Dino D'Santiago wins Latin Grammy for collaborative album with Criolo and Amaro Freitas

Portuguese musician Dino D'Santiago won a Latin Grammy for Best Brazilian Popular Music/Afro-Portuguese Brazilian Music on November 12, 2026. The award recognizes the collaborative album titled Criolo, Amaro & Dino, which features Brazilian artists Criolo and Amaro Freitas. The ceremony marked the 27th edition of the Latin Grammy Awards, which featured a total of 60 categories.

Album production and musical roots

The winning album consists of 12 tracks that are based on Afro-Atlantic traditions. Recording sessions for the collaborative project took place in several locations, including Rio de Janeiro, Recife, São Paulo, and Lisbon. This international production effort resulted in a work that connects various musical landscapes.

The project originated from the 2024 song titled Esperança, which was produced by the Brazilian producer Nave. Dino D'Santiago received a Latin Grammy nomination in 2024 specifically because of the song Esperança. The recent win represents a significant milestone following that previous recognition.

During the event, Criolo stated that the album was created with soul and heart to celebrate friendship. The Brazilian artist dedicated the win to indigenous peoples being massacred in Brazil. Amaro Freitas noted that the work unites the strength of black music and the diaspora, connecting Cabo Verde, Portugal, Grajaú, and the peripheries of Recife.

Award ceremony details and nominations

The 27th edition of the Latin Grammy Awards recognized excellence within the music industry, specifically focusing on Latin and Spanish-language music categories. While the trio celebrated their win for Best Brazilian Popular Music/Afro-Portuguese Brazilian Music, they also faced competition in other categories. The trio was nominated for Best Portuguese Language Song, but that category was won by Johnny Hooker for the song Viver e Morrer de Amor na América Latina.

Dino D'Santiago addressed the significance of the win by expressing gratitude to several nations. The musician thanked Cabo Verde, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Portugal. Dino D'Santiago cited the Portuguese language as the tool that unites these various regions.

Official recognition and institutional response

The achievement received formal recognition from the highest levels of government. President António José Seguro issued a congratulatory message to Dino D'Santiago regarding the award. According to reports from media reports, the President's congratulatory message was published on the official Presidency website.

The Latin Grammy Awards continue to serve as a primary platform for recognizing excellence in the music industry. The 27th edition highlighted the diverse range of musical expression through its 60 categories, including the specific category for Afro-Portuguese Brazilian music that Dino D'Santiago secured.

Glossary

• Latin Grammy Awards — The Latin Grammy Awards are a music industry awards ceremony that recognizes excellence within the music industry, specifically focusing on Latin and Spanish-language music categories. The ceremony serves as a primary platform for recognizing excellence and features various categories for musical expression.
• Recife — Recife is a location that has served as a recording site for musical projects. It is also a place whose peripheries are connected through musical works.
• São Paulo — São Paulo is a location used for recording sessions for musical projects.
• Lisbon — Lisbon is a location used for recording sessions for musical projects.
• Cabo Verde — Cabo Verde is a nation that is connected through musical works. It is also a country that has participated in the drafting and ratification of the 1990 Orthographic Agreement.