The US awards season has kicked into high gear. Pandemic or not, award-giving bodies are not going to allow anything to stop them from putting up the annual events. September is the month for the Emmys of television, the Tonys of the theater and the MTV Video Music Awards for music.
Take note, the VMAs will be handing out the Moonman trophies during a live show that will be held on Sept. 13 at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, New York, with strict anti-COVID-19 protocols of course. I do not know how big an audience there will be or how the production numbers will be staged. But make no mistake about it, MTV is rushing things to get back to the normal that we knew before.
Top nominee is popstar and marketing genius Justin Bieber with seven nods. He is followed by Megan Thee Stallion with six and then Billie Eillish, BTS, Doja Cat, Drake, Giveon, Lil Nas X and Olivia Rodrigo, all of whom got five each.
All those names being up for awards is only to be expected. What really caught my eye though are the nominees for the Best Director category.
These are Eillish, Your Power, Billie Eillish; DJ Khaled featuring Drake, Popstar (starring Justin Bieber), Julien Christian Lutz, a.k.a., director X; Lil Nas X, Montero (Call Me by Your Name), Lil Nas X and Tanu Muino; Taylor Swift, willow, Taylor Swift; Travis Scott feat. Young Thug & M.I.A., Franchise, Travis Scott; Tyler, The Creator, LUMBERJACK, Wolf Haley.
Check out those names. Artists Eillish, Lil Nas X, Swift and Scott also directed or co-directed their music videos. Talk about having total control. They write and perform their songs. They then direct their videos. Those of you who follow news about them must also be familiar with the fact that they have a hand in the marketing of their products. Judging from the results they generate, they are also very good at the job. It would be exciting to find out who will win this Moonman.
Here now are nominees for the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards:
Video of the Year: Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, WAP; DJ Khaled with Drake, Popstar (starring Justin Bieber); Doja Cat featuring SZA, Kiss Me More; Ed Sheeran, Bad Habits; Lil Nas X, Montero (Call Me by Your Name); The Weeknd, Save Your Tears.
Artist of the Year: Ariana Grande, Doja Cat, Justin Bieber, Megan Thee Stallion, Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift.
Best New Artist: 24KGoldn, Giveon, Kid Laroi, Olivia Rodrigo, Polo G, Saweetie.
Push Performance: August 2020, Wallows, Are You Bored Yet; October 2020, Ashinikko, Daisy; October 2020, SAINt JHN, Gorgeous; December 2020, 24KGoldn, Coco; January 2021, JC Stewart, Break My Heart; February 2021, Latto, Sex Lies; March 2021, Madison Beer, Selfish; February 2021, Kid Laroi, Without You; April 2021, Olivia Rodrigo, Drivers License; June 2021, girl in red, Serotonin; July 2021, Foushee, My Slime; August 2021, Jxdn, Think About Me.
Song of the Year: 24KGoldn featuring Iann Dior, Mood; Bruno Mars and Anderson. Paak, Leave the Door Open; BTS, Dynamite; Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, WAP; Dua Lipa, Levitating; Olivia Rodrigo, Drivers License.
Best Collaboration: 24KGoldn feat. Iann Dior, Mood; Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, WAP; Doja Cat feat. SZA, Kiss Me More; Drake feat. Lil Durk, Laugh Now Cry Later; Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Caesar and Giveon, Peaches; Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa, Prisoner.
Best Pop: Ariana Grande, Positions; Billie Eillish, Therefore I Am; BTS, Butter; Harry Styles, Treat People with Kindness; Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Caesar and Giveon, Peaches; Olivia Rodrigo, Good 4 U; Shawn Mendes, Wonder; Taylor Swift, willow.
Best Hip-Hop: Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, WAP; Drake feat. Lil Durk, Laugh Now Cry Later; Lil Baby feat. Megan Thee Stallion, On Me (Remix); Moneybagg Yo, Said Sum; Polo G, RAPSTAR, Travis Scott feat. Young Thug & M.I.A., Franchise.
Best Rock: Evanescence, Use My Voice; Foo Fighters, Shame Shame; John Mayer, Last Train Home; The Killers, My Own Soul’s Warning; Kings of Leon, The Bandit; Lenny Kravitz, Raise Vibration.
Best Alternative: Bleachers, Stop Making This Hurt; Glass Animals, Heat Waves; Imagine Dragons, Follow You; Machine Gun Kelly feat. blackbear, my ex’s best friend; twenty one pilots, Shy Away; WILLOW featuring Travis Barker, t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l.
Best R&B: Beyonce, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid, BROWN SKIN GIRL; Bruno Mars, Anderson. Paak, Silk Sonic, Leave the Door Open; Chris Brown and Young Thug, Go Crazy; Giveon, HEARTBREAK ANNIVERSARY; H.E.R. feat. Chris Brown, Come Through; SZA, Good Days.
Best K-POP: (G)I-DLEL, DUMDi DUMDi; BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez, Ice Cream; BTS, Butter; SEVENTEEN, Ready to Love; TWICE, Alcohol Free.
Video for Good: Billie Eillish, Your Power; Demi Lovato, Dancing with the Devil; H.E.R., Fight for You; Lil Nas X, Montero (Call Me by Your Name); Pharrell Williams feat. JAY-Z, Entrepreneur.
Go to the MTV site to find out the nominees in the other categories.