, celebrated a night of triumphs for Latin music, with Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny emerging as the most decorated artist of the evening at the Latin Grammy Awards. Bad Bunny secured five coveted awards at the Latin Grammy Awards, including the prestigious Album of the Year for his critically acclaimed album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” Meanwhile, the viral hit song “Golden” by the fictional K-pop group HUNTR/X, from the Netflix animated film “Kpop Demon Hunters,” saw its remarkable run at the top of the UK Official Singles Chart conclude, dropping to the No. 2 position after an extended period of dominance, showcasing K-pop charting success.
Bad Bunny’s Record-Breaking Night at the Latin Grammy Awards
Bad Bunny’s dominance at the 2025 Latin Grammy Awards was undeniable, as he collected five trophies from his 12 nominations at the Latin Grammy Awards. His Album of the Year win for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” a project praised for its fusion of Afro-Caribbean rhythms, salsa, and traditional Puerto Rican sounds like plena, marked a significant milestone in his career and represented a major Bad Bunny wins moment. The album also earned him wins for Best Urban Music Album, Best Urban/Urban Fusion Performance, Best Reggaeton Performance for “Voy a Llevarte Pa PR,” and Best Urban Song for “DTMF.” Bad Bunny dedicated his awards to the youth of Latin America and his homeland, stating, “There are many ways of being patriotic and defending our homelands. We chose music.” This success at the Latin Grammy Awards further solidifies his status as a global music titan and precedes his highly anticipated Super Bowl halftime performance in February 2026, a testament to his impact on music industry trends.
The evening also saw other significant achievements at the Latin Grammy Awards. Argentine duo Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso matched Bad Bunny’s five wins, taking home awards in various alternative and urban categories, including Best Alternative Music Album for “Papota” and Best Alternative Song for “#Tetas.” Karol G secured Song of the Year for “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” while Alejandro Sanz surprisingly took home Record of the Year for his ballad “Palmeras en el Jardín,” marking his eighth win in this category. Mexican singer-songwriter Paloma Morphy was honored with the Best New Artist award at the Latin Grammy Awards, highlighting the emergence of new talent in the Latin music scene.
“Golden” Continues Its Chart Legacy Amidst Grammy Buzz and Latin Grammy Awards News
The song “Golden,” performed by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami as the fictional K-pop group HUNTR/X for the “Kpop Demon Hunters” soundtrack, has maintained a significant presence on global music charts. While it recently slipped to No. 2 on the UK Official Singles Chart Top 100, it has been a consistent chart-topper, previously holding the No. 1 spot for ten non-consecutive weeks and spending a total of 21 weeks on the chart since its debut, showcasing impressive K-pop charting success. The track, which entered the UK chart at No. 93, became only the second K-pop song to reach No. 1 in the UK in over a decade, following Psy’s “Gangnam Style.” Its success, alongside other tracks from the soundtrack like “How It’s Done” (No. 10) and “What It Sounds Like” (No. 14), demonstrates the growing influence of K-pop and animated soundtracks in mainstream music, contributing to international music recognition.
Adding to its impressive accolades, “Golden” and its soundtrack have garnered multiple Grammy nominations for the upcoming 68th Annual Grammy Awards. The song itself received nominations for Song of the Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Song Written for Visual Media, and Best Remixed Recording. The “Kpop Demon Hunters” soundtrack is also nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, a nod to animated soundtrack hits. EJAE, a co-writer of “Golden,” expressed immense pride and validation in the nominations, noting the broader conversation around representation and the impact for Korean women in the industry. The trio’s achievement highlights the expanding global reach of K-pop and its crossover appeal into animated film and mainstream Western awards.
The Growing Influence of K-Pop Releases in Global Charts and Urban Music Awards
The consistent charting of “Golden” and other K-pop releases in major international markets like the UK underscores a significant trending phenomenon in music industry trends. Le Sserafim’s collaboration with j-hope of BTS, “Spaghetti,” has also made notable inroads, charting for multiple weeks on the UK Official Singles Chart and achieving new career highs for the group. These achievements reflect the increasing global demand for diverse music genres and the growing international footprint of K-pop artists, contributing to global music charts. The successful integration of K-pop elements into global entertainment, such as animated films and international charts, continues to break barriers and redefine popular culture trends. This broader landscape of K-pop news indicates a powerful and expanding global fanbase and can be considered alongside urban music awards.
In conclusion, the 2025 Latin Grammys celebrated the established prowess of artists like Bad Bunny, with significant Bad Bunny wins noted, while the enduring success of “Golden” signifies the impactful integration of K-pop into global entertainment, with both stories making significant waves in the music world. These events highlight the dynamic and evolving nature of the global music industry, where genre boundaries are increasingly blurred and diverse artists are achieving unprecedented international recognition, including through prestigious events like the Latin Grammy Awards.
