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Taylor Swift Leads VMAs Nominations With Eight, Followed by Six for SZA

Taylor Swift’s pop dominance in 2023 is not going unnoticed in this year’s MTV Video Music Awards nominations. Swift came out as the leader in the nods announced Tuesday morning, with eight nominations altogether for her videos, followed by six for the videos of SZA.

The competition thickens when it gets down to the six artists tied for five VMAs nominations each: Doja Cat, Olivia Rodrigo, Kim Petras, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj and Sam Smith. Three artists are tied with four apiece: Diddy, Blackpink and Shakira.

Swift has a chance at setting a new record for wins for video of the year, should she pick it up a fourth time by winning for “Anti-Hero” in September. It’s a record she already holds: Swift became the first performer to ever win video of the year three times when she got it last year for “All Too Well (10 Minute Version).” Now, as with year’s winner, Swift directed the video that’s in contention herself.

As previously revealed, the VMAs will return to New Jersey’s Prudential Center on Sept. 12. Hosts and performers for the broadcast have not yet been announced.

In the category of video of the year, Swift will face off against SZA’s “Kill Bill,” Doja Cat’s “Attention,” Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers,” Nicki Minaj’s “Super Freaky Girl,” Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire” and Sam Smith and Kim Petras’ “Unholy.”

The artist of the year field sees Swift competing with Beyoncé, Doja Cat, Karol G, Nicki Minaj and Shakira.

In what could be read as a sign of the dearth of traditional male pop superstars, the VMAs having gender-neutral categories is not leading to a lot of opportunity at present in the top categories for men. (Cue “Barbie” subtext here.) All of the six nominees for artist of the year are women, and all the eight nominees for video of the year are either female or non-binary.

Things are just about as lopsided in the new artist of the year category, which has just one male artist, Peso Pluma, pitted against Ice Spice, PinkPantheress, GloRilla, Kaliii and Reneé Rapp.

Following is a full list of 2023 nominees:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR  Doja Cat – “Attention” – Kemosabe Records / RCA RecordsMiley Cyrus – “Flowers” – Columbia RecordsNicki Minaj – “Super Freaky Girl” – Republic Records 

Olivia Rodrigo – “Vampire” – Geffen RecordsSam Smith, Kim Petras – “Unholy” – Capitol RecordsSZA – “Kill Bill” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records 

Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Beyoncé – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records 

Doja Cat – Kemosabe Records / RCA RecordsKarol G – Interscope RecordsNicki Minaj – Republic RecordsShakira – Sony Music US LatinTaylor Swift – Republic Records

SONG OF THE YEAR

Miley Cyrus – “Flowers” – Columbia RecordsOlivia Rodrigo – “Vampire” – Geffen RecordsRema & Selena Gomez – “Calm Down” – Mavin Global Holdings Ltd / Jonzing World Entertainment / SMG Music / Interscope RecordsSam Smith, Kim Petras – “Unholy” – Capitol RecordsSteve Lacy – “Bad Habit” – L-M Records / RCA RecordsSZA – “Kill Bill” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records RecordsTaylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records

BEST NEW ARTIST

GloRilla – CMG / Interscope Records

Ice Spice – 10K Projects / Capitol Records 

Kaliii – Atlantic Records

Peso Pluma – Double P Records

PinkPantheress – 300 Entertainment

Reneé Rapp – Interscope Records

PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

August 2022: Saucy Santana – “Booty” – Arena Records / RCA RecordsSeptember 2022: Stephen Sanchez – “Until I Found You” – Mercury Records / Republic Records October 2022: JVKE – “golden hour” – AWALNovember 2022: Flo Milli – “Conceited” – ’94 Sounds / RCA RecordsDecember 2022: Reneé Rapp – “Colorado” – Interscope RecordsJanuary 2023: Sam Ryder – “All The Way Over” – Elektra EntertainmentFebruary 2023: Armani White – “GOATED” – Def JamMarch 2023: Fletcher – “Becky’s So Hot” – Capitol RecordsApril 2023: Tomorrow X Together – “Sugar Rush Ride” – Bighit Music / Republic Records 

May 2023: Ice Spice – “Princess Diana” – Heavy On It / 10K Projects / Capitol RecordsJune 2023: FLO – “Losing You” – Uptown/Republic RecordsJuly 2023: Lauren Spencer Smith – “That Part” – Island Records

