Shelly Lares accepts an award at Premios Tejano Mundial 2025 in San Antonio, Texas, on Feb. 20, 2025. | Credit: Isaac Castillo / Tejano Nation
SAN ANTONIO, TX — Tejano music legend Shelly Lares had a spectacular night at the 5th Annual Premios Tejano Mundial 2025, held Thursday evening (Feb. 20) at the Alzafar Shrine Auditorium in San Antonio, Texas. The iconic performer, who retired from touring a couple of years ago, won three out of the six categories she was nominated for. Among her victories were the prestigious Songwriter and Producer of the Year awards, as well as Gospel Song of the Year for her inspiring track, “I’m Free.”
Lares, known as “Little Miss Dynamite,” has continued to shape the future of Tejano music with her Shellshock Records 3 imprint, where she mentors and produces emerging artists. Many of her protégés were also nominated at this year’s Premios Tejano Mundial, further highlighting her influential role in the genre’s ongoing evolution.
Other notable winners at the awards ceremony included Bobby Pulido, who took home the coveted Entertainer of the Year award, and rising star Gabriella Martinez, who won Social Artist of the Year for the second consecutive year. Tejano legends Culturas were recognized with the Album of the Year award for their highly anticipated comeback album 92/24.
Gabriella Martinez accepts the Social Artist of the Year Award for a second consecutive year at Premios Tejano Mundial 2025 in San Antonio, Texas, on Feb. 20, 2025. | Credit: Isaac Castillo / Tejano Nation.
The night was filled with incredible performances from artists like Ricardo Castillon Y La Diferenzia, Michael Salgado, and more. A special tribute to the late Tejano TV icon Johnny Canales was also a highlight of the evening. Stefani Montiel delivered an emotional tribute performance in honor of Canales, who was posthumously recognized with the Academy of Tejano Music’s Lifetime Achievement Award. His wife, Nora Canales, and their two daughters accepted the award on his behalf.
Stefani Montiel performs at Premios Tejano Mundial 2025 in San Antonio, Texas, on Feb. 20, 2025. | Credit: Isaac Castillo / Tejano Nation
Premios Tejano Mundial is more than just an awards show—it’s a celebration of the Tejano music community. The event recognizes the dedication and hard work of artists, creators, and fans who continue to elevate the genre. The Academy of Tejano Music, a 501c(3) non-profit organization, is dedicated to preserving the history of Tejano music while educating future generations. The Academy plays a key role in advocating for the continued advancement and recognition of Tejano music through events like Premios Tejano Mundial.
For more information about the event and the Academy, visit tejanomundial.com and academyoftejanomusic.org.
Premios Tejano Mundial 2025 Top 5 Nominees and Winners:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Gabriella Martinez
Stefani Montiel
Bobby Pulido — WINNER!
Adelaido “Payo” Solis III (Grupo Frontera)
Jesse Turner (Siggno)
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
LiLi Bella
Elijah Ezequiel — WINNER!
Melo Hernandez
Victoria Isabella
Gabby Jimenez
Stephen Loren
GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
Elida Y Avante
Intocable — WINNER!
La Mafia
Los Palominos
Siggno
SOCIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Edwin Baltierra
Gabriella Martinez — WINNER!
Stefani Montiel
Gabriella Salazar
Jesse Turner
FEMALE VOCAL PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Cuando Estoy Contigo (Allie)
Karma (Angelica Alcoser) — WINNER!
No Fue Asi (Arely C)
El Amor de Mi Vida (Genyva)
Por Tu Amor (Monica Saldivar)
MALE VOCAL PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Solo (Nathan Acosta)
Que No Vez (Dee Burleson)
Te Tengo Que Olvidar (El Gallo Dez)
Querido Papa (Lucky Joe) — WINNER!
Todo Me Gusta De Ti (Gabe Rivera)
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
III (Monica Saldivar)
92 / 24 (Culturas) — WINNER!
Karma (Angelica Y Moneda)
Mas Que Ayer (Roel Martinez)
Volumen II (Texas Latino)
COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
Louie The Singer x Frankie J — WINNER!
CHATUM — La Machy x Savannah V
Para Siempre — MC Magic x Michael Salgado
Roel Martinez x Juan Treviño
Rev Ray x Anikka
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
CHATUM (Ruiz Films)
Cuida Tu Mama — Robert Pulido (Interline Films) — WINNER!
