Predicting the 2020 MTV VMA winners

Nominees:

• Billie Eilish: “everything i wanted”
• Eminem: “Godzilla” ft. Juice WRLD
• Future: “Life Is Good” ft. Drake
• Lady Gaga / Ariana Grande: “Rain on Me”
• Taylor Swift: “The Man”
• The Weeknd: “Blinding Lights”

Winner: The Weeknd: "Blinding Lights"

When the "Blinding Lights" video begins, viewers see The Weeknd laughing with a bloody face, as if he was playing a movie villain looking for his next victim. The next scene appears to show the singer earlier in the evening as he races in a sports car before getting into a fight. The video features scenes of violence, love, and action, all of which could be included in a movie plot, perhaps fans will see The Weeknd in acting roles in the future. 

Nominees:

• DaBaby
• Justin Bieber
• Lady Gaga
• Megan Thee Stallion
• Post Malone
• The Weeknd

Winner: Megan Thee Stallion

After coming from her Hot Girl Summer last year, Megan Thee Stallion is showing no signs of slowing down. In addition to releasing her highly-anticipated Suga album, so far she’s collaborated with artists such as Nicki Minaj, Tyga, Kehlani, Beyoncé, and recently Cardi B. The future of rap is female and Meg is here for her rightful place in the industry. Fans should expect more anthems, dancing, and hot girl confidence with Megan at the forefront. 

Nominees:

• Billie Eilish: “everything i wanted”
• Doja Cat: “Say So”
• Lady Gaga / Ariana Grande: “Rain on Me”
• Megan Thee Stallion: “Savage”
• Post Malone: “Circles”
• Roddy Ricch: “The Box”

Winner: Roddy Ricch: “The Box”

Roddy Ricch released his debut album Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial and it wasn’t his fourth single “The Box” that really set him as a rising star in the rap game. After the song debuted at number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100 towards the end of 2019, the song reached number one a few weeks later, where it spent 11 weeks at the top spot. The song also held the top spot on the Hot Rap Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. 

Nominees:

• Ariana Grande / Justin Bieber: “Stuck with U”
• Black Eyed Peas: “RITMO (Bad Boys for Life)” ft. J Balvin
• Ed Sheeran: “Beautiful People” ft. Khalid
• Future: “Life Is Good” ft. Drake
• KAROL G: “Tusa” ft. Nicki Minaj
• Lady Gaga / Ariana Grande: “Rain on Me”

Winner: Black Eyed Peas: “RITMO (Bad Boys for Life)” ft. J Balvin

One thing that always stands out about the Black Eyed Peas, the group knows how to cater to different audiences. They did just that when they decided to team up with J Balvin on the hit single, "RITMO (Bad Boys for Life)." In addition to the neon lights and dance sequences, the video beams with nightclub life that would be a perfect track to play at any party. 

Nominees:

• Doja Cat
• Jack Harlow
• Lewis Capaldi
• Roddy Ricch
• Tate McRae
• YUNGBLUD

Winner: Jack Harlow

Since 2018, rising rapper Jack Harlow has been making his way on to the scene. Once Harlow signed with DJ Drama's imprint Generation Now, he started collaborating with the likes of CyHi the Prynce, K Camp, and Bryson Tiller. The rapper's latest single, "What's Poppin" reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Nominees:

BTS: “ON”
Halsey: “You should be sad”
Jonas Brothers: “What a Man Gotta Do”
Justin Bieber: “Intentions” ft. Quavo
Lady Gaga / Ariana Grande: “Rain on Me”
Taylor Swift: “Lover”

Winner: Taylor Swift: "Lover"

From the song title, Taylor Swift wants her audience to feel the same type of affection on "Lover." The video can make viewers feel nostalgic as Taylor and her love interest are shown doing what couples do, everything from slow dancing, to arguing, to having nice dinners at home. As the video showcases the couple in different rooms as they experience different parts of their lives, the final scene shows the couple's daughter, somewhat of a finale to the love story. 

Nominees:

DaBaby: “BOP”
Eminem: “Godzilla” ft. Juice WRLD
Future: “Life Is Good” ft. Drake
Megan Thee Stallion: “Savage”
Roddy Ricch: “The Box”
Travis Scott: “HIGHEST IN THE ROOM”

Winner: DaBaby: “BOP”

Since DaBaby has been on the rise, he's been perfecting his showmanship throughout his performances and videos. He described his "BOP" video as a hip-hop musical on Broadway as it takes place in an inner-city. While people are dancing in the street, DaBaby and his crew are shown being chased by the cops after partaking in what the cops deem as criminal activity. Once DaBaby is able to shake the cops, he joins the crew in a dance routine throughout the rest of the video. 

Nominees:

blink-182: “Happy Days”
Coldplay: “Orphans”
Evanescence: “Wasted on You”
Fall Out Boy: “Dear Future Self (Hands Up)” ft. Wyclef Jean
Green Day: “Oh Yeah!”
The Killers: “Caution”

Winner: Green Day: “Oh Yeah!”

