HOLLYWOOD—The nominees for the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards were announced and leading the pack is music’s pop icon Lady Gaga. The über talented singer garnered a whopping 13 nominations, the most for any artist ever. She’s nominated twice for the big prize, Video of the Year, for “Bad Romance” and “Telephone” featuring Beyoncè. Both videos are superb, but Gaga does face some stiff competition from B.o.B featuring Hayley Williams “Airplanes,” Florence and The Machine “Dog Days Are Over,” 30 Seconds to Mars “Kings and Queens” and Eminem “Not Afraid.”
Speaking of Eminem, the rapper is having a stellar year. His album recovery sold more than 700,000 copies in its first week and he garnered eight nominations including Best Hip-Hop Video. He’ll face-off against Jay-Z and Swizz Beatz “Onto the Next One,” Kid Cudi featuring MGMT and Ratatat “Pursuit of Happiness” and he’ll face off against himself with Drake, Kanye West and Lil Wayne for “Forever.”
In the Best Male Video category the nominees include Eminem “Not Afraid,” Usher feat. Will.I.Am “OMG,” B.o.B feat. Hayley Williams “Airplanes,” Drake “Find Your Love” and Jason Derulo “In My Head.” The Best Female Video nominees include Lady Gaga “Bad Romance,” Ke$ha “Tik Tok,” Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg “California Gurls,” Beyoncè feat. Lady Gaga “Video Phone” and Taylor Swift “Fifteen.” This looks to be a two-way race between Gaga’s ubiquitous “Bad Romance” and Perry’s summer 2010 smash “California Gurls.”
Best New Artists nominees include Ke$ha, Jason Derulo, Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj and Broken Bells. Look for this category to be a lock for Justin Bieber, who has become a phenomenon amongst teen girls and women across the nation. A possible dark horse could be Nicki Minaj who has had an amazing year.
Best Pop Video once again sees many of the nominees for Best Female Video with the exception of B.o.B feat. Bruno Mars for their unstoppable hit “Nothing on You.” If there’s one thing we know about the VMA’s it’s always expect the unexpected, but this year Lady Gaga may be unstoppable in all the categories she’s nominated in. The one exception to that rule would have to be nominees for the Best Collaboration, which include B.o.B feat. Hayley Williams “Airplanes,” Beyoncè feat. Lady Gaga “Video Phone,” Lady Gaga feat. Beyonc è “Telephone,” 3OH!3 feat. Ke$ha “My First Kiss” and Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys “ Empire State of Mind.” I’m sorry, but “Empire State of Mind” hands down is the most unforgettable song of the year, it’s not just good music it’s a masterpiece.
Nominees for Best Rock Video include 30 Seconds to Mars “Kings and Queens,” Muse “Uprising,” Paramore “Ignorance,” Florence and The Machine’s “Dog Days are Over” and MGMT’s “Flash Delirium.” For Best Dance Video expect Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” and Usher’s “OMG” to be top contenders.
There were a few surprises this year. Britney Spears, music’s comeback starlet, wasn’t nominated in any category; some expected Spears to get a nomination in the Best Pop or Female Video category. Rihanna was also missing from the nominations, I expected her to garner a nomination or two for her sensational hit “Rude Boy.” That goes to show, that not everyone can make the cut. The 2010 MTV Video Music Awards will air live on Sunday, September 12, at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles at 9 p.m. Presenters and performers for the show have yet to be announced, but expect announcements in the coming weeks.
