The MTV Video Music Awards are one of the 4 major pop music awards events of the year. The awards will be telecast live from Radio City Music Hall in New York, Thursday, August 31, 20006 at 8 p.m. ET on MTV.
My predictions are simply that...predictions. It will be up to the voters to choose the actual winners. My predicted winner in each category is in bold type. I have included comments on each nominee. I am making predictions only in the 5 top award categories. Check the full listing of nominations to see who is up for awards in every category.
Male Video
- Busta Rhymes - Touch It Remix - I'm possibly a bit out on the edge picking Busta as the victor here, but this video is packed with hip hop artists in guest performances and addictive to watch.
- James Blunt - You're Beautiful - The innovative video was definitely a big part of pushing "You're Beautiful" into the public conscience, but it's also so so easy to parody. This could be a darkhorse candidate.
- Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx - Gold Digger - I'm not sure why this was nominated for the award instead of Kanye's more innovative "Touch the Sky" video. Although the song is brilliant, I think the video is too ordinary to win Kanye the moonman in this category.
- Nick Lachey - What's Left of Me - Nick Lachey's mopey, moody response to divorce from Jessica. I think this is just an also-ran to fill out the category.
- T.I. - What You Know - If hip hop wins this category, it's Busta's year.
Female Video
- Christina Aguilera - Ain't No Other Man - This video is artistic and interesting, but, so far, Christina Aguilera's live performances have been more thrilling than the video.
- Kelly Clarkson - Because of You - It's a dramatic video and strikes a chord in many watchers, but the video came out a looong time ago for voters to remember.
- Madonna - Hung Up - Madonna in a purple-pink leotard. Too many fans were disappointed in the video for it to take home this award.
- Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland - Promiscuous - "Promiscuous" is one of the biggest hits of the year and fresh in voters' minds, but I think it will lose in a tight race to...
- Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean - Hips Don't Lie - This is Shakira's year, and the year the VMAs reward the international-themed music that points in a direction for the future of pop music in general.
Group Video
- All-American Rejects - Move Along - A tremendous editing job makes the video particularly memorable. The song has been riding pop radio for months as well, but I think ultimately the Rejects will lose t flashier competitors.
- Fall Out Boy - Dance, Dance - Fall Out Boy's shine is starting to tarnish a bit in the minds of many music fans. They are due for new material and "Dance, Dance" will just seem too old for many voters.
- Gnarls Barkley - Crazy - Gnarls Barkley could sneak in as a darkhorse, but it is competing in this category with 2 nominees for video of the year.
- Panic! At the Disco - I Write Sins Not Tragedies - The song is insanely addicting and the video very colorful and entertaining even if it doesn't completely make a lot of sense. Give the guys an award!
- Red Hot Chili Peppers - Dani California - The Red Hot Chili Peppers made a triumphant return this year with a fun video. However, the concept is not completely original - the trail back through past eras playing dress-up reminds me a bit too much of Forrest Gump.
