Bleachers, Khalid and Cardi B to Perform on the MTV VMA Pre-Show; Song of Summer Nominees Announced

MTV today announced that Bleachers, Khalid and Cardi B will perform LIVE FROM THE RED CARPET at the 2017 "MTV VMA Pre-Show" outside of the "Fabulous" Forum in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, August 27th at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT. Additionally, three-time VMA-nominated Lil Yachty will serve as host alongside MTV's Terrence J, Charlamagne Tha God and Gaby Wilson. New this year, the pre-show spectacle will be supersized and stream live on MTV.com (vma.mtv.com) and on Twitter (mtv.twitter.com) beginning the hour leading up to the on-air pre-show (3:00 p.m. PT/6:00 p.m. ET) and continue throughout the multiplatform simulcast. The 2017 "VMAs" air live at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.

The 2017 "MTV VMA Pre-Show" will feature live performances of Bleachers' infectious pop track, "Don't Take the Money" presented by Verizon, a special medley of Khalid's mega-hits, "Location" and "Young Dumb & Broke" and a rebellious rendition of Cardi B's "Bodak Yellow."

Additionally, MTV today announced the highly anticipated "Song of Summer" category, presented by Verizon UP, a new rewards program that is breaking the mold with once-in-a-lifetime experiences, VIP tickets to events and everyday rewards to thank their customers.

Voting opens Thursday, August 24 at 1:00 p.m. ET and will run exclusively for 36 HOURS in a Snapchat Our Story that will celebrate all of the "Song of Summer" nominees. This marks the first time Snapchat has utilized Our Story for the purpose of awards show voting. The winner of "Song of Summer" will be revealed during the live VMA pre-show.

The contenders for the 2017 "Song of Summer" include:
"Despacito (Remix)" - Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber
"Down" - Fifth Harmony ft. Gucci Mane
"OMG" - Camila Cabello ft. Quavo
"Shape of You" - Ed Sheeran
"Sorry Not Sorry" - Demi Lovato
"There's Nothing Holding Me Back" - Shawn Mendes
"Wild Thoughts" - DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller
"XO Tour Llif3" - Lil Uzi Vert

Bleachers' sophomore album Gone Now was released on June 2nd, 2017 on RCA Records. The first single off of the album, "Don't Take The Money" hit #2 at Alternative Radio. Ahead of the album release, The New York Times put out a glorifying profile piece on Bleachers' front man, Jack Antonoff. The article, which appeared in the Sunday edition of the paper, states that the band's new music is "anthemic, life-affirming pop-rock." Bleachers will be heading out this fall on their "Gone Now Era" headlining tour.

Jack Antonoff is a three-time Grammy®Award-winning singer, songwriter, musician, and producer, as well as the creative force behind Bleachers. After serving as lead guitarist in multi-platinum band fun., Antonoff launched his solo project Bleachers in 2014 with the critically acclaimed debut album Strange Desire.

In addition to his work with Bleachers, Antonoff is an in-demand songwriter and producer for other artists, including Taylor Swift (he co-wrote and co-produced three songs on Swift's Grammy®-winning album 1989 including out of the woods), Sara Bareilles (co-writing her Grammy®-nominated hit "Brave"), Zayn (co-writing and producing his No. 2 Hot 100 duet with Taylor Swift "I Don't Wanna Live Forever"), Sia, Tegan & Sara, Carly Rae Jepsen, Troye Sivan, Grimes, and, most recently Lorde, having co-written and co-produced her new album, Melodrama. Antonoff also founded and curated the annual "Shadow of the City" music festival, which takes place in Antonoff's home state of New Jersey in the parking lot of the Asbury Park Stone Pony.

Khalid released his breakthrough single "Location" before his high school graduation and it garnered over 1.52 million plays in less than two months, which led to his major label deal with Right Hand Music Group/RCA Records. Khalid's debut album, American Teen, has received mass critical acclaim with PRAISE from The New York Times, TIME Magazine, Billboard, NYLON, and many more. Billboard stated, "...effortlessly excellent...the kid is still so young, but this body of work is beyond his years." Khalid has also performed on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," "The ?Ellen DeGeneres Show," "Good Morning America," "The Late Late Show With James Corden," and at this year's SXSW where he won MTV's "Woodie To Watch" award. Additionally, Khalid embarked on his first-ever headlining tour in both the U.S. and select European cities where he sold-out every single date before the album was even released. Khalid has over one billion streams worldwide across all partners, and he is one of two solo teenagers to reach the top 10 on the Billboard 200 in the last 12 months. Khalid is the face of Forever 21's "We Are Forever" pre-fall collection online and in stores worldwide. He was named "MTV Push: Artist to Watch" for the month of July. He was nominated for a 2017 BET Award for "Best New Artist," and has recently been nominated for a Teen Choice Award for "Choice R&B/Hip-Hop Song" for "Location," and for an MTV VMA for "Best New Artist." "Location" is certified double platinum in the U.S. and platinum in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. American Teen is also certified Gold in the U.S. and Canada. Khalid recently released the video for his new single "Young Dumb & Broke" and is featured on tracks by Logic, "?1-800-273-8255," ?Calvin Harris, "Rollin'" and ?Marshmello, "Silence."

Cardi B's rambunctious spirit and brave tongue garnered instant online popularity, rapidly increasing her fan base. She has evolved into an entertainer and actress and a renowned rapper in just a short time. Cardi has also risen to rap success and fame, releasing her mixtape Gangsta Bitch Music Vol. 1 in 2016 and Gangsta Bitch Music Vol. 2 in January 2017. Cardi B is currently at the top of her game with her latest hit single "Bodak Yellow." The track has continued to break records and climb the charts since its release, currently holding the #3 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it the first song by a female without a feature artist to reach the Top 3 in 2017. "Bodak Yellow" is also #1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart, making it her first #1 on a Billboard chart. She recently made an appearance on THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW to perform the hit, as well as at the MoMA PS1 Warm Up music series. Cardi was recently featured on the cover of The Fader's 2017 Summer Music Issue as well as in a major feature in the New York Times Style section­. She is also heralded as a fashion icon highlighted by ELLE, Vogue, and MAC.

Lil Yachty, aka Lil Boat, is an Atlanta native, Grammy-nominated singer, rapper, producer, creative designer, branding GENIUS and fashion icon. Currently Yachty is on the cover of Paper and FADER magazines, as well as landing the cover of The New York Times Men's Style section and XXL Freshman cover. Rolling Stone says his album 'Teenage Emotions' is a "landmark moment that may change the way people rap," while The New York Times Magazine dubbed him as an artist "that tell us where music is going."Since releasing his viral video for "One Night" in December 2015. , Yachty has been releasing music at an almost unbelievable pace: Following his initialSummer Songs EP, he dropped three more EPS in addition to the two acclaimed mixtapes-Lil Boatand Summer Songs 2-in less than a year. His latest, Teenage Emotions in May 2017, hit at #5 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart and #4 on the Billboard Hip Hop/R&B Chart. And as the title indicates, the set is a reflection of young lives right now, from social media-saturated heartbreak to self-acceptance to the dance floor, caught in a sound that effortlessly, constantly bounces from rap to pop to something entirely its own.

Garrett English and Vanessa Whitewolf are Executive Producers for the 2017 "MTV VMA Pre-Show." Michael Dempsey serves as Director. Amani Duncan and Lisa Lauricella are the Executives in Charge of Music Talent.

Official sponsors of the "2017 MTV Video Music Awards" include: Cadillac, Extra® Gum, PEPSI®, Swiffer®, Taco Bell®, truth® and Verizon.

Photo credit: David LaChapelle

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