Don Omar, Prince Royce big winners at Billboard Latin awards

Miami, April 28 (IANS/EFE) Puerto Rican reggaeton star Don Omar and New York City-born Bachata singer Prince Royce stole the show at the Billboard Latin Music Awards, taking home eight trophies each.

Prince Royce's prizes included artist of the year and album of the year for "Prince Royce", while Don Omar won song of the year and Latin pop song of the year for "Taboo" and also was named Latin rhythm songs artist of the year.

Mexican rockers Mana and Colombian pop star Shakira also were among the big winners, capturing five and four prizes, respectively, at the ceremony, held Thursday night at the BankUnited Center on the University of Miami campus.

Regional Mexican group Julion Alvarez y su Norteno Banda, Mexican singers Cristian Castro and Gerardo Ortiz, Bronx-based Bachata band Aventura and Mexican band Los Bukis all received two trophies each.

The awards show was hosted by Aylin Mujica and Daniel Sarcos and included electrifying performances by Cuban-American rapper Pitbull - amid a spectacular laser-light show - and a score of other artists.

Juanes and Paulina Rubio took the stage to perform a selection of their hits, with the Colombian artist singing "La senal" and "Me enamora" and the Mexican superstar entertaining the crowd with the English-language tune "Boys Will Be Boys".

Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias won the touring artist of the year prize and was named winner of the "Tu Mundo Award" after garnering the most votes from Web users at www.telemundo.com.

New York-born salsa superstar, actor, producer and philanthropist Marc Anthony, meanwhile, was honoured with the Salon de la Fama (Hall of Fame) award in honour of his musical achievements and his global influence as an artist in multiple fields of endeavour.

Moved almost to tears by a lengthy standing ovation, Anthony paid tribute to his fans and his team upon receiving the honour.

--IANS/EFE

rd