Raphael was awarded by the Latin Recording Academy (which awards the Latin Grammys) as Person of the Year in 2025. But, as Enrique Bunbury very correctly said when awarding him the award during the big gala, on his big night, in front of 1,100 people, “he could have been the person of the year of any year of any decade.” He was right, but this is a year special. Raffaello, 82 years old, incombustible, multigenerational and suitable for any hyperbolic adjective, had to retire from music at the end of 2024 quickly and quickly due to the appearance of a brain tumor. Inexhaustible, he returns to the stage only six months later. But after a liver transplant, a tumor and at the age of 82, this tribute seemed suitable for the singer from Linares, no longer so much a boy, but a singer as always. And more excited, yes, than ever.
When, just before 8pm (Las Vegas, Nevada time; 5am Spanish time), Raphael appeared on stage at the Mandalay Hotel theater, there was applause. Respectful and light, welcome. With some help, the man from Jaén went down the stairs to sit at his table, surrounded by his family, to say goodbye. There, he put his hand to his ear, as if in a loving “hey, I want more.” When the gala is over, I don’t need to ask. The hotel theater was filled with applause, applause and compliments to the artist, who after the homage of artists such as David Bisbal, Silvia Pérez Cruz, Enrique Bunbury and Carín León, sang three songs, What no one knows, my big night AND how much I love you.
The Latin Grammys – who will hold their annual awards ceremony on Thursday night – chose Raphael as Person of the Year for being “a great legend of Latin music”. “His musical career is a sign of his commitment,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of the Latin Recording Academy. She had already warned him: “You will have a lot of fun.” And so it was, even if he reflected that pride and that journey with tears in his eyes, moved, performance after performance. Artists from all generations have honored him with their songs and versions, demonstrating how Raphael has been able to connect with all types of audiences and countries, where they pay homage to him.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Raphael Martos Martínez,” began the very young Raphael in a tribute video in which he talked about how he was always expelled from school, but also that the choir director saved him time and time again. Meanwhile, the artist’s face could be seen on the screen, showing it large throughout the night, as he reacted to videos, messages and performances. His eyes, glassy and trembling, showed his emotion, as they remembered his 350 gold records and the uranium record (he was the first artist to receive it), his films or his performances in the sixties in programs in the United States. All this without forgetting that the days in which his children were born were “the happiest days” of his life, along with his marriage to his wife Natalia Figueroa; they were all present in Las Vegas.
And after that, the shows. Enrique Bunbury began to sing, dressed in an olive green suit I am thataccompanied on stage by a string orchestra. Shortly afterwards, the Mexican Carín León joined him as an interpreter Nowone of his hits from the 1980s. Next, the current king of the Mexican regional, who already has a great history in Las Vegas and will increase it in 2026 by singing at the Esfera, continued with a beautiful version of Knock on wood.
Then Café Quijano took to the stage to sing How are you without me? with Guatemalan singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno. Taking over were sequin-clad Elena Rose and David Bisbal, who teamed up to create a melodic yet powerful version of raw. Subsequently, the man from Almería returned with him how much I love youone of the artist’s great classics that aroused applause. It was one of the most beautiful moments of the evening, going down to the table of the singer and his family to sit with them, pour a glass of wine and sing, looking into his eyes, every verse of his legendary song.
Bisbal wanted to exchange affectionate and sincere words with a man he often considered a mentor and an example. “The truth, Raphael—Rocío Jurado calls you Rapi, and I, Raphael— I don’t know what to tell you because I told you everything. We have been friends for more than 25 years. Thank you very much for leaving a legacy of discipline, effort, sacrifice and absence. Because many times behind it is the absence of your family, of Natalia,” he said emotionally to Figueroa. “If this is the legacy you have left to artists, you can count on me because I will always continue to carry forward your word,” he said emotionally. “There will never be anything like it. I love you very much, from the bottom of my heart.” After him came Ivan Cornejo, another of the stars of the Mexican regional, who sang I close my eyes along with his compatriots Jesse and Joy.
Between one song and another, videos were recorded of artists thanking them for their career or of Raphael himself, who assured that he had “many things not only to do, but to renew”. José Luis Perales or Manuel Alejandro talked about their songs, Enrique Bunbury wondered “how he had the audacity” to have it and explained that his way of working “only speaks of his interest in remaining relevant and that his songbook continues to evolve”. “I feel infinitely fortunate to have modestly contributed,” Bunbury said. Dani Martin said it was a privilege that Raphael sang Peter Panone of his songs, while Pablo López ensured that “producing a whole album” was one of the most powerful moments of his professional career.
