VMAs 2021, date, nominees and host revealed

The 2021 MTV Video Music Awards take place on Sunday, September 12. The show will air live from 8 p.m. ET/PT on the MTV channel.

The show will be held at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

VMAs 2021 Host

This year’s awards will be hosted by Doja Cat, the American rapper and singer/songwriter who is also performing at the show.

MTV Video Music Awards Nominees

Here are this year’s nominees and the award categories for which the artist or their work has been nominated, listed in alphabetical order.

24kGoldn

• Best New Artist
• Song of the Year – “Mood” by 24kGoldn ft. Iann Dior
• Best Collaboration – “Mood” by 24kGoldn ft. Iann Dior
• Push Performance of the Year – December 2020: “Coco”

Anderson .Paak

• Song of the Year – “Leave the Door Open” by Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic
• Best R&B – “Leave the Door Open” by Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic
• Best Editing – “Leave the Door Open” by Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic; editing by: Troy Charbonnet

Ariana Grande

• Artist of the Year
• Best Pop – “Positions”
• Best Choreography – “34+35” by Ariana Grande; choreography by: Brian Nicholson & Scott Nicholson

Ashnikko

• Push Performance of the Year – October 2020: “Daisy”

Bad Bunny

• Best Latin – “Dákiti” by Bad Bunny x Jhay Cortez
• Best Latin – “Un Dia (One Day)” by J. Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny, Tainy

Bella Poarch

• Best Visual Effects – “Build a Bitch” by Bella Poarch; visual effects by: Andrew Donoho, Denhov Visuals, Denis Strahhov, Rein Jakobson, Vahur Kuusk, Tatjana Pavlik, Yekaterina Vetrova

Beyoncé

• Best R&B – “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid
• Best Cinematography – “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid; Cinematography by: Benoit Soler, Malik H. Sayeed, Mohammed Atta Ahmed, Santiago Gonzalez, Ryan Helfant
• Best Art Direction – “Already” by Beyoncé, Shatta Wale, Major Lazer; art direction by: Susan Linns, Gerard Santos

Billie Eilish

• Best Pop – “Therefore I Am”
• Best Latin – “Lo Vas A Olvidar” by Billie Eilish & ROSALÍA
• Video for Good – “Your Power”
• Song of Summer – “Happier Than Ever”
• Best Direction – “Your Power” by Billie Eilish; Directed by: Billie Eilish
• Best Cinematography – “Therefore I Am” by Billie Eilish; Cinematography by: Rob Witt

Black Eyed Peas

• Best Latin – “Girl Like Me” by Black Eyed Peas and Shakira

Blackbear

• Best Alternative – “My Ex’s Best Friend” by Machine Gun Kelly ft. Blackbear

Blackpink

• Best K-pop – “Ice Cream” by Blackpink and Selena Gomez

Bleachers

• Best Alternative – “Stop Making This Hurt”

Blue Ivy

• Best R&B – “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid
• Best Cinematography for “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid; Cinematography by: Benoit Soler, Malik H. Sayeed, Mohammed Atta Ahmed, Santiago Gonzalez, Ryan Helfant

Bruno Mars

• Song of the Year – “Leave the Door Open” by Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic
• Best R&B – “Leave the Door Open” by Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic
• Best Editing – “Leave the Door Open” by Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic; Editing by: Troy Charbonnet

BTS

• Song of the Year – “Dynamite”
• Song of Summer – “Butter”
• Best Pop – “Butter”
• Best K-pop – “Butter”
• Best Choreography – “Butter” by BTS; Choreography by: Son Sung Deuk with BHM Performance Directing Team
• Best Editing – “Butter” by BTS; Editing by: Yong Seok Choi from Lumpens

Cardi B

• Video of the Year – “WAP” by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion
• Song of the Year – “WAP” by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion
• Best Collaboration – “WAP” by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion
• Best Hip-Hop – “WAP” by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion
• Song of Summer – “Rumors” by Lizzo featuring Cardi B
• Song of Summer – “Wild Side” by Normani ft. Cardi B

Camila Cabello

• Song of Summer – “Don’t Go Yet”

Chance The Rapper

• Best Cinematography – “Holy” by Justin Bieber ft. Chance The Rapper; Cinematography by: Elias Talbot

