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Latinos Shine at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards

What to Know

  • MTV’s celebration of music and entertainment returned to the iconic venue where it all began in 1984.
  • Making history this year for the first-ever solo performance in Spanish by an artist was Colombian singer Maluma.

It was a night to remember for Latin artist at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

MTV’s celebration of music and entertainment returned to the iconic venue where it all began in 1984 and at this year’s 35th Annual VMAs the Latino presence was felt like never before.

Kicking things off for the night was new mom and Rapper Cardi B who opened the awards show with a lively bit that showed her swaddling a pink blanket.

The singer who joked and soon revealed a wrapped up Moon Man took home the coveted statue for Best New Artist and Best Collaboration for her participation with Jennifer Lopez and DJ Khaled in “Dinero”.

Budding singer Jesse Reyez who hails from Toronto, Canada was nominated for her song “Gatekeeper” in two categories; Push Artist of the Year and the Video With A Message category.

The outspoken singer who celebrated her Colombian roots while wearing a colorful yellow, red and blue bracelet during her performance on top of an embroidered note that spoke of her support in the MeToo movement and the immigrant kids separated from their families, came out empty handed but managed to deliver a memorable performance of her brand new track “Apple Juice”.

This year the return of the Best Latin category re-emerged at the VMAs for the first time since 2003 with a star-studded line-up of Lain nominees that included; Luis Fonsi and Demi Lovato for “Echame La Culpa”, Daddy Yankee for “Dura”, Shakira ft. Maluma for “Chantaje”, J Balvin ft. Willy Williams for “Mi Gente” and Maluma for “Felices Los 4”

The Best Latin category winner this year was Colombian Reggaeton star J Balvin who was not present to accept his first-ever Moon Man for his summer anthem “Mi Gente” in which he collaborated with French DJ Willy Williams who did manage to accept the statue on their behalf.

Mexican-Cuban Singer Camila Cabello’s “Havana” collaboration with Young Thug was nominated in five notable categories that included Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, Pop Video of the Year, Song of the Year and Choreography of the Year.

Out of those five categories Cabello took home two trophies, one for Artist of the Year and the other for the big Video of the Year category, which she was presented by non-other than Madonna.

Making history this year for the first-ever solo performance in Spanish by an artist was Colombian singer Maluma, better known to his legion of fans as the “Pretty Boy Dirty Boy”.

The Colombian heartthrob whose name appeared in two categories (Video of the Year for “Chantaje with Shakira and Best Latin for “Felices los 4” delivered a sexy and sensuous performance for his hit song “Felices los 4”.

Amongst all the great performances and award presentations, arguably one of the must-see moments of the night came when dancer, actress and singer Jennifer Lopez was honored with the show’s prestigious Michael Jackson Vanguard Award.

The singer who was celebrated for her lifetime achievement in her 20+ year career gave an electrifying 15 minute performance where she sang all of the hits that have made her a household name all over the globe.

But Latin artists and their achievements were not the only things making waves last night at the VMAs. This year, Latino culture and issues were also front and center.

Singer Logic who often sings about strong social issues used his time on stage to shine a light on the current immigration issue in the country.

Logic in protest of President Trump’s immigration policies sang his single “One Day” while wearing a black t-shirt with the words “F*ck the Wall” written across his chest.

The singer brought with him on stage members and children from the National Domestic Workers Alliance, United We Dream and Make the Road New York who by the way wore t-shirts wit he words “We Are ALL Human Beings” on them.

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