“And the nominees are…” The nominees for the MTV Video Music Awards have been announced. While most of the Latinx artists were relegated to the Latin category, Colombian superstars Karol G and J Balvin are facing off against Anglo pop stars in one of the show’s main categories.
In the category for Best Collaboration, MTV was hip to the fact that there were a few Latin music hits that became all-genre Top 40 smashes. Two of those hits were acknowledged: Karol G and Nicki Minaj’s “Tusa” and the Black Eyed Peas “Ritmo (Bad Boys For Life)” with J Balvin. They’re up against music videos by pop heavyweights like Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, Future, and Drake.
In the awkwardly-titled Best Latin category, Bad Bunny’s “Yo Perreo Sola” (what should’ve been nominated for Video of the Year) is up against Anuel AA’s super collaboration “China” with J Balvin, Karol G, Ozuna, and Daddy Yankee. Counting “China,” Balvin is nominated in this category four times, including the music videos for “Amarillo,” “Mamacita” with the Black Eyed Peas and Ozuna, and “Qué Pena” with Colombian heartthrob Maluma. “Tusa” pops up here again.
Latinx boyband CNCO are nominated for Best Quarantine Performance for their innovative MTV Unplugged at Home. It’s a new category reflecting this time of Coronavirus (COVID-19) that we’re in. Demi Lovato’s “I Love Me” music video is up for Video for Good.
Curiously Spanish sensation Rosalía, who controversially won Best Latin last year for “Con Altura” with J Balvin and El Guincho, was only shown love in a technical category. “A Palé” is up for Best Editing. In other technical categories, CNCO and Natti Natasha’s “Honey Boo” is nominated for Best Choreography and Camila Cabello’s “My Oh My” with Da Baby is up for Best Cinematography. Selena Gomez’s “Boyfriend” is nominated for Best Art Direction and Lovato’s “I Love Me” for Best Visual Effects.
Fans can vote daily on MTV for their favorite music videos in all the non-technical categories. The 2020 MTV Video Music Awards will air Sunday, Aug. 30.