People Are Calling The VMAs "Rigged" After This Song Was Snubbed For The "Song Of The Summer" Award, And The Internet Is Infuriated

Like , it was a shoo - in , and now it ’s not even being view ? ?

Now that summer is over, awards season is upon us — which means celebrating all the talented people who make the TV shows, movies, and songs we cry or jam out to (or both, TBH).

And since the MTV Video Music Awards aretomorrow (Sept. 11), the nominations list for several categories has beenshortened— AKA, “finalists” have been announced.

Of course, there are TONS of categories we could discuss and debate over, but TBH, one particular announcement has the internet absolutely furious. And that’s the"Song of the Summer"category.

When you think of “Song of the Summer” for 2024, what song do you think of? It’s pretty obvious: “Espresso” bySabrina Carpenter, which was one of the nominees for this category.

WELL. On Sept. 8, we found out the finalists for this category, and Espresso did not make the cut.

I repeat. ESPRESSO. DID. NOT. MAKE. THE. CUT. ?!?!?!

In a March Madness-style bracket,MTV had readers voteon pairs of songs for “Song of the Summer.” After a series of votes, the finalists turned out to be “Fortnight” byTaylor Swift, and “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” byBillie Eilish.

I’ll also note that “Please Please Please” by Sabrina Carpenter —which fought with “Espresso"for the number-one song ALLLL summer — was included in the initial bracket but didn’t make the final cut. So yet another snub for Sabrina!

And the reason why this is so baffling for the internet is simple: “Espresso” WAS the song of the summer. Everybody knew that. Like, I’m a Swiftie and I’ll tell you: it certainly beats “Fortnight” in that category, hands-down.

Let’s recap: the song has spent 21 weeks (and counting) in the top 20 of theOfficial Singles Charts, including 7 weeks at number 1. “Espresso” also spentall 14 weeks of the summerin the top 3 of theBillboard Global 200 chart, peaking at number 1 in June. And itbroke the recordfor the fastest song to hit 1.2 billion Spotify streams.

Plus, Billboard recently reported that “Espresso” is"the only song with such a perfect recordin that stretch, and more than twice the total of any other hit” — which, yes, includes ALL other nominees for “Song of the Summer” at the VMAs. So basically, it was a shoo-in, a no-brainer.

We even did apoll here on BuzzFeedabout which song was the official 2024 song of the summer, and guess which song won with 29% of the vote? Yep, “Espresso.” By a long shot.

Because of this, the internet is convinced that the VMAs are"rigged against Sabrina"— and it just feels unfair. So let’s have a look at what people are saying:

the song of the summer is espresso and y’ all can argue with the wallhttps://t.co/EH3WrTke4a

maybe they did n’t nominate espresso for song of the summertime so there would be competitionpic.twitter.com/7JQfM3TFdX

fortnight being here and not espresso is crazy who the ass thinks FORTNIGHT is song of the summerhttps://t.co/Zl8YU0nbVh

Taylor Swift in a sparkling dress reacting excitedly at the MTV Awards, surrounded by seated audience members

this is honestly mad . song of the summer ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? these two ? ? ? ? it should have been just fortune babe against espresso in the final two what IS thispic.twitter.com/wo0wt4SheH

Espresso being robbed when it ’s legit ALL I hear this summer is the biggest joke.https://t.co/4FWaWrCNS6

Still confused how espresso was n’t even appoint for summer song when it was literally everywhere .. all summertime ?

Shakira, Karol G, and presenter Ashley Graham celebrate on stage as Shakira and Karol G hold up a trophy together at the awards event

it ’s the manner none of these song were the song of the summerhttps://t.co/8gCllMaPhA

i ’ll never ever ever sympathize how espresso got thin like that was EVERYWHERE even my Elizabeth Taylor swift haunt small campers never take me to dally fortnighthttps://t.co/cim0R6GrSG

so bot did really win! … arianators , you better be ready TO VOTE FOR BILLIE tomorrow.pic.twitter.com/3SLs9Gv3ti

Beyoncé dances on a beach wearing a black swimsuit and sunglasses, moving energetically against a clear sky backdrop

vma ’s are crashing rigged . espresso is literally the definition of Sung dynasty of the summer and i still mind to it . sabrina deserves an apology.https://t.co/umznlKmMpv

Although this is all very infuriating, I’m still pumped to see Sabrina perform at the VMAs and prove that just because “Espresso” didn’t get the award for “Song of the Summer,” doesn’t mean it wasn’t the song of the summer in all of our hearts. Which is what really matters.

A woman with blonde hair wearing sunglasses smiles and adjusts her hair while standing outside, with the reflection of a beach scene visible in her sunglasses

Anna Faris sits on a barstool holding a microphone on a stage with a backdrop of liquor bottles

Anger from Inside Out wearing a tie and a dress shirt, looking furious as he clenches his fists

Sabrina Carpenter performs on stage, wearing a black sequin-lined fringed dress and fishnet stockings, holding a microphone. Musicians play in the background

A performer on stage wearing an orange dress with a plunging neckline and white knee-high boots, holding a microphone

Sabrina Carpenter performing on stage, wearing a laced mini dress with a heart-shaped cutout, holding a microphone

Sabrina Carpenter smiles and relaxes in a classic convertible, basking in the sunshine with her arms resting on the car door

Sabrina Carpenter sings on stage, wearing a shirt that reads "Jesus was a Carpenter."

Now that summer is over, awards season is upon us — which means celebrating all the talented people who make the TV shows, movies, and songs we cry or jam out to (or both, TBH).#

And since the MTV Video Music Awards aretomorrow (Sept. 11), the nominations list for several categories has beenshortened— AKA, “finalists” have been announced.#

Of course, there are TONS of categories we could discuss and debate over, but TBH, one particular announcement has the internet absolutely furious. And that’s the"Song of the Summer"category.#

When you think of “Song of the Summer” for 2024, what song do you think of? It’s pretty obvious: “Espresso” bySabrina Carpenter, which was one of the nominees for this category.#

WELL. On Sept. 8, we found out the finalists for this category, and Espresso did not make the cut.#

I repeat. ESPRESSO. DID. NOT. MAKE. THE. CUT. ?!?!?!#

In a March Madness-style bracket,MTV had readers voteon pairs of songs for “Song of the Summer.” After a series of votes, the finalists turned out to be “Fortnight” byTaylor Swift, and “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” byBillie Eilish.#

I’ll also note that “Please Please Please” by Sabrina Carpenter —which fought with “Espresso"for the number-one song ALLLL summer — was included in the initial bracket but didn’t make the final cut. So yet another snub for Sabrina!#

And the reason why this is so baffling for the internet is simple: “Espresso” WAS the song of the summer. Everybody knew that. Like, I’m a Swiftie and I’ll tell you: it certainly beats “Fortnight” in that category, hands-down.#

Plus, Billboard recently reported that “Espresso” is"the only song with such a perfect recordin that stretch, and more than twice the total of any other hit” — which, yes, includes ALL other nominees for “Song of the Summer” at the VMAs. So basically, it was a shoo-in, a no-brainer.#

We even did apoll here on BuzzFeedabout which song was the official 2024 song of the summer, and guess which song won with 29% of the vote? Yep, “Espresso.” By a long shot.#

Because of this, the internet is convinced that the VMAs are"rigged against Sabrina"— and it just feels unfair. So let’s have a look at what people are saying:#

Although this is all very infuriating, I’m still pumped to see Sabrina perform at the VMAs and prove that just because “Espresso” didn’t get the award for “Song of the Summer,” doesn’t mean it wasn’t the song of the summer in all of our hearts. Which is what really matters.#