Gloria and Emilio Estefan were honored at the 2026 Grammy Awards with the award for Best Latin Tropical Album for Raíces, a production that pays tribute to the Caribbean sounds that shaped their artistic journey. The Cuban-American couple took the stage at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles to receive the trophy amidst applause and emotion, in a ceremony prior to the televised gala.
“Thank you, fifty years later and my heart still races,” said Gloria as she accepted the award accompanied by her husband. “Baby, thank you for this incredible album you produced for me. You continue to be my greatest inspiration,” she added. Emilio Estefan reminisced about the beginnings of Miami Sound Machine and the pride of representing the Latino community in the American music industry: “Fifty years ago, we were among the first to record in two languages, English and Spanish. I am proud to have done it and to be Latino.”
Raíces marks the musical comeback of Gloria Estefan after several years without releasing a studio album. The record blends bolero, son, salsa, and ballad in an elegant production by Emilio Estefan, aiming to capture the essence of classic tropical music and pay tribute to the cultural heritage of Caribbean immigrants.
Born in Havana and residing in Miami since childhood, Gloria Estefan has established herself as one of the most influential Latin voices in the United States over the past few decades. Her career, characterized by the fusion of Latin and pop rhythms, has opened doors for generations of Hispanic artists in the international music industry.
With this recognition, Gloria Estefan adds five Grammy Awards and five Latin Grammy Awards to her collection, solidifying her status as one of the most important figures in Spanish music. The same ceremony also honored Bad Bunny, Natalia Lafourcade, Carín León, Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso, and the Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, who won in the Latin Jazz category for his album A Tribute to Benny Moré and Nat King Cole.
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