(AllHipHop News) The list of nominations for this year’s MTV Video Music Awards has been released, and leading the pack this year with five nominations each are Drake and Rihanna.
Drake’s video for “Take Care” with Rihanna and “H.Y.F.R.” with Lil Wayne earned the R&B star five total nominations, including “Video of the Year,” “Best Male Video,” “Best Hip-Hop Video,” “Best Art Direction” and “Best Cinematography.”
Rihanna is nominated for “Best Visual Effects” and “Best Choreography” for “Where Have You Been,” “Best Pop Video,” “Best Female Video” and “Video of the Year” for “We Found Love.”
Nominees for “Best Hip-Hop Video” include Childish Gambino with “Heartbreak”, Drake featuring Lil Wayne for “H.Y.F.R.”, G.O.O.D. Music’s “Mercy”, The Throne with “N*ggas In Paris”, and Nicki Minaj featuring 2 Chainz for “Beez In the Trap”.
Beyonce will be battling it out with Rihanna and Nicki Minaj in the “Best Female Video” category where each singer scored a nomination.
Frank Ocean is up for “Best New Artist” this year with his song “Swim Good”, a video that also earned him a “Best Direction” nod as well. Last year, the award was won by fellow Odd Future member Tyler, the Creator.
Lil Wayne also landed a nomination for “How To Love” off of last year’s Tha Carter IV in the “Best Video With A Message” category.
Other artists who were nominated this year include A$AP Rocky, K’Naan, Gym Class Heroes, Lana Del Ray, Jennifer Lopez, M.I.A., and many more.
Current performers for the Video Music Awards include Alicia Keys and One Direction with many more to be announced throughout August.
The 2012 MTV Video Music Awards will air live on Sunday, September 6 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
For a full list of nominees and voting for fan favorites, visit MTV.com.