MIAMI -- Telemundo Network and Billboard have jointly announced the finalists for the annual Billboard Latin Music awards.
Kudofest will be taped in Miami Beach May 9 and will air for the fourth year in a row on the Spanish-lingo network May 12.
Unlike other music kudofests, Billboard does not issue nominations. Artists and records are finalists, and receive awards, based on sales and radio airplay reports from Feb. 17, 2001, through Feb. 9, 2002.
Mexico's Lupillo Rivera topped the list of finalists in six categories, including Regional Mexican album of the year and new artist.
Singer-composer Juan Gabriel is a finalist in five categories, among them songwriter of the year and hot Latin track artist of the year. Marco Antonio Solis is a finalist in four, also for songwriter of the year, among others.
Jaci Velasquez, Palomo, Banda el Recodo, Cristian and Gilberto Santa Rosa were finalists in three categories.
Jennifer Lopez was a finalist in two categories, one of which, Latin Dance Maxi-Single, includes two of her songs; Gloria Estefan is also a finalist in two categories.
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