Music
Aug 11, 2021

MTV reveals nominations for 2021 “Video Music Awards” (VMAs)

The VMA’s are back, and the nominations are out in the wild now.


The 2021 “VMAs” return to New York City airing LIVE from Barclays Center on Sunday, September 12 at 8PM ET/PT across 180 countries globally. Beginning today, fans can vote for their favorites across 14 gender-neutral categories by visiting vma.mtv.com through Friday, September 3, 2021. Justin Bieber and Megan Thee Stallion lead nominations.  Nominations for the 2021 “VMAs,” strive to feature artists whose cultural impact and work over the past year has transformed the music industry and created global conversation. Which is why artists like Billie Eilish, BTS, Doja Cat, Drake, Giveon, Lil Nas X and Olivia Rodrigo are among top contenders for awards, because of the music and conversation kicked off through their artistry.

The “VMAs” are set to be one of the first fan-filled awards shows in NYC since the city’s reopening. The health and safety of artists, fans, staff and partners remain the number one priority, and MTV and Barclays Center are working closely with state and local officials to implement best practices in order to safely bring together music fans from around the globe. Barclays Center’s current health and safety protocols can be found here. Any additional protocols will be announced closer to the event. 

The Big Nom Categories are as follows:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR 

Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion – “WAP” – Atlantic Records

DJ Khaled ft. Drake – “POPSTAR” (Starring Justin Bieber) – OVO / We The Best / Epic Records

Doja Cat ft. SZA – “Kiss Me More” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records

Ed Sheeran – “Bad Habits” – Atlantic Records 

Lil Nas X – “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” – Columbia Records

The Weeknd – “Save Your Tears” – XO / Republic Records

ARTIST OF THE YEAR 

Ariana Grande – Republic Records

Doja Cat – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records

Justin Bieber – Def Jam 

Megan Thee Stallion – 300 Entertainment

Olivia Rodrigo – Geffen Records

Taylor Swift – Republic Records

SONG OF THE YEAR 

24kGoldn ft. iann dior – “Mood” – RECORDS LLC / Columbia Records 

Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic – “Leave The Door Open” – Aftermath Entertainment / Atlantic Records 

BTS – “Dynamite” – BIGHIT MUSIC 

Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion – “WAP” – Atlantic Records 

Dua Lipa – “Levitating” – Warner Records 

Olivia Rodrigo – “drivers license” – Geffen Records

BEST NEW ARTIST, Presented by Facebook 

24kGoldn – RECORDS LLC / Columbia Records

Giveon – Epic Records / Not So Fast 

The Kid LAROI – Columbia Records

Olivia Rodrigo – Geffen Records

Polo G – Columbia Records

Saweetie – Warner Records 

BEST POP

Ariana Grande – “positions” – Republic Records 

Billie Eilish – “Therefore I Am” – Darkroom / Interscope Records 

BTS – “Butter” – BIGHIT MUSIC 

Harry Styles – “Treat People With Kindness” – Columbia Records 

Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon – “Peaches” – Def Jam 

Olivia Rodrigo – “good 4 u” – Geffen Records 

Shawn Mendes – “Wonder” – Island Records 

Taylor Swift – “willow” – Republic Records

BEST HIP-HOP

Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion – “WAP” – Atlantic Records 

Drake ft. Lil Durk – “Laugh Now Cry Later” – OVO / Republic Records 

Lil Baby ft. Megan Thee Stallion – “On Me (remix)” – Quality Control / Motown 

Moneybagg Yo – “Said Sum” – N-Less Entertainment / Interscope Records 

Polo G – “RAPSTAR” – Columbia Records 

Travis Scott ft. Young Thug & M.I.A. – “FRANCHISE” – Cactus Jack / Epic Records 

BEST ROCK

Evanescence – “Use My Voice” – BMG 

Foo Fighters – “Shame Shame” – Roswell Records / RCA Records 

John Mayer – “Last Train Home” – Columbia Records

The Killers – “My Own Soul’s Warning” – Island 

Kings Of Leon – “The Bandit” – RCA Records 

Lenny Kravitz – “Raise Vibration” – Roxie Records / BMG