Natalia Lafourcade, Leonel García to light up Latin Grammys

With their album "Hasta la Raíz," Natalia Lafourcade and Leonel García have everything to gain at Thursday's Latin Grammy Awards.

The Mexican singer and her friend and collaborator are responsible for the most nominated album of the year, with five bids for her and three for him. García received three other nods for his own work, making him the night's top nominee.

The ceremony at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas promises performances by Colombian group Bomba Estereo, Will Smith and Brazilian icon Roberto Carlos. Feted Wednesday as the Latin Grammys Person of the Year, Carlos will perform several of his classics. More than 30 performers are expected to take the stage during the three-hour ceremony.

Lafourcade, whose nominations include album of the year, plus song and record of the year for the title track, told the AP last month that she fells "very happy and full of expectations, whether or not we take home the Latin Grammy."

Other multiple nominees include Juan Luis Guerra and Alejandro Sanz, with four bids each; Crooner Pablo Alborán, Miguel Bosé, Café Quijano, Pedro Capó, Nicky Jam and Ricky Martin have three bids apiece. Actresses Jacqueline Bracamontes and Roselyn Sanchez will host the show.

The Latin Grammys are being broadcast in the United States by Univision. For the first time, the telecast will also reach viewers in China.