Irreverent hip-hop music duo Calle 13 got a record 10 Latin Grammy nominations Wednesday, including album, record and song of the year.
The duo were on hand when the nominations for the 12th annual awards were read in Los Angeles. The Puerto Rican-based group smiled when their names were announced several times, including for album of the year for their politically and socially charged "Entren Los Que Quieran."
The album included an anthem for Latinos, "LatinoAmerica." It also got top honors, nominated for both record and song of the year.
"I had no idea they were going to give us so many nominations. I can't believe it, forget it!" Rene Perez, half of the duo, said in an interview afterward.
"To me it's big that people have connected with the message (of the album). When I put it out I didn't know if they were going to like it. ... I think people connected with the honesty I did this with, and for me, that was enough."
Other multiple nominees included Shakira, who received three nominations, including best album for "Sale el Sol." Other nominees for best album included Enrique Iglesias for "Euphoria"; Franco De Vita for "En Primera Fila"; and Alex, Jorge and Lena for their self-titled album.
Besides Calle 13's "LatinoAmerica," nominees for record of the year included "Gritar" by Luis Fonsi; "Golpes en el Corazon" with Los Tigres del Nortre featuring Paulina Rubio; "Lo Mejor de Mi Vida Eres Tu" by Ricky Martin and Natalia Jimenez; and "Tan Solo Tu" by De Vita and Alejandra Guzman.
De Vita was one of the top nominees with five; record producer and engineer Rafa Arcaute was the second-most nominated artist with six.
Other key nominees included Marco Antonio Solis, who had five; alternative rockers Zoe, who had three; and Ricky Martin and Mana, who also had three.
Pitbull, Don Omar, Los Tigres Del Norte and Wisin and Yandel were among the acts that got two nominations each.
The Latin Grammys will be held Nov. 10 in Las Vegas and will air live on Univision.
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Online:
http://www.latingrammy.com
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AP Writer E.J. Tamara in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
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Nekesa Mumbi Moody is the AP's music editor. Follow her at http://www.twitter.com/nekesamumbi