The nominees for the “MTV Video Music Awards” were announced, and Justin Bieber leads with seven. Megan Thee Stallion follows with six.
Billie Eilish, BTS, Doja Cat, Drake, Lil Nas X, Olivia Rodrigo, and Giveon all tied for third with five nominations.
The Video of the Year nominees are: “WAP” by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, “Popstar” (starring Justin Bieber) by DJ Khaled and Drake, “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat and SZA, “Bad Habits” by Ed Sheeran, “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” by Lil Nas X, and “Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd.
Interestingly, Dua Lipa was nominated for Song of the Year for “Levitating”, but her collaborator DaBaby isn’t included. Does it have anything to do with the controversy over his homophobic comments?
Voting is now open at VMA.MTV.com. The ceremony will happen on Sunday, September 12th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. This year’s awards will introduce a newly redesigned Moonperson statue. It will also honor the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks for the 20th anniversary.
Here are all the “VMA” categories you care about:
Video of the Year:
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”
DJ Khaled and Drake, “Popstar” (starring Justin Bieber)
Doja Cat and SZA, “Kiss Me More”
Ed Sheeran, “Bad Habits”
Lil Nas X, “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)”
The Weeknd, “Save Your Tears”
Artist of the Year:
Ariana Grande
Doja Cat
Justin Bieber
Megan Thee Stallion
Olivia Rodrigo
Taylor Swift
Best New Artist:
24kGoldn
Giveon
The Kid Laroi
Olivia Rodrigo
Polo G
Saweetie
Best Pop Video:
Ariana Grande, “Positions”
Billie Eilish, “Therefore I Am”
BTS, “Butter”
Harry Styles, “Treat People with Kindness”
Justin Bieber, Daniel Caesar, and Giveon, “Peaches”
Olivia Rodrigo, “Good 4 U”
Shawn Mendes, “Wonder”
Taylor Swift, “Willow”
Best Hip-Hop Video:
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”
Drake and Lil Durk, “Laugh Now Cry Later”
Lil Baby and Megan Thee Stallion, “On Me (remix)”
Moneybagg Yo, “Said Sum”
Polo G, “Rapstar”
Travis Scott, Young Thug, and M.I.A., “Franchise”
Best R&B Video:
Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, Saint Jhn, and WizKid, “Brown Skin Girl”
Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic, “Leave the Door Open”
Chris Brown and Young Thug, “Go Crazy”
Giveon, “Heartbreak Anniversary”
H.E.R. and Chris Brown, “Come Through”
SZA, “Good Days”
Best Rock Video:
Evanescence, “Use My Voice”
Foo Fighters, “Shame Shame”
John Mayer, “Last Train Home”
The Killers, “My Own Soul’s Warning”
Kings Of Leon, “The Bandit”
Lenny Kravitz, “Raise Vibration”
Best Alternative Video:
Bleachers, “Stop Making This Hurt”
Glass Animals, “Heat Waves”
Imagine Dragons, “Follow You”
Machine Gun Kelly and Blackbear, “My Ex’s Best Friend”
Twenty One Pilots, “Shy Away”
Willow and Travis Barker, “Transparent Soul”
Best Collaboration:
24kGoldn and Iann Dior, “Mood”
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”
Doja Cat and SZA, “Kiss Me More”
Drake and Lil Durk, “Laugh Now Cry Later”
Justin Bieber, Daniel Caesar, and Giveon, “Peaches”
Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa, “Prisoner”
Best Video for Good (A new category recognizing positive messaging):
Billie Eilish, “Your Power”
Demi Lovato, “Dancing with the Devil”
H.E.R., “Fight for You”
Kane Brown, “Worldwide Beautiful”
Lil Nas X, “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)”
Pharrell Williams and Jay-Z, “Entrepreneur”
You can find the full list of all the nominees, including the “professional categories” like Best Choreography and Best Editing, at the “VMA” website.
— Jenn
