vmas nicky
Credit: giphy.com

The MTV VMAs has been the circus ring to many a dramatic viewing across the years; Nikki Minaj’s public “What’s good?” spat at Miley Cyrus, Cyrus’ overtly sexual grinding on Robyn Thicke on stage, Kanye West stealing Taylor Swift’s microphone mid-acceptance speech, West announcing he’ll run for president and Britney Spears’ post-breakdown, premature comeback performance in the way of awkward lip-synching.

While its widely speculated Swift will not be attending this year’s awards, rest assured there’ll still be fodder to be stirred up and MTV cameramen in the right position to cross to a certain celebrity when their nemesis wins as award. (West would surely have a few if his Famous video – featuring non-consensually naked celebs – wins best video.)

Take some time study these notes and footage to catch you up to speed on what to expect come Monday morning.

Where can I watch the event?

Airing live from New York’s Madison Square Garden at 9pm U.S. time, you can minimise a browser to a small box on your computer screen and stream MTV’s live coverage from 9am Sydney time right here.

Who is performing?

Britney Spears is set to make her “comeback”. And since she’s held down a sold-out residency in Vegas, this could actually be the year. With a new album, Glory, Spears will perform her lead single Make Me and if the teaser is anything to go by, the performance will pay homage to her 2001 performance and involve that snake.

Rihanna is also listed to perform. Reports have surfaced Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Nick Jonas, Future, The Chainsmokers and Halsey will also take the VMA stage.
vmas britney 2
Credit: giphy.com

Who is in the running for Video Of The Year?

The biggest award of the night will go to one of these five contenders. Study up.

Beyonce – Formation

 

Justin Bieber – Sorry

 

Adele – Hello

 

Drake – Hotline Bling

 

Kanye West – Famous

 

Who will receive the Video Vanguard Award?

Rihanna.

vmas rihanna
Credit: giphy.com

Who will take away the most awards?

Beyoncé. With an incredible 11 nominations across four different categories, the Queen will undoubtedly – according to GRAZIA anyway – take home the most moonmen for her audiovisual masterpiece in Lemonade. Adele will be close behind as she is nominated for eight awards.

vmas beyonce
Credit: giphy.com

When will I need a tissue box?

This year, we lost Prince and David Bowie. Although nothing has been confirmed or even announced, we’re predicting both icons will be honoured.

Where can I watch the red carpet coverage?

This is trick question on the test. You’ve already arrived at the answer: grazia.com.au

Who is nominated for what?

Behold, your full list of nominees to study this weekend:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Adele – Hello
Beyoncé – Formation
Drake – Hotline Bling
Justin Bieber – Sorry
Kanye West – Famous

BEST FEMALE VIDEO
Adele – “Hello”
Beyoncé – “Hold Up”
Sia – “Cheap Thrills”
Ariana Grande – “Into You”
Rihanna ft. Drake – “Work”

BEST MALE VIDEO
Drake – “Hotline Bling”
Bryson Tiller – “Don’t”
Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna – “This Is What You Came For”
Kanye West – “Famous”
The Weeknd – “Can’t Feel My Face”

BEST COLLABORATION
Beyoncé ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Freedom”
Fifth Harmony ft. Ty Dolla $ign – “Work From Home”
Ariana Grande ft. Lil Wayne – “Let Me Love You”
Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna – “This Is What You Came For”
Rihanna ft. Drake – “Work”

BEST HIP HOP VIDEO
Drake – “Hotline Bling”
Desiigner – “Panda”
Bryson Tiller – “Don’t”
Chance The Rapper ft. Saba – “Angels”
2 Chainz – “Watch Out”

BEST POP VIDEO
Adele – “Hello”
Beyoncé – “Formation”
Justin Bieber – “Sorry”
Alessia Cara – “Wild Things”
Ariana Grande – “Into You”

BEST ROCK VIDEO
All Time Low – “Missing You”
Coldplay – “Adventure Of A Lifetime”
Fall Out Boy ft. Demi Lovato – “Irresistible”
twenty one pilots – “Heathens”
Panic! At The Disco – “Victorious”

BEST ELECTRONIC VIDEO
Calvin Harris & Disciples – “How Deep Is Your Love”
99 Souls ft. Destiny’s Child & Brandy – “The Girl Is Mine”
Mike Posner – “I Took A Pill In Ibiza”
Afrojack – “SummerThing!”
The Chainsmokers ft. Daya – “Don’t Let Me Down”

BREAKTHROUGH LONG FORM VIDEO
Florence + The Machine – The Odyssey
Beyoncé – Lemonade
Justin Bieber – PURPOSE: The Movement
Chris Brown – Royalty
Troye Sivan – Blue Neighbourhood Trilogy

BEST NEW ARTIST
Bryson Tiller
Desiigner
Zara Larsson
Lukas Graham
DNCE

BEST ART DIRECTION
Beyoncé – “Hold Up” (Production Designer: Jason Hougaard)
Fergie – “M.I.L.F. $” (Production Designer: Alexander Delgado)
Drake – “Hotline Bling” (Production Designer: Jeremy MacFarlane)
David Bowie – “Blackstar” (Production Designer: Jan Houllevigue)
Adele – “Hello” (Production Designer: Colombe Raby)

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Beyoncé – “Formation” (Choreographer: Chris Grant, JaQuel Knight, Dana Foglia)
Missy Elliott ft. Pharrell – “WTF (Where They From)” (Choreographer: Hi-Hat)
Beyoncé – “Sorry” (Choreographer: Chris Grant, JaQuel Knight, Dana Foglia, Anthony Burrell, Beyoncé Knowles Carter)
FKA Twigs – “M3LL155X” (Choreographers: Aaron Sillis, Benjamin Milan, Kenrick Sandy and FKA twigs)
Florence + The Machine – “Delilah” (Choreographer: Holly Blakey)

BEST DIRECTION
Beyoncé – “Formation” (Director: Melina Matsoukas)
Coldplay – “Up&Up” (Director: Vania Heymann, Gal Muggia)
Adele – “Hello” (Director: Xavier Dolan)
David Bowie – “Lazarus” (Director: Johan Renck)
Tame Impala – “The Less I Know The Better” (Director: Canada)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Beyoncé – “Formation” (Cinematographer: Malik Sayeed)
Adele – “Hello” (Cinematographer: André Turpin)
David Bowie – “Lazarus” (Cinematographer: Crille Forsberg)
Alesso – “I Wanna Know” (Cinematographer: Corey Jennings)
Ariana Grande – “Into You” (Cinematographer: Paul Laufer)

BEST EDITING
Beyoncé – “Formation” (Editor: Jeff Selis)
Adele – “Hello” (Editor: Xavier Dolan)
Fergie – “M.I.L.F. $” (Editor: Vinnie Hobbs)
David Bowie – “Lazarus” (Editor: Johan Söderberg)
Ariana Grande – “Into You” (Editor: Hannah Lux Davis) 

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Coldplay – “Up&Up” (VFX Editor: Vania Heymann)
FKA Twigs – “M3LL155X” (VFX Editors: Lewis Saunders and Electric Theatre Collective)
Adele – “Send My Love (To Your New Lover)” (VFX Editor: Jonathan Box, MPC)
The Weeknd – “Can’t Feel My Face” (VFX Editor: Bryan Smaller)
Zayn – “PILLOWTALK” (VFX Editor: David Smith)