PHOTO: TXT and Anitta to perform genre-blending collaboration at the 2023 VMAs

TXT and Anitta to perform genre-blending collaboration at the 2023 VMAs.

Doja Cat, whose “Paint the Town Red” has zoomed to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in just three weeks, had a big night at the VMAs two years ago. She hosted the show, performed two songs (“Been Like This” and “You Right”) and won two awards (best collaboration for “Kiss Me More” featuring SZA and best art direction for Saweetie’s “Best Friend,” on which she was featured). Doja has won one or more awards at the VMAs in each of the last three years. She is up for five awards this year: artist of the year; video of the year, best direction and best art direction for “Attention”; and best collaboration for “I Like You (A Happier Song),” her endearing hit collab with Post Malone. Doja’s first North American tour will kick off later this year with Ice Spice and Doechii.

Lil Wayne will perform “Kat Food,” his new single dropping Friday (Sept. 1). It will mark his first performance at the VMAs in more than a decade. Wayne was once a regular presence on the VMAs. In 2008, he performed in a spot that also featured Leona Lewis and T-Pain. In 2011, he closed the show with “How to Love” and “John.” In 2012, he performed in a spot with 2 Chainz. Wayne is nominated for best hip-hop for “Kant Nobody,” a collab with Swizz Beatz and DMX. He’s won twice in that category, for “Lollipop” (2008) and Drake’s “HYFR,” on which he was featured (2012). Lil Wayne, a five-time Grammy winner, ranked No. 7 on Billboard and VIBE‘s 2023 list of 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time.

Who is Anitta, and What in the World is Funk Carioca?

Anitta – or by her original name, Larissa de Macedo Machado – is a funk carioca singer, songwriter, and dancer from Honório Gurgel, one of the many slums in Rio de Janeiro. She began singing in churches at a young age, where singing soon developed into much more than a hobby. In 2010, after gaining a following on YouTube, Anitta signed a record deal with an independent funk carioca label, Furacão 2000. Following the success of her first single, “Meiga e Abusada,” Anitta signed with her current label, Warner Music, in 2013. While she has been self-managed since 2014, Anitta has also built a team of over 50 people that work directly with her, helping to develop her brand and build upon her massive success.