The accolade was established to recognize the most talented performers of Latin music.
[1] The nominees and winners were originally selected by a voting poll conducted among program directors of Spanish-language radio stations in the United States and also based on chart performance on Billboard Latin music charts, with the results being tabulated and certified by the accounting firm Deloitte.
[1][2] At the present time, the winners are selected by the audience through an online survey.
The trophy awarded is shaped in the form of a treble clef.
As of 2019, Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera is the first and only female artist to have won the award, with her win in 2009.