The show will be held at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.
VMAs 2021 Host
This year’s awards will be hosted by Doja Cat, the American rapper and singer/songwriter who is also performing at the show.
MTV Video Music Awards Nominees
Here are this year’s nominees and the award categories for which the artist or their work has been nominated, listed in alphabetical order.
24kGoldn
Best New ArtistSong of the Year - “Mood” by 24kGoldn ft. Iann DiorBest Collaboration - “Mood” by 24kGoldn ft. Iann DiorPush Performance of the Year - December 2020: “Coco”
Anderson .Paak
Song of the Year - “Leave the Door Open” by Bruno Mars, Anderson . Paak, Silk SonicBest R&B - “Leave the Door Open” by Bruno Mars, Anderson . Paak, Silk SonicBest Editing - “Leave the Door Open” by Bruno Mars, Anderson . Paak, Silk Sonic; editing by: Troy Charbonnet
Ariana Grande
Artist of the YearBest Pop - “Positions"Best Choreography - “34+35” by Ariana Grande; choreography by: Brian Nicholson & Scott Nicholson
Ashnikko
Push Performance of the Year - October 2020: “Daisy”
Bad Bunny
Best Latin - “Dákiti” by Bad Bunny x Jhay CortezBest Latin - “Un Dia (One Day)” by J. Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny, Tainy
Bella Poarch
Best Visual Effects - “Build a Bitch” by Bella Poarch; visual effects by: Andrew Donoho, Denhov Visuals, Denis Strahhov, Rein Jakobson, Vahur Kuusk, Tatjana Pavlik, Yekaterina Vetrova
Beyoncé
Best R&B - “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKidBest Cinematography - “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid; Cinematography by: Benoit Soler, Malik H. Sayeed, Mohammed Atta Ahmed, Santiago Gonzalez, Ryan HelfantBest Art Direction - “Already” by Beyoncé, Shatta Wale, Major Lazer; art direction by: Susan Linns, Gerard Santos
Billie Eilish
Best Pop - “Therefore I Am"Best Latin - “Lo Vas A Olvidar” by Billie Eilish & ROSALÍAVideo for Good - “Your Power"Song of Summer - “Happier Than Ever"Best Direction - “Your Power” by Billie Eilish; Directed by: Billie EilishBest Cinematography - “Therefore I Am” by Billie Eilish; Cinematography by: Rob Witt
Black Eyed Peas
Best Latin - “Girl Like Me” by Black Eyed Peas and Shakira
Blackbear
Best Alternative - “My Ex’s Best Friend” by Machine Gun Kelly ft. Blackbear
Blackpink
Best K-pop – “Ice Cream” by Blackpink and Selena Gomez
Bleachers
Best Alternative - “Stop Making This Hurt”
Blue Ivy
Best R&B – “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKidBest Cinematography for “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid; Cinematography by: Benoit Soler, Malik H. Sayeed, Mohammed Atta Ahmed, Santiago Gonzalez, Ryan Helfant
Bruno Mars
Song of the Year – “Leave the Door Open” by Bruno Mars, Anderson . Paak, Silk SonicBest R&B - “Leave the Door Open” by Bruno Mars, Anderson . Paak, Silk SonicBest Editing - “Leave the Door Open” by Bruno Mars, Anderson . Paak, Silk Sonic; Editing by: Troy Charbonnet
BTS
Song of the Year - “Dynamite"Song of Summer - “Butter"Best Pop - “Butter"Best K-pop - “Butter"Best Choreography - “Butter” by BTS; Choreography by: Son Sung Deuk with BHM Performance Directing TeamBest Editing - “Butter” by BTS; Editing by: Yong Seok Choi from Lumpens
Cardi B
Video of the Year - “WAP” by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee StallionSong of the Year - “WAP” by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee StallionBest Collaboration - “WAP” by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee StallionBest Hip-Hop - “WAP” by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee StallionSong of Summer - “Rumors” by Lizzo featuring Cardi BSong of Summer - “Wild Side” by Normani ft. Cardi B
Camila Cabello
Song of Summer - “Don’t Go Yet”
Chance The Rapper
