The 2022 MTV Video Music Awards are only a couple of weeks away and news of the show is still pouring in. Kendrick Lamar, Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow not only represent various aspects of hip hop music, but by numbers of nominations they represent the best visual presentations in the music industry. The three rappers have racked up a total of seven nods, with both Lil Nas X and Harlow being nominated together with their smash duet “Industry Baby” in five different categories. Lamar has been nominated in Best Cinematography for not just one but for two of his music videos: “Family Ties” and “N95.” Behind them, both Doja Cat and Harry Styles tie for the second-most nominations with six each. Video Music Award veterans—Billie Eilish, Drake, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd—follow with highlights in five categories.
The 2022 MTV Video Music Awards will return to New Jersey’s Prudential Center in Newark on Sunday, Aug. 28. The ceremony previously hit the Garden State in 2019 when it was hosted by comedian and actor Sebastian Maniscalco; last year’s show aired from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Peep here for some of the highlight categories; and journey to vma.mtv.com for the full list of 2022 VMA nominees and be sure to vote for your favorites while there.
Video of the Year
Doja Cat: “Woman” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Drake ft. Future, Young Thug: “Way 2 Sexy” – OVO / Republic
Ed Sheeran: “Shivers” – Atlantic Records
Harry Styles: “As It Was“– Columbia Records
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow: “Industry Baby” – Columbia Records
Olivia Rodrigo: “Brutal” – Geffen Records
Taylor Swift: “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) – Republic Records
Artist of the Year
Bad Bunny – Rimas Entertainment
Drake – OVO / Republic
Ed Sheeran – Atlantic Records
Harry Styles – Columbia Records
Jack Harlow – Generation Now / Atlantic Records
Lil Nas X – Columbia Records
Lizzo – Atlantic Records
Best New Artist
Baby Keem – Columbia Records
Dove Cameron – Disruptor Records / Columbia Records
Gayle – Atlantic Records / Arthouse Records
Latto – Streamcut / RCA Records
Måneskin – Arista Records
Seventeen – Pledis Entertainment / Geffen Records
Best Collaboration
Drake ft. Future, Young Thug: “Way 2 Sexy” – OVO / Republic
Elton John, Dua Lipa: “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” – EMI / Interscope Records
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow: “Industry Baby” – Columbia Records
Megan Thee Stallion, Dua Lipa: “Sweetest Pie” – 300 Entertainment
Post Malone, The Weeknd: “One Right Now” – Mercury Records / Republic Records
Rosalía ft. The Weeknd: “La Fama” – Columbia Records
The Kid Laroi, Justin Bieber: “Stay” – Columbia Records
Best Hip Hop
Eminem, Snoop Dogg: “From the D 2 the LBC” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records
Future ft. Drake, Tems: “Wait for U” – Freebandz / Epic Records
Kendrick Lamar: “N95” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records
Latto: “Big Energy” – Streamcut / RCA Records
Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Baby: “Do We Have a Problem?” – Young Money / Cash Money / Republic Records
Pusha T: “Diet Coke” – G.O.O.D. Music / Def Jam
Best R&B
Alicia Keys: “City of Gods (Part II)” – AKW
Chlöe: “Have Mercy” – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records
H.E.R.: “For Anyone” – RCA Records
Normani ft. Cardi B: “Wild Side” – Keep Cool / RCA Records
Summer Walker, SZA, Cardi B: “No Love” (Extended Version) – LVRN / Interscope Records
The Weeknd: “Out Of Time” – XO / Republic Records
Best Cinematography
Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar: “Family Ties” – Columbia Records
Camila Cabello ft. Ed Sheeran: “Bam Bam” – Epic Records
Harry Styles: “As It Was” – Columbia Records
Kendrick Lamar: “N95” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records
Normani ft. Cardi B: “Wild Side” – Keep Cool / RCA Records
Taylor Swift: “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) – Republic Records
Best Choreography
BTS: “Permission to Dance” – Bighit Music / Geffen Records
Doja Cat: “Woman” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
FKA twigs ft. The Weeknd: “Tears in the Club” – Atlantic Records
Harry Styles: “As It Was” – Columbia Records
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow: “Industry Baby” – Columbia Records
Normani ft. Cardi B: “Wild Side” – Keep Cool / RCA Records
Now comes news of the recipient of the BIG award for the night as it was released that winner of seven consecutive BET Awards for Female Hip Hop Artist, Queens’ own, Nicki Minaj will receive MTV’s Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award and perform for the first time since 2018. The 17x nominated and 5x “VMAs” winner, took home her first Moon Person for Best Hip Hop Video in 2011, and is nominated this year for “Best Hip Hop.” Said Bruce Gillmer, president of Music, Music Talent, Programming & Events, Paramount and chief content officer, Music, Paramount+. “Nicki has broken barriers for women in hip hop with her versatility and creative artistry. She has shifted the music industry and cemented her status as a global superstar with her crossover appeal, genre-defying style and continuing to be unapologetically ‘Nicki.’” Minaj’s next single, “Super Freaky Girl” will be released Aug. 12.
Over and out. Holla next week. Til then, enjoy the nightlife.