--- description: The nominees for the 2018 MTV VMAs are here, which means the wildest awards show of the year is almost upon us. title: Here Are the 2018 MTV VMAs Nominees image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt613ad7a80c18b856/6989357dab6d77dedf6b3310/cardi-b-mtv-vmas.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Entertainment](/section/entertainment/) ## Entertainment Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Here Are the 2018 MTV VMAs Nominees  by [Megan McCluskey](/author/megan-mccluskey/)  ## Megan McCluskey Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Staff Writer Jul 16, 2018 8:33 PM CUT  Cardi B performs on stage during Hot 107.9 Birthday Bash at Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood on June 16, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. Cardi B performs on stage during Hot 107.9 Birthday Bash at Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood on June 16, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia.Paras Griffin/Getty Images  by [Megan McCluskey](/author/megan-mccluskey/)  ## Megan McCluskey Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Staff Writer Jul 16, 2018 8:33 PM CUT The nominees for the [2018 MTV VMAs](http://time.com/4915199/mtv-vmas-2017-best-worst-moments/ "undefined") are here, which means the [wildest awards show](http://time.com/4016496/vmas-2015-miley-cyrus-surprise-album-music/ "undefined") of the year is almost upon us. [Cardi B](http://time.com/5320816/bet-awards-2018-winners/ "undefined") leads this year’s field with 10 nominations in top categories like Video of the Year, Artist of the Year and Song of the Year while the Carters—a.k.a. Beyoncé and Jay Z— are hot on her heels with eight nods for [“Apes—t”](http://time.com/5315275/art-references-meaning-beyonce-jay-z-apeshit-louvre-music-video/ "undefined") from their _Everything is Love_ joint album. Childish Gambino and Drake are next up with seven nominations each, followed by Bruno Mars with six, and Ariana Grande and Camila Cabello with five. The VMAs will air live from Radio City Music Hall on Monday, August 20 at 9:00 p.m. ET. See the complete list of nominees below. **VIDEO OF THE YEAR** Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” – Republic Records Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records The Carters – “APES\*\*T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records Drake – “God’s Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records **ARTIST OF THE YEAR** Ariana Grande – Republic Records Bruno Mars – Atlantic Records Camila Cabello – Syco Music/Epic Records Cardi B – Atlantic Records Drake – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records Post Malone – Republic Records **SONG OF THE YEAR** Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records Drake – “God’s Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records Dua Lipa – “New Rules” – Warner Bros. Records Ed Sheeran – “Perfect” – Atlantic Records Post Malone ft. 21 Savage – “rockstar” – Republic Records **BEST NEW ARTIST** Bazzi – iamcosmic/Atlantic Records Cardi B – Atlantic Records Chloe x Halle – Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records Hayley Kiyoko – Atlantic Records Lil Pump – Warner Bros. Records Lil Uzi Vert – Atlantic Records **BEST COLLABORATION** Bebe Rexha ft. Florida Georgia Line – “Meant to Be” – Warner Bros. Records Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records The Carters – “APES\*\*T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment Jennifer Lopez ft. DJ Khaled & Cardi B – “Dinero” – Epic Records/Nuyorican Productions Logic ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid – “1-800-273-8255” – Def Jam Recordings N.E.R.D & Rihanna – “Lemon” – i am OTHER/Columbia Records **PUSH ARTIST OF THE YEAR** JULY 2018 – Chloe x Halle – Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records JUNE 2018 – Sigrid – Island Records MAY 2018 – Lil Xan – Columbia Records APRIL 2018 – Hayley Kiyoko – Atlantic Records MARCH 2018 – Jessie Reyez – Island Records FEBRUARY 2018 – Tee Grizzley – 300 Entertainment JANUARY 2018 – Bishop Briggs – Island Records DECEMBER 2017 – Grace VanderWaal – Syco Music/Columbia Records NOVEMBER 2017 – Why Don’t We – Atlantic Records OCTOBER 2017 – PRETTYMUCH – Syco Music/Columbia Records SEPTEMBER 2017 – SZA – TDE/Aftermath/Interscope Records AUGUST 2017 – Kacy Hill – Def Jam Recordings JULY 2017 – Khalid – RCA Records JUNE 2017 – Kyle – Atlantic Records MAY 2017 – Noah Cyrus – Republic Records **BEST POP** Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” – Republic Records Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records Demi Lovato – “Sorry Not Sorry” – Island Records Ed Sheeran – “Perfect” – Atlantic Records P!nk – “What About Us” – RCA Records Shawn Mendes – “In My Blood” – Island Records **BEST HIP HOP** Cardi B ft. 21 Savage – “Bartier Cardi” – KSR/Atlantic Records The Carters – “APES\*\*T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment Drake – “God’s Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Record J. Cole – “ATM” – Dreamville/Roc Nation/Interscope Records Migos ft. Drake – “Walk It Talk It” – Quality Control/Capitol Records Nicki Minaj – “Chun-Li” – Young Money/Cash Money Records **BEST LATIN** Daddy Yankee – “Dura” – El Cartel Records/UMLE J Balvin, Willy William – “Mi Gente” – UMLE/Republic Records Jennifer Lopez ft. DJ Khaled & Cardi B – “Dinero” – Epic Records/Nuyorican Productions Luis Fonsi, Demi Lovato – “Échame La Culpa” – UMLE/Republic/Island/Universal Music Latino Maluma – “Felices los 4” – Sony Music Entertainment US Latin Shakira ft. Maluma – “Chantaje” – Sony Music Entertainment US Latin **BEST DANCE** Avicii ft. Rita Ora – “Lonely Together” – Geffen Records Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa – “One Kiss” – Columbia Records The Chainsmokers – “Everybody Hates Me” – Disruptor Records/Columbia Records David Guetta & Sia – “Flames” – Atlantic Records Marshmello