Best Cinematography - “Holy” by Justin Bieber ft. Chance The Rapper; Cinematography by: Elias Talbot
Chris Brown
Best R&B - “Go Crazy” by Chris Brown and Young ThugBest R&B - “Come Through” by H. E. R. ft. Chris Brown
Coldplay
Best Visual Effects – “Higher Power” by Coldplay; Visual Effects by: Mathematic
Daniel Caesar
Best Pop - “Peaches” by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, GiveonSong of Summer - “Peaches” by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, GiveonBest Collaboration - “Peaches” by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, GiveonBest Editing - “Peaches” by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon; Editing by: Mark Mayr, Vinnie Hobbs
Demi Lovato
Video for Good - “Dancing With the Devil”
DJ Khaled
Video of the Year - “Popstar” (starring Justin Bieber) by DJ Khaled ft. DrakeSong of Summer - “Every Chance I Get” by DJ Khaled ft. Lil Baby and Lil DirkBest Direction - “Popstar” (starring Justin Bieber) by DJ Khaled ft. Drake; Directed by: Julien Christian Lutz aka Director X
Doja Cat
Video of the Year - “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat ft. SZAArtist of the YearSong of Summer - “Need To Know"Best Collaboration - “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat ft. SZABest Art Direction - “Best Friend” by Saweetie ft. Doja Cat; Art Direction by: Art HaynesBest Visual Effects - “You Right” by Doja Cat & The Weeknd; Visual effects by: La Pac, Anthony Lestremau, Julien Missaire, Petr Shkolniy, Alexi Bailla, Micha Sher, Antoine Hache, Mikros MPC, Nicolas Huget, Guillaume Ho Tsong Fang, Benjamin Lenfant, Stephane Pivron, MPC Bangalore, Chanakya Chander, Raju Ganesh, David Rouxel
Drake
Best Collaboration - “Laugh Now Cry Later” by Drake ft. Lil DurkBest Hip-Hop - “Laugh Now Cry Later” by Drake ft. Lil DurkVideo of the Year - “Popstar” (starring Justin Bieber) by DJ Khaled ft. DrakeBest Direction - “Popstar” (starring Justin Bieber) by DJ Khaled ft. Drake ; Directed by: Julien Christian Lutz aka Director XBest Editing - “What’s Next” by Drake; Editing by: Noah Kendal
Dua Lipa
Song of the Year - “Levitating"Song of Summer - “Levitating"Best Collaboration – “Prisoner” by Miley Cyrus ft. Dua LipaBest Editing - “Prisoner” by Miley Cyrus ft. Dua LipaBest Latin - J. Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny, Tainy – “Un Dia (One Day)”
Ed Sheeran
Video of the Year - “Bad Habits"Song of Summer - “Bad Habits"Best Art Direction - “Bad Habits” by Ed Sheeran; Art direction by: Alison DominitzBest Choreography - “Bad Habits” by Ed Sheeran; Choreography by: Natricia Bernard
Evanescence
Best Rock - “Use My Voice”
Foo Fighters
Best Rock - “Shame Shame"Best Choreography - “Shame Shame” by Foo Fighters; Choreography by: Nina McNeely
Fousheé
Push Performance of the Year - July 2021: “my slime”
(G)I-DLE
Best K-pop - “DUMDi DUMDi”
girl in red
Push Performance of the Year - June 2021: “Serotonin”
Giveon
Best New ArtistBest Pop - “Peaches” by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, GiveonBest Collaboration - “Peaches” by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, GiveonBest R&B - “Heartbreak Anniversary"Song of Summer - “Heartbreak Anniversary"Best Editing - “Peaches” by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon; Editing by: Mark Mayr, Vinnie Hobbs
Glass Animals
Best Alternative - “Heat Waves"Best Visual Effects – “Tangerine” by Glass Animals; Visual Effects by: Ronan Fourreau
Harry Styles
Best Pop – “Treat People With Kindness"Best Cinematography – “Treat People With Kindness” by Harry Styles; Choreography by: Paul RobertsBest Editing - “Treat People With Kindness” by Harry Styles; Editing by: Claudia Wass
Halsey
Best Choreography – “Be Kind” by Marshmello & Halsey; Choreography by: Dani Vitale
H.E.R.
