GLORIA ESTEFAN, SEBASTIAN YATRA, EMILIO ESTEFAN, MARIA FERNANDEZ, WOMEN OF CONGRESS MARIA ELVIRA SALAZAR AND VERONICA ESCOBAR Applauded at the RIAA Awards

Live performances of Yatra & On Your Feet! Broadway cast

Lin-Manuel Miranda, John Legend, Andy Garcia and other laureates receive virtual congratulations

WASHINGTON (September 20, 2023) – Last night at its state-of-the-art headquarters in Washington, D.C. Recording Industry Association of America® (RIAA) celebrated an incredible group of artists, label executives and politicians whose influence is heard and felt throughout American music, culture and society. Star Yearbook RIAA Awards highlighted the elite of Latin American music – Gloria Estefan, Sebastian Yatra, Emilio Estefan, Sony Music Latin’s Maria Fernandez near Congresswomen Maria Elvira Salazar And Veronica Escobar.

Having successfully started the evening with a dynamic performance, the band members On foot! The Broadway cast forced audiences to do just that. The Tony Award-nominated musical is based on the lives of the award winners. Gloria and Emilio Estefan.

Chairman and CEO of the RIAA Mitch Glaser greeted the crowd along with the Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Latin Music. Rafael Fernandez Jr.who shared his story of growing up in Miami, where Latin music was the soundtrack of his childhood and began his lifelong love for the genre.

Emilio Estefan was the evening’s first honoree and added to his ten-year award as Industry pioneer. Before accepting the award, dear friend and acclaimed actor Andy Garcia surprised everyone with a special video message that said: “Emilio, when I open the dictionary and look for the word “pioneer,” your photo is there.” Expressing your gratitude Emilio

said: “Most people would say they want to keep their sound to themselves, but Gloria said, ‘Let’s help in any way we can.’ What I want to leave behind for my children and my community is the pride and legacy that we need to be who we are and to live in the best country in the world called the United States of America and we are so grateful. Well there you go. Thanks to my wife for giving me this opportunity. This is an incredible day, not only for me, but for the entire second generation who have done so many great things. Thank you for coming and sharing this moment with my family.”

Next, RIAA Chief Policy Officer Morna Willens presented Politician of the Year awards Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar And Veronica Escobarnoting his personal experience of the powerful connection between communities and their culture. Congressman Salazar honored her fellow honorary laureates, Estefans recalling: “I remember when I was younger, I would go to weddings and dance to the music and what they (Gloria and Emilio Estefan) have been doing for the last 40 years. That is the spirit of the Latinos in this country because we found the best country in the world, the promised land where we could develop and grow, and they are the perfect and best example.”

Congresswoman Escobar echoed her co-star, acknowledging the role Latin music has played in her life: “It’s such an incredible honor and privilege. I am very humbled by this recognition and want to thank the RIAA and my incredible team who are trying to do the impossible. I represent a wonderful border community that has been on the front lines for decades as we all work together to improve our country. Thank you very much everyone!”

Raphael returned to praise the “do it all” executive vice president and chief operating officer of Latin Iberia at Sony Music Entertainment, Maria Fernandez. She’s known for paving the way for other women in music as a mentor to the next generation and an advocate for her peers, so it’s no surprise that her next title would be Manager of the Year. She thanked Sony Latin Music and noted their contribution to the development of Latin American music, saying: “I am honored. I believe in dreams, I dreamed big, but I never could have imagined that I would be honored here by Latin music legends like Gloria and Emilio Estefan, as well as other wonderful honorees. This is truly a dream come true for me, so thank you for everything you do for Latin music, for the Latin community, it’s very important to us. I also want to thank Sony Music. They have always been there to support us in spreading Latin music to every corner of the world.”

RIAA Chief Operating Officer Michelle Ballantyne then went on stage, presenting a plaque Artist of the Year Sebastian Yatra and present video tributes from multifaceted talents John Legend And Lin-Manuel Miranda who congratulated the singer on his many achievements. Yatra delighted the crowd with performances of his RIAA-certified singles: the quadruple platinum “UN AÑO”, the new platinum “Dos Oruguitas” from charmingand platinum “TACONES ROJOS”. Shortly before today’s celebration, along with the news that his single “Dos Oruguitas,” the first Spanish-language song ever to win an Oscar, had gone platinum, Yatra was also surprised by the news that his album Dharma officially certified 5x platinum. Regarding the accolades, he said: “Music, our love for it and our love for changing the lives of people who don’t have the same opportunities as us, it brings us together and lets us know that today we have a real opportunity to make a difference.” to truly make big changes in the world. I’m just happy that music gave me a voice, that it gave me a purpose.”

Celebrating the evening’s final award, Glazier presented Gloria Estefan With Icon title. In the second virtual congratulations, Andy Garcia

said: “I cannot imagine a more deserving person to receive such an honor. You have been such an extraordinary influence and inspiration on all of us, not only in your music, but also in the way you represent us in the world.” Gloria said: “Music changes things; the vibrations of music are healing. So I’m very proud that I can live my life in music. And Emilio saw something in me that I just needed to share with the world, this is the most beautiful thing that I do and get joy from it all. I’m proud of every Latin American artist, especially women, look at all the women here today who are doing incredible things!”

Latin music is experiencing explosive growth, reaching new audiences in the United States, with revenues topping $1 billion for the first time in history. The upcoming half-year earnings will show similar explosive growth in 2023. Glazier concluded the evening by noting, “We are inspired by the leadership and talent that uses the power of music to impact our community.” As the curtain closed on the 2023 celebrations, the audience was once again encouraged to receive… On foot! for the final medley, with Emilio I join the signature place on percussion instruments.