The MTV Video Music Awards nominations for 2024 have been revealed, and they are largely lacking in representation of modern rock and metal acts.
When the nominees were announced Tuesday (Aug. 6), it was probably no surprise to see pop icons such as Taylor Swift leading the way with 10 nominations, and artists such as Post Malone, Ariana Grande, Eminem and Sabrina Carpenter serving as her biggest challengers. But what was surprising was how little many of today’s most prominent rock and metal acts were represented, even in the categories assigned for rock.
There were zero rock nominees included in the big four categories of Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist. So which rock and metal artists did actually receive nominations?
Who Got Nominated in the MTV VMA Rock Categories?
The nominees for MTV’s Best Rock VMA read like a list of elder statesmen, with all of the acts having been around since the early 2000s. They include Bon Jovi for “Legendary,” Coldplay for “feelslikeimfallinginlove,” Green Day for “Dilemma,” Kings of Leon for “Mustang,” Lenny Kravitz for “Human” and U2 for “Atomic City.”
The other rock centric category was Best Alternative where Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things,” Bleachers’ “Tiny Moves,” Hozier’s “Too Sweet,” Imagine Dragons’ “Eyes Closed,” Linkin Park’s “Friendly Fire” and Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control (Live)” at least had a closer tie to what has been faring well for alternative rock radio.
BEST ALTERNATIVE
Benson Boone – “Beautiful Things” – Night Street Records, Inc. / Warner RecordsBleachers – “Tiny Moves” – Dirty HitHozier – “Too Sweet” – Columbia RecordsImagine Dragons – “Eyes Closed” – KIDinaKorner / Interscope RecordsLinkin Park – “Friendly Fire” – This Compilation / Warner RecordsTeddy Swims – “Lose Control (Live)” – Warner Records
BEST ROCK
Bon Jovi – “Legendary” – IslandColdplay – “feelslikeimfallinginlove” – Atlantic RecordsGreen Day – “Dilemma” – Reprise Records / Warner RecordsKings of Leon – “Mustang” – Capitol RecordsLenny Kravitz – “Human” – ℗© 2024 Roxie Records Inc. under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management GmbHU2 – “Atomic City” – Interscope Records
Outside of those two categories, it’s pretty bleak for rock fans. Coldplay got a “Video for Good” nomination and Bleachers received Best Direction and Best Choreography nominations. Meanwhile, The Warning’s “Automatic Sun,” which was featured by the network in July, is up for the MTV Push Performance of the Year.
Who’s Up for the Big Awards?
As previously stated, pop rules! Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Eminem, Post Malone and others are well represented in the bigger categories. A listing of the nominees for the top four categories can be seen below.
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande – “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” – Republic RecordsBillie Eilish – “LUNCH” – Darkroom / Interscope RecordsDoja Cat – “Paint The Town Red” – Kemosabe Records / RCA RecordsEminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope RecordsSZA – “Snooze” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA RecordsTaylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande – Republic RecordsBad Bunny – Rimas EntertainmentEminem – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope RecordsSabrina Carpenter – IslandSZA – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA RecordsTaylor Swift – Republic Records
SONG OF THE YEAR
Beyoncé – “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia RecordsJack Harlow – “Lovin On Me” – Generation Now / Atlantic RecordsKendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang, under exclusive license to Interscope RecordsSabrina Carpenter – “Espresso” – IslandTaylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic RecordsTeddy Swims – “Lose Control” – Warner Records
BEST NEW ARTIST
Benson Boone – Night Street Records, Inc. / Warner RecordsChappell Roan – IslandGracie Abrams – Interscope RecordsShaboozey – American Dogwood / EMPIRETeddy Swims – Warner RecordsTyla – Epic Records
About the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards
The 2024 MTV VMAs will take place Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 8PM ET / PT live from New York’s UBS Arena. Voting in all categories is now open. You can make your selections through the MTV VMAs website.
MTV Video Music Awards Rock Awards Winners by Year
Gallery Credit: Chad Childers
