Carlos Vives, the Colombian icon who has kept us dancing for decades with his music, experienced one of the most significant nights of his career during the 'Latin Grammy 2024' week. He was honored as 'Person of the Year'.
The night was filled with joy, music, and love, but one detail didn't go unnoticed: the glaring absence of Shakira, with whom Vives shares a history of hits and what many thought was a deep friendship.
Vives and Shakira gave us "La Bicicleta" in 2016, a hit that won the 'Latin Grammy' for 'Record of the Year' and remains a party playlist staple. Since then, their relationship seemed to be one of those genuine musical partnerships beyond marketing strategies. At least, that's what Vives emphasized during his press room appearance at the Latin Grammy.
@bolivarfeijoo La gran sorpresa de la noche en el concierto de @Carlos Vives fue @Shakira en su concierto de miami #parati #carlosvives #shakira #labicicleta #bolivarfeijoo
♬ sonido original - Bolivar Feijoo
The Response That Left the Press Speechless
When LA Times journalist Tommy Calle, asked Vives in the press room why Shakira wasn't present to present the award, and instead Alejandro Sanz stepped in, Vives responded gracefully and warmly, saying everything without saying much:
"Alejandro is my friend; he's wonderful. The ones who were there are the ones who matter because, in the end, that's what it's about. Over these 30 years, you build a family and connect more with some artists than others. I always ended up making music where there was genuine affection, never as a marketing strategy to gain more followers or likes. Being named Person of the Year was more than I could ever imagine."
Although Shakira's absence was commented on, the sheer number of artists that participated in the Person of The Year concert for Vives made it unimportant.
The tribute was brimming with talent who poured their hearts into their performances. Juanes, Silvestre Dangond, Camilo, and Sebastián Yatra—practically a Colombian dream team—reinterpreted Vives' greatest hits, from "Fruta Fresca" to "La Gota Fría."
Sanz, a loyal friend of Carlos, presented him with the award. Sincere hugs and smiles were shared, while Vives, visibly emotional, expressed gratitude for a career that not only shaped Latin music but also addressed environmental and social awareness.
And What About Shakira?
Although many expected to see her at the event, there was no official statement about her absence. Some say it was due to scheduling conflicts, while others speculate that the relationship between the two artists has changed. What's clear is that, for Vives he people who were present that night were the ones who mattered most.
With this tribute, Vives proved that his career isn't measured solely by hits but by the genuine connections he has built over 30 years of music.
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