Tito Puente to be Honored at Hispanic Heritage Awards in a Special Way

The legacy of Tito Puente will be honored at this year’s Hispanic Heritage Awards. Today (Aug. 30), Tito Puente Jr. revealed he will perform a special tribute to his father at the event. Moreover, Café Tacvba, Omar Apollo, and Leslie Grace will also be hitting the stage. 

The Hispanic Heritage Awards is an annual event created by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. The organization highlights Latine talent in all entertainment fields and honors them with special awards. Selena Gomez, Karol G, Bad Bunny, Becky G, and Daddy Yankee were recognized in previous ceremonies.

This year marks the centennial anniversary of Nuyorican icon Tito Puente. The late jazz and mambo legend was born 100 years ago on Apr. 20, 1923. His son, Tito Puente Jr., will lead a special musical tribute at the Hispanic Heritage Awards. He will be joined during the performance by Milly Quezada, Alex Cuba, and Pedrito Martinez. 

Café Tacvba will be performing as well. For their contributions to the rock en español music scene, the Mexican group will be honored with the Arts Award. Omar Apollo, who recently released his new single “Ice Slippin,” will also perform. Thanks to becoming a strong voice for his Mexican culture and the LGBTQ+ community, he will receive the Inspira Award.

Leslie Grace will host the Hispanic Heritage Awards this year. The Dominican-American star will also put on a performance of her own. But she will not be the only actor present at the event. Blue Beetle star Xolo Maridueña, John Leguizamo, Michael Cimino, Francia Raisa, and Annie Gonzalez will also make appearances. Constance Marie, Pati Jinich, Nicholas Gonzalez, and Ángel Manuel Soto will bring more Latine star power to the event.

Other honorees include Wisin, who will receive the Vision Award, and Mexican-American family food brand Siete Family Foods, who will receive the Entrepreneurship Award. The award ceremony will air on PBS and PBS.org on Sep. 29.