Ice Spice Named Best New Artist at MTV Video Music Awards

Ice Spice is celebrating another award…

The MTV Video Music Awards have been handed out, with the 23-year-old half-Dominican American rap sensation taking home one of the top prizes.

Ice SpiceIce Spice beat out the likes of Peso Pluma, Renee Rapp, GloRilla, Kaliii and PinkPantheress for the Best New Artist award.

It’s the first MTV VMAs award of her young career. She joins previous Latinx Best New Artist winners Cardi B (2018) and Fifth Harmony with Latina members Camila Cabello, Lauren Jauregui and Ashley Brooke (2014).

Shakira, who was awarded the Video Vanguard Award, and Karol G picked up the award for Best Collaboration for the music video for their hit single “TQG.” It’s Shakira’s second win in the category following her win alongside Beyonce in 2007 for “Beautiful Liar.”

Anitta won the Best Latin award for her “Funk Rave” music video. It’s her second consecutive win in the category after winning last year for “Envolver.

Selena Gomez and Rema took home the Best Afrobeats prize for the hit single “Calm Down.”

The awards show was broadcast live from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Tuesday, September 12, for the milestone 40th annual awards show.

Here’s the full list of 2023 MTV VMAs winners:

Video Vanguard Award
Shakira

Global Icon Award
Diddy

Video of the Year
Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”

Song of the Year
Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”

Artist of the Year
Taylor Swift

Best New Artist
Ice Spice

Push Performance of the Year
Tomorrow X Together – “Sugar Rush Ride”

Best Collaboration
Karol G and Shakira – “TQG”

Best Pop
Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”

Best Hip-Hop
Nicki Minaj – “Super Freaky Girl”

Best R&B
SZA – “Shirt”

Best K-Pop
Stray Kids – “S-Class”

Best Latin
Anitta – “Funk Rave”

Best Rock
Måneskin – “The Loneliest”

Best Alternative
Lana Del Rey (featuring Jon Batiste) – “Candy Necklace”

Best Afrobeats
Rema and Selena Gomez – “Calm Down”

Video for Good
Dove Cameron – “Breakfast”

Show of the Summer
Taylor Swift

Group of the Year
Blackpink

Album of the Year
Taylor Swift – Midnights

Song of Summer
Jungkook (featuring Latto) – “Seven”

Best Direction
Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” (Director: Taylor Swift)

 

Anitta Signs with Republic Records

Anitta is joining the republic…

The 30-year-old Brazilian superstar has signed with Republic Records, according to Billboard.

AnittaThe news comes just weeks after Anitta and Warner Music Group agreed to part ways. The two parties released a joint statement to social media on April 4 announcing the news.

“After eleven years of successful partnership, we’ve agreed to go our separate ways,” the post read. “Anitta would like to thank the Warner Music team for all their support. And the Warner team wishes Anitta all the best in the future.”

Anitta signed with Warner Records in the United States in 2020 after previously linking with Warner Music Brazil in 2013. She had long voiced concerns about her relationship with WMG, from the label refusing to produce a video for an underperforming song to advising young artists to pay closer attention to what they sign.

During an Instagram livestream last May, Anitta said Warner only invested in her work “after it pays off on the internet. Unfortunately, there are things I can’t get, that’s why I don’t buy millionaire cars, because when I want to do something, I pay for it.” She added that Warner “is very tied to TikTok, to what goes viral, and if they don’t get a hit right away, they say ‘later.’”

The singer followed that with a tweet thread last month in which she blasted Warner, saying she regretted signing with the label and would have “auctioned off her organs” in order to be released from her contract.

During her run at Warner, Anitta scored a global breakthrough with her trilingual album, Versions of Me, which last year hit No. 1 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart with its TikTok-driven single, “Envolver.” The song’s music video won in the category of Best Latin at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards. That same year, she also performed at Coachella and the Latin Grammy Awards.

Anitta will now join a superstar roster at Republic that includes Taylor SwiftAriana GrandeThe WeekndNicki Minaj and more. Sources say Jesús López, chairman/CEO of Universal Music Latin America and Iberian Peninsula, and Paulo Lima, president of Universal Music Group Brazil, will work closely with the artist.

Anitta is managed by S10’s Brandon Silverstein globally.

