CUMBIA ICONS LOS ÁNGELES AZULES TO PERFORM AND RECEIVE HISPANIC HERITAGE AWARD FOR ARTS AT THE KENNEDY CENTER AND ON PBS
WASHINGTON, DC (8/8/2024) – The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) announced today that Legendary, World-Acclaimed Mexican Cumbia Band, Billboard and Latin Grammy Awardees, Los Ángeles Azules, will perform and receive the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Award for the Arts Award during the 37th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards (HHAs) at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ Opera House on September 5th and will be featured on the PBS broadcast, online and PBS video app on September 27th.
Los Ángeles Azules join other announced Hispanic Heritage Awardees including Designer Carolina Herrera, Beautyblender Creator Rea Ann Silva, and NBA legend Carmelo Anthony. Stay tuned for more Honoree, performer, and host announcements. (Find a visual presentation about the HHAs HERE).
“Los Angeles Azules have literally moved audiences around the world through their music and messages for decades,” said Antonio Tijerino, HHF President and CEO. “We are thrilled to honor this remarkable group of musical giants with our Arts Award and we look forward to sharing our collective cultural pride, achievement and vision, along with the other Honorees, at the Kennedy Center and on PBS with all of America and beyond during Hispanic Heritage Month.”
Hailing from Iztapalapa, Los Ángeles Azules are the leading exponents of cumbia music worldwide, bringing their music to the most important international stages and festivals, such as Vive Latino and Coachella. They are the first Mexican group to enter YouTube’s Billion Views Club and the only Mexican group to have two videos that exceed one billion views, surpassing one billion views with the clips of “Nunca es suficiente” Feat. Natalia Lafourcade (+2 billion views), and “Mis sentimientos” feat. Ximena Sariñana. Los Ángeles Azules have also collaborated with other artists, including Julieta Venegas, Carla Morrison, Gloria Trevi, Ana Torroja, Fito Paéz, Miguel Bosé, Alejandro Fernández, among others.
“We are very grateful to the Hispanic Heritage Awards for this great recognition of our long artistic career. We also want to thank all our followers and those who have supported us throughout this time. It is thanks to them and to those who enjoy and dance to our songs that we will continue building this great career,” said Elías Mejía Avante.
With more than 17 million monthly listeners, Los Ángeles Azules are positioned as one of the 500 most listened to artists on Spotify worldwide, and they have taken their music across the continent, visiting the most important cities in Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and the United States, among others.
In 2023, Los Ángeles Azules received their second Latin Grammy nomination in the Best Cumbia/Vallenato Album category for their album, “Cumbia del Corazón”. They also received Billboard’s Lifetime Achievement Award that year. Fast forward to 2024, the band garnered four nominations for Premio Lo Nuestro and a nomination at the Latin American Music Awards. The Latin Recording Academy announced that Los Ángeles Azules will be the recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
The HHAs, supported by 40 national Hispanic-serving institutions, were established by The White House in 1988 to commemorate the creation of Hispanic Heritage Month in America and broadcast on PBS. The Awards are commonly known as “America’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration.” Watch the playlist for last year’s awards HERE & Check out HHF past honorees.
About the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF)
The Hispanic Heritage Awards serve as a launch of HHF’s year-round mission, focused on education, workforce, social impact, and culture through the lens of leadership. HHF is a national nonprofit organization. For more information, visit www.hispanicheritage.org and follow the Hispanic Heritage Foundation on Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok. Listen to the HHF podcast Fritanga on your favorite streaming service and HHF YouTube channel.