The most controversial music awards show, the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), has just released its list of the 2016 nominees. Beyoncé has come out on top in terms of nominations with videos in eleven categories. Adele is in second with an impressive eight nominations for her most successful video of all time, "Hello." However, viewers of the annual program have learned to expect the unexpected. It's time to exercise your right to vote and help MTV decide who will win the top performance-based awards.
Recent winners of Video of The Year have been determine based on three criteria: controversy (Britney's "Piece of Me" in 2008), empowerment (Beyonce's "Single Ladies" in 2009), and how viral the video went (Miley's "Wrecking Ball" in 2014). Justin Bieber's "Sorry" accomplished none of the above, so it's safe to assume he will not be taking home this award. Kanye West's "Famous" was perhaps the most controversial song/video of the first half of 2016 for all the wrong reasons. Unfortunately for West, the Kanye vs Taylor vs Kim vs Chloe vs Khloe vs Selena vs Demi vs Ruby vs Katy feud overshadowed the actual video's release. The top three contenders this year are Beyoncé's "Formation," Adele's "Hello," and Drake's "Hotline Bling." All three songs received a generous amount of airplay and were major conversation topics during their release month. However, "Formation" suits today's growing conversation surrounding police brutality and the #BlackLivesMatter movement. It didn't go nearly as viral "Hotline Bling" or "Hello," but it is a definite fan-favorite and the most progressive video of the year.
Who Should Win: Beyoncé – "Formation"
Beyoncé will also definitely take home the award for Breakthrough Long Form Video with the well-received "Lemonade"
Unlike Video of the Year, this category generally comes down to how enjoyable and catchy the song/video is. Beyoncé is a two-time consecutive winner of this category with her vintage hits "Crazy In Love," and "Naughty Girl," though this year's nominee "Hold Up" doesn't quite hold a flame to her older commercial successes. Adele's "Hello" is a safe choice, but will most likely come in second to Rihanna's chart-topping Spring hit "Work." The song's slurred lyrics and reggae-influenced beats had the entire internet singing along, whether we knew what she was saying or not.
Who Should Win: Rihanna ft. Drake – "Work" (short version)
Rihanna will also most likely take home the moon man for Best Collaboration either for "Work" or "This is What You Came For" with Calvin Harris
Who Should Win: Drake – "Hotline Bling"
"Hotline Bling" is also a front-runner for Best Hip Hop Video
This category is a chance at redemption for Adele's "Hello." Based on previous winners, its biggest competition is Justin Bieber's make-up track "Sorry." In year's past, Best Pop Video has often gone to top ten hits such as Selena Gomez's "Come And Get It," but rarely to the biggest video of the year. However, Taylor Swift's win for "Blank Space" last year proves that you don't need an underdog of a video to snatch the moon man. If tides truly are changing, "Hello" is the clear front-runner with "Sorry" as a close second.
Who Should Win: Adele – "Hello"
Who Should Win: twenty one pilots – "Heathens"
Who Will Probably Win: Coldplay – "Adventure Of A Lifetime"