And there López arrived, on stage, to sing of so many peopleone of those songs composed and produced by him. Even the man from Malaga, on the piano and accompanied by violins, sang his I don’t want to run awaywhich he sometimes performed with Raphael. Without letting go of the piano, Aitana arrived to sing along If I weren’t there. “You have been the soundtrack to my whole life,” said the 26-year-old Catalan artist. “It’s an honor for me to be in front of you and your family singing this song,” the young woman said, until she burst into tears. López, for her part, expressed her affection for him and his entire family: “I just wanted to tell you one thing, friend, Mr. Martos: only love turns the scenario into a miracle, and that is you.”
Behind him, The letter was played by Fito Páez on the piano and with tango arias, and then Rozalén arrived to accompany him, as well as singing Chabuca Limeñaby Susana Baca. The 81-year-old barefoot Peruvian woman was excited with the woman from Albacete, holding hands. Kikí Morente, together with her guitar, joined Ángeles Toledano for a powerful flamenco version of Whatever they sayaccompanied by the guitar and timbale percussion of Víctor Martínez.
Vanesa Martín talked about the composition of her song Every Septemberand how for her it was a tribute to the singer and his wife. Accompanied by Kany García and her electronic cello, the Puerto Rican and the Spanish sang together. “I’m very excited to sing again with my eyes focused on what you like to do most, music”; Martino said. “You have managed to overcome the generation, without geographical barriers, without age. You have achieved what music must achieve, without any kind of brake or mental limit. I would clone you,” laughed Martin. “Thank you for encouraging us, because you have set the bar very high for us.” Martín concluded his appearance with Why don’t you go?in its second part, with the elegant company of the Mexican Carlos Rivera, who described him as “a living example of what an artist is with all his letters”. “You said it, your mother brought you into the world as an artist. Well, long live the mother who brought you into the world,” he said, to laughter from the audience.
Other greats such as Julio Iglesias, El Puma, Adamo, Vicente Fernández or Miguel Bosé also appeared in old recordings and messages of affection. “You were the first”, declared Bosé, “no one can take this away from you. Blessed are you and blessed is the night in which all your songs, all your words, your whole career will resonate”. Miguel Ríos recalled how in the 1960s, when signing his first contract, he had the vision of bringing a photographer to photograph him.
I try to forget youby Hernaldo Zúñiga but which Raphael often covered, it was sung as a symphonic bolero by the Texan Pepe Aguilar and the Chilean Myriam Hernandez. “It’s difficult for me to contain my emotion because since I met you I told you that when I was four years old you inspired my music, it was the first concert my parents took me to, you sang the Hail Mary and I seemed to see the virgin,” Hernández enthused. “Master,” Aguilar told him, “this word suits so few people so well.”
One of the most beautiful and delicate moments of the evening came thanks to Silvia Pérez Cruz, who brought her crystalline voice together with Mestrinho’s bandoneon to perform I am and set the entire auditorium on edge. Then came the scandal and Cariba. With Willy Chirino, Eddy Herrera and Víctor Manuelle, who sat at the family table singing the famous Scandal and they celebrated their friend Raffaele, as they called him. “If I had a quarter of the talent you have, I would be one of the greatest artists in the world,” Manuelle said. “No one in the world sings like you,” assures Chirino.
The end of the night, the last word, belonged to the artist. Manuel Abud and Bunbury presented him with the award for his “countless and stratospheric achievements”. “Gold, platinum and uranium records complete the person and character,” reflects the musician from Zaragoza. “A character because he interprets the songs as if his life depended on it. He is not only the great voice of Latin American music, he has been able to create a repertoire like tailor-made suits. He has never stopped recording, for more than 50 years. What is truly incredible is his adaptation to the times, his radar for the new generations and being relevant in all decades.”
Raphael himself, in words, had nothing else to give other than to thank everyone for being there for “almost sixty-five years”: “You have made me the happiest person in the world. Thank you for understanding my songs and my art, if I have it, thank you for these wonderful years.” And of course he concluded by singing. And he left, with the biggest smile and eyes full of emotion.