ft. Khalid – “Silence” – RCA Records/Ultra Records Zedd & Liam Payne – “Get Low (Street Video)” – Interscope Records **BEST ROCK** Fall Out Boy – “Champion” – Island Records Foo Fighters – “The Sky Is A Neighborhood” – RCA Records Imagine Dragons – “Whatever It Takes” – KIDinaKORNER/Interscope Records Linkin Park – “One More Light” – Warner Bros. Records Panic! At The Disco – “Say Amen (Saturday Night)” – Fueled By Ramen/Atlantic Records Thirty Seconds to Mars – “Walk On Water” – Interscope Records **VIDEO WITH A MESSAGE** Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records Dej Loaf and Leon Bridges – “Liberated” – Columbia Records Drake – ‘God’s Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records Janelle Monáe – “PYNK” – Bad Boy Records/Atlantic Records Jessie Reyez – “Gatekeeper” – Island Records Logic ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid – “1-800-273-8255” – Def Jam Recordings **BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY** Alessia Cara – “Growing Pains” – Def Jam Recordings – Cinematography by Pau Castejón Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” – Republic Records – Cinematography by Scott Cunningham The Carters – “APES\*\*T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Cinematography by Benoit Debie Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records – Cinematography by Larkin Seiple Eminem ft. Ed Sheeran – “River” – Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records – Cinematography by Frank Mobilio & Patrick Meller Shawn Mendes – “In My Blood” – Island Records – Cinematography by Jonathan Sela **BEST DIRECTION** The Carters – “APES\*\*T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Directed by Ricky Saix Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records – Directed by Hiro Murai Drake – “God’s Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records – Directed by Karena Evans Ed Sheeran – “Perfect” – Atlantic Records – Directed by Jason Koenig Justin Timberlake ft. Chris Stapleton – “Say Something” – RCA Records – Directed by Arturo Perez Jr. Shawn Mendes – “In My Blood” – Island Records – Directed by Jay Martin **BEST ART DIRECTION** The Carters – “APES\*\*T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Art Direction by Jan Houlevigue Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records – Art Direction by Jason Kisvarday J. Cole – “ATM” – Dreamville/Roc Nation/Interscope Records – Art Direction by Miles Mullin Janelle Monáe – “Make Me Feel” – Bad Boy Records/Atlantic Records – Art Direction by Pepper Nguyen SZA – “The Weekend” – TDE/RCA Records – Art Direction by SZA and Solange Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do” – Big Machine Records – Art Direction by Brett Hess **BEST VISUAL EFFECTS** Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by Vidal and Loris Paillier for Buf Avicii ft. Rita Ora – “Lonely Together” – Geffen Records – Visual Effects by KPP Eminem ft. Beyoncé – “Walk On Water” – Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records – Visual Effects Supervisor Rich Lee for Drive Studios Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “All The Stars” – TDE/Aftermath/Interscope Records – Visual Effects by Loris Paillier for BUF Paris Maroon 5 – “Wait” – 222/Interscope Records – Visual Effects by TIMBER Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do” – Big Machine Records – Visual Effects by Ingenuity Studios **BEST CHOREOGRAPHY** Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records – Choreography by Phil Tayag & Bruno Mars Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records – Choreography by Calvit Hodge and Sara Bivens The Carters – “APES\*\*T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Choreography by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Jaquel Knight Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records – Choreography by Sherrie Silver Dua Lipa – “IDGAF” – Warner Bros. Records – Choreography by Marion Motin Justin Timberlake – “Filthy” – RCA Records – Choreography by Marty Kudelka, AJ Harpold, Tracy Phillips, and Ivan Koumaev **BEST EDITING** Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records – Editing by Jacquelyn London The Carters – “APES\*\*T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Taylor Ward and Sam Ostrove Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records – Editing by Ernie Gilbert Janelle Monáe – “Make Me Feel” – Bad Boy Records/Atlantic Records – Editing by Deji Laray N.E.R.D & Rihanna – “Lemon” – i am OTHER/Columbia Records – Editing by Taylor Ward Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do” – Big Machine Records – Editing by Chancler Haynes for Cosmo ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5340179/mtv-vmas-2018-nominees/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5340179/mtv-vmas-2018-nominees/"},"headline":"Here Are the 2018 MTV VMAs Nominees","datePublished":"2018-07-16T20:33:01.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-13T07:53:53.146Z","description":"Cardi B leads the pack","url":"https://time.com/5340179/mtv-vmas-2018-nominees/","keywords":["Newsfeed","Music"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt613ad7a80c18b856/6989357dab6d77dedf6b3310/cardi-b-mtv-vmas.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Megan McCluskey","jobTitle":"Staff Writer","url":"https://time.com/author/megan-mccluskey/"}],"articleSection":"Entertainment","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt613ad7a80c18b856/6989357dab6d77dedf6b3310/cardi-b-mtv-vmas.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Cardi B performs on stage during Hot 107.9 Birthday Bash","caption":"Cardi B performs on stage during Hot 107.9 Birthday Bash","creditText":"Paras Griffin/Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/entertainment/","name":"Entertainment"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/5340179/mtv-vmas-2018-nominees/","name":"Here Are the 2018 MTV VMAs Nominees"}}]}] ```