Chris Brown

• Best R&B – “Go Crazy” by Chris Brown and Young Thug
• Best R&B – “Come Through” by H.E.R. ft. Chris Brown

Coldplay

• Best Visual Effects – “Higher Power” by Coldplay; Visual Effects by: Mathematic

Daniel Caesar

• Best Pop – “Peaches” by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon
• Song of Summer – “Peaches” by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon
• Best Collaboration – “Peaches” by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon
• Best Editing – “Peaches” by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon; Editing by: Mark Mayr, Vinnie Hobbs

Demi Lovato

• Video for Good – “Dancing With the Devil”

DJ Khaled

• Video of the Year – “Popstar” (starring Justin Bieber) by DJ Khaled ft. Drake
• Song of Summer – “Every Chance I Get” by DJ Khaled ft. Lil Baby and Lil Dirk
• Best Direction – “Popstar” (starring Justin Bieber) by DJ Khaled ft. Drake; Directed by: Julien Christian Lutz aka Director X

Doja Cat

• Video of the Year – “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat ft. SZA
• Artist of the Year
• Song of Summer – “Need To Know”
• Best Collaboration – “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat ft. SZA
• Best Art Direction – “Best Friend” by Saweetie ft. Doja Cat; Art Direction by: Art Haynes
• Best Visual Effects – “You Right” by Doja Cat & The Weeknd; Visual effects by: La Pac, Anthony Lestremau, Julien Missaire, Petr Shkolniy, Alexi Bailla, Micha Sher, Antoine Hache, Mikros MPC, Nicolas Huget, Guillaume Ho Tsong Fang, Benjamin Lenfant, Stephane Pivron, MPC Bangalore, Chanakya Chander, Raju Ganesh, David Rouxel

Drake

• Best Collaboration – “Laugh Now Cry Later” by Drake ft. Lil Durk
• Best Hip-Hop – “Laugh Now Cry Later” by Drake ft. Lil Durk
• Video of the Year – “Popstar” (starring Justin Bieber) by DJ Khaled ft. Drake
• Best Direction – “Popstar” (starring Justin Bieber) by DJ Khaled ft. Drake ; Directed by: Julien Christian Lutz aka Director X
• Best Editing – “What’s Next” by Drake; Editing by: Noah Kendal

Dua Lipa

• Song of the Year – “Levitating”
• Song of Summer – “Levitating”
• Best Collaboration – “Prisoner” by Miley Cyrus ft. Dua Lipa
• Best Editing – “Prisoner” by Miley Cyrus ft. Dua Lipa
• Best Latin – J. Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny, Tainy – “Un Dia (One Day)”

Ed Sheeran

• Video of the Year – “Bad Habits”
• Song of Summer – “Bad Habits”
• Best Art Direction – “Bad Habits” by Ed Sheeran; Art direction by: Alison Dominitz
• Best Choreography – “Bad Habits” by Ed Sheeran; Choreography by: Natricia Bernard

Evanescence

• Best Rock – “Use My Voice”

Foo Fighters

• Best Rock – “Shame Shame”
• Best Choreography – “Shame Shame” by Foo Fighters; Choreography by: Nina McNeely

Fousheé

• Push Performance of the Year – July 2021: “my slime”

(G)I-DLE

• Best K-pop – “DUMDi DUMDi”

girl in red

• Push Performance of the Year – June 2021: “Serotonin”

Giveon

• Best New Artist
• Best Pop – “Peaches” by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon
• Best Collaboration – “Peaches” by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon
• Best R&B – “Heartbreak Anniversary”
• Song of Summer – “Heartbreak Anniversary”
• Best Editing – “Peaches” by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon; Editing by: Mark Mayr, Vinnie Hobbs

Glass Animals

• Best Alternative – “Heat Waves”
• Best Visual Effects – “Tangerine” by Glass Animals; Visual Effects by: Ronan Fourreau

Harry Styles

• Best Pop – “Treat People With Kindness”
• Best Cinematography – “Treat People With Kindness” by Harry Styles; Choreography by: Paul Roberts
• Best Editing – “Treat People With Kindness” by Harry Styles; Editing by: Claudia Wass

Halsey

• Best Choreography – “Be Kind” by Marshmello & Halsey; Choreography by: Dani Vitale

H.E.R.

