Latin Grammy awards under way in Sin City

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The half-brothers who make up the Puerto Rican duo Calle 13 posed for cameras on the carpet in Las Vegas, confident and happy and already leading the competition with three Latin Grammys and five nominations.

Most of the 49 awards were awarded during a pre-show ceremony Thursday in a variety of categories befitting the diverse musical traditions of the Americas, including best albums in Christian, grupero and Brazilian sertaneja music

Calle 13's singer and rapper, Residente, ran past the bleachers high-fiving the fans, while women in sequined gowns rubbed shoulders with Mexican regional groups dressed in identical suits and cowboy hats.

With political reggaeton songs, Calle 13 won for both best urban album and best alternative song, along with best short-form music video for their collaboration with salsa legend Ruben Blades on "La Perla."