Spanish legend Raphael is being honored with the coveted La Musa Living Legend Award at the 2018 La Musa Awards.
Hosted by Spotify, the awards are the top event of the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame, which came to be in 2012. The event celebrates Latinx voices in music, from songwriters to composers. The prestigious Living Legend award is fitting for Raphael seeing as the icon has released music for over half a century.
“It is an honor for me to receive the Living Legend Award at Premios La Musa; whose aim is to reward the Latin artists and composers,” Raphael said in a statement. “This is the home of the greatest Spanish music writers and I have the privilege to know some of them very well.”
Raphael started out in the Spanish music scene at 19 when he won first place at the Benidorm Festival in 1962. His first album was released in 1965, and since then, he’s released more than 60 Spanish language albums. Additionally, he’s presided on stages all over the world; performing in Japanese, German and Spanish. Some of the singer’s most notable songs include, “Mi Gran Noche,” “En Carne Viva” and “Yo Soy Aquél.”
There’s no denying that because of his stellar career, and many accolades, he is well deserving of this award. Founders of the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame (LSHOF) Desmond Child and Rudy Perez echo these sentiments.
“Raphael is the consummate artist for all the ages… a true Living Legend,” they said in a joint statement. “His timeless music and distinctive voice have brought the entire world to Latin music where they have stayed. Breaking all barriers and inspiring countless singers and music-makers to build the vibrant and successful Latin music industry of today.”
The sixth annual La Musa awards will take place on October 18 at the James L. Knight Center in Miami
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