Preview for 2010 MTV Video Music awards

*Originally published 8/27/10


Once again, MTV's annual Video Music Awards are upon us. The most popular artists in music will go head to head to claim the titles in various categories and walk away with the iconic moon-men trophies. The awards show airs on September 12 at 9/8 C, though it will probably be re-aired several times as is the standard operating procedure when it comes to these award shows.

The ceremony this year will be held in Los Angeles this year, making it a West coast counterpoint to last year's awards, which were held in New York. Chelsea Handler takes the reins in hosting duties this year. While hosting is a heavy responsibility, she will have help from presenters like Ne-Yo, Ke$ha, Emma Stone, Selena Gomez and others.

There will be performances by Justin Bieber, Eminem, and Kanye West along with some other lesser known performers.

The aforementioned performers are also slated as guests in addition to celebrities like Usher, Trey Songz, Nicki Minaj, Ashley Greene, and B.o.B.

All awards are determined by fan vote, which could be done either on MTV's website or by phone. Voting for all categories outside of "best new artist" has been closed. The nominees for the various categories are as follows

Best New Artist

The Ghost Inside by Broken Bells
In My Head by Jason Derulo
Baby by Justin Bieber feat. Ludacris
Tik Tok by Ke$ha
Massive Attack by Nicki Minaj

Best Collaboration

My First Kiss by 3OH!3 feat Ke$ha
Airplanes by B.o.B feat Hayley Williams
Video Phone by Beyonce feat Lady Gaga
Empire State of Mind by Jay Z feat Alicia Keys
Telephone by Lady Gaga feat Beyonce

Best Dance Music Video

Evacuate the Dance Floor by Cascada
Sexy Chick by David Guetta feat. Akon
I Like It by Enrique Eglasias feat. Pitbull
Bad Romance by Lady Gaga
OMG by Usher feat. Will. I. Am

Best Female Video

Video Phone by Beyonce feat Lady Gaga
California Gurls by Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg
Tik Tok by Ke$ha
Bad Romance by Lady Gaga by
Fifteen by Taylor Swift

Best Hip Hop video

Airplanes by B.o.B feat Hayley Williams
Forever by Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Eminem
Not Afraid by Eminem
On to the Next One by Jay-Z and Swiss Beatz
Pursuit of Happiness by Kid Cudi feat. MGMT and Ratatat

Best Male Video

Airplanes by B.o.B feat Hayley Williams
Find Your Love by Drake
Not Afraid by Eminem
In My Head by Jason Derulo
OMG by Usher feat. Will. I. Am

Best Pop Video

Nothing on You by B.o.B feat Bruno Mars
Video Phone by Beyonce feat Lady Gaga
California Gurls by Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg
Tik Tok by Ke$ha
Bad Romance by Lady Gaga

Best Rock Video

Kings and Queens by 30 Seconds to Mars
Dog Days are Over by Florence + The Machine
Flash Delirium by MGMT
Uprising by Muse
Ignorance by Paramore

Video of the Year

Kings and Queens by 30 Seconds to Mars
Airplanes by B.o.B feat Hayley Williams
Not Afraid by Eminem
Dog Days are Over by Florence + The Machine
Bad Romance by Lady Gaga
Telephone by Lady Gaga feat Beyonce

Best Art Direction

Kings and Queens by 30 Seconds to Mars
Video Phone by Beyonce feat Lady Gaga
Not Afraid by Eminem
Dog Days are Over by Florence + The Machine
Bad Romance by Lady Gaga

Best Choreography

Video Phone by Beyonce feat Lady Gaga
Tightrope by Janelle Monae feat Big Boi
Bad Romance by Lady Gaga
Telephone by Lady Gaga feat Beyonce
OMG by Usher feat. Will. I. Am

Best Cinematography

Not Afraid by Eminem
Dog Days are Over by Florence + The Machine
Empire State of Mind by Jay Z feat Alicia Keys
Bad Romance by Lady Gaga
Little Lion Man by Mumford and Sons

Best Direction

Kings and Queens by 30 Seconds to Mars
Not Afraid by Eminem
Empire State of Mind by Jay Z feat Alicia Keys
Bad Romance by Lady Gaga
Funhouse by Pink

Best Editing

Not Afraid by Eminem
Bad Romance by Lady Gaga
Animal by Mike Snow
Funhouse by Pink
Rude Boy by Rihanna

Best Special Effects

Symphonies by Dan Black
Not Afraid by Eminem
21st Century Breakdown by Green Day
Bad Romance by Lady Gaga
Uprising by Muse

Breakthrough Video

Tighten Up by The Black Keys
Strawberry Swing by Coldplay
Symphonies by Dan Black
Stylo by The Gorillaz feat. Bobby Womack and Mos Def