"Everybody is a star" is one of the main lyrics from Green Day's "Oh Yeah!" and in the video, the band shows how people feel like stars. Mostly through the lens of cell phones, as people are shown taking selfies, recording workout videos, and capturing famous people on the street. 

Nominees:

The 1975: “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)”
All Time Low: “Some Kind of Disaster”
FINNEAS: “Let’s Fall in Love for the Night”
Lana Del Rey: “Doin’ time”
Machine Gun Kelly: “Bloody Valentine”
twenty one pilots: “Level of Concern”

Winner: All Time Low: “Some Kind of Disaster”

In the video for "Some Kind of Disaster," All Time Low's vocalist Alex Gaskarth plays the role of attending a therapy session and each person he meets there is fighting a battle within themselves. Whether it's being a liar, critic, or sinner, Alex is the only one who's name tag shows his real name instead of these descriptive titles. Perhaps Alex is going through the therapy session because every other person in attendance is a representation of him. 

Nominees:

Anuel: “China” ft. Daddy Yankee, Ozuna, KAROL G and J Balvin
Bad Bunny: “Yo Perreo Sola”
Black Eyed Peas: “MAMACITA” ft. Ozuna and J. Rey Soul
KAROL G: “Tusa” ft. Nicki Minaj
Maluma: “Qué Pena” ft. J Balvin

Winner: KAROL G: “Tusa” ft. Nicki Minaj

KAROL G teaming up with Nicki Minaj is a match made in heaven. The "Tusa" video is filled with pink luxury, which is right in Minaj's wheelhouse. Minaj raps in Spanish and English, while KAROL G sings. Minaj is known for making collaborations with some of the hottest women in the music industry, this is just another stamp in KAROL G's discography. 

Nominees:

Alicia Keys: “Underdog”
Chloe x Halle: “Do It”
H.E.R.: “Slide” ft. YG
Khalid: “Eleven” ft. Summer Walker
Lizzo: “CUZ I LOVE YOU”
The Weeknd: “Blinding Lights”

Winner: Chloe x Halle “Do It”

Some people were introduced to Chloe x Halle as teenagers uploading covers on YouTube. With their sophomore album Ungodly Hour, the sister duo is truly coming into their own as young women ready to dominate. In “Do It,” the girls are giving harmonies and choreography that many people are imitating in TikTok videos worldwide. 

Nominees:

• (G)I-DLE: “Oh My God”
• BTS: “ON”
• EXO: “Obsession”
• Monsta X: “SOMEONE’S SOMEONE”
• Tomorrow X Together: “9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)”
• Red Velvet: “Psycho”

Winner: (G)I-DLE: “Oh My God”

In April 2020, Korean girl group (G)I-DLE released its third EP, I Trust, with the lead single, "Oh My God." In the video, the special effects and camera switches from color to black and white scenes, help each group member rule a solo scene while showcasing their different styles.

Nominees:

Anderson .Paak: “Lockdown”
Billie Eilish: “all the good girls go to hell”
Demi Lovato: “I Love Me”
H.E.R.: “I Can’t Breathe”
Lil Baby: “The Bigger Picture”
Taylor Swift: “The Man”

Winner: Anderson .Paak: “Lockdown”

After yet another police killing against George Floyd, some musicians saw this as a moment to use their platform by supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. Anderson .Paak uses his "Lockdown" video to showcase the emotions and aftermath of people protesting for justice and equal rights. 

Nominees:

5 Seconds of Summer: “Wildflower”
Ariana Grande / Justin Bieber: “Stuck with U”
blink-182: “Happy Days”
Drake: “Toosie Slide”
John Legend: “Bigger Love”
twenty one pilots: “Level of Concern”

Winner: Ariana Grande / Justin Bieber: “Stuck with U”

Since the 2020 pandemic has rambled across the world, one of the main protocols is asking people to quarantine at home. Due to shelter-in-place and social distancing orders, artists have been creative with making videos including Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber. Besides Grande and Bieber singing the song alongside interaction videos from fans and other celebrity friends like Stephen Curry and Chance The Rapper, the video shows different elements of being stuck with the people they love. 

Nominees:

Chloe & Halle: “Do It” from MTV’s Prom-athon
CNCO: Unplugged at Home
DJ D-Nice: Club MTV presents #DanceTogether
John Legend: #togetherathome Concert Series
Lady Gaga: “Smile” from One World: Together at Home
Post Malone: Nirvana Tribute

Winner: DJ D-Nice: Club MTV presents #DanceTogether

Thanks to the quarantine's favorite DJ D-Nice, music fans got a taste of some nostalgic MTV. Once D-Nice started bringing in thousands of viewers during his Club Quarantine Instagram sets, he partnered with the network to bring a virtual dance party with Club MTV presents #DanceTogether. The dance-offs and celebrity pop-ins all helped towards a good cause to support the Save The Music Foundation. 

