Social Star Shawn Mendes, Now A Top 40 Regular, Helps Reboot MTV’s ‘Unplugged’ With Live Album

MTV’s long-running program Unplugged has appeared intermittently on the network since 1989. Its latest iteration, featuring social media star-turned-top 40 sensation Shawn Mendes, premiered back in September. Now, Mendes is furthering his efforts to support MTV’s rebooted franchise. He will launch a live album that features cuts from his Unplugged performance, which went down at the Ace Theater in Los Angeles on August 29.

Mendes’ MTV Unplugged album will include live versions of several of his most popular tracks, including singles like “Treat You Better” and “Don’t Be A Fool.” It is available from several major digital retailers, including iTunes, and will be released on November 3.

Before reaching the top of the Billboard charts, Mendes was a sensation on the now-defunct video platform Vine, where six-second snippets of his music earned him widespread recognition. His appeal and influence make him a good choice for MTV’s latest Unplugged album. As the Viacom-owned network reboots some of its classic programs, it is relying on the power of social media stars to gather fans from around the globe. Its new version of Total Request Live, for example, features several hosts with massive digital followings, including Liza Koshy and The Dolan Twins.

As he continues to expand his musical career, the 19-year-old Mendes remains active across his own suite of social media accounts. On Instagram, for example, he has more than 25 million followers, with whom he often shares concert clips.