MTV VMAs Nominees Spark Cultural Debate

The upcoming 2024 MTV Video Music Awards have sparked controversy, particularly around the Best Afrobeats Artist category, which features American artists like Usher and Chris Brown. Music journalist Joey Akan has criticized the nomination of Usher, claiming it signifies a loss of cultural ownership in Afrobeats as non-Africans dominate the genre. Meanwhile, Latin artists such as Anitta, Rauw Alejandro, and Bad Bunny have received significant nominations, with Alejandro leading among Latino nominees. Taylor Swift tops the overall nominations with ten, followed by Post Malone with nine; Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Drake are key competitors in the hip-hop categories. The awards will be broadcast live from New York on September 10, with fan voting open until August 30. The inclusion of international artists in traditionally African categories has led to mixed reactions from fans, raising questions about the future of these genres.