Best R&B - “Come Through” by H. E. R. ft. Chris BrownVideo for Good – “Fight For You”
Imagine Dragons
Best Alternative - “Follow You”
J. Balvin
Best Latin - “Un Dia (One Day)” by J. Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny, Tainy
Jack Harlow
Song of Summer - “Industry Baby” by Lil Nas X ft. Jack Harlow
Jay-Z
Video for Good - “Entrepreneur” by Pharrell Williams ft. Jay-Z
JC Stewart
Push Performance of the Year - January 2021: “Break My Heart”
Jhay Cortez
Best Latin - “Dákiti” by Bad Bunny x Jhay Cortez
John Mayer
Best Rock – “Last Train Home”
Justin Bieber
Artist of the YearBest Pop - “Peaches” by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, GiveonSong of Summer - “Peaches” by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, GiveonBest Collaboration - “Peaches” by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, GiveonBest Cinematography - “Holy” by Justin Bieber ft. Chance The Rapper; Cinematography by: Elias TalbotBest Editing - “Peaches” by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon; Editing by: Mark Mayr, Vinnie Hobbs
jxdn
Push Performance of the Year - August 2021: “Think About Me”
Karol G
Best Latin - “Bichota”
Kane Brown
Video for Good – “Worldwide Beautiful”
Kings of Leon
Best Rock - “The Bandit”
Lady Gaga
Best Cinematography - “911” by Lady Gaga; Cinematography by: Jeff CronenwethBest Art Direction - “911” by Lady Gaga; Art direction by: Tom Foden, Peter Andrus
Latto
Push Performance of the Year - February 2021: “Sex Lies”
Lenny Kravitz
Best Rock - “Raise Vibration”
Lil Baby
Song of Summer - “Every Chance I Get” by DJ Khaled ft. Lil Baby and Lil Dirk
Lil Durk
Best Collaboration - “Laugh Now Cry Later” by Drake ft. Lil DurkBest Hip-Hop - “Laugh Now Cry Later” by Drake ft. Lil Durk
Lil Nas X
Video of the Year - “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)“Video for Good - “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)“Song of Summer - “Industry Baby” by Lil Nas X ft. Jack HarlowBest Direction - “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” by Lil Nas X; Directed by: Lil Nas X and Tanu MuinoBest Visual Effects - “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” by Lil Nas X; Visual effects by: MathematicBest Art Direction - “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” by Lil Nas X; Art direction by: John Richoux
Lizzo
Song of Summer - “Rumors” by Lizzo featuring Cardi B
Lorde
Best Cinematography – “Solar Power” by Lorde; Cinematography by: Andrew Stroud
Machine Gun Kelly
Best Alternative – “My Ex’s Best Friend” by Machine Gun Kelly ft. Blackbear
Madison Beer
Push Performance of the Year - March 2021: “Selfish”
Major Lazer
Best Art Direction - “Already” by Beyoncé, Shatta Wale, Major Lazer; Art direction by: Susan Linns, Gerard Santos
Maluma
Best Latin - “Hawái”
Marshmello
Best Choreography - “Be Kind” by Marshmello & Halsey; Choreography by: Dani Vitale
Megan Thee Stallion
Best Hip-Hop – “On Me (remix)” by Lil Baby ft. Megan Thee StallionVideo of the Year - “WAP” by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee StallionSong of the Year - “WAP” by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee StallionSong of Summer - “Thot S***t"Best Collaboration - “WAP” by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee StallionBest Hip-Hop - “WAP” by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion
M.I.A.
