Shakira and The Black Eyed Peas, among the big winners at the 2009 Premios 40 Principales awards gala

Madrid's sports venue, the Palacio de los Deportes, played host to the music world's biggest annual bash last December 11. For the fourth year running, radio station  40 Principales, in partnership with Ballantine's, celebrated the awards ceremony for the 40 Principales 2009 Awards, which recognize the biggest national and international music stars of the year.

More than 12,000 spectators enjoyed the three-and-a-half-hour long gala, presented by 40 Principales broadcasters Tony Aguilar, Sira Fernández and Frank Blanco, and featuring performances by Robbie Williams, Mika, Shakira, Nelly Furtado, James Morrison and David Bisbal.

Shakira and The Black Eyed Peas were the night's big winners, taking home two gongs each. Colombian singer Shakira won for best international performer and best international song in Spanish for her big hit, Loba; while US hip-hop band The Black Eyed Peas took the big awards in the International non-Spanish language categories.

Malaga band Efecto Mariposa were also celebrating their win, for best song Por Quererte. Best solo performer went to Bilbao singer Fito, while the award for best group or duet went to Perza. Amaia Montero won the jury's special prize for her homonymous debut album; best music video was won by Macaco, for Moving, and best concert tour was awarded to U2 for their 360º Tour.

In the national categories for Latin America, winners included Mirela Cesa, for Ecuador, Akasha for Costa Rica; Fabiola, for Guatemala; Mario Spinalli, for Panama; Andrés Cepeda, for Colombia; Zoé, for México; Chancho En Piedra, for Chile; and Teenangels, for Argentina.

The awards ceremony also paid special tribute to the late, great Michael Jackson and Antonio Vega, for their respective contributions to music.

Proceeds from ticket sales to the awards ceremony will go towards a humanitarian aid project run by the NGO  Ayuda en Acción, aimed at building a sports center in Soacha (Colombia). 

 Further information:

40 Principales 2009 Awards