BEST COLLABORATION

David Guetta & Bebe Rexha – “I’m Good (Blue)” – Warner RecordsPost Malone, Doja Cat – “I Like You (A Happier Song)” – Mercury Records / Republic Records 

Diddy ft. Bryson Tiller, Ashanti, Yung Miami – “Gotta Move On” – Motown RecordsKarol G, Shakira – “TQG” – Universal Music LatinoMetro Boomin with the Weeknd, 21 Savage, and Diddy – “Creepin’ (Remix)” – Boominati / Republic RecordsRema & Selena Gomez – “Calm Down” – Mavin Global Holdings Ltd / Jonzing World Entertainment / SMG Music / Interscope Records

BEST POP

Demi Lovato – “Swine” – Island Records

Dua Lipa – “Dance the Night (From Barbie the Album)” – Atlantic Records 

Ed Sheeran – “Eyes Closed” – Atlantic RecordsMiley Cyrus – “Flowers” – Columbia RecordsOlivia Rodrigo – “Vampire” – Geffen RecordsPink – “Trustfall” – RCA RecordsTaylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records

BEST HIP-HOP

Diddy ft. Bryson Tiller, Ashanti, Yung Miami – “Gotta Move On” – Motown RecordsDJ Khaled ft. Drake & Lil Baby – “Staying Alive” – We The Best / Epic RecordsGloRilla & Cardi B – “Tomorrow 2” – CMG / Interscope RecordsLil Uzi Vert – “Just Wanna Rock” – Atlantic Records / Generation NowLil Wayne ft. Swizz Beatz & DMX – “Kant Nobody” – Young Money RecordsMetro Boomin ft Future – “Superhero (Heroes and Villains)” – Boominati / Republic Records 

Nicki Minaj – “Super Freaky Girl” – Republic Records

BEST R&B

Alicia Keys ft. Lucky Daye – “Stay” – RCA RecordsChlöe ft. Chris Brown – “How Does It Feel” – Parkwood Entertainment / ColumbiaMetro Boomin with The Weeknd, 21 Savage, and Diddy – “Creepin’ (Remix)” – Boominati / Republic RecordsSZA – “Shirt” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA RecordsToosii – “Favorite Song” – South Coast Music Group / Capitol RecordsYung Bleu & Nicki Minaj – “Love in the Way” – Empire Distribution

BEST ALTERNATIVE

Blink-182 – “Edging” – Columbia RecordsBoygenius – “The Film” – Interscope Records

Fall Out Boy – “Hold Me Like a Grudge” – Fueled By Ramen                                                                         

Lana Del Rey ft. Jon Batiste – “Candy Necklace” – Interscope Records

Paramore – “This Is Why” – Atlantic RecordsThirty Seconds to Mars – “Stuck” – Concord Records / Concord

BEST ROCK

Foo Fighters – “The Teacher” – RCA RecordsLinkin Park – “Lost (Original Version)” – Warner RecordsRed Hot Chili Peppers – “Tippa My Tongue” – Warner Records 

Måneskin – “The Loneliest” – Arista RecordsMetallica – “Lux Æterna” – Blackened RecordingsMuse – “You Make Me Feel Like It’s Halloween” – Warner Records

BEST LATIN

Anitta – “Funk Rave” – Republic RecordsBad Bunny – “Where She Goes” – Rimas EntertainmentEslabon Armado, Peso Pluma – “Ella Baila Sola” – DEL Records, Inc. / Prajin Parlay, Inc. Grupo Frontera Bad Bunny – “Un x100to” – Rimas EntertainmentKarol G Shakira – “TQG” – Universal Music LatinoROSALÍA – “DESPECHÁ” – Columbia RecordsShakira – “Acróstico” – Sony Music US Latin

BEST K-POP

Aespa – “Girls” – SM Entertainment Co., Ltd.Blackpink – “Pink Venom” – YG Entertainment / Interscope RecordsFifty Fifty – “Cupid” – ATTRAKT / Warner RecordsSeventeen – “Super” – HYBE / Geffen RecordsStray Kids – “S-Class” – JYP / RepublicTomorrow X Together – “Sugar Rush Ride” – Bighit Music / Republic Records

BEST AFROBEATS

Ayra Starr – “Rush” – Mavin Global HoldingsBurna Boy – “It’s Plenty” – Atlantic Records / Spaceship Entertainment LtdDavido ft. Musa Keys – “Unavailable” – Sony Music U.K. / RCA RecordsFireboy DML & Asake – ”Bandana” – Empire DistributionLibianca – “People” – Sony Music U.K. / RCA RecordsRema & Selena Gomez – “Calm Down” – Mavin Global Holdings Ltd / Jonzing World Entertainment / SMG Music / Interscope RecordsWizkid ft Ayra Starr– “2 Sugar” – Starboy / RCA Records

