The Spanish-language event pays tribute to Latino music legends and this year, international icons Emilio and Gloria Estefan received a special recognition for being trailblazers in the music world, giving inspiration for new generations of artists. Some of the biggest stars in Hollywood and music gave their messages to honor the power couple.

“They’ve always been connected on a very positive level. They just keep growing and growing as they go, they made sure you never forget what Cuban music is about. It’s all love for them and respect,” Quincy Jones said in a video.

“They have a great concept of music, and of course, talent. For me, when they’re together, that talent is taken to a whole new level. I’m so incredibly proud of them, not only how they present themselves as musicians and composers, but also as parents, friends, and the way they represent the Cuban community all over the world. They are always giving a hand to those that need it most, I feel blessed to have you both as my friends,” actor Andy Garcia shared.

There was also a video message from Shakira, thanking the Estefans for their big help in her career. “They’ve been not only two great friends but also a tremendous support not only for my career but also for the career of so many artists. Emilio’s ideas and Gloria’s incomparable talent gives them magical energy. I’m so grateful that God put them in my life.”

Leslie Grace, Il Volo and Victor Manuelle performed the Estefan’s megahits. Then Pitbull walked on stage to honor the couple.

“So I was back there, and they told they had written something for me to say to Gloria and Emilio and I said, ‘No.’ When I say something, it’s from the heart. So I looked up and said, ‘Celia [Cruz] help me, please. Queen, please help me. and the queen said, ‘Azúcar.’ And I told the queen, ‘Dale!’ I not only want to tell you guys but also thank you for all the doors that you both opened for all Latinos all over the world, for the Cuban community and Cuban culture,” the singer said. “For the people from Miami that came from nothing, which worked for everything, I have lived in a lot of bad neighborhoods in Miami, good neighborhood, and even worse ones. One of them was Wynwood, and in Wynwood my window had a crack and bugs and lizards wouldn’t come in because there was a huge poster of Gloria Estefan. So I want to tell you both, thank you, thank you and again, thank you. And like Celia told me, ‘Tell the princess and the god father, ‘What’s up?’ It is an honor to be here!”

The Cuban legends joined Pitbull on stage and Gloria went on to say her speech.

“This Premio Lo Nuestro means a lot to me because I feel like I belong to you guys, part of every single one of the countries that have been represented tonight on that stage. Everyone single one of the Latin countries that make part of the United States and they do it better, stronger, more beautiful and with more flavor. But I want to dedicate this to my mother that I lost on June 13, for maintaining within me my culture, for teaching me that the strength comes from maintaining our roots and who we are. Also [thank you] to our kids, and my grandson that they feel Latinos even though they were born here,” she said holding back her emotions.

“I just want to say that to receive this in Miami, which is a city that saw us grow up. Thanks to all of you we are here tonight. We came to the first Premio Lo Nuestro, and we dedicated our speech to the new Latino community, for them to always feel proud of being Latino. Now more than ever, we couldn’t be prouder of being Latino. I want to dedicate this award to my country, Cuba so that one day it may be free,” Emilio added.

The post Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan Honored at 2018 Univision’s “Premio Lo Nuestro” appeared first on OMG Check It Out !.

The track, which is a love song to the country, was recorded alongside an all-star cast of Latin artists including Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Gina Rodriguez, Fat Joe, Gloria Estefan and Camila Cabello. The proceeds of the song will go directly to UNIDOS Disaster Relief Fund of Hispanic Federation, according to Rolling Stone.

“You know how we always tell artists ‘stay in your lane’ anytime they say something remotely political? I’m trying to use what I do in service of this challenge,” Miranda told Rolling Stone. “We’re facing a humanitarian crisis right now. And the response from our federal government is not commensurate with the previous two hurricanes, much less up to the unprecedented danger of this disaster itself.”

The 37-year-old singer started to work on the song, an adaptation of “Maria” from 1961’s West Side Story, two days after the hurricane first made landfall. The lyrics mentioned all the towns in Puerto Rico.

“I knew the name Maria was forever going to have a destructive connotation to this island,” Miranda explained. “It’s also the name of my favorite song from West Side Story. So my brain was already looking for a sample to flip … And that’s what we do in hip-hop, right? We take a sample, we flip it and change the meaning. And so the hook of the song is, ‘Say it soft, and it’s almost like praying.'”

Initially, Miranda asked permission from Stephen Sondheim and the estate of Leonard Bernstein. “They gave their blessing within a day,” the Tony award-winning artist said. “When there’s a crisis, you call in all the favors – call the gods of musical theater! I have the great fortune to count Sondheim as a mentor and a friend. I worked with him and Bernstein on the 2009 revival of West Side Story and its Spanish translations. Sondheim wrote back immediately and said ‘Yes – and what else can I do?'”

Puerto Rico was devastated by the hurricane two weeks ago and millions of people who live on the Caribbean island and U.S. territory have been homeless, with no food, water and electricity. Celebrities such as Lopez and Daddy Yankee have donated million dollars to help rebuild the island, E! News reports.

The post Lin-Manuel Miranda Releases All-Star Song, “Almost Like Praying”, to Benefit Puerto Rico appeared first on OMG Check It Out !.

