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 the Las Vegas Palms Casino Resort, Sunday, September 9, 2007 at 9 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 Artist of the Year
- Akon - Akon seems to be everywhere, but he lost a few supporters with unwise onstage antics. It is Akon's voice that pop fans have fallen in love with, not his videos.
- Robin Thicke - He finally got the accolades and sales his smooth, sexy soul music deserves this year, but Robin Thicke would have to be considered a long shot to win in this category.
- T.I. - 2 straight #1 albums and the most high profile supporting role of the past year with Justin on "My Love" still may not be enough for T.I. to take home the moonman in this category.
- Justin Timberlake - It's hard to imagine anyone taking home te prize in this category other than JT. From the dancing on "My Love" to the high drama of "What Goes Around...", Justin Timberlake does have the charisma to keep us all riveted to the screen.
- Kanye West - Kanye's "Stronger" is, indeed, one of his strongest videos yet, but, if the 'Graduation' album is another huge hit, this category is more likely his a year from now.
Female Artist of the Year
- Beyonce - It was a big year for B with the smash hit "Irreplaceable" and a fun, funky video interpretation of "Get Me Bodied." However, the competition is seriously tough.
- Fergie - I really don't think much of anyone, except perhaps her colleague will.i.am, would have predicted Fergie would have turned into one of the hottest of hot female solo stars. She has had a tremendous year, but I don't think the candy-coated "Fergalicious" video will win this one for her.
- Nelly Furtado - If she wins it will be a surprise. The album 'Loose' kept spinning off hits, but not as big as some of the other women in this category.
- Rihanna - "Umbrella" is one of the most memorable songs and videos of the entire year. Combined with the fun and perky "Shut Up and Drive," these hits should help Rihanna bring home a moonman.
- Amy Winehouse - The recent real-world issues about will-she or won't-she go to rehab has taken much of the shine off Amy Winehouse's public reputation. The single hit should not be enough to take home this award.
Best Group
- Fall Out Boy - This year they proved all the hits from the breakthrough From Under the Cork Tree were deserved. "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race" and "Thnks fr th Mmrs" were the group's best yet.
- Gym Class Heroes - These guys emerged from the post-hardcore ghetto with a catchy retake on Supertramp's "Breakfast in America." Fun and entertaining, but they aren't the cream of this crop.
- Linkin Park - They're snarling and back in the game with the assistance of master producer Rick Rubin.
- Maroon 5 - It's a return of the romantic dramas of Adam Levine. The new video for "Wake Up Call" is a slyly humorous take on feature films with Levine turned into a mad killer by his partner's infidelities, but I don't think it's enough to win.
- White Stripes - Icky Thump was another triumph for Jack and Meg, but the title song and video came and went so fast that it's difficult to imagine they earned this award this year.
