Denise Truscello
Ricky Martin, seen performing at Park Theater, will host this year’s Latin Grammy Awards at MGM Grand.
Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019 | 9 p.m.
Las Vegas’ reputation as the entertainment capital of the world is bolstered every year by the multitude of music awards shows taking place on or near the Strip. This week brings two massive musical celebrations that set up in Vegas years ago — the 20th annual Latin Grammy Awards is set for November 14 at MGM Grand Garden Arena and the 2019 Soul Train Awards will be held November 17 at Orleans Arena.
“It’s the city of lights, a place known for having entertainment all night long and for all the biggest shows,” said Connie Orlando, executive vice president of specials, music programming and music strategy at BET, which produces and presents the Soul Train Awards. “With all the residencies today, Las Vegas is a hub for all major music acts year-round, so it just makes sense for us to have our show in that environment. A lot of the artists we honor have had residencies or performed in Las Vegas and it’s just a fun city.”
The Soul Train Awards will be broadcast live for the first time this year, something BET has been working on for a few years, Orlando said. “Everything lined up for us to do it this year. We want it to be destination viewing. The audience gets to participate as the show is unfolding and it adds an extra layer of excitement.”
The Latin Grammys will also air live, starting at 8 p.m. local time on the Univision Network. Three-time Latin Grammy winner, two-time Grammy winner and former Park Theater resident headliner Ricky Martin will host this year’s show with actors Roselyn Sanchez and Paz Vega. Among the announced performers are Bad Bunny, Alessia Cara, Alejandro Fernández and Vicente Fernández, Juanes, Pepe Aguilar, De La Ghetto, Julio Reyes Copello, Fonseca, Luis Fonsi, Rosalía and Alejandro Sanz.
Sanz and producer Jaycen Joshua lead this year’s Latin Grammys with eight nominations each. Cuban-born pop star Camila Cabello earned three nominations.
There are 12 different categories of nominees for this year’s Soul Train Awards, an annual celebration recognizing the best in soul, R&B and hip-hop. Chris Brown leads the nominees with eight, followed by Drake’s seven nominations ahead of six each for Beyoncé and Lizzo. Actors Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold will once again host the show.
Super producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis will be honored with the Legend Award as the duo has more Billboard number one hits than any other songwriting and production team in history after working with Janet Jackson, Boyz II Men, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey and more. And gospel and R&B icon Yolanda Adams will receive the fifth annual Lady of Soul Award. Performers for this year’s show include Mirage resident headliners Boyz II Men, Wale, Jeremih, Kelly Price, Queen Naija, K. Michelle, Luke James and more.
BET Presents: 2019 Soul Train Awards at the Orleans Arena will air live on BET and BET HER at 5 p.m. local time.
