Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin will receive the first Latin Icon Award at MTV’s music video gala (VMA) on September 7 at the UBS Elmont Stadium in New York, the organization announced Monday.
The ‘Livin la vida loca’ songwriter will receive the new award for his” four-decadecareer that launched Latin music and culture into the mainstream, with more than 70 million albums sold worldwide and more than 180 awards for his music, acting and humanitarian work,” MTV said in a statement.
In addition, the Grammy and Latin Grammy winner celebrates the 26th anniversary of his first VMA performance in 1999, when he became the first Latin male artist to win Best Pop Video and was crowned the night’s winner with five awards.
In addition to Ricky Martin, Busta Rhymes, who was honored last year at the EMAs (European Music Awards) as an icon with the Rock the bells Visionary Award for his “boundary-breaking cultural impact and indomitable musical career,” will also receive a new award.
The MTV press release, which includes several other announcements, also highlights that Colombian J Balvin will be one of the artists performing at the VMAs with his new track ‘Zun zun’ with Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez, and ‘Noventa’, with DJ Snake.
This year, reported Agencia EFE, Lady Gaga tops the list of nominees with ballots in twelve categories, followed by Bruno Mars (eleven) and Kendrick Lamar (ten); Sabrina Carpenter and Rosé of Blackpink (eight); and Ariana Grande and The Weekend (seven).