The Spanish-language event pays tribute to Latino music legends and this year, international icons Emilio and Gloria Estefan received a special recognition for being trailblazers in the music world, giving inspiration for new generations of artists. Some of the biggest stars in Hollywood and music gave their messages to honor the power couple.

“They’ve always been connected on a very positive level. They just keep growing and growing as they go, they made sure you never forget what Cuban music is about. It’s all love for them and respect,” Quincy Jones said in a video.

“They have a great concept of music, and of course, talent. For me, when they’re together, that talent is taken to a whole new level. I’m so incredibly proud of them, not only how they present themselves as musicians and composers, but also as parents, friends, and the way they represent the Cuban community all over the world. They are always giving a hand to those that need it most, I feel blessed to have you both as my friends,” actor Andy Garcia shared.

There was also a video message from Shakira, thanking the Estefans for their big help in her career. “They’ve been not only two great friends but also a tremendous support not only for my career but also for the career of so many artists. Emilio’s ideas and Gloria’s incomparable talent gives them magical energy. I’m so grateful that God put them in my life.”

Leslie Grace, Il Volo and Victor Manuelle performed the Estefan’s megahits. Then Pitbull walked on stage to honor the couple.

“So I was back there, and they told they had written something for me to say to Gloria and Emilio and I said, ‘No.’ When I say something, it’s from the heart. So I looked up and said, ‘Celia [Cruz] help me, please. Queen, please help me. and the queen said, ‘Azúcar.’ And I told the queen, ‘Dale!’ I not only want to tell you guys but also thank you for all the doors that you both opened for all Latinos all over the world, for the Cuban community and Cuban culture,” the singer said. “For the people from Miami that came from nothing, which worked for everything, I have lived in a lot of bad neighborhoods in Miami, good neighborhood, and even worse ones. One of them was Wynwood, and in Wynwood my window had a crack and bugs and lizards wouldn’t come in because there was a huge poster of Gloria Estefan. So I want to tell you both, thank you, thank you and again, thank you. And like Celia told me, ‘Tell the princess and the god father, ‘What’s up?’ It is an honor to be here!”

The Cuban legends joined Pitbull on stage and Gloria went on to say her speech.

“This Premio Lo Nuestro means a lot to me because I feel like I belong to you guys, part of every single one of the countries that have been represented tonight on that stage. Everyone single one of the Latin countries that make part of the United States and they do it better, stronger, more beautiful and with more flavor. But I want to dedicate this to my mother that I lost on June 13, for maintaining within me my culture, for teaching me that the strength comes from maintaining our roots and who we are. Also [thank you] to our kids, and my grandson that they feel Latinos even though they were born here,” she said holding back her emotions.

“I just want to say that to receive this in Miami, which is a city that saw us grow up. Thanks to all of you we are here tonight. We came to the first Premio Lo Nuestro, and we dedicated our speech to the new Latino community, for them to always feel proud of being Latino. Now more than ever, we couldn’t be prouder of being Latino. I want to dedicate this award to my country, Cuba so that one day it may be free,” Emilio added.

The post Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan Honored at 2018 Univision’s “Premio Lo Nuestro” appeared first on OMG Check It Out !.

The track, which is a love song to the country, was recorded alongside an all-star cast of Latin artists including Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Gina Rodriguez, Fat Joe, Gloria Estefan and Camila Cabello. The proceeds of the song will go directly to UNIDOS Disaster Relief Fund of Hispanic Federation, according to Rolling Stone.

“You know how we always tell artists ‘stay in your lane’ anytime they say something remotely political? I’m trying to use what I do in service of this challenge,” Miranda told Rolling Stone. “We’re facing a humanitarian crisis right now. And the response from our federal government is not commensurate with the previous two hurricanes, much less up to the unprecedented danger of this disaster itself.”

The 37-year-old singer started to work on the song, an adaptation of “Maria” from 1961’s West Side Story, two days after the hurricane first made landfall. The lyrics mentioned all the towns in Puerto Rico.

“I knew the name Maria was forever going to have a destructive connotation to this island,” Miranda explained. “It’s also the name of my favorite song from West Side Story. So my brain was already looking for a sample to flip … And that’s what we do in hip-hop, right? We take a sample, we flip it and change the meaning. And so the hook of the song is, ‘Say it soft, and it’s almost like praying.'”

Initially, Miranda asked permission from Stephen Sondheim and the estate of Leonard Bernstein. “They gave their blessing within a day,” the Tony award-winning artist said. “When there’s a crisis, you call in all the favors – call the gods of musical theater! I have the great fortune to count Sondheim as a mentor and a friend. I worked with him and Bernstein on the 2009 revival of West Side Story and its Spanish translations. Sondheim wrote back immediately and said ‘Yes – and what else can I do?'”

Puerto Rico was devastated by the hurricane two weeks ago and millions of people who live on the Caribbean island and U.S. territory have been homeless, with no food, water and electricity. Celebrities such as Lopez and Daddy Yankee have donated million dollars to help rebuild the island, E! News reports.

The post Lin-Manuel Miranda Releases All-Star Song, “Almost Like Praying”, to Benefit Puerto Rico appeared first on OMG Check It Out !.