The nominations for the 2023 MTV VMAs (Video Music Awards) were announced today (Aug. 8), and many Latine artists are vying for a coveted Moon Person. This year, Peso Pluma, Shakira, Ice Spice, and Bad Bunny are among the top nominees.
This year’s all-women Artist of the Year category includes Shakira and Karol G. The Colombian superstars are also nominated for Best Collaboration and Best Latin for their duet “TQG.” Though there hasn’t been an announcement yet on the Michael Jackson Video Award recipient, many are hopeful that MTV will consider Shakira, who has helped push Latine music to the forefront throughout her enduring career.
Selena Gomez is up for Song of the Year with Nigerian artist Rema. Their remix of “Calm Down” is also up for the inaugural Best Afrobeats category and Best Collaboration. Three Latine acts are up for Best New Artist, including Mexican superstar Peso Pluma, Kaliii, who is of Panamanian descent, and Dominican-American rapper Ice Spice. Ice Spice is also up for Push Performance of the Year.
In the Best Pop category, Demi Lovato is the sole Latine artist for their “Swine” video. Cardi B is up for Best Hip-Hop for her GloRilla collaboration “Tomorrow 2.” Bad Bunny has been nominated twice for Best Latin. The category includes “Where She Goes” and “Un x100to” with Grupo Frontera. Eslabon Armado’s global hit “Ella Baila Sola” with Peso Pluma is also nominated against “Funk Rave” by Anitta, “Despechá” by Rosalía, and Shakira’s “Acróstico.” Shakira’s video notably features her sons Sasha and Milan singing with her.
Bad Bunny is also nominated for Video for Good for the documentary-styled “El Apagón.” Demi Lovato’s “Swine” video and Maluma are up for the award as well. In his “La Reina” music video, Maluma highlighted the beauty of Colombian women from all walks of life, including a survivor of an acid-throwing attack.
Taylor Swift is the most-nominated artist of the year, with eight nods. The 2023 MTV VMAs will air live on the network on Sept. 12. Fans can now vote for their favorite artists here.