MTV 2012 Video Music Awards Nominees Announced, Some Predictions Within The VMA Nominations

MTV's 2012 Video Music Awards (VMAs) nominees have been announced (courtesy of MTV.com) and Rihanna's duet with Drake, "Take Care" is a front-runner with five nominations including Video Of The Year.

Katy Perry, who won big last year, trails with four nominations. Other notable nominees for Video Of The Year include Gotye ("Somebody That I Used To Know"), Katy Perry ("Wide Awake") and M. I. A. ("Bad Girls"). Rihanna is nominated twice in the Video Of The Year category, in conjunction to her duet with Drake, she's also nominated for "We Found Love". The obvious money is on Rihanna to take home an award, seeing as she's doubly nominated.

There are some powerful videos nominated for Best Video With A Message. Demi Lovato, returning to music after tackling her disorders is nominated for "Skyscraper", a beautiful track about battling back from difficulties amid rumor and innuendo. Kelly Clarkson and Lil Wayne are also strong contenders in the category, with their tracks "Dark Side" and "How To Love". The smart bet is Lovato, as her real-life issues are inspiring enough to see her overcome, bouncing back with a tremendous song like "Skyscraper".

Speaking of former Disney kids, Selena Gomez' "Love You Like A Love Song" is nominated for Best Female Video. While it'd be nice to see a Disney flawless victory for Gomez and Lovato, Katy Perry's "Part Of Me" is the strongest contender in the bunch, as it presents a darker, more intense side of the pop star's often candy-colored, somewhat goofy persona.

Best Male Video could potentially go to Frank Ocean for "Swim Good", however; even though it's part of a duet, Drake might take it home for "Take Care". The concept of nominating a duet for Best Male Video is a little confusing, but it must have been a slow year for the dudes. Dark horse candidate is Chris Brown for "Turn Up The Music".

Spike Jonze directed the video for The Throne's "Otis". The one-two punch of Jay-Z and Kanye West should be enough to carry this video for Best Direction, considering Spike Jonze is a certifiable genius. The video looks as though it was shot with a diamond cutter's attention to detail, and features the two biggest rappers on the planet. The other videos are fine and all, but nothing tops the majesty and sheer magnitude of "Otis".

Here's a list of all the nominees, courtesy of MTV.com:

Video of the Year
Katy Perry, "Wide Awake"
Gotye, "Somebody That I Used To Know"
Rihanna, "We Found Love"
Drake feat. Rihanna, "Take Care"
M.I.A., "Bad Girls"

Best New Artist
Fun. feat. Janelle Monae, "We Are Young"
Carly Rae Jepsen, "Call Me Maybe"
Frank Ocean, "Swim Good"
One Direction, "What Makes You Beautiful"
The Wanted, "Glad You Came"

Best Hip-Hop Video
Childish Gambino, "Heartbeat"
Drake feat. Lil Wayne, "HYFR"
Kanye West feat. Pusha T, Big Sean & 2 Chainz, "Mercy"
The Throne, "Paris"
Nicki Minaj feat. 2 Chainz, "Beez in the Trap"

Best Male Video
Justin Bieber, "Boyfriend"
Frank Ocean, "Swim Good"
Drake feat. Rihanna, "Take Care"
Chris Brown, "Turn Up the Music"
Usher, "Climax"

Best Female Video
Rihanna, "We Found Love"
Katy Perry, "Part of Me"
Beyoncé, "Love on Top"
Nicki Minaj, "Starships"
Selena Gomez & The Scene, "Love You Like a Love Song"

Best Pop Video
One Direction, "What Makes You Beautiful"
Fun. feat. Janelle Monae, "We Are Young"
Rihanna, "We Found Love"
Justin Bieber, "Boyfriend"
Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa, "Payphone"

Best Rock Video
Coldplay, "Paradise"
The Black Keys, "Lonely Boy"
Linkin Park, "BURN IT DOWN"
Jack White, "Sixteen Saltines"
Imagine Dragons, "It's Time"

Best Electronic Dance Music Video
Duck Sauce, "Big Bad Wolf"
Calvin Harris, "Feel So Close"
Skrillex, "First of the Year (Equinox)"
Martin Solveig, "The Night Out"
Avicii, "Le7els"

Best Video With a Message
Demi Lovato, "Skyscraper"
Rise Against, "Ballad of Hollis Brown"
Kelly Clarkson, "Dark Side"
Gym Class Heroes, "The Fighter"
K'Naan feat. Nelly Furtado, "Is Anybody Out There?"
Lil Wayne, "How to Love"

Best Art Direction
Katy Perry, "Wide Awake"
Drake feat. Rihanna, "Take Care"
Lana Del Rey, "Born to Die"
Regina Spektor, "All the Rowboats"
Of Monsters & Men, "Little Talks"

Best Choreography
Chris Brown, "Turn Up the Music"
Rihanna, "Where Have You Been"
Beyoncé, "Countdown"
Avicii, "Le7els"
Jennifer Lopez f/Pitbull, "Dance Again"

Best Cinematography
M.I.A., "Bad Girls"
Adele, "Someone Like You"
Drake feat. Rihanna, "Take Care"
Coldplay feat. Rihanna, "Princess of China"
Lana Del Rey, "Born to Die"

Best Direction
M.I.A., "Bad Girls"
Duck Sauce, "Big Bad Wolf"
Coldplay feat. Rihanna, "Princess of China"
Frank Ocean, "Swim Good"
The Throne, "Otis"

Best Editing
Beyoncé, "Countdown"
A$AP Rocky, "Goldie"
Gotye, "Somebody That I Used to Know"
The Throne, "Paris"
Kanye West feat. Pusha T, Big Sean and 2 Chainz, "Mercy"

Best Visual Effects
Katy Perry, "Wide Awake"
Rihanna, "Where Have You Been"
David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj, "Turn Me On"
Linkin Park, "BURN IT DOWN"