The MTV Video Music Awards are upon us, and nothing can prepare us whatever sweet hell of pop culture it will bring. The past two years have seen a former child star twerk off her Disney chains and Beyoncé, arguably one of the most influential people in the world, perform in front the word “feminist.” Whatever’s next is going to be something else, but predicting what is a waste of time at this point. Let’s examine the nominees to get the imagination juices flowing.
It should come as no surprise that Taylor Swift has the most nominations with nine nods. Beyoncé comes in at a close second with seven Moonman nods; Ed Sheeran’s got himself six. The rest of the list is pretty predictable: Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda,” Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk.” We’re pretty stoked to see two different FKA twigs videos getting recognition, though. It’s also great to see Jack Ü’s video with Justin Bieber getting a few nods, too! However, we can’t help but wonder why Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé’s “Feeling Myself” video wasn’t included. Where’s Rihanna, Kanye West, and Paul McCartney’s “FourFiveSeconds”? Devonté Hynes' incredible video with Neneh Cherry for "He She Me"? And, more importantly, isn’t it about time Azealia Banks, after all the pushing and shoving that went along with her debut album, gets recognized for “Chasing Time”?
Anyway, check out the full list of nominees below. Voting begins today over at MTV and be sure to keep your eyes out for the “Best Song of Summer” nominees later this season. We’ll be seeing you Sunday, August 30 at 9 p.m. when Miley Cyrus, once again, takes the stage and hosts the whole damn thang.
Video Of The Year
Beyoncé, “7/11”
Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud”
Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar, “Bad Blood”
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk”
Kendrick Lamar, “Alright”
Best Male Video
Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud”
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk”
Kendrick Lamar, “Alright”
The Weeknd, “Earned It”
Nick Jonas, “Chains”
Best Female Video
Beyoncé, “7/11”
Taylor Swift, “Blank Space”
Nicki Minaj, “Anaconda”
Sia, “Elastic Heart”
Ellie Goulding, “Love Me Like You Do”
Best Hip-Hop Video
Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
Nicki Minaj, “Anaconda”
Kendrick Lamar, “Alright”
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
Big Sean ft. E-40, “IDFWU”
Best Pop Video
Beyoncé, “7/11”
Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud”
Taylor Swift, “Blank Space”
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk”
Maroon 5, “Sugar”
Best Rock Video
Hozier, “Take Me To Church”
Fall Out Boy, “Uma Thurman”
Florence + the Machine, “Ship To Wreck”
Walk the Moon, “Shut Up and Dance”
Arctic Monkeys, “Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?”
Artist To Watch
Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
Vance Joy, “Riptide”
George Ezra, “Budapest”
James Bay, “Hold Back The River”
FKA Twigs, “Pendulum”
Best Collaboration
Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar, “Bad Blood”
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk”
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
Ariana Grande & The Weeknd, “Love Me Harder”
Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, “Bang Bang"
Video With A Social Message
Jennifer Hudson, “I Still Love You”
Colbie Caillat, “Try”
Big Sean ft. Kanye West and John Legend, “One Man Can Change the World”
Rihanna, “American Oxygen”
Wale, “The White Shoes”
Best Art Direction
Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar, “Bad Blood” (Charles Infante)
Snoop Dogg, “So Many Pros” (Jason Fijal)
Jack White, “Would You Fight For My Love” (Jeff Peterson)
The Chemical Brothers, “Go” (Michel Gondry)
Skrillex & Diplo, “Where Are Ü Now" with Justin Bieber (Brewer)
Best Choreography
Beyoncé, “7/11” (Beyoncé, Chris Grant, Additional choreography: Gabriel Valenciano)
OK Go, “I Won’t Let You Down” (OK Go, air:man and Mori Harano)
Chet Faker, “Gold” (Ryan Heffington)
Ed Sheeran, “Don’t” (Nappy Tabs)
Flying Lotus ft. Kendrick Lamar, “Never Catch Me” (Keone and Mari Madrid)
Best Cinematography
Flying Lotus ft. Kendrick Lamar, “Never Catch Me” (Larkin Sieple)
Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud” (Daniel Pearl)
Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar, “Bad Blood” (Christopher Probst)
FKA Twigs, “Two Weeks” (Justin Brown)
Alt-J, “Left Hand Free” (Mike Simpson)
Best Direction
Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar, “Bad Blood” (Joseph Kahn)
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk” (Bruno Mars and Cameron Duddy)
Kendrick Lamar, “Alright” (Colin Tilley & The Little Homies)
Hozier, “Take Me To Church” (Brendan Canty, Conal Thomson)
Childish Gambino, “Sober” (Hiro Murai)
Best Editing
Beyoncé, “7/11” (Beyoncé, Ed Burke, Jonathan Wing)
Ed Sheeran, “Don’t” (Jacquelyn London)
Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar, “Bad Blood” (Chancler Haynes at Cosmo Street)
A$AP Rocky, “L$D” (Dexter Navy)
Skrillex & Diplo, “Where Are Ü Now" with Justin Bieber (Brewer)
Best Visual Effects
Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar, “Bad Blood” (Ingenuity Studios)
FKA Twigs, "Two Weeks” (Gloria FX, Tomash Kuzmytskyi, and Max Chyzhevskyy)
Childish Gambino, “Telegraph Ave.” (Gloria FX)
Skrillex & Diplo, “Where Are Ü Now" with Justin Bieber (Brewer)
Tyler, The Creator, “F****** Young/Death Camp” (Gloria FX)
