Okay, VMAs, let’s get in formation.
MTV announced the nominees for this year’s Video Music Awards on Tuesday, and two of music’s most popular female artists lead the list.
Beyoncé tops all nominees with a career-best 11 nominations, while Adele is close behind with eight nominations. Queen Bey’s much talked about “Formation” video, and Adele’s “Hello” — viewed more than 1.6 billion times on YouTube — are nominated for the biggest prize of the event, Video of the Year.
Justin Bieber’s “Sorry,” Drake’s “Hotline Bling” and Kanye West’s “Famous,” are also nominated for Video of the Year.
Traditionally, the VMAs are more about the spectacle — and downright insanity of the show — than who takes home the MTV Moonman trophy. (Just ask Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift.) With West in the mix, this year should be no exception.
West, The Weeknd, Calvin Harris, Bryson Tiller and Drake will battle it out for Best Male Video. Sia, Ariana Grande and Rihanna are nominated in the Best Female Video category, along with Adele and Beyoncé.
Newcomers including Bryson Tiller, Desiigner, Zara Larsson, Lukas Graham and DNCE, are up for the Best New Artist award.
The 2016 MTV Video Music Awards air live from New York City’s Madison Square Garden on August 28.