Over the last few years, the expansion of reggaeton and the rise of Latin trap have been two of the most significant evolutions in global pop music. Stars like Bad Bunny, Ozuna, Maluma, J Balvin, Nicky Jam and others have upended Spanish-language pop with sounds that are utterly modern and outrageously popular.

So when the nominations for the 20th annual Latin Grammy Awards were announced in September, the slight was very clear: No reggaeton or Latin trap artists were up for the biggest categories, which were largely given over to longtime favorites making more traditional, staid music. Many of the reggaeton community’s biggest figures — including J Balvin and Daddy Yankee, a star of an earlier generation — spoke out against what they perceived as a sign of systematic disrespect to their sound.

Like the Grammys, the Latin Grammys have a clear generational problem, and also a genre problem, the byproduct of a voting body that evolves far more slowly than the music world itself does.

And so the efforts toward demonstrating balance were strenuous at this year’s Latin Grammys ceremony, which was held Thursday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, and broadcast on Univision. Though several reggaeton stars chose not to attend, others used the opportunity to advocate for their scene.