Latin Grammys feature cross-genre pairings

Mexican pop-rock group Camila and Dominican singer-songwriter Juan Luis Guerra tied with three awards each at the Latin Grammys Thursday night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, drawing top stars from three continents.

Camila won recording of the year and song of the year for "Mientes" and for best group vocal album for "Dejarte de amar."

Guerra, whose career stretches over more than two decades, won album of the year and best contemporary tropical album for "A son de guerra," and best tropical song "Bachata en Fukuoka," adding to his previous 12 Latin Grammys.

Some of the Latin world's top names gathered for the 11th annual awards show, which kicked off with a rush of photographers for Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, the groove of Chris Botti's jazz trumpet and a wave of cheers for Enrique Iglesias.

The hosts, Mexican comedian Eugenio Derbez and actress Lucero, worked their way through a list of 47 categories in diverse genres with devout followings across the continents, from sertaneja in Brazil to Tejano in the American Southwest, with some awards presented during the pre-show.

The gala featured some odd pairings: Guerra rapping while synchronized swimmers kicked their legs upside down in a pool. Iglesias performing with reggaeton duo Wisin y Yandel. Canadian-Portuguese folk-rocker Nelly Furtado and pioneering female hip-hop MC Mala Rodriguez getting their groove on with the b-boy crew Jabbawockeez.

But the audience embraced the pan-Latin diversity, enjoying every moment and relishing the artists' exhuberant expressions of Latin and national pride.

Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz won the first major award of the evening -- best male pop vocal album -- for "Paraiso Express," bringing his career total to 17 Latin Grammys.

Venezuelan reggaeton duo Chino y Nacho burst out of their seats when their win for best urban album was announced.

"I'm going to dare to say something that's never been said at the Grammys: Venezuela!" Chino said.

Ricky Martin presented the Person of the Year award to Spanish opera singer Placido Domingo.

"Sadly many artists who I shared the stage with are no longer with us. That's why it gives me such happiness to keep on singing and living days like this," the 69-year-old tenor said.