Anitta Hints at New “Very Cultural” and “Very Brazilian” Music

There could be new Anitta music coming out in the near future…

The 29-year-old Brazilian singer/songwriter, who earned a nomination for Best New Artist at the 2023 Grammy Awards, has confirmed that her next album is ready.

AnittaAnitta made the announcement in a sit-down interview with Billboard News, describing the next album as “very cultural” and “very Brazilian.” 

“… I do have new music coming,” she explained. “I working on this album, very cultural, very Brazilian but in English and Spanish, finally the album that I think really represents me as an artist, I finally got it ready. And now I’m just working on music videos, the nice part.”

In April 2022, Anitta released her fifth studio and second multilingual album, Versions of Me, which was executive-produced by Ryan Tedder. The album included her massive hit single “Envolver.”

Anitta to Perform During Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty Vol. 4 Fashion Show

Anitta is preparing for a Savage moment…

The 29-year-old Brazilian singer, songwriter, actress and dancer will perform as part of the fourth installment of Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty fashion show.

AnittaThe “Envolver” singer joins a star-studded lineup for the event that includes Burna BoyDon Toliver and Maxwell.

In addition, there’ll be special appearances by Ángela Aguilar, Avani Gregg, Bella Poarch, Cara Delevingne, Damson Idris, Irina ShaykJoan Smalls, Kornbread, Lara Stone, Lilly Singh, Marsai Martin, Precious Lee, Rickey Thompson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Simu Liu, Taraji P. Henson, Taylour Paige, Winston Duke, Zach Miko and more.

The annual fashion experience will air on November 9 via Prime Video.

The follow-up to the Emmy-winning Vol. 3 iteration of the fashion show will feature the latest Savage X Fenty styles from the music icon, and will stream exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories.

In addition to the show airing on Prime Video, the entire Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4 collection, which pays tribute to self-expression and personal empowerment, will also be available to shop in the Amazon store and at Savage X Fenty’s website on November 9.

Bad Bunny Makes History with Artist of the Year Win at the MTV Video Music Awards

Bad Bunny continues etching his name in the music history books…

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican superstar was named Artist of the Year during Sunday’s Video Music Awards, becoming the first non-English-language performer to win the prize.

Bad BunnyBad Bunny was nominated for the honor alongside Drake, Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles, Jack Harlow, Lil Nas X and Lizzo. His hit song “Tití Me Preguntó” also received an MTV VMAs nomination this year for the Best Latin Award.

During the MTV telecast, Bad Bunny performed live from Yankee Stadium in New York as part of his World’s Hottest Tour. Other acts in the VMA performance lineup this year included Harlow, Nicki Minaj, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blackpink, Panic! at the Disco, Anitta, Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Lizzo.

In May, Bad Bunny released his fourth studio album, “Un Verano Sin Ti,” which was the second all-Spanish-language record to debut atop the Billboard 200 chart in the United States, according to MTV. When it came out, Bad Bunny’s latest LP was also Spotify‘s most-streamed album of 2022.

Meanwhile, Anitta also made history at this year’s VMAs as she picked up her first American Moon Person.

The 29-year-old Brazilian singer-songwriter, whose won several MTV Europe Music Awards, won Best Latin for her viral hit song “Envolver,” becoming the first-ever Brazilian artist to take home an MTV Video Music Awards.

It was a highly competitive category, with Anitta competing against Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, Becky G and Karol G.

Here’s a look at the night’s big winners:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) – Republic Records

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Bad Bunny – Rimas Entertainment

BEST ALBUM
Harry Styles – “Harry’s House”

SONG OF THE YEAR
Billie Eilish – “Happier Than Ever” – Darkroom / Interscope Records

BEST NEW ARTIST
Dove Cameron – Disruptor Records / Columbia Records

PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
December 2021: SEVENTEEN – “Rock With You” – PLEDIS Entertainment / Geffen Records

BEST COLLABORATION
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records

BEST POP
Harry Styles – “As It Was” – Columbia Records

BEST HIP-HOP
Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Baby – “Do We Have A Problem?” – Young Money / Cash Money / Republic Records

BEST ROCK
Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Black Summer” – Warner Records

BEST ALTERNATIVE
Måneskin – “I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE” – Arista Records