VIDEO FOR GOOD

Alicia Keys – “If I Ain’t Got You (Orchestral)” – NetflixBad Bunny – “El Apagón – Aquí Vive Gente” – Rimas Entertainment 

Demi Lovato – “Swine” – Island RecordsDove Cameron – “Breakfast” – Columbia RecordsImagine Dragons – “Crushed” – KIDinaKORNER / Interscope Records 

Maluma – “La Reina” – Sony Music US Latin

BEST DIRECTION

Doja Cat – “Attention” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records – Directed by Tanu Muiño

Drake – “Falling Back” – OVO/Republic Records – Director X (Julien Christian Lutz)Kendrick Lamar – “Count Me Out” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records – Directed by Dave Free & Kendrick LamarMegan Thee Stallion – “Her” – 300 Entertainment – Directed by Colin TilleySam Smith, Kim Petras – “Unholy” – Capitol Records – Directed by Floria SigismondiSZA – “Kill Bill” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records – Directed by Christian BreslauerTaylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records – Directed by Taylor Swift

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Adele – “I Drink Wine” – Columbia Records – Cinematography by Adam Newport-BerraEd Sheeran – “Eyes Closed” – Atlantic Records – Cinematography by Natasha BaierJanelle Monae – “Lipstick Lover” – Atlantic Records – Cinematography by Allison AndersonKendrick Lamar – “Count Me Out” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records 0 Cinematography by Adam Newport-BerraMiley Cyrus – “Flowers” – Columbia Records – Cinematography by Marcell RevOlivia Rodrigo – “Vampire” – Geffen Records – Cinematography by Russ FraserTaylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records – Cinematography by Rina Yang

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Fall Out Boy – “Love From the Other Side” – Fueled By Ramen – Visual Effects by Thomas Bailey and Josh Shaffner

Harry Styles – “Music for a Sushi Restaurant” – Columbia Records – Visual Effects by Chelsea Delfino and Black Kite Studios

Melanie Martinez – “Void” – Atlantic Records – Visual Effects by CarbonNicki Minaj – “Super Freaky Girl” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by Max Colt and Sergio MashevskyiSam Smith, Kim Petras – “Unholy” – Capitol Records – Visual Effects by Max Colt / FRENDERTaylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by Parliament

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

Blackpink – “Pink Venom” – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records – Choreography by Kiel Tutin, Sienna Lalau, Lee Jung (YGX), Taryn Cheng (YGX)Dua Lipa – “Dance The Night (From Barbie The Album)” – Atlantic Records – Choreography by Charm LaDonna 

Jonas Brothers – “Waffle House” – Republic Records – Choreography by Jerry ReeceMegan Thee Stallion – “Her” – 300 Entertainment – Choreography by Sean BankheadPanic! at the Disco – “Middle Of A Breakup” – Fueled By Ramen – Choreography by Monika Felice SmithSam Smith, Kim Petras – “Unholy” – Capitol Records – Choreography by (LA)HORDE – Marine Brutti, Jonathan Debrouwer, Arthur Harel

BEST ART DIRECTION

Boygenius – “the film” – Interscope Records – Art Direction by Jen DunlapBlackpink – “Pink Venom” – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records – Art Direction by Seo Hyun Seung (GIGANT)

Doja Cat – “Attention” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records – Art Direction by Spencer GravesLana Del Rey ft. Jon Batiste – “Candy Necklace” – Interscope Records – Art Direction by Brandon Mendez

Megan Thee Stallion – “Her” – 300 Entertainment – Art Direction by Niko PhilipidesSZA – “Shirt” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records – Art Direction by Kate Bunch

BEST EDITING 

Blackpink – “Pink Venom” – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records – Editing by Seo Hyun Seung (GIGANT)Kendrick Lamar – “Rich Spirit” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records – Edited by Grason CaldwellMiley Cyrus – “River” – Columbia Records – Edited by Brandan WalterOlivia Rodrigo – “vampire” – Geffen Records – Edited by Sofia Kerpan and David ChecelSZA – “Kill Bill” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records – Edited by Luis Caraza PeimbertTaylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records – Edited by Chancler Haynes