LOS40 Music Awards

The LOS40 Music Awards (formerly Premios 40 Principales) is an annual Spanish music awards ceremony organized by LOS40 radio, the country's most popular contemporary hit radio network. The awards recognize achievements in Spanish, international, and Latin music across nearly 30 categories. The 20th edition was held on November 7, 2025, at the Roig Arena in Valencia.

How the LOS40 Music Awards Work

The awards follow a multi-stage selection process:

1. Nominations: Nominees are determined using LOS40 radio airplay data, streaming performance on platforms like Spotify, audience engagement metrics, and editorial input from the LOS40 programming team. Categories are organized into three sections: Spain, International, and Global Latin.
2. Voting: Winners are selected through a combination of public voting via the LOS40 app and website, plus audience data from radio airplay. The public vote carries significant weight, making fan engagement a major factor in outcomes.
3. Ceremony: The awards ceremony is held annually in November, featuring live performances from nominated and invited artists. The 2025 edition at Roig Arena in Valencia marked the first time the ceremony was held in that city, after the 2024 edition took place at Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona.

The awards were originally called Premios 40 Principales when launched in 2005. They were rebranded as LOS40 Music Awards in 2016 to reflect the station's broader international and Latin music coverage.

Real-World Example: The 20th Edition (2025)

The 2025 LOS40 Music Awards Santander took place on November 7 at the newly opened Roig Arena in Valencia. Aitana, Ed Sheeran, and Emilia emerged as the biggest winners of the night.

Aitana won Best Act, cementing her status as one of Spain's most successful pop artists since her rise from Operacion Triunfo. Ed Sheeran took home Best International Act, while Argentine singer Emilia dominated the Latin categories, winning Best Latin Act.

In the Spanish categories, Dani Fernandez won Best Album for "La Jauria Tour," and Dani Martin won Best Song for "El Ultimo Dia de Nuestras Vidas." Chiara Oliver won Best New Act, beating out Naiara, Lia Kali, and other emerging Spanish artists.

The 2024 edition, held at Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona, was notable for its tribute to victims of the 2024 Spanish floods. The ceremony became a telethon, partnering with the Red Cross to raise funds. Lola Indigo, Abraham Mateo, and Myke Towers were among the top winners that year.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

The LOS40 Music Awards offer independent artists a direct path to recognition in the Spanish and Latin music markets. Because nominations factor in streaming data and radio airplay, artists who build genuine audience engagement can earn a nomination without major label backing.

The Best New Act category specifically targets emerging talent. Chiara Oliver's win in 2025 shows that relatively new artists can take home awards. The awards also provide significant exposure: performing or winning at the ceremony generates press coverage across Spanish-speaking media markets, which can translate to streaming spikes and tour opportunities.

For independent artists targeting the Spanish or Latin market, focus on building streaming numbers and engaging with LOS40 radio programming during the eligibility period. Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to track your performance across platforms. Check the LOS40 Music Awards website for eligibility windows and nomination timelines.

Related Resources

• Streaming Royalty Calculator - Track streaming performance that feeds into LOS40 nominations
• Target Streams Calculator - Set streaming goals for awards eligibility
• 21 Ways Musicians Can Earn Income - Build revenue alongside awards strategy
• How to Get Your Music on Spotify Playlists - Playlist placement drives the streaming data behind nominations
• What Is an Artist Development Deal - Understand label deals before pursuing awards