Nominees:

Billie Eilish: “xanny” (dir. Billie Eilish)
Doja Cat: “Say So” (dir. Hannah Lux Davis)
Dua Lipa: “Don’t Start Now” (dir. Nabil)
Harry Styles: “Adore You” (dir. Dave Meyers)
Taylor Swift: “The Man” (dir. Taylor Swift)
The Weeknd: “Blinding Lights” (dir. Anton Tammi)

Winner: Doja Cat: “Say So” (dir. Hannah Lux Davis)

Doja Cat's "Say So" beams with a '70s disco-inspired visual. The video features everything from Farrah Fawcett hairdos, afros, pyschedelic colors, vinyl records, and disco balls. Since the song production pulls inspiration from that era, its visual element matches the theme tremendously. The video's director Hannah Lux Davis is known for working with artists such as Ariana Grande, Kacey Musgraves, and Demi Lovato. 

Nominees:

5 Seconds of Summer: “Old Me” (cinematography: Kieran Fowler)
Camila Cabello: “My Oh My” ft. DaBaby (cinematography: Dave Meyers)
Billie Eilish: “all the good girls go to hell” (cinematography: Christopher Probst)
Katy Perry: “Harleys in Hawaii” (cinematography: Arnau Valls)
Lady Gaga / Ariana Grande: “Rain on Me” (cinematography: Thomas Kloss)
The Weeknd: “Blinding Lights” (cinematography: Oliver Millar)

Winner: 5 Seconds of Summer: “Old Me” (cinematography: Kieran Fowler)

Cinematography in music videos is all about how a song comes to life through visuals. 5 Seconds of Summer uses their song "Old Me" to give viewers different types of camera motion, long shot exposures, close-ups of the artists, and vintage shots with film grain. 

Nominees:

A$AP Rocky: “Babushka Boi” (art direction: A$AP Rocky and Nadia Lee Cohen)
Dua Lipa: “Physical” (art direction: Anna Colomer Nogué)
Harry Styles: “Adore You” (art direction: Laura Ellis Cricks)
Miley Cyrus: “Mother’s Daughter” (art direction: Christian Stone)
Selena Gomez: “Boyfriend” (art direction: Tatiana Bianca van Sauter)
Taylor Swift: “Lover” (art direction: Ethan Tobman)

Winner: Dua Lipa: “Physical” (art direction: Anna Colomer Nogué)

In Dua Lipa's "Physical" video, the singer finds ways to blend colors between herself and her fellow dancers. The video's first scene has Dua Lipa and a dancer with red lighting against them, before it switches and they're seen in red outfits to contrast. The rest of the video uses a number of neon and fluorescent lighting as the film is switched from reality to cartoon format. 

Nominees:

Billie Eilish: “all the good girls go to hell” (visual effects: Drive Studios)
Demi Lovato: “I Love Me” (visual effects: Hoody FX)
Dua Lipa: “Physical” (visual effects: EIGHTY4)
Harry Styles: “Adore You” (visual effects: Mathematic)
Lady Gaga / Ariana Grande: “Rain on Me” (visual effects: Ingenuity Studios)
Travis Scott: “HIGHEST IN THE ROOM” (visual effects: Artjail, Scissor Films and Freenjoy)

Winner: Billie Eilish: “all the good girls go to hell” (visual effects: Drive Studios)

If Billie Eilish wanted to make a horror film, her video for "all the good girls go to hell" could make for an interesting plot. Between the fiery scenes, Eilish falling to earth before spreading her wings and walking out of a black substance, the creepy scenes have an underlying meaning to tackle climate change. 

Nominees:

BTS: “ON” (choreography: Son Sung Deuk, Lee Ga Hun and Lee Byung Eun)
CNCO / Natti Natasha: “Honey Boo” (choreography: Kyle Hanagami)
DaBaby: “BOP” (choreography: Dani Leigh and Cherry)
Dua Lipa: “Physical” (choreography: Charm La’Donna)
Lady Gaga / Ariana Grande: “Rain on Me” (choreography: Richy Jackson)
Normani: “Motivation” (choreography: Sean Bankhead)

Winner:  DaBaby: “BOP” (choreography: Dani Leigh and Cherry)

In addition to DaBaby portraying his "BOP" video as a hip-hop musical, one of his standout additions is the dance routine from the Jabbawockeez. It's totally unexpected since the dance group isn't seen in the video until towards the end, but they easily steal the show. Ever since the dance group became the first season winners of America's Best Dance Crew in 2008, they haven't slowed down on taking over stages and videos across the world.

Nominees:

• Halsey: “Graveyard” (editing: Emilie Aubry, Janne Vartia and Tim Montana)
• James Blake: “Can’t Believe the Way We Flow” (editing: Frank Lebon)
• Lizzo: “Good as Hell” (editing: Russell Santos and Sofia Kerpan)
• Miley Cyrus: “Mother’s Daughter” (editing: Alexandre Moors and Nuno Xico)
• Rosalía: “A Palé” (editing: Andre Jones)
• The Weeknd: “Blinding Lights” (editing: Janne Vartia and Tim Montana)

Winner: Rosalía: “A Palé” (editing: Andre Jones)

Editing is a key factor in making a great music video. In Rosalía's video for “A Palé,” viewers witness a number of manipulated scenes, camera angle arrangements, special effects, and clip speed. In addition to precise choreography and gold fashion elements, she uses trucking imagery to help highlight a person's strength.