A Battle for Musical Identity
Following the official announcement of nominations on September 16, 2026, the tropical music scene was shaken by an open letter posted by Prince Royce on Instagram. The singer did not hold back, expressing deep frustration with the Best Merengue/Bachata Album category.
According to Royce, there is a shocking contradiction: while the category explicitly mentions "Bachata" in its name, he claims none of the nominated albums truly belong to the genre. Royce argues that barely 15% of the content in the selected albums is actually bachata, stating that using the genre's name implies an ethical responsibility to represent it authentically.
Culture Corner: What is Bachata?
For those unfamiliar, Bachata is a soulful musical genre and dance originating from the Dominican Republic. It is characterized by its prominent use of the acoustic guitar and bittersweet, melancholic lyrics about love and heartbreak. Today, it is one of the most influential pillars of Latin music worldwide.
The Blockbuster Snub
The core of the controversy is the exclusion of "Better Late Than Never", a highly anticipated collaboration between Prince Royce and the "King of Bachata," Romeo Santos, released in November 2025.
| Achievement | Rank/Data |
|---|---|
| Debut Tropical Albums | No. 1 |
| Debut Top Latin Albums | No. 2 |
| Hits on Hot Latin Songs | 9 songs |
The 2026 Nominees
Despite the backlash, the Academy has moved forward with the following artists competing for the prize:
- Fariana Música Para Bailar
- Manerra Todo Llega
- Gabriel Pagán No Era El Plan
- Covi Quintana Oye Eta Vaina
- Techy Chula
Academy Response & Curiosities
According to reports, Manuel Abud, CEO of the Latin Recording Academy, clarified that decisions depend strictly on the votes of the members, meaning the process is beyond his personal control. Interestingly, records show a strange trend: while Romeo Santos has only had 4 solo nominations since 2011 (winning one in 2023), Prince Royce has been nominated 15 times without ever securing a win.