The MTV Video Music Award 2021 nominees are here! Leading the nominations is Justin Bieber with seven (including video and artist of the year), followed closely by Megan Thee Stallion with six noms. Billie Eilish, BTS, Doja Cat, Drake, Giveon, Lil Nas X and Olivia Rodrigo stand equal with 5 nominations each. The Foo Fighters will be awarded the first-ever Global Icon Award, after being a staple of MTV’s EMAs.
Lil Nas X will be performing at the 2021 show on the 12th of September. He returns to the stage after his wild, futuristic 2019 ‘Panini’ performance. Joining him is Camila Cabello, Lorde, Machine Gun Kelly, and Olivia Rodrigo on the VMA stage. Lorde will return to perform tracks from her new album, Solar Power, for the first time since 2017. The show is anticipated to go ahead in front of a live audience, at the Barclays Center in New York City.
Kehinde Wiley has reimagined the statuette for MTV’s 40th anniversary. Known for his naturalistic portraiture, Wiley has added intertwining botanical vines and succulents on the iconic Moon Person award.
First-time nominee, Olivia Rodrigo has racked up an outstanding 5 nominations, including artist of the year and song of the year. Debuting at number one on Billboard Hot 100, ‘driver’s license’, and critically acclaimed debut album, Sour, proves her 2021 success.
Doja Cat also achieved critical acclaim with ‘Kiss Me More’ appearing on many mid-year best-of lists, including Billboard and Complex. Her third studio album, Planet Her became Doja Cat’s highest-charting album on the Billboard 200, peaking at number two.
Vote here for your favourite artists and tracks, and don’t forget to tune in on the 12th of September in New York (13th September at 1am BST), to catch the winners and performances at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards!
Words by Caitlin Sahin, Graphics by Emily Chapillon
