From Caracas to the world, Oscar D’León’s five-decade legacy embodies the enduring spirit of salsa across generations
In October 2024, Rolling Stone ranked D’León’s Y Su Salsa Mayor No. 6 among its 50 Greatest Salsa Albums of All Time
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) announced today that Venezuelan Singer/Musician Oscar D’León, internationally known as “El Sonero del Mundo,” will receive the Legend Award at the 39th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards in recognition of his extraordinary five-decade career as one of the most important exponents of Afro-Caribbean music, with an enduring influence that spans the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
The Awards will take place on September 10, 2026, at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. Oscar D’León will be recognized alongside the other 2026 honorees, including Rapper Eladio Carrión (Inspira Award); Rep. Joaquin Castro (Public Service Award); Singer-Songwriter Mon Laferte (Social Justice Award); Singer-Songwriter-actress Ximena Sariñana (Music Award); and the People of Minnesota (Humanitarian Award). Additional performers, and the host will be announced over the next week. Watch this video to learn more about the Hispanic Heritage Awards. Sponsorship opportunities are available for the Awards and HHF’s year-round mission.
“I am deeply grateful and truly honored to receive the 2026 Legend Award from the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. For more than five decades, music has given me the privilege of carrying my Venezuelan roots around the world and proudly representing the richness and greatness of our Latino culture,” said Oscar D’León. “This recognition celebrates more than my journey; to me, it represents our music, our roots, and generations of Latinos who have shown that our culture has a powerful and universal voice. Long live our Latino culture, and long live music! ¡Sabroso!”
With a catalog encompassing more than 70 recordings, D’León has collaborated and shared the stage with many of the most important figures in Latin music, including Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Cheo Feliciano, and other leading artists of the salsa tradition. These collaborations reflect not only the breadth of his career, but also his place in the lineage of artists who shaped and expanded Afro-Caribbean rhythms on the international stage.
“Oscar D’León is a true musical giant who transforms every stage into a worldwide celebration of our collective cultures,” said Antonio Tijerino, HHF president and CEO. “His voice, spirt and heart have united generations through his timeless performances that continue today. It is a privilege to present him with, what else, the Legend Award.”
D’León has received multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy nominations. In 2013, was honored by The Latin Recording Academy with the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his enduring artistic contributions to Latin music.
D’León’s influence in the United States has been profound and enduring, connecting generations of audiences to the vitality of salsa and helping cement Afro-Caribbean music as an essential part of the nation’s Latin music landscape. His impact has also been recognized through civic honors. San Francisco, California, proclaimed September 15, 1996, as “Oscar D’León Day,” becoming the first U.S. city to formally honor him with a day in his name. New York City followed in 1998, proclaiming March 15 as “Oscar D’León Day,” while Miami, Florida, subsequently designated October 17 in his honor. In 2002, Los Angeles further recognized his international stature by presenting him with the Key to the City.
His extensive repertoire includes enduring salsa classics such as “Llorarás,” “Mi Bajo y Yo,” “El Baile del Suavecito,” “La Vela,” “Taboga,” and “Juancito Trucupey.” Over the decades, his recordings and legendary live performances have helped carry Venezuelan salsa and the broader Afro-Caribbean musical tradition to audiences around the world. Learn more about Oscar D’León, “El Sonero del Mundo,” and his five-decade musical legacy HERE.
The Hispanic Heritage Awards are considered among the highest honors for Latinos by Latinos The Awards were established by the White House in 1988 to commemorate the creation of Hispanic Heritage Month in America and are recognized as “America’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration” and supported by more than 40 national, Latino-serving institutions.
Past Awardees have included: Rita Moreno, Gloria Estefan, Bad Bunny, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Ricky Martin, Fania All-Stars, Junot Diaz, José Feliciano, Isabel Allende, Carolina Herrera, Jose Andres, Carlos Vives, Alejandro Sanz, Juanes, Antonio Banderas, Juan Luis Guerra, Anthony Quinn, J Balvin, Zoe Saldaña, Los Tigres Del Norte, Oscar de la Hoya, America Ferrera, Pedro Martinez, Astronaut Dr. Ellen Ochoa, Gael Garcia Bernal, Carlos Santana, Salma Hayek, Linda Ronstadt, Richard “Crazy Legs” Colon, and many others. Find all past HHA Honorees HERE.
About the Hispanic Heritage Awards
The Hispanic Heritage Awards serve as a launch of HHF’s year-round mission, focused on economic mobility, stronger communities, positive narratives and cultural pride through education, workforce development, service, societal impact, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Visit https://hhflink.org/WeAreHere for a video highlighting HHF’s award winning programs, and visit the website at www.HispanicHeritage.org. Follow HHF on Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok. Listen to the HHF podcast Fritanga on your favorite streaming service and HHF YouTube channel.
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For more information on the 39th Hispanic Heritage Awards, please contact John Reilly, [email protected] or Nicolás Peña, [email protected]
For Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Jessica Herrera [email protected]