Best Hip-Hop – “Franchise” by Travis Scott ft. Young Thug & M. I. A. Best Direction - “Franchise” by Travis Scott ft. Young Thug & M. I. A. ; Directed by: Travis Scott
Moneybagg Yo
Best Hip-Hop - “Said Sum”
Monsta X
Best K-pop - “Gambler”
Normani
Song of Summer - “Wild Side” by Normani ft. Cardi B
Olivia Rodrigo
Artist of the YearBest New ArtistSong of the Year - “Drivers License"Song of Summer - “Good 4 U"Best Pop - “Good 4 U"Push Performance of the Year - May 2021: “Drivers License”
Pharrell Williams
Video for Good - “Entrepreneur” by Pharrell Williams ft. Jay-Z
P!NK
Best Visual Effects – “All I Know So Far” by P!NK; Visual effects by: Dave Meyers, Freenjoy Inc
Polo G
Best New ArtistBest Hip-Hop - “RAPSTAR”
ROSALÍA
Best Latin - “Lo Vas A Olvidar” by Billie Eilish & ROSALÍA
SAINt JHN
Push Performance of the Year - November 2020: “Gorgeous"Best R&B - “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKidBest Cinematography - “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid; Cinematography by: Benoit Soler, Malik H. Sayeed, Mohammed Atta Ahmed, Santiago Gonzalez, Ryan Helfant
Saweetie
Best New ArtistBest Art Direction - “Best Friend” by Saweetie ft. Doja Cat; Art Direction by: Art Haynes
Selena Gomez
Best K-pop - “Ice Cream” by Blackpink and Selena Gomez
Seventeen
Best K-pop - “Ready to love”
Shakira
Best Latin - “Girl Like Me” by Black Eyed Peas and Shakira
Shatta Wale
Best Art Direction – “Already” by Beyoncé, Shatta Wale, Major Lazer; Art direction by: Susan Linns, Gerard Santos
Shawn Mendes
Best Pop - “Wonder"Song of Summer - “Summer of Love” by Shawn Mendes and Tainy
Silk Sonic
Song of the Year – “Leave the Door Open” by Bruno Mars, Anderson . Paak, Silk SonicBest R&B - “Leave the Door Open” by Bruno Mars, Anderson . Paak, Silk SonicBest Editing - “Leave the Door Open” by Bruno Mars, Anderson . Paak, Silk Sonic; Editing by: Troy Charbonnet
SZA
Best R&B - “Good Days"Best Collaboration - “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat ft. SZAVideo of the Year - “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat ft. SZA
Tainy
Best Latin - “Un Dia (One Day)” - J. Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny, TainySong of Summer - “Summer of Love” by Shawn Mendes and Tainy
Taylor Swift
Artist of the YearBest Pop - “Willow"Best Direction - “Willow” by Taylor Swift; Directed by: Taylor SwiftBest Art Direction - “Willow” by Taylor Swift; Art direction by: Ethan Tobman, Regina Fernandez
The Kid Laroi
Best New ArtistSong of Summer - “Stay” by The Kid Laroi with Justin BieberPush Performance of the Year - April 2021: “Without You”
The Killers
Best Rock - “My Own Soul’s Warning”
The Weeknd
Video of the Year - “Save Your Tears"Best Visual Effects - “You Right” by Doja Cat & The Weeknd; Visual effects by: La Pac, Anthony Lestremau, Julien Missaire, Petr Shkolniy, Alexi Bailla, Micha Sher, Antoine Hache, Mikros MPC, Nicolas Huget, Guillaume Ho Tsong Fang, Benjamin Lenfant, Stephane Pivron, MPC Bangalore, Chanakya Chander, Raju Ganesh, David Rouxel
Travis Scott
Best Hip-Hop – “Franchise” by Travis Scott ft. Young Thug & M. I. A. Best Direction - “Franchise” by Travis Scott ft. Young Thug & M. I. A. ; Directed by: Travis Scott
Twenty One Pilots
Best Alternative - “Shy Away”
Twice
Best K-pop - “Alcohol-Free”
Tyler, The Creator
Best Direction - “Lumberjack” by Tyler, The Creator; Directed by: Wolf Haley
Wallows
Push Performance of the Year - September 2020: “Are You Bored Yet?”
Willow
Best Alternative - “Transparent Soul” by Willow ft. Travis Barker
WizKid
Best R&B - “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKidBest Cinematography - “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid; Cinematography by: Benoit Soler, Malik H. Sayeed, Mohammed Atta Ahmed, Santiago Gonzalez, Ryan Helfant
Young Thug
Best R&B - “Go Crazy” by Chris Brown and Young ThugBest Hip-Hop - “Franchise” by Travis Scott ft. Young Thug & M. I. A. Best Direction - “Franchise” by Travis Scott ft. Young Thug & M. I. A. ; Directed by: Travis Scott
VMAs Voting Explained
Fans can vote for their favorite artists at the MTV website. You can vote up to 10 times a day and your ballot is locked once submitted, the website advises.
Voting has closed for most award categories, except for Best New Artist, Group of the Year and Song of Summer.
Voting for Best New Artist will remain open into the live show, while votes for Group of the Year are submitted via MTV’s Instagram story.
Votes for Song of Summer are open from September 7, the MTV website says.
Check the website for the latest information.
