After months of anticipation, the 2009 Billboard Latin Music Awards took place last night at The BankUnited Center in Florida! Panamanian reggae singer Flex got his wish and won eight out of the 13 awards he was nominated for, while Spanish pop singer Enrique Iglesias took home six awards of his own. However, it was Flex who ruled the night by winning the biggest prize of them all: Top Latin Album of the Year.
"Wow. This award is for the one who's larger than this world and that's God Almighty," said Flex. "This is also for my Panamanian public, and for my Latin American people." Enrique, who’s currently touring in Europe to promote his latest greatest hits album 95/08 surprised viewers by accepting his first two awards via satellite.
"I'd like to give many thanks to all my fans for their support in the past 14 years," he said. "I respect Billboard magazine very much. I've been reading it since I was a kid-it's the bible of music."
Legendary Mexican guitarist Carlos Santana was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award for his many fusions of classic rock, salsa, and jazz. He later joined Mexican rock band Mana for a heart-stopping performance that proved to be one of the ceremony’s many highlights.
"I give thanks to God, the light in my heart," Santana said. "Before we're Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, Colombians, we are the light that comes from the mind of God."
Bachata boy band Aventura were also major winners with four awards that included Song of the Year for a Duo or Group. The group kicked off the festivities by performing "All Up To You" alongside Puerto Rican reggaeton duo Wisin & Yandel and Hip-Hop singer Akon.
Reggaeton superstar Daddy Yankee was also honored with the Spirit of Hope Award for his humanitarian work through his foundation Corazon Guerrero. Other winners included Ivy Queen, Pitbull, Vicente Fernandez, RBD, as well as Wisin & Yandel.
Even Hollywood actor Vin Diesel stopped by, announcing that "50 percent of the people who went to see (Fast & Furious) were Latin." Vin then introduced reggaeton singer Don Omar, who performed his hit single "Virtual Diva."
Speaking of performances, Reik, Gloria Trevi, and even salsa legend Ruben Blades played her top hits. Rockera Paulina Rubio seduced viewers by prancing on stage while singing "Causa y Efecto.”
Want to know who else made the cut last night? Check out our list of all the winners from the 2009 Billboard Latin Music Awards!
Hot Latin Song Of The Year
"Te Quiero" Flex
Hot Latin Song Of The Year, Vocal Event
"Un Buen Perdedor" K-Paz With Franco De Vita
Hot Latin Songs Artist Of The Year
Enrique Iglesias
Hot Latin Song Of The Year, Male
"Te Quiero" Flex
Hot Latin Song Of The Year, Female
"Dime" Ivy Queen
Hot Latin Song Of The Year, Duo Or Group
"Si No Te Hubieras Ido" Mana
Hot Latin Song Of The Year
"Te Quiero" Flex
Hot Latin Songs Label Of The Year
Sony Music Latin
Latin Album Of The Year
95/08 Enrique Iglesias
Top Latin Albums Artist Of The Year
Vicente Fernandez
Top Latin Album Of The Year, Male
95/08 Enrique Iglesias
Top Latin Album Of The Year, Female
Jenni Jenni Rivera
Top Latin Album Of The Year, Duo Or Group
Kings Of Bachata: Sold Out At Madison Square Garden Aventura
Top Latin Album Of The Year
Te Quiero Flex
Top Latin Albums Label Of The Year
Universal Music Latin Entertainment
Latin Pop Airplay Song Of The Year, Male
"Donde Estan Corazon" Enrique Iglesias
Latin Pop Airplay Song Of The Year, Female
"Cinco Minutos" Gloria Trevi
Latin Pop Airplay Song Of The Year, Duo Or Group
"Si No Te Hubieras Ido" Mana
Latin Pop Airplay Label Of The Year
Universal Music Latino
Latin Pop Album Of The Year, Solo
95/08 Enrique Iglesias
Latin Pop Album Of The Year, Duo Or Group
Arde El Cielo Mana
Latin Pop Albums Label Of The Year
Universal Music Latin Entertainment
Tropical Airplay Song Of The Year, Male
"Te Quiero" Flex
Tropical Airplay Song Of The Year, Female
"Dime" Ivy Queen
Tropical Airplay Song Of The Year, Duo Or Group
"El Perdedor" Aventura
Tropical Airplay Label Of The Year
Sony Music Latin
Tropical Album Of The Year, Solo
Una Navidad Con Gilberto Gilberto Santa Rosa
Tropical Album Of The Year, Duo Or Group
K.O.B.: Live Aventura
Tropical Albums Label Of The Year
Sony Music Latin
Regional Mexican Airplay Song Of The Year, Male
"Para Siempre" Vicente Fernandez
Regional Mexican Airplay Song Of The Year, Female
"Culpable O Inocente" Jenni Rivera
Regional Mexican Airplay Song Of The Year, Duo Or Group
"Hasta El Dia De Hoy" Los Dareyes De La Sierra
Regional Mexican Airplay Label Of The Year
Fonovisa
Regional Mexican Album Of The Year, Solo Artist
Una Noche De Madrid: Marco Antonio Solis En Vivo Marco Antonio Solis
Regional Mexican Album Of The Year, Duo Or Group
Si Tu Te Vas Los Temerarios
Regional Mexican Albums Label Of The Year
Universal Music Latin Entertainment
Latin Rhythm Airplay Song Of The Year, Solo
"Te Quiero" Flex
Latin Rhythm Airplay Song Of The Year, Duo Or Group (NEW)
"El Perdedor" Aventura
Latin Rhythm Airplay Label Of The Year
Machete
Latin Rhythm Album Of The Year, Solo
Te Quiero Flex
Latin Rhythm Album Of The Year, Duo Or Group
Wisin Vs. Yandel: Los Extraterrestres Wisin & Yandel
Latin Rhythm Albums Label Of The Year
Universal Music Latin Entertainment
Latin Tour Of The Year
RBD
Latin RingMasters Of The Year
"Te Quiero" Flex
Latin Digital Download Artist Of The Year
Pitbull
Latin Greatest Hits Album Of The Year
95/08 Enrique Iglesias
Latin Compilation Album Of The Year
Idolos De Mexico Para El Mundo Various Artists
Latin Rock/Alternative Album Of The Year
Arde El Cielo Mana
Songwriter Of The Year
Isidro Chavez "Espinoza Paz" Espinoza
Publisher Of The Year
Arpa, BMI
Publishing Corporation Of The Year
Warner/Chappell Music
Producer Of The Year
Armando Avila
