Anitta, Rauw Alejandro and Bad Bunny lead the list of Latin artists nominated for the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards.
In his VMA debut, Alejandro is tied for the most nominations among Latin artists, as his music video for “Touching the Sky” is up for Best Latin, Best Cinematography and Best Choreography. In the music video, the Puerto Rican reggaeton artist shows a different side of himself as he dances Broadway-style through New York City. The imagery is reminiscent of 1961’s “Westside Story.”
Alejandro took to X, formerly Twitter, to thank the awards ceremony with a brief “Thank you @vmas” message.
Anitta’s music videos have three nominations. Her video “Mil Veces” is up for best editing and best Latin song. The Brazilian artist mixes her funk roots with Spanish pop vocals as the music video shows a passionate, and sometimes controversial, moment with an ex-lover. Her song, “Bellakeo,” featuring Peso Pluma, was also nominated for best Latin song. The pair team up for a reggaeton-style anthem about seduction as they dance in dark, dirty underground venues.
If Anitta wins, it would be her third consecutive Moon Man statue in the category, previously awarded in 2023 for “Funk Rave” and in 2022 for “Wrap.”
She took X to express your gratitude:“I feel happy and very grateful to the universe and my fans” along with a series of emojis of the Brazilian flag.
Bad Bunny is the only Latin artist among the nominees for artist of the year, competing against Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and SZA. He is also in the category of best Latin artist for the music video “Monaco.” The Puerto Rican, like his compatriot Alejandro, shows an older, more mafia-like New York before deciding to celebrate in the small European nation. “The Godfather” star Al Pacino has a cameo.
It is the sixth year that the reggaeton artist has been on the VMAs list and his second chance to win the artist of the year award after his victory in 2022.
Camila Cabello is the only Latina on the pop charts. The Cuban-Mexican artist recently released her fourth studio album “C,XOXO” in late June, venturing into a variety of new genres with artists like Drake and Playboi Carti.
Music videos by Karol G, Myke Towers and Shakira in collaboration with Cardi B are also competing for the award for best Latin song.
The VMA nominations came after a report released earlier this year by entertainment data analytics firm Luminate showed that Latin music is the fastest growing genre on streaming services in the United States this year.
The 2024 Video Music Awards will air live on MTV from the UBS Arena in New York on September 10.
