Big Winners @ ‘Premio Lo Nuestro’.

World-famous megastar Ricky Martin brought down the house as the sensational opening act of the 2004 “Premio Lo Nuestro a la Musica Latina,” which was telecast LIVE from the Miami Arena on the Univision Network.

Thousands of passionate fans screamed nonstop while Martin performed the breakout hit from his new Spanish-language album, a Flamenco-style dance tune titled “Jaleo.” Later, Puerto Rican legend Jose Feliciano made a rare appearance to present Martin with the prestigious “Premio a la Excelencia” lifetime achievement award.

Marc Anthony was the night’s biggest winner, with three awards in the categories of Best Salsa Performance, Best Tropical Male Artist, and Best Tropical Song. Marco Antonio Solis, Olga Tanon, Juanes, El General, Kumbia Kings and La Onda followed with two awards each.

A stellar array of Latin music’s hottest recording artists performed live, among them Marco Antonio Solis (winner of Best Male Artist and Best Album in the Regional Mexican genre), Joan Sebastian (Best Banda Performance), Intocable (Best Nortena Performance), India, Thalia, La Oreja de Van Gogh, Montez de Durango, and Akwid. One of the highlights of the evening was renowned singer/songwriter Ricardo Arjona’s electrifying medley of two of his biggest hits, “El Problema” and “Minutos.” Arjona won in the Pop Album of the Year category.

In addition, there was a tribute to Latin music greats we lost during 2003, including Celia Cruz, Eulalio Gonzalez “El Piporro,” and Raul Vale. Those paying homage with a medley of their most memorable songs were Obie, Angelica Vale, Amaury Gutierrez, Graciela Beltran and Pablo Montero.

The evening’s festivities were capped by a show-stopping number by the pop-ballad duo sensation Sin Bandera, who took an unexpected departure from their customary romantic style to team up with hip-hop star El General for a rhythm-packed rendition of their hit song “Sirena.” Sin Bandera won Best Pop Group or Duo.

This year’s list of presenters was a veritable “who’s who” of over 60 of the biggest names in Latin music and Spanish-language television. Among the many Hispanic stars who thrilled fans as they walked down the “Premio Lo Nuestro” red carpet were: Jose Feliciano, Thalia, Roselyn Sanchez, Conjunto Primavera, Banda El Recodo, Jennifer Pena, Sin Bandera, El General, Ninel Conde, Myrka Dellanos, Graciela Beltran, Millie Corretjer, Giselle Blondet, Mariana Seaone, Niurka Marcos, Aracely Arambula, Patricia Velazquez, Lili Estefan, Marlene Favela, Ricardo Alamo, and Eugenio Derbez. The “Red Carpet” portion of
the show aired prior to the awards ceremony as a live “Primer Impacto” special titled “Noche de Estrellas” (Night of Stars).

Following is a complete list of “Premio Lo Nuestro 2004” winners:

POP GENRE

Album of the Year, Performer
Santo Pecado, Ricardo Arjona

Best Male Artist
Juanes

Best Female Artist
Shakira

Best Group or Duo
Sin Bandera

Best New Artist of the Year
David Bisbal

Song of the Year, Performer
Mariposa Traicionera, Mana

ROCK GENRE

Best Album, Performer
Libertad, La Ley

Best Performer
Jaguares

Best New Artist of the Year
Alessandra

TROPICAL GENRE

Best Album, Performer
A Puro Fuego, Olga Tanon

Best Male Artist
Marc Anthony

Best Female Artist
Celia Cruz

Best Group or Duo
Bacilos

Best New Artist
Son de Cali

Best Song, Performer
Barco a La Deriva, Marc Anthony

Best Merengue Performance
Olga Tanon

Best Salsa Performance
Marc Anthony

Best Traditional Performance
Monchy y Alexandra

REGIONAL MEXICANA GENRE

Best Album, Performer
Tu Amor o Tu Desprecio, Marco Antonio Solis

Best Male Artist
Marco Antonio Solis

Best Female Artist
Jennifer Pena

Best Group or Duo
Kumbia Kings/Juan Gabriel/El Gran Silencio

Best New Artist
La Onda

Song of the Year, Performer
No Tengo Dinero, Kumbia Kings/Juan Gabriel/Gran Silencio

Best Tejano Performance
La Onda
Palominos

Best Grupera Performance
Los Temerarios

Best Ranchera Performance
Pepe Aguilar

Best Banda Performance
Joan Sebastian

Best Norteno Performance
Intocable

URBANA GENRE

Best Album, Performer
De Fiesta, El General

Best Performance
El General

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Song, Artist, Director
Bonito, Jarabe de Palo, Andre Cruz
Fotografia, Juanes, Picky Talarico