The MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) 2025 are set to take place on Sunday, September 7th, at the UBS Arena in New York City. This year’s ceremony promises to deliver unforgettable moments with the introduction of two exciting new categories: Best Country and Best Pop Artist.
Lady Gaga leads the list of nominees with 12 nods, followed closely by Bruno Mars with 11 and Kendrick Lamar with 10. Known for her unmatched accomplishments, Gaga, who has previously won 18 VMA awards, is the top nominee for the third time, having achieved this milestone in 2010 and 2020.
Despite Gaga’s dominance, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift continue to hold the record for the most VMA wins with 30 awards each (including group wins). Both artists are also vying for the prestigious Artist of the Year award, alongside Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, Bad Bunny, Lady Gaga, and Morgan Wallen.
In the newly added Best Country category, artists like Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, Morgan Wallen, and others will compete for the title. Meanwhile, the Best Pop Artist category includes global icons like Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Lorde, and Miley Cyrus.
Emerging stars are also in the spotlight, as nominees for the Best New Artist category include Alex Warren, Ella Langley, Gigi Perez, Lola Young, sombr, and The Marías.
Among contenders for the coveted Video of the Year award, the slate features “brighter days ahead” by Ariana Grande, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” by Billie Eilish, “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar, “Die with a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, and “Timeless” by The Weeknd featuring Playboi Carti.
Ayra Starr, a leading African artist, takes center stage with her nomination for MTV Push Performance of the Year owing to her hit song “Last Heartbreak Song.” Her nomination shines a light on the growing influence of Afrobeats and African music globally. She’s also competing in the Best Afrobeats category alongside heavyweights like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tems, and Rema.
Public voting for all 24 categories has already begun and will remain open until September 5th at 6 PM ET. Fans can continue to vote for their favorite emerging artist in the Best New Artist category until the day of the event.
The MTV VMA 2025 is set to celebrate game-changing artistry, compelling storytelling, and cutting-edge visuals, making it one of the most anticipated events of the year.
Full Nominees List:
1. Video of the Year:
- Ariana Grande - "brighter days ahead" - Republic Records
- Billie Eilish - "BIRDS OF A FEATHER" - Darkroom/Interscope Records
- Kendrick Lamar - "Not Like Us" - pgLang/Interscope Records
- Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars - "Die with a Smile" - Interscope Records
- ROSÉ & Bruno Mars - "APT." - Atlantic Records
- Sabrina Carpenter - "Manchild" - Island
- The Weeknd, Playboi Carti - "Timeless" - XO/Republic Records
2. Artist of the Year:
- Bad Bunny - Rimas Entertainment
- Beyoncé - Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records
- Kendrick Lamar - pgLang/Interscope Records
- Lady Gaga - Interscope Records
- Morgan Wallen - Big Loud Records/Mercury Records
- Taylor Swift - Republic Records
- The Weeknd - XO/Republic Records
3. Best Afrobeats:
- Asake & Travis Scott - "Active" - YBNL Nation/EMPIRE
- Burna Boy ft. Travis Scott - "TaTaTa" - Spaceship/Bad Habit/Atlantic Records
- Rema - "Baby (Is It a Crime)" - Mavin Global Holdings Ltd / Jonzing World Entertainment / Interscope Records
- Tems ft. Asake - "Get It Right" - RCA Records/Since '93
- Tyla - "PUSH 2 START" - FAX Records/Epic Records
- Wizkid ft. Brent Faiyaz - "Piece of My Heart" - Starboy/RCA Records
Ayra Starr, nominated for MTV Push Performance of the Year for her song “Last Heartbreak Song,” shows African music’s rising impact. 
Ayra Starr electrified audiences during her performance at the Giants of Africa concert on Saturday, August 2, 2025. 
Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and Kendrick Lamar lead the nominations at the MTV VMA 2025. (Photo: Getty Images) 