Here’s How Mexican Artists Responded to Anti-Immigrant Hate at the 2025 Premio Lo Nuestro
Courtesy of the artist.
The 2025 Premio Lo Nuestro came and went largely as expected and unassumingly. But the night’s backdrop was the current political climate our communities are facing in this country. With many of Latine music’s biggest stars who have major platforms present, it was impossible to ignore the problems our communities are facing today. During the award show’s magenta carpet and telecast, both rising and iconic stars either talked about the problems facing immigrants from our communities directly, or alluded to the topic indirectly.
At the ceremony, the first artist who seemingly brought up the subject was Alejandro Fernández, during his acceptance speech for Premio Lo Nuestro a la Excelencia (Excellence Award). After he thanked his loved ones and fans, he also dedicated the award to the Latine community that’s going through a challenging time. He said: “Also for all Latinos, and for all our friends – hermanos mexicanos, who are suffering at this time. They are not alone, and we are with them. And of course, I want to dedicate this award to my country, Mexico. Viva Mexico!”
Younger talent like Xavi, who won Mexican Music Fusion of the Year for his massive hit “La Diabla,” made his acceptance speech personal. He said: “I would like to dedicate this award to my family, who came from Mexico to the United States to give us a better life.” He also dedicated it to his grandfather, who is currently “fighting for his life.” At the end of his speech, he said, “Viva Mexico!”
Perhaps the artists who were most vocal about the situation were Ángela and Becky G when they went to accept their award for Mariachi/Ranchera Song of the Year for their collaboration “Por El Contrario” with Leonardo Aguilar. “I want to dedicate this award to all the migrants, to all the situation that is going on. My grandfather was deported four times and that same man sold out Madison Square Garden 13 times,” Ángela said. “Si se puede! We are with you. Your voice is worth so much! And we as Mexican-Americans can’t miss this moment to tell you: Viva Mexico!”
After saying that the awarded song’s album helped her connect with her roots, Becky G added: “I am the granddaughter of immigrants, proudly Chicana, with Mexican blood from Inglewood. And this goes for everyone!”
Moreover, at the magenta carpet, Becky G spoke to Remezcla about dedicating her performance to her grandpa and to all the abuelitos who came to this country pursuing the American dream. “Now more than ever, in the times we’re living in, to remind everybody – we hear a lot about our community, and a lot of people try to tell us what we are, but they don’t decide that, we do,” she told our correspondent Grecia Lopez. “We’re not a minority, we’re a majority. So remembering the power that we come from, the truth that we live in, which is that we are passionate people, we are hard-working people, I would not be on these stages if it weren’t for [my grandparents].”
But other stars missed the mark. On the show’s magenta carpet, El Gordo y La Flaca’s Raúl De Molina asked Mexican-American artist Grupo Frontera – given their name – what they thought about what was happening at the border between Mexico and the U.S. The group’s percussionist Julian Peña Jr. quickly answered, “Music is our job. We love everyone, [and] we all want love and peace. A big hug to everyone, take care of yourselves.”
The 2025 Premio Lo Nuestro took place in Miami, FL, and was aired live on Univision and ViX.