MEXICAN INDIE LABEL
BLASTS LATIN GRAMMYS
Drowns Out Regional Artists
Gilberto Moreno, GM of indie label Fonovisa, told the Spanish-language newspaper La Opinion that artists associated with Sony Music's labels and Miami-based producer Emilio Estefan are being favored over Mexican regional stars.
"This is a party between Emilio Estefan and Sony," Moreno said, adding the awards "definitely don't represent Latin artists at all."
Mexican regional sales make up about 60 percent of the U.S. Latin music market. There are no Mexican regional acts nominated in the major categories, including album, record and song of the year, and no Mexican regional artists are scheduled to perform during the ceremony, which takes place Sept. 13 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Fonovisa has urged its artists to avoid the inaugural Latin Grammys ceremony because of the perceived snub by the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, which produces the awards show.
Moreno further added he was insulted that ceremony host Jennifer Lopez, who is Puerto Rican, portrayed the slain Tejano star Selena; that the Taco Bell chihuahua isn't even a Mexican male and that "Sabado Gigante" host Don Francisco is actually a guy named Mario Kreutzberger.
