Why was Jon Bon Jovi all over the Latin Grammys? In one of the most surprising moments of the night, Bon Jovi hit the stage twice: First, to introduce Carlos Vives as the 2024 Person of the Year, and later to join Pitbull for a performance.
“You’ve used your voice for creating a better world through your music, your legacy reaches far beyond the stage, making an impact, not only in your community but around the world,” Bon Jovi said of Vives during the presentation. “And that’s one of the many reasons that you are so deserving of this award.”
“It’s my privilege, from one Person of the Year to another, to acknowledge you as this year’s persona del año, of the Latin Recording Academy,” he added. (Bon Jovi won the MusiCares Person of the Year earlier this year.)
Later in the show, Bon Jovi came back out with Pitbull for an electric performance of “Now or Never,” Pitbull’s track, which samples the Bon Jovi classic, “It’s My Life.”
🤩 La Persona del Año de @RecordingAcad, @jonbonjovi, fue el encargado de entregar el reconocimiento de #LatinGRAMMY a nuestra Persona del Año, @carlosvives 👏 #25AñosdeExcelencia pic.twitter.com/ayLLBo7JDy
— The Latin Recording Academy / Latin GRAMMYs (@LatinGRAMMYs) November 15, 2024
Pitbull added a freshened verse to the song as Bon Jovi sang the track’s original chorus, surrounded by leather-clad dancers. (The pair shared a video from backstage earlier in the night.)
While performing in Jones Beach back in September, Pitbull brought out Jon Bon Jovi to tease the new track. Last night, Pitbull and Bon Jovi released the official music video for “Now or Never,” which included footage from the concert in Jones Beach.
Next year, Pitbull is scheduled to perform in a string of concerts at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas as part of his Pitbull: Vegas After Dark The Residency. Neither artist is nominated for awards Thursday night.
Along with Bon Jovi and Pitbull, Thursday’s telecast is scheduled to see performances from Becky G, Carín León, Grupo Frontera, Joe Jonas, Pitbull, Emilia, Residente, Luis Fonsi, and Kali Uchis.This year’s Latin Grammys air live from the Kaseya Center in Miami on Univision and Vix.
