Prince Royce has spoken out after the 2026 Latin Grammys nominations were announced, saying the best merengue/bachata album category includes no bachata albums and only 15% of its music comes from the genre. In an open letter posted to his Instagram Stories, the “Prince of Bachata” questioned why the category exists at all if it fails to represent the genre in its name.
“I’ve always understood that awards are subjective and that no artist is guaranteed a nomination,” he wrote. “But when an institution decides to include the name of a culture and a genre in a category, it also assumes the responsibility of knowing, respecting and representing them.”
The Category That Named Bachata
The best merengue/bachata album category is one of the nominated fields for the 2026 Latin Grammys. This year’s nominees are:
- Fariana’s Música Para Bailar
- Manerra’s Todo Llega
- Gabriel Pagán’s No Era El Plan
- Covi Quintana’s Oye Eta Vaina
- Techy’s Chula
None of those albums are bachata records.
Royce cites the category’s title as the problem. “This year, when looking at the projects nominated for best merengue/bachata album, I noticed that there”, which describes a single bachata album, and notes that roughly only 15% of the music on these albums is actually bachata.” he wrote. “Let’s consider that claim.”
The question was put plainly, without any beating around the bush: “if bachata is in the name of the category, where is the representation of bachata?”
The Album That Missed Out
After Royce’s collaboration with Romeo Santos, Better Late Than Never, failed to earn him any recognition, he made his grievance known. The record arrived unexpectedly in November 2025. It opened at No. 1 on the Tropical Albums chart and No. 2 on the Top Latin Albums chart. Nine of its tracks also began their run on the Hot Latin Songs chart, marking a personal best for both performers.
This record brought together two of the genre’s biggest stars for a long-awaited partnership, with their pairing featured on the cover of Billboard Español.
One of the most notable snubs on Wednesday morning came from the complete absence of the work from the 2026 Latin Grammy nominations.
What Royce Actually Said
Royce’s letter is specific about the math. He calculates that the category’s five nominees contain only 15% bachata content. He is not arguing that merengue should be excluded — he calls it a genre that deserves to be celebrated, respected and protected. His target is the category’s title.
“For decades, bachata has fought to be respected and to occupy the place it deserves on the global stage,” he wrote. “If including the word ‘bachata’ in this category is intended as a way to recognize, preserve and include the genre, then that representation has to go far beyond simply putting its name in the title.”
He closes with a broader warning about the academy’s standards. “We are always told that the Latin Recording Academy awards should not be based on streaming numbers, chart positions, or popularity, but on musical excellence,” he wrote. “On that, we agree.”
“But they also shouldn’t become a popularity contest within the industry itself, where relationships, campaigns or who has more friends carry more weight. Bachata deserves more than just being included on paper. It deserves representation. It deserves to be understood. And it deserves respect.”
The Response From the Academy
Billboard asked Manuel Abud, CEO of the Latin Recording Academy, for his response to the criticism. He defended the voting process while also acknowledging its limits.
“It is our membership that votes, and we manage the process,” Abud said. “If, for one reason or another, our membership has not recognized these works, I can’t tell you why. I’m neither qualified, nor is it my role.”
Abud’s answer suggests the category’s makeup is determined by who the academy’s members choose, not by any official policy or oversight.
A Long History of Snubs
Romeo Santos, the biggest bachata star since the 1990s when he led Aventura to fame, has been nominated for the Latin Grammys just four times since starting his solo career in 2011. Of those nominations, only one has turned into a win: in 2023, for best merengue/bachata album with Fórmula, Vol. 3.
While Royce has not yet taken home a win despite being nominated 15 times, both artists carry multiple No. 1 hits on the Billboard charts.
| Artist | Career highlights | Grammy record |
|---|---|---|
| Romeo Santos | Leader of Aventura, four nominations since 2011 | Won once in 2023 for Fórmula, Vol. 3 |
| Prince Royce | “Prince of Bachata,” 15 nominations | No wins |
The Question That Remains
Royce’s letter raises a simple question: if a category carries a genre’s name, should it include work from that genre? He answers it himself. “But when not a single bachata album is included in the only ‘bachata’ category, this stops being about whether I receive a nomination or not. It’s about representation.”
The letter makes clear that nationality is distinct from genre. Just because Dominican artists are nominated does not mean bachata is being shown, he said. Being Dominican refers to nationality. Bachata is a genre, a culture and a history with its own identity.
What the Academy Should Consider
Royce’s point is structural, not personal. He is not complaining about his own album missing out — he is questioning whether the category’s title means anything at all when the category excludes the genre it names.
Abud addressed the procedure for choosing the nominees rather than what the candidates stood for.
Royce is demanding that the academy hold itself to its own standards. He wants bachata to be recognized, honored and given its due.
Whether the academy will respond remains to be seen.
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