Album 6 « Gallery 680 « MTV Video Music Awards: We predict the winners! | MuchMusic.com

MTV Video Music Awards: We predict the winners!

July 31st, 2012

The MTV VMA nominees were announced today and, in anticipation for September 6 awards show, we thought we’d place some bets on who we think should win and who we think will win. Rihanna and Drake lead the pack with five nominations, but who will reign supreme? Well we’re here to dissect the nominees for you and get you a head start on your betting pools!

Video of the Year
Katy Perry, Wide Awake
Gotye, Somebody That I Used To Know
Rihanna, We Found Love
Drake feat. Rihanna, Take Care
M.I.A., Bad Girls

Should win: Drake feat. Rihanna, Take Care
Will win: Drake feat. Rihanna, Take Care

Drake and Rihanna’s video for Take Care is hands down the best video of the year. The monochromatic clip is simple, but oh-so beautifully shot and the two have never looked better. For something to be so stripped down and so powerful is a special feat nowadays where excess and outlandishness is expected from artists. If Take Care doesn’t take home the prize, we will pull our own Kanye and proclaim that this is the best video of all time (because it’s up there with the best of the best).

Best New Artist
Fun. feat. Janelle Monae, We Are Young
Carly Rae Jepsen, Call Me Maybe
Frank Ocean, Swim Good
One Direction, What Makes You Beautiful
The Wanted, Glad You Came

Should Win: Frank Ocean, Swim Good
Will Win: Carly Rae Jepsen, Call Me Maybe

Frank Ocean has had quite the year so far, garnering a lot of attention for his brave letter coming out as a bisexual. But above all, Ocean put out one of the most incredible albums of the year with Channel Orange. That being said, that might not be enough to stop the enormous streak Carly Rae Jepsen’s been on lately. The Canadian pop singer has dominated the summer with her hit single, Call Me Maybe, and that alone can secure her the spot for Best New Artist.

Best Hip-Hop Video
Childish Gambino, Heartbeat
Drake feat. Lil Wayne, HYFR
Kanye West feat. Pusha T, Big Sean & 2 Chainz, Mercy
The Throne, Paris
Nicki Minaj feat. 2 Chainz, Beez in the Trap

Should Win: Drake feat. Lil Wayne, HYFR
Will Win: Drake feat. Lil Wayne, HYFR

Yes, Take Care is a beautifully-shot video, but what Drake’s collaboration with Lil Wayne lacks in beauty, they completely make up with the world’s best Bar Mitzvah on music video history. The video for HYFR is fun and celebrates Drake’s Jewish heritage without ever coming across as insensitive. If anything, we wish we were there partying with them – where was our invite, Drizzy? Either way, HYFR easily beats out its competition for Best Hip-Hop Video.

Best Male Video
Justin Bieber, Boyfriend
Frank Ocean, Swim Good
Drake feat. Rihanna, Take Care
Chris Brown, Turn Up the Music
Usher, Climax

Should Win: Drake feat. Rihanna, Take Care
Will Win: Justin Bieber, Boyfriend

Okay, fine, we admit that we’re on a bit of a Drake roll, but when pit against the almighty Justin Bieber, the rapper might actually lose his first award. Let’s face it, Bieber’s not going to leave this awards show empty-handed.

Best Female Video
Rihanna, We Found Love
Katy Perry, Part of Me
Beyoncé, Love on Top
Nicki Minaj, Starships
Selena Gomez & The Scene, Love You Like a Love Song

Should Win: Beyonce, Love On Top
Will Win: Nicki Minaj, Starships

Queen B’s always got some of the best videos each year, but our money’s on Nicki Minaj’s summer hit, Starships. Minaj has had a big year with the release of her new album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, and her millions of collaborations, as per usual. Starships is her poppiest song to date and you best believe it’s been stuck in our heads all summer long.

Best Pop Video
One Direction, What Makes You Beautiful
Fun. feat. Janelle Monae, We Are Young
Rihanna, We Found Love
Justin Bieber, Boyfriend
Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa, Payphone

Should Win: Fun. feat. Janelle Monae, We Are Young
Will Win: One Direction, What Makes You Beautiful

Fun. and Janelle Monae’s We Are Young is undeniably a power pop anthem that people are still screaming the words to. Seriously – I can probably walk out the door right now and hear someone blasting it from their cars. But another perfect pop hit came to us from another group of newcomers this year in the form of One Direction, every teenage girl’s boy band fantasies come true. With an encouraging message to boot, What Makes You Beautiful will probably take home the prize for Best Pop Video because, come on, look at those cute faces.

Best Rock Video
Coldplay, Paradise
The Black Keys, Lonely Boy
Linkin Park, BURN IT DOWN
Jack White, Sixteen Saltines
Imagine Dragons, It’s Time

Should Win: The Black Keys, Lonely Boy
Will Win: The Black Keys, Lonely Boy

The Black Keys have solidified themselves as stadium rock staples, quite the far cry from the days when they would cram all their gear into a small van and tour small towns on their own. The lead single from their latest record, Lonely Boy is a perfect example of what The Black Keys do best – pair a stomping rhythm with addictive riffs and a chorus that’s equal parts sexy and catchy enough to sing along to.

Best Electronic Dance Music Video
Duck Sauce, Big Bad Wolf
Calvin Harris, Feel So Close
Skrillex, First of the Year (Equinox)
Martin Solveig, The Night Out
Avicii, Le7els

Should Win: Calvin Harris, Feel So Close
Will Win: Skrillex, First of the Year (Equinox)

Calvin Harris churned out dance hit after dance hit this year, with collaborations with everyone from Rihanna to Ne-Yo, but Harris’ biggest threat in this category will be electronic superstar Skrillex. With a year just as big as Harris’, it’s tough to tell who will come out victorious, but one thing’s for sure – they both definitely deserve the prize!

Best Video With a Message
Demi Lovato, Skyscraper
Rise Against, Ballad of Hollis Brown
Kelly Clarkson, Dark Side
Gym Class Heroes, The Fighter
K’Naan feat. Nelly Furtado, Is Anybody Out There?
Lil Wayne, How to Love

Should Win: Demi Lovato, Skyscrapper
Will Win: Demi Lovato, Skyscrapper

No one is more deserving of an award about spreading a positive message than pop star/X Factor judge, Demi Lovato. The singer, who has been publicly open about her struggles with eating disorders and mental illnesses is not only a great example for young fans everywhere, but her comeback single, Skyscrapper is also a powerful song that definitely touched us when we first heard it. Again, if Lovato doesn’t take home this trophy, we will have to pull a Kanye. Guys, we just want to pull a Kanye somewhere. Anywhere.

Tags: beyonce, Calvin Harris, Carly Rae Jepsen, Demi Lovato, drake, Frank Ocean, fun, justin bieber, lil wayne, MTV Video Music Awards, News, nicki minaj, One Direction, rihanna, Skrillex, The Black Keys, vmas