Gloria Estefan, Sebastián Yatra represent legacy and future of Latin music at D.C. event

Gloria Estefan reflects on her rise to fame in the mid-'80s with Miami Sound Machine, a time when there were only a few female pop singers like Madonna and Cyndi Lauper. She also acknowledges the limited presence of Latina singers, with Celia Cruz being a notable exception. However, Gloria and her husband Emilio Estefan changed the landscape of Latin music with hits like "Dr. Beat," "Conga," "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You," and "Bad Boy."

Today, artists like Karol G and Rosalía are continuing the legacy of crossover success initiated by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. Gloria Estefan is proud of these artists and the progress they've made, acknowledging that they bring their unique styles to the music industry. She also acknowledges that there is still work to be done for gender equality in the industry but sees positive changes happening.

Gloria and Emilio Estefan are at the Recording Industry Association of America headquarters in Washington, D.C., where they are receiving awards for Icon and Industry Trailblazer, respectively. They've recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. Gloria is pleased with her induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, which she sees as a recognition of the hard work and longevity of her career as a Hispanic woman in the music industry.

Sebastián Yatra, a rising star, is also being honored as Artist of the Year at the event. He talks about his recent experiences, including playing tennis with Rafael Nadal and his successful music career. Yatra's career reached new heights with his "Dharma" album, and he was awarded for its success during the ceremony.

Yatra emphasizes the importance of learning from artists like Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin when he toured with them in 2021. He values their professionalism and kindness towards others. Yatra, who has won two Latin Grammys, is nominated again this year but remains humble about his chances.

During the ceremony, RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier calls Sebastián Yatra "the future of Latin music." Yatra performs a trio of bilingual hits, showcasing his talent and enthusiasm for music. At the event's close, Emilio Estefan takes the stage with a medley of Gloria's songs from their musical "On Your Feet," emphasizing the importance of preserving their legacy for future generations.