Prince Royce Calls Out Latin Grammy Bachata Omission
Prince Royce expressed disappointment over the 2026 Latin Grammy nominations, noting that no bachata albums were included in the best merengue/bachata album category. He highlighted the lack of representation for the genre despite its cultural significance and called for greater inclusion. The omis…
By Felo News Desk · Published
On September 16, 2026, the Latin Recording Academy announced its nominations for the 2026 Latin Grammy Awards. While the list featured a number of high‑profile artists, none of the nominees for the best merengue/bachata album category were true bachata recordings. The omission prompted a public outcry from one of the genre’s most prominent voices, Prince Royce.
Prince Royce’s Letter to the Academy
In an open letter posted to his Instagram Stories, Prince Royce—often dubbed the “Prince of Bachata”—addressed the perceived snub. He wrote that awards are subjective and that no artist is guaranteed a nomination, but when an institution names a category after a culture and a genre, it bears a responsibility to represent that culture accurately. Royce pointed out that the nominated projects contained only about 15 percent bachata, with the rest leaning toward merengue or other tropical styles.
He emphasized that the category’s title should reflect its content: “If bachata is in the name of the category, where is the representation of bachata?” He further noted that simply nominating Dominican artists does not equate to honoring bachata, a distinct musical tradition that has struggled for recognition on the global stage.
The 2026 Nominees and the Missing Bachata
The nominees for best merengue/bachata album were: Fariana ("Música Para Bailar"), Manerra ("Todo Llega"), Gabriel Pagán ("No Era El Plan"), Covi Quintana ("Oye Eta Vaina"), and Techy ("Chula"). None of these releases were primarily bachata; instead, they leaned heavily on merengue and other tropical sounds. This absence was especially striking given the genre’s popularity in Latin America and the United States.
Impact on Prince Royce and Romeo Santos
Prince Royce’s own 2025 collaboration with Romeo Santos, "Better Late Than Never," had achieved significant commercial success. The album debuted at number one on the Tropical Albums chart and number two on the Top Latin Albums chart, with nine tracks entering the Hot Latin Songs chart—a career high for both artists. Despite this, the album was not nominated for any Latin Grammy category, a snub that fueled Royce’s frustration.
Romeo Santos, who rose to fame with Aventura in the 1990s, has only received four Latin Grammy nominations since his solo debut in 2011, winning once in 2023 for best merengue/bachata album with "Fórmula, Vol. 3." Royce, meanwhile, has been nominated 15 times but has yet to win. Both artists have multiple Billboard number‑one hits, underscoring their influence in the genre.
Latin Recording Academy’s Response
When asked by Billboard about the omission, Manuel Abud, CEO of the Latin Recording Academy, stated that the decision was beyond his control. He explained that the Academy’s membership votes on nominations and that he could not comment on the voting process or the reasons behind the choices.
Abud added, “If, for one reason or another, our membership has not recognized these works, I can’t tell you why. I’m neither qualified, nor is it my role.” This response left many fans and industry observers questioning the transparency of the nomination process.
Broader Conversation About Representation
Royce’s letter has reignited a broader conversation about how award institutions recognize and honor diverse musical traditions. He argued that the Latin Recording Academy should not rely solely on streaming numbers or chart positions but should prioritize musical excellence while ensuring that genres like bachata receive proper representation. The debate extends to questions about whether the Academy’s categories accurately reflect the evolving landscape of Latin music and whether they adequately support cultural preservation.
For many, the issue goes beyond a single nomination. It touches on the historical marginalization of bachata and the need for institutions to actively promote and protect the genre’s identity and heritage.
As the Latin Grammy Awards approach, the conversation surrounding representation and genre recognition is likely to intensify. Artists, fans, and industry stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether the Academy will adjust its nomination criteria or category definitions to better reflect the diversity of Latin music.
Until then, Prince Royce’s call for greater inclusion remains a powerful reminder of the importance of authentic representation in award ceremonies.
What Happens Next?
The Academy has not yet announced any changes to its nomination process. However, the backlash could prompt a review of how categories are defined and how nominees are selected. Fans and artists are calling for more transparency and a clearer understanding of the criteria used to evaluate submissions.
In the meantime, both Prince Royce and Romeo Santos continue to produce new music, and their fans remain hopeful that future nominations will better reflect their contributions to bachata and Latin music as a whole.
Key facts
- Prince Royce publicly criticized the 2026 Latin Grammy nominations for excluding bachata from the best merengue/bachata album category.
- The nominees for the category were primarily merengue-focused, with only 15% bachata content.
- Both Royce and Romeo Santos have significant commercial success but were overlooked in nominations.
- The Latin Recording Academy’s CEO stated the decision was beyond his control, citing membership voting.
- The incident sparks a larger conversation about representation and transparency in award nominations.
Why it matters
The debate highlights the need for award bodies to accurately represent and honor the diverse genres that shape Latin music, ensuring that cultural traditions like bachata receive the recognition they deserve.
Frequently asked questions
Why were no bachata albums nominated for the best merengue/bachata album category?
The nomination process is determined by the Latin Recording Academy’s membership, and the selected albums did not meet the Academy’s criteria for the category, which may have prioritized merengue over bachata.
What has Prince Royce said about the omission?
He wrote an open letter criticizing the lack of bachata representation and called for greater inclusion and respect for the genre.
Sources
- [1] billboard.com — originally reported as “Prince Royce Speaks Out About Omission of Bachata in 2026 Latin Grammys Nominations: ‘It’s About Representation’”
