MTV announced the nominees for the 2019 Video Music Awards on Tuesday. The Best Latin category is back for a second year and it’s stacked with the heavy hitters of the genre. Last year’s winner for “Mi Gente,” Colombian reggaetonero J Balvin, is nominated twice in the category. His competition then, fellow Colombian superstar Maluma, and Puerto Rican icon Daddy Yankee, return with their latest hits. First-time nominees include música urbana power couple Anuel AA and Karol G, Balvin’s Oasis collaborator Bad Bunny, and rising Spanish artist Rosalía.
As a testament to Latin and Spanish-language music’s mainstream success, most of the nominees in Best Latin have not only charted on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, but also appeared on the all-genre Hot 100 chart. Beyond this category, a few Latin music acts have earned nods in other places. Latin boy band CNCO is up for MTV Push Artist of the Year, Puerto Rican singer Ozuna is up for Best Dance thanks to his feature on DJ Snake’s “Taki Taki,” and La Rosalía made the Best New Artist category.
With the fierce competition in the Best Latin category, here are the six music videos vying for the coveted VMA Moon Person.
The 2019 Video Music Awards will air on Aug. 26 on MTV.
1
Anuel AA & Karol G - "Secreto"
Puerto Rican trapero Anuel AA and Colombian reggaetonera Karol G revealed their relationship to the world in January with the “Secreto” music video. They put their love for each other on display in home videos that are no longer private. The song reached No. 68 on the Hot 100 chart.
2
Bad Bunny - "Mia" feat. Drake
Bad Bunny scored one of the biggest hits last year fully in Spanish with “Mia” featuring Canadian superstar Drake. The Puerto Rican trapero throws a wild house party with Drizzy in the music video that brings out the whole neighborhood. Their collaboration peaked at No. 5 on the Hot 100 chart.
3
Benny Blanco, Tainy, J Balvin, & Selena Gomez - "I Can't Get Enough"
The mind behind some of reggaeton music’s biggest hits, Puerto Rico’s Tainy, teamed up with his frequent collaborator J Balvin, pop producer Benny Blanco, and Mexican-American pop singer Selena Gomez on “I Can’t Get Enough.” They have a playful sleepover on an oversized bed. The song peaked at No. 66 on the Hot 100 chart.
4
Daddy Yankee & Snow - "Con Calma"
Reggaeton’s resident veteran Daddy Yankee returned in January with “Con Calma.” The dance track samples the 1992 hit “Informer” and actually features Canadian rapper Snow. An emoji-headed Yankee gets the party started. A remix with pop superstar Katy Perry propelled the song to No. 22 on the Hot 100.
5
Maluma - "Mala Mía"
With his rising fame and all the attention that comes with it, Maluma hits back at the haters while living his best life in last year’s “Mala Mía” music video. The song that surprisingly didn’t make it on his 11:11 album bubbled under the Hot 100 at No. 23.
6
Rosalía & J Balvin - "Con Altura" featuring El Guincho
La Rosalía’s music career hit new heights with “Con Altura,” her foray into reggaeton music with J Balvin and Spanish producer El Guincho. The trio take to the skies and party in a private jet where Rosalía flexes her flamenco moves. The song bubbled under the Hot 100 at No. 18.