Breaking down the 2022 VMA nominations: Who will win?

The VMAs won’t air till Sunday, Aug. 28, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, but the nominations are here and there is a lot to go through. New categories such as the “Best Metaverse Performance” and “Best K-Pop” awards are making waves, and with artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, and Bad Bunny nominated for awards, it is sure to be a star-studded awards show. Here is what you need to know till then.

The 2022 MTV VMAs will air live from New Jersey’s Prudential Center. No performers or presenters have been announced, but, we do have much to say about the award nominees.

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Doja Cat – “Woman” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Drake ft. Future & Young Thug – “Way 2 Sexy” – OVO/Republic
Ed Sheeran – “Shivers” – Atlantic Records
Harry Styles – “As It Was“ – Columbia Records
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records
Olivia Rodrigo – “brutal” – Geffen Records
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) – Republic Records

First, is the Video of the Year Moonman award. The award is given to the top video in the industry. As far as the nominees, every song was a hit. But was there a bigger hit video than Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well”? Not only did it make waves for being Taylor’s version of the single but it was also a short film in itself. Taylor served as a director and allowed her to receive five nominations this year. If she wins, it will be her third victory in the category. She previously won for  “Bad Blood” in 2015 and “You Need to Calm Down” in 2019.

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Bad Bunny — Rimas Entertainment
Drake — OVO/Republic
Ed Sheeran — Atlantic Records
Harry Styles — Columbia Records
Jack Harlow — Generation Now / Atlantic Records
Lil Nas X — Columbia Records
Lizzo — Atlantic Records

While Jack Harlow, Kendrick Lamar, and Lil Nas X lead with seven nominations each, the Artist of the Year category prove that this year has been great for many artists – and the nominees cover varies genres of music that include rap, reggaeton, and pop. Who will win? It will be a tight rase between Jack Harlow and Harry Styles.

SONG OF THE YEAR
Adele — “Easy On Me” — Columbia Records
Billie Eilish — “Happier Than Ever” — Darkroom / Interscope Records
Doja Cat — “Woman” — Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Elton John & Dua Lipa — “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” — EMI / Interscope Records
Lizzo — “About Damn Time” — Atlantic Records
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber — “STAY” — Columbia Records

WOW! Each of these singles could not be any more different, but share the similarities of being a staple in each of the nominees’ careers. “Easy On Me” was Adele’s comeback single. The same can be said for “About Damn Time”. Was there a day that we did not hear “STAY” on the radio – for months, nonetheless. “Woman” is a close second for the win, and “Happier Than Ever” was a nice addition to Billie Eilish’s music catalog. But it is safe to say this is a win for The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber.

BEST NEW ARTIST
Baby Keem — Columbia Records
Dove Cameron — Disruptor Records / Columbia Records
GAYLE — Atlantic Records / Arthouse Records
Latto — Streamcut / RCA Records
Måneskin — Arista Records
SEVENTEEN — PLEDIS Entertainment/Geffen Records

Latto came with some “Big Energy” this year – see what I did there. And SEVENTEEN has slowly been taking over the gap that BTS left after the band announced their hiatus. But even if there takeover is just getting started, the fandom that K-Pop is sure to make it a win for the emerging boy band.

Check out all of the categories and nominees for the 2022 VMA’s here.