In a likely preview of the scenario that will take place when the American Music Award and Grammy nominations are announced later this year, Beyonce leads the pack of nominees with 8. Releasing a video for every single track on her double-platinum self-titled album probably didn’t hurt.
The 31st annual Video Music Awards will take place August 24th from the legendary Forum in Inglewood, CA.
Other major nominees include Lorde, Eminem, Iggy Azalea, Sam Smith and Pharrell…again, a pattern that will likely continue with the other major award ceremonies this year.
Usher and Ariana Grande have confirmed performances at this year’s show, with more being announced soon, I’m sure.
Here are the nominees:
Video of the Year:
Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX – “Fancy”
Beyoncé ft. JAY Z – “Drunk In Love”
Pharrell Williams – “Happy”
Sia – “Chandelier”
Miley Cyrus – “Wrecking Ball”
Best Hip Hop:
Eminem – “Bezerk”
Drake ft. Majid Jordan – “Hold On (We’re Going Home)”
Childish Gambino – “3005”
Kanye West – “Black Skinhead”
Wiz Khalifa – “We Dem Boyz”
Best Male:
Pharrell Williams – “Happy”
John Legend – “All Of Me”
Ed Sheeran ft. Pharrell – “Sing”
Sam Smith – “Stay With Me”
Eminem ft. Rihanna – “Monster”
Best Female:
Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX – “Fancy”
Beyoncé – “Partition”
Lorde – “Royals”
Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea – “Problem”
Katy Perry ft. Juicy J – “Dark Horse”
Best Pop:
Pharrell Williams – “Happy”
Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX – “Fancy”
Jason Derulo ft. 2 Chainz – “Talk Dirty”
Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea – “Problem”
Avicii ft. Aloe Blacc – “Wake Me Up”
Best Rock:
Imagine Dragons – “Demons”
Arctic Monkeys – “Do I Wanna Know”
The Black Keys – “Fever”
Lorde – “Royals”
Linkin Park – “Until It’s Gone”
MTV Artist To Watch:
Sam Smith – “Stay With Me”
5 Seconds of Summer -“She Looks So Perfect”
Charli XCX – “Boom Clap”
Schoolboy Q – “Man Of The Year”
Fifth Harmony – “Miss Movin On”
Best Collaboration:
Beyoncé ft. JAY Z – “Drunk In Love”
Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea – “Problem”
Pitbull ft. Ke$ha – “Timber”
Chris Brown ft. Lil Wayne and Tyga – “Loyal”
Eminem ft. Rihanna – “Monster”
Katy Perry ft. Juicy J – “Dark Horse”
MTV Clubland Award:
DJ Snake & Lil Jon – “Turn Down For What”
Zedd ft. Hayley Williams – “Stay the Night”
Calvin Harris – “Summer”
Martin Garrix – “Animal”
Disclosure – “Grab Her!”
Best Video With a Social Message:
Angel Haze ft. SIA – “Battle Cry“
Avicii – “Hey Brother”
Beyoncé – “Pretty Hurts”
J. Cole ft. TLC – “Crooked Smile”
Kelly Rowland – “Dirty Laundry”
David Guetta f/ Mikky Ekko – “One Voice”
Best Cinematography:
30 Seconds to Mars – “City of Angels”
Beyoncé – “Pretty Hurts”
Arcade Fire – “Afterlife”
Gesaffelstein – “Hate or Glory”
Lana Del Rey – “West Coast”
Best Editing:
Eminem – “Rap God”
MGMT – “Your Life is a Lie”
Zedd ft. Hayley Williams – “Stay the Night”
Beyoncé – “Pretty Hurts”
Fitz and The Tantrums – “The Walker”
Best Choreography:
Sia – “Chandelier”
Beyoncé – “Partition”
Usher – “Good Kisser”
Michael Jackson f/Justin Timberlake – “Love Never Felt So Good” Jason Derulo f/2Chainz – “Talk Dirty”
Kiesza – “Hideaway”
Best Direction:
DJ Snake & Lil Jon – “Turn Down For What”?
OK Go – “The Writing’s On the Wall”
Miley Cyrus – “Wrecking Ball”
Beyoncé – “Pretty Hurts”
Eminem ft. Rihanna – “The Monster”
Best Art Direction:
DJ Snake & Lil Jon – “Turn Down For What”
Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX – “Fancy”
Eminem – “Rap God”
Arcade Fire – “Reflektor”
Tyler, The Creator – “Tamale”
Best Visual Effects:
DJ Snake & Lil Jon – “Turn Down For What”
OK Go – “The Writing’s On the Wall”
Disclosure – “Grab Her!”
Eminem – “Rap God”
Jack White – “Lazaretto”