Announcing his bid to run for America's top job and replace President Barack Obama in June (15), Trump said he would crack down on immigration issues, and suggested many Mexicans living in the U.S. were "rapists" who brought crime and drugs to the country.

His remarks led to a public outcry and bosses at a trio of TV networks pulled their coverage of the property tycoon's Miss America pageant as part of the fall-out.

Trump was also attacked by musicians Ricky Martin, J. Balvin and Wisin, among many Latinos who took offence.

And now the head of the Latin Recording Academy, Gabriel Abaroa, Jr. has taken the unprecedented step of getting involved in a non-music issue, releasing a statement attacking Trump.

He writes, "Whether you’re talking about Mexico, South America, Central America, Spain or Portugal, Latin culture has been so beautifully intertwined into American culture that it is almost imperceptible to recognize the benefits of that integration.

"Nonetheless, we should not take for granted the countless contributions Latinos make to American culture. Given his recent statements, Mr. Trump needs a respectful reminder of that fact. This denial of Latino contributions and the division it will create cannot be tolerated, and we appeal to Mr. Trump to discontinue his affront on the millions of Latinos who have helped make America the great nation it is.

"Just as music brings people together, so, too, should those who aim to lead us.”

Last week (ends28Aug15), Ricky Martin fired off a lengthy statement directed at Trump, after the businessman kicked a top Univision network news man out of a press conference for refusing to sit down after asking a question about the politician's immigration reform plans.