The Peppers hit the jackpot anew this year with the ambitious Stadium Arcadium, a two-volume CD with 28 new songs. Dubbed the most anticipated album of the year, Stadium Arcadium is every bit the music event that the media hype says it is. The acclaimed No. 1 seller is the band’s ninth studio album and first release in four years. An explosive piece of rocking energy, the album is expected to equal if not surpass the band’s landmark Californication.
Dani California was also nominated for Group Video, Rock Video, Direction, Art Direction, Editing and Cinematography. The Red Hot Chili Peppers is made up of Anthony Kiedis on vocals, John Frusciante on guitar, Flea on bass and Chad Smith on drums.
An interesting tale is how Hips Don’t Lie which features Wyclef Jean, ex of The Fugees, landed in the English version of Shakira’s Spanish album Fijacion Oral. Her record company wanted to jack up sales and decided to release Hips Don’t Lie as a bonus track. So Oral Fixation got the song and a new title, Oral Fixation 2. Market reaction was phenomenal and Shakira now has a chance to get some MTV Moonman trophies for her collection.
Shakira’s Hips Don’t Lie is also nominated for Female Video, Pop Video, Dance Video, Choreography and Art Direction. With this, there is really no question anymore that Shakira is the biggest selling Latin artist worldwide. The young Columbian girl of the powerful voice and the electrifying moves has truly revived interest in Latin music in a very big way.
Some of the other MTV VMA nominees this year are:
Video of the Year: Christina Aguilera, Ain’t No Other Man; Madonna, Hung Up; and Panic! At the Disco, I Write Sins Not Tragedies.
Best Male Video: Busta Rhymes featuring Mary J. Blige, Rah Diggs, Missy Elliott, Lloyd Banks, Papoose and DMX, Touch It; Nick Lachey, What’s Left of Me; James Blunt, You’re Beautiful; T.I., What You Know; and Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx, Gold Digger.
Best Female Video: Christina Aguilera, Ain’t No Other Man; Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland, Promiscuous; Kelly Clarkson, Because of You; and Madonna, Hung Up.
Best Group Video: The All-American Rejects, Move Along; Panic! At the Disco, I Write Sins, Not Tragedies; Fall Out Boy, Dance, Dance; and Gnarls Barkley, Crazy.
Best Rap Video: 50 Cent, Window Shopper; T.I. What You Know; Busta Rhymes, Touch It; Yung Joc featuring Nitty, It’s Going Down; and Chamillionaire featuring Krayzie Bone, Ridin’.
Best R&B Video: Beyoncé featuring Slim Thug & Bun B, Check on It; Mariah Carey, Shake It Off; Chris Brown, Yo (Excuse Me Miss); Mary J. Blige, Be Without You; and Jamie Fox featuring Ludacris Unpredictable.
Best Hip-Hop Video: The Black Eyed Peas, My Humps; Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx, Gold Digger; Common, Testify; Three Six Mafia, Stay Fly; and Daddy Yankee, Rompe.
Best Dance Video: Madonna, Hung Up; Sean Paul, Temperature; Nelly Furtado, Promiscuous; and The Pussycat Dolls featuring Snoop Dogg, Buttons.
Best Rock Video: 30 Seconds to Mars, The Kill; Panic! At the Disco, I Write Sins Not Tragedies; A.F.I., Miss Murder; and Green Day, Wake Me Up When September Ends.
Best Pop Video: Christina Aguilera, Ain’t No Other Man; Pink, Stupid Girls; Madonna, Hung Up; and Nelly Furtado, Promiscuous.
Best New Artist in a Video: Angels and Airwaves, The Adventure; James Blunt, You’re Beautiful; Avenged Sevenfold, Bat Country; Panic! I Write Sins Not Tragedies; Chris Brown featuring Juelz Santana, Run It; and Rihanna, S.O.S.
Viewers’ Choice: Chris Brown, Run It; Rihanna, S.O.S.; Fall Out Boy, Dance Dance; and Kelly Clarkson, Because of You.
This is the 23rd year of the MTV Video Music Awards. The star-studded ceremonies will be held at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Aug. 31. Among those who will perform during the event are Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé, The Killers, Panic! At the Disco and T.I. More names will be announced later.