The nominations for the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards have been revealed and Justin Bieber leads with seven nominations, followed by Megan Thee Stallion who got six nods.
Bieber’s “Peaches” received nods for Best Pop, Best Collaboration and Best Editing, while many of Stallion’s nominations come for her Cardi B collaboration “WAP” sweeping up categories that include Video of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Collaboration.
Both acts are up for artist of the year, alongside Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, Doja Cat, and Ariana Grande. This is a first-time run for Olivia Rodrigo and she has other four nominations that include Best New Artist, Song of the Year and Performance of the Year, as well as “Good 4 U” for Best Pop.
Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift are among the artists with four nods each, and Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran and Foo Fighters each scored three nominations.
Bieber is actually up for Video of the Year not for one of his own music, but for starring in the “Popstar” clip by DJ Khaled featuring Drake. The nominations in this category are completed with “WAP”, “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat featuring SZA, “Bad Habits” by Ed Sheeran, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” by Lil Nas X, and “Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd.
The contenders for the Song of the Year category move completely apart from the video of the year ones (excepting “WAP”). The other hits contending to be crowned as the best of the year include: “Mood” by 24kGoldn featuring Iann Dior, ‘Leave the Door Open” by Silk Sonic, “Dynamite” by BTS, “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo, and “Levitating” by Dua Lipa.
After a distanced 2020 event, filmed in various locations across New York City and with no audience due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s awards event is set to air live from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. This is the same venue that was originally intended for last year’s show and served as the site of the VMAs in 2013. MTV said it would be working with the Barclays Center and local officials to implement best practices and protocols to safely allow fans to attend the show.
Except for the professional categories that are decided by music insiders, most categories are decided by the audience. Fans can vote for the winners across 14 gender-neutral categories from now and until Friday, Sept. 3, except for the best new artist voting, which will remain active into the awards show on Sunday, Sept. 12. Don’t forget to place the votes for your favorites here!
