The media’s Latin blind spot was highlighted with MTV’s Video Music Awards (VMA) nominees this year, as Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee‘s “Despacito” — the most-viewed Youtube video in the world — wasn’t listed as a nominee for any of the award show’s nine categories. However, the Justin Bieber-featuring “Despacito (Remix)” is now receiving a chance for a moon man in the VMA’s “Song of the Summer” category that was announced Tuesday (Aug. 22).
The nomination is the first for “Despacito,” which has stirred some negative attention towards the VMAs considering the song and its video’s massive success. Prior to Tuesday’s announcement, MTV had previously noted to the Associated Press that the remix — which is the second song in history to remain on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for more than 15 consecutive weeks — would be nominated for the fan-voted category.
Other songs that will be vyying for the award are Ed Sheeran‘s “Shape of You,” Shawn Mendes‘ “There’s Nothing Holding Me Back,” Demi Lovato‘s “Sorry Not Sorry,” DJ Khaled‘s “Wild Thoughts,” feat. Rihanna and Bryson Tiller, Camila Cabello‘s “OMG” feat. Quavo, and Fifth Harmony‘s “Down,” feat Gucci Mane.
Vote opens to the public Thursday (Aug. 24), starting at 1 p.m. ET via Verizon UP’s 36-hour Snapchat “Our Story” campaign.
The 2017 VMA’s will air live from Los Angeles this Sunday (Aug. 27) at 8 p.m. ET and will be hosted by Katy Perry.
