Who Deserves To Win This Year's VMAs And Why
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Who Deserves To Win This Year's VMAs And Why

It's voting season! And we're not just talking presidents.

20
Who Deserves To Win This Year's VMAs And Why
Chelsea Lauren/WireImage

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


"This Is What You Came For" doesn't stand a chance. Although the video was quite striking, and America would watch Rihanna do anything, it's really hard for fans to consider this a Male Video. The Weeknd's "Can't Feel My Face" is just a little too old-news for fans to still throw awards at, and Bryson Tiller isn't quite mainstream enough to garner enough attention for "Don't" to win. That leaves our two biggest contenders: "Hotline Bling" and "Famous." "Hotline Bling" is the obvious winner in terms of commercial success, longevity, and cultural impact. However, MTV very may well stir the pot and give this one to West for pure shock value.

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"


The Best Rock Video has typically been given based on popularity. First-time nominees All Time Low are probably honored to have just been nominated, but don't quite live up to their competition considering their fizzled fame and lack of airplay. Newly-mainstream duo twenty one pilots only stand a chance thanks to their young cult following and connections to the much-anticipated "Suicide Squad" film. However, Coldplay seems to be the front-runner given the critical praise of "Adventure Of A Lifetime" and the band's longstanding chart success.


Who Should Win: twenty one pilots – "Heathens"
Who Will Probably Win: Coldplay – "Adventure Of A Lifetime"


Who do you think should win big this year? Let us know in the comments and head over to mtv.com to cast your votes!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

50937
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

32603
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955789
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180801
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments