Rosalía has once again proven why she is considered the pearl of Spanish music. At the third edition of the Academy of Music Awards, held at the Ifema Congress Palace in Madrid and broadcast on La 2, the Catalan artist swept all eight of her nominations, setting a new record in the history of the ceremony. Despite not being present at the gala, her presence was felt through the overwhelming recognition of her work, particularly her album Lux and the single La perla.
The night began with five awards already decided in the pre-gala: Best Pop Album and Producer of the Year for Lux, Best Pop Song and Songwriter of the Year for La perla, and Best Music Video for Berghain. These wins set the stage for the main ceremony's three additional trophies: Best Song of the Year (for La perla featuring Yahritza y su Esencia), Best Album of the Year (Lux), and Artist of the Year 2025. This clean sweep surpasses the previous records of Arde Bogotá (five awards in 2024) and Nathy Peluso (four in 2025), solidifying Rosalía's ascendancy in the Spanish music scene.
Rosalía's career has been a meteoric rise from her early days in Sant Esteve Sesrovires to global stardom. Her innovative fusion of flamenco, pop, and urban sounds has earned her critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base. Her album Lux, released in 2025, has been featured on all specialized lists and continues to break streaming records. The tour supporting the album has sold out arenas worldwide, further cementing her reputation as a live performer.
The ceremony itself was a mix of celebration and tribute. Hosted by Leonor Watling, the evening began with a heartfelt homage to Robe Iniesta, the legendary leader of Extremoduro who passed away in December 2024. A medley of his work was performed by various artists, including Fito Robles, Lela Soto, Rafael Riqueni, Walls, and Xoel López. The emotional peak came when Leiva, accepting his award for Best Soundtrack, dedicated it to Iniesta: 'I want to share this award with Robe Iniesta, wherever he is, I miss him a lot.' Leiva went on to win three awards total, including Best Tour and Best Pop-Rock Song for Caída libre.
Other notable winners included Lia Kali, who dominated the urban categories with her album Kaelis taking Best Urban Album, and songs Chulx and En la cuerda floja winning Best Urban Song and Best Rap/Hip Hop Song respectively. Guitarricadelafuente won Best Alternative Music Album for Spanish Leather and Best Alternative Song for Babieca. The gala also saw a tribute to Jorge Martínez of Ilegales, performed by Ultraligera and Juanma Montoya, and a moving speech by Joan Manuel Serrat upon receiving the Academy's honorary award. Serrat, with characteristic wit and emotion, reflected on his long career: 'This is an award for survival and usually comes at an advanced age. I would prefer to receive the revelation award, but things have gone this way.' He also shared memories of his humble beginnings: 'I sang with my mother when we made the bed or when I had to shell peas and separate lentils.'
The evening concluded with performances by Sanguijuelas del Guadiana, who won Best New Artist, and Luz Casal, who sang ¿Qué has hecho conmigo? after winning Best Traditional Pop Album. Despite the absence of Rosalía, her triumph was the defining narrative of the night, reinforcing her status as the jewel of Spanish music—a pearl that continues to shine brighter with each passing year.
Looking ahead, Rosalía's impact on the global music landscape shows no signs of waning. With multiple Grammy nominations and collaborations with international artists, she remains a cultural ambassador for Spain. The Academy of Music Awards have solidified her legacy, but as her career evolves, the industry eagerly anticipates what she will do next. For now, her eight awards serve as a testament to her unparalleled talent and the enduring power of her music.
The success of Rosalía also highlights the broader vitality of the Spanish music scene. From the heartfelt tributes to Robe Iniesta and Joan Manuel Serrat to the rising stars like Lia Kali and Guitarricadelafuente, the awards showcased the depth and diversity of talent. The ceremony faced some technical issues, but the performances—especially those by Amaral and the tribute sections—kept the audience engaged. As the industry continues to evolve, events like these underscore the importance of recognizing both established icons and emerging voices.
In the end, the night belonged to Rosalía, even in her absence. Her eight awards are a reflection of years of hard work, artistic risk-taking, and a deep connection with her audience. Whether through the heartbreak of La perla or the experimental sounds of Berghain, she has carved a unique space in contemporary music. The Academy of Music Awards may have crowned her as the pearl of Spanish music, but for her fans around the world, she has always been a treasure.
Source: MSN News