By Fernie Ruano Jr.
Bachata crown jewel Prince Royce, the baby-faced crooner with a soulful timbre that can bring a room to its knees (especially one filled with ladies), had little use for a Kleenex box Thursday night at AmericanAirlines Arena, especially after heading into the Miami night with six Premio Lo Nuestroawards.
But just about everybody else besides the 23-year-old, Bronx-born Royce, the Tropical contemporary artist of the year, shed a tear during a somber and draining 25th anniversary of Univision’s annual homage to Latin music, which included a remembrance in song of the late Diva de la Banda Jenni Rivera, who won five awards.
Vibrant images and video footage of Rivera, killed in a plane crash in December, served as backdrop while her brother Lupillo Rivera and Puerto Rican singer Olga Tanon shared the stage for an emotion-filled rendition of Yo te extranare (I miss you) that brought many in the audience to tears minutes after Maria Jose delighted with a heartfelt El (Him), one of Rivera’s signature songs.
While emotive and gut-wrenching, especially for Rivera who could barely control his emotions throughout the performance, the 10-minute tribute didn’t include any of Jenni Rivera’s daughters despite being in attendance and accepting several awards in place of their mother earlier in the evening.
Victor Manuelle, who took home Tropical salsa artist of the year, delivered an emotional and tender speech while admitting he prayed in hopes of winning an award so he could dedicate it to his ailing father, watching in Puerto Rico. “One of the most important people in my life is losing his memory. My father’s is battling Alzheimer and his condition is worsening by the day,” said Manuelle in Spanish.
“But father I want to tell you I’m not the great artist, the famous one or the important one. Instead, I am the great person that you helped nurture and that I love you. I will tell you every day of your living life so that you will always remember it.”
The emotion that carried the latter half of the show did little to make up for the lackluster production, a recurring theme in recent years. Other than archived video footage of the usual suspects, including Tanon, the three-hour broadcast proceeded without any real ‘surprises’ and failed to truly celebrate its 25-year history, unless an uninspiring performance by Colombian singer Carlos Vives to cap the evening is accounted for.
Royce, who won best rock/alternative song and collaboration for El Verdadero Amor Perdona (Real Love Forgives) with Mexican rock group Mana, joined Mexican pop star Thalia for Te Perdiste Mi Amor (You Love My Love) off her Habitame Siempre (Live in me always) album.
Mana won three awards, while Jesse y Joy and Wisin y Yandel garnered two apiece.
Dominican singer/songwriter Juan Luis Guerra fell flat in attempt to pump life into the show and honor its history with a mixture of his biggest hits, while Miami-bred darling Pitbull brought the audience to its feet with Echa Pa’lla (Sube Las Manos), (Scoot Over). Ex-Menudo pop tarts Ricky Martin and Draco Rosa came together for Mas y Mas (More and More), the first drop off Rosa’s album, Vida (Life).
Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz, Pop male artist of the year, received the Excellence Award.
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