• Best R&B – “Come Through” by H.E.R. ft. Chris Brown
• Video for Good – “Fight For You”

Imagine Dragons

Best Alternative – “Follow You”

J. Balvin

• Best Latin – “Un Dia (One Day)” by J. Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny, Tainy

Jack Harlow

• Song of Summer – “Industry Baby” by Lil Nas X ft. Jack Harlow

Jay-Z

Video for Good – “Entrepreneur” by Pharrell Williams ft. Jay-Z

JC Stewart

• Push Performance of the Year – January 2021: “Break My Heart”

Jhay Cortez

• Best Latin – “Dákiti” by Bad Bunny x Jhay Cortez

John Mayer

• Best Rock – “Last Train Home”

Justin Bieber

• Artist of the Year
• Best Pop – “Peaches” by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon
• Song of Summer – “Peaches” by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon
• Best Collaboration – “Peaches” by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon
• Best Cinematography – “Holy” by Justin Bieber ft. Chance The Rapper; Cinematography by: Elias Talbot
• Best Editing – “Peaches” by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon; Editing by: Mark Mayr, Vinnie Hobbs

jxdn

• Push Performance of the Year – August 2021: “Think About Me”

Karol G

Kane Brown

• Video for Good – “Worldwide Beautiful”

Kings of Leon

Lady Gaga

• Best Cinematography – “911” by Lady Gaga; Cinematography by: Jeff Cronenweth
• Best Art Direction – “911” by Lady Gaga; Art direction by: Tom Foden, Peter Andrus

Latto

• Push Performance of the Year – February 2021: “Sex Lies”

Lenny Kravitz

• Best Rock – “Raise Vibration”

Lil Baby

• Song of Summer – “Every Chance I Get” by DJ Khaled ft. Lil Baby and Lil Dirk

Lil Durk

• Best Collaboration – “Laugh Now Cry Later” by Drake ft. Lil Durk
• Best Hip-Hop – “Laugh Now Cry Later” by Drake ft. Lil Durk

Lil Nas X

• Video of the Year – “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”
• Video for Good – “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”
• Song of Summer – “Industry Baby” by Lil Nas X ft. Jack Harlow
• Best Direction – “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” by Lil Nas X; Directed by: Lil Nas X and Tanu Muino
• Best Visual Effects – “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” by Lil Nas X; Visual effects by: Mathematic
• Best Art Direction – “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” by Lil Nas X; Art direction by: John Richoux

Lizzo

• Song of Summer – “Rumors” by Lizzo featuring Cardi B

Lorde

• Best Cinematography – “Solar Power” by Lorde; Cinematography by: Andrew Stroud

Machine Gun Kelly

• Best Alternative – “My Ex’s Best Friend” by Machine Gun Kelly ft. Blackbear

Madison Beer

• Push Performance of the Year – March 2021: “Selfish”

Major Lazer

• Best Art Direction – “Already” by Beyoncé, Shatta Wale, Major Lazer; Art direction by: Susan Linns, Gerard Santos

Maluma

Marshmello

• Best Choreography – “Be Kind” by Marshmello & Halsey; Choreography by: Dani Vitale

Megan Thee Stallion

• Best Hip-Hop – “On Me (remix)” by Lil Baby ft. Megan Thee Stallion
• Video of the Year – “WAP” by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion
• Song of the Year – “WAP” by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion
• Song of Summer – “Thot S***t”
• Best Collaboration – “WAP” by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion
• Best Hip-Hop – “WAP” by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion

M.I.A.

• Best Hip-Hop – “Franchise” by Travis Scott ft. Young Thug & M.I.A.
• Best Direction – “Franchise” by Travis Scott ft. Young Thug & M.I.A.; Directed by: Travis Scott

Moneybagg Yo

• Best Hip-Hop – “Said Sum”

Monsta X

Normani

• Song of Summer – “Wild Side” by Normani ft. Cardi B

Olivia Rodrigo

• Artist of the Year
• Best New Artist
• Song of the Year – “Drivers License”
• Song of Summer – “Good 4 U”
• Best Pop – “Good 4 U”
• Push Performance of the Year – May 2021: “Drivers License”

Pharrell Williams

• Video for Good – “Entrepreneur” by Pharrell Williams ft. Jay-Z

P!NK

• Best Visual Effects – “All I Know So Far” by P!NK; Visual effects by: Dave Meyers, Freenjoy Inc

Polo G

• Best New Artist
• Best Hip-Hop – “RAPSTAR”

