J Balvin, BTS Among 2020 MTV Video Music Award Performers

MTV announced its initial line-up of performers for the 2020 Video Music Awards, including J Balvin and Doja Cat, as well as BTS, who will make their live debut at the VMAs. The awards show is scheduled to air live from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Sunday, August 30 at 8:00 pm EST.

The Video Music Awards will mark the first post-COVID event to take place in the Barclays Center. A press release issued earlier this summer shared that organizers were working alongside state and local officials to ensure that the event would be safe, amid the pandemic. Measures include, “extensive social distancing procedures, meaningful capacity limitations, the virtualization of components where possible, and limited capacity or no audience.”

The press release also revealed that the evening “will bring together music fans worldwide and pay homage to the strength, spirit, and incredible resilience of NYC and its beloved residents.” Performances, meanwhile, will take place “from various iconic locations” across New York City’s five boroughs.

Nominees for 2020 were announced last week, with Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande each up for nine awards (including multiple co-nominations for “Rain on Me”). Billie Eilish and The Weeknd are close behind with six nods each, while Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, and Drake are also among this years’ contenders.

Performers BTS, meanwhile, are up for three nominations, including Best K-Pop, Best Pop, and Best Choreography for their “On” video. J Balvin, who recently released his concept album, Colores, is up for four awards, including Best Latin for “Amarillo.” He is also nominated as a guest artist in the same category for two appearances: on Anuel AA’s “Real Hasta La Muerte,” which also features contributions from Daddy Yankee, Ozuna, and Karol G, as well as for Maluma’s “Qué Pena.” Balvin and Black Eyed Peas are also up for Best Collaboration for “Ritmo (Bad Boys For Life).”

Voting is currently open to fans via the VMAs’ official website. Ballots for all categories except Push Best New Artist are open through August 23, while fans can vote for their favorite new act through August 30.

For more information on the MTV Video Music Awards, or to cast your votes, visit the official website.