BEST LATIN
Anitta – “Envolver” – Warner Records

BEST R&B
The Weeknd – “Out Of Time” – XO / Republic Records

BEST K-POP
LISA – “LALISA” – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records

VIDEO FOR GOOD
Lizzo – “About Damn Time” – Atlantic Records

BEST METAVERSE PERFORMANCE
BLACKPINK The Virtual | PUBG – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records

BEST LONGFORM VIDEO
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) – Republic Records

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Harry Styles – “As It Was” – Columbia Records

BEST DIRECTION
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) – Republic Records

BEST ART DIRECTION
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Doja Cat – “Woman” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records

BEST EDITING
ROSALÍA – “SAOKO” – Columbia Records

Anitta to Make Main Stage Performance Debut at This Year’s MTV Video Music Awards

Anitta is ready for a special first…

MTV has revealed the first batch of performers for this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, with the 29-year-old Brazilian singer/ songwriter among those set to take the stage.

AnittaIt will be Anitta’s VMAs main stage debut, And she will perform her latest hit single, “Envolver,” for the first-time on television.

“Envolver” recently earned the Brazilian superstar a Guinness Book of World Records certification as the first solo Latin artist to hit No. 1 at Spotify.

Anitta also is up for her first VMA in the Best Latin category, making her the first Brazilian artist to be nominated for a Moon Person.

But Anitta isn’t the only Latinx artist set to perform.

J Balvin will take the stage

The 37-year-old Colombian superstar will return to the show for the television/world premiere of “Nivel de Perreo” with Ryan Castro, back for the first time since his epic on-stage collaboration with Bad Bunny for “Que Pretendes” in 2019.

The 13-time nominee with five wins also is looking to take his sixth Moon Person for Best Latin (“In Da Getto” with Skrillex), which would crown him as the most awarded Latin artist in VMAs history.

Other performers include Marshmello x Khalid and Panic! at the Disco.

The MTV VMAs will take place on August 28, live from the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

Kendrick Lamar, Jack Harlow & Lil Nas X are coming into the show tied for the nominations lead with seven apiece. Next up are Doja Cat and Harry Styles with six each and Billie Eilish, Drake, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and The Weeknd with five.

The 2022 VMAs will air at 8:00 pm ET/PT on Sunday, August 28, across MTV’s global linear and digital platforms in more than 170 countries. For the third straight year, the VMAs will simulcast on the CW, in addition to BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, TVLand and VH1.

Here are MTV’s mini-bios of the performers set so far:

Anitta
The charismatic global pop sensation is slated to make her VMAs main stage debut with a first-time TV performance of her newest hit single, “Envolver,” which recently earned the Brazilian superstar Guinness Book of World Records certification as the first solo Latin artist to hit No. 1 at Spotify. Anitta also is up for her first VMA in the Best Latin category, making her the first Brazilian artist to be nominated for a Moon Person.

J Balvin
Colombian global star J Balvin returns with a TV/world premiere of “Nivel de Perreo” with Ryan Castro, back for the first time since his epic on-stage collaboration with Bad Bunny for “Que Pretendes” in 2019. The 13-time nominee with five wins also is looking to take his sixth Moon Person for Best Latin (“In Da Getto” with Skrillex), which would crown him as the most awarded Latin artist in VMAs history.

Marshmello x Khalid
Together, Marshmello and Khalid are set to take over the MTV stage for a world premiere TV performance of new chart climbing collaboration “Numb.” Marshmello — a five-time VMAs nominee — will make his main stage debut this year. Khalid returns to the VMAs stage for the first time since his 2017 debut with Logic and Alessia Cara for “1-800-273-8255,” where he also took home Best New Artist.

Panic! at the Disco
Panic! At The Disco returns to the VMAs stage for the first time since 2018 to world premiere new single “Middle of a Breakup,” from the forthcoming album Viva Las Vengeance. The nine-time nominee, who first won in 2006 for Video of the Year, also looks to take home a win for Alternative Video, its first nomination in this category.

TikTok Names Anitta its First Official #Rompiendo Artist

Anitta is counting down to a new partnership…

TikTok has announced the launch of a new program dubbed #Rompiendo, with the 29-year-old Brazilian star the first artist to be featured in the new program.

Anitta#Rompiendo is meant to “highlight the success and impact” of Latinx music and artists on the app. According to the social media company, the program includes promotion, playlisting, inclusion on TikTok radio and a feature on @MusicOnTikTok socials.

