Music
Rihanna, Drake Lead VMA Nominations
By LaDale Anderson
Jul 31, 2012 - 6:26:44 AM

HOLLYWOOD—The 2012 MTV Video Music Award Nominations are out. Leading the pack this year is pop-songstress Rihanna and rapper Drake who captured five nominations apiece, including Video of the Year.  Rihanna’s “We Found Love” will battle against Drake’s “Take Care” which featured Rihanna.  Other contenders for Video of the Year include Goyte's “Somebody That I Used To Know,” Katy Perry's “Wide Awake” and M.I.A.'s “Bad Girls.”

For Best Male Video, the contenders include Drake feat. Rihanna's “Take Care,” Justin Bieber's “Boyfriend,” Frank Ocean's “Swim Good,” Usher's “Climax” and Chris Brown's “Turn Up the Music.”  For Best Female Video, the nominees are Beyonce's “Love on Top,” Rihanna's “We Found Love,” Katy Perry's “Part of Me,” Nicki Minaj's “Starships,” and Selena Gomez & The Scene's “Love You Like a Love Song.”

For Best Pop Video, Rihanna once again finds herself in the midst of some stiff competition for her video “We Found Love,” which will battle against Justin Bieber's “Boyfriend,” One Direction's “What Makes You Beautiful,” Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa's “Payphone” and Fun feat. Janelle Monae's “We Are Young.”  This is definitely a tough category. If the public is voting, this is hands down Justin Bieber’s award. If not, it’ll be tough to crown a victor.

Drake is nominated for 5 Video Music Awards including Video of the Year.

Nominees for Best Rock Video include The Black Keys' “Lonely Boy,” Linkin Park's “Burn it Down,” Jack White's “Sixteen Saltines,” Coldplay's “Paradise” and Imagine Dragons' “It’s Time.”  Best Video With a Message contenders include Kelly Clarkson's “Dark Side,” Demi Lovato's “Skyscraper,” Gym Class Heroes' “The Fighter,” Rise Against's “Ballad of Hollis Brown,” K’Naan feat. Nelly Furtado's “Is Anybody Out There?” and Lil’ Wayne's “How to Love.”

For Best Choreography, Beyonce’s “Love on Top,” will battle against Rihanna's “Where Have You Been,” Chris Brown's “Turn Up the Music,” Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull's “Dace Again” and Avicii's “Le7els.”  This is a race between Beyonce and Chris Brown.

Nominees for Best Hip-Hop Video include Drake feat. Lil’ Wayne's “HYFR,” The Throne's “ Paris,” Nicki Minaj feat. 2 Chainz's “Beez in the Trap,” Kanye West feat. Pusha T, Big Sean and 2 Chainz's “Mercy” and Childish Gambino's “Heartbeat.”

For Best New Artist, Carly Rae Jepsen is the one to beat with her infectious “Call Me Maybe,” but she will face competition from Fun feat. Janelle Monae's “We Are Young,” Frank Ocean's “Swim Good,” The Wanted's “Glad You Came” and One Direction's “What Makes You Beautiful.”  I have a feeling Jepsen will win this award. 

The 2012 MTV Video Music Awards will be held on Thursday, September 6 in Los Angeles at the Staples Center.  The ceremony will air live at 9pm on MTV.  One Direction is already slated to perform on the big night, alongside R&B powerhouse Alicia Keys. Other performers are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.