Glitz and glam dressed Guayaquil’s Sanchez Aguilar Theatre on Wednesday night as the music industry celebrated the fifth annual Premios REM de Sayce (REM Awards).
Jombriel (real name: Jonathan Cedeño), was the night’s top winner, nabbing four awards including the coveted composer of the year and song of the year for “Vitamina” in collaboration with DFZM and Jotta. The latter was even featured on Barack Obama’s Favorite Music of 2025 list.
“I am grateful to God, my team, and my family,” he said in a short-and-sweet acceptance speech. “I dedicate this to my son because I became a father in December. Cheers to being single!”
The breakout star from Esmeraldas, named one of Billboard’s Latin Artists to Watch in 2026, also walked away with the awards for most-streamed male artist and most-played male artist on the radio.
The REM awards (Ranking Ecuatoriano de la Música) is presented by the Society of Authors and Composers of Ecuador (SAYCE), honoring the most popular and consumed artists, composers, and songs of the year. The nominees and winners are based on the local charts in Ecuador reported by the Spanish music operating system BMAT that monitors what is streamed, heard on the radio, played on television, to name a few.
“These are Ecuador’s most prestigious awards—the awards honoring the most-listened-to artists in the country,” Juan Fernando Velasco, president of Sayce and Latin Grammy-nominated artist, tells Billboard. “We have been growing steadily over the past five years, successfully positioning these awards as the most significant element within Ecuador’s music industry, as well as an inspirational brand. This plays a fundamental role in the industry; these awards provide not only recognition but also validation and exposure.”
The evening included unexpected wins, heartfelt tributes, and show-stopping performances from artists such as Dayanara, Andreina Bravo, Jossimar, and Don Medardo y Sus Players—all perfect examples of Ecuador’s booming music scene.
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Below, see the full Premios REM winners list:
Audience Favorite: Andreína Bravo
Female Trajectory Artist (Popular Genre): María de los Ángeles
Male Trajectory Artist (Popular Genre): Gerardo Morán
Group/Duo Trajectory Artist (Popular Genre): Don Medardo y Sus Players
Most-Streamed Female Artist (Digital Platforms): Dayanara
Most-Streamed Male Artist (Digital Platforms): Jombriel
Most-Streamed Group/Dup (Digital Platforms): Unísono
Most-Streamed Female Artist (Alternative): Luz Pinos
Most-Streamed Male Artist (Alternative): Gonzalo Ávila
Most-Streamed Group/Dup (Alternative): Estamos Perdidos
Most-Played Female Artist on Radio: Dayanara
Most-Played Male Artist on Radio: Jombriel
Most-Played Group/Duo on Radio: Verde 70
Composer Trajectory Award: Segundo Rosero
Best New Artist: Machaca
Composer of the Year: Jonathan Cedeño (Jombriel)
Song of the Year: “Vitamina,” Jombriel, DFZM, Jotta
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