ROSALÍA

• Best Latin – “Lo Vas A Olvidar” by Billie Eilish & ROSALÍA

SAINt JHN

• Push Performance of the Year – November 2020: “Gorgeous”
• Best R&B – “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid
• Best Cinematography – “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid; Cinematography by: Benoit Soler, Malik H. Sayeed, Mohammed Atta Ahmed, Santiago Gonzalez, Ryan Helfant

Saweetie

• Best New Artist
• Best Art Direction – “Best Friend” by Saweetie ft. Doja Cat; Art Direction by: Art Haynes

Selena Gomez

• Best K-pop – “Ice Cream” by Blackpink and Selena Gomez

Seventeen

• Best K-pop – “Ready to love”

Shakira

• Best Latin – “Girl Like Me” by Black Eyed Peas and Shakira

Shatta Wale

• Best Art Direction – “Already” by Beyoncé, Shatta Wale, Major Lazer; Art direction by: Susan Linns, Gerard Santos

Shawn Mendes

• Best Pop – “Wonder”
• Song of Summer – “Summer of Love” by Shawn Mendes and Tainy

Silk Sonic

• Song of the Year – “Leave the Door Open” by Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic
• Best R&B – “Leave the Door Open” by Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic
• Best Editing – “Leave the Door Open” by Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic; Editing by: Troy Charbonnet

SZA

• Best R&B – “Good Days”
• Best Collaboration – “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat ft. SZA
• Video of the Year – “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat ft. SZA

Tainy

• Best Latin – “Un Dia (One Day)” – J. Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny, Tainy
• Song of Summer – “Summer of Love” by Shawn Mendes and Tainy

Taylor Swift

• Artist of the Year
• Best Pop – “Willow”
• Best Direction – “Willow” by Taylor Swift; Directed by: Taylor Swift
• Best Art Direction – “Willow” by Taylor Swift; Art direction by: Ethan Tobman, Regina Fernandez

The Kid Laroi

• Best New Artist
• Song of Summer – “Stay” by The Kid Laroi with Justin Bieber
• Push Performance of the Year – April 2021: “Without You”

The Killers

• Best Rock – “My Own Soul’s Warning”

The Weeknd

• Video of the Year – “Save Your Tears”
• Best Visual Effects – “You Right” by Doja Cat & The Weeknd; Visual effects by: La Pac, Anthony Lestremau, Julien Missaire, Petr Shkolniy, Alexi Bailla, Micha Sher, Antoine Hache, Mikros MPC, Nicolas Huget, Guillaume Ho Tsong Fang, Benjamin Lenfant, Stephane Pivron, MPC Bangalore, Chanakya Chander, Raju Ganesh, David Rouxel

Travis Scott

• Best Hip-Hop – “Franchise” by Travis Scott ft. Young Thug & M.I.A.
• Best Direction – “Franchise” by Travis Scott ft. Young Thug & M.I.A.; Directed by: Travis Scott

Twenty One Pilots

• Best Alternative – “Shy Away”

Twice

• Best K-pop – “Alcohol-Free”

Tyler, The Creator

• Best Direction – “Lumberjack” by Tyler, The Creator; Directed by: Wolf Haley

Wallows

• Push Performance of the Year – September 2020: “Are You Bored Yet?”

Willow

• Best Alternative – “Transparent Soul” by Willow ft. Travis Barker

WizKid

• Best R&B – “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid
• Best Cinematography – “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid; Cinematography by: Benoit Soler, Malik H. Sayeed, Mohammed Atta Ahmed, Santiago Gonzalez, Ryan Helfant

Young Thug

• Best R&B – “Go Crazy” by Chris Brown and Young Thug
• Best Hip-Hop – “Franchise” by Travis Scott ft. Young Thug & M.I.A.
• Best Direction – “Franchise” by Travis Scott ft. Young Thug & M.I.A.; Directed by: Travis Scott

VMAs Voting Explained

Fans can vote for their favorite artists at the MTV website. You can vote up to 10 times a day and your ballot is locked once submitted, the website advises.

Voting has closed for most award categories, except for Best New Artist, Group of the Year and Song of Summer.

Voting for Best New Artist will remain open into the live show, while votes for Group of the Year are submitted via MTV’s Instagram story.

Votes for Song of Summer are open from September 7, the MTV website says.

Check the website for the latest information.