Luna (Waldo Reyes)
Querido Papa (Ryan Bazan)
Para Que (Ryan Bazan)
SONG OF THE YEAR (HOMENAJE)
A Mi Manera — Mateo Lopez
Prieta Linda — Tortilla Factory x David Lee Garza
La Luces de Nueva York — Elijah Ezequiel
Si Quieres Verme Llorar — Stefani Montiel — WINNER!
Tus Desprecios — Los Palominos
SONG OF THE YEAR – BALADA
Dulce Venganza (Monica Saldivar)
Mujer (Pete Astudillo) — WINNER!
Nadie Te Va Querer (Gabriella Salazar)
Quien Tuvo La Culpa (Carlos P Garcia x Shelly Lares)
Tengo Algo Pendiente (Juan Treviño
SONG OF THE YEAR – CHICANO
Hermanito Mio (Rick Balderrama)
Mentirosa (David Marez) — WINNER!
Por Tu Amor (Monica Saldivar)
Quien Sera (Willie “The Kid” Cantu & Starlight Band)
Te Amo (Ray Ray Y Centura)
SONG OF THE YEAR – CONJUNTO
Amor De Lejos (Monica Saldivar)
El Mosquito (The Ybarra Boyz) — WINNER!
Mujeres Tambien (Joanna Rae)
Quiero (Angelica Y Moneda)
Tus Mentiras (Alizé Niño)
SONG OF THE YEAR – CROSSOVER
CHATUM (La Machy x Savannah V) — WINNER!
Forever (Destiny Navaira)
My Heart Is Not A Toy (Gabriella Martinez)
Para Siempre (MC Magic x Michael Salgado)
Tu ’Nada Que Ver’ (Las Fenix)
SONG OF THE YEAR – CUMBIA
Cuando Estoy Contigo (Allie)
El Amore De Mi Vida (Genyva)
No Regreses (Las Fenix)
Para Que (Monica Saldivar) — WINNER!
Solo Tu BB (Vanita Leo)
SONG OF THE YEAR – CUMBIA POP
Chica Bonita (DJ Kane)
Mujer Sensual (Jenny B)
Puro Pinche Party (Tarasca Tropical x Lee Valentine x Principe Q)
Te Digo Adios (Papushi) — WINNER!
To’a La Noche (Amanda Solis)
SONG OF THE YEAR – GOSPEL
Divina Virgen De Guadalupe (Los Arcos Hermanos Peña)
Eran Cien Años (Emanuel J)
Gracias A Mi Dios (Emanuel J)
I’m Free (Shelly Lares) — WINNER!
Incomparable Amor (Jerry Rodriguez x DJ Kane)
SONG OF THE YEAR – Mariachi
Divina Virgen De Guadalupe (Los Arcos Hermanos Peña)
Dulce Venganza (Monica Saldivar)
Eran Cien Años (Emanuel J)
Que Culpa Tiene El Alcohol (Crystal Torres)
Te Tengo Que Olvidar (El Gallo Dez) — WINNER!
SONG OF THE YEAR – Norteño
Amor A Medias (La Calma)
El Primer Te Amo (Siggno)
Ojalá Estuvieras Aquí (Intocable)
Quédate Bebé (Grupo Frontera) — WINNER!
Solo (Nathan Acosta)
SONG OF THE YEAR – PROGRESSIVE
Adonde Me Llevas (Stevie D) — WINNER!
Regalo De Amor (Culturas)
Te Amo (Ray Ray y Calentura)
Todo Me Gusta De Ti (Texas Latino)
Y Voy Hacer Feliz (Art Tigerina Band)
SONG OF THE YEAR – COUNTRY
Cold Beer John Deere (Stephen Loren)
Dream Of You (Chase The Night)
Full Moon (Percy Cardona)
She’s A Trailblazer (Shelly Lares)
Womanizer (Sunny Sauceda) — WINNER!
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Rene De La Cerda
Shelly Lares — WINNER!
Juan Treviño
Javier Villarreal
Gabriel Zavala
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Severo “Sevy” Contreras
Shelly Lares — WINNER!
Mario Ortiz
Javier Villarreal
Gabriel Zavala
ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Severo “Sevy” Contreras
Aaron Holler
Shelly Lares
Gilbert Velasquez
Gabriel Zavala — WINNER!
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