Meet the 2026 Latin Grammy Best New Artist Nominees: Aria Vega, Macario Martínez, Delilah & More

The 2026 Latin Grammy Awards have unveiled a notably diverse group of eleven nominees for the Best New Artist category, highlighting a broad spectrum of Latin musical styles and cultural backgrounds. This category, recognized as one of the four General Field awards, is unique in valuing artists who represent the beginning of influential careers rather than just breakthrough moments.

Spanning Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Costa Rica, and the United States, the nominees bring a range of sonic palettes, including indie folk, dream-pop, R&B, and coastal rhythms. This geographic and stylistic variety reflects a growing openness in the Latin music industry to embrace artists who embody distinct regional identities alongside contemporary global influences.

Among the nominees, Mexico City-based Macario Martínez garnered attention through a viral video for his folk-inflected song "Sueña Lindo, Corazón," transitioning from a street sweeper to viral sensation. His acoustic roots style contrasts with Colombian nominee ARIA VEGA, whose Caribbean pop sound propelled her to the top of Latin Airplay charts with "Chévere," a collaboration with Ryan Castro.

Brazil's representation includes three artists who offer fresh takes on the country's rich musical heritage. Loulu Gilberto and Zeca Veloso are notable for their family connections to bossa nova and tropicalia legends João Gilberto and Caetano Veloso, respectively, but their nominations emphasize their individual artistic identities. Loulu's self-titled debut and the tender record "O Amor Nos Encontrou" have earned her nominations beyond Best New Artist, underscoring her emergence as a significant creative voice.

Peruvian-American Fabian Zignago, the son of established singer-songwriter Gian Marco, is carving his own path with introspective tracks like "Golpe" and a performance trajectory that now includes venues such as New York's SOB's and Miami stages. His nomination signals recognition of an artist developing a personal artistic profile distinct from familial legacy.

The field also features Costa Rican singer-songwriter Kendall Peña, whose 2026 album hotel506 integrates intimate songwriting with a distinct sense of place, marking a notable moment for Costa Rica's contemporary pop scene. His nomination underscores the expanding geographic scope of Latin Grammy attention beyond established markets.

Mexican-American artist Delilah Cabrera captured early notice at the 2024 Sueños festival with a brief performance that showcased her compelling blend of corridos tumbados and emotive vocals. Since then, signing with Interscope and releasing tracks like "Si Dios Lo Quería," she illustrates the increasingly fluid pathways connecting local scenes, streaming platforms, and major label support in developing new Latin music stars.

Venezuelan singer maye contributes an atmospheric and softly layered pop approach with her 2025 debut Música Para Abrir El Cielo. The album's fusion of dream pop, bossa nova, and bolero elements with a Gen Z sensibility illustrates the nuanced musical fusions gaining traction in Latin music's evolving landscape.

Sofia Monroy, who was born in Mexico and raised in Sweden, brings a perspective shaped by migration and dual identity. Her song "Alma Dividida," recognized by Billboard as Best New Music Latin, centers on themes of belonging and cultural hybridity, enriching the category's narrative with immigrant experiences.

Brazilian nominee Dora Sanches introduces an R&B flavor into the mix, expanding the stylistic boundaries of the Best New Artist group. Her single "Passarinho" exemplifies a contemporary groove that broadens the Latin music conversation, particularly in U.S. media coverage that often privileges Spanish-language artists.

Arath Herce from Veracruz offers alt-rock-tinged singer-songwriter compositions that have earned multiple Latin Grammy nominations beyond Best New Artist, including Best Singer-Songwriter Album and Song. His album Musas en Mi and singles like "Me Levanté de la Cama" highlight a maturing artist whose work balances intimate lyricism with genre fluidity.

This year's Best New Artist nominees collectively illustrate how the Latin Grammys are embracing a wider conception of Latin music, one that celebrates regional diversity, cross-genre experimentation, and the new generation's reinterpretation of musical traditions. The inclusion of artists with familial ties to legendary musicians alongside those emerging from viral moments or intimate local scenes reflects an expansive view of what constitutes Latin music’s future.

The nominations also suggest shifting dynamics in touring and audience engagement, as artists like ARIA VEGA prepare to open for global stars such as Shakira, and Fabian Zignago expands his live presence in major U.S. cities. These opportunities not only raise artist profiles but also signal the growing international market for varied Latin music expressions.

By recognizing multifaceted voices and backgrounds, the 2026 Best New Artist category provides insight into evolving listener preferences and industry priorities. It underscores the Latin Recording Academy’s role in spotlighting artists who are not only musically compelling but also culturally resonant, potentially shaping the genre's trajectory in coming years.