Anitta is a strong first choice to launch the program.

Her single “Envolver” has been used in more than 2 million videos after the song and its dance challenge went viral on TikTok. A new #Rompiendo artist will be announced every two weeks.

Most recently, Anitta made her Coachella debut with an epic set that brought Brazil to the desert and featured surprise guests such as Snoop Dogg, Saweetie and Diplo.

In mid-April, she dropped her long-awaited album Versions of Me, which includes “Envolver.” The cheeky reggaeton track peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart earlier this month, marking the first leader on the list by an artist from Brazil.

#Rompiendo is TikTok’s latest effort to propel Latinx creators on the app. Last year, during Hispanic Heritage Month, TikTok and MACRO — a media company that represents the voices and perspectives of Black people and persons of color — teamed up to launch a new incubator called TikTok Latinx Creatives in an effort to help further grow the Latinx creative community on the platform. The 10-week program focused on “nurturing and developing” 150 talented Latinx creators and music artists.

“We’re driven to spotlight and support Latinx talent with a platform that amplifies their voices and a community that is moved by them,” TikTok said in a statement at the time of Latinx Creatives’ launch.

According to TikTok, popular Latinx community hashtags — including #Latino, #Latina, #Familia, #Hispanic — generate “significant” community engagement and have accumulated billions of video views.

Anitta Earns First No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Triller U.S. Chart with “Envolver”

Anitta is trillin’ it…

The 29-year-old Brazilian singer/songwriter’s latest single “Envolver” vaults to No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Triller U.S. chart dated April 16 and lifts into the top 10 of the Top Triller Global list.

Anitta, The Top Triller U.S. and Top Triller Global charts highlight the biggest songs on Triller based on a formula blending the amount of views of videos containing a respective song, the level of engagement with those videos and the raw total of videos uploaded featuring each song, according to Triller. Data for the charts is represented on a Friday-Thursday tracking week, with the latest period running April 1-7.

As “Envolver” jumps from No. 5 to the summit, Anitta claims her first No. 1 on Top Triller U.S., which began in 2020. She reached a prior No. 3 best with “Desce Pro Play (Pa Pa Pa),” with MC Zaac and Tyga, in September 2020.

The week’s top upload on Triller for “Envolver” came from fellow high-profile Brazilian Neymar; the soccer star’s upload has drawn 385,000 global views to date, according to Triller.

“Envolver” concurrently reaches a new No. 70 high on the Billboard Hot 100, accumulating 5.9 million official U.S. streams on DSPs including Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube, and 800 downloads sold, according to Luminate, formerly MRC Data.

The song also crowned the Global 200 Excl. U.S. chart dated April 9; it drops to No. 4 on the April 16 list.

Anitta’s new album, Versions of Me, was released April 12.

Anitta Releases New English-Language Single “Boys Don’t Cry”

Anitta is back with her latest English track…

The 28-year-old Brazilian  singer and songwriter has released the upbeat and undeniable new English-language single and music video “Boys Don’t Cry”

AnittaPrimed to pop off on dance floors across the globe, a high energy guitar-laced beat bounces towards an instantly intoxicating chorus where Anitta dispels a common myth, “Ya boys can’t get enough when the girls don’t need your love. Who says boys don’t cry?”

Directed by Christian Breslauer, the accompanying visual finds Anitta as empowered as ever. She has no time for games or guys-stuck-in-their-feels.

Anitta capped off a banner 2021 with a show-stopping and scene-stealing performance of “Faking Love” with Saweetie, “Girl From Rio,” and “Envolver” during the NBC New Year’s Eve special Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party Hosted By Miley Cyrus and Pete Davidson.

Variety recapped “Faking Love” on its “Best ‘New Year’s Eve Party’ Moments,” while Hollywood Life raved, “Anitta is out here sparkling like the damn NYE ball.”

Her most recent anthem “Faking Love” [feat. Saweetie] has amassed over 30.4 million Spotify streams and 21 million-plus YouTube views on the red-hot music video. Inciting critical applause, Rolling Stone dubbed it “bouncy,” and Complex praised the track for its “blending of their two styles.”

Anitta is currently putting the finishing touches on her debut album for Warner Records with her management S10Entertainment.