Chayanne daughter, Pablo Milanés, Che Guevara Grandaughter Latin Grammy

In what feels like a symbolic "changing of the guard" moment for Latin music, two standout candidates for Best New Artist at the 26th Annual Latin Grammy Awards represent not only rising talent but also a lineage of musical legacy. On one side we have Isadora Figueroa, the daughter of Puerto Rican pop icon Chayanne, and on the other, Camila Guevara, granddaughter of Cuban legend Pablo Milanés. Together they illustrate how musical heritage is meeting new voices in Latin music's next chapter.

The Latin Recording Academy lists the ten nominees for Best New Artist this year as: Alleh, Annasofia, Yerai Cortés, Juliane Gamboa, Alex Luna, Paloma Morphy, Sued Nunes, Ruzzi, and of course Isadora and Camila Guevara. From mainland Spain to Brazil and across Latin America, the nominees reflect a generational shift and the explosion of diversity after years of reggaetón dominance.

Isadora

Aged 24, the Miami born artist released her debut album "La Isla" earlier this year and has made clear she wants to define her own path rather than rely solely on her father's star power. Her nomination is seen by many as an affirmation of her passion and a signal of a new pop Latin voice emerging.

Camila Guevara

On the Cuban side, Guevara, 25, comes from a storied musical family, yet insists she is forging her own artistic identity. She released her debut album "Dame Flores", which mixes bolero, trova, salsa, pop and urban influences, and she describes the nomination as a milestone of her personal journey. Her inclusion signals the growing global attention to Cuban-rooted voices in the Latin music conversation.

Alleh

Venezuelan-born, Alleh broke out with the viral hit "Capaz (merenguetón)", which landed him a nomination in this category. He brings urban beats fused with Caribbean rhythms, signalling the new wave of Latin pop-urban crossovers.

Annasofia

A Mexican-American artist whose bilingual approach and genre-hybrid sound (pop with regional roots) make her a fresh voice in Latin music. She stands for the border-spanning identity of the 2025 new-artist class.

Yerai Cortés

From Andalusia, Spain, Yerai, 30 years old, offers flamenco-guitar-driven songs that merge tradition with contemporary production.

Juliane Gamboa

A Brazilian artist whose vocals draw on jazz, MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) and Latin-pop sensibilities. She injects a more refined sonic palette into the Best New Artist category.

Alex Luna

Cancún-based singer, producer, and songwriter Luna is 21 years old. His new pop draws on urban and EDM textures.

8. Paloma Morphy
Paloma Morphy is Mexican, a singer-songwriter noted for intimate lyrics and a fast-growing profile across Latin tastemakers.

Sued Nunes
With a musical style deeply connected to Afro-Brazilian religions and electronic beats, this Brazilian artist has been developing an original sound rooted in a powerful voice.

Ruzzi

Ruzzi is Mexican, from Chihuahua, and a writer, producer and singer who has built a steady following across indie and pop circles. Regional media and platform pages confirm her origin and 2025 nod.

As we look ahead to the awards ceremony on November 13 in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, this year's Best New Artist category may be the most eclectic to date. Whether one of them takes home the trophy or not, their presence already marks a shift: a new generation, rooted in heritage but eager to expand the boundaries of what Latin music can be.

Originally published on Latin Times