Grammy noms stick to Latin Grammys picks

One is Fulano, a Cuban-born, New York-bred and now Miami-based singer/songwriter, whose hyphens give some sense of the eclectic influences on his album ‘‘Individual.’’
The self-released set, which blends touches of pop, electronic and folk, is nominated in the best Latin pop category along with Obie Bermudez’s ‘‘Lo Que Trajo El Barco,’’ Julieta Venegas’ ‘‘Limon Y Sal,’’ Marco Antonio Solis’ ‘‘Trozos De Mi Alma 2’’ and Ricardo Arjona’s ‘‘Adentro,’’ which won the male pop vocal Latin Grammy in November.

Fulano, whose real name is Elsten Torres, admits he’s a dark horse, but says it’s great just to be nominated. In his case, he actually means it.

‘‘I was totally shocked,’’ he says. ‘‘Of the five nominees, I’m the one independent artist. I think I had big support from all my friends and colleagues in the music business.’’

Torres was nominated for a song of the year Latin Grammy in 2005 for his work on Bermudez’s track ‘‘Todo El Ano.’’ His former band Fulano De Tal was signed to BMG years ago. Torres’ solo album was co-produced by ex-bandmate Brendan Buckley, who is now Shakira’s drummer.

This year, that superstar from Colombia is up for best pop collaboration with vocals for the ubiquitous ‘‘Hips Don’t Lie’’ with Wyclef Jean.

It’s not the first time a Latin artist, or even a primarily Spanish-language singer, has been nominated in the category. Ricky Martin’s duet with Christina Aguilera, ‘‘Nobody Wants to Be Lonely,’’ was nominated in 2002, while Gloria Estefan and ’N Sync’s ‘‘Music of My Heart’’ lost to Santana and Rob Thomas’ ‘‘Smooth’’ in 2000.

Billboard